Boise Basin Quilters

Playing with Pixels: Find Inspiration Using Photo Editing Apps - MJ Kinman 03/21/26
2026-03-21 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Boise) | The Hampton Inn and Suites, 7499 W. Overland Rd., Boise, ID, 83709, United States
At 2:00 on Saturday, March 21, the Boise Basin Quilt Guild will host a lecture by MJ Kinman, Playing with Pixels: Find Inspiration Using Photo Editing Apps. The lecture will be held in the Arrowrock South Meeting Room at the Hampton Inn/ Boise Spectrum, 7499 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83709.
The lecture is open to both guild members and the general public for just $15. Ticket sales open on Jan. 1st, and refunds for cancellations may be requested until March 1, 2026.
MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will share one of her favorite ways to find inspiration for new work or a new series – playing with images in a photo editing app. These apps allow you to manipulate images in infinite ways, transforming them into intriguing ideas for new work.
MJ will show specific examples of the process she has used to create new mock-ups of current and future work.
Additionally, students will learn more than 20 different ways to manipulate images to create fascinating designs. For example:
• Want to turn a ruby into an emerald? MJ will show you the tool to use.
• Boost the saturation of an image to make your image glow.
• Add a gentle curve or tight twist to your image.
• Pixelate your image into squares or triangles of different sizes.
• Slice your image into segments horizontally, vertically, or both.
• Create an infinite variety of kaleidoscopic images. (Caution: this is addictive!)
• Melt your image into waves of color.
• Tilt an image backwards, forwards, or side to side to add perspective.
• ….and more!
Instructor Contact Information:
MJ Kinman, 709 Fairhill Drive, Louisville, KY 40207 Cell Phone/Text (Eastern Time Zone): 502-287-3034 Email: mjkinman709@gmail.com Website: https://www.mjkinman.com

"Captivating Compositions" by Deborah Boschert Program (via ZOOM) April 16, 2026.
2026-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Boise Church of Christ, 2000 Eldorado Street, Boise, ID, 83704, United States
“Captivating Compositions” is a lively introduction to design and composition. Deborah introduces eight classic compositions and shares inspiring examples from traditional, modern and art quilting, plus examples from fine art! Learn how using these compositions can generate ideas for fabulous, original work.

Learn more about Deborah and her work at www.DeborahsStudio.com

4-Patch-Posie Schoolhouse 04/18/26 by Dianne Kane
2026-04-18 09:30 - 16:00 | Boise Rigging Supply, 6750 West Victory Road, Boise, ID, 83709, United States
Dianne Kane has agreed to teach a “4-Patch Posie” Schoolhouse Class for us on April 18th, 2026.
Are you ready for some surprises? Like a simplified form of stack-n-whack, this technique will create surprising new blocks, each with its own special design. It’s as satisfying and addictive as eating a box of chocolates, because every block you make will automatically create four design options and you’ll get to choose your favorite! Because you’ll be making 4-patches, the process will go pretty quickly, and it’s likely that you’ll get many of the blocks made during our sewing time. We’ll also talk about how you can set and lay out the blocks: for example, with or without sashing or borders; on-point; with mitered strips on 2 sides; courthouse steps; and more. This is a technique that you’ll want to use again and again – just because each block is a pleasant surprise!
Supplies
Matt (bring the largest one you can)
Rotary cutter (consider a new blade)
Ruler (at least 4 x 12″ up to 8½ x 24″)
Sewing machine (only need straight stitch)
Thread for piecing
Scissors, seam ripper
Pencil & paper for taking notes
Flat head pins
Optional
(Bring along if you have them but no need to purchase)
Pattern: 4-Patch Stacked Posies by H.D. Designs
A folding mirror
Design wall
Digital camera
Square rulers (any and all sizes 3″ to 12½”)
extension cord
Fabrics
This technique works best with a “busy” fabric. A piece with lots of variations in color will create a variety of unique blocks. Retro, floral, geometric, and Asian are all good choices. (Batiks are not a good choice for the focus fabric.) Because there are so many options in the cutting and layout of the fabrics, it’s hard to provide specific fabric requirements.
You will be sent a supply list with more detail about this, but be aware that you must have at least 4 repeats of the design in the focus fabric. (Look along the selvedge edge to help you find the repeats.) You might consider buying extra yardage for borders or get at least one more repeat to use on the backing. It’s fun to use a piece of the “mother” fabric somewhere so others will know what you actually started with! If you want a large quilt and the repeat is only 12″ you might consider getting 8 repeats.
You may want to purchase coordinating fabrics for sashings or borders. Or, you may want to wait until you’ve made some blocks and decided how you will lay out the design.
If you have questions, please contact Dianne.

Rediscovered (Antique Quilts) Karen Tabor Programs 5/21/26
2026-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Boise Church of Christ, 2000 Eldorado Street, Boise, ID, 83704, United States
Karen Taber will give a presentation and trunk show featuring some of her collection of about 100 antique quilts. Quilts from Karen’s collection can frequently be seen at the Rediscovered Bookshop, where she uses them on rotation as part of the seasonal displays.

Cyanotype: Blue Printing History and Modern Explorations Program 06/18/26
2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Boise Church of Christ, 2000 Eldorado Street, Boise, ID, 83704, United States
Join contemporary cyanotype artist Jessie Swimeley for a discussion of the history of cyanotype– how it came to be and its historical uses. Learn how she puts a modern spin on her work and explore examples of other cyanotype artists working with textiles.
Jessie Swimeley is a contemporary cyanotype artist based in the Treasure Valley. Her lifelong passion for analog photography has evolved into exceptional photo and print-based mixed media art.
Growing up in Wyoming, Jessie found a deep respect and love for the wild and untamed spaces of the American West. She began taking photographs with her father at an early age and processed her own film and prints. She received her BA in Photography from the University of Oregon.
With the glut of technology at our fingertips Jessie has made the intentional switch back to more tangible and analog processes. The pairing of cyanotype with encaustic satisfies her love of process and allows her to capture the raw beauty of the natural world.
You can follow her on Instagram @jessies6005 to see her latest works and projects or explore her work on her website jessieswimeley.com.
Jessie will also be teaching a cyanotype workshop for the guild on June 27th.

Quilters Cyanotype Workshop Jessie Swimeley 06/27/26
2026-06-27 10:00
This workshop to be taught by local artist Jessie Swimeley is intended to teach members of the Boise Basin Quilt Guild about cyanotype and its use as a quilting tool. Please note that details are still tentative and may change as we get closer to the workshop date!
The deadline to register for this workshop (or cancel and request a refund) is June 20th.
Supply list for students:
Fabric scraps/pieces that they feel goes with the prussian blue color of cyanotype
Unique items to make prints with, the best items have a strong flat silhouette – examples: keys, lace, small items, fancy glass, large photographic negatives
Optional- Photograph to turn into a negative- this can be sent to the instructor before the class and they will receive a negative.
A supply fee of $10 will be charged to cover the cost of the chemicals used for treating paper and fabric and the cost of creating photo negatives. This is to be paid directly to Jessie at the workshop.

Modern Quilting: A Twist on Tradition - Darla Christiansen - Programs 08/20/26
2026-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Boise Church of Christ, 2000 Eldorado Street, Boise, ID, 83704, United States
Explore characteristics of Modern Quilting, and find out how a modern approach to quilting is, in many ways, a twist on tradition. See quilts that have been exhibited at QuiltCon in a slide presentation, followed by a trunk show with members of the Boise Modern Quilt Guild.
Darla Christiansen is a Boise native and a past president of the Boise MQG. Her quilt making leans heavily toward scrappy and she often uses rescued fabrics that otherwise might be destined for the landfill. She delights in the challenge of creating beautiful things from others’ discards, and describes her process as design-build. When she’s not sewing (which is most of the time), you’ll find Darla on her bike, in a kayak, tending to her yard, feeding the cat and finding outdoor adventures with her husband.

Post Modern Quilting by Joe Cunningham (in person) October 15, 2026
2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00
Joe Cunningham has been a professional quilt artist since 1979. He began making quilts in his hometown of Flint, Michigan; eventually moving to San Francisco where he lives with his wife, Carol LeMaitre, above her Pilates studio, and maintains a gallery/ studio to make and show his quilts. Joe travels the world to show quilts and teach, as well as teaching his popular online classes from his studio. He has written ten quiltmaking books, and his quilts are in the permanent collections of several museums.
Here’s how Joe describes “Post Modern Quiltmaking,” the lecture he’ll be giving at BBQ:
We all know what “Modern” quilt making is. Sort of. Now that Modern Quilts have been around for a while the world is starting to move on, or maybe it’s just me. In this lecture I’ll talk about Modern Quilts and how they have influenced the wider quilt world, and explain how I have come to find my own style of “Post” Modern quiltmaking. With lots of examples and time for questions, this is a crowd favorite.
For more info about Joe and his quilts, please visit his website at joecunninghamquilts.com .

Creative Design Workshop by Joe Cunningham 10/16-17/26
2026-10-16 08:45 - 2026-10-17 15:45 | Boise Rigging Supply, 6750 West Victory Road, Boise, ID, 83709, United States
Here’s how Joe Cunningham describes this two-day workshop: “I will demonstrate and teach how to develop a small idea into an abstract quilt. Along the way I will teach the techniques I use for freehand piecing, working with bias tape, and creating memorable compositions. Under my instructions, students will develop their own designs and get them to a point where they can be completed.”
Since the cost is supplemented by the guild (making this workshop available at less than half its price elsewhere!), registration will be available only to guild members until Aug. 20, 2026. On that date, nonmembers are invited to register for any remaining workshop spots. The workshop price includes Saturday lunch (a half-sandwich and soup cup from Cafe Zupa’s). Lunch on Friday will be on your own.
Aug.20th is also the final day to cancel and receive a refund.
SUPPLIES
This is primarily a machine class but some hand sewing may be required.
Besides your sewing machine and standard machine sewing equipment, you will also need the following items:
Extension cord, pins, seam ripper, etc.
Rotary cutter, mat and rulers
Iron and pressing board (a few will also be available to share)
Scissors
Bias tape and matching thread (3 packs)
At least six yards of fabric, including fabrics that contrast strongly.
A 40″ wide design board (may be flannel or something similar, to be taped to the wall). Design board may be longer vertically than 40″, but only 40″ of wall width per person will be available horizontally.

Tiny Treasures: Tips & Techniques for Foundation Paper Piecing by Esther Kleinkauf Schoolhouse 10/26/26
2026-10-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Boise Rigging Supply, 6750 West Victory Road, Boise, ID, 83709, United States
More information to follow.

Quilting on Your Domestic Machine by Madeline Trainor 11/21/26 Schoolhouse
2026-11-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Boise Rigging Supply, 6750 West Victory Road, Boise, ID, 83709, United States
