Christmas Challenge - Mooresville Christian Mission

Did you know that the Mooresville Christian Mission has taken care of over 4,000 families so far this year?  They are even seeing the "middle class"!  With the unemployment rate hovering around 10%, and no relief in sight, the Mooresville Christian Mission is going to be serving even more families that are trying to get a job, pay their power bill and put food on their table for their families.

Quilters Loft has always taken on challenges to help our community.  We have had food drives for the Soup Kitchen, and My Sisters House.  In past years we have supported Quilts of Valor and at Christmas we have made cards for Veterans.

This year we are taking donations of white cotton socks, donating fabrics to make special pillowcase and making cards to support our Veterans in the local VA Hospital in Salisbury.  We learned they had a great need for white socks and thanks to our wonderful customers, we are close to our goal of 100 socks.  Lots of you came to our pillowcase sew-ins and we are close to 100 pillowcases too.  

We are having a girls night out Friday Dec 10 starting at 5pm to finish the cards just in time for our Christmas Open House so that all of you can assist in personalizing the cards for the Veterans.  This will make them so much more special!

This year I challenge all of you (Christmas Challenge) to help me meet our goal of $2,000 to donate to the Mooresville Christian Mission to provide Christmas or Holiday meals for 80 families.  I learned at Thanksgiving that $25 provides a meal for a family in need.  For every $25 that you donate, I will match up to $1,000.

All you need to do is to bring your check  made out to the Mooresville Christian Mission and drop it off before December 16  at Quilters Loft, so I will be able to match your donation.  The Mooresville Christian Mission is a charitable organization, so your contribution is tax deductible.

Let see how we can make a difference in our community.  All of us at the Quilters Loft thank you in advance for your support of the Mooresville Christian Mission.

Special Events Friday Nov 19 and Saturday Nov 20, Kothy Hafersat - Pfaff Sewing Consultant

Kothy has been sewing for more than 25 years. Kothy was a quilt teacher and sewing machine instructor at a local quilt store in Connecticut. She is an owner of Simply Everything Label, a pattern and embroidery design business.  She has appeared on America Sews with Sue Hausmann as a guest educator.  Her love of creating with fabric and sewing machines started at an early age as she learned to sew with her grandmother. Over the years, Kothy expanded on those basic skills, refining and experimenting, and now brings her varied and innovative design talents to her works. In the recent years she has expanded her creative knowledge to the computer, and has enjoyed teaching people just how exciting and fun the 4D and 5D Embroidery Software is. Kothy enjoys sharing her many innovative techniques with other sewing enthusiasts, and teaches quilting, sewing, and embroidery software throughout the United States as a Pfaff Sewing Ambassador and thru her own business, Simply Everything Label.

Special Event Schedule:

Friday November 19, 9am to 1pm
Simply Everything Sewing Techniques and Trunk Show

Learn the latest and greatest tips and techniques in sewing.  See what's the new in accessories for your machine and how to use them.  The trunk show will give you inspiration!

Friday November 19, 2pm to 6pm
Embroidery Software 4D to 5D Differences

Kothy will be showing you the difference in our new 5D Embroidery Software.  If you currently own 3D, 4D or another software program, this will give you the opportunity to see what is new in Embroidery Software.  Kothy will have samples to show you all the great features.  Kothy is also one of the authors of the Simply Teach Me Series, for our software programs.

Saturday November 20, 10am to 2pm
Meet the New Quilt Artist and the Pfaff Grandquilter 18.8

If you loved our QBOT robot, then you will really love the Quilt Artist.  This automated quilting robot with a touch screen will make your quilting so much more fun and just think of all the quilt tops you can get done!  If you have been thinking that you might like to do your quilting on a frame, then this is the program for you!  Kothy will show you all the features and if there is time you will get the opportunity to try for yourself!

Please call today to reserve your place as space is limited and you won't want to miss out!  There is a $10 fee for each program and when you attend, we will give you a gift certificate to be used in the store, just for attending.  Sorry there will be no refunds if you decide not to attend, as space is limited and someone else could have come in your place.

Debra Bohn presents "Feel the Creativity" from Pfaff Convention, Saturday August 14 from 1pm to 3pm

Straight from the Pfaff convention!

Come join Debra Bohn Pfaff Certified Sewing Ambassador, for an exciting demonstration of the most exciting, new products available for home embroiderers, quilters, home dec and garment sewing.

See the new cutwork needles in motion!

Experience the excitement of 5D Embroidery Software!

New design collections to inspire you!

Many more exciting new products!

Date: Saturday, August 14 from  1 pm – 3 pm.  Reservation required to reserve your place as space is limited.  We will present in the Pfaff Shop Classroom.

Denise Applegate-Schrober Guest Educator for QBOT - What's New in Quilting Technology -Lecture/Demo on Sunday June 6, 1-4pm

We are fortunate to have Denise Applegate-Schrober, a special guest Educator for QBOT, assist us at the NC Symposium of Quilts in Charlotte this on Friday and Saturday June 4-5,2010.  The Symposium of Quilts is being hosted by the Charlotte Quilters Guild.  Denise will be demonstrating the QBOT in our booth.  After the show we are going to host a QBOT Event in our store, on Sunday June 6, from 1-4PM.  Denise will show you how technology can enhance your quilting.  Later in the presentation, Denise will show you the designing software, and you will be amazed at all you can do in the software.  Just think about all the creative possibilities!!  The event in the store is $20, and advanced registration is suggested in order for you to reserve your seat.  What could be better on a Sunday afternoon!  We will have light refreshments too. 




What is QBOT you ask? Well it stands for Quilting based on Technology.

QBOT(TM) Does it for You!

Automatic, hands-free movement across your quilt, stitching the perfect design!

Simple - truly easy to install and use.

Professional Results - you are the profession! There is no need to pay someone a premium price to personalize your unique quilt!

Intricate designs stitched beautifully - create design-quality that would be impossible to create by hand.

Fit designs to your quilts needs - stencils that don't fit are history! You can now perfectly size designs for any block - without tools!

"Record" your own designs - save your stitching movements so they can be repeated exactly the same way, or scaled any way you want. You do not have to take your frame apart to free motion manually.

Set up your quilting frame and QBOT (TM) anywhere you want it - QBOT (TM) works with or without a computer connected. You do not have to be computer literate to use the QBOT.

128 MB SD QBOT (TM) card included - transfer and store your designs easily. The SD card comes with designs already built in so you can start right away.

QBOT Software - now you can design your own quilting designs (called paths) and transfer them to a SD card. You can expand your creativity and personalize your quilts in ways you would not have thought possible.

Kids Camp Student Wins at State Math Fair!

Hi Erica,
I had the privilege of judging the K-2 regional winners at the State Math Fair about a week and a half ago. There was a second grader who had a quilting project. I don't remember her name but the 6 judges were unanimous that she was the 1st place state winner! I'm telling you this because in our interview with her she said that she took a sewing class at Quilter's Loft last summer; her mother doesn't sew, but her neighbor does.

As a math teacher and a quilter, I was blown away by this young lady's project. She had batting on her backboard holding up blocks so she could remove them, fold them and show different types of symmetry and geometric transformations. She demonstrated each of them, then showed in the book The Quiltmaker's Gift examples of each. Then shared a quilt magazine and showed each type used in a quilt. I quizzed her by asking for her to tell us about a block that she had not picked out to discuss with us. She nailed it!! Something you guys did got her started-and I'm sure she got an A in math this year!! What a delightful day it was for me.
Just wanted to share,
Dee Hanlin

Thank you Dee for sharing, I am sure that Sarah will be pleased to hear how well one of her students has done. We love to hear how we influence the young to keep the art of quilting going.
We hope that all our students will continue to sew for years to come.

Sit and Sew - Got UFO's

Join us every Monday and Tuesday from 11am to 3pm, in the Pfaff Shop Classroom, for our weekly "Sit and Sew".  It's a great way to get out of the house, have some fun, meet new friends, bring a friend, and work on some of your projects that have been hanging around with a "UFO" sign on them!!  The is the year to finish your "UFO's".  Don't have a "UFO", then stop in and our wonderful staff can help you find a project that will keep you sewing!

We will supply the coffee and cookies, you can bring your lunch, a snack to share or stop in and get something at one of our local restaurants. 

It's always fun to sew at the Loft!

Danny Wicker Joins the Team!

We have had so many requests to service other brand machines that we are now forturnate to be able to offer service on ALL Brands to you.  Danny will be starting at the Quilters Loft on Feb 2, 2010 and will work Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We are now accepting appointments for Danny's Schedule.  When you schedule an appointment for an Annual Maintenance, (yes all machines need this service), you'll be able to drop off your machine at your appointment time, and in most circumstances you will be able to wait for it.  Please call the shop, 704-662-8660, and schedule your appointment today.  When you schedule your appointment now thru February 28, 2010, you will save 30% on your cleaning service. (Parts and Repairs excluded)

Danny graduated from Needle Trades Technology Greensboro, NC in 1977. His first job was with Wrangler Jeans as a sewing machine technician at various plants in eastern NC. In 1983 he moved to Regency Bedspreads Co. in Conover, NC and was employed as a sewing machine technician. There he gained experience repairing industrial long arm quilting machines and computerized single head quilting machines. In 1989 he moved to Peaches and Cream Inc. and was employed as head sewing machine technician, responsible for 2 manufacturing facilities in Whitakers and Sharpsburg NC. In 1994 he became owner of Statesville Singer Center, an existing Singer and Pfaff dealership established in 1951. He later moved the business and changed the name to Wicker Sewing Machine Co. and specialized in the repair and service of all brands and models of sewing machines. Danny's interests include gardening and music, and he is an award winning guitarist. He is the father of 3 children; Amber, Luke, and Kate; and one granddaughter, Niya. He is an active member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Statesville and lives with his wife Cathy and 2 teenagers on a 14 acre hobby farm in West Iredell lovingly called "The Miracle Farm." Danny says "I am excited about setting up shop at the Quilters Loft and I hope my 30+ years experience will prove to be an asset there. I am looking forward to serving both new and existing customers, with their sewing machine service and repair needs."

Candid Shots of the Dreaded Inventory Count

We had a wonderful time taking inventory.  This year we had lots of help and got everything done in record time, that we just had to re-organize the shop!   Actually I had been planning it for months, just kept it quiet!  Judy and Reba spent two days cleaning, wonder if they hire out!  What a great job they did!  We wanted to give you more room to walk around, showcase the Batiks, since they are so gorgeous anyway, and oh, did you know the Aborgines have arrived?  Well, what I really mean is, we now have a beautiful collection of fabrics from Australia and they sure go well with the Batiks. 

Of course we ate well, since we seldom get to take lunch, never mind that we got to "do lunch" together, although two days in a row or was that three of Panera's Bread started to get a little overdone!  Still pizza wasn't bad either!  Love that BBQ chicken!  But I did sneek up on some of our staff, in their most "candid" moments, kind of like "candid camera".  Enjoy!  Our customers who helped sure stayed out of camera range, cause I couldn't find any pictures of them!  Wait til next year.....I'll get them for sure......

Courtney - Where did she find that Hat!

Whose bottom is it anyway!

Judy Cleaning - doesn't she look great!  Guess who's holding the vacuum?

Reba's bib!  She needed it to drool over the Batiks!

She doesn't see us, does she? (Pat and Sarah)

Did you know I took a ladder safety class?

I'm counting -Did you need something?

Nancy and Laura - how many buttons was that!

Did you know this room had a Crib?  Who left the baby?

OK!  Where does this stuff go?

Are we making progress!

Was all that under the table?

Organizing, organizing, organizing!! Don't the Batik's look great! 

You'll just have to stop in and see what's new and where we put everything.  You'll be surprised and yes, we have lots of new stuff!!  And we are still under construction, putting back quilts, and rearranging!  You'll love what we have done to the place!  Soon we will have a new notions wall....stay tuned!

Quilting and Fiber Art Marketplace Showcases Unique Small Businesses

The Quilting and Fiber Art Marketplace

Friday, January 8, 2010 and Saturday, January 9, 2010

Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center

1801 Nash St., Sanford, NC 27330.

The show hours are 9 am to 5 pm on both days.

Admission is $4.00.

The Quilting and Fiber Art Marketplace features 38 shops under one roof that will interest any quilter, knitter, or fiber craftsperson. The show is organized by The Quilter's Gallery which is owned by Cindy Page and Patti Cline, sisters that operated their quilt shop in Charlotte for over 25 years. The purpose of the show is to help small needlework shops work together to promote business. The Page sisters chose Sanford as their location because of the easy access from nearby metropolitan areas. Knowing that many customers don't like the traffic in big cities, they chose to bring shops from Raleigh, Cary, Fayetteville and Greensboro to the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Several regional shops, as well as shops from as far away as Maryland and Suffolk, Va. will also participate. With easy access and plenty of parking, the QFAM will pull customers from Greensboro to Wilmington, and from Raleigh to Fayetteville. Customer can enjoy "green shopping" by saving gas and time, since all their favorite shops are in one accessible location.

Shoppers will find lots of fabric, both cottons and woolens, as well as quilting supplies at the QFAM. Many dealers stock traditional quilting designs, but exotic Asian and African fabrics will also be available. Several dealers with sewing machines, embroidery machines and long arm quilting machines will be there as well. Knitters will find yarns and a variety of fibers. Shaker boxes, needlepoint, rug hooking and buttons will round out the variety of merchandise. Mixed media artist will be able to shop for supplies like rubber stamps and painting supplies. Jewelry makers will find beads and a variety of findings for their pleasure. These vendors offer knowledge and skills about their products that are not available at “big box” stores. These shops are “hands on” management, that take great pride in their craft and merchandise.

Some shops will have shop samples, quilt tops and quilts for sale. This is the perfect time to pull out those quilt tops in your closet, bring them with you to the show, and talk to some of the long arm machine quilters who provide finishing services. Machine quilting is now a beautiful and practical alternative to hand quilting. It is strong, durable and cost effective. Many machine quilted examples will be on display in the different booths.

Several quilting guilds will be represented, displaying their cooperative efforts in their Raffle Quilts. Sales of raffle tickets help support community projects like donation quilts to hospitals and police and fire departments. Piedmont and Gate City Guilds will be represented from Greensboro. Also represented will be the Tarheel Quilt Guild from Fayetteville, and Quilter’s by the Sea from Wilmington. Charleston, SC will be represented by the Cobblestone Quilting Guild.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. This show is an effort to showcase many passionate shop owners from a specialty market. A marketplace format provides small shops a focused, affordable retail event. A marketplace format is also free enterprise in its purest form, a business owner dealing directly with his customer. Food will be available onsite, prepared by Chef Paul, a popular local caterer.

The Quilting and Fiber Art Marketplace will offer shoppers a variety of merchandise. The 38 participating shops are excited to display their talents and to offer shoppers a wide variety of the latest and most innovative merchandise to get those creative juices flowing. Easy access makes this the perfect venue for some shoppers that have limited mobility, or those intimidated by metro area traffic. We are hoping to provide support for small shops that are often overlooked or ignored by retail news. Yet these small businesses are the backbone of the US economy. The Quilting and Fiber Art Marketplace proposes to create excitement for the Sanford venue and the participating vendors which will allow QFAM to become an annual event rivaling other well known consumer quilting shows.
Annie's Keepsakes


Rockwell, NC 28138
Vicki Clontz
http://www.annieskeepsakes.com/
704-279-7714

Wools, patterns, wool felt, wool fibers, kits, needle-felt supplies, and notions. Free needle felt demos Drawing for free merchandise.

20 year anniversary hat contest.

Artistic Artifacts
Alexandria, Va. 22304
Judy Gula
http://www.artisticartifacts.com/
703-823-0202 x 213

Mixed media fiber and paper, hand dyed vintage fabric, trims, doilies, ephemera, buttons, beads and found fabrics, embellishments.

Auntie Ju's Quilt Shoppe
Wilmington, NC 28409
http://www.auntiejusquiltshoppe.com/
910-350-8045

Fabric, wool applique kits, punch needle patterns/flosses/supplies. Quilt kits and patterns. hand dyed wool. books, notions, and gift items. Punch needle demos throughout the day.

Bolton Jewelers
Lewisville, NC 27023
Kathleen Homer
http://www.boltonjewelers.com/
email - boltonjewelers@bellsouth.net
336-766-0642

Hand crafted wire wrapped and beaded jewelry.

Common Threads
Louella Caison and Phyllis Mabry
Denton, NC
336-857-2488

Handwoven items such as scarves, table runners, tea towels, placemats, rag rugs, mug rugs and more. Beautiful scarves of rayon, rayon chenille and wool. Very absorbent and soft tea towels that can be used over and over for years. Table runners and placemats of natural and dyed cotton. One of a kind rag rugs, are made of recycled fabrics, pre washed to insure that the rugs remain the size and shape that you bought.

Cotton Fields Quilt Shop
3751 Wharton Station Road
Washington, NC 27889
Lori Richardson
http://www.cottonfieldsnc.com/
252-948-0372

"Joining fabric, fun and friends". We offer top quality cotton quilting fabrics such as florals, Asians, batiks, 30's, novelties and blenders. We specialize in books, patterns and kits for fun and unusual quilts, bags, and fabric crafts. Visit our website.

The Cotton Quilt
4900 Troy Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
828-244-7797
Web: www.thecottonquilt.com

Fabrics and fat quarters

Featherweight Poppy
Salisbury, NC
http://www.featherweight-poppy.com/
704-639-1326

Singer 221 and 222 Featherweight sewing machines, parts and supplies.

Hunter's Woodcraft
Lexington, NC and McIntosh, Fla.
352-591-4760
email - southernkingdom@windstream.net

Glass cases, ladders, quilt racks, vintage treadle tables, vintage quilts, tie chairs and bears.

Karen's Colors
Cary, NC 27519
Karen Poetzinger
919-303-5768
http://www.karenpoetzinger.com/

Hand-dyed woolens and silks, rug hooking and wool applique patterns, rug hooking supplies. hooked rugs and hooked wall art. Rug hooking demo.

Knit One, Smock Too
4003 A Country Club Rd.
Winston Salem, NC 27014
336-765-9099
email - knit1smck2@aol.com

Quilting fabrics. knitting yarns and patterns, smocking and heirloom sewing supplies, needle point canvases, hand dyed wool for applique and rug hooking.

Judy Lea Enterprises
Concord, NC
http://www.judyleaenterprizes.com/
704-763-3709

Embellishments, fabric paints. ethnic prints, silks and batiks. a lot of unique supplies for the quilter and mixed media artist. Specializing in accessories for hand bags.

Local Color Hues
Durham, NC 27715
Lorin Fields
919-358-4648
http://www.beyondsurface.com/
email - localcolourhues@gmail.com

Hand dyed cotton and silk fabrics. Quilting patterns. Charm packs/geodes of selected cuts.

Imagination Quilt Shop
Sanford, NC
http://www.imaginationquiltshoppe.com/
919-724-0444

We offer 100s of bolts of quality quilting fabric by Island Batik, Kaffe Fassett, Michael Miller and others. We also offer Machine Quilting Services. We are located near West Lee Middle School. Call for an appointment. 919-721-0444

Linderella's Quilt Works
Camellia Parke Shoppes/Olmstead Village
246 D Olmstead Blvd.
Pinehurst, NC 28374
http://www.linderellas.com/
910-215-5981

LQW is the newest quilt shop and creative sewing center in the Sandhills region. Bright and cheerful, this premier quilt shop offers a wide variety of the finest quilting cottons, a large assortment of the newest books, patterns and quilt gifts, along with the the most innovative sewing notions and quilting items. The store also hosts several quilting classes and workshops on a variety of quilting techniques and styles for the novice as well as beginner. Off Hwy. 221 and Hwy. 5, our hours are Mon. - Sat. - 10 am - 6 pm.

Loving Stitches
7076 Ramsey St
Fayetteville, NC 28311
http://www.lovingstitches.net/
910-630-3912
Bernina and Gammill machines

Lynne's Outlet
1328 East Raleigh St.
Siler City, NC 27344
919-742-6084

We are only 22 miles up Hwy. 421 from Sanford! We will do special orders for people. We are also a ribbon store and stock several thousand rolls. Check us out for Christmas and weddings. Free bow tying with purchase of ribbon. Lots of lace. We have lots of vintage fabrics and trims. Bought out a Charles Craft factory. The place for cross stitch and floss.



Quilter's Loft Company
188 N. Main St.
Mooresville, NC
Erica Ransom
704-662-8660
erica2nc@earthlink.net

http:/quiltersloftcompany.blogspot.com

Fabrics, books, notions, threads and gifts.

The Quilting Solution
Taylorsville, NC
http://www.thequiltingsolution.com/
864-275-7079

Home longarm quilting machines and computer control systems.

Quilter's Gallery
Gastonia, NC
http://www.quiltersgallery.net/
704-376-2531 or 704-864-4894

We'll have plenty of our freshly made Fabric Pizzas!

Quilts Like Crazy
1241 S. Main St. #8
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-562-3425
http://www.quiltslikecrazy.com/

Fabric, notions and patterns

Random Arts
Saluda, NC
Jane Powell
828-749-1165/828-290-8476
randomarts@charter.net
randomartsnow.com

An eclectic mixture of random found objects, ephemera, vintage odds and ends, custom items specific to our shop and much, much more.

In addition to our booth at the QFAM, we are offering a 4 hr. workshop at the Holiday Inn Express on Friday Jan. 8th from 6 - 10 pm. Check our website for registration and details.

Sabi Jewelry and Beads
Saluda, NC 28773
Louise McClure
828-749-3768
email - sabijewelry@aol.com

Beads, charms, wire, metal findings, jewelry kits, semi-precious stones and pendants, workboards, embellishments, pearls, stringing materials, tools, image transfer solution, and finished items.

Schoolhouse Quilts
399 Sunset Memorial Rd.
Forest City, NC 28043
http://www.schoolhousequiltsnc.com/
828-245-9774

You can find supplies that meet the needs of the beginner to the art quilter at SHQ. Our shop is the quilting "hardware" store as well as a "library" book selection that is second to none. We will have a collection of clearance books.

Sew it Seams
905 Arendell St.
Morehead City, NC
http://www.sewitseamsquiltshopp.com/
252-247-2114

Fabrics and notions for quilting

Sew Unique
8800 Harvest Oaks Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27615
http://www.sewuniquefabrics.com/
919-845-8802

Janome sewing machines, original design patterns, kits, fabrics, embellishments and unique buttons. We will feature show specials on machines. demonstrations of embroidery machines, special accessories for sewing, quilting and embellishment.

Suffolk Shaker Shop
Suffolk, VA
757-255-4574
Web: www.suffolkshakershop.com
http://www.suffolkshakershop.com/

Special features for the show - Handmade Shaker oval boxes and carriers.

Textile Treasures
Winston Salem, NC
http://www.textiletreasursonline.com/
703-989-3515

I feature fabrics from Japan, Indonesia, Ghana and Australia, as well as specialty cottons and silks from the US. Numerous samples, books, kits and patterns are also provided to inspire working with these wonderful fabrics. I also provide fabrics, kits, threads and needles for Japanese Sashiko stitching.

Thimble Pleasures
225 S. Elliott Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-968-6050
thimblepleasures@bellsouth.net
http://www.thimblepleasures.com/

Quilting fabric

This and That Yarns
3712 B Lawndale Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27455
336-288-0034
kopdyke@triad.rr.com

Yarns, patterns, needles, and notions. This and That is a full service yarn shop taking pride in serving the Piedmont Triad with quality products and services.

Unique Yarns
Mooresville, NC
uniqueyarns@etsy.com
704-658-1444
Hand painted yarns


Wish Upon a Quilt
8817 Westgate Park #104
Raleigh, NC 27617
http://www.wishuponaquilt.com/
919-782-6363

Wish Upon A Quilt is an independently owned quilt store. We have over 4,000 bolts of brand name fabric in stock and offer low prices and fast shipping all over the world. Come in and take a look!


Ye Olde Forest Quilters
3706 Elmsley Ct. #102
Greensboro, NC 27406
http://www.yeoldeforest.com/
336-339-5790

Fabric, Kits, AccuGo! fabric cutting system/ A friendly, full service quilt shop located in the heart of NC. Check out our exclusive show specials. Free demos on the AccCut Go! fabric cutting system. APQS reps and educators.