Dear Friends,

UFO Club rewards went out today to qualifying members. The UFO club gives you incentives (discount coupons!) for making monthly progress on a submitted list of unfinished projects, and it isn't too late to join! The club is free, but enrollment must be completed by a shop employee. If you'd like to join, just mention it on your next visit, or send an email to sewit@capitalquilts.com.

Is anyone interested in a Day Retreat? With a pop-up CQ shop? I like to get away from the house with dedicated sewing time, but traditional retreats are not my thing. Kat and I belong to a quilting group that usually holds two sleep-away retreats a year. However, because of obligations and furry family members, we are day-trip retreaters, and go home at dinnertime every day. We are thinking that there may be more of you in a similar situation that would appreciate a day-long sewing event. If enough quilters are interested, I could rent space at a nearby hotel. Let me know!

Finally, I was thinking about a Pizza Box Challenge. Participants would receive a monthly pizza box with themed fabric and instructions for a 12" finished quilt block. At the end of the program, the blocks can be sewn into a sampler quilt. Maybe we can use patriotic fabric, to celebrate America's 250th? You would have the option of keeping the quilt for yourself, or, if you have enough quilts of your own, donating it to Quilts of Valor. You may also donate completed blocks.

Please let me know your thoughts on both the day retreat and the Pizza Box Challenge.

Thank you for being a part of our community. You make it possible for us to be here! 

-Marianne

ps. If you are participating in Stacey Lee's Comfort Cases Quilt Drive, please work on sewing in April; we will collect quilts in May. Refer to Stacey's FAQs for details.

Products

This tabletop folding ironing board is just what you're looking for to take to classes and retreats! The unique design allows the ironing board to fold completely in half, and it also features a place to store your travel iron! After folding, it measures 12"x16" and fits almost anywhere for storage. The ironing board measures 32"x12" when open. 

Classes

Relax on the first Friday of the month (5/1) with fellow quilters for a virtual quilting bee. Settle into your favorite sewing space with your favorite Zoom-compatible technology for 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.

Starting on April 20th, Kat will show you how fun and easy curves can be with Latifah Saafir's Glam Clam Pattern and Clammy Ruler. 

The bucket hat is back on April 26th, and you have time to make a wardrobe of them before it gets truly hot. Linda will take you through making a reversible bucket hat. In class you will have the option to cut on your own or use the Accuquilt die. 

NEW CLASS ALERT!!

Sew Kind of Wonderful's newest tool, the Quick Straight Ruler (QSR) is designed to help take the guesswork out of half square rectangles. Debra has used this ruler to make Northern Lights, and will show you how you can make your own aurora borealis quilt starting on May 5th.

Join our Capital Quilts Cares group to make Quilts for Kids on May 6th. All fabric is provided, just register and bring your machine!

SPECIAL EVENT

On May 6th, you can meet the author of Dresden Quilt Blocks Reimagined, Candyce Copp Grisham, and get your book autographed by her. You may bring in your own already-purchased book, or purchase one on the day of. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Learn to Longarm! Our Getting Started: Longarm Rental Basics is being offered on May 11th. This class is required for anyone who wants to rent our longarm machines. One seat is available.

Join Linda and our Quilt of Valor group on May 11th to make a quilt for a veteran touched by war. These quilts are tremendously important to the men and women who serve our country in the military. All fabric is provided. Just register for the workshop, bring your sewing machine, basic sewing supplies, and lots of energy!

Don't forget that we offer Sandwiching Services (quilt basting) every month. Typically, four "appointments" are available each month.

Quilt Shows

Four County Quilters Guild Quilt Show

5/15/26 - 5/16/26

Quilts by the Bay Annapolis Quilt Guild Show

6/19/26 - 6/20/26

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza

9/17/26 - 9/20/26

Faithful Circle Quilters Quilt Show

10/22/26 - 10/24/26

Everybody's Quilt Guild Fall Harvest of Quilts Show

11/6/26 - 11/8/26

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