Meet the Teachers
We take the time to search out the best in the industry, introducing you to exceptional designers, best-selling authors, creative thinkers and visionaries. Taking classes at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo adds to a memorable and satisfying experience.
Libby Ashcraft
Fort Worth, TX
libbyashcraft.com
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Libby has been teaching sewing, embroidery and embroidery software for over 20 years. She has specialized in embroidery software, but has recently expanded her expertise to include electronic cutters such as the Silhouette Cameo and Brother Scan 'N Cut. Libby is a Terri Johnson Creates Licensed Instructor and teaches the Silhouette Cameo at workshops and classes around the country. She teaches three software clubs a month in her local area, providing unique and detailed lessons for her students, with many lessons based on student requests. Libby is a presenter the All Things Silhouette Conference, Original Sewing & Quilt Expo events and other events. As a Martha Pullen Licensed teacher, Libby travels the U.S. helping bring the joy of sewing to many students. In addition to her teaching, Libby is a Technical Sewing Editor for Classic Sewing magazine.
Teresa Coates
Los Angeles, CA
National Educator for Shannon Fabrics & Star of “Sew Together Tuesday”
teresacoates.com
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Joining us from Shannon Fabrics is leading national educator, Teresa Coates. She is well known as the star of “Sew Together Tuesday”, a video series sponsored by Shannon Fabrics that has grown exponentially this last year and a half with so many of us turning to the internet for classes. The series currently has an average of 7,000 viewers each week. Her success is definitely due to her sparkling personality coupled with her knowledge of the product, along with her years of sewing experience. Teresa’s sewing and quilting projects have been featured in countless quilting magazines and podcasts. She is also the designer and author behind her own pattern line, Crinkle Dreams. Teresa shares her passion for sewing at quilting guilds and sewing workshops across the country, as she shares her expertise with working with one of the most exciting and innovative lines of fabric in the sewing world!
Nick Coman
Ridgway, CO
Dragonfly Dyeworks
dragonflydyeworks.wixsite.com/ahollywood
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Nick Coman has been teaching garment and quilt construction and design for almost 20 years. He has a degree in fashion design from FIDM in Los Angeles, and has written numerous articles for sewing publications and has a book on surface design. In addition to a private clientele, Nick is owns a retreat center in southwest Colorado that specializes in retreats for Fiber artists of all types.
Pam Damour
Champlain, NY
The Decorating Diva
pamdamour.com
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Known as the "Decorating Diva" Pam learned early in life, while spending time on her grandparents’ farm, that making something from "scratch" was not only a way of life, but it was the better way of doing things. Holding on to those values she went from farm to fabric and has had a very successful 30+ year career as an interior designer and sewing professional. Pam offers professional drapery workroom training. As a seasoned career speaker, she travels internationally teaching her specialty techniques that have brought her years of continued business as the "Couture of Home Dec Sewing". She is the author of Pillow Talk, Cheaper by the Dozen, Got Quilts?, The Tangled Home, Hold Everything and producer of 12 Home Dec DVDs. She has designed many patterns, rulers, scissors and other sewing related notions. An interior designer by profession and a quilter by passion, Pam lives on the shore of Lake Champlain in a log home, nestled at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, where she teaches sewing retreats. Her down to earth nature, never forgetting her roots, combined with her professionalism creates a warm and creative experience.
Linda Davis
Hurst, TX
Sew It Up BERNINA
sewitup.com
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Linda has been inspiring the quilting community at Sew It Up for more than 13 years, sharing her sewing knowledge through teaching from our Quilt it Up Club over donuts & coffee, to virtual Zoom classes during the pandemic. She has lived in Washington, Michigan, California, and now Texas, where she is a busy Mom & Grandmother to twelve children. Outside of quilting, she loves spending time with her family, researching family history, and dolls. She uses her Bernina Q24 nearly every single day, and especially loves working with Lori Holt, Alison Glass & Tilda fabrics. Linda is responsible for creating so many beautiful samples for our store, and we are very fortunate to have such a kind and patient teacher here at Sew It Up!
Lorraine Henry
San Diego, CA
Lorraine Henry for Conselle
conselle.com
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Lorraine is a specialist in sewing, fitting and pattern alteration for Conselle Institute of Image Management. With a degree in Clothing and Textiles she has been a university instructor. Teaching pattern alteration and fit is her favorite thing to do. She has done this at international sewing shows for many years. Her Two Easy Measuring tape set has been an aid for achieving good fit for fashion sewers throughout the world. With 40+ years experience as a custom dressmaker/tailor/teacher, she has a wealth of knowledge to share with you about sewing and fit.
Marsha Kirsch
Bay Village, OH
The past 12 years Marsha has been a national educator for SVP worldwide. She is greatly loved for her enthusiasm and lively presentations while sharing masterful technical skills or the inspiration that sewers take away from her events. Using her education background she imparts an empowering "can do" attitude, opening up doors to creativity, and fun ways to embellish projects with exciting results. Student smiles at the end of her events are her reward. Marsha enjoys creating and designing garments, purses and home decor projects which incorporate a creative touch, especially through embellishment. She has had publications in Design in Machine Embroidery and Classic Sewing magazines and had appeared with Sue Hausmann on PBS and Behind the Seams, an internet sewing show through SVP.
Heather Kojan
Owings Mills, MD
Heather Kojan Quilts
heatherkojan.com
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Heather has been sewing since her teens and quilting for more than 25 years. She considers herself a modern quilter, with traditional roots. Heather is the founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild and loves speaking to different groups and sharing the modern aesthetic. Foremost a teacher, she teaches modern quilting classes in local shops, guilds and shows across the country. Heather was a contributing author to the book Classic Modern Quilts and a featured quilter in The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood. You can also find her work in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine and Modern Patchwork magazine.
Cindy Lohbeck
Scottsdale, AZ
Hands On Hand Dyes
handsonhanddyes.com
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Having worked in textiles and fabric dyeing for over 30 years, Cindy Lohbeck is truly a DYEHARD at heart! She started Hands On Hand Dyes in 2007, to share her love of textile arts through an extensive line of fabric dyeing kits. Believing in the right tools for the job, her helpful kits and classes are full of tools, tips and tricks, and have helped thousands of quilters and crafters share in the empowering experience of dyeing their own fabric. Humor, productivity and organization are key components to her fabric dyeing workshops, making them among the favorites at quilt shows, fabric shops, retreats and guild events, across the nation.
Aine McCarthy
Colleyville, TX
Richland Sewing Center
richlandsewing.com
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Starting in first grade sewing doll clothes by hand, Aine grew up as a garment sewer, learning from her mom and using the sewing machine as soon as she was big enough to reach the pedals. She learned home decor sewing and made curtains, drapes, cushions and bedding for every home she lived in. She discovered the world of machine embroidery and applique over 20 years ago and enjoys creating, editing and digitizing designs. Retiring from veterinary medicine, she teaches sewing classes and works part-time for her favorite sewing center.
Kathy McMakin
Birmingham, AL
Martha Pullen Company
Classic Sewing
classicsewingmagazine.com
thesewingcollection.com
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Kathy McMakin is one of America’s foremost authorities in the field of heirloom sewing by machine and by serger. She teaches beginning and advanced sewers from every
corner of the world and inspires a new level of confidence in her students. Kathy is the Director of Education for Martha Pullen Company and produces sewing and serging
events held all across the United States. As the team leader and instructor for the Martha Pullen Teacher Licensing Program for both face-to-face and online curriculums,
she can be found designing, serging, sewing and writing instructions on almost every day of the week.
She has been a guest instructor at events for every major sewing machine manufacturer in the world. She has authored several smocking, sewing and serging books and has
produced and appeared in numerous sewing and serging videos. Her guest appearances on sewing television shows are many. Kathy is going on 30+ years with Martha Pullen
Company and lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband. They have two grown children and three absolutely precious grandchildren.
Connie Palmer
Graniteville, SC
YouTube
What began as a simple interest in sewing 25 years ago has blossomed into an exciting adventure that Connie loves to share with her students. Her gifts for elegant design,
fabulous color sense and exquisite craftsmanship has made her a highly sought-after teacher in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. Connie is on the faculty of the
Martha Pullen Licensing Program where she not only teaches but creates a great number of projects included each of those courses.
She has traveled and taught for Martha Pullen events and returns year after year as one of the favorite teachers at the School of Art Fashion. Her showcase of skills can
often be seen on PBS television in Martha’s Sewing Room, America Sews with Sue Hausmann and Quilting with Shar. She has the privilege of having garment designs on the
covers of five Martha Pullen books: Lovely Lingerie; Elegant Sewing for Baby; Contemporary Heirlooms for the Older Girl; Six Easy Patterns and Fabulous Fashions. Connie has
authored numerous sewing videos on notions, garment construction, heirloom sewing, quilting and more.
Gina Perkes
Payson, AZ
The Copper Needle
thecopperneedle.com
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Gina Perkes is an internationally award-winning quilter. In 2015, she received the Best Longarm Machine Workmanship award at the AQS Paducah show. Her quilt Nostalgia is now part of the American Quilter's Society collection displayed at the National Quilt Museum in Kentucky. Gina has been quilting for nearly two decades and has developed many tools for machine quilters and a thread line with Superior Threads. She also proudly represents BERNINA as an ambassador. She has appeared on several quilting shows and is the author of: Mastering the Art of Longarm Quilting published by C & T. She operates her shop, The Copper Needle, Innova dealership, and training center in Payson, Arizona. Gina loves working with other quilters, sharing her techniques and helping them find inspiration and gain confidence. She teaches both domestic and longarm techniques and believes that quilting is therapeutic and strives to create a stress-free, fun learning environment for her students.
Jeannie Plant
Hurst, TX
Richland Sewing Center
richlandsewing.com
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Jeannie has been doing education at Richland Sewing Center for 30 years, following 15 years of teaching Home Economics in the public schools in Texas and Ohio.
Abby Riba
Safety Harbor, FL
ViviLux
harbor-sales.com
Abby has been sewing since her teens, and has over 40 years of experience both as a custom clothier and also in the home sewing industry. Her sewing business experience began with selling Leiter’s Fabrics, then to opening up her own home based businesses first in Madison, Wisconsin then in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and most recently owning several national companies selling wholesale and retail in the sewing world.
Abby has first-hand knowledge of all facets of the sewing business. As a charter member of what is now the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, Abby served in several officer positions, including a term as National President of the organization. Years of practical experience in fitting all body types have taught her how to fit quickly and accurately, and with over 40 years of business experience she helps those thinking of entering the field. Abby is a published author and her articles have appeared in various publications and books.
Annie Smith
Hurst, TX
Award Winning Quilter, BERNINA Ambassador & Aurifil Artisan
anniesmith.net
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Annie Smith has shared her passion for quilting as an international educator and has written several books and patterns. She is the creator of the first-ever podcast dedicated to quilting, Quilting Stash, and has made numerous guest appearances on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. As a Bernina Artisan Ambassador and an Aurifil Artisan, Annie Smith will be leading two classes on her phenomenal machine appliqué technique. With her unparalleled service within the quilting community as an educator, the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is truly fortunate to now be able to claim her as a local resident.
Jim Suzio
Pittsburgh, PA
jimsuzio.com
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Jim Suzio is an award winning artist, designer, digitizer and sewing instructor (including embroidery software, heirloom, fashion and serger sewing). A self taught sewer, Jim was inspired to try the craft after watching a neighbor's enthusiasm in the art. A new sales position at a machine dealer found him literally "thrown" on stage at an ASG convention where he was discovered by Sue Hausmann, host of the PBS series "America Sews with Sue Hausmann." Jim soon found himself teaching all over the US, Canada and Australia for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff Sewing Machine Companies. His work has been featured in numerous books and magazines and several ads for Husqvarna Viking and the launch of Ty Pennington's new fabric line. he has been seen on several television programs here ("America Sews with Sue Hausmann,"and "It's Sew Easy") and in Canada ("the Big Breakfast Show").
Joyce Teng
Houston, TX
TSC Designs
teacherstamp.com
During her career in pharmacy, Joyce dreamed of being an artist. Since retirement, she has created an outlet through which she can share her enthusiasm and passion. Her company designs its own line of fun and sophisticated stencils and carries a wide range of innovative products that quilters and sewers can use to customize their fabrics. Joyce also distributes Tsukineko inks and has developed many easy-to-master techniques that have helped thousands of creative minds "color" their world! Not only does she love teaching students in her hands-on workshops , Joyce's pharmaceutical knowledge gives her an edge in her development of new products for the creative fiber artist. She is also busy creating instructional workbooks and developing her DVD series.
Michelle Umlauf
Sabillasville, MD
Sewing Machine Artistry
SewingMachineArtistry.com
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Michelle Umlauf has made a career for herself in the sewing industry working as an independent educator. She loves to share her passion with others and enjoys sharing her knowledge. She began taking teacher certification courses with the Martha Pullen Company and Sulky of America. Today she is a Demonstrator for Clover and a National Educator for Baby Lock, Sulky of America, and Pam Damour - the Decorating Diva. She helped found and hosted the Sewing Online with Sulky webinar. Michelle enjoys traveling across the country working for one of these companies in their booths or teaching in a classroom at national expos. She also enjoys bringing classes and lecture/demos to sewing shops, quilt guilds, and online. When she is home, she enjoys spending time with her family at their home in the mountains of Maryland. Her German Shepherds and rescue kitty enjoy taking mom on nice long walks in the woods! To learn more about Michelle, lookup her Facebook page Sewing Machine Artistry and join her for a UFO Friday Live. Become one of her "Sewing Friends" at SewingMachineArtistry.com.
Joe Vecchiarelli
Glendale, CA
French European Dress Forms
frencheuropeaninc.com
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Joe Vecchiarelli, founder and president of French European Inc., has worked in the fashion industry for over 40 years. During his college years, Joe worked in the family business, sharpening scissors for the industry's top designers. He later graduated from USC's business program and began to realize that opportunities in the apparel business were unlimited. Mr. Vecchiarelli's career took another fascinating turn when he made a foray into the entertainment business working in production with shows like Dancing with the Stars and The X Factor. A few years ago he was approached by NBC to help produce the competitive design talent show, Fashion Star. Presently Mr. Vecchiarelli is ever so busy maintaining his business and helping fashion students and enthusiasts grasp their dreams and become successful within the industry.
Kris Vierra
Kansas City, MO
Quilter on the Run
quilterontherun.com
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Kris has been sewing or quilting for over 20 years. She loves sharing her passion for quilting and all things related to fabric, believing that quilting should be fun and not stressful. Kris teaches at national shows and guilds across the country, and has won numerous national awards for her machine quilting skills over the years. Most recently Kris was award Best Long Arm Quilting at AQS Paducah 2018, Phoenix, and Des Moines, 2016, and the PFAFF Master Award for Machine Artistry at the International Quilt Festival Houston, 2015. Two of her quilts, Tiger, Tiger and Star of India, are part of the permanent collection at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah. She loves traveling and leads quilt tours all over the world. Kris believes that no matter what language you speak fabric is universal. Check out her Stress Free Quilting™ Series for tons of quilting tips and tricks.
Alicia Welcher
Heron, MT
Martha Pullen Company
Classic Sewing
aliciawelcher.com
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Alicia is a designer, author and sewing instructor who specializes in heirloom and serger sewing. She has appeared Martha's Sewing Room with Martha Pullen and has published countless projects under the Martha Pullen Company label. As a beginning and advanced instructor at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion, Martha Pullen Teacher Licensings and events throughout the country, she has earned a following of devoted sewists. She is also the Assistant Editor of and a contributing designer for Classic Sewing magazine.
Joline Wunderl
Hurst, TX
Sew It Up BERNINA
sewitup.com
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Joline’s first sewing classes were in the basement of her local Singer Sewing Center at the age of ten. She constructed her first outfit as a sixth grader which consisted of pants and a vest made out of brown wide-wale corduroy! Joline loves garment sewing, and is particularly fond of sewing children’s clothing. Since she joined the team at Sew It Up, she has fallen in love with machine embroidery, leading our monthly Embroidery Club in-person or online! She and her husband, Jim, have been married for thirty-seven years and together they have two children. She has lived in Maine, Wisconsin & Texas, and outside of sewing loves to read, cook & travel. She has been sewing on a Bernina since the mid-1990s, and her favorite BERNINA is her 790+. With her witty sense of humor and willingness to help solve problems, she is a tremendous asset at Sew It Up!