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what you’ll experience

Whether you're here to learn, shop, or simply connect with your quilting community, 

Stitch & Save Days is designed to inspire and empower. Each day is packed with opportunities to explore, create, and grow — all in a warm, welcoming environment.

Live Demos, Real Answers

See our full machine lineup in action — including new models and setups for every quilting level.

Behind-the-Scenes Access

Tour Nolting's factory floor and meet the team building your machine.

Hands-On Learning

Join expert-led classes on longarm techniques, quilting for business, and machine mastery

A Quilting Community Like No Other

Connect with fellow quilters, seasoned instructors, and the Nolting family — all under one roof.

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Level up your quilting skills—reserve your seat in one of our hands-on FREE or paid classes today!

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Come On Over

Stop by our open house for demos, deals, and a behind-the-scenes look—RSVP now and join the fun for FREE!

4 days of 
inspiration, education, and exclusive savings 

"Visiting Nolting HQ was the turning point for me. The demos, the people, the education 
I left with confidence and a new machine that fits me perfectly."

— Karen D., Michigan, July 2024

Day 1: Beginner/ Considering a Longarm?

📅 Wednesday, July 22

📍 Nolting Headquarters – Hiawatha, Iowa 1420 Stamy Rd.

Day 1 is a full intro to longarm quilting—mixing demos, a factory tour, and beginner-friendly classes. You’ll get your big questions answered, learn core quilting and maintenance basics, explore automation options, and wrap up with hands-on getting started in QuiltMagine.

Longarming and You: A Beginner's Guide to Longarming

Instructor: Kayla Nau & Sabrina Miller

Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

New to longarming? This hands-on, beginner-friendly class walks you through the essentials—how the machine works, what will suit you best, simple techniques, and best practices so you can start quilting with confidence. It’s a clear, supportive introduction with plenty of time to ask questions (and get real answers).

We’ll cover the fundamentals you actually need to get started, including:

  • Warm-up basics + winding a bobbin
  • Batting, thread, needle choices (and how each one changes the look and feel of your finished quilt)
  • Loading, basting, and loading options so you can choose what fits your workflow
  • Quilting approaches like pantographs, QuiltMagine, free motion, and ruler work
  • Tension basics and common issues that can pop up (plus what to check first)
  • Basic maintenance to keep your machine running smoothly

Whether you’re brand new or you’ve only tried a few stitches and still feel unsure, you’ll leave with a stronger foundation—and a plan for what to do next.

 

Spaces are limited—reserve your seat early.

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Getting Started with Quiltmagine

Instructor: Joyce Blowers

 

Time: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Jump-start the Quiltmagine learning curve.  This hands-on class is for new QM owners, those who have purchased, but haven’t received their system, and those considering purchasing QM.  Class will cover important topics such as tablet setup, program setup, and making settings in the program for the quilting results you want. Demonstrated at the frame, you will see how easy it is to quilt blocks, design pantographs , and stitch pantos with zone stitching.  This class will lower the learning curve and increase confidence in using QM.

 

Supply list: tablet or laptop with QM, charging cord, notebook (notes provided) 

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FREE Seminars & Demos (Wednesday)

Attend the event and unlock these complimentary demos (a $125 value) FREE.

Longarm 101: Start Smart

Instructor: Joyce Blowers, Melissa McAfee, Kayla Nau

Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Thinking about owning a longarm? This beginner-friendly seminar walks you through what to consider before you buy, how to get started with confidence, and what to expect day-to-day. You’ll also see a live machine demo and have plenty of time for Q&A so you can make a clear, informed next step.

 

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Ruler Work Techniques

Instructor: Kayla Nau

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Learn how to build a quilt that looks polished and intentional from edge to edge. In this class, we’ll piece borders and sashing together step-by-step so you can see the full quilt come to life, then talk through how to quilt it using a mix of ruler work for precision and free-motion for flow. You’ll leave with a clearer plan for measuring, aligning, and finishing borders and sashing with confidence.

 

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Should I consider adding Automation Seminar

Instructor: Joyce Blowers

Time: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Is automation right for me and my quilting journey?  I just want to quilt for myself and maybe do charity quilts.  Do I need to free-motion quilt first?  Is it hard to learn?  Will automation help make better-looking quilts?  Should I buy now or wait? 

 

As you explore the possibility of longarm automation, join us to see what automation is about and get answers to these questions and others you may have so that you can make the best decision for you quilting journey.   

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Tech Time

Instructor: Scott Owen

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Tech Time is a casual, bring-your-lunch Q&A where you can sit down with a Nolting technician and pick their brain. Ask anything—tension, troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrades, best practices—and get straight answers from the source: the people who build and service your machine every day.

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Day 2: Create & Inspire

📅 Thursday, July 23

📍 Nolting Headquarters – Hiawatha, Iowa 1420 Stamy Rd.

Day 2 is all about creating and getting inspired. You’ll spend the day exploring fun projects and fresh QuiltMagine ideas, with plenty of time for demos, questions, and hands-on learning—plus technique sessions like feathers, ruler work, and thread tips. We’ll also fit in a factory tour and wrap with time to get your quilt design dialed in.

Lady Bug Collage Quilt Project

Instructor: Kayla Nau

 

Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Whether you are new to fabric collage or looking for fresh tips, this step-by-step class breaks down a collage quilt. We will look at different techniques, some steps to create a work of art, and how to make the different body parts of the ladybug.

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Inspired Quilting with Quiltmagine

Instructor: Joyce Blowers

Time: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Tired of ho-hum quilting and blah blocks and pantos?  This class is for you!  Best news, it isn’t hard.  In fact, custom quilting with Quiltmagine is easy, accurate and fun.  Many functions are included in both the Basic and Pro tier to easily customize your quilts.  Add, with the Gold subscription there are even more features for customizing. 

 

This hands-on class will teach and demonstrate at the frame easy and quick techniques for customizing blocks and pantographs, as well as introduce very useful Gold features to heighten customization options.  Dream it – do it with Quiltmagine.

 

Supply list: tablet or laptop with Quiltmagine, charging cord, notebook

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 Beginning Feathers

Mentor: Brenna Goode

Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Learn the basics of how to create a feather step-by-step, starting with pen and paper so you can understand the shape, spacing, and flow before you ever stitch a line. Then we’ll build from there, taking what you practiced on paper and translating it into a repeatable process you can use in your quilting.

 

This fan-favorite class is back by popular demand, and you’ll be learning from the best: Instructor Brenna Goode, a true master at feathering. Brenna will demonstrate her approach, break it down in a way that makes sense, and stay right there with you for questions, troubleshooting, and confidence-boosting feedback as you practice.

 

If feathers have been on your “I want to learn this but I’m intimidated” list—this is your moment.

SPACES ARE LIMITED — reserve your seat early.

 

Supply list: Notebook and Pen for Note Taking

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FREE Seminars & Demos (Thursday)

Bonus: Get this $249 demo experience—FREE when you attend.

Thread Inspiration

Instructor: Miki Miller

Time: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Ever wanted to create something out of things that you would normally throw away? Come see as we use thread scraps to create something magical. Bring your own scraps and see what they can become!

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Free Motion Techniques

Instructor: Kayla Nau

Time: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Ready to level up your quilting game? Don't let your beautiful quilt tops fade into the background! In this exciting class you will learn free motion techniques to turn your quilts into stunning works of art using easy designs. These versatile patterns act like a secret weapon- they can be used tightly as magical background filler textures to make your patchwork pop, or stitched larger as a beautiful all-over, edge-to-edge design. 

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Tech Time

Instructor: Scott Owen

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Tech Time is a casual, bring-your-lunch Q&A where you can sit down with a Nolting technician and pick their brain. Ask anything—tension, troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrades, best practices—and get straight answers from the source: the people who build and service your machine every day.

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Bring your Quilt to get Designed!

Instructor: Joyce Blowers & Kayla Nau

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Bring 1 quilt top for quilting design ideas from Kayla and Joyce.  Joyce will translate into the features and functions for automation users (QM and iQ).  Bring a camera to capture the design!  Because of the limited time, tops may need to be categorized by style.

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Automation- Beyond Simple Pantos and Blocks

Instructor: Joyce Blowers

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Do you love the look of custom quilting, modern style, negative space quilting, and high-end pattern design?  Are you a hand-guided quilter and don’t feel you can build the hand guided skills?  Or, do you think that even with automation it can’t be done.  Good news!! This Show and Tell with at-the-frame demo will show the possibilities automation bring to the quilting table for customizing quilts of many styles.

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Day 3: Let's Talk Business

📅 Friday , July 24

📍 Nolting Headquarters – Hiawatha, Iowa 1420 Stamy Rd.

Day 3 is Business Day—focused on helping you turn quilting into a smarter, more sustainable business. We’ll cover business insights, social media marketing, and TikTok basics, plus a Q&A panel and an automation session to get your questions answered. After lunch (with a factory tour and maintenance tips), we’ll wrap up with QuiltMagine applications for business so you leave with practical next steps you can actually use.

Leverage Automation for Enhanced Business Profits

Instructor: Joyce Blowers

Time: 1:30PM- 4:30PM

Your automation system is not simply a quilting tool. It is an employee, production manager, and revenue generator.  This class will cover maximizing the capabilities of automation with the goal of increasing profitability.  Class will cover pattern purchase options, organization, quilting offerings and selection, client consultations and forms, calculating revenue per hour, and even upselling your services.  

 

Both Quiltmagine and IntelliQuilter owners are encouraged to attend.  Bring your tablet (and charger) for hands-on with patterns activity and time-saving design techniques.  Time is money.  This class will help you leverage automation to enhance profitability in your business.

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FREE Seminars & Demos (Friday)

This is a $199 experience—free for everyone attending the event.

Business Insights

Instructor: Melissa McAfee

 

Time: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Turn your passion for quilting into profit. This class dives into the essentials of running a successful quilting business—from pricing and marketing to customer relationships and growth strategies. Gain practical tools and insider tips to help your quilting business thrive.

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Social Media Marketing: Impact of Social Media on Your Business

Instructor: Kayla Nau

Time: 9:30 AM- 10:00 AM

Ready to turn your passion for quilting into real profit? Whether you want to book out your longarm machine with client quilts or sell your own handmade products, this exciting class is your secret weapon! You will learn how to take jaw-dropping photos, write descriptions that sell, and find your perfect customers online.

 

--Scroll Stopping Stitching: How to use your smartphone & take to take bright, crisp photos that make your longarm designs or products look amazing. 

 

--Words That Sell: How to write short, fun descriptions that explain your services and get people excited to book you.

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TikToK 101: How to Post a Video

Instructor: Sabrina Miller

Time: 10:15 AM- 10:45 AM

A quick, beginner-friendly demo that walks you through exactly how to post a video on TikTok—from uploading and trimming to captions, hashtags, and hitting “Post” with confidence.

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TikToK Panel

Instructor: Kayla Nau, Sabrina Miller, Megan Hines

 

Time: 11:00 AM -11:30 AM

Bring your questions and join our TikTok Panel—featuring our top TikTok reps ready to share what’s working right now. You’ll learn practical tips and tricks, hear real success stories, and talk through the common trouble spots (so you can post with more confidence and get better results).

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Automation Questions answered including those you forgot to ask 

Instructor: Joyce Blowers

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

What are the benefits of automation for a longarm business?  What about return on investment (ROI)?  These are two obvious questions which will be covered along with other important considerations. Joyce, Nolting dealer and longarm business owner, will also address other questions, concerns, and considerations all longarm business owners have but may forget to ask.

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Tech Time

Instructor: Scott Owen

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Tech Time is a casual, bring-your-lunch Q&A where you can sit down with a Nolting technician and pick their brain. Ask anything—tension, troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrades, best practices—and get straight answers from the source: the people who build and service your machine every day.

FREE Registration Now
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Day 4: Showcases, Prizes, One-on-One's, & Learning

📅 Saturday, July 25

📍 Nolting Headquarters – Hiawatha, Iowa 1420 Stamy Rd.

Day 4 is all about fun, creativity, and making it personal. You’ll have time for factory tours, hands-on “Make it Yours” embellishment play, and a special unveiling moment—plus a sweet wrap-up with an ice cream, prizes, and one-on-one time to help you map out your next steps.

Make it Yours: Play with Embellishments to Personalize Your Quilts

Instructor: Millie Kehrli

 

Time: 9:30 AM-10:15AM

Quilters have a reputation for turning scraps into beauty. In this demonstration, I show how I use garage sale and thrift store finds: abandoned or orphaned quilt blocks, vintage buttons, ricrac, doilies, lace, tatting, beads, embroidery floss... anything that can be sewn to the surface of a quilt to personalize it, stretch your creativity and tell your story. Upcycling old stuff gives vintage treasures new life and gives depth and texture to your quilts. Many embellishments can be stitched in place with your longarm.

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What Quilts Can Do: Quilt Representation in Children’s Picture Books

Instructor: Millie Kehrli

Time: 11:30 AM - TBA

Discover the magical connection between quilts and storytelling in this captivating presentation and interactive discussion with Millie Kehrli, Ph.D.! Quilts have long been more than just fabric and thread—they preserve family history, build communities, and spark creativity. In this class, Millie will explore how these themes come to life in children’s picture books.

 

Drawing from her impressive collection of over 125 quilt-related books, Millie will showcase how quilts offer a window into another person’s experience, provide warmth and comfort, and

inspire personal creative journeys. Published from the 1930s to the present, these stories weave together generations, cultures, and creativity. This engaging session is also a great opportunity for quilters and non-quilters alike to see how quilts can inspire and influence future creative projects. Whether you’re looking to enhance your quilting skills or exploring a new hobby, these books will spark your imagination.

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Machine Unveiling!

Instructor: Melissa McAfee & Nolting Team

Time: 10:30 AM

Something new is coming. After unveiling our Nolting Color of the Year—Coastal Blue—we’re not done yet… join us for a special new machine unveiling with more to show you (and a few surprises you won’t want to miss).

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learn from the best in quilting

Learn from quilting pros, automation experts, and creative business minds at Stitch & Save Days 2026 

all ready to share hands-on techniques, tips, and inspiration to elevate your craft.

kayla nau

i believe there are no rules in quilting, just guidelines.

kayla started quilting while on bed rest while pregnant with her second son, after some miserable fails at knitting and crochet. after that first baby quilt she was hooked! quilting started as a creative outlet for her, but it became so much more. it’s been a source of comfort, joy and healing- helping her navigate life’s challenges.

 there’s something about the rhythm of the stitching and the freedom of creating whatever i want that brings a sense of peace and accomplishment.
 

brenna goode

where fabric meets freedom—quilting inspired by curiosity and creativity.

born and raised in iowa, brenna goode of goode day quilts brings a rich, eclectic background—spanning the military, government, industry, and academia—into every quilt she creates. a self-taught designer and long-armer, brenna thrives on blending fabric, style, and story. when she’s not homeschooling her kids or leading in her day job, she’s stitching joy, playing flute, or tinkering with vintage sewing machines—always chasing creativity one quilt at a time.

joyce blowers

turning stitches into breakthroughs—empowering quilters through clarity and craft.

with 35+ years behind the needle, joyce blowers brings unmatched expertise in longarm quilting and automation to every class she teaches. a former high school teacher, joyce blends technical know-how with a love for creativity—sparking “aha” moments in quilters of all levels. she’s the author of nolting’s go-to guides and a trusted mentor in the quilting community, known for turning complexity into confidence one stitch at a time. whether online or in person, her teaching empowers quilters to explore, experiment, and elevate their craft.

millie kehrli

quilting saved my life: millie’s journey of healing, creativity, and empowerment

millie kehrli, a passionate quilter and nolting ambassador whose incredible story will inspire you. millie shares how quilting became a lifeline, helping her heal from life’s challenges and regain her creative spark. discover why she sold her car to buy a longarm quilting machine, how quilting connects her to personal and historical stories, and her advice for embracing creativity over perfection. this heartfelt interview is a testament to the transformative power of quilting and the joy of making something uniquely your own. don't miss millie’s reflections on the nolting effect and the empowerment that comes with it!

Not Taking a Class? You’re Still Invited!

  • Stitch & Save Days isn’t just about classes — it’s a full experience.
  • Come explore, meet the team, enjoy demos, and be part of the fun.
  • You don’t need to register for a class to stop by.
  • We’d still love to know you’re coming — just RSVP below!

Stitch & Save Days - 2024

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full event schedule

Explore Every Class, Demo, and Expert Session at Stitch & Save Days

Just Stopping By?

We’d still love to know you’re coming! Let us know you’ll be swinging through—no class registration required. If you’d like to join a free or paid class, just scroll up to explore your options and reserve your spot!

Early RSVP — Save Your Spot 

Hotel Room Option Nearby

For attendees traveling to Stitch & Save Days 2026, please note there are rooms currently available at the Days Inn, located near the event venue.

Days Inn Website

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to own a Nolting machine to attend?

Not at all! Stitch & Save Days is open to everyone — whether you’re just exploring longarm quilting, considering your first machine, or already own a Nolting. We welcome all levels of experience and love introducing new quilters to the Nolting family.

2. Will I be able to test the machines myself?

Yes! This is a hands-on event. You’ll get to try out our full machine lineup, from beginner-friendly models to advanced computerized systems — with expert guidance available every step of the way.

3. Are there any discounts if I purchase a machine during the event?

Absolutely. Attendees will have access to exclusive event-only pricing, financing options, and special machine bundles — only available during Stitch & Save Days.

4. What should I bring with me to the event?

Just bring yourself and your love of quilting! We’ll provide materials for demos and classes. Comfortable shoes are a plus — you'll be touring our headquarters and spending time at quilting stations. If you’re signed up for a hands-on class, we’ll send details ahead of time.

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