Dear Friends,

Last week, a customer brought in a wonderful hand-embroidered quilt, looking for binding. Her older sister started it for her younger sister's wedding in 1979. Unfortunately, she passed before finishing it. Recently, the younger sister found someone to hand quilt this masterpiece, and the middle sister (the customer who came in) took on the task of binding. This story moved me to tears, and I let the customer know that this quilt definitely needed a label to document its story for later generations. 

Quilts are historical documents that contain important information about the life and times of the maker, their family and their world. Quilt labels are a lasting testament to the maker, the recipient, and any story attached to the quilt. It is an integral part of the quilt, so it won't get lost or misplaced. Labels can be as simple as using a Pigma Pen to write on the quilt backing, or as complex as making a fully embroidered one.

 Suggestions of information to include: your name, the date, your city and state, and, if applicable, the recipient of the quilt. Other information you might add includes: pattern name and designer, longarmer’s name, fabric collections used, special techniques used, or the purpose/occasion for making the quilt. All the quilts I made for my nieces and nephew have labels with their name, and say Love, Aunt Marianne.

So, make quilt labels for your quilts! I know it's another step, when all you want to do is get the binding done and the quilt gifted, but do a favor for your family, and the quilting community -- document that quilt!

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 

First up are some lovely batik collections from Benartex.

Granite Hill is a line of watercolor "solids".

Stone Quarry also features "solid" batiks.

Bali Landscapes are perfect landscape fabrics, mimicking sky, meadows, and water. The colors are intense and vibrant, and subtle color changes make them perfect for collage quilts, too!

Benartex has also sent us some Dazzle Dots 2 in lovely, lighter, summertime tints.

I had no idea stickers would be SO popular!  And, I keep looking for more to bring into the shop. New this week:

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 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. 

On September 18th, learn how to make a Big Show and Tell Bag. This is basically an Ikea Bag dupe that you can make to your esthetic. Class with Elizabeth is always loads of fun!

NEW CLASS ALERT!

Ray Hill will be teaching Naked Rope Bowls on 9/20. This class will focus on perfecting the shape, and will also discuss how to make a number of different handles, including the use of large wooden beads that hide the rope end, coiled circle endings, and several other finishing techniques. Different rope options will also be covered.

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.

One seat remains!

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