I’m Teaching at QuiltCon
For the fourth year in a row, I’m honored to announce I’m teaching at QuiltCon!
It will be held next year in Raleigh, North Carolina. I’m teaching two classes: one new and one familiar favorite.
QuiltCon 2026
Design that Quilt!
Jumpstart your journey into quilt design with this fast-paced, no-sew all design workshop! You’ll learn the fundamentals of the quilt design process and discover a flexible method you can adapt to suit your personal style and each unique project. Starting with inspiration, we’ll cover how to define your design parameters, choose construction methods, and begin working through the necessary math. We’ll also explore different design tools and principles. This workshop combines lecture, discussion, and interactive activities, and you’ll leave with a complete quilt design of your own!
The design process can feel like a “black box” but I demystify it and turn inspiration into design.
Plan your Quilting
Do you get stuck asking yourself, “How do I quilt this?” In this workshop, we experience the adventure of developing a quilting plan. In a "choose your own adventure" style, students will work through a variety of exercises to learn to analyze, strategize, and implement a unique modern quilting plan.
Students will learn to identify constraints, evaluate quilting options, follow a decision-making process, and make a quilting plan that strengthens and aligns with the quilt's message. This three-hour workshop includes instructive lecture, discussion, and time for practice.
Students of all levels can enjoy and take something away from this workshop! Karen will focus on design, and not instruction on how to quilt. Leave this workshop with a newfound confidence and a plan to quilt one of your own quilts!
Planning what to do with the quilting can feel like a survival adventure. I make it as fun as can be!
New Here?
I’m Karen Bolan, a quilt teacher, lecturer, and pattern designer in Santa Rosa, California. With a background in civil engineering, my designs are out of the box, and integrate a love of geometry, experimentation, interconnection, depth, and texture. My work has been featured in magazines, recently including Quilts Japan, Make Modern, and the QuiltCon Magazine. My quilts have been exhibited locally and nationally, including Pacific International Quilt Festival, QuiltCon, and the deYoung Museum.
I teach and lecture for quilt guilds and sell patterns through my online shop. All my classes are skill-based, and my patterns stand out as teaching tools. Thank you so much for visiting! Will I see you at the show?
Here I am with my students at QuiltCon 2023
