Sewing Lessons in Chesapeake, VA
Join us for something new this summer. Beginning on Monday, June 1 the staff will present “Make it, Take it Days”. These are projects that will be presented in a classroom setting for sometimes practical, sometimes seasonal sewing (or embroidery) quickies. Keep your eyes and ears open for information. Our first entry into this endeavor will be Cindi teaching you how to make mitered corner cloth napkins. You know there are times when a paper napkin won’t do the job. Just grab these handy cotton beauties out of your kitchen drawer and wipe that sticky BBQ sauce away. Then throw them in the wash to be reused many times. Requirements for the class are ½ yard of fabric for 2 napkins and thread. Buy your fabric at the store and your class is free. Bring your own fabric and pay the class fee of $7.50. You will also need a sewing machine in good working order (remember the foot control and power cord plus your preferred presser foot this project only uses straight stitches), a ruler to measure your 1” hem, scissors to snip threads and a willingness to have fun. There will be up to 3 classes on this day with up to 8 per class. We will fill the 10:30 and 1:00 classes first and add a 3:00 class if needed. Please call the store to register and for more information.
Bernina Guide Classes
Embroidery-Cindi Luther instructor. If you have purchased a machine with an embroidery unit, this class will get you started on the basics.
5Series Guide Class-Pam Brunner instructor. Learn your new machine.
7Series Guide Class-Pam Brunner instructor.
Serger Liz Peak instructor. Serger Guide Classes are available after purchase of any Serger. • One Guide Class for stand-alone coverstitch/chain sergers • Two Guide Classes for Overlock sergers • Three Guide Classes for combined Overlock and Coverstitch/Chain serger (L890) Class times are 10:30 – 1:00 on a date/day to be arranged. The instructor, Liz, will contact you with more details. You may also contact her at ADTSergeons@gmail.com

Embroidery Club Cindi Luther, instructor. 2026 is bringing us a new adventure. Our project for the year is the Kimberbell Mistletoe Mystery Quilt. The Mystery Quilt: Mistletoe Mystery is a fun and engaging 12-month project! Each month, you will make several blocks for the quilt. In the final month (December 2026), you will assemble all the components into a festive 32 x 50" wall quilt. There are background quilting designs to stitch in the hoop while embroidering the block so in the end, all you have to do is back it, stitch in the ditch and bind. Open to all brands of embroidery machines as long as you know how to operate the machine. We meet on the second Saturday of the month (excluding February and June). 9:30-12:30, $15.00 per lesson, or $180.00 for the year and a bonus block will be included. Next session is July 11, 2026.
January's block is pictured on the left.
Pinpoint Placement Cindi Luther Instructor Have you purchased a Bernina Plus or PRO machine and don't know how to use those great features? This class will address pinpoint placement and how you can benefit from using it. We will stitch a design on a cotton tea towel using 2 point placement, and you will be amazed how straight it will be without using your templates! Then we will stitch out a sample of 4 point placement so you can learn how easy it is to stitch a design in perhaps a quilt block and have it fit even if your square isn't perfectly square. Next class will be scheduled in 2026, 9:30-12:30. $15.00
Skill School -- instructor -- Anne Robinson
What is Skill School? It is a 3 month course with classes twice a month, designed for beginners (or anyone who wants to brush up on their skills). We start at the beginning with how to cut straight strips and how to accurately sew a 1/4" inch. You will learn half square triangles making traditional blocks like the Spool and the Log Cabin. At the last classes we will cover basting, quilting and how to bind your quilts. March 9 and 23, April 13 and 27, May 11 and 26. 10:30-3:30, ***PLEASE NOTE - The last class in May is on the 26th and not the 25th as the shop will be closed on the 25th for Memorial Day.*** $150.00. Hope to see you in class soon!


Serger Bees - Liz Peake, queen bee. Come join us to finish a project or start a new project and review future projects on the calendar. Each month will present an optional Serger Bee Plus project – demonstration / directions provided to serge during the Bee or at home. Registered attendees will receive the Bee Plus supply list before the Bee. Every second Friday of the month, 10:30-5:00.
Come ‘meet the feet’ and accessories for a Serger No class fee, but please call the store to register…so we know to expect you. Let us know what serger you have too. For the days you have looked at or read about a serger foot or accessory and wondered how to use it or what it can create, then this session is just what you need! No sergers required. This four-hour session will be a demonstration and possibly a hands-on for any of the serger feet listed in the attached Information Sheet. Some of the feet are cover/chainstitch specific while some are overlock specific. Some are geared for a Bernina serger, some have bernette application. Whether you have the foot already or it is on your ‘wish I had that foot’ list, plan to attend to see the foot in action. There is no set time for a specific foot, but we will begin at the top of the list shown in the Information Sheet. What happens if we run out of time? Feet not shown will walk over to the Serger Bee on June 12! Information Sheet attached. Please note not all feet for sergers listed will be demonstrated, however, basic use of the foot will be shown on a b42 and/or a serger from the L8 series. You are most welcomed and encouraged to bring your serger foot to a Serger Bee for more detailed ‘play.’ Saturday, June 6, 10:30-2:30.
Thread and Needle Matters Instructor - Liz Peake – Class begins at 1100; come earlier to setup. $20.00? $25.00? Stymied on how to use different thread weights in the loopers for overlock stitches and maintain a balanced stitch? This session will explore the relationship between thread and needle, the tensions, CW, ST L, DF, PFP, and Mtc when stitched on quilters cotton or on different types of fabric (optional). The takeaway is a process. Time does not allow to test all thread weights, all overlock stitches with fabric types; however, you will leave with the diagnostic skills to serge a balanced stitch no matter what thread weight or how many threads are used. Then apply this skill to all other thread weights on different fabric types. This session supports the Serger Mastery Program. Bring your serger! June 19, 2026, 11:00 – 14:00. $20.00
Seasonal Placemats and Table Runner with Interchangeable inserts. Instructor-Liz Peake
Be prepared to master serging mitered corners and turned corners as part of the (New) Serger Mastery Program!
Select one solid fabric (or similar) to serve as the frames embellished with an edge stitch using a 12-weight thread. Use coordinated printed fabric as the inserts. Maybe a gold frame with the inserts of different cotton prints representing the 4th of July, Autumn, or /and a birthday print? You decide! Placemats finish as 13” x 19”. The table runner finishes as 13” x 42.5”. See Supply list to serge one table runner and two placemats. If you wish a different size, just amend the size when cutting the fabric. Add fabric for additional placemats. It will take longer to cut and prep the fabric than it does to serge them! These make great holiday and hostess gifts. Tuesday, June 30. 10:30-3:00. $25.00.
FREE MOTION QUILTING/RULERWORK QUILTING
During these classes we explore and practice ruler work quilting and free motion quilting techniques and designs. Learning to quilt using a machine is a process, for some it comes quickly for others it is more of a challenge. These classes are suitable for all skill levels and are arranged to help you achieve your quilting goals. Those who have struggled with traditional free motion quilting are usually delighted with the progress they make using rulers. Wednesday, June 3 -10:30-12:30. Friday, June 26 -10:30-12:30, Sunday, June 14, June 21 - 1:30-3:30. $15.00 each class.
WALKING FOOT CLASS - Virginia Vaughan, instructor. Date TBA. $15.00 each class.
BERNINA STITCH REGULATOR-Virginia Vaughn, instructor
You might be interested in this class if:
· You have a (new) machine which came with a BSR
· You have a (new) machine which is BSR compatible*
· You have never understood the BSR
*Please note: B475 and B480 are BSR compatible as are other models/ I will provide a BSR to use in class for these machines. Friday, May 15, 10:30-12:30. Email Virginia @vafmq1949@gmail.com. $15.00 each class,



