Sew Joyful: A Modern Baltimore Album

A Year of Embroidery, Creativity & Quilting at North Shore Quilting

Ready to take your machine embroidery skills to the next level? Join us for Sew Joyful: A Modern Baltimore Album, a six-block embroidery and quilting adventure inspired by the traditional Baltimore Album quilt and reimagined with a fresh, modern twist.

Throughout this program, you'll explore beautiful designs, specialty materials, and techniques that will expand your embroidery toolbox while bringing a collection of personality-filled quilt blocks to life.

Whether you choose to learn independently through BERNINA Skill Hub or join us in the classroom for our guided quilt-along, Sew Joyful is an opportunity to learn new techniques, build confidence, and share a creative journey with fellow embroidery enthusiasts.

What We'll Explore

Each of the six blocks introduces new techniques and opportunities to experiment with your embroidery machine. The project features six unique block designs, stitched twice to create a collection of 12 blocks for your quilt.

• Block 1: Thread Tangle — Get started with the program, prepare your supplies, and explore hoop options and embroidery basics.

• Block 2: Shining Seam Rippers — Experiment with stabilizers, Mylar embroidery, and additional stitch-out options.

• Block 3: Machine Love — Explore combining and editing designs at the machine, along with fill types and outlines.

• Block 4: Playful Pincushion — Learn appliqué and couching techniques.

• Block 5: Tumbling Thimbles — Discover cutwork, cutwork appliqué, and precut appliqué.

• Block 6: Sparkling Snips — Experiment with metallic and 12-weight threads, branching, and outline designs.

Choose Your Sew Joyful Experience

How the In-Store Quilt-Along Works

Our guided in-store program includes seven monthly sessions, running from January through July 2027.

During the first six sessions, we'll focus on one block design each month. You'll work on one block with us in class and complete the companion block independently at home, giving you the opportunity to practice your new skills and make steady progress on your quilt.

Our seventh and final session will focus on planning the assembly of your completed blocks into a finished quilt top.

Before each class: Please watch the corresponding BERNINA Skill Hub video content in advance. Arriving familiar with the week's techniques will help you get the most out of our hands-on workshop time.

Monthly Class Schedule

Classes meet on the last Wednesday of each month, January through July 2027. Choose either the daytime or evening session:

• Daytime: 1–3 PM

• Evening: 6–8 PM

January 27 · February 24 · March 31 · April 28 · May 26 · June 30 · July 28

Please select your preferred class time when registering.

What's Included in the Full In-Store Program?

• Access to the Sew Joyful BERNINA Skill Hub curriculum and downloadable designs.

• A coordinated fabric kit with stabilizers and specialty materials for all 12 blocks.

• Seven guided in-store quilt-along sessions.

• Hands-on guidance, troubleshooting, and opportunities to practice techniques with fellow embroidery enthusiasts.

• A final session dedicated to discussing quilt assembly and finishing.

Embroidery thread is sold separately so you can choose the coordinated thread kit or use suitable threads from your own collection.

Prefer to Work Independently?

Choose the online-only option for the Skill Hub curriculum and designs, or purchase the fabric kit separately if you already have your own learning plan.

A coordinated thread kit is also available as an optional purchase.

A Bonus for Software Enthusiasts

Your Skill Hub content includes bonus software tutorials to explore independently at your own pace. Software instruction is not part of the in-store quilt-along. North Shore Quilting will offer a separate introductory software program for those who would like guided, hands-on instruction.

Machine Compatibility & Recommended Accessories

Sew Joyful is designed around BERNINA embroidery machines, and participants using compatible BERNINA and bernette machines are welcome.

Recommended hoop sizes:

• BERNINA 5 Series: Small Clamp Hoop or an equivalent compatible hoop.

• BERNINA 7 Series and up: Medium Clamp Hoop or an equivalent compatible hoop.

• bernette 79: The largest hoop available for your machine is recommended.

Some techniques require specialty accessories, including the Free Motion Couching Foot #43C and the BERNINA CutWork Tool. Additional accessories may be needed as we progress through the blocks.

Participants using other embroidery machine brands may be able to use the supplied design files, but accessory compatibility and support for specific techniques cannot be guaranteed.

Don't have your own machine? North Shore Quilting has classroom BERNINA machines available to borrow during in-store quilt-along sessions.

Is This Program Right for You?

Sew Joyful is a Level 2 machine embroidery program. Participants should already be comfortable operating an embroidery machine and preparing and stitching embroidery designs.

We strongly encourage participants to have completed Hoop Camp, participated in our Embroider on Everything program, or have equivalent experience.

Not sure if you're ready? Contact us and we'll be happy to discuss your experience and help you decide if this program is a good fit.

We can't wait to Sew Joyful with you at North Shore Quilting!