About Affinity For Quilts

Where Quilters Gather, Learn & Create

Affinity For Quilts is all about community. We’re more than just a quilt shop — we’re a place where quilters gather, creativity is encouraged, new skills are learned, and friendships are made. Whether you’re just beginning your quilting journey or have been quilting for years, we want you to feel welcome, inspired, and at home when you walk through our doors.

Classes for Every Quilter

Education is at the heart of what we do. We offer a wide variety of classes designed for quilters of all experience levels — from beginners learning basic techniques to advanced quilters looking to expand their skills. Our talented instructors guide students through projects that build confidence, spark creativity, and foster connection within our quilting community.

In addition to technique-based workshops, we also host lectures, specialty events, and multi-day quilt classes that dive deep into patterns, piecing, and precision sewing. There’s always something new to learn at Affinity For Quilts!

Looking for a little more individual attention? We also offer one-on-one instruction tailored to your quilting needs. Whether you’re new to quilting, want to master a particular technique, need help with a project or pattern, or simply learn best with individual guidance, we can help connect you with the right instructor. Private instruction rates vary depending on the instructor and type of class, with rates starting at $25 per hour. Contact us to tell us what you’d like to learn, and we’ll help arrange a personalized session that works for you.

Clubs & Community Events

Affinity For Quilts offers two free Community Open Sew events each month — on the 1st Friday and 3rd Tuesday — giving quilters the chance to gather, share ideas, and enjoy uninterrupted sewing time together.

Our ongoing clubs are a great way to meet fellow quilters and explore new skills:

• Hand Embroidery Club – 2nd & 3rd Thursday of each month
• Sashiko Club – 2nd Wednesday of each month
• Featherweight Sewing Machine Club – 3rd Friday of each month
• Midnight Open Sew – 4th Friday of each month
• Sew-In Sunday – 4th Sunday of each month

Mystery Five-0

Our Mystery Five-0 program is one of the most popular offerings at Affinity For Quilts! Three times a year, participants embark on a new quilting mystery — uncovering clues, cutting, sewing, and assembling as the design slowly comes together. We also feature smaller mini-mysteries throughout the year for those who love a quick and fun challenge.  

To join our Mystery Five-0 group just request membership into our Affinity For Quilts Facebook Group.  

In-Shop Services & Fabric Selection

We are proud to have Frayne Sewing Machine Repair located within our shop. Jordan, our on-site technician, services all machine brands and is Baby Lock and Bernina certified.

Affinity For Quilts carries over 4,500 bolts of fabric, including a largest selections of blenders — an essential for every quilter, even those with a well-loved stash! 

 

 About Diana

My quilting journey began in 2002 thanks to my husband, Wade. He had the idea of making a quilt as a holiday gift for a mutual friend. I thought I could just help by purchasing the fabric, but Wade insisted that if the gift was going to come from “us,” I needed to help make it too!

I knew how to use a sewing machine from my high school days, but as every quilter knows, quilting is nothing like garment sewing. After finishing that first quilt for our friends, I decided to take on another project for myself — Delectable Mountains. That was the start of my passion for quilting.

Over the years, I loved attending Midnight Open Sews and retreats at my local quilt shop, where I built friendships and deepened my love for the craft. During a retreat in December 2018, I overheard people talking about Bear Patch Quilting in White Bear Lake closing and being for sale. When I got home, I casually mentioned it to Wade, and he simply said, “Why don’t you buy it?”

Guess what? I did!

In January 2019, Bear Patch Quilting closed its doors, and on April 1, 2019, Affinity For Quilts officially became part of the Downtown White Bear Lake business community. Today, Affinity For Quilts continues to grow as a welcoming, creative space for quilters to learn, connect, and share in the joy of quilting.