Something about quilting lends itself naturally to community and exchange, to friendship and cooperative learning.  Quilting bees, for years and years and years, have been a way for folks to come together, learn from one another, share ideas and fabric, and create something bigger than what each of them might create alone.  A new year is the perfect time to revive the tradition and rock out on some communal quilting!

The Modern Quilting Bee involves 12 participants–eleven students plus the instructor–and each one of us takes turns calling the shots.  Each month, one member will request a specific quilt block, and everyone participates by making one block of that style.  Your instructor will guide you through tips and techniques to make each block, giving you the guidance and freedom to develop your skills while taking part in something super cool.  The month’s leader then gets to keep ALL the blocks to construct a quilt top, and the following month, another group member gets a turn–until, at the end of the year, all 12 members have a complete quilt top from the hands of the whole group!  It’s a really great way to develop deeper friendships, challenge yourself to learn quilting techniques you haven’t tackled yet, and complete a new quilt this year that will be chock full of very cool memories.

Meets once a month from January through December in 2013: Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, April 12, May 10, June 7, July 12, Aug 9, Sept 13, Oct 4, Nov 1, and Dec 6 from 10 am to 11:30 pm.  Cost: $195.  (Fabric is not included in registration.)