Description
We are thrilled to reveal that our 22nd event will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan! We're teaming up with the most inspirational designers and pattern writers of our industry. The event is set for April 9th to April 12th, 2026. Included in your registration fee, you’ll have the opportunity to take classes taught by extraordinary and influential women from the modern quilting and sewing world at the Kensington Hotel Ann Arbor.
Blair Stocker
Blair Stocker is a quiltmaker, author, and teacher behind
Wise Craft Handmade. She is the creator of the Ruby Ruler®, a popular tool for working with color value in quilting, and finds endless inspiration redefining the “scrappy quilt”. Her accessible teaching style encourages experimentation, creating opportunities for students to break traditional rules and focus on joyful, intentional making. In addition to scrappy quilting and color value work, Blair also specializes in Chicken Scratch embroidery—a vintage embroidery technique stitched over gingham fabric to create lace-like patterns. She calls the northern New Mexico desert home, along with her husband Peter and her kitty/studio assistant named Toby.
Allie McCathren
Allie McCathren is an artist with a background in marine biology. She lives in Houston, TX with her three sons. Her love of science and nature tends to find its way into her work, whether she intends it or not. Allie works primarily with fabric and thread, but is also a painter, working with acrylics and watercolors. She uses fabric as if it were paint, working with color arrangement and texture to create her art quilts. Allie is a modern quilter who uses a lot of improv techniques in her work. She teaches online classes on various techniques, including her Seaglass Quilting method.
Before coming to the event, Sewtopia works with Windham Fabrics to select 6 fabrics. A couple months before the event, we send every attendee six fat quarters. Participation is optional and encouraged. The rules of the challenge are simple: you can use one or all the fabrics—just make sure that you only use Windham Fabrics in your creation. When attendees check in, they’ll be asked to check in their projects to be eligible for prizes.
We kick off each event with a Shop Hop! Join us as we visit some of the best quilt and fabric shops in the area. Think of it like a pub crawl, but instead of drinks, you’ll be collecting fabric, inspiration, and exclusive deals (if offered) all while riding along with a bus full of fellow fabric lovers. It’s the perfect way to see the city, do a little sightseeing, and stock up on new favorites.
After registration and closer to the event, you’ll finalize your details to reserve a seat on the bus. This year’s itinerary includes a special stop in Ann Arbor to visit our friends at Duckdilly, making the weekend even more memorable.
Sewtopia’s Sewing Lounge will be open Thursday, April 9th after the shop hop to midnight. We’ll open the lounge again in the morning for classes. We will leave it open and close each night at midnight. Attendees will be contacted prior to the event regarding seating. We’ll ask who you’d like to sit by and assign seats.
Here’s the general format that an attendee should expect if they’re attending Sewtopia Ann Arbor:
For classes we will split the ballroom into 3 sections. Teachers will teach Friday and Saturday. Twenty (20+) attendees in the morning session, we’ll break for lunch for one (1) hour. After lunch, the first two sessions that were in class will be in open sew while the third session will be in class. We will open all walls for evening sewing from 5 pm to midnight. The next day, the ballroom will split again into 3 sessions. Teachers will swap sections and teach in the morning again and we’ll repeat the schedule from the day before. On Sunday, the Sewing Lounge will be in open sew until noon.
If you’re bringing a machine or items, don’t worry about carrying them back to your room—we’ll lock up every night for you. This time is yours to finish up class projects and other sewing projects.
General notions will be provided: irons, cutting mats, rotary cutters, and thread.
In 2018, Sewtopia re-opened our online shop. We continue to update it with new Sewtopia merchandise, notions, and fabrics. We’re bringing the show on the road and will be in the Sewing Lounge with new fabrics from Cloud 9, Ruby Star Society, Windham, and Robert Kaufman.
Sewtopia will do one official secret swap that attendees can participate in. This is a blind swap, meaning we will not assign you a partner. We ask that you bring your swap item wrapped to the event at check-in, and Sewtopia will distribute swap gifts Friday night to open Saturday morning before class. If you bring an item to swap you get one back.
#sewtopiaswap
Rules:
- If you’re on Instagram, please use this hashtag so others can cheer you on and support your creative process.
- Money limit is $25—don’t break the bank!
- Bring your swap item wrapped and labeled to Sewtopia when you check in.
- Include a note or label saying who it’s from.
- “Smalls” category includes anything smaller than a 24×24 pillow or mini, mug rug, pincushion, something for a sewing area, or a pouch.
- Make something that you love, out of fabrics you adore.
- The Sewtopia team will do the secret swap Friday night after the sewing lounge closes. The swap items will be at your sewing station Saturday morning for you to open.
- Don’t worry if you don’t do the swap—we will hand out swap gifts only to those who participated.
If you have any questions, email us and we’ll collect them all in a FAQs email to everyone.
The Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor
Sewtopia | Ann Arbor takes place at The Kensington Hotel. Conveniently located just two-and-a-half miles from downtown Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus, the hotel offers stylish comfort with easy access to shopping, dining, and local attractions.
Hotel Rates:
$145.00 (taxes & fees not included) | Single or Double Beds
Closest Airport
If you’re flying in, the airport you want is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), located about 25 miles from Ann Arbor.
This “UNOFFICIAL–OFFICIAL” swap is run by our fantastic attendee, Rhiannon. Unlike the Sewtopia Swap, attendees sign up for this swap and your swap partner is assigned.
Super Secret Swap hashtags: #sewtopiasupersecretswap #supersecretswapannarbor
Check previous #supersecretswappdx & #supersecretswapatx hashtags on Instagram for inspiration.
Rules
- There will be a signup form emailed to all attendees 3–4 months before the event.
- Once partners are assigned, you must confirm with Rhiannon by replying to the email.
- If you’re on Instagram, please use the hashtag #supersecretswapannarbor so others can cheer you on.
- This is a SECRET swap—don’t give too much away on social media.
- Make a mosaic on Instagram and/or Pinterest to help your partner visualize what you like.
- Make one handmade item (e.g., mini, tote bag, or other small handmade item) tailored to your partner’s likes.
- Spend $20–$35 on extras along with the handmade gift.
- Leave one small gift secretly at your partner’s sewing station on Thursday or Friday, with the final handmade gift revealed on Saturday afternoon (after lunch, before dinner).
- If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or post your question in our Facebook Group.
Travel FAQ
- Where do I park?
- The Kensington Hotel offers ample on-site parking with no additional fees.
- What hotels are available for booking? How do I get the Sewtopia discount on my hotel room?
- We’ve set up a discounted room block for attendees at The Kensington Hotel. The reservation link is available under the “Hotel & Travel” tab. We’ll also send it in your registration confirmation email with a reminder before the booking deadline. Please book early—we’ve sold out our room blocks every year since 2014.
- What airport should I fly into?
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), about 25 miles from Ann Arbor.
- You’re not helping me at all! I have different questions!
- Shoot us an email at [email protected].
Venue FAQ
- Where is Sewtopia | Ann Arbor being held?
- The Kensington Hotel, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Will food be provided? Are there restaurants in the area?
- Lunches are included with full registration on Friday and Saturday. You’re on your own for dinner. The hotel area has plenty of nearby dining options, from quick bites to sit-down restaurants. For suggestions, join our Facebook group and post there.
