The Academy of Quilting has only offered online classes since 2008 but its designer, Ruth Blanchet, has a wealth of quilting experience.

Ruth is a quilter, teacher and designer from New Zealand who has been quilting for over 25 years and teaching classes for a decade.  In fact, she has been teaching online at Quilt University since 2001 and currently has ten classes listed on their site.  Here's a picture of Ruth:



Here's a link to the Academy:  Academy of Quilting!

Currently, the Academy has four classes listed online and offers each twice yearly.   Each class may vary in size and price but most are two to four lessons with a price about $9 US per lesson.  Her longest class extends to six weeks.  Each lesson is scheduled for a week but can be expanded a bit if needed.  Ruth only teaches her own designs.

There is one class available for enrollment at this time:   "Mariner's Compass for Circle of Life" (2 lessons, $20, begins March 28, 2009).  Another one just closed and will be available for registration again in April:  "Getting Started in Quilt Art" (4 lessons, $36, begins May 30, 2009).   What I like about her online classes is Ruth will list the essential information before you sign up in the "More Information" section under each class image.  This way you'll know exactly how the class will develop and what is required.  For example, here's further information regarding Mariner's Compass:   Mariner's Compass!   

And, here are examples images for her "Quilt Art" and "Mariner's Compass" class:

    

There is a Forum where classes can be reviewed and  you can interact with other students.  Since this is all online, students from the US, Canada, New Zealand (of course!), Australia, South Africa, the UK, Germany, Italy and others have been part of classrooms.  What a great way to extend your knowledge of quilting techniques and thoughts!  

Ruth includes pictures and procedures for each lesson.  She also uses video as a class aid.  I think this is brilliant!  You can see and hear each task and replay it as needed.   I really do think students would appreciate video as an online aid.

You can also see a Gallery of student quilts, including some images from her two recent Christmas classes. 

Her class list will expand this year to include technique for appliqué styles, a pieced design, a circular Bargello (I would love to see this one as Ruth has three beautiful Bargello designs at Quilt University), and two more Christmas patterns.  She also expects to introduce these two quilts as classes:  "Freedom" (a Bargello) and "Simply Sunflowers":

    

I like this website and think it's direct and easy to navigate.  Ruth's images are beautiful and obviously she has the designing, teaching and quilting experience necessary for success!   And, I know she cares about her students and these classes.  She logs onto her site throughout the day since she has a number of classes running at any time.

I hope you visit her site.  If you do take a class, please post a comment here for others and include images of your quilts, too!

Best,

Fiona