Back to Business

Mom, Holly, and I are finally buckling down and getting some things done around the quilt shop.  If you missed our huge sale it was an amazing success.  We cleaned out everything we wanted to and more!  Thank you everyone who came by to add to their stash and thanks for all of the questions.  There are still a few urban legends floating around about "exactly what do they think they're doing"?  If you're still unsure of our motives, just take a look at what we've been up to:

The first step after removing the fabrics that would go on the sale was to organize.  The shop looks so clean and open!  People keep commenting that the shelves look so empty....but don't worry, we have fabric in the storage room just screaming for a place on the shelves.  

Our color wall made a move to the area you see when you first walk into the shop.  Along with the color wall we will feature our new modern and funky fabrics (my favorites).  We will be hosting "What's New" in this area as well.

Our couch is coming back!  It's not here yet, but for those of you that remember, it was the hangout spot for all the men that get dragged along to the quilt shop.  We are hoping to always have a little "home" set up complete with decorations for your kitchen, living room, and bedroom.  This is a work in progress, I will post photos as soon as it's done.

Batik's stayed in the same place and Civil War fabrics join them behind the cutting counter.  Our purse collection found a new home under the cutting counter.  It's WAY better than the coat rack we had overflowing with bags.

Our children/baby fabric made a move too.  Don't worry, we still have 30's fabric, they just have their own area now right around the corner from the kids.

I REALLY wanted to give you a sneak peak into the "design studio" but alas it is still in shambles....pretty curtains though, right? :)

We can barely walk in the design studio but that doesn't mean that we haven't been sketching.

The antique hutch made a move, but the coffee is still always on and the cookie jar is always sometimes full.

The notions wall received a much needed make over.  You will find all the rulers and purse accessories on the wall in front of the classroom. 

You will find all other notions and thread on the wall near the register. 

Holly added a small gift area with her "Razz-Dazz Boutique" featuring Paparazzi hair accessories and costume jewelry.  She's always running around with something cool in her hair and now you can too.  Everything is $6.00!

 Our biggest accomplishment this month is getting Stash Bash invite mailed to every Quilt Guild and Quilt Shop in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  If you are a member of a guild or shop owner and you don't receive one by next Monday, and would like one, please email me at commonthreadsmn@gmail.com.

For more details on the event click on the Stash Bash logo above!

 As you can see, we've been busy bees and we haven't slowed yet.  Keep checking back for all the fun things we have coming up.  Don't forget, every dollar you spend from now until March 23rd turns into two Quilt Bucks for our Relay for Life Auction on March 24th.  Also, we still have a few spaces available for Super Sew for Super Bowl.  Email common@gctel.net to reserve your space.

Pieced love and comfiness,

Katie S.

EChatter - January 2012

First off, we want to thank everyone that joined us for our Inventory Reduction Sale.  It was a great success!  Now we have room for all of the new fabrics that are already taking up space in our store room. :)

We didn't have "What's New" this month because of the sale, but here are a few reminders:

We still have some room in our Minglewood Block of the Month.  We meet every 4th Friday of the month to work on this project.  Cost: $25 per month.

  

EVENTS 

Super Sew for Super Bowl - The shop opens at noon on Sunday, Feb. 5th for an all day sewing event.  We invite you to come watch the game with us (and most importantly the commercials) and work on any unfinished projects.  We will be giving away prizes too, including a $50 Common Threads gift certificate!  We have limited space so be sure to email us at common@gctel.net to reserve your sewing area.  Cost: Your favorite game day dish to share with everyone.  (We will be making chili.) 

 

Leap Year Sales Event - It only happens once every four years so we're doing something crazy.  Get 29% off any cut of fabric or double punches on your punch card!  Play Leap Frog for even more discounts!!!  We're open 9am - 7pm.

Relay for Life Auction - From now until March 23th any money you spend at the quilt shop will turn into Quilt Bucks that you can use at our Relay for Life Auction.  Use a combination of Quilt Bucks and real money to bid on items at the auction.  We invite EVERYONE to this event, we won't just be auctioning quilt stuff!  (If you or someone you know would like to donate an item for the auction please email Katie at commonthreadsmn@gmail.com)

CLUBS 

Card Club - If you like Paper Piecing this is the club for you.  If you've always wanted to try Paper Piecing (without having to make an entire quilt) this club is for you.  If you like creating cards and quilting this club is for you!  We will be making Paper Pieced blocks that fit into framed greeting cards.  You can also use a picture frame to display these fun blocks.  We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month.  Cost: $25 for the year which includes "50 Little Paper-Pieced Blocks" and 1 pack of (4) specially designed frame cards with envelopes. 

Quilt Circle - Breakfast and quilting?!?!  Who could ask for more!  Our Quilt Circle will meet once a month to dive deeper into specific techniques, books, or notions.  We don't have time during "What's New" to share all the details.  There is no fee to attend however there may be special projects and/or make-n-takes that you can purchase the day of.  We meet the 2nd Saturday of the month before "What's New" at 8:30am or the 4th Thursday at 10am.

Row by Row -  These fantastic patterns were designed by Ruth Gess, local designer and Common Thread's original creator.  We will gather every 4th Thursday and Friday of the month.  Cost: $60.00 for the year which includes binder for patterns and club handouts, additional projects patterns.

For more details on any of these events and clubs, please go to our website www.commonthreadsquilt.com.  Don't forget about our blog commonthreadsmn.blogspot.com.


To sign up for any of the events or clubs email us at common@gctel.net or call 320-834-2563.

Inventory Reduction Sale Sneak Peek

We've been working so hard to get ready for our big Inventory Reduction Sale that we almost forgot to publish a sneak peek.  Here it is!  Yes, all of this is on sale!!!  Don't forget we start the sale on Thursday with 40% off, continue Friday with 50% off, and end Saturday with 75% off.  We will be open 9am - 7pm on Thursday and 9am - 5pm on Friday and Saturday.

Last minute project - Cold Weather Ear Warmers

I know, I know...I should have worked on these a month ago, but the weather was so unseasonably warm that I was ignoring the fact that I'd need to break out gloves, hats, and ear warmers.  When I did open up the dusty boxes containing all of my cold weather wear I realized that nothing I owned matched my cute new jacket.  What to do?  Well of course I scoured the web for items I could purchase, when I came across something I could make myself....thanks Pintrest.  (If you're not on Pintrest yet, don't do it!  You'll never get anything done, you'll just sit around wondering "why didn't I think of that" and "I could make that".)

Through Pintrest I found a young woman's blog in which one of her posts explains how to make these fun and easy ear warmers.  You can find it here: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/12/adorable-diy-ear-warmers.html#more

I'm not kidding you when I say that I made two in less than an hour.  You can buy the wool felt to match your own jacket and even make them for gifts.  Here's how mine went:

1.  My jacket is maroon and unfortunately we didn't have any maroon felt here at the quilt shop so I decided to match the colors to my scarf which is multi-colored with blue, yellow, maroon, and cream.....blue and mustard yellow were my favorites.

2.  Next I made a template out of freezer paper so that I could recreate the same design for another one later.  I also made templates for my flower layers (this will make more sense in a little bit).

 3.  I ironed the freezer paper onto my felt and started cutting.

4.  After my headband was cut out, I made a 1/4" seam around the entire thing.  This prevents it from stretching too much.  I also used the button hole setting on the machine to create buttons holes big enough for some fun wood buttons.

5.  I cut open the button holes and hand sewed a button on the opposite end.

5.  After I created the basic headband it came to the fun part....embellishments.  I decided to do layered flowers.  I also chose to use another button and make it the middle of my flower.  I hand sewed these embellishments on...and tad-ah a cold weather ear warmer.

6.  After I made the first one I wasn't sure how I felt about the width, so I made a smaller one.  I decided to do a bow embellishment for this one using both colors.

If you're interested in making these for yourself or others, I have the templates for the wide headband, narrow headband, and layer flowers saved on a PDF (the bow I kind of made up as I went along, just strips of felt folded into a bow).  Send me an email at commonthreadsmn@gmail.com and I'll email the PDF to you.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Usually I'm not a huge fan of the snow (unless, of course, I'm skiing or snowmobiling).  This year, however, I miss the snow.  It's two days before Christmas and there isn't any snow on the ground....almost unheard of in MN.  So, since there isn't any snow outside I thought I'd make it snow here.  So, when you're dreaming of a white Christmas just click on our blog. :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

EChatter - December 2011

At this month's Thrifty we talked a lot about whats happening in 2012.  We recapped what we published in the newsletter that was emailed this weekend.  Most of you have already read the newsletter, if you haven't, click here:  http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/winternewsletter20112012.pdf .  There are a few things we want to specifically bring your attention to:

Holiday Hours/New Hours:  Don't forget that our new hours start Jan. 1st.  We will not be open on Christmas Eve, Monday the 26th, or New Years Eve

What's New - Our Thrifty weekends will be replaced by "What's New".  We realized that we have changed from the original concept of "Thrifty" and wanted to give it a name that reflected what the weekend is more about.  What's New we be on the 2nd weekend of every month.  (To see the calendar, click here http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/Calendar.html).  We want to invite you to bring show and tell, just like Thrifty, and you will get a special coupon you can use until the end of every month.  PLEASE NOTE:  There will not be a What's New in January because....

Inventory Reduction Sale - We need to make room for all of the fun stuff we have coming in 2012 from Fall Quilt Market.  We thought about adding on, but there's no room to grow.  :)  The sale will be January 12th - 14th with discounts on select merchandise.  Thursday will be 40% off, Friday 50% off, and Saturday 75% OFF!!!

Card Club - This is a BRAND NEW club that will be starting January 18th at 10am or 5:30pm.  It's not your traditional card club, we're not going to play Bridge.  If you like paper piecing, this is the club for you.  We will be using the "50 Little Paper-Pieced Blocks" book to create greeting cards.  For more details about the club, including the cost, click here:  http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/clubs.html

Row by Row Club & Block of the Month - As most of your know, Darlene Zimmerman's Clothesline Club has ended.  We loved her work and wish her all the best in her future adventures.  We needed a club to take the place of one of our customer's favorites.  With the help of Ruth Gess we will have the Row by Row Club. Ruth designed the patterns that we will explore during the club.  For more information click here: http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/clubs.html

We've decided to use Ruth's designs for our Common Threads Block of the Month.  You will receive the patterns each month...what you do with them is completely up to your creativity....make them into a sampler, recreate the block for a quilt, use them for a wall hanging...the possibilities are endless!  For more information about the Row by Row Block of the Month click here:  http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/blockofthemonth.html

Cattails in the Meadow Class - Judy and Brad Niemeyer designed the Cattails in the Meadow for foundation paper piecing. A collection of fabrics designed by Hoffman Fabrics were used to make the quilt and we have the exact fabrics for this class. The class will be taught by a certified Judy Niemeyer teacher, Catherine Erickson. We need at least 8 people to sign up.  For more information, click here: http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/classes.html

Events

Click here for details about any of our events: http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/events.html

Super Sew for Super Bowl - The first Sunday of February every year is reserved for beer, food, and football.....but not this year!!!  We invite you to join us sewing AND watching the Super Bowl.  There will be games and giveaways including a $50 gift certificate.
Leap Year Sales Event - It only comes once every 4 years, so we're gonna make the best of it.  Join us for open sewing and Leap Year discounts including 29% off or double punches on your card.  Play Leap Frog and get even more of a discount.
Relay for Life Auction - We have officially started our own Relay for Life team.  Our team name is "The Polka Dots" in honor of our father/grandpa who passed away from pancreatic cancer....he LOVED Polka music!  To help raise money we are having an auction in March.  The reason we are telling you about it so soon is because for every dollar you spend at the quilt shop between January 18 and March 23 you get 2 Quilt Bucks you can use during the auction.  You can also use real money, but your Quilt Bucks are just a valuable.  PLEASE invite everyone you know because we're not just going to be auctioning quilt stuff but gift certificates to area businesses and other fun things.  More details to come!

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Enough of the "public service announcements"...on to the new stuff!  If you're interested in purchasing any of the following items, go our online store.  (We apologize, the fabrics are not available through the online store yet.  If you are interested in purchasing them please call us at 320-834-2563.)  Click here for the online store: http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/storefront_whatsnew.html

Kits

We know we're getting quite close to Christmas, but we couldn't help but show at least one Christmas project.  Using the Square-agonals technique (featured in last month's Teaching Thursday) we created kits for a table runner out of the Countdown to Christmas line.  We used the Accu Quilt to cut each piece so there's not much cutting needed, just sit down and start sewing!  The kit is only $14.99 (you will need to purchase the book as well - $24.95).

Using the same technique we created one with Hometown by Sweetwater so you can make one to display all year round!

Curio uses the Kaleido-Ruler (our only new notion this month - $17.00) to create the illusion of circles in this pretty quilt that reminds us of Paris, France.  Holly used the Statler to create individual patterns for each block and the borders, it was her first time trying this intense technique and it turned out beautifully, she can do it for you too!

Fabric

We added some more pieces to our color wall...it was looking kinda sad.  We filled it with "Tic Tac" and "Dimple" by Andover Fabrics.

Hoffman has some new, rich Batiks so we had to show some of them as well.

Holly Taylor is back to designing with "Birch Bark Lodge".  The line has patterned pieces and Batiks.  Mix and match for a modern rustic look.

Books

Square-agonals is a new method of creating diagonal set quilts without the complications of sewing setting corners and triangles.  The method is based on a well-known branch of mathematics called dissection. $27.95

Jelly Roll Quilt Magic introduces an entirely new design sense for Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, and Turnovers.  It really is a magical approach to using precuts.  She also introduces a 'shopping' list concept to make prepping for sewing a snap.  13 colorful projects give readers the opportunity to grasp her vision. $26.95

Reasons for Quilts showcases incredible quilts and touching stories about the inspiration of quilt making.  Edyta Sitar opens he personal trunk of handmade heirlooms.  This album goes from coverlets that capture childhood innocence to quilts that embrace the love of family.  It includes a disk for your home computer that can be used to print nine of the featured quilt patterns. $27.95

The new kids on the block!  Today's most talented modern quilts put a fresh and fun spin on 99 traditional block designs in Modern Blocks.  Chock full of step-by-step instructions, how-to photographs and helpful hints, this collection of inspiring projects makes it easy for any sewer, no matter what level of expertise, to quilt in a modern style with impressive results.  $24.95  (Katie will be writing up a pattern to enlarge one of her favorite blocks, we will post it here first!)

Just a Quilt? is a delightful story about six-year-old Chase and his imaginative uses of his prized quilt.  This tale celebrates the wonderful creativity of children.  In this story, his quilt is so much more than a quilt.  Whether his quilt is a superhero cape, a dark cave, or a magic carpet, it still provides the security of home.  Share this beautifully illustrated book with your child and imagine the possibilities. $16.00

Patterns

Shenandoah is a pattern designed by Deanne Quill of Creative Solutions.  It is a great pattern for fabrics in which you want to showcase the design of the fabric and don't want to cut up too much.  The finished quilt measures 54" x 70".

Big, beautiful flying geese weave a whimsical trail through this simple striated quilt top in Come Fly With Me.  The great contemporary look is equally effective with and without borders.  Size options: 55" a 75" without outer borders (large throw) and 69" x 89" with outer borders (twin).

Short Circuit certainly isn't short on style or pizzazz that's for sure.  The only "short" in sight is the short amount of time it'll take to make the blocks.  Use craps, charm packs, jelly rolls, anything goes in this fun bright quilt.  Finished siza 49" x 49".

Just throw the Potato Chip Bag over your shoulder and you're out the door.  With pockets on the outside and lined with pockets on the inside too.  Named because they're small and addictive, bet you can't make just one.  Finished size 6" x 7" x 2".

The Little Twister Tool is a lot of fun and when your projects are complete it looks as though you've spent hours working on these small projects.  "Patriotic Twist" and "Twisted Christmas".

Christmas time is here again

Tis the season to deck the halls and trim the tree.  We've been busy putting together stocking stuffers for the quilters on your list.  Our favorite new products this year are the Frixion pens - $2.65 (ink disappears with heat) and the Handi Iron - $35 (great for retreats).

 If the quilter on your list has everything or you just don't know what they like you can get a gift certificate.  Check out today's Echo Press for a gift certificate coupon.  If you buy a $25 gift card you get $5 free!

We have gifts for everyone on your list, not just the quilters.  Shannon Cuddle will no longer be making the Cuddle Critters - $8, so come in and get one for the little one on your list before they're all gone!  You can even make an attachable blankie.  This project can be finished in a couple hours.

We love the idea of giving a gift inside a gift by "wrapping" your presents in a pillowcase...it's also green friendly, no wasted wrapping paper here!