Empty Spools 2024

 

NOTE: There will be no blog post or newsletter next week as I will be in Branson, Mo for the American Quilter’s Society show.

This is my third year to teach at Empty Spools and each year has been uniquely spectacular!

I was so delighted by my students – 10 quilters with free motion experience ranging from zero to very experienced, with one student flying in from Florida. And it worked out so well with that mix! There was a moment on the last full day of class when I was getting ready to do a short presentation on a grouping of fills, when I looked around the room and saw every single person engaged in animated conversation. My heart was filled with joy!

Why is that remarkable? Seven of 10 did not know anyone else in class; we arrived with a variety of experience levels, from different locations with different interests but we all bonded. I LOVE that! Everyone encouraged each other and it truly was one big kumbaya. I received one of the best comments ever from a very experienced Empty Spools attendee – “This was the best class and you were the best teacher I ever had here. I learned so much and I feel so much more confident”!

I had a class motto this year: “You know more than you think you do”. And that is so true. It’s my job to help my students tap into what they already know. I made a simple cork fabric bookmark as a reminder:

My photos this year are a bit spotty, meaning I documented some parts well, but other parts not so much. Just to set the stage, if you are not familiar with Empty Spools: The seminar is set in Asilomar State Park near Monterrey, California (“mid-coast”). It is bucolic and a little rustic.

It began as a YWCA camp in 1913 and was designed by the famed Julia Morgan, California’s first female licensed architect; she designed in the Craftsman style. It became a state park in 1953 and California has worked diligently to preserve its history and the natural state of its grounds. The rooms are pretty rustic – no TV, a very basic bath, beautiful vaulted wood ceilings and a working fireplace.

A few random shots of the area:

Each session has five days: half day to start, then 4 full days of instruction and a half day to conclude. On all nights but one, each teacher will make a 9 min (ish) presentation, and one night will be free. I call the meeting nights “camp meetings”.

I did my presentation on the last night, which was rainy and also was the same day as the “walk about” when students can visit each classroom to see what the teacher and students have been creating. It was an exhausting day and I forgot to get photos. But each night looked a bit like this:

The first night, the Artist in Residence presents her/his work. This session’s Artist was Joanne Lincoln and her work was fabulous. She will be teaching next year!

A few photos of the classroom and student work. I don’t have any of students actually working, sigh:

I want to show off the work of some of my students, work that they completed long before class:

It was such a delightful and playful class:

Walking and yoga are part of my daily cycle and I was able to keep up with both during my stay. THIS is why I like to walk eeeeeearly:

One of The Best Things about traveling to teach like this is meeting and reconnecting with teaching friends old and new. It is “tradition” that on the one evening where there is no meeting, the teachers go out to eat together and then visit each other’s classrooms. One of the highlights for me!

Aaaaaand drum roll please……. the Empty Spools 2025 offerings and their subjects:

And this little memento  followed me home, all 3 1/2 hrs, in the rain!

I’m still basking in the glow from my experience. Wanna join in next year? I’ll be leading “Joyful Free Motion” March 2 – 7, 2025. Registration will open soon. I love Empty Spools and you will too!

I’ll be linking up:

Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday