Stitched in Vermont – 2027
A Skill-Building Quilt Retreat with Barbara Dann of Alleycat Quiltworks
April 21–25, 2027
Strong House Inn • Vergennes, Vermont
Escape to Vermont for four days of quilting, learning, laughter, and plenty of uninterrupted sewing time at the beautiful Strong House Inn. During this relaxed, skill-building retreat, quilters will choose between two striking projects — Grand Central or Hunter’s Sky — both designed by Michelle Hiatt of Sew On the Go and created using Studio 180 Design tools.
Whether you’re new to Studio 180 tools or already have a few favorites in your sewing room, Barbara will guide you through the techniques step by step, with demonstrations, individual help, and plenty of time to work at your own pace.
Choose Your Project:
Grand Central
Inspired by the architecture and energy of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, this quilt combines Wedge Star and Celestial Star blocks with a pieced Snail’s Trail border. The result is a dynamic quilt filled with movement and visual interest.
Hunter’s Sky
Hunter’s Sky combines Hunter’s Star and Nine-Patch Star blocks to create layers of eight-pointed stars and beautiful circular movement. It’s a wonderful choice for bright fabrics, coordinated scraps, or a favorite collection.
Both projects offer plenty of opportunities to improve accuracy, build confidence, and strengthen your piecing skills while learning techniques you can use in future quilts.
What to Expect
Four days of instruction and open sewing time, hands-on practice with Studio 180 Design tools, step-by-step demonstrations, individual help, and a relaxed atmosphere filled with fellow quilters.
The retreat is appropriate for confident beginners through experienced quilters.
Come spend four days sewing, learning, laughing, and enjoying springtime in Vermont with a wonderful group of quilters.
About Barbara Dann:
Barbara Dann is a longarm quilter, instructor, and lifelong maker who believes quilting should be fun, creative, and far less stressful than we sometimes make it. With more than 26 years of quilting experience, Barbara brings both technical knowledge and a
relaxed sense of humor to her teaching. She specializes in Studio 180 Design and Sew Kind of Wonderful tools and techniques, helping quilters build confidence, improve accuracy, and enjoy plenty of “aha!” moments along the way. Her classes are welcoming, encouraging, and firmly quilt-police-free. For Barbara, quilting is as
much about creativity, connection, and laughter as it is about the finished quilt.
