Strip Club Dec 8 - Don’t Miss!

Tomorrow, Saturday December 8 is the last Strip Club meeting for 2017.  Per tradition, we will celebrate with a pot-luck lunch!  Although I have to say that if it is like previous years, it will be pot-luck eat all day!  Evelyn will be showing the first project for our 2018 Strip Club. She has the quilt complete done and it is fabulous!

For 2018, we have a great book we are working from, called The Big Book of Strip Quilts.   Strip Club always meets the second Saturday of the month.  Registration includes the book,  twelve monthly all-day class sessions and a 20% discount on club day.  We have a very fun group. Won’t you register today and join us?

Woof Woof Meow - Just Arrived!

NEW!!  Just arrived - a new fabric collection by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda Fabrics!  Wood Wood Meow is just the cutest collection ever!  It has two panels - one Cat panel and one Dog panel and a wonderful group of  very cute fabrics!  Stacy is well known for her cute panels and fabric collections - Lil Red, Coral, Queen of the Sea, and more!  Stop by the shop to see the new collection, or check it out online!  It is just too cute!!!

Judy Niemeyer Technique of the Month Class Dec 16

Join us on December 16 for our Judy Niemeyer Technique of the Month class!  Kathi Carter Sweet will be here to help you with your Judy projects!  Register today and join the fun!

What are you working on?

Working on a Golden State Warriors t-shirt quilt for my husband for Christmas.  He has become a big Warriors fan, and we enjoy evenings together to watch the games.  I am still recovering from shoulder surgery so I am working very slowly. I have collected a number of shirts and am in the process of preparing the shirts with interfacing to stabilize the shirts.  Hopefully will finish that this week.  Then next step will be to lay it out and finalize the design.  What are you working on for the holidays?

Thank You For a Fun Holiday Tea

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our Holiday Tea and Sale today!  It was very fun to see everyone today, and especially nice for me to be back - today was my first day back after shoulder surgery. It was so nice to get out!  Our business wouldn’t be here without you, so we thank you for your business and hope you had fun too!

I was able to add two new classes for January / February time frame.  We’ve added a Mondo Bag class with Mary, and a Marcia Layton Yo-yo project class with Diane.  For the yo yo class, you can choose any of the towel or wall hanging patterns.  To register, just go to the website and click on classes, then January or February, and select the class you want. Won’t you join us??

HOLIDAY TEA and SALE Today December 2!

Join us for the most fun day of the year - and our biggest SALE day of the year!   Everyone starts with 20% off and then you draw from the holiday stocking for an additional percentage off - it could be anywhere from 5% to 25%!  So the least discount percentage you could get would be 25%!!

If you are not local or can’t come by the shop, you can still participate with your online order.  We will draw your additional percentage out of he stiocking, and you will get at least 25%, if not more!  W will then apply your discount before we charge and ship your order.

So come by the shop on Saturday, December 2nd and join us for this very fun SALE day!!

31 Day Blog Challenge!

Always Quilting is participating in the 31 Day Blog Challenge!  Check back each daybfor the fun and exciting things we will be talking about!  We will also provide a link to the other blogs participating in the 31 day challenge.  Hope you will join us for the fun each day!

Which Witches Block Swap - Join Us!

Are you Naughty or Nice?  And Which Witch are You?

Join us for this very fun block swap!  Design your witch (or elf) block and make one for each person participating in your swap group.  Our sign up period is Feb 8th - 18th.  On the 18th, we'll know how many participants we have and will let you know how many blocks you need to make.  It could be a small number - 3-6 for a table runner or wall hanging, or it could be 12-20 for a quilt.  We will try to keep the groups to less than 20.

Stop by the shop and see the sample quilt made by Kathi Carter Sweet - her quilt was made from a swap of 19 of her closest witch friends!  You'll see witch boots from Texas, witches with high heels, sneakers, and more!  The good witch is there with a proper knee length skirt, and the bad witch has a very short, short mini skirt! 

Registration includes pattern and a custom block for your quilt embroidered with the names of all the witches (or elves) in your quilt!

Always quilting will also offer a finishing kit with black sashing and binding and a strip roll (or charm pack) with a variety of pre-cut fabrics for your border.  

A turn-in date will be determined by the group when we meet on the 18th of February.  On that date, Kathi Carter Sweet will be here to personally talk with you about your block.  This is going to be so much fun!   

Click here to register for the class and/or swap - we hope to have folks from all across the country joining in! 

Violet Craft Patterns and Class Coming Up Soon!

The Forest Abstractions Quilt is a foundation paper-pieced pattern comprised of six different blocks designed by Violet Craft.  This technique is also found in her Lion, Elephant, and Giraffe patterns as well.  These look amazing in the Kaffe Fabrics, or any fabrics you choose!  Click here to purchase these patterns.

Other Violet Craft projects include the Elephant, Giraffe, and Lion.  Click here for Elephant.  Click here for Giraffe, and click here for lion.  

We are also offering a class with this technique on Sunday, March 19th.  We'd love to have you join us!  Click here to register for class.  

Get Your Advance Tickets for San Francisco Guild Show and Save $5.00!

ADVANCE TICKETS FOR SAN FRANCISCO GUILD SHOW AVAILABLE HERE! 
Always Quilting is excited to offer Advance Tickets for QUILT San Francisco 2017! The show is presented by the San Francisco Quilters Guild. Featured artists are Luke Haynes and Freddy Moran. Show dates are Friday, March 24 10:00 am - 7:00 pm and Saturday, March 25 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Over 400 New Quilts and Wearable Art by SF Quilt Guild members will be displayed. Special Exhibits included Sue Fox, Textile Dream Studios, SAQA Northern California Chapter, Bee Modern Group, and Antique and Family Heirloom Quilts. There will be a Meet the Featured Artist Quilt Tour and Quilt Challenge: Favorite Fairy Tales, 20+ Vendors in the Merchant Mall, The Dorcas Quilters, Quit and Craft Shop, and Refreshments available for purchase. 

A two-day pass is $15, but with an Advance ticket purchase, it is only $10! You will save $5! So please give us a call or stop by the shop and get your advance tickets now! 

Snowman Table Runner Class and Kits Availabe

Stop by the shop and see this cute table runner that Pat made!  She will be teaching the class on Sunday, March 12th.  Class registration will include your pattern FREE!  You will also need the Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool, and with class registration, we are offering 20% off this tool.  And we also have fabric kits available.  The fabric kits include everything you need to make the top, the binding, and the backing for the project.  We hope you will join us for this very fun class!

And best of all, Pat says you can get this done in the one day class!!!!

Click here to register for class, and click here to order the pattern, curvy log cabin trim tool, and fabric kit.  If you are registered for the class, make sure you note that in your comments and we will apply the FREE pattern and the 20% Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool discount when we process your order.  

Super Bowl - FREE Sewing

Today is the Super Bowl!  Whether you are cheering for the New England Patriots, or the Atlanta Falcons, we invite you to come join us for FREE Sewing today!  One fun fact - Tom Brady of the Patriots is a home-town boy - he grew up and his family still lives in San Mateo, California.  Pretty Cool!  Good luck to both teams and we hope you enjoy the game today!

Saturday Sampler and AccuQuilt GO! Club Meet Today!

Join us for Saturday Sampler, or the AccuQuilt GO! Club, or BOTH!  For Saturday Sampler, we are doing bright batiks with either dark or light background - you choose!  And your blocks are completely cut out - all you have to do is start sewing!  It really makes it a breeze to have your block done by the next month so you get it for FREE!  Click here to register for Saturday Sampler 2017.

And our AccuQuilt GO! Club project for this month is the very cute heart wall-hanging.  Club members get a FREE pattern and 20% off on your purchase for the day (standard exclusions apply).  Won't you join us in the fun today?  Click here to register for AccuQuilt GO! club.

Bunny Town Kits are Here!

Bunny Town is "hopping" with the cutest Bunny Houses!

“Bunny Town” has 5 whimsical springtime houses each with its own theme and made out of “Poppies” fabric from Maywood Studio.

Cottontails Candy Shop, Bunny's Hare Salon and The Quilted Carrot will keep you smiling while you sew up these blocks. The pieced Carrot Border is a snap to sew and the Bunny border is easy fusible applique. There are 7 patterns to complete the quilt. Finished Quilt is 68” x 54 1/2".

There is also a very cute button pack with an egg and jelly beans!  Click here to order your kit today!  

Moda Bella Solids Challenge is Starting - Get Your Fabrics Here!

Join us and compete in the Moda Bella Solids Challenge!  

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Moda's Bella Solids, Moda is hosting a challenge inspired by their leader, Mark Dunn, and his passion for textiles and love of color!  Entries should have a contemporary feel and must include only these 12 Bella Solids.  A Piece of each must be used.  Any type of piecing, quilting, embroidery, etc. may be used to create your masterpiece.  Click here for entry form and more information. 

Use all 12 fabrics in your quilt. It must be your own original Design.  We will have all of the fabrics here in the shop so you can come and see them and work on your unique challenge project!  We are so excited about this - we'd love to see a winner from our area!  

We'll have more info on this coming soon, but wanted to get the initial information out to you now!  Challenge starts February 1st, and winners will be announced October 20th!  Winning quilts will be exhibited in Moda's booth at Fall Market beginning October 26, 1017!

Ready, Set, Stitch!  

New AccuQuilt SALE for February!

NEW for February!  Buy one AccuQuilt die, mat, or accessory and save 10%!  Buy 2 or more and save 15%!  Note:  This offer does not apply to any GO! Qube products or GO! Fabric Cutters.  Click here to choose the dies, mats, and accessories that you want!  

AccuQuilt Go! Club Coming Up on February 4th!

Join us for our new Let's GO! AccuQuilt Club with Evelyn!  Our next meeting is February 4th!  Each month we will meet to learn fun hints and tips on how to save time and make really cool things with the AccuQuilt machine!  Each month will feature a FREE pattern just for you, and Evelyn will show you a finished project.  Of course there are lots of fun things to do, so we will have several topics to cover each meeting!  And if you have any questions, just let us know - we'll get the answers for you!  And one more thing - club members will get 20% off at Always Quilting on club day! 

You don't need to have a machine to join; you can use our machine all day for FREE on club day, and can rent it during the month for a very nominal fee.  But we give you fair warning - once you start using this you will be hooked! 

To join us and register for the AccuQuilt GO! Club, click here!  

AccuQuilt Overstock Die Sale Almost Over!

A few more dies have been added to the AccuQuilt Overstock Die Sale, and all of the Overstock Dies are only on Sale until the end of January!  These dies are up to 40% off; discount varies by die.  But what a great chance to add to your die collection - these prices can't be beat!

These dies are in addition to the other specific dies that are already on sale this month!  Click here to order your AccuQuilt Dies!  Or type AccuQuilt Die Sale in the search field to see the entire list!                 

Quilting Services - Turnaround Less Than One Week!

Do you have a quilt you need quilted?  We have totally caught up after the crazy 2016 holiday rush, and can offer one week turnaround - no rush fee!   Not sure how long this will last, but bring your quilt in and get fast turnaround!  Please note, this only applies to edge-to-edge or limited custom projects.  Turnaround time for custom (different blocks, borders, applique cut-outs, etc) is a bit longer - it will be based on what the custom requirements are.  

So bring in your quilts today!  We look forward to seeing you!

Vintage Rose Class Starts Today! Join us!

The new Vintage Rose Technique of the Month patterns from Judy Niemeyer are here!   We have started shipping patterns and kits to all who have pre-ordered them.  We have also started working individually with customers to design their own Vintage Rose quilt using Judy's new design software - Quiltster!  We are coming up with some amazing quilts and we can't wait to see them made up!  Click here to order the pattern.  

Here are some of the kits we have.  The first is a beautiful kit using Hoffman Batiks - pinks, reds, cream, burgandy and a touch of green.  This one is so pretty!  And we have been working on this one as a store sample, so we'd love to have you come by and see the quilt in person!  This kit is in stock and available now!  To order this kit, click here.

Black with Brights is the theme of this wall hanging size project using the Jinny Beyer Malam Batiks from RJR fabrics.  Jinny is known for her amazing color sense, which is beautifully reflected in her Batik collections.  This kit is also in stock and available now.  

We have also designed a queen version of this kit, which can be easily customized to feature the color you want in the border.  Or you could go with a gradated color border and use them all!  To order this kit in either the wall or queen size, click here.

Certified Instructor Kathi Carter Sweet designed this beautiful wall hanging version for Blank Fabrics.  We've had some people call it "Tropical Punch"!  It was selected as one of the cover quilts for the pattern, and is featured on booklet 3.  It is also hanging in the shop, so we'd love to have you come by and seen it!  This kit is in stock and available now.  For those of you who want this in a queen version, we can use Quiltster to customize and create the perfect queen border for this project! To order this project, click here.  

Kathi has also designed another queen version for Blank featuring turquoise, black, gray, and yellow.  It features the Fusion and Splash collections.  Also a stunning version of this pattern, it can be made in either the queen size or the wall hanging size.   This quilt is also hanging in our shop and available for you to see.  Fabrics for this version have been shipped and we expect them to be here any day.  To order this project, click here.

Kathi's third design features the Copper and Peacock collections from Timeless Treasures by Judy Niemeyer.  These fabrics were recently featured on the cover of the Lakeshore Hosta Queen, and look spectacular in Kathi's version of this Vintage Rose.  She is currently working on the quilting, but it will be available for you to see when she is here on January 28th teaching the Vintage Rose class.  Fabrics for this project are scheduled to be here late January.  To order this kit, click here.

If you'd like to create your own design using your stash and/or fabrics from the shop, give us a call and we will work with you on Quiltster to design and color your version of the quilt.  We have already done a number of these for customers, and they look fabulous!  Just give us a call at 650.458.8580 and let us know how we can help you.  As a side note, we can also work with you on other Judy patterns in Quiltster - we have already helped folks with Tarnished Windmill, Amazon Star, and more.  

Lastly, we have several classes and retreats coming up where you can work on this project!  Kathi will be at our shop the 4th Saturday of the month for our monthly Technique of the Month class.  We have a number of folks starting the Vintage Rose in January, and several starting in February.  You can work at your own pace and Kathi will work with you as you progress, so no worries if you have to miss a month - you can pick up the following month.  And if you aren't ready to start on Vintage Rose yet, you can work on any Judy project you prefer; just let us know so we can tell Kathi and she can be prepared.  To register for this class, click here.

We also have two destination retreats we are very excited about!  The Retreats are called "Rings and Roses and More", and you can make Vintage Rose, or any of the Judy Niemeyer wedding ring quilts.  We do have limited spots available if you'd like to work on another project however we would need to know what you'd like to do and run that by the instructor.  

We will be in California Wine Country in Sonoma March 24-30 at Westerbeke Ranch.   It's a beautiful setting at a wonderful time of year, and we'd love to have you join us.  To register for this retreat, click here.

We have a second destination retreat in Kalispell, Montana at Judy Niemeyer's retreat house September 21-27.  The house is literally across the street from the Flathead Lake, and minutes away from Glacier National Park.  The setting here is beautiful, and we also include a tour of Judy's offices and warehouse facility, which is great fun to do!  Space is limited, so register today - you can click here to register for this retreat.  

We are very excited about this new Vintage Rose project and hope you will join us in making it! 

More AccuQuilt Dies Added to Overstock Sale!

A few more dies have been added to the AccuQuilt Overstock Die Sale!  These dies are up to 40% off; discount varies by die.  But what a great chance to add to your die collection - these prices can't be beat!

These dies are in addition to the specific dies that are already on sale this month!  Click here to order your AccuQuilt Dies!  Or type AccuQuilt Die Sale in the search field to see the entire list!                 

Solstice Sew-Along

Have you seen the Pat Sloan Solstice Sew Along on Facebook?  You get one block every week for 25 weeks.  The blocks are very fun to sew.  I am participating, and I have selected the Farm Fun fabric collection by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda Fabrics for my blocks.  So far, the blocks are done in two fabrics and I am using a variety of prints with the beige chicken wire as my background fabric.  I'm loving the blocks so far and can't wait to see how they all turnout!  Here is a picture of my first four blocks.

Click here to order fabrics from this very cute collection!   And hopefully we'll see you on facebook with your Solstice blocks - what fabrics are you using?

Get Cool! New Desk Fans Just Arrived!

Great small 4" fan for your desk area or sewing area that works off your USB port! Choose from Red, Blue, or Black. We love these fans to get cooled off no matter where you are!  

Crayon Embroidery and Crazy Quilt Class on Sunday!

We are having so much fun working on our crazy quilt sampler blocks! Each month we are learning a new technique and practicing on our blocks.  We have learned a variety of stitches and techniques, and every month brings something new.

Last month we learned about shisha mirrors - aren't they cool?  Click here if you'd like to register and join us.  You can always purchase the previous blocks for a nominal fee, or make a smaller project that only uses a few blocks.  And if you are not local, you can click here to purchase this project as a block of the month.  We hope you will join us!

And  we are also working on our Crayon Embroidery - Mystery of the Salem Witches Quilt Guild.  We are having so much fun with these projects!  Come and sew with us!

Tuffet Class Starting January 22nd!

Have you made a Tuffet top and are you ready to complete your Tuffet?  Join us on Sunday January 22 and Sunday Feb 5th for our Tuffet Class!  We provide the upholstery tools and the instruction you'll need to leave with a completed Tuffet!  Click here to register for the Tuffet  class. The first session will be to make the tuffet top, and the second session will be to actually construct the tuffet.  Barbara Hall is teaching our class, and she made our beautiful sample!  Click here to register for class, and click here to purchase your very own tuffet kit and pattern!  We hope you will join us for class! 

T-shirt Quilt Class Saturday

Have you always wanted to make a t-shirt memory quilt?  Join us this Saturday for a class and learn how to make your very own quilt!  We'll help you design your project and then work with you on all the techniques you need to put it together.  We'll be using multiple resources - starting with the Eleanor Burns pattern, and will have other resources to view.  We'd love to have you join us - call us at 650.458.8580 to register!

Crazy Quilting Class Today!

Don't forget about Crazy Quilting class today!  We'll have fun seeing the new blocks - the valentine block is fabulous!  Won't you join us?

And if you are not local, we are offering this project as a block of the month.  Register today and enjoy a fun crazy quilt block each month!

Underground Railroad Block of the Month - A Fascinating Story

Underground Railroad is a great book by Eleanor Burns and Sue Bouchard for Quilt in a Day. The back of the book reads, "The Underground Railroad story is one of the most dramatic chapters in our nation's history. It's a story about how countless slaves made their way out of bondage, risking death for freedom. Runaways met up with a "conductor" in the dark who whispered "follow me." They were guided on a arduous 250 mile journey from the South, intertwined throughout the North, and eventually ended in Canada. 

The most intriguing feature of the underground railroad was its lack of formal organization. Accounts are scarce because of the movement's secrecy. Ozella McDaniel Williams recently shared oral history of the Underground Railroad, passed down through her family for the last hundred and fifty years. Could her recount possibly be true? Were slaves really taught how to achieve safe passage just by following messages in certain quilt patterns?"

This book is filled with tips and lists to help you make your own beautiful Underground Railroad quilt. And we'd love to have you join us for this wonderful block of the month project!  We are using fabrics from Moda Kansas Troubles, Thimbleberries, and Civil War Reproductions.  We also include a story label on Printed Treasures that features a story depicting each block.  To order the book or the block of the month project, click here.  

And if you'd just like to read more about the history, here is another book to give you more perspective.  The fascinating story of a friendship, a lost tradition, and an incredible discovery, revealing how enslaved men and women made encoded quilts and then used them to navigate their escape on the Underground Railroad. 

In Hidden in Plain View, historian Jacqueline Tobin and scholar Raymond Dobard offer the first proof that certain quilt patterns, including a prominent one called the Charleston Code, were, in fact, essential tools for escape along the Underground Railroad. In 1993, historian Jacqueline Tobin met African American quilter Ozella Williams amid piles of beautiful handmade quilts in the Old Market Building of Charleston, South Carolina. With the admonition to "write this down," Williams began to describe how slaves made coded quilts and used them to navigate their escape on the Underground Railroad. But just as quickly as she started, Williams stopped, informing Tobin that she would learn the rest when she was "ready." During the three years it took for Williams's narrative to unfold--and as the friendship and trust between the two women grew--Tobin enlisted Raymond Dobard, Ph.D., an art history professor and well-known African American quilter, to help unravel the mystery.

Part adventure and part history, Hidden in Plain View traces the origin of the Charleston Code from Africa to the Carolinas, from the low-country island Gullah peoples to free blacks living in the cities of the North, and shows how three people from completely different backgrounds pieced together one amazing American story.  To order your copy, click here.