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JULY, 2012
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Vol 7, Issue 3
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QUALITY QUILTING
Loose Threads Newsletter
625 State Circle, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108
STORE HOURS: M-F 10-6, SAT 10-4, SUN 12-4
(734) 929-5169 Jim and Rhonda Loy, owners |
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DEAR QUILTING FRIENDS...
|  Who knew that the dog days of summer would come so soon this year? At Quality Quilting, we've been monkeying around, dreaming up enticing projects, and preparing kits to distract you from feeling so hot!
Starting on July 30th, we will be changing our hours for the rest of the summer. Please note the changes listed below:
Mon, Tues, Wed: 10 - 4 PM
Thurs: 10 - 6 PM
Fri, Sat: 10 - 4 PM
Sun: noon - 4 PM
Other important dates this month:
Thursday, July 19:Civil War Journal BOM, 10:30 AM Vintage Rouge BOM, noon Fri and Sat, July 20 and 21:
Journey to the Past Shop Hop (see below for more details) Thurs, July, 26:
Jo's Little Women Club, 2-4, or 6-8 PM, with Mary Jones (s - h - e' - s BACK!!)
Sat, July 28:
Our monthly "Bag Lady" Sale (bring in your Quality Quilting or Wendy's Simple Stitches bag for 10% off) We hope to see you soon! Have a great week!
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HOW TO FIND US
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Quality Quilting is conveniently located just southwest of the
I-94/State Street interchange at 625 State Circle (the turn for State Circle is at the Citgo Gas Station, on the west side of State, just south of the interstate). Once you turn, the store is down on the right, just beyond the Scrap Box (which is on the left). It is an unexpected quilting oasis just a little off the beaten path. Our phone number is (734) 929-5169.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL GROUP SEWING
| Would you like to sew in a friendly "bee-like" setting and meet new quilting buddies?
 FRIDAY MORNING OPEN SEW
REDWORK BUNCH will take a little vacation during the month of July, then resume in August. This informal group meets once a month, 10 months out of the year...we take July and December off. The next dates will be August 12, Sept 9, Oct 14, and Nov 11.
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MACHINE QUILTING & BINDING
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Quality Quilting offers high quality longarm machine quilting and custom binding done quickly at an affordable price.
Machine Binding is roughly half the cost of the machine quilting. Just include extra fabric for the binding when you drop off your top, etc. for quilting (1/3, 1/2 or 3/4 yard depending on whether your quilt is small, medium, or large - do not cut into strips).
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JOURNEY TO THE PAST...SHOP HOP
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The JOURNEY TO THE PAST Shop Hop is THIS FRIDAY and SATURDAY! There will be three 10-inch (finished) spool blocks/kits/instructions available at each shop (at $10 per set), and each shop has made up a tempting quilt using the 12 spool blocks (finishing kits available). The fabrics are all from Jo Morton's rich Reproduction fabric lines, by Andover Fabrics. There are a handful of our finishing kits without names on them. Our quilt, "Spoolin' Around," is pictured below. It measures approximately 58 x 58 inches square...a great size for a wallhanging or table topper...and it features an original, central applique block that spotlights a mischievous, shy kitty and a couple of friendly bird friends (designed by Ola Rosselot). TOO cute! You will be able to claim your reserved kit during the 2-day event. Our finishing kit will include everything you need to turn your 12 gathered spool blocks into this adorable quilt top (plus the binding!).  |
"SPOOLIN' AROUND," designed, made, and pattern written by Ola Rosselot, Mary Jones, and Teresa Rawson. Custom Machine Quilted by Virginia Lewis, Quality Quilting |
JOURNEY TO THE PAST will happen on Friday (9-7 PM) and Saturday (9-5 PM), July 20 and 21. Your "ticket fare" (passport) for this adventure is only $5.00 and your "trip" will take you to all four Quilt Shops. There will also be exciting sales at each shop (20 % off for JOURNEY TO THE PAST passport holders, excluding Shop Hop block sets, "SPOOLIN' AROUND" finishing kits, BOM monthly kits, wool, and Machine Quilting/Binding Services - the discount does not apply to items already on sale, as well).  Seriously...don't let the applique center and middle border of our quilt scare you...they are easily done with ANY applique method (Mary used machine applique for our sample). Teresa can get you going on glue stick hand applique (check upcoming newsletter for class date), and Marilyn is teaching a machine applique Lunch Lesson on Monday, August 13.
Sign up and get your passport today!
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WHAT'S NEW??
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 "UP AND AWAY," designed by Kim, is so cute and already kitted! Giraffes are HOT right now, and this would make a sweet and special baby quilt. The quilt measures 31 x 36, and the $40 kit includes everything...even backing and binding!  Love giraffes but want something even quicker and easier? Check out this CUTE new panel...the sample is almost quilted and we already have kits ready to go!   This is "TRAFFIC JAM," designed by Sabrina. This is a fast and easy juvenille quilt kit featuring the cutest fabric line! No fabric choice to make...just grab and go home and sew!  All this sunny, beautiful weather makes doggies want to dust off their airplanes and take to the skies to beat the heat. Have you seen them? It wasn't a mirage...we've got 'em!  And kits are ready to make your own pup squadron...they a doggone cute!  How cute is this tiny quilt! This Michigan quilt is one of many pattern plus kits we have by American Quilt Blocks. The old-fashioned pictures are transferred onto fabric for you, and there are instructions on how to turn the vintage-looking transferred motif into a cute miniature quilt! Come and see the whole collection! We had these before, and they disappeared in one day! For this one, it takes 2 contrasting fat quarters to finish the top around the fussy-cut photo transfer, and only a fat quarter for the backing!  Have you misplaced your sunglasses? Check out these sexy specs! The style and fit are perfect and they will have others...and you...seeing quilts!  You've seen Marilyn's version of this Eleanor Burn's 4-1/2 on point quilt (her blocks were actually "on point!"), maybe even taken her Lunch Lesson on how to make this simple block.  This is Rhonda's take on this pattern plus (the "plus" is the magic template). Rhonda has put together a 5 inch charm square set to make the process even easier!  South Ann Arbor has been overtaken by monkeys, but have no fear...they are the CUTE kind! Check out this new baby/kid quilt sample, made by Marilyn. The monkeys are scootin' around on the sweetest collection of fabrics.  If the peaceful, shady, friendly forest is more of what you are looking for, this adorable quilt tells a story with the help of an awesome panel.  Fussy cutting the panel and a nice striped fabric make this quilt really easy.   The accompanying fabrics perfectly complete the picture, and there is a really cool all-over print to back it with. This is a "must see, must read' quilt!  A great way to beat the heat is to sit in the shade and stitch on a new Halloween project...just dreaming about pumpkins, witches, and apple cider will make the day seem cooler...no, really! Kim and Norma have been stitching away on the newest Crabapple Hill creations to show you just how cute and detailed they are (check out Norma's crayon coloring Lunch Lessons in August...).    Have you seen the "recession neutral bundles?" 5 yards of a beautiful neutral for only $30.  This popular book is also back in the store - take Marilyn's Machine Applique Lunch Lesson on July 23 and see that this beauty is really within your reach!  After all the high temperatures lately, some of us are wishing it was fall...well, here is the latest offering from Good Seasons...we have the kits now! |
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SEEN RECENTLY AT THE STORE...
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 MaryLiz was recently teaching a Lunch Lesson on basic quilt binding. She has another couple of Lunch Lessons on "Beyond Basic BInding" at the end of July. She is just one of our fabulous teachers at Quality Quilting!  Pam K would like to remind everyone to be super careful with their rotary cutters! (Happy healing, Pam!)
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BLOCK-OF-THE-MONTH and CLUB "GOINGS ON"...
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  The VINTAGE ROUGE Block-of-the-Month, which started in May, is off to a great start, under the stewardship of Mary Jones. Even though it is a 6-month program, it is a large quilt, 78 x 78. During Month One, we pieced some super blocks from simple units, made easy by the "Strip-it" fabric, which made the HST's really easy! In Month Two, Teresa taught us easy English paper piecing and gluestick applique to make lovely Dresden Plate blocks. In Month Three, Teresa delighted participants with a SUPER EASY block...so easy that making 20 of them is no hardship! Mary will be back for Block Four in August, and Teresa will be offering a quick, second chance tutorial on block two at 11:30 AM, just before the normal noon start time, for those that missed it or need a second run-through (that will be offered on the August Saturday session ONLY).Block-of-the-Month quilts are a great way to stretch you quiltmaking skills...this quilt features, simple piecing, English paper piecing, applique, and embroidery. If you'd like to start this quilt, and get some help catching up, let us know. There are a couple of places remaining.
Click here to email about joining!  CIVIL WAR JOURNALis a little further along...just finished Month Five. It is a 12-month program, which carves up this intricately pieced quilt, into manageable chunks. The reproduction fabrics are rich, and the blocks designed for successful piecing.
JO'S LITTLE WOMEN club meets again on July 26, and Mary will be back and talk about "Glimmer," among other things. Bring those "show and tell" items, even if not completely finished!
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UPCOMING LUNCH LESSONS...
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"LUNCH LESSONS" continue to be a hit at Q2A2!! These are a series of demonstrations designed to teach some basic quilting skills and increase your quilting knowledge and confidence on a variety of topics and techniques.
Make sure you check the days and times of the offerings...they vary.
The cost will be $5 per class and each one will last an hour or less...bring cash, pay in the classroom, and avoid the cash register rush.
Feel free to bring your lunch to munch while you sit and absorb quilting knowledge. Space is limited to 12-16 people, so we are asking you to EMAIL or COME BY to sign up so we can reserve your seat.
The next scheduled LUNCH LESSONS will be (see details below):
1) BEYOND BASIC BINDING
2) THE CUTTING CORNERS RULER
3) MAKING HST'S - VARIOUS METHODS
4) CRAYON TINTING BEHIND REDWORK AND EMBROIDERY
5) MACHINE APPLIQUE
6) BASIC ROTARY CUTTING (back by popular demand!)
7) SUCCESSFUL PRECISION PIECING (back by popular demand!)
Crabapple Hill has introduced the concept of crayon coloring behind Redwork embroidery. Norma Mossburg will be teaching this coloring technique twice in August.
The technique involves laying down a simple layer of white crayon, followed by subtle tinting on top with the colors of the rainbow! The results are spectacular and easy to do! Wednesday, August 8 from 12 - 1 PMSaturday, August 11 from 1:30 - 2:30 PMTeacher: Norma Mossburg Fee: $5 sign up my EMAIL with the name/date of the class, your name and phone number   Or maybe you are comfortable with basic binding and ready to try 60 degree angles or curves?
Sign up for MaryLiz's BEYOND BASIC BINDING Lunch Lesson:
Thursday, July 26, from noon - 1:00 PM
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Saturday, July 28, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM
TEACHER: MaryLiz Schoenfeld
FEE: $5
(just put "TERESA" in the subject line and the class name/date and your name/phone number in the message)  Have you had a Lunch Lesson with Marilyn Erhlich? She is like the "piped piper of quilting" and a real treasure...she's a brilliant technician and has the neatest tricks up her sleeve!
She is teaching TWO Lunch Lessons on Saturday, August 4,
"Cutting Corners Ruler," back by popular demand from 10:30 to 11:30 AM
followed by
"Making HST's - Various Methods," also an encore class, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.
Email the store to sign up!
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Learn to do Machine Applique and you can make lovely quilts like this Buggy Barn quilt, made by Wendy Ward.
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Marilyn is back on Monday, August 13 with a Lunch Lesson on Machine Applique...she will discuss fusibles, the right machine stitches, and technique. If you are curious about Machine Applique, this is a "must-take class!"
Monday, August 13 from 12:15 to 1:15 PM
TEACHER: Marilyn Ehrlich
FEE: $5
Email to sign up!
 BACK BY REQUEST! BASIC ROTARY CUTTING will be offered again by Teresa. She will show you the tools, the rules for safe cutting, how to cut strips and subcut into units, and how to use basic rulers to cut not-so-basic shapes and large pieces. She is on a mission to eliminate "smiling strips." Rotary cutting is a time-saving and accurate skill if applied correctly and safely!
Thursday, Sept 6, from noon - 1:00 PM
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Saturday, Sept 8, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM
TEACHER: Teresa Rawson FEE: $5 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP BY EMAIL!(put "TERESA" in the subject line and the class name/date and your name/phone number in the subject)
 BACK BY REQUEST! SUCCESSFUL PRECISION PIECING will be offered again by Teresa. Are you frustrated by your piecing not making accurately-sized blocks? Are you cutting off star points and having trouble making blocks that lie flat? Are you wondering why 2 blocks constructed the same way can end up 2 different sizes? She can help! Learn how to find that elusive "perfect 1/4 inch seam."
Thursday, August 23, from noon - 1:00 PM or Saturday, August 25, from 11:00 AM - noon
TEACHER: Teresa Rawson
FEE: $5
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP BY EMAIL!
(put "TERESA" in the subject line and the class name/date and your name/phone number in the subject)
MORE WILL BE SCHEDULED SOON! Have suggestions for a topic? Drop us an email and let us know!
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CLASSES
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Classes are filling quickly so be sure to email, call or drop by to have your name added to reserve a seat for the class. We need to know who is interested in each class ahead of time so that we don't cancel them thinking no one signed up!
IF YOU ARE TAKING A CLASS WITH A SEWING MACHINE IT SHOULD BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, AND YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO USE IT! TEACHERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SORT OUT PROBLEMS WITH YOUR MACHINE...IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE OTHER STUDENTS IN THE CLASS.
 The FREEZER PAPER-PAPER PIECING Lunch Lesson was such a hit, Marilyn is going to teach a class where you bring your machine and try it with her help and guidance. Monday, July 23 from 1 - 3 PM
TEACHER: Marilyn Ehrlich
FEE: $20 CLASS Maximum: 6 students click HERE to download a supply list
 BUGGY BARN CLASS is on for August! You can pick your pattern from any of Buggy Barn's publications, as long as it uses the basic Buggy Barn technique.
Saturday, August 18, starting at
12:15 PM
(this class is full, but let us know if you are interested in us scheduling a second class with Norma)
TEACHER: Norma Mossburg
Fee: $35.00
Class Max: 6-7
 Another MONDO BAG CLASS will be offered by MaryLiz!
Everyone LOVES this bag, but are unnecessarily intimidated by the directions. MaryLiz will lead you through the process. We even have some of the purple/green strip sets prepared for purchase if you liked her sample (reserve them now...). Sunday, August 19, 1:30 - 6:30 PM
TEACHER: MaryLiz Schoenfeld
FEE: $35 sign up by email with class name, your name and phone number Click here to download supply list  Marilyn wants to teach you the easy way to make a beautiful Hunter's Star quilt. She will be doing this on: Wednesday, August 22 from 11:00 to 2:00 PM We will have pictures and a supply list in the next newsletter. TEACHER: Marilyn Erhlich FEE: $20.00 (supply list coming soon!) EMAIL to sign up Click here to email TERESA to make suggestions as to class ideas, class times (weekday, evening, weekend), etc. that would work for you. We want to offer the classes and times that would work best for YOU!
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
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Admission: $6, Free Parking, Vendor Mall, Silent Auction, Door Prizes, Refreshments, Special Exhibits.
GAAQG 2012 Quilt Show: Passing On the Legacy, Saturday, July 28, 9-5 and Sunday, July 29, 11-5, Washtenaw Community College, Morris J. Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor. Here is a link for more information. AQS is hosting a Quilt Show and Contest in GRAND RAPIDS, MI
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Thank you for your support!
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Jim and Rhonda LoyQuality Quilting
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