I'm certainly not a novice quilter but I find that sometimes I get in a rut with what I'm doing. With that in mind, I decided to enroll in a class at my favorite LQS. I purposely chose something I wouldn't normally do. Not only that, I chose fabric I wouldn't ordinarily buy.
Well! Let me tell you, I had a ball. The unfamiliar blocks, new rulers and techniques really lit my fire. I'm afraid I had become complacent and didn't really think I needed to learn anything new. :oops: Shame on me!
The moral of my story is to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Try a class at your LQS, buy fabric that isn't you and make some wonderful new acquaintances/friends. I'm going to a show on Saturday with one of my new buddies!
Life is good! :thumbup:

thanks for sharing your story with us, I am planning on taking a class one of these days at LQS (Local Quilt Shop)

What quilt show are you going to, please post it in Offline events so others can attend it

(on the subject line, put date of show, city, state)
and in the message put more information about the show, you might be able to meet up with other quilt board members, have fun

I haven't taken a class in a long time. Not that I know everything, far from it. When I first started quilting, I took every class that was offered. I enjoyed it very much. But, I got to where I was doing classes so much that I didn't have time to do all of my own ideas that were running around in my head. I stopped taking classes and I'm still not caught up.

I love that idea! Funny you should bring it up- just last week I checked out a couple of LQS for classes b/c I also feel out of touch. My small quilt group is no longer and I miss being around other quilters. A local guild is just too big for me :(
I've been in a rut of sorts in a lot of areas but I'm ready for a new class!!
Thanks for the great topic :)

I'm hoping to sign up for a paper piecing class next time our LQS has one.

I took on last Saturday. I need inspiration to get back to sewing. It was real simple but had a lot of fun. I have also signed up for three more classes. I really like being with other people that like doing what I do. FUN FUN

I hadn't taken a class in several years, but had a chance to take one in August. It was how to make pineapple blocks using a foundation paper piecing method by Lynn Graves. It was a fun class and the method really makes it easy and fun to make a pineapple block. I had not done any kind of paper piecing before, and with this method, you sew the fabric on top of the paper pattern.

I take every workshop and participate in every guild sew day/program we have. There is always something to learn.

Thanks for the push I need. I keep seeing classes at the fabric store and saying I need to take them and not doing it. I'm going to go for it.

I took a class early in Sept to learn to use that Texture Magic stuff. It was fun! I try to take a class at least every other month...it is a good way to learn new techniques and just enjoy being in the company of other quilters. I generally do more classes during the winter than in the summer.

I am starting a 9 mo paper pieced quilt class on the 26th. I am now getting all my fabric ready and will cut on the weekend. I am so excited I can't wait...

I have booked in to a free motion quilting class with Helen Godden, her work is just amazing and if I can just learn a bit from her I will be thrilled.
Check out some of her quilts

http://www.helengodden.com/index.php...ilts&Itemid=75

I can't wait :-D :-D :-D

I have taken a couple classes and I have found that I meet such great people and learn alot not only from the instructor for from the attendees too!!

I have been taking a 6 month sampler class at the local Hancocks. We have a really great teacher! I have learned so much! We make 12 blocks in 6 months. Some of the blocks I have made I never would have tried on my own but she explains everything and makes it seem easy. She also teaches other classes and hold UFO days so we can come in and she'll help us with any projects. Our city doesn't have a quilt quild so I feel very fortunate to be able to have these classes.

I went to a class and made a pair of pajama pants. I quilt, but sewing is another story so this was fun!

I laughed when I read the title. I am in classes four days a week, but not for quilting.
School did offer a quilting class recently, but the class was $100 plus $150 for supplies. Ummm, NO. Maybe when I win the lottery. Oh, I forgot, have to play to win. Oh well.

I hadn't taken a class in many years, I highly recommend them though. Money has been tight and I can usually figure out how to do what I want without taking a class. This past week my DH and I got to go to Hawaii with my sister and BIL, they have a timeshare, so we got free lodging (yay!) Every Saturday morning at the Iolani palace in Honolulu there is a Hawaiian applique and quilting class for $6.00, it was great!! I have always done freezer paper applique, was afraid of needleturn. So far it is going really well.

I have a hard time with the schedules at the LQS's around me so I've been taking classes online at Quilt University. I highly recommend it for anyone who works odd hours like I do!

Hi UglyCook:I don't take classes locally either. But I have to tell you, I checked out the Quilt University, which I had never heard of, and it looks great. Their tuition is very reasonable too. I put under favorites, and am going to sign up in January. Thanks for the great tip!!

I had never tried paper piecing and a class was offered at our LQS - I signed up for the class and WOW - I fell in love with a new method of quilting - it's a little putzy but everything comes out perfect - our instructor is the best - thanks Merle. I'll post a photo when I'm done with my wall hanging.

The following week (this past weekend) I was signed up for a class with Darlene Zimmerman - the Clothesline Club/Feedsack fabric designer - we worked on a hummingbird pattern - love Darlene's rulers and quick method of completing her blocks - worth checking out her patterns if you have never tried one before. Also her patterns are easily adapted to other fabrics; ie batik/civil war/others.

I took a class with Cara Gulati just last week. Another guild in our area was hosting her as speaker and she was offering two different workshops. Had to take the day off from work (what a hardship!) but it was well worth it. I did get enough blocks for two beautiful "Radiant Suns" wallhangings. Bought the templates, but probably won't make the quilt until I retaire. So many quilts, so little time!

I love classes, even if it is something I have done before, because you always learn something new. And with as many techniques and tools as there are around, I doubt I'll ever be able to say I know all about any type of quilting.

If you want to try something different, take a mystery quilt class or try one online. Talk about being out of your comfort box!