Diane Aholt

Diane managed a Baby Lock retail store for 7 years. She then took her passion for sewing and embroidery to the corporate level, spending more than 10 years as Education Manager for Baby Lock. Officially retired, Diane continues teaching classes and has special place in her heart for the Baby Lock Destiny.

She introduced the machine to Baby Lock retailers when it first came out, and has developed IQ Designer classes annually for retailers and consumers ever since. Diane is a self-avowed IQ Designer fanatic who looks forward to sharing some of her knowledge with you.

Linda Holmes

Linda’s passion for sewing began when she was in high school and never faded. In the early ‘90s, Linda started working for a sewing store in Southern California, selling sewing machines and teaching classes. Linda’s passion for sewing soared to new heights once embroidery machines hit the scene.

Soon, Linda found herself in love with all things embroidery. After her family relocated to Maryland in 1999, Linda started an embroidery club at a local sewing store and went on to manage the store.

She then became a National Educator for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff, traveling and presenting education events in 49 of the 50 states. She later started working for the corporate offices for SVP Worldwide, the parent company for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff, as a full-time educator, writing many of the educational and event materials used by the education department.

She soon became a National Dealer Trainer. There, she met Mannie and Kiki of Kiki’s Quilt Shack, and decided to move back to California, and the rest is history. Linda loves teaching sewing, quilting, embroidery, and embroidery software. She develops new techniques and shares her knowledge with everyone.

Mr. John Egbert

Mr. John Egbert has a passion for sharing his love of quilting. A quilt-making instructor in the Central Valley since 2012, his focus is teaching the foundation basics to the more advanced precision piecing techniques.

When Mr. Egbert is not working on his many quilting projects, he serves as a full-time licensed vocational nurse. An LVN for 35 years, he has spent the last 20 years at San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital.

Mr. Egbert has taught many different quilt patterns, but has been drawn to the “Jaybird” geometric styles of Julie Herman, as well as Ricky Tim’s “Harmonic Convergence” artistic form.

“Quilting is definitely my therapy.” – John Egbert

Find a class by John Egbert

Susan Zellers

Susan learned to sew from her mother at the age of three, and she’s never looked back. She had her own business specializing in bridal gowns, special occasion items and custom embroidery, and later managed a sewing machine dealership.

Susan’s desire for unique embroidery propelled her into digitizing her own designs. Currently a Baby Lock Educator, Susan has taught at events with sewing celebrities such as Martha Pullen, Nancy Zieman, Eleanor Burns and John Deer. She has taught everything from basic sewing and serging to computer digitizing programs.

Debbie Martinez

Debbie layers textiles, inks, beads, and thread to convey impressions of nature. Her works tell stories and have been called fiber art, or art quilting.

Debbie’s designs have been exhibited internationally, as well as throughout the United States in dozens of solo and featured artist exhibitions. A Jenny Haskins Certified Instructor, specialized Baby Lock Instructor, and promoted instructor for rulers and new techniques, Debbie is versed in a variety of machines and is a longarm master.

She regularly provided instruction to dealers on Baby Lock Tech, and has taught at the International Pacific Quilt Festival in California.