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.
Deb Atchison
Prosper, TX
debatchison.com/quilting.html
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Deb Atchison is an experienced educator, international technology consultant, and quilter that enjoys leading students of all ages through the process of creating beautiful works of art with fabric! Teaching is her lifelong career and quilting is her passion. Combining them both...her dream job! Deb has many years of training students of all ages including adult learners. As a technology education expert, Deb has taught numerous workshops virtually as well as face-to-face! She is certified in Scrappy Applique, and is a Legit Kits Ambassador and Educator and enjoys teaching quilters of all experience levels how to make beautiful works of art with Legit Kits! Deb enjoys sharing her love of applique using embroidery machines as well.
Sandra Chandler
Nashville, TN
sandrajohnsondesigns.com
Sandra Lee Chandler is a Nashville-based textile artist, educator, and social media storyteller with over 38 years of experience in quilting and fiber arts. Holding a B.S. in Clothing, Textiles, and Design from Arizona State University, she specializes in repurposed denim, wearable quilted garments, and sustainable design. Sandra teaches a weekly virtual quilting class through Saddleback Community College and has presented at leading events such as QuiltCon, Quilt Canada, Craft Napa, and the Festival of Quilts in England. Her work has been featured in Threads, Quiltfolk, American Quilt Magazine, and more, and she has appeared on The Quilt Show and Quilting Arts. Passionate about storytelling through textiles, Sandra fosters creativity, community, and lifelong learning in all her workshops—making her a sought-after instructor for guilds and events worldwide.
Eric Drexler
Port Charlotte, FL
Sulky of America
sulky.com
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Eric has been in the industry over 40 years. Free-motion artistry has been his life-long passion. He has made numerous large and small works of machine art, some of which have been featured in Sulky Books and at Trade and Consumer Shows all over the country. Through his association with Sulky of America since the beginning, he has had the pleasure and honor of being inspired by some of the world's greatest creative sewers and quilters. Eric loves life and he loves to teach and share his exuberance for creative sewing. He is passionate about inspiring students of all ages so they can discover and enjoy a lifetime of creative fun. His infectious smile and warm humor puts everyone at ease and makes them ready and eager to learn. He is widely sought after to teach and share his contagious enthusiasm at Consumer shows, Sewing and Quilting Guilds and on many PBS shows.
Tamara Evans
Williamsburg, VA
Sewing has been a lifelong passion for Tamara. While raising her children, she discovered the limitless creative options of machine embroidery, software, quilting and began a home-based embroidered gift business. Coming back to the corporate arena as a professional in the sewing industry, focusing on new product development, creative project design, embroidery education and quilting with an embroidery focus was full circle. Her joy is education, publishing articles, teaching at trade shows, conventions, and other events. Her goal is to simplify the tedious and frustrating aspects and inspire creativity and confidence. Now, as an impartial independent expert, she will educate and inspire students of all skill levels.
Stephanie Folsom
Cape Coral, FL
Beach Potato Embroidery
beachpotatoembroidery.com
Stephanie is an embroidery instructor and business owner of Beach Potato Embroidery. She has been sewing since she was nine years old and learned about machine embroidery in middle school. She has been a part of the sewing, embroidery, and longarm communities for the past ten years. While she loves making new designs, helping others is her first passion. She is a former 911 dispatcher and mother of two. Now as embroidery designer and instructor she loves sharing new techniques and making unique in the hoop projects. Stephanie and her husband Joe travel the United States teaching machine embroidery as well as vending at large expos and shows. Stephanie is excited to meet you in person for an awesome hands-on event!
Lynn Gerard
Nappanee, IN
The Cork Emporium
thecorkemporium.com
Lynn Gerard is the owner of The Cork Emporium. This unique store is for eco-conscious fashion enthusiasts and creative artisans alike. The Cork Emporium specializes in offering a diverse range of thread, cloth and ornate accessories crafted from an environmentally friendly and versatile material: cork fabric. Lynn loves working with and teaching cork bags. Cork fabric is such an awesome media to work with. She a great sense of humor and she brings that to her classes.
LuAnn Hartley
Lexington, NC
Sanluchell Designs
LuAnn Hartley has been teaching a variety of classes for over 30 years. Her background includes education consultant, sewing machine sales, and a store owner for over 25 years. She has a passion for embellishing, quilting, and creating new ways to use techniques for both sewing and serging. She has taught all over the country and at major quilting shows.
Allyson Heidenfelder
Burnsville, NC
Quilt-N-Code
quilt-n-code.com
Allyson Heidenfelder was taught by her mother and has been sewing since she can remember. She created her first solo apparel outfit at the age of 13. She began quilting in her 20’s and has enjoyed the art ever since. Allyson and her husband, Lanny, started Quilt-N-Code in 2018 to offer quilters and sewers in the Burnsville, NC area a place to shop and learn. They carry a variety of fabrics and notions to meet your needs, and also offer classes if you are interested in learning to sew or learning new ways to sew.
Jessica Kaufman
Asheville, NC
WAXON Batik & Dye Studio
waxonstudio.com
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Jessica Kaufman has her M.A. in Crafts Education, and loves nothing more than creating and leading workshops in a variety of fiber and textile arts. She teaches up and down the East Coast, online, and in her Asheville studio. Before creating WAXON Batik & Dye Studio, she taught all workshops through her NYC-based business, happygocrafty.com, which still hosts over 80 free instructional knitting videos.
Angie Lamoree
Weaverville, NC
Angie’s quilting journey began in 2005 when she took her very first class and was instantly hooked from the lesson. Driven by a passion to share the craft, she envisioned a business dedicated to inspiring others and fostering a community of fellow quilting enthusiasts. In April 2017, that vision came to life with the opening of 5 Little Monkeys on Main Street in Weaverville, North Carolina. Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Asheville, the shop thrives in a vibrant community of handcrafters and artists. As an educator, Angie believes that quilting, sewing, and crafting are powerful ways to transform thoughts and emotions into beautiful, one-of-a-kind handmade items. Through her guidance, she is dedicated to helping students bring their creations into the world by providing the highest-quality fabrics, tools, and supplies, alongside friendly, supportive instruction.
Susan Luaces
Tampa, FL
susieluaces.com
Susie began sewing at nine, taught by her mother, and honed her skills through high school classes, sewing magazines, and books. She created her own clothes, including tailored suits. Despite college and a career in engineering limiting her sewing time, her passion never waned. After leaving engineering to focus on family, she dedicated more time to sewing. Susie has sewn clothing, Halloween costumes, wedding dresses, home décor items, quilts, toys, and nursery items, with garment sewing being her favorite. She has teaching experience from her engineering career, as a part-time fitness instructor, and as a sewing instructor at Joann Fabrics. Since 2002, Susie found the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo, to be a great source of knowledge. Discovering Lorraine Henry’s fitting classes, she resonated with the Seam Method of pattern alteration. Susie trained with Lorraine and Judith Rasband in 2024 to ensure the method's continued availability and is now ready to share her expertise.
Donelle McAdams
Marion, IN
Representing Sew Steady
sewsteady.com
sewbizmarion.com
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Donelle McAdams is the owner of SEW BIZ, Marion, Indiana, now an online quilt resource. Donelle is the designer of Quick Easy Mitered Binding and Border Tools for the Sewing and Quilting industry that are sold internationally and she is also a pattern designer. Previously a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, she has been a quilt store owner for 36 years. She has taught a variety of SchoolHouse and Take & Teach classes and Business Management Seminars at International Quilt Market, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff Sewing Conventions, Vacuum & Sewing Machine Dealers Trade Association Convention and has participated as a Quilt Store Owner/Educator on numerous panels and advisory boards. She writes a column Profitable Promotions - for FabShop News, an industry magazine and also writes for VDTA. As a promoted Educator for Sew Steady/Westalee Design Templates, Donelle teaches classes in Ruler Work Quilting. Her love and enthusiasm for sewing and quilting is infectious. Taking a class with Donelle is guaranteed to be information-packed, inspirational and FUN!
Linda McGehee
Shreveport, LA
Ghee's
ghees.com
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Designer, Linda McGehee has a diverse sewing background with 50 years experience from garments to handbags, piecing to heirloom, surface manipulation to combining a variety of methods into a sampler of various techniques. Linda has traveled the globe demonstrating and lecturing from her books and patterns. She is much sought after at trade and machine conventions, consumer shows, guilds, shops & television. Her style is easy and fun with a flair for detail.
Kathy McMakin
Birmingham, AL
Kathy McMakin is one of America’s foremost authorities in machine embroidery and heirloom sewing. She teaches beginning, intermediate, and advanced sewists worldwide and inspires confidence in her students. Kathy has taught for 40+ years as the President of Martha Pullen Company and Editor-in-Chief of Classic Sewing Magazine. Today, she lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, and she follows her greatest passion, teaching at events nationwide. Kathy has been a guest instructor for every major sewing machine manufacturer worldwide. She has authored several smocking, sewing, and serging books and has produced and appeared in numerous machine embroidery, sewing, and serging videos. Her guest appearances on sewing television shows are many. She and her husband have two grown children and several precious grandchildren.
Carol Mitchell
Taylorsville, NC
Barn Quilt Squares by Carol
barnquiltsquares.com
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I am a traveling Barn Quilt square painting teacher located in Taylorsville NC. I have been teaching for 12 years. Barn quilt painting is something I am very pasionate about and really enjoy teaching others how to make a 2 x 2 MDO board come alive for them. My boards are weatherproof and will last outside a very long time. We live on a farm in NC and this is part of my agriculture background but barn quilts are also for houses and garage and can also be mounted inside the house.
Pattie Otto
Falling Waters, WV
Great Copy Patterns and Embroidery
greatcopy.com
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Pattie Otto, the creative force behind Great Copy Patterns, brings boundless enthusiasm to the world of sewing. With expertise spanning garment design, machine embroidery, and alterations she not only creates but also imparts that knowledge and shares her inspirations through classes across the country. Beyond her professional endeavors, Pattie finds joy in spending time with her husband, Rick, and their grandsons in Ellicott City, MD. Their travels along the East Coast further enrich their experiences. In her well-stocked home studio, Pattie's passion for sewing shines through as she crafts patterns for beautiful garments and accessories. She has also been busy building her alteration business which encompasses everything from prom and pageant attire to menswear and for everyday. Pattie Otto is not just a sewing enthusiast; she's a creative powerhouse whose love for the craft knows no bounds.
Ajaire Parello
Laytonsville, MD
Representing Shannon Fabrics
shannonfabrics.com
An avid sewist and crafter for over 30 years and the sole creator at Call Ajaire since 2009, it wasn't until her oldest daughter was born in 2011 that she found an outlet for her creative ideas and the focus of Call Ajaire shifted to sewing and fashion inspiration for young girls. In 2015 she opened a pattern shop called Designs by Call Ajaire (DbCA) with patterns that are designed to help build sewing skills and confidence. Each pattern listing has skill-builders listed so if you're looking to learn something new you are able to choose those options. This along with free patterns and tutorials on the Call Ajaire blog continue to feed her passion for helping others elevate their sewing.
Kelly Reynolds
Wyomissing, PA
Birdland Boutique
Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor
birdlandboutique.com
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My name is Kelly Reynolds. I've loved crafting since I was a child, always drawn to markers and paper. Over the years, I found my passion in quilting and now work as a full-time quilter. I own Birdland Boutique and am a Certified Instructor for Studio 180 Designs, where I teach and promote Deb Tucker’s innovative rulers. As a dedicated sewing enthusiast, you’ll find me quilting on my Bernina Q24, creating all kinds of bags, embroidering anything I can, and even trying my hand at garment making. I truly enjoy sharing new ideas, teaching engaging techniques, and experimenting with fabrics and colors. Join me and let's sew together!
Cris Roach
Berkeley Springs, WV
Highview Quilts
GE Designs Certified Stripology Instructor
My Grandmother taught me how to sew when I was a young child. I learned to quilt over 40 years ago by taking a Beginning Quilting Class. I started my journey hand quilting and piecing. As quilting and technology evolved, I continued to learn and grow. I took my first Freemotion Quilting class over 20 years ago (on a domestic machine) and moved to a longarm over 15 years ago. One of my quilt club members admired my quilting and became my first client. This led to the creation of Highview Quilts, my Custom Longarm and Edge-to-Edge Longarm Quilting business.
I was asked over 4 years ago by my local quilt shop to become a quilting instructor. I love sharing my experiences and helping others enjoy the magic of quilting! I admired the GE Stripology® Rulers and quilt patterns, so I followed the training to become a GE Designs Certified Instructor. I currently teach (or have taught) Beginner to Advanced Freemotion, Ruler Work, Longarm, Prostitcher, Stripology, and piecing classes.
Sara Robitaille and Debbie Love
Orlando, FL
Salty Sews
saltysews.com
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Debbie and Sara, the dynamic duo of the sewing world, mix a dash of sass with their sewing expertise. They've spun their love for stitching into a wild ride of teaching and inspiring. Brimming with years of know-how, they're not just about the thread and needle; expect a hearty dose of humor in every class. They're the go-to gals for a good laugh and a sewing skill or two. Known for their sharp wit as much as their sharp needles, their classes are where you stitch up something cool and maybe get roasted a little – all in good fun!
Nancy Sapin
Franklin, NC
Sulky of America
nancysapin.com
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Nancy Sapin is a Freelance National Educator representing Sulky of America. Nancy has been working with Sulky for the past 19 years, both as a National Educator, designer, and a sample maker. She has worked numerous consumer shows for Sulky, lecturing and teaching. Nancy also lectures and teaches workshops at various quilt and sewing guilds across the United States. You can find some of Nancy’s designs in the last 3 Sulky books and see some of her other works on her website, nancysapin.com.
Adele Scott
Orleans, MA
Ask Adele
adelescott.com
Designing and sewing things that other people wanted began for me at about nine years old and has continued for over 40 years. In my first job working in the sewing machine department at Sears I soon realized sending someone home with a five minute threading lesson (which was more than most salespeople did!) wasn’t enough to really benefit the customer. So teaching “Machine Know-how” classes began.
From there I moved to the Singer Co. learning sales, machine repair and store management. Eventually I combined my machine knowledge and management skills and started Stitched Unlimited in Northampton, MA, where I was a Viking and Bernina dealer for over 18 years. My shop continued to grow and expand, as we became known for giving our clientele exceptional customer service, through programs like my “Machine Know How Club” program, outstanding service department, unlimited machine lessons, and a consultation program for those purchasing a new sewing machine.
This love for creating and passion for teaching naturally evolved into a lifelong learning about sewing machines, innovative techniques and products, and how to help you to do things easier and better. Since moving to the Cape, I have been sought after as a presenter of my signature Machine Know-how class and shared my skills and sewing knowledge for many shops, groups and guilds.
My specialty is the breaking down of the process to help you master your machine and sewing techniques. Patiently I’ll walk you thru a new technique. I'll approach the process as many ways as it takes until it clicks with my student. My most asked for lecture,"My Favorite Tips,Techniques and products", has led to my newest addition to my business, an online shop to help you find all those useful and innovative products! I'm always happy to hear your suggestions, comments and questions that will make our sewing fun, trouble free and productive.
Sarah Song
McLean, VA
AllocDalloc
etsy |
instragram |
pinterest |
youtube
Sarah Song is a fiber artist, writer, and educator whose work blends Korean textile traditions with contemporary craft. Specializing in bojagi, maedeup (Korean traditional knotting), fabric jewelry, and sustainable fiber arts, she teaches with warmth, clarity, and cultural depth. Her classes invite makers of all levels to explore creativity, heritage, and mindfulness.
Jim Suzio
Pittsburgh, PA
facebook
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
Joyce Teng is a quilter, mixed-media artist, and surface-design specialist known for her vibrant colorwork and creative fabric-art techniques. As the founder of TSC Designs, Joyce is celebrated for her mastery of Tsukineko inks, using them to blend, shade, and transform fabric with painterly depth and detail.
She teaches a wide range of surface-design methods—including painting, stenciling, foiling, and stamping—helping quilters add rich texture and personality to their projects. A popular instructor at quilt shows, guilds, and online workshops nationwide, Joyce is known for her clear instruction, playful style, and ability to make artistic techniques feel approachable to all.
Her work continues to inspire makers to experiment, explore, and bring more artistry into their quilting.
Alicia Thomas
Dayton, VA
Virginia Quilt Museum
vaquiltmuseum.org
Alicia Thomas joined the Virginia Quilt Museum as Executive Director in September of 2021. A lifelong museum lover and casual crafter, she is proud to be leading the only museum dedicated to quilting in the commonwealth of Virginia. Alicia has spent the past 18 years in the mid-Atlantic region working in a variety of government and nonprofit organizations. Alicia has a BA in American History from Michigan State University. She attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she earned an MA in Public History.
Tisha Thorne
Lanham, MD
Sew Creative Lounge
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube
Tisha Thorne is a certified sewing instructor with over two decades of experience teaching locally in the DC area and across the United States. Extremely passionate about sharing her love of sewing and quilting with students of all ages, Tisha has led sewing programs at esteemed organizations such as Sew Creative Lounge, Howard University Hospital, Hancock Fabrics, and Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex, among others. Driven by her mission to teach the world to sew, one stitch at a time, Tisha continues to inspire and educate aspiring sewers and quilters nationwide.
Jess VanDenburgh
Gloversville, NY
Sew Many Creations
facebook | instagram | youtube
Hi I'm Jess! I was born and raised in upstate New York where I still live with my husband & 2 dogs. My grandma taught me at a young age how to sew and encouraged my creativity. I stumbled upon bag making in 2005 due to a major obsession with bags and a large fabric stash. I started making bags for friends and family at first and then selling them. From there my company, Sew Many Creations was born. Originally the company focused solely on making custom bags but slowly developed into a pattern company after many requests. In 2012 I expanded my pattern company to also include bag hardware, cork, fabric, kits, zippers and more. In 2020 I finally started my Youtube channel where I chat live every Friday about anything and everything bag making. I also upload tutorials, free patterns and educational videos. Teaching is my absolute favorite and if you watch any of the hundreds of YouTube videos I have on my channel, I think you'll agree!
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.