Teachers

Mary Beth Dunn

Kentucky-born and raised, Mary Beth Dunn is a proud “blue-blooded” quilter with a passion for teaching, creating, and sharing the joy of quilting. After retiring from a distinguished civil service career as an oceanographer with the federal government in 2014, Mary Beth dove headfirst into the quilting world—and never looked back.

Known for turning complex techniques into fun, accessible experiences, Mary Beth is especially skilled in improvisational piecing and creative panel quilting. Her award-winning designs often incorporate machine embroidery and reflect her love of nature and animals—she’s designed quilts featuring everything from horses and llamas to alligators, bulls, and flamingos.

Her quilts have earned three Viewer’s Choice Awards and multiple ribbons at the Kentucky State Fair. She also teaches free-motion quilting on both domestic and longarm machines, helping quilters of all skill levels gain confidence and control.

Mary Beth spreads what she calls the “quilting gospel” from her home studio in Lexington, Kentucky, and teaches in quilt shops and guilds across the state. Whether she’s presenting a trunk show, leading a hands-on workshop, or sharing the stories behind her vibrant quilts, she brings energy, encouragement, and creativity to every class.

📣 Interested in booking Mary Beth for a class, bed turning, or guild presentation?
Check out her work on Instagram at @MaryBethDunnQuilts and reach out to schedule your event.

Events with Mary Beth Dunn

Quilt Theory: Designing a Quilt around Panels
July 17 - 20, 2025

Have you ever fallen in love with a beautiful fabric panel—then found yourself wondering what to do with it? This creative retreat will guide you step-by-step through the process of designing a stunning quilt around that irresistible panel. Join award-winning quilter Mary Beth Dunn for an inspiring, hands-on workshop that begins with a gallery of 20+ panel quilts. She’ll explore a variety of layout strategies and design ideas, sharing tips, techniques, and resources to jumpstart your own creative vision. What you’ll gain: 📝 A handout breaking the design process into manageable steps 📐 A cheat sheet for calculating yardage—perfect if…

Improv Quilting: Feathers Quilt Workshop
February 26 - March 1, 2026

Where precision takes a back seat—and creativity takes flight. Think this stunning feather quilt looks paper pieced? Think again. In this one-of-a-kind workshop, you’ll learn an improvisational technique that brings bold feathers to life—no templates, no stress, and no perfection required. Led by the wildly talented Mary Beth Dunn, you’ll stitch flowing feathers with straight-line ease and creative freedom. Whether you’re craving color or love the rhythm of improv, this workshop is your chance to loosen up, experiment, and trust your instincts—all while creating a quilt that looks far more complex than it is. You’ll learn how to: ✨ Play…