Newsletter June 2022

Newsletters

June 6, 2022

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Hello Lovely Ladies
It’s raining outside and since it’s my usual Monday Admin day I decided I would write the June newsletter now. We are in for a busy month and I have lots to tell you, so settle down with a cuppa (or wine) to read through all the activities coming up in the next few weeks.
With several of our regular monthly classes falling on Fridays, and with a lot of the weekly classes full, trying to find a space to fit in a couple of extra classes has been a bit of a mission, so I am trialing a new evening workshop time to try and attract some of you busy working people who can’t come to us during daytime hours.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR OVERLOCKER – TAKE 2

Several months ago we held a very successful ‘Get to know your overlocker’ class. I am amazed at how many of our customers use an overlocker, but when it comes to changing threads or tension on these machines you don’t know how to do it. Overlockers can be extremely temperamental machines, but when they are working well, they are wonderful to use.
We will repeat this class, as many of you were unable to attend the last one. The class is open to anyone who owns a Bernina or Bernette overlocker, preferably bought from us at The Eye Of A Needle. Some exceptions may apply if your overlocker is in good working order and you have the manual that came with your machine.
Class ONE will be on Thursday 16th June from 5:30-7:30pm
Class TWO will be on Thursday 7th July from 5:30-7:30 pm.
The class will cost $40 + you will need to purchase specific threads for your overlocker if you don’t have them already.
The class will run for 2 hours; you are welcome to attend both classes if you need more help and practice with the tasks you will be assigned.

THE EYE OF A NEEDLE ‘MYSTERY QUILT’

We launched our in-house Mystery Quilt BOM last Friday and interest seems to be gathering some momentum. Some of you have mentioned that you don’t really like the idea of a MYSTERY – this is no different to putting together any kind of sampler – the ‘mystery’ is simply that you won’t know what pattern is coming next – but you do have the photo above to get a kind of idea of what you might be doing.
Here is a link to the Bernina blog from which we gained our inspiration… https://blog.bernina.com/en/2021/03/sewing-old-patchwork-blocks

There are some really unusual but highly effective blocks in this sampler quilt top, made up of traditional blocks all measuring different sizes. At the end of the project you get given a choice of at least 6 different layouts for your blocks, so no two quilts will look the same.
The challenge will be in learning some new techniques, including how to stitch Y-Seams, and some foundation paper piecing, and you get to choose the fabrics you want to use for your quilt top!

When you sign up for this Mystery Quilt BOM, you pay $10 month and we will supply you with either TWO or THREE block patterns, which you will need to complete before you get the following months’ pattern.
We are going to hold a Sew Along on the first Friday of each month, so if you need help, that’s the best time to get it. We have had some interest from out of town as well, so if you would like us to email you the patterns each month we can do that. We will still require some evidence that you have completed your blocks though – a screen shot will suffice if you can’t show us your work in person when you come in to collect the next month’s BOM.
You will need 18-20 Fat Quarters to make the quilt top, as well as 3-4 metres of background fabric.

MAKING LUNA LAPIN

I was at the NZ Gift Fair recently and I was amazed at how many of the baby giftware stalls had very cute soft toys to sell. Perhaps the fact I now have my own grand-daughter has influenced my thinking, but I came away feeling I really should make Lucy her very own Luna Lapin rabbit. I did start making one a while ago and then we moved house and she got stored away in a container. Today I have pulled her out of the cupboard and I plan to give her a whole new wardrobe before the week is out!
I figure that if I want to make a Luna Lapin, then its quite possible some of you might like to as well, so we will hold 4 classes – the first one to make the rabbit, and the following 3 classes to clothe her.

”Come along and learn how to sew your own felt rabbit along with her exquisite wardrobe including 20 garment and accessory sewing patterns.
All the clothes are made using the finest fabrics including wool felt, lace and Liberty print cotton. Choose from a perfectly tailored wool coat, matching tweed skirt and bag, or pretty lace set. Don’t forget the accessories – there are bunny boots and tiny French knickers to create. Luna even has the perfect pair of pyjamas for elegant lounging and a comfy armchair to relax in.”
The first class will be on Saturday 16th July from 10am – 2pm, and the following classes will be on Saturday 20th August, Saturday 17th September and Saturday 22nd October.
Each class will cost $30 + the book $45 and your fabric requirements. You can attend as many classes as you like, but class numbers will be limited to 6.

BY ANNIE – TOOLS OF THE TRADE SATCHEL

I really enjoyed making this latest By Annie pattern ‘Tools of the Trade’. I used some of MODA French General La Vie’s latest range of linen fabric for the outside, and a matching cotton for the lining, with By Annie mesh, zips & hardware for the pockets.

I made the small version of the pattern which includes a large zippered mesh pocket as well as a padded sleeve and a variety of fabric and mesh dividers to keep tools and supplies organized, while maintaining visibility and easy access when the bag is open. You just re-zip the sides and close the flap when you’re ready to pack up your things. Long handles allow the bag to be carried over the shoulder or even cross-body for easy hands-free carrying.

For those of you like me, who love making By Annie bags, this one is very practical, especially for taking to classes as it fits your cutting board as well as all your usual sewing accessories.
We will be running a 2 day class for this project on Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd July from 9:30am – 4pm. Cost of class $40 + your pattern and fabric requirements.
We are expecting a big shipment of By Annie products before the end of this month, so when you choose your fabrics you will also need to make sure you have the mesh, zips and hardware to match. We have learned with these classes, that quilting your fabric before you come to class means you have a good head start and should be able to go home with a completed project after 2 days.

The TAUPO QUILTMAKERS bi-annual Quilt Exhibition is fast approaching from Friday 24th – Sunday 26th June at the Great Lake Centre. This was a huge event 2 years ago, and we look forward to being a merchant again at the Exhibition as well as having the shop open all weekend, including Sunday.
We expect many quilters will travel to Taupo for another public holiday/long weekend – Matariki. There is certainly enough talent amongst the Taupo Quiltmaking ladies to warrant a great display of beautiful quilts.

KID’S HOLIDAY PROGRAMME – JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
School holidays will be upon us again in 4 weeks time and we have new dates set for our Kid’s Holiday programme.
Our Beginner’s Class will be held in the first week of the holidays on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th July from 10am – 2.30pm both days.

Our Advanced class will be held in the second week, for any kids who have already completed a Beginner class with us. This time the kids will be making a groovy kind of bag.
For more information, or to register your interest, please enquire in store.

We are slowly moving a lot of our wool on sale, but if you are looking for a bargain, there are still some single balls of wool available with 20% discount. A new shipment of Malabrigo arrived last week – the colours are simply stunning!
We haven’t had much new fabric arrive lately – most of the last 4 months’ orders from MODA are currently on the sea and due mid-late June. With shipping still causing huge delays in products arriving on time, we are most likely going to receive a huge drop of fabrics and sewing supplies all at once. This includes our online store range of Grunge fabrics which will go live on the website once they arrive. Everything is sitting on the web waiting to go LIVE, but we can’t sell what we don’t yet have, so not much longer now!

With a few cooler, wetter days amongst us, now is the time to hunker down and get those sewing machines whirring! I hope you find some inspiration with our latest classes on offer. Please don’t leave it too long to register your interest, as popular classes do fill fast!

Happy Stitching!
Kay

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