Events & Activities

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You are cordially invited to join us in the heart of Amish Quilt Country!

Yoder Department Store and The Cotton Corner are proud to announce Shipshewana Quiltworx Academy coming this fall September 18-22, 2023, at the Blue Gate Garden Inn, Shipshewana, Indiana.

This multi-day event will highlight the Judy Niemeyer Quiltworx Program and have workshops for all skill levels. If you are new to Quiltworx, we have day introductory workshops just for you! We will be offering 1, 2, and 5-day project workshops as well as Quiltster color designing sessions.

As you have come to expect with our events, your week will be packed with learning and fun. Workshops will be led by certified instructors that will share their tips, tricks and instruction on Judy's legendary foundation paper-piecing techniques as well as traditional piecing, curved piecing, strip piecing, and appliqué. There will be opportunities for exclusive shopping, an Amish dining experience and sew much more!

Students will learn a process, which simplifies and minimizes waste that has come to be associated with many common foundation paper piecing methods. In addition, you will learn how to use templates and speed-cutting techniques as well as chain-piecing and curved piecing techniques. Your time will also incorporate direction on selecting colors, designing unique layouts of Quiltworx patterns, and useful instruction regarding sewing and overall organization. They will also demonstrate the use of the tools and products they have found over the years that are extremely helpful in completing Quiltworx Patterns.

Don't miss this opportunity to combine your desire for quilting with a trip to Shipshewana, Indiana!

We can't wait to see you! ~ Sincerely, Yoder Department Store and The Cotton Corner

There will be a Meet Greet Hors d'oeuvre Reception on Sunday, September 17. You will have a chance to meet the instructors and mingle with other event attendees. There will be an admission fee associated with this activity which may be purchased at the time of registration. (The reception fee is included with a Carnival Flower Workshop registration.)

As a hotel guest your breakfast is included with your stay. All full-day workshops will include a catered lunch.

Every workshop and lecture will be taught by an instructor that has been through the official Quiltworx Certified Instructor Training Program.

Each classroom will have a 6-foot table for your personal workstation. Even if you must get out of your seat to iron, you may not need to leave your sewing station for your trimming needs. There will also be ironing and pressing stations available if you find your workspace is not large enough.

As a courtesy to other students extra table extensions will not be allowed. Please understand that these extensions make it difficult to move through the aisles and encroach on your neighbor's space. We also ask that any storage containers that are too large to fit beneath your own sewing station be stored off-site wherever you may be staying. In addition, some students like extra light. LED lighting kits for sewing machines are allowable, but please do not bring magnifying glass combos.

At registration, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with your Academy selections. You will also receive additional information about your workshop requirements, kit and supply purchasing options via e-mail, no later than April 15^th.

Yoder Department Store and The Cotton Corner will be providing some excellent retreat specials on our Bernina machines and encourage you to visit The Cotton Corner if you are in the market for a new machine.

This event will have a few unique twists.

Exclusive Shopping Evening - On Tuesday September 19^th, after dinner, all registrants will have the opportunity to attend a private shopping event at Yoder Department Store and The Cotton Corner from 7-9 pm.

Amish Dining Experience - On Thursday September 21^st, you may register for an Amish dining experience.

The general program schedule is provided below if you are interested in how your day to day will look.

Event Check-in will be at The Blue Gate Garden Inn, 800 S. Van Buren St, Shipshewana, Indiana. No room keys will be given by the front desk. You will receive your room key, (if applicable), as well as your name tag and swag bag at the Academy registration table. Workshop kits will be available for pick-up the day of your workshop.

Sunday, September 17^th:

• 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Check-in
• 6:00 pm: Meet & Greet Hors d'oeuvre Reception - purchase required if not registered for the Carnival Flower Workshop.

Monday, September 18^th

• 7:00 am - 2:00 pm: Check-in
• 8:30 am - 4:00 pm: Carnival Flower, Certified Instructor Team (Break 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

Tuesday, September 19^th

• 7:00 am - 2:00 pm: Check-in
• 8:30 am - 4:00 pm: Carnival Flower, Certified Instructor Team (Break 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)
• 9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Wedding Star Table Topper, Kathryn Groves, (Break 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
• 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Exclusive Shopping Experience at Yoder Dept Store and The Cotton Corner, included with all registrations.

Wednesday, September 20^th

• 7:00 am - 2:00 pm: Check-in
• 8:30 am - 4:00 pm: Carnival Flower, Certified Instructor Team (Break 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)
• 9:00 am to 5:00 pm: Wedding Star Table Topper, Kathryn Groves, (Break 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm)

Thursday, September 21^st

• 7:00 am - 2:00 pm: Check-in
• 8:30 am - 4:00 pm: Carnival Flower, Certified Instructor Team (Break 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)
• 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: How to Eat an Elephant, Kathryn Groves
• 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Quiltster Color Planning, Kathryn Groves

Friday, September 22^nd

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Check-in
• 8:30 am - 4:00 pm: Carnival Flower, Certified Instructor Team (Break 11:30 am - 1:00 pm)
• 9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Starbaby, Kathryn Groves, (Break 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm)

Other Schedule notes and information:

On Friday, September 22^nd, our event will officially end with class at 5:00 pm. Students will need to check out of their hotel room by 11:00 am that morning. You can head home or stay and hang out in Shipshewana!

Please bring the following items: But don’t worry if you forget something, we will have an on-site kiosk.

Click Here to download a printable version of the basic supply list.

• Scissors (fabric, 4” embroidery and paper)
• Cutting Mat (minimum 18” x 24”)
• Seam Ripper
• Rotary Cutter 45mm or 60 mm and new blade(s)
• Pins (applique, standard, flower pins and safety)
• 6" x 12" Ruler
• 12" Add-a-Quarter Ruler
• 18" Add-a-Quarter Ruler
• 12” Creative Grids Wave Ruler or the Curved Diamond Cutting and Trimming Ruler from Quiltworx.com (this was in the Dinner Plate Dahlia Pattern)
• High Quality Cotton Sewing Thread (Aurifil recommended)
• Size 70 Needles (Microtex recommended)
• 3" x 12" Piece of Template Plastic
• 3 ½ " x 18" Piece of Template Plastic
• Fabric Glue (UHU, Scotch, Elmer’s recommended)
• Glue Pen (Fons and Porter, Sewline, or Avery recommended)
• Starch Pen and Starch Refill (Acorn recommended)
• Repositionable Glue (Scotch brand recommended)
• Purple Thang (Optional, but helpful for steps that might include removing papers, having an extra finger, curved piecing, and so on) or an awl
• Large Paper Clips
• Large Ziploc Bags
• Stapler
• Binder Clips (small & medium)
• Scotch Tape
• Sticky Labels
• Open Toe Machine Foot and a ¼” Sewing Foot

Pressing & Cutting: We will have pressing/cutting stations located in the classroom. You may bring a small travel iron.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Andrea at ahenderson@yoderdepartmentstore.com We are looking forward to meeting everyone! Safe travels!

Click Here to download a printable version of the basic supply list.

HOTEL INFORMATION

For your flexibility and convenience, we have arranged hotel rooms that may be selected during registration. Rooms are available as Standard (two-bed) or Royal Suite. Simply select your preference from the options listed. You may pick individual nights to suit your personal schedule or multi-night packages if you are attending a multi-day workshop.

Multi-night room packages are available for multi-day workshops based on specific workshop dates. Multi-night room packages include the night before a workshop so you can be rested for your class but DO NOT include the evening after your class. You also have the option of individual days allowing you to tailor your Academy experience.

Special exception for Carnival Flower workshop attendees:

Carnival Flower multi-night room package will have double occupancy and private room options. Yoder Department Store will facilitate double occupancy roommate coordination whether you have pre-arranged roommate or not. If you purchase an additional single night, Yoder Department store will NOT coordinate roommates.

If you find yourself in need of special hotel arrangements either immediately prior to or after the event, please contact us directly and we can help you with your accommodations.

Room sharing beyond double occupancy may incur additional charges. Please contact us with any questions.

The Carriage House $45
5280 S 500 W
Topeka, IN 46571
Limited to 48 Participants

located 8 miles south of Shipshewana

On Thursday, September 21st at 5:30 pm, you will visit The Carriage House and listen to Elaine Jones share her story - The Art of Traditional Quilt Making. You will then enjoy an all-you-can eat Thresher's meal. The ladies will serve you a delicious home-cooked, two meat traditional Amish meal with yummy pies for dessert. One lucky guest will choose a wall quilt designed and hand quilted by Elaine to take home as a fond memory.

ACADEMY SUPPLY KIOSK

If you realize you have forgotten a basic supply, tool, or notion from your supply list, check us out! An on-site kiosk will offer all basic supplies and other tools, notions and kits required for all workshops. Located near the workshops, the kiosk will open at 8:00 am each morning.

WORKSHOP SUPPLIES AND KITS

• Workshops fees do NOT include the fabric kit or supply costs.
• Workshops may have required kits or tools that may be pre-purchased and waiting for you at check-in.

SEWING MACHINE RENTAL

The Cotton Corner will have BERNINA sewing machines available to rent for workshops. If you would like to rent a machine, please call The Cotton Corner at 260-768-7393.

ENROLLMENT

• Enrollment is available ONLY online at yoderdepartmentstore.com with immediate confirmation.
• Online enrollment ensures registration in your desired workshops, lectures, activities, and hotel accommodations.
• Credit card payment is required for all enrollment methods and may be made by Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express.
• A separate enrollment is required for each participant regardless of age.

PRE-ENROLLMENT

• Opens Monday, March 28th, 2023, at 9 am EST and closes September 1st, 2023.

ONSITE ENROLLMENT

• Onsite enrollment will be available beginning Sunday September 17, 2023, at 3:00 pm for lectures, workshops, and activities if there is space available.

CONFIRMATION OF ENROLLMENT

The following will serve as your confirmation of enrollment:

• Online enrollments will receive an e-mail confirmation of all workshop, lectures and activities for which you are registered.
• Workshop registrants will receive an e-mail with workshop requirements and purchasing options no later than April 15th.

CONDITION OF ENROLLMENT AND PARTICIPATION

As a condition of your enrollment, attendance, or participation, you agree not to take photographs, audio, or video of any activity sponsored by Yoder Department Store without the expressed permission of Yoder Department Store and the related presenters, or other associated individuals.

Enrollment in any Shipshewana Quiltworx Academy activity, regardless of form, constitutes agreement with and acceptance of Liability and Indemnification Agreement and Notice of Photos and Videos.

NOTICE OF PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

By attending the Shipshewana Quiltworx Academy, you acknowledge that you have been informed that your image may be recorded by any number of types of recording devices for any number of reasons for use in advertising and publicity. Further, you grant your likeness and voice to be included therein without notice, compensations, credit or other consideration.

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

To the maximum extend of the law, your attendance and participation, including that of your children and minors accompanying you, in any Yoder Department Store and Shipshewana Quiltworx Academy lectures, classes, tours or activities paid for or not, is conditioned on your agreement to hereby indemnify Yoder Department Store and Shipshewana Quiltworx Academy, its employees, volunteers, and contractors from, and refrain from making any claim for injury, loss or damage to you or your children and minors accompanying you against Yoder Department Store and Shipshewana Quiltworx Academy, its employees, volunteers and contractors, cause by its very first negligence, strict liability, or for any other reason.