Quilting Classes
Before filling out your registration form, please read the class descriptions and the daily itinerary so you can best determine how you would like to spend your cruise time. You will be assured of being placed in 2 different 4-day classes. Classes are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Class assignments and supply lists will be emailed to you approximately 90 days prior to departure. Classes are open to all levels of ability (unless otherwise stated in the class description).Jan 11- 15, 2026 (Sun, Mon, Wed, Thur)
8:30AM to 2:30pm Lunch Break from 11:30am to 12:30pm
Zinnia Handbag
| Instructor | Joyce Hughes |
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Want to learn Dimensional Thread Painting and Also make a Handbag? I often hear, “I am not creative and Can my Machine do this? etc., etc., Yes, You are Creative and Yes, you can do this on your Domestic Sewing Machine!!! In the first part class you will start with a Exclusive digitally printed Panel to Create a piece of Art! You will learn the proper steps of Dimensional Thread Painting and find it to be a fun and creative technique. Explore the various thread selection, setting up your machine for stitching techniques with free motion quilting of zig zag and straight stitching. See the fabric come to life as you sew and layer the threads on top of your design. You will use Thread as Paint –sew with different types of threads and color combinations. Learn how to create interesting texture and dimension to your quilting project. Next, we will take the finished thread painted panel and create a One-of-a- kind handbag! Learn to custom size a bag that is perfect for you while showing off your beautiful work. You will leave with a full knowledge of Dimensional Thread Painting and Bag Making while create a One of Kind piece of Art! |
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| Required Kit – $130.00 |
(Paid Directly to Instructor) |
Kit Includes:
Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience). |
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Calm Seas
| Instructor | Michelle Hiatt |
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Unleash the Power of the Sea with the Storm at Sea Quilt Embark on a quilting adventure with Michelle Renee and learn to create the stunning Storm at Sea quilt. Discover a simplified approach to piecing this intricate design, making it accessible to quilters of all levels. Highlights: Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or a beginner, this calming cruise project is the perfect opportunity to expand your skills and create a beautiful masterpiece. Michelle Renee’s infectious enthusiasm and clear instruction will make your quilting journey both relaxing and rewarding. Don’t miss this opportunity to ride the waves of creativity! |
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Michelle’s Calm Seas design puts a modern spin on the typical Storm at Seas quilt layout. Michelle used 12 graduating colors (6 colors in 2 different tones) which gives the quilt that calm smooth feeling. If selecting the Throw or Double sizes, this quilt works great with Solid, Tone on Tone or Batiks fabric. When selecting the King size; consider some larger prints, it is perfect for showing off those large florals! The pattern includes 3 size options (Throw, Double, King) and you will be amazed how easily this quilt comes together with the right tools! Three Finished Quilt Sizes offered: |
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| Required Kit – $13 |
(Paid Directly to Instructor) |
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Studio 180 Design’s Large Square Squared™, Diamond Rects™ and V Block™ tools and pattern. Optional Kit – $135 Free Sprit Solids (Throw Size) Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience). |
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Aloha Garden of Friendship
| Instructor | Kathy Dunigan |
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This fabulously fun and interesting class will have you hooked on everything applique and simply “in love” with embellishments that will set your quilts apart. Kathy will gently guide you with lots of encouragement and have you learning or perfecting “prepared edge applique”, which will be for both hand and machine applique. (we will not use machines in class). Kathy uses an applique foundation product that stays inside the applique and uses the simplest of tools that will be included with your kits. You’ll also learn Kathy’s “needle/toothpick turn“ technique with templates on top for hand applique, if you desire. Ultrasuede may be new to you, but you’ll get the chance to try it and include it in your quilt. Bet you love it! There will be wired and unwired silk ribbon “play” and you won’t be able to resist adding some to your design. Simple beadwork and fun embroidery rendered from various flosses and threads will delight your adoring fans when they see your masterpiece and wonder, “how did she ever do that?” Wait until you try Kathy’s “Broderie Perse-lique” method that is her unique epiphany! It’s too easy to be true and you’ll laugh at the simplicity. This class will benefit students that have never tried applique to advanced students, as well. Students that already applique but are looking for “over the top” results will find a place here. Join Kathy and take advantage of her 38 years of applique experience and let your applique sail to new places! |
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| While this quilt leans toward an “old world” style, reminiscent of the 1850’s Baltimore Album quilts, in subdued and large florals, chintz, reproduction prints, we will also use fabulous, bold prints and lively, bright colors that are sure to keep you engaged with your wondrous creation. While there are no embellishments needed to make this quilt complete, the hope is that you will try your hand at adding some intricate, yet easy stitches and beads, etc. Required fabric kits with some thread, needles and embellishments included, will have most everything you could possibly need, except background. Original patterns to make one or all four of the blocks with borders are included for everyone in the class. This quilt class will feature choices of the four main blocks to work on and the full pattern will be included. Embellishments may include: beading techniques, floss/thread embroidery, Ultrasuede and wired/unwired silk ribbon techniques. We will use various applique methods and you can choose your favorites; beginners to advanced will love this gathering as there is always something new to learn. | |
| Required Kit – $139 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
| Kit Includes: • complete pattern for quilt • Applique Foundation Product • glue sticks • orange sticks • pencil • ALL applique fabric to make the four blocks and borders (except background / border fabric) • Wired and unwired silk ribbons • Ultrasuede, beads, floss, thread, needles • Extra embellishments that Kathy may deem “delightful” (finished blocks 20”, finished quilt approx. 70”x 80”) Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience) There are no sewing machines provided or required this class. | |
Into the Kaleidoscope
| Instructor | Kyra Reps |
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| Circles, Triangles, Shapes galore! Every mandala is as unique as your fingertip. Let’s dive into our creativity and create your own unique mandala kaleidoscope. This class is product specific to the APLIQUICK Rods and method where you will learn how to use the APLIQUICK Rods and the APLIQUICK one sided fusible shapes to create perfectly turned edge applique resulting in a beautiful Kaleidoscope mandala as unique as you are! Once we have turned all of our shapes, we will be diving into our hand sewing to stich the applique pieces down. This will be done on a 42” x 42” background fabric. | |
| Required Kit – $150.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
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Kit includes: • all Pre-cut APLIQUICK fusible shapes Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience) |
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Hawaiian Reverse Applique
| Instructor | Margaret Willingham |
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Say Aloha to hand stitching with from Margaret Willingham, an expert in the field of reverse applique, as you make a Hawaiian quilt block. A class for all levels, with 5 blocks designs to choose from. In class you will learn how to make traditional Hawaiian design blocks with Eye of the Beholder’s easier, non-traditional Reverse Applique method by hand: trace, baste, snip, & stitch. In reverse applique the design is revealed in the background fabric peeking out through cut-outs in the top fabric, which is stitched to the background. We’ll begin by learning how to turn a classic Hawaiian pattern into a reverse applique and/ or applique pattern; understand the difference between the two. Then let Margaret help you find the joy of hand stitching as she leads you step-by-step through the process of her signature technique that is so, sew easy. It makes hand reverse applique doable and FUN, an act of love! Plus, she will share with you tips and tricks gained from years of experience. Unfold the beauty of such classic Hawaiian beauties as the Maile Wreath, Pineapple block, Breadfruit, Anthurium and Angel’s Trumpet (excerpted from Hawaiian Quilting by Elizabeth Root). |
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| Required Kit – $75.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
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Kit includes: • 5– classic Hawaii patterns (Anthurium, Maile, Pineapple, Breadfruit & Angel’s Trumpet pattern Purchase more fabric kits to expand into a larger project with the Optional Fabric Kits. |
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| Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience). There are no sewing machines provided or required this class. |
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Jan 21- 25, 2026 (Wed, Thur, Sat, Sun)
8:30am to 2:30pm, Lunch Break from 11:30am to 12:30pm
Dreamscape
| Instructor | Joyce Hughes |
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Want to learn Dimensional Thread Painting but you think it is too hard? I often hear, “I am not creative and Can my Machine do this? etc., etc., Yes, You are Creative and Yes, you can do this on your Domestic Sewing Machine!!! In this class you will start with a Beautiful Landscape Panel to Create a piece of Art! You will learn the proper steps of Dimensional Thread Painting and find it to be a fun and creative technique. Explore the various thread selection, setting up your machine for stitching techniques with free motion quilting of zig zag and straight stitching, bobbin work and embellishing with netting and crystals. See the fabric come to life as you sew and layer the threads on top of your design. You will use Thread as Paint –sew with different types of threads and color combinations. Learn how to create interesting texture and dimension to your quilting project. You will leave with a full knowledge of Dimensional Thread Painting and create a One of Kind piece of Art! Techniques Taught: Free Motion Quilting, Dimensional Thread Painting, Overlay Application, Crystal Embellishment, Bobbin Work and More! |
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| Required Kit – $100.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
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Kit includes: • 18 Threads for Bobbins and Top needed for Thread Painting |
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| Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience). | |
Jenn’s Journey
| Instructor | Michelle Hiatt |
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| Get hooked on a Snail’s Trail Quilt Embark on a quilting adventure with Michelle Renee and learn to create the stunning Smail’s Trail quilt. Discover a simplified approach to piecing this intricate design, making it accessible to quilters of all levels. Highlights: • Effortless Piecing: Simplify the process and achieve perfect units with the Studio 180 method utilizing tools that can be used again and again. • Precision Pinning: Learn expert techniques for quick and accurate quilt assembly. • Expert Guidance: Benefit from Michelle Renee’s valuable tips and tricks for a successful and stress-free quilting experience. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or a beginner, this exciting cruise project is the perfect opportunity to expand your skills and create a beautiful masterpiece. Michelle Renee’s infectious enthusiasm and clear instruction will make your quilting journey both relaxing and rewarding. Don’t miss this opportunity to ride the curve of creativity! | |
| Michelle designed this modern play on Snail’s Trail quilt. A Snail’s Trail block is a traditional quilt block that looks like a snail’s trail winding around a central point. Traditionally, it’s paper-pieced, but we’re going to approach it with the Studio 180 tools that can be used over and over again for many designs. Michelle’s design makes excellent use of those 1-yard fabric cuts you have been collecting. It comes together with effortlessly using Studio 180 Design’s Diamond Rects and Large Square Squared. You will complete this journey with ease. Yes, you read correctly, a Snail’s trail block without paper piecing! Three Finished Quilt Sizes offered: • Throw 68” x 68” • Twin 68” x 92” • Queen 92” x 116” | |
| Required Kit – $13.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
| Studio 180 Design’s Large Square Squared™ and Diamond Rects™ tools and pattern. Optional Kit – $135.00 in the Free Sprit Kaffe fabrics will be available to reserve in the Throw Size only. | |
| Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience). | |
Hawaiian Floral Fantasy
| Instructor | Kathy Dunigan |
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Kathy has designed from this one of a kind fabric, a wreath that will take your breath away. You’ll learn this amazing technique that is Kathy’s trademarked “Broderie Perse-lique” and afterwards the sky will be the limit for you in your applique quilts! Don’t miss this chance and design your own unique wreath, flower basket or floral swag. This bold and interesting class will have you hooked on everything applique and simply “in love” with embellishments that will set your quilts apart. Kathy will gently guide you with lots of encouragement and have you learning or perfecting “prepared edge applique”, which will be for both hand and machine applique. (we will not use machines in class). Kathy uses an applique foundation product that stays inside the applique and uses the simplest of tools that will be included with your kits. Ultrasuede may be new to you, but you’ll get the chance to try it and include it in your quilt. Bet you love it! There will be wired silk ribbon “play” and you won’t be able to resist adding some to your design. Simple beadwork and fun embroidery rendered from various flosses and threads will delight your adoring fans when they see your masterpiece and wonder, “how did she ever do that?” Wait until you try Kathy’s “Broderie Perse-lique” method that is her unique epiphany! It’s too easy to be true and you’ll laugh at the simplicity. This class will benefit students that have never tried applique to advanced students, as well. Students that already applique but are looking for “over the top” results will find a place here. Join Kathy and take advantage of her 38 years of applique experience and let your applique sail to new places! |
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| Required Kit – $75.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
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Background fabric is not included. Original patterns/suggestions to make one wall hanging with borders are included. This quilt class will feature choices of pattern templates and layouts to design a unique Hawaiian Fantasy. You will work at your own speed and have Kathy sharing demos and “hands on” help to make this a wonderful new process for you. Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience) |
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Simplicity
| Instructor | Kyra Reps |
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| This beautiful wall hanging is perfect for the beginner or seasoned appliquer. Let’s turn those beautiful shapes under using the APLIQUICK Rods to achieve perfect points, curves, and of course CIRCLES ( DOT’S)! Then we will work on hand sewing the shapes down using 100 W silk thread. This will be done on a 22” x 22” background fabric. | |
| Required Kit – $150.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
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Kit includes: • all pre-cut APLIQUICK shapes Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience) |
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Create & Make: Medallion
| Instructor | Margaret Willingham |
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| This is a playful, creative workshop. Remember folding and cutting paper snowflakes as a child? We’ll use similar techniques to explore the design possibilities as you create a mini reverse applique medallion pattern. Then you’ll transfer your design onto paper to make a pattern. We’ll discuss design considerations like size and ways to manipulate your pattern, and helpful tools. Once satisfied, we put it into fabric so you can bring it to life in living color by hand reverse applique using our signature Trace, Baste, Snip, & Stich method. Learn how to create added dimensions to your piece by combining reverse applique with applique. As you stitch gain insights and tips to master pesky inside and outside points and stitch smooth, graceful curves. | |
| Required Kit – $63.00 | (Paid Directly to Instructor) |
| Kit includes: • North Star Medallion XXIII pattern • Eye of the Beholder tote bag 1 spool of 40 wt. hand cotton quilting/ button thread in contrast to top fabric, basting • 1 – pack (20) No. 7 Sharps needle, hand basting • 1 – pack (10) No. 11 Milliner’s, hand reverse appliqué • 1 pair small sharp Kai 4” bent-handled slightly, blunt-tipped scissors • Frixion gel pen for tracing pattern onto wrong side of background fabric • Handouts: 2-page “Design Considerations” • Tips to Successfully Hand Reverse Applique • List of Tutorials and Blogs Optional Fabric Kit Available for $34.25 (+ shipping) Specially selected batik fabrics for North Star pattern. • 1 – 1/16 yd Black print batik, top fabric • 1 – 1/16 yd Blue mottled batik, background fabric • 1 – ¼ yard Green, binding and applique bits • 1 – FE Bright purple, applique bits | |
| Skill Level: Fun for all (perfect for all levels of experience). There are no sewing machines provided or required this class. | |
Class notes: Holding a quilt seminar on a cruise ship is a unique experience. Sometimes there are space and time challenges that prevent our being able to be “project oriented” and we must concentrate more on process. It is very unlikely that you will have an absolutely finished project at the end of a class. It is helpful if your expectations match these realities. But regardless of how far you are able to progress, our instructors are professionals—some of the best in the quilting world—and we know you will learn many new techniques and have a wonderful experience!