Dear Friends,

I've learned a new phrase/concept: slow stitching. And, shockingly, it does not refer to those of us who take forever to finish a project! The Slow Stitch movement emphasizes the process rather than the finished result. It teaches us to embrace imperfections, and brings with it mindfulness and relaxation. We have some fans in the shop: Laurie who teaches hand-piecing and hand-quilting. There's a whole group that does big stitching (like Kantha), we have an (English Paper Piecing) club that practices slow stitching, and some people just love hand-stitching bindings. It is through these activities that we can clear our minds and concentrate on the task at hand. The benefits of slow stitching extend beyond relaxation—it can also have a positive impact on mental health. Research has shown that engaging in creative activities like sewing can improve mood, boost self-esteem, and even alleviate symptoms of depression.

Happy Sewing!  

-Marianne

If you're stopping to see us during the Shop Hop, be sure to post a photo commemorating your visit on FaceBook and tag us for an entry into a weekly drawing!

For complete details about the All Mid-Atlantic Shop Hop, visit their website at AllMidAtlanticShopHop.com

Join their Facebook Group to see Shop Hopper experiences and learn more about the stores at FB: AllMidAtlanticShopHop 

P&B Textiles has sent us Darling Ducklings by Raquel Maciel. In this adorable collection, storybook prints in a warm, retro-style color palette are sure to warm your heart and inspire you to sew for a special little someone. There's a sweet soft book panel to help littles learn their numbers, or use the blocks to create a counting quilt with adorable coordinating prints.

We could not resist these prints from Libs Elliott's Phantasm for Andover  Fabrics. The bottom print is called "Beast". 

Andover has sent us Nebula by Eye Candy; these prints swirl and whirl together hues of color, and they cut up beautifully for quilt making.

Andover's Midnight Moon is a spellbinding Halloween-inspired fabric collection, capturing the enchantment of autumn nights. We have charm packs for you to create with.

More stickers!

Classes

Save your back and your knees! Sandwiching Service -- or quilt basting -- is scheduled for 8/26. Just drop off your quilt top, backing, batting, and either pins or spray baste ahead of time, and pick it up ready to quilt on your domestic machine! 

 If you want to get a T-Shirt Quilt done for the holiday season, now is a good time to start! Debra walks you through all the steps starting August 9th. There is currently ONE seat available.

Our Quilts of Valor group meets on 8/11 to work on a quilt for a veteran touched by war. The afternoon session has 2 seats available.

Rod's Sharpening is coming back to Capital Quilts in August! Get your scissors, knives, etc. into the shop no later than the 12th; they should be ready to pick-up on the 14th. Please read drop-off directions carefully.

If you want to learn to use our longarms (and then rent them to finish your own quilts), you must first take the classes that teach you about the machines.  Getting Started: Long Arm Rental Class and Getting Started: Prostitcher Premium (the computer program) are scheduled for the rest of the year: 8/14, 9/25, 10/7, 11/3, and 12/8.

Gather up all your unfinished sewing and bring it to Capital Quilts on 8/16 for four uninterrupted hours of sewing.  Enjoy time you can dedicate to getting those projects DONE! Although there is no formal instruction, Kat will be here to offer suggestions, guidance, and support.

On September 7, Join Mari and Capital Quilts to sew dresses for Project Dress A Girl Around The World! By providing a new dress you may well be changing a young girl’s destiny.  We all know that a new dress makes us feel good, so imagine never having had one!  A new dress tells each precious girl that someone loves them enough to have made this dress especially for them.  THAT makes a difference in how she feels about herself and can definitely change her destiny.  

Debra is again teaching Metro Hoops! She has absolutely fallen in love with the Quick Curve Ruler (QCR). This two-session class starts on September 9th. 

Join Rae Cumbie, co-author of Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets,  for 2 inspiring days (November 1 & 2) in the Capital Quilts classroom as you choose a design, fit, fabric and all the details for your own quilted jacket or one to be given as a gift.  Plan to spend the first day working on a mock up if you have not sewn with Fit for Art’s jacket patterns before. We will finish the day with a discussion of the jacket of your dreams and get right to it on day two. We will wrap up the second day looking at seams and finishes to help you construct a great garment.

Laurie is teaching another hand-piecing class. In this class you will make a 40" Mariner's Compass Medallion, suitable for a wall hanging. If you are interested in expanding your piece into a larger quilt, Laurie can make suggestions for borders! Class Starts November 7th.

CQ Cares (Community Sewing Projects)

We have free pillowcase kits available! We donate all pillowcases to Ryan's Case for Smiles, who in turn distributes them to children battling serious illness. Pick one up next time you're in the shop, then complete it and return on your schedule. Alternately, use your stash and any of the Million Pillowcase Project patterns.

We have placemat kits available at the shop; please stop by to pick up one (or two). For those who want to sew from their stash, click on the picture for the beginner-friendly Charm Square Placemats pattern, or you can use your own pattern.

Please return all completed placemats to Capital Quilts.
Thank you for your continued support of the Capital Quilts Cares program. 

We have free small kennel quilts kits available. These little quilts are sent to shelters who take in pets displaced by natural disasters. To quilters, they are a great beginner project, a use for leftover fabric, and a place to practice free motion skills. To use your stash, visit www.kennelquilts.com