This is the NEW Top Shelf Quilts!

January-March, 2015 Volume 2, No. 4 Elwood Street Frankfort, IL 60423 (815) 806-1694 www.topshelfquilts.com Paula s Corner 1 Fall Retreat 2 Needle & Thread Stitchers January Activities February Activities March Activities Upcoming Sales Sew Together Dates Workshop Suggestions Hours Monday Tuesday :00-5:00 Wednesday :00-5:00 Thursday :00-7:00 Friday :00-5:00 Saturday :00-4:00 Sunday 12:00-4:00 Inside this Issue 2 3, 4, 7 4, 5, 8 5, 6, 9 This is the NEW Top Shelf Quilts! Paula s Corner We made it through the holiday season. WHEW! Now it is time to sew for ourselves or start sewing for 2015. To help you complete your projects or start new ones we are planning new classes and techniques and a couple of twists on some classic quilts. We have put together some classes that maybe you saw the samples for and said "I am going to do that someday." Well hopefully your some day is here. Our teachers have found ways for you to learn new techniques for old ideas. We have tools that will allow you complete blocks easier. It s all about the tools. Sign up soon. To help you meet your goals we will continue to have periodic sales. Monthly we receive many new bolts of fabric. Designers and manufacturers keep coming up with new, beautiful fabric. Come in and be inspired. Remember if you see it and love it, buy it or it may be gone. Don t forget every Wednesday and Thursday there is % off for our Seasoned Citizens. Every Tuesday is open sew it is free. On the first Wednesday of the month the Needle and Thread Stitchers meet in the evening for hand sewing. (Yearly fee is only $20). It is great to see others show and tell, as well as learn something without having to lug a machine! Don t forget our special get together sew days...first Sunday, second Saturday and third Friday of the month. It is $ BUT you get 6 hours of sewing fun,, some really cool prizes and new for 2015 15% off your purchases. (You need to sign up for these days, as space is limited.) If you are looking for uninterrupted sewing time, there will be a retreat this year. Right now it looks like it will be a 4-day retreat in November. Once we have the date, we will email all of you and sign-up will be available. When your projects are ready to be quilted we have some talented long arm quilters who do beautiful work. Samples of their work can be seen in the shop. Check them out! Email: topshelfquilts@yahoo.com I opened the store almost 2 years ago now. Although it has been a lot of work, it has been well worth it. I have a great crew with me. I could not do it without them. They make it fun! I just want to shout out to my crew: Barb, Chris W, Karen, Liz, Marsha, Maureen, Pam and Patti. And of course to my family; Evelyn my girl who makes the shop look awesome and my husband George who keeps the books straight in spite of all of us! You are all my right hand. Thank you for helping me do this service. This is a business but it is also a very much needed soul replenishing service we provide for our customers. I hope that 2015 is good because we want to continue to bring this to you, our customers and keep our doors open. Come with us on this journey because without YOU we would not be here. I know you can go to other bigger stores with lots of bells and whistles, but THANK YOU for frequenting our little shop. Paula 1

Quilting Retreats Do you love to do hand stitching? Needle and Thread Stitchers Join the Needle and Thread Stitchers at Top Shelf Quilts and bring your latest appliqué, embroidery, or hand quilting project. We all love to do quilt-related hand stitching with friends! Come and sew with old friends and make some new ones. We meet at the shop the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. The yearly fee is $20.00. This is not a class, but a social sewing bee for those of us who love to stitch by hand. See you then! 2

January Happenings Techniques of the Month: One- Derful One Patch Tumbler (Template by Marti Michell) w/pam Pam will demonstrate one multi-size tool with guidelines for cutting 7 sizes of the classic tumbler shape. The smallest size is just right for 2 ½ strips. The template will allow you to make up to 6 shapes unfinished. Receive a $5.00 gift card for attending the demo. Dates: Sunday, January 11, 2015, 1:00 2:00 OR Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 1:00 2:00 Strips and Twist Star Quilt w/barb How about learning a new technique! We will use it to make any one or all of the seven different timeless block designs using 2 1/2 strips. By creating various 3-strip stratas (of light, medium and dark strips) which are then cut with a template and twisted into various block designs, you can create a beautiful table runner or quilt of your own. Saturday, January 17, 11:00 3:00 Cost: $40.00 Cost $5.00 XOXOX Table (Cozy Quilt Designs) w/pam This workshop features two blocks prepared with the Strip Tube Ruler. Each block has a light and medium background and two prints. Create this table runner for Valentine s Day, St Patrick s Day or Spring. Finished size is 18 by 58. Wednesday, January 21, 2015, 12:00 2:00. Josephine s Knot w/joann This quilt, designed by Debby Maddy for Calico Carriage Quilt Designs, consists of rows of squares and rectangles intertwining to add interest. The pattern works great with batiks and/or prints. Detailed instructions make this a wonderful choice for a beginning quilter and can be made in lap, twin, queen and king sizes. Saturday, January 24, 2015, :00 2:00 Cost: $40.00 Mr. & Mrs. Frosty One Patch Table (A Cut Loose Pattern) w/pam This pattern is Fat Quarter Friendly! The tumblers are cut using the One-Derful One Patch Ruler (by Marti Mitchell) and includes the pattern for the fusible appliqué of Mr. & Mrs. Frosty. The finished size is 14 x 42. Dates: Sunday, January 25, 2015, 1:00 to 3:00 OR Wednesday, January 28, 2015, 12:00 2:00 3

January/February Happenings Beginning Patchwork Quilting: Simple Sampler w/chris Always wanted to learn to quilt? How about starting with a simple 9 or 12 block sampler? Come and learn the basics of machine piecing, quilting lingo, and basic machine quilting to make a wall quilt or quilted throw-size patchwork sampler. Lots of basic information will be discussed in class and you will have homework! Be sure your sewing machine is in good working order. Come and join the fun. After this 5 session workshop you will have a finished quilt, as well as the skills to complete any patchwork quilt you have been dreaming about making! Dates: Saturdays: January 31, February 14 and 28, March 14, and 28, 2015, :00 1:00 Cost: $0.00 for 5 Sessions Zen Table w/pam This pattern, designed by Jean Ann Wright for Cut Loose Press, makes 12 blocks using the Creative Grids Curvy Log Cabin Tool. Sew the blocks together to create the affect of circles or diamonds. Finished size is 18 x 52. Wednesday, February 4, 2015, 12:00 2:00 Or Sunday, February 8, 2015, 1:00 3:00 Strip Tube Quilt w/barb Strip tubing is a terrific technique to add to your quilting skills. There are any number of applications. This technique is perfect for precut 2 1/2 strips. With the Strip Tube Ruler and any of the 5 patterns in the Strip Tubing book you will quickly and easily create a beautiful fabulous quilt in the size of your choice (throw to king). Saturday February 21, 2015, 11:00 3:00 Cost: $40.00 Techniques of the Month: Charming 5 Square Template by Creative Grid w/pam Pam will demonstrate a simple 5 square template that cuts 5 squares, 2 ½ x 5 rectangles, 2 ½ squares or uses the cross hatch mark to center a feature print. Receive a $5.00 gift card for attending the demo. Dates: Sunday, February 15, 2015, 1:00 2:00 OR Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 1:00 2:00 Cost: $5.00 Night Sky w/joann Join us and create beautiful mono-chromatic stars with depth and detail using 4 shades of fabric from the same color family for each block. Use these blocks to create anything from a baby to a king size quilt. Sunday, February 22, 2015, 12:00 4:00 Cost: $40.00 4

February/March Happenings Coffee Filter Fan Quilt w/paula Did you ever want to make a fan quilt or pillow with that classic pattern? Paula will teach you a super simple way to do it using coffee filters as your foundation paper (no kidding). There are NO set in seams and NO curved piecing. You will also discover how to finish the base of the fans with a triangle for a VERY easy, no fail fan. There is also a simple way to attach the fan to the background square. Use your scraps or 2 1/2 inch strips. EASY...I PROMISE! Thursday, February 26, 2015, 6:00 8:00 Ladybug s Garden in Stained Glass w/ Pam This is a streamlined stained glass technique using fusible web and fusible bias tape. This is a quilt as you go project, The finished size is 22 x 33. Sunday, March 15, 2015, 12:00 3:00 Cost: $30.00 Spring Halfmoon Wall Hanging w/ Pam This unique and fun 24 x 24 wall hanging is made almost entirely of one-seam, 3-D flying geese units. Even though you see all those curved edges, this small wall hanging (or table topper) is made with all straight seams and a few little tricks. Pattern is included with class fee. Thursday, March 12, 2015, 6:00 8:00. Tilted Dancers Table with Tilted Squares Down the Center w/ Pam This table runner is a great place to fussy cut the center squares to showcase a special fabric. The pattern uses Creative Grids Wonky Trim Square Ruler. Pattern is included in class fee. Dates: Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 12:00 2:00 OR Sunday, March 22, 2015, 1:00 3:00 Embroidery and Coloring with Crayons w/karen Don t you just love the look of handmade embroidery with color? We will have a number of beautiful patterns for hand embroidery from which you can choose. Why not be a kid again, coloring with crayons, but this time on fabric. Join us for an interesting and fun time doing both in one day. Thursday, March 19, 2015, 6:00 8:00 More Classes > 5

March Happenings Continued Scrap Crazy: Big Sky Star - Table/Bed / Quilt w/barb Use fat quarters and/or fabric from your stash and the Scrap Crazy Templates to create these big stars. The blocks measure 16 1/2. Make four and have a table topper, six and make a bed runner or 12 and have a large lap quilt. Saturday, March 21, 2015, :30 2:30 Cost: $30.00 Dresden Plate Block w/chris In the mood to stretch your skills? How about a classic pattern to combine with or highlight in your next quilted project? Join us for a one night exploration of the Dresden plate pattern. This classic idea can be made sweet and nostalgic or modern and edgy, your choice. We will try a number of different constructions, and the only limit to the final result is your imagination! Thursday, March 26, 2015, 6:00 8:00 Techniques of the Month: Creative Grids Single Strip Tumbler Ruler w/pam Use the straight side of this ruler to cut 1 ½ and 2 ½ strips. Sew these strips together to create a strip set. Turn the ruler around to cut tumblers that finish 2. Multiple layers can be cut at the same time, cutting nine tumblers at once without wasting fabric. Receive a $5.00 gift card for attending the demo. Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 1:00 2:00 OR Saturday, March 28, 2015, 2:00 3:00 Cost: $5.00 Pixie Squares Quilt w/joann What appears to be diagonal rows of overlapping squares with open centers, are actually created from repetitions of 4 pieced blocks with an occasional whole fabric square. This is a 2 1/2 strip set project from Whispering Creek Productions. (Pre-cuts save cutting time.) Sunday, March 29, 2015, 12:00 4:00 Cost: $40.00 To Our Customers Taking Classes It is imperative that you have: a sewing machine in good working order, a good working knowledge of how your machine operates and a copy of your machine s manual, if possible. Quilts connect the past with the present and the future. 6

January 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 Sunday Sew 11:00 5:00 5 6 7 Needle & Thread Stitchers 6:00 8 9 Saturday Sew :00 4:00 11 One-Derful One Patch Tumbler Template 1:00 2:00 12 13 14 One-Derful One Patch Tumbler Template 1:00 2:00 15 16 Friday Madness 4:00 :30 17 Strips & Twist Star Quilt 11:-00 3:00 18 19 20 21 XOXOX Table 12:00 2:00 22 23 Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale 24 Josephine s Knot :00 2:00 Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale 25 Mr. & Mrs. Frosty One Patch Table 1:00 3:00 Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale 26 27 28 Mr. & Mrs. Frosty One Patch Table 12:00 2:00 29 30 31 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #1 :00 1:00 7

February 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Sunday Sew 11:00 5:00 2 3 4 Zen Table 12:00 2:00 5 6 7 Saturday Sew :00 4:00 Needle & Thread Stitchers 6:00 8 Zen Table 1:00 3:00 9 11 12 13 President s Day Sale 14 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #2 :00 1:00 President s Day Sale 15 Charming 5 Square Template 1:00 2:00 President s Day Sale 16 17 18 Charming 5 Square Template 1:00 2:00 19 20 Friday Madness 4:00 :30 21 Strip Tube Quilt 11:00 3:00 22 Night Sky Quilt 12:00 4:00 23 24 25 26 Coffee Filter Fan Quilt 6:00 8:00 27 28 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #3 :00 1:00 8

March 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Sunday Sew 11:00 5:00 2 3 4 Needle & Thread Stitchers 6:00 5 6 7 Saturday Sew :00 4:00 8 9 11 12 Spring Halfmoon Wall Hanging 6:00 8:00 13 14 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #4 :00 1:00 15 Happy 2 Year Anniversary! Ladybug s Garden in Stained Glass 12:00 3:00 16 17 18 Tilted Dancers Table 12:00 2:00 19 Embroidery & Coloring with Crayons 6:00 8:00 20 Friday Madness 4:00 :30 21 Scrap Crazy: Big Sky Star Table or Bed /Quilt :30 2:30 22 Tilted Dancers Table 1:00 3:00 23 24 25 Single Strip Tumbler Ruler 1:00 2:00 26 Dresden Plate Block 6:00 8:00 27 March into Spring Sale 28Beginning Patchwork Quilting #5 :00 1:00 Tumbler Single Strip Ruler 2:00 3:00 29 Pixie Squares Quilt 12:00 4:00 30 31 March into Spring Sale 9

Upcoming Sales Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale January 23, 24, 25, 2015 Fat Quarters will be on sale every 4 purchased will be $.00 (Fat Quarters must be purchased in groups of 4.) Presidents Day Sale February 13, 14, 15, 2015 Sale on red, white and blue fabric. (Watch for more information.) March into Spring Sale March 27, 28, 29, 2015 15% off all purchases. Sew Together Dates Sunday Sew, Saturday Sew, and Friday Madness will cost participants $.00. (This provides for discounts and prizes. Food is not furnished.) Sunday Sew (11:00-5:00) January 4th, February 1st, March 1st Saturday Sew (:00-4:00) January th, February 7th, March 7th Friday Madness (4:00 :30) January 16th, February 20th, March 20th Every Tuesday (:00 5:00) No fees, discounts, food or prizes provided just the fun of sewing and socializing together. Everyone welcome! We Want your Suggestions for Workshops/Classes/Techniques We d like your help! What workshops/classes/techniques would you like to see taught in the new year at TSQ? For example 4-Patch Posey, Stack-n-Whack, Stained Glass, Take 5, Lone Star, Wool Applique, BOM, Mystery, you name it! Please submit your suggestions using the form below or the forms near the Suggestion Box in the shop. I Have Suggestions for Workshops or New Techniques at TSQ Ask about long-arm quilting services or check the list on our website! Quick turn-around and many beautiful patterns to choose from!