Quilt for Hospice Day at Highland Sewing Center

You are invited to join us to quilt for a cause this Thursday, April 26th. We will be gathering together to sew lap quilts for a local hospice.

All you need to do is bring yourself and your sewing machines---Joan will be providing fabric, thread, etc.

We are going to have wonderful fun helping a good cause. Won't you come join us?     

Classes in Merrillville

Jan in our Merrillville store has some exciting  projects planned for up and coming classes. This floral ring quilt, a design from Anita Goodesigns is just perfect for a spring into summer project. This design can be a pillow for one class or take the whole series and complete a quilt!  

And speaking of quilts, just look at this finished Antique Rose quilt that has just been completed! A full king sized quilt made one block per month and isn't it a really beauty? This is what you can accomplish under Jan's gentle and knowledgeable tutelage.  

And one of Jan's newest projects are cute kitchen scrubbies, a Dakota Collections embroidery design. These scrubbies are made in the hoop and are really so very cute! Watermelon, chili peppers, grapes, apples, and bright sunshine can brighten up your kitchen and do double duty too. Make these as a cute shower gift for that bride. Your friends will all want you to make them a couple too!   

 

Our complete list of classes can be found here or give Jan a call today to reserve your place.

Notable Notion

Making a skirt with elastic? An apron with ties? Then this notion can help you out. Put away those safety pins you're using to thread that elastic with and get one of these elastic threaders and finish the job in half the time---for around $3.

Get one today.   

A Little Spring Sewing Inspiration

Days are getting longer, weather is getting warmer, and while I'm finishing off those quilts I started this winter, I'm looking for some spring projects that I can add to my wardrobe, give as gifts, or spruce up the house with.

So here's what I found around the web this week---some with free instructions:

---Spring gardening notes, dreams, reading lists, sewing notes, put them all in a beautiful journal that you cover and sew yourself. Would make a great gift for that BFF in your life! Get the instructions at favecrafts.com.  

---How about a delicate spring Wristlet Purse in pink or any other color of the rainbow? The Coats and Clark website has just the pattern for you.

---Do you own an embroidery machine with a 6x10 or larger hoop? Embroidery.com has a lovely in the hoop clutch available. They have the designs available for purchase and down load---remember to let them know that we are your dealer of choice.

---Don't worry if you are still saving for that embroidery machine; there's a really cute clutch complete with instruction on the Sew,Mama,Sew site. What a beautiful clutch---perfect for that spring dance or prom. It looks to be a quick and easy project too. How about one that Mom can use when you take her for that Mother's Day brunch?

And drop by the sewing center and we'll show you the secret to making this lovely pillow----so beautiful in spring colors---perfect to spruce up your home after all that spring cleaning is finished.



 

Learn to Use Your Feet---Make a Quilt

Have you always wanted to learn how to use your sewing machine's feet?

Wondering  what lovely embellishments can be added to your projects using those lovely decorative stitches that your machine has?

Learn to sew more creatively using all your machine has to offer by taking a class in the applique quilting class at the Highland Sewing Center.

Manager Joan has the pattern available for sale and even though May classes will be on the third block , new students are welcome to attend and take make up classes to finish. The class is a block of the month quilt and by the time the quilt is finished you will have learned how to use a total of 14 feet. The quilt is partially quilt as you go and then finished with the stitch in the ditch method.

Just look at how fresh and beautiful this block is stitching out! How exciting to learn all these new skills that you can bring to all your future projects. Call the Highland Sewing Center today at 219-838-5433 to sign up for the class. 

Easter Sewing Tradition

The other day a customer remarked about just how much sewing machines and sewing have changed over the past 20 years. This customer loved attending classes at the sewing center and was now teaching the next generation the skills, fun, and satisfaction that all of us who sew know all about.

My Mother had five tiny girls just a year each apart. Each Easter she would sew an Easter dress for each of us. Usually the style of dress was the same but we would each be in a different color---a bit like the colored Easter eggs that graced our holiday table. We would march off to church in those Easter dresses, bonnets, and little purses so proud of our new dresses and Mommy!

Our Easter table always included the tablecloth that Grandma had sewn on her Singer and hand embroidered. She would have been so amazed and excited at what our embroidery machines do these days!

Our customer was so right---sewing is a tradition that we can pass on; happy memories of love and  family---heirlooms that we pass on to the next generation that stay with them even as we go. So have a blessed and Happy Easter and have a wonderful time making traditions of your own.

Notions of Note

How many times have you been at a class at the sewing center and realized that the fabric you were going to use was at home or, even worse, just wasn't what you needed for your project?

Well that won't ever happen again! We're carrying a limited supply of very pretty, quality fat quarters and one yard cuts of fabric for your instore and out of store projects.

Just look at the colors of the rainbow! And if you're doing a quilt, these are just the right size if you need a little something to add a bit of pizazz.

As always, we're here for color consultations, if you're not too sure what color should be added to your quilt or project. Come on in and browse all the beauties we've got in stock just for you.