Friday 12:00 noon-12:45 pm
The Exhibitor Meeting will take place in the downstairs 1st Floor Banquet Room Friday, March 1st, 2024 at 12 noon. Take a "setup" break to gather with other wholesalers in our Industry. Fabric dyer Kristin Rodriguez of Fiber on a Whim, designer Holly Freeman from Stitchy Prose, and retailer Abby Johns from TopKnot Stitcher Shop will share their strategies for success, ensuring a profitable trade show for all. Questions and discussion welcomed. Free to attend.

Friday 1:00 pm-1:45 pm
The Retailer Meeting will take place in a 1st Floor Meeting Room Friday, March 1st, 2024 at 1pm. Store owners are encouraged to attend this FREE forum to gather and discuss questions with other Retailers in our Industry. Your questions and topics will help guide the meeting. Hosted by Amy and Memory Baker of Barefoot Needlart and Pamela Dumont of Stitch New England. Diane Randall, Silver Creek Samplers will be the guest Designer, on hand to answer any questions from a wholesaler's perspective.

Friday 2:00 pm-2:45 pm
Teacher's Meet & Greet will take place at the 2nd floor Williamson Classroom Friday, March 1st, 2024 at 2pm, directly after the Retailer's Meeting. No need to register. Just show up and connect with several teachers in one spot! This time is set aside for you to chat with Teachers about the classes they offer, see some example projects, and book teaching engagements for your store!

Friday March 1, 2024 Classes

Friday 8:00-8:45 am

Summer in a Box

Teacher: Terri Pittman, For The Stitcher’s Soul

Hosted by: Ezia Gladstone New York Dreamer Needleworks  

Class Description: Terri Pittman will be working with Ezia Gladstone of New York Dreamer Needleworks to teach a finishing class for one of her New Designs—Summer in a Box! There will be kits available in Ezia’s suite for purchase during the show. She will also be taking pre-orders and retailers can purchase from For The Stitcher's Soul after the show as well.

Location:  Williamson Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $40 includes wholesale kit.

To Register: Email  FortheStitchersSoul@gmail.com

Friday 8:00-8:45 am

Sewing Pouch

Teacher: Marie Claude Picon- Les Secrets de Marie

Class Description: Join me for a fun class…How to very quickly make your own sewing pouch with a special French touch. Made from a wooden base covered with fabrics, and embellished with lace, wool, and buttons. No experience required, all materials will be included.

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $25.

To Register: Email marieclaudepicon@icloud.com

Friday 9:00-9:45 am

How to increase sales through effective shop organization Part One - shop layout, inventory best practices, and customer service

Teachers: Susan Winter and Oliver Puckett  

Class Description: This class will cover organization strategies for both brick and mortar and online shops. You'll learn tips and techniques for effective shop layouts, best practices for managing your inventory, and general customer service.

Location: Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $35. Limit of two attendees per shop.

To Register: Email info@firepoppies.com

Friday 9:00-9:45 am

Young and the Restless—Attracting Younger Craft Cravers

Teacher: Alla Blanca, Orimono Imports  

Class Description: Alla will incorporate Japanese kogin stitching into the topic of attracting new/younger stitchers.

Location: Williamson Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: Free.

To Register: Email alla.orimonoimports@gmail.com  

Friday 10:00-10:45 am

4-Seasons Needlebook

Teacher: Liezbeth Gottschall, Thistles

Class Description: Teach your customers to play with hand dyed threads to get the best effect, stitching this pretty little needlebook. The kit contains all necessary materials (Zweigart linen, hand dyed threads, wool felt and lace) to make the needlebook. In the class you will also get the teachers handout with the instructions to organize the class for your own customers.

Location: Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $25

To Register: Email thistles@thistles.nl

Friday 10:00-10:45 am

Fine Silver Needlework Accoutrements

Teacher: Michelle Arsenault, Stitching Pretty

Class Description: This is a sampling of what I can teach your customers in your store/retreat - You will be treated to an introduction of the Fine Silver Fun! I can bring to you an all inclusive, singular awesome event! I bring all supplies, all tools, all the equipment necessary for the class to create their very own silver accoutrements! No experience required - just enthusiasm and time set aside to play! This class/intro will give you a look see, your very own silver piece or 2 and a chance to get all the answers - see just how you can bring the excitement to your customers!

Location: Williamson Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $65

To Register: Email micheleink@aol.com

Friday 11:00-11:45 am

Petite Quaker Drum

Teacher: Pam Lewis, Praiseworthy Stitches

Class Description: This is a finishing class for a kit that I am releasing at the Nashville Needlework Market. It is called Petite Quaker Drum. All materials will be included.

Location: Williamson Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $25

To Register: Email praiseworthystch@bellsouth.net

Friday 11:00-11:45 am

See How They Run

Teachers:
Linda Stolz/Erica Michaels Designs
Lois Mouriski Bear/Lady Dot Creates

Class Description: Join Linda and Lois for another fun-filled class with a whimsical new Erica Michaels’ design - cuteness overload! This block finish has a very special top treatment, and we’ll also review a simple alternate method of showing off this fun project.
Your class kit includes everything you need to make your own shop model. Class attendees have sole rights for the chartpak and finishing kit for 30 days. This is a lecture format and class attendance is limited to 38; one (1) class attendee per shop please.

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $35

To Register: Email: emstitch@charter.net

Friday 12:00 noon-12:45 pm

Pincushion Squirrel

Teacher: Nicoletta Farrauto, Nikyscreations

Class Description:  Recycle cardboard to make a special pincushion to keep in your stitching studio. Easy and quick to make, useful and beautiful. You cannot miss it in your stitching basket. Kit contains: linen, fabric, recycled cardboard, chenille and trim for the finishing.

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $25

To Register: Email: nicoletta.farrauto@aol.com

Friday 12:00 noon-12:45 pm

Mixing it Up

Teacher: Amy McClellan, Under the Garden Moon

Class Description: Come and learn some fun ideas to mix up your cross stitch! Amy will show you many ideas to add different mediums and textures to your floss and linen by adding varieties of threads, fabrics and textures. You will also see some finishing techniques and kitting suggestions.

Location:  Williamson Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $25

To Register: Email underthegardenmoon@gmail.com

Friday 2:00 pm-2:45 pm

French Purse Reproduction

Teacher: Isabella Abbiati, The Primitive Hare

Class Description: Collectible reproduction of 1820's French Purse. Originally embroidered using satin, stem, knot and couching stitches on plain weave moiré,  I’ll convert to cross stitch on 30ct linen (maybe with a cat instead of the dog).

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $35

To Register: email: ilfiloincantato@hotmail.com

Friday 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm

Teacher's Meet & Greet (right after the Retailer's Meeting on Friday)

Teachers will be on hand to showcase their future teaching projects and speak with you one-on-one prior to the rush of Market. This is a great way to get a jump start for your store's calendar of events!

• Pam Lewis, Praiseworthy Stitches

• Nicoletta Farrauto, Nikyscreations

• Amy McClellan, Under the Garden Moon

• Kathleen Littleton, Cross Stitch Antiques

• Sharon Verbos, The Purple Thread

• Caroline Seldon, Haystack Stitching

• Emily Hennessy, Love You More

• Linda Vinson, Needlemade Designs

• Janis Note, Noteworthy Needle

• Marie-Claude Picon, Les secrets De Marie

• Robin Laukhuf, Olde Willow Stitchery Design

4 more spots available!

Location: Meets on the 2nd floor in the Williamson Room (shortly after the Retailer's Meeting). No need to Register. Just show up!

Price: FREE

Friday 3:00 pm-3:45 pm

Elegant Flowers sewing box

Teacher: Simona Bussiglieri, Mani di Donna designer

Class Description: A finishing class where Simona will explain all the steps to make this new round sewing box with a drawer where a pincushion will be inserted. The sewing box will also contain other smalls that will be finish during the class. Kit contains all the finishing materials: cotton fabric, precut cardboard and skiertex, dot felt, and metal cup for the cover.

Location:  Williamson Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: $35

To Register: Email  Info@manididonna.it

Friday 3:00 pm-3:45 pm

How to increase sales through effective shop organization Part Two - how to effectively manage your shop orders, special orders, and shipping processes.

Teachers: Susan Winter and Oliver Puckett

Class Description: This class will cover organization strategies for both brick and mortar and online shops. You'll learn tips and techniques in managing your general ordering procedures, special orders, and how to streamline your shipping processes.

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: Price is $35 per person. Limit of two attendees per shop.

To Register: Email info@firepoppies.com

Saturday March 2, 2024 Classes

Saturday 2:00-2:45 pm

Loose Ends: Finishing Projects Loved Ones Left Behind

Teacher: Gary Sligh, Gary Lee Sligh Fabric Arts 

Class Description: This session would provide an overview of a nationwide charity which connects fiber artists and families to complete projects begun by their precious loved ones.

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price: No charge informational session

To Register: Just show up. No registration necessary.

Sunday March 3, 2024 Classes

Sunday 1:00-1:45 pm

Social Media Marketing  

Teacher: Laura Morillo, Riverview Stitching 

Class Description: Not sure what to post about? How to create posts and when to post them? Come to class and learn about the marketing funnel and how to apply it to your business!

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price:  $25

To Register: Email hello@riverviewstitching.com

Sunday 2:00-2:45 pm

Advertising on Google 

Teacher: Laura Morillo, Riverview Stitching 

Class Description: Want to advertise on google? Come learn how to make effective ads!

Location:  Franklin Room, 2nd Floor

Class Price:  $25

To Register: Email hello@riverviewstitching.com

Cost To Rent The Classrooms

Franklin Room or Williamson Room:  $50/hour (or Free)

We will advertise the classes to buyers, but stores will be asked to contact the instructor directly with questions about the class, and to sign up and pay for the class. The instructor will set the price for the class and can sell merchandise in the class. The only charge to the instructor will be the hourly rate for the classroom.

Free use of the classroom. We want to encourage classes that help store owners improve their business skills. For example, maybe you (or your spouse) could teach a short class on bookkeeping, computers, social media, taxes, radio advertising, etc. The room will be available for free for these types of classes. You would still be allowed to charge a fee to attend the class.

After show hours use of the class room. Some classes need extra time to finish up. We also have had requests from buyers that they would like a time and place to get together and visit with other business owners, to relax, and do some stitching. Again this year we are planning on having one of the classrooms (or both, if needed) open after show hours as an informal get-together location. If your class needs extra time to finish, you can use the classroom after show hours for free.

Classes during show hours should last no longer than 45 minutes. Please keep your class to 45 minutes to allow 15 minutes for clean up and move out before the next class starts.

Ideas For Classes

Besides the satisfaction of helping other business owners, teaching or sponsoring a class is a great way to gain exposure for your business.

• Finishing classes (advance homework ok)
• Social Media
• Business Classes (newsletter, teaching, time management, etc.)
• Technique Classes
• Previews of new designs and a start on a class model
• We would like to have classes of interest to exhibitors to attend on Thursday afternoon. This would be a great opportunity to share ideas on marketing, packaging, etc.

You do not need to be an exhibitor to teach a class. We would love to have more classes taught by store owners. Also, while we ask that the classes are sponsored by either an exhibitor or a retail store, the instructor can be with another company.

If you have any questions

Free free to contact us if you have any questions about the show.

Megan Chriswisser at Needlework Retailer at 800-561-5380 or info@needleworkretailer.com

Larry Johnson or Beth Johnson at Yarn Tree at 800-247-3952 or info@yarntree.com