Because of This ...


We Have This ...


Over the last several months, I have eluded to some of the supply chain issues we have been experiencing and I have even mentioned it in our weekly Facebook Live a few times. At the beginning of the shutdowns last year, our fabric reps would inquire, "Would you like to keep your existing orders in place, cut some of them back, or cancel them altogether?" After a short corporate meeting, the 2 shareholders of Arizona Quilts, Debe and I, came to a consensus very quickly ... Keep The Orders Flowing!
Considering the vote was unanimous, a corporate memo went out immediately and we have been very deliberate in procuring the volume of products consistent with our historical tenure. 

Midsummer last year, we started hearing from our vendors, that certain shipments were going to be delayed a week or two, and as the year progressed those comments became more and more prevalent.
Now that 2021 is in full swing when a supplier alerts us that a shipment is going to be on time, it becomes the exception NOT the rule! 
Here at Arizona Quilts, we have been working hard to migrate new products from our receiving area to our sales floor...and then our website for you to enjoy as quickly as possible! The challenge is, that many shipments are at least two months overdue when being delivered to our back door,
and to that, we all say, "UGH!"

To help illustrate our dilemma, the above pictures are of the port of Los Angeles where some containers are stacked up to 10 high with 25 + ships floating offshore waiting their turn to get to the dock and unload!
The below text is a snippet from a very long news article by Peter S. Goodman, Alexandra Stevenson, Niraj Chokshi and Michael Corkery
that was linked on a quilting trade forum that we are a part of and briefly explains some of the hows and whys our shipments are being delayed.

"In major ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach ships bearing goods to unload, are frequently stuck for days in floating traffic jams. The
pandemic and its restrictions have limited the availability of dockworkers
and truck drivers, causing delays in handling cargo from Southern California
to Singapore. Every container that cannot be unloaded in one place is a container that cannot be loaded somewhere else.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Lars Mikael Jensen, head of
Global Ocean Network at A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest
shipping company. “All the links in the supply chain are stretched.
The ships, the trucks, the warehouses.” Economies around the globe are absorbing the ripple effects of the disruption on the seas. "

This article goes into much more detail but you get the idea. 
Please be assured that our vendors and we are doing everything we can to keep our shelves chocked full of thousands of beautiful bolts of fun fabric for you to enjoy. So if you see a hole in our shelves here and there where fabric usually is, just remember this newsletter and say ... oh yeah ...
Floating Traffic Jam!


Happy Keeping Shelves Full Quilting!
Murray & Debe
Susan, Patsy, Nanette,
Vickie, Lauren, Jane & Lori

Featured Collection
Beach Travel
This week we are highlighting
Beach Travel
by Beth Albert for 3 Wishes Fabrics.

Fun in the sun, toes in the sand ...
Beach travel is a playful collection featuring surfboards,
beach huts, waves, signs, bicycles, beach balls, coral, and the very popular vintage bus! Makes you want to grab your board and head to the beach!


To check out the entire collection just click on the link below.

Check These Out!
We always have NEW selections of
fabric arriving weekly!
FABRIC OF THE WEEK:
15% OFF*
CHILDREN'S FABRICS
We have a wide selection to choose from.
Large Selection - ALWAYS Fabulous - Some of our Favorite Quilting Fabrics!
*Discounts off regular prices, 1 yd min cuts. 
Now thru Sat., Mar. 20th
(Sunday, Mar. 21st online)
Go to:
https://www.azquilts.com/
and search "Sale" for a peek at even more of our Items Now On Sale!
Continuing Classes

Take a Stand - 2/3 -
Mar. 15th

#30 Something - 4/8
Mar. 24th
Please check our website for more information.
Monthly Regulars

*Sew Not Sleepy* 
w/ Susan
1st Fri. 5pm-10pm
CLEARANCE CORNER
30-50%* Off!
Many new fabrics are always being added!

www.azquilts.com/sale-2
 
*Off reg prices
1 yd min. cuts
Always changing selection. Limited to stock on hand.
Upcoming Classes
ABC's of Quilting w/ Susan will begin on Wed., Mar. 17th for 5 sessions from 9am-12pm. This is a great class for beginners or those who might want to freshen up their skills. Even if you have taken her class & would like to re-visit this, stop in and Susan can customize something just for you!
Walking Foot 101 w/ Carrie will be held on Thurs., Mar. 18th from 10am-3pm.It's time to get your walking foot out of the ditch! Join Carrie as she shares her favorite quilting tool: The Walking Foot. You will make a six-patch quilt sampler. You will learn the basics of starting and stopping quilt lines, how to plan stitching paths that minimize back tracking, marking methods, as well as a variety of unique designs, all with your walking foot! No free motion allowed!
Free-Motion Quilting 101 w/ Carrie will be held on Fri., Mar. 19th from 10am-3pm. Join Carrie and learn the basics of free-motion quilting on your domestic sewing machine: from choosing thread, batting, and needles to stitching on your quilt top. Carrie will guide you through a variety of designs, such as stippling, loops flames, etc. Learn free-motion fundamentals to create beautiful quilts while having free-motion fun!
Free Motion 102 w/ Carrie will be held on Sat. Mar. 20th from 10am-3pm. Let's get creative! Using our sewing machine as a drawing tool, you will gain more free motion quilting experience as Carrie leads you through the next steps. Using the elements of design, you will learn how to mark a whole cloth qulit, fill in the spaces with advanced free motion stitches and fun background fillers. We'll be using an easy peasy quilting ruler too! As we "put it all together" using our free motion foot, walking foot, and ruler foot, you will create a one-of-a-kind quilt!
My Favorite Bag w/ Nanette begins on
Fri., Mar. 26th for 3 sessions. (Session 2-Mar. 29, Session 3-Apr.5). Create this cute bag in either the large or smaller size using fun fabrics and grommets. The small one is a perfect purse size and the larger one is tote bag size to hold all of your supplies for class or it makes a cute diaper bag. There is also a clutch pattern included if you want to make one to match your bag.
Dinner 4 Two w/ Nanette begins on
Fri., Apr. 9th for 3 sessions (Sessions 2 & 3 will be Apr., 12th & 19th). This bag, called the Professional Tote, can have many uses – a picnic bag with room for beverages in the side pockets and pockets inside for utensils, plates and food items. Placemats can be made to match. It can also be a diaper bag and the many pockets helps keep all the baby items organized or use it as a professional bag for taking to classes or work. A small laptop might even fit in the center pocket. Choosing fabrics to match your purpose will make this a fun and versatile bag.

Pillow Talk w/ Lori will be held on
Fri., Apr. 23rd from 9:30am-3:30pm. Here is your chance to learn how to make a quality throw pillow. In this class, you will build on your existing techniques and grow in your skills! You will learn how to install a lapped closure zipper and you will learn piping hints that can be applied in other creative projects! Once you experience the fun of making a throw pillow out of fabrics you love, you may be asked by friends & family (especially those grandchildren) to make a custom throw pillow for each of them. Trust me...it is a lot of fun!!
Pick & Play - Learn to Applique w/ Nanette will be held on Mon., Apr. 26th from 9:30am-3:30pm. Learn to machine applique and imagine all the possibilities when you choose from any of the Patch Abilities patterns available. It's a great time to try out some pattern stitches on your machine. You will leave this class with a completed wall hanging.
One Block Wonder w/ Tami begins on Sat., May 1st from 9:30am-3:30pm for 2 sessions (Session 2 will be May 22nd). Use one fabric to make a unique one-of-a-kind kaleidoscope block quilt. This is a two day class with time inbetween to complete your blocks. Come have fun and see the amazing results!
Tic-Tac-Mo w/ Lori will be held on Tues., May 4th from 9:30am-3:30pm.
This is a golden opportunity to make a simple table runner that will add an
extra flare under a center piece or flower arrangement. It is a fun way to display and enjoy the fabric you love!
As always, we thank you for your friendship & your business.

Stay safe and happy quilting!
12301 W. Bell Rd., #A-109
Surprise, AZ 85378
(623) 566-8878
OPEN
STORE HOURS
Mon - Fri, 9:00-5:00
Sat 9:00-4:00

Always open, 24/7 at www.azquilts.com/