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Programs

Our programs are held on the second Thursday of the month September through June at 7:00 pm in Birmingham and on Zoom. Doors open at 6:30 to mingle, check out our Free table, enter into our raffle, check out upcoming events, adopt a charity quilt, and more! Workshops are held on the Friday or Saturday following our general meeting, either entirely on Zoom or in-person in the Troy area. Guests are welcome to our general meetings for a $10 fee and may enroll in our workshops. 

Download our Program Card for 2026-2027

Click here to purchase a Workshop Gift Certificate for a GLHQ Member.

Upcoming Events

    • September 10, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Welcome Back! Join us for the kick-off to a great season!  We will have an interactive program to get your creative juices flowing and reconnect with your quilty friends!

    The Board will provide snacks!

    • October 03, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
    • 94
    Register

    Join us for our second Trivia Night Fundraiser—and you don’t have to be a quilter to play! While we might sneak in a quilt-themed question or two, most categories will span a wide range of topics to challenge and entertain everyone.

    Friends, family, and trivia lovers of all kinds are welcome! This is a great way to have a fun night out with your friends and family! Teams will be seated by table, with up to 8 players per team. Get creative!

    Teams are encouraged to decorate their tables with seasonal flair or a theme and bring along their favorite game time snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Whether you’re in it to win it or just here for the fun, we can’t wait to see you there! Light snacks also will be available for sale, cash only.

    Purchase individual tickets, up to eight!  If you are purchasing less than 8 tickets and have specific friends attending who you would like to sit with, please list them in the registration. If you would like to meet new people, just type in "New Friends" and we will match you with other individuals, pairs, or small groups. 

    Doors open at 6:45, event runs from 7pm-9pm.

    Payment is online or cash at the door. If spots remain on the day of the event, walk-ins (cash only) will be accepted, until we reach our max (96). 


    • October 08, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Jaymi Horne is a national quilting educator, designer, and founder of Cranky Kangaroo, a brand known for bold patterns and inventive, wearable quilting projects. She's been featured in AQS and has taught sold-out workshops to thousands of makers at shows, guilds, and retreats, inspiring quilters to think outside of the block with projects like quilts coats and quilted sneakers. Jaymi focuses on creativity, confidence, and accessible design - reminding us all that quilting isn't just and art form, it's a way of life!

    Jaymi will share her story from her beginning to present on how she journeyed from custom wedding gown designer to production seamstress who found her way into quilting. Her story includes close call with the police, a couple viral videos, and "fish bags!" You won't want to miss this lively lecture!

    • October 09, 2026
    • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Troy
    • 20
    Register

    Give your quilts the perfect finishing touch with this hands-on class all about quilt binding! Whether you’re new to binding or just want to refine your technique, this class will cover all the essentials—from cutting and joining strips to creating crisp corners and a flawless finish.

    We'll also explore techniques for binding irregular shapes and curves. By the end of class, you’ll feel confident in binding any quilt with professional results. Let’s turn those raw edges into a beautifully finished masterpiece!

    Supply List


    • November 12, 2026
    • 7:00 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Norma Stark has loved the art of quilting since 2001 and is a national teacher who taught for the Virtual Quilt Show in 2020 to students all over the world. Her specialty fields include running a successful long arm quilting business and teaching quilt piecing classes and Long Arm Statler® classes.

    As owner and operator of Norma’s Quilt Studio she keeps an active customer base along with teaching 40 piecing/technique classes per year.  Norma continually records videos on piecing instructions and long arm training for purchase on her website. She has a Business Administration degree and is a Certified Sew Kind of Wonderful instructor.

    Teaching others about quilting in a fun spontaneous environment is “her thing.” She has her own series called Norma’s Learning Corner where she gives free tips and suggestions to help others with sewing success (sponsored by Stitchin’ Heaven) A Common Norma statement – “I LOVE My JOB every day and I’m excited to share with others.”   She moved from Texas in February 2022 to the lovely “Evergreen” state of Washington where she currently resides. 

    Norma will share a colorful trunk show, with an emphasis on curvy pieced quilts during our general meeting. On Saturday November 15, she will teach a workshop on an easy-to-learn pattern, Contempo Twist.  

    Website:  www.njbestquilts.com 

    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NJQUILTS/

    You Tube Channel: 

    https://www.youtube.com/c/normasquiltstudionormareel/featured?disable_polymer=1


    • November 14, 2026
    • 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
    • St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Troy
    • 20
    Register

    Learn how to use the Sew Kind of Wonderful Quick Curve Ruler. Norma Stark, a Certified Sew Kind of Wonderful Instructor will teach us just how easy it is to create beautiful curvy blocks from one simple cut. She will guide the class on how to cut and easily piece these curved blocks for a stunning two-color quilt. Possibilities are endless, however, for class, select one main "solid" (a solid color fabric or one that reads solid) and a background fabric (up to 4).

    Each student must have the Sew Kind of Wonderful Quick Curve Ruler and the pattern, located inside the book One Wonderful Curve - 12 Contemporary Quilts. If you don't already own the book and ruler, you may purchase them from your favorite quilt shop or indicate on the registration if you'd like to purchase the book and ruler from the instructor (by October 19 to ensure stock.)

    Supply List 

    • December 10, 2026
    • 6:30 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Annual Holiday Potluck!

    Join us for a special night of food, fun, and friends!  

    Let us know if you are coming so we know how many to expect and definitely sign-up to bring a dish to share! Link to Sign Up Genius will be sent in your confirmation. 

    IMPORTANT!  Help us be GREEN this Christmas! Please bring your own plate, utensils, napkin, and cup. Be extra festive and bring your own quilted placemat!  

    Our Show-n-Tell will be special too! Send a picture of a holiday or winter-themed quilt you've made to GLHQpresident@gmail.com by Wednesday, December 9th to be included in a looping slide show during dinner!

    Let's make this the best holiday party yet! 

    • January 14, 2027
    • 7:00 PM
    • ZOOM
    Register

    Carolina Oneto is an internationally recognized modern quilter and educator known for her bold use of color, organic shapes, and improvisational techniques. She has been teaching online classes and lectures since 2020, working with quilt guilds and organizations around the world. Carolina’s teaching style is warm, structured, and encouraging, helping students build both technical skills and creative confidence.

    During this lecture we will talk about many different topics related to color, that will help you to create your own color palettes for your next quilt creations. Some of the topics that we will discuss during this lecture are the chromatic circle and the three variables of color. Also, we will check five different color schemes that you can use to create your color palette. Understanding these and a few other topics you will be ready to learn four simple steps to create your color palette that I will explain in detail during the lecture.

    • January 16, 2027
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Zoom
    • 20
    Register

    In this workshop Carolina will teach her process to create a “Watercolor Quilt”. First we start learning about Color Theory, the chromatic circle and the 3 variables of color.

    She will guide you throughout the process of choosing fabrics, to create a beautiful transition with colors (like when we paint with watercolors!)

    Carolina will teach you the process, step by step, to create a “watercolor quilt”. You can be sure that this complete course will provide you with new techniques and color theory knowledge that will allows you to feel confident designing, cutting and sewing in an improvisational way, but with some rules to create beautiful movement in your quilts.

    Carolina will provide a private Zoom link to all registered participants closer to the workshop date. 

    • February 11, 2027
    • 7:00 PM
    • ZOOM
    Register

    Pojagi is the name for traditional Korean sewing techniques used to make wrapping cloths (also called pojagi). It has been around for hundreds of years, pre-dating quilting by centuries.

    Although I am not Korean, I had the opportunity to study and learn pojagi when I lived in Korea with my young family. Since then, I have continued to research and learn about this beautiful art form.

    One of the unusual techniques in traditional pojagi is patchwork that does not have a backing. The seams are reversible and it is only one layer of fabric. I have experimented a lot with doing this technique on a sewing machine. This is great for anytime you want patchwork, but not necessarily a quilt. Think – curtains, tablecloths, clothing, etc.

    When hung in sunlight, these pieces look like stained glass even though there is no black fabric in them. The effect comes from the special pojagi seams.

    Part lecture and part trunk show, this fun talk tells my journey from Canada to Korea and back again.  While in Korea, I studied the ancient art of Pojagi, Korean patchwork.  Back in Canada, however, the Korean materials are more difficult to find, so I adapted pojagi techniques to readily available western materials with some great results.

    Epida Studio

    Pronunciation guide: “DeCroos” is like “De Cruz”

    “Epida” is “ee pi dah”

    “Pojagi” is “poe jah ghee”


    • February 13, 2027
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Zoom
    • 20
    Register


    In this class, I will step you through making the Glimmer modern pojagi window hanging. This pattern uses batik fat quarters to give a stained glass effect.

    Glimmer is made with strips of fabric and the “loop and clip” technique.  You will learn two different methods of pojagi seam and when to use them in making a unique pojagi piece.

    Finished size: 36″ x 41″


    • March 11, 2027
    • 7:00 PM
    • ZOOM
    Register

    I am a quilter, designer, author, and teacher, with 30 years of quilting experience.

    My approach to quilting is non-fussy and improv-friendly – meandering between modern, traditional, artsy and quirky. And speaking of meandering, if you can’t sew a straight line, you’ve come to the right place – I am STILL striving to achieve a consistent 1/4” seam allowance. Some day!

    Quilting for me is a thrill sport. I never know exactly where each quilt will take me, but I have a blast in the process, learning a lot and usually laughing at the mistakes (Or, worst case scenario, sewing a patch over them).

    I want people who use my tutorials, books and patterns, or who take my classes, to experience the same combination of relaxation, excitement, discovery and joy. Wherever you are in your quilting journey, beginner or experienced, I believe that you will have a good time and surprise yourself with what you learn and make from the ideas here.

    My presentation will journey from scrap cities to countryside log cabin triangles! I’ve made quilts inspired by New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and many fantasy lands. We’ll go on a whirlwind tour with photos of real buildings, and how they inspire fun, mostly pieced fabric versions. I will also briefly share how to improvise stitch-and-flip triangles on scrap paper. This is NOT English Paper Piecing or foundation paper piecing - it's much more relaxing! Piece triangles into sparkling “kaleidoscopes." 

    NEW! Cathy will have on-demand courses available to members at a discount. They may be taken at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. Pause, rewind, and take your time (or binge learn in one sitting!) We will form small groups for members who are interested in taking these classes together, asynchronously, so we can cheer each other on and sew along with friends. More information will be provided.

    Cathy Perlmutter Quilts

    • April 08, 2027
    • 7:00 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Kori is a dreamer, designer and quilt shop owner.

    She went to Savannah, College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia and received a BFA in Interior design.  In the corporate world she designed everything from retail interiors to education facilities while living and working in Columbus, Ohio and Washington D.C.  After moving around she came back to her farm girl roots in North East Ohio and in 2009 opened a quilt shop and soon started designing patterns.  She really wanted to honor the people that she has loved and lost and the places that she has been to. This is what she thinks makes her designs and business practices unique. As well as because she is always thinking about the people that she loves and this helps her create quilts and other fun designs that are made out of love! 

    “ I’m a heart girl and I hope that when people get to know me and see my work that they get that feeling.” ~Kori

    Kori is a quilt shop owner, pattern designer (quilts and embroidery projects), fabric designer, author, and a highly sought-after instructor!  Join us for her heart-warming lecture and trunk show!

    • May 13, 2027
    • 7:00 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Your stash offers you infinite opportunites for making fabulous quilts! Carol will talk about several design principles (value, color and repetition) and how they apply to quilts.

    She will demonstrate how quilts or quilt blocks that are very similar but have had one change made between them to illustrate how the design principles impact the final quilt. 

    She will discuss the impact of different colors of neutrals.  Carol will share the techniques she uses to get the contrast (or blending) of colors and values to get the results that she wants in her quilts.  She will show a variety of quilts and quilted projects that she's made with her stash and provide a handout to stimulate ideas for attendees to start using their own stashes.

    During forty years of quilting, Carol has become interested in making small quilted projects as well as quilts. As a retired physician, she enjoys bringing her technical mind to quilting. She likes to find ways to make the construction process easier while producing better results. She has also refined techniques for building, organizing, and using a stash that make it a joy to have and to use. She loves to use bright colors. In addition to quilts, she makes many small quilted items.

    Carol has been teaching quilting classes for about ten years. She loves sharing her tips and tricks with others and encouraging students as they try new projects and techniques. One of her favorite aspects of teaching is seeing students succeed at completing a challenging project. Another is seeing students have “Aha!” moments during which they see how simple changes in technique can help them create projects that look better while taking less effort.

    • May 14, 2027
    • 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
    • St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Troy
    • 20

    Mesh bag pictured above is approximately 18 inches across

    Zippers are not scary! Zipper bags are quick, fun, and useful. They make lovely personalized gifts and require only a small amount of time and fabric to make.

    In class, learn five different ways to insert zippers as you make five kinds of zipper bags, including some with non-traditional materials. Projects include a cork pencil case, a mesh bag to keep things neat in your suitcase or protect lingerie in the washing machine, a small round or rectangular key chain/coin purse, a boxy zipper pouch stabilized with foam, and a lined cosmetic bag or purse.

    By the end of the day, you’ll have most of the bags finished, you’ll know how to complete the rest, and you will probably want to start making many more!

    $10 pattern fee, payable to instructor on the day of class

    Many of the materials can only be found in large quantities, such as mesh, cork, foam, and stabilizers. The instructor is offering an optional materials kit that has the perfect amount of these materials. Optional kit fee is $30 and includes the pattern.

    Please indicate on the registration form if you would like to purchase the optional kit in class. 

    The instructor will have cork pieces, cut to size available in class for $3 for those who need cork. She will also have 14" and 22" zippers available for purchase in class.

    Regardless of the kit option you choose, please be sure to pre-cut your fabric prior to class.

    Supply List

    • June 10, 2027
    • 6:30 PM
    • Birmingham Unitarian Church
    Register

    Join us for the year end potluck and meeting! 

    Challenge Quilt reveal.

    In-person event only.

    Make sure you sign up to bring a dish to pass!  See the SignUp Genius link to bring your favorite dish!


Past events

May 15, 2026 WORKSHOP: A Touch of Teal - Landscape Quilt
May 14, 2026 LECTURE: Michigan, My Michigan, Dr. Susan Kruszynski
April 18, 2026 Quilter to Quilter Sale
April 09, 2026 LECTURE: Hooked on Improv, Lisa Ruble
March 12, 2026 LECTURE: From Fast Fashion to Slow Stitching, Radha Weaver
February 28, 2026 GLHQ Mystery Quilt 2026
February 12, 2026 LECTURE: Member Spotlight - Martha Stewart
January 10, 2026 WORKSHOP: Seminole Quilting
January 08, 2026 LECTURE: Seminole Patchwork, Kristen Echols
December 11, 2025 Holiday Potluck
December 05, 2025 Mystery Quilt Prep Session
November 13, 2025 LECTURE: How to Break the Rules, Amy Struckmeyer
October 18, 2025 FUNDRAISER: Trivia Night!
October 10, 2025 WORKSHOP: Free Motion Quilting
October 09, 2025 LECTURE: Quilt Trip Around the World, Alice Ridge
September 11, 2025 LECTURE: Do It for the Process, Lynn Carson Harris
July 26, 2025 Choose Your Own Laura Heine Adventure
June 12, 2025 Year-End Potluck
June 06, 2025 2025 Color Splash Quilt Show
May 09, 2025 WORKSHOP: Folded Improv - Kawandi-Style Quilting
May 08, 2025 LECTURE: Folded Improv: Kawandi Quilting - Jennifer Stauser
April 25, 2025 Charity Sewing Day - Penrickton Center for Blind Children
April 12, 2025 WORKSHOP: Collage Quilting - Seed Pods
April 10, 2025 LECTURE: Member Spotlight - Mandy Manno on Laura Heine Collage Quilting
March 15, 2025 ZOOM WORKSHOP: Ahead of the Curve - Improvising Curves
March 13, 2025 ZOOM LECTURE: Make Extraordinary Scrap Quilts - Diane Harris
March 01, 2025 GLHQ Mystery Quilt 2025
February 20, 2025 Charity Sew Day - Foley Bags and Quilted Hugs
February 13, 2025 ZOOM LECTURE: Your Mind Matters: More Joy, Less Overwhelm - Brandy Maslowski
January 09, 2025 ZOOM LECTURE: Magic Fabrics and Special Effects - Christine Barnes
December 12, 2024 Holiday Potluck
December 07, 2024 Mystery Quilt Prep Session
December 07, 2024 Charity Sew: Senior Placemats
November 14, 2024 LECTURE: The RE-ality of Rescue - Lucinda Herring
November 14, 2024 New Member Welcome and Orientation
October 26, 2024 CHARITY SEW - Fidget Quilts
October 11, 2024 WORKSHOP: Looking Up - Sally Manke
October 10, 2024 LECTURE: Collage and Art Quilting - Sally Manke
September 12, 2024 LECTURE: Pieces of Time: A Musical Trunk Show - Ann Marie Rowland
June 27, 2024 GLHQ Online Zoom Sewcial
June 13, 2024 Year-End Potluck
June 01, 2024 GLHQ Charity Sewing Day - RESCHEDULED
May 10, 2024 WORKSHOP: Perfect Points, Pinwheels, Curves and Ys
May 09, 2024 LECTURE: Tips for the Traveling Quilter, Rona "The Ribbeter" Herman
April 20, 2024 Quilter to Quilter Sale
April 13, 2024 GLHQ Charity Sewing Day
April 11, 2024 LECTURE: Inspiration is in the Air, with Reeze Hanson of Morning Glory Designs
March 15, 2024 WORKSHOP: Accordion Half-Square Triangles
March 14, 2024 LECTURE: Beth Helfter, Ooompa! Accordion Sewn Half-Square Triangles
March 02, 2024 GLHQ Mystery Quilt 2024
February 10, 2024 WORKSHOP: Sleepy Sunflower
February 08, 2024 LECTURE: Art and Landscape Quilts with Lori Dickman
January 11, 2024 LECTURE: International Quilt Show in Tokoyo, Japan
December 14, 2023 Holiday Potluck
November 11, 2023 SEWING DAY: UFO Project Day
November 09, 2023 LECTURE: Custom Quilted Jackets with Sherry Scharra
October 13, 2023 WORKSHOP: Happiness 2.0
October 12, 2023 LECTURE: For the Love of Paper Piecing
September 16, 2023 National "Sew a Jelly Roll Day"
September 06, 2023 Welcome Back Meeting with Quilt Bingo
August 23, 2023 New Member Welcome
June 17, 2023 Color Splash 2023 Quilt Show
June 16, 2023 Color Splash 2023 Quilt Show
June 08, 2023 June Potluck
May 13, 2023 Workshop: Will it Go Round in Circles
May 12, 2023 Workshop: Peace Cranes Over Hiroshima
May 11, 2023 Lecture: Quilts and Quiltmakers of the Caohagan Islands with Dana Jones
April 21, 2023 Charity Sewing Day: Mastectomy Pillows
April 13, 2023 Lecture: My 6 C's of Quilting - Kathrin Brown
March 10, 2023 Workshop: Strip-Pieced Modern Mariner's Compass
March 09, 2023 Lecture: Modern Mariner's Compass with Robin Long
February 25, 2023 GLHQ Mystery Quilt 2023
February 11, 2023 Workshop: Deco Tiles Mini Quilt Foundation Paper Piecing
February 10, 2023 Workshop: Sea Glass Quilting
February 09, 2023 Lecture: Fabric Painting- How to Make Color Work for You with Allie McCathren
January 23, 2023 Charity Sewing Day
January 14, 2023 Workshop: Personal Symbols for Art Quilt Collage
January 12, 2023 Lecture: Captivating Compositions with Deborah Boschert
December 08, 2022 Holiday Potluck
November 10, 2022 Lecture: Overcome your Color Angst!
October 15, 2022 Workshop: Inside Out Quilt
October 14, 2022 Workshop: Textile Architecture
October 13, 2022 Lecture: Working in a Series with Sue Bleiweiss
September 26, 2022 GLHQ Fall Retreat
September 10, 2022 Workshop: Create Your Own Barn Quilt
September 08, 2022 Following the Barn Quilt Trail with Suzi Parron

© Copyright 2026
Great Lakes Heritage Quilters is a 501(c)4 non-profit social organization and our purpose is to stimulate an interest in quilting, educate our members, and engage in charitable projects that benefit our community.

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