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JANUARY NEWSLETTER
and CLASS SCHEDULE
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| Greetings! |
| Whew! Is anybody tired of SHOVELING yet? Wouldn't we rather be INSIDE QUILTING???? Well, it sure is pretty, but enough already......
First off, I'd like to thank everyone who braved the elements and came to our Food Drive/Sale. We were able to make a very nice donation to the Food Pantry.....
We have some fun things planned to help us through the rest of the winter. See below for information about our new MYSTERY QUILT that begins on January 10th. We are also starting a SCRAP CLUB which will meet for the first time on January 31st. Mo's teaching two new classes; Random Delight, a favorite new pattern, and a class of the new techniques in the second Cotton Theory book. Her classes are always such fun.....sometimes you forget that you're learning! Karri has a Beginning Quilting class that takes you from square one to finished quilt, and also a Beginning Machine Quilting with Walking Foot class for those who would like to learn to quilt with their home sewing machines OK Carol has Beginning and Wildlife Applique classes scheduled, and Becky is teaching Tote L, her wonderful tote bag. As always, we also offer Hand Quilting with Mary and Beginning Longarm Quilting with Karri. Last but not least, don't forget the Longarm Guild which meets on January 11 and February 8.
If you have cabin fever and are itching to get out of the house, remember, our classroom is available whenever we don't have a class scheduled, so grab a couple of friends and come down and sew for the day. We have a great group that does this every Monday...and they welcome anyone who wants to join in...but many other days are also available. Just give us a call.
Keep warm and be careful on the ice!
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| THE MYSTERY BEGINS.... |
Mystery Quilt #2
Begins on January 10th
Join us on January 10th at 9:30 for the beginning of our new mystery quilt! This class is FREE on the demo day. If you don't make it in for the demo you can pick up your clue in the shop for $2. We will meet each month, on the second Saturday at 9:30, for a demonstration of that month's step. If you'd like to join us "long distance" the charge will be $2/month. We will mail your clue out on the last Friday of the month. The demonstrations should last no longer than thirty minutes, including show and tell.
Fabric requirements for this quilt are available at the end of this newsetter or in the shop.
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| BIGFORK BAY HAPPY SCRAPPERS CLUB DEBUTS! |
Join the Bigfork Bay Happy Scrappers Club!
The Happy Scrapper Club officially begins on January 31st. What is a Happy Scrapper? Simply put, a Happy Scrapper LOVES scrappy quilts.
Do you collect FQ's, charms, or strips just for the love of it?
Have you lost track of what fabrics you have?
Do you tell yourself that you're not going to buy any more fabric until you use up what you have?
Do you secretly hope you bought too much fabric for a particular project just so you have leftover scraps?
When it comes to choosing fabrics for a project, do you feel "the more the merrier?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are a scrapper at heart.......
So why not join a group of like-minded quilters, The Happy Scrappers Club?
Benefits of joining are:
Free Pattern every month
Free Demos
$1.50 fat quarters (regular price $2.25) on club days
Scrap Swaps: charms, strips, FQ's, half square triangles, etc.
Show and Tell
Scrap Management Ideas
Featured Designer each month
Free Monthly Recipe for leftovers
Free Accuquilt Punch Card if you sign up for 1 year (value $25)
Some of the ideas we will address are: What can you do with a fat quarter?, Rubber Stamp Foundation Piecing, and English Paper Piecing
The Happy Scrapper Club will meet on the last Saturday of the month, from 9:00 am-10:30 am. Cost will be $30 a quarter or $100 for the year.
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| LONGARMS & LAUGHTER |
Longarms & Laughter Longarm Guild will meet on Sundays, January 11th and February 8th from 1:00-3:00. We welcome anyone who has an interest in longarm quilting. At the January meeting, Kari will demonstrate her free motion ferns. We are asking anyone who can to bring a small quilt top for charity. At this meeting we also hope to finalize our plans for the Cindy Roth seminar. We are awaiting word from her about which weekend in March she can come...either the weekend of the 14th or the 21st. We also welcome anyone who can to bring in a small quilt top for charity.
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| ACCUCUT MACHINE NOW AVAILABLE FOR CUSTOMERS |
The Accucut machine has been moved to the shop. We have held demonstrations on using the machine and plan to hold more as requested by customers. Our next scheduled demonstration is Saturday, January 10th at 10:30 am. We will begin our rental program on January 1st. This is how it will work: You will purchase a punch tag from us with fifteen minute time increments printed around the border. Each time you use the machine, we will stamp your card with the amount of time you have used (minimum fifteen minutes). We will have an appointment book for the machine so you can reserve time, or you can give us a call when you'd like to come in and we'll tell you if it's free. It's hard to predict now how busy the machine will be. If your time is flexible, just call first. But if you want to be sure to reserve a certain time, you'll want to schedule it. Each punch card purchased for $25 will buy you six hours on the machine. Why fifteen minute increments? The answer is simple....there are some quilts that can be cut in that amount of time. Incredible, isn't it? Or you may just want to cut up some charm squares or strips. You decide how long you want to use it. But please, if we do set aside time for you, we'd appreciate a phone call if you have to cancel. That way, the machine won't sit idle if someone else wants to use it.
Come in on the 10th and see what it's all about! You'll be amazed at how much time you can save....less time cutting means more time quilting!!
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| JANUARY/FEBRUARY CLASS SCHEDULE |
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Hand Quilting
Call shop to arrange a time with Mary
Instructor: Mary Sanchez
Fee: $10/hour
Although many of us turn to machine quilting because of its speed, there are those special tops that just call out for hand quilting. Mary keeps the tradition alive in our shop, but uses special ergonomic methods, a la Thimblelady, to prevent the repetitive motion injuries often associated with hand quilting. Whether you are brand new to hand quilting, or need to learn a new way to do it, spend some time with Mary. You'll be surprised how fast you can pick up this method. This class is charged "by the hour" at the rate of $10 per hour. You may only need two hours, but Mary will set aside three hours for this class. You will only pay for the time you need.
Beginning Longarm Quilting
Call shop to arrange a time with Karri
Instructor: Karri Schaper
Fee: $60
For those who are interested in learning Longarm Quilting from the beginning, this is the class for you! This is a one-on-one class, totally individualized to suit your needs. You will learn how to load your quilt on the machine, how to thread the machine, how to start and end your stitching, and how to work from both sides of the machine; that is, free motion or following patterns called pantographs. No experience is necessary..... Graduates of this class will be able to rent time on our longarm (a Gammill Classic Plus).
Mystery Quilt #2
Saturday January 10 9:30 am, and subsequent second Saturdays
Instructor:Lynn Stalowy
Fee: FREE on day of demo, otherwise $2/month
Join us as we begin our second Mystery Quilt. The finished quilt measures 86" X 86" and can be made with as few as four fabrics, or can be made very scrappy. (What a great way to make a dent in your STASH!) At each session you will receive instructions and a demonstration of that month's step. You will complete the steps at home. Fabric requirements are available at the shop or in our newsletter. Please sign up ahead of time, if you can, so we can get an idea of how many handouts to print. But we will always print extra, so if you weren't planning on it but find you can come at the last minute, please do so! If you'd like to join us long distance, please give the shop a call or email us at sales@bigforkbaycottonco.com. The charge will be $2/month and we will mail out your clues on the last Friday of the month.
Accucut Demo
Saturday January 10 10:30 am
Instructor: Lynn Stalowy
Fee: FREE
Join us for this free demonstration on how to use the Accucut Die Cutting System. This is the fastest way to cut the most common shapes and sizes used in quilting; squares, triangles, and rectangles in the most common sizes of quilt blocks, as well as common appliqué shapes such as leaves, flowers, hearts and stars. Many different quilts have been designed using only Accucut shapes. Come see what it's all about. If you like what you see, you will be able to purchase a punch card that allows you to rent time on the machine.
Wildlife Applique
Saturday January 17 OR February 21 10 am-3 pm
Instructor: OK Carol Rockwell
Fee: $30
CHOOSE your favorite Toni Whitney design and let OK Carol guide you, step by step, towards creating your own beautiful art quilt. Come to class with your pattern pieces traced on fusible web, as this is the most time-consuming step. Carol will show you how to use the subtle shadings of the batik fabrics to your best advantage, as well as how to "build" your design section by section. This is NOT a beginning fusible appliqué class. You MUST have experience with this method.
Techniques: Introduction to Cotton Theory Book 2
Tuesday January 20 10am-3pm
Instructor: Mo Harrah
Fee: $30
Perhaps you have some orphan blocks in your stash that were left over from a previous class. Or perhaps you made a few blocks and decided not to go on and make an entire quilt. In Book 2, Betty Cotton explores using traditional quilt blocks with ¼" seams, and assembling them a la Cotton Theory. In this class, Mo will explain in detail just how this works. You will be able to assemble a table runner or small quilt using these techniques and any "orphan" blocks you may have in your stash. If you'd like to learn the technique, but don't have any orphan blocks on hand, you can still come! Simply use a focus fabric, or sew up a few blocks you like and you will be ready for this class! You will want at least three blocks for a tablerunner, or at least four for a tabletopper or small quilt.
Beginning Quilting
Wednesdays January 21, 28, February 4, & 11 10am-3pm
Instructor: Karri Schaper
Fee: $75
Learn to quilt the "Piece o' Cake" way with the help of Karri Schaper. Using the book "Piecing the Piece o' Cake" Way, Karri will walk you through the "how to" process of selecting fabric colors, understanding supplies needed, rotary cutting, piecing the quilt top, to the final steps of quilting and binding your quilt. Stop in the shop to view Karri's sample of the quilt you will be making.
Beginning Machine Quilting with Walking Foot
Thursday January 22 & Friday January 23 10am-4pm
Instructor: Karri Schaper
Fee: $60
This class is perfect for those who want to learn the ABC's of machine quilting with a walking foot. Perhaps a walking foot came with your machine and you have been hesitant to use it. Or perhaps you have been sending all your quilts out to a quilter....but you just know that some of those things could have been done on your own machine. Whatever the reason, you'll want to spend the day with Karri. Those who know her know that she is very detail oriented and knows how to break down each step of the quilting process into easily followed steps. You will learn to prepare the backing for your quilt, pin baste the quilt, select and match quilting thread, plan a quilting design, mark the design, and quilt with the walking foot. With Karri guiding through each step, your very first project will be a success!
Random Delight
Saturdays January 24 and February 7 10 am-3 pm
Instructor: Mo Harrah
Fee: $50
In this two part class Mo will teach you the piecing techniques (including the dreaded "Y" seams and "on point" layout) she used to create her beautiful sample, Random Delight. Join Mo for this two day class....you'll learn a lot and have loads of fun!
Happy Scrapper Club
Saturday January 31 and subsequent last Saturdays 9-10:30 am
Instructor:Lynn Stalowy
Fee: $30/quarter or $100/year
Do you collect FQ's, charms, or strips just for the love of it?
Have you lost track of what fabrics you have?
Do you tell yourself that you're not going to buy any more fabric until you use up what you have?
Do you secretly hope you bought too much fabric for a particular project just so you have leftover scraps?
When it comes to choosing fabrics for a project, do you feel "the more the merrier?
IF you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are a scrapper at heart.......
So why not join a group of like-minded quilters, The Happy Scrappers Club?
Benefits of joining are:
Free Pattern every month
Free Demos
$1.50 fat quarters (regular price $2.25) on club days
Scrap Swaps: charms, strips, FQ's, half square triangles, etc.
Show and Tell
Scrap Management Ideas
Featured Designer each month
Free Monthly Recipe for leftovers
Free Accuquilt Punch Card if you sign up for 1 year (value $25)
Some of the ideas we will address are: What can you do with a fat quarter?, Rubber Stamp Foundation Piecing, English Paper Piecing, *****
The Happy Scrapper Club will meet monthly on the last Saturday of the month, from 9:00 am-10:30 am. Cost will be $30 a quarter or $100 for the year.
Tote-L
Saturday January 31 11am-4pm
Instructor:Becky Jacobson
Fee: $30
Are you running out of totes to carry all of your neat quilting "stuff" around? Well then, this is the class for you! This shoulder tote has comfortable wide straps, pockets inside and out, and a boxed bottom so you can fit in even more great "stuff". Keep one packed up with "traveling" supplies so you can pick up and go on a moment's notice. Or have all your class supplies packed up and ready to go. This fun, quick tote will also let you showcase some of your beautiful machine quilting, or a favorite block of yours. This one day class is too much fun to pass up! See you there....
Beginning Fusible Applique
Thursday February 5 10 am-3 pm
Instructor: OK Carol Rockwell
Fee: $30
This class is perfect for those who admire beautiful appliquéd quilts, but have had no experience with the fusible appliqué technique. You will choose a simple appliqué design. We recommend our "Bootiful", "Apple of My Eye", or "Picnic", as they are all simple enough to do during class, but will allow you to learn the ins and outs of this technique. You may use a different design, but it must be approved by Carol before class to be sure it is appropriate for this lesson. She will teach you how to trace, cut, and iron! Yes, it seems very basic, but there are tricks to lining up your pieces to fit together properly, identifying the "overs and unders", reducing bulk where there are multiple layers, and more. You will leave this class with the knowledge and confidence to complete your quilt top and move on to more complicated designs.
Mystery Quilt
Saturday February 14 9:30 am
Instructor:Lynn Stalowy
Step two of our ongoing Mystery Quilt will be divulged today! (See above entry for more info....)
Wildlife Applique
Saturday February 21 10 am-3 pm
Instructor: OK Carol Rockwell
Fee: $30
See Description above....
Happy Scrapper Club
Saturday February 28 9 am
Instructor: Lynn Stalowy
Fee: $30/quarter or $100/year
See Description above.....
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| MYSTERY QUILT FABRIC REQUIREMENTS |
MYSTERY QUILT #2
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
(Finished Quilt Size 86" X 86")
This is an easy quilt to pick fabrics for.....you only need four! (Or see below for making it scrappy....) I've given you an example of colors that will work, but really, after working with this pattern for awhile, I realize that the possibilities are endless! Just keep in mind that you will need a value change between your light and light/medium. Your medium can range from medium to dark. As for your focus, just pick something you love! It can be a floral, plaid, overall print....really, anything goes! This quilt will work with traditional colors, brights, soft colors such as pastels or Daiwabos, orientals, ANYTHING! You can also completely reverse the plan....make the light a dark, the light/medium a medium/dark, the medium still a medium or a medium/light, and a focus! I wish I had the time to make several for examples!
 Light 3 ½ yards
 Light/Medium 3 ½ yards
 Medium or Medium/Dark 1 ¾ yards (includes a border)
 Focus 4 yards (incl. a border and binding)
HAVING said all that, I must tell you that I think this would make a GREAT scrappy quilt. Just make sure you divide your scraps into groups based on value. There should be a value change between your light and light/medium. You will want another value change between your light/medium and your medium. Or perhaps you'd like to make the medium all one color, still scrappy. I would still keep a focus fabric. Make sure you have scraps that equal the yardage required for each color, PLUS a little extra. When cutting scraps, sometimes fabric isn't used quite as efficiently, so you will want to add extra. Each step will tell you exactly how many of each particular unit you will need....i.e. "48, 3"squares". If you'd like, you can purchase a punch card for the Accucut machine to cut most of the pieces. (This goes much faster when cutting scraps!) As I present each step I will show you a version using four fabrics, and a scrappy version.
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Bigfork Bay Cotton Company 8560 MT Hwy 35 Bigfork Montana 59911 406-837-2399
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