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Dear Summer Sewists,
It looks like it is going to be a rainy weekend. Why not come to Capital Quilts and take a class? On Saturday, you can learn about EQ8, the software that lets you design your own quilt. You can preview, color, and resize your quilt. It will calculate yardage, add the ¼ inch seam allowance, and create templates, rotary cutting instructions, or foundation piecing patterns. Cool stuff!
Spend a couple of hours with Kat on Sunday afternoon making a Mini Mosaic quilt. We have lots of patterns from which to choose, and you can bring your fabrics and scraps or buy what you need here. These quilts are about 12” x 15”, suitable for all skill levels, and a wonderful way to while away a rainy afternoon.
Today is the last day to vote on your favorite Do You See What I See Challenge quilts. Winners will be announced on Sunday, August 12 at 2:15. Please join us for the Awarding of the Awards at that time.
I would like to urge caution to those of you tempted to purchase a sewing machine or serger online. Twice in the last few days, customers have brought in machines they got online to learn how to use them, only to find that the machines were broken; one wouldn’t even turn on. You may pay more at a shop, but you get the guarantee of a working machine, a full warranty, free lessons on how to use the machine, lots of support after the purchase of the machine, and, at Capital Quilts, free membership for one year in our Janome Club. In addition to getting peace of mind, you are supporting your local quilt shop or sew & vac and the local economy. These are all good things!
I personally have gotten to the point of not ordering anything online if I can get it locally. I worry that if I don’t shop from brick-and-mortar shops, they will go out of business and jobs will be lost, not only in the shops, but in the manufacturers that support those shops and in the delivery companies that bring goods to those shops. I like to see and touch what I am buying, check for quality, know that I can easily return something that doesn’t work. What will happen to our communities if the local economy breaks down? Amazon can bring an amazing array of goods right to our door, but they can’t give us a way to make the money to pay for them; we need a thriving local economy. What do you think about this?
I am beginning to think about what classes to offer in October, November, and December. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
Go 'n' Piece,
Alison
QUILTERS’ QUEST: The Quilters’ Quest 2018 shop hop draws ever closer! We are offering two bus trips this year: #1 on October 19 & 20, and #2 on October 22 & 23. Each trip is two days long and visits all 10 shops in the shop hop. For just $150, you get a light breakfast, lunch, water, snacks, entertainment, a “bus mom (or dad)” to take care of all the paperwork and make your experience the best, and, best of all, we do all the driving while you relax on a luxury coach. You will spend about an hour in each shop. Each person who visits all ten shops will get a 15% discount card good at all 10 shops until just before Quilters’ Quest 2019 and a tote bag. Sign up today!
Learn more about Quilters’ Quest at www.quiltersquest.org
 Michael Miller Challenge for QuiltCon: Join the Michael Miller fabric challenge! Make a quilt using at least two of the three selected Hash Dot fabrics and Cotton Couture Peach. You may also use as many Michael Miller Cotton Couture solids as you’d like. All of these fabrics are in stock at Capital Quilts! Binding and backing can be any Michael Miller fabric. Once completed, enter your quilt into the Michael Miller Fabrics Challenge category at QuiltCon. The top prize for this category is $1,000! Visit https://www.quiltcon.com/quilt-fabric-challenges/ for complete details. We have the fabric available both in-store and online.
FOR SALE: Handi Quilter Amara, brand new, full warranty, $9,495. In addition to the machine and frame, you get a bobbin winder, digital manual, thread and needle samples, tools for maintaining your machine, and oil. Take a free class at Capital Quilts to learn how to use your machine. Enjoy a free one year membership in our Longarmers Club. Installation fee: $100.
But wait! There’s more! Receive a Steady Fit Ruler Base, Sure Foot, Handi Grip Strips, and 5 of the most popular rulers, a $400 value, FREE! I have two available.
But wait! There’s even MORE! Purchase your Amara August 6-20 and get a Stitch 510 sewing machine, valued at $1,495, FREE. Contact Alison at alison@capitalquilts.com or call 301-527-0598.
VENDOR SPECIALS
AccuQuilt GO!: AccuQuilt has launched three new Block on Board (BOB) dies: Crossed Canoes, Pineapple, and Spider Web. They are ideal for quilters of all skill levels, layer cake and fat-quarter-friendly, and compatible with the GO! Qube Mix & Match Block System.
Handi Quilter: Purchase any Handi Quilter and get a Stitch sewing machine FREE. The Stitch sewing machines are made by Janome and are a high-quality machine. This special is being offered August 6-20.
Janome: Janome is extending their Employee Pricing Event through August 26! Buy a 15000, MC9400, or MC6700P and get the same discount -- up to 25% off -- that our employees get! Stop by or give us a call at 301-527-0598 today.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
From Michael Miller, we have Peter Pan by Sarah Jane. This collection is inspired by lined storybook covers and clothing from the time period, reflecting the nostalgia and sweetness of childhood. We have seven wonderful, whimsical bolts, including a wonderful border print! $12.99 per yard.
Also from Michael Miller, are 24 bolts of Marble. A swirling whirlpool, crystallized rocks, and brilliant minerals formed over millions of years ago all come to mind when describing this collection. With deep and saturated colors ranging from gleaming gold and amethyst to deep onyx and jade, you're sure to find the perfect radiant hue! $11.50 per yard. We also have 2-1/1" strips, $42.99; 5" charm squares, $10.99; and a FQ bundle of the whole collection, $84.00
EPPers, rejoice! We just got in six neutral colors of 60wt Bottom Line thread. $8.49 per spool (1420 yards).
Books are discounted every day at Capital Quilts!
The Double Wide Dresden book contains 13+ projects for the Double Wide Dresden Ruler. This is a fast, fun, and easy way to make a modern Dresden with no hand applique in the center and no raw edges! Because of the double wide size, a secondary star pattern is created in the center. Unlike the traditional version you can arrange different wedges to create unique blocks. MSRP $27.99, CQ price only $23.79. Double Wide Dresden Ruler, $19.95 each.
In Tips for Longarm Quilting, author Gina Perkes discusses everything from machine maintenance to business tips to fatigue relieving exercises. Explore quilting design success and how to apply it to any project. A must have for those interested in longarm quilting or those with quilting businesses. MSRP $19.95, CQ price only $16.96.
Welcome to the world of Bargello, a style of quilt that is reminiscent of the Op Art of the 1960s, filled with movement and the illusion of depth thanks to the placement of the fabric's color and value. In fact, they’re inspired by a type of straight stitch embroidery found in the Bargello Palace in Florence, Italy. Deceptively complex-looking, bargello quilts are easy enough for beginners, and easier still combined with pre-cut strips of 2-1/2in wide fabric. Karin Hellaby’s newest book, Jelly Roll Bargello Quilts, explains the process clearly with easy-to-follow instructions, visual diagrams, and step-by-step photography. MSRP $18.95, CQ price only $16.11.
CLASSES:
Sign up for classes online, in the shop, or by phone at 301-527-0598.
Need help getting a quilt sandwiched? Make an appointment for 7 or 8 o’clock on Friday, August 10 for Sandwich Night. Bring your squared-up and pressed quilt and quilt back, batting, and spray baste or pins. If you are planning on having a longarm quilter do the quilting, you do not need to sandwich the quilt.
EQ8 is a computer based application with which you can preview, color, and even design and resize your quilt. It will calculate yardage, add the ¼ inch seam allowance, and create templates, rotary cutting instructions, or foundation piecing patterns. Learn how to use this wonderful software in EQ8: Getting Started on Saturday, August 11, 2:30-5:30.
Make a Mini Mosaic with Kat Martinez on Sunday, August 12, 2:30-4:30. It’s a great way to use up your scraps, and we have lots of different patterns to choose from. The tool lets you cut the mosaic pieces quickly and easily. Finish with a bit of quilting using your walking foot.
Become certified to rent the HQ Amara or HQ Forte in Barbara Bean’s class, Getting Started: the HQ Longarm. Classes are offered on Monday, August 13, 11-2, and Friday, August 24, 6-9.
Tired of meandering when you longarm quilt? Go the next step and learn how to use rulers when you quilt. Barbara Bean teaches Rulers for the Longarm on August 14, 10-1.
Slide Show is a fun and easy quilt to make…ask me how I know! It is a very versatile pattern, suitable for
all sorts of fabric and all ages. Hilary Hasty is teaching this class starting on August 15, 10:30-12:30.
Lois Sumser is teaching the ever-popular Rag Basket class on Thursday, August 16, 10:30-1:30. These bowls make great gifts…and the holidays are not that far off.
Learn the essentials for a beautiful binding, perfectly finishing any quilt, in Binding Basics on Sunday, August 19, 12-2. The class introduces types of bindings, design options, calculating fabric requirements, cutting straight grain or bias binding, and preparing mitered or pieced binding strips. You’ll learn how to turn perfect corners and use the “Magic X” method to join the binding ends. You’ll also learn an easy machine-sewn method with a faux flange. Betsy Kulamer teaches.
Ginny Brown is teaching Prism on Monday, August 20, 10:30-12:30. The pattern emerges with the combination of scrappy left and right slanting units strategically placed to create the large diamonds. Use the Split Rects tool from Studio 180 Designs to make the split rectangles. The finished quilt size is 62” x 74”.
Using your AccuQuilt cutter to cut the fabrics for Confetti will make the cutting fast and accurate. This fun, fat-quarter friendly quilt is being taught by Debra Ball on Tuesday, August 21, 10:30-12:30.
This month’s Tucker University focuses on the Split Rects tool. Learn how to make crisp, clean half rectangles. By using the tool, you don’t have to worry about shaving off the edges of a plastic template piece. Each tool offers 8 different size options. Your stars will twinkle with these strong points! Beth Morningstar leads the way on Tuesday, August 21, 2-5.
SAVE THE DATE:
• September 8: Aboriginal Fabric Dot Art Lecture & Trunk Show with Phyliss Twigg Hatcher
• September 8: Quilt Appraisals with Phyliss Twigg Hatcher
• September 8: Northcott Lecture and Trunk Show, featuring the new FIGO line
• September 14 & 15: Handi Quilter Education Event, "Quilting is a Stitch"
• October 5 & 6: "Around the Block" NeedleChasers Quilt Show, Kensington, MD
• October 19-28: Quilters' Quest
• October 19-20: Capital Quilts' Quilters' Quest Bus I Be among the first to see the shops!
• October 22-23: Capital Quilts' Quilters' Quest Bus II
COMMUNITY CORNER:
On September 14th, Capital Quilts Cares will be participating in National Million Pillowcase Day. To meet our goal of 100 cases, we have Pillowcase Kits available for you to take home and complete. All the fabric needed for three pillowcases is in each kit. Each completed pillowcase will count toward reaching our goal of 100 cases. Just ask at the front desk for a kit. We are in need of more yardage for these kits, as most of our already donated "kid fabric" is in FQs, which are inappropriate for pillowcase sewing.
Our supply of Small Kennel Quilts has been greatly depleted by recent requests for them! These 12" x 18" quilts are quick and easy to sew. Please consider picking up one of our free kits, or making some using fabric you have on hand, but no longer love. Instructions can be found here: TQPM Small Kennel Quilts.
BLUE BAG BONANZA:
Congratulations to Mary E. who won the July prize, a Stonehenge Gradations strip set in shades of turquoise. The August prize is a collection of charm squares from Northcott's Gradations.
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. The more you shop, the more chances you have to win. 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.
Sign up for our 5th Saturday Club! Purchase your Gold Tag for $10 and be able to participate in special sales on each of the four 5th Saturdays on 2018. The next one is at the end of September. The Golden Tickets will not be available for purchase on the day of the 5th Saturday Sale.
Our thanks to everybody who shops at Capital Quilts and who participates in the Blue Bag Bonanza.
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