Longarm University
Your source for machine quilting education, tools and supplies
January 2016 Newsletter
Welcome 2016!
The holidays are over and winter weather rules our lives! Yech!
Today in Seattle, it is rain, rain and more rain and the news says that the East Coast is preparing for a huge snow event. I hope you stay safe and warm and have LOTS of fabric to sew into quilt top and lots of quilt tops ready for quilting!
For me, there is no better way to spend some snowed in days than finishing up - or starting - quilting projects!
We don't get a lot of snow here in Seattle, but it does snow every so often. The city comes to a stand still, with as little as 1 inch of snow! And for myself, if I don't have to go out into the snow, I don't. And yes, I have officially turned into a "weather weenie!"
Let's just hope that Winter 2016 isn't too brutal and that all quilting friends come through it with no major problems!
2016 New Year's Day Mystery Quilt
The Mystery Quilt for 2016 was Snowflake Serenade. This is an original piecing pattern and the quilting, all free hand, is spectacular. And NO, you DON'T have to be a "perfect" quilter to quilt this quilt!
The class projects made by the students are wonderful!
Here are some photos of my class project. Click on any photo for a larger view and slide show
Full view of the quilt
Close up of the quilting
Back of the Quilt
This class is OPEN and you can sign up at any time.
To view more class photos and the details on the Snowflake Serenade class Click Here
Longarm Classroom Website
The Longarm U sister website Longarm Classroom is in the process of being re-built.
As with any projects, there are sometimes "glitches" that happen. Since the website is brand new, I am in the process of upgrading and updating the online registration system and other "behind the scenes" things.
Because of this, only a few classes are online and other classes are available in a DVD.
Hopefully it won't take too long to get all the new systems, programs and classes up and running. I will keep you informed on my progress!
Please take some time and look around the NEW Longarm Classroom website. In my humble opinion, it is looking pretty darn good!
Class of the Month - Basic Free Hand Feathers
Let's make 2016 the "Year of the Feather!" If you haven't been brave enough to quilt feathers, or your feathers look a little wonky, this class is for you!
I take you through ALL the steps to draw, then quilt, TWO Basic Feathers - the Straight Edge Feather and the More Bang for the Buck Feather.
This class shows you how to quilt feathers in the side borders without "turning the quilt."
You will be amazed at how easy feather quilting can become and how great YOUR quilts will look.
For the details on the Basic Free Hand Feathers class Click Here
On that page is a brief video where I talk about my "Feather Journey."
Here are photos of the Basic Free Hand Feathers Class Project
Click on any photo for a larger view and a slide show.
Detail of top borders
Left- Full view of quilt
Detail of blocks and sashings
Bottom of quilt detail
Template Sale
For the first time EVER - ALL TEMPLATES on the Longarm U website are 20% off!
Here is how the TEMPLATE SALE works - Place your order as you normally would via the secure, online shopping cart. The discounted sale price WILL NOT show up on your order. When your order is processed at the office, the discount will be applied. Your credit card will NOT be charged until your order is processed.
If your order, before discount, equals $100, you will receive FREE
SHIPPING!
(International Orders - Refer to your order receipt for
International Shipping rates.)
Place your order NOW! This sale is for a limited time - only until January 31, 2016!
To view a list of templates that are available Click Here
Thread Grab Bags
A local longarm quilter had to close her machine quilting business due to a divorce. She sold me her inventory of thread and batting. The batting is in it's un-opened original packaging and the threads have been gently used to used a lot! The thread and batting are available at a great savings!
ALL these items are listed on the Sale Items page on the Longarm U website. Supplies are limited!
To view the Sale Items page Click Here
Charity Quilt Challenge 2015 Update
A few newsletters ago, I asked you to send in photos of quilts that you had either quilted, constructed or finished for a charity. Several of you took me up on this challenge and I have compiled the photos and you can view them by Clicking Here.
As promised, a $50 Gift Certificate was awarded to one quilter who submitted photos of their Charity Quilt(s).
For more details about the 2015 Charity Challenge Click Here
For a FREE piecing pattern that is quick and easy to make, which is perfect for a Charity Quilt Click Here
American Hero Quilts
Speaking of charities - my favorite charity is American Hero Quilts www.AmericanHeroQuilts.com
This project makes and distributes quilts to wounded service men and women. I have machine quilted many quilts for this great organization and over the last few weeks I have pieced several quilt tops which I hope to quilt very, very soon. American Hero Quilts are always looking for machine quilters - this is a great way to practice your quilting skills AND contribute to a worthy cause. If you don't have the time to piece or quilt for them, they could use your financial support.
My son-in-law is a career soldier and we are very fortunate that he has not been injured during his many deployments overseas. Please, if you have some time, consider making, or quilting, a quilt for the American Hero Quilt Project www.AmericanHeroQuilts.com
Our wounded soldiers, both men and women, need YOUR quilts and your quilting skills.
Traveling Classes
Longarm U is traveling to Nebraska in February!
On February 21 & 22, 2016, I will be teaching in Fremont, NE.
I will be teaching my Basic Free Hand Feathers Class (the same as the class above but a LOT, LOT more!) and my Free Hand Samper Class
There are still spaces left in these classes, but space is limited!. Contact the Class Coordinator, Nancy vonSeggern at go2quiltit@gmail.com for class details.
Come join the fun for one or two days of quilting fun!
If you live in the Midwest and would like me to come and teach in your area, please contact me at longarmu@aol.com
Upcoming Workshops
If your goal for 2016 is to learn how to use your quilting machine, then this is the time to plan on attending a Longarm U workshop!
Just the Basics, Two Day Workshop
February 13, 14, 2016
This workshop covers the basics of using your quilting machine - working from the back of the machine to quilt pantographs (the easy way), border and block patterns, and working from the front of the machine creating free hand designs. Note: no business information is discussed in this class. For more details on this two day workshop Click Here
The Basics of Machine Quilting, Four Day
Workshop
March 11, 12, 13, 14, 2016
In this workshop you will learn the basics of how to use your quilting machine (see above) AND we talk about how to start a machine quilting business. There are two other instructors in this class and you get to see a variety of quilting styles and learn how they run their businesses. We also do some fun quilting projects too! For more information on this four day workshop Click Here
Free Hand Weekend!
April 16, 17, 2016
Just as the name implies, this is all about FREE HAND quilting! In this two day workshop Cindy will teach you how to make Free Hand Feathers (the same as the Class of the Month above) and and LOTS, LOTS more about feathers! She will also be teaching her Free Hand Sampler Class, but there is a twist!
Coming soon is a NEW Free Hand Sampler book with new patterns, new class project and MORE! The NEW Free Hand Sampler book will be debuted in this class!!
For details about the Free Hand Weekend Click Here
There will be more about the NEW Free Hand Sampler book soon!
Machine Quilting Business Blog
If you have a machine quilting business or are thinking of starting one, you NEED to check out this Blog and feel free to leave comments and suggestions for topics to discuss. Feel free to subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time something new is posted.
To view the Machine Quilting Business Blog Click Here
Cindy Roth has her own personal blog. To check out what is happening in Cindy's world Click Here
Machines for Sale
The Machines for Sale page has been updated with many new listings. If you are looking for a used longarm quilting machine, please check out this page by Clicking Here
You can sign up to receive an email alert when a new Machines For Sale ad has been posted.
To sign up for this Free service Click Here
My Thoughts
It doesn't seem possible that another year has started! I know, I say that every New Year, but it's true! It seems like only yesterday that it was warm and sunny and we were planning summer picnics!
Now it's cold, dreary and damp - at least here in Seattle - and cold and snowy in other parts of the country. But I know that Spring will be here - someday!
Lately I have been doing a lot of Crock Pot cooking - this is the best time of year to have something cooking all day long. Even though I am single, I still cook a lot in my Crock Pot. In fact, as I am writing this, I have beans in barbeque sauce simmering away. They will be served over rice for dinner the next few days. I am getting hungry just thinking about this!
I have even cooked non-traditional things in a Crock Pot including pizza and cake! And they were both great!
For a blog post about my Crock Pot Pizza adventure Click Here
An internet search for "cakes in a crock pot" reveals MANY wonderful recipes!
When I am working all day, whether it's on the computer, the website or at the sewing or quilting machine, it's nice knowing that with only a little effort, there will be hot food waiting for dinner!
If you would like more information on Crock Pot Cooking Click Here. I recommend this website and I subscribe to her newsletter and emails.
If you quilt for a business and had a hectic "Christmas Crunch" take some time to make something for yourself. If you don't quilt for others, take some time and quilt (or piece) something challenging to you.
You may be "house bound" due to weather, but your brain can keep working!
So make a batch of Crock Pot chili, soup or other comfort food and enjoy the winter, as much as you are able, and keep on quilting!