Missouri Star Academy is Back!

Get ready for the most fun you'll have with fabric scraps and glue! Join Tami Jones from the Hometown Quilt Company for a class that's less about perfection and more about making memories—literally. You'll transform your favorite fabric scraps into a gorgeous custom picture frame using the magic of Mod Podge (yes, really!), then we're taking a group photo right there in class that'll be printed on the spot. Walk out with a one-of-a-kind keepsake that captures your Missouri Star Academy experience and your new quilting friends. It's crafty, it's silly, it's sentimental—and you'll love every minute.

Birthdays just got a whole lot cuter! Join Tami Jones from the Hometown Quilt Company and learn how to use Missouri Star's Piece of Cake template set to create an adorable fabric birthday banner or wall hanging that's way better than anything you'd buy at the party store. Everyone gets a FREE Piece of Cake template set to take home, plus you'll make your own custom banner during class using fun fabrics and Tami's easy techniques. It's the kind of handmade tradition that turns into a family favorite—and it all starts with templates that make piecing a piece of cake!

Who says coloring books are just for kids? Rip out your favorite page, raid your scrap bin, and get ready to create something totally unexpected with Michael Nardi of Bryn Mawr Quilts! In this playful, low-pressure class, you'll learn how to fuse actual coloring book art onto fabric, then bring it to life with scraps, precuts, and your own creative vision. Build tiny fabric scenes, add texture and dimension, and turn it all into a one-of-a-kind wall hanging or quilt block that's equal parts art project and sewing adventure.

Note: This class will be taught twice each day.

This color theory class introduces quilters to the foundational ideas of color theory and shows how they apply directly to quilting. Students will explore how color is relative, how value often matters more than hue, and how fabric placement can dramatically change the way a quilt is perceived. Through visual examples and simple exercises, participants will learn to create depth, contrast, movement, and optical effects such as transparency and vibration in their quilts. This class focuses on training the eye rather than sewing, giving quilters practical tools to choose fabrics with confidence and make more intentional color decisions in future projects.

In this foundation paper piecing class, students will create a classic Economy block using either 5" or 10" FPP papers, with a special focus on fussy cutting the center square for maximum visual impact. This class is perfect for beginners and confident beginners looking to build accuracy and confidence with FPP. Students will learn how to read an FPP pattern, place and sew fabrics in the correct order, trim precisely, and add multiple frames with clean, crisp results. The Economy block is an ideal project for showcasing favorite motifs, scraps, or prints, and students will leave with a completed block (or well underway) and the skills needed to continue exploring foundation paper piecing at home.

Binding doesn't have to be boring! Join Courtenay Hughes—a.k.a. Jenny's Elf and Missouri Star's secret weapon—for a binding extravaganza that'll turn the "ugh, I guess I have to bind it" part of quilting into the "ooh, how should I finish this?!" part. Whether you dread binding, tolerate it, or secretly love it, Courtenay is about to blow your mind with techniques that range from classic to "wait, I can DO that?!" You'll explore single fold, two-color binding, flange binding, machine binding, bias binding, big stitch binding, and SO much more. It's like a binding buffet where you get to sample everything and walk away with a whole new toolkit of finishing options. Plus, Courtenay's got answers to all those binding questions you've been wondering about (and probably a few tricks you didn't even know existed).

Note: This class will be taught twice each day.

Ready to add some stars-and-stripes style to your home? Join Chelsea Swindle of She Sews Seams for a beginner-friendly class where you'll create a gorgeous patriotic envelope pillow—no zippers, no fuss, just beautiful results! Chelsea will walk you through fabric selection, quick piecing tricks, and the genius envelope closure that makes switching out pillow forms a breeze. Whether you're sprucing up for summer or making a gift that says "I love this country (and I sew!)," this class will have you turning out professional-looking pillows in no time.

Stay organized and inspired in your sewing journey with this hands-on two-part class. Each participant will receive a copy of Chelsea's self-published sewing journal and an archival pen. In

 this workshop, participants will explore the many ways a sewing journal can help with tracking projects, capturing ideas, and building skills. Participants will also sew a beautiful custom fabric cover complete with a pen holder — the perfect way to protect your journal and keep creativity within reach. Ideal for confident beginners and beyond.

Let's be honest—zippers can be intimidating. But what if they weren't? Join Jess Barrera from Sallie Tomato as she demystifies the zipper once and for all and shows you just how easy (yes, EASY!) installing a zipper can be. Using practice fabric and zippers, you’ll learn Jess’s step-by-step approach to achieving clean, professional results for bags, pouches, and more. No more avoiding patterns because they call for a zipper. No more hand-sewing closures as a "workaround." Just clean, professional results every single time.

Stop settling for boring, flimsy bag straps! Join Jess Barrera from Sallie Tomato and learn how to create custom webbing bag straps that are sturdy and stylish. Jess will show you exactly how to make straps that look professional and hold up to real life. You'll learn which materials give you the best structure, how to get clean finished edges, and all the tips for adding hardware like swivel clips and D-rings without breaking a sweat. Because let's face it—the strap can make or break a bag, and now YOU get to be in control. By the end of class, you’ll complete your own adjustable bag strap and gain tips you can apply to future bag-making projects!

Ever wonder how that gorgeous fabric you're obsessed with actually comes to life? Join renowned fabric designer Jason Yenter for a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process that turns inspiration into the prints you can't stop buying. From initial sketches to final production, Jason will walk you through every step of his fabric design process—the art, the science, the "aha!" moments, and yes, even the challenges. You'll see how his initial ideas become patterns, how he chooses color, and all the magic (and logistics!) that go into creating a fabric collection. Plus, Jason will showcase a stunning trunk show of quilts made with his designs, proving that beautiful fabric leads to breathtaking quilts. Whether you're a fabric hoarder, a design nerd, or just curious about what goes on before fabric hits the bolt, this lecture will give you a whole new appreciation for every yard in your stash.

Note: This class will be taught once each day.

Not all William Morris fabrics are created equal—and you deserve to know the difference! Join Debbie Stark, Design Director from FreeSpirit Fabrics, for a fascinating deep-dive into what makes authentic William Morris collections truly authentic. Spoiler alert: it's not just about pretty prints. As the exclusive quilting partner with Sanderson Design Group—the official custodians of the original William Morris archives—FreeSpirit has unprecedented access to authentic artwork, original color formulas, genuine fabric swatches, historic wallpapers, and even the original wood print blocks. Debbie will pull back the curtain on this incredible partnership and show you exactly what sets FreeSpirit's Morris & Co. collections apart from the public-domain knockoffs flooding the market. Whether you're a William Morris devotee, a design history nerd, or simply someone who wants to know what they're really getting when they buy fabric, this lecture will open your eyes (and maybe make you rethink what's in your stash). Because when you #quiltauthentically, it matters.

Note: This class will be taught once each day.

If you've ever been curious about English Paper Piecing, this is your moment! Cherry Hill of Missouri Star will guide you through the timeless art of EPP as you create one gorgeous star from the beloved Stars of Liberty pattern. With Cherry's expert guidance, you'll learn the technique stitch by stitch and walk away with a beautiful finished star — and the confidence to keep going long after class is over.

Think you know your rulers? Think again! Cherry Hill of Missouri Star is here to change the way you look at one of quilting's most essential tools. Join her as she uncovers the tips, tricks, and techniques that make rulers work harder for you — from lining up cuts perfectly to getting the most out of specialty rulers you may have been too intimidated to try. Whether you've been quilting for years or just getting started, you'll walk away wondering how you ever cut without these game-changers.

 What makes a quilt go from "meh" to "masterpiece"? Join Toni Steere from Wing and a Prayer Design and Timeless Treasures as she breaks down her foolproof process for creating quilts you'll actually love—every single time. No more buyer's remorse, no more "I should've done it differently," just confident color and Fabric choices, for gorgeous results. Toni will guide you through the essential steps every quilter should take before cutting a single piece of fabric, including the age-old question that keeps us all up at night: which comes first, the pattern or the fabric? (Spoiler: the answer might surprise you!) You'll learn how to match fabrics to patterns, avoid common pitfalls, and set yourself up for quilting success before you ever sit down at your machine.

Step back in time and fall in love with the sweet, cheerful world of Aunt Grace 1930s reproduction fabrics from The archives of Judy Rothamel, by Marcus Fabrics. Join Toni Steere from Wing and a Prayer Design as she celebrates the timeless appeal of these charming prints—think soft pastels, darling florals, and that unmistakable vintage warmth that makes quilts feel like a hug from grandma. Toni will showcase gorgeous quilts made with classic 30s reproductions like the beloved Aunt Grace collection, sharing the stories and traditions behind these fabrics that have captured quilters' hearts for generations. You'll discover why these prints never go out of style, how to mix and match them for that perfect vintage look, and what makes 30s fabrics so special for creating heirloom-worthy quilts. Whether you're a longtime lover of reproduction fabrics or just discovering their charm, this class is a nostalgic treat that'll have you reaching for pastels and planning your next vintage-inspired project.

We spend hours, days and sometimes years selecting fabrics then cutting and piecing our quilt tops; don't leave the finished product to chance. This session is a chance to learn, collaborate and get inspired. Using real life experience from 30 years of piecing quilts, 10 years as a longarm quilter and personal mistakes made along the way, Michele Anderson from Custom Creations Quilt Co. will provide practical advice for a Fabulously Finished quilt! And the best news is... none of these tips are complicated. With just a little more time and effort they will quickly become second-nature!

Let's talk about the unsung hero of every quilt—the stuff in the middle! Join Michele Anderson from Custom Creations Quilt Co. for a batting deep-dive that'll completely change how you think about what goes inside your quilts. Because here's the truth: batting isn't just filler. It's the secret weapon that can make your piecing pop, keep your family cozy (without the sneezes), and turn a good quilt into a great one. Michele will walk you through SIX different batting types—cotton, polyester, 80/20 blend, bamboo, wool, and silk—and show you exactly when and why to use each one. Should your t-shirt quilt have the same batting as your heirloom masterpiece? Nope! Got allergies in the family? There's batting for that. Want your quilting to stand out like whoa? Michele's got you covered (literally). This is the class that answers all those questions you didn't even know you had. You'll touch, feel, compare, and finally understand what all the batting hype is about. Spoiler: it matters. A lot.