Beacon Digest

Learn the art of quilting—slow, intentional, and entirely by hand.

In this relaxed, hands-on workshop, you’ll make your own mini quilt while learning the full process from start to finish. We’ll cover how to layer and baste your quilt, mark simple designs onto the top, and hand quilt using sashiko thread (sometimes called big stitch quilting). You’ll also learn how to finish your piece with binding techniques you can use again and again.

We’ll be working on pre-pieced or wholecloth quilt tops—your choice! All sewing will be done by hand, so there’s no need for a sewing machine. While some hand sewing experience is helpful, it’s absolutely not required.

By the end of class, you’ll leave with a mini quilt you made yourself—and the confidence to keep stitching.

What’s Included:

• All fabric, batting, sashiko thread, needles, and marking tools
• Scissors, rulers, and other shared tools
• Friendly guidance in a small group setting
• Note: Thimbles are not supplied, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer using one.

Format: 2.5 hours Beginner workshop for Adults and 16+Taught by Ali Smith a textile designer, natural dyer and quilter. Inspiration for her work isdrawn from traditional quilt motifs and the landscapes around her home in New York’sHudson Valley. She prefers to be outdoors and is always on the lookout for local plants toforage and make dyes and inks with.Ali studied photography and ceramics at the University of Vermont before discoveringnatural dyes through the Textile Arts Center. In need of something to do with the naturallydyed textiles she was creating, she taught herself how to quilt and has been makingnaturally dyed quilts for over a decade.