9875 W. Bell Rd., Sun City, AZ 85351 - 623-972-2091 | | |
Bits and Pieces
March 17, 2026
| | This is our QCT Week of specialty classes with Joyce Blowers, and we know that those attending will be learning a lot. Right after this camp ends, Lynn and I will be jet-setting our way to the wonderful land of New Jersey. Not exactly on my bucket list of cities to visit, but definitely on my list for a week long training session on the new and older Janome machines! We’re really looking forward to the full day sessions, meeting the Janome honchos, instructors, designers, technicians and educators so that we can bring back more information about these wonderful metal machines to you and give you even better service! We’ll probably feel like bobble-head dolls when the training there is over, and that would be a good thing, I think. We know the brand is solid and dependable, and we want to be able to guide you to the right machine that is the right machine FOR YOU. We feel that we do this now with both our BERNINA and Grace Co. machines, and we want to add Janome to that list ASAP. That’s why we’re taking the trip! | | Not looking forward to the early flight times, or the long flight across the country, or the hours in the classroom, but definitely looking forward to what we will be able to bring back to be able to better answer your questions and have you leave with your questions answered and the knowledge that you are making the best choice possible for they things that you want to sew and have fun with. Now that I think about it, it has been many years since I was in a classroom type of learning. Ha---wonder if I can even manage to sit still long enough for all that knowledge to penetrate my brain! We shall see!!! But let me also take a minute here to explain that there will probably not be a newsletter next week since Lynn will be with me at Janome and I’m not anticipating much spare time. But we should be back in business the following week. | | Cora is teaching a collage class on Monday, 3-30-26, so don’t forget to check it out and sign up. We had requests for this type of class, so here it is! Cora will be using Laura Heine’s patterns, and if this is your first, she has a few patterns to suggest, and hopes you choose a smaller project for your first one. The plan is to learn the technique on a manageable pattern so that you can put your collage together in class and have it ready to sew when you get home! Thus, there is a supply list but no need for your machine in this class. Note that Cora will be using a Laura Heine pattern as a starting point, but she will be simplifying the collage techniques and not necessarily following the L.H. way! Check out my collage cactus on my office door and know that my techniques were more similar to Cora’s, and for me, faster and easier to put the top together! The projects are more or less like M and M’s….you can’t just have one! Another bonus is that if you have younger, smaller people who need something fun to do, this could be your answer. They pick the colors, patterns and shapes, help you arrange them on a background fabric, iron in place and stitch down. Kind of summer camp style project! | | Before you know it, we’ll be in to the month of April and a whole new set of classes and projects. We have just gotten in some very lush flannels, minkee type backings for all the softness you could stand on a quilt back, first responders’ fabrics, Easter fabrics (Easter is April 5 this year!), stained glass screen prints, and an absolutely stunning lion panel and companion fabrics with lots of metallics woven in. If you liked the cats we’ve had samples of over the past year, you will love, love, love this new big cat. I have a sample hanging, but the actual panel and fabrics are loaded with the metallics and class and beauty! Come see!!! | | Our special of the week when you give us the code, will be Juvenile fabrics, at 20% off for you. The code will be KIDS20, and we have a big selection from which you can choose. This would include panels that feature juvenile topics. When you’re looking at these fabrics, look up one or two shelves in the shop to see all the new tone on tone very touchable flannels. Also included will be the juvenile boxed kits that we have. If you don’t see them, just ask! As a special special, let’s make the boxed kits a whopping 30% off. While it might be spendy to ship these kits, consider that they are going to be 30% off. No ship charge if you come in and make the purchase (just sayin’). While we’re talking kits, kids and complete fun, let’s also include, at 30% off, the punch needle kits in stock. These are all inclusive kits with the punch tool, cloth, yarn, hoop or hanger, what ever is needed to make this kid and adult friendly wall hanging. It’s an old technique, brought back with more modern patterns. Check them out! | | That’s all for the next few weeks, so try to behave yourselves, come in and keep the crew here entertained and busy, and have a great couple of weeks! Hope to see you soon… | | Barbara and the crew on the Learning Trail for you | | | | |
