Empty Spools is organized into five different sessions spanning from late Winter to Spring. Each session has 10-12 instructors who are the who's who in the quilting world. When you sign up for a session, what you are signing up for is five days of in depth and personal instruction with one instructor. Also included are programs in the evening. All of this is in the beautiful setting of the historic Asilomar State Park.

 

I chose to take a workshop with Sandra Leichner after watching a video here on The Quilt Show (see below). On the program she was so genuine and her appliqué was amazing!! I knew right then that someday I would be one of her students. She is an artist in the truest sense of the word...when you get a chance to see the appliqué close up you can't believe the amount of detail. Sandra was a delightful instructor, shared numerous tips on appliqué, and was able to support each student in their process.
 

 

 

One of the best parts of taking workshops is the people you meet in class. Our class was filled with quilters who came to Empty Spools from all over the country. I feel like I really lucked out because the table where I sat included students who flew in from Massachusetts and they all belonged to the same appliqué group...very experienced. I learned a lot from them...little tips that are going to help me achieve my dream of making a Baltimore Album quilt :)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Botanical Applique was my third adventure to Empty Spools, previously I took classes with Mary Lou Weidman and Slyvia Pippin. I encourage you to step out of your local quilt box and take a workshop at Empty Spools!

 

Click here to visit Anna's blog.

Click here to visit Anna's YouTube Channel.

 

Want to learn more about Sandra Leicher? Star Members can watch her, along with Lynn Kough, in Show 1701: The Appliqué Doctor is in.