Stitchin’ Heaven Howdy

Be sure and check out this article that appeared in the Dallas Morning News on Friday, October 19.
I knew this article was going to run but of course had NO IDEA what coverage they were going to give us! Nancy Myers (the special contributor) had contacted me several times with interview questions making sure she got all the facts just right. I thought originally the article was about the Patchwork Party but it turned into a really nice article also about Stitchin’ Heaven.

For those of you who have not yet joined the Patchwork Party for our fall session, it is not too late! You can get all the information you need at www.patchworkparty2007.com This is truly a fun project and the article describes it very well.

The article also mentions our Bunkhouse that we have to rent for small group retreats. If you are looking for a great place to meet with your friends, please consider us. I built this cabin in 2000 just for quilters. There are plenty of electrical outlets, work tables, and chairs. There is lower bed sleeping for 12 with 4 upper beds to total sleeping for 16. The cabin is 2200 square feet with over 1500 square feet dedicated to sewing. There are no big sofas you have to move around to make a place to sew. You can make your reservation on-line or feel free to call the shop.

If you need time away to sew and don’t have a group large enough to rent the Bunkhouse, please consider one of our retreats. These are held at Brookhaven Christian Center – a wonderful setting with incredible facilities. We have 3 scheduled for next year:

• Judy Niemeyer will be our guest for our retreat January 9 – 12. Judy will teach a one-day project as well as a two-day project. If you want to just come and sew you can do that as well without taking a project.
• Ruth B. McDowell will be our guest and teaching her “Designing from Nature” project February 24 – 29. You will spend 5 wonderful days with Ruth learning her techniques and you will have lots of sewing time.
• Our first annual Sew ‘n Spa will be held April 15 – 19. At this event we will be teaming up with the Copper Leaf Spa in Winnsboro to bring you plenty of sewing, plenty of sunshine, and plenty of spa treatments! This is a unique event and one that you will want to enjoy with a friend!

Let us know what you think about the article! And, as always, thank you for your continued patronage. We hope you will visit us soon whether it be at the Bunkhouse, at one of our retreats, in the shop, or on the Internet.

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

Visit our site at www.stitchinheaven.com

Deb, I am in need of some helping finding a good way to mark fabric. I like pencils but everyone I have breaks. I don’t sharpen it like I would a writing pencil, so I don’t understand my problem with them.I don’t like marking pens. I am an old smocker and have seen pens that would not come out of fabric….so I stay away from them all together. I’ve been warned not to use a chalk type marker because it is not good for your sewing machine. What pencil would you recommend?Fabric Marking Fanatic

Dear Fanatic, Marking of fabric can be a tricky proposition until you find the product you like the best. There are many, many different options on the market and we are happy this is so because we all like different things for different reasons. My goodness, wouldn’t it be a boring place if there were only one kind of fabric or if there was only one kind of quilt shop! But, I do understand your dilemma and I will be most happy to share my favorite markers.

Personally, I do like chalk markers and have never been told I should refrain from using them in fear of damaging my sewing machine. I have my machine regularly serviced and this should take care of any chalk residue that might build up. My favorite chalk products are from Clover. The one I have used for years is the Slim Chaco Liner. This product dispenses a thin line of chalk and is available with blue, white, or yellow chalk. This comes in handy when you are working with very light or very dark chalk. There is a refill available as well. Recently Clover came out with a Pen Style Chaco Liner. Pen Style Chaco Liners fine point permits accurate drawing of both straight lines and free hand curves. The fine point makes lines and marks more visible and is easy to use with a straight edge ruler. This product is available in white, yellow, blue, silver, and pink. I like it.

Another chalk option is a great product called the Chalk Cartridge by Allery. This set comes with a pen that you can refill with whatever color chalk you desire. There are eight colored and eight white chalks for you to use in the set. These are very nice, present a really good line and do not crumble.

Now, I have to tell you that I also love the EZ Water Soluble Marking Pen. I don’t know why you oppose them but if I follow the instructions I have never had a problem getting the ink out of the fabric. The most common problem with a water soluble pen is the fact that if heat is applied the ink will set in the fabric. Solution? Don’t iron over it or laundry it before it is removed! Remove it before you get an iron anywhere near it and you will be fine. I would encourage you to give them a chance. They are really nice…really!I do hope this answers your question and I wish you much success in finding a pen or pencil that works for you!

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

**Do you have a question about quilting? If you do, there are other quilters who have the same question! Simply email it to deb@stitchinheaven.com and she will answer it for you!

Skillbuilder Samplers and Skillbuilder Companion by Renae Allen are two new products to teach you how to machine quilt.

Skillbuilder Companion is a booklet that explains the whole process from choosing the right feet and settings on your sewing machine to marking and basting the top. Now comes the fun part! She has marked the designs on cotton fabric! A one yard cut includes 25 different designs so that you can begin quilting immediately! Skillbuilder Sampler Fabric 1 & 2 are fabrics with basic designs that include nine different block designs and 16 different border designs – everything from stippling to hearts and stars.

The book walks you through all 25 designs that are printed on each panel – how much easier could it be? Since there are lots of pictures, you can literally teach yourself how to quilt! But, when we offer this class on October 24 – take advantage of it! Machine quilting is a true art – you will learn something new from each instructor!

In the Skillbuilder Companion book, Renae recommends the following products:

For basting the layers together in an effective way to prevent puckers on the back you will need these products:

Clip Clamps
#1 Safety Pins
Kwik Klip
Quilter’s Delight Safety Pin Grips

Machingers are a must! Machingers quilting gloves are the perfect
tool to use when quilting on a home sewing machine. Made of breathable nylon, Machingers are comfortable enough to wear for hours. The fingertip coating gives
full control with less resistance and drag on fabric. Form-fitting, seamless design. Breathable fabric helps retain skin’s natural moisture. Enhanced hand and wrist support for reduced fatigue and tension in hands, arms, shoulders, and neck. Once you use these you will wonder how you ever machine quilted without them. You can order them on our website here.

So if you are interested in learning more about the art of machine quilting, we highly recommend this product and the accessories. If you live nearby and would like some one-on-one instruction from Lucy, please register for the upcoming class on October 24. It is a really good one!

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

Want more great products? Visit our store on-line!

Have all of you seen the new fabric from Clothworks by designer Barb Tourtillotte “Spill the Beans”? Toooooo cute! This wonderful fabric has just arrived in our store and it is flying off the shelf! I have seen many coffee-themed fabrics before but none with the style and color this one has.
The minute this fabric arrived we started looking for a way to put them together in a quilt. My brain was not working until I suddenly remembered that Clothworks usually has really cool free patterns on their site with the fabric collections. Sure enough, this darling quilt was there so we put together some kits for you using it. This design is a great way to show these fabrics off. We send it to you shrink wrapped with the pattern packaged in a little basket for you to keep.

So who is Barb Tourtillotte? Barb (Gelotte) Tourtillotte attended Central Washington University and the Burnley School of Professional Art in Seattle, where she majored in graphic design and illustration. After a dozen years as a graphic designer, she made the transition to full time illustrator, and has illustrated over fifty books, in addition to magazines, posters and puzzles for the Education and Quilting markets.

At the change of the millennium, Barb launched into a new avenue – licensing. From whimsical snowmen to elegant florals, her artwork can be seen on fabrics, dinnerware, greeting cards, kitchen textiles and giftware. She currently licenses her delightful watercolors to over 45 companies for a myriad of products. We are very happy she has joined the Clothworks Textiles team to bring us wonderful fabrics like “Spill the Beans”!

To order this kit or yardage from the collection, shop at our on-line store!

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

For more great products and ideas, visit the Stitchin’ Heaven website

Everyone get ready…The Stitchin’ Heaven 11th Anniversary Celebration is almost here! Everything is about 11! We have some really great things planned and this is your sneak peek:

#1 Biggie: We are rolling out our new website design. After over 10 years on the web we decided it is time for a face lift. We have a new logo (shown) and a brand new look. You’ll love our fresh and crisp design with the fun look of our “Quilt Saloon”. Our new site is easier to navigate and offers you more information than ever before. So, take a few minutes and look around. Don’t miss the “Quilter’s Fun Stuff” where we put all kinds of stuff we find that we want to share with you including some great clips from You Tube. We have a “Refer a Friend” feature so that you can send our site to all of your friends. We would love to know what you think.

#2 Biggie: Just for our 11th Anniversary Celebration Deb has designed a great original quilt for all of us – The 11th Anniversary Quilt! It is beautiful and features 11 sampler blocks that will be yours absolutely free. All you need to do is find the boots hidden around the site. When you click on the boot you will be directed to a .pdf file that you can print. Collect all 11 blocks and you will get the 12th block as a bonus. Each block is named after one of the employees on the Stitchin’ Heaven staff. The alternate block is appropriately titled “Deb’s Starring Staff”. We want you to have a good opportunity to learn all that is on the new site while you have fun looking for the boots and collecting the blocks. We call this game the Stitchin’ Heaven Round Up and if you want to play you can start on Thursday, October 11 and continue through Sunday, October 14. Once you collect all 11 blocks (these are free) by finding the boots you can purchase the fabric kit to make the project (optional) for only $111.11. In the kit you will be provided the alternate block as well as all of the fabrics for the top including the borders and binding. The quilt is made from 1930’s reproduction fabrics and measures 80″ x 92″.
#3 Biggie: Thursday, October 11 – the first day of our celebration and also Clay’s (Deb’s son) birthday. Remember…it is all about celebrating 11 years of serving you for us so we are going to have some deals that will be sure to make you smile:

• First, for the first 111 customers with an $11 minimum purchase, you will qualify to buy one of the cool new quick-change rotary cutters from Olfa for $11 (reg. $32.95) PLUS a 5-ct package of 45mm rotary blades (reg. $29.95) for $11
• Buy 11 fat quarters and get 11 free
• Buy 11 books and/or patterns and get 11 free (no duplicates please)
• Buy 11 yards of fringe and get 11 free

#4 Biggie: Friday, October 12 – you’ll want to visit again although we will only be offering one thing. Buy 11 yards of fabric and get 11 yards free! ’nuff said.

#5 Biggie: Saturday, October 13 – at 3:00 PM we will give away 11 finished quilts! These will be our really nice ones too. Many of you have been collecting your tickets for this event for weeks now and have a big circle marked on your calendar. The way this works is that for every $10 you spend you get a ticket that will be put in the drawing for the quilts. You can continue to collect your tickets right up until 3:00 PM. You must be present to win so if you have been thinking about taking a trip to east Texas, this would be a good day. If you are buying from us over the Internet, just put in comments that you plan to attend the drawing for the quilts and request your tickets to be held for you to pick up when you arrive.

Whew! As you can image we are working really hard to get all of this ready for you. We want you all to have a good time and we would love to see you if you live close enough to drive to Quitman. If not, please visit us in cyberspace on our new website! Let me know if you have questions or need more information. You can reach me through email at deb@stitchinheaven.com

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

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