Workshops 2025

Here is a sneak peak at the upcoming workshops for 2025 Mid-Atlantic Mod!!!

Please note that you will not pay for the class at the time of registration (it will say the ticket is free), but there is a cost of $15 ***Shari's class is $20***(+ some workshops have a materials fee) that is payable in cash at the time you sign in for the weekend. You may not cancel after March 20th and you will not be admitted into MOD until you have paid for all the workshops you signed up for, so please have your cash handy. 

Friday, April 4

9:30-11:30am - It's not a rectangle, it's a caftan! with Shari van der Grijn

Get ready for summer with a caftan! Top, tunic, dress or maxi length - we’ll transform a rectangle of fabric into a light, easy to wear garment. Easily wearable as a swim cover up, a top with shorts or a maxi dress on a date night. We’ll learn how to adjust the measurements for a flattering fit, how understitching improves the lay of a facing and how to create a narrow hem without measuring a fold to set it with an iron (no need to singe our fingertips)!

We’ll have a short meet up on Thursday night so you can decide on the rectangle measurement. You'll be able to take advantage of the large cutting surface at Mod to cut your fabric.  We’ll complete the key points of construction in class and you’ll easily be able to finish afterwards. Coaching and guidance will be available all weekend.

You’ll definitely have a Caftan to wear on Saturday night!

$5 supply fee for hem guide

Supply List ($35-50 estimate depending on fabrics chosen)

• Fabric: Lightweight linen, cotton lawn or rayon challis
• 44” wide: 2.5 yards for top/tunic, 3.5 yards for dress
• 54” wide: 2 yards, 3 yards
• Thread to match fabric
• Interfacing, shirting weight, 1/2 yard

12:00 - 1:30pm - Disappearing Half Square Triangles with Heather Kojan

In this class, we'll start with HSTs, chop them up, and make something(s) fun and new! You can start 2 different quilts from this one class! 

I've given material lists in the supply list, if you want to continue to work on any of these quilts.

In this class, we’ll explore 2 different ways to make “disappearing” half square triangles!

We’ll create both blocks in class. (The third image above is 2 Color Collage. We won't cover this in class, but you will receive instructions on how to make it!)

For each method, you’ll bring two sets of half square triangles (4 half square triangles total).

For HST Flip, cut (2) 10” squares from one fat quarter. From background fabric, cut one strip of fabric 10” x width of fabric. Sub- cut (2) 10” squares. Pair each solid (or print) 10” from the fat quarter with a background square.

Make (4) HST units using the “Two at a Time” Method. Don’t know how to do that?

No worries – I made you a video: go to heatherkojan.com and look under the “tutorials” tab. Click on the link to the video! Trim all HST units to 9 ½” square.

For Delectable Mountains, cut one strip of background fabric 10” x width of fabric, then cut the strip into (4) 10” squares.

Take (2) prints and (2) background squares and make (4) HSTs as above.

Supply List

Fabric Requirements are for quilt tops only. Complete patterns will be provided in class.

All these quilts are block based, so can be made larger or smaller, depending on how many blocks you make.

• HST Flip (48” x 48”)
• 9 fat quarters assorted solid colors or small-scale prints
• 1 ½ yards background fabric (white in illustration)
• Delectable Mountains (54” x 45”)
• (18) assorted 10” prints (can be from a layer cake) This is orange in the illustration.
• 1 ½ yards background fabric. This is aqua in the illustration.
• 2 Color Collage (32” x 32”)
• ⅝ yard color 1
• ⅝ yard color 2

Rotary cutting supplies (mat, cutter with new blade, 12 ½” square ruler)

Marking tools (mechanical pencil preferred)

Notions: pins or sewing clips, scissors, seam ripper and any supplies you can’t live without!

Questions: Email me at heatherkojan@gmail.com

2:00-3:30 - Hand Quilting: Sew Short, Sew Long, Sew Slow(ly) with Kathryn Jenson White

In this session, a 37-year practitioner of the art of hand quilting will bring the samples, show the tools, provide the tips and guide the multi-options process of learning the “simple” running stitch, both the short, traditional and the longer that is the “big stitch” quilting of the modern quilt era. We will work in the hoop and on the fingers. I’ll bring samples, both vintage and modern. Feel free to bring your own beauties to share!

Kit ($15)

• Small wooden quilting hoop
• Two quilting needles
• Sandwich of muslin top/muslin backing/batting to be basted in class
• Quilting thimble

Supply List (If not buying kit)

• Quilting thimble (recommended Dritz/Other brand Slip-Stop Thimble in your size; usually middle finger of quilting hand) ($3-$5)
• Two pieces of washed 18” square fabric (stash)
• Lower thread count is easier to needle through
• Cheap muslin or solid of any color
• One 18-inch square of batting (stash)
• Polyester, as in kit, easier to needle through to learn, but wool is also good.
• Quilting hoop
• 12-14 inches; inexpensive wooden embroidery hoops will do for learning/actual quilting hoops are deeper.
• Quilting Betweens
• Size 9 or 10 (John James Big Eye or Clover Gold Eye are good choices for beginners.)

Instructor Will Supply

• Hand quilting thread
• Marking tools
• Needles and thread for basting
• Snips/scissors

4:00-5:30pm - Kuguri Sashi - variations in color and stitch pattern with Lynne Mackay-Atha

Come learn kuguri-sashi, a traditional form of Japanese needlework.  Although it looks complicated, it really is a very relaxing, and forgiving, hand sewing project.  First you make simple sashiko stitches on a grid.  Next, the thread is woven in a pattern through the stitches.  Vary the first stitch pattern, vary the weaving portion, vary the background, vary the thread… the possibilities are endless!  You can create kuguri-sashi on clothing, placemats, bags, quilts… whatever you desire.  

For this class you will have a choice between traditional navy or ecru base fabric.  You will be supplied two squares on the rectangular fabric for you to stitch and which could be made into coasters or incorporated into pouches or other items.  Or the same fabric can be stitched into one larger panel that could be made into a pouch or as an accent strip on another item.  You will choose between two patterns that each start with “plus sign” stitches.  You will also have a few choices of thread color for your work.  

In class you will stitch a portion of the sashiko stitches for one coaster-sized piece and then learn the weaving pattern.  You might not finish all of the stitching in class but will be far enough along to easily finish the stitching on your own.  And, you will leave with instructions on how to remove the markings and finish the piece/s into coasters plus ideas of other ways to use your samples.  In addition, I will have samples of other kuguri designs and variations, including using other fabrics and threads.

All of the necessary supplies are in the kit.  Just bring yourself!

Kit fee and contents: Fee = $10

Kits include:

• a choice or either navy or ecru preprinted wash away dot fabric
• sashiko needle
• needle threader
• enough sashiko thread to complete two coasters. Participants that sign up by March 14 will have a choice of thread color - navy, white, turquoise, dark blue multicolor, or medium blue multicolor, dependent on market availability. 
• flannel fabric (for absorbency for coasters)
• solid backing for coasters

Some items made in kuguri sashi

Saturday, April 5

10:00-11:30am - Binding Can Be Fun! with Linda Fasules

Binding can be awful, OR it can be FUN! Is this last step to finishing your quilt something you dread? Or something you look forward to? Let me show you some different ways to add a little pizazz to your quilts while adding your binding. Let’s make this step fun.

Some of the things we will cover are:

• Choosing your binding fabric (including how to use the newer fabrics now being manufactured just for use as binding)
• How to make and add a wide binding
• Adding a flange or piping
• Using a big stitch or other decorative hand stitches to sew down the binding
• Stitching a message into your binding

We will also discuss some basics such as:

• How much fabric to buy and how many strips to cut
• How to make the join – including how to join the binding strips on small items like potholders
• Binding odd angles
• Ergonomics when hand stitching binding to the quilt.

Sign up for this class to get comfortable with binding and to learn how you can make it a decorative feature to finish your quilt.

Supply List

Bring to class:

• Five approx. 6" x 12” basted (and/or quilted) quilt sandwiches
• Two WOF 2.5” wide strips
• OR I can provide these for $5.

Other supplies to bring:

• Sewing machine
• Basic sewing supplies - thread, scissors, pins, wonder clips
• Hand sewing needle
• Small cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Walking foot if you have one
• Stiletto if you have one

12:00-1:30pm - MOD Pillow with Robin Tilsworth

Let’s create a MOD logo pillow! Armed with a kit including all the fabrics and batting plus paper templates and directions, you will create your very own 16-inch MOD pillow cover. The pattern is basically a 16-inch nine patch block with three of the nine being the letters “M” “O” and “D,” and the other six riffing the MOD logo (wonky square-in-a-square blocks). Techniques include paper piecing the six wonky square-in-a-square blocks and raw edge applique for the letters. Kit will provide all the fabrics for the letter and logo sections plus the back of the pillow cover and batting.

Supply list

• Sewing machine with feet for piecing and machine applique stitch (e.g. satin stitch), walking foot for quilting.
• Threads:
• Neutral thread for piecing
• White thread for machine applique of the letters
• Thread for quilting: monofilament or your choice
• Scissors (paper and fabric), rotary cutter, cutting mat
• Marking pen or pencil for tracing letters
• Rulers of your choice (6” square is helpful but not essential)

Kit fee: $10

• Kit components: Instructions, fabrics for each section and back of pillow, batting, Steam-a-seam and pattern for the applique letters, and sheets for paper piecing wonky square-in-a-squares.

2:00-3:30pm - Using Color and Abstraction with Modern Quilts with Janet Schoenfeld

Want to up your game on selecting color palettes that would make your work standout? Would you like to boost your design skills by learning ways to apply Abstraction techniques? Then you are in the right place to be!

1. Abstraction in quilt design refers to simplifying, distilling, or stylizing visual elements to focus on essential shapes, colors, patterns, or textures rather than realistic representation. It allows quilters to express ideas, emotions, or themes through geometric forms, organic shapes, and through color and value.
2. Color Choices can set the mood and emotion of the quilt, such as creating contrast, directing eye movement, achieving balance and harmony, and adding depth and dimension.
3. Textural Contrast uses fabric textures, stitching techniques, or layering to create depth and movement.

Prior to the workshop, Students will receive design sheets and color exercises. This is intended to be a small project within a 24”-36” size. It’s up to you whether you want to use precise piecing the quilt or organically cutting your fabric (with no rulers).

Starting the 90-minute workshop:

1. 15 minutes to get our creativity flowing, discuss unique features of abstraction and how they play with minimalist and other modern quilts. Do not feel limited when designing.
2. A 15-minute color talk will dig deeper into 4 main color schemes: Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary, Triadic. value, saturation, and temperature, as well as tints, tones, and shades.
3. 50 minutes to allow Students to play with drawing designs, selecting color palette, cutting fabric, and hopefully some time for laying out the pieces. Since we are at a retreat, there will be time for you to work in the ballroom during this time.
4. Last 10 minutes to share your progress and what you learned.
5. The goal is to go down the path far enough so that you feel you can finish it.

1) Fabric Selection options:

1. Use your scraps, fat quarters, and (5) ½ yd pieces of fabrics. Pull together a mix of fabrics that may include prints, solids, wovens, and low volume prints; make sure you have a mix of light, medium and dark fabrics to provide contrast.
2. I also am offering a curated bundle of ½ yds of 5 solids from Riley Blake. They will be available at the retreat on Thursday when Mid-Mod opens. I will send an email after the workshop registration opens; you will be able to sign-up for a bundle at that time. You may want to incorporate prints or scraps from home. The Riley Blake bundle is $27 (includes tax).
3. Visit the vendors tables prior to class.
4. Batting and Backing fabrics are also available to purchase.

2) Supply List

1. Sewing machine (used in our classroom and/or at your table in the main room)
2. Rotary cutter, mat, and scissors, Pins, and a glue pen to help with bias seams when needed
3. 12-to-24-inch ruler (I will have a few on hand), chalk or other line markers

Supply Costs: (Optional) Riley Blake curated bundle, $27 (Includes sales tax).

4:00-5:30 - Schlep Bag with Samantha Linehan

Schlep is a Yiddish word that means to haul or carry.  Join me in making the perfect bag for schlepping around town whether you are running errands, shopping at a craft fair, carrying library books, bringing snacks and games for the kids, or anything else that calls for a handmade bag.  The schlep bag is bucket shaped so it can hold items of all shapes and sizes.  It is sturdy to carry heavy library books, but light and easily packable in a suitcase for an extra travel bag.  This bag can be made in any size from a car bag for toddlers to a beach bag for four adults, and everything in between.  I will show you how quick it is to make this reversible tote.  It is so versatile, you will want to make one for everyone you know!

Supply List

• So Easy Schlep Bag Pattern: https://sentimentalstitches.net/free-stuff/schlep-bag/
• 8 fat quarters or quarter yard cuts of coordinating fabrics (4 for the inside, 4 for the outside)
• 2 pieces of batting or webbing for straps 2" x 27"
• Coordinating thread
• Sewing machine
• Seam ripper
• Straight pins
• Rotary Cutter/mat/ruler
• Iron 

*For a super scrappy look a layer cake can be used.  The "standard" size Schlep bag requires 7" squares.

Approximate supply cost: $30 (varies based on the chosen fabrics)