The Quiltzette

April 13, 2015

Flash Sale!

Starting tomorrow morning - April 14 - through Saturday, April 18 come in and raid our clearance rack. Take an EXTRA 20% off already marked down fabric, notions, patterns, and more. We moved many bolts of fabric to the clearance rack today!

New Fabric

This collection arrived last week. You have plenty of time to make a beautiful red, white, and blue tablecloth, placemats or quilt for Fourth of July!

This adorable panel along with several coordinating fabrics also came in last week. Mommy and baby animals with a "down under" theme. Cute!

We also received a nice shipment of Hoffman charm packs and layer cakes last week. We like this company for pre-cuts because each packet comes with 40 different fabrics.

Classes This Week

Placemat Club – April
EZ Breezy Quilt-As-You-Go
Wednesday, April 15
10:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$15, pattern required

This month you’ll have the option to make these modern looking placemats and/or a matching table runner. The pattern includes instructions for both. Quilt-as-you-go and no curved piecing means you go home with a finished project. How great is that? Judy Bryan made the sample and will teach this class. NOTE: You do not have to be a monthly “member” to participate in Placemat Club. You are free to pick and choose . . . take one class, take one occasionally, or come every month if you are so inclined.

Bermuda Bag
Friday, April 17
10:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$29, pattern required

This cute bag is 10 inches wide x 9 inches tall x 4 inches deep and features six inside pockets and a zipper top closure. You can make it as shown using 2 1/2 inch strips or make the body of the bag using just one fabric. Great either way. Judy Bryan will teach this class. No homework!

See the full class schedule here

Upcoming Events

Third Thursday Demo: Binding Tips and Tricks
Thursday, April 16, 2015
THIS THURSDAY!
12:30 AND 5:15 p.m.

Every quilter has her (or his) favorite way of making and sewing on binding, but we can always learning something new! For our April Third Thursday Demo we’ll show how we teach this important technique to our beginning quilters here at Cortez Quilt Company and then view a series of short videos that reveal a wide variety of ways to make this task quicker and easier. Third Thursday Demo is always free. Join is at either 12:30 or 5:15 for 20-30 minutes of inspiration.

Quilt ‘Til You Wilt
Friday, April 24 2015
5:00 – 10 p.m.

How does wrapping up your busy week with a Friday evening sewing with friends sound? Call 970-565-7541 today to register for Quilt ‘Til You Wilt on Friday, April 24. Bring a project and dinner (or order out from one of the many nice restaurants on Main Street) and settle in for an evening of fun and creativity. Beverages are provided. This event is free but limited to 12 people so don’t delay in signing up!

Clearance Sale . . . Almost Over!

The response to our 7 Series clearance has been tremendous. We now have only TWO BERNINA 780 sewing/embroidery machines in stock. Come in this week to claim one of them at a very sweet price and attend a Mastery Class on Sunday afternoon (4/19) to learn how to use and enjoy your new machine.

Education

BERNINA Software Inspiration
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
5:15 – 8:15 p.m.
$10 or free if you purchased your BERNINA machine and/or software at CQC

Use the Quilter Program within BERNINA Embroidery Software 7 when creating your next quilt. Design your own block design or use one of the many blocks that are built into the software. It is easy to do and you can even scan your fabrics into the software to see how your quilt will look before you begin. Bring your laptop loaded with Designer Plus 7. Please register by noon on Monday, April 13 by calling Cortez Quilt Company at 970-565-7541 or send an email to [email protected] with your RSVP. NOTE: Even if you don't own a BERNINA or have the Designer Plus 7 software but are curious to see how this program works, please join us and get inspired to design a quilt!

BERNINA Software 7 Mastery Class Series (DesignerPlus/EditorPlus)
April 21, May 19, June 16
$100 for the series or free if you purchased your software/upgrade from CQC

We have scheduled a series of Mastery Classes for BERNINA Software 7. We will meet the third Tuesday evening in April, May and June beginning at 5:15 p.m. You should plan to bring a laptop loaded with Software 7. It is highly recommended that you attend all three classes in sequence. If you aren't available for all three classes, contact Cindy to see if an exception can be made.

Tuesday, April 21 – The Basics of Software 7

In this class you will learn the basics of Software 7 including . . .

• Calibrating your Screen

• Setting the measurement system

• Sending a Design to your machine

• Reviewing Tool bars, Menu bar, Toolboxes

• Basic lettering, monogramming and editing options

Tuesday, May 19 – Auto Digitizing Methods

In this class you will edit designs and learn a variety of ways to auto digitize designs. More details about the curriculum for this session coming soon.

Tuesday, June 16 – Additional Features of DesignerPlus

In this class you will learn how to manually digitize a design, applique, techniques for multi-hooping, and more. More details about the curriculum for this session coming soon.

Tip of the Week: Sewing Machine Needles

We're now stocking three different brands of sewing machine needles - Schmetz, BERNINA, and our newest line which is Groz-Beckert. This company, founded in 1852, has long been recognized as a leader in manufacturing needles for industrial machines. They recently entered the domestic market with needles made OF high-quality industrial grade German steel. With a few exceptions (e.g., some sergers), all brands work in all machines. We're often asked, "What needle should I use?" The answer depends on what you are doing. We found this comprehensive and handy reference guide at the Schmetz website. If you are curious about all the different sizes and types of sewing machine needles that are available you'll want to open, read, and perhaps even print a copy of this for your sewing room.

The other question we're asked frequently is how often to change a sewing machine needle. Again, it depends on what you're working on (type of fabric, for example) and opinions vary, but we recommend changing a sewing machine needle . . .

- At the beginning of a new project (unless you last project was very small/short). This offer you the opportunity to think about and select the right needle for your new project.
- If you are having trouble with thread breaking.
- If the needle is even slightly bent or has a "burr" on it.
- If you hear a popping sound when the needle goes into the fabric.

A high-quality needle in good condition will give you the best stitch quality and is easier on your sewing machine.

"Sometimes I have believed as many as six impossible
things before breakfast." - Lewis Carroll