Learn to Quilt, Modern Bars

Our workshops are now offered as private group bookings with a minimum of 3 people, priced per person. Perfect for a creative night out with friends, birthdays, team building, or simply learning something new together.

This beginner-friendly quilting workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of machine quilting.

The Modern Bars Quilt is a fresh interpretation of a traditional Amish quilt. Designed specifically for new quilters, this project encourages experimentation with colour and pattern. The simple elongated rectangles are quick to cut and stitch, leaving ample time to assemble the quilt top, batting (the cozy inner layer), and backing into a finished quilt.

Choose a refined two-colour palette or play with up to seven coordinating fabrics to create a quilt that feels both personal and expressive.

How to Book:

CONTACT US with your preferred dates, time, and list of participants. We’ll send over a payment link (either individually or as one group payment). If you’d like, you can also pre-purchase class kits so everything is ready for you when you arrive. Once payment is received, your workshop date will be confirmed and we’ll send over all the details.

Details: 

This is a four-session workshop, each session is 3-hours long, we need a minimum of 3 people to book, at a time of your choosing (based on instructors availability).

Where:

The Hemme Studio is located at 39 Milford Avenue in the Castlefield Design District in Toronto, Canada. This is an in-person workshop; we are not offering virtual classes at this time.

What you will learn and make:

• The Modern Bars Quilt, approx 39" x 54"
• Measuring and accurately cutting fabric
• Safe and efficient rotary cutter technique
• How to use gridded acrylic rulers
• How to work with a precise 1/4” seam allowance
• Best practices for building a quilt “sandwich”
• Beginner-friendly quilting designs
• How to finish the edges of your quilt
  

Supplies you will need:

• Face Fabrics: (all fabric for top and backing should be 100% cotton quilting fabric):
  • Multi-coloured version: 7x different Fat Quarters (approx 18-20 x 22” each) or 7x 0.5m cuts
  • 2-coloured version: 1.0m EACH of two fabrics

• Back Fabric: 1.6m (not required for class one).

• Thin cotton batting (to be determined, not required for class one, can be purchased at Hemme)

Tools Provided:

You may want to purchase the tools below if you plan on taking up quilting at home, otherwise, you can use our tools in our studio during the class:

• 45mm rotary cutter (Olfa brand recommended)
• 6" x 24" gridded acrylic ruler (Omnigrid or Omnigrip recommended)
  
• Fabric scissors
• Curved quilt-basting pins (not required for class one)
• Yellow ball headed quilter’s straight pins
• Neutral thread for machine (Gutermann, Coats, or Mettler)
• Pencil (mechanical or wood case, plus sharpener)
• Sewing machine
• Walking foot  (not available to purchase at Hemme; not needed in class one, will be discussed)
• Optional: Large cutting mat,  24" x 36" 

Your Instructor: Johanna Masko

Johanna has been teaching sewing, quilting, and fibre arts for over 20 years. She’s passionate about textiles and helping others express themselves through craft. (Photo: Walter Masko)

What if we can't make the class?

Workshops are non-refundable, but we understand that things come up. If you need to reschedule your group booking, we’ll do our best to accommodate based on availability. We kindly ask for a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for any rescheduling requests.

Get on the list to be notified of upcoming workshop offerings.