PROGRAMS 2026
,The Coachella Valley Quilt Guild presents excellent speakers, including nationally known teachers and lecturers, that provide insight to a wide variety of topics related to quilting, from traditional to modern, from piecing techniques to design embellishments. The lecture presentations are given immediately after our monthly Saturday membership meetings, and classes are usually held on the Sunday following the meeting at the same facility, at another noted facility or on Zoom. Classes can fill up fast, so if you see one that interests you click the PayPal button to sign up or contact the Programs VP, Judy Block and Cheryl Taylor, at programscvqg@gmail.com
Meetings of the Coachella Valley Quilt Guild will be hybrid meetings -- in person at University of Riverside, Palm Desert Campus and on Zoom -- January through May and September through November. June, July and August will be Zoom only. December is our Holiday Luncheon.
Classes will either be in person or Zoom but not hybrid. Check below for more information.
January Meeting -- Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
Claudia Gomez
COLORstory
Hybrid Meeting -- Speaker in Person
Meeting starts at 10:00am
Program starts at 11:00am
Claudia Gomez made the leap into modern quilting after a 25 year career in commercial interior design. She took her visualization skills in graphic design & color and applied it to fabric. Claudia uses architectural software to design her quilts, and then she dyes her own custom color palettes. When it comes to quilting, she organizes space with bold shapes & rhythmic echo quilting. Claudia says “If you can’t see the quilting from across the room, then the work is not bold enough to draw the viewer in.”
COLORstory explores color theory, color influence, and seven types of color contrast. We all see and react to color differently. COLORstory invites you to delve into your own sense of color and find ways to communicate what you see. Claudia will share her own journey in the art of seeing color. She hopes to ignite a passion for color experimentation and help you fine tune your eye for color.
January Class -- Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
Claudia Gomez
Dye Painting
9am to 4pm
NOTE: This in person class will be held at Del Webb Sun City Shadow Hills Montecito Clubhouse -- directions available below for downloading.
There is nothing more relaxing then spending the day in this Dye Painting Workshop. Learn how to mix dye in a thickened medium so that it will not bleed when you apply it to fabric. The inspiration comes from the art of Hawaiian quilting. My mother was a master Hawaiian quilter and did everything by hand. I wanted to create a new modern approach to this traditional art form but I do not like to appliqué. So here it is...Modern Hawaiian quilt made the no appliqué way! I will also share tips on how to design perfect rows of echo quilting. This class is designed for all levels of experience. Choose from 3 different patterns.
Supply List: All Supplies will be provided by Instructor Kit Price $30.00 (payable to Claudia date of Workshop, price is possibly subject to change due to tariffs)
Kit Includes: Painting Board, Brush, Pretreated Fabric, Dye mixed with thickening agent, choice pattern, gloves, kitchen size trash bag, and cover sheets.
Shared items to be provided: Scissors, Painters tape, Prisma Color pencils, clear plastic wrap, paper towels, post-it notes & sharpies, and drop cloths.
January 11 -- Class Fee -- Claudia Gomez -- Member Fee
$40.00
- Available
January 11 -- Class Fee Non Members -- Claudia Gomez -- Include Sat. lecture
$50.00
- Available
February Meeting -- Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
Robbie Berg
The Land of Enchantment Called -- One Artist's Journey
Hybrid Meeting -- Speaker in Person
Meeting starts at 10:00am
Program starts at 11:00am
Fabric and design have been a life-long love for Robbie. She started sewing and designing in high school which was many years ago. About 15 years ago she was fortunate to be included in a circle of women who quilted and has been hooked on all types of fiber. A move to New Mexico and build out of a 600 square foot studio has given wings to her creative potential! Robbie's quilting has evolved from traditional to Art Quilting and she is working on some new landscape designs of the New Mexico high desert.
February Class -- Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
Robbie Berg
Catch the Wave -- Introduction to Fiber Pottery
9am to 4pm
UCR Palm Desert
The Wave Bowl or Basket is created using a specific wrapping technique and silk ribbon. We will be using ribbon to sew and embellish bowls and baskets. Time permitting, we will embellish our bowls with beads, celtic knots, brass rope ends, rope coils, etc. Robbie will demonstrate how to do all of these techniques. She will also provide follow-up to students via phone or FaceTime for a month following the class on how to embellish.
In this workshop students will:
• Discuss the technique to achieve strong bowls and baskets with a sewing machine.
• Learn how to prep our materials.
• Begin wrapping and sewing a bowl or basket.
• Discuss the ways to finish, embellish, and use our fiber pottery.
• Discuss ways to care for our fiber pottery.
• Discuss other rope wrapping techniques, shapes, and techniques to create functional fiber pottery.
Kit Prerequisite provided by Instructor $20.00 (payable to Robbie date of Workshop). (Kit includes: rope, ribbon, cardboard shim, sewing needle and medical tape for joining rope)
February 15-- Class Fee -- Robbie Berg -- Member Fee
$45.00
- Available
February 15-- Non-Member Class Fee -- Robbie Berg -- Includes Saturday Lecture
$55.00
- Available
March Meeting -- Saturday, March 14, 2026
Jennifer Sampou
Light Your Ombre Fire
Hybrid Meeting -- Speaker in Person
Meeting starts at 10:00am
Program starts at 11:00am
Jennifer Sampou grew up near Boston and studied Surface Design at Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and Textiles at University of Vermont. She began her career at Laura Ashley Headquarters in Wales, UK then moved to California to become design director for P&B Textiles in San Francisco. Jennifer then founded her own studio and licensed it to Robert Kaufman Fabrics. She has created more than 5000 prints and sold millions of yards worldwide.
"Light Your Ombre Fire" with Jennifer Sampou, renowned textile designer, author, instructor, and creative, who takes images, textures and color from her world, both near and far, to share with the world. She will explore the creative possibilities of ombré fabrics—a unique material characterized by its gradual color transitions.
March Class -- Sunday, March 15, 2026
Jennifer Sampou
Reversible Ombre Table Runner
9am to 4pm
UCR Palm Desert
Taken from her Ombre Quilts Book, the Reversible Table Runner is a simple study in Ombré. While creating your unique table runner, you will learn essential techniques for working with ombré fabrics, including cutting, piecing, and arranging colors to achieve stunning visual flow. It’s very manageable process and has fantastic results. Jennifer shares extensive instruction on color, design, construction, finishing and even matchstick quilting. Using three to four different ombré fabrics provides a one-of-a-kind reversible table runner to bring elegance to your table, adding a splash of color and sophistication to any dining space.
Please check supply list for Prior to Class preparation.Purchase Ombré Table Runner bundles in different color-ways: Original, Nightfall, Brilliance, Bloom, Autumn, Canyon. Plus new color ways on our website. $59
* Purchase the Pattern (PDF Download) or purchase the Ombré Quilts book that contains the pattern. Physical copy or digital download. $9.99/$21.95/$17.99
There is a discount for fabric and pattern/book if you sign up for the class.
March 15 Class Fee Members -- Jennifer Sampou
$65.00
- Available
March 15 Class Fee -- Non-Members --Jennifer Sampou -- Includes Saturday Lecture
$75.00
- Available