Handi Quilter to host four days of longarm classes at The National Quilt Museum

Handi Quilter will bring four days of hands-on longarm quilting classes to The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, from Oct. 21-24, 2026. The workshop series is open to in-person and virtual participants and is designed for beginners through experienced machine owners.

Why it matters: - The workshop gives quilters a chance to learn longarm techniques from a nationally recognized educator in a museum setting. - The program is built for both first-time learners and current machine owners who want to build skills. - The event expands access with both in-person seats and a virtual option.

What happened: - Handi Quilter will present four days of longarm quilting education at The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, Oct. 21-24, 2026. - The classes are offered in partnership with The National Quilt Museum. - Participants can attend in person or register for a virtual option. - The series will be taught by Handi Quilter Educator Nicholas Turcan, founder of Mystery Stitch Designs.

The details: - The curriculum includes longarm fundamentals, free-motion quilting, ruler work, creative quilting techniques, and design strategies for borders, blocks, and backgrounds. - Two optional project classes will let participants apply new skills. - Each day includes two three-hour classes, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with a lunch break between sessions. - In-person classes are limited to 12 participants. - Two students will share each HQ Amara Longarm machine. - Handi Quilter will provide longarm machines and sewing supplies. - Paradise Pick’n & Stitch’n will supply fabric and batting. - No previous longarm quilting experience is required. - Participants can register for either of two two-day sessions or combine both for the full four-day experience. - Workshop dates and classes are listed as follows: - Oct. 21: Confident Stitches: Longarm Quilting Basics; Funky, Fresh & Fabulous Free-Motion Quilting - Oct. 22: Rock Your Rulers; Longarm Project – Thread Bag, with a kit fee - Oct. 23: You Can Do That on a Longarm?; Fabulous Feet for Fun Quilting - Oct. 24: Brilliant Borders, Bold Blocks & Beautiful Backgrounds; Longarm Project – Box Bag, with a kit fee - Registration options include in-person tickets for Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 23-24, plus virtual tickets for the same two sessions. - In-person registration costs $299 and includes lunch. - National Quilt Museum Benefactors and above pay $241.20 for in-person registration. - Virtual registration costs $52.60. - National Quilt Museum Benefactors and above pay $42.08 for virtual registration. - Registration is now open through The National Quilt Museum’s website. - More information about Nicholas Turcan is available on Mystery Stitch or the Mystery Stitch Designs YouTube channel. - The National Quilt Museum’s social accounts listed in the release include Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The limited in-person class size and shared machines suggest the museum is emphasizing individualized instruction over large-group attendance. - The virtual option broadens the audience beyond Paducah and makes the program accessible to quilters who cannot travel. - The mix of fundamentals, advanced techniques, and project-based classes points to a workshop designed to serve multiple skill levels in one offering.

What's next: - Quilters can register now for a two-day session or the full four-day experience. - Participants choosing the project classes should expect additional kit fees. - The October workshop series will run over two weekends, giving attendees a choice between the first and second half of the program.