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What's New at CQ 12/31/20


"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." Oprah Winfrey
 

Make more masks!

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Dear Sewers of Love and Life,

Every quilt has a story to tell, perhaps a memory to share. Some, like a quilt made from neckties, may be a remembrance of a departed loved one. Some, like a baby quilt, celebrate new beginnings. From January 8-March 12, 2021, the Sandy Spring Museum will host an exhibition of stunning art quilts that tell personal stories of love and loss, struggle and triumph. The quilts have been curated by master quilter Lauren Kingsland. The exhibit will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-4 and Fridays from 10-8. Reservations are encouraged. For information on related workshops, performances, and presentations, please visit www.sandyspringmuseum.org.

Please note that we are closed tomorrow, New Year’s Day, and have closed early today, at 2. And speaking of the New Year, I am sure we are all happy to see 2020 done with and are anticipating better things for 2021. Thanks to your support, Capital Quilts is still standing and is not in danger of imploding any time soon. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to you all for continuing to shop at Capital Quilts and to my staff for hanging in there and working so hard. It is a delight to be a part of this community. Thank you!

Please join me in welcoming Maria Rogers to our staff! Maria worked for Jinny Beyer for a few years, until Jinny shut down her brick-and-mortar shop. We are tickled pink to have Maria with us now. Maria is a certified Tucker Rulers teacher, so we are looking forward to having some ruler classes in the future!

The next session of our Capital Quilts’ Complete Course of Quilting begins on January 20. This is a 10-long course designed to introduce the beginner to using his or her sewing machine, cutting fabric, and employing various quilt-making techniques. The finished product is a lovely sampler quilt, quilted, bound, and labeled. Intermediate quilters will also find the course helpful for brushing up skills. Sign up online, in the shop, or by phone 301-527-0598.

We are now carrying jewelry by local artist and teacher Lois Sumser. She offers beautiful necklaces and earrings. See them here on our website. If you’ve taken a Rag Basket class from Lois, you know how beautiful her work is!

Capital Quilts is still a dealer for TNT Ironing Boards. While I don’t have any on display at the moment, you can see them on the TNT website, TNTquiltboards.com, and place your order through me. My prices are the same as those on the website, and the commission Capital Quilts will get helps support the shop.

Shopping at Capital Quilts: Please give us a call at 301-527-0598 if you’d like to make an appointment to come shop in the store. You can usually get in the same day. We are no longer making appointments online, only by phone. I’d like to be able to open the shop entirely, but I still feel the need to control the number of people in it in order to protect both you and us. The virus numbers are rising again, and we want to reduce the odds anybody in our quilting and sewing community gets Covid 19. Remember that if anybody on the CQ Staff comes down with the virus, we will have to completely close the shop for at least 2 weeks, as we will all have been exposed.

If you are exposed to the virus and/or get a positive Covid19 test result, please do not come to the shop, and if you have been to the shop while you may have been infectious, please call the shop so that we may let others know. There is nothing political about this, and there is no judgment from us. We just want to do our best to help stop the virus from spreading and protect our friends and families and community.

We really and truly appreciate your continued patronage and your patience through this pandemic. Your support has been, and continues to be, awesome. You are truly loyal friends! Keep wearing those masks! When your number comes up, get that vaccine! Stay safe.

Go ‘n’ Piece,

Alison


 
CLASSES and CLUBS
Currently, all classes are meeting on ZOOM. We will make the virtual classes 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.

As before COVID-19, 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 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.

The Longarm and Pro-Stitcher Clubs will meet on the first Saturday of each month in 2021. We will continue to meet via Zoom, until such time as we can once again meet in the shop. Barbara Bean and Elyse Turkeltaub have done a great job of continuing the clubs during the coronavirus crisis. Thank you, ladies!

2nd Saturday Club 2021 via ZOOM  2nd Saturday Club meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  In 2021, Betsy Kulamer and Jan Wisor will lead the Club members in an exploration of Tula Pink’s book, City Sampler: 100 Modern Quilt Blocks.  You will make 5-10 blocks each month.  We’ll talk about techniques for making the blocks, color, quilt layout, and more.  Betsy and Jan, who teach/have taught the Complete Course of Quilting here at Capital Quilts, are very experienced quilters who have lots of tips to share and stories to tell. Find more information and register on our website here.  You can also register by phone or in the shop.  Look for the Supply List online beneath the picture of the quilt.  

     Skill Level: Confident beginner and up.
     Instructors: Betsy Kulamer and Jan Wisor
     Cost: $65
     Time & Dates:  9-10:30 on the 2nd Saturday of every month, beginning January 9.  

Demystifying EQ8 via ZOOM Learn how to design your own quilts using computer software. Import existing fabrics, make or modify blocks, resize, add borders, play with color…there is so much you can do! In this class, meant for beginners, you’ll learn the basics of how the program works and what the various buttons and functions are. You must be comfortable using a computer, and you must have the EQ8 program loaded on your computer. Please contact the shop to purchase EQ8, as I do not stock them and must order one for you. Allow a couple of weeks at least. Thanks!
     Skill Level: beginner
     Instructor: Elyse Turkletaub
     Class Size: max. 6
     Cost: $45
     Time and Dates: the class will be taught 3 times; sign up for one. 12-3 on Jan. 10, Feb. 9, March 20

Sew Together: Ask an 
Expert via ZOOM 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 2-1/2 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! 
Each month, we are inviting a guest who is expert in some aspect of quilting and needlework to join us to answer questions about his or her specialty.
     Skill Level: any
     Instructor/Moderator: Betsy Kulamer
     Class Size: max. 18 
     Cost: $8 
     Time and Date:  6:30-9
        January 15: Jan Wisor discusses tips and tricks from her wide experience with foundation paper piecing.
        February 5:  Kathy Barden shares her joy in making three-dimensional projects, especially ByAnnie bags.
        March 5:  our very own Kat Martinez loves improv quilting and shares her experience with you.
        April 2:  Sue Fierston, president of the Nature Printing Society, talks about leaf and fish printing on fabric.

My Kaffe Garden via ZOOM Create a beautiful quilt garden using three charm packs! Julie used Kaffe Fassett charm packs plus some pieces from her stash and a white-on-white for sashing, but you could also do a lovely scrap quilt or use other charm packs; you could also use a different color for the sashing. There is lots of room for creativity here. Finished quilt: about 48” x 59”.

     Skill Level: Confident Beginner
     Instuctor: Julie Taylor
     Class Size: max. 20
     Cost: $45
     Date and Time: Saturday, January 16, 1-5

Pro-Stitcher Premium: Getting Started via ZOOM Pro-Stitcher Premium is computer software from Handi Quilter that allows you to design quilting patterns and then stitch them out on your longarm quilting machine. This class goes over the basic functions and structure of the software. Learn how to find pre-loaded designs or import a new design, how to fit the design to your quilt, and how to stitch out the design.  The instructor will give directions for loading the training software on your computer.
     Skill Level: beginner
     Instructor: Elyse Turkletaub
     Class Size: max. 6
     Cost: $45
     Time and Dates: the class will be taught 3 times; sign up for one. 12-3 on Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 27

Capital Quilts' Complete Course of Quilting via ZOOM: This 10-week quilting course starting Wednesday, January 20th at 6:30pm will teach everything you need to know to start making your own quilts. This course covers the basics: getting to know your sewing machine, rotary cutting, fabric selection, and a variety of techniques for machine-piecing quilt blocks. You make a sampler quilt and learn to sandwich, quilt, and bind your masterpiece. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the quilter’s art, which is both ancient and modern! 
     Skill Level: beginner
     Instructor: Betsy Kulamer
     Class Size: max. 8
     Cost: $275
     Time and Dates: Wednesdays starting 1/20/21, 6:30-9

ACCUQUILT


JANOME

Meet the Janome 4120 QDC. This computerized free-arm sewing machine has lots of built-in functionality to make your sewing experience a delight. In addition to Janome basics such as memorized needle up/down, speed control, needle threader, thread cutter, drop feed, and snap-on feet, this machine has twin-needle capability, 120 stitches, 7 buttonholes, stitch pattern memory capability, and an LCD screen with enhanced informational display and touchpad for easy navigation. Standard accessories include 7 feet, bobbins, needles, a seam ripper, and a hard cover.

This machine is in stock. Get yours today!


Also in stock: 5300, 1600, Skyline 3, Air Thread 2000D serger, MyLock 643D serger.

The 1050 and the HD3000 will not be available until January at the earliest. The 9450 will hopefully come in at the end of December. If you are interested in any other machine than these listed, please call or email so that I can place the order and get in the queue at Janome! It is still taking time to get these machines into the warehouses, and with COVID surging around the world, it could take even longer.


HANDI QUILTER
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 we are offering $100 off the Pro-Stitcher Designer. This offer expires at midnight on Sunday, January 3. Please call the shop to order.

From January 1-7, Handi Quilter is offering $0 down and 0% interest with approved credit. 48-month terms and conditions apply. This promotion is available for any Handi Quilter machine and the Pro-Stitcher. See the flyer here.

Longarm quilters: there is a new website you should check out! It’s www.quiltable.com and it is all quilting designs to view and purchase. The digital products include several file types and are intended for robotic quilting systems (not just Handi Quilter). There is an option to join a club and automatically receive new designs every month plus get a discount on other designs throughout the site. 

Handi Quilter is launching a new program called Pro-Stitcher Catalog. Get it through the Handi Quilter website. The program will store, organize, and give you a quick way to find your designs. Heaven on Earth! Use the code HQ1498 to get a $10 discount. You’ll also be supporting Capital Quilts, as we will then get a commission from Handi Quilter. See the flyer here.

Our Handi Quilter Moxie is now fully functional and ready for you to come try. I’ve sold one to a quilter who already owns a Fusion. She said she wants to use it for free motion quilting while the ProStitcher on her Fusion is working on another project. The Moxie is very light compared to the bigger machines and is easy to move around, with less stress to your joints. You can also put a Simply Sixteen on a Loft frame (the one the Moxie uses). You’ll get a little more quilting space and a more sophisticated machine on the smaller frame. If you already have a Simply Sixteen and want to move up to the Loft frame, you can do that. Call me if this is something you’d like to order.

Also on display is the Handi Quilter Capri, a stationary, sit-down quilting machine. It is right next to the registers. This machine has the smallest footprint of the longarm machines and is most like your sewing machine in terms of feel. Rather than move the machine over the fabric as you do on the machines that have a frame, you move the fabric under the needle on the Capri. Have a seat and give it a try!


SEW STEADY

Sew Steady has some new offers for the holiday season, valid through December 31, 2020:

Holiday Dreams Table Package: a 22.5” x 25.5” acrylic table with beveled edges and a blue drawer for notions PLUS a 26” x 26” padded nylon storage bag with pockets. Total value: $249 SALE: $199

Light Up the Holidays Large Table Package: get the best selling 18” x 24” acrylic table with rounded front edge and an 18” printed ruler PLUS a Light Stick and Dry Erase Marker to turn your Sew Steady table into a light box or design board. Total value: $155 SALE: $119

Best Selling Quilting Kit: This ruler work kit special includes a domestic ruler foot, 12” arc template, 6pc Sampler Template Set 1, 8-1/2” 8pt. Crosshair Ruler, and a spacing gauge. In addition, you get Janet’s Ruler Quilt Design eBook, Creative Quilting Inspirations Designing with the Crosshair Rulers eBook by Leonie West, a free printed pattern, and a free Ruler Work 101 online class at the Sew Steady University. Total value: over $270 SALE: $175 Wow! I love all the educational materials. This is a great way to get started quilting with rulers. This offer is valid through January 15, 2021.


NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Timeless Treasures has sent a bunch of their Tonga Batiks. $13.99 per yard.

These adorably whimsical gnomes are from Michael Miller. We love the coordinating snails!  $12.99 per yard.

For the more traditional quilter, we have Magnolia and coordinates. $12.50 per yard.


CAPITAL QUILTS CARES
Thanks to those who have donated kennel quilts in the last few weeks! Keep them coming.  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!).

We have both pillowcase and kennel quilt kits available, free. Make them at home and return the completed project to us for distribution.


 
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HOURS
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Sunday 12-5

CONTACT US

  • Tel: 301-527-0598
  • 15926 Luanne Drive
  • Gaithersburg, MD 20877

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