Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop May 2018 Newsletter
SSQS Journal
Issue 9 May 2018
Hello Everyone!
May is off to great start with beautiful warm weather and sunshine, something we all needed after (what seemed like) a never ending cold, wet winter. Spring is popping up with new buds and flowers and as such it is time to enjoy the outside and some gardening. At the end of the day when you are ready for a little time in the sewing room, we will have lots of little projects and new things that are growing inside the shop too. Our Middle of the Month Mystery starts May 19 and will be a great way to add a little quilting to your Spring, Summer and Fall months. We are also adding some new evening hours during the summer along with evening classes for those that are busy during the day but want to learn a new technique, start a new project or just want meet other quilters. We are growing our machine line and expanding our repair services and throughout the summer months we will continue our First Friday Demonstration Days and our Free Sew Fridays for you to come in and work on your projects, get help if you need it and meet other quilters too. Whether in the garden or in the sewing room be sure to make time to be creative this summer!
May all your Stitches be Sweet,
Joan
Middle of the Month Mystery Begins May 19th
We are launching our “Middle of the Month Mystery” with the first clue set for May 19th.
The Mystery Quilt will be a finished 88” x 88” quilt and will last for 8 months, May through December 2018. There is no monthly fee to participate. We will have a one-time registration of $25.00 and you can work with fabrics from your stash, shop our selection of fabrics or use both, it will be up to you. For this pattern, you will need to use your Strip Tube Ruler by Cozy Quilt Designs. We have them at the shop if you need one.
The last clue for the mystery will be provided in December, so a Fall or Christmas color pallet would be in season as the quilt top will be ready for the holiday's but as you can see from the image below, I have decided to go with Golds and Blues so let your imagination take you in any color direction you like. 
As with any Mystery Quilt, you will receive clues (sewing instructions). We will supply the clues in the middle of each month from May 19 thru December 15th. Printed clues will be made available each month for pick-up at the shop and for those that live a distance away, we can email the monthly clues to you so everyone can join in the fun!
This Mid Month Mystery is on our website for anyone that would like to register at Mystery Registration Page
We will have more details for the participants including any assistance you might need with fabrics and color selections.
Sweet Stitches is expanding our Sewing Machine offerings to include the Artistic Quilter SD-16 Free Motion Quilting Machine. We just unboxed this fabulous Machine that has 16 inches of throat space and a stitch regulator. The SD-16 is a great alternative to more pricey long arm quilting machines and will take up less space in your sewing room! Stop in to see our latest machine in person.
Wonderful Wedges - First Friday Demo
Friday May 4th is Demo Day and this month's topic is "Wonderful Wedges".Joan will demonstrate the use of fun rulers that create Dresden, Spiderwebs, Stars and Flowers which are much easier than you might think.
The demonstration begins at 10:30AM in the classroom.
Immediately following the Wonderful Wedges Demo, Joan will provide a preview of this months Mystical Prism Quilt Block and provide a few tips and tricks to its construction. This month we are working on the center block.
Feel free to stay after and use the classroom for Free Sew Friday. Bring your project and meet new friends while sewing on your machine or one of our elnas!
Mother's Day Machine Sale Special !
Mothers Day is right around the corner and she (or you!) deserve a new Sewing or Embroidery Machine! As an authorized elna Sewing Machine dealer, Sweet Stitches is able to offer financing through Synchrony Bank between May 4 and May 12th so take advantage of 0% financing on your qualifying purchases. Stop in to see our line of elna machines and learn more about our special Mothers Day SALE pricing and the finance options available.
New Fabrics in the Shop this Month
RJR FABRICS
"Arabesque" Fanciful Flourish in Pomegranate by RJR Fabrics and "Floral Impressions" in Wildflower.
These are Digitally Printed fabrics which means more detail and colors!
WILLMINGTON BATIKS
More great fabrics from Wilmington Batiks to add to our always growing batik section at the shop.
Sunny warm brights, tranquil cool colors and some good basic neutrals too!
MARCUS FABRICS
These rainbow beauties come in 4.25" Squares and 1.75" Hexagons from Marcus Fabrics.
What would you make out of these pretty fabrics?
Extended Summer Shop Hours
With so many things going on during the day for many of you, Sweet Stitches is extending shop hours for the summer months beginning in May. The shop will be open on Wednesday's until 7:00 pm beginning this week. We will also offer evening classes on select Wednesdays that will run 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Our first evening class will be "ABC's of Free Motion Quilting" to be held Wednesday May 16 and 23rd.
You can see the class schedule for May by clicking here.
Block of the Month - Sadies Keepsake 
For those of you participating in our Hand Embroidery Block of the Month Sadie’s Keepsake your Month 9 Block is now ready and available for pick up on or after May 4.
Block of the Month - Mystical Prism 
For those of you participating in our Mystical Prism Batik BOM, your Month 5 Block is now ready and available for pick up on or after May 4.
A Machine Minute
General Maintenance and proper technique are critical for optimum performance of your sewing machine and project outcome.
Quilters of all skill levels can find encouragement, inspiration and creativity at Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop. Located in Chesterton, Indiana just a few miles from the natural beauty of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop is your destination for fabrics, notions and all things quilting. We carry a wide variety of brights, batiks and reproduction fabrics as well as notions, patterns, books and Elna sewing machines. Our large classroom offers students everything they need to learn and grow their quilting talents. From fabric selection to project advice to training on your new machine, our friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to assist. Stop by the store or click the "Shop Online" link to view our wide variety of products ready to ship direct to your door.
1585 South Calumet Road Chesterton, IN 46304
219.250.5942
www.sweetstitchesquiltshop.com
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