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Judy Niemeyer Class Retreats

 

Woodside Quilting brings Judy Niemeyer Retreats to Central Iowa and Des Moines!

Want to learn how to make and create beautiful paper pieced projects? 

Then come to one of our Judy Niemeyer class/retreats to learn and grow your paper piecing skills. 

We have 4 Judy Niemeyer Retreats planned in 2025 and more coming in 2026 and 2027.
These are all now 3 day Class retreats.
The class/retreats are Friday, Saturday and Sundays, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM for teaching. You are then welcome to stay until 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday to continue to sew with May Black on your projects. We have an optional dinner brought in for those who want to partake for a charge. 

There are NO REFUNDS for these classes. You can move your class ahead ONE TIME if there is an emergency. The current year is on our website to sign up. Years 2026 will be updated on our website to sign up in the fall of the previous year.

Pre-class Workshop
We have a Pre-cutting (prep) classes prior to our classes with May Black for those who are just getting started or who have never done paper peicing. Once signed up you will get a call from one of our "Judy Niemeyer" Embassador's to help you choose your pattern and fabrics (if you haven't already) as well as prepare for your class with May Black. This will help you prepare your fabrics and papers so you can take full advantage of the time with May Black. 
(There is a nominal charge for this class)

A 6 DAY RETREAT WITH CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR MAY BLACK IS PLANNED AGAIN FOR FEBRUARY 2025 MONDAY FEBRUARY 17TH - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 2025. YOU CAN SEW FROM 9:00 - 8:00 PM MONDAY - FRIDAY. WE WILL END AT 4:00 ON SATURDAY THE 22ND.
THIS INCLUDES 11 HOURS OF SEWING EACH DAY. 7 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION FROM MAY BLACK. A $100 WELCOME GOODIE BAG.
OVER $300 OF GIVE AWAYS WITH LUNCH AND DINNER AND SNACKS PROVIDED EACH DAY! 
LET US KNOW WHAT PATTERN YOU WANT TO COMPLETE DURING THIS 6 DAY RETREAT AND WE WILL ORDER IT FOR YOU AND HELP YOU CURATE YOUR FABRICS!
WE MAY BE PLANNING AN EXCLUSIVE PATTERN AND FABRICS FOR THIS WEEK LONG RETEAT.
(We need 8 people in order to have this week long retreat) 
Sign up below for this wonderful retreat 

6 Day Judy Niemeyer retreat sign up

 

2025 Retreats: 

February Mon. 17th - Sat. 22nd. 
9:30 - 8:00 pm
This is a 6 day retreat see the details under our class listings. 

April 25th, 26th, 27th 9:30 – 4:30 (Fri/Sat/Sun)

July 25th, 26th & 27th 9:30 – 4:30 (Fri/Sat/Sun)

October - TBD

 






2026 Retreats: 

 



2027 Retreats: 

 













 

Judy’s first patterns were created to be used as teaching tools to assist her in teaching, what was to her, a new technique called Foundation Paper Piecing. She saw the ability in this technique for quilters with minimal experience to be able to create intricate and complex heirloom quality quilts. Judy’s insight was based on 20 years of experience as a professional hand quilter where she struggled with different methods used to create new quilts, finish other quilts, or repair damaged quilts. What she saw in Foundation Paper Piecing was a complete set of easily trained skills that creates an overall process that can be taught over several days. Judy’s desire is to create an extensive support group that consists of patterns, an international network of certified instructors and shops and a select group of fabric design and manufacturing companies that understand and support your fabric needs for your project.

In 2010, Quiltworx.com ventured into a new concept in to help answer a growing demand for teaching, which involved Certifying Instructors for teaching techniques and patterns. The program has been a tremendous success and has helped reach so many shops and students she never would have been able to reach. The feedback she has received from students in classes and shop owners alike can be summed up by no more than a simple...Thank You.

Judy’s Certified Instructors are specifically trained for the following:

  • Teach Patterns they have completed and Can Provide Samples.
  • Conduct Lectures and Trunk Shows with Quilt Shops and Guilds
  • Teach at Quilt Shows and Conferences and Provide a Vendor Booth,
  • Provide Assistance in doing Demonstrations and Kitting for Quiltworx patterns and notions.
  • Offer Samples, as they have available, and Advertise Classes.
  • Teach Judy's Technique of the Month Programs and share that knowledge. 

 

Judy Niemeyer





Woodside Quilting brings Certified Instructor May Black to central Iowa
and to our quilt shop for fun filled Judy Niemeyer class retreats!

 

Our Certified Instructor – May Black


May’s journey in her own words……….

 I was born and raised in Minnesota. Missouri has been my home for the last 20 years. I started working with color when I was very young. My Grandma made quilts and I got to iron the fabric scraps for her. The only quilts I knew how to make back then were very simple ones with 6″ blocks. n 1993, I joined a quilt guild. A whole new world opened up for me. I took as many classes as I could and I have been learning ever since. One of those classes was with Catherine Erickson in Minnesota in 2010. I had paper pieced before but the Judy Niemeyer patterns looked so complicated and I figured if I took the class, it would be a whole lot easier. Catherine had a weekend retreat and I went up there to learn the Judy Niemeyer technique of paper piecing. I was so hooked! I love the organization and the step by step instructions. No guess work and everything fits! Paper piecing is my favorite quilting technique. Catherine told me about the certified instructor program for Judy Niemeyer. I signed up for a retreat out in Montana with Judy. I talked with Judy and she said that I should apply. I applied to be a certified instructor but I thought I would not make it the first round. When I was actually picked…I was on cloud 9 for a long time. This was a major accomplishment for me. I look forward to sharing Judy’s techniques and methods with you as we create amazing and beautiful quilts. I am determined to help you get through and enjoy this journey. Rest assured you are in good hands and I am at your disposal for any help you may need.

 

Woodside Quilting Judy Niemeyer Foundation Paper Piecing Classes

Our retreats will focus on YOU and YOUR paper piecing projects you would like to complete. 

Our retreats will offer 3 - 4 more simplified smaller project patterns. So if you are a 

“beginning paper piecer” we can re-introduce you to what Foundation Paper Piecing is all about and get you started off right! 

If you have been doing foundation paper piecing and want to learn more advanced skills or start a larger more difficult project we will also offer in the same retreat time those “skill building” techniques. 

In both instances you will be on your way to creating beautiful heirloom projects large or small. 

These will be your creations you can call your own and cherish for years to come. 

Our Certified Judy Niemeyer teacher “May” will help you with pattern and fabric choices as well. 

This is a class to be able to work on ANY Judy Niemeyer or similar paper piecing project. 

So don’t be intimidated or scared of these beautiful creations, you too can learn these skills to create treasured Heirloom quilts and projects that will last for years to come. 

Join us on a beautiful fun filled exciting journey with Judy Niemeyer Foundation Paper piecing! 

Friday,  Saturday and Sunday will include a light lunch. There is also a 15% discount for regular priced fabrics and notions for your projects. 

Retreats are 9:30 am – 4:30 pm each day for the instruction with May Black.

Once you find your pattern (s) that you would like to work on either call or email the shop and we will order the pattern for you so you can receive your class discount. Also it is recommended that you come early and choose your fabrics for your projects to utilize your retreat time unless you are wanting May Black to help in your fabric choices. You will also receive 15% off your fabrics, Judy Niemeyer Kits and supplies for each of your projects. 

 

There are NO Refunds for these retreats. Due to limited seating and the cost, we are NOT offering class refunds. IF you have to cancel for sickness or a family emergency you can carryforward your retreat fees onetime to another Judy Niemeyer retreat.
These fees are also not transferable. 

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Hotel Accommodations 
If you are not near the Des Moines area and you are traveling, we have secured a corporate rate with the Hampton Inn & Suites in Ankeny, just 8 minutes from Woodside Quilting. The corporate rate is $109.00 per night with a free breakfast. Call the hotel directly to make your reservation and mention you are needing the Woodside Quilting Corporate rate for an event. You need to call the hotel and make this reservation directly with them not through a 3rd party. If you have questions or issues, please call the store and ask to speak to Warren or Marty. 

Hampton Inn & Suites 6210 SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021 – 515 261-4400.

 






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