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Road 2015 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Heidi Stagno

Monday, December 8th, 2014

Heidi is teaching two day classes: 1008R Grid It and Stitch It on Monday; and 2011R Texturize on Tuesday. She will also be teaching three evening classes: 4075R Super Size Your Sashing on Thursday, 5078R Super Simple Stipple on Friday and 6077C Make It and Take It on Saturday.

Heidi Stagno learned to love and appreciate quilting from her Grandma Leota while growing up in Pocatello, Idaho. Remembers Heidi, “Grandma Leota came from a humble household. She put grandpa through medical school and he later became the Chief of Staff of the Idaho State Mental Hospital. So needless to say grandma was no longer poor. My sister and I did not learn to piece quilts because that was for ‘poor people.’ Grandma Leota would purchase yardage and match the print and sew-up two widths of fabric for the top and it was nothing but flannel for the back. We stretched the fabric and attached it to the frame and hand tied each quilt. Grandma Leota found many other ways to keep my sister and I busy on those cold, long Idaho nights. That’s how my quilting journey began.”

Today, Heidi lives with her husband John and twin, 6 year old daughters. Her mother Judy is also an accomplished quilter.

Heidi loves to quilt on her Longarm machine. “I bought my first longarm machine 14 years ago. For the first year my machine and I just dated and we got to know each other. The second year we got engaged and I really started bringing in the customers. I was booked with more quilts than I could keep up with. So sometime between year three and four we got married and I quit my full time career job. At that time, I also let go of a husband. He just didn’t get the quilting thing, so out he went. I spent two years single, supporting myself completely on my longarm quilting. Then I found a new husband. The quilting machine gave her stitch of approval and we got married, to Mr. Right this time. In the span of one year I got married, bought a house, bought a quilt shop and I was pregnant with twins by the end of the first year.” Heidi recently sold the quilt shop and is back to quilting full time. In addition to her machine, she also has two machines that she rents out and she teaches longarm quilting on. And, she is a Handi-Quilter Dealer.

What is Heidi’s method for longarm quilting? “I love developing the depth, dimension, and texture on quilt tops. My students ask me, ‘How do you know what to quilt on so many different quilts?’ My answer is: look into the quilt and it will tell you. While I have not experienced a quilt that will actually talk to me, I do investigate the piecing, the fabric, and the scale of design, the style or theme. The answer is very simple “opposites attract.” If the quilt has busy fabric or lots of piecing, I go simple. If the quilt is plain and simple I dress it up with fancy stuff. Then I go to work auditioning designs with preview film.

During her two years of supporting herself with her quilting, Heidi says she learned a thing or two that can help other longarm quilters:

#1 If your machine is broke you will be too. So keep it clean!! Keep it happy!! Keep quilting!!

#2 Learn how to fix your machine so you don’t have to live with-out it while it’s at the dealer. No machine=no quilting=no money=homeless. ( lol)

#3 Some quilters say “get known for one style” No way. I love all types and style and techniques. Learn them all.

Heidi hopes the students in her classes first learn to relax a bit. She says that her quilting went to the next level when she finally said to myself, “Well… either they will bring me their quilt or they won’t. Get over it. Let go of the unrealistic self-inflicted pressures. Just enjoy and have fun and it will come.” She also tells her students that they will not leave the class being proficient at that particular technique. What she teaches is HOW to practice the technique. She also likes to share her “pea brain analogies.” Heidi has a specific thought process while quilting each and every design. She likes to teach her students the theory behind free-motion quilting not just tricks. For Heidi, it’s all about the ELEMENT, REPEAT, ROTATE and TRAVEL!!!

You can learn more about Heidi on her blog: http://quiltingwithheidi.blogspot.com/

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Tags: Handi Quilter, Longarm Quilting
Posted in classes, Faculty, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

Road 2015 Faculty Spotlight: Meet Annie Unrein

Monday, October 6th, 2014

Annie will be teaching three evening classes: 4074C Cosmetic Clutches on Thursday; 5074C Project Bags on Friday; and 6075C iCases on Saturday.

Personal: Annie Unrein was born in Hereford, Texas, the second of five girls. She has two grown children, a son and a daughter. Her son is a CPA/MBA who along with his wife, work with Annie at ByAnnie.com. They are expecting Annie’s first grandchild in the spring.

How did you get started in quilting? Both of my grandmothers were quilters and I loved the look and feel of the quilts that they made. Neither of them lived close enough to teach me how to quilt, so I taught myself by studying the quilts that they’d made me and by reading the limited articles about quilting that were available in the early 1970s.

Does anyone else in your family quilt? I share my interest in quilting with several cousins. My cousin Cindy (who lives in Ojai, California) and I reconnect at Road to California every year!

Where do you find your inspiration for your projects? I now primarily use quilted fabric to make purses and bags to organize my quilting supplies. Seeing a mess and figuring out how to clean it up and organize it serves as inspiration for many of my patterns!

What is the one sewing tool you can’t live without? My trusty stiletto/pressing tool helps me hold pieces in place as I sew, protects my fingers, and enables me to attach beautiful bindings. I feel that it is every bit as important as a rotary cutter!

What has been the best class you have taken? Learning how to use Electric Quilt software opened up a world of design and exploration to me. Working through the lessons in the various EQ books really helped me to understand the many facets of the program.

What do you like best about teaching? I love showing students how to break down a project into manageable steps so that they can make projects that look like they bought them rather than like they made them. . . and seeing the pride on students faces when they finish a professional-looking project.

What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment that you’ve had while you were teaching? I taught EQ classes at a state-wide guild event several years ago. There were so many students registered for the class that tables were packed from wall to wall. There was no easy way to get around them, so I had to crawl under the tables and around the cords to help people who had questions!

What is your best tip for quilters? My best tip that applies to quilting can also be applied to just about anything in life: If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t. Go for it with confidence!

What do you hope your students will get out of your classes? Students will leave my class with the confidence to install zippers in purses and bags and the skills to use ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable in their projects.

You can find Annie at: https://www.byannie.com

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Tags: ByAnnie.com, Cosmetic clutches, iCases, Purses and bags
Posted in classes, Faculty, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

A New Style Of Classes At Road 2015

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

Road to California 2015 – 20^th Anniversary Show

will have the familiar feel of hands on classes along with lectures where experts share their knowledge on products and techniques.

But Road 2015 will also be offering a new, exciting style of classes featuring remarkable quilt makers, Web-TV stars, and authors, Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson.

These new Lecture-Demo Classes will be held Friday and Saturday in the state of art lecture hall at the Radisson Hotel. The lecture hall is perfect for this type of class as it features tiered seating with a large projector screen so attendees can see the minutest detail from the comfort of their seat. Ricky says, “I promise this educational event for quilters is not like any other quilting experience.”

Why is Road offering these new types of classes? Carolyn Reese says, “I have attended Ricky and Alex’s Super Seminar in the past. When I left their seminar, my brain was saturated with ideas and techniques and not a single UFO in sight. These lectures are presented in the same style.”

What can attendees expect in these Lecture-Demo classes?

Great lecture style master classes.
Lessons are suited for experienced, novice, traditional, and contemporary quilters.
Learn simple, efficient techniques and explore the principles for successful original designs.
There is no sewing, there is no supply list and you won’t be going home with a UFO
The classes are loaded with projects that will allow you to try the various techniques when you get back to your sewing studio. Prepare to have your head spinning with excitement!

Ricky Tims will be teaching morning classes from 9:30 – 12:30, 5018R Improvisational Patchwork on Friday

and 6017R Kool Kaleidoscope and Convergence Quilts on Saturday.

Alex Anderson will be teaching afternoon classes from 1:00 – 4:00, 5019R Beautifully Quilted & Fabric A – Z on Friday

and 6018R Scrap Crazy & Studio Dream Tours on Saturday.

There is a $60 supply fee for each class that includes a full color syllabus with the projects and lecture information.

We hope you are as excited as we are to be offering these new style classes.

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Tags: Alex Anderson, Lecture-Demo Class, Quilt Classes, Ricky Tims
Posted in classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show | No Comments »

How Do You Thread Your Needle?

Friday, July 25th, 2014

All threads are not created equal. And who should know this more than Bob Purcell, President of Superior Threads and a Self-Certified Threadologist. Mr. Purcell presented two, $5.00 Lectures at Road 2014 entitled, Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob.

How your thread performs depends on Five Thread Criteria:

Quality: The higher the quality of thread, the less special handling is required. Quality thread is worthy of your machine and your project.
Needles: Make sure you are using the right type and size. A topstitich needle works best with most projects because it has a larger eye and deeper groove. Make sure the needle is inserted correctly in your machine and that your machine is threaded correctly.
Tension: Dr. Bob says, “Running your machine always at the same tension setting is like buying a new TV and never changing the channel.” Learn how to make quick and easy adjustments, even if your machine has an auto tensioner.
Delivery System: How is the thread prepared to use on your machine? Is the thread wound on a spool or a cone? Either type is OK but each has a different use. The larger the spool, the greater the savings.
Condition of Sewing Machine: Always keep your machine clean and in good condition. Regular maintenance insures your machine is in the best condition.

Dr. Bob also answered some common questions regarding thread:

How accurate are thread labels? Because different manufacturers use different standards of measurement, labels are not always accurate. Rely more on your sight and touch than the printed label.

What weight of thread should I use? It depends what you want the thread to do. A simple rule, “Heavy to show, thin to blend.”

Should I only use cotton thread in my quilts? Traditional quilters often used all cotton: fabric, batting, and thread. Times have changed and machine quilting has opened a whole new world. Polyester, medium and heavier cotton and even metallic thread can be used to enhance the beauty of a quilt.

Does polyester thread tear the fabric? No. Under normal use, polyester and softer, non-glazed threads will not tear through the fabric and is perfectly fine to use.

Does the bobbin thread have to match the top thread in type and size? No. The bobbin thread can be a lighter weight than the top thread and still provide sufficient strength. Since bobbin thread does not go through a needle, bobbin threads have fewer problems.

Now is a great time to try Superior Threads. From now until July 31, customers can save up to 75% on Try Me Specials. For the first time ever, Try Me Specials are being put on a bigger FREEDOM sale. These specials are already 30-50% off, but for the rest of July, they are an additional 50% off the already-sale price. You choose the thread type and Superior threads will choose the colors. Choose from over 50 products. With prices this low, you can afford to try a thread you have never used before. Just use the Promotional Code tryme at checkout.

Discover what threads work best for you, keeping in mind the Five Thread Criteria and have fun!!!

What is your favorite Superior Threads product?

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Tags: Superior Threads, Thread Sale
Posted in classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »

Registering For Classes

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Class registration is right around the corner. While the webmaster is moving as fast as she can on getting our 2015 classes online, we thought we should give you all a crash course in our online registration system.

First, make sure your internet browser plays nicely with others. Our system does not work well with Internet Explorer and some versions of Mozilla Firefox. The most recently updated Google Chrome, and Apple Safari play really nice with others, and have been tested and verified to work on our system. Unfortunately, we have not been able to optimize our website for touch devices (including iPads & iPhones.)

On the same note, you should make sure prior to online registration that you have installed updates for your internet browser. This is very important to your own personal internet security and will enhance your experience with our online registration program. There is a great how-to article on updating your internet browser on the web that you can find here

Now that we are done with computer housekeeping, lets move onto the Second Step, logging on. Open that fancy new updated internet browser and navigate to: https://online.roadtocalifornia.com. You should see a photo of our beautiful San Gabriel Mountains kissed with snow and the Road to California logo. If you remember your email address and password from last year, enter it now and skip ahead.

If you don’t remember your password, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Click on Forgot Password. A yellow box should appear (See Photo Below). Fill out all the required information and click change password. Hint: Your new password needs to be 8 characters long and include a capital letter and a number.

If you don’t remember your email address, send us an email to: info@roadtocalifornia.com. We will be happy to assist you with your online account. In your email, please include your name, email address and mailing address. We will use that information to find your account and email you a new password.

If you have not taken a class at Road before, click on the blue create an account link. The following page should appear. Fill out all required fields and click create. Again, your password needs to be 8 characters long and include a capital letter and a number.You should now be logged in! On July 11 at 8 AM PDT you can move your mouse to ROAD2015 and click on Register!

Once you’ve clicked on Register, you will see the following screen. Make sure if you wish to purchase cancellation insurance, you drag over the Cancellation Insurance selection. Simply Click, Drag into your calendar and Release when the calendar turns red.

Change the drop down from Miscellaneous Items to the date of the class you wish to register for. Here we have chosen Friday, and want to take Dancing Dots with Nancy Mahoney.

Simply Click down on Dancing Dots and Drag the Dancing Dots block over to the calendar (the calendar will turn red) and Release.

Let’s say you also want to take a Sunday class (gotta leave Thursday and Saturday to do some serious shopping in the vendor mall). Being a big fan of stars, you want to take Sparkle Star with Donna Thomas.

Click down on Sparkle Star, Drag it over to the calendar and Release. The calendar turns red when you have dragged the class to the proper location. Release when the calendar is red to enroll.

What if you change your mind and instead of taking a Friday class, you’d rather take a multi-day class? To remove the Friday class, simply Click on the class under Events/Classes to be Purchased, Drag it out of the calendar and Release.

Multi-Day classes are sorted by the first day they begin. For example, you would love to take a class with Rob Appell, and he happens to be teaching a Three Day Seascape/Landscape Extravaganza starting on Monday! Click on class 1302R, Drag it into the calendar, and Release when the calendar turns red!

Once you’ve verified that you’ve got all your classes and cancellation insurance (you can’t add on cancellation insurance after you click register), it’s time to pay and check out! Fill out your credit card information, and verify the contact information we have on file. Once your registration is final, our cancellation policy takes effect, so make sure to read it carefully when classes are posted online!

Click Register, and you will be redirected to a page with a confirmation of your registration. You will also receive an email with this information confirming your class enrollment. Take note of the cancellation policy found on the bottom of your confirmation. We will not be granting exceptions for cancellation hardships this year. Please take special care to remember the dates for cancellation.

That’s it! Class information will be posted by July 1! Class registration begins on July 13, 2014 at 8 AM PDT! We can’t wait to see you in January!

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Tags: Internet Browser Update, Quilt Classes, Registering for Road
Posted in classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show, Road to California | 4 Comments »

How We Choose Classes For Road To California

Monday, June 23rd, 2014

It is almost time to announce our Road to California 2015 classes. Because we are often asked how we come up with our slate of offerings, we wanted to share the planning process that goes in to our class selection.

The first step is to secure our teachers. Selecting the faculty for Road to California actually begins more than two years prior to an upcoming conference. Carolyn, Matt and Stevii Graves (Road’s consultant and talent scout), search for the newest, upcoming talent (as well as seasoned veterans in the teaching world) that would be a good fit for Road. They look for teachers at trade shows, in trade publications (Stevii does book reviews for IQA) and in blogs on the internet. Searching for teachers is a full time job!Choosing the classes can best be summed up as one giant jigsaw puzzle with pieces that don’t fit together! To be certain that we are offering classes that meet the needs and desires of our attendees, we have several methods set in place to ensure that we have a diverse cross section of classes that represent quilters today. We want to make sure that our classes range from Appliqué to Zentangle!

We have 22 classrooms with certain rooms better utilized for certain techniques. For example, this year we have Kim Eichler-Messmer teaching a two day class on Fabric Dyeing for quilts. Her classroom must not only be near water, but also be covered with plastic on the floor so that the fabric dye does not damage the carpeting.

We have received some complaints that Road is primarily catering to the long arm quilter and is not meeting the needs of all quilters. Rather than simply deny this, we would like to provide you with some numbers:

Three of the 22 rooms are utilized with Longarm Machines (Gammill, Handi Quilters & Innova)

Two of the 22 rooms are utilized with sit-down, Longarm Machines (Gammill Charm & Handi Quilters Sweet 16). The techniques used in these classes are directly applicable to domestic machines.

Seven of the 22 rooms have sewing machines provided for attendees (Brother, BabyLock, Bernina, Janome, PFAFF, Viking). These rooms are used for Machine Quilting, Machine Piecing, Machine Applique and many other techniques & projects.

Ten of the 22 rooms are utilized for other classes including Hand Work, Fabric Dying, Painting, Bring Your Own Machine classes, etc.

Classes for Road 2015 will be posted on our website no later than July 1st and registration begins on-line July 13th.

We invite you to join us for THE BEST Road to California yet, our 20^th Anniversary Conference & Showcase.

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Tags: Longarm Machines, Quilt Teachers, Sewing Machines
Posted in behind the scenes, classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show, Road to California | 2 Comments »

Meet Valerie Goodwin, Quilt Artist – Exploring The Use of Laser Cutting Technology

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Road to California prides itself on presenting the latest and greatest in the quilting world. Having Valerie Goodwin as one of our teachers for our upcoming 20^th Anniversary Conference and Showcase continues this vision.A graduate of Yale University with a Masters Degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis Missouri, Valerie Goodwin is an architect, a teacher of architectural design at Florida A & M University, and a quilt artist. Her quilt designs are inspired by the realistic and abstract imagery of maps. Says Valerie, “I am fascinated by the language of lines, shape and pattern…My work is noted for its use of color, emphasis on line, and density. My quilts are part of a continuing investigation of ideas that focus on geometrical relationships, patterns, and ordering principles found in architecture. I try to convey these ideas abstractly, through the use of collage, layering, transparency, density, and improvisation.”

Valerie’s new passion combines both the digital and the physical realm of creating. This connection came together in the summer of 2013 when Valerie was selected to participate in a 3-week residency at Florida State University’s (FSU) Facilities for Arts Research (FAR). The title of her project was Mapping Time and Place. During her residency, she tested laser settings on over 30 natural and synthetic fabrics. In addition to exploring combinations of layered materials for her experimental fiber artwork, she also created a binder with fabric samples and laser cutting settings as a resource for future FAR researchers.

Valerie has continued to fine-tune her experience with the laser cutter and its interaction with fabric. Not only does the laser cut fabrics, but it can also score and etch.

All of this innovative work has sparked a desire with Valerie to share her knowledge with other quilt artists. Road is thrilled for Valerie to be sharing this technique with our guests at Road 2015.

To learn more about Valerie’s work, please visit her website: Quilts by Valerie

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Tags: Architect, Laser Cut-Out Material, Maps, Valerie Goodwin
Posted in classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2015- 20th Anniversary Show, Road to California | No Comments »

Did You Know? Seven Fun Facts About Needles And Pins

Monday, April 28th, 2014

Didier Vrac, President of Bohin France, gave a lecture on the history of needles and pins during Road 2014. Part of Road’s new $5.00 Lecture Series offering informative sessions in a classroom setting, Mr. Vrac spoke to a room full of interested guests, giving them fun facts of these sewing essentials. Here are some of interesting tidbits he shared:

What were the first needles and pins made of? Bones and ivory.

Which country first used steel in making pins and needles? China. From there, steel was used in Arabia, then Europe.

When were pins used for more than just sewing? In the 1500’s, ornate pins were given to women as gifts.

What great world event did pin manufacturing play a large role in? The Industrial Revolution as well as the unionization of factory workers.

What are some of the specialty needles designed for? Leather working, quilting, embroidery, and clothing manufacturing.

Where does Bohin France get the glass for their pin heads? Murano (Venezia), Italy

What makes Bohin needles and pins different from other brands regarding shape and sharpness? Bohin’s fine pins are made from piano chord wire which is known for retaining its shape when it is flinged. The lasting sharpness of Bohin’s pins and needles is due to their being polished individually on antique machines.

Who knew there was so much to learn about needles and pins!!!

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Tags: Bohin Factory, Bohin France, Didier Vrac, Industrial Revolution, Murano Italy, Needles, Pins
Posted in classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »

No April Fooling Here: Proper Care for Rulers, Templates, And Mats

Thursday, April 3rd, 2014

Road invited Patricia Simons of Quilters Rule International to present one of its new $5 Lectures. She shared how her company makes rulers, templates and mats and gave some handy tips on how to care for them too. Speaking to a full room, it was evident that Patricia was both passionate and knowledgeable about these tools.

Rulers

When investing in durable rulers, Patricia gave three important features to consider. She said that rulers will last longer if they are

● Molded instead of cut out of plastic;

● Have their lines injected instead of silk screened on;

● Have a clear coating protecting their marking instead of just having the ink speed dried.

Templates

Regarding templates, Patricia suggested that they should be ¼’’ thick if they are going to be used with quilting machines. Thinner templates should only be used for tracing designs.

Mats

Patricia mentioned that many quilters misunderstand the durability of mats. There is a notion that mats are self-healing; that cuts and scratches are able to magically fill in thus preserving the life of a mat. But Patricia pointed out that because mats are made of non-living materials, there is really no way a scratch or cut can totally disappear. The ability for a mat to last over time is due more to the care that it is shown. Some tips for extending the life of a cutting mat include:

● Only use a sharp blade. Dull blades will damage a mat.

● Never push harder with a sharp rotary cutter than is necessary to cut fabric.

● Cutting repeatedly on the same line will erode the mat on that line and cause it to bubble or warp. Move your cuts around.

● Wash your mat occasionally with warm soapy water to keep it clean.

● While you might have bought your mat rolled up, it is best to store your mat flat

● Keep mat away from direct sunlight or excessive heat sources for long period of time.

Handy tips for keeping some of the most used quilting tools in tip-top shape.

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Tags: Quilters Rule International
Posted in classes, Road 2 CA Blog, Road 2014, Road to California | No Comments »

Are You An Eleanor Burns/Quilt In A Day Fan Too?

Friday, February 21st, 2014

Eleanor Burns is always a big crowd pleaser at Road. Her fans come from near and far to attend one of her lectures and to browse her Quilt in a Day vendor booth.

This year, two of Eleanor’s biggest admirers came to see her Thursday night lecture. They were nine year old Katie and her Grammy, Barbara. How did we know that they were such big fans? Perhaps it was because they own a life-size cutout of Eleanor that they dress up for all the holidays.

Barbara lives in Northern California. She drives down to Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California every three months to visit Katie and her family. Sewing is a big part of her visits. Barbara is always bringing along batting, fabric, and her sewing machine in her car which has the license plate, ♥2BQLTN.

Ever since Katie was 3 or 4, she wanted to sew along with her Grammy. Together they have made lots of pillows, pillow cases, placemats and one quilt. Katie got her own Brother sewing machine the week of the show. Currently, Barbara is helping Katie make a quilt on her new machine that she plans to enter in next year’s youth sewing challenge for Road to California.

This was Barbara and Katie’s second visit to Road. It is their favorite show. They like to “get material together to make different things and create.” And of course, they love being able to see Eleanor Burns in person. They sat on the front row and Katie even got to be a part of Eleanor’s show. What a thrill for this young fan!!!

Have you ever met your idol in person? Who was it and where did you meet them?

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Tags: Idol, Quilt in a Day
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