Inventory Clearance Sale starts Dec 26 to Jan 2

We will be open after Christmas, for our Inventory Clearance Sale.  The sale starts Sat Dec 26, at 10am.  In the Quilt Shop, all green tag fabrics, will be 50% off, with a one yard minimum.  In the Pfaff Shop sale room, we are going into clearance mode.  Fabrics are currently $5.99 yard, but during our week long clearance event, all sale room fabrics will be 50% off the current sale price (that could be up to 70% off the orginal price depending on the price of the bolt).  So doing the math, this makes our sale room a wonderful deal at $2.99 yard.  Our best sale ever!!  Here's the catch.....there always is one.....you need to purchase what is remaining on the bolt, or a minimum of three yards, from the same bolt.   Otherwise the sale fabric is $5.99 yard.  There are more specials, so check last Monday's e-mail, or stop in between Dec 26 and Jan 2. 

We will be closed on Thurs Dec 31 at 2pm and will reopen on Jan 2 at 10am.  All of us the Quilters Loft wish you a very Merry Christmas and may 2010 be the a healthy, happy, creative and prosperious New Year!

What! Snow! Who ordered that!!

Well can you believe this early snow.  I did not believe that it was coming!  It was such a surprise when it decided to stick around.  We all know the weatherman doesn't always get it right.  But it was sort of an early white Christmas....but Christmas is still a week away!  Pat went home early at 10:30 since she lived in Statesville.  It was amazing how many people were out and about in the snow.  Around three when it looked like it was going to really hang around, Sarah and Nancy went home.  Of course, I'm such a die hard that I stayed til past 5:30, just in case someone needed a last minute gift, and we did say we would be open late.  When the snow got to be 2 inches deep, I reconsidered and packed up and went home.  Not a fun drive!  Took the dog out when I got home, and took a flying flip off the deck.  Ouch!!!  Too many bruises to discuss, but I think I'm still alive.  Well of course I am, I'm typing this note.  So, Saturday, hung around the house since we couldn't go to work.  Would rather have been at work, as we were going to have a Thimbleberries Party and the food is oh so gooood.  Well, it's rescheduled so we aren't going to miss out.  Yeah!! 

If you are not on the e-mail list, you are missing out.  You can join our e-mail list from the blog.  Tomorrow details about our inventory clearance sale, goes out and it starts Dec 26th.  We will be closed Dec 23 to Dec 25, so all of us can spend some time with our family and friends.  

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday, if you celebrate another holiday and hope that you have a blessed time with family and friends.

Make it Quick for Christmas Classes

Placemat -Quilt as You Go

Fee:$10 (includes supplies for 1 placemat)

Friday Dec 4, 10:30 to 12:30pm

Instructor: Erica Ransom

We are starting out our series with a fun placemat. You can make one or a dozen, but you will only be making one in class. I whipped up a quick design that has a pocket for a napkin and silverware. We will use the quilt as you go method. Your sample will be make with wonderful holiday fabrics. I will be making the kits. All you need to bring is your scissors, rotary cutter and mat. Please sign up and prepay for the class in advance. Space is limited as we are sewing so don't wait to sign up!

String Ornaments

Fee $10 (includes supplies for 1 ornament)

Friday Nov 11, 10:30 to 12:30pm

Instructor: Erica Ransom

Learn to make these fun string ornaments with string and starch. You will be making one in class. It most likely will still be wet when you leave so bring something that it can be carried in. Please sign up in advance as space is limited. You may want to bring a pair of surgical gloves if your hands are sensitive to starch!

Tea Towel Apron

$10 (includes all supplies for 1 apron)

Friday Dec 18, 10:30-12:30pm

Instructor: Erica Ransom

Here's a fast way to make an apron! When I first opened the shop, I made lots of these...everyone wanted one! Our tea towels are large enough. You can pick your tea towel from our vast assortment and a matching fabric. We will cut your kit for class. Please sign up early so we can be prepared for class. All you need to bring is matching thread, scissors, rotary cutter and mat. Space is limited so sign up soooon. It's a wonderful handmade gift for just about anyone on your gift list!

Nat'l Cupcake Day Sat Oct 24

Come and celebrate National Cupcake Day on Saturday Oct 24, from 10:30 am to 4 pm with us.

We will be set up in the Pfaff Shop Classroom as Thimbleberries Club is on the same day and they will be using the upstairs classroom. We all love cupcakes and what better excuse to eat some than this special day.

Everyone is going to make their favorite cupcakes for you to try. I am going to make "butterfly" cupcakes, something my cousin Maggie in England taught me. Hers are so much better than mine but mine are still pretty good. I wish she would pop across the pond to help with our day. She is a wonderful baker and makes wedding, anniversay and other cakes and is in hot demand. Maggi makes everything at home. It takes hours to make the tradional English Wedding Cake with special icing called Royal Icing and yes, a type of fruitcake. Not your tradional fruit cake and oh so good. I love the Royal Icing. What a great home based business.

I am not sure what everyone else is making, but if I told all that would spoil the surprise! Watching what you eat......well I am going to make a receipe I saw on Rachel Ray, by "Hungry Girl", that uses no eggs or oil. It looked good and I understand that they are good. All the taste with no guilt! Check out "Hungry Girls" blog. Lots of wonderful ideas, reducing fat and calories, with all the taste of the "real" thing.

So join us for this fun day, we will have in-store specials, and taste our cupcakes. We will also have coffee and my "famous" hot apple cider. Just in time for cooler weather, and to get ready for the holidays to come.

Taking the Stairs

Sometimes attachments to e-mails are too good to pass up. My friend Karen who is now living in Brazil sent a wonderful e-mail with this video. I am wondering if we could do this to our stairs. Oh, what fun it would be! Enjoy!

Art on Main Update

Friday night was a perfect summer evening for a stroll down Main Street. What a wonderful evening we had at our first Art on Main Event. We spent Thursday evening getting everything ready for the big evening. Once Judy's art and quilts were all hung, we realized how bare the walls were in the Pfaff Shop and Classroom. We talked Judy into leaving some of her pieces in the shop. If you were not able to come to Art on Main, you still have a chance to see some of Judy's works of art! Harry was busy taking pictures, but he focused on the art and not on everything. I guess he doesn't like "people" in his pictures! We'll have to train him for the next event! We were so excited when Judy sold one of her Art pieces! It was a wonderful sunset, and has gone to a good home! I wonder what we will do for the next Art on Main event! Mark your calendars for the second Friday of the month for Art on Main. Lots of shops are open for this event, with featured artists, and I think the Wine Shop has wine tasting.

Judy discussing the landscape quilt.

This is the Landscape "Overlook"

Judy's First Painting! It's still in the shop!

Yes, it looks like a painting but it's a fiber art quilt! We have it in the shop.

We all loved this one. Gray paint on fabrics and thread painted. There is a story to this one!

Another painting done by Judy!

A wonderful undersea art quilt.

Art on Main Street -Guest Artist - Judy Whitehead Mixed Media Artist- Friday July 10, 6-9pm

Judy Whitehead is a North Carolina based Mixed Media Artist, currently working in fiber and paint. She started sewing at the age of 7, and has not put down her needle and thread since. She is currently self-employed as a longarm quilter (Goneaway Quilting, Cleveland, NC) and spends her evenings and weekends pursuing her passion for art.
Judy’s works are based on her deep love and respect for nature, color, and mythology. As her work has evolved, she has grown into an artist who bridges both the traditional quilt world and the fiber art world. Currently Judy’s work can be seen at Southern Spirit Gallery in Salisbury, NC.

Past exhibitions of her work include:
“The Journal Quilt Project 2006 and 2007”, International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX
“Reflections of Nature”, solo show, 2009, Mitchell Community College, Statesville, NC
“The Art of Cloth”, group show, 2009, Lincoln Cultural Center, Lincolnton, NC

Pieces currently travelling:
“Connections”, The Voice That Is Great Within exhibit, Fiberarts Connection of Southern California.
“Fractured Beauty”, My World in Black and White exhibit, Fiberarts Connection of Southern California.

Judy’s quilts and longarm quilting have been published in:
“Creative Quilting: The Journal Quilt Project”, Quilting Arts LLC
“Fast Flying Geese”, Karin Hellaby, Quilters Haven Publications“My World in Black and White”, Fiberarts Connection of Southern California

Quilts of Valor Sew-In Friday July 3, 2009

Pat had a great time leading the Quilts of Valor Sew-In. We were not sure how many would come being a holiday weekend! Our youngest sewer, Justine, had a wonderful time and she sewed her blocks with all the points matching. Everyone had fun, lots of laughs and enough blocks to make another quilt for our favorite project, Quilts of Valor. Pat will be finishing this one. We will have another Sew-In soon. Thanks to all who participated. Janet was not able to come, had fun playing with her grandkids, but hopefully will be available to lead next time.

Happy 60th Birthday

When I arrived in the shop, my office was decorated with balloons! What a nice surprise. There were more balloons in the classroom with flowers from Reba's garden. Harry sent me some beautiful carnations. Everyone surprised me with something special. Louise made a fresh strawberry cake with whipped cream. It was wonderful. I was wondering how I would feel turning 60. Everyone says it is a milestone, but what does that mean? I don't feel 60, but then what does 60 suppose to feel like? It seems like I was just 50 the other day! What happened to the years! Does anyone know? Thanks for making my birthday special. Time sure flies when you are having fun!

Speaking of time, the shop is turning 7 this September, and I wonder how that happened. It just seemed like the other day we opened! We were looking at pictures taken on opening day, and my how we have grown. Thanks to all of you who have supported us through the years. We enjoy so many friendships and we are looking forward to making many more. Let's have fun and join the challenge we have cooked up, and celebrate in September. I have to think of something special to do for our 7th Birthday. Got any ideas! E-mail me if you do.

Calling all Girls Ages 8 to 12. Win a Seat in Kids Sewing Camp and a New Pfaff Hobby 1132 Sewing Machine!

I had a thought, really I did, about how we could interest kids in sewing. We know that these economic times are tough for some parents to send their children to Summer Camp. This year I am going to have a writing contest for girls 8-12, who would like a chance to attend camp, and go home with their own Pfaff Hobby 1132! The time period to enter is limited, and entires are due June 13, 2009.

So calling all children, grandchildren, neighbors, girl scouts, home schoolers, etc to enter the challenge. Forward to a friend who might be interested.

Here is how to enter the writing contest!

The contestant will write a one page letter, in their best handwriting (no typed letters) on who they are, their age, why they would like to attend sewing camp, and how they will use what they learned in camp in the future.

The letters must be original, in the contestants own words and handwriting. (not their parents) Their name, address, phone number and e-mail address should also be included on the letter. (Parents may help with this part)

Entries must be submitted in person, and handed to the staff in at Quilters Loft Company in Pfaff Sewing Machine Shop. Letters will be reviewed by the staff at the Quilters Loft and the winner will be chosen for their originality, handwriting and desire to learn. All letters will be on display in the quilt shop.

The winner will be chosen June 18, and notified by phone, or e-mail, that they have won the contest.

The winner must be available to attend camp Tuesday June 23 to Friday June 26 from 10:30am to 2:30pm.

Start writing now and good luck. Remember your entries are due June 13, 2009. We are looking forward to receiving the letters!

Calling all Janiacs! New Club Starting Soon!

Yes, we are calling all Janiacs! Alice Gray will be leading our newly forming Janiac Club. Former Quilters Loft Janiacs - have you finished your blocks, your Quilt? Have no fear, here's your chance to finish another project. Alice has finished her quilt and it should be coming home from the Professional Quilter. She is going to lead, teach and help you finish yours.

Don't have a clue what a Janiac is? Janiacs are followers of the Dear Jane Quilt. "Jane A. Blakely Stickle was born in Vermont, lived her married life in Shaftsbury and was buried in the cemetery behind the town's First Baptist Church. She signed her quilt, 80 1⁄4 inches by 80 1⁄4 inches in size, "In War Time 1863, Pieces 5,602, Jane A. Stickle." The quilt is part of a collection kept at the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vt. It is displayed yearly in September and October. According to the museum's Web site, Vermont had the highest number of soldiers per capita fighting in the Civil War - more than 32,000 in all. Records show that Jane Stickle had no children of her own, but she probably knew all of the young men serving from her small town. At least seven of her nephews also were in Vermont regiments. The pieced and appliqued cotton quilt she made is technically challenging, consisting of 169 square blocks (not one is the same) and 52 larger isosceles triangle blocks forming the border. It's finished with four corner blocks and a scalloped edge." (Info taken from http://www.gjsentinel.com/)

Some of the blocks are challenging, but have no fear, Alice will teach you how. The club atmosphere will be fun and you will meet other Janiacs. These quilts have been done all over the nation, and have also been made as "Baby Janes", a smaller version of the original. They have also been made in many fabrics, including batiks. We have not set a date yet for the new Janiac Club, but would like to know how many are interested. Please e-mail erica2nc@earthlink.net, to let me know you are interested. We will set a Club date with details soon.

Grandquilter 18.8

The new Grandquilter 18.8 and QBOT. Be the first to try the newest addition to the line of Pfaff Machines. This is a professional machine made especially for Pfaff. The quilting area is 18 inches deep and 8 inches high. It has a built in stitch regulator and we believe one of the best frames on the market. It is heavy duty and has three tracks to glide the carriage with the Grandquilter 18 X 8. You can quilt with or without the stitch regulator. Best of all QBOT also works with the Grandquilter 18 X 8. You can really advance your quilting with the Grandquilter 18 X 8 and QBOT. Read on for more details about QBOT.

Thimbleberries Club 2009

Are you ready for 3' Company? This is the new Thimbleberries Club for 2009. Join us for a fun year of friendship, show and tell, instructions for making the monthly blocks and more. Each year Lynette designs a new project for members of the Thimbleberries Club. The Club projects are exclusive to club members. We have room for 20 club members and we have decided to make the traditional version only this year.

The 2009 Thimbleberries quilt, 3's Company, is a wonderful sampler you will love for many years. Each sampler block is made using 3 fabrics, and framed with 3 borders, a small inner border, a pieced block border, and a floral border. All this comes together perfectly. The quilt is a queen size at 80" x 98". During this 12-month block of the month program, you will receive the patterns and fabrics needed to make 3 six inch blocks and 1 twelve inch block each month. You will also receive 3 extra quilt projects to enjoy throughout the year!

Our first meeting will be Saturday January 24th at 10:30 am to 11:30 ish! This is an introduction meeting where those who are interested can sign up for the club. All details about the club will be revealed at the meeting. We had a great club for 2008 and most members are coming back for the 2009 club year.

Meet the Teacher Reception - Thursday Jan 22, 2009

Join us on Thursday Jan 22 from 6pm to 8pm to for our quarterly Meet the Teacher Reception. Our teachers have lots of fun projects planned for you. We will roll out our new clubs and other activities at the same time. Refreshments and lots of show and tell. Save the date and plan to sign up for new classes. We always have a special on our Meet the Teachers night for classes, along with door prizes and specials throughout the store. Plan to be there so you don't miss out!