I have gone to the one my local store puts on for about 4 years. It's is a lot of fun. They set up their machines and you use them. The instructor from Anita's is great, lots of fun. They do give you the free designs, a nice binder (that was new last year) and give away a lot of prizes. They furnish everything you need to make several projects. I do recommend taking a good sharp pair of small scissors--the ones we are provided aren't always the best! Ours for this year isn't until the first weekend of November.