The December Tea is the first time to sign up for workshops, in person. First come, first served. After the tea, a form will be available here to register online or by mail. There is also a workshop table before every meeting, where you can go to ask questions and register in person.
You will be able to download the pdf form here to fill out and be ready for the tea.
Information about the
Location
All meetings and workshops will be held at the West Des Moines Christian Church at 4501 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines. To get there from Interstate 35, exit at Mills Civic Parkway, exit 70. Turn east onto Mills Civic Parkway and drive about 0.9 mile. The West Des Moines Christian Church will be on the north side of Mills Civic Parkway. Meetings are in the Sanctuary in Building 2 and workshops are in Building 3.
2026 Workshop Schedule
Workshops are all 9 am to 4 pm. A full day of learning & fun!*
*This year we have 2 half-day workshops, in February
Stephanie Brandenburg: January
Workshop–Threadpunk™ from Frond Design Studios: January 28: Explore a stress free sewing class. Threadpunk™ is a really fun technique using embellishments and adds a three-dimensional look to any project.This versatile technique lets you create your own style and you can make this into a bag, quilt or wallhanging when you are finished.
Class Fee: $60 ($40 kit fee)
The Art Weave from Frond Design Studios: January 29 – Explore a stress free sewing class. The Art Weave is a really fun technique and adds a three dimensional look to any project. This versatile technique lets you create your own style and you can make this into a bag, quilt or wall hanging when you are finished.
Class Fee: $60 ($40 kit fee)
Alice Ridge: February
Tucks, Textures and Fabric Manipulation: February 25. In this fun and experimental technique class, students will step away from the usual rules of flat and square quilts. Instead, they’ll explore creative ways to manipulate fabric, adding unique textures and dimensions to their quilting projects. Using methods like couching, cording, shadow techniques, and more, participants will learn how to transform flat fabric into 3D masterpieces. This workshop is all about pushing the boundaries of quilting, encouraging students to try new techniques and elevate their craft to a whole new level!
Class Fee: $60 ($10 supply fee)
Sashiko and Boro: February 26 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. In this handwork class, students will explore the traditional and contemporary styles of Japanese needlework: Sashiko and Boro. The class will feature examples of both, and participants will create three pieces—one using traditional Sashiko, another with contemporary Sashiko, and the last featuring Boro stitching.
Class Fee: $30 ($35 kit fee)
Mock Molas: February 26 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In this workshop, students will create their own version of a traditional Mola, a vibrant, layered fabric art from Panama, using felt for a simpler and quicker approach. Inspired by the intricate details and tiny stitches of original Molas, this class modifies the technique to make it more accessible while preserving the beauty and bold colors of the traditional style. This easy, relaxing handwork class allows students to explore the unique layers and stitching of Molas, creating a project that’s both fun and creative.
Class Fee: $30 ($30 kit fee)
Maria Shell: March
Lines+Triangles=Squares: March 25 – This workshop empowers students to take the basic shapes of patchwork to a new level. We will start by learning how to create improvisation-ally cut and pieced stripes. These “stripes” made into traditional patchwork shapes will be the basis for creating dynamic patchwork.(Level: All abilities welcome)
Class Fee: $90
Circle and Curve Sampler: March 26 – A complete discussion of all the ways you can improvisation-ally PIECE circles and curves. From braided curves to log cabin circles, students will be led through a series of demos about non-linear improvisational piecing techniques and ideas for taking these techniques and creating original quilts. During the class, students create a collection of circle and curve quilt blocks–great for a sampler. (Level: All abilities welcome)
Class Fee: $90
Sarah Thomas: April
April 29: Quilting with Rulers and Sketchbook Free Motion — Sketchbook Quilting is Sarah’s approachable, uninhibited, “no rules” style of free-motion quilting. In this fun hands-on workshop, you will become more comfortable with drawing your own style of free-motion designs and seeing them come to life on the fabric. You’ll turn these designs into multiple groupings and combinations by building off the foundation pieces Sarah will teach. In doing so, you’ll be ready to create your own set of personal go-to designs, practice fillers, and also develop the muscle memory of drawing the doodles. You’ll also be able to use a variety of rulers on your pre-printed fabric fat quarter.
Class Fee: $65 (rulers for sale)
April 30: Free Motion Quilting with Threaducation Know-How — In this hands-on workshop, you’ll be putting your newly-earned Threaducation PhD (Tuesday’s lecture) to use by learning a handful of fun edge-to-edge free motion designs, as well as using a variety of thread weights and needle sizes. If you aren’t able to attend the Threaducation lecture, not to worry…everything you’ll need to learn will be explained during the workshop. In this class, not only will you feel more liberated with a variety of FMQ designs (perfect for borders and sashing, especially!), but you’ll understand the correlation of thread weight to needle size, as well as thread weight to quilting motif. Bring along a handful of prepared FQ quilt sandwiches — please use plain color fabric (no prints), preferably white, black, or gray. You’ll be provided with a variety of threads and flat-backed needles as part of your workshop.
Class Fee: $65
David Hastings: May
Inspired by Art: May 27 – Starting with a favorite work of art, develop your own unique modern quilt design. Be inspired by shapes, colors, structure, or the feeling you get and design a block or whole quilt with an eye on modern minimalism. Bring your own photo of a work of art, and we will explore the many ways you can take inspiration from it to develop your own quilt block or full quilt design. We will break down the image to its most basic elements, create a rough drawing, then start building a test block using improv techniques. David will demonstrate sewing curves without pins, and without fear.
Class Fee: $100
Indi-Go-Modern: May 28 – The lure of indigo is strong – the classic blue and white combination found in many Japanese textiles is cool, crisp, and so appealing. From classic kimonos to denim jeans, indigo has been used by many cultures for dyeing cloth, and the Japanese have refined the use of indigo to an art form. This is the class to use all those lovely blue and white shibori fabrics you’ve dyed yourself or use carefully curated blue and white fabrics from your stash. Each participant will develop a simple geometric block design based on unfolded origami shapes, set a theme and create variations, and combine them into the beginning of a fresh and modern mini quilt top. We’ll then translate our ideas to fabric, and I will demonstrate simple pattern making using cereal box cardboard. You will choose between three possible designs for your blue + white quilt top.
Class Fee: $100
Marge Tucker: June
Improv Dresden Plate: June 24 – Learn how to piece improvisational Dresden Plate blocks! In this technique class, you will learn how to piece the substrate, so the wedges are varied in length, different ways to cut the wedges and how to piece the wedges together into circles. Marge will also go over layouts and how to work with the circle blocks. Students will complete several blocks and know the options of how to combine blocks together. This is an incredibly versatile and innovative technique with many exciting variations to explore.
Class Fee: $60
Going in Circles: June 25 – This class will show you how to do a very unique technique of curved piecing. Developed by Marge Tucker, this is a more advanced class. Students will learn free-form curved cutting and curved piecing techniques. These curved blocks give added movement and motion and work well with the block creations made in the previous class or with other abstract blocks.
Class Fee: $60
Kena Tangi Dorsey: July
Let’s Make a Selfie Portrait Quilt: July 29 – In this engaging and creative technique driven workshop, students will learn how to transform a photo into a raw-edge applique portrait quilt block. Kena will guide participants through her step-by-step techniques using her uniquely designed portrait pattern to allow focus on techniques and hands-on practice. By the end of the session, students will have a completed appliqued portrait block, ready to finish as a mini quilt or expand into a larger project at home. With these new skills, participants will also leave inspired to design their own selfie portrait quilts. All Skill Levels welcome.
Class Fee: $60 (kit fee tbd)
African Adinkra Symbol Applique: July 30 – Adinkra are symbols from Ghana that represent distinct concepts, proverbs, principles and expressions. These unique decorative symbols are used in fabrics, logos, pottery, architecture and more throughout the African Diaspora. In this workshop, we will explore the meanings of some of the more widely popular Adinkra symbols and then create a small wall-hanging or table runner using African wax print fabrics embellished with the raw edge appliqué Adinkra Symbols. Optional Kits are available for purchase from the instructor, or you can use fabrics from your own stash. All Skill Levels welcome.
Class Fee: $60 ($55 and $65 kit fee options)
Nancy Messuri: October
Star Light, Star Bright: October 28 – Students will create a beautiful quilt featuring stars scattered across an Autumn sky. Using two fabric colorways with gradating hues, students will learn the technique of foundation paper piecing to craft the stars, while the remaining blocks are assembled in a simple log cabin style. This hands-on session is perfect for quilters looking to expand their skills and create a stunning, seasonal design. Level: All levels welcome
Class Fee: $60 ($12 pattern fee)
Hypnotica: October 29 – Hypnotica is a wild ride for the quilter with previous Foundation Paper Piecing experience. Students will create a striking “Hypnotica” Quilt. They will learn how to use advanced foundation paper piecing methods. The finished piece will measure 32.5 x 32.5 inches, offering a fun and engaging project for those looking to master techniques while creating a visually captivating design. Level: Intermediate +
