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Dear Sew Fabulous Friends of Fabric,
I attended the VDTA/STDA convention in Las Vegas last week. Those letters stand for Vacuum Dealers Trade Association/Sewing Dealers Trading Association. It is always amazing to me to see grown men in suits, clustering in well-carpeted booths, vacuuming! Needless to say, I was there for the sewing side. In addition to wandering the convention floor, I took classes in garment sewing, business management and marketing, and holding events. I also attended a couple of panel discussions and a round table in which several shop owners described their experiences and answered questions. It was all quite interesting, and somehow comforting, to know that shops all over the country experience the same joys and the same difficulties that we do here in Maryland.
Janome announced a new machine at the convention: the Quilt of Valor machine. For each machine sold, Janome will donate $10 to the QOV Foundation. It comes with a hard cover and an extension table. It weighs just 12 pounds, so it is a good size for taking to workshops, retreats, and on vacation in addition to using in your own home. They are scheduled to begin to ship mid-April. If you would like to know more about this machine or pre-order one, please stop by the shop or give us a call at 301-527-0598.
If you have been waiting for an auspicious time to purchase a Handi Quilter quilting machine or the ProStitcher, wait no longer! March 1-12, HQ is offering free financing (with approved credit) AND free shipping on the purchase of any of their machines and on the ProStitcher. This offer applies to new machines only, not my shop models. I was told today that the price of the ProStitcher is set to go up by $1000 in the next month, so it is a really, really good time to get one of those if you’ve been thinking about it. The machine is delivered right to you, and my husband comes to set it up. A 3-hour long class is offered to you here in the shop, for free, on the use and maintenance of the machine. Come to the shop or give me a call today if you have questions, want to try the machines, or want to place an order. 301-527-0598.
Speaking of the ProStitcher, Handi Quilter has just released a new version of ProStitcher Premium, Version 00.00.2374, or “Version 5”. This is a beta version with really good changes and easy to learn. Go to https://hqprostitcher.com/software-update/ to learn about this update and get the Version 5 download. If you are concerned about doing the update yourself, bring your ProStitcher tablet to the shop and, for $5, we’ll do it for you.
Go ‘n’ piece,
Alison
SHOP OPEN UNTIL 9PM:
Through March 20, the shop is open from 10am-9pm on Wednesday and Friday. We are always open until 9 on Fridays; when we have an evening class, as we are on Wednesdays, we keep the shop open then, too.
IN THE GALLERY:
The quilts in the Gallery are the work of Gail Fredericks. Gail is a staff member here at Capital Quilts as well as a pattern designer. It is she who arranges most of our displays and decorates the shop for Quilters’ Quest and other events. Her creative joy is evident in her work and is much appreciated here in the shop!
ON CLEARANCE:
Thangles and Thangles patterns and kits are on sale 50% off today through February 28. Thangles are an easy way to make half-square triangle blocks. You cut on-grain strips that are ½” wider than the desired block size, stack two right sides together, lay the Thangles strip down on top and pin. Sew on the dotted lines and cut on the solid lines. Press with the paper still on for stability of the bias seam, then remove the easy-tear paper and enjoy your perfect HST blocks. Videos and instructions are available at Thangles.com.
SHOP SPECIALS:
If you want to purchase a Handi Quilter for less than full retail value and can pay with cash or credit card, buy one of my floor model machines:
Simply Sixteen: MSRP $5995, now $5,245
Amara: MSRP $11,995, now $9,499. Your choice of a 10’ or 12’ frame.
Forte with ProStitcher: MSRP $23,995, now $21,150. Your choice of a 10’ or 12’ frame.
We will install your machine free of charge and provide a free lesson on its basic use and maintenance. There is a separate free class for the ProStitcher.
EQ7:
I have an EQ7 for MAC software package in stock. The retail price is $189.99; I will sell it for $115. The Electric Quilt Company offers an upgrade for it, which I am happy to order for you. If you would like us to offer a class in EQ6 or EQ7, please let me know.
QUILTING HOOP:
I have a gently used floor stand quilting hoop being offered for sale by one of our customers. It has a 29” hoop, is height adjustable, and is all wood. It was handmade by a woodworking artisan in Lancaster County, PA. Originally $300, the asking price is $150. The condition of the hoop is excellent.
VENDOR SPECIALS IN FEBRUARY
ACCUQUILT GO!: Through February 28, receive up to $50 in FREE GO! dies when you purchase a Ready. Set. GO! Ultimate Fabric Cutting System or a GO! Big Fabric Cutter Starter Set. The dies must be purchased at the time the cutter is purchased. AccuQuilt has excluded Qube products from this offer.
HANDI QUILTER: Free financing (with credit approval) AND free shipping on the purchase of any new machine or ProStitcher March 1-12. We can take pre-orders now.
HORN OF AMERICA: Horn is offering a set of pink scissors along with the purchase of one of their cabinets, plus they will donate a portion of the purchase price to breast cancer research. Through February 28.
JANOME: The Janome Red Tag Event is underway! Buy a Horizon Quilt Maker MC15000 for $10,999, a savings of $2,000. It comes with free Artistic Digitizer Software, with an additional savings of $1,199. Available through Feb. 28, 2019.
The new 9450QCP, the top-of-the-line quilter’s machine, is also on sale. Regularly $5,499, save $1,000 for a price of $4,499 through 2/28/2019.
Another new machine, the AT2000D serger, is also on sale. This serger has a one-push air threading system, an 8- piece feed dog, and a built-in needle threader. Normally $1,799, it is available until 2/28/19 for just $1,699.
Other savings are available. Stop in the shop for more information. There’s lots!
SEW STEADY: Sew Steady has a new table bundle available. Get a large 18” x 24” Sew Steady table, a Large travel bag for transporting the table, and the new Grid Glider for $149. The regular price is $183. Dena Wilkins is coming back to Capital Quilts in March to teach Westalee quilting classes, and you’ll need a Sew Steady table for the class.
CLASSES:
Register for classes online, in the shop, or by calling 301-527-0598. Please register early; we need at least 3 people to make a class happen. If the class is cancelled by Capital Quilts, or if you let us know you can’t make it at least 7 days in advance of the class, you will get a refund or store credit.
Kim is teaching Mod Dog (or Mod Cat, if you prefer) on Friday, February 22nd, starting at 10:30am. These quilts are a combination of machine piecing and applique. The wonderful dogs or cats are improvisational pieced using a jelly roll, and the scrappy border is just fun!
FREE Sit 'n' Sew: On Friday, February 22nd, join bring your machine, handwork, a new project or an old project, perhaps some food to share, or just come to talk and have fun with other quilters. Capital Quilts will provide beverages and have staffers on hand to assist you in any way they can.
Julie is repeating the popular Tranquility class on Saturday, February 23rd at 2:30pm. Create a beautiful landscape quilt, layer by layer. The background is made using a mosaic technique, and the picture is built using applique techniques. The finished quilt is about 18” x 23”.
Join the Art & Stitch Club and learn how to use the software to create embroidery and quilting patterns in your computer and transfer them to your machine. The next meeting is Sunday, February 24, 12:30-2:30. All skill levels welcome.
Quilting on a Handi Quilter longarm machine is fun and lots faster and easier than quilting on your sewing machine at home. Learn how to use one of our machines on Tuesday, February 26, 11-2 or Monday, March 4, 11-2. You will be certified to rent our machines, and a mentor will be with you the first time you use the longarm by yourself; this is included in the price of the class. Don’t let the size of the machines intimidate you! They are just sewing machines with only one stitch and must do your bidding. Like any other new skill, it takes education and practice to learn.
CAPITAL QUILTS CARES:
All events are free. Please register for each workshop so that we know how many to expect. Coming up in March:
March 4 - Quilts for Interfaith Works Women’s Center: Help make string quilts to brighten the beds and lives of women living at this shelter in Rockville. All fabric is provided; donations are always welcome. Please bring your machine, neutral thread, and basic sewing supplies. There are 4 places remaining. Skill level: easy.
March 31 – Days for Girls: In some countries, girls are unable to attend school for up to a week a month because they don’t have access to sanitary supplies. Days For Girls is a non-profit organization that sends sustainable personal hygiene kits to girls around the world. Everything necessary is packed into a small drawstring bag that can be carried every day. Capital Quilts Cares has contributed to this project in the past by sewing the drawstring bags, and we’re asking for your help to do it again. Bring your machine and basic sewing supplies. There are 4 places remaining. Skill level: easy.
All fabrics are provided, but we ask you to bring a new, colorful, pretty washcloth or two to add to the bags. Thank you!
SMALL KENNEL QUILTS: We are always accepting small kennel quilts, and we always have free kits available for you to take home to make and return to us. They are a perfect little project for practicing your quilting skills! We receive requests from shelters for completed kennel quilts on a frequent basis.
SAVE THE DATE:
• March 16: Worldwide Quilting Day
• March 29 & 30: Westalee Rulers Classes for Domestic Machines with Dena Wilkins
• April 12-13: Handi Quilter Classes with HQ National Educator Patty Holley
• April 26-27: Friendship Star Quilt Guild Quilt Show
• May 31-June 2: Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show
• June 8-9: Annapolis Quilt Guild Quilt Show
• August 2-3: Four County Quilters Guild Quilt Show
• October 11-20: Quilters' Quest
• November 1-3: Everybody's Quilt Guild Quilt Show
BLUE BAG BONANZA
The February prize is an "Ollie the Owl" fusible applique kit from Lone Star Laser and a batik fat quarter.
To be entered in each month’s drawing, bring your Capital Quilts Blue Bag with you when you shop. Make sure you show it to the staffer at the register! Upon completion of your sales transaction, your name will be put in the jar for the drawing at the end of the month. The more you shop, the more chances you have to win. Don’t have a Blue Bag? Purchase one at the shop, by phone, or online for just $4.99. We save all of the entries for the year, and at the end of the year we draw a Grand Prize Winner from all the entries.
Our thanks to everybody who shops at Capital Quilts and who participates in the Blue Bag Bonanza.
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