Meet Our Instructors

Betsy Shirkey has lived in Fallbrook since 2000 and fell in love with the Friendly Village. She discovered her passion for quilting in 2002, joining the Fallbrook Quilt Guild and attending weekly classes. In 2013, Betsy began leading the Monday Night Quilt Class, sharing her love of quilting with others.  Betsy purchased her first longarm quilting machine in 2008 and launched Lula’s Longarm Quilting in 2021 after upgrading to a computerized model. By 2024, she expanded her studio with a second, larger longarm machine. Betsy is passionate about helping others bring their quilting visions to life.

Debi Workman is a retired RN and paramedic instructor who now enjoys dedicating her time to quilting and learning new techniques. She began her quilting journey as a do-it-yourself quilter, mastering quick 'quilt-in-a-nap' projects, and now loves piecing quilts on her own schedule. Debi has taught several quilting classes and finds great joy in sharing her passion with others.

Laura Small began sewing as a child, designing Barbie clothes from leftover fabric her mom used for school shirts. Surrounded by fiber arts growing up, she learned from her mom, aunts, and talented instructors over the past 23+ years. Laura discovered quilting at age 40 and hasn’t stopped since!  Teaching since 1997, Laura has shared her expertise in food safety, knitting, crochet, Malas, and quilted bags. She loves helping students achieve that joyful 'Yes, I did it!' moment.

Michelle Smith began sewing at age 5, learning on an industrial upholstery machine under her mother’s guidance. Since then, she has explored and taught various art forms, including pottery, beading, silversmithing, quilting, and pine needle sculpting.

Patti D. is a fabric artist and has been a sewist for the better part of 50 years—though it's hard to believe since she's only 52! She loves teaching and creating her own designs, including collages, handbags, seasonal pillows, and more. Patt is also a Laura Heine Advanced Certified Instructor. Her happy places are in the classroom, in her studio, and at home with her husband.

Susie Alderson spent most of her career working for the federal government – quilting for the past fifteen years provided a place to put creativity into a project as well as achieve a sense of accomplishment upon completion. Susie enjoys the precision that templates and rulers
provide, in both piecing and quilting. She finds teaching rewarding because she learns from the class and shares in their excitement of expanding their quilting skills.

Sue Bouchard has been quilting since she was 12 and sewing since she was 4.  She began quilting before rotary cutters and self healing mats! Sue spent over 25 years at Quilt in a Day.  She loves making and designing modern quilts. Her passion is teaching and inspiring others on their creative journey!

Wendy Van Eman has been quilting for over 23 years and loves sharing tips and tricks with both beginners and seasoned quilters. She passed her passion for quilting to her son, who started at age 12 and has since displayed three of his quilts in shows.