What's New at CQ 2/16/17

"The greater our knowledge increases the more our ignorance unfolds." John F. Kennedy

Dear Fellow Fabric Fiends,

How many quilt tops have you made and then stashed in a drawer or closet because you didn’t know how to quilt them, or because you found the process intimidating?  Let us help you past all your obstacles!  Tomorrow and Saturday Handi Quilter National Educator Harriet Carpanini is in the shop to teach classes on using the Handi Quilter quilting machines.  In the mornings there are “boot camp” classes to learn the basics of using the stand-up and sit-down styles of machine.  Afternoons are devoted to learning how to use rulers.  There is more information below.

If you’ve been pondering purchasing a Handi Quilter quilting machine now is the time to do it!  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to finish your own quilts at home on your own schedule?  Love the Avante but can’t fit the big frame in your home?  You can also get a 6’ or 8’ frame.  Love the Simply Sixteen machine but don’t like the hoop-type frame?  You can put the Simply Sixteen on an Avante frame (it’s called the Studio Frame), at 6’, 8’, 10’ or 12’ long. 

Special pricing on the Handi Quilter machines is available now through February 25.  In addition you will receive a Capital Quilts Gift Certificate ($200 for the Simply Sixteen or Sweet Sixteen; $350 for the Avante or ProStitcher Premium; $450 for the Fusion; or $600 for the Infinity) AND your choice of either a bundle of goodies valued at $390 or free shipping from Handi Quilter AND 1 year’s FREE membership in our Longarmers Club, a $65 value.  That is a lot of savings!

If purchasing your own Handi Quilter is not in the cards, you can rent ours!  After taking a course on the use and maintenance of the machine, you can rent a quilting machine for $20 an hour.  We offer valet service, too: bring us your quilt top and supplies a couple of days ahead of your quilting appointment, and we will have the quilt loaded on the quilting frame, the machine threaded, and tension set; you can start quilting as soon as you arrive!  The fee for Valet Service is $30.  Look on our website for more information.

Annie and I have just returned home from Las Vegas, where we attended a sewing machine & vacuum cleaner convention.  We took some great classes and have some ideas to pursue.  Annie took training classes on the Janome Digitizer V and is excited about introducing it to you!  Keep an eye on the classes calendar and this newsletter! 

Go ‘n’ piece,

Alison Zacharkiw

CAPITAL QUILTS’ SPECIALS: 

HORN CABINET SALE!  All of our floor models are on sale, 30% off, through the end of February.  This is a great opportunity to get a great sewing cabinet at a great price!

HANDI QUILTER FLOOR MODEL:  Contact Alison or Annie for details! 301-527-0598. At no extra cost to you, we install the machine in your home and give you a lesson on using and maintaining it. (If you live more than 50 miles away from the shop, we will charge standard mileage). You’ll receive the full support of Handi Quilter and Capital Quilts should you have questions or difficulties.  The machine will be serviced by our certified Handi Quilter technician prior to installation in your home.  The machine’s warranty will transfer to you. 

• Fusion:  regularly priced $13,995, our floor model is on sale for $11,500.  You save $395 in shipping, for a total savings of $2,890.  The frame is 12’.

VENDOR SPECIALS:

HANDI QUILTER has a promotion going on now through February 21.  Purchase any stand-up HQ Longarm machine and choose free shipping (up to $450 value) or a free longarm accessory kit valued at $390.

SEW STEADY is offering The BACK TO BASICS Promotion- Get a travel bag with the purchase of a Basic Table.  Offer is valid on Large Basic (18" x 24") and Big Basic (24" x 24") models only

• Travel bag is padded nylon
• Large $119, Big $149   

Sew Steady is also offering the Free Motion Wish 22 ½” x 25” Table Package for $300, a $69 savings.  The package includes:

• Sew Steady Wish Table 22-1/2 x 25-1/2 Compartment Drawer Table with Holes for Circle Sewing & Tool, Universal Grid
• Quilting Ruler Foot
• 6 styles of Acrylic Template Designs 
• Free Motion Glider

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

We have new clothing patterns for you.  These are from Pamela’s Patterns.  There is a bias skirt, a pencil skirt, the “perfect t-shirt”, a tank top, and a pleated dress.  The pencil skirt is $12; the other patterns are $14.  Try the tops and dress with our new knit fabrics!

From P&B we have the new Milan Marble Textures in 8 different colors.  $10.99/yd.

Tea, anyone?  Tea Time from Clothworks is $12.50/yd.

This trio from Moda is from the Sunday Drive Prints line.  Love the stripe!  $11.99/yd.

New batiks have arrived from Robert Kaufman.  There are lots of beautiful blues in this Elementals Landscapes 2 line.  $12.99/yd.

Also from Robert Kaufman is Botanical Bliss, a reproduction fabric group that is lovely.  $11.99/yd. 

CLASSES:

You can sign up for classes online, by phone at 301-527-0598, or in person at the shop.

Here is a new Zentangle class: Marble Coasters! Take real marble squares that have felt on the bottom already and add Zentangle designs to the tops to make a very unique item!  Saturday, February 18, 1-3, with Pat Dee.

The delightful Kim Jalette is teaching Sprinkles on Monday, February 20, also known as President’s Day.  The class is from 10:30-1:30.  This is a Jaybird Quilts design. 

Prepare to rent the HQ Avante or Fusion and finish your own quilts: take Getting Started: the Handi Quilter Longarm Machine on Monday, February 20, 10:30-1:30.  This is also a great class for someone who is considering purchasing a Handi Quilter.  Barbara Bean is teaching.

If you’ve never made a tote bag before, I highly recommend our Basic Tote class.  It covers all the basic elements: straps, lining, pockets, corners.  Every other pattern is a variation of this one!  Tuesday, February 21, 12:30-4:30, with Cathy Sullivan.

On the evenings of February 21 & 28, 6:30-9, Annette is teaching Machine Quilting for Beginners.  Learn how to set up your sewing machine for quilting and practice some basic designs.  Learn how to quilt using your walking foot (it’s best if your machine has a walking foot; not all machines can be fitted with one) and using a darning foot.

Got a (quilting) problem? Are you confused about a technique?  Can’t quite figure out how to do that border?  Annette is here to help!  Join her on Thursday, February 23, 2-4 for solutions.  The class is called Problem Solving with Annette.

Sit ‘n’ Sew is Friday evening, February 24, 5-9.  Bring a friend!  Bring food to share!  We provide the drinks.  FREE.

Thinking about Spring yet?  Get in the mood with Jenny Trussel’s Bunny Bag class on Saturday, February 25, 1:30-4:30.

Looking ahead to March, we are offering four Art & Stitch classes 1-5 on Tuesday afternoons.  Begin in March 7 with the basics.  Each class will move you further along in the program.  You will learn to create your own longarm quilt design including “edge-to-edge”, custom work, and fills; turn lettering into quilting designs; edit existing quilt patterns to create unique designs, scan in a quilt block to design and audition quilt designs, and save your design for stitch-out in formats for all major longarm electronic quilt systems.  Art and Stitch can be used with your embroidery machine as well. 

As we mentioned last week, the start of the HoopSisters Charmed Adventure Embroidablock has been delayed, so there’s still time to sign up! It will now begin on Saturday, March 4^th, from 1-3pm.  See the model quilt hanging in the shop; it is gorgeous!   

Learn how to make a Blooming Nine Patch quilt from Hilary Hastie on Wednesday, March 8, 10:00-12:00.  This is the first of 3 sessions, the other two being on March 22 and 29.  Hilary is happy to help you select fabrics for this project; contact her before the day of the class, because it can take time to gather these fabrics. 

Our next Capital Quilts Cares: Pet Beds event is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 1-3.  We need scraps!  Both fabric and batting should be not more than roughly 2” square – in other words, please cut them up into small pieces.  Big pieces make for lumpy beds!  Please bring your scraps to the shop after March 1.  Thanks!

Annette’s Getting Started: the HQ Simply Sixteen class has been rescheduled from March 18 to March 25, 10:30-12:30.  Her Problem Solving with Annette class, scheduled for March 16, has been cancelled.

The start of the Vintage Rose class with Jackie Kelso has also been postponed, until March 19.  Vintage Rose is a six-month Block of the Month quilt, designed by Judy Niemeyer.  Each month you will learn a new paper-piecing technique. Two sizes of quilt are available, wall and queen, the difference being in the borders.  Jackie will meet with you before the first class to give you your pattern and help you pick out fabrics, if you would like that assistance.  We have a model of the quilt hanging in the classroom and a picture online, if you’d like to see it.  Anybody with a basic knowledge of sewing can take this class; you don’t have to be an expert quiltmaker, but you can get results like one!

Some have expressed an interest in having sewing classes for home-schooled children.  We would love to do that!  If your children would like to participate in such a class, please let me know and we’ll get busy organizing!

SAVE THE DATES

• February 17 & 18: Quilt Like a Pro – a Handi Quilter education event
• February 26: Take the Deck of Cards Quilt Challenge! 
• March 25: Demo Day 
• April 28-30: Friendship Star’s “Sunshine and Moon Glow” Quilt Show
• June 2-4: Quilters Unlimited “Wing It” Quilt Show
• June 10 & 11: Annapolis Quilt Guild “Quilts by the Bay” Quilt Show
• July 23-25: It’s Christmas in July!
• September 22 & 23: Quilting is a Stitch – a Handi Quilter education event                                                         
• November 9-18: Quilters’ Quest

CAPITAL QUILTS BLUE BAG BONANZA

Congratulations to Alice W., winner of the January Blue Bag Bonanza! Alice is getting a Tool Tote from Storage Solutions, the “Bonnie Bag” pattern from Abbey Lane Quilts, and a “Studio” charm pack from Timeless treasures.

For February, we are giving away a bundle of 3 one-yard cuts of fabric from Batik Textiles, and “Be My Valentine” pattern from On Point Quilter. To be entered in each month’s drawing, bring your Capital Quilts Blue Bag with you when you shop. Make sure you show it to the staffer at the register! Upon completion of your sales transaction, your name will be put in the jar for the drawing at the end of the month. Don’t have a Blue Bag? Purchase one at the shop, by phone, or online for just $4.99.  We save all of the entries for the year, and at the end of the year we draw a Grand Prize Winner from all the entries.

The months of April, July, September, and December each have a fifth Saturday this year. We are planning some fun on those days for those of you who own a Capital Quilts Blue Bag. You’ve got to have the bag to have the fun, so buy yours soon!

Our thanks to everybody who shops at Capital Quilts and participates in the Blue Bag Bonanza.