Current Classes at Susan Maries:
Clubs - Organizations - Monthly Meeting Groups
American Sewing Guild
The American Sewing Guild meets at Susan Marie's the second Wednesday of every month at 10:00 AM. The American Sewing Guild is a national non-profit organization dedicated to people who believe sewing is a rewarding and creative activity. If you are interested in joining the guild, contact Betty at 815-469-3992
* Monthly meetings
* Special workshops and events
* Contests
* Special offers from industry resources
* Members only magazine
* Annual conference
* Sewing related travel and tours
National Web Site of the American Sewing Guild
Web Site of the Chicago Chapter of the American Sewing Guild
UFO NIght (Unfinished Object Night)
Just bring in whatever you are working on and enjoy the night with others while you sew. If you need help with something, there is always someone on board to provide assistance.
Another bonus is that you will receive 15% off of the items you purchase that night.
Please keep in mind there needs to be at least 6 people in this class.
Call to reserve your space.
First Friday of each month
*NOTE: Due to scheduling difficulties, UFO will take place on the 2nd Friday of February, March, and April! See calendar on pages 8 & 9 for dates. 6:00 - midnight Fee $5
Call ahead to reserve your space.
BSSP - BERNINA Software Sampler Program - With Jennie Van Groningen
BSSP is a BERNINA Education Program for people who own, or wish to own, Designer Plus Software. Each month we gather at Susan Marie's to watch and in store Webinar taught by Amanda Whitlatch, a BERNINA educator. Each lesson has tips and tricks on how to use tools and features in the software. In addition, Amanda shows you how to apply what you have learned to everyday projects. Please bring a USB memory stick on which to load the lesson of the day.
Saturdays 10 to 11 am
October 15 - Photo Paint, Photo Snap, Your Season
November 19 - Deck the Halls
Class Fee - $15 per class (includes lesson)
Receive new release embroidery designs FREE when you attend BSSP!
Current Classes
V6 Mastery with Catie and Jennie Van Groningen
Expand your knowledge and increase your comfort level using your V6 Embroidery Software. In each class, learn a new tool or technique to easily achieve custom embroidery results.
1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 10:00 - 12:00
February 7 February 21
March 6 March 20
April 3 April 17
May 1 May 15
Class fee $10 per class
All About ME (Machine Embroidery) with Jennie Van Groningen
All About ME (Machine Embroidery) is a Bernina education program for people who own an embroidery machine - any brand! Each month we gather at Susan Marie’s to watch an instore Webinar taught by Kay Hickman, a Bernina educator. Every lesson has tips and tricks on how to successfully embroider on all kinds of fabric, what stabilizer to use, etc; plus, she shows you how to apply what you learned to everyday projects.
Please bring a USB stick on which to load the lesson.
Saturdays 10:00 - 11:00 January 21 February 18 March 17 *1:00 - 2:00 April 14 *1:00 - 2:00 May19
Class Fee $15 per class (includes lesson) Receive new release embroidery designs FREE when you attend All About ME!
Earth to Quilters! - Hoopsisters Block of the Month with Catie Van Groningen
By the time you are finished with this class, you will know your embroidery machine inside and out. The designs come in two sizes (8” and 5”) so this class is not limited to machines with jumbo hoops. I will demo blocks in class. Be sure to bring a USB stick to each class!
Month 1 - Friday, March 16 - 1:30 Saturday, March 17 - 10:00
Month 2 - Friday, April 13 - 1:30 Saturday, April 14, 10:00
Month 3 - Friday, May 11, 1:30 Saturday, May 12, 10:00
Class lasts a total of 7 months. Look for the rest of the dates when the next newsletter comes out!
Class fee $15 per session
Free Kanzashi Flower Workshop with Terri Kowalski
Learn how to use the simple Kanzashi templates to make these amazing flowers. Stop in any time during the posted class time to see a demo or try your hand at using the Clover tem-plates. Samples and uses for these wonder flowers will be on display. Can’t wait to see you at the workshop.
February 11 10:00 - 2:00
FREE workshop!
Machine Embroidery Basics with Catie Van Groningen
In this class you will learn the basics of machine embroidery. Topics covered will be: stitching on terry cloth, napkins, small items, knits, quilt blocks, appliqué, and more. You will learn different methods for hooping and what stabilizers are best for different fabrics. Take away your fear of embroidery choices!
April 21 9:30 - 3:30
Class fee $35 plus kit fee
Heirloom Baby Quilt with Karen Stupegia
Create a beautiful heirloom baby quilt and learn heirloom sew-ing techniques in the process. Anyone with basic sewing skills and a zigzag sewing machine can put together this one of a kind treas-ure. Quilt size 37” x 45”
Fridays 12:00 - 4:30
January 6 January 20 February 3 February 17
Class fee $75
We will be assembling the completed blocks, layering, pin basting, and machine quilting.
Fridays 12:00 - 4:00
March 2
March 16
Class fee $40
Hello Hexies with Mickey Depre
Join me in discovering the magic of English Paper Piecing Hexagons (Hexies!) by hand. Yes by hand! The perfect go anywhere project. This simple traditional method of quilting allows very creative use of fabric in a simple pattern. This is an introductory workshop that will cover basic methods of construction. Students will complete a table runner that measures approxi-mately 7.5’ x 23.5”. Variations will be discussed so each student will truly make the project their own.
February 16, 23, & March 1 5:00 - 7:00
Class fee $35
Start Quilting - Urban Elements (1st in series) with Sue Haas
In this beginning quilting class you will learn all you need to know in order to get started. You will learn rotary cutting tips, using rul-ers, how to accurately get that 1/4” seam, how pressing correctly makes a difference, quilting, and binding. You will be making a quilt that will be 45 1/2 x 64 3/4”. After you have pieced the inner part of this quilt in class, you will learn the proper way of adding the first border. The second border is the “Piano Keys” which adds style to your quilt.
Five Saturday sessions: March 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31
9:30 - 12:00
FREE CLASS
Start Quilting - Sampler (2nd in series) with Eileen Uchima
Now that you have learned the basic skills in the “Urban Element” class, it is time for you to learn more. In this class you will learn additional skills, different block con-structions, sashing, and adding borders.
Three Friday Sessions:
April 20, 27, & May 4
10:30 - 3:00
FREE CLASS
Machine Quilting 101 with Mickey Depre
A six hour workshop for machine quilters of all skill levels who wish to “dive into” the world of machine quilting and/or learn my building block approach to putting together stitch patterns. Learn the basics from thread and needles, to “tricks of the trade”. Then apply this knowledge to 12 simple (but effective!) free motion machine quilting patterns. Patterns taught will give you a great “base” in which to find your own quilting style! My machine quilting workshop can be described as “speed dating the stitch” as you will spend approximately 20 minutes total with each stitch during the course of the day (we revisit stitches in reviews) and will leave with enough information to be “armed and dangerous”. Or in other words…you’re dating a stitch not marrying it. Machine quilting is not a skill that you perfect in 6 hours, but you can learn. And I have been told that my approach to teaching machine quilting and building a skill set is one of the best. You will walk out of class a better quilter, but, as always practice is required to achieve an even higher skill set. NOTE: with each stitch I discuss where it will work best in a quilt (generally speaking) and will happily answer questions regarding quilting design at the end of class or lunch break if you wish to bring a project with you for personal review.
March 10 9:00 - 3:00
Class Fee $60
Row - By - Row Mystery Sampler - the Final Rows with Terri Kowalski
Our mystery quilt continues…3 more rows to go. Learn to make new blocks to build the rows of your quilt. After the last row is finished, we will take a break to complete our quilts and set a date to get together to share the finished quilts. Finished quilt size 76” x 90”. (The first four rows are pictured in the newsletter.) 10:00 - 1:30 on the fourth Saturday of each month.
February 25 March 24 April 28
Class fee $10
Quilting of the Heirloom Quilt
We will be assembling the completed blocks, layering, pin bast-ing, and machine quilting.
Fridays 12:00 - 4:30 March 2 March 16
Class fee $40
Kanzashi Wall Hanging with Terri Kowalski
Welcome spring along with your family and friends using Kanzashi flowers. During class you will create a background and add your flowers to create your one of a kind wall hanging. Come to the free workshop on Feb 11th and learn to make these amazing flowers.
March 3 10:00 - 3:00
Class fee $20
Smocked Easter Eggs with Karen Stupegia
Make a beautiful Easter egg for yourself or as a gift. This project is all handwork. No experience needed!
March 8 &15 12:30 - 3:30
Class fee $30
Old Glory with Jennie Van Groningen
This quilt is the perfect way to display your patriotism. The beautiful design makes a large flag quilt with a few surprises. Not only are the stars free standing, but the Pledge of Alle-giance is embroidered throughout the white stripes! This de-sign uses the cutwork tool or, as an alternative, a jeans needle for making the star appliqués so it’s not restricted to cutwork owners! The class will be held in 2 sessions. In the first class, I will demo the free standing stars. In the second class, I will con-struct a star block and a stripe block. (Designs come in both 8” and 5”.)
Stars - March 16
Blocks - April 13
3:00 - 4:00
Class fee $10
Christening Gown Garment Bag with Karen Stupegia
This custom-made bag is the safe way to transport your gown and keep it safe and clean for the special day.
March 23 12:30 - 4:30
Class fee $25
Diamond Wine Table Topper with Eileen Uchima
Learn to make quick and easy di-mensional diamonds while construct-ing this beautiful table topper. The diamonds could easily be used to add interest to borders or sashing or to embellish a jacket or purse.
March 31 10:00 - 2:30
Class fee $20
Waffle Smocked Pillow Cases with Karen Stupegia
Make a pair of gorgeous pillow cases for yourself or as a special wedding or en-gagement gift. No experience needed!
April 20 & 27 12:30 - 4:30
Class fee $40
Log Cabin Loco with Eileen Uchima
Fast, easy, and vibrant, this variation of a log cabin block creates a spectacular quilt! This is a great quilt for all skill levels.
April 21 & 28
9:30 - 12:30
Class fee $30
Seeds of Kindness Pillow with Karen Stupegia
Hand embroider this pattern using a back stitch. (No experience needed!) Then add a nine patch border and make a pillow.
May 10 & 17 12:30 - 4:30
Class fee $40
830 Sampler with Catie Van Groningen
In this class we will concentrate on the features of the Bernina 830 machine with a little em-broidery thrown in. Some of the topics explored will be sideways motion stitching, connecting stitches, bobbin play, double needles, quilting in the hoop, tapering, couching, and more. Class size is limited so register early.
May 19, 9:00 - 4:00
Class fee $40 plus kit fee