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APQS Classes


Training Classes


Register: 1-800-426-7233 | Click Here For Directions To APQS | Click Here for Schedule

APQS offers two unique long arm quilting classes each month at its showroom and training center in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition, several two-day maintenance classes are offered at the APQS Factory in Carroll, Iowa. We have also scheduled some beginner and advanced beginner classes in Des Moines in conjunction with the maintenance classes offered in Carroll, to make your educational experience more complete.

To reserve space in a beginner or advanced beginner class, please call 1-800-426-7233 and ask for Dawn or email her at dawn@apqs.com. Occasionally conflicts arise that require us to change class dates. Therefore, please call and verify class openings or date changes before making any travel arrangements.

Beginner Class in Longarm Machine Quilting

With the beginner class offered at APQS, our goal is to teach you the skills you'll need to accomplish a typical quilting project on your new longarm machine. Whether you intend to start a business or just want to get your quilts done faster, you'll learn valuable techniques to accomplish your projects creatively and efficiently. This class is mostly "demonstration" so we can squeeze in as much information as possible. Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and are typically finished between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m., depending on student questions.

We will cover specific topics during each class, however, each class is unique and based on the needs of the students. We encourage questions and active participation -- you're here to learn!
 
Some of the areas covered during this six-hour class include:
  • Business tips
  • Supply issues
  • Machine functions
  • Maintenance
  • Customer contact and consultation.
  • Different ways to load a quilt
  • How to conquer pantographs
  • Basic custom quilting skills like border designs, blocks, stitching in the ditch, and more

Dawn Cavanaugh, APQS National Education Director, shares her 15 years of experience with you as the class instructor. Attendance is limited. The beginner's class is free within one year of the purchase of a new or certified used APQS machine.

Advanced Beginner Longarm Machine Quilting

This 6-hour follow-up class to the beginner class at APQS takes you beyond pantographs and simple overall designs and pushes you to become more comfortable with your freehand quilting skills. You'll have classroom time as well as hands-on machine time during the day. While you will still have to practice what you learn once you get home, you'll have a head start on design skills, pattern selection and execution. You may wish to bring a notebook, camera and any questions you have been accumulating about how to take your quilting to the next level. Classes begin at 9:30 a.m., with a majority of the afternoon for hands-on experience.
 
Here are just some of the techniques you'll learn:
  • How to deal with less common quilt situations such as flannel, batik and polar fleece
  • Batting and thread choices
  • Designing your own patterns
  • Using quilting to camouflage poorly constructed quilts
  • Beginning feather and background design quilting techniques.

You'll have plenty of time to practice your new skills during the hands-on practice time built in to the course. Dawn Cavanaugh, APQS National Education Director, teaches this class. Attendance is limited. The Advanced Beginner Quilting Class fee is $200 for the full day of training, including lunch.


Maintenance Classes


Register: 1-800-426-7233 | Click Here For Directions To APQS | Click Here for Schedule

Learn how to keep your quilting machine running like new! These APQS classes are taught by the very people who hand-assembled your quilting machine, right at the factory in Carroll, Iowa. Amy Anderson, our head service technician, leads you through the very basics of machine maintenance, all the way through more in-depth service such as timing and motor brushes. Other topics include tension issues, thread and needles, wheel adjustments, hook maintenance and more. Be prepared to literally "get your hands dirty" as you work on a machine right in the shop! We supply notebooks and paper, but you might want to bring your camera or camcorder with you!

These classes have so much information packed into them that we cannot accomplish everything in just one day! Classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited space available for each session. To check on availability and reserve a space, call our toll-free number at 1-800-426-7233 and ask for Misty.

The fee for this two-day class is $400, payable in advance. Lunch each day is on your own. Use the link below to explore all that Carroll has to offer. In addition, we recommend you make hotel reservations in Carroll for the evening between classes. One hotel close to the factory is the Super 8; their local reservation number is 1-712-792-6666. Please note: because these classes fill so quickly, your class fee is non-refundable.

If you are interested in taking one of the beginner or advanced beginner longarm quilting classes in our Des Moines Training Center in conjunction with your maintenance class, you will also need to contact Dawn at the toll-free number to reserve a space.