04/18/26 - 4-Patch-Posie Schoolhouse by Dianne Kane
2026-04-18 09:30 - 16:00 (America/Boise) | 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.
The deadline to register for the class (or to cancel and request a refund) is April 16th.
If you have questions, please contact Dianne.

05/21/26 Rediscovered (Antique Quilts) Karen Tabor Programs
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.

06/18/26 Cyanotype: Blue Printing History and Modern Explorations Program
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.

06/20/26 Machine Applique' Schoolhouse - Maureen Stevens
2026-06-20 09:00 - 15:00 | Boise Rigging Supply, 6750 West Victory Road, Boise, ID, 83709, United States
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Boise Rigging Supply
6750 West Victory Road, Boise, Idaho
This is a learn it-and-do it class. We will learn about several types of machine appliqué. We will explore using different materials and stitches on our machines. I hope to cover fusible, faced, turned under edges and raw edge. I will provide you with a handout of instructions and a packet of products to use in the appliqué process. We will use the blind hem stitch, zig-zag, and blanket stitch on our sewing machines. If your machine only has a straight stitch we do have some machines that can be rented. Talk to Janice Black about that. I will give you instructions and patterns and have different products for appliqué for you to try. We will make a “sampler” of techniques and products and if desired make a pillow-top using one of the techniques. Come prepared to have a great time with fellow class members and try out some new techniques and ideas. Cost is $15.00.
Supply list:
Sewing machine in good working order
needles and feet for machine to do various stitches
rotary cutter, mat and ruler
pins, scissors and seam ripper
pencil or marking instrument
iron and pad (we will have a couple of irons and boards available)
applique pressing sheet (or can use baking parchment paper)
Scraps in various sizes and colors (for the pillow top you will need a 7″ square of green and a 7″ square of a fall color)
Fat quarter of muslin for the “sampler” piece
A 12″ square of a suitable background for the pillow top
Thread colors to match your scraps
Permanent ink pen to write on the muslin (no Sharpie–it bleeds)
Please note that June 13 is the deadline to either register for the class or request a refund.

06/27/26 - Discover the Blues: Cyanotype Basics Workshop with Jessie Swimeley
2026-06-27 10:00 - 15:30 | Boise Church of Christ, 2000 Eldorado Street, Boise, ID, 83704, United States
No Sewing Workshop
Treasure Valley artist, Jessie Swimeley, will guide her students through the process of using CYANOTYPE – an historic photographic process that can be applied to fabric or paper.
Cyanotype creates beautiful blue and white prints using UV radiation (the sun) and the shadows of objects like leaves, lace, keys, small trinkets, or large format negatives such as photographs. It is an easy to learn and fun process that brings creativity and your own special magic to quilting projects.
You will learn the basics of cyanotype printing including the chemistry used, how it works on different surfaces, and composition. You may choose to use your own photographic negatives or to use a variety of organic materials in your creations. You will walk away with several of your own prints that can become a quilt block or be added to other projects.
Please Note: that Cyanotype is best suited for art quilts. The images you create will degrade if they are washed or come into frequent contact with the oils from skin.
Kit Fee: $10
Supplied by Instructor:
• Paper, for making prints
• Fabric, for making prints
• Chemistry
• Objects for printing
• Optional: photographic negative for interested students, see note below under Student Supply List
Supply list for students:
• Notebook and pencil/pen
• Optional- Unique items to make prints with, the best items have a strong flat silhouette – examples: keys, lace, small items, fancy glass, leaves and flowers
• Optional- Photograph to turn into a negative 3 x 5 or 5 x 7- this MUST be sent to programs@boisebasinquilters.org at least 10 days before the class so Jessie can prepare the negative to work with during the workshop.
Class registration will be open to non-members on May 27 and the last day to cancel with refund is June 15, 2026.

08/20/26 Modern Quilting: A Twist on Tradition - Darla Christiansen - Programs
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.

10/15/26 Post Modern Quilting by Joe Cunningham (in person)
2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | ID
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 .

10/16-17/26 Creative Design Workshop by Joe Cunningham
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.

10/24/26 "Fearless Foundation Paper Piecing: Tips and Techniques to Make FPP Easier and More Fun" by Esther Kleinkauf Schoolhouse
2026-10-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Boise Rigging Supply, 6750 West Victory Road, Boise, ID, 83709, United States
This class is for someone who has done some FPP, especially if some part of the process is frustrating to you. I really want to invite anyone that has tried FPP and given up on it. You are missing so much!
We will discuss everything from what constitutes a quality pattern to why the size of the pieces is not what defines the difficulty (and what does). I will give you ideas on how to organize your fabrics and how best to cut pieces to minimize frustration from too small pieces. We will also look at what “paper” is best to sew on and you will get to try 3 different kinds.
You will be making at least 3 blocks designed especially to demonstrate and practice the ideas discussed.
Supply List

Sewing Machine – Set up with a #70 needle and a Straight Stitch Foot. (I prefer a clear plastic foot)
Thread – The “best” choice is 80 wt Deco Bob. If you are just starting out, buy a mini cone in a light shade of your favorite neutral. If you have 100’s of spools of thread , like I do, you can use other fine threads. I would not recommend anything heavier than Aurifil 50 wt.
“Add a Quarter” and “Add an Eighth” rulers. For this class you need the 6 inch ones. The ones labeled “Plus” are not more useful.
Small and large (45mm) rotary cutters, small cutting mat, small rotary cutting rulers (nothing larger than 6in x 12 in}.
Small Scissors or thread snips.
Small ironing board and small iron. The classroom will have irons.
A rectangle of heavy/crisp plastic for folding back pattern sections. Mine is 3.5 inches by 7 inches for no particular reason. You can also just use the heaviest advertising/political postcard that shows up in your mailbox.
Glue stick -I was once told that the UHU brand is the best for fabric to paper gluing.
Pins – You won’t need more than a half dozen. My preferred pins right now are Clover Patch work pins with the blue and yellow heads. They have the right balance of thinness and length.
Clover MINI clips. I have some to give out if you don’t already own any.
Acorn Precision Piecing Pen – You can buy the Essentials pack or the Starter kit and get their Easy Press fabric treatment, but you can fill the pen with other liquids such as Best Press, Magic Starch or even water…but you really need the pen!
Ballpoint awl/stiletto
Paper and pen to take notes.

Optional Supplies:

Light box with translucent mat
Roxanne’s or other glue
Tailor’s clapper
Seam ironing bar

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