Valley Quilters Guild
May your bobbin always be full.
Other upcoming classes:
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The Marine Quilter, hopefully to teach a Quilt of Valor class, probably in September 2026
"Smart Stitches: Embedding NFC Tags in Quilt Labels" with Daniel Hughes
Saturday, September 26th, 10am-5pm, United Protestant Church, 713 S. Denali St., Palmer, AK
Sign up for Smart Stitches Class
Class Description
Ever wish your quilt could tell its own story? In this fun, beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn how to sew a hidden NFC (Near Field Communication) chip into a quilt label — the same technology used in tap-to-pay cards — so that anyone with a smartphone can simply tap the label to unlock a video, care instructions, a photo album, or a personal message from the quiltmaker.
By the end of this two-hour class, you'll walk away with a finished, functional "smart label" ready to stitch onto your next quilt, plus the know-how to make as many more as you like.
No electronics or programming experience needed — if you can sew a straight stitch and use a smartphone, you can do this!
What you'll learn:
· How NFC tags work and which ones are quilt-friendly
· How to sandwich and stitch a tag into fabric without damaging it
· How to program your tag using a free phone app
· Creative ideas for what to link: videos, recipes, care instructions, family stories, and more
Skill level: Beginner–friendly (basic hand or machine sewing skills helpful)
Take home: One finished NFC-embedded quilt label + extra tags to experiment with at home
$20 Guild Members; $40 Non-Members
Supply List
Provided by Instructor
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NFC tags (flat, sticker-style, quilt-safe)
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Class handout with app setup instructions and design ideas
Each Student Should Bring
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Fabric: two coordinating fat quarters or fabric scraps at least 6" x 6" (one for the label front, one for backing)
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Fabric marking pen or pencil
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(optional) Lightweight fusible interfacing (e.g., Pellon 911FF or similar) — helps stabilize the fabric and disguise the small bump of the chip
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Thread — matching or contrasting for a decorative touch
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Hand sewing needle (or machine if preferred)
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Fabric scissors/rotary cutter
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Pins or fabric clips
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Smartphone or tablet (NFC-capable — most phones from 2017 or later)
***Come with your ideas ready – for the NFC tag you will need to have a digital version of whatever it is you want to embed. This can be family photos, music, voice recordings, recipes, a Facebook post, YouTube videos, a favorite website (basically anything you can find on the internet)
Optional for Labels
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Embroidery floss and a small hoop, for hand-embroidered names or dates
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Printed Fabric sheet (done at home, just bring your fabric)
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Permanent fabric marker, for personalizing by hand
Premade fabric labels
If you do not have a device that can be leveraged to program a label with, the instructor will be able to assist with programming the label on your behalf.
Diamond Log Cabin Class with Darcey Tredway
Saturday, October 3rd, 10-5pm, United Protestant Church, 713 S. Denali St., Palmer
Class Description:
The Diamond Log Cabin is a creative variation of the traditional Log Cabin quilt block, featuring a striking diamond layout that adds movement and visual interest. In this class, you will create either a beautiful tree skirt or a table topper using the classic Log Cabin design of light fabrics on one side and dark fabrics on the other, built around a center square. While the center is traditionally red to symbolize the hearth of a home, you are welcome to choose any color that complements your fabric selection and personal style. This project is a wonderful way to explore color placement and value while creating a timeless quilted piece that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Cost: $20 for Guild member and $40 for non-member
Signup for the Diamond Log Cabin Class
The book needed for the class, Diamond Log Cabin, is an older book that can be purchased from Amazon, Etsy or used bookstores for around $7. Students can share copies.
"Circle and Curve Sampler" by Maria Shell
Date: Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am-5pm,
You can leave your sewing machine and supplies in the Depot Friday night.
Cost: Members Only, $50
Location: Presbyterian Log Church 713 S. Denali St, Palmer, AK
Sign up here for Maria Shell's Circle and Curves Class
A complete discussion of all the ways you can improvisationally PIECE circles and curves. From braided curves to log cabin circles, students will be led through a series of demos about non-linear improvisational piecing techniques and ideas for taking these techniques and creating original quilts. During the class, students create a collection of circle and curve quilt blocks–great for a sampler. Signup and details will be posted in the summertime
Wall Hanging by Ree Moffitt, after taking class by Maria Shell.
