2027 FIrst Saturday Program - Jubilation

First Saturday 2027 — Jubilation

First Saturday is BACK!

Join us for 12 months of quilting, learning, friendship, and fun as we create our own Emma's version of Jubilation, a spectacular 100" x 100" quilt featuring Studio 180 Designs techniques.

Choose from two gorgeous—and completely different—fabric colorways: the bright and playful Just Dandy by Island Batik, filled with turquoise, aqua, lime, coral, pink and rich blues; or the fresh floral Among the Wildflowers II by Shelly Cavanna for Benartex, featuring beautiful shades of navy, teal, aqua, blue and spring green.

We're putting our own spin on Jubilation

The original Jubilation design repeats several blocks around its striking center medallion. But you know me—I couldn't resist playing with it!

For our First Saturday version, I'm creating 16 different blocks rather than repeating the original eight. We'll use blocks from Jubilation along with additional blocks I've selected to give you even more opportunities to work with your Studio 180 tools, learn new techniques and build your piecing skills.

During the 12-month First Saturday program, participants will receive 12 different monthly blocks. At the end of the program, those blocks can be arranged into a quilt of your own design, or you may purchase our optional finishing kit to complete Emma's full 100" x 100" version of Jubilation, including the additional blocks, center medallion, and finishing components.

First Saturday is about more than the quilt

Each month you'll join Cyndi and your fellow quilters for either our morning or afternoon First Saturday gathering. No need to commit to one session for the entire year—come to whichever works best for your schedule that month.

We'll demonstrate the month's block and techniques, talk about what's new at Emma's and in the quilting world, share tips, tricks, and quilting hacks; and you'll get Cyndi's Recipe of the Month (and sometimes a monthly tasting, especially if it's dessert!)

And don't forget Show & Tell! Bring something you've completed and let us celebrate it with you. It's one of our favorite First Saturday traditions and one of the reasons this program has developed into such a wonderful quilting community.

How the monthly blocks work

Your registration includes your first block. Complete it and bring it with you the following month to receive your next block at no additional charge.

Can't make a meeting? No problem. You may pick up your block before the next First Saturday and complete it in time to stay on track.

And because life happens, every participant receives one free pass during the 12-month program. After your free pass has been used, if you miss a month or don't complete your block, the cost to receive the next block is $6.

Studio 180 Tools

The Studio 180 system is one of the reasons I'm so excited about this project. Their technique of making units slightly oversized and then trimming them precisely to size helps improve accuracy and gives you beautifully constructed blocks—even when your piecing isn't absolutely perfect.

For Jubilation, we strongly recommend:

Wing Clipper • Square Squared • Tucker Trimmer I • Corner Beam • V-Block • Quilter's Magic Wand

Already purchased some of these for last year's First Saturday? Perfect! We're putting them back to work. If you need any of the rulers for this year's program, registered First Saturday participants will receive 15% off their Studio 180 ruler purchases at Emma's.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner/Intermediate

Don’t let the finished quilt intimidate you! This program is designed for the confident beginner through intermediate quilter who is comfortable with basic rotary cutting and piecing and is ready to build their skills.

Some of these blocks may look complicated, but that’s where the Studio 180 system really shines. By constructing units slightly oversized and then trimming them down for accuracy, you’ll learn techniques that help you achieve beautiful points, precise blocks, and better-fitting pieces without having to sew everything perfectly the first time.

Each month, I’ll demonstrate the techniques used in that month’s block and walk you through the Studio 180 tools that help make it successful. You don’t need to already be an expert—you just need to be ready to learn!

Program Details

• Program begins:  November 14, 2027 (I know it's not the first Saturday.  I'm having my retreat weekend that day so it will need to be the second week for the kick off.
• Length: 12 months
• Registration: $45
• Finished Emma's Jubilation quilt: 100" x 100"
• Pattern: Full-color, 52-page Jubilation pattern plus additional block designs for Emma's expanded version
• Fabric choices: Just Dandy by Island Batik OR Among the Wildflowers II by Shelly Cavanna for Benartex
• Background fabric: Purchased separately; yardage requirements will be provided. Emma's sample background fabric will be available for purchase.
• Finishing kit: Optional and purchased separately. Pricing will be announced at our first meeting, with kits expected to be available around the third month of the program.
• Skill level:  Confident beginner/intermediate.

Come for the quilt. Come for the learning. And don't be surprised if you stay for the friendships.

First Saturday has become one of our favorite traditions at Emma's, and I can't wait to see what we create together in 2027.