Programs/Workshops


Announcing the 2025 slate of Programs and Workshops.  In 2025, SRQG members can enjoy a wide selection of Speakers and Teachers from around the country, both via Zoom and In Person.  We have the chance to design a quilt inspired by architecture, use up some of your scrap fabric to create a beautiful quilt, have local friends help you learn EPP, also a sew day for all to bring their project to work on, a workshop on embellishment, learn how to paper piece with a holiday tree skirt. You will also learn foundation piecing, introduction to curves in a quilt. We will meet our new members and see what they have been up to though out the year.

See below for the full slate of programs and workshops and look for more information in the Stitch’n Times and on the SRQG website.

“Quilt Labels to Love!” with David Owen Hastings

Jan 16th, 2025 to Jan 16th, 2025

Program: 10:00 on Zoom

I combine computer-printed custom labels with a woven logo label on my quilts to give them a professional finish, and to record important details for posterity (or for the recipient). Quilts are a wonderful art form, and you should sign your work with a distinctive label. It’s a great opportunity for you to consistently brand your quilts, especially those you gift to others at holidays or other special occasions.

It’s also an opportunity to weave in the story of your quilt, so the story doesn’t get lost. Was the quilt made for a special occasion? Was it made from a pattern, based on tradition, or is it a unique design? Who were the makers, and where was it made? Are there special fabrics used that require particular care? Imagine someone seeing your creation in the future: what would you want them to know?

I will walk participants through the steps to create these beautiful labels and will share alternate labeling methods that draw from my graphic design background.


Inspired by Architecture with David Hastings

Jan 17th, 2025 to Jan 17th, 2025

Workshop: 9 am to 3 pm on Zoom

$60 for SRQG members

$70 for Nonmembers

David will guide you through a creative process for designing your own modern abstract quilts, taking inspiration from architectural photos to develop dynamic and unique quilt designs.

MONUMENTAL INSPIRATION WITH UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES

6 hours: Working from photos of architectural elements, David will guide you through the steps to design a mini modern fabric quilt… inspired by architecture! You will learn the quilt-as-you-go method, sewing the top pieces, batting and backing simultaneously. You’ll then add texture and complexity with David’s unique approach to walking foot machine quilting where the quilting lines become a major design element. Learn to connect multiple quilted units with a great gusset join technique, then add a simple face binding for a modern finish.


Trunk Show with Suzanne Starjash

Feb 20th, 2025 to Feb 20th, 2025

Program :10:00 am in Person

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My mother was my first artistic influence, and I am grateful for her encouragement. I enjoyed sewing in high school and took art classes in college. I loved seeing colorful fabric in sewing stores, but knew I would never make a garment with them. During the time I spent in the working world, weekend gardening and cooking were my main creative outlets, but I have carried an innate creativity with me throughout my life and always hoped to explore further opportunities to work with images and colors.

I didn’t begin working with cloth artistically until I retired and moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Republic of Panama. My original hope was to paint with watercolor or oil on canvas. I located a fabric store before I found art supplies, however, and I had included my sewing machine in the items shipped to my new home. Since no one needs a quilt in the Central American tropics, I decided on decorative wall hangings for my new creative journey.

The native Cuna Indian women of Panama make wonderful handstitched molas with layers of fabric that depict local flora, fauna, and special events. Their bright tropical colors and fanciful subjects were an immediate inspiration for my first designs, and the jungle environment, quilting books, and input from friends soon followed. As I discovered more fabric stores with prints I liked, and learned more techniques, I invented new methods for each new project.

After returning to California and moving to northern Sonoma County, I connected with other quilters and started to learn the vocabulary and standard procedures of quilting. The classes I took were helpful and inspirational. My one concern was not to be overly influenced by teachers and lose my originality.

To stay spontaneous, I like to make each wall hanging quite different from those I have previously done. Trial, error, and perseverance are part of my creative process with every art quilt I make. I am ever watchful for new inspiration and enjoy learning new techniques.

            Suzanne Starjash

 sstarjash@gmail.com


Playing with Colors with Cindy Gresdela

Mar 20th, 2025 to Mar 20th, 2025

Program : 10 am on Zoom

Cindy Grisdela is an award-winning artist who’s happiest in her studio surrounded by piles of colorful fabrics. In this lecture and trunk show, she’ll use examples of her work over the last 30 years to take away some of the mystery about choosing colors effectively for your quilts. Not sure what colors “go” together? This is the lecture to reduce your stress about color!


Improv Puzzle with Cindy Gresdela

Mar 21st, 2025 to Mar 21st, 2025

Workshop: 9 am to 3 pm on Zoom

$50 for SRQG members

$60 for Nonmembers

Create Improv Log Cabin style blocks in a variety of sizes and put them together into a unique composition–like a jigsaw puzzle. You don't have to use a ruler for cutting unless you want to and each quilt will be unique. We will discuss color choices and using simple design principles to create an original dynamic composition. Basic sewing skills and beginner to advanced level.


Sew Day with Jan Andrews

Apr 17th, 2025 to Apr 17th, 2025

Program: 10 am to 2 pm, in person (VB)

Our program for April 17th, 2025, will be a “Sew Day”. Bring your sewing machine,  work on some hand work, cut out your fabric for the next project or just sit and chat with your fellow guild members. We will have some games and lots of fun. We will have Jan Andrews showing us the process of EPP (English Paper Piecing) Come join us for a fun filled day of sewing, games and more.


My Favorite Part of Life, Embellishing with Rhonda Denny

May 15th, 2025 to May 15th, 2025

Program: 10 am in person

 Be excited, inspired and willing to play outside the ordinary box.

Think about colors, natural elements, prefabricated, organic and/or ordinary. 

Every *pretty* audition may or may not make the cut.

Lay your ideas out and imagine what makes you happy. When you have a great combination, take a picture and this will help jog the memory.

Take your time, if it feels good keep going, if not stop or unsew.

I find that my pieces tell me what they want and when to stop.

Depending on the project, like my sparkly head band, I like big chunky pieces followed by filling them in with seed beads and such.

If beading is your thing, you will want beading needles (small eye, super thin needle).

Have fun, when we are inspired, we are in spirit!


Embellishing with Rhonda Denny

May 16th, 2025 to May 16th, 2025

Workshop: 9AM – 2:30 PM LBA&GC

$20.00 - 20 students

Depending on the project, like my sparkly head band, I like big chunky pieces followed by filling them in with seed beads and such.

Use a tray with a towel (to keep items on the tray) my favorite is a tv tray.

Utilize small boxes and tins to put your pretties in (such as jewelry boxes).

Sort your elements in a way that makes sense.

If beading is your thing, you will want beading needles (small eye, super thin needle).

Have fun, when we are inspired, we are in spirit!

Anyone interested in indulging in this rich endeavor is welcome to shop in my drawers as a gift, take what you want. I want all my people to have what the need to be a success.

I will be providing a lot of materials. A tray, some small boxes or the like, a cloth to spill your beads upon. Beads, beads and more beads, everyone will receive beads, and bobbles, trims, buttons and jewelry. We can make eye candy. I will bring the foundation for a mini quilt slightly larger than a business card. Bring a quilt you might like to embellish, and we’ll brainstorm together for bedazzling.

Bring lunch and some yummy to share. Full kitchen access. Weather permitting, there is a lovely outdoor garden and a seating area for lunch. Please volunteer to help with set up and clean-up


The Beauty of the Imperfect with Jenny Lyon

Jun 19th, 2025 to Jun 19th, 2025

Program: 10am to 11am - on Zoom

Bio:

I use my domestic sewing machine to create art quilts and wearable art. My work has been juried into a variety of major shows including Houston and Paducah as well art galleries and SAQA exhibits. Some are held by private collectors. I have been joyfully teaching the art of free motion quilting since 2006. My classes are encouraging, supportive, and light-hearted. I teach at various guilds, shops, and events throughout the country as well as at major international shows. I call myself the Quilt Skipper because once while quilting my own quilt, I was so delighted by the unexpected beauty of it and what emerged from my needle, that I found myself cheerfully skipping around the house when I took my breaks. It is my joy to create art with free motion quilting. I live in Northern California with my oh-so-patient hubby. Our two grown sons have left the nest to become men, leaving more room for books, fabric and notions

Lecture:

The imperfect is beautiful! I’ll show you inspiring and encouraging examples of my work as well as the work of world-renowned quilters and artists that are beautiful in their imperfection and I’ll share my journey to imperfection.


Blooming Sheer with Jenny Lyon

Jun 20th, 2025 to Jun 20th, 2025

Workshop: 9am to 3pm – on Zoom

$50.00 for SRQG Members

$60.00 for Nonmembers

This is just pure fun! Let’s play with squares of sheer fabric, layering them on a quilted background to create colorful effects. This is color theory without color wheels or rules, just playing with color like a Kindergartner! This is a great class for a timid free motion quilter and more experienced quilters can add quilted plants, insects, animals…. This is a joyful class with a minimal supply list – does it get any better than that? 

Kit can be purchased


Trunk Show with Barbara Derringer

Jul 17th, 2025 to Jul 17th, 2025

Program: 10:00 am in person

You might say I have been a “Fabric Artist” since I was four years old. My

grandmother handed me some fabric, needle and thread teaching me hand

sewing. Once the basics were learned she taught me sewing on her sewing machine

(a treadle machine). Grandma taught me quilting then my mother started teaching

me clothing. I was making my own clothes by the time I was 6 or 7, with mom’s

critiquing of course. I have continued thru life doing both always remembering

what they both told me – learn the basics then go “outside the box” and make it

different, make it yours. I like designing and making clothing but LOVE designing

and making quilts. I am very lucky to have had my two wonderful teachers and

that is why I started teaching. I want to pass on what I have learned in hopes that I

can give someone the joy I have in creating what I do and hopefully to pass it on to

the future.

Barbara will be showing us some of her wonderful art that she has created over the years.


Christmas Tree Skirt with Barbara Derringer

Jul 18th, 2025 to Jul 18th, 2025

Workshop: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the LBA & GC.

$50.00 for SRQG Members

$60.00 for Nonmembers

Ho! Ho! Ho! Yes, Christmas is just around the corner! Here’s an addition to your Christmas decorations to put under your tree. It looks harder than it is but actually it’s quite easy once you get everything cut out. Make it fun and colorful as I did or make it classic – fabrics make the difference. Remember you are the designer so make it yours to go with your decor. As you can see in the sketch, it consists of eight panels – four Santas and four trees. The finished skirt is approximately 29” deep and 216” around. Enjoy making this as I did and have a wonderful Holiday Season