Country Quilts and Bears

May 27, 2015
Scheduled Classes and Updates
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~Country Quilts and Bears~
EoB Sale and 
Intermediate Machine Quilting Class

 
Shop Announcements
Intermediate Free Motion Quilting with Elizabeth Dackson

 



 

In this class, we'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! We'll be working through six different free motioned designs, all without templates. We'll also discuss any troubles or roadblocks you've experienced in practicing your free motioning at home.

 

RECOMMENDED: It is not required that you take my Free Motion Quilting 101 class prior to this class, but it is important that you have some free motion quilting practice under your belt, that you understand the basics and are ready to learn some new stitches.

 

SUPPLIES:

? Your sewing machine, in good working condition - Please be sure to bring the machine you want to free-motion quilt on, not a travel machine, if possible, as each machine will behave differently during free-motion quilting!

? Several practice sandwiches already basted together. Fat Quarter size is pretty good to start with. I recommend bringing at least four to class to practice on.

? Sewing machine in good, working condition

? Schmetz 90/14 Topstitch or similar

? FMQ foot for your sewing machine - a darning foot, an open toe foot, or similar

? 100% cotton thread, like Aurifil 50 wt or Mettler threads

? Quilting gloves (recommended, but not required - I prefer Machingers)

? Sharpie (or similar) for drawing quilting designs

? Notebook to practice drawing quilting designs

? Thread nippers/scissors

? Water soluble marking pen (for marking fabrics as needed)

 

Optional - Extension Table for your sewing machine, if you have one.

  

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.

 

Saturday, May 30th

10:00 - 1:00

$40 per class

 

ELIZABETH'S CLASSES FILL UP QUICKLY - CALL TODAY TO BOOK YOUR SEAT!

 

 A Message from Marilyn

~EoB Sale~

Yes, it's time for the

 End of the Month, End of the Bolt Sale!

 

This month, because of the way the days fell, we are going to have our sale on

Friday, May 30th and Monday, June 1st

 

Remember, purchase the remaining fabric on any bolt and receive a 30% discount.  It can be half a yard, or 15 yards.  It's doesn't matter.  Simply buy it all and you get 30% off!

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And don't forget...

Go Rays!

We have Tampa Bay Rays fabric available for your baseball quilts, as well as pillowcases, tea towels and anything else you can imagine!

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We have some wonderful quilt related products in the shop.  The adjustable table top Portable LED Lamp is the perfect answer for those dark chair or sofa areas. 

We are also excited because we got another shipment of the Steamfast Irons - the world's smallest steam iron!  These sell so quickly, if you want to get one, you should hurry into the shop because they don't last long!
Have you seen our newest shipment of Rowan Fabrics?  We are loving the Kaffe Fassett fabric here at County Quilts but my favorite is Shoal in Tomato by Brandon Mably!  Amazing color and design.

  
You wool lovers will be glad to hear that we now have Sue Spargo's wool thread, which is dyed to match her wool, that we also have in stock.


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~Kim Diehl Simple Whatnots Club~
The Whatnots are on hiatus May through September and will resume in October.  Enjoy your summer, everyone, and we will see you in the fall!  
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~Wooly Wonderfulness~
Susan's Wooly Wonderfulness classes are on hiatus for the summer.  Enjoy your summer and s ee below for more details...
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Country Quilts and Bears 
Shop Challenge 2015
As promised.....

This year's challenge is different than ALL previous challenges.   Change can be good!  Instead of a fabric challenge, this year the challenge is using the new Hickory Nut Templates.  We have three sizes to choose from.  Use your creativity to design an item of your choice.  
If you do not know what Hickory Nuts are, come into the store to find out.  They are displayed on the front counter with samples showing how to use them.  If you smile nicely, we may even do a demo for you...!
We look forward to displaying all of the creative pieces in the shop during the month of September.  In order to have time to get them hung by September 1st, please bring them to the shop, completed, by August 25th, 2015.  
Entries will be on display from September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015.  
With the new challenge, comes new rules.  Here they are:
1.  Your projects may be sewn by hand or machine or a combination of both. 
2.  You may use quilters cotton, wool, denim, corduroy, silk or any other fabric you choose.  There are no fabric restrictions.  
3.   Your project can be anything quilt related.
4.  Embellishments are allowed and encouraged.
5.  Projects must be made using at least one of the three sizes of Hickory Nut Templates.

The public votes based on eye appeal.  
One vote per person.  
Winner will be announced and prizes awarded October 1, 2015. 

1st Place:  $75 Gift Certificate
2nd Place:  $50 Gift Certificate
3rd Place:  $25 Gift Certificate

 

"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
   
 
Classes
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, June 10th

$20 per class

Beginning Quilting with Becky Madasz
Becky Roni Beginning Quilt
 

 

This class will take you from fabric selection to binding your projects with the beautiful sample shown above.  You choose your own colorway and fabrics.  

 

This is a four session class with the dates listed below.  

Cost of all four classes $40

10 - 2:00

Book required  


 Supply list available at the shop.

Monday, August 17th

Monday, August 24th

Monday, August 31

Monday, September 14th 

 Wooly Wonderfulness with Susan Freebery 

The Wooly Wonderfulness class and it's Wooly Women are on a summer hiatus.  Watch the newsletter for updates and start dates for future classes.  
See you sometime in the fall!  
Have a wonderful summer and happy stitching to you all!

 

  

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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