Ready, set, SEW!

For all practical purposes, summer is over in northern Idaho. Don't spend time lamenting, however, start planning your fall and winter sewing projects! Every year once school is back in session, I start thinking about classes--taking them and giving them. I have some good ones planned.



Start off quick and easy and make Karen Montgomery's Easy Stripe Table Runner. This is a 5 seam table runner made with a border print. You will be amazed at how classy this looks. You will need a copy of the pattern, and a border print fabric. A 60 degree triangle is optional. I'll show you how to make it with or without. Class is Saturday September 18--door is open at 8:30--start sewing by 9 and be out of the door by noon with at least one runner top done! I'll have coffee and muffins.We continue with fast and fun projects on Oct 2 with my latest pattern, Company at the Cabin. You can do either the table runner or the placemats. The kit is 15% off if you take the class--all your strips are pre-cut in the kit. Same time line as on Sept. 18. Start early, end by noon or so. Classes are $15.00 each OR sign up for both for $25.00. Take both classes and have at least two Christmas gifts ready to wrap.



Take a break from classes the weekend of October 15, 16, & 17 and plan on visiting the WSQ show at the Spokane Fairgrounds. I am amazed every year at the quality of quilts displayed. Lots of demos and vendors. We will be there!

If you are wanting to learn to use the Millennium Long arm machine, I have a class scheduled for October 29 at 1 PM. From now until Christmas I have a special on purchasing time on the machine. Buy a 20 hour card for $200. Minimum rental time is 2 hours. Class required to be able to rent the machine. Give me a call or email (245-6656 or TheMissus@mrs-sewnsew.com) if you want details!

For those of you ready to take on a more challenging quilt, there is the Broken Star quilt class starting October 5. We will meet every other Tuesday evening for three classes. The book, More Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy by Jo Parrott is required for the class. I made this quilt ten years ago from a pattern in Quiltmaker magazine. I feel a bit more prepared to make it now, and many of you have requested a class, so let's do it!

Still time to make great gifts!

December is well underway, but there is still time to make wonderful gifts for family and friends. All the ingredients for gift making are right in Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's Quilt Shop. Aprons are a perennial favorite, as are hand bags, you can also whip up a table runner in a couple hours, or hem some tea towels, maybe embellish them with some fat rick rack. Pillowcases are quick and easy gifts. If you are searching for the perfect gift for a quilter--well, we have a variety of pre-cuts, such as fat quarters, "homemade" rolls (jelly rolls) and charm packs. Kits also make great gifts as well as little scissors, rulers, sewing tins for storing notions, a selection of thread, bobbin holders and quilting books. Still looking for a unique Christmas present? We have a selection of dried flowers, grown and arranged by our neighbor, Elizabeth Taylor. These are reasonably priced and last forever.

Speaking of books, we have Alex Anderson's "Start Quilting." This is a wonderful book for any aspiring quilter or new quilter that wants to have success building quilts. What else do you need or eye popping quilts? Well, fabric, of course! And, boy oh boy, do we have some awesome new fabrics! Just in yesterday is the latest from Laurel Burch, Dancing Horses. I am attaching a photo, but believe me, it doesn't do justice to the richness of this collection. I had to unwrap this one quickly just after it came in, so I could cut it for a customer. I know this one won't be around long. If horses are your animal of choice, I also have another line called "Hey Cowboy" that has nice horse fabric. Jungle animals may be more to your liking, and "Safari So Good" is adorable. My other current favorite is "Housework Whenever" from In the Beginning Fabrics. This retro looking fabric has delightful phrases such as, "A clean house is the sign of a broken sewing machine" and "When I learned how to sew I forgot how to cook." Be sure to check this one out.

Saturday, December 5 is the annual Christmas Stroll in St. Maries. The Masons will be out in front of Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's selling elephant ears, corn dogs and other delicious smelling fare. Stop in and get a 50% discount on all Coats & Clark thread, Gutermann thread, and Mettler poly-sheen thread. Patterns will be 20% off. Gift certificates are available and if you are interested in learning quilting on the long arm machine, you can also purchase a gift certificate for that. Discounts also available on 20 hour rental cards for the long arm. See you Saturday!