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When I first started machine quilting back in 2004, I looked all over for a mathematical way to figure out borders. Something that would work all the time on every border. Unfortunately, I could not find one. I thought I would share with you how I figure out an undulating spine that goes around the entire quilt. I have found that it is best to mark these before you load the machine on the frame.

Click here for the video of how I figure out this spine!

You can use this spine for ferns, flowers, feathers… really any ...

I missed my FB live last week as I was on a much needed vacation to South Carolina! For the most part, I completely unplugged from work is a first in a while. It felt great to sit in the sun, play some golf and get to know my significant others family! Took a beautiful walk along the inter-coastal waterway.

Back at work this week…. who doesn’t love feathers??? I know, it isn’t me but there are some who don’t. I have had many requests for another video on how to do the Jelly Feather Fill, I ...

I’ve been in this business for a long time… I started piecing in 1997 and started longarming in 2004 as a business. It quickly became a love… I couldn’t wait to get my piece on the longarm so I never really stretched my piecing skills. Now my longarming skills… that’s a different story. It didn’t take me long to start teaching…. 2006 and I love every minute that I spend with my students. With that being said… I do suffer from Imposter Syndrome at times. More so when I first started teaching but there are still ...

It seems a bit incredible, but I am going to Madeline Island, Wisconsin to teach Making Prints from September 27-October 1, 2021. Yes. That is right. In one week, I will be here at the Madeline Island School for the Arts.

Making Prints is my foundation course–all other courses I teach grow from this one. If you have enjoyed studying with me virtually and have been waiting for the right moment to take an in person class. This is that moment.

It is the only week long workshop in person workshop that I will be teaching in 2021. The ...

It seems a bit incredible, but I am going to Madeline Island, Wisconsin to teach Making Prints from September 27-October 1, 2021. Yes. That is right. In one week, I will be here at the Madeline Island School for the Arts.

Making Prints is my foundation course–all other courses I teach grow from this one. If you have enjoyed studying with me virtually and have been waiting for the right moment to take an in person class. This is that moment.

It is the only week long workshop in person workshop that I will be teaching in 2021. The ...

Threads of Success When the email arrived letting those of us who are scheduled to teach know that for 2021 Threads of Success is postponed to Quilt Market 2022 I was surprised but not surprised. Twenty twenty was a lot, while things are shifting and changing some of twenty twenty has carried over into twenty… Continue reading Threads of Success, Quilting, Accountability Post

I hope everyone is having a great summer. I have been enjoying getting outside as much as I can. Alaskan summers are always short and often cool and rainy. Every day of sunshine is a gift.

But I doubt that is why you are reading this. I think, I hope, you might just want to sign up for one of my Virtual Indie Quilt Workshops.

While you check your calendars, know that every session is recorded and available for you to view for approximately 30 days after the last session.

I also hope you will drool ...

On Thursday, July 15, 2021, I will be starting a new virtual workshop called Complex Pattern in Contemporary Patchwork. I am super excited about this. You can sign up here. 

When it comes down to it, pattern is the one of the fundamental aspects of what I do as a quilt maker. There is always color and there is always patterning. Sometimes there are structures related to quilt making, such as traditional blocks, and sometimes I use other sources for the foundational lines of my compositions. Whatever the structure or the inspiration it is always expressed through patterning ...

Hey folks, I am teaching a three day version (nine hours of instruction) of Kitchen Sink Quilting—The Art of Making Do starting tomorrow Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

Here are the details

KITCHEN SINK QUILTING—The ART of Making Do
All leftover fabric, UFO’S, orphan blocks, and random strips of fabric are welcome in this class. We’ll take those pieces of quilt debris and make them into fun improvisational masterpieces. The focus of this workshop is on using up left-overs, bit making (creating small improvisation-ally cut and pieced traditional quilt blocks), and composition.
Wednesday, June 23 ...

Guess what I’m teaching online again! in August at the Mancuso World Quilt Fest!  Enjoy the video below– and then go sign up for my workshops here:  https://www.quiltfest.com/register/world-quilt-show-online/workshops-by-instructor/sarah-ann-smith-bindings-facings/    For more info, you can also visit my workshop page here. 

These are three of my favorite workshops, and in consideration of SUMMER and being able to get back out into the world (WOOOOOT!), I chose half-day workshops so you can learn then go play and actually smile ...

A couple of months ago Michele Muska of Oliso Fame introduced me to the effervescent Brandy Maslowski the Quilter on Fire. This name is representative of her work as a quilter and as a firefighter. And her work, WOW. Our conversation was thoughtful and fun. I am looking forward to sharing the interview with you… Continue reading Did you know

I am offering a new independent workshop called Three Points. I offered a version of this class at QuiltCon Together called Improv Triangles—Perfectly Pointless.

Some of the material does overlap, but the approach for this new workshop is different and the exploration more comprehensive—we will spend time with some rulers. That said, my approach to the math will continue to be improvisational.

I am not sure why it has taken me so long to offer this workshop. I suppose I was afraid no one would be interested. I used to think that the ...

I feel like I have been starting all my blog posts with…. it’s been a while. I promise I will try harder to not let that happen!

Here’s what I’ve been up to!

The past 6 months I have been feverishly working on a comprehensive online course! And guess what??? It is finally done.

I had 32 fabulous students help me create this class and their input was invaluable! To all of you…. my biggest thank you!

The nerve wracking thing about creating the class is that as the students were hard at work on one week ...

It’s been a week and it’s Wednesday, and had to check that by hovering the cursor over the time on the laptop. Last week I dropped something off with a friend here locally as I left her house on my next errand a small rock kicked up and hit the windshield causing a star right… Continue reading Okay, so here’s what Happened and Then

I think we can all agree that Covid has taught us things about ourselves. Some of those things we never really wanted to learn.

For example, I see now that no matter what is happening in the world, I will find a way to over-extend myself. The first six months of Covid, I was unemployed, and I must say that it was lovely.  I caught up on tasks. Life slowed down and balance became a thing. It was good.

And then, I was asked to teach online. The switch flipped, and my life was ...

This time I surprised even myself. After cutting 850″ of 2 1/4″ bias, I sewed it to twelve (what was I thinking???? clearly I was not thinking….) placemats and a 44 by 15″ table runner, ironed it, glued it to prep for machine sewing. Then, in about 65 minutes I got the second side of ALL the placemats AND the table runner SEWN! Check out the pictures and video!

A couple of times a day I get an email asking what workshops am I currently teaching. 

To answer that question properly, I am writing this blog post AND posting all of this information on my website under the heading Events & Happenings.

I have neglected my website and almost exclusively posted workshop information here and on my instagram feed. Let this be the moment I change that.

I am teaching in three different types of virtual venues. Below, I explain the differences between each virtual venue and your method for signing up.

Independent Workshops 
Independent Workshops are taught directly by ...

Now is the time to take an online class with me because I’ve got six great classes coming up in January and February, AND because I have decided I won’t be teaching online again for at least six months and possibly not until early 2022! So sign up NOW so you don’t miss the chance!

First up is January at Road@Home (the online Road 2 California event). Go here to register or find more information.

Today I’m excited to kick off a 9 part series on Machine Quilting Tips and Tricks. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, especially since I’ve written and taught on this topic extensively over the last few years. This week’s post will serve as an introduction to the series, and also as the landing page where I’ll update each of the links below as they are written.

I’m also happy to answer your machine quilting questions. So don’t be shy – ask you questions in the comments and I ...

Making Prints is the very first workshop I ever taught. Back then, students were subjected to a volcanic eruption of information as I attempted to teach them EVERYTHING in a one day workshop. Heads exploded. Chaos ensued. I learned. 

Now, I disperse this information over a series of classes. Here is the basic progression of those workshops. 

Follow the links to sign up for the workshops that I am currently teaching.

Making Prints—Strips & Stripes
Circle & Curve Sampler
Three Points—A Triangle Workshop (Quiltcon Together)
Kitchen Sink Quilting—the ART of Making  Do
Linear ...