May 15–16, 2026 | The Quilters Hall of Fame, Marion, Indiana
Registration includes the May 15 concert and all three May 16 Master Class sessions.
Life is a Basket of Scraps Concert — Friday, May 15,2026 | First United Methodist Church | 624 S Adams Street, Marion, IN Doors open at 6:30 PM | Concert begins at 7:00 PM
Ricky has successfully blended two diverse passions, music and quilting, into one very unique and interesting career. His skills as a pianist, composer, and producer are well-known by the thousands who have heard his music. So get ready for an evening like no other—where music meets storytelling, laughter meets reflection, and inspiration takes center stage. He will carry you through moments of triumph, tragedy, and pure joy with heart-felt story telling, beautiful music and a touch of quilting magic and will enlighten, entertain and inspire you as he takes you through the world of creativity and connection.
Concert attendance is also open to the public. $20 at the door.
Master Classes — Saturday, May 16 Marion Public Library | 600 S Washington Street, Marion, IN Meeting Room B Doors open at 9:30 AM | First session begins at 10:00AM
Ricky’s Master Class sessions go far beyond a typical lecture. Combining in-depth instruction, detailed handouts, and multimedia visuals, each session is designed to help you discover and trust your own creativity — and learn to make the quilts you’ve always admired but didn’t think you could create. Ricky breaks down color, design, and technique into approachable, actionable concepts that leave beginners and experienced quilters alike energized and ready to work at a new level.
- Session 1: 10:00 – 11:30
- Quilting Caveman Style: Create your own amazing quilt without using any pattern at all. We forego quarter-inch seams, and break a lot of the traditional quilting “rules”. Ricky has been known as The Caveman Quilter for many years. The moniker is associated with quilting freely… without rulers, without measuring, and without using quarter-inch seams. Learn how to create improvisational patchwork and working without a pre-planned pattern. It’s freeing, fun, therapeutic and looks complicated but it’s not.
- Harmonic Convergence: Learn how to make a magical, easy and very fun quilt, but caution is required as they’re rumored to be addictive! Using as little as four fabrics and Ricky’s techniques, they’re great for both traditional and contemporary quilters. From a last minute baby or lap quilt to art quilts, jackets, pillows and other patchwork items.Once you learn the process and start seeing the endless possibilities, you will want to make more.
- Lunch 11:30 – 12:30
- Session 2: 12:30 – 2:00
- Locomotion: Break loose from blocks and sewing straight seams! Find freedom in curved piecing and learn Ricky’s easy, no-pins piecing technique without 1/4” seams that allows you to design your own original and unique artful quilt featuring pieced curves, orbs and other non-traditional designs and how to reproduce it in fabric. Prepare to amaze yourself with quilting creativity that you may never have thought possible.
- Gridified Art Quilts: There is joyful magic when your imagination becomes reality. This Master Class invites you to step into the spotlight as the creator, director, and star of your own visual production. Watch your artistic vision come alive—scene by scene and block by block—as you take your favorite photo until the curtain rises on a masterpiece that is uniquely your own.
- Break 2:00 – 2:30
- Session 3: 2:30 – 4:00
- A Quilt is Born: A behind the scenes journey into Ricky’s latest stunning quilt, The Visitation, winner of the 2025 International Quilt Festival Best of Show. Ricky shares his background, thoughts and creative process as well as some the techniques he uses to produce this stunning work of art. Attendees will have a special opportunity to see The Visitation at session 3.
Bonus: Additional quilts by Ricky Tims will be on exhibit at The Quilters Hall of Fame May 5–August 1, 2026.
