MJ
Kinman

Quilting Classes & Events

Schedule of Upcoming Classes & Events

I’m now booking classes and trunk shows through 2026. To check if I’ll be at a guild or show near you, CLICK HERE for a listing of scheduled classes.
To learn more about the classes I’m currently teaching, keep reading!

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In class picture

Logo GemsJoyTrunkShow

Gems & Joy Trunk Show

My “Gems & Joy” slide lecture and trunk show chronicle my 25-year adventure in learning how to create the biggest diamonds in the world using fabric.

During my presentation, I’ll talk about the techniques to create and assemble the hundreds of pieces in each diamond, materials I use to create the wash of color and light across a gem’s surface, and the quilting techniques that enhance a gem’s facets. And, as so often happens with any artist’s decades-long journey, I’ll share what I’ve learned about the importance of choosing joy and saying “no” to fear as I made the leap from the Corporate Life to the Creative Life.

Download the overview below.

Length of Presentation: 50 minutes – 1 Hour

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450 ($400 when a class is also scheduled)



Logo Smithsonian Series

The Smithsonian Series Trunk Show

In-person & Zoom presentations available for guilds and other organizations.

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the most beautiful gems in the world – the Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem Collection – and the quilts they’ve inspired.

During this hour-long lecture and trunk show, MJ will share the history and lore of these magnificent gemstones, plus introduce you to their eccentric, intriguing, and often outrageous owners throughout the ages. During this hour-long lecture and trunk show, MJ will share the history and lore of these magnificent gemstones, plus introduce you to their eccentric, intriguing, and often outrageous owners throughout the ages.

In addition, MJ will also lead you through the step-by-step process she uses to transform images of gems into quilt designs. It’s all about the faceting pattern!

Download the overview below.

Length of Presentation: 50 minutes – 1 hour

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450 ($400 when a class is also scheduled)


Playing With Pixels 2

Playing With Pixels (Lecture)

In-person & Zoom presentations available for guilds and other organizations.

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will share one of her favorite ways to find inspiration for new work or a new series – playing with images in a photo editing app. These apps allow you to manipulate images in infinite ways, transforming them into intriguing ideas for new work.

MJ will show specific examples of the process she has used to create new mock-ups of current and future work.


Additionally, students will learn more than 20 different ways to manipulate images to create fascinating designs. For example:

  • Want to turn a ruby into an emerald? MJ will show you the tool to use.
  • Boost the saturation of an image to make your image glow.
  • Add a gentle curve or tight twist to your image.
  • Pixelate your image into squares or triangles of different sizes.
  • Slice your image into segments horizontally, vertically, or both.
  • Create an infinite variety of kaleidoscopic images. (Caution: this is addictive!)
  • Melt your image into waves of color.
  • Tilt an image backwards, forwards, or side to side to add perspective.
  • ….and more!

Download the overview below.

Length of Presentation: 50 minutes – 1 hour

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450 ($400 when a class is also scheduled)


the Magic of Color Interaction Logo

The Magic of Color Interaction (Lecture)

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this lecture, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will share four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s lecture is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Download the overview below.

Length of Presentation: 50 minutes – 1 hour

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450 ($400 when a class is also scheduled)



Half-day Classes (Approx. 3 hours)


Logo for Improv Gems Class 2

Improv Gems (Half-day; 4 hours is ideal)

In-person & Zoom presentations available for guilds and other organizations.

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gemstone quilts, will show you how to create sparkling gem blocks in a whole new way using the power of improvisational piecing.

Learn how to use improvisational strip-piecing techniques to create emerald-cut, baguette-cut, and Asscher-cut diamonds. These are diamonds that feature long, lovely facets – the “hall of mirrors” that highlight the interior clarity of a gem.

During class, MJ will discuss color selection for gems. (Hint: there is no wrong answer!). She’ll show you how to make your gem sparkle with value contrast, and how to make your gem glow with saturation contrast. Finally, she’ll demonstrate simple assembly techniques to piece together your lovely creation.

Activities include:

  • Creating a color palette that brings you joy.
  • Playing with high value contrast and saturation contrast to incorporate sparkle and glow into your gem.
  • Strip-piecing the interior facets of your gemstone.
  • Assembling the strip-pieced facets to create your own unique gemstone.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Presentation: 4 Hours

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450

Maximum Students: 24


Logo Lights Camera Action

Lights! Camera! Action!
Add Sparkle, Focal Points & Movement Using the Magic of Color Interaction
(Half-day)

In-person ONLY presentations available for guilds and other organizations. Because this class requires intense hands-on experiences and feedback, Zoom presentations are not feasible.

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.

(There is no sewing in this class. However, a sewing component can be added if the organizers prefer. If so, the Supply List must be amended.)

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Presentation: 3 Hours

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450

Maximum Students: 24

Logo Lit From Within

Lit From Within: Make Your Quilts GLOW Using the Magic of Color Interaction
(Half-day)

In-person ONLY presentations available for guilds and other organizations. Because this class requires intense hands-on experiences and feedback, Zoom presentations are not feasible.

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to create a dramatic GLOW to your quilts as though they were lit from within.

(There is no sewing in this class. However, a sewing component can be added if the organizers prefer. If so, the Supply List must be amended.)

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Presentation: 3 Hours

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450

Maximum Students: 24

Logo Dive Deep into Transparency

Dive Deep into Transparency: Add Depth to Your Quilts Using the Magic of Color Interaction
(Half-day)

In-person ONLY presentations available for guilds and other organizations. Because this class requires intense hands-on experiences and feedback, Zoom presentations are not feasible.

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to place colors to create credible and dramatic illusions of transparency.

(There is no sewing in this class. However, a sewing component can be added if the organizers prefer. If so, the Supply List must be amended.)

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Presentation: 3 Hours

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450

Maximum Students: 24

Logo Color Shifting

Color-Shifting: Transform the Appearance of Color Using the Magic of Color Interaction
(Half-day)

In-person ONLY presentations available for guilds and other organizations. Because this class requires intense hands-on experiences and feedback, Zoom presentations are not feasible.

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to literally change the color of fabric right before your eyes simply by pairing it with another color. For example, MJ will show you how to make one color look like two, and two colors look very similar – RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES!

(There is no sewing in this class. However, a sewing component can be added if the organizers prefer. If so, the Supply List must be amended.)

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Presentation: 3 Hours

Skill Level: All

Lecture Fee: $450

Maximum Students: 24


Full-Day Classes (Approx. 6 hours)


Logo BiteSizeGems

Bite-Size Gems (Full-Day)

In-person & Zoom presentations available for guilds and other organizations.

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will show you how to create sparkling gem blocks using the design and piecing techniques she relies on to create her signature quilts. During this fast-paced class, students will create their own singularly beautiful work of faceted light.

Freezer paper piecing techniques are powerful techniques that can transform any quiltmaker’s ideas into reality. MJ’s inspiration is gemstones, but yours might be landscapes, florals, portraits, abstracts, or any other kind of inspiration. The technique works for all!

MJ is quick to point out that this technique is NOT foundation paper piecing. There’s no sewing to paper or tearing paper out of the back of your quilt block when finished. Instead, this is traditional piecing using freezer paper as your templates. If you can put two pieces of fabric, right sides together, with a quarter-inch seam allowance, you can do this!

Over the course of a single day-long session, students will learn how to:

  • Create a freezer paper pattern based on a mock-up of a bite-size gem that I provide.
  • Understand how different types of fabrics impact the flow of light and color across their design.
  • Assemble the fabric facets to create their own block of faceted color.

Activities include:

  • Prepare square freezer paper template (recommended size: 18”).
  • Transfer the mock-up design to the freezer paper by using a simple grid technique.
  • Create a color palette.
  • Code the facets in their template to designate position, color, and adjacency.
  • Cut apart their freezer paper template and sort by color code.
  • Iron freezer paper facets to their painted fabric according to the color codes.
  • Cut the facets and organize them by section code.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Workshop: 5-6 hours

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Workshop Fee: $750

Maximum Students: 24

Crack the Color Code Full Day Class Logo

Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction (Full-Day)

In-person ONLY presentations of this class are available for guilds and other organizations. Because this class requires intense hands-on experiences and feedback, Zoom presentations are not feasible.

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color. 
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Workshop: 5-6 hours

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Workshop Fee: $750

Maximum Students: 24


DD Duke and Clark Only

Dames & Diamonds (Full-Day or Half-Day)

In-person & Zoom presentations available for guilds and other organizations.

Do you love quilts, gems, and great stories? This class is for you! MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, has designed three patterns inspired by some of the world’s most beautiful gems, including:

The Clark Pink – A stunning 9-carat pink diamond owned by the richest woman in America you’ve never heard of — Huguette Clark. She had millions and mansions but cared for none of it. Her great love was her collection of porcelain dolls. When Huguette died at age 105, her dolls filled her hospital room.

he Duke Canary Diamond – Meet one of the original “poor little rich girls”. When her tobacco-magnate father died when Doris Duke was just 12 years old, she became the wealthiest little girl in the world. Doris’s life was filled with adventure and heartache — and some of the most gorgeous gems in the world.

In class, students will choose one of the fully charted gem patterns to create. MJ will demonstrate the technique, as well as tips and tricks that will give you confidence to create your own glowing gem.

While our sewing machines are singing away and your gem block takes shape, MJ will also share one of these amazing gem’s stories, as well as tales of their eccentric, intriguing, and often outrageous owners. 

Over the course of a single day-long session, students will learn how to:

  • Learn the codes and visual clues MJ uses to piece together her gems.
  • Learn about the dazzling variety of  colored gemstones so that they can select the colors for their gem that bring them joy. (Hint: there are no wrong answers!)
  • Understand how different fabrics impact the flow of light and color across a quilt design.
  • Practice the assembly techniques as they create their own lovely gem block.  
  • Learn about one of the gems that inspired the patterns – their histories, legends, and the amazing people who crossed paths with them.

Download the overview and supply list below.

Length of Workshop: 6 hours (Full-day) OR 4 hours (Half-day)

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

Workshop Fee:

For Full-Day: $750
For Half-Day: $450

Maximum Students: 24


Teaching at eQuilter cropped

Schedule of Classes & Events

Find downloadable PDF of descriptions and supply list for each class by scrolling up this page.


Color Play Logo Beyond Color Theory2
Logo for Improv Gems Class 2

April 23 & 25, 2025

AQS Quilt Week

(Paducah, Kentucky)

Color Play: Beyond Color Theory

April 23 (SOLD OUT)

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, I’ll introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, I’ll show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color. 
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

This class is based on my new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, which will be released Summer 2025.


Improv Gems

April 25 (SOLD OUT)

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gemstone quilts, will show you how to create sparkling gem blocks in a whole new way using the power of improvisational piecing.

Learn how to use improvisational strip-piecing techniques to create emerald-cut, baguette-cut, and Asscher-cut diamonds. These are diamonds that feature long, lovely facets – the “hall of mirrors” that highlight the interior clarity of a gem.

During class, MJ will discuss color selection for gems. (Hint: there is no wrong answer!). She’ll show you how to make your gem sparkle with value contrast, and how to make your gem glow with saturation contrast. Finally, she’ll demonstrate simple assembly techniques to piece together your lovely creation.

Activities include:

  • Creating a color palette that brings you joy.
  • Playing with high value contrast and saturation contrast to incorporate sparkle and glow into your gem.
  • Strip-piecing the interior facets of your gemstone.
  • Assembling the strip-pieced facets to create your own unique gemstone.

Download the overview and supply list below.


Sunday May 4th Teachers 002

All-Star Sampler Platter

Global Quilt Connection (online; via Zoom); 3 – 6 PM Eastern

I’m delighted to join 8 marvelous quilt instructors for the Global Quilt Connection’s May All-Star Sampler Platter on May 4!

Here’s the line-up for Sunday, May 4th. (And don’t forget that there’s a full line-up on Saturday, May 3rd, too!)

Brandy Maslowski – Scrappy Hexie EPP
 Daisy Aschehoug – Any Curve Anywhere Sewing Quarter Circles
  MJ Kinman – Lit From Within: Make your Quilts GLOW Using the Magic of Color Interaction
  Mel Beach – Fabric Printing FUN in the SUN!
  Ellen Lindner -Takeoff with Technique: Ellen Lindner’s Favorite Techniques
 Jane Haworth – Fabric Collage is Easy: Let’s make Wildflowers.
  Cathy Perlmutter – Turned Edge Piecing for Cityscape Quilts
  Diane Harris – Fabric Savvy Secrets from Stash Bandit
  Jen Simonic – HOW NOT TO LEAVE A MESS with the Loose Ends Project

The event begins at 3 PM Eastern time and ends at 6 PM. To register now, CLICK HERE!


2025 Im Teaching FB post 002

Copy of Dames and Diamonds Logo 2

Minnesota Quilt Show

St. Cloud, MN

I’m teaching 3 classes and giving 2 lectures at the Minnesota Quilt Show this year! Here are the details…..

Dames & Diamonds

Full-day class; Wednesday, June 18; 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Do you love quilts, gems, and great stories? This class is for you! MJ Kinman has designed three patterns inspired by some of the world’s most beautiful gems, including:

The Clark Pink – A stunning 9-carat pink diamond owned by the richest woman in America you’ve never heard of!

The Bismarck Sapphire – The gigantic, glowing sapphire owned by Mona von Bismarck, a style icon of the early 20th century. The Bismarck now resides in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

The Duke Diamond – Doris Duke was the quintessential “poor little rich girl” of the early 20th Century. She owned mansions and jewels galore.

In class, students will choose one of the fully charted gem patterns to create. MJ will demonstrate the technique, as well as tips and tricks that will give you confidence to create your own glowing gem. While our sewing machines are singing away and your gem block takes shape, MJ will also share stories of these amazing gems and their outrageous, eccentric, and intriguing owners. 


Logo Smithsonian Series

National Treasures: Quilts Inspired by the Smithsonian Gem Collection

Lecture; Thursday, June 19; 10:30 – 11:30 AM

My Smithsonian Series slide lecture and trunk show introduce you to the gem quilts I’ve made that have been inspired by the most beautiful gems in the world. Learn about some of the jewels in the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection and their amazing stories, including the incredible people who crossed paths with them.


Color Play Logo Beyond Color Theory2

Color Play: Beyond Color Theory

Half-day class; Friday, June 20; 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

Logo for Improv Gems Class 2

Improv Gems

Half-day class; Friday, June 20; 1:00 – 4:00 PM

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gemstone quilts, will show you how to create sparkling gem blocks in a whole new way using the power of improvisational piecing.

Learn how to use improvisational strip-piecing techniques to create emerald-cut, baguette-cut, and Asscher-cut diamonds. These are diamonds that feature long, lovely facets – the “hall of mirrors” that highlight the interior clarity of a gem.

During class, MJ will discuss color selection for gems. (Hint: there is no wrong answer!). She’ll show you how to make your gem sparkle with value contrast, and how to make your gem glow with saturation contrast. Finally, she’ll demonstrate simple assembly techniques to piece together your lovely creation.

Activities include:

  • Creating a color palette that brings you joy.
  • Playing with high value contrast and saturation contrast to incorporate sparkle and glow into your gem.
  • Strip-piecing the interior facets of your gemstone.
  • Assembling the strip-pieced facets to create your own unique gemstone.
Master the Magic Logo

The Magic of Color Interaction

Lecture; Saturday, June 21; 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available at the lecture and on her website.


hq sparkle and glow resized 1

HandiQuilter Academy

Salt Lake City, UT

I’m teaching and lecturing at the Salt Lake City HandiQuilter Academy this year. CLICK HERE for details.


Master the Magic Logo 1

The Quilted Beehive

Ogden, UT

Half-day class; Friday, June 27; 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Cracking the Color Code:
Master the Magic of Color Interaction

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception? Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color. 
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

CLICK HERE for details.


Master the Magic Logo

Gwinnett Quilters’ Guild

Snellville, GA

Master the Magic of Color Interaction

Lecture; Tuesday, July 15

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s lecture is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.


Color Play Logo Beyond Color Theory2

Color Play: Beyond Color Theory

Half-day class; Wednesday, July 16

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.


Logo GemsJoyTrunkShow

Silicon Valley Modern Quilt Guild

Zoom Meeting

Gems & Joy

Lecture; Thursday, August 14; 7 PM Pacific

The most beautiful gemstone captures light and reflects it back to us with unique brilliance, revealing its fiery personality. These are the divas and the drama queens of the gem world. Every one of them has a story to tell…just like people. This slide lecture and trunk show chronicle my story – my 25-year adventure in learning how to create the biggest diamonds in the world in cloth.

During my presentation, I’ll discuss how I select gems that qualify as “divas and drama queens” and what they teach us about how to add sparkle to any art quilt. I’ll talk about the techniques to create and assemble the hundreds of pieces in each diamond, materials I use to create the wash of color and light across a gem’s surface, and the quilting techniques that enhance a gem’s facets. And as so often happens with any artist’s decades-long journey, I’ll share what I’ve learned from my leap from the Corporate Life and into the Creative Life.

CLICK HERE for more information.


Master the Magic Logo 1

Textile Artists of Virginia (TAVA)

Zoom Meeting

Master the Magic of Color Interaction

Lecture; Sunday, August 17

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception?

Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s lecture is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.

CLICK HERE for more information.


2025 Vending at the Great WI Quilt show

The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show

Madison, WI

I’m going to have a booth at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show this year! I’ll have all my patterns, fabric kits, my new book (!), and more. You’ll have the chance to visit scores of other vendor booths and even take classes. I hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE for more information.


Logo GemsJoyTrunkShow

The Kokomo Piecemakers

Kokomo, IN

Gems & Joy

Lecture; Tuesday, September 23

The most beautiful gemstone captures light and reflects it back to us with unique brilliance, revealing its fiery personality. These are the divas and the drama queens of the gem world. Every one of them has a story to tell…just like people. This slide lecture and trunk show chronicle my story – my 25-year adventure in learning how to create the biggest diamonds in the world in cloth.

During my presentation, I’ll discuss how I select gems that qualify as “divas and drama queens” and what they teach us about how to add sparkle to any art quilt. I’ll talk about the techniques to create and assemble the hundreds of pieces in each diamond, materials I use to create the wash of color and light across a gem’s surface, and the quilting techniques that enhance a gem’s facets. And as so often happens with any artist’s decades-long journey, I’ll share what I’ve learned from my leap from the Corporate Life and into the Creative Life.

CLICK HERE for more information.


Logo for Improv Gems Class 2

Improv Gems

Half-day class; Tuesday, September 23

 In this class, I’ll show you how to create sparkling gem blocks in a whole new way using the power of improvisational piecing. Learn how to use improvisational strip-piecing techniques to create emerald-cut, baguette-cut, and Asscher-cut diamonds. These are diamond styles that feature long, lovely facets — the “hall of mirrors” that highlight the interior clarity of a gem. I’ll demonstrate different styles of piecing, as well as discuss how to make your quilts sparkle and glow by selecting fabric of different values and saturation levels.

Activities include: • Creating a color palette that brings you joy.
• Playing with high value contrast and saturation contrast to incorporate sparkle and glow into your gem.
• Strip-piecing the interior facets of your gemstone.
• Assembling the strip-pieced facets to create your own unique gemstone.

CLICK HERE for more information.


Teaching at Quilt Festival 2025

Color Shifting MJ Kinman

Quilt Festival

Houston, TX

I’m teaching 6 classes and giving 2 lectures at Quilt Festival this year! Here are the details…..

Color Shifting:

Transform the Appearance of Color Using the Magic of Color Interaction

Half-day class (no sewing); Tuesday, October 7; 9 AM – Noon

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception? Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to literally change the color of fabric right before your eyes simply by pairing it with another color. For example, MJ will show you how to make one color look like two, and two colors look very similar – RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES!

This is a NON-SEWING class. MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.



Dive Deep into Transparency MJ Kinman

Dive Deep Into Transparency

Half-day class (no sewing); Tuesday, October 7; 2-5 PM

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception? Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to place colors to create credible and dramatic illusions of transparency.

This is a NON-SEWING class. MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.



Lights Camera Action MJ Kinman

Lights! Camera! Action!
Add Sparkle, Focal Points, and Movement to Your Quilt

Half-day class (no sewing); Wednesday, October 8; 9 AM – Noon

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception? Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Add metallic effects (without using metallic fabric or thread)

This is a NON-SEWING class. MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.



Master the Magic Logo 1

The Magic of Color Interaction

Lecture; Wednesday, October 8; 2-3 PM

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception? Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.

MJ’s lecture is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.



Crack the Color Code Full Day Class Logo

Cracking the Color Code

Full-day class (no sewing); Thursday, October 9; 8 AM – 5 PM

Josef Albers, the great artist/educator of the 20th Century, acknowledged how tricky colors can be. In his words, “Colors deceive continuously.” As artists, how do we navigate this world of deception? Luckily, by using a few simple rules, we can predict how color will try to deceive us and thereby increase our color confidence.

In this hands-on class, MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will introduce you to the four rules of color interaction and show you how to apply them to your own quilt design to create dramatic effects – regardless of your subject matter. For example, using strips and squares of solid fabric, MJ will show you how to:

  • Add sparkle (“bling”!) to your quilts.
  • Create dramatic focal points.
  • Add exciting visual movement.
  • Make your quilts glow.
  • Create powerful transparencies.
  • Alter the appearance of a color simply by pairing with another color.  
  • Create the illusion of metal surfaces without using metallic fabric or thread.
This is a NON-SEWING class. MJ’s class is based on her new book, “Cracking the Color Code: Master the Magic of Color Interaction”, available in class and on her website.



Logo BiteSizeGems

Bite-Size Gems

Full-day class; Friday, October 10; 9 AM – 5 PM

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will show you how to create sparkling gem blocks using the design and piecing techniques she relies on to create her signature quilts. During this fast-paced class, students will create their own singularly beautiful work of faceted light.

Freezer paper piecing techniques are powerful techniques that can transform any quiltmaker’s ideas into reality. MJ’s inspiration is gemstones, but yours might be landscapes, florals, portraits, abstracts, or any other kind of inspiration. The technique works for all!

MJ is quick to point out that this technique is NOT foundation paper piecing. There’s no sewing to paper or tearing paper out of the back of your quilt block when finished. Instead, this is traditional piecing using freezer paper as your templates. If you can put two pieces of fabric, right sides together, with a quarter-inch seam allowance, you can do this!

Over the course of a single day-long session, students will learn how to:

  • Create a freezer paper pattern based on a mock-up of a bite-size gem that I provide.
  • Understand how different types of fabrics impact the flow of light and color across their design.
  • Assemble the fabric facets to create their own block of faceted color.

Activities include:

  • Prepare square freezer paper template (recommended size: 18”).
  • Transfer the mock-up design to the freezer paper by using a simple grid technique.
  • Create a color palette.
  • Code the facets in their template to designate position, color, and adjacency.
  • Cut apart their freezer paper template and sort by color code.
  • Iron freezer paper facets to their painted fabric according to the color codes.
  • Cut the facets and organize them by section code.
  • Learn techniques to piece facets.


Logo for Improv Gems Class 2

Improv Gems

Half-day class; Saturday, October 11; 8 AM – Noon

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gemstone quilts, will show you how to create sparkling gem blocks in a whole new way using the power of improvisational piecing.

Learn how to use improvisational strip-piecing techniques to create emerald-cut, baguette-cut, and Asscher-cut diamonds. These are diamonds that feature long, lovely facets – the “hall of mirrors” that highlight the interior clarity of a gem.

During class, MJ will discuss color selection for gems. (Hint: there is no wrong answer!). She’ll show you how to make your gem sparkle with value contrast, and how to make your gem glow with saturation contrast. Finally, she’ll demonstrate simple assembly techniques to piece together your lovely creation.

Activities include:

  • Creating a color palette that brings you joy.
  • Playing with high value contrast and saturation contrast to incorporate sparkle and glow into your gem.
  • Strip-piecing the interior facets of your gemstone.
  • Assembling the strip-pieced facets to create your own unique gemstone.


Playing With Pixels 2

Playing With Pixels

Lecture; Saturday, October 11; 2-3 PM

MJ Kinman, maker of giant gem quilts, will share one of her favorite ways to find inspiration for new work or a new series – playing with images in a photo editing app. These apps allow you to manipulate images in infinite ways, transforming them into intriguing ideas for new work.

MJ will show specific examples of the process she has used to create new mock-ups of current and future work.


Additionally, students will learn more than 20 different ways to manipulate images to create fascinating designs. For example:

  • Want to turn a ruby into an emerald? MJ will show you the tool to use.
  • Boost the saturation of an image to make your image glow.
  • Add a gentle curve or tight twist to your image.
  • Pixelate your image into squares or triangles of different sizes.
  • Slice your image into segments horizontally, vertically, or both.
  • Create an infinite variety of kaleidoscopic images. (Caution: this is addictive!)
  • Melt your image into waves of color.
  • Tilt an image backwards, forwards, or side to side to add perspective.
  • ….and more!


Treasure Hunting Class Logo 5 day

In class picture

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asilomar lodging exterior 1 1000x500

Empty Spools Seminars

Asilomar Conference Center;
Monterey, CA

Treasure Hunting:
A 5-day Adventure in Design

Week-long Seminar

Join MJ Kinman for “Treasure Hunting: Designing with Freezer Paper”, an immersive, hands-on adventure in design. MJ created this class specifically for quiltmakers who want to create a quilt in which every piece is a different size and shape but aren’t quite sure how to execute it.

The secret is freezer paper, that wonderful product that adheres to fabric when you heat it with an iron. MJ’s freezer paper piecing techniques are powerful tools that can transform your ideas into reality. While MJ finds her inspiration in gemstones, your inspiration might be landscapes, florals, portraits, or abstract images. MJ’s techniques apply to them all.

MJ is quick to point out that this is not foundation paper piecing. There’s no sewing to paper or tearing paper out of the back of your quilt block when finished. Instead, MJ refers to her technique as traditional piecing using freezer paper as your templates. If you can sew together two pieces of fabric with a quarter-inch seam allowance, you can do this!

Using images of gemstones (which MJ will provide) — or any other image you want to use as your inspiration – MJ will work with you step-by-step to transform your design into a quilt. Here’s just a few of the skills you’ll master that week:

  • Transform an image into a quilt design by charting the “through lines” in your image.
  • Understand the visual clues and codes that will help you put your quilt together with confidence.
  • Evaluate fabric’s impact on the “clarity” of your design.
  • Create a color palette that makes your heart sing.
  • Create focal points, visual movement, and “bling” in your quilts with value contrast.
  • Make your quilts glow with saturation contrast.
  • Create powerful transparencies by manipulating alignment, middle mixtures, and depth order.
  • Build your color confidence by mastering the rules of color interaction.
  • Master piecing techniques specific to freezer paper.

Additionally, MJ will also show you….

  • How to use photo-editing apps to find inspiration for new work or a new series
  • Fabric painting techniques
  • Finishing techniques for your quilt (i.e., quilting designs & gallery facing)

Make plans to join MJ for a week of design inspiration and create your own singularly beautiful work of faceted light!

Note: This class is also open to anyone who wants to work on one of my gem patterns ( i.e., Birthstone Series or Diamond Divas Series) during the week. The curriculum will inform those students’ work, as well.

CLICK HERE for more information. Registration opens on April 26, 2025.