Vermont Quilt Festival in June -
My preview of VQF 2023 - new ground for me!
Things have been a bit busy here in the workroom this week, but on Tuesday (the 14th) registration was opened for classes at the Vermont Quilt Festival (June 21-24, 2023 in Burlington Vermont. Readers of the blog will know that I’ve had a long time love affair with the Festival, and after 4 years of no in person shows, I am ready to go back.
I’ve been to the Festival several times, as a day tripper, a day bus organizer, and as a booth worker for several years. In 2019 (judging by the dates in my camera roll), I went for the first time as a civilian – and I had a blast. I saw the quilts, friends, networked a bit, and shopped the vendors. It may even have been the sight of my first video (and boy, that’s painful to remember!). But I still didn’t take classes.
Walking foot quilting - a whole new world for me!
In 2021, the Festival was a Virtual festival, and I did take a class, with Catherine Redford in Folk Art Embroidery. I’ve known Catherine professionally for several years, and I knew that this would be a good virtual experience. It was and I loved it. Catherine is an extremely talented and diverse teacher, and this year, I am one of the lucky students who caught a seat in her Walking Foot Class in Vermont. These days, if I’m taking a class, it’s usually technique based, not project based – and I have admired her work in this area for a long time. This Catherine with Catherine is sold out for VQF as I looked the website last night, but she’s got others, including a Dorset Button class that I was sorely tempted by.
Interesting minor plot twist here – Catherine is a Bernina Ambassador, and they are sponsoring the machines in her room. So for this class, I’ll be sewing on a Bernina. I do feel a little bit like I’m cheating on my Janome, but this will be an adventure.
I’m actually taking two classes in Vermont this year – I’ve learned not to overschedule myself with classes, and I do need to plan time to see the show, network, shop – all the things (and maybe even sneak in some pool and chill time with my friends who are coming with me). I need to be rested and on my game for my Saturday – because I am getting to take a class with Teri Lucas.
Shine your Light by Teri Lucas
Teri is a longtime friend, and she’s literally in my contact list in my phone as “Thread Whisperer”. Finding out she was on the faculty here INSTANTLY raised my trip several notches. I’m taking her Saturday Class, ‘Color, Thread and Free Motion Quilting’, and in this class I get to use my own machine (which is actually my preference for something like this. I love my 8900, but I’ve long felt that I don’t use it to it’s full potential – and with Teri as my guide, this is going to be fun. I’ve never met a quilter who approaches the subject of playing with thread the way that she does, and I’m excited to see how this class goes. I’ve had the book in my shelf for years, and it’s got one of the single best needle/thread charts I’ve ever encountered.
I’m excited about this year’s show – and I’ll have more to share on that later. If you’re thinking about coming to Vermont, then I hope to se you there. Vermont has put together a stellar faculty, and you almost can’t go wrong with picking one - or two!
To see the open classes available for this year’s Festival, please visit this link - I’m not in any way compensated, but I am a long time fan of both you, my readers, and the Festival.