Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop August 2020 Newsletter
SSQS Journal
Issue 36 August 2020
August 2020
Hello Everyone,
We hope you are enjoying your summer as much as you can and that you are staying safe. We want to thank everyone for coming to the shop, for wearing your masks, sanitizing your hands, and keeping a safe distance as you enter. You are helping us remain open by keeping yourself and others safe and healthy. Summer is usually a slow time in a quilt shop, everyone is busy with yard work, gardening, and traveling, but nothing is normal so far about 2020 so things are really busy here at the shop. Lots of machine repairs, lots of mask making, lots of projects are being pulled out of the cabinets at home and new projects being started too. It is amazing how much everyone is getting done and the projects you bring in to share are amazing! In July we announced that we are now a Daylight Company Dealer, these are wonderful lights to brighten your sewing space. I got to use the Wafer 3 Light Box today and what a difference it makes in tracing applique patterns, the surface is big and the light is perfect. You will get to see some of my applique in our upcoming First Friday Demonstration Day Video on August 7. Our theme will be "Sew Happy". From Happy Birthday to Happy Holidays to Happy Hour we will put the Happy in your quilting projects! Check your email on the First Friday Morning to get the link to watch the video. We all need to find happiness wherever we can these days and we hope you find a little happiness every time you visit our shop. We have another big announcement that you will find in this newsletter too they just arrived today at the shop and they are beautiful..
May all your stitches be sweet,
Joan
Friday, August 7, 2020
Our First Friday of the Month Demonstration Day is now on video! Large gatherings in the shop are not possible these days but you can still see what's new in the shop and get inspiration for your next quilt project by watching our monthly video. Those that are on our email/newsletter list will receive a morning email on the first Friday of the month so you can click on the link and watch the video. If you are not signed up for our email/newsletter you can do so on our website, by calling or coming into the shop.Our August Theme will be Sew Happy! We are talking all kinds of happy from Happy Birthday to Happy Holidays to Happy Hour. Lots of happy projects!
Last month, Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop announced a new product line from The Daylight Company including a full line of lamps, magnifiers, and lightbox products. We would like to thank all of those customers who have shown interest and now have one of the best light boxes and lighting fixtures for sewing, crafts, and general task lighting in the market.
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This month we have more exciting news as we announce the addition of Horn of America Sewing Tables, Caddies, and Storage units. Sweet Stitches is now an official Authorized Horn of America Dealer. We had planned to bring cabinets into the shop early in the year and while Covid forced us to modify our plans, it did not change our minds on the brand of cabinets that we wanted to offer. From our very first interaction and product evaluation, the Horn Company of Sutton, WV, has proved to be exactly what we wanted in a product partner. Excellent workmanship, functional, well-engineered, and a good value all add up to a line of sewing cabinets that we are proud to have in the shop. We will have several examples on display along with catalog information for you to look through. Click here to visit our website to see our new line of Horn Cabinets.
 HORN 5400 |
 Horn A680 Accuquilt Cutting Center |
 Horn 8390 |
 Horn 8080 |
Starting in August we will once again offer accuquilt go play days - of course with a Covid Twist. Our go play day will be a Facebook live presentation intended to provide instruction for a project as well as tips and tricks to get the most out of your accuquilt cutter and dies.
Stay tuned to the Sweet Stitches Facebook page during August for exciting news coming out of accuquilt. We know you will like what is in the works!
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QOV - Event to be held at the Shop
The ladies of the String-A-Long Stars and Stripes Quilts of Valor group have not had the opportunity to meet over the past months as the Westchester Library Service Center remains closed to the public. In an effort to reconnect with the group, say hello, and have a bit of show and tell, Janet and Flo plan to set up an "Open House" outside under the awning at Sweet Stitches Quilt Shop on their normal sewing day of the first Thursday of the month (August 6th) from 10am to 1pm.
We look forward to seeing the Stars and Stripes members as well as invite anyone interested in Quilts of Valor to stop by, meet Janet and Flo and learn more about this wonderful group and the work they do to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
See you all Thursday, August 6th.
As with all aspects of our business, Covid rules will apply. We will reduce the maximum number of people in our classes to Four. Masks will be required for all class participants. Additional classes will be added as we move forward. We look forward to seeing you at the shop and in the classroom!
Curbside Service Available!
Sweet Stitches continues to offer curbside service for product and machine service purchases. All On-line or phone orders requesting curbside will be fulfilled no later than the next business day. Our on-line system will send a notification when your order is ready. For machine repair, simply call the shop, we will create a work order for your machine. Stop by during business hours and we will be glad to carry your machine in. No need to schedule ahead to drop off your machine!
While we would love to see you in the shop, we understand that it is not possible or advisable for everyone. We are happy to support curbside services.
For those a long distance away, you can shop online and select our shipping option!
A Machine Minute
General Maintenance and proper technique are critical for optimum performance of your sewing machine and project outcome.
Don't Twist Me!
We have all had it happen, thread bunches up under the needle plate and we have a rats nest that locks up the machine and needs to be cleaned out. How you clean up can make a difference especially for machines with drop-in bobbins.
An epidemic of damaged bobbin holder springs have arrived at the shop of late. What is causing the Springs to be damaged? Pulling on those stuck threads trying to free the machine. By pulling, you run the risk of twisting the bobbin holder past the spring and damaging it. A good bit of force is needed, but once that spring is bent, the bobbin holder will continue to slide past, resulting in needle strikes and deteriorating performance. If you end up with stuck threads, use a pair of scissors to cut away and free the fabric and thread. Remove the needle plate and clean out all remaining threads from around the bobbin holder. This will allow you to get back to sewing and preserve the integrity of that vital spring for many bobbins to come.
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/Janome 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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