Introduction to Machine Quilting

Instructor: MaryPat Leger

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Ages: 15+

Members: $126

Non-Members: $140

(Registration deadline: May 19)

Description:

This workshop will guide you step-by-step through the process of preparing a quilt top and constructing a finished quilt. Working in pairs, start by laying out your layers and pinning the quilt sandwich (top, batting, cotton backing; or top, Minky backing) with safety pins. We will discuss plans for quilting designs including: meander, loop-de-loop, loop-de-loop with hearts or stars, straight lines, stitch in the ditch, pebbles, outlining quilt block patterns, vine with leaves and flowers. Learn about setting up your machine and getting into the motion by keeping hand speed and machine speed aligned, aiming to keep stitches consistent. A demonstation on binding will also be provided, and students will practice turning a corner when binding on small sample supplied by the instructor.

Note: This workshop includes a finished quilt top in the creation of a backed quilt. If you do not have a quilt top prepared or would like to learn how to make one, a workshop, "Introduction to Quilting: Piecing A 'Carpenter's Star'", (offered on May 9) will cover the process of constructing a quilt top. More information about that workshop found here.

Materials:

Provided by participants:

• Sewing machine, in good working order (preferably with the capability to drop the feed-dogs)

• Free-motion foot or darning foot that works on your machine

• A small to medium completed quilt top - ironed

• Either:

  • Batting, at least 6” wider and longer than your quilt top

  • Backing fabric, at least 6” wider and longer than your quilt top - ironed

• Or:

  • A piece of “Minky” fabric, at least 6” wider and longer than your quilt top (instead of the batting and backing fabric) Do not iron Minky fabric!

• Thread

• Safety pins or quilting pins, 100-200

• Roll of masking tape or painters (blue) tape

• Scissors

• Optional: Quilting gloves or gardening gloves with rubber grips on fingers and palms

Instructor Bio:

MaryPat Leger has been sewing and making quilts since she was 17 years old. Her quilts have been exhibited in National Quilt Shows in California, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Maine. Her work was also featured in “Flora and Fauna of the National Parks" at the Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C. In July 2015, she was an Artist in Residence at the Acadia National Park where she created Landscape Quilts of the beautiful scenery of the Schoodic District. MaryPat has taught quilting classes at The Quilted Ewe, and Schoodic Arts for All. Locally, she organized the Farmington River Quilt Projects 1 & 2, also making four of the 52 panels of this 106 foot wide quilt. Since 2008, she has organized the Annual Winchester Center Congregational Church Quilt and Needle Arts Show. In 2006, she began the Sew Grateful Quilters group that makes “Quilts of Valor," they continue to meet monthly. 

Instructor's Website: https://www.marypatleger.com

All workshops are held at the Five Points Arts Center, 855 University Drive

Workshops may be cancelled due to low enrollment if a minimum number of participants are not met. Registrants will be notified in advance and a refund or credit will be arranged (see workshop polices below for details).

Workshop Policies: Please review the terms of our workshop policies here