Quilt Canada 2016 Update

Are you considering coming to Quilt Canada 2016?  

Have you already booked your trip? Finalized your plans?  Whatever the case may be, here are some really fun things for you to consider doing while you are at the conference.

First off, is take in a workshop. How amazing is it that CQA/ACC brings in instructors from everywhere and puts them all under one roof so you have a smorgasbord of talent to choose from!

We even have long arm and mid arm workshops and lectures this year! Handi Quilter is supplying the long arm and mid arm machines for these workshops and lectures.

Grab a lecture! They are quick and fast and you can gain so much information on topics you wanted to explore but never had the time to!

Check out our Demo Booth. Stationed right in the Merchant Mall with around the clock demos on new products, tips, techniques and tools, it is a must stop. Grab your lunch and come on by!

All the shows!  The National Juried Show is the icing on the cake showcasing the incredible talent we have in all new categories!
We have our fun and exciting Trend-Tex Challenge where you can not only take in these beautiful small quilts, but bid on them and support Canadian quilting. The incredible Toronto Modern Quilt Guild is having a show plus our Invitational quilt show!  There will be so many quilts for you to be inspired by.

Did I mention the Merchant Mall?  We are pleased to bring you the largest Merchant Mall we have ever had at our conference!  Yes, it is HUGE! Click here to see a list of the vendors.

You do not want to miss our Quilters' Nite Out with Jane Sassaman!  The freebies and giveaways will rock your world.

Quilter's Nite Out – Jane Sassaman Lecture and Social

Join Jane Sassaman for a very special evening lecture followed by a social time with fellow quilters. Refreshments: tea, coffee and dessert will be served.  A cash bar will also be available.

We are thrilled to present a lecture by well known and respected quilter, author and fabric designer, Jane Sassaman (see bio).  You will enjoy Jane's lecture on the visual and philosophical ideas that have influenced both her life and her work.  Jane brings an extraordinary range of wonderful images making this a colourful lecture.  Jane excites and inspires her audience by exposing them to an unusual combination of fantastic images.

Book your ticket early for this entertaining and informative evening as seating is limited and will sell out quickly.  This is a rare opportunity for Canadian quilters to hear Jane Sassaman in person and to mingle and meet with old and new quilting friends.

Cost: $25.00 ($30.00 at the door, if available)
TIME: Thursday, June 16, 7:00 p.m.

The International Gathering of the Guilds is a once in a lifetime opportunity as well!

The International Gathering of the Guilds – Quilt Canada 2016

Paula Rafferty

A public gathering such as the International Gathering of the Guilds™, for quilters by quilters around the world, is an incredible and unique occasion. Please join us for an evening in celebration of quilting and sharing on a global scale.

The most common thread among quilters worldwide is fellowship and camaraderie. The evening will include presentations from guest speakers from the global quilting project movement, followed by a Show & Share quilt parade like no other! Won't it be fun to see what other quilters around the world are working on? Please bring a finished quilted piece to show and share with others. All skill levels are welcome.  Seating is limited. 

Book your ticket now!

Cost: $22.00 ($25.00 at the door if available)
Time: Friday, June 17, 7:00 p.m.
Cash bar available
Keynote Speaker: Paula Rafferty of Ireland (see bio)
Show & Tell parade
Sponsored by: Celtic Quilt Tours
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Strawson kstrawson@gmail.com
Kim Caskey kim@kimcaskey.ca

Did I mention that our door prize is a long arm quilting machine?  Sponsored by Handi Quilter!

Try Out a Long Arm or Mid Arm Machine at Quilt Canada 2016

Do you machine quilt? Would you like to machine quilt? Do you sometimes experience frustration trying to ram that big quilt under your domestic machine?  If you know there is an alternative but you really don't know much more than that, or you want to learn more about these machines, we have the solution for you at Quilt Canada 2016! Read down to the end to find out the best part!

Handi Quilter has generously donated for your use a classroom of Sweet Sixteens for you to try! The best part is the workshops are only 3 hours in length and the topics vary to suit your needs. Sweet Sixteens are considered a mid arm machine that you can sit down at.

It gets better, Handi Quilter is also bringing in an Avanté long arm machine that the instructor will demonstrate in lecture style with a projector and big screen so you can sit in your chair and see close up exactly how she does her quilting. And these lectures are only 3 hours in length so you still have oodles of time to head over to the Handi Quilter booth and try an Avanté, take in the quilt shows or visit the merchant mall!

Did I mention that we are bringing in their top instructors in the industry?  We are, Amy Von Gurp and Sue Patten are coming to teach! They are both teaching 8 different workshops/lectures which gives you 16 opportunities to get informed and try mid arm and long arm quilting.

Take a look at just a few of the lectures and workshops they are offering.

Here is a sampling of two of Amy's classes:

3021- Ruling the Ruler Sweet
Sixteen Hands-On - Two students per machine 
3 Hours: Friday, June 17, 2016, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. 
Kit Fee: $25.00 (Students should also be prepared to purchase a ruler of their choice at the beginning of the class). 
Skill Level: All levels
Cost: Members:$60; Non-Members: $67
Note: Lunch tickets are available for purchase.

Be intimidated no more!  Come and learn how to use rulers safely and properly to finish your quilts.  In this class we will be exploring the different ways you can use a ruler to finish any quilting projects from clam shells to feathers and background fills.

SUPPLY LIST: Sketch pad, pencil and pen.

3521- Modern Quilting on Traditional Quilts
Long-Arm Lecture style workshop 
3 Hours: Friday, June 17, 2016, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 
Kit Fee: N/A 
Skill Level: All levels
Cost: Members:$50; Non-Members: $57
Note: Lunch tickets are available for purchase.

In this class we will explore ways of using modern quilting designs and techniques on traditional quilts.  We will be using a variety of tools that include rulers, computers and micro handles.

SUPPLY LIST: Sketch pad, pencil and pen.

And here is a sampling of Sue Patten's lecture/workshops:

1010 - Add, Alter, Delete, Change...
Long-Arm Lecture style workshop 
3 Hours: Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 8:30-11:30 a.m. 
Kit Fee: $5.00 
Skill Level: All levels
Cost: Members:$50; Non-Members: $57
Note: Lunch tickets are available for purchase

This new class will take six design concepts and turn them into DOZENS of designs for every area of the quilt top.  Sue will teach the glass to go beyond what they see to discover what each design can be if you add, alter, delete and change it.  This class takes each design concept and creates blocks, borders, sashing, background, and edge-to-edge designs or all over designs, covering the complete quilt - all in one class.  Students will have the chance to share a design they use all the time and have it transformed into a multitude of variations to fit every area of a quilt.  This is a fast paced, all out fun and exciting class that will leave students with a whole new way of looking at their designs and the designs they will learn in other classes.  Come see beyond what's there and discover what any design can become as we Add, Alter, Delete and Change the way we design and quilt!!!

SUPPLY LIST: Sketch pad, pencil and pen.

1510 - Rule Your Quilt!
Sweet Sixteen Hands-On - Two students per machine. 
3 Hours: Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 1:00-4:00 p.m. 
Kit Fee: $25.00 
Skill Level: All levels
Cost: Members: $60; Non-Members: $67
Note: Lunch tickets are available for purchase.

If you are hesitant about using rulers, you will love them after this class.  Learn to handle rulers and templates safely and properly, as well as how to work with rulers to achieve amazing designs.  So join us and discover how rulers can add beauty and precision to all your future quilts.  Skills Featured: Straight line quilting; Fast continuous-curve method; Right angles and echo quilting; Cross-hatching; Piano keys and borders.

SUPPLY LIST: Sketch pad, pencil and pen.

Head on over to our classes to see what interests you and sign up today, so you don't miss this incredible opportunity!

One more little thing, when you sign up for a class/lecture, you get a ballot to enter into an amazing draw to win your very own Avanté!