Anderson Fabrics January 2024 Newsletter
Quilter’s new year resolutions
It’s nearly time to say goodbye to 2023, and forget about what “didn’t get done”. Many people like to use the New Year as a time to make resolutions for the upcoming year.
I have been spending time in December organizing my sewing room and finding my cutting table and projects that I had forgotten about. So, as I was looking toward writing our January newsletter, I thought, what are some good new years’ resolutions for quilters? With the help of the internet, I actually came up with quite a few that I hope to achieve and some as just suggestions for any quilter.
- Re-hash your stash. Designate a weekend where you pull all of it out of its hiding places and gather it in one central location. Sort it by color and value. Look at the piles to determine where you need to trim excess. Now pull out all the fabric that is outdated or no longer your favorite. Organize a swap with some quilting friends. Or better yet, gather them and THEIR castoffs for a massive charity quilt party. After all, Super Bowl Sunday isn’t far off! Make fast, strip-cut quilts where one team member can slice up fabric, two or three can sew strips together and another can press. Before long you’ll have a pile of useful tops that can provide warmth and comfort to those in need instead of taking up valuable space in your closet.
- Tend to your Quilts.
As avid quilters, we’re surrounded by quilts. We have quilts on display, quilts in storage, quilts in use on beds. Now is a great time to take stock of your quilts and consider switching up their rotation. Your displayed and used quilts may need to be washed. Lovingly handmade quilts can be delicate objects—especially if they have lace or dimensional applique work. Determine which quilts can be machine or hand washed (cold water only, gentle cycle, gentle detergent) and which need to be dry cleaned. We have “Orvus” packages on hand for that special quilt, or maybe consider giving a package of this gentle cleaner when you gift a quilt. A good rule of thumb is that an actively used quilt should be washed approximately twice a year. Children and kids in the house? You might need to wash that quilt a bit more. If your quilts are on display, they may not need to be washed so much as hung outside to air out—choose a shady area, out of the sun, to preserve your colors! https://www.andersonfabricsquiltshop.com/shop.htm?search_keyword=Orvus
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Replace Old Needles
Your sewing machine needles get a really tough workout. As a result, they degrade at a fairly rapid rate. Old and potentially rusty needles create a nightmare for sewing projects. Needle points grow dull and blunt over time and use. If you don’t replace old needles they can ruin beautiful fabrics and threads and destroy your quilts before they’re even finished. So, how often should you replace needles? We recommend always checking the needle before you start sewing—just in case—but a good rule of thumb is to replace needles after every three to four bobbins. Touch the tip of the needle when you first install it, and then after a few projects. Listen to your machine working with a new needle, and then working with a needle that you know is old and requires changing. You’ll soon learn what a new vs. old needle feels and sounds like, making it easier to determine when it’s time for a replacement. I always save my old needles to hang pictures. The point part is thinner and goes in the wall nicer and the thick part at top is strong to hold the pictures.
- Invest in New Projects
As you clean out your stash, you may need new inspiration. Check out our new kits and patterns. We are expecting new fabric to arrive next week from Wilmington and Shannon Fabrics. We recently started making Cuddle pillow cases, Charlotte's new obsession. We have a new kit available from Free Spirit fabrics: All a Flutter Quilt, made by Deb come check it out at the store, soon.
Stay tuned for a new kit using Moda’s new line of cream, gray and black fabrics, “Silhouette” from Holly Taylor. We are using the full line in a pattern called Garden Trellis. We have fat quarter bundles prepared for seven fabrics in each colorway that can be purchased separately or just the fabric line itself.
- Invest in New Skills
Next, prioritize your quilting goals for the new year. If you took on the stash-cleansing challenge, you’ll have extra quilt tops to work on! But you’ll also have tops that you can practice new techniques on. If your goal for 2024 is to learn new skills, consider taking a class. We have a class for making stuffed animals with cuddle fabrics and Beginning quilting scheduled for February. Other classes are being considered. If you want to master specific quilting skills such as machine quilting, then assign one day a month to that charity top and practice your skill. If your goal is to get 10 of your own quilt tops finished, block the time out on your calendar now, before it fills up with appointments and other commitments.
At the end of every day, what didn’t get accomplished moves to the next day. If it keeps hopping from one day to the next, evaluate its importance in the big picture and whether it truly needs to be done.
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Prioritize your projects for 2024.
Consider joining our UFO club for 2024. We find that it is a great way to get projects done. We saved the best (worst?) for last. Because if one of your resolutions was decluttering and organizing your projects, you likely came across some UFOs. This is one of those resolutions that can be hard to keep—but when you narrow it down to just six quilting projects in one year, it seems a little more doable. Check out our information on our UFO Club further down in the newsletter.
Here’s to a happy and successful new year!
A reminder: We are closed Saturday, December 23rd, Monday December 25th
And New Year’s Day, January 1st.
Check out our Sale for Next Week: Sale Fabric in the Basement and EXTRA 10% off. You can order online and pick up at the store.
Longarm Quilting: Mary was in elf mode all of December and got out all the quilts we accepted to be ready for Christmas. Last year she quilted 250 quilts for customers. We appreciate all who use this service. We want to inform you that the price of batting went up this year and the cost of quilting will go up $5 at the beginning of the year.
Charm Club:
Charm Club meets the second Tuesday of each month. January 9th is our next meeting. Join us on Facebook @4pm or in store @ 6pm. Remember to make a comment as your name gets put in the basket for goodies and we draw twice a year. If you watch us online, you can get 20% off one time purchase the week of the club (Code is told during the FB Live). See new fabrics; and we will have a free project for the month. Check us out on Facebook, come and join the fun.
2024 Kona Calendar BOM: We will start sewing January 18th (the third Thursday of each month) at 1pm. Watch Facebook for updates as we all choose different fabrics to complete the BOM. Should be an interesting trek. If you can’t join us and didn’t get the calendar but want to make the BOM - I have a free download on our website. It contains all 12 months patterns in one place. If the below link doesn’t work search Kona Solids Calendar 2024 BOM Patterns Digital Download
Classes:
Saturday, January 20th Cuddle Stuffy Class (or cotton Fabric) with Karen Bernard. If you are uncomfortable sewing with cuddle fabric, this class will give you hints on how to work with small pieces of cuddle. You will need a pattern from Funky friends, and scraps of cuddle. You can cut out the pattern before class, but don’t cut out your cuddle fabric. Cost: $30
bq27: Beginning Quilting Tuesday, Feb 27th
Create a lap quilt using Vila Rosa Pattern "Iced Tea" pattern or "Busy Bee" Supplies for the class are not provided but you will get 20% off your quilt supplies Bring your own machine and cutting supplies : Rotary cutter, thread, scissors, pins, spray starch
Cost: $ 25.00
Looking into new classes for 2024:
(Let us know if you are interested)
Rope Bowl class This class will be in April
Quilt as you go table runner this will be in March
Fabric Weaving Quillow (Not scheduled yet)
Sandy made some Stand and Stow bags from new fabric in the outdoor section… https://www.andersonfabricsquiltshop.com/shop/c/p/Stand-N-Stow-x53420712.htm
Classes/Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, January. 9th Charm Club
Saturday, Dec. 30th Open Sew
January 13th Arabella BOM
January 18th Kona BOM 1-4 pm
January 20th Stuffy Class
January 27th Open Sew
February 10th Arabella BOM
February 13th, Charm Club
February 24th Open Sew
February 27th, (Tuesday) Beginning Quilting Class
Sales:
Trendy Table 3 runner book and kits 25% in DEC
Dec 26-30th Sale fabric (downstairs) an extra 10% (Regular 30% off)
Jan 2-6 Cuddle Fabric 15% off
Jan 8-13 Widebacks 20% off
Jan 15-20 Precuts/Patterns 15% off
Jan 22-27 Drapery 20% off
Jan 29-Feb 3 Flat fold Sale and Blenders 20% off
Feb 5-10 Novelty/Childrens Fabric s20% off
Feb 12-17 Batiks 20% off
Feb 19-24 Quilt room Sale 15% off
Feb 26-Mar 2 Batting/Interfacing 20% off
Mar 4 - 9 Notions/Rulers Thread 20% off
Mar 11-16 Quilt kits 15% off
Mar 18-23 Patriotic Fabric 20% off
Mar 25-30 Outdoor Fabric 20% off
Happy Sewing! From: Clare, Mary, Charlotte, Lisa, Deb, Janice, Shelly, Anika and Sandy.
Check out our Website: www.andersonfabricsquiltshop.com or
Like us on Facebook: Anderson Fabrics and Quilt Shop
Special Order Draperies, Fabric Shade or Cornices Available
Hours: Monday-Friday 10-5pm Saturday 10-3pm Closed Sundays
Mailing Address: 348 Summit Ave West,
Blackduck, MN 56630
Physical Address: 24 Summit Ave. East
Blackduck MN 56630