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Blue Bar Quilts

Featured Class

Maday's Memory of Stitches: Revisiting Old Cloth

Instructor: Maday Delgado
 

A few spots became available for this Saturday!

From Maday: "My belief is that every hand-stitch is imbued with memory and that paying tribute to the materials that we use is an important part of the creative process. This hand-stitching workshop puts sustainability at the forefront; by utilizing vintage materials we create and reinforce our connection to the past and an opportunity to honor how cotton comes into existence, from seed to cloth. The texture created by applying hand-stitching becomes the superstar of sustainable, mindful practice. Seeing the work that emerges from non-commercial, non-decorative fabrics, invites us to explore what beauty can be and how it is perceived. I hope you join me in this journey as we explore and rejoice in mindful stitching together." More details here.
 

A kit supplied by Maday will include: ready-to-sew raw edge appliques with natural shapes, vintage textiles, needle, and threads.
 

 This Saturday, March 11
11:00am - 3:00pm

Register

All Classes & Events

March 2023

Madison Modern Quilt Guild Meeting

Mad Mod Quilt Guild meetings take place on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm at Blue Bar Quilts or virtually on ZOOM. Please contact group administration or check social media feeds to confirm meeting formats. Visitors are welcome to attend two meetings before becoming dues-paying members.

For more information: madmodquiltguild.com
 

March 9

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Maday's Memory of Stitches: Revisiting Old Cloth

Instructor: Maday Delgado

From Maday: "My belief is that every hand-stitch is imbued with memory and that paying tribute to the materials that we use is an important part of the creative process. This hand-stitching workshop puts sustainability at the forefront; by utilizing vintage materials we create and reinforce our connection to the past and an opportunity to honor how cotton comes into existence, from seed to cloth. The texture created by applying hand-stitching becomes the superstar of sustainable, mindful practice. Seeing the work that emerges from non-commercial, non-decorative fabrics, invites us to explore what beauty can be and how it is perceived. I hope you join me in this journey as we explore and rejoice in mindful stitching together." More details here.

 

A kit supplied by Maday will include: ready-to-sew raw edge appliques with natural shapes, vintage textiles, needle, and threads.

 

A few spots became available for this Saturday, don't miss it!

 

March 11
11:00am - 3:00pm

Register

Days for Girls Sew Day

Organizer: Middleton Days for Girls Team

The Middleton Days for Girls team meets the second Tuesday every month to make re-useable menstrual kits sent to international communities in need, such as schools in developing nations and refugee camps.

Kit components are made for DfG to exact specifications and include pads, shields and a drawstring bag.

The Days for Girls (DfG) Pad is a washable, reusable, beautiful menstrual health product that’s built to last. Our patented design, which includes a protective shield and absorbent liner, is backed by the latest menstrual health research and a decade of feedback from women around the world. It is a truly sustainable solution that menstruators can count on month after month, for up to three years. Email Nancy for more info.

March 14
10:00am - 3:00pm

Quilt Techniques: Improve Your Piecing

Instructor: Rebecca Lidstrom

Accurate piecing makes a world of difference when making a quilt. We’ll explore some common issues and learn how to fix them. You’ll also learn helpful tips and tricks to improve your piecing skills.

This class will focus on:

  • Accurate Fabric Cutting
  • Perfecting Your Seam Allowance
  • Flawless Pressing
  • Precise Trimming
More details here.

March 14
6:00pm - 8:30pm

Register

Stash Busting Session

Instructor: Marian Stimson

Using fabrics you already own, you will complete several exercises with input from partner participants and facilitator Marian to combine them in new ways. Learn to create visually interesting quilt designs and strategically select quilt patterns to use the stash you own and love. There will be plenty of fun and free planning, cutting & sewing time in each 3-hour session. More details here.

Suggested books available at the shop:

March 21 or April 18
5:00pm - 8:00pm

 
Please choose one date when registering.
Register

Dynamic Duo: Cutting Edge

Instructor: Rebecca Lidstrom

This quilt has movement. The Cutting Edge quilt pattern mixes a colorful block with a simple neutral block to create a fun design. Perfect for the intermediate quilter, this pattern includes detailed instructions and color illustrations for piecing the quilt top. Pattern is fat quarter friendly, and includes instructions for three sizes: small: 54″ x 72″, medium: 72″ x 90″ and large: 90″ x 108″. The pattern also includes a coloring sheet to experiment with your own colorway. More details here.

March 30 & April 27
6:00pm - 8:30pm

This class meets for 2 sessions, all included in one fee.
Register

April 2023

EPP Finishing Techniques

Instructor: Elizabeth Oner

Learn what to do once you have a collection of English paper pieced blocks stitched together. In this class, you will learn how to center a project onto fabric, pin, and applique the designs to the background. We will also cover how to add borders to larger projects and how to prepare the edges of your quilt top for quilting. More details here.

April 1
11:00am - 3:00pm

Register

Building Blocks: Flying Geese

Instructor: Rebecca Lidstrom

In this class, you will learn to create flying geese using 3 different methods: stitch & flip, traditional, and no-waste (4-At-A-Time). We will make flying geese in two different sizes 2" x 4" (2" x 4" unfinished) and 4" x 8" (4" x 8"unfinished) which can be used to make a mini quilt. More details here.

April 2
1:00pm - 3:30pm

Register

Quilt Techniques: Binding Your Quilt

Instructor: Rebecca Lidstrom

Whether you’re just getting started or have been quilting for some time, you are guaranteed to learn helpful tips and tricks to take your binding skills to the next level.

This class will focus on:

  • Trimming Your Quilt
  • Making Binding Strips
  • Attaching Binding
  • Perfecting Corners
  • Decorative Binding Techniques

More details here.

April 11
6:00pm - 8:30pm

Register

Boomerang Bags Sewing Session

Organizer: Boomerang Bags Madison

Welcome to our community of volunteer sewers, who gather to create reusable shopping bags from upcycled materials, as a sustainable alternative to plastic. We enjoy the process of cutting and sewing bags, and it gives us a forum to discuss how to distribute them, and sustainability in general. It is fun and creative! We welcome you to join us each month, or sew some kits at home. For more info, contact Lois Bergerson.

April 12
10:00am - 2:00pm

Wearable Art Scarf

Instructor: Maday Delgado

From Maday: "Wearable Art is one of the most beautiful ways in which we can express ourselves. This workshop is all about bringing that gift forth as well as encouraging sustainability. We will play with shapes, colors, and textures. This workshop combines machine piecing with hand stitching, with an emphasis on improvisation. Students will machine piece a wearable scarf or surface design panel to use in another project. (This workshop is fantastic even if you don't wear a scarf!) The scarf panel will be adorned with the rich textures of improv hand-stitching using colorful threads to give your work textural elegance. Please note: this is not a hand quilting workshop. Maday will provide a kit that includes curated fabrics shapes, a needle, and threads. More details here.

April 15
11:00am - 2:30pm

Register

One Fabric Hexagon Quilt Technique

Instructor: Trisha Urben

Have you ever wanted to make one of these fun quilts? It's just *one fabric*, cut into kaleidoscope hexagons and laid out how you wish, to make a beautiful quilt. This one-day technique class will help you prep enough blocks to give you the knowledge and confidence to finish your quilt at home. More details here.

The fabric is the star of this quilt and the only decision to make. Best fabrics are large scale designs, with little background showing, preferably a 24” repeat. When you find the perfect fabric, purchase at least six repeats (ideally eight or so repeats). If you are hesitant or would like some help, please contact Trisha and she will meet with you to help.

There are some tools and tricks to help pick a great fabric. Use this link to preview fabric choices: One Block Wonder Design Helper.

April 22
10:30am - 3:30pm

Register

Building Blocks: Stars, Stars & More Stars

Instructor: Rebecca Lidstrom

In class, you will learn to create five different star blocks. All blocks will measure 12” square, and at the end of class, can be used to make a table runner.

The blocks for this class include:

  • Sawtooth Star
  • Friendship Star
  • Ohio Star
  • Air Castle
  • Judy’s Star
More details here.

April 30
1:00pm - 3:30pm

Register

May 2023

The Beauty of Denim: An Improv Story

Instructor: Maday Delgado

From Maday: "We will use improvisation to create a dynamic jean quilt that is visually striking, encourages sustainability, and ignites your creativity. Use, re-use, and up-cycle have never looked this great! As sewists, we have a unique opportunity to deconstruct the unused into something practical, while keeping clothing from the landfill or sitting in warehouses for years. Finding new uses for worn-out or unused clothing offers a remarkable opportunity for creative outlets both in home decor and reimagining wearables. In this class, we will focus on the beauty of the blues, and improv style, using simple shapes that lead to a cohesive panel or quilt top. The durability of denim makes it the perfect candidate to explore beauty and function. It also opens future possibilities for sustainable practices in our everyday life." *Maday will provide additional denim scraps for students to use. More details here.

May 6
12:00pm - 3:00pm

Register

Block Printing with Traditional Indian Blocks

Instructor: Maday Delgado

Using Maday's collection of carved Indian blocks, we will create our marks on textiles with permanent textile ink and create personalized fabrics to use in future projects. We'll learn techniques to share and explore, and we'll discuss printing on garments to give them a new life and add whimsy and visual interest. The possibilities are endless! Printing blocks, ink & other supplies will be provided by Maday. More details here.

May 7
12:30pm - 3:30pm

Register

Beyond Beginner Quilting

Instructor: Cheryl Schenck

If you have finished your first quilt and are ready for your next challenge, this class is for you. Using the Twinkle pattern by Swirly Girls Designs you will build your piecing skill set by learning how to make half-square triangle blocks and combine a color palette that will make your star quilt sparkle. More details here.

May 10 & 24
6:00pm - 8:00pm

This class meets for 2 sessions, all included in one fee.
Register

June 2023

Big Stitch Quilting with Birdie Bird Batting

Instructor: Maday Delgado

This workshop is an introduction to the beauty and simplicity of the big stitch. We will talk about, and employ the best and most affordable supplies, talk about technique, prepare the layers for stitching using flannel-backed Birdie Bird batting, and delve a little deeper into the running stitch. You will find your own rhythmic, stitch length and explore additional ways in which you can use this technique, not just in quilt making. In addition to its beauty, hand-stitching can be a practical approach to daily, mindful practice. More details here.

June 4
12:15pm - 3:45pm

Maday will provide needles and additional assorted threads to share with students in class.
Register

Easy Abstractions: Working in a Series

Instructor: Karin Hanson

The hardest part of "doing" is sometimes "starting". The primary goal of this workshop is to jump-start your needlework by discovering an easy way to begin an abstract design. No drawing skill is required as you begin a small fabric series embellished with hand embroidery. It will be unique to your fingertips, so you will be the artist!

If you can make dots on paper and connect them, you can create abstract designs. In this class, you will lay out your designs with bright fabrics and have time to begin to embellish them with hand stitching. As you leave class you will take home techniques to use over and over in any media.

*A kit with the following items will be provided by the instructor and is included in the class fee: Freezer paper, Frames, Highlighters, Parchment paper, Background fabric, Batting, Colored fabric, Needles, Needle threader, Embroidery floss, Perle cotton. More details here.

June 24
12:30pm - 3:30pm

Class fee includes a kit with fabric, batting, patterns, thread and other materials needed to make the project.
Register

Class & Events Information & Policies

Cancellations must be made at least one week prior to class in order to receive a full refund.

We offer a 10% discount on all class materials and supplies purchased at the shop. Bring your own sewing machine, in good working order and know how to operate it, to classes that require one. Most quilting and sewing classes require basic supplies and equipment such as rotary cutter, mat, ruler, scissors, pins, thread, etc. Please refer to the class description and supply list for full details on our website.

View all classes

We've got classes just for you!

Photos from Trisha Urben's One Fabric Hexagon Quilt Technique Class
Photo from Cheryl Schenck's Beginning Quiltmaking Class
Each week we'll send you our available classes so you don't miss out on the learning fun. Our quilt shop offers classes in quilting and sewing projects and techniques - both hand sewing and sewing machine - hand quilting, embroidery, sashiko, applique, patchwork, fabric dyeing, textile surface design, color theory and design essentials.

Explore the class you're interested in below for more details and to register.

Looking for featured fabrics and products?
Watch your inbox on Fridays!

Meet our instructors: Cheryl, Heidi, Karin, Leah, Liz, Maday, Marian, Rebecca & Trisha

Instructor Bios
Come in and demo the JUKI J-150QVP quilting and digital sewing machine!

Come in for a demo!


Experience JUKI’s high-speed free motion quilting and sewing machine with digital technology, the J-150QVP. With a maximum sewing speed of 2,500spm, this whisper-quiet and durable machine allow you to finish with precision.

The J-150QVP is equipped with features that allow you to make your sewing goals a reality! The generous 12” wide throat allows you to sew and quilt with spatial comfort. Change from sewing to quilting in 2 easy steps! First, change the presser foot, then press the switch function on the LCD panel. Change more features digitally like the tension, speed, box feeding system, lock/backstitching, and more!

Rent our classroom!

Rent our Classroom for a sew day, event or gathering!

Rental charge is $25 per hour; please check our online calendar for availability - if nothing is scheduled for that day the classroom is available, please email Gael at bluebarquilts@gmail.com to request. Limited evening hours available.

Amenities include: irons, ironing boards, cutting mats & basic acrylic rulers, twelve 6’ tables, 20 rolling office chairs, 75” smart TV, 100” square quilt design wall.

Direct to Fabric Digital Printing

  • Email your high-resolution photo or image files (JPG, PNG, or TIFF are the only usable file extensions) ahead of time with the subject line “digital prints” to bluebarquilts@gmail.com and include your name and phone number.  We cannot print copyrighted images or artwork that do not belong to you.
  • The price per print is $8.99
  • Maximum image printout size is 11.7” x 8.3” and your image can be re-sized to fit this dimension. Please specify what size within the maximum dimension you would like your image to be.
  • Images will be printed on a 12”x 14” piece of Bella PFD (prepared for dyeing) white quilting cotton. 
  • Please allow up to a week for the fulfillment of your order of 3 prints or less, an order of more than 3 prints could take longer.

Sharpening Services

Sharpening Services from 5th Dimension are now available weekly at Blue Bar Quilts.
  • Drop off your scissors (or knives) at the shop by Monday and they will be returned the following Monday.

  • Fill out a form providing your contact information; name, email address & phone number.

  • No limit on how many items to be sharpened, bring as many as you would like.

  • You will know your sharpened items are ready to be picked up once you receive an e-invoice from 5th Dimension for service.

  • Any questions regarding sharpening services &  invoicing should be made directly to Chessie of 5th Dimension: 5thDimensionknives@gmail.com or (608) 554-4203

  • Any blades that cannot be repaired will be returned with explanation and without a charge.

    Pricing:

    • Scissors & Pinking Shears - $15 each regardless of length

    • Knives - $1.50 per inch 

Blue Bar Quilts is a welcoming Modern Quilting Community – We invite anyone with an interest in quilting, sewing and creating to join us!

 

Blue Bar Quilts

Hours of operation for in-store shopping

 
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday, Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sunday
Noon - 4:00 PM

 

Online ordering is open 24/7
Curbside pick-up and shipping are available.

For prompt replies to your questions, please call or email us at bluebarquilts@gmail.com. These methods are preferred over social media messaging. Thank you!

(608) 284-9299

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