Twin Cities Quilting

NEW ARRIVALS

Hi Everyone!

Starting with Andover, we have the collection "Handcrafted", designed by Alison Glass. The whole collection has simple patterns and some bright colors.  This product is different than any other we've had.  These pieces have been hand stamped onto dyed muslin.  They have a tribal flair to them.

 

Next, from P&B Textiles we have "Fantasy Garden".  The floral print will go nicely with any springtime quilt.  We have both the white and black backgrounds.

 

We just got in more of my favorite new book by Elizabeth Hartman.  "Patchwork City" is a book of 75 blocks unlike those you've seen before.  All of them have a great modern appeal.  In the back of the book she showcases different ways to select fabrics and put quilts together.  In my opinion this book is much better and much more modern than the previous block book.

 

I hope you can come see me soon!

Faye

NEW CLASSES

Hi Everyone,

Before I get to telling you about some classes we've added to the schedule I wanted to tell you what's happening soon.

REMINDERS

Block of the Month starts on the 14th of February.  You can come to either the 9am or 11am class.  Whatever one works best for you that month.  This year we're making hexagons of our own design.  The quilt is stunning and is offered in this print palette or in bright batiks.  Click the pic to read more and sign up:

 

This Saturday, January 31st, our award winning teacher, Suzy Webster, teaches Beginning Machine Quilting.  Gain a wealth of knowledge and learn how to free motion stitch and use your walking foot.  Click here to register and get the supply list.

TGIF Friday takes place Friday, February 20th from 4pm to 10pm.  Or join us once you get off work.  Make some headway on projects you've been looking for the time to stitch.  We serve dinner and desert.  Party favors and fun are on the menu.  Call us to register - 651.340.8263.  $10.00 includes everything!

NEW CLASSES

Our Beginning Quilt Making class in March has been full for some time.  We're adding a new session for those of you who thought you had time to register and couldn't get in.  Our new session begins April 22, 2015 and is through May 20, 2015.  Click the pic to find out more and register.

 

Landscape Quilting is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th from 10am-4pm.  Emily Chesick will guide you from photograph to quilt.  Whether it's a beautiful picture or a treasured memory that inspires you, Emily is a great teacher to help you bring that vision to life.

 

Rose is back with her Fun Baskets class this spring.  You'll leave the class with one bucket made and plans for many more.  It all happens Tuesday, March 3rd from 6:30pm-9pm.  Click here for more information and registration.

 

Faye

NEW ARRIVALS

Hi Everyone!

We have bits and pieces of two new collections from Art Gallery.  The first is called "Gossamer".  I really like how the butterflies are represented and they would make stylish backgrounds.

 

 

The second collection is "Petal And Plume".  The peacock fabric is my favorite of this collection.

 

We also have a lot of new fabric from Windham.  The collection "Flirt" is based on simple circles and rectangles. I didn't get the rectangles.  I just didn't like them.  The circles and stripes were so much more sophisticated.

 

 

Also from Windham we have some of Lotta Jansdotter new "Follie" collection.  It has many interesting patterns in it.  Just wait to see what I do with this!

 

 

Also from Lotta I bought a couple of her basics.  I liked the irregular circles in a line.  Just the perfect contradiction.

 

Thanks for looking,

Faye

GRAVITY QUILT AND NEW ARRIVALS

Hi Everyone!

We also have new arrivals from Robert Kaufman.  This collection is called "Doe" and it's by one of my favorite designers, Carolyn Friedlander. We bought twelve of the bolts and we have layer cakes of the whole collection. Love the variety in color, and the simple patterns on the fabric. 

 

 

 

I also bought two bolts from Carolynn's "Architextures" collection that blended nicely with the new Doe. 

 

We are very excited to announce that we have Jaybird Quilts' new Gravity Quilt book in the store.  This quilt is very beautiful and a great new way to use her tools. 

 

Faye

NEW ARRIVALS FROM DEAR STELLA

Hi Everyone!

We just got some beautiful new fabrics from Dear Stella.  Love these simple floral prints! 

 

 

 

Love the main pattern!  And, lots of navy!

 

 

Faye

CLASSES

Hi Everyone!

Here's a little reminder of our classes coming up this month and next month.

TGIF Fridays

January 16th and February 20th from 4pm - 10pm

We'll buy you dinner and dessert!  Sew, Shop, Socialize and Something on Sale every 3rd friday of the month.  Bring your friends for this sew-in at Twin Cities Quilting.  

A $10.00 reservation is all you need.  Just give us a call!  Feel free to come later if you need to work.  

Big Stitch Club

January 22nd - October 22nd - every 4th Thursday of the month.  10:30am or 6:30pm

We're starting our third year!  Join us for unique patterns and our unique take on embroidery.

See last year's completed project when you click on the pic!

 

 

Beginning Machine Quilting

January 31st. 10:00am - 4:00pm

One of our most popular classes!  Suzy will cover quilting with your walking foot and free motion machine foot.  You'll learn all about batting and thread choices.

 

Zippers 2 Ways

Thursday, February 5th, 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Invisible and decorative zippers will be covered.  I'm even hoping to take this one!

 

 

Improvisational Piecing Techniques

Saturday, February 7th and Thursday, February 17th from 10:00am - 4:00pm

My favorite kind of piecing!  And I think I've set up a great format for this class.  Come on Saturday and learn many techniques to use.  I'll send you home with some ideas for a small quilt, wall hanging or bed runner.  Then we'll meet again on Thursday night and see how to put it all together.

 

 

Block of the Month

Beginning Saturday, February 14th and continuing every second Saturday of the month through January 2016.  Attend one of two sessions: 9:00am and 11:00am.

We'll cover one block a month.  Available in two sizes - queen and throw.

This years BOM uses the Hex N More tool by Jaybird Quilting.  Get a 10% discount on the tool when you sign up for the class.

 

 

Just the Walking Foot

Saturday, February 21st 10:00am - 4:00pm

You can accomplish so many different designs with this tool!  Especially now that modern quilters are doing all sorts of new things with the walking foot.  Sign up for this class and you'll gather great ideas and great tips.

 

 

To learn about our 2015 Challenge click here

 

Faye

2015 CHALLENGE

2015 CHALLENGE

The Modern Quilt

Hope you guys like this one!

     Many of you have been waiting for this announcement.  It’s great to know you’re engaged in this process.  I put together this year’s challenge with a specific goal in mind.  Modern quilting is now in all of our vocabularies.  We buy modern fabrics, we add the quilts to our pinterest pages, we buy the books and patterns with “Modern” in the the title, and we make the quilts.  But here in Minnesota we rarely get to see the quilts exhibited (how many of you are going to Quilt Con next month to see the best modern quilts exhibited?).

     So you guessed it!  This year’s challenge is to make a modern quilt!  Although this sounds easy enough, I often stumble upon quilts on the internet and in books that really are not modern even though the maker or author describes them as modern.  It’s the same with any classification we put to the test.  Let’s face it, we want to be inclusive.  The more the merrier! 

     I want to define what modern quilting really looks like with this exhibit.  Once again, we’ll be exhibiting the quilts at the shop and the MQ Show & Conference.  I’m hoping we can really show quilters in the region what makes quilts modern.  So, not only will our exhibit be fun to view, it will also be educational and informative.  Are you up to the task?

 

Here are the guidelines I’ve put together for our “Modern Quilts” exhibit.  I’m open to changing and editing these guidelines but, you’ll have to present a strong argument.

 

• Your quilt must be inspired by this challenge and made in 2015.  I’m counting on everyone being honest so that the prizes are distributed fairly.
• Sign up for the challenge at the store.  You need to make a $35.00 purchase when you sign up.  The $35.00 purchase must be in merchandise (not long arm quilting or classes).  And, you’ll need to purchase one of the fabrics you will be using in your quilt.
• We will be drawing for prizes!  Everyone who enters has an equal chance.  Two $50.00 gift certificates will be awarded for every eight entrants.  Plus prizes galore!  
• If your quilt is made from a pattern, or inspired by a book or what you’ve seen on the internet, it needs to be noted in your description.  Give credit where credit is due.  Sometimes it can be hard to find the maker’s name, especially on pinterest.  But even noting the website is better than nothing.  It’s not too hard to come up with the information after a little digging.  We’ll send you a form to use later in the process to write your description.
• Your quilt will be displayed at the store and at the show so please make it a size that can display well in either location.  If you need clarification give me a call or follow the guidelines set forth by Minnesota Quilters (http://www.cvent.com/events/2015).
• Your quilt must also have a hanging sleeve on the back.  Please follow the instructions set forth by MQ.  They are also on the sight above.

• Modern quilts...

•     Are primarily functional rather than decorative
•     Sometimes use asymmetry in the quilt design
•     Rely less on repetition and on the interaction of quilt block motifs
•     Contain “reinterpreted” traditional blocks
•     Embrace simplicity and minimalism
•     Utilize alternative block structures or lack of visible block structure
•     Incorporate increased use of negative space
•     Are inspired by modern art and architecture
•     Frequently use improvisational piecing
•     Contain bold colors, on trend color combinations and graphic prints
•     Often use gray and white as neutrals
•     Reflect an increased use of solid fabrics
•     Focus on finishing quilts on home sewing machines

•     I’ll be posting examples of modern quilts and talking more about the subject in the coming weeks.  So please, subscribe to the Twin Cities Quilting blog.  This is the only place where I will be posting about the challenge.  If you dislike getting more than one email about new arrivals, sales or other events, feel free to reply “remove from list” to the version I send out as emails (the email with the logo banner at the top).  All the information I send out is posted to the blog first.  You’ll still get all the emails but only once.  The general guidelines will also be on the events page of the website. 

     For me, a few things on the list above make it fairly simple to define modern:  By exploring modern art you can really get a good idea of what “modern” looks like.  Or, if you’re more familiar with interior decorating, explore modern minimalism.  You can google modern art or modern minimalism and then click on “images” to see many examples.  Since I come from a contemporary, art quilting background this kind of exploration is always my first step.  For you, some other form of research may be appropriate.

 

Timeline:

Jan. 5 - May 15            Sign up for challenge at the store.

May 23 - May 29           Completed quilts and paperwork drop off at TCQuilting

June 1 - June 6            Quilts exhibited at Twin Cities Quilting

June 4th                      Party! Party! Party!     4pm - 8pm

June 10 - June 13         Quilts exhibited at Minnesota Quilters Show & Conference

 

 

Please join us in this fun project!

Faye