Summer 2025
Summer is here, and I’ve been busy adding more workshops, talks, and guild presentations. I’ve also been creating brand new classes and workshops that I’m very excited to bring to you! My next NEWSLETTER is coming out soon, so if you haven’t signed up, yet, now is a great time!
JULY
Wed., July 23 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Zippered Pouch
Empire Make Space
Sold Out
If you haven't put in a zipper before, or just enjoy the satisfaction of a useful and speedy lil' project, then Zippered Pouch is just the ticket!! Endlessly versatile and delightfully gift-able, you'll want to make dozens of these handy well made bags. The Zippered Pouch is fully lined and neatly finished on the inside, with your choice of a flat pouch or a standing pouch with boxed corners.
Sunday, July 27 | 11:00-2:00 pm
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing School
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Tuesday, July 29 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Zippered Pouch
Empire Make Space
If you haven't put in a zipper before, or just enjoy the satisfaction of a useful and speedy lil' project, then Zippered Pouch is just the ticket!! Endlessly versatile and delightfully gift-able, you'll want to make dozens of these handy well made bags. The Zippered Pouch is fully lined and neatly finished on the inside, with your choice of a flat pouch or a standing pouch with boxed corners.
AUGUST
Tuesday, August 5 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Intro to Sewing: Envelope Pillow Case
Empire Make Space
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Monday, August 11 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Intro to Sewing: Envelope Pillow Case
Empire Make Space
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Thursday, August 21 | 6:00-9:00
English Paper Piecing
Toronto Sewing School
A great choice for precise, geometric patchwork, English Paper Piecing is sewn completely by hand. This fun, take-it-anywhere technique shows off clever fussycuts and is a beautiful way to use your favourite scraps. In addition to traditional hexagons, this method works equally well for diamonds, half-hexagons, jewel shapes and more. This 3-hour workshop is suitable for all levels, from beginners to veteran sewists.
Saturday, August 23 | 11:00-2:00
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing School
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Monday, August 25 | 6:00-9:00
Sewing Machine Basics
Toronto Sewing School
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Wednesday, August 27 | 6:00-9:00
Simple Mending for Busy People
Toronto Sewing School
You only need a needle, thread, and a pair of sharp snips to repair your clothes and to maintain your everyday home textiles. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of sewing by hand with the most useful stitch techniques to prolong the life of your favourite clothes and household goods. Learning this important life skill will build your confidence in doing things for yourself and will help you save money, too!
SEPTEMBER
Tuesday, Sep. 9 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Intro to Sewing: Envelope Pillow Case
Empire Make Space
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Wednesday, Sep. 10 | 7:00 pm
Talk: Let’s Talk About Colour & Print
Prince Edward County Quilters’ Guild
For many quilters, choosing fabric for a new project is fraught with uncertainty. Where do we begin? Let Johanna Masko help you get going with her lively discussion about working with colour and print in quilts. A scholarly understanding of the colour wheel is not required!
Johanna shares many of her sources of inspiration and the methods she uses to make artistic choices for her work, and hopes you’ll walk away with a boost of confidence to do the same for yours.
Thursday, Sep. 11 | 9:30-12:30 pm
Workshop: Machine Foundation Paper Piecing: Houses
Prince Edward County Quilters’ Guild
In this workshop, you will learn the freezer paper-based method of foundation paper piecing, how it differs from traditional block construction, and why so many quilters love it! You'll learn to make the first row of houses featured in our image, which will enable you to complete the rest at home on your own with your new skills!
*Pattern included. Quilt dimensions: 16” x 28”, plus the border.
Sunday, Sep. 14 | 11:00-2:00 pm
Intro to Sewing: Envelope Pillow Case
Empire Make Space
Welcome to the practical and creative world of machine sewing! In this workshop, you will gain an overall understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. We will cut and construct an envelope-style pillow cover to learn the basics of cutting, pinning, and sewing on a beginner-friendly project. No experience necessary, sewing machines provided.
Tuesday, Sep. 23 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Zippered Pouch
Empire Make Space
If you haven't put in a zipper before, or just enjoy the satisfaction of a useful and speedy lil' project, then Zippered Pouch is just the ticket!! Endlessly versatile and delightfully gift-able, you'll want to make dozens of these handy well made bags. The Zippered Pouch is fully lined and neatly finished on the inside, with your choice of a flat pouch or a standing pouch with boxed corners.
Sunday, September 28 | 3:30 pm
Talk: Secrets of a Patchwork Pro
Toronto Modern Quilt Guild
Johanna Masko completed a sampler quilt comprised of 111 different 6” blocks, which were sewn in a total of 30 sewing sessions, and used NONE of the provided templates. How? By using every piecing trick and Quilt Math formula she knew, plus inventing a few more along the way. “Secrets of a Patchwork Pro” is a visual overview of the technical side of patchwork construction, from recognizing the underlying grid structure of traditional patchwork blocks to the many ways to approach commonly used patchwork units.
NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 8
Secrets of a Patchwork Pro: Quilt Math
Sew Squad with Libs Elliott
Quilt Math can be fun! Let Johanna show you how to do the math that quilting often requires.
You'll learn how to calculate fabric requirements for sashings, bindings, borders, and backings, as well as for the patchwork units within quilt blocks. You will learn some handy formulas and practical strategies for using them to your best advantage.
Best of all, no math test at the end! Just a chance to feel more confident in your calculations and give your quilting skills a boost.
Monday, November 10 | 7:00 pm
Talk: Modular Quilting: Making Big Quilts at Home
Durham Trillium Quilters’ Guild
If actually quilting your quilts, even the small ones, is the part of the process you enjoy the least, you are definitely not alone. Let Johanna Masko help you get your quilts- ALL the quilts- finished! Save money and time by using her practical modular quilting techniques to complete even very large quilts, on your own, at home.
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 13
Improvised Patchwork Lettering
Sew Squad with Libs Elliott