Erica's Quarterly Newsletter - September 2011

Erica’s Craft & Sewing Center South Bend, Indiana

574-233-3112

Where You’ve Come to Expect the Best http://www.ericas.com http://blog.ericas.com

HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30-5:30 Thursday 9:30-8:30 Saturday 9:004:00 Sunday 12:00-4:00

Celebrating our 37th year!

September - December 2011

Erica‘s Happenings page 1 Happenings at Erica’s pages 2 - 3 Winners the Fairs page 4 May Sew-ers of the Month page 5 Email Testimonials Erica’s Gift Cards pages 6 & 7 Guilds come to visit! pages 8 - 13 We Love to See What You Make! page 14 Kids Sew, too! page 15 & 16 Staff Quilts and Sews, Too! page 17 Knitters’ & Crocheters’ Notes page 18 Northern Indiana Shop Hop

pages 19 & 20 Crafter Kitties page 21 Watch for an Email from Nancy and Erica’s pages 22 - 27 New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns pages 28 - 30 New & Noteworthy Fun Stuff and Cool Tools pages 31 - 33 New & Noteworthy Machine Embroidery page 34 Some of My Favorite Things on Sale! pages 35 - 55 Local New and Events

Watch for our next newsletter in January 2012

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Winners from the S t J o e C o u n t y I N Fa i r Nichole Perkins is one of the usual winners at the fair. Her dress won Reserve Grand Champion Overall and went on to the State Fair to win a Merit Award. Her coat won Champion in construction and at the Fashion Review, Final 15 at the State Fair, and second place in the Senior Division of the in the Indiana “Make It with Wool” Contest though she was the youngest in her division.

Whitney Rice is also a winner each year. This year she won 1st place in the Formal Division in the County and placed in the top 15 at State Competition.

We’re so proud of these young ladies and all of those who enter projects in the Fairs!

Congratulations!

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Winner from the B e r r i e n C o u n t y M I Yo u t h F a i r

Kasey Clear, the 20 year old brother of our Sewing Machine Repair technician, Kimmy, (seen in the photos), is a great quilter! He brought in his fair quilts and caused quite a commotion in the store. We were all in awe of his machine-piece, hand quilted projects. His Braids on Parade variation was the Grand Champion Hand Quilted Quilt.

He also won Reserve Grand Champion with his Pink & Purple Quilt. Here you can see both, but Photos don’t do them justice!son!

n Blue

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K ere’s and h quilt. ve y. I lo n Ribbo Zippy Stripp r it!

It’s ou quilted e h s how ters er sis h t o s, e e thre won ribbon ir r a e r the and (The tered able to get etn e o wh wsl en’t e wer e for the ne ted w t u b n ry tale s in tim photo s is one ve hi ter. T !) family

Winners from the S t a rke C o u n t y I n d i a n a Fa i r Again, we couldn’t get photos, but want to congratulate our ladies in Hamlet.

Norma Shively received Grand Champion for her hand quilted quilt. Betty Pflugshaupt received grand champion for her blue table runner. Nancy Reeves received grand champion for a machine embroidered banner and butterfly.

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th n o M e h t f S e w- e r s o May

We had a special presentation from Northcott’s Vic Dadika in our evening session. There were so many treats- both fabric and food, that we set aside our normal Sew-er of the Month to have time, so we’re expecting lots for our September meeting! Since Vic couldn’t be here for the morning session, we had our regular show and share. Winner was Ruth Wagner from Mishawaka. Everyone was definitely charmed by Amy Bradley’s adorable Quilt Diva shopping for fabric.

Judy Felty’s granddaughters continue to be beneficiaries of her love of sewing, and made her runner-up with one of the many dresses. Those girls are growing up so fast!

Great job, ladies!

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Email Testimonials It sure is nice of people to take time to tell us they appreciate us! We all love a pat on the back, and sometimes it even makes our day!

Thanks, ladies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for adjusting the shipping charges downward, based on actual weight, etc. I LOVE shopping with Erica's, not only for the cute patterns I've purchased in the past, but for your shipping policy. You guys/ladies are wonderful!

Pat Vogel, Apple Valley, CA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You are wonderful!! It's nice to find a business that takes care of its customers. You could have easily charged me the higher price and I never would have been the wiser, since I needed the items in a bit of a rush. Thank you for your good business practices - I'll keep you in mind for future shopping! Kate Stuart, Huntington, IN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello! Just wanted to let you know that I received my order today. Thank you so much for your promptness for both correspondence of emails and mailing. I love the fabric!

Roseann Kemp, Red Hook, NY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank You very much for the fast reply, I really appreciate it. I have been ordering various items from Erica's for a while now and greatly appreciate the wonderful service. Some places I order items from, communication and resolution of issues becomes a real hassle, Not so with Erica's.

It is a pleasure doing business with you. When needing supplies, your website is the only one go to order from, for the very reasons I stated. In fact, you should consider bottling and selling to other companies selling on line your formula for being so good, people friendly, helpful and responsive. I hate to tell you how many companies that I have ordered items and medicines from that communicating with and ordering from become an exercise in frustration, patience and a general nightmare Margaret Janousek, Live Oak, FL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .. I think Erica’s has the best customer service of any company I’ve dealt with for any type of merchandise. Keep up the good work! Nancy Landset, Lee Center, NY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you soooo much. Very happy you find a cheap way to mail the patterns. Looking forward to future business.

Randi Lynch, British Columbia, Canada

Erica’s Gift Cards can be purchased or redeemed at Erica's Craft & Sewing Center in South Bend and on our website. can be purchased for any dollar amount. have no expiration date. have no fees of any kind at any time. are used on one or more purchases until the balance is used up. can have any dollar amount added regardless of current card balance. can make someone’s day brighter!

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Lincoln Land Sewing Guild

We love to have visitors, from near or far!

Thanks for coming!

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The Pieceable Quilt Guild also came!

The bus arrived from Zanesville, Ohio.

It wasn’t such a nice day outside, but definitely brightened up once they got inside!

Darleen loves to m ak friends w ith our gu e ests!

! a purchase e d a m r e v us dri ssed Even the b ays, “Obse s te la p e s en The new lic c.” ke for fabri ra b l il w r te il Qu

And the happy la dies got with our back into famous p the bus urple bag s!

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My neighbor Gail Mc Guirre came over and I showed her how to make pillow cases for her girls, Stella and Fiona. The Fiona had picked out the fabric and both girls helped with pinning. We had a good time! You can find instructions for our Hot Dog Pillow Case on our blog!

Eugene Warner from Galien Michigan made this Bargello quilt for a close friend’s lucky granddaughter.

John Twichell from Elkhart made this beautiful Sleepy Hollow Cross Stitch project (47569). It took him 3 months to complete the project.

Jeanne and Michael Kovatch from New Albany, IN, made this quilt for their new grandbaby, Hannah. Michael designed it and Jeanne hand embroidered and hand quilted it.

A wonderful heirloom!

By the way, they love our shop and our selection of hand quilting thread!

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Karen Lindley from South Bend (right) poses with Nancy, who taught Karen's first quilt class only FOUR years ago. This is her Blueberry Confetti quilt which she pieced and quilted herself on her Handi Quilter Fusion. She even pieced the backing! She has come a long way in 4 years.

Way to go, ladies!

Katie Wantuch of South Bend made this, her first quilt, for her Busia’s 90th birthday. Her grandma undoubtedly love it!

Gwendolyn Holman from Gary, IN, brought in several things to share. She made the black vest for herself. It has enough pockets inside that she no longer carries a purse!

The dress with matching purse is a Christmas gift for her granddaughter. The bodice was sewn on the Babylock Evolution with rolled edges and bartacked and hot-fix pearls attached. She made the Guayabera Shirt for her grandson to match a shirt of his father’s.

He will be wearing it on his first birthday.

Gwendolyn is a very talented seamstress!

Sondra Kalwitz is one productive lady!! Her Twister Tool quilt is for her grandson’s wedding.

Another time she brought in the Flower Pot quilt she made for her granddaughter. She also does a lot of charity sewing. Sondra never has idle hands!

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Virginia Thomas from Culver, IN, made this quilt just for fun.

It’s the Floral Bouquet quilt from the Jelly Roll Quilts Book.

Jeanette Barden (Goshen, IN) made the T-Shirt Graduation quilt for her niece Rachel Scheffers’ June 2011 graduation.

Rachel, from Middlebury, made the floral quilt as a 4-H projects and won Reserve Grand Champion. It’s a wonderful gift for her mother.

Congratulations, Rachel!

Elaine Kolaski and Celeste Decker (from Michigan, near Detroit) were in town to visit their sister Annette Featherstone of Mishawaka. They love to visit us too! Elaine and Celeste brought in their altered Misty Pines (Jeri Kelly Design) that they made using their Shop Hop free fat quarter that they got from us! It was perfect for the northern light sky in their projects.

Kim Branum from Fishers Indiana made this T-Shirt quilt for her best friend’s son’s graduation. He’s certain to love it!

of 11 Unfortunately we didn’t get photos

her, but Linda Thews of South Bend made embellished these jeans jackets for a church craft auction.

She zig zagged around the pooches, then painted over stitching to make the backgrounds the same color. The outlines stitched pooch is her own Westie!

Lisa Houston (Niles, MI) showed us this wonderful “Flight of the Dragonfly.” It’s one you should really see in person.

It’s exquisite! She did bobbin work for part of it, and thread painting. The moon is Angelina. The dragonflies are made of fabrics and threads.

Lynn Leipold from Cassopolis, MI, made this beautiful Antique Rose quilt for her granddaughter, Isabelle Kennedy. It has a beautiful wavy border. It was quilted by Sally Roll.

Marcia Reynolds’ first class with us was in 1989. She reminded me that, feeling overwhelmed, she was going to give up on tole painting after the first session and I talked her out of it. This is her first project way back then! She continued painting and now is also in embroidery club with her Topaz and in Stitcher’s Garden. I’ve seen projects where she has combined her painting and embroidery, and it’s a great combination. She’s a very creative lady!

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Friends are for Sharing Ramona Minnie from Mishawaka brought in her hand embroidered State Birds and Flowers quilt.

Another Fair winner, Dolores Tresemer from Hobart, IN, brought in her Pinwheels Aplenty quilt that she entered in the Lake County Fair. She won ribbons!

Congratulations, it’s beautiful!

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Two Special Memory Quilts

This is Barbara Keelean with the quilt she got from her daughter Annette Blaschuk, (Niles), for her 80th birthday.

Annette showed us the blocks in Handi Quilter Club and we were in awe of what she’d done, so I wanted to share more of the story.

Her mother saved Workbasket magazines from 1950 and 1951 because there were a boy and a girl for each month of the year to embroider. She was always going to hand embroider them but didn't have the time. Annette doesn't hand embroider, but she has her 5D software and a Designer Diamond, so she digitized the copyright-free pictures . She embroidered them on bleached muslin and used the 30's reproduction fabrics as her mom was born in 1931. After designing and piecing the top, she quilted it on her Handi Quilter. What a wonderful gift to give her mother!

Carol Hiss, from Leesburg, IN, intended to give her daughter this quilt. However, she loved it so much, she decided to keep it, and made her daughter a different one!

This is Carol’s “African Memories” quilt, which features photos from her trip to visit her daughter in Africa. The photos are all captioned and show villagers fishing, choir members dressed in white for midnight mass, family and friends. She shows the quilt back, which is a limited edition African fabric made for their 2005 equivalent of our Independence Day. This is certainly a great way to keep her memories. Here are some close-ups.

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O u r K i d s S e w, t o o !

Kayla Fleisher from Bridgeman, MI brought in her Bug Quilt.

Kayla's grandma Janis Fleisher guides her with her sewing and quilting. and she's really doing well! She entered it in the 2011 Berrien County Youth Fair and got honorable mention. Good job!

2nd Grader Kerri Easton from Wakarusa brought in her very 1st cross stitch project to share!

Lucas Hernandez, from South Bend, came in and bought a skein of Marshmallow yarn. He asked for help in getting started making a scarf and our Ginny helped him. He went home and finished a scarf for his aunt Isa and brought it in for us to see, and went home with another skein. He’s repeated that several times. He obviously loves it! Great job, Lucas!

Kami (Rolling Prairie), Anna (Mishawaka) and Gabby (Plymouth) show off their newly made Owl Pillows that they made in Becky's Kid's Sewing Camp!!!

You can see the two sides of these students in the photos!

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Our Staff Quilts & Sews!

Diane James from our Sewing Department, “doesn’t do small.” Or even medium, very much. Every one of my classes she’s been in, she did the largest size or enlarged the project! On the left you see her mystery quilt. Below is “Just Hitched,” All the blocks are horse or farm subjects. It was for her niece’s wedding.

Diane's niece trains people to ride horses and loves farm life.

Becky Adams, also in our Sewing Department, shows her appliqued coneflowers wallhanging.

Kim Wilson, who works at the front counter, made this quilt for her lucky daughter Alex, using Frolic fabrics.

Melodye Drake, also of our front counter staff, shows her version of the popular Bow Tucks purse using fabric’s from Moda’s Lovey.

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More Staff Photos Sharon Beaudin, from our Order Department, made this cute little camera bag. She said it was super- easy and only took her 45 minutes. It’s called Fun and Flirty, by This & That, #A11588

Kimmy Clear, our Sewing Machine Technician, not only takes card of machines, she uses them! And she does a great job at both! Here she is with the our fun Zippy Strippy quilt that she sewed and quilted. It won a blue ribbon at the fair and they, as I, loved the innovative way she quilted it.

Nancy Koski (Receiving Department) and Linda Ullery both made “Miss Mary’s Pinwheels” quilts.

They’re both so pretty, and look so different.

That’s one of the things I like about quilting!

This pretty quilt was the combined effort of Suzanne Stone in our shipping department, and her daughter Rae! It is stunning!!

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Knitters’ and Crocheters’ Notes Change it Up

We're all guilty of it. We see a sample made or a picture in a book/magazine and think “That's exactly what I want to make!”. The we head to the yarn department to find the exact yarn that was used. This is where the “fun” begins.

Sometimes the designer used a yarn that was provided by the manufacturer, sometimes they used something from their stash. And sometimes we fall in love with an item from two years ago, and the yarn is no longer being made.

Your favorite store (and we're hoping that's Erica's) can't carry every yarn that's out there, but we do carry a range of fibers and every weight. You may have to go with plan B – especially if you want to get started right NOW! It's ok to choose a different yarn than the original. Sometimes,when the original is no longer available, it's necessary. Please remember, we're here to help! We can suggest great substitutions and help with your choices. If you're shopping online, you can still ask questions and we'll do our best to get the answers.

It's not as difficult as you think, as long as you remember a few simple rules.

First, check the gauge of the original.

Notice the number of stitches per 4” (not sure where they came up with 4”- need to research that) and the size needle used. Then check out the yarns that have a similar gauge. This is usually noted on the label. European labels tend to show a small square with numbers around the sides- the number on the bottom of the square is the gauge. Take a look at the suggested needle size also. If the pattern calls for a 24 stitch gauge with a size 7 needle, then the yarns you consider should be close to, if not exactly, that (for example, a 25 stitch on a 6 or a 22 stitch on an 8 should work, with a bit of adjustment).

Next, consider the fiber. If the original was done in wool, the stitches will look a certain way, and the fabric will drape a certain way. If you choose cotton instead, remember the drape will be very different (much softer), but the stitch appearance should be similar. If the original yarn had a bit of fuzz, the item will look different if you use a smooth yarn. Sometimes different is great, sometimes not.

Third, watch your yardage. If the original requires 1000 yards, be sure you purchase at least 1000 yards. I prefer using the yardage rather than the weight as this is a more exact way to compare. 100 yards of a wool may weigh differently than 100 yards of cotton , but

100 yards IS 100 yards.

See, you can change it up and create a oneof-a-kind item! If you're thinking about starting something new, here is some information on the trends for Fall. Colors, styles, and items change from season to season and year to year.

While it's great to be in style, remember you're knitting/crocheting to please yourself or someone else, so choose what you will use and enjoy.

Having said that, it's still fun to see what's happening out there.

Colors for Fall will be a bit more subtle, slightly grayed. A pale grey, a soft blue/grey, beige, and light brown are the neutral range.

The colorful side of the scale includes teal, cedar green, a rich purple, a strong pink (rose), rosy orange and greenish yellow. You can see the range at http://www.pantone.com/ (select Fall 2011 Fashion Color Report under “Features”).

As for what yarns will be “in”, we're seeing loads of mohair (often used for shawls, but really lovely as sweaters or scarves) as well as bulky yarns, especially roving types. There are a variety of bulky “chain” yarns- these look like the strand is already knitted, making them super cozy and super light. Novelty yarns are also easing back into the mix, adding a bit of fun to projects. We've seen ruffling yarn, beaded yarn and a little metallic.

As far as fashion styles go, big sweaters are being shown almost everywhere, from fashion runways to knitting magazines. These look SO cozy, and when they are done with a bulky yarn, they knit up quickly. Please remember, if you can knit it, you can crochet it too! You'll need more yarn for a crochet version , but the colors and style thoughts work for either craft.

Lace is also out there, not always in a fine yarn as we normally think of it, but often done in a bulky weight, for scarves and wraps. Cables were big last fall, but I'm still seeing them in many magazines. I really like the simple tunic style pieces that are beginning to show up – think two rectangular panels attached at the shoulders and part way down the sides- too easy to knit and a great place to show off a special yarn, interesting stitches or fun texture. These panels would be great in crochet too, either simple rows or done in squares or other shapes.

Be trendy, be classic, be creative! And remember, it's ok to change it up a bit!

by Cathy Mark

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Northern Indiana Shop Hop We hope you’ll be joining us for our fourth Northern Indiana Shop Hop!

Thursday, Oct 13, 10am-7pm Friday, Oct 14, 10am-7pm Saturday, Oct15, 10am-5pm

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Come “travel internationally" with us.

Visit 5 different "countries."

Have your "passport" stamped in each country and you’ll be eligible to win the fabulous prize baskets from each store!!!

Yo u ’ l l g e t a g i f t a t a l l t h e s t o r e s a n d a f r e e p a t t e r n r e l a t e d t o t h e c o u n t r y t h e y r e p r e s e n t . Yo u ’ l l s e e the finished sample made up when you visit. There will always be food to refresh you from you travels.

Food, gifts, fabric and fun -- don't miss out!

Participating Shops Erica's Craft & Sewing Center, South Bend, IN (Iceland) Stitch 'N Time Fabrics, South Bend, IN (Hungary) Needle and Thread, Valparaiso, IN (Jamaica) Calico Point, Goshen, IN (England) Just Plain Annie's, Winamac, IN (Ecuador)

Registration is $10.00. For registering you will get: A Commemorative Bag A booklet with all the store information (maps, hours, etc) and Passport.

A free gift from each store when you visit.

A free pattern for a project from each store.

R e g i s t e r N O W, in our store or online!

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Our Craft e r K i t t y

This is the help I had when I made my first Zippy Strippy!

Tchaikovsky helped me press the strips I had sewn together.

Ask for your free pattern when you buy any Jelly Roll, Tonga Treat, Building Logs, etc. Or if you live in our area, join us for the day and make your own Zippy Strippy! (See information in our class section.)

Local Crafter Kitty Kim Wilson, one of our co-workers, made a quilt for her husband’s friend who likes the Chicago Cubs. As you can see, she had help from 3 year old Mrs. Snugglesworth. Like all good feline quilters, she adorns any fabric she sees. In her spare time, she loves to tease her dogs and Kim’s grandson!

Sign up for our email updates at www.ericas.com/signup and our blog updates at http:\\blog.ericas.com

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More Crafter Kitties

Leila Salo from Kawkawlin, Michigan, introduced us to Kitty. “She was a stray. At 6 months old she came to our home crying, starving, and skin and bones. She turned 3 years old last February. When I start sewing, she’s right there. She makes sure that my quilts don’t fall off the table as I sew. She enjoys a sauna when I press my fabric with the iron. She chases the end of my measuring tape, elastic and what ever else she can.

She is so much company, I don’t know what I would do without her!

Normally we just show the crafting side of kitties, but this one is of Mr. Peepers after he got ejected from the sewing room! “He was being very naughty in the sewing room. So I scooted him out. This is where I found him !!! He was just soooo rotten that day. I have had pieces of fabric missing and found them scrunched up in his cat bed...He is spoiled rotten !!!” Carol Scott lives in Bloomington, IN, and I’m sure she knows that cats are made to be spoiled rotten!

Did you look at these pictures and think, “MY cat’s a sew-er (or crafter), too! He (or she) should be in Erica’s newsletter!” If you have a kitty that shares your love of crafts and sewing, and you catch him in the act, email a picture (with good resolution) and a SHORT (you know how we feline fanatics can go on and on!) paragraph about it. Send it to me at erica@ericas.com. We use kitty pictures in our online newsletter and in the local paper newsletter, and we’re so happy to help show off these delightful felines for their human companions. So get out your camera, and catch your special “fur-purrson” crafting!

Wa t c h f o r a n e m a i l f r o m Nancy Zieman and Erica’s Craft and Sewing Center inviting you to watch N a n c y Z i e m a n T V.

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Be sure you “confirm” when you get that email! It will allow us to send you an email the second Tuesday of October and each month after, to let you know the newest program is available. In that email you’ll also get a coupon which we can honor in the store or online, for something she shows that month.

I got to see some of the projects she has planned, and they’re really exciting! There’s no charge for getting the emails or watching the programs. All you need to do is confirm the email, so don’t hesitate. Confirm as soon as you see it.

Starting in October, if you come into the store, you’ll see Nancy in the Sewing Department with a display of the project for the month. Sewing Consultants will be able to answer any questions.

As of September 1st, people in 4987 different places around the world visit our blog!

Are you one of them? blog.ericas.com

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New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns

Ho Ho Ho, Make a beautiful stocking for someone special with the kit Santa and Toys. The needlepoint kit includes the pre-printed canvas, wool yarn, cotton thread, felt backing, needle and instructions.

Get started now on this treasure.

A12884 ($29.99) Try something new with Winner's Bouquet. This new pattern from Atkinson Designs makes creating a stunning quilt with curved pieces simple. There are templates as well as a pattern with easy-to-follow instructions. By changing the placement of light and dark fabrics you can change the look of the quilt in a stunning way. Expand your skills with this fun quilt. A12863 ($30.00) Let's do lunch! Tote your own with a stylish new bag from Lunch Bags. This book includes patterns for 25 sacks and wraps that range from range from something that looks like a handbag to a lunch sack or clutch.

Many patterns include accessories, like the lunch sack with a sandwich bag or the lunch bag with a placemat. The patterns are straightforward and simple, so you can whip something up in no time (maybe even make a different bag for every Hillside Travelers is a charming cross stitch pattern that features a sweet saying about traveling and returning home again. The tall houses and stylized trees and flowers will keep you smiling while you stitch. A12855 ($9.00) For those who enjoy antiques and cross stitch, A Stitcher's Journey from Blackbird Designs

offers a selection of samplers and sewing items. Images of antique sewing items add a lovely feel to the book. The soft tints of the floss make your modern-day work look vintage. A12815 ($27.00) For those who enjoy little quilt projects, we now have a series of patterns called Quilted Pictures.

Each pattern has instructions for four 10” square pieces. Piecing and applique designs are included in each pattern.

What a value! A12875, A12801 (shown here), A12880 ($9.00 each) Get your children involved in crafts with Crafting with Kids. This “Teach Yourself Visually” book offers step-by-step instructions for 75 projects ranging from paper crafts to fabrics, from craft sticks to pipe cleaners, from making toys to making gifts.

There is so much in this book! If you have children, you need this book! A12826 ($21.99) And if you have (or know someone with) a baby, you'll need Making Baby's Clothes. Inside are 25 great patterns for clothing for children up to 3 years old. Full-size patterns and illustrations for details make these projects fun. The styles are classic, and you can change the feel of a favorite piece by changing fabrics. Make them a wardrobe, all with one book! A12814 ($19.95)

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New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns (continued)

I love history, so I enjoyed looking through Knitting America. This wonderful book, which includes 20 historical patterns, offers a look at the history of knitting in America. Loaded with photos, this book covers colonial times through the present. Travel through time and discover interesting information and historic designs. A12819 ($24.99) Another look at history, this time of quilting and the movement west. Home on the Plains describes and illustrates, through photos and period documents, the movement west to life in a sod house. The stories of various women, their thoughts on their new lives as well as the quilts they made are described here. The book includes patterns based on their quilts. A12816 ($26.95) Beautiful indeed! Beautiful Botanicals is one gorgeous book! Here are 45 applique flower patterns as well as 14 quilt projects using those flowers. There is basic hand applique information as well as full sized template patterns. Just looking through this book is inspiring. A12813 ($23.95) We've added loads of new patterns to our wool department!

And many use the less expensive wool felt, which is SO easy to work with because you don't have to worry about fraying.

Indygo Junction has two new fun series: Alice in Wonderland and The Circus Collection, of little figures that are shown as ornaments. Use wool felt to make the bodies, and then pick up

the embellishment pack (one for each set) that contains all the little bits that make these characters so perfect. Alice A13519A13521, Circus A13516A13518 ($9.99 each) We have a beautiful new selection of wool/wool felt patterns from Wooly Lady. These floral designs are traditional with a bit of modern flair. Gladioli and lilies are given a fresh look with rich colors and decorative arrangements. And the Fresh Flowers Candle Mat is a stunner!

Choose over-dyed wools or select the easier-towork-with wool felt.

A13060 (shown here) A13064 ($9.00 each) Put your patchwork skills to a new purpose with Quilted Bags with Style. Inside are 25 purses, totes and bags, all created using patchwork techniques. The bags range in a variety of shapes and sizes, all with simple piecing, using a variety of fabrics.

Embellishments add a special touch to the projects. If you want one source with lots of fun bags, this book is it!

A13090 ($19.95) If you like the clothesline based bags and baskets, Indygo Junction has a new pattern just for you! Quick Clothesline Carry-Alls has a secret technique that makes their bags go together so quickly. (I'm not telling here, you'll need to get the pattern.) You'll need clothesline, fabric strips, and thread to make these bags that can also stand in as baskets. Choosing the colors will make them all your own! A13510 ($9.99) Lynette Anderson Designs offers some very charming hand embroidery/patchwork projects.

Two of my favorites are the Welcome Home Pillow and the Birdhouse Bag. Both projects include basic piecing for the pillow body and

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New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns (continued)

the bag body (done in crazy patch). Then add embroidery for the image on the front of the pillow – a sweet country house theme, complete with sheep and chickens. The bag flap is embroidered with a cute set of birdhouses and a floral wreath. These will delight everyone! And both include the iron-on transfer sheet for the embroidery. Pillow A13083, Bag A13081(shown here) ($17.60 each) How about a new “No Sew” method of quilt making? Pie Plate Patterns has a new technique they call Pie to Go! that uses a variation of foundation work and raw-edge applique to assemble your fabrics, then you quilt as you go – completing the “piecing” and quilting all in one step! Fast, fun, easy ...what more could you ask? If you like square blocks, see A13505, if you prefer curves (easy with this method) see book Pie to Go II A13504. Each booklet includes three quilt patterns and the basic how-to's. ($12.00 each) If you’re a knitter who likes to make little things, the book Itty-Bitty Toys will give you plenty of ideas. Inside the spiral-bound hardcover you'll find patterns for 26 toys including balls, animals, dolls and reversible toys. Expand your knitting skills while making something to delight the youngsters in your life! A13685 ($17.95) There's a series of knitting book titled “One Skein Wonders,” and we have a new addition,

Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders. Here are 101 small projects (my favorites) done in lovely specialty fibers. And please remember, just because they used cashmere doesn't mean you can't use wool, as long as you remember to watch your gauge. The projects include hats, scarves, baby items, home pieces and much more. These wonderful projects will keep you happily knitting for a long time! A13684 ($18.95) Crabapple Hill offers new patterns for the upcoming holidays.

Which Witch's Boot features an embroidered old fashioned boot filled with Autumn decorations and surrounded by simple piecing which finishes this wall hanging. A13882 ($9.00) Then for Christmas there are the Trim the Tree pattern, A13879, with

two snowmen finishing their decorating so cute, and the lovely Night Before Christmas Pillowcase – sure to ensure sweet dreams. A13829 ($8.00 each) If you love applique we have a great new book, Folk Quilt Applique. There are 20 projects inside that include small projects and large as well as wool applique pieces. You're sure to love the charming style of these projects! A13883 ($24.99) The Teach Yourself Visually Series is a great reference for the knitter/crocheter. The latest offering is Circular Knitting. This volume will teach everything you need to know about

25

New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns (continued)

working with circular needles and working flat or in the round. By the way, circular needles are better for you – easier on your joints. A13887 ($21.99) What a cute quilt for your little boy! On The Go! is an applique pattern with bold colors and trucks and cars zooming all over the quilt. Simple piecing and easy applique will make this as much fun for you as it will be for them. Your little guy will love it! A13455 ($9.00) Here's a great idea when the little ones are sleeping somewhere other than their own beds: Blissful Turnaround.

This pattern will help you create a blanket/pillow in one.

A few yards of flannel and some time are all you need to make this useful piece – and we have a great selection of fun flannel prints they are sure to love! A13687 ($4.00) Here's another Civil War history book that includes quilt patterns. Learn the story of Confederates in the Cornfield, a confederate raid into Iowa. Besides details of the historical situation, you'll find patterns for six quilts. Perfect for those of you who love the history behind the quilts.

A13857 ($16.95) Expand your knitting in the round skills while creating hats and mittens. Mittens & Hats for Yarn Lovers offers 13 patterns as well as loads of technical information on

ways to work in the round and basic patterns for hats & mittens that you can customize. Get started on that Christmas list with this great reference! A13847 ($24.99) Now one for the crocheters: Go Crochet! This wonderful volume shows how to create 50 different motifs and then gives ideas for combining them into afghans. As a beginner, I love that the instructions are written out as well as charted. So easy to take these blocks with you and work as you are on the go. What a great reference book! A13845 ($24.99) I love animals, so the new Huggable Crochet book is a delight to browse through.

Inside are instructions for crocheting 19 different animals from around the world.

The kangaroo pictured on the cover is so cute, and a sheep, cow, and elephant are among the other great designs!

A13842 ($22.99) Countdown Calendars show that these projects are for more than just Christmas. There are calendars for birthdays, weddings, Father's Day, chores, Valentine's Day and vacation as well as Christmas and Hanukkah. What fun! A13841 ($15.95) Contribute d by Cathy Mark

Erica’s Additions: Lynn in our Sewing Department had a chance to take a class with Karen Linduska, who wrote the great new book, Your Machine's Decorative Stitches.

You can see Lynn’s sample in the department. The book gives you great ideas on

26

New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns (continued)

how to use the stitches that come with your sewing machine to give your projects design excitement. Appealing not only to the beginning quilter, this book will remind us all of the choices available at our fingertips.

Written for any brand of machine, Karen provides 12 small projects, that can be combined to make two larger wallhangings.

A13008 (24.95) Another opportunity to use your decorative stitches!

The Permission Purse pattern from Indygo Junction includes fun with the stitches, decorative threads, circular embroidery attachment, and felted fabrics. Turn stitched squares into a diamond purse or lunch tote A13511 (9.99) Want still more decorative stitching? Try Cleverly Stitched Cases and add three more different shapes A13512 (9.99) An instant hit on our site was the I-Cozy Palooza pattern.

These booklet style covers fit the iPad snugly. There are four different flap styles to choose from and this pattern is Fat Quarter Friendly! What a great way to keep your iPad safe from scratches! A13650 (9.00) If you want protection for your E- reader,

there’s also an E-Cozy Palooza pattern There are two sizes, one of which will hold any of the different new reading devices. There are two size options and four styles. Again, fat quarter friendly!

A13651 (9.00) It’s been a while since we saw a new book from our favorite sassy fabric-manipulating Brit! Jennie Rayment Foldy Rolly Patchwork Pzzazz, as Jennie puts it, is “tactile twiddling for all!” She has “twelve blocks and related projects to entrance, educate and entertain, from textured quilt blocks to bags, quags, cushions and table mats. These ingeniously simple, yet fabulously folded novel techniques are ideal for all stitchers of every ability. Full of colour with every stage presented in clear photographic format. Helpful hints and useful tips abound plus lighthearted tales of travel and daring-do!” I couldn’t have said it better myself, although I would have spelled “color” differently! 50440 (27.80) In the book Custom Curves, Karen McTavish offers you lots of designs, including 5 complete wholecloth designs from 27 original elements, to help you make truly unique quilts. On the accompanying DVD, Karen invites Ronda K. Beyer, to teach her curved crosshatching technique. Together they teach a 65 minute lesson. No matter if you quilt by hand or machine, the designs and lessons in this book will inspire you to express your artistic talents through quilting.

A12808 (24.95) See Rhonda’s tools in our Cool Tools and Nifty Notions section.

Fans of Laura Lee Fritz will be pleased to see 250 New Continuous-Line Quilting Designs. These can be used with by any machine quilter – regular machine or longarm. Mix and match the unique designs

27

New & Noteworthy Books & Patterns (continued)

to tell a story and personalize your quilt. Included are people, animals, nature, sports, holidays, and more.

With the exception of Jenny Haskins’ Creative Expressions, we had never had so many preorders for a magazine until Australian Homespun’s Blue Edition with the highly awaited Bonnie Hunter

article and quilt pattern, Jamestown Landing. And it’s no wonder! The quilt is marvelous in blue and white and bound to be an all-time favorite! A13484 (9.95) Splashed! is that fun positive/negative that Patch Works Studio is famous for. The cover is done in Stonehenge fabrics, and it’s stunning in any high contrast fabrics. Instructions are for two sizes: 42 1/2" x 56 1/2", or 28 1/2" x 28 1/2". A13252 (9.00) If you’re looking for a fun Jelly Roll pattern, take a look at Migration

by Karen Montgomery. You will need 42 strips measuring 2 1/2" so it’s perfect for Jelly Roll and other similar precuts. Most packages have 40 strips, so you’ll need to throw in a few from your stash. The motif that you use to join the ends is a goose (?!) triangle, thus the name of the pattern. It’s 48" x 66". There’s a great new Creative Grid ruler you’ll want to add to your ruler stash. (3 1/2" x 12 1/2" Quick Trim & Circle Ruler, A113002 in our Fun Stuff and Nifty Notions article) The pattern number is A12994 (8.50).

Karen’s fantastic Old Dog New Tricks Pattern also uses that ruler. This quilt is 52" x 52". A13535 (8.50) If you like birds and applique, take a look at Fancy Feathers! It’s a 20” x 46” wallhanging or a 47” x 64” quilt. The pattern includes full size designs of fancy feathered birds for you to use with your favorite appliqué technique. A13832 (18.00) There is also a version for automatic machine embroidery, in our next section.

We know you get a lot of email, but we think you’ll enjoy our email newsletters and our blog posts.

Sign up for our email newsletters! www.ericas.com/nl Sign up for our blog posts! http://blog.ericas.com

28

Fun Stuff, Cool Tools, & Nifty Notions

Get a head start on the holidays with these cute felt kits!

Each kit makes 3 ornaments, and because they are felt, they go together SO quickly and easily.

There are snowmen (A12965), snowmen faces (A12968), trees (A12967), and birds (my favorite) A12966. ($9.99 each) More fun with felt, this time as purses! Each kit has a colorful felt purse, with stitching holes already pierced, floss for stitching, handles, a decorative button, needle and instructions.

And they are made just for kids, so you can keep those young hands busy making something useful. These also make a great gifts for the youngster to make and give to their special friends. Pink A12977, Green A12979, Grey A12980 ($6.99 each) If you knit or crochet, we have something new for you!

Starting Points are suede slipper soles that you knit or crochet onto, creating handmade slippers. The soles have fleece linings and include patterns for knit or crochet slippers. What a great gift idea!

Get started now and give those you love a great handmade holiday gift!

Adults A13091, A13092 Baby Booties A13093 ($11.99 each) Make a floral accent quickly with one of the new Kanzashi Flower Makers from Clover. These little tools guide you through the cutting and stitching process

to create wonderful flowers that are perfect for adding a special touch to quilts, bags, even clothing! Gathered Petal Maker A13502 ($5.75); Round Petal Maker Large A13499 ($6.00); Round Petal Maker Small A13498; Pointed Petal Maker A13500 ($5.75 each) Get a head start on Christmas with these pretty new kits from Mill Hill. The Three Wise Men have always been a favorite of mine and these beaded cross stitch ornaments are so lovely. Hang them on your tree or attach to a gift for a extra special touch. Gaspar A13569; Melchior A13570; Balthasar A13571 ($7.50 each) There are some beautiful new 6� x 6� pictures also from Mill Hill. Holiday Delivery (shown here) features cross stitch, beads and a ceramic button used for the image of a cardinal and mailbox.

A13564 Winter Woods has another cardinal in a blue and white forest A13565 and Believe depicts a special Santa.

A13566 ($12.50 each) A wonderful new product for the cross stitcher: Soluble Canvas.

This is 14 count waste canvas that dissolves in water! No more trying to pull threads after you've finished your stitching! You'll want to embellish all sorts of items when it's this easy. A13624 ($5.99)

29

New & Noteworthy Fun Stuff, etc. (continued)

What Caught Erica’s Eye Aunties Two has moved off her regular clothesline technique to create these fabulous new Kraft Krates. The pattern shows you how to use any fabric, Inn-Spire and InnControl Plus by Innovative Craft Products to create these simple, elegant storage cases. Pattern A12797 (9.00).

Wonder Clips are a great alternative to pins, especially when working with vinyls, piles, and heavyweight fabrics. They open wide and have flat backs for easy feeding up to the presser foot. They hold layered sections of sewing projects such as handle connectors to handbags, piping, even quilt bindings while sewing. Package of 10 A12995 (6.95) Package of 50 A12996 $32.95 Rhonda’s Rulers make curved crosshatching easy with no marking.

There are ¼” and ½” etched lines to help keep it uniform. Karen McTavish’s new book, mentioned in our New and Noteworthy Books and Patterns section, goes into detail about how to use these great new rulers. This one is a Double S Curve. I’m excited about using these in an upcoming quilt!

These 6 1/2" LED Lighted Stainless Steel Tweezers have a serrated jaw on the bent tip, no slip comfort grips on the handle, and a button to click the powerful LED light on and off. And they even have three LR41 batteries included. A12998 (10.89) Thermal Thimbles are heat resistant finger protectors. There are three sizes in a package to choose your best fit. They’re designed to fit

the index finger and thumb on either hand. These will help you to hold and adjust fabric as you press it without getting burned. A13069 (5.99) The Quick Trim Ruler is an ingenious new tool developed by Karen Montgomery for Creative Grids. It features 90 degree angles that add the seam allowance when cutting triangles, eliminating the points.

Use the eight drilled holes at one end as pivot points to draw circles from 2" to 22" - and every half inch in between. See how it’s used in the Product Video section of our website.

A13002 (16.99) We have three new Creative Grids Basic Range Rulers, for when you just need a simple ruler, easy to see and read, and easy to use. They don’t have the extra ½” on one side, so you don’t have to figure out which side to use (my hint with those is to color in the ¼” block at the corner that has the 1” on both sides). Because they do not have the additional 1/2″ on two adjoining sides of the ruler, the double numbering system is not necessary, again making it more simple. There are no 1/8” markings, either. - no extra ½”, no 1/8” markings. They have the wonderful Creative Grids non-slip grippers around the entire edge of the ruler, so they’re especially good for quilting newbies.

4" x 14" A12881 (16.45), 6" x 9" A12849 (17.45) 6″ x 24″ A12635 (23.95) The Turn-it-All is a new sewing tool that turns fabric tubes inside out easily and quickly. For anyone who sews, this tool is a necessity! Turns: spaghetti straps, scrunchies, doll parts, quilting decorations, even bag handles! There are 3 tool sizes, and they’re made in the U.S.A. A13878 (9.99) If you liked Deb Tucker’s Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star, you’re sure to like her Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star. She’s developed a method to strip piece the Lemoyne Star, then trim it down for a quick, perfect block. And, as with the Hunter’s Star there are no Y-seams and you get

30

New & Noteworthy Fun Stuff, etc. (continued)

beautiful results every time.

The tool makes 10 block sizes - 3" to 12". A13261 (29.50) this is a picture of Snowflurries, one of the patterns that uses this amazing tool.

A12853 On the new Quilt Label Collective CD there are 150 designs to print, color and embellish. 17 designers contributed their work.

Open the designs on your computer and add words, or print them on paper or printable inkjet fabric sheets, and add color and words with Fabrico Markers. Styles range from contemporary to traditional to vintage. Themes include birthdays, weddings, new babies, and all-occasion. Certainly something for everyone! A13924 (9.95) I first saw FriXion Pens at Quilt Market in the spring. I was excited about them, but my regular distributors didn’t have them yet. So when they got them, I snapped them up!

These are creating quite a buzz in the quilting world.

The marks can be erased with the eraser end if you’re working on paper, and on fabric, the marks disappear with the heat of the iron!

They have a small enough tip to fit in stencils and they make nice fine lines on fabric. There are warnings about the pen not writing if exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold, they will make colorless lines, but when warmed, they write in color again. Once you’ve marked fabric and erased it with the iron, it will come back if you put it in the freezer, but only until

you've washed the fabric. With these warnings, I wouldn’t use them on official documents, or fine fabrics or with heirloom sewing, but I used them to mark quilting lines and just love them! We started with 3 different assortments, but may add individual colors if we get requests. 8 pack A13528 (23.89), 3 pack Pink, Purple and Orange. A13526 and 3 pack Black, Blue and Red (8.99 each).

Speaking of disappearing with an iron, I found a new favorite chalk powder. Although I’ve had some other deadlines come up and haven’t quite finished my Christmas Ribbons Quilt, (A11221 9.95), when I used the Quilter’s Chalk Line (59384) in making the quilt and saw how easily it came off with the iron, I immediately asked the designer, Sue Pelland, what chalk it was. I found out that we could carry her Iron-off Chalk Powder refills, and now I’m using it to refill my “pounce” pads.

A12844 (6.99) We also have empty pounce pads if you want to start right out with it. A11544 (9.95) You can also use the empty pads with Glow Pounce Powder. The Glow Pounce Powder glows florescent under black light.

A11545 (6.99) What’s not to love?! The Purrfect Points Embroidery Scissors are ornamental as well as practical! Unfortunately we get them as an assortment, so we can’t sell these by color, but we’ll pick you a good one when you order. A13837 3.99 each.

I really like denim needles for my piecing.

They have sharp points, so they penetrate the cotton threads instead of slipping to one side or the other like universal needles do. Now we have them in boxes of 100 needles, so you can easily put in a new needle when you know you should. A12644 (58.99)

31

New & Noteworthy Machine Embroidery, etc.

All good things come to an end and after eight exciting years, the inspirational team behind the magazine Creative Expressions with Jenny Haskins have decided to move on. Jenny will no longer be the editor of Creative Expressions. We’ve loved all their inspiration in the magazines, and they are certainly not disappearing from the embroidery and quilting scene. Recently we had Perfect Bliss, a wonderful quilt from Simon Haskins. The CD includes 106 embroidery designs, all the directions, and full-size design layout diagrams which, when printed and combined are just like having the quilt blocks and center medallion for Perfect Bliss in your own sewing studio, so making this quilt is easy even for a novice. 48232 (49.99) Just before that was 3D Embroidery Magic (48018) that has amazing floral and quilting designs that literally spring into life when steam and heat are applied to the embroidery. These extra large designs are embroidered over Krinkle Magic (A12290) and fabric, and then cut around using either scissors or Jenny's Magic Heat-Cutting Tool (44166). The quilting designs are amazing also, by adding a layer of Quilt Magic on top of the Krinkle Magic under the fabric, a quilting design magically puffs up when steam and heat are applied, resulting in a sensational texture for quilted blocks.

Creative possibilities were featured in Jenny’s last Creative Expressions, Issue 31 (48019).

The next Special Edition, available soon, if not by the time you read this, is Sandy’s Oriental Express. Jenny’s friend, Sandy, made the

beautiful quilt on the cover. It was her first quilt, and she made it by getting together with Jenny one night a week for a year. (Lucky girl!)

It is all done with Embroidered Applique Decoupage and is a great beginners quilt.

A12639 (49.99).

Jenny’s new Web Magic Lite is a semipermanent fusible webbing available two ways. Use the 10" x 5 yard size to adhere beautiful appliques, patches, and embellishments with the heat of your iron. Don't let the name fool you - Web Magic Lite feels weightless! 48250 (16.80) There’s also a 1” wide roll, about 10 yards long, that can be used for hems and other places you need just a small amount. 48364 (6.22) Lickity Stitch brings us machine embroidered delights, from cats and dogs to monsters, Sock Monkeys and Amish art. These are mostly cross stitch designs which don’t have a gazillion colors, so they stitch out fairly quickly.

Many are original artwork reproduced with permission of the artists for machine embroidery cross stitch. Sue Marsh of Whistlepig Creek shared several collections.

Caterwauling and Pound Hound have the same adorable characters as in her fabric lines for 4 x 4 and larger hoops.

Caterwauling A13450 (46.00), Pound Hounds A13452 (48.00) She also shared the friendly Monsters in the Closet, which delights children of all ages. A13451 (42.00)

New & Noteworthy Machine Embroidery, continued.

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Cats and Quilts from artist Diane Graebner is a combo of 6 cats and kittens with what quilters know to be a feline favorite: quilts!

A13448 (38.00) Diane Graebner is also known for her Amish artwork, and we have three different collections. (Fall scenes shown here.) 13447 (42.00) Sock monkeys span the generations! These embroideries depict them with a variety of sports. Sport Sock Monkeys A13444 (38.00) Bee Unique has digitized some beautiful artwork! I’m working on a mini-quilt pattern for them, inspired by Carol Robinson’s original sample when I first saw these at Quilt Market.

We’ll be taking some of them to quilt shows we go to. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite! The

photo of Carol’s little quilt shows the Playful Ducks. There are also Winter’s Wonderland, Bears Gone Fishing, Turtles at Play, Angels Among Us and Little Angels. Each one has

a detailed information pdf and designs in at least two sizes, including some 4” x 4,” 6” x 6” and some also have 5” x 7”.

These are new and really cute, too! Winter Collection has 39 adorable designs including this adorable polar bear and friends, A12637 (59.99) and Froggy Days with terrific designs for little boys’ and tomboys’ items, or anybody who just loves frogs!

There are some scrappy dogs, too. There are 41 total. A12638 (59.99) My friend Angie of Lunch Box Quilts, has a new collection called Fancy Feathers. These fantasy birds flaunt fantastic feathers! Make the quilt or table topper shown, or combine your favorites for smaller wallhangings. 48221 (45.00) Posh Pincushions: In-the-Hoop Floral Pincushions by Katherine Artines has 15 different projects, from the Sassy Sunflower to the Darling Dahlia, and these floral beauties stitch in minutes. The 72 page book has 35 embroidery designs so you can create your own, too! Beautify your sewing studio or make them for gifts. All it takes is some felt, thread, your embroidery machine, and the designs and instructions in the book!

Machine Embroidered Quilting and Applique by expert Eileen Roche will teach you 12 techniques to create quilted and appliqued blocks and strips all in a few easy steps with your embroidery machine. A13740 (32.99)

33

New & Noteworthy Machine Embroidery, continued.

We got a number of new collections in the Dakota line in August, so be sure to check the website to see all of them. Don’t miss Maxine #3! Every “senior embroiderer” appreciates her sentiments and there are a lot of ways you can use the embroideries. 50399 (69.95) While you’re on the Dakota page, check out the BOGO designs that are on sale through September 30th. There are five mix and match, buy one, get one free. Several are

Christmas designs, using a variety of techniques, (50394, 50380 and 50393) one is

Embossed Embroidery (50385), and there’s Bedtime Critters Applique with wonderful animal characters perfect for kids’ pillowcases and PJs. (50387) All are 39.95, but BOGO until September 30th.

Go to our website www.ericas.com and click “New Items” on the left to see what we add as we add it!

Erica’s Gift Cards can be purchased or redeemed at Erica's Craft & Sewing Center in South Bend and on our website. can be purchased for any dollar amount. have no expiration date. have no fees of any kind at any time. are used on one or more purchases until the balance is used up. can have any dollar amount added regardless of current card balance. can make someone’s day brighter!

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These are a few of my favorite things!

C u t t i n g E d g e St r i ps ( 8 5 0 8 3 ) help you cut strips the same size without having to follow a line all the way down the ruler to keep the edge of the fabric straight. The great thing about them is that they go on the under side of the ruler, so you just bump them against the edge of the fabric. You can almost do this with your eyes closed! (I use two rulers for cutting - download instructions from my blog post for May 27, 2010.

Regular price $5.95. Save 25% at $4.46!

The handiest little ruler I’ve ever used is our Creative Grids 2 1/2” x 6 1/2” Ruler! (45153) I keep one by my sewing machine, one by my H a n d i Q u i l t e r, a n d t w o a t m y c u t t i n g ta b l e !

R e g u l a r $ 6 . 9 5 , o n s a l e f o r $ 5 . 2 1 . (25% o ff ! )

Add to the ruler a little 8 ” R e v o l v i n g M a t (59084) for cutting or trimming small pieces or blocks, and you have a real dynamic duo!

Regular price $12.99, with 25% off, it’s just $9.74!

Sale priced through October 16th

35

Erica’s Craft & Sewing Center South Bend, Indiana

574-233-3112

Where You’ve Come to Expect the Best http://www.ericas.com http://blog.ericas.com

HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30-5:30 Thursday 9:30-8:30 Saturday 9:004:00 Sunday 12:00-4:00

Celebrating our 37th year!

September - December, 2011

Erica‘s Local Happenings page 36 & 37 Trunk Shows page 38 & 39 Husqvarna Viking News page 39 Cabinet Sale page 40 Holiday Hours page 41 Baby Lock News page 42 We need teachers Gently Used Sewing Machines

page 45 We Love our Handi Quilters! page 46 Viking Foot Sale for September Embroidery Clubs page 47 Club Dates page 48 Club Dates page 49 Special Notes about Classes pages 50 - 55 Class Descriptions

page 43 Fun at our Fat Quarter Frenzy page 44 Zippy Strippy Clara’s Calling

Watch for our next Newsletter in January 2012

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Trunk Shows

our f o ne o s... r e m o n r g f esi d e t ri favo

Nan

cy H alvor sen

Bittersweet

Jingle All the Way

September 19 ~ 30

October 10 ~ 21

Come celebrate Fall with us as we enjoy the newest from Nancy Halvorsen and Art to Heart. "Bittersweet" is a lovely fabric line from Benartex that includes rich rusts, deep greens, golds, browns, leaf prints and great blenders. The book, of the same name, offers a range of patterns, from table toppers to pillows to quilts. You're sure to find a wonderful Autumn project!

Can't you hear the bells on Santa's sleigh as they "Jingle all the Way"?

This year's Christmas fabric line and book from Nancy Halvorsen and Art to Heart offer a fun mix of color and whimsy.

Santa and friends grace the fabrics, and there are tons of great blenders to mix and match. The projects in the book include gift bags, pillows, quilts, fireplace screens, and gift pockets, many embellished with bells! Come be inspired and get ready for the holidays with these quick gift ideas!

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Trunk Show To n i W h i t n e y D e s i g n Through September 14th

Come see some wonderful animal applique projects from Toni Whitney.

She uses Bali fabrics to make these designs so realistic And with her easy stitching method, you simply fuse and sew, and the piece is done!

We carry the patterns and original fabric packs, so you can create a masterpiece for yourself! This trunk show features Flo Flo, The Guardian, and Pride & Joy, and Savanna.

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Come see the new Designer Diamond deLuxe!

SAPPHIRE™ 835 ~ A great machine at a great price!

The extended sewing surface gives you more room for quilts and other large projects.

The large Graphic Display shows the selected stitch in actual size and other settings.

Dual Lights illuminate the sewing surface to make sewing easy and eliminate eye strain.

The unique EXCLUSIVE SENSOR SYSTEM™ technology senses your fabric thickness for a perfect, even feed.

The exclusive SEWING ADVISOR® feature optimizes your sewing.

More than 100 stunning stitches inspire endless creativity.

(in store only)

39

(in ) nly re o sto

If you have 3D Embroidery Software Viking will send you a rebate if you trade up to 5D! You should have received an email as a 3D owner. All you need is that email, the completed rebate form, and your receipt for your great new 5D software.

5D Embroidery $50 mail-In rebate 5D Embroidery Extra $150 mail-In rebate 5D Professional $400 mail-In rebate

70% of sew-ers sew on their kitchen table.

Does that include you?

We can help!

Come in and see what we have available.

You’ll just LOVE 5D!

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Holiday Hours Closed Thanksgiving Day Christmas Eve Day 9:30am - 2:30pm

Footbowl Widow’s Sale (Semi-annual store-wide sale)

Closed Christmas Day

New Year’s Day Noon-3pm

New Year’s Eve Day 9:30am - 2:00pm

New Year’s Day Sale Noon - 3:00pm

Stay connected! proudly offers and supports Baby Lock, HandiQuilter, and Husqvarna Viking sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines and sergers.

Sign up for our email news at www.ericas.com/signup FOR MORE FUN STUFF GO TO BLOG.ERICAS.COM

Why do you need an “Erica’s Credit Card”? * There is no annual fee. * You don’t tie up other credit cards. * If you apply by October 30th and are approved, we’ll give you 20% off a purchase that day of regularly priced merchandise, using your new Erica’s Credit Card. Easy application, quick decision. (New applications.)

~ In Store Only ~

Fall Special Of fer

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Ready to Sew?

Ready to Sew?

Owning a sewing machine is easier than ever with the A-Line Series from Baby Lock! Each machine in the A-Line Series is affordable, durable and easy to use! No matter what your style is, you’ll find a machine that’s the perfect fit!

Select A-Line Machines starting at $199!

Visit us for a free machine demo!

Diana

(Dealer Name and Address)

Meet D i a n a , Baby Lock’s New Serger Free feet and inspiration book with Baby Lock’s most popular sergers!

Come into the store and see them and never worry about tension again!

(in store only)

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Previously Loved Machines all checked out by our super technician!

These are great machines that were traded in for higher models.

Good opportunity for an excellent machine!

Designer 1 Sale Price $899 Platinum 955E Sale Price $699 We also have these machines with full warranties: Embroidery Pro Floor Model Full Package total $15,719.99 Sale Price $7599 Diamond floor model Retail $9499.99 Sale $6999 830 Sapphire Sale Price $699

Ask our consultants about others.

We need more teachers..

We are always looking for enthusiastic, warm, encouraging people to teach at Erica’s! a Do you love machine piecing, English paper piecing, or crocheting? a Do you love people who also love those things? a Would you love to teach others and share all the satisfaction you get from those wonderfully touchable textures? a Would you have time to work with us to develop classes? a You might just be someone we’d like to add to our team of great teachers!

Come in and fill out an application.

37

r u o t a Fun lin' Hot izz S r 1 e t r 10 a u Q Fat y z n e Fr

44

See how quickly you can make a quilt like Teresa did! ing py morn together in a ip r t S y ipp ips In our Z u’ll put the str ing strips on o class, y asy way of join for lunch, then e special Take a break Strippy Race . y s the bia ck for the Zipp n actually a a come b ernoon. You c (no pressure) t f a e the pac in the our own ams that make ferent y t a k r se wo dif the five to see all the w e s o t n ’ll be fu quilt! It . s version 4th mber 2 e t p e S ay, pm Saturd 0 - 3:00 0 : 1 , m :45a 9:15-11 or 1th tober 1 c O , y a Tuesd -3:15pm 5 1 : 1 d on an 9:30-no

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We can help the women of Afghanistan learn to sew, learn a life skill, and better their lives. Join Master Sergeant Clara Vargas and her team of American soldiers in Clara's Calling! Their mission: to teach over 4,000 widowed Afghan women how to sew so they can provide basic necessities for themselves and their children and begin to lift themselves out of abject poverty.

Please bring in sewing supplies, notions, fabrics that you know you won't use or that you have extra of, and we will send them on for you. It's a chance to show these women that Americans care, and help them raise their children to know that also. Erica’s is proud to join these soldiers in their mission.

For more information, check in the store and online at www.clarascalling.com .

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Erica’s award winning training will help you really use your Handi Quilter!

Only 8 representatives in the world were given this award when we were! The inscription says “HQ Way Award ~ Delivering Results through Superior Service, Education, and Inspiration, Erica’s Craft & Sewing Center” We’re so proud to have earned this award, and I thank my students, whose evaluations helped make this happen!

We Love Our Handi Quilters!

Find out why we’ve fallen in love with the new HQ Sweet Sixteen machine, the HQ18 Avante, and the 24” Fusion! * You can pull out all those unfinished tops and get them done, make charity quilts, quilt for friends, or even start a business! * It’s nearly twice as fast as most home sewing machines * It has a full 16”, 18”, or 24” throat depth, over 8” vertical clearance * It has long arm capabilities and optional Stitch Regulator at less than half the price of other long arm systems. * It has a wide variety of the same kind of fun tools, and the ProStitcher computerized option!

You might recognize Ruth Wagner as our May Sew-er of the Month. Well, she also quilts on her new Handi Quilter and Pro-Stitcher, along with Martha Graham from Colon, MI, who got hers around the same time. These ladies enjoyed their sessions together and I had fun teaching them and look forward to having them in Handi Quilter Club.

Kimmy Brunner, two time Machine Quilting Teacher of the Year winner, and author of two of our best selling DVDs (Machine Quilting for Beginners and Twirly Whirly Feathers,) got a Handi Quilter Avante a while ago, and posted a note on the Internet. I’ve taken classes from this amazing teacher and credit her DVD with teaching me how to do the beautiful feathers you see on several of my quilts. I asked her permission to quote her here and she was delighted to be quoted. “I've been longarming since 1998, have owned two 26 inch machines, have quilted over 3000 quilts for customers, have taught on pretty much every machine out there and I can honestly say that my Avante is the best machine I've ever laid hands on...

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To C e l e bra

t king Foo i V a n r a Husqv eek Sale of the W

te

et e c ia lt y F e p S ~ 2 /1 9 /6 – g Feet Week 1 – 9 e n t S e w in m r a G ~ 9 /1 2 – 9 /1 Feet Week 2 – 9 ~ Q u il ti n g 6 /2 9 – 9 /1 Week 3 – 9

Each week there will be certain feet featured at 25% off.

Our Sewing Consultants will be happy to demonstrate them for you.

Come into the store to take advantage of each week’s specials.

~ In Store Only ~

Embroidery Clubs at Erica’s!!

Join an Embroidery Club now!

We have space in some of our embroidery clubs! If you bought your embroidery machine from us, there is probably an Embroidery Club you can join bring that machine to. Embroidery Club is the best thing you can do for your machine.

We do things you might not try on your own, like metal punch, foam, cutwork, different types of applique, dimensional embroidery, balsa wood, even toiletries! and more to come! (If you have moved to our area and have a Baby Lock or Viking, we also invite you to join us!)

Check the “Club Dates” on the Club page for dates. Those with * after them have space. Be sure to get your sheet of what to bring to the next meeting when you sign up.

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Club

Dates

Find your Club and put the dates on your calendar NOW so you don’t miss anything!

Embroidery Clubs Best of the Bunch* Wednesday, September 14, 9:45am Wednesday, October 12, 9:45am Wednesday, November 12, 9:45am Wednesday, December 14, 9:45am

Nifty Novices* Saturday, September 10, 9:15am Saturday, October 8, 9:15am Saturday, November 12, 9:15am Saturday, December 10, 9:15am

Stitchin' Sisters Saturday, October 1, 9:15am Saturday, October 29, 9:15am Saturday, December 3, 9:15am

Erica’s Creative Sewing Club * September 27, 28 October 20, 21 November 29, 30 Skips December Tuesdays 7:00pm, Wednesdays 10:00am

Handi Quilter Club* September 13, 14 November 8, 9 Tuesdays 6:15pm, Wednesdays 9:00am

Stitcher’s Garden Club * September 22, 23 October 20, 21 November 17, 18 Thursdays 6:30pm, Fridays 9:45am

Tiny Town Quilt Club *

We d n e s d a y ' s W i z a r d s

Monday, September 26, 6:30pm

Wednesday, September 10, 9:45am Wednesday, October 5, 9:45am Wednesday, November 2, 9:45am Wednesday, December 7, 9:45am

Vi k i n g D i g i t i z i n g C l u b * Saturday, September 17, 1:15pm Saturday, October 22, 1:15pm Saturday, November 19, 1:15pm Skips December

* These Clubs have space available for new members!

Check out our classes and get signed up now!

If your class involves bringing a sewing machine, you’re welcome to use the purple door in the back of the building.

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Special Notes about Classes As more and more people are finding out, Erica's is a really fun place to learn!

We take a lot of pride in bringing you the best instruction, in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

We’d like you to help us be sure things go smoothly for you.

Please register early so we can be sure to have enough supplies. We accept phone registration, but paying your class fee is what actually holds your place and prevents your being bumped when the class fills. You may pay your fee over the phone with a credit card, send in a check, or come into the shop. If you are reserving a sewing machine, please include $3 per session to cover this service.

Some classes require advance preparation as shown in the schedule, so please be sure to get your materials early to allow yourself time.

Class fees will be refunded if you notify us 72 hours before class. Of course, if we have to cancel a class, the fee is refunded.

Unless listed as Kids' or Teens' class, our classes are geared toward adults 18 and over.

Many people are taking classes as a break from tending children. We thank you for leaving your children and pets at home.

Please do not use cologne use as someone next to you may have an allergic reaction to fragrances.

Erica’s is dedicated to needlework, craft, and sewing education and takes pride in providing quality classes at low fees. So that we can continue to offer classes at fees that are as low as possible, it is required that all students purchase class materials at Erica’s. Thanks.

Join us and learn a creative new skill!

Teaching Staff This Session Becky Adams, Erica Broecker, Tekla Coar, Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross, Joan Duvall, Sandy Fawley, Linda Gugliotta, Abby Gutierrez, Diane James, Lynn Kinney, Karen Libbey, Judy Nowicki, Mary Parmalee, Angie Ortiz, Mary Ripple Sign up for classes now!

Classes & Events at Erica’s

49 396A Zippy Strippy *

Sat Sep 24

9:15-11:45am & 1:00-3:00pm

309A Kids' Sewing I, age 8 and up

Mon Sep 26 4 weeks Skips October 17

3:45-5:45pm

32.00 + class pack

9387A Preparing a T-Shirt Quilt

Wed Sep 28

1 class

6:30-9:00pm

10.00 + class pack

833A Hand Quilting

Thu Sep 29

1 class

9:45a-12:15pm

10.00 + class pack

781A Paper Piecing For Beginners Only *

Sat Oct 1

1 class

1:00-3:30pm

10.00 + class pack & materials

314A Knitting Basics *

Mon Oct 3

2 weeks

6:45-9:15pm

20.00 + class pack & yarn

126A Silk Ribbon Embroidery +

Tue Oct 4 2 weeks Skips October 18

9:45a-12:15pm

20.00 + class pack

695A Hand Piecing *

Wed Oct 5

2 weeks

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + class pack & materials

382A Scrap Therapy Cutting Workshop

Thu Oct 6

1 class

6:15-8:15pm

12.50 See description

396B Zippy Strippy *

Tue Oct 11

9:30-noon and 1:15-3:15pm

18.00 + materials

389A Making a T-Shirt Quilt + *

Wed Oct 12

1 class

6:30-9:00pm

10.00 + materials

806A Northern Indiana Shop Hop 13th-15th

Thu Oct 13, 14, and 15

-

10.00 See page 1

499A Pack & Go Bags *

Sun Oct 16

2 weeks

1:00-3:30pm

20.00 + class pack & materials

314B Knitting Basics *

Wed Oct 19

2 weeks

6:45-9:15pm

20.00 + class pack & yarn

296A Machine Quilting Basics *

Wed Oct 19

2 weeks

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + class pack & materials

204B Quilting Basics-All You Need to Know *

Thu Oct 20 4 weeks Skips October 27

9:45a-12:15pm

40.00 + materials

835A Scrap Therapy Table Runner + *

Sat Oct 22 2 weeks Skips October 29

9:15-11:45am

20.00 + class pack & fabri

277A How to Sew-A Great Beginning *

Mon Oct 24

4 weeks

6:30-9:00pm

40.00 + class pack & materials

072A Knitting-Mock-Cable Wristers * +

Fri Oct 28

1 class

9:45a-12:15pm

10.00 + class pack & materials

207A How To Quilt-From Start To Finish *

Sat Oct 29 4 weeks Skips Nov 5, 19, and 26

12:45-3:45pm

48.00 + class pack & materials

309B Kids' Sewing I, age 8 and up

Tue Nov 1

4 weeks

3:45-5:45pm

32.00 + class pack

078A Juliet Bag *

Tue Nov 1 2 weeks Skips November 8

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + class pack & materials

080A Mondo Bag *

Tue Nov 1

2 weeks

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + materials

145A Knitting-Beyond Scarves + *

Wed Nov 2

2 weeks

6:15-9:15pm

24.00 + class pack & materials

303A Stuffed Animals + *

Wed Nov 2

2 weeks

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + materials

322A Hand Embroidery Basics *

Mon Nov 7

1 class

6:15-9:15pm

12.00 + class pack & materials

597A Laminated Raincoat * +

Tue Nov 8 2 weeks Skips November 15

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + materials

076A Knitting-Felted Bag * +

Sun Nov 13

1:00-3:30pm

20.00 + class pack & materials

079A Underground Blues Quilt Top *

Mon Nov 14 2 weeks Skips Nov 21 and 28

9:45a-12:15pm

20.00 + class pack & materials

068A Knitting-Modular Knitting * +

Mon Nov 14

3 weeks

7:00-9:00pm

24.00 + materials

833B Hand Quilting

Tue Nov 15

1 class

6:30-9:00pm

10.00 + class pack

573A Knitting-Socks from the Toe Up + *

Wed Nov 16 3 weeks Skips November 23

6:15-8:45pm

30.00 + class pack & material

595A Sewing Next Step-Make a Shirt * +

Wed Nov 16

3 weeks

12:45-3:15pm

30.00 + materials

205A Quilting Basics II * +

Tue Nov 29

3 weeks

9:45a-12:45pm

36.00 + class pack & materials

390A Scrap Therapy Square Deal +

Wed Nov 30

2 weeks

6:30-9:00pm

20.00 + materials

2 weeks

18.00 + materials

* These classes require selection of materials and or preparation before class meets. + These classes have skill level or membership requirements - Please check the individual description.

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Class Descriptions (alphabetical by category)

These classes were offered for the first time this session or last, or have not been offered for a while.

KIDS’ CLASSES K i d s ’ S e w i n g I —Becky has taught children and loves seeing them learn one of her favorite things to do. We have a great textbook with basic information put in a really fun format, with puzzles, sewing games, mazes, and lots and lots of fun. We’ll provide the sewing machines, so you don’t need to worry about bringing one. Class pack is $28 + tax. Age 8 and up, no experience necessary. 4 weeks, starting Mon, Sept 26, 3:45-5:45pm, skips October 17, or 4 weeks, starting Tue, Nov 1, 3:45-5:45pm NEEDLEWORK Hand Embroidery—Join Mary R as you learn the fun, relaxing art on your choice of a seasonal ornament. She will teach you basic stitches on a small project, to get you started. Hand embroidery projects are very portable, great in waiting rooms, etc.

Embroidery is often beautifully combined with quilting. Class pack (batting, backing, and needle) is $1.50 + tax.

1 class, Mon, Nov 7, 6:15-9:15pm Knitting Basics—Learn how to knit as you make a quick and simple scarf. The class will teach you what you need to get started: casting on and off, and knit and purl stitches. Angie has patience and skill as a knitter, so you’re sure to enjoy learning.

Continental, or European style knitting is taught in this class. Class pack (book and needles) is $10.05 + tax. 2 weeks, starting Mon, Oct 3, 6:45-9:15pm or starting Wed, Oct 19, 6:45-9:15pm

Knitting-Beyond Scarves—If you can cast on and knit as a beginner, this class is for you. Angie will help you make small samples and concentrate on learning additional stitches and effects, other ways to cast on, increasing and decreasing, without a large project to finish. After this class you will be ready and confident to move onto a sweater or vest or shawl and she can help you pick out your project. Class pack, book, is $5.95 + tax. 2 weeks, starting Wed, Nov 2, 6:15-9:15pm Knitting-Felted Bag—This uncomplicated little purse will add flair to any outfit. Tekla will teach you to work in the round, pick up stitches, increase, decrease, and felt a knitted project. This pattern is great for those who want to learn a few new knitting techniques without stress since felting hides most minor flaws! Skills required are cast on, knit, purl, bind off. Class pack includes the pattern booklet, $8.30 + tax. 2 weeks, starting Sun, Nov 13, 1:00-3:30pm Knitting-Mock Cable Wristers—Like the look of cables but don’t want to fuss with cable stitch holders or twisted stitches? Then you’ll love these faux-cable fingerless mitts. This class is a nice introduction to working in the round, increases and decreases, and simple gusset technique.

Since they can be worked up in one evening, they’re great as quick, one-size-fits-most gifts.

(If you can resist keeping them yourself!)

Tekla teaches this class for knitters and the skills required are cast on, knit, purl, bind off.

Class pack includes the book, $17.95 + tax. 1 class, Fri, Oct 28, 9:45a-12:15pm Knitting-Modular Knitting— You’ll want to try this fun and easy knitting technique! Here’s a great way to use up that stash while creating any project, but in a block-by-block way, making it so portable.

Blocks can be joined as you knit or after, to make scarves, pillows, afghans, just about anything - and you can design it as you go!

You’ll need to be able to cast on, bind off and do the basic garter stitch (knit only). Mary P

will teach you how to decrease to shape the blocks. 3 weeks, starting Mon, Nov 14, 7:00-9:00pm 51

Knitting-Socks from the Toe Up—Learn how to knit socks this way, and you won’t have to deal with grafting or running out of yarn before the end of a pattern ever again. Several different toe cast ons and heel techniques will be covered.

Tekla will also show you how to determine which one to use depending on your needle and yarn choice. You need to know how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. The class pack is $22.95 + tax and includes a fantastic sock pattern book. 3 weeks, starting Wed, Nov 16, 6:15-8:45pm, skips November 23

special discounts at the meetings. Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross, the Sewing Department ladies, and I share our excitement and enthusiasm for sewing and quilting, giving you hints, patterns, and sewing and serging updates. The same presentation is given in the evening and the next morning. We have a wonderful group of people who share this common interest of sewing, and you can make new friends while you get new ideas.

This is an opportunity specifically for our sewing machine and serger customers, but if you have a Viking or Baby Lock and just moved to our area, or didn’t know about us, please check with us if you’re interested. See page 15 for Club dates.

Handi Quilter Club—This is an Silk Ribbon Embroidery—Come join opportunity for Erica to Mary R and learn the basics of silk ribbon share techniques and embroidery. The floral project will teach you ideas with our Handi many basic stitches and include a bit of floss Quilter Frame System owners. Each meeting embroidery as well. Must have basic will include hints and tips, a technique or two, embroidery knowledge. Class pack, and a project to work on at home. Everyone is everything but hoop and needles, is $42.75 + encouraged to bring along quilts they’ve done, tax. 2 weeks, starting Tue, Oct 04, 9:45aor want help with. Club fee is $30 for 6 12:15pm, skips October 18 meetings, and there will be a small charge for OWNER’S CLASSES AND handouts at the meeting. If there is space, we will add people who were not able to purchase ACTIVITIES their frame systems from us. Please sign up These classes are on the waiting list if you’re interested. The fee especially for people will be $50 if not purchased at Erica’s. See who have bought their page 15 for Club dates. sewing and Embroidery Clubs— embroidery machines These are groups where you at Erica's, as a "thank explore more alternatives you" for supporting for the embroidery aspect us. If you've recently moved into our area and have a Viking or Baby of your Viking, or Baby Lock and try all kinds of Lock, please contact us about things you might not have tried on your own. participating with us. Note-all We have several groups going now. Members other classes shown in other will tell you how much fun they’re having and categories are open to everyone. how much they’re learning! Membership is Erica’s Creative Sewing Club—If $30 for the six-month session and club packs you bought your serger or sewing machine average around $15, always including a few from Erica’s, a year’s membership is or several embroidery designs for your automatic for most models, and you’ll get collection. Projects feature Judy Nowicki’s

embroidery designs especially for our Embroidery Club members! You get information on project costs and a list of what to bring before each meeting. There are openings in some of the groups, so let us know right away if you’re interested! (For our machines) See page 15 for Club Dates.

teach you about using a stencil to transfer the design, layering, basting, and the relaxing art of hand quilting.

Class pack is $17.25 + tax.

1 class, Thu, Sep 29, 9:45a-12:15pm or Tue, Nov 15, 6:30-9:00pm

Viking Digitizing Club—This club meets the third Saturday of the month. Linda uses prepared projects and step-by-step instructions. We include Viking 3D, 4D and 5D formats. It is not necessary to have a laptop to join us, but it would be helpful. If members have taken the Digitizing Introduction class or have tried digitizing on their own with some success this will be helpful but not absolutely necessary. You will be doing mostly manual digitizing over Linda’s drawings. You will receive a paper handout as well as a CD with drawings and a video of the class as your class pack. Come join the fun! See page 15 for club dates.

How to Quilt-From Start to Finish—This class is planned for beginners with no experience, but also perfect for those who learned on their own and/or would like step by step instruction.

Joan will start with discussions of fabrics and color choice. You’ll learn proper rotary cutting, strips, and piecing by machine. As you learn, you’ll complete a lap quilt or wall hanging, layer it, quilt and bind it, so it’s done!

For a good, basic foundation in quilting, this is a great way to go! Class pack is $12.95 + tax.

(Machine required) 4 weeks, starting Sat, Oct 29, 12:45-3:45pm, skips Nov 5, 19, 26

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If you're one of our owners who hasn't had a chance to take a basic class yet, please talk to someone in our sewing department about your classes. Even if you've sewn all your life, there are fun things to learn about your new machine.

QUILTING Hand Piecing— Mary P will be teaching hand piecing using the Weathervane block pattern. This pattern has squares, rectangles & triangles. Students will learn rotary cutting, template making & cutting, and cutting a triangle from a square.

Handwork is wonderfully portable for those times you’re in a waiting room or at sports events, or riding in the car, and it’s relaxing at the same time! Class pack is $17.00 + tax. 2 weeks, starting Wed, Oct 5, 6:30-9:00pm

Machine Quilting Basics—In this class you will learn basic machine quilting on your home sewing machine. Techniques taught are stitch-in-the-ditch and straight line quilting using a walking foot, free motion techniques including continuous pattern quilting, stippling and meandering, echo quilting, and continuous curve quilting. Joan will teach you some simple all-over quilting designs, background quilting designs, and some sashing and border treatments that you can use to enhance your quilts. She’ll discuss marking techniques and preparing your quilt top to be quilted. Class pack (book) is $13.25 + tax. (Machine required) 2 weeks, starting Wed, Oct 19, 6:30-9:00pm

Making a T-shirt Quilt—If you’ve taken Joan’s Preparing a T-shirt Quilt class and your T-shirts are ready to be made into a quilt, this is the next step. Joan will show you H a nd Q u i l t i n g-A great love of Mary P’s how to cut and sew sashing for both straight is hand quilting. In this class you’ll use a and diagonally set quilts. She will discuss preprinted wholecloth design. She’ll also where to use half square and where to use

quarter square setting blocks in a diagonally set quilt and you will learn how to determine what size those need to be.

She’ll show you how to determine the length of your border strips and how to sew them.

She’ll also talk about the finishing steps of preparing your quilt sandwich, quilting the quilt, binding it, and sewing a label for it. You need to have taken the Preparing a T-shirt Quilt class before taking this one. Machine required. 1 class, Wed, Oct 12, 6:30-9:00pm 53

Mondo Bag— Make the hottest selling bag in the country. You won’t be able to make just one! It uses printed interfacing for perfectly matched seams. Quick & easy! (Machine required.) 2 weeks, starting Tue, Nov 1, 6:30-9:00pm Paper Piecing For Beginners Only— Machine paper piecing is a method that will allow even beginners to create perfectly pieced blocks. If you have been wanting to learn to paper piece, or if you have tried paper piecing and found it confusing, this is the class for you. You will make a mini-quilt while learning this technique from Joan. Repeating the simple block will remove all of the confusion.

Warning! Paper piecing can be addictive!

(Just ask Erica!) Class pack, the book, is $9.99 + tax. (Machine required) 1 class, Sat, Oct 1, 1:00-3:30pm

to prepare your t-shirts, calculate fabric yardages, and demonstrate the tools and tricks that will make it easier. Class pack is $4.00 + tax. 1 class, Wed, Sep 28, 6:30-9:00pm Quilting Basics II—This class is a continuation of what you learned in one of our basic classes. You’ll be making a star design and learn more piecing, working successfully with triangles-showing a couple of methods and all other aspects of completing this wallhanging. This three-week class is also open to anyone who has completed one of Erica’s basic quilting classes or anyone who can rotary cut and do basic piecing. Class pack, the book, is $14.95 + tax. (Machine Required) 3 weeks, starting Tue, Nov 29, 9:45a-12:45pm Quilting Basics-All You Need to Know—In conjunction with Alex Anderson, and taught by Karen, this well-thought-out beginner class presumes you know nothing. It will cover fabrics, rotary cutting, basic piecing, layering, machine quilting and binding; all you need to know to get started! This 4-week class project is a triple rail design wallhanging.

(Machine Required) 4 weeks, starting Thu, Oct 20, 9:45a-12:15pm, skips October 27

Scrap Therapy Cutting Workshop—Do you feel like your stash is overflowing and you just don’t know what to do? Scrap Therapy is the answer! It’s a twopart program that is a proven system to organize and use your fabric scraps. Put a new blade in your rotary cutter and Sandy will help you brush up on fast and efficient fabric Preparing a T-Shirt Quilt—T-shirt cutting techniques. You’ll cut your fabric into quilts are a great way to preserve memories. three useable sizes and store them in special Recycle that collection of concert, sports, or see-through storage bins. (You’ll get a bin vacation t-shirts into a great quilt, or gather a free!) The classes that follow the workshop teenager’s accumulation of t-shirts to make a wonderful graduation gift. Any number from will help you convert your cut scraps into fun just a few to thirty or more shirts can be made useable table runners, quilts, and other things into a quilt. Joan will help you get started. She as we go along. If you have already attended a workshop, coming to additional workshops will help you plan your quilt, show you how

gives you a set time to get your scraps ironed and cut, learn cutting tips, and enjoy others’ company. 1 class, Thu, Oct 6, 6:15-8:15pm 54

Scrap Therapy Square Deal—Here’s a fast, fun and easy way to use up your scraps. Sandy will show you how you can take your scraps and chop ‘em, and sew ‘em and have a great new quilt in no time!

Make it very scrappy or choose a color scheme. Selecting high contrast between the 3 1/2" and the 5" squares will make this quilt pop. You will be cutting, piecing and sashing your blocks. Sandy will also teach you assembly techniques. (Machine required.) 2 weeks, starting Wed, Nov 30, 6:30-9:00pm Scrap Therapy Table Runner—Take Sandy’s class to make this table runner from your stash! The center 15" x 42" is filled with scrappy squares and striped fabric makes a statement at the end! Class pack (the pattern) is $9.00 + tax.

(Machine required) 2 weeks, starting Sat, Oct 22, 9:15-11:45am, skips October 29

course, you may love it so much that you will have to keep it. Class pack, the pattern, is $9.00 + tax. (Machine required) 2 weeks, starting Mon, Nov 14, 9:45a-12:15pm, skips Nov 21,28 Zippy Strippy— This lap quilt is so much fun to make! You join 40 strips of a jelly roll or other strip collection, then sew five seams, and you’re done! We’re having a morning class where Joan will show you how to join the strips on the bias, and you’ll get them ready for the Zippy Strippy Race in the afternoon. Bring your lunch, then make the quilt top in the afternoon. You’ll be amazed at how easy this is to do! And every quilt top is different. It’ll be so much fun to see all the different combinations. Every one is different! It’s hard to stop with just one of these, we warn you. (Machine required) 1 class, Sat, Sep 24, 9:15-11:45am continuing 1:00-3:00pm or Tue, Oct 11, 9:30-noon continuing 1:15-3:15pm SEWING How to Sew-A Great Beginning— Join Diane for our How to Sew class for detailed step-by-step all you need to know to start sewing.

From what tools are needed as basics, to demonstrations of the basic techniques in sewing. Learn as you work on two simple projects— a quick pillowcase and boxer shorts or pajama bottoms, and choose your next project with Diane’s guidance. No experience needed. Bring your own machine (and manual) or rent one of ours for $3 per class. Class pack (book) is $15.00 + tax. 4 weeks, starting Mon, Oct 24, 6:30-9:00pm

Underground Blues Quilt Top—This is a very attractive quilt that goes together quite easily and quickly. It’s shown in blues and greens but will be stunning in any colors. Yardage and instructions are given for five sizes from a baby quilt to a generous queen size. It can be constructed by a beginner but should be fun for a more experienced quilter as well. Joan Juliet Bag—It’s a fast, fun and easy says that depending on the fabric you choose, bag using only three coordinated it would be a wonderful quilt for a man, a teen, fabrics. Karen will guide you through each or any special person on your gift list. Of step as you add a contrast band to the top;

attach the handles and add a contrasting tie to finish this chic look in time for the holidays. You’ll be so pleased with your bag, you’ll want to make more for gifts! Class pack, the pattern, is $10 plus tax. (Machine required) 2 weeks, starting Tue, Nov 1, 6:30-9:00pm, skips November 8

Butler “Liverpool” pattern, which can be a shirt, tunic, or dress with 4 sleeve lengths, and you’ll learn the techniques as you make your garment. This isn’t a beginning sewing class.

You need to know how to sew, how your machine works, and how to lay out and cut out the pattern. (Machine required) 3 weeks, starting Wed, Nov 16, 12:45-3:15pm

Laminated Raincoat— The perfect rainy day project! Abby will guide you through the construction of Amy Butler’s hooded raincoat, focusing on techniques such as: darts, pleats, flat-felled seams and attaching sleeves. Using laminated material, you can create a unique one-of-a-kind jacket for adult or child. (Basic sewing experience and machine required.) 2 weeks, starting Tue, Nov 8, 6:309:00pm, skips November 15

Stuffed Animals-Learn to make stuffed animals! Abby will teach you the skills needed to make any of the Rumpled Quilt Skins animals. You will be reading the pattern, laying out pattern pieces, cutting and sewing. You’ll also be grading seams, clipping curves, turning and stuffing the animal to give it dimension and shaping.

You’ll finish by closing the seam with a ladder stitch. Students need to have some prior sewing experience and know how to use their machine. (Machine required) 2 weeks, starting Wed, Nov 2, 6:30-9:00pm

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Pack and Go Bags— The perfect accessory to your everyday life, Abby will show you how these cute, simple, zippered bags are constructed from laminated fabric. Add a nylon zipper to create a sturdy, easy-to-carry catchall for life’s little needs. Use one as a small handbag on a summer day, or to keep track of all your sewing notions when you travel to class! This is a quick and easy project for sew-ers of any experience level. Class pack is $1.25 + tax. (Machine required) 2 weeks, starting Sun, Oct 16, 1:003:30pm Sewing Next Step-Make a Shirt—This two session class is for sew-ers who want to learn to sew collars, cuffs, plackets, and button holes. Diane has chosen the wonderful Amy

Doors open 15 minutes b efore scheduled class time.

Th

anks for your patience.