Anyone who

• Already has a Handi Quilter machine and wants to finish more quilts
• Is considering the purchase of a Handi Quilter longarm quilting machine or Pro-Stitcher (You can try before you buy and then take advantage of Handi Quilter Academy show pricing!)
• Is a Handi Quilter retailer and wants to improve their own skills
• Loves Handi Quilter machines and the HQ community as much as we do
• Wants to become proficient in free-motion quilting
• Wants to become proficient in using Pro-Stitcher
• Wants to become an advanced user of Pro-Stitcher
• Wants to become proficient in using PS Designer
• Is interested in furthering their machine-quilting skills and connecting with other quilters

We are working closely with the Davis County Convention Center and considering state and federal guidelines to ensure the safest education environment possible. While local and CDC guidelines may change between now and June, we will closely follow all recommended safety protocols throughout the event. Academy participants must agree to follow the same protocols in order to participate.

Academy is happening, but because safety guidelines may change between now and June, we ask for your patience as we finalize safety protocols in June.

***Here is an example of what was done in 2022 – Classes will be announced early 2023***

Want to know a basic rundown of your itinerary? Look no further! We’ve organized classes into skill- and education-focused paths to help you make strides toward your desired destination. These classes are available to quilters of different skill-levels but are designed to make sure you’ll leave HQ Academy 2022 with stronger skills! Choose the path that best suits your skill-level.

Free-Motion Quilting Paths:

Free-Motion Quilting – Stationary Machine (Beginner)

If you’re a beginner and the thought of transitioning from a domestic machine to a frame-mounted machine scares you, don’t worry. You’re not alone! We’ve got an easy path for you to take to give you a solid quilting foundation on a stationary longarm machine. On this journey, we will give you an all-inclusive tour of a longarm machine and show you how to manage large quilts, use free-motion techniques to fill negative space, and quilt with rulers. We’ll also create a fun project or two!

Free-Motion Quilting – The Next Step – Stationary Machine (Advanced Beginner and Beyond)

So you’ve mastered the basics of free-motion quilting on a stationary machine. Are you ready to take a few steps outside your comfort zone and venture into some new terrain of free-motion quilting? Let’s do it! We will be going through a variety of hands-on, lecture, and demo classes focused on free-motion skills and quilting with rulers. If you’re ready to take your free-motion quilting on a stationary machine to the next level, this is the track for you.

Free-Motion Quilting – Frame-Mounted Machine (Beginner)

Are you ready to take a few steps outside your comfort zone and venture into the terrain of free-motion quilting on a frame-mounted machine? Let’s do it! We will be going through a variety of hands-on, lecture, and demo classes focused on free-motion skills and quilting with rulers. If you’re ready to take your free-motion quilting to the next level, this is the track for you.

Free-Motion Quilting – The Next Step – Frame-Mounted Machine (Advanced Beginner and Beyond)

So you’ve mastered the basics of free-motion quilting. Let’s take some more strides using a frame-mounted machine for free-motion quilting. We will be going through a variety of hands-on, lecture, and demo classes focused on free-motion skills and quilting with rulers.

Pro-Stitcher Tracks:

Pro-Stitcher – Basics (Beginner)

Cruise your way to the wonderful world of computerized quilting on the Pro-Stitcher path. You will be amazed at the things that this program and machine can do for your quilting. There will be a combination of hands-on classes and lectures with Simulation Mode. This track will also include an intro class for PS Designer.

Pro-Stitcher – The Next Step (Advanced Beginner and Beyond)

If you are well on your way and comfortable using Pro-Stitcher, 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 and lectures, where you will be working with your computer in Simulation Mode. This group will be full of tips and tricks for using Pro-Stitcher. In addition, there will also be a class teaching you how to edit basic designs in PS Designer.

This class will NOT cover Pro-Stitcher basics. If you do not have the skills outlined in the Pro-Stitcher – Basics class, you will be moved into that track to better suit your needs.

A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (too many wireless mice in one room can cause interference), laptop charger, and USB stick will be required for this track. Design files will also be available to download.

PS Designer – Basics (Advanced Beginner and Beyond)

Are you looking to make some headway in the 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 by making a sampler. Finally, we’ll show you how to audition designs using backdrop photos. You’ll be coasting through quilts in no time!

A personal laptop with a trackpad or wired mouse (too many wireless mice in one room can cause interference), laptop charger, and USB stick will be required for this track. Design files will also be available to download.

Additional Information:

• All paths will include hands-on as well as lecture- and demo-style classes.
• The free-motion, frame-mounted machine classes are hands on and taught on an HQ Amara with two people per machine.
• The free-motion, stationary machine classes are hands on and taught on an HQ stationary machine with two people per machine.
• The Pro-Stitcher hands-on classes are taught on an HQ Amara with the latest version of Pro-Stitcher and two people per machine.
• Skillbuilder mini classes will be held for more hands-on opportunities.

Shop Hop (optional)

The best way to travel is to make sure you’re checking out all your destination has to offer. Enter the Shop Hop! On the final day of HQ Academy, we’ll go out to lunch and then to a couple of different local quilt shops. Your final destination will be the Handi Quilt headquarters where you will get a guided tour by a studio educator and a catered meal to finish off the night. It’s going to be the perfect way to wrap up your trip!

***Here is an example of what was done in 2022 – Schedule will be announced early 2023***

Tuesday, June 14

5:00 PM: Welcome reception and dinner at the Davis Conference Center

Wednesday, June 15

7:00 AM: Breakfast provided

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Classes

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Explore Skillbuilders and demos

12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch provided

1:00–5:00 PM: Classes

4:15–5:00 PM: Explore Skillbuilders and demos

6:00 PM: Dinner—on your own

Thursday, June 16

7:00 AM: Breakfast provided

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Classes

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Explore Skillbuilders and demos

12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch provided

1:00–5:00 PM: Classes

4:15–5:00 PM: Explore Skillbuilders and demos

5:00 PM: Dinner provided. Keynote address

Friday, June 17

7:00 AM: Breakfast provided

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Classes

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Explore Skillbuilders and demos

12:00 PM: Academy finished!

12:00 PM: OPTIONAL – Lunch, Shop Hop, HQ Tour, and Dinner

***Presenters will be announced early 2023***

The conference hotel for Handi Quilter Academy is the Hilton Garden Inn in Layton, UT.

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 details
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
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

Please note Handi Quilter is not responsible for transportation or details. We merely provide options here for our attendees.

Flying – Salt Lake International Airport

“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, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, US Airways, Continental, SkyWest, jetBlue, and United; it services several non-stop international flights.”

(Utah.com)

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.

Express Shuttle – 801-596-1600 – Use code 38570
Uber
Lyft

Utah Transit Authority – (Trax, Bus & Trolley)

Public transportation to and from the Salt Lake City International Airport is provided by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA).

The TRAX/light rail Green Line leaves the airport every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends.  The TRAX stop is located at the south end of Terminal One. To locate the TRAX stop, visit our Airport Terminal Map.

Weekdays: 5:42 a.m. to 11:27 p.m.

Weekends: 6:31 a.m. to 11:11 p.m.

Local Bus 628  – The Midtown Trolley

The Midtown Trolley provides a free local service every 30 minutes around the area including service to Layton and Clearfield Stations on the FrontRunner Train.   At the airport you can buy a $3.70 Frontrunner Ticket to Layton and then you can take any Trax Light Rail (Green Line 704 toward West Valley Central) 5 stops to North Temple Bridge / Guadalupe Stop, transfer to  FrontRunner (750 toward Ogden – FrontRunner is closed on Sunday) 3 stops to Layton and take the free 628 bus to your hotel or the convention center. If you just buy the 2.50 Trax Light Right ticket at the Airport, don’t worry. At North Temple Bridge you can pay only the extra 1.20 by specifying you have a transfer from Trax.

UTA Paratransit Service

Public transportation for passengers with disabilities is provided by UTA’s Paratransit program. To make arrangements, contact UTA at (801) 287-7433 and visit the UTA Paratransit Services page for more information.

Bus & Trolley Services

You can find any planning and route tools at the Utah Transit Authority Website. Please keep in mind the UTA site generally does not update routes and/or issues with routes more than 30-60 days out. Plan to mark your route using their tools a couple weeks before your trip to Utah. The address to enter for your destination is:

1651 North 700 West

Layton, Utah  84041

This address will pull up information to take Trax or Bus to the North Temple UTA stop. From there you can chose to take Light Rail/Trax to Clearfield and the Trolley or Bus to your destination of the Davis Conference Center.

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

Will there be options to attend Academy virtually?

While we would love to have everyone attend HQ Academy 2022 in person, we realize that isn’t an option this year. We will have educator-lead classes and an opportunity to share some of the Academy experience virtually this year. Stay tuned!

My spouse or friend is coming with me, but he or she isn’t going to attend the training. Can he or she eat meals with me?

Due to local safety regulations, we do not anticipate being able to offer meal tickets this year.

What is there to do in the area?

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

What dining options are available in the area?

There are dozens of restaurants near the Davis Conference Center.

I recently purchased my Handi Quilter machine. Will Handi Quilter Academy be too advanced for me?

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.

Are there any quilt shops in the area?

There are several quilt shops to choose from. However, you will need a car to get 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
Jewel’s Fabric Stash (17.8 miles) 575 West 2600 South, Bountiful, UT – (385) 777-2957
My Heritage Fabrics (15.2 miles) 1843 Valley Drive (in Rainbow Gardens), Ogden, UT – (801) 621-2202

I don’t yet have a longarm quilting machine, but am considering one. Does it make sense for me to attend Handi Quilter Academy?

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.

What is the cancellation policy if I have to cancel?

If you cancel before April 30, 2022, you will receive a 100% refund. If you cancel after April 30, 2022, you will not receive a refund of your original payment; however, we can roll your deposit over to be used towards the 2023 HQ Academy. There are no refunds for no-shows.

What will the weather be like during Handi Quilter Academy?

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

We will be driving to Handi Quilter Academy. What’s the best way to get there?

Here is a link to the driving directions for the Davis Conference Center. The address is: 800 West Heritage Park Blvd., Layton, Utah 84041

• Start out going northwest on TERMINAL toward LONG TERM PARKING A.
• Continue going straight onto AIRPORT EXIT.
• Merge onto I-80E towards Ogden/Provo.
• Merge onto I-215N via exit #117 towards Ogden. Merge onto I-15 N.
• Take exit #331 for Hill Field Road and turn right onto Hill Field Road.
• Continue on Hill Field Road for about .6 mile and turn left onto 1550/Heritage Park Blvd.
• The Davis Conference Center is at 800 Heritage Park Blvd. If you are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, it is at 762 West Heritage Park Blvd.

Google Maps Directions

NOTE: If you are not renting a car, be sure to reserve a shuttle, Uber or Lyft to and from the airport.