Alesia Willet
Born in Kentucky, Alesia learned to sew from her mom and both grandmothers, each with a unique style that shaped her love for creating. She started sewing at just five years old, made her own clothes in middle school, and began quilting soon after. What started as a hobby quickly became her therapy — and her passion grew right along with her sewing space! Though color once felt like her biggest challenge, learning to master it transformed her quilting journey and inspired her to become a Certified Color Confidence Instructor. Alesia loves blending traditional techniques with modern design and helping…
Anne Marcellis
Anne Marcellis of Sam Quilt Designs is a national award-winning quilter whose creative journey began in 2001—after years of sewing clothing for herself and her children. What started with a first wall quilt (and mitered borders held together with super glue!) quickly ignited a passion that never faded. Over the years, Anne has grown into a respected designer, teacher, judge, and speaker, sharing her vibrant style and love of color with quilters across numerous states. Her work has earned multiple People’s Choice and Best of Show awards, and two of her quilts were featured in the American Quilter’s Society Quilt…
Donna Struntz
Donna, creator of Handmade by Ying with Donna, launched her first sewing video in 2022 and has since built a vibrant community focused on sewing, longarm quilting, and pattern making. Through her engaging sew-alongs, weekly livestreams, and practical teaching style, she helps quilters of all levels grow their skills with confidence. Since 2023, Donna has hosted retreats across WV, PA, TN, KY, and MD, offering workshops in Bargello, quilt-coat construction, and foundation paper piecing (FPP). She brings warmth, clarity, and encouragement to every class and is excited to share her passion with makers at Hidden Falls Farm Retreat.
Jackie O'Brien
Jackie is a 20 year quilt veteran, artist, and owner of If These threads Could Talk. She is passionate about quilting and teaching others to quilt. Jackie discovered One Block Wonders (OBWs) in 2006 and has made well over 110 and counting! Two of her One Block Wonders are featured in Maxine Rosenthal’s book “One Block Wonders Around the World”. I consider her to be the “Goddess of One block wonders! And if the example pictured here is a portrait of a goddess, then I would consider thisJackie’s self portrait! Jackie is an expert with incorporating hollow cubes and has…
Jeanie Crossley of A Crafty Place
After a 20-year Marine Corps career ,Jeanie Crossley traded in her uniform for fabric and thread. She began sewing garments before discovering quilting in the 1980s with her very first tree skirt. In 2017, her passion deepened when she joined a quilt block swap, which sparked her fascination with design. Today, Jeanie creates original quilt patterns, leads a popular quilt swap group, and shares her work through her ACraftyPlace Facebook page and at craft shows. In her classes, Jeanie combines military precision with creative exploration, making her workshops both structured and inspiring. Students love her clear instructions, approachable style, and…
Kathi Sweet
Kathi Sweet began quilting over 50 years ago and has completed more than 200 Quiltworx quilts. Kathi has been teaching Quiltworx patterns for over 12 years. She brings extensive knowledge and a warm, approachable teaching style to every class. Her work has earned multiple awards, including AQS Best in Show honors in Phoenix and Des Moines, Best in Longarm Quilting in 2012 and 2013, and a top placement at the Houston International Quilt Festival. Kathi loves helping quilters grow in confidence, offering individualized instruction and encouragement to work at their own pace. If you’ve ever wanted to make a Quiltworx quilt,…
Kimberly Pierce
Kimberly Pierce is a knitting instructor and Registered Nurse specializing in surgical first assisting, blending her attention to detail and caring nature into every class she teaches. Her love of yarn began in childhood with crochet, and in the early 2000s she fell headfirst into knitting, studying with renowned instructors at events like Stitches South, Vogue Knitting Live, and Rhinebeck. Since 2011, Kim has been teaching knitters of all levels at both local and national events. She is known for her patient, approachable style that makes knitting both fun and accessible, while giving students the confidence to tackle mistakes, read…
Krista Moser - A Quilted Life
Quilt Pattern Designer • Educator • Creator of the 60° Diamond Ruler Krista Moser is the designer behind The Quilted Life and the creative behind the popular Creative Grids 60° Diamond Ruler. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Krista is known for her clear, visual instruction style and bold geometric quilt designs that make even complex patterns approachable. Her workshops are packed with tips for precision piecing, working with bias edges, and mastering techniques like Y-seams. Whether you’re a confident beginner or seasoned quilter, you’ll walk away from Krista’s sessions with new skills, fresh inspiration, and a finished project…
Mary Beth Dunn
Kentucky-born and raised, Mary Beth Dunn is a proud “blue-blooded” quilter with a passion for teaching, creating, and sharing the joy of quilting. After retiring from a distinguished civil service career as an oceanographer with the federal government in 2014, Mary Beth dove headfirst into the quilting world—and never looked back. Known for turning complex techniques into fun, accessible experiences, Mary Beth is especially skilled in improvisational piecing and creative panel quilting. Her award-winning designs often incorporate machine embroidery and reflect her love of nature and animals—she’s designed quilts featuring everything from horses and llamas to alligators, bulls, and flamingos.…
Merritt Crawford
We are delighted to welcome Merritt Crawford of Souvenir Stitches and Sew Just BeeCuzz to Hidden Falls Farm Retreat! Merritt is a talented pattern designer and teacher with over 40 years of needlework experience, spanning cross stitch, quilting, crochet, and wool appliqué. She is especially well known for her artistry in cross stitch finishing. Merritt began her creative journey in her tween years with cross stitch and crochet, later adding sewing and quilting after college. Inspired by the women in her life who turned everyday tasks into works of art, she has carried forward that creative heritage with a deep love…
Toni Raynolds
Toni Raynolds began quilting as a way to connect more with her mom—a quiet act of love that opened the door to something much bigger. In those early stitches, she found not only shared memories but a spark of joy that led her to join her church’s quilt ministry. What began as a simple way to bond became a lifelong calling. Today, Toni is a Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor, founder of Pieced Perfection, and proud owner of Hidden Falls Farm Retreat—a peaceful, purpose-filled escape in the rolling hills of Nancy, Kentucky. Designed with quilters, crafters, and makers in mind,…