Tip of the Week

One of the challenges that beginning quilters face are those 1/4 inch seams---there isn't a whole lot of room for error.  And if the seams aren't straight and exact it can throw off the whole quilt making it difficult or nearly impossible to piece; with crooked results.

Never fear though---help is available no matter what machine you own. For those who have Husqvarna/ Viking machines---Designer Diamond, Rubys, Sapphires, and the Emerald 203 simply be sure to choose the 1/4 inch stitch and use your A or B foot.

If you have a machine that doesn't have the special 1/4 inch stitch, pay the Sewing Center a visit and pick up a 1/4 inch or Quilting foot accessory for your particular machine. They come in metal or see through plastic and will help keep those stitches at a quarter of an inch and your quilt even and accurate for a more professional result.            

Notion of the week

Our notion of the week is the Dakota Collectables Holiday Ornament Design CD. This CD makes a 20 Lace Applique Ornaments all in the hoop.

These ornaments will delight young and old alike. The possiblities are endless:

 

Add a set or two to your tree.

 Add one to a package for a decorative and elegant wrap.

Great Christmas gift as a set or individually for those hard to buy for office gifts.

Make one for the postman

Elegant for teachers.

Beautiful hanging in a window.

And they're so fun to make! Contact the Sewing Center now. They're going fast!   

Sewing Helpers

We just received a shipment from Floriani containing 100's of new colors of thread for you to choose from. We also have a new line of stabilizers for all uses and projects and some really great designs to add pizazz to your projects. Stop in and browse through all the new potential we just added to your holiday projects! 

Spend $25.00 at a small business like Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers get $25.00 back on your American Express Account from American Express. 
But you must register 
Click here to register with American Express.  

Diamond of a Deal!

Pay a minimal amount  per month or  Husqvarna/Viking Designer Diamond! And don't forget the $500  rebate and the free luggage set!

 Through December 2, 2011 you can get 48 month interest free financing
on a Designer Diamond. And there is 24 and 36 month financing on other Husqvarna/Viking models too.



Your Friends at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers.

Our stores will be closing at 1:00 P.M. on November 23 and will be closed all day November 24 and November 25th to allow our staff to spend time with family, friends and community for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We look forward to serving you during your visit on Small Business Saturday, November 26th--- during our regular Saturday business hours.  Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

Your Friends at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers.

Tip of the Week

Has your machine been speaking a little louder than normal? Often a sewing machine tries to warn you of potential problems by becoming noisy or clunking.

If this happens, look for lint or threads that can become stuck in the bobbin area or on the hook or needle bar. You can also try a new needle.

And always use a good sewing machine oil to keep your machine oiled (if appropriate for your machine) according to your instruction booklet. 

Your Invitation to Small Business Saturday, November 26th, 2011

You are cordially invited to attend Small Business Saturday on November 26, 2011. We're going to have fun kicking off the holiday season and hope you can come and enjoy some time browsing through our store, looking at sewing machines, and grabbing some bargains.

And to help you with your holiday notions here is a coupon for you to bring for a savings on all regularly priced notions (restrictions apply):  

Click for printable version

Your Friends at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers.

Countdown to Small Business Saturday

We promised to give you an update regarding Small Business Satuday on November 26th, 2011 and the Santas at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers have been busy at work finding deals to pass on to you.

We have a coupon for 25% off all notions good only on Small business Saturday. (There are some exclusions: designs and sewing machines are not included--so see the store for complete details)

Then, Alan has been getting with the Viking/Husqvarna folks so he could offer you a really great deal on selected embroidery designs; up to 75% off---Small Business Saturday only. These are very limited and will go fast---so be sure to get here early so you don't miss out. This deal is only available while supplies last!

So mark your calendars for Saturday, November 26, 2011. Shop Small Business Saturday. Keep jobs local. Help keep local businesses healthy. And don't miss out on the special deals.






  Your Friends at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers.



Visit us at  &  

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We've used Christmas Baubles Graphic by Simon Howden.

Tip of the Week

Is your sewing machine covered under your homeowner's policy? What if something happens when you are transporting it to and from class? Check with your insurance agent. Some companies require a separate rider in order to cover certain machines.  

Notion of the week

This week's notion is a real time saver. The Frixion Pen is an erasable pen. It goes on smoothly and accurately and the ink stays where you want it, doesn't smear, or disappear before you need it to.

When you're done and want the ink to disappear just touch with a hot iron and voila--it disappears!

This pen is highly recommended for applique.    

Christmas Red Quilt Class 2 was Informative and Fun

Last Friday, red fabric in hand, students attended the second class in Joan's Christmas Red Quilt series. The array of wonderful Christmas fabrics was astounding. Students had searched a three state area, left no store unvisited, and raided stashes to bring such a variety of fabrics to cut, sew, and share.

The first order of business was to learn how to use the new Accuquilt. It was so easy! And it made short and accurate work out of cutting the squares for the quilt.  








More time consuming and brain taxing was the cutting of the white background squares that the students had embroidered over the last 2 weeks since the last class. Together we learned how and trimmed each square to the final dimensions.

Then the cutting of the decorative strips was done. Working together, we were all soon done with our cutting and ready for the fun part----sewing.

Jan, at the head of the class, demonstrated just how easy it is to sew the quilt together with her new Husqvarna/Viking Serger. She was soon whipping her quilt pieces together, accurately and easily with her new machine. And we were all adding a new serger to our Christmas lists.

 


How pretty it will look when it is all done! Don't you think?

Notion of the week

It sure is getting dark earlier and even if your sewing room has a lot of nice windows, you're likely to find yourself working with artificial lighting this time of year.

It's always nice to have a little extra light to work with and this week's notion of the week is a tiny light that clamps onto your machine and provides more light whereever and whenever you need it.

We've got a limited supply of these handy lights in stock---they'd actually be handy outside of your sewing room too.

And as we head towards the darkest days of the year, we all could use a little extra light.

Makes a great stocking stuffer too!     

Tip of the Week

Today there are needles for all different sewing projects. Using the right needle for the job will make sewing easier and you'll get much better results.

For general all purpose sewing, the first thing you need to look at is the type of fabric you are going to sew. What weight is the fabric?

Needles have numbers and there are two types of numbering systems; American and European. The higher the number the heavier the fabric. A great chart comparing the two variations of  numbers can be found here.

What type of project are you working on? Use embroidery needles, stretch needles for stretchy fabrics, needles for leathers, microtex or sharp needles for synthetic leathers, denim needles, topstitching needles, and self threading/handicapped needles. There are quilting needles, and needles for heirloom sewing, and free motion sewing. And finally, there are twin needles and even triple needles for decorative and precise rows of topstitching. 

All these needles have special features that perform the job professionally with ease.

Using the incorrect needle can cause problems such as skipped stitches, breaking or bending of the needle, or snagging and creating large holes in your fabric.

A more detailed online article regarding needles and needle usage can be found here.

And we're always here to help at the Indiana Sewing Centers. If you need assistance or advice, pack up your thread and fabric and come see us in Merrillville or Highland. We'll find the needle that you need for your project.      

First Make and Take Class in Highland, Indiana Store

Tomorrow, November 8, 2011 is the first Make and Take class at the Highland Sewing Center. This class begins at 8:00. During the class Joan will be teaching everyone how to make these adorable Christmas Tree Napkins. Each napkin is made from 2-22" pieces of fabric.

The napkin is a very generous size and would make a wonderful addition to your holiday table---or what a wonderful hostess gift! 

Skills learned in the making of the napkin will include sewing with a double needle. For more information call Joan at 219-838-5433.

Small Business Saturday---mark your calendars November 26, 2011

This November 26 is a big day for everyone at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers. It’s the second annual Small Business Saturday®, when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses. We're planning special demonstrations, events, door prizes, and deals. We'll be telling you more in the next weeks. Mark your calendar to visit us early on the 26th.

And, as an added incentive for all of you who have an American Express Card,  American Express is offering to credit the first $25.00 in purchases made in participating small businesses like Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers. Visit the American Express Facebook Small Business Saturday Page for details on how you can participate in this discount.

Don't forget to like us and recommend us on Facebook   so you can stay in touch and not miss any of the exciting things we're planning to help you have fun and create at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers!

Your Friends at Northwest Indiana Sewing Centers.

Notion of the week

Joan, in the Highland Sewing Center, is always looking for new tools to make sewing more fun and easy. And we're really excited to announce that we're getting in machines to help with cutting quilt fabric this week.

The new tools are called Accuquilts and we'll have Accuquilt Go and Accuquilt Go Baby's in stock. These machines cut fabric and with the great assortment of dies the opportunities are endless.






Just check out these cute quilts. And can you believe some of these patterns are available for free:

I can't wait to try these machine out; can you? The ladies who are taking the Christmas Red class get a sneak preview on Friday.

Joan will be planning events soon regarding this creative tool; so watch our website, blog, or sign up for our newsletter so you won't miss out.

P.S. I hear we may have a special promotional price too. Stay tuned....     



 

Tip of the Week

So many sewing snafu's, from missed stitches to puckered seams, can be traced to an incorrect needle or a needle that should be replaced.

Today there are needles for a variety of uses. We carry needles for different fabric weights. There are also specialty needles for embroidery, sergers and other special uses.

Most importantly, keeping a sharp needle in your machine will help your machine do its best work.

Stop by the sewing center in Merrillville or Highland and we'll be happy to help you find the right needle for your project.