The Holiday Inn Downtown Riverfront is right near the Convention Center.
Trade-show floor will be open from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm on Thursday May 2nd and 9:30-3:00 pm on Friday, May 3rd. We will have a closing ceremony with prize drawings beginning at 2:45 on Friday. Check-in and on-site registration will be available on Wednesday from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Thursday from 8:00am-4:00pm, & Friday from 8:00am-noon. If you have an early class on Thursday we advise you to get checked in on Wednesday. Please refer to the full schedule below for classes and social.
Click here for class schedule:
Owensboro full schedule
Join us for a night of fun on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. We will have sweet treats and kick off Derby weekend with a Derby Hat Contest. You must register in advance to enter the contest and the winner will receive $500.00 in cash. The contest will be judged by the attendees in attendance. This will be a great night of fun and networking among like minded people. We will have 2 of sponsoring vendors (Embilliance & H&H Sign) share at the event as well. All attendees are welcome to the social night.
More vendors will be added!
Trade-show floor will be open from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm on Thursday February 21st and 9:30-3:00 pm on Friday, February 22nd. We will have a closing ceremony with prize drawings beginning at 2:45 on Friday. Check-in and on-site registration will be available on Wednesday from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Thursday from 8:00am-4:00pm, & Friday from 8:00am-noon. If you have an early class on Thursday we advise you to get checked in on Wednesday.
Click here for class schedule:
Greenville Class Schedule
This class will expand on “Know Your Numbers” (but not required to attend) – Thinking of expanding your business? This class will cover what you’ll need to consider in terms of labor, equipment, financing options, leasing office space, and many other aspects to growing your business.
This class will empower you with the confidence in knowing what your sales numbers are telling you, Why you need to know and What to do with the information. We will cover basic financial statements and key ratios every small business owner needs to know. (suggested to take before “Taking Your Business to the Next Level”, but not required)
Discover how to incorporate rhinestones in your projects with ease. Craig Mertens, the President of Digital Art Solutions will explore the design and physical process of creating rhinestone transfers with a vinyl cutter. Craig invented this process in 2008 and has helped tens of thousands of crafters and small business owners enter the rhinestone multi-decoration business. This class will identify software and cutter options for creating and outputting rhinestone patterns. The class will focus on proven design and marketing techniques for growing a successful rhinestone multi-decoration business. The class will also demonstrate the process of creating both a rhinestone heat transfer and rhinestone decal. Learn how to add some sparkle to everyday objects as well as adding a bit of dazzle to apparel. Find out exactly how easy rhinestones multi-decoration can be.
Learn how to maximize your profits using rhinestones, heat transfer vinyl, and sign vinyl during this session! Find out how easy and lucrative it is to create custom multi-decoration apparel and decals to sell to your local sports teams, clubs, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Discover new money-making possibilities such as these and more, as well as proven marketing strategies to increase sales, grow your customer base, and experience greater success in your business.
It’s time to explore rhinestone multi-decoration in CorelDRAW! In this session, Craig Mertens the President of Digital Art Solutions will show you how to produce rhinestone patterns and vinyl graphics in CorelDRAW using specialized add-on programs for CorelDRAW. Attendees will be able to add rhinestones to existing designs, convert objects to rhinestones, and edit designs to produce impactful rhinestone multi-decoration heat transfers. The class is ideal for owners of craft-oriented vinyl cutters such as the Silhouette, Cricut, or ScanNCut plus popular commercial vinyl cutters
class description will be added soon
class description will be added soon
This class will provide instructions on how to use Heat Transfer Paper and an Inkjet Printer to expand your business. We will cover basic how to instructions and ideas for projects that can be used to earn extra money, without huge investments in equipment. Class by Blushing Cotton
class description will be added soon
Textile Foil Intro
The students would learn how to use textile foil when decorating fabrics. Textile foil is a trendy two step process that allows endless possibilities by mixing different colors and textures.
Class by H & H signs
PROJECTS – THE KIMBERBELL WAY
Discover the secrets of complete projects finished in the hoop using Kimberbell Designs
by Oma of OmaDarlings
EMBROIDERY WITHOUT FABRIC
Out Of Fabric?? (Yeah, Right) What else can I Embroider?? Discover different mediums that can be embroidered to make unique creations for gifts or yourself. Class by Oma with OmaDarlings
Unique, Easy, High Margin Products for Your Small Business. Everyone wants to offer popular yet unique products with good margins! But how? Then this is the class for you! Join us as we share how to take our popular products and make some money! Learn a few tips and tricks that we (and our customers) have learned through the years. Sponsored by Craft Chameleon with instruction provided by Becky Dykes. Level: All Levels
The Wet Method of Placing Vinyl on Acrylic – Finished project is a photo board
Join us in making your own photo board adhering the vinyl using the wet method. Learn how quick this desirable, unique and low resource item is to complete. Also, learn a few tips and tricks on removing paper backing from acrylic along with a few others
Sponsored by Craft Chameleon with instruction provided by Becky Dykes.
Level: Beginner
Level: Some Experience with a heat press & HTV
Objective: Learn to embellish arcylic with htv and create a cuff bracelet.
This class will provide instructions on how to use Heat Transfer Paper and an Inkjet Printer to expand your business. We will cover basic how to instructions and ideas for projects that can be used to earn extra money, without huge investments in equipment.
Learn how to grow your business by adding another technique for enhancing apparel and décor! With our no darkroom, no chemicals, and no emulsions screen printing process you can set up in less than 100 square feet. We will demonstrate how to take your image, make a screen, and print a t-shirt (or other item) in just five minutes! Come join us and learn hands-on techniques for creating products your customers will love and see how easy it could be to draw in more business!
Crystals can be intimidating and tedious unless you know all of the different ways that they can be
applied, or designs can be created. We will teach you at least 4 different techniques that will make crystal
application easy and fun. It’s like coloring for adults! By Dawn Wenner and Gayle Pearl
As an embroiderer, what does it take for you to really grow your business and be successful in
the, highly competitive, apparel decoration market? Join Stahls’ educators to learn how top
embroiderers expanded their business with just a heat press by using it to complement their
embroidery shop! With very little investment or training required, you will discover new ways to
expand your business and reach maximum profit potential!
-In this class, you’ll have in-depth training on:
-Choosing the right heat press for your embroidery business
-Alternative solutions for price conscious customers
-Different heat transfer methods for winning more jobs
-What decoration method is best for which job
-How to pair HTV with embroidery for high-end finishes
-Tips & tricks for avoiding common decorating mistakes
(Stahls)
Are you ready to take your heat transfer vinyl offering to the next level? Break outside the box
with multi-color and mixed media applications with glitters, foils, and patterns. Or get creative
using heat transfer vinyl on unique items. Join us as we teach you how to break the rules
printing with heat transfer vinyl in Heat Transfer Vinyl 201. You’ll learn:
-The basic principles for layering heat transfer vinyl & how to overcome common challenges
-Tips for creating mixed media designs using special effect heat transfer vinyl like glitter and foil
-How to print unique items with heat transfer vinyl such as bags, wristlets, coolers, shoes,
pillows, and more!
If you have an electronic cutting machine, you have hundreds if not thousands of cut files in your stash that you use for vinyl & paper. SVG, FCM, or Studio files – these are what we will be working with because they can be brought into Embrilliance StitchArtist as already drawn objects. Some of these can be transformed into embroidery designs for personal use. This class will show you how to choose SVG files that are “digitizing friendly” and walk you through selecting and assigning stitch types that will work for the various objects. See how to create coordinating embroidery designs from files that you use for vinyl and paper!
Are you currently turning away or outsourcing screen printed apparel orders? Well Stop! Come heat print your first screen printed t-shirt and take the first step to growing your business with screen printed apparel. Art? No problem. We will demonstrate how to use our free online art designer. Money saving tips will be taught on how to maximize your transfer sheet with ideas to upsell your customer. We will also show you some easy solutions to common decorating problems. There is more than apparel that can be screen printed as well, all while your embroidery machines are still running!! Please join us for this fun filled, hands on experience!
In this class we’ll talk machine embroidery applique from start to finish to help you make your applique items that stand out with a high quality look. We’ll discuss stitching traditional satin finish and also the blanket and bean stitch finishes that are so popular right now. We’ll cover design choice, fabric selection and prep, hooping your item, trimming those tiny curves and loops and more.
For many of us, the very first project we did (or will do) with our embroidery machine involved adding a name or monogram to an existing design. So much FUN, EASY & CREATIVE things can be done with the lettering tool – and when you work with BX fonts in the Embrilliance software – the creative opportunities are off the charts! From adding names appliqué designs to creating & inserting a monogram into an in the hoop project to designing shaped/enveloped artistic lettering for logos, baseballs and more – this class is going to bursting at the seams with all sorts of personalization options using the lettering tool of Embrilliance Essentials and BX fonts. And if you are new to machine embroidery – come to this class and become inspired with the possibilities! Less calories than chocolate but just as addictive and enjoyable 🙂
In this class you’ll see how to easily “snag and combine elements” from existing embroidery designs using the stitch editing of Embrilliance Enthusiast. The utility menu features such as carousel, mirror x4 and instant repeat can be used creatively to create frames, wreaths and allover fabric designs. These functions also provide time saving efficiency when used with StitchArtist OR when setting up multiple designs in a hoop such as key fobs or felties. Come see what creative customizing you can do with Embrilliance Enthusiast!
Learn to layer adhesive vinyl and heat transfer vinyl like a pro in this hands-on class with Silhouette School’s Melissa Viscount. You’ll learn the various techniques for setting up layered adhesive vinyl decals and how it differs from Heat Transfer Vinyl.
We’ll start with a demonstration of how to properly set up a layered design in Silhouette Studio and then go through the layering process in a hands-on demo. Attendees will each get two pre-cut layers of Oracal Vinyl courtesy of Swing Design. Along the way Melissa will share her expert tips, tricks, and best practices so you get a perfect layered vinyl design every time!
You’ll also learn how to set up and layer Heat Transfer Vinyl projects to prevent bulky designs, overheating, and gaps!
The Silhouette Studio text tool isn’t just for boring fonts any more! Learn some cool new techniques for working with text and fonts in Silhouette Studio – including new features released in Silhouette Studio V4.2!
We’ll start by touching on how to install new fonts into Silhouette Studio, where to find commercial use fonts, why public domain fonts are so important. Then we’ll move into some “why didn’t I think of that” techniques for working with text and fonts in Silhouette Studio including easy word art, accessing glyphs in Silhouette Studio, and why single line sketch fonts are oh-so-important! You’ll learn how to use dingbat fonts, how to organize your fonts, and we’ll briefly touch on the new font creation tool! By Melissa Viscount with Silhouette School
Melissa will share how each step along her entrepreneurial journey taught valuable lessons on business, marketing, partnerships, balance, being being your own boss and taking risks. She’ll also share the biggest secret to her success and how you can accomplish it too to get more done in your day and build a successful business no matter what that looks like to you!
Melissa Viscount launched Silhouette School Blog exactly 5 years ago (January 2014) on a whim after receiving a Silhouette Portrait from her husband for Christmas 2013. Since then more than 45 Million readers worldwide have enjoyed her more than 1500 free tutorials on how to use the Silhouette cutting machines, Silhouette Studio software, and accessories, techniques, and tools.
Due to demand from her very loyal readers, Melissa released her first ebook, The Ultimate Silhouette Guide. Four laters later there are now 12 books in the series. More than 150,000 copies of her guides – covering topics from Silhouette for business owners to designing in and mastering Silhouette Studio – have been sold since. Many are now sold with the Silhouette machine bundles.
In June 2016 – Melissa’s husband, Bob, left his full time job in pharmaceuticals to join her full-time and take over the business side of their quickly growing Silhouette School brand. Shortly after, they launched their premium membership website Silhouette U – which – as of today – has nearly 5,000 active members.
A year ago – in January 2018 – Melissa along with two other business partners launched So Fontsy – a commercial use design and font marketplace geared toward die cut crafters.
Melissa has not only enjoyed blogging about Silhouette, but her expertise in the crafting industry has made her a sought after Silhouette (and blogging) instructor – having taught hundreds of crafters and fellow bloggers nationwide. She’s also served as a consultant to well established brands and well known brands in this craft industry – or those trying to tap into it.
Skill: Any, but this class is paced for someone who is familiar with how embroidery designs stitch at the machine. If you are new to machine embroidery and still learning your machine, you may feel more comfortable taking this class without a laptop or looking on with a friend.
Requirements: If you want to participate in this class hands on, you must bring your laptop with Embrilliance StitchArtist (any level) installed and authorized. The Demonstration version can also be used for this class. The Embrilliance software can be run natively on BOTH Mac and Windows computers, so both operating systems are welcome. Those that are using Designer’s Gallery Creator are also welcome to take this class. If you have questions about the topic/requirements BEFORE signing up for this class, please contact Lisa via her website form at www.Sew-Bubbles.com/EEM2019
Digitizing software allows you to transform your ideas into a stitch file that you can send to the machine. We will learn about the tools in StitchArtist that you can use to create whatever it is that you want. We will create a personalized key fob and move on to embossed designs to stitch on towels and more- this class is all about “how to make projects such as these a reality using StitchArtist”.
Skill level: Any, but this class is paced for beginner or new embrilliance user
Requirements: If you want to participate in this class hands on, you must bring your laptop with Embrilliance Essentials installed and authorized. The Demonstration version can also be used for this class. The Embrilliance software can be run natively on BOTH Mac and Windows computers, so both operating systems are welcome. Those that are using Designer’s Gallery EmbroideryWorks are also welcome to take this class. If you have questions about the topic/requirements BEFORE signing up for this class, please contact Lisa via her website form at www.Sew-Bubbles.com/EEM2019
Embrilliance Essentials can open up a whole new work in your machine embroidery adventures! It allows you to be even more creative and design new and personalized embroidery projects. In this hands on class, we will use Embrilliance Essentials to merge designs, change and remove elements from existing designs, add lettering and more. The tools in Essentials allow you to easily change up the designs in your stash. They will quickly become one of a kind personalized expressions that you will enjoy stitching.
NOTE: Designs and PDF notes are provided at the beginning of class. Please arrive promptly (or up to 15 min early) so that we can make sure that you get the files transferred from USB to your desktop.
In this lecture class, learn to use Embird Manager to create easy documents including a custom design catalog. Manager can also be used to batch convert files in multiple formats and makes it really easy to access your most used files. Embird Editor can be utilized to create SVG and FCM files directly from your applique designs which can then be used in your cutter software to cut the applique fabric. Other tips will include streamlining production of items for vendor sales and personalizing purchased designs. And even more as time allows. By: Peggy Severt with Pegboard Crafts
In this demo class you’ll learn techniques for working with marine vinyl, glitter vinyl, glitter canvas, and embroidery vinyl as well as basic KamSnaps application. These same techniques can be applied to many of your own projects as well as this cute, easy to make project. By Pegboard Crafts
Learn the process of Sublimation including products and techniques. Then look at digital transfer printing comparing equipment, paper and heat presses. Take a hands on tour of Sublimation by creating your own key chain. By Richard with SewingMachine.com
In this class you will learn how to cut HTV vinyl using the Silhouette Cameo and then take it to the embroidery machine for perfectly cut applique pieces. We will have a cameo and an embroidery machine so you can see the entire process of putting an applique design on marine vinyl. We will further embellish with a few crystals. By Allene Snow and Dawn Wenner
Learn Maintenance tips including proper oiling and cleaning on your PR series machine. Go over settings and color change options. Discuss backing types and features along with the differences and uses of stabilizer and specialty backing. Test and try hooping aids including Mighty hoops, Hooptech Clamping systems and Durkee frames. See the use of hooping aides and techniques along with new industry products including embroidery software choices. by Richard with Sewing Machine.com
High quality photography is essential to a successful marketing campaign. In this class, we will explore composition, equipment options, lighting challenges, and editing techniques that you can use to take your product (and personal) photography to the next level. As a bonus, we will discuss ways to generate studio quality photography using equipment that is in your home fight now. This is an open discussion forum where we can all learn from each other’s experiences. By Luke Hunter
Learn our tried-and-true tools we use for beautiful machine embroidery applique. We will talk about stabilizer choices and include our best hooping tips, and discuss trimming scissors, fabric, backing, measuring tools, and more! Class by Karen Norman with Applique Market
*example of designs by Applique Market
In this class we will talk machine embroidery applique from start to finish to help make your applique items that stand out with a high quality look. We will discuss stitching traditional satin finish and also the blanket and bean stitch finishes that are so popular right now. We will cover design choice, fabric selection and prep, hooping your item, trimming those tiny curves and loops and more! By Karen Norman with Applique Market
Skill: Any, but this class is paced for someone who is familiar with how embroidery designs stitch at
the machine. If you are new to machine embroidery and still learning your machine, you may feel more
comfortable taking this class without a laptop or looking on with a friend. Those that are also taking the first
class hands on or have been using the Embrilliance Essentials and want to learn more will be comfortable
taking this class.
Requirements: If you want to participate in this class hands on, you must bring your laptop with Embrilliance
Enthusiast installed and authorized. The Demonstration version can also be used for this class. The
Embrilliance software can be run natively on BOTH Mac and Windows computers, so both operating systems
are welcome. Those that are using Designer’s Gallery EmbroideryWorks are also welcome to take this class.
If you have questions about the topic/requirements BEFORE signing up for this class, please contact Lisa via
her website form at www.Sew-Bubbles.com/EEM2018
Take your embroidery design customizing one step further with Embrilliance Enthusiast. Although we LOVE
the patented Knockdown stitching in Enthusiast, there are many more functions to this program that you
don’t want to miss out on! In this class we will play with stitch editing to break apart our designs into
elements that we can then use to create new designs. From frames for labels and wreaths for monograms,
we will play with the automated functions and see how these streamlined features can take our design
customizing to the next level.
NOTE: Designs and PDF notes are provided at the beginning of class. Please arrive promptly (or up to 15 min
early) so that we can make sure that you get the files transferred from USB to your desktop.
Yes, you read the title correctly! This is a hands-on digitizing workshop geared not only to those who are considering digitizing, but also to those who have been digitizing for years. The class is all about the initial foundation of theory John learned from his Schiffli mentor more than 33 years ago, and will contain the most important information you’ll ever learn about digitizing. If you’ve ever been to a hands-on software class before you might be skeptical, since often the person who knows the least get the most attention during class, while others are left waiting. Not this time! Two weeks prior to class attendees will download a demo version of the software and some basic tutorials about the tools needed for class. Because everyone will come prepared, laptop loaded with the demo software and knowing where the tools are, you’ll be ready for accelerated learning! Note: This software is developed for a Windows operating system. There are customers that run this software on their MAC computers when using Parallels. Please contact Apple for more details about the Parallels program.
Regardless of the machine brand you own, the end results should always be the same… beautiful stitches creating soft embroidery! Getting consistent results begins with a firm grasp of the basics. Explore hooping basics, choosing the right stabilizer, selecting appropriate needles and thread, along with repairing and finishing your embroidery. Bonus: discuss choosing the right design and customizing it as needed for the fabric you’re working with.
Taught by John Deere
Angelina Film, Angelina Fibers, Spray Glitter are just a few that we will learn how to use. I think every project should be unique and will share with you how to use these fun products. It will be a great review for those who have them but forgot what to do with them. There are some tricks that make these products a little more user friendly. I will have handouts for you to take notes and help you remember what you learned.
We will learn about things that make working on your projects more fun. We will discuss several ways to use Bonash, Terial Magic, the importance of the Iron Cover and Ironing Board cover, small notions that make the projects easier. I will have handouts for you to take notes and help you remember what you learned. This class is for the seamstress, embroiderer, and those using the cutting machines. Great information for all.
The purpose of this class is to show crafters and embroiderers how to use HTV Glitter as an applique.
Great aspects of the process:
1). It is a simple process
2). There is zero cutting (unlike regular applique)
3). An added dimension to your products that help with the overall look and the profits!
This business class by Hillary Dunham with Mint Julep Monograms is designed to support new and existing embroidery business owners.
Ever have people yell monogramming orders to you in the carpool line or grocery store? Or have you ever placed an order for blanks and had one more post it note order that you forgot to include in the order? We have all been there and know that lack of organization can cost you money! This class with cover plans for organizing your business life so that you can spend more time doing the things that MAKE money (instead of placing another order with that blanks company)! We’ll go step by step through tactics that organize your order forms, systems, ordering, production and shipping to make your life easier!
We all know it’s important to love what you do… so why not make money doing it? It’s simple… the more money you make… the more toys you can buy! This class will cover all the basics: choosing the right machine, setting up shop, where to buy and what to sell, how much to charge, creating a workflow to optimizing profitability, promoting your business and most importantly, help you define who your target market really is.
This class is all about the fun techniques you can create with embroidery. Explore the steps involved in creating a host of different in-the-hoop effects: appliqué, reverse appliqué and cutwork, fringe embroidery, 3D embroidery, embroidery with mylar, free-standing lace and much, much more! The best part about this class is you will have access to tutorials and embroidery files for all the techniques shown, so you can play when you get home!