This weekend at the Quilt Shop

We will be open Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 12-4. Remember this weekend is the Super Sale from Bernina, 18 months special financing offer. This would be a great weekend to stop in and test drive a new Bernina. It's also a great weekend to come sign up for the classes that you want to take. Call your friends and make a plan, then come on in to sign up. More great fabrics arrived yesterday, I'll post a picture of them tomorrow.
On Sunday morning from 10-2 I will be teaching the "Be Mine" quilt. We still have room if anyone else wants to join us, please call ahead so we know you are coming.
Have a wonderful day! I hope you get to sew something. Sewing makes each day a little better.

My new baby is on it's way

No, there is no new baby coming to my house.... but my new Bernina 830 is on the way. That means somewhere on a Fed Ex truck between here and Illinois, my new machine is sitting on a truck. This means I need to prepare, first of all, make room for it! This baby is big! Then I need to list my old machine on ebay. Finally I just wait. I have a quilt all ready to be quilted, I am waiting for the new toy. I remember when my last machine arrived, I almost followed every Fed Ex truck I saw!
Do you remember when your machine was new? Remember the fun in unpacking it, looking at all of the accessories, trying it the first time, etc. It always reminded me of playing with my Barbie dolls when I was little, putting the clothes away in the case, putting the doll in the case, etc.
Are you ready for a new machine? It's hard to know. Does your machine do everything you want, or are you ready to try some new things like embroidery,home dec sewing, garmet sewing, free motion quilting or thread play, ...
Stop in one day and try some of our machines. You might be following the Fed Ex truck too! :)
This might be the weekend to do it, there is a special weekend sale this weekend, January 29th to Feb 2nd. Special financing is available. Also, you could win your own 830, with our 8 weeks to win an 830 contest. Test drive the 830 and you will be entered into a contest where you could win a Bernina 830 machine.

a new gadget

My name is Roni and I am a gadget junkie! Any new tool that comes along I get.
Here are two new ones that we have at the shop.


The triangle is called the Strip Tube Ruler. It is made by the people that designed the "strip club" patterns. We have a wonderful new quilt that Ginny made with it, using strips of course. I'll post the picture of the quilt tomorrow, ( I'm not going out in the snow today).
The other tool is called "easy hearts". It is made by the EZ Quilting folks and allows you to use your small rotary cutter to cut out different size hearts for applique. I used this tool for the Be Mine heart quilt. So much easier than making templates, tracing around them, etc. The Strip Tube ruler is here at the store, the heart one is on it's way.
We also have the Strip Tube ruler book!

Stop in soon to pick up yours!

more new things arrive each day

More new things have arrived this week. These new fabrics are from Moda. They are called "swanky" from Ches Moi. Don't they make you think about spring? We also have a new item from Moda called Turnovers. Turnovers are half square triangles. When you sew them together, you get a 5 inch square. Stop in soon to see these yummy new goodies.

Saturday Potluck

On Feb 28th we will be having our Saturday Potluck class. This class is like a mystery, you come to a "preview". Lois will unveil the quilt and if you like it, you can purchase a kit for the quilt and attend the class for a fee. You never know what the quilt will look like until the "unveiling". These are the fabrics that will be used in the Feb 28th class.
Sound like fun, come sign up today.

Be Mine!

It's finished and hung on the wall. This is the "Be Mine" quilt. We have 2 classes for it, one this week, Jan 28th and another class on Sunday, Feb 1st.
This quilt looks hard, but it really isn't. I will be teaching a quick way of applique for these hearts.
Remember if you can't make it to one of these classes, you can gather up 3 friends and have a private class of your own. We need 4 people to hold a class, so if you can't make it to the scheduled Be Mine classes, get your friends together and have a private class.

A date with 8....

Now that the 830 is here, we are going to hold 2 more date with 8 sessions so people can come and see this wonderful machine in action.


Make A Date With 8 from Bernina of America on Vimeo.

Our date with 8 is Feb 7th, all people who attend will get a free emulator version of the 830. The emulator allows you to try some of the 830's features on your computer.
Call today to sign up.
We will have 2 demos,
10:00
and
11:00

February is almost here.....

We have some new fabrics in this week. Valentine's Day is coming quick, and St. Patrick's day is right behind it. We have these adorable prints that would make great pillowcases, placemats, bags, etc. Do you know someone who needs a little pick me up? A pillowcase, a zippered pouch, a placemat, etc, make a great gift and don't take long to make. It's just a nice way to make someone feel special, plus it gives you a chance to use your creative talents.

Share your love of quilting

Do you know anyone who always says to you, "oh I wish I could quilt like you"? We have a great beginners program. We have 2 classes especially deisgned for beginners. This quilt is one of them. This is a rail fence quilt. In these classes you will learn how to use the rotary cutter, how to sew a seam, etc. We also have a 9 patch quilt class for beginners.
Everyone started somewhere. Having a friend share your love of quilting makes it even more fun.
Rail Fence
Feb 18, 25 and March 4th
6:30-8:30

This is a better snowball than what is outside.

This is our "snowball" quilt in our new schedule. Ginny made this out of our new Kaffe Fasset fabrics. She added a button in each small square.
This is a bright and happy quilt. Snowball quilts are easy to make and work up very quickly. No matter what kind of quilter you are, this class would be fun for you.
Snowball Quilt Class-
Feb 24
6:30-9
or
March 9
10-1.
Remember, our schedule is posted here on the blog, click on the link. You can download it and print it out. Blog readers get first chance to sign up for classes, so sign up today.

Blog readers get first look!

The new schedule is here on the blog- Click where it says Quilt Shop Spring Program 2009-
It is in PDF format so you can print it out, or save it on your computer.
It hasn't even been mailed out yet, so blog readers are getting a special treat!
Remember, classes will fill up soon, so read it over, find what you want to take and stop in or call us.

Do you want to learn to machine quilt?

We have 2 machine quilting classes in the new schedule. Yes you can machine quilt.
Machine Quilting- is a class for the beginner machine quilter. In this class we will learn about battings, how to prepare your quilt for quilting, how to layer a quilt, and how we use the walking foot for in the ditch quilting and some decorative quilting.
Machine Quilting -
Feb 3rd
6:30-8:30
or
Feb 22nd
10-12

Doodling- is a class that will teach you how to do free motion quilting. Free motion quilting is when you drop the feed dogs of your machine and guide the fabric yourself. We will use a book called Pathways to Better Quilting by Sally Terry. Sally has developed a program that teaches you 5 basic shapes. All quilting designs are based on these 5 shapes. Once you learn these shapes, you are able to feel comfortable in quilting any design. ( after some practice that is).
Doodling-
Feb 9th
6:30-8:30
Both of these class will fill up quickly, so sign up soon.

Have you ever heard of a Vodcast?

Do you know about something called a Vodcast? I think it is a video version of a podcast.
Anyway I found one.
Bernina Through the Needle Vodcast
You can watch this on your computer, or put it on your IPod.
See, we do learn something new every day.
Back to my sewing machine....

Mango Tango

This quilt is bright, happy and most of all fun to make! The pattern is written by Laurie Shifrin who loves using batiks. Ginny made our version by using lots of our beautiful batiks that we have in the store. Looks like curved piecing, but it has a fun way to make these blocks.


Mango Tango Class
Feb 12 and 19th
10-12
or
Feb 26 and March 5th
6:30-8:30

Feeling blue? Take a class

Winter is a hard season, you get snowed in, it is cold, etc. Have you thought about taking a class at the Quilt Shop? If you have never taken a class with us, it is lots of fun. We have a spacious classroom filled with Bernina sewing machines for you to use. Of course if you want to bring your own machine, you are welcome to do so. I think the best part of classes, besides learning something new, or creating something beautiful, is the new friendships that are made. Quilters are the nicest people around.
Here's a class you may want to think about. This is our cutter case. Our cutter case class is a special class. It is designed for people that want to learn more about their machine. This project uses several features of your machine that you may never use, buttonholes, button sew on, decorative stitches, edge stitching, machine quilting, overlock stitch, etc. This class will help you learn more about your machine, while creating a very nice rotary cutter case at the same time.
Did you purchase a sewing machine that has lots of bells and whistles that you don't have a clue what to do with? This class will help you feel more comfortable with your machine. Sewing machines don't just sew straight stitches, they can do all kinds of things. If you are thinking about purchasing a new machine, and want to see what machines can do, this class is for you too.
Rotary cutter case class,
February 21
10-2
or
March 7th
10-2.
Remember you can sign up over the phone, 203-743-0543

Pictures of the samples

Look to the right- you will see a slide show of our class samples for our new schedule. If you want to see a larger picture, just click on it.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and I have listed the dates and times for each of the classes. Click on the class you are interested in and it will tell you the times for the class.
The PDF file for the schedule will be on here soon.
If you need more info, feel free to call the store- 743-0543
If there is a class you are interested in, please sign up ASAP, some of these classes will be filling up quickly.

Lakehouse fabrics have arrived and a new baby group

Look at what we have now. Even more beautiful Lakehouse fabrics. Don't they just call your name? They are calling mine! Plus we got an adorable new baby group. It has a pretty panel and several coordinating prints.
Stop in soon to get some before they are all gone!

New Sampler class coming

This is a special notice just for our blog readers. We are adding a new Sampler 2 class. If you have taken Lois' wonderful Sampler class and you want to learn more, or want a refresher class, this is the class for you.
Here are the details.....
Classes will be:
Feb 10th, Feb 17th, Feb 27th, March 3rd and March 23rd.
Cost- $65
We will use the same text making intermediate blocks. You will need 7 one yard pieces of fabric, plus a 3 yard piece for the border.
Call us today to save your spot. This class will fill up quickly. 743-0543
Look at the beautiful fabrics Lois is using.......

Way to go Donna

Our friend Donna came to the Quilt Shop today to show us her third finished quilt top. This is a quilt that she made in our Patchwork Potluck class. Don't you just love the colors?
Way to go Donna. Keep up the great work!

How my day started

Phone rang at 5:23 this morning, we have a 90 min delay from school. "Yippee" I thought, I can really get some quilting done. I sat down at my Bernina 440 and started quilting. It was working like a charm, I was really making progress. I finished the center and moved out to the last 2 rows of hearts. I heard a noise, but I kept on going. My bobbin ran out, so I moved the quilt away from the machine and turned it over..... This is what I saw.
Part of my backing had gotten caught in the quilting. It happens to everyone, but it always seems to happen to me. I somehow catch all kinds of things on the back of my quilts. One time I quilted a whole pattern direction sheet on the back of my quilt.
Out came the seam ripper, it isn't that big an area. I can't blame anyone but me.
Words of advice, Every few minutes while you are quilting, stop and look at the back. Make sure your stitches are fine, and you didn't catch anything on the back.
This quilt design is easy, just loops and an occasional heart. I will be teaching a class this session called Doodling. You can learn this design and many more in that class. More on that soon!
Off to fix my boo boo
Have a great day.

Lois and Roni hit the road

Next Tuesday, Lois and I will be at the Northern Star Quilters Guild meeting. We have been invited to come to do a demonstration. Do you belong to a guild? We are so lucky because we have 3 very active guilds in our area.
Northern Star in Somers NY.
Nutmeg Quilters Guild in Ridgefield CT
Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild in New Milford CT.
Guilds are wonderful, it gives you a chance to meet new friends, see what other people are working on, learn new skills, and just have a fun time.
I know each guild is always ready to welcome new members. I also know that they all need help with programs, projects, etc.
Try coming to a guild meeting.
If you are at the Northern Star meeting next week, come over to our booth to say hello. We will be demonstrating a new tool from Darlene Zimmerman!
Stay safe in the snow today.

Put your best foot forward

One of the many things I love about Berninas is the great assortment of presser feet that they make for the machines. Do you have a favorite foot that you use all of the time? I love #34, but I try to learn about as many of them as I can. Visit this site for more info about the different feet that Bernina makes. Bernina Presser Feet.
More information about presser feet coming soon!

Need a quick quilt?

Did you ever need a quick quilt? Here are two for you. The blue one is one of our charm square quilts called, "two charm packs plus one yard of fabric... We used our blue Lakehouse fabric charm pack. The pink one is our "one charm pack pattern, plus borders. It's made from our pink charm pack.
They both work up very quickly. Next time you need a quick quilt, remember our charm packs.

More charm square projects

Here are more charm square projects. The top one is a charm square yo yo belt. Look at the neat braiding for the ties of the belt. Amy made this. It uses one pack of charm squares, but you can get two belts out of one pack. One for you, one for a friend....
We also have a pattern for a charm bag tote. This also uses one pack of charm squares with 1/4 yard of a fabric for the straps and 1/2 yard of fabric for the lining. Amy also made this. Isn't she something!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

Look what I made today.... remember this table runner I got the fabric for last week... I pieced it today. Talk about easy!
This is from that book, Let's Do Lunch by Terri Atkinson.
I love this snow fabric! Now to quilt it and bind it!

Charm Saturday

This is charm Saturday. Looks hard doesn't it. Nope, it isn't. This quilt uses 8 charm packs, and measures 58 1/2 by 76 1/2 finished. It is just made with squares and 2 snowball corners.
We used a floral pack of charm squares for this, but it would look wonderful in any combination.
Snow is coming, stop in at the store today to get supplies for a new project! Try a charm square quilt.
Be warned, once you do one, you will want to do more.
Stay safe in the snow

Charm Friday

What's black and white and red all over? This quilt. This is charm Friday. It uses 9 charm packs. This quilt used our red,white and black charm pack.
It measures 58 by 70, so it is a nice size.
Isn't it pretty? I just love it.
Using red with black and white really makes it pop.
Remember, we have all of these patterns at the store for $2.00 each.

Look what I finished today

It may be cold and icy outside, but I was a busy bee inside today. Thanks to my 2nd snow day I was able to finish the top to this quilt. This is going to be a class in the new schedule. It is called Be Mine and it is from a book called "American Jane's Quilts for All Seasons and some for no reason." There are 96 appliqued hearts, but don't let that discourage you. I did the whole thing on my Bernina 440, and it really didn't take that long at all. I don't know the dates yet, but I will post them as soon as I do. I'll layer it this weekend and start quilting it on Saturday.
Now, how should I quilt it? Any ideas out there?
Stay safe today!

Charm Thursday

Ok, this quilt I know very well because I made this one. This quilt measures 65 by 78 and was made from our "Dancing Teapots" charm square packs. This quilt uses 7 charm packs. It worked up very fast and I am pleased with the way it came out. This was my first time using charm squares and it was fun. The hard work was done, all I had to do was to cut up the squares into small squares and rectangles. It is very scrappy and I love the use of the solid colors in it. They are part of the charm square pack! Try it,it is fun!

recipes...

Cooking has never been my favorite thing, I've goofed quite a few recipes in my day.
I found some better recipes on the Bernina USA site.
Have you heard of Stitch recipes? Check it out......
Bernina stitch recipes

Charmed Wednesday?

Yes there is a Charm Wednesday quilt, but it isn't finished yet. Stay tuned.
Instead, here are some of the other charm projects that you can make.
This is our Charn Square pillowcase. You need one pack of charm squares, which will let you make 2 pillowcases, a yard and a half of a fabric, and a 2 1/2 inch strip of a coordinating fabric.
The pillow has no raw edges, all seams are finished off.
Pillowcases are great gifts for birthdays, get well, homesick kids, nursing home patients, just about anyone. Everyone uses a pillowcase.
I used the blue Lakehouse pack of charm squares and 2 coordinating Lakehouse fabrics.

Charm Tuesday

This is our "Charm Tuesday" quilt. This quilt measures 58 1/2 by 84 inches. It uses 7 charm packs. I think Ginny made this one. She used a charm pack of Heather Bailey and Amy Butler fabrics. Again, just squares and rectangles make this a fast easy quilt to piece and to finish! This quilt is beautiful in bright colors, but would also be stunning in batiks or Kaffe Fasset fabrics.
( Speaking of batiks, I saw some new charm squares being cut yesterday).

How many stitches does your machine have?

Yesterday I was working on one of our new charm square projects. This project has a small narrow band on it. I cut a small strip of stabilizer and started playing with decorative stitches.
I never use them, I will admit it. I use 3 stitches on my machines, the straight stitch, the zig zag and stitch number 4, the serpentine stitch.
I am not using my machine to it's potential, so this year it is my goal to add some sort of decorative stitching to my projects.
This is what I did yesterday, It took a little bit of time, but I am thrilled with the results. I also found that I can not just play with the stitches, but I can use the function buttons on my machine, pattern begin, pattern end, mirror image, etc. Next time you sit down at your machine, take a look at the decorative stitches. Try one!

Charmed I'm sure.

This week on the blog I will be sharing with you our wonderful new charm square quilts.and projects. We now have charm square packs for sale at the Quilt Shop. Each pack has 40 5 inch squares, ( 2 of each 20 coordinating fabrics). They are in a nice plastic case, so their edges are protected against fraying. The packs cost $12.99. We also have the patterns for each of the charm square quilts and projects for $2.00. We will be happy to send you squares and patterns, just call us with your order.
The first quilt I am showing you today is called "Charm Monday". Lois made this quilt. It measures 58 by 83. You need 9 charm packs to make it. Lois used our "Lakehouse" charm square packs, but it would look great in any of our packs. It isn't a hard quilt, mostly squares, rectangles and flying geese blocks.
Isn't it pretty! It would be great for a little girls room, or for a master bedroom.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's charming project!

So I didn't start it yet..... but I have the fabrics

Ok, so I didn't start my table runner, but here are my fabrics. It's a start.
These are from the Wintergrafix collection. I'm using the Let's Do Lunch by Terri Atkinson book.
It wont take long, it is an easy pattern.
I'm working frantically on another project for a class... 96 applique hearts. I'll give a sneak peak tomorrow.
We have these fabrics at the store.
Happy New Year!