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March 20, 2017 - In This Issue

• Every Card Is a Winner - BERNINA Sale!

• Third Thursday Demo This Week

• A&L Group Meets on Thursday

• New Fabric

• Quilt Border Survey Results

• Quilt Shop Classes

• Yarn Shop Classes

• Lots of New Yarn

• Block Party - A New Block of the Month

• Scissor Sharpening

• Service Department News

• Spotlight Item: Save 20% on Pre-cuts

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This week . . . a GREAT sale! From March 16-20 when you come to Cortez Quilt Company and try out any sewing machine you'll receive a scratch-off ticket to redeem toward your purchase. Every ticket is a winner. The minimum you'll win is $150 and you could score up to $1,000 off on a new machine.

During this same sale take 25% off all BERNINA presser feet and embroidery hoops. We'll also be offering 60-month 0% financing during the sale (on approved credit, of course). Come in early to narrow down your machine choice and then come back during the sale to scratch and SAVE!

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Third Thursday Demo: March 16

Join us on Thursday, March 16, at 12:30 p.m. when our free demo will be on half-square triangles - one of the most versatile design elements in the world of quilting. We'll review several ways to make half-square triangles, practice using the Bloc_Loc ruler, and everyone who attends will receive a free pattern for a baby quilt made entirely of half-square triangles. Bring a friend!

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A&L Group Meets Thursday March 16

The growing A&L (art and landscape) Quilt Group meets regularly on the Third Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at Cortez Quilt Company. Bring your Show & Tell, exchange ideas, and give and receive inspiration. No RSVP necessary. This meeting usually lasts about an hour. Join the group anytime.

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New Fabric

It's always fun to break into a new box of batiks when they arrive, and this shipment really captured our attention. The colors are so deep and vivid. Come by for an in-person look before these are all gone.

 

Does your favorite cowboy, cowgirl, or ranch hand need a new quilt? Here's a great fabric collection to inspire you.

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Border Survey Results

Thanks to everyone who participated in our most recent survey on how you measure to add borders to quilts. Here are the results from 55 respondents.

When you add borders to quilt tops do you most often. . .

• Measure the middle of the quilt top and cut borders that length: 29%

• Measure both sides and the middle and divide by three to get the correct length: 33%

• Cut a piece of fabric longer than the quilt, sew it on, and trim off what's left: 18%

• Other: 20% - Here are a few of the "other" responses.

I measure a lot of different ways to see if lengths are even before I start cutting. If I just start sewing it on, it may stretch and make the edges wavy.

I make certain the quilt is perfectly symmetrical. Then, I cut a piece of fabric longer than the quilt, sew it on, and trim off what's left.

Multiply the number of blocks by the size of the block.

I measure both sides and use the average of that measurement to determine what length to cut both pieces. Pin middle and both ends, then work in rest of the quilt to match length cut. They always end up the same size.

I measure the middle and about 12 inches in from one side, divide by 2. If it is a queen or king quilt, I always cut the border on the lengthwise grain so there is no stretch to it, goes on perfect.

So there you have it. Turns out there are many methods used when adding quilt borders. Our bottom line: do what works best for you!

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Quilt Shop Classes

BERNINA Club
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Free (RSVP and supplies required)

Learn how to make pintucks and their many variations. Pintuck feet in four styles create pintucks in a variety of sizes and spacing for different fabric weights. Learn about corded and decorative-stitch pintuck options. Plan to stay and make a kitchen towel with pintucks and decorative stitching or add pintucks to the “Cash and Carry” pouch. Think of all the projects that can be spiced up with pintucks! Don’t forget to bring show and tell for chances for a door prize.

Little Quilt April
Thursday, March 23, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
$15, plus pattern

We’re working our way through the year creating these adorable raw-edge applique wall hangings. Make them with or without the month at the bottom. These fit perfectly in the small wire stands. With the month added to the bottom, the finished size is 12 x 16. Karen will teach this class. Join anytime . . . you can backtrack and make the earlier months or make them later as each month rolls around.

Open Wide
Friday & Saturday, March 24 & 25, 2017
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$29, plus pattern/supplies

This is one of the latest By Annie patterns, and we all know how much fun her projects are to make. Judy Bryan will teach this two-session class on March 24 & 25. On Friday you’ll cut, quilt, and begin assembling this handy zippered bag. On Saturday you’ll finish the project which features inside mesh pockets. Great for sewing notions, cosmetics, small knitting projects, and much more.

Click here to see the full quilt shop class schedule.

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Yarn Shop Classes

Knitting 101
Friday, March 17, 2017
2:00 – 4:30 p.m.
$29, supplies included

In this class you will learn to cast on, knit and purl, bind off, and start working on a basic ribbed scarf. Anne Worthington will be the instructor. A pair of knitting needles and ball of yarn are included in the class fee. Limited to four students; youth and adults welcome.

Skill Builder: Entrelac Basics
Monday, March 20, 2017
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
$10

Entrelac is not as challenging as it looks! Learn how to knit this intriguing fabric and then use it in a future project. Bring either solid color or variegated yarns and appropriate-sized needles to class. For intermediate knitters.

Garment Knit-A-Long (KAL)
Every Tuesday
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Free with purchase of yarn

Tired of making scarves and hats? Want to sink your teeth into something a bit more challenging? Are you ready to knit a sweater, vest or skirt? With purchase of yarn, we invite you to join our Garment KAL anytime. Come by the store and we’ll help you select a pattern and order the yarn of your choice. During the KAL, we’ll help you through any rough spots you might encounter, and you'll enjoy moral support and encouragement from your fellow knitters.

Custom Knitting Classes

Do you want to take a knitting class to learn a new technique or get started on a new project? Not seeing what you need on our schedule? No problem. Find two friends who want to join you and we'll offer a class at your convenience. Contact Anne with questions or to arrange your custom class today. 

See the full yarn shop class schedule here.

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Feast Your Eyes on These New Arrivals in the Yarn Shop

Temperatures are inching toward 70 degrees. If your thoughts are drifting toward a new linen top or a drapey cotton scarf or shawl, check out our new spring and summer yarns.

This one is Hempathy by Elsebeth Lavold. It's a sportweight cotton/hemp/modal yarn that comes in 50-gram balls in a variety of solid colors.

 

Hempathy Prints is similar to Hempathy, but it's variegated and comes in 100-gram balls.

Bel Viso is a luxury cotton/linen/nettle blend. It is a variegated fingering weight yarn in 100-gram hanks.

Khusku by Mirasol is a fingering weight wool/bamboo blend from Peru. It comes in variegated colors in 100-gram hanks. Portions of the proceeds from this yarn support the children of the shepherds who raise the sheep the yarn is made from.

United from the Queensland Collection is an organic sportweight yarn that's 55% lambswool and 45% cotton. It comes in 50-gram balls in a nice variety of solid colors. 

Uluru, also from the Queensland Collection, is variegated cotton/acrylic yarn. It's a soft fingering weight yarn in 100-gram balls and has just a hint of sparkle in it.

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Block Party from BERNINA

Join us for a very special Block of The Month starting in April. Make this beautiful quilt over the course of a year. We have the fabric requirements for this 77" x 77" quilt available at the shop, and we can help you choose your fabrics. Use the colors shown here or select whatever you'd like to go with your decor. There is no charge to join this Block of the Month, and you can receive the monthly patterns from us if you purchase your fabric at Cortez Quilt Company. Or you can go to BERNINA's We All Sew website and get the patterns there each month.

On the second Monday of each month, pick up your free pattern for that month (there are 12 total). If you'd like, you can stay for Open Sewing and work on your blocks with your quilting friends throughout the day.

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Scissor Sharpening

We're happy to announce that Barry and Diana Owen from Columbine Sharpening in Durango will be at the shop on Friday, March 31 to sharpen your scissors. Bring your scissors in between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for service while you shop, or drop them off anytime during the week of March 27. 

They can also sharpen knives, gardening tools, and more. Watch for additional information and pricing in next week's newsletter.

Please plan to pay by cash or check directly to Columbine Sharpening when your pick up your scissors. Thanks!

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Service Department News

At Cortez Quilt Company we are committed to continuing education for our employees and continuous quality improvement. As such, we are pleased to announce that certified technician Dion Hollenbeck recently completed a full week of advanced training at BERNINA headquarters in Chicago. He spent the week focused on learning more about diagnosing and repairing the complex 7 and 8 series machines.

In addition, Ann Sam recently spent a week in Chicago for technical training. She is now a certified BERNINA technician. Ann will continue to provide sewing machine training to new BERNINA owners. When she's not busy fixing or teaching, she'll continue to lend a hand in the front of the store.

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Precuts: 20% Off

This week only . . . take 20% off all layer cakes, charm packs, and 2-1/2 inch strip packs (aka Jelly Rolls).

Offer expires on Saturday, March 18 at 6 p.m. Limited to stock on hand. Limit three per person. No phone orders. You must mention that you saw this offer in the Quiltzette to receive the discount.

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"To succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone,
a backbone, and a funny bone." ~ Reba McEntire

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