Dear Fellow Travelers, The Quilters’ Quest shop hop is underway! Through October 28, visit 10 shops and earn a discount card good for 15% off at all 10 participating shops through September, 2019. You get a nifty tote bag, too. Visit www.quiltersquest.org for more information.
The Quest theme this year is Cruising the World. Each shop is a different port-of-call. Our port is Sydney, Australia. Come visit the Sydney Zoo and take a side trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Stop by Customs & Immigration to get your passport stamped. Quilts made with Aboriginal fabrics will be hanging in the Gallery. Kiki the Koala will be waiting for you to find her on your Scavenger Hunt! I do hope you will join us Down Under.
Handi Quilter is introducing 3 new products at Quilt Market: the HighLight LED lighting system, My Secret Drawer, and a new tool tray. Click here for pictures and more information about the HighLight, and here for My Secret Drawer. The HighLight is a free-standing light system with adjustable height and adjustable shutters on the fixtures to direct the light just where you want it most. It fits comes in a 5’ and 8’/10’ size, with 2’ extensions for 12’ and 14’ frames. The system can be used with all brands of longarms and I suspect that it can be used over cutting tables, sewing tables, craft areas, and so on. I’ll find out more at Quilt Market! The prices are $349.95 for the HighLight 5, $499.95 for the HighLight 8/10, and $99.95 for each 2’ extension.
My Secret Drawer fits the Little Foot, Studio, and Gallery frames (but not the bent-leg style). It is about 33 x 19 x 6 and will hold up to 96 cones of thread, lots of rulers and templates, or just plain stuff. You can put up to 3 of them on a 12’ frame, but note that while the drawer will clear the batting pole, it may not clear the roll of batting. If you store batting on your frame, you should just get one drawer. The retail price is $249.95 for the Studio and Gallery drawers and $274.95 for the Little Foot drawer. What will you put in your Secret Drawer?
The new tool tray will have adjustable inserts so that you can customize it to your own needs. It will be priced at $79.95.
I am taking pre-orders for the three new HQ products. Delivery starts in December. There are also machine package deals that include the HighLight and My Secret Drawer: see “Vendor Specials” below.
The new AccuQuilt dies are here! There are 5: Spring Medley, Big Crazy Quilt (10” finished), Bear’s Paw (14” finished), Lowercase Carefree Alphabet (a 2-die set), and my favorite, Cleopatra’s Fan (12” finished). Look for them when you come for Quilters’ Quest!
If you are a pro at quilting with Westalee rulers on your domestic sewing machine and you like to teach, I am looking for someone to teach Westalee classes here at the shop. If you are interested, please give me a call (301-527-0598) or reply to this newsletter.
Go ‘n’ piece, Alison
SHOP SPECIALS: Janome is discontinuing the MC9400. I have one left, my floor model. Regularly $4,999, get the floor model for $2,499. Free lesson included.
It’s Handi Quilter Demo Days at Capital Quilts! Purchase our floor model Simply Sixteen, Amara, or Forte at a significant price reduction. Simply Sixteen: MSRP $5995, now $5,095 Amara: MSRP $11,995, now $8,999 Forte: MSRP $13,995, now $11,199 Forte with ProStitcher: MSRP $23,995 now $19,999
I have a Horn of America space-saver sewing machine cabinet in cherry available. It is a floor model. The original price was $990. I offer it to you for $599. Closed up, it measures 19.5”W x 24”L. With the side leaf up, the length becomes 48”.
VENDOR SPECIALS
HANDI QUILTER: Buy any HQ machine package and receive an HQ HighLight to fit your new system FREE! Buy a ProStitcher (alone or added to a machine package) and receive one FREE Secret Drawer to add to your frame. Valid November 5-19.
JANOME: Janome introduced new models on October 1! The HMC9450QCP replaces the MC9400 as the premier domestic sewing and quilting machine. It includes the Ruler Work Mode, auto power-off time, variable zigzag, stitch tapering, the superior needle threader with Number 7 Thread Guide, and an AcuFeed Flex Professional Grade Foot (HP2). The Skyline 6 has upgraded lighting, an Indigo faceplate, 9mm stitch width, 196 built-in stitches, 10 one-step buttonholes, and the Acufeed Flex Layered Fabric Feeding System.
Janome has several promotions going on, all running October 1 – December 31: 1. Purchase the MC15000, regularly $12,999, for $10,999 and get a FREE Apple MacBook Air and FREE Artistic Digitizer Software, a $2198 value. This is the first time Janome has allowed us to put the 15000 on sale; if you have been lusting after this machine, this is a good time to buy it. 2. The new HMC9450QCP retails for $5,499. Buy it for just $4,499 and get a FREE universal Table and Janome’s exclusive Westalee 6-piece Ruler Kit with carrying case and instructional DVD FREE, a $768 value. Your total savings is $1,768. 3. The new Skyline 6 has a regular price of $1,999. Buy it at the introductory price of $1,599. 4. Buy a Skyline 7, regularly $2,999, for $2,499. 5. Buy a CoverPro 2000CPX for $849 and get a Travel Roller Bag, MSRP $99, for $75. 6. Buy the new AirThread 2000D serger with One-Push Air Threading System for $1,799. The Janome Serger Thread Kit, normally $59.99, can be purchased with the 2000D for just $39.99. 7. The MC6700, regularly $3,799, is on sale for $3,199 and includes a FREE Universal Table, a $658 value. 8. The MC500E, regularly $2,999, is available for $2,499. Save 15% on the purchase of the Artistic Digitizer Software with this machine purchase.
I have most of these machines in stock or on order. If there is something you want that I don’t have, I will cheerfully order it for you.
SEW STEADY: Wish to Quilt Package For those of you who want to start quilting with rulers on your domestic machine, this package offers the Sew Steady table, free motion glider, ruler foot starter kit, 6 templates, stable tape, a spacing gauge, a crosshair ruler, and a book about designing with rulers, plus tips and tricks, everything you need to get started quilting with rulers. Valued at $430, this package is $390 through December 31. Add a Travel Bag for $49.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
Robert Kaufman sent us Avery Hill, a gorgeous purple floral highlighted with delicate gold etching. We also have coordinating blenders in greens, purples, and ecru. Metallics are $12.50 per yard, others are $11.99 per yard.
Alexander Henry's Ghastlies are back! We have four bolts, some featuring sewing and crafts. $13.50 per yard.
If you like Mini Mosaics by Cheryl Lynch, you'll love these three kits we have available! Choose from Lighthouse, Sea Turtle, or Salty (Crab). $29.99 each. Patterns are also available, $16.00 each.
CLASSES:
We have no classes during Quilters' Quest. Classes resume on Monday, October 29th.
Machine Quilting for Beginners is directed at the beginner machine quilter who is unsure what to do with her hands and how to attach and use her feet. If you have put off jumping into the water or have jumped in and floundered, this class is for you. We will be using a pre-printed panel to minimize preparation time and maximize learning. The panel is large enough to allow for continued practice at home. In the first lesson we will cover machine quilting with the walking foot, and free motion quilting in the second lesson. Starts Monday, October 29th at 10:00am.
If you'd rather use one of the longarm machines, Getting Started: The Handi Quilter Longarm is the class for you! You will learn the ins and outs of the longarm machine and the frame, how to set up for quilting a quilt, what proper tension is, and some basic quilting designs. Monday, October 29th at 11:00am.
Join Jan for our next CQ Cares event: Bears and Blankets! We'll be making quilts to donate to kids at the Children's National Medical Institute, along with a (purchased) new small stuffed animal. Guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of a sick child! All fabric is provided, but please bring a small stuffed animal to accompany the quilt you make. This workshop is being held on Monday, October 29th at 1:00pm.
On Tuesday, October 30th at 10:30am, learn (or polish) hand-quilting skills! Chris Giannascoli is your guide as you learn to mark your fabric, what needles, thread, and thimbles to use, and how to do the stitches in Hand Quilting: The Ultimate Finish!
Sandwich Day is also on Tuesday, October 30th, with appointments available between 1:00pm and 5:00pm.
Hilary teaches Connections on Thursday, November 1st at 10:00am. This quilt celebrates the relationships between people with its interweaving ribbons of color. Hilary, who also designed the quilt, will tell you the story behind the quilt while you sew!
On Friday, November 2 at 10:30am, join Annette for a relaxing hands-on and in-depth class on Needleturn Appliqué by hand. In the first session, you will learn how to trace your pattern, prepare your pattern shapes and the stitch. In the second session, you will learn techniques that allow you to vary the method to better suit your project and sewing pleasure. No prior applique experience is necessary.
Learn the essentials for a beautiful binding, perfectly finishing any quilt in Binding Basics, offered Saturday, November 3rd, at 2pm. 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 using a faux flange.
On Sunday, November 4th, join Ginny Brown for Crossfire. Whirling stars set off with chains of black and grey make a quilt with lots of sparkle! Pick a border fabric, add some coordinating colors, some black, white and grey, and this fun new variation of Flying Geese is sure to please!
Annette teaches Getting Started: The Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen Machine on Monday, November 5th at 12:30pm. This small longarm has built-in stitch regulation. Learn how to load your quilt on the frame, thread the machine, wind and load a bobbin, establish good tension, bring up the bobbin thread, anchor and tie off threads, and do a little stitching.
SAVE THE DATE:
• October 19-28: Quilters' Quest • November 9-10: AccuQuilt GO! Event & Classes • October 11-20, 2019: Quilters' Quest
COMMUNITY NEWS…
The Baltimore Embroiderers’ Guild, Constellation Chapter, is holding a 2-day workshop with Mixed Media artist Laura Smith. The dates are Monday and Tuesday, November 5 & 6, from 10-4. They meet at Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD. There is a $62 kit fee and all travel costs and fees for the teacher will be divided by the final number of students (20 max). There are 2 spots open for this workshop. If you are interested, please contact Leslie Carson at Lcarson55@aol.com immediately.
BLUE BAG BONANZA
The October prize is a set of Stonehenge 2 1/2" strips from Northcott Fabric.
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 December.
Our thanks to everybody who shops at Capital Quilts and who participates in the Blue Bag Bonanza.
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