Programs, Speakers & Workshops
September 1, 2026 Program:
Heidi Pridemore-“Aurifilosophy about Threads”
Heidi Pridemore has been involved in the fabric and craft industries since 2000. She has designed a range of craft and sewing products available at TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com and has created fabric collections for various companies, including Island Batik. Aside from her design work, Heidi is also an accomplished author, covering topics such as pop-up paper structures, fabric jewelry, and quilting in her books. She offers a diverse curriculum of lectures and workshops tailored to makers of all skill levels. Beyond her business, Heidi is an Aurifilosopher and BERNINA Ambassador, representing Aurifil Threads. She travels to trade shows, gives lectures, and leads workshops. Heidi can be found on YouTube at The Whimsical Workshop. You can also find her on her podcast “Stitching Up Trouble,” available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
In this lecture, Heidi will cover all things thread basics, including information on weight and ply, spool positioning, bobbin weights, needles, and more. She will cover helpful tips and tricks to inspire and expand your use of Aurifil Threads on all your sewing projects. Each attendee will receive a small gift courtesy of Aurifil.
September 2, 2026 Workshop
Stitch Your Mandala: A Thread Explorer’s Workshop Hand Sewing | 6 Hours |
Ever stood in a thread aisle completely overwhelmed — wondering what all those numbers mean and which spool is right for your project? This workshop is your answer. Join Heidi for a hands-on, myth-busting deep dive into the world of thread weights, types, and needles — then immediately put that knowledge to work stitching a gorgeous mandala using the beloved Aurifil thread collection. Along the way, you’ll explore a variety of hand embroidery stitches that add texture, dimension, and personality to every ring and petal of your design. By the end of the class, you won’t just have a stunning finished piece, you’ll have the confidence to walk into any project knowing exactly which thread and stitch to reach for. And the fun doesn’t stop there: you’ll also take home a mandala drawing tool so you can design your very own patterns from scratch.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A clear, lasting understanding of thread weights and when to use them
A toolkit of hand embroidery stitches, perfect for creating variety and texture
The skills to draw and create your own mandala designs at home
Your $55 Kit Includes:
Five assorted Aurifil thread spools in multiple weights · pre-printed mandala · artisan fabric · embroidery hoop · needles ·illustrated needle-use booklet · basic stitch guide · mandala drawing frame and project bag. The fee will be collected at the workshop.
The workshop will be held at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church, 11240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego.
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM
Member Fee $65/Non-member $75
October 6, 2026: Bake Sale and Paper Bag Auction Fundraiser
Program: Fundraising Going Forward
November 3, 2026: Program
Susan Kephart “Modern Quilting and Me”
November 4, 2026: Workshop with Judy and Chris
“Mega Dream Bag”
Learn how to make this great bag to handle all your sewing notions. Great to use at home or take it on the road to a class or retreat. Makes a fabulous gift for a friend who sews. You won’t want to miss this one! The pattern is included in the price of the workshop.
The workshop will be held at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church, 11240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego.
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM
Member Fee $35/Non-member $45
December 1, 2026: Holiday Dinner
January 5, 2027: Program
Members A-L Trunk Show- Showcasing the Fiber art of our Members
February 2, 2027: Program-Tina Curran “ My Excellent Adventures as a Quilter”
Tina Curran, located in Southern California, jump-started her interest in making art quilts by seeing her dear friend Sara take a variety of patterned fabrics, cut them into pieces, and artistically combine them.
As a life-long sewer (having experienced my first sewing triumph with a skating skirt she made in Girl Scouts), she took to quilting quickly. One of the great thrills of this art form is that options are as infinite as those of a painter working on canvas — landscapes, portraits, geometric patterns, abstract impressions, etc. She enjoys both the deep American roots of traditional quilting and the unlimited possibilities that today’s art quilts present. Combining elements of both extremes is great fun, as she often uses contemporary fabrics in century-old quilt patterns.
While she has no formal art training, she has taken some wonderful classes over the years. However, she knows her greatest learning has come in the over 10,000 hours she has spent making more than 125 art quilts to date. And it’s exciting to realize that there seems to be no end to this learning curve.
In this lecture, Tina shows and shares the stories behind three dozen or so quilts she has made — most are her own designs.
February 3, 2027: Workshop “California Poppies.”
This quilt is made using the paper-piecing technique. Though Tina made her composition with oranges and greens, her students have used a variety of colors to make their poppy quilts.
The workshop will be held at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church, 1240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92124.
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM
Member fee – $65/Non-member $75
March 2, 2027: Program-Edyta Satar of Laundry Basket Quilts “Reasons for Quilts”
Edyta Sitar’s love for fabric began at a very young age- when she used her mother’s drapes to create her first fabric project! Fortunately, for all of us, Edyta’s mother recognized her passion for fabric and thus began her journey with fabric and sewing.
The combination of inspiration, a love for fabric, a keen eye for color, and her family’s teachings blended into the recipe for a talent in constructing amazing quilts, creating innovative quilting patterns for Laundry Basket Quilts, designing beautiful Traditional and Batik fabrics for MODA and stunning threads for Aurifil
As the founder and owner of her company, Laundry Basket Quilts www.laundrybasketquilts.com, Edyta is proud to carry on her family tradition that fabrics and threads have seamlessly stitched together through the generations. Her true passion and quilter’s spirit shine through her classes, workshops, and presentations. She travels all over the world, sharing her experiences and connecting with quilters of all levels through inspiring stories about the quilts she makes.
March 3, 2027: Workshop: “Winter Village” Tablerunner
In this class, you will be making a table runner based on this beautiful “Winter Village” design. You will love creating charming house blocks in this fun and informative class. You will learn tips for cutting, piecing, trimming, pressing, and finishing touches for your quilts. Students will make a total of (3) houses in class and learn the techniques necessary to finish an entire village. This quilt is perfect in any color combination. Fee: Member $75, Non-member $90. The kit is required for the project, which includes fabric for the table runner, binding, backing, and the pattern. (fabric may vary).
Kit Fee $60 (payable in class).
The workshop will be held at Tierrasanta Lutheran Church, 1240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92124
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM
Member fee-$65, Non-member $75.
April 6, 2027; Program – Machine Embroidery Invading the Quilting World, Panel Discussion
May 8, 2024: Members M-Z Trunk Show the Second Act
June 1, 2027: End of Year Dinner
