- This program has passed.
Keepsake Quilt-Making
February 21 @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Eastern
Please note the location is in Pungo, Virginia Beach off of Sandbridge Road and allow ample time for your commute. This is an 8-hour workshop designed for basic to intermediate sewists—basic machine-sewing familiarity is required. Lunch will be provided.
Transform your treasured shirts into a cozy, meaningful keepsake! This all-day, hands-on workshop guides participants step-by-step through the process of creating a lap-size memory quilt from their own collection of shirts in a supportive creative environment. All tools needed to complete this keepsake quilt will be provided.
Participants will learn how to select and prepare shirts, stabilize stretchy fabrics, plan quilt layout, cut and assemble blocks, add sashing or borders, and piece the quilt top with confidence.
What to Bring:
- 12–15 clean shirts (any combination of sizes, colors, or styles)
All other materials and supplies—including stabilizer, fabric, thread, cutting tools, sewing machines, and ironing stations—will be provided.
Skills Covered:
- Selecting and preparing shirts for quilting
- Understanding knit fabrics and the role of stabilizer
- Cutting T-shirt blocks safely and accurately
- Designing a quilt layout that highlights your shirt graphics
- Using a sewing machine to piece blocks and sashing
- Pressing and finishing techniques to achieve a polished quilt top
Important note: A journalist from WTKR plans to attend and film this workshop. Participation in their interviews is optional, but attendees should be comfortable being included in the footage.
About the Instructors
Kim O’Connor is the owner of The Striped Tomato Screen Printing and Embroidery in Virginia Beach, VA, where she combines creativity and craftsmanship to deliver custom designs with a personal touch. A self-taught sewist by the age of eight, Kim began her sewing journey making clothes for her dolls, and has since honed her skills to specialize in creating one-of-a-kind designer handbags. She discovered her passion to teach others during COVID when a small group of friends wanted to learn how to sew so they could make and donate masks to first responders. Since then, Kim has enjoyed watching her students’ progress from first stitch to completed projects.
Kim lives with her husband, Jeff, a retired Navy EOD Master Chief and their 5 dogs. Whether she’s printing shirts, stitching bags, or guiding students through their first sewing projects, Kim brings warmth, skill, and dedication to everything she does.
