Problem Solving

I used to be a nurse (well, I guess once you're a nurse, you're always a nurse, but anyway...) so I spent my days helping people solve their health problems. It was always satisfying to see them get better, but of course that took time, and maybe I would eventually see them again to find out if my suggestions worked. So, when I starting working in a quilt shop it never even occurred to me that a big part of the job would be problem solving. I have noticed over the years, however, that it's a huge part of the job. Helping sewers find the perfect color of thread to match the skirt with a rip in the seam, or sashing to help pull together blocks that don't seem to go together. Borders, borders, we are always looking for the perfect border combination to spice up the quilt. Today the tough issue was a straight pin that had been quilted inside a quilt--how to get it out. And the sewing machine making the strange noise (bobbin winder on), the hook that keeps falling out, (not latched in), the feed dogs that won't feed (packed with fuzz), I could go on and on...the little issues that "are critical in a non-emergency way" (a customer said that to me and I thought it was a great way to put it). There is always something to figure out, and most of the time someone on our staff can. I love seeing the relief on the customer's face, the confusion lifted, the new plan-of-action in place. They come in frustrated and leave happy. What could be more satisfying? I figure it's a kind of mental health care, (when I am feeling guilty about not nursing anymore). We find ways to help people even if it is all about fabric...!

Karen

The Cat's Away

Julie is in London for a week! So guess what we are doing?? Unpacking carton after carton of new and amazing batiks. We put out 67 on Saturday and another 40 or so bolts today. They are new ones you have never seen before, so get in here fast because the staff has already been into them.

We hope you survived our little break in the action last week. Some of us were quilting non-stop at Lake Gaston for a few days. If you ever need a perfect lakefront home for your quilting group to take a retreat, ask us about the one we use. It sleeps 8 comfortably and has a great sundeck, kitchen and sewing room (well, we turn it into a sewing room!) Lots of quilts were made, some new designs experimented with, and of course plenty of food and beverage were consumed.

We are working on the schedule for the next quarter (July, August, and September), so hopefully we will have the newsletter ready to send out and the schedule posted on the website in early June. Dont forget END-OF-BOLT Sale is this Saturday!

The new Activa 210's are here!

They are finally here and we are so excited about them. Bernina's new entry-level machine. It is great! It has needle up/down, temporary altered stitch memory, 12 basic stitches, super easy snap-on/off feet and Bernina's powerful DC motor.

I am so excited to have these machines for beginners. I just uploaded this image and I do have to tell you the machine is red and white (not blue and white).

Celeste

Demo and used machine sale

Okay all you bargain hunters, we are replacing some of our demo machines and we finally have a couple used machines recently taken in on trade. Now is your chance!

The demo machines we have are:

Activa 230 Patchwork Edition
Aurora 440 Quilter's Edition (with walking foot AND BSR!)
Artista 630E (this includes the embroidery module)
800DL serger

All of these machines are from the current line.

The used machines we have are:

Deco 650 (this is an embroidery only machine)
Virtuosa 153 Quilter's Edition, Alex Anderson series (includes CPS Software)



Celeste

Bernina Machine Mastery Class change

Just a quick note to those of you attending your free machine mastery classes this series...We have to reschedule this Tuesday evening class (#5) to Tuesday, June 12th, 6 - 9 pm. For anyone who missed class #5 before and would like to sign up, just call the store and let them know.

Remember, these classes are free to you after you purchase your machine and you learn so much about the great capabilities of your machines.

Celeste

Save a bag

We all need to do our part to reduce landfill waste, so we have a new program to help you remember to bring a bag in with you or to just go bagless when you shop. Each time you make a purchase in our store and don't need a bag, you can choose a free fat-quarter. Also, to encourage the use of fabric bags for all our shopping, we have a free pattern for grocery bags that are very easy and quick to make and require just 1/2 yard of fabric. We have a new Super Muslin (heavy weight natural muslin) that is perfect. Or you can make pretty ones out of prints. Just ask for a copy!

Cool New Stuff

A big order just came in with some great new products that you may have seen in the magazines: Misty Fuse is a new super-sheer fusible product, used like WonderUnder. ExtravOrganza is a see-through organza that you can put through your printer. It's meant to embellish quilts or scrapbooking projects. From EQ Printables, we have a 240 thread count cotton lawn that can be printed on (for top quality photos on fabric). Also a non-woven tear-away foundation fabric that you can copy or print on for foundation piecing (for those of you that dont like the feel of sewing through paper). And self-adhesive paper for printing templates for peicing or applique. We are all re-stocked on Angelina Hot Fix Fibers, and have some new fabric Paintstiks that you can embellish fabric with. Gail has already made a new sample using the Anglina and is working on one with the Paintstiks. So come on in and check it all out!

New Serger Class!

Do you have a serger you never learned to love? Or did you just get one and have no idea what to do now? This new class is for you. It's called "Serger Basics," and we will teach you how to thread the machine for the different stitches. You can bring any brand of serger. We just want you to know how to use these great machines! The class is tomorrow evening (Friday, April 20th).

We will follow this class up with one called "Serger - Beyond the Basics and into the Fun" (I know the name could be better) the next Friday. In this class we will learn more creative techniques such as making our own wired-edge ribbon, gathering, and creating lace effects to the edges of towels, skirts and more, to name a few.

Each class is $30 and you must call the store (968-6050) to register. Look for these classes to be on the schedule regularly. There is just so much you can do with a serger!

See you there...Celeste

Do you EQ?

Electric Quilt is a powerful software program for designing your own quilts. If you have never seen or used it, this is endless fun, and can be a great tool for figuring out your colors and fabric choices before you do all that sewing. Believe me, it has helped me resist making lots of quilts that I might not have liked. EQ just came out with a new version, EQ6, which has a great new feature: you can scan your fabrics, place them in the design and the program scales them appropriately for you, so they really look like they will in the real quilt. This quilt is an example of one of my "goofing around with EQ" sessions. We have the program here at Thimble Pleasures and I teach a class on how to use it, which is very easy once you get the hang of it. If you would like a quick demo just ask!

You just never know...

You just never know what might happen next in a quilt shop. Our favorite phone call this week was someone looking for a type of tape that you use to tape fabric to your skin! Now, I guess we are out of the loop cuz we hadn't actually heard of that product. But lo and behold, a customer in the store pulled some out of her purse. So I used the caller ID and called the person right back and even told her where she could buy the stuff. Now I didn't really find out why she needed to tape her clothing to her skin, but we gathered that it helps prevent clothes from falling off, or maybe a body part from falling out? If you know anymore about this please enlighten us!

Upcoming Bernina Club

Don't miss the next Bernina Club scheduled for Thursday April 5th from 10 am-12 pm or 6-8 pm. Everyone is welcome-you do not have to own a Bernina. The project we will be making this month is a Quilted Sewing Machine Cover. It will brighten your sewing room and keep pollen off your sewing machine. It even has a pocket to hold your slide-on table extension.

The supply list is as follows:

Fabric:
1 yard for the main outer cover
1 yard for the lining
1/4 yard for the contrast piping
1/4" cording for inside the piping
Craft size batting, matching thread
Sewing machine with power cord and foot control
Cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter

The presser feet we will be featuring are the Edge-stitch foot #10, the Bulky Overlock foot # 12, the Walking foot, and the Free-motion or BSR foot. If you have any of the feet, please bring them, otherwise you can try out some of ours. Please call to sign up so we know how many are coming. We hope to see you!

Charlotte Quilt Show

The Charlotte Quilter's Guild is holding their annual show this weekend at the Charlotte Latin School. Hours are Friday March 23, 9-5 Saturday March 24, 9-5 and Sunday March 25, 12-4.
The address is 9502 Providence Road, Charlotte NC 28277. Admission is $5 and children 10 and other are free. This is one of the largest shows in the southeast and features 180 art and tradtional quilts. Julie is there as a vendor, so stop by and check on her!

Laura Cater-Woods Workshop

Laura Cater-Woods is coming to Carrboro to hold an all-day workshop titled "Dreams and Memories" on Wednesday, April 25th from 10-5 at the Union Grove United Methodist Church. Please call the store (919-968-6050) or stop by to register. At left is a quilt by Laura called "Blue Moon Too". More of her work can be seen on her website: www.cater-woods.com. The workshop is appropriate for confident beginners and beyond. A supply list and directions to the location will be sent to all participants. Expand your skills and join us for a great day of sewing!

Sale on Bernina Sewing Machines

This week (March 22-30), we are having a great special on our Artista Sewing Machines!

When you buy an Artista 630E, 640E or 730E, you will receive the Bernina Version 5 Editor Plus Embroidery Software for FREE. This is an $899 value, plus you will receive free classes on how to use the machine AND the software.

Celeste will be working this Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (1-4) to show you these great machines and answer questions you may have about the software.

Bow Wow Chow Mein

It's here again! Some of you remember this fabric from Alexander Henry that flew out of the stores a few years ago. They have re-released it and we have one big bolt. This unique fabric features a pack of wacky dogs eating out of trash cans in Chinatown. Get some quick while it lasts!

News from the Bernina room

Wow, we are recovering from a very busy weekend! However, the bolts are now re-shelved and ready for you. This photo is one corner of a gorgeous tablecloth made with the new Bernina Border Embroidery set. It is a collection of 30 different designs, created specifically for borders and includes a calculator to help you decide the size and position of the design. They come on an easy-to-use USB stick and in many file formats. Come see it in person and watch for an Embroidery Club using these new designs!

Batiks

Luscious, solid Hoffman batiks.

Fabric and more fabric

It's a beautiful spring day and unbelievable amounts of fabric have showed up. UPS just delivered four more huge boxes . There are soft fuzzy baby flannels, and 33 solid batiks-the Hoffman 1895's. Wahoo! Here is a sampling of the Westminster collection from Marie Kelzer. They are colorful, funky blenders and geometrics. Thank you for all your great comments. See you soon!

New Fabrics

We have been busy unpacking two huge collections of new fabric from Westminster Fibers (Kaffe Fassett's company). Marie Kelzer's collection includes more bolts than we can even count (around 100)! We also just put out 30 bolts of new Carla Miller fabrics, another Westminster designer. We now have an entire corner full of Amy Butler fabrics and plenty copies of her new book, In Stitches, and samples made from it. In addition, we have the new Emperor's Collection for the month of March. Hurry in to see them now!

Welcome to our new blog

We are so excited about our first blog entry! Thimble Pleasures is a brick-and-mortar quilt shop in Carrboro, North Carolina, near Raleigh-Durham.

On our blog you will find up-to-date information about what's going on at our store. If you are looking for 100% cotton fabric, patterns, books about quilting, or Bernina sewing machines, Thimble Pleasures is the place to visit. We will try to make regular entries when new fabric, books or the hottest new notion comes in. So check back often to see what we're up to. For our latest schedule of classes please visit our website via this link http://www.thimblepleasures.com/.