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What's New at CQ 01/21/21


"A new dawn looms as we free it,
For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it,
If only we are brave enough to be it."

Amanda Gorman

 

Make this quilt!

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Dear Quiltfully United Friends,

American Patchwork & Quilting’s 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge has met its goal! They now have over 1,004,800 pillowcases. “We appreciate all the quilt shops, guilds, individuals, groups, sponsors, and others that have helped support the program over the past 10 years.” says Jody Sanders, Group Editor of American Patchwork & Quilting. “On behalf of the entire team here at American Patchwork & Quilting: Thank you SEW much!” The group is not stopping. They will continue to collect pillowcases and donate them to hospitalized children, homeless families, residents of shelters, survivors of natural disasters, hospice patients, veterans, and many more. If you would like to participate, you can find their pillowcase patterns here; bring your completed pillowcases to Capital Quilts and we will forward them on to AP&Q. We also have free kits that you can take home, make, and return to us.

It seems I have inadvertently ordered 2 bolts of Day of the Dead Dog fabric. Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated on November 1. Google tells us “Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, the day celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life.” I am issuing a Challenge to all you quilters out there: $8 gets you a yard of Day of the Dead Dog fabric. Make a quilt that is at least 20” square that speaks to the Day of the Dead holiday. How do you honor the lives of deceased loved ones? Perhaps you would remember a deceased pet. Quilts are due October 15. Please be sure to put a hanging sleeve on the back, either sewn on or pinned on with safety pins. The sleeve should be at least 4” wide and one inch shorter than the width of the quilt. 

Want to learn how to use design software? Sign up for Demystifying EQ8. The class meets Sunday, January 24 on Zoom from 12-3.

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, there seem to be new, more transmissible mutations around, 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 10 days, as we will all have been exposed.

If you are exposed to the virus and/or get a positive COVID-19 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
We are having classes via 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.

Class size will be limited. 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.

For classes we may have in the shop, we require that you wear a mask during the class and social distance as much as possible. Each person will have their own table. We may also take your temperature when you enter the shop and ask that you use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water.

CLUBS:
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 COVID crisis. Thank you, ladies! Members of the clubs enjoy a 10% discount on Handi Quilter items purchased in the shop on the first weekend of each month. If you can’t make it into the shop, please call us at 301-527-0598 to make your purchase. If you'd like to join this club, please call the shop.

2nd Saturday Club 2021  2nd Saturday Club meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday of each month (really!). 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. This club is currently at capacity.

QUILTING CLASSES: Currently all classes are ZOOM classes. 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 the class, 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.

Sew Together: Ask an Expert 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.

February 5: Kathy Barden shares her joy in making useful three-dimensional projects, especially ByAnnie bags.

March 5: our very own Kat Martinez loves improv quilting and shares her knowledge and experience with you.

April 2: Sue Fierston, president of the Nature Printing Society, talks about leaf and fish printing on fabric.

     Skill Level: any
     Instructor/Moderator: Betsy Kulamer
     Class Size: max. 18
     Cost: $8
     Time and Date: 6:30-9 on Dec. 4, Jan. 15, February 5, March 5, and April 2.

Lots of Dots This lovely quilt provides a good study in color and value. There are four small blocks that make up each larger block. Each ring is made using four different values of a color. The center is made using two lighter values of the ring color. You will also learn how to create the pieced ring. The original pattern has you piecing each part of the arches that make up the circles by sewing blocks together. Julie will show you how to paper piece the arch, a technique she finds easier than sewing blocks together. Finished quilt: about 70” square.
     Skill Level: Intermediate
     Instructor: Julie Taylor
     Class Size: max. 20
     Cost: $65
     Time and Dates: 2 sessions, 1-4, Saturday, February 20 & 27

Ruler Work for Beginners Save the date!  We are working with Sew Steady/Westalee Rulers to host this class on March 2, from 2-4pm. It will be a free event. 


SOFTWARE CLASSES:
Demystifying EQ8 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.

This is a ZOOM class. 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. 24, Feb. 9, March 20

Pro-Stitcher Premium: Getting Started 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.

This is a ZOOM class. You must be comfortable using a computer. 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 2 more times; sign up for one. 12-3 on Feb. 16, March 27


NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

Blank Quilting has sent some wnderful sports-themed fabrics!  $11.99 per yard

Why, yes!  We do have more fabulous novelties from Timeless Treasures!  Dolphins, chicken wire, dogs, and puzzle pieces await your creativity.  $12.50 per yard.

If you like black & white prints, you'll love these Domino Duo fabrics from Marcus!  $12.50 per yard.


JANOME

MC 15000: Save $2,000.
Includes the following gifts: Horizon Rolling Cart, Hilos Iris 100 best polyester thread, and the Janome Artistic Digitizer.

Continental M7 Professional: Save $1,000.
Includes the gift of an M7 table, a $699 value.

MC 9450: Save $1,500.
Includes the gift of a Universal table, a $599 value.
AirThread 2000D: Save $300. This is the newest Janome serger, with a built-in one-push air threading system an 8-piece feed dog, and a built-in needle threader. We have these in stock.

Contact the shop to purchase any of these machines.

Artistic Digitizer: Are you the proud owner of an Artistic Digitizer? Janome has announced an update, to version 1.6. You can download the update from the Artistic Digitizer page on the Janome website.

Meet the MB-7: The MB-7 is the “World’s First” home-use 7-needle embroidery machine. This innovative machine is built to work with embroidery formats used by industry professionals such as .jef+, .jef and .dst. With 50 built-in embroidery designs and 10 fonts for monogramming, a USB port to easily import designs (such as from the Artistic Digitizer) and a maximum speed of 800 SPM, the possibilities are endless. Durkee hoops are compatible with the MB-7. Embroidery operations are noticeably faster and smoother on the MB-7. Your finished product will look highly professional. Contact the shop for details.


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, take 15% off your purchase of Super Leaders. Offer valid through Sunday, January 24.

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. Click here for more information.

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
Wish Table Sale: Buy a Wish Table and get the Grid Glider for just $1! The table is 22.5” x 25.5”, with beveled edges, a blue drawer for notions, holes and a tool for circle sewing, and a table lock. The Grid Glider, valued at $25, offers all the right markings to make sewing easier and adds a slick sewing surface, especially good for free motion quilting. MSRP: $200. Capital Quilts price: $149 plus $1 for the Grid Glider.


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.

Every year on the first Saturday in February, the Quilts of Valor organization has a national Sew-in Day. Normally, it is a full day of sewing in the classroom, with people ironing, sewing, trimming, gophering, and generally having a swell time while making quilts for veterans of our armed services. This year, for obvious reasons, we are having to do things a bit differently (but it will still be a swell time!). We are limiting the number of people in the classroom to 5, one per table, plus Sue Moats, your hostess for the day, a total of 6 people. There will be three (free!) 2-hour sessions, from 11-1, 1-3, and 3-5. You may sign up for more than one session if you wish. If you sign up on our website, you will see the 3 sessions listed as classes on the February calendar, on February 6. If you want to stay for more than one session, please register for each session separately. We will take your temperature and ask you to use hand sanitizer when you arrive, and plan to wear a mask at all times.



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Sunday 12-5

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  • 15926 Luanne Drive
  • Gaithersburg, MD 20877

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