Welcome back!
For the last two weeks we’ve hosted the Handi Quilter van. The ‘van’ classes have been so much fun and so exciting … with a little hard work and stress thrown in for balance?!
We were privileged to have the Handi Quilter van in Appleton from August 21st through August 24th and in Elkhorn from August 26th through August 29th … providing six additional longarms for an enhanced training experience!
And the reactions to Wendy Fuller’s Advanced Free-Motion class, my Advanced Pro-Stitcher classes and Handi Quilter National Educator Karen Arnold’s bootcamps were absolutely amazing!
I can’t express how fulfilling it was to see the “ah-ha” lightbulb moments! The increased hands-on learning provided by having the HQ van machines was phenomenal!
With classes covering material for quilters totally new to the longarm experience, those needing a little refresher, quilters ready to take their skills to the next level, and professionals who run their own quilting businesses, we were able to engage and help participants of all levels!
Plus, it was inspirational to see the bonds formed between students! So many shared contact information, allowing them to reach out and get together even once classes were over!
As a small, local business that highly values our customers and their continued learning, this experience has been as huge for The Quilting Connection as it was for the quilters participating in the classes. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Oh, and the ‘little’ hard work and stress? Check out what’s involved with van setup and teardown both before and after hosting the classes in each location!
It all fits!!!
More Classes Added to the Calendar!
While we won’t have the benefit of six extra Handi Quilter longarms, we DO have a stellar lineup of classes scheduled for this fall!
Wednesday, September 11th in Elkhorn
This class is offered exclusively to customers that purchased an HQ machine from us. It is included with your purchase of Pro-Stitcher. The class runs from 10 AM until about 3 PM. If you’re interested in custom quilting (or need a little refresher), this class is for you!
Interested in attending this class in Appleton? Need a different date to attend in Elkhorn? Call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
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Pro-Stitcher Edge-to-Edge Quilting
Wednesday, September 18th in Elkhorn
This class is offered exclusively to customers that purchased an HQ machine from us. It is included with your purchase of Pro-Stitcher. The class runs from 10 AM until about 4 PM. If you’re interested in edge-to-edge quilting (or need a little refresher), this class is for you!
You’ll also receive a step-by-step handout that walks you through the complete edge-to-edge process. It will guide you as needed when working on your longarm at home.
Interested in attending this class in Appleton? Need a different date to attend in Elkhorn? Call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
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Beginning Longarm Rental Class
Thursday, September 19th in Appleton
Saturday, October 12th in Appleton
This is a half-day class for quilters who want to rent time on our longarm machines so they can finish their own quilts.
We’ll show you how to prepare your projects to load on our longarm frames. You’ll also experience the three ways you can quilt on our machines: free-motion, pantograph and computerized. That way you can decide how you’d like to quilt your projects!
Included in your class fee is a 132” Rental Quick Zip™ set. And we ask you to bring a quilt top and back to class. Then you’ll learn how to square your quilt back and attach your zippers to the back and top. You won’t quilt this project in class … we’ll just get it ready to go.
Interested in attending this class in Elkhorn? Need a different date to attend in Appleton? Call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
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Free-Motion Quilting with Wendy Fuller
Friday, October 4th in Appleton
Saturday, October 5th in Elkhorn
This is a full-day, hands-on class. It will introduce you to a variety of free-motion designs. We’ll create & draw designs, practice stitching them and explore how to use them to fill your quilt blocks and borders. We’ll look at using stencils and talk about other techniques like echo quilting.
You’ll get hands-on experience working on your own practice piece … which you’ll then take with you after class. And please feel free to bring in quilt tops you’d like to finish at home so we can brainstorm ideas specific to your quilt and skill level.
Wendy is an award-winning quilter from the Green Bay area. She is also a fantastic teacher! Her classes always fill quickly so check your calendar and click or call to register!
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Feathers, Flowers and Leaves with Wendy Fuller
Friday, October 25th in Appleton
Saturday, October 26th in Elkhorn
In this full-day, hands-on class you’ll explore popular ways to draw and stitch free-motion feathers, leaves and flowers. Come practice with Wendy as she shows you how to use these motifs in overall designs, blocks and borders!
You’ll have plenty of time to stitch on our longarm machines, and you’ll go home with your practice project. Have a quilt top that you can’t decide how to quilt? Bring it along and we’ll brainstorm a plan for finishing it when you get home!
Wendy’s classes always fill quickly so check your calendar and click or call to register!
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Rulers and Gridwork with Wendy Fuller
Friday, November 15th in Appleton
Saturday, November 16th in Elkhorn
In this full-day, hands-on class you’ll explore two topics: ruler work and gridwork.
Wendy will show you tips and tricks for using rulers safely and effectively on your longarm. You’ll explore creating straight lines, curves, circles and arcs/swags. Wendy will also teach you how to combine patterns to create complex looking designs.
In gridwork, you’ll learn to quilt a grid-based design using stencils, markings or piecing lines to guide your quilting. Common examples include continuous curve or orange peel designs, but the possibilities are endless!
We’ll practice a variety of designs on the longarms using both rulers and free-motion. And you’ll go home with your own practice project. Bring a quilt top with you to class and we’ll devise a plan that challenges you to use your new skills when you get home!
Again, Wendy’s classes always fill quickly so check your calendar and click or call to register!
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Did you see a class or two that interests you? Are you up for the challenge? There’s nothing like the energy created by a group of quilters sharing their experiences … good and bad … and their plans for what they’re working on next!
If you can’t make one of our classes, there are several other events coming up in the near future that will allow you to meet and share with other quilters … and say hi to us!
Upcoming September Events
Wisconsin’s largest quilt show is just about here!
Come and join us at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show in Madison from Thursday, September 5th through Saturday, September 7th!
This three-day show celebrates the art of quilting. You can explore displays of stunning quilts, shop the huge selection of vendors and discover new ideas from leading quilt educators. For more details, click here to visit their website.
Stop by our huge display area. We’ll be demonstrating Handi Quilter longarm machines in one booth and the APQS longarm machines in another booth! We will also have the Laurastar ironing systems our Quick Zip Zipper System™, Handi Quilter and APQS products and accessories, and Superior threads. So much to see!!
(Then stop by the APQS booth to say hi to Rick!)
Other shows you may want to attend include:
Friday, September 13th & Saturday, September 14th
It’s a Stitch Quilt Guild – “Harvest of Quilts” Show
Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center
3000 Pleasant Valley Road
West Bend, WI 53095
Admission: $7.00
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Saturday, September 14th
Sheboygan County Quilters Guild – 40th Anniversary Show
Sheboygan Christian School Campus
929 Greenfield Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: $5.00
And if you happen to be in the Appleton area on Friday, September 20th, stop by the shop for our annual Customer Appreciation Day!
We hold this yearly event in partnership with our wonderful neighbor, Going to Pieces Quilt Shop! A BBQ lunch will be served from 11AM – 1PM. But come anytime from 10AM – 4PM and enjoy snacks and beverages as a THANK YOU for all your support!
We’ll be demonstrating the APQS and Handi Quilter longarm machines as well as the Laurastar ironing systems.
And of course, there will be sales and door prizes throughout the day. Plus, WHBY radio will be doing a live broadcast of the event! Please join us!
So much going on! Please join us if you can! We’d love to see you!
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There are some impacts due to all the September shows we’re participating in.
ADJUSTED STORE HOURS
Due to the need to pull our staff, longarm machines and many of our products from both of our store locations for the three quilt shows listed above, we have to adjust our shop hours.
Elkhorn will be closed Wednesday, September 4th through Saturday, September 7th and Friday, September 13th.
Appleton will be closed from Wednesday, September 4th through Saturday, September 7th and again from Wednesday, September 11th through Saturday, September 14th.
We regret any inconvenience that this may cause, but PLEASE KNOW THAT WE WILL BE CHECKING EMAIL AND PHONE MESSAGES AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE WHILE THE SHOPS ARE CLOSED.
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If you have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
Please share your thoughts and questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Angie