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"All action to address climate change is an inseparable and integrated part of the whole plan, and the leadership and commitment of all governments remains central to success." Patricia Espinosa
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Dear Friends of Fabric and Furry Creatures,
CAPITAL QUILTS CARES: We have been getting a lot of requests from animal shelters out west and down south for kennel quilts. We have sent out over 230 of them in the last few weeks and our supply is woefully low. If you are willing to help, please make more for us! Find the directions here. Please be careful of the dimensions of the little quilts; too big or too small and we can’t send them. Drop them off “curbside” at the shop; no need to make an appointment (unless you want to shop, of course!).
Please give us a call at 301-527-0598 if you’d like to make an appointment to come shop in the store. At the moment, you can usually get in the same day. How I look forward to the day when we don’t have to place these limits on shoppers!
Join Betsy Kulamer for a virtual sewing group on Friday, October 2. See details below under “Classes”.
Tips for Newbies and Not-So-Newbies: Use the same ¼” foot throughout a project. Using different feet can actually change the width of your ¼” seam, and even a very small difference can create a big problem by the end of your project.
Check the accuracy of your ¼” seam. The Perfect Piecing Seam Guide can help with this. Accuracy is the key to all! Your machine may allow you to move the needle left and right; take advantage of this feature to get a perfect seam allowance.
Use a guide to keep the fabric straight as you feed it under the sewing machine needle. There are “helpers” you can use, such as Steady Betty’s Betty Bridge or the Sewing Edge and the Seam Guide Setter, both of which are reusable vinyl strips. The trick is to affix them to your sewing surface such that the distance from the needle to the edge marker is ¼”. Test it on scrap fabric before you start sewing on a project.
If you are having trouble keeping your fabric feeding straight or are sewing a construction that is really small and/or hard to control, use a Purple Thang or tailor’s awl to help keep the fabrics straight. Steady Betty has a good awl. If you try to get your finger down close to the needle to keep things together, you might sew your finger and that HURTS! You really don’t want to do that.
We really and truly appreciate your patronage and your patience through this pandemic. Your support has been awesome. You are truly the best customers ever!
Go ‘n’ Piece,
Alison
HANDI QUILTER EVENT
I have tentatively scheduled a Handi Quilter Event here in the shop on September 25 and 26. The four classes will be led by Handi Quilter National Educator Diane Henry. Diane lives locally and feels comfortable teaching a small group. We would, of course, wear masks and sit socially distanced. Each class will be limited to 6 people.
There will be four 3-hour-long classes, one each morning and one each afternoon. The first class, on Friday morning, is for those of you who have been making quilt tops like crazy since March and are now ready to quilt them! It is called “Taking the Mystery Out of Longarm Quilting” and is an introduction to the Handi Quilter longarm machine, with information about thread, needles, loading fabric on the frame, and basic quilting techniques. This class is perfect for those of you who would like to know more about longarm quilting.
Friday afternoon’s class is called “Design Your Quilting for the Whole Quilt”, which will get into planning and marking your design, developing a design library of background fills, and making borders fit without measuring. Move beyond edge-to-edge quilting and learn how one motif can be broken down to complement each area of your quilt. Explore fillers both modern and classic. This class is currenty full.
Saturday morning we’ll have a class called “Using Rulers and Templates”. Diane will talk about using rulers safely, then discuss the different designs you can produce with different rulers and how to mark for them. You’ll get a chance to try various rulers at the machine.
Our last class, on Saturday afternoon, seeks to stir your imagination. It is called “Jumping into Improvisation Quilting”. Looking at your fabric motifs, the shapes of your blocks, and even using surprising thread colors can all be used to quilt in unexpected ways. Topics include drawing and transferring simple designs to your quilt, using straight lines to create drama, adding unexpected designs, using marked grids as a foundation, and drawing inspiration from fabric prints.
In every class Diane will give you lots of tips and tricks. The outlines of the classes above are just the beginning of the information she will impart. You’ll have a great time and learn lots.
Each class is $75. Register online or by calling the shop at 301-527-0598.
Note: I will be keeping an eye on the progress of the pandemic between now and the end of September. If metrics become unfavorable, I will cancel the event and refund your money.
I am also counting on you to be responsible about not coming to the event if you have been exposed to the virus within 2 weeks of the event or if you are feeling in any way unwell or someone in your household is unwell. Let’s protect each other! Thank you in advance.
This will be our first attempt at an instore class since March. If it goes well, I will consider having other classes here at the shop. Fingers crossed!
IN-STORE SHOPPING AT CAPITAL QUILTS
We continue to offer shopping by appointment here in the shop, and remain closed to casual walk-in traffic. We are now scheduling these appointments over the phone. Need more than 25 minutes? Book 2 consecutive time slots! Please be sure to carefully read all the rules we have around in-store shopping, and know that the staff is wiping down surfaces frequently with disinfectant.
Pro shopping tip: if you know you need needles, elastic, thread, or other items that do not require an in-person appointment, go ahead and order them online!. Specify curbside pickup, and you can pick those things up when you come for your appointment, and then you can spend all your time enjoying the fabric!
If you are unable to come to your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can fill that time slot.
CAPITAL QUILTS CARES
 We are collecting scrub caps for nurses and respiratory therapists at a local hospital. Wearing PPE all day can be depressing, and medical workers love to perk up their day with happy or silly scrub caps. The requesting doctor received one from her mother that she loves! She made a few more for herself, and knowing what a lift it gives her, is hoping to share the love. There is no restriction on the pattern to use, but she likes Milly's Tie Scrub Hat Pattern from Brimming with Love. It's a woman's hat with enough room to tuck long hair up into. Twelve Bees has a great video and pattern for making a men's scrub hat. (Not necessarily men, but for people with short hair.) 2 hats from just a hair over a 1/3 of a yard. (12.5 inches)
We also have free pillowcase kits available that you can sew at home. They are a wonderful beginner project to do with children. The kiddos will learn some sewing skills and stay busy, too! We can mail them to you or you can pick them up curbside. Return the finished pillowcases to the shop (when you can; there is no rush), and we will donate them to Ryan’s Case for Smiles when the appropriate time comes.
As mentioned above, we need Small Kennel Quilts! These small quilts are sent to shelters and rescues all over the country. They are a great beginner project, or a way to practice your free motion quilting skills. We have a limited number of free kits available; ask for one when you're in shopping or picking up an order
NAVIGATING THE ONLINE STORE
For those of you who are computer-challenged, click here for a quick tutorial on getting to and through our online shop using a laptop or desktop computer. (Smart phones and tablet screens may vary.)
We have had a few people call to say that they are having trouble getting PayPal to work or to make a selection or are having other issues when they use the Capital Quilts online store. If this happens to you, try refreshing your browser. That often solves the problem. Don’t forget to click on “I am not a robot”, and select the method of delivery (shipping/curbside), too. If you continue to have a problem, please contact the shop at 301-527-0598.
MAKING MASKS
We have all made a mask or two (or 50, or 200, or…), and would like to share our favorite patterns, and some tips and tricks we’ve discovered along the way. Click here for all the details! (By the way, some of our customers are now offering completed masks for sale on our website, if you aren't interested in sewing one yourself.)
All mask-making supplies are listed in a single category to make them easier to find online. Click here to see all the currently available items. Our website is updated each and every time we get in a new product!
SEWING MACHINE MAINTENANCE
We are able to accept all brands of sewing machines for cleaning and tune-ups. To take advantage of this service, go to our website and sign up for machine repair. Bring your machine to the shop. We will take it in and wipe it down with a disinfectant (safe for sewing machines). We will let you know it is ready for pick-up and wipe it down again before we give it to you. Our technicians are working as quickly as they can, but both have essential day jobs. Machine servicing wait time is currently estimated at 2-3 weeks after drop-off.
If your machine is broken, be sure to write that in the notes section. We are not always able to get parts for machines other than Janome, but we will contact you before proceeding. If you want the technician to call you with an estimate before making the repair, please put that in the notes section as well.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
If batiks are your thing, Lively Garden from Robert Kaufman is divine! $13.99 pr yard.
Power Play from Northcott is for all you hockey lovers! Skates, pucks, and sticks are rounded out with some great texture prints. $12.99 per yard.
From QT Fabrics, Origins evokes stone, moss, sponge…this textural print is sure to wow! Dan Morris’ newest design has dense variation in tone and color throughout a 24” x 43” repeat. Origins will add complexity to your projects as a stand-alone print or striking coordinate. $12.50 per yard.
Things That Go will delight any child obsessed with vehicles. The panel makes for an easy playmat -- just add backing and batting! Or, pick up the coordinates and create a quilted masterpiece! Panel, $9.99 each; coordinates, $12.50 per yard.
CLASSES
Like so many schools, we are electing to not hold most classes in the shop right now but to have virtual learning instead. We will make this as easy as we can for you, sending you a link to the Zoom class. All you have to do is add the Zoom app to your computer, IPad, or other device so that you can open the link and participate in the class.
Class size will be limited, at least at first, while our teachers become familiar with using Zoom. As before COVID, you can sign up online, by phone, or in the shop if you are here on a shopping appointment. Class descriptions are found below and on our website. Each class will have a supply list; look for this on our website: click on “Class Calendar in the blue bar at the top of the home page. Find the class on the calendar and click on that, then scroll down to the bottom left of the page to find “Supply List” and click on that.
DEMYSTIFYING EQ8 – A Zoom Class for Windows and Mac: EQ8 is a computer-based application used to design quilt blocks and quilts. You will learn to use EQ8 libraries of thousands of blocks and fabrics, personalize and create your own quilt blocks, preview quilts, select colors, resize quilts, calculate yardage, print out piecing templates, rotary cutting instructions, and foundation piecing patterns. This class covers the tools most often used in EQ8. You will need a computer with EQ8 installed, an electrical cord, and a mouse for this class. Training documents will be emailed to you before the class begins.
EQ8 is available at Capital Quilts. Please call 301-527-0598 to purchase a copy.
Skill Level: Beginner (for software)
Instructor: Elyse Turkletaub
Class Limit: 6
Cost: $65
Date and Time: Saturday, September 26, 10-1
PRO-STITCHER PREMIUM – GETTING STARTED (A ZOOM CLASS): Learn to navigate through the screens, tabs, buttons, and tools of Pro-Stitcher Premium. You will customize an Edge-to-Edge (E2E) design on your computer using the Pro-Stitcher Simulator and transfer the design to the Pro-Stitcher on the longarm, if you have one, for accurate stitch out.
An email will be sent to you with a detailed training document and instructions for downloading and installing the Pro-Stitcher Simulator. You will also be contacted by the instructor to ensure that you have the digital designs used in the class.
Supply List: laptop or tablet with Pro-Stitcher Premium Simulator installed, mouse, power cord, flash drive (USB stock/thumb drive/flash memory), access to a longarm with Pro-Stitcher (optional)
Skill Level: beginner (for ProStitcher)
Instructor: Elyse Turkletaub
Class Limit: 6
Cost: $75
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 29, 10-1
SEW TOGETHER: Tired of sewing alone? Join fellow quilters for a virtual quilting bee. Settle into your favorite sewing space with your favorite Zoom-compatible technology for up to three hours of stitching and chatting. Everyone will have a chance to talk about what they’ve been working on and pose questions to the other quilters. No masks required!
Note: you must download the Zoom app/client, and you will need a camera/webcam, microphone, and speakers, as well as an Internet connection. On the day of Sew Together, you’ll receive an email with a link to the Zoom meeting. Please confirm that Capital Quilts has your current email address and phone number.
Skill Level: All
Moderator: Betsy Kulamer
Class size: max. 15
Cost: $8
Date and Time: Friday, October 2, 2020, 6- 9pm
 SIDE BRAID via Zoom: Use 20 Fat Quarters (or ¼-yard cuts) to make this twist on a traditional friendship braid design. There are no seams or corners that require matching up. This beginner-friendly class will include instruction on cutting, piecing, sandwiching, machine quilting with a walking foot, and binding.
This class will be held on the Zoom platform. Please download the supply list to be sure you can meet the technological requirements and have materials on hand for the class.
Skill level: beginner
Instructor: Janine Boyce
Class size: max. 10
Cost: $60
Date and Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-8pm, on October 13, 15 20, and 22.
ACCUQUILT
AccuQuilt is offering $90 off the Go! Big, Ready. Set. GO! Ultimate Fabric Cutting System, and Ready.Set.Go! cutting machines during the month of September. This is a mail-in rebate available only through retailers (not on the AccuQuilt website); get your rebate form with your purchase at Capital Quilts.
AccuQuilt introduced 3 new dies recently. They are “Starry Path”, a 9” finished die; “Snail’s Trail”, 8” finished; and “Maple Leaf”, 8” finished. If you would like to order any of these dies, please let me know and I’ll get them in the shop.
Coming September 22: AccuQuilt is introducing the English Paper Piecing Qube. The Qube includes 8 dies, 4 for fabric and 4 for papers. The shapes are the hexie, half hexie, diamond, and equilateral triangle, with 1” finished sides. Get a free book, “English Paper Piecing Made Easy” by Katja Marek when you purchase the Qube. Pre-order yours today!
Price: $279.99
JANOME
 Meet the Janome HD3000. The HD3000 is a heavy-duty machine perfect for all skill ranges. A handy instructional guide is located in the top tray door of the machine, which indicates the feet and stitch settings for a variety of sewing tasks. It has a heavy-duty aluminum body and 18 stitches, including a one-step buttonhole. Stitch length and width adjustment are conveniently located on the front of the machine. It has a free arm, the bobbin winder is auto-declutch, and you can drop the feed dogs. Maximum stitch width is 6.5mm. A hard cover comes standard. This machine is capable of sewing leather; there is a Leather Sewing Guide available at Janome.com in the description area of the HD3000 machine.
Price: $429
Capital Quilts has 2 of these machines in stock.
Also in stock: the MC 9450 QCP. This machine is particularly delightful for quilters, with an 11” throat space, built-in quilting stitches, and automatic foot lift. Check out all the features on the Janome website. It is a fabulous machine! Ask me how I know.
HANDI QUILTER
Buy a longarm quilting machine package and/or a Pro-Stitcher today through September 21 and receive up to 10 hours of one-on-one instruction from an HQ National Educator! What a fabulous gift! Call me for a great price on my floor model, too. Through Sept. 21, you’ll get a great deal on the floor model plus the Educator instruction.
You get 5 hours with the purchase of the machine and 5 hours with the purchase of a Pro-Stitcher. Capital Quilts will train you on the basics of machine operation. Then, tap into the knowledge and experience of an expert educator via one-on-one video chat. Your new quilting mentor will answer questions, share instruction and offer ideas and inspiration. That is a value of $500 for each 5 hours, and I am pretty sure you will have a new friend at the end of your mentoring. You will also get forever access to the HQ Academy virtual Sneak Peek event: 4 video classes with Handi Quilter’s best instructors (a $200 value).
Tune in to the Handi Quilter Facebook page every Tuesday at 2pm EDT for Handi Quilter’s Watch and Learn Quilting Show, which features tips, tricks, and tutorials on Handi Quilter products with limited-time special pricing and a give-away to a random live attendee. They announce a special on a different machine or accessory each week. If you can’t watch the Tuesday show, go to the HQ website and enjoy the “And I Quilt” series of videos. You can still get the special pricing on the week’s product through Sunday.
This week, take 15% off a Sidearm Upgrade. Ends Sept. 20.
Through September 25, take $50 off a Secret Drawer.
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