Dear Friends,

If the information a couple of weeks ago about Slow Stitching intrigued you, you might be thrilled to find out that Lauren Kingsland will be in town in October, and has agreed to teach a class centering around her new book, Hands On Mindfulness - How to use creative handwork to help you through challenging times. We are still working on details, so stay tuned for them! She'll be bringing copies of the book that you may purchase, and will probably autograph them if asked nicely.

And now, a cautionary tale. I was recently searching for new patterns for the shop. (Shocking, I know.) I came across a fabulous bag, with what appeared to be foundation piecing and applique. I loved it! and the price was amazing! But, when I sent an email to the website I found it on to ask about wholesale pricing, I got an error telling me it could not be delivered. Hmm. I searched around for it elsewhere, and found it on several websites. Then I came across an article by Julia Wachs, warning about "pattern mills". After reading her post, I looked more carefully at the websites that featured this pattern, and at the patterns themselves. I'd been taken for a fool! These were not real patterns, and these were not real websites! The photos, upon closer inspection, were mostly AI generated, and the quilts themselves were not "makeable" using FPP techniques! Curiously, all the websites had the same contact information, and a very similar "back story". Not all patterns had full designer names. But none of this came to light during my initial look. 

There is also a huge market for counterfeit items! So many fly-by-night manufacturers are making bogus rulers, kits, and notions these days. Many look like the real product, but the sizing is a bit off, or the color doesn't match, or it's just junk. 

Please be very careful when ordering from unknown sources. There are so many scammers out there, doing everything they can do to take your money. Remember that eBay and Etsy are marketplaces, not companies that sell products. Their users sell products. Even on Amazon, look carefully at those items that are sold and especially fulfilled by a private seller. And remember, if it looks too good to be true... it probably isn't real.

 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 

The Forever Blooms collection by Cassandra Connolly for Lewis & Irene celebrates the beauty of summer with stunning florals in a bright palette. Cornflower blue, poppy red, and ethereal white balance each other beautifully, perfect for summery projects. These fabrics could also be used for a "feminine" patriotic quilt.

The Autumn Breeze fabric collection by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex is a celebration of all the rich colors of the season. Inspired by the changing leaves of fall, it includes warm oranges, golden yellows, deep greens, plums, and purples. The oakleaf motif adds a touch of nature along with a harmonious blend of textures.

In her book, Dresden Quilt Blocks Reimagined, author Candyce Copp Grisham wants you to embrace the art of quilting with simple instructions to create beautiful Dresden plate blocks. Each variation looks unique and all are astonishingly easy to sew. Use any and all of the twenty-five design elements, including four different edge treatments, a range of sizes (2”–9 1/2”), and an amazing variety of patterns, from sawtooth to flying geese. Mix it up even more by fabric piecing wedges and using up to twenty different colors for each wedge.

Candy will be presenting at Nimble Fingers Guild this coming May. If you're not a member of that guild already, you may want to check it out!

Elizabeth Hartman's pattern "Dog Park" includes instructions for making 11 different patchwork pups and four different sampler quilt sizes. Everything is made with conventional patchwork techniques. No templates or paper piecing! Tippi the Chihuahua, Cookie the Terrier, Bernadette the Doodle, Pickles the Corgi, Lucky the Frenchie, Ginger the Dachshund, Edgar the Australian Shepherd, Wadsworth the Lab, Buttercup the Pug, Jeff the Beagle, and Clover the German Shepherd are all ready to play in the dog park. 

Make a splash with this modern Fish quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew! Easy blocks and straightforward piecing make this a great quilt for any skill level. This quilt can be made with fat quarters or 1/4 yards and includes 3 sizes.

Level up your bag making game with this book written by the owner of Sallie Tomato! Learn to create professional-looking bags to fit your style and practical needs with guidance on bag-making techniques, materials, and types. You can make trendy baguette bags, duffle bags, saddle bags, and more.

Can't decide on which zippers and pulls to choose? Shop these dreamy zipper bundles to complete your collection!  1 Yard is included of each of the five zipper tapes. These are #5 Zippers. There are 15 total zipper pulls included.

Classes

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 10th, join us to work on charity quilts for kids! This is a free workshop, but registration is required. One seat is currently available.

If you're just getting started in quilting, or want to brush up on basic skills, we have space available in our Complete Course of Quilting! This 10 week course starts on September 11th.

On September 15, our Quilt of Valor Group will be working on a quilt (or two) to be awarded to a veteran touched by war. If you'd like to join them, there are seats available in the afternoon session.

Save your back and your knees! Sandwiching Service -- or quilt basting -- is available for 9/16. 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! 

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.

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: 9/25, 10/7, 11/3, and 12/8.

Do you need dedicated time away from distractions to get your projects done? Once a month, we offer "Get It Done!" The date for September is the 26th, and plenty of seats are available. Kat will be here to help you through any rough parts. 

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