Newsletter

Store Hours: Mon. to Fri. 10-5, Tues. 10 to 8 & Sat. 10-4

Quiltport USA

The 4th Annual Quiltport USA week-end is coming up April 19-21 at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Freeport.  It is a week-end of Quilter’s indulgences that include tons of uninterrupted sewing time in the company of other quilters, door prizes, outlet shopping, show and tell, and much more.  If you aren’t able to come and stay for the week-end, stop by and shop the vendors.  Our special guest this  year is Joan Ford , author of Cut the Scraps.  She will be available Friday and Saturday for book signing and vending.  Vendor hours are 9-5 Friday and Saturday, and 9 to noon on Sunday.  Vendors are Cotton Weeds, Calico Basket, Quiltessentials, Thread Express, Attic Heirlooms, Tony’s Sewing Machines  and Wingspan Crafts/Aunties Two.   There will also be free demos every hour on Friday and Saturday.  Demo schedule will be available at www.QuiltportUSA.com two weeks prior to Quiltport.  If you would like  to stay the week-end, register soon (at www.quiltportusa.com).  Spaces are filling up fast!

Inventory Reduction Sale

Now that the holidays are behind us, we can start thinking more about projects without the pressure of holiday deadlines.  Our traditional inventory reduction sale is a great time to stock up on supplies  while helping us make room for new fabrics and yarns.. 

 We are offering a 20% discount store-wide on everything except handmade items and sewing furniture.  We are offering $25 off those adorable sewing chairs while supplies last.   The sale will run from Thursday, January 10th to Monday, January, 21.

We will also have some other great specials:

Adopt-a-bolt, get 25% off any fabric

All sale fabrics - $5 per yard (1 yd min)

All  formerly 50% off yarn will be 75% off.

All formerly 30% off yarn will be 50% off.

Selected books, kits and patterns will be 75% off.

Stop by and check out these great deals!! 

Spring Into Summer

It is not too early to start planning your participation in our Spring Into Summer Shop Hop.  The dates this year are May 31, June 1 & 2.  We have fabulous prizes this year that include five, yes FIVE Janome Gem  Gold Sewing Machines with cases, along with lots of other goodies.  Passports will go on sale at participating shops on April 1st.  Participating shops are Cotton Weeds, Calico Basket, Quiltessentials, Mariners Compass,  and Alewives, Mark your calendars, make plans with your friends to do this hop!!

Announcements

· We will be open Jan. 21, Martin Luther King Day.

· We will be open on Feb. 18th, Presidents’ Day.

 For Sale

Norwood solid Cherry 45” 4 harness Loom with solid cherry bench and side boxes.  Comes with instructions, 20 different shuttles, lots of cotton and linen yarns.  Asking $2900.  Contact Bethel Shield at blomsk@roadrunner.com.

Hand –crafted solid cherry and brass Quilt Frame with 45 1/2”, 60” and 94 1/2” stretcher bars.  Asking $350.  Contact Bethel Shield at blomsk@roadrunner.com.

Knitting Class Schedule

    Date         Time                          Class                                                          Fee                

If you need help with a project, you may arrange class time by appointment during the day.    During this quarter knitting classes will be held every Monday and Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm. Classes will also be held every Tuesday night from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.  Please let us  know if you are coming so that we can make room for everyone.   

Jan., 8, 15, 22, 29,               5:30—8:30                 Knitter’s Choice                                $10.00

Feb., 5, 12, 19, 26                 5:30—8:30                 Knitter’s Choice                                $10.00

March 5, 12, 19, 26              5:30—8:30                 Knitter’s Choice                                $10.00

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30           5:30—8:30                 Knitter’s Choice                                $10.00

Knitting News

                    Knitting season is here in earnest now!!  We have both snow and cold.   We have done a major re-stocking of our Cascade yarns, adding new colors of Superwash 220 Worsted and Sport yarns, Eco-Wool, Pacific, Pacific Chunky and Magnum.  We have new colors in Highland Duo, and have restocked that incredibly soft Eco Duo.  We have a new model of the Infinity Scarf in Casa Blanca that is very lovely.

            In the sock department, we have some wonderful new colors of Crazy Zauberball.  We have just received some Malabrigo Sock (Superwash merino) Yarn, as well as some great new colors of the Misti Alpaca Sock Yarn. 

            Many of you have lamented the loss of Berroco Plush Yarn, which was a super soft nylon yarn.  We have found something quite comparable in Cascade Plushious.  This is a slightly smaller gauge yarn that looks and feels like a soft chenille.  It is machine washable and dryable, and is much easier to knit than chenille or Plush.  We are working on a scarf now, that should be on display soon.

                        Spa, Knit and Spin  is celebrating its 10th year this year….it is an awesome event that is held in Freeport, ME the week-end of February 1-3.  There are 20+ vendors and hundreds of fiber enthusiasts celebrating their love of luscious yarns and rovings.  The mercantile hours are Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, 10 to 4 pm and Sunday, 9 to 11 am.  There are no classes but lots of people willing to share their knowledge.  There is no admission and it is open to the public.  The vendors are located at the Hilton Garden in Freeport.  So stop by and check out this great event!

State of Maine Shop Hop

The 2013 Maine Shop Hop will take place during the month of April.   This is the 10th Anniversary of the Maine Shop Hop!!  A black and white collection from Fabriquilt  will be the featured fabric for the hop.  We hope to have it in stock by mid February.  The 37 participating shops will each make a model using the fabrics along with one other color of choice, and will be giving charm squares to each hopper.  There will be a display of the shop quilts at Maine Quilts in July.    There will be tons of prizes including sewing machines this year, and a $100 gift certificate to L.L. Bean for the chauffeurs.  Children may also participate in the hop, and passports are available for them as well.  All of the shops will have Sunday hours during the month of April to accommodate hoppers.   There is  a web site where you can check in on plans as they unfold....the address is www.maineshophop.com.    There are several new shops this year, and a smaller geographical area to cover.  This will be a great way to rid yourself of the inevitable cabin fever!! 

Quilt Class Schedule

  Date                    Time                                Class                                                           Fee  

Tue., Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29       6:00 p.m.                             Quilting Workshop                        $15.00

Tue., Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26     6:00 p.m.        Class is also held Wed. aft. 1-4

Tue., March 5, 12, 19, 26

Tue., April  2, 16, 23, 30

Pick one date, two or as many as you need, to work on the project of your choice...Betsy will help you get started or reach the finish line with any project.  A great way to schedule some time on a project and work in the company of other quilters. Also available Wed. afternoon..

Sat., Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9,  9-1pm    Sun Portrait with Susan Carlson          $60.00 (per session)   In this 3 part class, you will be working with Susan Carlson’s on beginning portraiture.  She takes you through her Cutting Loose collage process step by step from selecting and cutting fabric to  quilting and binding.  This is a template free class encouraging playfulness, serendipity and the willingness to cut loose.  Take advantage of this wonderfully creative process, with an inspiring teacher.

Sat., Jan. 26 9:00-4:00 Winter Wonderland  with Lisa McCarthy                          $60.00

Learn more about Foundation Paper Piecing and what Judy Neimeyer has done to expand upon an already simple and elegant quilting technique that allows quilters of any level to create gorgeous, breath-taking quilts.  During this class, you will learn Judy Neimeyer’s unique trim before you sew technique; pattern specific cutting techniques, strip piecing, and curved piecing and other time saving ways to complete her patterns.  Lisa McCarthy is a certified Judy Neimeyer instructor, who is skilled and enthusiastic about using these techniques.  This is a great way to achieve the precision needed for these lovely patterns. 

Sat., Feb. 16, 9:00-4:00 One for All Seasons with Lisa McCarthy                  $60.00

Learn more about Foundation Paper Piecing and what Judy Neimeyer has done to expand upon an already simple and elegant quilting technique that allows quilters of any level to create gorgeous, breath-taking quilts.  During this class, you will learn Judy Neimeyer’s unique trim before you sew technique; pattern specific cutting techniques, strip piecing, and curved piecing and other time saving ways to complete her patterns.  Lisa McCarthy is a certified Judy Neimeyer instructor, who is skilled and enthusiastic about using these techniques.  This is a great way to achieve the precision needed for these lovely patterns. 

Fri. Feb.,  22 9:00-noon     Introduction to Machine Quilting with Betsy Dorr             $25.00

Betsy will introduce you to the basics of machine quilting.   Practice free motion quilting and learn techniques to improve your comfort level.  This class is geared to those who “just don’t know where to begin” with machine quilting.  For those interested in a refresher, who have taken the class and need a “booster” shot, the class will help you build on what you have learned and expand your repertoire of motifs.

Sat., March 23, 9:00-3:30     Landscapes or Fish with Jo Diggs                      $55.00

Spend the day immersed in the wonders of creating scenes with fabric.  Jo is a wonderful teacher and talented artist who will change the way you think about fabric and the scenery around you.  The classes are limited to 12 students.   Treat yourself to a day with one of Maine’s most talented quilters.

Quilt News

Lots of new happenings in the world of Quilts .  We have a new quilt on display using our Café Au Lait Jelly Roll.  It’s a very easy quilt, and uses the Strip Tube Ruler.  Lyndarella recently finished a quilt using 6” strips of Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  Betsy is quilting it, and it should be on display in a week or so.  We will post a picture on our Facebook page once its completed.  Betsy finished another quilt using the Learning Curve Ruler that is now on display at the shop.  We have recently cut a Layer Cake (10” squares) in flannel.  Betsy’s Mom has finished piecing the quilt, which uses a pattern called Five and Dime.  This quilt will also be on display soon.  Mary just finished a lovely quilt using our Victorian Modern Collection from Andover Fabrics.  This is a group of 15 soft prints that we have bundled into a group of 20 6 1/2” strips for those who want some of everything.  A quilt using the Schoolies collection from Clothworks is finished and on display.  Thanks to our resident quilter, Bev S, we also have a sample done using the Underwater Friends Collection, which will be displayed once it makes its way through the quilting pile.  Lyndarella has completed a new sample using our Polka Dot pop which will soon be on display.  Making our new samples for the coming year is always so exciting, so stop by and check out what’s new.  Also stay tuned to our Facebook page for pictures of new quilts.

            Our solids have started to arrive.  We will be carrying Kona solids.  We have another large shipment coming at the end of the month giving us over 50 choices.  The Victorian Modern Collection from Andover is here, a very soft color palette, with lovely patterns.  We have our largest yet collection of Australian Fabric from M & S Textiles.  We have had a hard time keeping these in stock, but are now very well stocked and have many of the newly released patterns from Quilt Market.  We have recently started carrying Anthology Batiks and have nearly 2 dozen new bolts, along with many new awesome batiks from Timeless Treasures, Hoffman and Robert Kaufman.  We are overstocked in batiks, but we are hoping you will be taking advantage of the upcoming sale to help us make room for what is on order!!

            The Fabulous Feline Collection from Laurel Burch is in, a wonderful new collection of many of her classis designs, a must-see for you Laurel Burch fans.  We are carrying the Hoffman Challenge fabric, a lovely collection with an Asian feel.  Along those lines, we also have a gorgeous new collection from Benartex called Tea House that features a lovely Geisha panel.  For the knitting quilters, we just got an adorable collection from Hoffman called The Molly Llama, featuring long lashed adorable llamas with some great yarn ball coordinates.

            From Westminister Fibers, we have received several solid shot cottons and stripes from Kaffee Fassett, in anticipation of Kaffee’s new book which features shot cottons and stripes.  The book is due to be released in March and we do plan to carry it.  Betsy has a new striped quilt underway using Kaffee’s stripe which should be ready in a month or so.

            A couple of new tools worth a mention are the Color Grid, which a guide to color selection and the Craftex Fusible placemats.  The Color Grid helps you find compatible colors and color values in fabric or yarn, with an easy to use pocket guide of the color wheel.  The fusible placemats are a wonderful base for a placemats that is washable and dryable.  We will hopefully have a model on display soon.  We also have patterns geared to the use of these placemats.  Stop by soon and check out what’s new!!       

Judy Neimeyer Classes

We were fortunate enough to find a wonderful Judy Neimeyer certified instructor named Lisa McCarthy.  Lisa taught a great class here in October on the Cactus Flower Runner.  We have two more classes coming up in January and February, and have been talking about doing a technique of the month class to make one of the larger Judy Neimeyer quilts.  This is a great way to tackle these gorgeous projects with lots of support and guidance….see our class schedule for more info!!

Upcoming Events

Spa, Knit & Spin                       Feb. 1, 2, & 3                                                                                                        Freeport, ME

                                                Hilton Garden   Fri., 5-8 pm, Sat., 9-4 pm, & Sun., 9-11 am.  10 am to 4 pm 

National Quilt Day Celebration                                   March 16 at Quiltessentials                                             Auburn, ME                                                                                                      10-4 , weather date is March 17

2013 Maine Shop Hop                                                  Month of April                                                                    Statewide

                                                    For more information go to www.maineshophop.com.  

New England Quilt Festival                                April 10-13 at Radisson Center of New Hampshire                     Manchester, NH

Formerly Machine Quilter’s Expo                       FMI go to MQXshow.com

Quiltport USA                                                     April 19-21                                                                                      Freeport, ME                                                          Fri., 9-5, Sat., 10-5, Sun 10-noon;            FMI go to www.quiltportusa.com

Spring into Summer Shop Hop,                  May 31, June 1 & 2               Calico Basket, Cotton Weeds, Alewives, Mariner’s Compass & Quiltessentials

Basket Classes

 We have had a renewed interest in basketry classes.  We encourage you to schedule classes by appointment.  We often have basket makers here on Tuesday evenings, as well as do occasional Saturday workshops.  If you would like to participate, let us know and we will try to accommodate you.  We appreciate your interest!!

   Nantucket Baskets

     We have another Nantucket Basket Week-end planned for Sat.& Sun., Feb. 23 & 24. Choose from over a hundred molds and enjoy a fabulous weaving experience under the capable leadership of Donele Monte. We have a number of samples here at the store if you are not acquainted with Nantucket basketry.   Register by Feb 1, 2013.   Don’t miss a great weaving adventure!

Community Knitting and Quilting

We would like to thank the many people who knit hats for Caps for Kids and the Click for Babies campaigns in October and November.  Literally hundreds of hats were collected for children in our communities and we appreciate your contribution to these two important causes. 

We have also received some pillow cases for Conkerr Cancer, and wanted to remind you of this important need for sick children.  We are a drop off location, and have pillow case patterns available. 

 If you have an interest in donating to these or other places, we would be happy to help you get information.  It is wonderful to share our love of color and fiber with people in need.