Stocking Stuffers for the Person Who Loves to Sew

Wrap up your Christmas shopping with a visit to the sewing center. We have many unique gifts that you probably won't find elsewhere. And each purchase comes with personal service. Need some ideas? How about these...

**Husqvarna Viking rolled out the Circular Attachment for their Designer line last winter. This is a handy gadget that creates some wonderfully creative projects. The Circular Attachment has been the most  desired accessory this year.

***Thread, thread, and more thread! No owner of an embroidery machine ever has enough thread. And we have a rainbow of colors. Buy one or two spools to stuff in a stocking or purchase one of our exclusive designer sets of colors. Choose from Floriani or Hemingworth

***Stabilizer is another item that the home sewer never seems to have enough of and we have special package deals to help you out with gift giving.

***Today's machines need frequent needle changes and there are needles that make every job easier. Come in and let us help you select some needles to stuff into that stocking so that the sewer in your home won't be running out in that snow storm when that machine needs a new needle.

***We have specialty scissors to help with all kinds of applications from snipping applique to trimming embroidery threads. Sewers never have enough scissors.

***Ask us to help you put together a beginner sewing basket.

***Even feed feet are a must have for every sewing machine. Eventually everyone needs one.

***We have some really great patterns and designs.

***Know someone who has always wanted to learn how to sew? We have classes beginning in January. The winter months are perfect to bone up on some sewing skills, get together with others, and have some great fun.

***Still not sure? We have gift certificates!

We are a local, small business waiting to serve you. Pay us a visit and let us show you just how fun and easy holiday shopping can be.

Sewing Machine Issues? First check this.

The other day I was sewing out an embroidery design on a piece of ribbon that I was going to attach to a quilt as a label. All of the sudden, half way through stitching out the design my normally well behaved machine gave a clunking noise and, after stopping the stitching, and examining my project I found a birds nest that could have accommodated an ostrich underneath my project.

So, as many of us who enjoy sewing, I started the process of troubleshooting. I first checked the threading---making sure that the thread hadn't become caught coming off the spool or come out of the lifter arm on the topside. I examined the bobbin thread and made sure that it was properly threaded and flowing out of where it should be.

Then I examined the needle and realized I hadn't changed out the needle from a large quilting project that I'd worked on last. Well, no wonder my poor machine was experiencing technical difficulties! Not only was the needle the wrong kind for my current project, but the needle was dull from all that quilting. I changed to an embroidery needle of the proper sized for the close woven ribbon and had no other problems after that.

Today's sewing machines do wonderful things. And they are very sophisticated and designed to work with the tools we have available today. That means that a home sewing enthusiast needs to brush up on the needles and feet that are available and when and how to use them.

Vintage machines like Grandma and Mom used could, and often did, go years on the same needle. (Although running on the same needle for years is not something I would recommend---those poor machines are not at their best with an old, dull needle.) In fact quite frequently we have customers come into the sewing center and brag that the same needle has been in the machine for years. But the modern machines that handle tension control and automatic adjustments for you need to have good sharp needles that should be swapped out after each project, sooner for those large quilting projects.

And today's needle assortments come in all sizes for all different uses. We have specialized needles not only for embroidery, but for delicates, denim, stretch knits, quilting, and others. Each of these needle types have a special design making them a solution for their designated purpose. For example, a Microtex needle has a specially designed tiny, sharp point to get through those delicate, sheer fabrics---a solution that wasn't available to Grandma's vintage machine.

So if you're having issues with your machine, after checking the threading, try another needle.  Head over  to our website to check out all the types of needles we have available. Come see us in the store to stock up so you'll have plenty of needles on hand for your next sewing projects.

Quilting in the Hoop Design #233

Spring has arrived at the sewing center with this beautiful Husqvarna Viking design Quilted Blocks and Borders #233. This design package not only has some beautiful quilt blocks but will help you finish the whole quilt with some spectacularly elegant borders that are all done in the hoop.

Flowers, butterflies, birds, and flourishes for your quilt----so elegant and fun---now blooming at the sewing center. Hurry in before they're all gone!

National Quilting Month

March is National Quilting Month! Won't you join us? We have lots of great quilting projects planned. Need a new machine? Notions to take your creativity to new hights? Come see us!

Events--Won't You Join Us?

Quilt a picnic! Have you seen this picnic quilt? A Lunchbox Quilt design, this quilt is as fun to make as it is to take to a picnic. What a fun and colorful quilt to use as a table cloth or take to the fireworks display to sit on. Or, if you don't have time for a whole quilt how about a table runner for the summer patio? Classes are in Highland on the last Wednesday of the month. $10 for the class. Design purchase required. Registration is required so that we can be ready for you. 


Let's have tea! Embroider one block a month, put it all together and you'll have this wimsical teapot quilt by Jan Brown. This class meets the third Wednesday of the month. Class fee is $15 and requires design purchase. Come register for the next class now!

Things are coming up roses in Merrillville on the last Wednesday of the month as we begin stitching the Antique Rose Quilt. Each block is quilted as you go---no need to quilt a large quilt with this technique.  This is a very popular class so please sign up as soon as possible it will fill up quickly!  
Don't have an embroidery machine but want to quilt? No problem! We have beginning quilting on the third Saturday and third Tuesday of the month in Merrillville. Come learn the tips and techniques and by the time you're done quilting you'll have the tools you need to tackle any project. Class is $10.

Quilting offers opportunities to pick up sewing skills and practice them until you're a pro. The stitcher's garden applique quilts are an excellent example of learning new skills a bit at a time and stitching up a sweet quilt all your own at the same time. This quilt offers lessons on different feet that are available and/or that came with your machine. Make perfect stitches, sew perfect ruffles, sew buttons, buttonholes, use your decorative stitches---learn how with our Applique Quilt classes. Stitcher's Garden 1 in Highland and Stitcher's Garden 2 in Merrillville. Please see our class schedules for the times for this quilt.

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Get a Shopping Spree March 1 through March 31!**

Buy a Designer Diamond Deluxe and get a $500 shopping spree for notions, threads, additional hoops, and tools to take your creativity to the limit!   

Or buy a Designer Ruby Deluxe in March and receive a $300 in store shopping spree to help you with your first projects!Hurry in this offer won't last! And remember our sewing machines come with free classes to help you take advantage of all your machine's new features! &nbsp 


**Please see store for complete details for all as additional restrictions may apply.

Winter Sewing Classes---Join Us!

2013-01-15 Winter Sewing Classes 

Highland Events | Merrillville Events | Sewing Machines| Indiana Sews Blog
Highland Sewing Center: 2845 Highway Avenue Highland, IN 46322 (219)838-5433 Fax: (219)838-5434 Hours: Monday-Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-2 Closed Sunday Merrillville Sewing Center 7752 Broadway Merrillville, IN 46410 (219)736-7748 Fax: (219)736-7397 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 Saturday 9:00-2:00 Closed Sunday Class schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Please check our website calendars for updates before you venture out. Most classes require registration in advance so we can be prepared for you.	Happy New Year!   We hope this finds you well and rested after the Christmas Season!  We are getting lots of samples done and we are so excited to start a new season of classes! We'll be quilting and embroidering. There are beginning sewing classes. Be sure to check our event calendars regularly, subscribe to our news feed so you won't miss a thing, and check our blog for news, tips, sales, and projects. This is just a sampling of what we've got planned this winter! Advanced registration is required for most classes---simply call & come in for the project list---simple as that. We love hearing from our customers!  Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Computer Classes 5D Group 4-These classes teach everything you want to know about your 5D Extra software! Highland:1st Saturday of the month 8-10:30 AM Merrillville:1st Saturday of the month--- Digitizing 8-9 AM Software--9:30-10:30 AM Photo---10:30 AM Quilt Classes! Picnic Quilt-We're going to be starting the Picnic Quilt in Highland this month! This fun quilt is just covered with summertime fun like icecream cones, soda's, pies, corn on the cob, and, chicken legs. Learn how to use a specially included product to give your quilt a textured effect. Learn to make checkboards in no time at all! Sign up today for this really fun quilt. Highland---Wed Jan 30 8 AM Learn to Quilt-Always wanted to make a quilt and don’t know where to start? We'll will walk you through all the proper steps! By the end of this class you will have a beautiful quilt top of your own! Merrillville---3rd Tues of the month 1 PM Stipple- Learn how to stipple or come in, practice, and pick up some pointers. Become a pro. Merrillville---1st Fri of the month 8-9 AM Sewing Classes! Beginning Sewing-Want to learn how to make a PJ pant from a pattern? Gwen will teach you all you need to know to get started sewing! Highland and Merrillville---Call for schedules Kitchen Aide Cover -We're covering our Kitchen Aides with this fun class. An embroidery machine is required to embroider the Kitchen Aide design on your cover, but you can still join us with a regular sewing machine and stitch without the design. Stop by to get the project list and sign up.Merrillville---Feb 6 8AM Applique Classes! Teapot Quilt- Jan Brown's exclusive design full of Teacups, Teapots, and warm words of friendship. This class is just getting started---hurry and sign up today before it's filled up. Merrillville---Wed Jan 23 8 AM Stitcher's Garden-This class teaches you how to use the special stitches and feet available for your machine. We're currently in the middle but everyone is welcome to come and join us after registering. Sign up today---make pillows or a table topper!     Merrillville---3rd Wed of the month 9-2 AM	Embroidery Classes Seeing Double Table Topper! This is a double sided table topper that you make in the hoop. Joan's made the store sample in hearts for side one and side two is full of shamrocks for St. Pat's Day. This is a great project that only takes a few hours of time. Highland Jan 16 8-2AM Beautiful Heart Battenburg Lace-Learn all the tips and tricks of making freestanding lace with just thread and Aquamagic stabilizer. We have special thread and Aquamagic in stock for this project.Highland Wed Jan 23 8 AM-2 PM Stitch a Prayer Wallhanging -Use an Anita Goodesign to make a wallhanging. Choose from the Serenity Prayer, The Lord's Prayer, or the Footprints in the Sand poetry. We have the designs in stock and choose one of our new hangers for purchase so that you can hang your beautiful quilt when you arrive home. This makes a great gift for a loved one in a nursing home or a shut in too. Make them for Easter gifts.Merrillville Wed Feb 6th 8 AM   Home Tweet Home-Join us for a class making an adorable door hanging! Jan is just getting the sample done, and it is so adorable. This is an Anita Goodesign Collection that includes designs for the whole year. Make one for spring, summer, fall, and winter and all the holidays in between. Purchase a hanger for hanging on your front door and welcome your guests to your home with your handywork! This is a fun class you won't want to miss.   Merrillville Tenatively for Wed Mar 6 8 AM Sew for a cause Sewing for Hospice Give your time and use your sewing machine to help make hospice patients and families more comfortable. Come join us, enjoy the fellow sewing enthusiasts, share ideas, and pick up new skills. Highland---Second Thurs of the month 8 AM Quilts of Valor--- Sew quilts for the troops. Get together with other quilters and learn new skills at the same time. Merrillville---Begins Thurs Mar 21 at 2 PM

Sewing Notion of Note

One of the first things that you learn in quilting class is that precise cuts are imperative to your finished product. Fortunately, the sewing center has many tools to help you get all your cuts done accurately and easily so you can get to the sewing part!

One of the best investments you can make is in a good quality cutting matt. It doesn't need to be large---but if you have the room you should consider this 24x36 version from TrueCut.

The matt features measurements to the 1/8th of an inch, angle marks of 45, 60, 90 degrees for making cuts and when you need to find the bias just set your fabric on the lines and cut. This is a superb quality matt that should last you years.

Be sure to take care of your matt---avoid exposure to excess heat (don't leave it in a hot car) and don't roll or fold it---there's a handy hanging hole for wall hanging when not in use. Priced at $59.95---you won't be able to find this kind of quality elsewhere for this amazing price.   

Machine Quilting

One of the best ways to learn how to sew is to piece a quilt. By the time you've pieced your first quilt top you'll know how to sew a straight stitch. If your top has a bit of applique, you'll be the master of curves, fancy stitches, and those supplemental feet that came with your feet.

And all these skills learned will transfer into other sewing that you do whether it's home decor or designer fashions for your family.

If you've been to any of the great quilting classes at the sewing center lately, you probably have some quilt tops done. If you're the average customer, you are daunted by the next step: the quilt sandwich and putting it all together with machine quilting. At the sewing center we have special classes where we gather together to put our quilts together. It's a job where you may need an extra pair of hands and room to work and we're here to help.

Stitching in the ditch

The most important step in quilting your quilt is basting the sandwich layers together. Sewing Center experts recommend spray basting as the best way to sandwich your quilt components prior to quilting. But if you don't like the spray or have allergies, we have special pins for pin basting or you can baste with a needle and thread. Whichever way you baste, be sure to take your time to get all the layers smoothly together. This will make the rest of the quilting process easy and fun.

Even Feed Foot really helps quilting

One of the easiest quilting techniques is the stitch in the ditch method. This is where most quilters start because it requires a simple straight stitch around the quilt squares. There are special stitch in the ditch feet with flanges that ride the seam to keep your stitches straight. If you're having issues controlling your quilt, try an even feed foot as a tool to keep your quilt straight and evenly fed through the machine.



As you become more experienced you can begin exploring the quilting options your machine gives you. For example, the new Designer Ruby Deluxe has a number of built in quilting stitches that can make the quilting as creative and fun as piecing your quilt. And with these stitches the actual quilting of your quilt becomes less intimidating.



Designer Ruby Deluxe Quilting Stitches



More fun Designer Ruby Deluxe Stitches 

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Your Singer Sewing Machines also have many fun stitches for quilting also.

Singer 7469Q Confidence Quilter 









7469Q Stitches

The best way to try all these fun quilting stitches is to enroll in a sewing center class to  make a pillow topper. A fun, smaller project will bring out the designer in you and will provide courage and experience to tackle those large quilt projects that await you in the sewing room.

 

The best way to learn sewing is take a class at the sewing center and we have some really great classes planned for this holiday season. Won't you join us, take some time to relax with us and make a few gifts or decorations that are just you. It would be so awesome to help you create a wonderful holiday season for you and your family!

 

 

 



Notion of Note

Love, love, love the free motion quilting design of this package from Anita Goodesign! Just look at that quilting; candles, packages, gingies, snowmen, and ornaments all quilted with no hassle on your holiday table runner or pillow cover.

The possibilities! Come in today to see all the Anita Goodesigns we have in stock.   

Notions of Note

A rotary cutter is an essential part of quilting, but using one of these for cutting can be daunting to beginners with all thumbs. The last time I was in for a class at the sewing center I got to try out a smaller sized cutter and guess what? It worked like a dream in my hand!

This is the type of tip that you pick up at the classes that we have at the sewing center; the simple solutions to problems you didn't know existed. So if you, like me, just don't have a great relationship with your rotary cutter, sign up for a quilting class or come in and try out a different size rotary cutter.

Select Embroidery Hoops on Sale through May 16th

Special on select in stock embroidery hoops! A whopping 25% off. But hurry--- only while current stock lasts and/or through May 16th.  

Notion of Note

Look really close at this most gorgeous pillow and you will see that it has been stippled. I've always admired stippling both for the skill it takes and the look of simple elegance that it lends to a project. It just brings a project together.

But let's face it, stippling can be pretty daunting to a beginner or someone who doesn't have a whole lot of time to devote to just one project.

Husqvarna Viking has a product that helps bring everyone's quilting skills up a notch---5D Quilt Designer Software.

With 5D Quilt Designer you can import a picture of your quilt top and view a quilting application before you start the actual quilting of your piece. Multiple designs and motifs can be combined to make your very own creation. Or, if you really want to be very original, you can draw and create from your own clipart or photograph. And everything is so easy with the helpful wizards.

One of my favorite projects, besides the stippling in the hoop, is using the software to make your very own custom fabric. Take some luxurious silk, add a water or heat dissoluble stabilizer, and any quilting design, and you have your very own fabric that can be used for scarfs, dresses, blouses----just think of the possibilities; fabrics so original and pretty that they will look like they came right off the runway!

Come see us for more information. 

March is National Quilting Month

Are you celebrating National Quilting Month with a quilt of your own? At our sewing centers in Northwest Indiana we are celebrating with quilting classes and special deals to make this the most fun National Quilting Month of all. Here are just a few of the fun we have planned:

• Merrillville Store---Beginning Quilting---March 20th 1:00 PM
• Merrillville Store---Antique Rose Quilt---March 28th 8:00-3:00 PM 
• Highland Store---Beginning Quilting with Accuquilt---March 20th

For a complete list of classes be sure to visit our website at http://www.indianasews.com.

What are your favorite resources on the web for quilting information and patterns? We found these websites:

• quilting at about.com---a wonderful resource of some really unique patterns, much of them free. I really like the bug jars---wouldn't that be nice for a lovely quilt for a summertime picnic.
•  Piece n Quilt---a blog written and maintained by a fellow quilter. Wow---I can only aspire to some of her creations! Simply gorgeous.
• RK Quilts--- If you're a fan of Robert Kaufman's fabrics and even if your not---there's a sampling of free patterns and other quilting helpers on this site.
• Scrap Quilts ---Another resource for patterns.

There are even some Smartphone Apps for quilting---Robert Kaufman has one out---it's currently free and comes in both Android and iPhone versions.

And no blog about quilting would be complete without some pictures of our star quilters. If you'd like to be included please post a picture of your quilting project to our Facebook page or email it to us and we'll be happy to post it for you. We're excited about National Quilting Month and hope that you join us in making sewing exciting and fun and passing the skill and excitement on to others. 

  So creative. So fun. Come join us!