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2025 Academy Track Descriptions
Pro-Stitcher – Basics
Cruise your way to the wonderful world of computerized quilting with the Pro-Stitcher Basics track. If you are new to Pro-Stitcher, this is the right track for you. There will be a combination of hands-on classes and lectures. This track will be taught on Amara 20’s with Pro-Stitcher Premium, but will also cover the basics for Pro-Stitcher Lite.
Pro-Stitcher – The Next Step
If you are well on your way and comfortable using Pro-Stitcher, including quilting edge-to-edge designs, repositioning designs, and using the tools Pro-Stitcher offers, then join us in the intermediate group. The courses will be split between hands-on classes taught on Amara 20s with Pro-Stitcher Premium and lectures, where you will be working with your computer in Simulation Mode. This group will be full of tips and tricks for using both Pro-Stitcher Premium & Lite.
This class will NOT cover Pro-Stitcher basics. It is intended for quilters with moderate experience with their Pro-Stitcher.
A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (we recommend NOT bringing your Pro-Stitcher tablet), and a laptop charger will be required for this track.
Pro-Stitcher Project
If you consider yourself an “Intermediate” Pro-Stitcher user (you are comfortable quilting edge-to-edge designs, repositioning designs, and using the basic and more common tools Pro-Stitcher offers) but would like a Pro-Stitcher Challenge, come join us for the Pro-Stitcher Project Track! We will be completing a small project with Pro-Stitcher, using lots of fun techniques and tools that you may not be familiar with. The project will be available to take home on the last day. We will explore some of the more advanced Pro-Stitcher techniques. The track will combine hands-on machine work as well as using Pro-Stitcher in Simulation mode on your laptop. This track will be full of cool tips and tricks that will take your quilting to the next level.
* This class will NOT cover Pro-Stitcher basics. It is intended for intermediate Pro-Stitcher quilters.
A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (we recommend NOT bringing your Pro-Stitcher tablet), and a laptop charger. Pro-Stitcher and PS Designer should be installed on your laptop, but assistance will be provided on check in day if you need assistance installing onto your laptop.
PS Designer – Basics
Are you looking to make some headway in mastering PS Designer software? This is the place to start! First, we’ll take you on a guided tour of this standalone software. Next, using the available tools, we’ll show you how to create and edit designs. Finally, we’ll show you how to audition designs using backdrop photos. You’ll be coasting through quilts in no time!
This track will cover how to use the PS Designer software. It does not cover how to use your individual computer. You should be comfortable downloading and opening a design and checking email on your computer in order to participate in this class.
*This track WILL NOT include longarm hands-on time. It will be a computer/lecture/demo based track.
A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (we recommend NOT bringing your Pro-Stitcher tablet), and a laptop charger will be required for this track.
Designer + Pro-Stitcher Track
Learn all about Designer + Pro-Stitcher and how they can work together for you! *This track is intended for someone who already has basic skills in both Designer and Pro-Stitcher and will focus on teaching intermediate level skills for both programs.*
The full range of tools available in Designer and Pro-Stitcher will be explored with the projects we will be working on. Let your creativity burst with what you will learn with a couple experts. This track will be taught through a combination of lecture/demo and hands-on classes.
Need: A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (we recommend NOT bringing your Pro-Stitcher tablet), and a laptop charger, will be required for this track.
Custom Quilting with Pro-Stitcher
This intermediate-advanced class is for long-arm quilters wanting to maximize their use of all the bells and whistles Pro-Stitcher has to offer!
Topics covered include: Making designs fit in challenging spaces (blocks, borders, etc), repositioning designs, and more.
*This track WILL NOT include longarm hands-on time. It will be a computer/lecture/demo based track.
A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (we recommend NOT bringing your Pro-Stitcher tablet), and a laptop charger, will be required for this track.
Tuesday, June 24 – Day 1
9:00-4:00 Optional Premium Classes + Experiences
3:00 – 4:30 pm Registration
5:00-7 pm Welcome Dinner + Keynote Speaker MJ Kinman
Wednesday, June 25 – Day 2
7:00-8:00 Breakfast
8:00-9:45 Class
9:45-10:15 Break
10:15-12:00 Class
Lunch 12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:45 Class
2:45-3:15 Break
3:15-5:00 Class
5:00-7:00 Buffet Dinner + Color Theory Seminar
Thursday, June 26 – Day 3
7:00-8:00 Breakfast
8:00-9:45 Class
9:45-10:15 Break
10:15-12:00 Class
Lunch 12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:45 Class
2:45-3:15 Break
3:15-5:00 Class
5:00-6:30 Buffet Dinner
Friday, June 27 – Day 4
7:00-8:00 Breakfast
8:00-9:45 Class
9:45-10:15 Break
10:15-12:00 Class
MJ Kinman’s passion is creating quilts inspired by beautiful gems. The key is freezer paper and MJ is delighted to share her technique with students via in-person and virtual classes.
MJ’s work has been exhibited at the National Quilt Museum, the International Quilt Museum, the New England Quilt Museum, Quilt Festival (Houston, TX), Quilt Week (Paducah, KY), and Festival of Quilts (Birmingham, UK). Most recently, MJ’s piece “Torch Song” was exhibited at the Art Quilt Elements 2024 Biennial (Wayne, PA), where she received the Cindy Friedman Master Award for Excellence.
Her work is included in collections as varied as Maker’s Mark Distillery, the National Quilt Museum (Paducah, KY) and the International Quilt Museum (Lincoln, NE), plus many private collections around the United States.
MJ’s popular Birthstone Series patterns feature traditional birthstone gems, and her Diamond Divas Series offer large, artistic quilts easily customizable by makers. Her first book, Gemstone Quilts, was released by C&T Publishing in 2020.
If your preferred track is unavailable, it is sold out. You can request to be placed on a waitlist for your preferred track.
To be added to a waitlist, please select that option in the registration process. We will let you know if availability opens up, but we cannot guarantee it.
If a spot becomes available, you will receive an email confirming this availability. You will have 24 hours to claim the spot before we will move on to the next person on the waitlist. Be sure to carefully read the Terms & Conditions before registering. We do not offer refunds, only transfers.
If you wish to transfer your registration before 11:59 pm MDT May 31, 2025, you may transfer your registration to another Academy within the next 12 calendar months upon payment of the $250 transfer fee.
Cancellations after June 1, 2025 and no-shows will not be given a transfer option.
By registering for this Academy, you give permission to Handi Quilter to use still and motion pictures and sound recordings of yourself for marketing or promotional purposes.
The conference hotel for Handi Quilter Academy is the Hilton Garden Inn in Layton, UT. The hotel block will open on January 7th, 2025.
Make your reservations by phone: (801) 416-8899, ask for the Handi Quilter block rate (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Be sure to mention Handi Quilter to take advantage of the reduced rates we have negotiated for Handi Quilter Academy.
Hotel amenities
Maps and directions
Guest Rooms
Guest rooms offer one king or two queen or two double beds, hospitality center, high speed Internet access, large business desk, iron/ironing board, hair dryer, coffeemaker, refrigerator, microwave, two line phones and voicemail.
You may also choose one of the other hotels near the Davis Conference Center. Many are within walking distance, but if not, you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the Davis Conference Center.
Home2Suites by Hilton, Layton – (801) 820-9222 Special Rate Available
Fairfield by Marriott, Layton – (801) 444-1600
Hampton Inn, Layton
Holiday Inn Express, Layton
Best Western Plus Layton Park, Layton
Towneplace by Marriott, Layton
Courtyard by Marriott, Layton
Comfort Inn, Layton
La Quinta, Layton
“The approach to Salt Lake International Airport is one of the most impressive in the country, with the Wasatch Mountains rising abruptly to the east and the Great Salt Lake glistening to the north. From the air you get a great view of Salt Lake’s downtown district and you see just how close, and convenient, the airport is to the city.
Salt Lake City International Airport is located just five miles northwest and 10 minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City. Buses, trains and parking lots are all accessible at the airport. The airport works with all major U.S. airlines, including American, Alaska Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, US Airways, Continental, SkyWest, JetBlue, and United; it services several non-stop international flights.”
The Davis Conference Center is located off I-15 in Layton, Utah, and is just 20 minutes north of the Salt Lake International Airport. Utah’s Frontrunner Commuter Rail system is only minutes away. The Salt Lake International Airport Website provides additional transportation information for your convenience including Trax, buses, shuttles, cabs, Paratrans, and route/parking information.
Public transportation to and from the Salt Lake City International Airport is provided by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA)
The address to enter for your destination is:
1651 North 700 West
Layton, Utah 84041
Shuttles, Taxi, Uber, Limo, or other transportations can be found on their pages, or summarized on the Salt Lake City Airport Transportation Page.
Other Ground Transportations including Rental Cars, Taxi and other options can be found at: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/getting-around/ground-transportation
We do not offer meal tickets. Meals and snacks are for paid Academy attendee’s ONLY.
The Davis County Office of Tourism is your comprehensive link to one of the most beautiful and thriving areas along Utah’s Wasatch mountains—visit their website to catch a glimpse of what Davis County has to offer. From renowned and mature golf courses to sea kayaking on the Great Salt Lake, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy weather you’re visiting for business or for pleasure
There are dozens of restaurants near the Davis Conference Center.
Certainly not! We are offering classes for all skill levels. If you are still getting to know your machine, you may want to consider registering for one of the Free-Motion Quilting tracks.
There are several quilt shops to choose from. However, you will need a car to get to them.
K & H Quilt Shoppe (4.2 miles) 250 W 200 N #4, Kaysville, UT – (801) 444-4375
Quilter’s Attic (19.9 miles) 2155 So. Orchard Drive, #102 , Bountiful, UT – (801) 292-1710
My Heritage Fabrics (15.2 miles) 1843 Valley Drive (in Rainbow Gardens), Ogden, UT – (801) 621-2202
Definitely. In fact, we recommend that you register for the Free-Motion Basics track. It is designed to give the novice a basic understanding of how the machine and longarm quilting works.
If you wish to transfer your registration before 11:59 pm MDT May 31, 2025, you may transfer your registration to another Academy within the next 12 calendar months upon payment of the $250 transfer fee.
Cancellations after June 1, 2025 and no-shows will not be given a transfer option.
June has an average high temperature of 79 degrees and an average low temperature of 55 degrees. You can check the weather forecast within about 10 days of academy weather here: https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USUT0139:1:US
Here is a link to the driving directions for the Davis Conference Center. The address is: 800 West Heritage Park Blvd., Layton, Utah 84041
NOTE: If you are not renting a car, be sure to reserve a shuttle, Uber or Lyft to and from the airport.
The dress code for Academy is casual. We recommend comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and that include layers. Although it most likely will be warm outside, the air conditioning can make parts of the conference center cool so we recommend layers. Comfy shoes are a must! This year our theme is Sparkle and Glow, so we invite you to join us in adding some sparkle to your outfits with fun accessories. Tiaras, broaches, bracelets and anything else that makes you smile are highly recommended!
We work closely with the Davis County Convention Center to ensure the safest education environment possible. We will closely follow all recommended safety protocols throughout the event. Academy participants must agree to follow the same protocols in order to participate.
Anyone who
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