Dear Friends,

I was reading a blog post about 2026 quilt trends, and the one trend that caught my eye was adding dimension to your quilts. This can be done by hand (kantha, big stitch, etc), trapunto, different fabric types, and different battings. Unfortunately, I am unable to even pick up a needle from the table, so handwork is out for me, but I'd really like to explore the others! Am I alone? Does anyone else have an interest in this? 

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

-Marianne

Products

Welcome to PUNC*T, a fresh and sublimely disorderly collection from Free Spirit Fabrics. Made during e bond’s letterpress residency at Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum, PUNC*T is her exploration into the marks that move language: punctuation. Quotation marks, question marks, exclamation marks; she printed marks of all kinds made from wood. These marks have the power to change everything around them. We can’t wait to see what PUNC*T inspires you to make!

Serenity Garden by Mel Armstrong for Cloud 9 Fabrics is inspired by Indian florals and ornamental details. Cute elephants, tropical birds, and tiny insects add a hint of whimsy, inviting you to pause, smile, and soak up the peace in nature’s rhythm.

Whimsical Forest Floor is an ode to the secret life found beneath the canopy. Inspired by a childhood wonder and adventurous meandering, this collection by Dots & Glory for Cloud 9 Fabrics features a delightful cast of characters, including charming foxes, intricate fungi, a hidden bunny, and a quirky little caterpillar.

Issue 39 of Quiltfolk has arrived. Read all about Washington, DC area quilters!

Lo & Behold is becoming one of our favorite sources for patterns. We've restocked some of what we already carry, and have also brought in some new ones: Snow Cabin, Nightingale, Metamorphosis, and Church Window.

Classes

Starting on August 4th, Debra is once again teaching the ever-popular Metro Rings. Sew Kind of Wonderful makes it easy with their ruler and 2.5" strips. Only two seats left!

Relax on the first Friday of the month (8/7) 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.

Learn to Longarm! Our Getting Started: Longarm Rental Basics is being offered on August 10th. This class is required for anyone who wants to rent our longarm machines.

If you want to use computerized stitching, you will also need to take Getting Started: ProStitcher Premium, also on the 10th.

If you aren't learning to longarm on the 10th, why not join Linda and our Quilt of Valor group to make a quilt for a veteran touched by war. This is a free workshop, but registration is required due to space availability. These quilts are tremendously important to the men and women who serve our country in the military. The group will make one quilt. Seats in the afternoon session are available.

The Double Irish Chain is a timeless pattern featuring a diagonal lattice made from two chains of fabrics running across a neutral background. It can easily look modern, depending on your fabric choices. This quilt would look great in school colors! Debbie Ball is eager to show you how to make one for yourself, starting on August 27th.

Join Kat on August 29th for Get It Done! You get your own table and 4 hours of uninterrupted sewing time to get caught up on those projects that you might have ignored over the summer. (Or, start something completely new! We don't judge.) While there is no formal instruction, Kat will be available if you hit a rough patch and need some help.

Joan from Bucklebee Tools is coming back this fall to teach her "Happy Feet" sneaker class! We have spaces available on Friday, September 25. (Saturday is now sold out.) Spend the day making a pair of real sneakers, with quilted uppers and rubber soles. If you’ve been saving a bit of favorite fabric for a special project, Happy Feet sneakers are absolutely special. Your class fee covers your seat in class, instruction, soles, insoles, eyelets, instruction book, and cardstock pattern. Shoelaces will be available to purchase from the instructor.

Joan is once again offering a Sneakers Studio Session on Sunday, September 27. This session will not have any formal instruction, and is intended for those who have already made sneakers, and are looking for time and/or tools to make/finish more. 

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

Quilt Shows

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

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