Quilting With Confidence 2023 Tour
The Quilting with Confidence Tour returns in 2023! Join us for in person education close to home.
Quilting With Confidence
Quilting with Confidence is a longarm quilting educational opportunity from Gammill. Attendees can select to attend Foundational Skills (days 1 and 2), Advanced Techniques (days 3 and 4), or can attend both sessions (all four days). Foundational Skills (days 1 and 2) will focus on basic, foundational principles while Advanced Techniques (days 3 and 4) will focus on more custom work and advanced techniques.
The cost is $399 USD for either Foundational Skills or Advanced Techniques. Or, $599 USD for both sessions and includes all education and educational materials. Space is limited and will sell out.
Fall 2023 QWC Schedule
| Kansas City, MO (Stoney Creek Hotel Kansas City) | September 8-11 |
| Denver, CO (DoubleTree by Hilton Denver | Thornton) Advanced Computerization Sold Out** | September 14-17 |
| Salt Lake City, UT (Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City/Sandy) Advanced Computerization Sold Out** | September 20-23 |
| Big Sky/Bozeman, MT (Residence Inn Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel) | September 26-29 |
| Kelowna, BC (Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Kelowna) Pricing is USD | October 2-5 |
| Vancouver, WA (Clark County Event Center) | October 8-11 |
| Reno, NV (Best Western Plus Sparks-Reno Hotel) | October 14-17 |
| Phoenix, AZ (Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix-Goodyear) | October 20-23 |
| Dallas, TX (Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville) | October 26-29 |
Hand Guided Class Descriptions
The hand guided class tracks focus on hands-on quilting techniques for hand guided and free motion quilters. These skills can be applied to any longarm machine and are valuable to quilters with any machine brand.
Foundational Skills (days 1 and 2)
Let’s Bounce – Continous curve in grids, shapes and blocks
Learn the most useful quilting skill – continuous curve. In class we’ll cover multiple styles and variations that can be used in almost any area of your quilt.
Square Peg Round Hole – Rulers and templates
Learn the basics of using various shapes/styles of rulers and templates. We’ll also cover rocking the ruler for when you need a specific shape and don’t have the correct ruler.
Caring for Your Longarm
The basics of caring for your longarm quilting machine for the most seamless quilting experience. This class covers the basics of oiling and maintaining your Gammill machine and how to properly set up your machine to avoid frustrating issues like tension problems and skipped stitches. We will discuss where to get help if problems do arise and have time for questions and answers. You will learn what parts to keep on hand for emergencies and how to install them. This class will help clear up some of the mysteries of your machine for a more enjoyable and quality quilting experience.
Stitching the Ivories – Piano keys
Another of the most useful quilting skills is the piano key. From basic to not-so-ordinary styles you’ll find a few that work best for you and your quilts. Piano keys are extremely useful in dealing with wonky borders and busy prints.
Square it Up, Straighten it Out – Block and border designs
Blocks and borders are in almost every quilt you will stitch on. Learn several simple-to-stitch designs which will include blocks and matching borders. We will also discuss marking and turning corners.
Fabulous Fixes 3.0
Description coming soon
Advanced Techniques (Days 3 and 4)
Rulers, Templates and Lines. . . Oh My! – Ruler work
Let your rulers and templates work for you. We’ll share various designs using several different rulers and templates to create that wow factor on your quilt top!
Make Your Grids Work – Grids
Let’s learn some new and unique grid fills to make your grids stand out above the rest. We’ll be basing our designs on a 1″ grid. We’ll cover marking and traveling as well as discuss the amazing texture achieved when using grid fills.
Perfect Your Plumes – Feathers
Let’s take those basic feathers and add to them to create elaborate plumes to compliment any quilt top. We’ve covered stretching, shrinking, and nesting as well as fitting them into almost any shape.
Fanciful Fills – Combining and creating texture
Tired of the same old fills? Let us share some awesome new ones. We will also share how you can combine them for amazing texture and keep that eye moving across your quilt top.
Breaking Up Spaces – Dealing with open spaces, big borders, etc. (lecture)
Have big open spaces? Let’s view some examples of open spaces on quilts and how we deal with breaking up that space. We will discuss big borders, large areas of negative space and how you can use areas of relief, as well as creating textures.
Computerized Class Descriptions
The computerized classes will focus on the use of the CreativeStudio software and how to apply these skills when using your Statler or Elevate. Foundational Skills and Advanced Techniques are two separate sessions. Students can select to attend either session ($399) or both ($599).
Foundational Skills Classes (Days 1 and 2)
Jump Start to CreativeStudio 7 – Computer skills and navigating CreativeStudio
This class introduces common basics of navigating computers and CreativeStudio 7. Familiarize yourself with CreativeStudio as we present an overview of various sections of the CreativeStudio screen with an emphasis on customizing options, project management and pattern management. This class also covers essential computer and mouse skills for Statler owners as well as handy tips to make navigating CreativeStudio faster and more efficient.
First Things First – Loading Quilts and Edge to Edge Setup
This class will cover a quick loading method and a discussion about squaring and stabilizing quilts. This will be followed by an in depth demonstration of Edge to Edge setup using a variety of patterns. We’ll also discuss tension and shrinkage as we demonstrate stitchout of the first row on an actual quilt.
Next Steps – Completing the Edge to Edge Quilt
In this class we’ll continue to stitch out the edge to edge quilt we began in the previous session. We’ll discuss different Roll Quilt methods and other helpful skills to restart quilting and relocate quilting. We’ll also talk about options for dealing with situations where there is too little or too much pattern at the end of the quilt.
Caring for Your Longarm
The basics of caring for your longarm quilting machine for the most seamless quilting experience. This class covers the basics of oiling and maintaining your Gammill machine and how to properly set up your machine to avoid frustrating issues like tension problems and skipped stitches. We will discuss where to get help if problems do arise and have time for questions and answers. You will learn what parts to keep on hand for emergencies and how to install them. This class will help clear up some of the mysteries of your machine for a more enjoyable and quality quilting experience.
All Around the Border – Borders from start to finish
In this class you’ll see a complete border from setup to stitchout. We’ll discuss pattern selection, top and bottom border setup, shrinkage and other considerations. We’ll also talk about options for dealing with side repeats and demonstrate chunking side borders on an actual quilt.
Everything in the Middle – Placing blocks and sashings
In this class we’ll place and stitch stop borders and sashings using a variety of CreativeStudio features. We’ll also look at several methods for placing and adjusting basic block patterns on the quilt.
The What the Where and the How – Block specific treatments
In this class we’ll look at pattern choice and placement for a variety of common pieced patterns. We will explore a number of CreativeStudio features as we place, alter and stitch patterns on our quilt. We’ll work with nine patch blocks, applique, flying geese and more.
Fabulous Fixes
Description coming soon
Advanced Technique Sessions (Days 3 and 4)
Approach to Custom Quilting – Organizing and preparing for a custom quilt project
In this class we’ll discuss getting organized and prepared to begin work on a custom quilt. We’ll talk about stabilizing the quilt and deciding where to begin quilting. We’ll also demonstrate other skills like evaluating pattern choice and density as well as other techniques that will ensure a quality result. These techniques can make the difference between a great quilt and a “Wow!” quilt.
Block Work – Features for placing patterns in blocks
In this class we’ll explore several CreativeStudio features for filling blocks on our quilt. There are many ways to accomplish the same tasks in CreativeStudio and we’ll provide options that can increase the efficiency of your quilting and save you time. We’ll also talk about features and methods for manipulating patterns to precisely fit the needs of the quilt.
Not Your Ordinary Border – Advanced border techniques
In this class we’ll demonstrate border techniques that are beyond the basics. We’ll cover non-traditional patterns setups in CreativeStudio’s Border Corner feature. We’ll also cover other advanced techniques for placing and stitching patterns around the borders of your quilt.
Fill and Trim – Discover the uses of the Fill and Trim features
In this class we’ll discuss the key differences between the Trim and Fill functions in CreativeStudio 7 and when to use each on your quilts. We’ll demonstrate what makes a pattern good (or bad) for using as a Fill and show some useful and exciting ways to use Fill feature on your quilt.
Altering Patterns – Methods for changing CreativeStudio patterns
In this class we’ll talk about the many ways and reasons to alter an existing pattern. We’ll cover dividing patterns, changing start and end points, adding text, working with nodes, order join, saving designs and much more.
Designing Patterns – Creating patterns in CreativeStudio 7
In this class we’ll demonstrate creating patterns with the draw tools in CreativeStudio. You’ll see the process from start to finish including importing images, drawing arcs lines and curves, Order Join and more. We’ll also cover saving and testing and these newly created patterns.
Wholecloth Design – Techniques for designing and stitching a wholecloth quilt
In this class you will learn concepts and features to help you create a beautiful and original wholecloth quilt. We’ll discuss layouts, pattern choice, and CreativeStudio features to design and stitch a small wholecloth project. Some of the features you’ll see used are Divide, Apply, Fill and Nodes View.
Breaking Up Spaces – Dealing with open spaces, big borders, etc. (lecture)
Have big open spaces? Let’s view some examples of open spaces on quilts and how we deal with breaking up that space. We will discuss big borders, large areas of negative space and how you can use areas of relief, as well as creating textures.
FAQ
Do I need to own a Gammill to attend?
You do not. The hand guided quilting track is a great fit for any longarm quilter.
Are the classes hands on?
The hand guided classes will include stitching time on Gammill longarm machines. Please note that machines are shared. Computerized classes will be lecture and demo, with a machine to be used for demonstration purposes. Students are encouraged to follow along in CreativeStudio 7 on a laptop.
Do I need to bring a laptop?
Computerized students are encouraged to bring a laptop to class to follow along with CreativeStudio 7 in Stand Alone Mode if they wish to do. A laptop is not required. To download CreativeStudio 7, click here.
What is included?
The registration fees include education, educational materials, lunch, and light refreshments. Hotel accommodations, breakfast, and dinner are not included.
Can I take either two-day session?
Yes, you can take either two-day session. You can also mix and match. For example, attend the hand guided Foundational Skills and computerized Advanced Techniques. You cannot split between the two tracks during a single two-day session.
What experience do I need to take Advanced Techniques?
The second two-day session for Advanced Techniques is for individuals who feel confident with the basics of either hand-guided or computerized techniques.
Hand Guided Advanced Techniques is for those who have conquered the basics and are ready to advance their skills as well as those experienced quilters needing new ideas and inspiration for designs that will take their quilting up a notch. Students should be comfortable using various rulers and template shapes, as well as marking stencils. Hand guided students should also be proficient with basic skills such as loops, swirls, continuous curves, basic feather techniques, and simple background designs.
For computerized, users should be comfortable with e2e and basic border techniques and wants to explore custom quilting with CreativeStudio.
If you are not confident in these skills, we suggest attending Foundational Skills in addition to Advanced Techniques.
I pre-registered for a 2020 QWC event and would like to apply my deposit to 2023?
We would be happy to apply your $50 deposit to a 2023 event. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] with your name, the email address you used to register for the event, and what location and session you would like to attend in 2023. We will send back a special registration link within two business days.
Who will be teaching at the event?
Gammill’s team of trained educators will be presenting at the various events. The complete lineup of educators is posted at the bottom of this page. The educators who will be at each individual event will not be announced beforehand. The Gammill education team has worked diligently to create content and an educational experience that is consistently outstanding for each student.
Are there hotel recommendations or reservation links?
For event venues that are hotels, a reservation link will be sent to registered participants for those who wish to make a reservation. For other venues, we will have a list of nearby hotels for your information but no reservation links.
Will there be lunch options for those with special dietary restrictions?
Because of the nature of the tour and the varying menu options available at different venues, we cannot guarantee to be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions. Guests who wish to do so are welcome to leave during the lunch break.
How many people will attend?
The hand guided classroom is capped at 24 students and the computerized at approximately 35.
What time should I arrive?
Doors open at 8 a.m. each day and classes begin at 8:30 a.m. For a complete schedule, see below.