Stitchin’ Sisters      

  All stitchers welcome to come. 

Sit, stitch and enjoy friendship while working

 on your hand stitching projects.

 2nd Wednesday of the month starting January 11 at 1pm.

 

 

New Clubs

Starting in January we will be introducing a new club that will meet the third Tuesday each month. Small and Scrappy will use Kathleen Tracy's new book, SMALL AND SCRAPPY QUILTS which features small patchwork quilts using reproduction fabrics. There will be no kits for this class, so you can use fabrics from your stash and make them in a variety of other fabrics you choose.
A new project from the book will be introduced each month, we will have show and tell and possibly a charm exchange and block exchange.
Cost is $35.00 for 12 months plus the purchase of the book.
Registrations will be taken at checkout.

 MAKE IT MINI CLUB

This club will meet the first Tuesday of each month and we will make a variety of projects from the special publication Make It Mini Small Quilts and More by American Patchwork and Quilting.  A magazine is required and they are available at the checkout.

Cost is $35.00 for 12 months and registrations are taken at the checkout.

This is one variation of this year's BOM.
 This year we will be using a new line of fabric from Moda by Minick & Simpson called Grand Traverse Bay.  The colors are mostly blues and tans.
 It is not too late to sign up.

Fabric Selection

We have set aside two dates for you to come and pick out your fat quarters for the 2016-17 Block of the Month Quilt.
They are:

 Tuesday, November 8 from 1 to 3:30

 Thursday, November 10 from 9:30 to Noon.

Each person signed up and paid will be able to select 7 fat quarters and a background fabric.

 COMMUNITY VACUUM & SEWING CENTER

 1321 BROADWAY

ALEXANDRIA, MN  56308 

320-762-1321

community@gctel.net

                                    BLOCK OF THE MONTH 2016-2017 GUIDELINES

WELCOME!  We hope you can join us for another year of fun, friendship and a beautiful quilt!  This year we will be using a new line of fabric from Moda by Minick & Simpson called Grand Traverse Bay.  The colors are mostly blues and tans.  You can check out the fabric by going online to modabakeshop.com  and entering Grand Traverse Bay.  We will show many of the fabrics at this BOM on October 14 and 15 and we would love it if you can join us.

Our quilt  this year is a Mystery Quilt and you will have a choice of which fabrics you would like to use from this line for your blocks and your background.  We will have additional fat quarters to purchase if you wish to have more variety in your blocks.   We will hand out a pattern each month and have a sample block to show and you will be free to use any of your fabrics to make your block.    We are also going to have a short cutting demo (approx. 15-20 mins.) following each meeting for anyone new to our group or for anyone  new to quilting.  The sign-up fee is $60.00 plus tax and includes fabrics and patterns for the blocks.  Finishing kits are extra and will be available a few months into the year.   Also, there will be no fee charged if you miss a meeting.  Your block may be picked up anytime the following weeks.   Any questions or concerns, please contact Sandy Winter (320-217-9879), Mary Hintzman (320-965-2767), or Dianne Tomczik (320-766-6770).  Also, check the blog at quiltnews1321.blogspot.com for any info and updates regarding BOM. 

PRESENTATION :   We will begin our meetings promptly at 10 AM on Fridays and 9:30 AM on Saturdays.  We will present what’s new around the shop, show any new items, patterns and fabrics, and go over any events and class announcements.  There will be a brief block instruction, Show and Tell and door prizes.  We will also have a short demo regarding a quick and easy project, hints, or maybe a kit to purchase.  We hope you can join us this year!

 PLEASE NOTE;  MEETING DATES FOR 2016-2017 WILL BE:            MEETING TIMES:

November 11 and 12                           May 12 and 13                       FRIDAYS:  10:00 am

December 9 and 10                              June 9 and 10                         SATURDAYS: 9:30 am

January 13 and 14                                 July 14 and 15

February 10 and 11                                August 11 and 12

March 10 and 11                                     September 8 and 9

April 14 and 15                                          October 13 and 14

PLEASE SET YOUR CELL PHONES TO “VIBRATE” AND REMEMBER WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK IN THE DENTIST PARKING LOT BEHIND OUR BUILDING.  THANK YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!

 COMMUNITY VACUUM & SEWING CENTER                           1321 BROADWAY

ALEXANDRIA, MN  56308                                                                    320-762-1321

community@gctel.net

                                    BLOCK OF THE MONTH 2016-2017 GUIDELINES

WELCOME!  We hope you can join us for another year of fun, friendship and a beautiful quilt!  This year we will be using a new line of fabric from Moda by Minick & Simpson called Grand Traverse Bay.  The colors are mostly blues and tans.  You can check out the fabric by going online to modabakeshop.com  and entering Grand Traverse Bay.  We will show many of the fabrics at this BOM on October 14 and 15 and we would love it if you can join us.

Our quilt  this year is a Mystery Quilt and you will have a choice of which fabrics you would like to use from this line for your blocks and your background.  We will have additional fat quarters to purchase if you wish to have more variety in your blocks.   We will hand out a pattern each month and have a sample block to show and you will be free to use any of your fabrics to make your block.    We are also going to have a short cutting demo (approx. 15-20 mins.) following each meeting for anyone new to our group or for anyone  new to quilting.  The sign-up fee is $60.00 plus tax and includes fabrics and patterns for the blocks.  Finishing kits are extra and will be available a few months into the year.   Also, there will be no fee charged if you miss a meeting.  Your block may be picked up anytime the following weeks.   Any questions or concerns, please contact Sandy Winter (320-217-9879), Mary Hintzman (320-965-2767), or Dianne Tomczik (320-766-6770).  Also, check the blog at quiltnews1321.blogspot.com for any info and updates regarding BOM. 

PRESENTATION :   We will begin our meetings promptly at 10 AM on Fridays and 9:30 AM on Saturdays.  We will present what’s new around the shop, show any new items, patterns and fabrics, and go over any events and class announcements.  There will be a brief block instruction, Show and Tell and door prizes.  We will also have a short demo regarding a quick and easy project, hints, or maybe a kit to purchase.  We hope you can join us this year!

 PLEASE NOTE;  MEETING DATES FOR 2016-2017 WILL BE:                                     MEETING TIMES:

November 11 and 12                                       May 12 and 13                       FRIDAYS:  10:00 am

December 9 and 10                                          June 9 and 10                         SATURDAYS: 9:30 am

January 13 and 14                                            July 14 and 15

February 10 and 11                                          August 11 and 12

March 10 and 11                                               September 8 and 9

April 14 and 15                                                   October 13 and 14

PLEASE SET YOUR CELL PHONES TO “VIBRATE” AND REMEMBER WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK IN THE DENTIST PARKING LOT BEHIND OUR BUILDING.  THANK YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!

BOM FINISHING KITS

You will be able to pick out fabric for your finishing kits on

August 30 from 10-3 at Community Vac and Sew

Sandy will cut kits and have them ready as soon as she can.

URBAN ABACUS CLASS IS CANCELLED

Stack and Whack Quilt Class

Thurs., Aug. 18th, 9:30-3:00 or so. 

 Taught by Sandy Winter, cost is $25. 

Must have the book "Magic Stack & Whack Quilt."
Pot luck lunch.

.

 

Trash to Treasure Pineapple Quilt

Date: Friday, July 22 Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: $25

Introduction: Turn your scraps, bits and pieces into a beautiful, one of a kind Pineapple Quilt using Gyleen Fitzgerald’s Pineapple Tool. The ruler has just enough markings to make a quick and accurate pineapple blocks using 1 ½” strips. You don’t even need to worry about bias, just start cutting what you have jammed into boxes and make a Trash to Treasure Pineapple Quilt. Go totally random and create a mosaic look or divide by light and dark for a traditional look.

Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate -Instructor: Monika Kraker

Place: Community Vac & Sewing Center (CVAC), Alexandria
Maximum class size: 6
Special instructions: Bring bag lunch or snack and a beverage
Special items needed: The Pineapple Tool by Gyleen Fitzgerald (available at CVAC)
Other items needed: sewing machine in good working order neutral color thread for piecing pins, seam ripper, rotary cutter cutting mat (a rotating cutting mat would come in handy) a small iron and ironing surface to set up next to you, or you may use the center’s iron and ironing board straight ruler: 6”x24” or 6”x12” or similar size

Fabric needed: You may choose to use scraps for this quilt or buy a variety of fabrics. Fat quarters are also great. Dip into your stash, pull out fabrics that will play together nicely and we’ll go from there. If you decide to use scraps – you can prepare for class by pressing and cutting scraps into 1 ½” strips (length anywhere from 2 ½ to 18”).

What you will learn: how to use the Pineapple Tool and rotary cutter; how to measure and use rulers; how to obtain an accurate ¼” seam allowance; how to press seams; and many tips and tricks along the way!

Very important! You must know how to operate your sewing machine, which includes winding bobbins and adjusting the tension. A ¼-inch foot for your machine would be very helpful, otherwise mark your machine with masking/painter’s tape so you can accurately sew a 1/4” seam.

You must register and pay at Community Vac & Sewing Center prior to the class.

 Lap size blue/beige sample quilt

Layout: 6 x 7 blocks (8” block)
Finished size: 55x63”
Border: 3.5” wide
Fabric requirements:
A variety of blue fabrics totaling – 2 7/8 yards
A variety of beige fabrics totaling – 2 5/8 yards
Border, center square and binding – 1 3/4 yard

Kits will be available for $70.00

Continuous Bias Binding

 

Mary's Hint from this month's BOM

Cleaning Towel

Cut a roll of paper towels in half with a serrated knife.
Mix together:
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1 teaspoon dish detergent
Optional:  8-10 drops essential citrus oil


Cut two crosswise slots in the center top of a plastic 3 pound coffee container.  Put half of the paper towel roll into the container, rough cut side down.  Pour the liquid over the center tube and around the roll.  After a minute, remove the saturated center cardboard tube of the paper towel roll and throw away.  Pull up a section of the paper towel from the center and poke it through the hole in the top of the cover.  Snap the cover on and you're ready to clean up.

SERGER CLASS

Thursday, June 16 - 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

 The project will be a pillow.  Cost of the class is $25.  You can purchase a kit for the pillow for $11. If you would like to buy the kit, please let them know at Vacuum and Sewing prior to the class.  The stuffing and batting for a pillow form is not included, but I will give directions on how to make the form.  (It's really easy).  If you want to make the form that day, bring a half yard of batting and some stuffing to class.

If you plan to use your own fabric it will take a yard of fabric for the pillow front sides and back, a piece 12x20 for the center, a 2 1/2 inch strip width of fabric for the ruffle and a 2 inch strip of contrast for the cording.  You will also need decorative thread that coordinates  or contrasts with your fabric for the rolled hemming.  Pearl Crown Rayon works well, as does Sulky Blendables, 12 weight.  If you have questions, please e-mail me or call me at 320-965-2767.


Hope to see you at class.
Mary

SERGER CLASS

A serger class is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.  to 2 p.m.,

Tuesday, May 24, at Community Vac and Sew. 

 The class  will help you  get acquainted with your serger and how to work with it.  Whether it's new to you or you haven't used it in a while, come and learn the fun things you can do with a serger.  Cost for the class is $25 and you must register and pay at Community  Vac and Sew prior to the class so I know how many to expect.  Please bring a bag lunch.  I will provide something for morning coffee.

 

Besides your serger, you need to bring your manual and the accessories/tool box that came with your serger.

 

Also, please bring --

Serger cone thread - -   One each of Red, Blue, Green and Yellow
Scissors

pins
Extra needles
A soft bristled paint brush (about 1 or 1 1/2 inches wide)

What you’ll learn:
o    Threading your serger
o    Tensions
o    Needles
o    Differential (if applicable)
o    rolled hem
o    flatlock
o    inside and outside curves
o    ending stitches
o    attaching ribbing
o    hemming with a serger
o    turning corners

and more...

 If you have questions, please call me at 320-965-2767 or e-mail me at hintzmanm@uwstout.edu

 

See you at class

Just a reminder . . .

Next Friday, May 6 is the first Friday of the month and the classroom is open for our "open sewing day". Bring your UFOs or start a new project. Enjoy the company of other quilter/sewers. The coffee pot is always on.

 Beginning Piecing/Quilting Class

   Thursday, May 19 starting at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

 

Baby Lock Coronet

16” Longarm Quilting Machine and Frame.

 

    Some of the features:

        * 16” wide x 8.25” high workspace

        * LED lighting

        * Built-in Stitch Regulator

        * 5’ free-standing frame

 

Stop in the store to see it.

 

Simply Vintage Spring edition is in, along with some beautiful new wools.

Missouri Star Quilt Company

We are now carrying their patterns, templates and the Block magazine. Check out their website for great tutorials. www.missouriquiltco.com

Beginner Free Motion Machine Quilting Class

 Friday, May 20th, 10:00-?. 

Taught by Sandy Rau

Cost is $27 and includes handout.

Stack and Whack Quilt Class

 Wed, April 13th, 9:30-3:00 or so. 

 Taught by Sandy Winter, cost is $25. 

Will be making the pattern called ‘Half-Square Triangle Magic’ in the book ‘Magic Stack-n-Whack Quilts’.

SERGER BASKET CLASS

A  tisket a tasket, come and make a basket.  Bring your serger and supplies and make a basket.  Attached are two pictures, one of the basket without flowers and the other with flowers.  The basket with flowers is on display at Community Vac and Sew.  There will be a class on how to make the basket from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Thursday, April 21 at Community Vac and Sew. This can be made with any serger, no special feet required.  You can sign up and pay for the class at Community Vac and Sew.   Fee for the class is $25.

 

Holly Taylor's New Line is in

"The Potting Shed"

The line is in gorgeous purples

Reminder

ATTIC WINDOW CLASS

Thursday, March 10

9:30-2:00

$25.00
Scroll down to see class details and samples

Now taking registrations for

New Simple What Not Club

Starting first Tuesday in June and runs through December

Cost is $10 to register and $30 per month for kits

Pictures of the six projects are posted in the shop

ATTIC WINDOW CLASS

Thursday, March 10

9:30-2:00

$25.00

Instructor: Vanessa Bruggeman following he Missouri Star Quilt tutorial

Samples in the store

Kits available

 

SERGER CLASS

 9:30am-3pn, Thursday, February 18.

  The class is designed to help you use some alternative stitches on your serger.  If you have a cover/chain stitch serger, we will work with those and if you do not, we will work with flatlock and rolled hems to make decorative serging.  We will make a pillow in the process.
There is a sample to view at Community Vac and Sew.
 Cost for the class is $25 and please register in advance at Community Vac and Sew so I know how many to expect.
Hope to see you at class.
Mary Hintzman

Another Whacky Weekend is being planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 4, 5 and 6

at Community Vac and Sew 

Whacky Weekend works like this:

   You bring your sewing machine and project(s) and whatever you need to work on those projects. 
   You get to talk and visit, laugh, eat treats, talk some more and hopefully in the course of the weekend, you will get a lot done.  The classroom is set up with tables and ironing boards.  The coffee is always on and the treats are plentiful.  No phones to answer, no housework to do, no husbands asking questions.  Just a good time with your sewing friends.
   Cost for the weekend if $50.  Meals will be on your own.  If you wish to get together with others and order in pizza or sandwiches or something, that is fine.  You can come early and stay late if you wish.  Wrap up is around 2pm on Sunday.  There is room for 10 people, so if you are interested, you need to sign up and pay at Community Vac and Sew.  

BLUE AND GREY CLUB

 Tuesday Jan 20 - 1:00 p.m.

  New members are welcome.

  The book Civil War Remembered will be used and six projects will be done from the book.
  There are no kits provided. all quilts are made from your stash of Civil War fabrics.

  Cost for the year is 30.00.