Join the Dynamic Duo for Live Lessons in our studio in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Select from ProStitcher, Designer, Free Motion, and Ruler classes. 
​Lessons are hands on, utilizing the software and HandiQuilter machines. Beginners to Advanced courses available.

Class Schedule

Thursday, October 14th, 2021
  • 9am to 12pm - Beginning ProStitcher with MK. 
    • Consider this session Pro-Stitcher 101.  The basics.  We’ll cover things like system settings, design basics including resizing, repositioning, alignment, and basic skewing.   We’ll learn basic set up and stitching of e2e or continuous line designs.   Lots of focus will be put on the use of start point including advancing and restarting after bobbin changes or machine shut-downs and start-ups.
    • Are you new to longarming or just got your Pro-Stitcher system and need to know where to start.  This is the session for you.

  • 9am to 12pm - Free Motion with Ellen.
    • Disengage those gears and get ready for some creative fun with free motion quilting with Ellen. We will discuss the basic shapes that you can take to any quilt, learn importance of knowing how to free motion in all directions, how to not get stuck in a corner, and plenty of play time on the machine.
    • Bring a sketchbook and pen.  Erasable marker boards will be used in class.

  • 1:30pm to 4:30pm - Advanced Beginner ProStitcher with MK
    • This is the session for the confident beginner.  Step beyond the basics to techniques like multiple block layouts, duplication, and rotation, grouping and simple border treatments.  We’ll do all these techniques under the banner of Pro-Stitcher running in simulation mode.  MK will introduce you to her love for simulation and how you can plan some of your quilting before you ever step up to the machine to stitch. 
      Bring your laptop, mouse and USB stick to this session. 
    • Pre-Requisite for this course:  Simulation 101 on the MK Quilts University training site.  Registrants will have access to that online course included with the fee for this session.

  • 1:30pm to 4:30pm - Ruler Work with Ellen
    • Get ready to quilt with a ruler in hand. We will use rulers to ditch a quilt block, create continuous curve quilting, and look at some specialty shapes. We will discuss order of quilting with rulers, proper handling techniques, and how to incorporate other types of quilting while using a ruler.  Class will be hands on the machine.
    • Prereq: Longarm Ruler Quilting 101 on MK Quilts University (FREE)
    • Bring a sketchbook and pen.
    • Bring a straight longarm ruler, such as the HQ Skinny. This ruler can be ordered before class and we will have it for you in the studio. Write a note on your order. for us to hold it. https://shop.mkquilts.com/hq-skinny-ruler-2-x-10/

Friday, October 15th, 2021
  • 9am to 12pm - Intermediate ProStitcher - Simulation with MK
    • Stepping it up with what MK calls Layout and Rendering.
      In this session we’ll start using our simulators for more intermediate types of techniques.
      Learn how MK builds line-drawings as shells or templates.  Then use that template and populate it with designs.  MK calls this the layout.  Print the picture of that layout.  MK calls that the rendering or the “pretty picture” of how your quilting will look.  Then learn how to take what you’ve built to the machines to stitch.  If time allows, we’ll do a bit of stitching of what we’ve built.
    • Bring your laptop, mouse and USB stick to this session. 
    • Pre-Requisite for this course:  Simulation 101 and Layout and Rendering No. 1 on the MK Quilts University training site.  Registrants will have access to these online courses included with the fee for this session.
 
  • 1:30pm to 4:30pm - Advanced ProStitcher with MK
    • Step up those layouts.  In this session we’ll do more complicated and intricate layouts.  We may use some specialty designs, unique shapes, build more complicated borders, talk about vertical chunking and maybe a little bit of wholecloth layout if time allows.
    • Most of MK’s own stitch outs begin with all the techniques taught in the Friday sessions.
      Plan it, pre-size it, set it all up before you ever go to stitch.  That’s the MK Way. Let her show you how.
    • Bring your laptop, mouse and USB stick to this session.  
    • Pre-Requisite for this course:  Simulation 101 and Layout and Rendering No. 1 on the MK Quilts University training site.  Registrants will have access to these online courses included with the fee for this session.

Saturday, October 16th, 2021
  • 9am to 3pm - Full day of ProStitcher Designer with MK and Ellen
    • Learn how to take the next step with your computerized quilting by editing, altering and creating your own designs with Pro-Stitcher Designer.  We will look at how to crop and edit an existing design, how to alter a design to fit a shape, and how to create designs from artwork.  We will look at the common designs tools in Designer and how to create your own edge-to-edge designs. 
​What to bring for MK’s PS sessions:

For all but the Thursday (10/14) morning session, please bring your laptop with PSP simulation loaded.  PSP Simulation Version 506.  You may have any and all newer versions of PSP with you (either in a subdirectory on your computer or on a USB Stick).  We’ll discuss some of the features between older and newer versions of the software and why MK prefers Version 506 for simulation.
Please have your designs library up to date.  MK will try to use free designs in her instruction but this may not always be the case.  For hands-on working time, you’ll want to have designs to work with.

Bring a mouse.  Corded might be your best option as too many USB or Bluetooth devices in one room may cause problems.

Please also have the most recent version of Pro-Stitcher designer loaded and activated on your laptop.
If you need technical assistance with any of the above, please reach out to Paul BEFORE the event.  727-935-1739 #3 or paul@mkquilts.com to make an appointment.  He also has an online calendar where you can book online appointments.  30 minutes of remote assistance to help you prepare for the event is included with your registration.  But he can only help one person at a time.  Please don’t wait till the last minute.  We will not be able to stop during class time to help folks whose devices or directories are not up to date.

Wear comfy closes and brink a notebook.

We’re all looking forward to having you in-studio in FL for this awesome event.
Hotels in Area:
​
Hampton Inn & Suites
39284 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 (727) 945-7755
Quality Inn & Suites Tarpon Springs South
38724 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 (727) 934-5781
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
3060 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691 (727) 722-9500
Knights Inn Palm Harbor
32000 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34683•(727) 786-2529
//These hotels are closest to our location and not endorsed by MK Quilts.