National Teacher
 

Our guild is looking for a national teacher to come. Do you have any favorites? Someone used the term "Ricky Timms experience"... do you know what that would be? If you don't have a favorite teacher, do you have a comment on a topic or style that would appeal to most? TIA for your input.

Ricky Timms is famous quilter known for his designs and the On Line "Quilt Show" with Alex Anderson. Not sure if he even does individual guild presentations/seminars. If he does I am sure you would pay a premium for it. Here is a link to his website to learn more and see that he already does have a pretty full schedule with his own retreats and seminars at National shows
http://www.rickytims.com/

As Tartan mentioned, you should try to find out what the interest is. Many Nationally known teachers offer trunk shows which is a lecture and show and tell and they offer classes that in addition to a fee for coming the individuals attending will also have to pay a class fee. Some great quilters that come to mind are Sharon Schamber and Diane Gaudinski. Many guilds will do a combined thing with the lecture/trunk show for all guild members and fee paying guests to enjoy and then follow up with a one or two day class that members will have to sign up for and pay an additional fee.

Perhaps this link will help you in your search. It really boils down to what the general interest is for the event like Tartan stated.

http://www.karencombs.com/quilt_teachers.htm

Eleanor Burns is a wonderful teacher. She is in person as she is on TV. I've had several classes with her and have dined with her several times when she was at Quilts around Chautauqua. Her trunk shows are great.

Joe the Quilter is very entertaining...

The pricing for national speakers/instructors is all over the map. We had Bonnie Hunter come to our guild. Trunk show and lecture one night, followed by an all day workshop the next day. She limited her workshop to a small number of students, and the tuition was reasonable. Ricky Tims, however, needed the guarantee of a whole lotta people, and the ticket price was high. Well, too high for me, but I hear he was amazing. It is lecture style vs. hands on class.
I agree with trying to get a feel for what the majority of members are looking for. Every state has nationally known teachers. If you start there, you may be spared the additional travel expenses.

A good place to find teacher is a t quilt shows. Some have booths marketing their patterns. You get the opportunity to see their work before asking about classes

For piecing, my first choice would be Charlotte Angotti, followed by Debby Caffrey. Karen Kay Buckley would be my first choice for applique, followed by Pearl Pereira (sp?). If you have members who are interested in the Singer 221 Featherweights, the Chicago World's Fair of 1933 or antique quilts, I suggest Nova Montgomery. If there are any large quilt shows in your area, you can check the list of teachers. Remember, though, that most nationally known teachers are usually booking one to two years in advance.

I saw Paula Nadelstern at a guild in th Hamptons. She brought fabs with her that were not to hit the stores for 4 months.. We got first shot at them and I got some pretty fabs from her. she was down to earth and a lovely person.

The national quilters for my guild programs are booked several years in advance. Some took over four years to get booked. Laura Wasilowski is a great speaker with wonderful program and workshops.