OPEN SEW!

Join us this Saturday - the 26th, 11:00-4:00 - for a great opportunity to sew with others. Begin that new project or finish one that's been sitting around. Enjoy being  with other quilters - and be amazed at how much you get done.

UPCOMING CLASSES

Date(s): Thursday evenings: February 24th,

March 17th 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor: Deb Rammelsberg

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Cost: $20

This 2-session will teach you basic paperpiecing skills and you’ll go home with a 33” x 41” wallhanging using Larkspur Lane Designs’ “...And In the Meadow...”, which includes embellishments. Please prepare for class by having all fabric strips pre-cut and copies made of all patterns for paper piecing.

May Basket Table Runner by Lynda Hall

Date(s): Thursdays, February 24

3

Instructor: Becky Morey

Skill Level: All levels

Cost $25

Do some basic piecing and then learn to do some hand or machine appliqué to complete this adorable primitive runner from

Primitive Pieces by Lynda

UNION SAMPLER by clothesline quilts

Date(s): 1st Saturdays March through August:

March 5th, April 2nd, May 7th, June 4th, July 2nd, August 6th

10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Instructor: Patty Estadt

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner and beyond

Cost: $50

For those looking for a challenge, this charming sampler wall hanging will help you develop accurate piecing skills.
The sample may be in reproductions, but this would be great in batiks or other colorways. You will also learn how to add framing and sashing around the blocks, which is a skill that can transfer to completing block-of-the-month quilts. After quilting your quilt, you will learn how to fi nish the edge with a scalloped border and binding.th & Marchrd – 6:00pm – 8:00 pm

Stop In And Say Hello!

Mary, and the gang from

IN THE MEADOW Paper-Piecing class

BRAND NEW: BLOCKSWAPPERS CLUB!

Are you ready for something new?  Sign up for the all-new Always In Stitches "Blockswappers Club", and join us on Saturday, March 26th at 1:00 p.m. for our kick-off meeting.  You can sign up over the phone, and we'll answer all your questions at the meeting.  Additionally, we'll treat you to a trunk show featuring quilts made from swap blocks!

Our first swap will be a very easy, small block -- suitable for beginners and fun for everyone.  You can choose your "colorway(s)"  (batik, Civil War repros, or '30's repros) and the number of blocks you make will be limited only by the number of swappers we have.

We need a minimum of six (6) swappers for each colorway to have the swap.  Sign-ups for the swap will be open until April 15th and blocks are due back at the shop by COB Saturday, April 30th.  They'll be swapped out and ready for pick-up on Monday, May 2nd.

If you've never swapped before, you may have lots of questions -- that's a GOOD thing and we encourage you to ask them.  We also encourage you to come to the meeting  on March 26th and ask them so everyone can hear the answers. 

So call us!  We're at 614.539.7845, and we welcome "out of towners" to join our swap!  You don't have to attend the meeting to join the swap -- it's just to answer questions and show off what can be done with swap blocks.

We're excited about our new Blockswappers Club and can't wait to see you!

We have MORE new fabrics -- and new books!

We have a new treat in store for you today:  we've stocked the entire line of "Carnival" from Red Rooster Fabrics!  This black/red/white/gray fabric gives you a wide range of designs and textures from which you can create dramatic projects.  We don't think it hurts at all that the colors are perfect for OSU-related accessories and quilts.  Just look at these:


"Carnival" by Red Rooster Fabrics"

We also got some fun new books in yesterday, including "Sunbonnet Sue All Through The Year" -- cute little calendar quilts (2 for each month) depicting Sue in various activities.  Make these blocks individually as wall hangings, or combine them for a large quilt.  In addition to the patterns, this book includes excellent instruction in hand-turn applique, if you're interested in giving that a try.

Sunbonnet Sue All Through The Year

Scrap Quilts Go Country -- Great patterns for pre-cut fabrics like jelly rolls, charm squares, etc.

Sew Decorative -- Quick & Easy Home Accents from SewNews.

Come on in and visit with us -- we love our customers!

~ Mary, Peg, and the staff at Always in Stitches

More New Fabric Has Arrived!

Can you believe that Shop Hop is right around the corner? Be sure to mark you calendar, if you haven't already, for the Summer Shop Hop - July 21-30. Here is a sample of our Shop Hop Project - it'll be  great to see what everyone else is offering, too.

There will be 10 shops participating again, with the introduction of a "new face" on the Quilt Spree Shop Hop scene:

Always in Stitches - Grove City
Aunt Bee's Quilts & More - Mt. Vernon
Calico Cupboard - Pataskala
Creations SewClever - Chillicothe
Fabric Shack - Waynesville
The  Glass Thimble - Columbus
Good Wives Co.- Marion
Paw Patch Quilt Shop - Mt. Vernon
Quilt Beginnings East - Columbus
Quilt Beginnings North - Dublin
QuiltTrends - Columbus

Watch for more information on bus trips, purchasing passports, and Super Saturday (May 11, 2011)!

Here is a sampling of the great Bali Batiks from Benartek that just arrived.

We have even more batiks that have arrived in the last week or so -- come in and see them!

In addition to all the beautiful batiks that are now in the shop, we recently received some new fabrics from Moda and StudioE:

This is "Oasis" by 3 Sisters for Moda -- beautifully soft, "spring-y" colors with names like linen, mud mask, pink champagne and more ... get ready for warmer weather with these gorgeous fabrics.  You won't believe what a beautiful hand they have!

Check out "Peaceful Planet" and "Girly Girl" fabrics from StudioE -- we've combined both lines here as they work beautifully together.

We've got lots of new Fat Quarters and FQ Bundles for you as well, from all of the new lines that have come in recently.

And finally -- browse the pages of the latest edition of "Sew It All" -- fresh new projects that aren't necessarily quilt-related, but most definitely fun.

Stop in and say hello!

Mary, Kyle and the rest of the staff



Did you miss these two classes?

If so, you have another chance!!!

The Cottage Garden Table Runner class is being offered on Saturdays, April 30 and May 14 at 1:00-3:00 pm. You will learn new applique techniques, both adhering and sewing! If you haven't tried strip-piecing yet, we will be doing that as well. Class fee is $20.

If you missed the class on the Welcome Wagon Door Hanger, you have another chance on Saturday, May 28, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Techniques taught in this class include hand applique, yo-yos, and stem stitch (embroidery). The majority of this adorable hanger can be completed in class! Class  fee is $10.

In case you haven't noticed, Mary isn't in the store this morning, which makes it real dangerous.  (SMILE!) Don't forget to go to the website and review the great classes that are currently scheduled. Also remember to read the previous blog post with this week's coupon!

Have a great sewing weekend - at least the sun is shining!!!!!

Kyle and the two other employees who are working (and are behaving themselves)

Sick of Winter? We have the cure!

Hey Everyone,

Still waiting for Spring!

We have many, many new classes coming up! You should have received an email by now directing you to our website for the detailed class list. Coming SOON . . . . . . . .

Learn to Knit - and MORE!
This 8-week class begins Saturday (Feb 12) at 10:00. For those who have never touched knitting needles before AND those who want more - you will learn the basics: cast-on, knit, purl, bind-off PLUS garter stitch, stockinette stitch, cables, lace, 3 other motifs and how to read instructions. Class fee is $50. Supplies needed: 3 skeins worsted weight yarn (medium, #4), stitch/row markers, yarn needle, cable needle. Optional: stitch/row counter. Needles available from the instructor for $11.00.

Mystery Night
We still have some seats left for Saturday night's mystery. We will be "visiting" Alaska! This month's selection is an easier quilt, selected for those who have either never done a mystery, are not yet real confident in their quilt making, or who just want a relaxing, quick but lovely quilt. Contact the shop right away to sign up for this class, especially if you want to purchase a kit. There is a small fee for cutting your cut if you don't want to take class time to cut.

 

Welcome Wagon Door Hanger by Kim Diehl

Date for this class: Saturday February 12th – 1:00pm – 3:00 pm

Instructor: Becky Morey

Skill Level: Beginner

Cost $10

Make Yoyo’s to decorate this is a cute little project.

BEGINNING MACHINE APPLIQUE

Date(s): Sundays, February 13th & 27th – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

OR Tuesdays, March 15th & 29th –

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Instructor: Patty Estadt

Skill Level: Beginner

Cost: $20

If you want to learn how to create machine appliqué projects, this is the class for you! In the first class you will learn to use fusible web to create the appliqué blocks. The second class will focus on machine stitching the appliqué edges to create the blocks.

REVERSE APPLIQUE

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2011 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Instructor: Naomi O’Harra

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Cost: $45.00

Create unique dimensional looks with this classic technique, using Teri Tope’s “Applique in Reverse” book.

Naomi will show you how to create a beautiful coneflower wall hanging, providing the foundation for you to go on to more advanced projects like table runners, pillows, tote bags and quilts. Teri’s and Naomi’s flair for bold color and dramatic fabrics will encourage the artist in you.

Fun & Done!
Learn how to quilt and bind as you go with the Easy Diamond pattern and create a finished quilt. Fun & Done designs are fast, easy, and done entirely by machine. You can purchase your template and pattern at the first class.  Date(s) Sunday, February 20, 2011 and Sunday March 6th – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Instructor: KyleAnn Williams
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost $20

Rather stay home and sew? The check out these new books!

Scraps & Shirttails II

Continuing the Art of Quilting Green

by Bonnie K. Hunter

In Scraps & Shirttails, Bonnie Hunter showed us the relationship between quilting green and quilting thrifty. Now she’s back for a second round of quilting green in Scraps & Shirttails II.

Quiltmakers have always known how to reuse, re-purpose and recycle their stashes to make warm and functional quilts. Today, those concepts take on a whole new meaning for quilters who find it important to help make our world a little greener.

This long-awaited sequel continues the art of quilting green with 13 new projects that help you reuse, re-purpose and recycle your scraps into beautiful quilts.

SIMPLY CHARMING

Small Scrap Quilts of Yesteryear

by Tara Lynn Darr

Scraps - we all have those bits and pieces left over from other quilting projects. Put them to use in these little patchwork quilts reminiscent of bygone days. You don’t need a lot of fabric to create these tiny treasures.

Using her overflowing scrap bag, quilt designer Tara Lynn Darr has created 20 classic projects inspired by patterns of the past. From simple one-patch and nine-patch blocks to dazzling stars and pieced basket blocks, she shows you how to make the most of your leftovers.

All the projects can be made with 5” charm squares or smaller. Tara also shares her time-tested tips for working on small quilts. With these projects and a little imagination, you’ll whittle down that stash of scraps in no time!

BOOK OF DAYS

Create your own primitive book full of days

by Maggie Bonanomi

Maggie Bonanomi designed a Book of Days that can be used as a calendar, scrapbook, journal – now you can make one too. Maggie’s version is filled with photos of her favorite seasonal surroundings, quotes, and hand-drawn art. She shares how she made her book and ways you can tailor yours to fit your whims – to make a book for yourself or as the perfect gift: a book of days to remember and treasure. Inside you’ll find instructions for putting a book together and lots of inspiration for filling the pages.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KANSAS!

A Sampler Quilt Celebrating 150 Years on the Prairie

by Linda Frost

Just in time for the 2011 Kansas Sesquicentennial, quilt artist Linda Frost presents a 14-block sampler that celebrates the wonders and quirks of her native Kansas. The blocks represent familiar themes for any fan of the prairie – wind, wheat, tornadoes, road signs that make you feel like you’re on the road to nowhere... Linda’s designs convey a sense of the pioneer spirit along with the good natured humor that is part of life in the Midwest.

FLOWER DANCE
Beautiful Applique Using No-Fail Techniques
by Hallye Bone

Hallye Bone has planted a garden in fabric on her vibrant quilt, Flower Dance. With her 10 steps to No-fail Appliqué and 30 flower patterns, you can do all of them or just pick a few. Embroidery enhances this appliqué.


By following Hallye’s steps you’ll learn how to master leaf points, put personality into each flower, embellish with embroidery, perfect circular appliqué shapes, make speedy stems, and use the blind-hem appliqué stitch.

Additional projects include charming aprons, pillowcases, a table runner, a shopping tote, and a redwork throw. Hallye teaches and lectures about quilts, and repairs and appraises quilted heirlooms.

 

Have a great week and weekend!

Mary, Kyle and the Gang!

Spring?? Are you there?

I am ready for Spring, Well maybe not spring because I really enjoy winter evenings by the fireplace listening to my husband snore, but at least I am ready to get rid of the ice in the parking lot, and the crazy gas bills.

We have been very busy at the shop, working on new samples, getting in new fabrics, still moving fabrics around and waiting on customers. It is good to see everyone so excited about the continued success of the shop. We are very excited.

We just got in a handful of bolts of fabric from the Oasis  line by Three Sisters from Moda . I think it is really pretty and would love to make an apron or a summer skirt out of some of the fabric.

I am currently working on the starry night blocks of the month. We are doing two colorways, one is patriotic and one is in beautiful Michael Miller Krystals. I will post some pictures soon.


Have a great Weekend! Stay Warm!

Mary