Alice Wilhoit
Most of us have had the experience of becoming “all out excited” over a new hobby or activity only to cool once the “new” has worn off. Usually this leads to an unfinished project, or projects if the excitement was really great, being relegated to a forgotten box on some closet shelf. That was Alice’s story until some 20 years ago when she took a class at a local quilt shop and found herself immersed in a world of infinite possibilities with fabrics. She has never “cooled” or even looked back. In this time, Alice has produced something over 250 quilts, many of them of her own design. Many have won awards in quilt shows and festivals. Her designs and patterns are sold in quilt shops around the country. American Quilter's Society published her book, Crazy Patchwork, in 2009.
In 1987, Alice began instructing, and soon coordinated all teaching at the leading quilt shop in her area. Now she teaches in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. She travels to teach across the U. S., Canada and has taught on many cruises.
Although she designs both traditional pieced and appliquéd quilts, her true love, other than her husband, children and grandchildren, is teaching others the art of appliqué, crazy patchwork and just about any kind of handwork. Through her years of experience she has developed many labor and time saving techniques to aid in the preparation portion of appliqué. These she happily shares! One of her greatest joys is seeing someone develop into a dedicated quilter regardless of the style or method chosen.
Alice is married to Bill, has six daughters, a son and six grandchildren, three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. She and Bill live in McKinney, Texas, along with their Shih Tzu, Molly, the queen of the household."



Erin Klein
Erin has been doing handwork, sewing and crafts since the age of eight when her grandmother first taught her to embroider. Since learning to quilt in 2003, quilting has become a passion in her life. She has been teaching in one form or another for the last 30 years – first in her mother’s craft shop, then as a homeschooling mom and now as a quilt teacher at her local quilt shop. She teaches beginning quilting, hand piecing and classes of her original designs.
Introduced to Inklingo in 2008, Erin uses various Inklingo collections to create original quilt designs with the help of Electric Quilt. Although Inklingo is suitable for both machine and hand piecing, she prefers to hand piece most of her quilt tops. If quilting is her passion, hand piecing is her first love. Chocolate used to come in a close second however that love is fast becoming overtaken by a new-found love of appliqué!
Erin plans to introduce a series of Inklingo and appliqué design leaflets of her original quilt designs soon. She is the mother of four and grandmother to one. She divides her time between Las Vegas and Pahrump NV where she house sits (while quilting!) for a variety of furry friends.

Robyn Pandolph
Quilter, designer, author, teacher, and mother, Robyn Pandolph came to the quilting world in a modest way. Like many of us, she grew up with a mother and grandmother who quilted and sewed, and she always had an interest in fabrics and design. Her life really changed in 1997 when she brought her Folk Art Wedding Quilt to International Quilt Market in Houston. With her soft pastel colors, and original folk art hand-appliqué, Robyn took the quilting world by storm. A successful fabric designer for over 10 years now, Robyn is the quintessential creator of sophisticated floral romance.

Robyn has always been drawn to soft, romantic looks in her designs. To achieve this feeling in her now famous Folk Art Wedding Quilt, Robyn over dyed and bleached every single fabric she used, creating a distinctly unique soft vintage look, which stood out from the darker palettes popular at the time. Robyn's signature style took off to great quilting acclaim and the rest is history. Robyn has gained worldwide acclaim, including two awards as Australia's "Favorite Fabric Designer". Robyn is best known for her use of romantic colors and florals which all work together across collections to blend beautifully in quilt designs and home décor.

Robyn is also an accomplished author of three books: Radiant Earth which is now out of print; Stitched With Love by The Electric Quilt Company; and Needleturn Appliqué Made Easy published by Landauer Corp. When not traveling, Robyn resides in Galveston, Texas. Her four children Zac, Eli, Josh, and Hannah are now grown and creative in their own right, having grown up surrounded by their mother's inspiration.

Alice's Project: "Crazy Patchwork" Alice loves crazy patchwork and she will share her love with you during this workshop. In class you will have the right fabrics, lace, beads, and other gems to complete a 12" crazy patchwork block by hand. Once you do you might just find that you are crazy over crazy patchwork as well!

Erin's Project: "Inklingo!" Lucy Boston searched for just the right fabrics to fussy cut to create secondary designs when she created her Patchwork of the Crosses coverlet over 50 years ago. Today we have a large variety of fabrics to use in an array of colors that are great for fussy cutting to give that perfect kaleidoscopic effect. You will learn the basics of hand piecing and using freezer paper templates for fussy cutting while creating this sampler project.

Robin's Project: "Needleturn Appliqué" Everyone knows what an incredible artist and designer we have in Robyn Pandolph.  Our project for the cruise is one of the blocks from the Bespoke Blooms BOM program.  It is representative of the city of Bath where Robyn once lived.   This block of the month was inspired by the charming villages found in Somerset, England. Each of the 12 blocks represent a specific village with historic information included in the pattern.  Once you take Robyn's needleturn applique class you will look at needleturn applique in a brand new way!

Optional Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack:
This kit will have all the fabrics you will need for each of the three projects. Our incredible Sail 'n Sew fabric packs include all of the fabrics for your projects and they are pre-cut so all you need to do is sit down and sew! 

How can all this get any better? Here's how!

We begin our seven-night Alaska Sawyer Glacier Cruise out of Seattle, Washington. While you’re in Seattle, why not get a taste of the local flavor?  Thanks to the fish-abundant waters, Seattle offers fabulous seafood restaurants ranging from fine-dining to casual eating. There's also a great selection of brew pubs, and of course, coffee shops. With lattes and cappuccinos on just about every street corner, Seattle's easygoing attitude seems to be fueled by caffeine.

We will cruise through the breathtaking Alaska Inside Passage.  Millions of years ago, southbound glaciers carved out the Inside Passage, leaving majestic fjords, islands and bays in their wake. Today, the spectacular views will leave a lasting impression on you. From the lush greenery of Tongass National Forest - the world's largest and northernmost temperate coastal rainforest - to the brilliant blue glaciers, you'll see jaw-dropping beauty everywhere you look. 

Our first port stop will be Juneau, Alaska.  Juneau, the capital of Alaska, was founded during a gold rush in 1880. Today, the former gold-mining town counts among its riches some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery.  When you're in Juneau, you shouldn't miss the amazing glacial landscape. The best view available is from the seat of a helicopter (a shore excursion), where you can watch for bear, mountain goats, and moose. Then, once you've landed, take a once-in-a-lifetime dogsled ride.  Flying not your thing, then be sure to explore Juneau on foot. With more trails than roads, Juneau features world-class hiking - through glacial waterfalls and the largest temperate rain forest in the state.  And after all that exploring, don't miss the true taste of Alaska at an authentic Alaskan Salmon Bake with all the trimmings. You'll taste some of the freshest, most delicious salmon in the world.

Our next stop is Skagway, Alaska, where you will enjoy experiencing one of Alaska's most breathtaking valleys while horseback-riding through historic Dyea.  Or, cruise to a remote beach at Glacier Point, then get aboard a 31-foot canoe and explore spectacular icebergs.  Or how about experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design and blow your own glass art in the Last Frontier - complete with real gold in your finished piece. You will also enjoy the unforgettable journey aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World" and travel 20 miles from tidewater to the summit of the White Pass - a 2,865 foot elevation. Ride in vintage rail cars as you retrace the original route to the White Pass summit. This fully narrated tour features panoramas of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites.

We will cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska. Nestled between 3,000-foot high granite walls, the narrow, twisting slice of ocean called Tracy Arm Fjord weaves through the Tongass National Forest for roughly 35 miles. The shoreline is spotted with waterfalls created by melting snowcaps and trees sprouting at odd angles from rocky outcroppings. You will have ample time to admire the landscape.   Perhaps you will catch sight of a few native animals as you cruise through this port.  The glaciers are home to black and brown bears, wolves, deer and moose. Also watch for seals and whales in the fjord's icy waters, as well as bald eagles appearing overhead.

Finally, enjoy Victoria, British Columbia.  Located on the southern tip on the island of Vancouver in British Columbia, the city of Victoria is probably best known for its mild climate and active outdoor lifestyle. (In fact, the city has been named the "fittest city" in Canada more than once.) As the capital of British Columbia, the city is very tourist-friendly. Among the many attractions are the world-famous Butchart Gardens, and the very lush and exotic Butterfly Gardens.  Victoria is also a great culinary hotspot. In addition to the abundance of fresh seafood, its mild climate lends itself to a variety of locally grown produce. For a complete culinary experience, be sure to try a glass of wine from one of Victoria's award-winning wineries.  And last but not least, enjoy sightseeing and shopping through historic Chinatown and Antique Row.

With dramatic walls of glass and a retractable canopy, Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas® has already embarked on the course other cruise ships will someday follow. When you're not sewing you will be enjoying the magnificent ocean views, relaxing in the soothing Day Spa, swimming in one of the two pools, taking a much-needed whirlpool, feasting a delicious gourmet meals, or catching up with friends over your favorite drink in one of eight different lounges.  This ship is going to dry dock in March, 2012 so it will be very new.