Bargello Quilt Classes

Eric has been quilting away lately and one of his latest projects is a Bargello Quilt. He'll be having classes on it at Merrillville and at Highland. Merrillville classes are on October 22nd and November 5th. Highland classes are on November 28th and 25th.

On Point Autmn

Recently Eric finished On Point Autumn. It turned out gorgeous! It's currently hanging at the Highland location, and classes on it start on Tuesday, October 21st. Make sure to stop by and take a look!

Our Class Schedule For The Next 2 Weeks! 8/23/14

Here are our latest classes! There's something for everyone!

Class Subject, Location, and Time
Bargello Quilt With Eric  Where: Highland When: Tuesday, Aug 26th and Sept 9th, 10:00am Class Fee: 40.00 Taught By:  Eric
Night Owl Pot Holders  Where: Merrillville When: Wednesday, Aug 27th, 10:00am Pattern Cost: 8.95 Class Fee: 10.00 Taught By: Eric
Christmas Pot Holders  Where: Highland When: Thursday Aug 28th, 10:00am Pattern Cost: 9.95 Class Fee: 10.00 Taught By: Eric
Centerpiece Embroidery Where: Merrillville When: Saturday, Friday 29th, 10:00am Pattern Cost: 34.95 Class Fee: 15.00 Taught By: Erica
Holiday Drink Shoes Where: Merrillville When: Saturday, Aug 30th, 10:00am Pattern Cost: 24.95 Class Fee: 15.00 Taught by: Erica
Stitcher's Garden Where: Highland When: September 3rd 10:00am, September 5th 8:30am, and September 13th 8:30am Class Fee: 15.00 per block Taught by: Joan Where: Merrillville When: September 5thth 10:00am, September 6th 10:00am, and September 13th 9:30am Class Fee: 15.00 per block Taught by: Erica

Stop in the store or call us to register for the classes! All classes should be signed up for in advance to receive supply list and pattern.

Scrap Buster---Bag holder

How about that winter weather? I was right in the middle of a quilting project and ran out of stabilizer during one of the recent snow storms. There was no way I was going to brave the elements to pick up some stabilizer. Fortunately, I keep a list of quick projects that I would like to stitch some day perfect for times like this.

 For months I had been eyeing a big pile of plastic bags growing underneath my kitchen sink. I usually use reusable cloth bags but give myself  occasional permission to grab a few plastic bags because I reuse the plastic bags for things like small garbage cans. But lately the plastic bags seemed to be multiplying in the cupboard into a spread out mess. A bag dispenser was on my quick project list. An added bonus was that I could make the bag dispenser from scraps leftover from other projects.

Here is what I used for this project:

*16.5 inch long fabric strips
*One 16.5 x 26 inch piece of fabric for lining
*One 10" piece of 1" elastic
*One 16.5 inch x 1 inch piece of  Floriani Stitch N Shape

So I grabbed my scrap bag and pulled out a few strips that were at least 16.5 inches long. After pressing the strips I trimmed them all to the 16.5 inches long. I then stitched enough strips together until I had a piece of pieced fabric 16.5 x 26 inches long.

I stitched the Floriani Stitch N Shape about an inch down from the top of the pieced fabric.

I stitched two 2 inch x 16.5 inch strips right sides together for a handle. I turned the handle right side out and pressed. I basted the handle to the top of the right side of the pieced fabric about four inches from each side matching raw edges.

Then with right sides together I stitched the fabric lining to the pieced fabric leaving an inch on each side a 1/2 inch from the bottom open for turning and insertion of the elastic. After turning the sandwich I inserted the elastic and stitched the edges of the elastic into the seam on each side.

I folded the bag in half, right sides together  and stitched down the side. After turning right side out I had a bag that can dispense those plastic bags and my under the sink cupboard was cleared out for other things.  

Turn your Sewing Hobby into a Day Job

There has been  an increase in demand for quality, handmade goods in recent years. And never has it been easier getting those handmade goods to the market of customers hungering for those custom made products.

If you've been wondering if you could make money off of your sewing machine--- the answer is yes you can. And in coming weeks we'll be dishing up tips to get your products sewn, packaged, photographed, marketed and sold. We'll be offering ideas on the kind of products that are in demand and how to price and ship your items.

If you're living in an area where the economy is still weak, selling items that you sew is a wonderful way to supplement an income and make more money so that you can support your sewing hobby. Or maybe you've been dreaming of building a sewing business to replace your day job so that you can spend the day doing the things that you love to do. Or do you need to supplement your income while spending time taking care of young children or an elderly loved one?

In just one average month in 2013 online shop owners on Etsy, the internet's number one retail outlet for handmade crafts,  sold $109.5 million in products. Quilts, sports related products, custom made gadget cases and bags, and personal embroidered items have been top sellers.  Quilting patterns and quilts are in the top 10 products sold on EBay too. So grab that box of stash, some thread, and that sewing machine and let's have some fun being creative and building an exciting business.

And with the exciting new line up of Husqvarna Viking machines it is so easy for the home sewing enthusiast to take that wonderfully creative hobby and turn it into a dream job.

    

Buy that Holiday Sewing Gift Here

Come join us for some trouble free sewing machine shopping.  We have sewing machines starting at around $100 and up, and this time of year is the best time to get a great deal. We have special no interest financing on select machines too.

So why should you buy from us?

***We'll let you take the machine for a test drive before you buy.

***We'll give you classes free with your sewing machine purchase. We'll teach you how to use your machine, show you what all those attachments can do for you, and get you started on a  lifetime of creativity and fun.

***We'll support you over the lifetime of your machine. Have an issue with the thread or tension? Can't remember what that accessory does? Can't figure out how to thread the bobbin thread? Bring your machine in and we'll take a look and help you get back to your project as soon as possible.

***We service what we sell with our in store service department. No waiting months for a service technician like in some sewing centers!

***We are the sewing experts and we have a whole sewing community built around our store where sewing enthusiasts can get together, sew, learn, create, and share ideas, inspiration and solutions.

So come in, browse, and support a local small business. And rediscover how fun shopping can be when it comes with superior price, selection, and service.              

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.