I’m heading to Road to California as a teacher next January and I couldn’t be more thrilled! But before I get into the classes I’m teaching, I have to tell you a story about how this amazing show has been part of my professional quilting journey.
Road to California was the first national quilt show I attended in 2011 and was the catalyst that made me want to enter my work in national shows and become a national teacher. It was also really the first time I started getting to meet some of my favorite “sew-lebrities” like Eleanor Burns of Quilt in a Day. Like many others before me, I watched her quilting TV series on PBS when I first got into quilting, and was instantly hooked on her warm, inviting teaching style and funny television antics (such as tossing scraps over her shoulder onto the floor behind her).
Meeting Eleanor Burns at Rd 2 CA in 2011 was awesome. My bangs back then? Not so much!!
When I returned the following year in 2012, I took a class from award winning thread-painting artist Nancy Prince and we really connected. I ended up helping her out during a demo at the show and she was very encouraging when I mentioned that I wanted to become a national teacher and write books.
She turned to me and said, “I bet you’ll be back here as a teacher some day.” You can imagine how happy I was to run into her 5 years later at the Vermont Quilt Festival and tell her that her prediction had come true! (She even gave me a ride to the festival one day when we were teaching at the same location – what a peach!!) It’s amazing people like Nancy and Eleanor who’ve motivated me to always be kind and encouraging, especially to beginning quilters. And their willingness to pay it forward has been a great example for me to follow!
Meeting Nancy Prince in 2012 (and sporting a sleeker, shorter hairstyle).
My Road to California Teaching Schedule
And now before I get too sappy with all the warm fuzzies – onto the schedule! I’ll be teaching a total of 4 full-day free-motion quilting classes, Monday-Thursday, Jan 15-18, 2018. Click here to book mark the site. Registration opens on Saturday, July 8th at 7 AM Pacific Time, and classes can sell out quickly.
Click each of the links or images below for more info and a supply list for each class:
Monday, 8 AM -3 PM: Fun with Free-Motion Swirls
This sample is from “Cornered,” showing how to combine swirls with other designs.
Tuesday, 8 AM -3 PM: Free Motion Designs with Lines
“Plumb Lines” includes modern free-motion alternatives to straight line quilting.
Wednesday, 8 AM -3 PM: Free-Motion Improv
“Free-motion improv” is a great way to show off all your favorite quilting motifs!
Thursday, 8 AM -3 PM: Modern Free-Motion Fillers
Modern machine quilting on “Candy Pop” means little to no marking, and tons of great texture!
All 4 classes will all be taught on sit-down longarm machines and the best part is that students will each get their own machine! I’ve taught at other shows in the past where students had to share and that’s kind of a bummer. But in these classes, you’ll have plenty of time to quilt and practice my motifs and methods. All l you need to bring are your sample swatches to practice on, and a “can-do” attitude!
Let me know if you plan to attend as I’d love to see you there!
Click here to see who else is teaching.
Christa Quilts 
I am so excited! I registered today. I got into your Thursday class!!
It would be great to have a class where each student had her own sit down longarm. You are out west and I’m on the east coast so I don’t get a chance due to travel expenses to register for your classes, but I do plan to attend Quilt Con in Tennessee in 2019. If everything goes as planned, I may be able to take one of your classes in the future.
When QuiltCon sends out their survey of who you would like to teach, be sure and mention my name. That has a big impact on who’s invited back each year.
Christa Watson Instagram @christaquilts website/blog: ChristaQuilts.com Click here to join my facebook group: Quilt with Christa
Hi Christa. Are any of the classes appropriate for beginners? I’ve taken one FMQ class but have had little success. I do all my real quilting with a walking foot.
Wonderful. I am excited to hear all about the show when you return. Have fun.
Ya know, Christa, YOU are becoming a “sew-lebrity”!