SSQS Journal
Issue 66 February 2023
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Hello Everyone,
It's February. I just don't know where the time goes. What I do know is that it's time well spent. Recently, we have had a number of sweet retreat days, shop classes and groups of friends that reserve our classroom for sewing time together. During these days, I am often in the classroom working on projects for the shop or helping someone with their project and it makes me feel like all this work, all the days, nights and weekends we have put into this shop is all worth it when I hear the laughing, the sharing and the encouraging that takes place!
The community we have at the shop is so special to me and I know it is to a lot of you too. You have told me so. Some of you with words, some with kindness and some actions. I love that when you come through those doors you feel comfortable. We joke, laugh and relate. I have never had a job where I have laughed as much as I do here. Some of you share your lives with us, your happy moments and your moments of sadness. It feels special that you share those with us like a family would. I love that I can share my love of creativity with you and you understand and have that same need to create.
I love the new friends that have recently become quilters in the shop. They keep that love of wanting to learn more and try more alive and well in the shop. It helps to keep that sense of wonderment in your quilting and life in general don't you think? A big part of what I do besides cutting fabric and sewing samples for the shop is encouraging quilters. Cheering you through something that's hard, telling you to not be so hard on yourself, be patient. Don't give up, make it work. I get all that encouragement right back from all of you. I'm definitely more patient, I try more new things, I make it work and I get inspired by all of you too. I love our little quilt community here at the shop and I love that we inspire each other. I am so thankful for all of you!
May all your Stitches be Sweet,
Joan
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Joan's February First Friday Demo Day Video theme will be "Sew in Love". Joan will have projects that you're going to Love! Quilts, Table Runners, Bags, Tips and More.
Check your inbox on Friday, February 3 for a new video link. Or you can Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be notified as soon as the video is uploaded!
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National Sew Day
February 4, 2023
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National Sew Day for Quilts Of Valor is celebrating it's10th year on Saturday February 4 and Sweet Stitches is supplying the fabric for the blocks and sponsoring the sew-in.
If you are interested in making blocks or being a Sew-In participant, be sure to stop in to the shop soon, there are only two days left! Already turned in, we have over 100 completed blocks, let's keep 'em busy on the 4th!
Block Kits
This year Sweet Stitches is cutting block kits for you to sign out, take home, sew up and return to the shop. All of the blocks will be donated to Quilts of Valor. For each block you finish and return by 4:00pm, Saturday, February 4 you will be entered into a drawing to win one of three gift cards to Sweet Stitches. Block kits are available at the shop.
Sew-in
On February 4, Sweet Stitches will host an all day sew-in where 12 quilters can sign up to spend the day sewing for Quilts of Valor working on donated and precut block kits to assemble quilt tops. These quilters should bring their machines, neutral color thread and basic sewing notions. Also bring a lunch or take a break and go out to eat with a friend. We would like quilters who sign up for this free day of sewing to be able to commit to stay and sew most of the day from 10:30- 4:00. We have blocks to get done! If you are interested we have just a few spots left for the Sew-in so please Call the shop at 219.250.5942 or stop in to sign up.
All of the blocks and quilt tops will be donated to our local Quilt Of Valor Group, String-A-Long Stars & Stripes, to present to local veterans to honor and thank them for their service to our country.
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2023 Pre-game Mystery Quilt Party
It's Time for Our Annual Event!
Sunday February 12, 2023
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Sweet Stitches will hold its 7th annual Pregame Mystery Quilt Party on Sunday February 12 and once again we will have a capacity crowd at this SOLD OUT event.
All players have received their game plans (cutting instructions to prepare clue bags) by email and will receive clues throughout the day to work toward the goal of building their mystery quilt in an afternoon. Coach Joan will begin calling plays and providing clues at noon.
We look forward to lots of Food, Fun, Friendship and Sewing!
Go Team Sweet Stitches!
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Lakeside Block of the Month
Block #8 is Ready. You can stop in the shop at any time as of February 1 to pick up your fabric kit.
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The February class calendar includes Cats and Canaries Applique Quilt a 40" x 60" that uses the paper backed fusible webbing method for applique. This versatile pattern has , one 15" x 20" block that can be made into a pillow. This is a great project for beginners as the pieces are larger.
Also on the calendar is the Be Mine Heart Zipper Pouch a cute little patchwork zipper pouch with heart accent for Valentines Day or any day of the year. Great for gift giving to hold special treats or to hold your sewing supplies!.
In February we have Three Sweet Retreat Days scheduled. These popular days are set aside so you can bring your machine and project to sit and sew with other quilters. A great way to meet new people and share the love of quilting.
In February we will have our standing dates for our Featherweight Club, our Accuquilt GO! Play Days and our Accuquilt Project of the Month series!
If you are interested to explore our classes and schedule, click any of the links above or the link below that will take you to our calendar. You can always find the calendar and a list of classes on our website by clicking 'Classes' in the top banner.
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Project of the Month
Darla has worked hard to create a series of projects for 2023. Each month you have the opportunity to work on a new, small project that incorporates the accuquilt cutting system and for 2023 the theme is "Seasonal Skinny Quilts".
You need not own a cutting system, our dies and cutters are available to use in class.
For our February AccuQuilt Project of the Month (February 23rd) we will work on a cute skinny quilt for your St Patrick's Day decorating that features a leprechaun and his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
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Accuquilt Go! Play Days!
WOW - Thank you to all of you that participated in our first Play Day for 2023 featuring a block Christmas Mystery. Due to demand, we have added a Second and a Third class date for February including a Saturday for those of you that cannot participate during the week.
Each month our Go! Play Days! will feature a new block, row or border that will, in the end of the year, come together as a Holiday quilt top!
The Go! Play Day! dates for February are:
2/16/23
2/18/23 **New Date Added**
2/23/23 **New Date Added**
Go! Play Days are for those who own an Accuquilt cutting system. You will need your cutter and various die sets throughout the year. Supply lists and instructions will be provided each month.
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General Maintenance and proper technique are critical for optimum performance of your sewing machine and project outcome.
We love seeing you .... yet...
Every sewist has experienced the frustration at some point or another, their sewing machine is just not working. We try a few times and then decide to pack the machine and trek to Sweet Stitches for repair.
We appreciate that you bring in your machine to us and we do love to see you in the shop. The 'yet' of this situation is that nearly every week a machine shows up that is not working only to determine that it is something simple.
When Rob works on a machine, he always starts at the beginning. All of the thread is removed both spool and bobbin. The needle is removed and the machine is set for a standard middle position straight stitch. He then inserts a new needle, inserts a bobbin, threads the machine, verifying the tension system as he does and then runs a few straight stitches to confirm operation.
If you ever find that your machine is suddenly not working, we would encourage you to do the same as Rob, start at the beginning. Redo everything, even if you know it's correct. We have had machines come in where the bobbin is missing the tension bar, or the needle is in backwards or not all the way pushed in or the upper thread missed the uptake lever or stuck in the pre-tensioning bar. It happens and it is easy to do and if you start over, it is easy fix and worth checking so you can keep working on your project.
We will leave the lights on for you and your machine when it really needs service.
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Have a question about Machine Maintenance? Feel free to stop in and ask, we are happy to assist with helpful advice to keep you sewing. |
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Quilters of all skill levels can find encouragement, inspiration and creativity at Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop. Located in Chesterton, Indiana just a few miles from the natural beauty of the Indiana Dunes National Park, Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop is your destination for fabrics, notions and all things quilting. We carry a wide variety of brights and batik fabrics as well as notions, patterns, books and Elna/Janome sewing machines. Our large classroom offers students everything they need to learn and grow their quilting talents. From fabric selection to project advice to training on your new machine, our friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to assist. Stop by the store or click the "Shop Online" link to view our wide variety of products ready to ship direct to your door.
Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop
1575 S Calumet Rd.
Chesterton, Indiana 46304
219.250.5942
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