Dear Friends,

We are so fortunate that Lauren Kingsland is teaching a class here next Monday! In her book, Hands on Mindfulness, she discusses managing stress and finding peace through hands-on creativity. The class will center on teaching you how to make a small labyrinth or spiral out of fabric and thread. The process will allow you to center yourself and reduce your stress. Her book is included in the class price. Seats are still available!

 Happy Sewing!  

-Marianne

From QT Fabrics, we have Hedgehugs by the Morris Design Group. These cuddly hedgehogs combine with the beauty of butterflies and florals, accompanied by a panel in two colorways, and a border stripe. Create warm and cozy quilts, adorable apparel and accessories for a little one that celebrates these loveable critters.

Pine Tree Country Quilts has a super-cute pattern for the panel blocks!

Explore beneath the waters with gorgeous textures and color of the deep sea with the Oceana collection by Dan Morris for QT Fabrics. Sea turtles, sea horses, coral, and wave prints combine for an aquatic adventure!  

QT Fabrics has provided a free Table Runner Pattern.

And Seahorses in the Reeds is a fabulous pattern if you're looking for something larger.

This is the easiest table runner project that you will ever make! Select a border stripe fabric, and the magic is in the cutting and your 60 degree triangle ruler. Once cut you only have 5 seams to sew and the top is finished. I can hear you say no way, But it's true, way true!

Several interesting books have come in. First is Creative Zigzag Rope Sewing by Denise Haar. Level-up your favorite zigzag rope projects with patterns for unique bowls, lidded vessels, and even fabulous bags! Inside, you will find the lessons that have filled her rope sewing classes with eager students, teaching you 18 distinct projects from learning rope sewing basics to advanced shaping techniques. 

Next up is Borders: The Basics & Beyond by Jill Reber. This book is perfect for any quilter to practice and build their border skills! With step-by-step instructions and full-color photography, learn over 20 border techniques, from the basket weave and scrappy sawtooth to pinwheels and flying geese. Once you complete each individual border design, three full-size border sampler quilt projects are provided to put it all together! Also included are four fast and easy bonus projects and ready-to-use appliqué templates.

Classes

Weave strips of fabric together to create a snowflake ornament to hang on the tree, a wreath, the mantle, or other decorative endeavor! You can also use these snowflakes in place of a bow on a gift. Once you know how you'll want to make more. We will provide each student with a pattern and ONE kit to make in class. Debra B leads the way on October 18th.

Betsy firmly believes that the Ruby Apron is perfect for anyone -- with a few modifications. It looks fantastic in any striped fabric, but you can also mix it with prints or solids for the bib, straps, and pocket facing. The straps cross over at the back like a French smock apron. The pattern has an optional back belt, but you can use ties instead. 

In the first class session on 10/18, we will focus on fabric and design options, so you can choose your customizations. Then we will prepare the pattern pieces so you can cut them out at home. You don’t need to have your fabric selected when class starts – there will be time to shop during class when you have selected your customizations. In the second class, we will sew the pieces together to make a finished apron.

The H Bag is amazing! It is easy to make, comes in two sizes (Regular and Jumbo), and it is so versatile that you will be amazed at all the different things you will be carrying with it. It's perfect for the farmer's market, the beach, or carrying your sewing projects! Cathy will show you how on October 25th. Only one seat left!

Starting November 4th, join Debra in making this beautiful double wedding ring quilt. Sew Kind of Wonderful makes it easy using 2 1/2 inch strips and the QCR tool.

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.

There are currently three seats available in Betsy's November 15th Walking Foot 101 class, where you will learn the basics of using your walking foot by making six sample blocks. In this class, you will:

       Install your walking foot, test thread tension, learn to start and stop

       Learn several methods for marking a design on your quilt sandwich

       Fill six squares with different walking foot designs: straight lines, regular grids, irregular grids, triangles, curves, and spirals.

Please note that we will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27th in observance of Thanksgiving.

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