Country Quilts and Bears


October 29, 2014
Scheduled Classes and Updates
Message from Marilyn
Facebook!
Carol's Hand Applique Class
Becky's Hand Applique Class
Whatnot Club!
Wooly Wonderfulness Class
Scrap Attack Class
Hand Quilting Class
Beginning Free Motion
English Paper Piecing
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Quick Links
Shop
~Country Quilts and Bears~
Halloween Surprises and It's our End of Month, End of Bolt Sale!

 
Shop Announcements
 A Message from Marilyn

 
BOO!!! 
Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and goblins! 
This year Halloween coincides with our End of the Month, End of the Bolt sale and as a result we are extending the sale to all of our Halloween fabrics AND KITS as well.  So here's the deal:
Buy the end of any bolt of fabric and receive 30% off the original price and in honor of Halloween, we have reduced all our Halloween fabrics AND KITS, by 30% as well.  Yes, that's no trick!  It's our treat to you!  
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Meet Skelly!
He's the coolest dude you've met 
in a long time and he is also 30% off!

Come by the shop and pick up your Skelly kit, or any other Halloween fabric or kit, at 30% off before they are all gone!   
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Post Thanksgiving Sale!


It's nearly Thanksgiving and it's time to start watching your email boxes for the announcement about our annual Small Business Saturday events!  This years event is destined to be our best event yet!  We have a tremendous amount of fun planned and we can't wait to tell you about it! 
But until it's time I'm saying nothing but Gobble Gobble!      
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HOHOHO! 
Christmas is only 8 weeks away so it's time to start thinking about Santa and all the sewing he needs to get done in that time!  We are bringing out our Christmas fabric and starting to think like elves.... Come by and see if we can't inspire you to get the sewing done early!

(P.S. This photo of Santa making a quilt is NOT a panel!  It is merely clip art used to enhance this post...so please don't call the store!  
wink wink...you know who you are!)
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Gabby Quilts for Friends

Book 1 of the "Little Sewers Series"

...One chilly morning, Gabby realizes that she needs something warm for the winter ahead. A quilt is just the answer! But when Bear, Goose, and Sheep all have different ideas for the quilt, things get complicated. With love and imagination, Gabby stitches and sews for weeks. Can she make a quilt that will please each of her friends?...

 

As many of you know we are carrying Book 1 one of the Little Sewers Series and now we will be carrying the fabric panel to make the doll or bear as well!  This talented author, Michael McCormick, has also created a greeting card that all quilters will love.  With Christmas looming large, we think you will find these books and accessories to be a marvelous gift idea for the wee ones in our lives.  Especially those that are familiar with quilting.  

 

 

"Like" us on facebook!  
We have entered the world of social media.  Come on by and like our facebook page!  We will be posting class photos, shop events, and new stock items on our wall as these things occur.  Can't wait to see you there!  Click the link below to go to our wall:
 
 
Country Quilts and Bears Facebook Page
   
 
Winter Classes and New Products
Beginning and Intermediate Applique with Carol Clarke
Clarke Applique

Carol's Applique Club

and Beginning and Intermediate Hand Applique Class!

 

Carol teaches applique on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  She now has several quite advanced students along with her beginners.  Consequently, the idea has developed to divide her class into two groups.  

 

The advanced group, hence the name "Carol's Club", will come to sew and kibitz while Carol proceeds teaching beginning and intermediate applique.  Fun for all!   

The Beginning and Intermediate Applique is designed to teach and refine your needle turn applique techniques.  You can choose your own patterns and/or use the class samples. 

 

  This is an ongoing class.

Carol's Club is $10 per class and the beginning and intermediate applique is $20 per class. 

 

Saturday, November 15th

Saturday, December 13th

  

10-2:00   $20 

Beginning Applique with Becky Madasz
 

Learn from one of the best! Becky will teach you her method of hand applique and it will begin with selecting the right fabrics and designs, as well as marking the pieces for cutting, the proper needles and threads to use, as well as first hand needle turn instructions...    This class will meet the second Wednesday of each month and will go from 10:00 to 2:00.  It's an ongoing class and you can hop in at any time.  

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, October 8th

Wednesday, November 12th

$20 per class

Kim Diehl's Simple Whatnots Club with Becky and Linda
Henry Glass Fabrics and Kim Diehl have teamed up to bring you a new club featuring miniature quilts stitched from Kim Diehl's new fabric line, Vintage Farmhouse. Each month you will receive a pattern to complete a miniature quilt.  
Starting in October, the group will meet the 2nd Friday or the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Becky Madasz will teach on Fridays, and Linda Zebrowski will teach on Saturdays.
WHAT IS IT?
It's a 6 month program, excluding December.  Each month club members receive a new pattern of Kim Diehl's that is not yet on the market.
At the club meeting, patterns will be distributed.  Helpful hints will be given by teachers, Becky or Linda.  AND a delightful baked treat along with coffee or tea.  YUM! 
WHEN IS IT?

Friday, October 10th
Saturday, October 11th

Friday, November 14th
Saturday, November 15th

December - Happy Holidays!

Friday, January 9th
Saturday, January 10th

Supply list available at the shop. 

10:00 to 12:00

$10

 Wooly Wonderfulness with Susan Freebery 
 

Beginning in October, on the third Wednesday of every month, Susan will be teaching a wool applique class.  This class is geared to all skill levels and styles, ranging from the beginning wool appliquer to the advanced, and the very primitive to the modern style.  We will begin with tracing and appliqueing methods for getting the wool onto wool, wool onto cotton, etc., and in each session there will be at least one new stitch being taught.  Some of the wonderful stitches on the calendar are bouillon stitches, double cast on stitches, and the ever popular drizzle stitch.

You choose your own project or we can help you find one that suits you!

 

  

This will be an ongoing class and we will be focusing each month on different stitches and techniques, as well as focusing on the wool applique style ala` Sue Spargo.  Students are encouraged to make any project they wish, and again, it can primitive to contemporary, embellished or simply blanket stitched down.  Whatever style suits you!      

  

 

This is an ongoing class and you can join us at any time.  
Call the shop for the supply list or stop in to get it. 

 

We will meet the third Wednesday of each month

Wednesday, November 19th

December date will be decided at November's meeting by a democratic vote of all members present... wink wink!

Book required

 

Wednesday, November 19th

December ... TBA

Wednesday, January 21st 

10:00 to 2:00

$20

 Scrap Attack Class with Susan Freebery 
 

On the 4th Saturday of every month, Susan is going to help you use up those scraps!!  

 

For the November 22nd class we will be making a Scrappy X-String Block quilt similar to the one pictured below that is being held by Susan's daughter-in-law.  This pattern is fun and easy!  It makes a wonderful floor quilt for a baby or a larger quilt depending on how many blocks you make.  

 

  

This will be an ongoing class and you can join us any time!  We will be focusing each month on different style blocks that bust those scraps and diminish our stashes!  

 

We will meet the fourth Saturday of each month, beginning


 

Saturday, November 22nd

Saturday, January 24th

 

Supply lists available at the shop.

10:00 to 3:00

$30

Hand Quilting with Diane Hosman
Hand Quilting D Hosman

 

The domestic art of hand quilting is back in vogue and in full swing. More and more people are expressing a desire to finish off their pieced and appliqued quilt tops with beautiful hand stitches. Join us in small classes where you learn the values of fabric, needles, thread, hoops, and thimbles.

You'll also learn how to avoid carpel tunnel syndrome while quilting.

One of the many pleasures of hand quilting is the peacefulness that takes over when the fingers begin to move in a quiet rhythm. Come join us in the resurrection of this gentle art. If you have had any doubts about this hand-craft, please remember we all started with big, uneven stitches, but we had to start somewhere!  


 

Next session Saturday, December 13th

  10:00-2:00     $30.00

Supply list available at the shop. 


 

 

Beginner Free Motion Quilting with Elizabeth Dackson

 

Beginning Free Motion Quilting
With Elizabeth Dackson
Quilter, Author, Teacher, Blogger
In this class with Elizabeth Dackson, you'll be working on several different free-motion quilting designs, practicing to master each. Free motion quilting is not only something you can do beautifully on your home sewing machine, but it can be a lot of fun too! She'll share many tips and tricks for making your free-motion experience a good one and walk you
through several different continuous line designs.
SUPPLIES:
 ~FMQ foot for your sewing machine - a darning foot, an open toe foot, or similar 

~Several practice sandwiches already basted together. Fat Quarter size is pretty good to start with. I recommend bringing 4-6 to class to practice on (Un-basted sandwiches available at Country Quilts and Bears).  

~Sewing machine in good, working condition
 ~Schmetz 90/14 Topstitch needles or similar
~100% cotton thread, like Aurifil 50 wt or Mettler threads
~Sharpie (or similar) for drawing quilting designs on paper
~Notebook to practice drawing quilting designs on paper
~Thread nippers/scissors
~Marking pen (for marking fabrics as needed in class)
~Quilting gloves (recommended, but not required - I prefer Machingers
NOTE: If you have an extension Table for your sewing machine, I strongly
recommend you bring it!
 

 

Elizabeth Dackson is a fabric addict and quilter. Her first quilting book, Becoming a Confident Quilter, was released in the fall of 2013 by Martingale & Co, chock full of tips, exercises, and skill-building quilt patterns. She designs quilt patterns found on her blog, Don't Call Me Betsy (www.dontcallmebetsy.com), as well as in various quilting publications. Elizabeth also enjoys teaching regularly and released her first class with Craftsy, Start Free Motion Quilting, in the spring of 2014. Her second Craftsy class will be released in November of 2014, and she's hard at work on her second book. She is the founder of the Tampa Modern Quilt Guild. Elizabeth also works as the Events Manager for the Modern Quilt Guild, after years planning medical education conferences prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom. She lives in Florida with her patient husband, inquisitive six year old son, and two dogs.


Beginner Free Motion Quilting

January 17th

10:00- 1:00
 $20
 

Supply lists available at the shop as well.

 

English Paper Piecing Class with Linda Simons

 

6-POINTED STARS  - English Paper Piecing

with Linda Simons
January 24th

10:00- 3:00
 $30
 Why is this old hand sewing technique the new craze?   Because it's addictive AND we get to use our fabric stash in a new way.   Learn about fabric selection, cutting, glue basting, and hand stitching.  Plus all the tricks I've learned along the way.  


A March followup class (date to be determined) will discuss layout options and finishing the quilt top.


 


 

Supply lists available at the shop.

 
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Country Quilts and Bears is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00, Wednesdays 10:00 to 6:00.  
 
Sincerely,
Marilyn Humphries
Country Quilts and Bears
1983 Drew Street
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-461-4171
www.CountryQuiltsandBears.Blogspot.com