In-Store Shopping
& Order Pick-Up Hours:
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 AM - 5 PM
Tue, Thu 10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday Noon - 4 PM
Online ordering is available 24/7
Curbside / in-store pick-up & shipping are available
Jolee Sew Along LIVE broadcast with designer, Gudrun Erla
Saturday, February 15, 9:30am - 4:30pm
Join us in person for this fun event presented by GE Designs. Registration includes the exclusive Jolee pattern, space in our classroom to Sew Along in real time as Gudrun of GE Designs will go live 4 times during the event, and we will air them on our big screen in the classroom. Our classroom will be hosted by certified Stripology Master, Laura who will be there for hands on help when needed. The fee also includes access to the videos after they air as they won’t be available otherwise, and a 10% off discount on all full priced purchases in the shop the day of the event! Skill level: Intermediate. Master Your Stripology Ruler class is recommended but not required.Learn more and register here!
The Creators Cottage Raffle!
Buy tickets at the shop, $5 each or six for $25 Grand prize is a custom commissioned Legacy Quilt!
The Memory Collectors Storytelling Project (MCSP): Fighting Alzheimer's With Art is located at the Creator's Cottage, and is a multi-year, artist-led initiative that focuses on Alzheimer's prevention in women of color through healthy eating, mental wellness, community support, and skill development in personal storytelling and quilt making. Participate in their raffle now through Feb. 28 and win a custom commissioned legacy quilt valued at $3,800, a cozy baby quilt valued at $400, or a twin-sized embroidered quilt valued at $1,000. Purchase raffle tickets at Blue Bar Quilts or contact Alicia Rheal (artist in residence) at aliciarheal@gmail.com, with “Raffle Tickets” in the subject line.
The Creator’s Cottage is a non-profit arts space located in South Madison. They offer a fully equipped fiber arts studio space, a dedicated classroom space, a writers café, as well as overnight retreat accommodations for literary, visual, fiber, and performing artists. They support the arts through an active calendar of virtual and in-person events. Their mission is to transform the lives of women, children, and families of color through the creative arts. Their goals are to improve the lives of artists everywhere, build stronger more resilient families, and bring about equitable social transformation in the creative arts. Visit their website to learn more: creatorscottage.org
Building Blocks classes with Rebecca Lidstrom of Studio R Quilts
Building Blocks: Flying Geese
February 27, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Additional date choice: Sunday, May 4, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
In this class, you will learn to create flying geese using 3 different methods: stitch & flip, traditional, and no-waste (4-At-A-Time). We will make flying geese in two different sizes 2" x 4" (2" x 4" unfinished) and 4" x 8" (4" x 8" unfinished) which can be used to make a mini quilt. Learn more and register here
Building Blocks: Stars Table Runner
February 20, 2025, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Additional date choice: Sunday, April 13, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Star blocks are popular in quilt making - let's jump in and fearlessly learn three versatile blocks to up your piecing and design game. In this class, we will focus on star blocks that are made with half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles, and flying geese. These basic block units can be used to make a wide variety of different star blocks. In class, we’ll make the Ribbon Star, Ohio Star, and Sawtooth Star blocks which can then be joined into a 12" x 48" table runner. Learn more and register here.
Building Blocks: Half-Square Triangles
Sunday, April 6, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
The half-square triangle is a versatile quilt block that every quilter should master. In this hands-on class, we will make half-square triangles using 3 different methods. Along the way, you’ll understand the pros and cons of each method, troubleshoot common piecing issues, and learn math to customize half-square triangles to any size. Half-Square Triangle Methods: Two-At-A-Time Method, Four-At-A-Time Method, and Eight-At-A-Time Method. Learn more and register here.
Sewing Machine Service
Our service technician Ginny is accepting machines for service! We take all JUKI sewing machines and sergers, and any machines of other brands that are beyond the manufacturer's warranty. Bring your machine to the shop for service; the current wait time is within 30 days. Service times may increase if repairs and/or replacement parts are needed. Email Ginny at machineservice@bluebarquilts.com if you have questions and visit our service page.
Master Your Stripology Rulers with our certified Stripology instructor, Laura Boyd!
Saturday, March 15, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Additional date choice: Saturday, April 12
Master Your Stripology Rulers
Join Laura, our certified Stripology instructor, to learn how to use Stripology rulers to accurately and efficiently cut fabric into strips, squares, and rectangles, as well as master cutting 1/4” and 1/8” increments. During the first part of class, you will learn all the techniques and features of your Stripology rulers by making basic units like Half-Square Triangles, Quarter-Square Triangles, and Flying Geese the GEasy way. In the second part of class, you will put your new knowledge to use making a class project, the Back Home table topper/wall hanging, made with Flying Geese units. Once you have completed this class you will have the skills to Stripologize any project! Class details with full supply and fabric requirements here. Skill level: BeginnerLearn more and register here!
New class with Mary Vassalotti making Larkspur Lane Designs quilts!
Wednesdays, Feb. 26 & March 26, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Spice Road or Feather Star
Join Mary to make one of these foundation paper pieced beauties designed by Larkspur Lane Designs. Both patterns use similar techniques and repeating block designs, and both blocks will be taught in class. Stitch up the Spice Road quilt using our kit of Geometrica batiks as pictured or let us help you choose fabrics to custom kit either quilt design. Mary will guide you with step-by-step instructions and teach you the best FPP practices and organization to make a striking quilt. Skill level: Intermediate. Confident beginner to advanced, foundation paper piecing skills are helpful. Supply list details here.Learn more and register here!
Hallway Gallery Exhibit
Beautiful Bed Quilts exhibit by members of Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists, February 2025
Stop in to view a selection of beautiful bed quilts by a small group of Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists members. From Marty Petillo of MCFA: “It’s February, and brrrr, it’s cold outside. What do you have on your bed to keep you warm at night? There is nothing more satisfying than snuggling under a quilt that you made for your own bed. It’s a big commitment… choosing a pattern and theme that will endure over time, yards and yards of fabric for the front and back, piecing or appliquéing the blocks, sewing dozens of blocks together, and finishing a BIG quilt. And yet despite the challenges, all of us fiber lovers likely have a homemade quilt on our beds—that almost no one sees! Enjoy the 5 bed quilts created by Candy Flynn, Jean Leeson, Jacqi Levy and Marty Petillo— and a raffle quilt from a group Marty co-chaired and that her husband won!”
Project QUILTING 2025 Mystery BONUS Challenge - 'This or That'
From Kim: We’re so anxious to get started with Season 16 of Project QUILTING on Sunday, January 5th, 2025 that we’ve decided to add to the Project QUILTING challenge fun of Season 16 and offer a Mystery BONUS Project QUILTING Challenge.
How will this be different than the normal Project QUILTING Challenges?
- To participate you must purchase one of the two bundles from Blue Bar Quilts.
- You will have more than a week to complete the challenge.
- The fabric bundle consists of eight quarter-yard cuts. Both bundles include one identical fabric, a squirrel & floral print on a black background. The twist is – Kim picked seven coordinating fabrics and Trish picked seven coordinating fabrics – which we’re keeping a surprise. You get to pick the bundle. Do you want to go with Kim’s style or Trish’s style? If you’re unfamiliar with their style I recommend browsing their websites and social media:
Order your bundle now! Remember – availability is limited so don’t wait too long!
Blue Bar Quilts is also giving you a coupon if you want to do a little extra shopping while you’re at their site! Coupon code PQBONUS25 for 20% off a purchase of $75 dollars or more. Code must be entered at checkout, good on online orders only, single use per customer, full price merchandise only, doesn’t include items already on sale or Cherrywood fabrics. Coupon good from December 22, 2024 through February 15, 2025.
Blue Bar Quilts will send a prize to the two winners of the bonus challenge – one for each of the Kim & Trish bundle projects.Rules and challenge details here!
Beginning Quiltmaking with Rebecca classes for 2025 are open!
Learn every step of the quilt-making process in this class designed for beginning sewists. The class project is an alternating 4-patch and plain block quilt with two borders and the pattern is included in the class fee. You will learn fabric selection, cutting, piecing, pressing, borders, basting, quilting, trimming, and binding. After taking this class you'll be ready to make any number of quilt projects. There's nothing like a handmade quilt - now you can make your own! Supply list and details here.
Tuesday evenings, 6-sessions March 18, 25 & April 1, 8, 15, 22 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday evenings, 6-sessions April 16, 23, 30 & May 7, 14, 21 6:00pm - 8:30pm
New 10th Anniversary Cherrywood Challenge - ABYSS
What ideas lurk in the depths of your creativity? Take the Abyss Challenge with Cherrywood Hand-Dyed Fabrics! Create a 20" x 20" art quilt of your own design using the limited palette of the Abyss Bundle. Shop the FQ Bundle, 1/2 YD Bundle and the Abyss Aurifloss Thread Collection
Rent our Classroom!
Rent our Classroom for a sew day, event or gathering!Rental charge is $25 per hour; please check our online calendar for availability - if nothing is scheduled for that day the classroom is available, please email Gael at bluebarquilts@gmail.com to request. Limited evening hours available.
Amenities include: irons, ironing boards, cutting mats & basic acrylic rulers, twelve 6’ tables, 20 rolling office chairs, 75” smart TV, 100” square quilt design wall.
Blue Bar Quilts is a Modern Quilting Community located in Middleton, Wisconsin.
Our focus is on modern quilters and makers and the fabrics they love. We stock designer fabric collections and fabric basics from Andover Fabrics, Art Gallery Fabrics, Blank Quilting, Charley Harper, Camelot, Clothworks, Dashwood Studio, Fableism, FIGO, Free Spirit, Island Batik, Michael Miller, Moda Fabrics, M&S Textiles, P&B Fabrics, Robert Kaufman, Ruby Star Society, Shannon Fabrics, Stof Fabrics, Studio E, Tilda, Windham Fabrics, and more.We are a JUKI QVP dealer and stock a full line of JUKI sewing machines, sergers and long arm quilting machines, the Tajima Sai embroidery machine, and the Ricoh Ri 100 direct to fabric digital printer. Come into the shop to see our selection or call to schedule a demo.
Our quilt shop offers classes in quilting and sewing projects and techniques, both hand sewing and sewing machine, and often including other fiber arts crafts and surface design techniques. Our shop takes pride in featuring local Wisconsin pattern designers. Some of our favorites are Abby Maed, Indie Hipster Quilts, JD’s Custom Quilts, Persimon Dreams, Purple Pineapple Studio, Sew Hungry Hippie, and Studio R Quilts.
We believe in giving back to our community through service. Blue Bar Quilts is a donation drop-off location for Project Linus, for finished quilts and blankets, and Ryan's Case for Smiles pillowcase donations. We host a monthly sew day for Boomerang Bags Dane County and Mad City Quilt Guild Community Service Committee. We are an in-kind sponsor of the annual online GSAFE Quilts & Fiber Arts Auction that takes place in late November. Check our online calendar for other community events and sew days.
Two Madison-area guilds meet at our shop, Madison Modern Quilt Guild and Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists. For more information on these groups please visit their websites or social media profiles.
Blue Bar Quilts is a welcoming Modern Quilting Community – We invite anyone with an interest in quilting, sewing, and creating to join us!
Your Full Service Quilt Shop
From custom kits for any pattern (yours or ours!), to sourcing and ordering specialty notions and tools, to cutting fat quarters at your request, we're your full-service quilt shop!
An Aviary of Affection
I was honored and surprised to receive this amazing quilt and pillow, made by members of the Blue Bar community. Titled "An Aviary of Affection", it couldn't have been a more perfect gift for me, full of birds and incredible collaborative artistry, two of my favorite things. I thank the makers for this quilt, but most of all for sustaining and nurturing the community that they have built in and around Blue Bar. My love to you all! 💙💛❤️
CONTACT US
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hello@bluebarquilts.com |
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(608) 284-9299 |
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6333 University Avenue Middleton, Wisconsin 53562 |
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In-Store Shopping Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10 AM - 5 PM Tue, Thu 10 AM - 6 PM Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM Sunday Noon - 4 PM; Online ordering open 24/7 |