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Class Policies




  1. Upon registration, you will receive a supply list and/or applicable kit fees. Our staff will assist you in selecting fabrics and supplies appropriate for the class project.
  2. Class will be cancelled if the minimum number of students is not met 2 weeks prior to the scheduled class date.  Your class fee will be refunded or credited on a store Gift Card. Classes will be cancelled 3 weeks prior to the class date if no students are registered.
  3. Should you need to cancel, refunds will be made up to two weeks prior to the scheduled class date or if your seat is refilled.
  4. Unless otherwise stated, class supply purchases will apply towards our rewards program - Cotton Club.
  5. BERNINA machines are available for in-class use. Advance notice is requested.
  6. Private lessons are available and must be scheduled in advance to allow teachers to prepare your lesson. Fees are $50 per hour for most topics. Check with us for details.
  7. Inclement Weather Policy: If Charlottesville City and Albemarle County Schools are closed, classes will be cancelled and rescheduled. Your class fee will be refunded or credited if you are unable to attend the snow make-up date.
  8. The shop may/may not be open, depending on the severity of the travel conditions. Call the shop at 434-244-9975 for message updates regarding shop hours and classes.

Classes


If you would like to learn about how quilts helped the Underground Railroad or just learn to make a variety of blocks known as a sampler, Robin Atwood will be teaching a six week sampler class.

Cost: $ 150.00
Do you have a piece of clothing that just fits you to perfection, and would love to reproduce? This class will help you through the motions of translating a garment onto paper, so that it can then be recreated. This class will only focus on creating the pattern, therefore no sewing machine is needed.

Cost: $ 60.00
Beginning Quilt Making
- Jul 19, 2025 10:15 am

Whether you have sewn a stitch or not, this class may be for you! If you have an interest in quilting, you will learn all the basics and finish with a beautiful quilt.

Cost: $ 120.00
Learn what you need to know to be successful with machine embroidery while you learn the basic operation, care and maintenance of your new embroidery machine. All BERNINA and Bernette Embroidery machines and owners welcome. Space is limited, register early.

Cost: $ 200.00
Christmas in July
- Jul 21, 2025 10:00 am

Join us during this week-long event for demonstrations; Make-It, Take-Its; Classes and a pre-Holiday Sale!

Cost: $ FREE
Make It Monday
- Jul 21, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
Christmas in July
- Jul 22, 2025 10:00 am

Join us during this week-long event for demonstrations; Make-It, Take-Its; Classes and a pre-Holiday Sale!

Cost: $ FREE
BERNINA Mastery - Embroidery
- Jul 22, 2025 10:15 am

Learn what you need to know to be successful with machine embroidery and computerized quilting, while you learn the basic operation, care and maintenance of your new embroidery machine. All BERNINA and Bernette embroidery machines and owners are welcome.

Cost: $ 200.00
Christmas in July
- Jul 23, 2025 10:00 am

Join us during this week-long event for demonstrations; Make-It, Take-Its; Classes and a pre-Holiday Sale!

Cost: $ FREE
Christmas in July with Hoopsisters
- Jul 23, 2025 10:15 am

Taught by Venitta McCall, Certified Hoopsisters Teacher - You choose which project to work on – there are three choices, All Things Jolly, Classic Christmas, and Snowman Wall Hanging.

Cost: $ 80.00
Christmas in July
- Jul 24, 2025 10:00 am

Join us during this week-long event for demonstrations; Make-It, Take-Its; Classes and a pre-Holiday Sale!

Cost: $ FREE
Miyako Serger Bag
- Jul 24, 2025 10:15 am

Learn to use all sorts of stitches on your serger/coverstitch machine while making a handbag

Cost: $ 55.00
Christmas in July
- Jul 25, 2025 10:00 am

Join us during this week-long event for demonstrations; Make-It, Take-Its; Classes and a pre-Holiday Sale!

Cost: $ FREE
BERNINA Mastery - B990 Embroidery
- Jul 25, 2025 10:15 am

In this class we will focus on the Embroidery features including the basic set-up, operation, proper hooping, stabilizers and thread selection for your new B990 machine.

Cost: $ 200.00
Christmas in July
- Jul 26, 2025 10:00 am

Join us during this week-long event for demonstrations; Make-It, Take-Its; Classes and a pre-Holiday Sale!

Cost: $ FREE
Pattern Alteration
- Jul 27, 2025 12:15 pm

Have you ever made something from a pattern that didn't quite fit you? This class will teach you how to change the pattern so that the garment will fit you!

Cost: $ 80.00
Kids Quilt Camp! - Four-Patch Quilt
- Jul 28, 2025 10:00 am

We'll make a "Four-Patch Quilt", 36.5" x 48.5" in 5 days. You'll leave with a finished quilt.

Cost: $ 125.00
No Make It Monday
- Jul 28, 2025 10:00 am

No Make It Monday

Cost: $ FREE
Welcome to 'My Happy Place' Embroidery Block of the Month - a class offering a unique experience for machine embroiders, who will build a charming quilt while using different embroidery techniques each month! It is a year-long project encompassing 13 monthly lessons.

Cost: $ 129.00
Make It Monday
- Aug 04, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
You will learn the basic operation of your new BERNINA Overlocker/Serger L890, L860 Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care, and maintenance of your new machine.

Cost: $ 75.00
This class will introduce you to the additional stitches available on the L890 - Coverstitch, Chainstitch and Combostitch.

Cost: $ 200.00
BERNINA Mastery - 2 & 3 Series & older
- Aug 06, 2025 10:15 am

Sewing Machine - Basic Operation for BERNINA Sewing Machines. Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early. This class will include a variety of machine models. BERNINA 215, 220, 230, 240, 325, 335, 350, 380 Machines are welcome. If you have an older 4 or 6 series machine, this is the class for you. Please ask about a Mastery Workbook.

Cost: $ 200.00
Welcome to 'My Happy Place' Embroidery Block of the Month - a class offering a unique experience for machine embroiders, who will build a charming quilt while using different embroidery techniques each month! It is a year-long project encompassing 13 monthly lessons.

Cost: $ 129.00
Embroidery WIP Wednesday with William
- Aug 06, 2025 05:00 pm

Come bring your Embroidery WIP (Work In Progress) or start a new embroidery project with William on the 1st Wednesday evening of the month. You need to bring your machine and all materials needed for your project. William will help you along the way and give you tips and tricks to get those embroidery projects done!

Cost: $ 40.00
BERNINA Roadshow 2025
- Aug 07, 2025 10:00 am

Exciting things are happening at BERNINA, and we’re bringing them straight to you! Join us at COTTONWOOD for the BERNINA Road Show 2025, a 2-hour special event led by a visiting BERNINA Educator, Mary Beck on August 7, 2025 from 10-12:00pm. This inspiring presentation highlights the newest innovations from BERNINA and bernette, including machines, accessories, and tools designed to elevate your sewing, quilting, and embroidery experience. You’ll learn about fresh features, creative possibilities, and how these new products can help you sew with more ease, precision, and joy. The Road Show is your chance to explore what’s new, ask questions, and get ideas for your next project…all while connecting with your local sewing community.

Cost: $ 10.00
BERNINA Mastery - B990 Quilting
- Aug 08, 2025 10:15 am

In this class we will focus on the Quilting features including the basic set-up, operation, the BSR and maintenance of your new B990 machine.

Cost: $ 200.00
Learn what you need to know to be successful with machine embroidery while you learn the basic operation, care and maintenance of your new embroidery machine. All BERNINA and Bernette Embroidery machines and owners welcome. Space is limited, register early.

Cost: $ 200.00
Make It Monday
- Aug 11, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
You will learn the basic operation of your new BERNINA or Bernette Overlocker/serger L850, L460, L450 Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care, and maintenance of your new machine.

Cost: $ 200.00
Sewing Machine - Basic Operation for BERNINA Sewing Machines. Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early.
BERNINA 435, 475, 480, 535, 570, 590 NG and bernette 77 &79 Machines are welcome. (This is a change.)

Cost: $ 200.00
Create Your Own T-Shirt
- Aug 15, 2025 10:15 am

You'll learn to sew together a t-shirt to your size using your serger.

Cost: $ 80.00
BERNINA Software Building Blocks 2025
- Aug 16, 2025 10:15 am

Join BERNINA Educator Debbi Lashbrook and COTTONWOOD Software Educator William McConnell in the new Building Blocks of Software 9. There will be 6 lessons - February, April, June, August, October and December 2025. Each Lesson will include a Direct Playable Video Lesson, PDF PowerPoint Slide Presentation, PDF Handouts and Files needed to complete the Lesson.

Cost: $ 199.00
Make It Monday
- Aug 18, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
Mystery Quilt
- Aug 19, 2025 01:00 pm

Meet once a month to learn the next "clue". Assemble partial blocks to begin, then assemble full blocks and watch the final quilt appear.

Cost: $ 120.00
BERNINA Mastery - 7 & 8 Series
- Aug 20, 2025 10:15 am

Basic Operation for BERNINA Sewing Machines Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early. BERNINA Mastery class for 740, 770, 790, & 880.

Cost: $ 200.00
BERNINA Mastery - B990 Sewing
- Aug 22, 2025 10:15 am

In this class we will focus on the Sewing features including the basic set-up, operation and maintenance of your new B990 machine.

Cost: $ 200.00
Make It Monday
- Aug 25, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
BERNINA Mastery - Embroidery
- Aug 27, 2025 10:15 am

Learn what you need to know to be successful with machine embroidery and computerized quilting, while you learn the basic operation, care and maintenance of your new embroidery machine. All BERNINA and Bernette embroidery machines and owners are welcome.

Cost: $ 200.00
Know Your Machine
- Aug 30, 2025 10:15 am

Nothing can be more frustrating than a jammed up sewing machine. Let us take you through the basics of machine threading, tension, maintenance and more.

Cost: $ 30.00
Make It Monday
- Sep 01, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
BERNINA Mastery - 2 & 3 Series & older
- Sep 03, 2025 10:15 am

Sewing Machine - Basic Operation for BERNINA Sewing Machines. Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early. This class will include a variety of machine models. BERNINA 215, 220, 230, 240, 325, 335, 350, 380 Machines are welcome. If you have an older 4 or 6 series machine, this is the class for you. Please ask about a Mastery Workbook.

Cost: $ 200.00
Embroidery WIP Wednesday with William
- Sep 03, 2025 05:00 pm

Come bring your Embroidery WIP (Work In Progress) or start a new embroidery project with William on the 1st Wednesday evening of the month. You need to bring your machine and all materials needed for your project. William will help you along the way and give you tips and tricks to get those embroidery projects done!

Cost: $ 40.00
BERNINA Mastery - B990 Embroidery
- Sep 05, 2025 10:15 am

In this class we will focus on the Embroidery features including the basic set-up, operation, proper hooping, stabilizers and thread selection for your new B990 machine.

Cost: $ 200.00
Make It Monday
- Sep 08, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
bernette Mastery b33, b 35 & b05
- Sep 09, 2025 10:15 am

Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your Bernette b33, b35 & b05.

Cost: $ 100.00
bernette Mastery b37, b38
- Sep 09, 2025 01:30 pm

Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early. This class will cover the bernette b37, b38.

Cost: $ 100.00
Sewing Machine - Basic Operation for BERNINA Sewing Machines. Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early.
BERNINA 435, 475, 480, 535, 570, 590 NG and bernette 77 &79 Machines are welcome. (This is a change.)

Cost: $ 200.00
Learn what you need to know to be successful with machine embroidery while you learn the basic operation, care and maintenance of your new embroidery machine. All BERNINA and Bernette Embroidery machines and owners welcome. Space is limited, register early.

Cost: $ 200.00
Make It Monday
- Sep 15, 2025 10:15 am

Bring your project, lunch or snack and join other sewists for the day in our classroom. Bring your own machine or reserve a BERNINA. Register to reserve a seat!

Cost: $ FREE
Learn what you need to know to master about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new Serger/Overlocker bernette b44, b48 and b64, & b68

Cost: $ 100.00
bernette Mastery b68, b62, b48, b42
- Sep 16, 2025 01:30 pm

Master the coverstitch, chainstitch and combo stitch portion or your new bernette serger/overlocker.

Cost: $ 100.00
BERNINA Mastery - 7 & 8 Series
- Sep 17, 2025 10:15 am

Basic Operation for BERNINA Sewing Machines Learn what you need to know about the basic operation, accessories, needles, threads, care and maintenance of your new sewing machine. Space is limited, register early. BERNINA Mastery class for 740, 770, 790, & 880.

Cost: $ 200.00
BERNINA Mastery - B990 Quilting
- Sep 19, 2025 10:15 am

In this class we will focus on the Quilting features including the basic set-up, operation, the BSR and maintenance of your new B990 machine.

Cost: $ 200.00
Bring a lunch and join us for a day of sewing fun! Start with your favorite Jelly Roll or pick out a new one while you are here. We'll provide the pattern and jelly roll snacks.

Cost: $ FREE
No Make It Monday
- Sep 22, 2025 10:00 am

No Make It Monday

Cost: $ FREE
No BERNINA Mastery Class
- Sep 24, 2025 10:15 am

Due to other scheduled events, we will not be hosting a BERNINA Mastery Class today.

Cost: $ FREE
No Make It Monday
- Sep 29, 2025 10:00 am

No Make It Monday

Cost: $ FREE
Embroidery WIP Wednesday with William
- Oct 01, 2025 05:00 pm

Come bring your Embroidery WIP (Work In Progress) or start a new embroidery project with William on the 1st Wednesday evening of the month. You need to bring your machine and all materials needed for your project. William will help you along the way and give you tips and tricks to get those embroidery projects done!

Cost: $ 40.00
BERNINA StitchWise Piece by Piece
- Oct 24, 2025 10:00 am

This one-day workshop will take you through a patchwork of creative possibilities – from decorative stitching to quilting in the hoop and beyond. Experiment with couching, free-motion quilting, stitching on vinyl, adding zipper, embroidery, and more! You will complete a stylish and functional zippered pouch.

Cost: $ 79.00
BERNINA StitchWise Quilt It All
- Oct 25, 2025 10:00 am

In this 2-part lecture/demo event, expand your quilting skill and explore the power of software for quilting and personalization. In the first part, discover Walking Foot Quilting, Free-Motion Quilting, Rulerwork Quilting and Automated Quilting. Dive into the creative possibilities of embroidery software in the second part of this event as you learn how to create custom quilting designs, design and stitch quilt labels and enhance your quilts with embroidery by adding texture, motifs, and details.

Cost: $ 79.00
Embroidery WIP Wednesday with William
- Nov 05, 2025 05:00 pm

Come bring your Embroidery WIP (Work In Progress) or start a new embroidery project with William on the 1st Wednesday evening of the month. You need to bring your machine and all materials needed for your project. William will help you along the way and give you tips and tricks to get those embroidery projects done!

Cost: $ 40.00
Have you been interested in learning how to free-motion quilt? What about rulerwork? In this half-day event, gain hands-on experience with longarm quilting. You will try several free-motion fill techniques, including McTavishing. There will also be an opportunity to learn the basics of rulerwork on a BERNINA Q Series machine. Register today to start gaining confidence in your free-motion quilting. Techniques taught will be Basting, Free-motion fills, Rulerwork, McTavishing and Couching.

Cost: $ 79.00
Have you been interested in learning how to free-motion quilt? What about rulerwork? In this half-day event, gain hands-on experience with longarm quilting. You will try several free-motion fill techniques, including McTavishing. There will also be an opportunity to learn the basics of rulerwork on a BERNINA Q Series machine. Register today to start gaining confidence in your free-motion quilting. Techniques taught will be Basting, Free-motion fills, Rulerwork, McTavishing and Couching.

Cost: $ 79.00
Discover the joy of quilting with BERNINA Q-matic. Learn the introductory basics for edge-to-edge quilting. Then explore the several placement tools for perfect design placement, while stitching out designs on a custom quilt block. Get perfect placement for squares, triangles and borders. BERNINA Q-matic makes quilting fun!

Cost: $ 79.00
Discover the joy of quilting with BERNINA Q-matic. Learn the introductory basics for edge-to-edge quilting. Then explore the several placement tools for perfect design placement, while stitching out designs on a custom quilt block. Get perfect placement for squares, triangles and borders. BERNINA Q-matic makes quilting fun!

Cost: $ 79.00
Embroidery WIP Wednesday with William
- Dec 03, 2025 05:00 pm

Come bring your Embroidery WIP (Work In Progress) or start a new embroidery project with William on the 1st Wednesday evening of the month. You need to bring your machine and all materials needed for your project. William will help you along the way and give you tips and tricks to get those embroidery projects done!

Cost: $ 40.00
In order to allow our staff to enjoy time with their families, we will be closed Thanksgiving Day.