Spring is finally here, and our new fabrics are perfect for the season!

Check out Northcott's Orchids in Bloom, or Moda's Lulu by Chez Moi or Birds on the Move by Stof -- these collections are just a few examples of the fresh, lively fabrics that are arriving regularly. Florals, textural geometrics, and birds feature prominently this season, so you're sure to find something to lighten your mood. Not a snowflake in sight!

If you're looking for a major injection of colour after a long drab winter, here's the perfect project for you -- the Kasada quilt, shown at right. Designed by Crystal Manning for Moda, this 63" x 63" quilt has been kitted with the pattern and all the fabric required for the top and binding. It's truly glorious. And, since we can't travel these days, you can pretend to be visiting Turkey while you sew!

Since staying home and sewing is an authorized activity these days, why not take the opportunity to try a new technique or experiment with a new design? We've had an influx of new quilt patterns lately, so if you've always wanted to explore fabric collage, or colour theory, or curved piecing -- now's your chance to try something new with all that fabulous fabric you've been hoarding!

Confused about what needle to use? What do all those numbers mean on the needle package? Is changing the needle really important before it breaks? How does one needle differ from another? Does size really matter?  

Get the answers to all of your needling questions on TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 at 10:30 am with our special guest speaker, Rhonda Pierce, North American spokesperson for Schmetz needles. 

Successful sewing is often about paying attention to the little things – like the needle in your sewing machine. Get the low-down about how this little piece of steel can solve some very BIG problems, including broken threads, skipped stitches and puckered fabrics. Your sewing machine is an investment and protection begins by using the very best needle for the job.

Rhonda is loads of fun and a font of information, so you'll go away with brand new respect for this 2" piece of steel.

This will be a virtual visit on Facebook Live -- here's the link to join. Remember, you don't have to have a FB account to attend. The video will pop up on that page at the time of the event.

Please note this is a Virtual Event using Facebook Live.
 

It's an Eleganza extravaganza! New 8 weight pearl-cotton has landed and is a fantastic way to add depth and colour to any project (or drool over, we don't judge!). The Alison Glass collection includes 36 solids and 12 variegated spools in swoon-worthy colours that have our hearts racing. Available both in-store and online.

Coastal Cool 

If colour is your thing, you'll want to check out this new block(s)-of-the-month programme from Moda!

Made entirely from Bella Solids, this quilt is an exercise in colour (Coastal Cool, left, or Primrose Garden, right) and convenience, since we've kitted it for you. The 31 blocks range in size from 9" square to 36" square and are assembled in a modern, non-traditional arrangement, so boredom will not be a factor.

As an added bonus, we'll be presenting monthly videos and written reference sheets to help you with construction. Watch for them starting around April 1.

Kits, which include the pattern and fabric for the 81" x 99" quilt top, are only $160, plus tax. 

Find them on our website HERE.

* We know, American spelling. Sorry!

Primrose Garden

Since we probably won't be able to have in-person classes for the foreseeable future, we're taking the plunge and moving online!

That might be a bit of an overstatement. We're dipping our toes in, with a series of FREE short videos about all sorts of topics -- product demos, tips and techniques, sewing machine maintenance, needles and threads, and anything else we think you might like. The first ones have been posted, so take a look here to see how we did!

If you have any suggestions about areas you'd like us to cover, please email us at info@quiltypleasures.ca

We've all been sewing non-stop for almost a year now, and maybe it's time for a little break. But we still love to sew and can't stand the thought of completely walking away, even for just a little while. It's what we do, especially in troubled times. But sometimes we need something different.

So here's a thought: How about reading about sewing? Not a how-to instruction manual, but a really good novel. The lovely folks at Schmetz have compiled an annotated list of stitch-themed books to get you through the winter, and what a list it is! There are histories and mysteries, novels, and travels, slaves and royals -- definitely something for everyone, no matter your taste.

Take a look at the latest issue of Inspired to Sew for the complete list, and get inspired to read. Who knows what inspiration you'll find between the covers? Then you'll be ready when it's time to get back to the sewing machine.

We also have all the back issues available on our Tips & Apps page of our web site. It's always the source of some really good reading!

It's been difficult to buy a sewing machine lately, what with the surge in demand and suppliers struggling to keep up.

Here's a welcome update: We have received stock of the smarter by pfaff 140s, which is a great machine for beginners, and we still have a very limited number of expression 710's and 720's. So if you've been thwarted in your efforts to purchase a new machine, you're in luck!

Or at least while quantities last.

Implementing an on-line shopping platform has necessitated a number of changes around here. One of the biggest is our new POS system, which won't affect you too much in your day-to-day shopping with us, but it does change how our loyalty programme works.

In a nutshell, the new system gives you a $10 coupon good for 90 days for every $250 you spend in the store*. Still pretty rewarding!

*Rewards are earned on regular-priced items only. Does not include classes or sewing machines.

Here's a timely message, written by one of our very own customers for all of the young children in our lives.

Laurelle Callaghan is well-known within the local quilting community. She's also a retired chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces, so she has ample experience in helping families with difficult situations.

It's no surprise, then, that she turned her own experience with COVID-19 into a picture book that helps kids and their parents deal with the realities of life during this pandemic. Told from the viewpoint of a six-year-old, the story's serious content is blended with a healthy dose of humour, making it perfect for encouraging family discussions about a troubling topic.

The book is only $20 (shipping and handling included) and may be ordered directly from Laurelle at grumpabooks@gmail.com.

Maybe you remember meeting Barry Jenkins, our TrendTex sales rep, at our Christmas open house last year. He's pretty memorable, but we know you were really blown away by all the fabrics he showed you.

Well, we aren't in a position to order every fabric TrendTex sells, but now you have an exciting opportunity to shop directly from their warehouse! This will give you access to a huge inventory of Moda, Benartex, RJR, Hoffman California, Stof, Michael Miller, and Lewis & Irene collections!

Here's how it works: Starting on June 22,

1/ Visit shop.trendtexfabrics.com to, well, shop;
2/ At checkout, enter the code QUI102 This gives us a portion of the sale, keeping your dollars local;
3/Shipping is $15 for all orders under $149, and free for orders of $149 and over.

This is a unique programme and we're excited to be a part of it, so please give it a go. It's always disappointing for us when a customer requests a fabric we don't have, but this gives you another way to buy exactly what you want.

It's easy, it's fun, and it's fabric. All good!

Please visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for all the latest QP happenings.

Amy keeps those sites up-to-date, so take a look and be one of our Quilty Pleasures friends! (A new window will open when you click the above links.)

If you want our Facebook postings to pop up on your news feed, visit our FB page, click "Follow". (it's next to the "Like" button.

Hovering over the "Follow" button will show you a menu with the "Get Notifications" option. Selecting this means you will be alerted in your notifications window whenever we post something.

So easy to be so connected!

We continue to collect cuddle quilts for the Montfort. 

If you've never made one before, a word of explanation: These are small baby quilts that are placed in the neonatal incubators and bassinets, so the size is restricted to between 22" x 22" and 24" x 24". Their small size also makes them perfect for testing block patterns, busting your stash, and practicing free-motion quilting.

Keeping in mind the intended recipients are newborns, please aim for cute and cheerful, using only 100% cotton or flannel in the top and backing, and 100% cotton thread for the construction and quilting. Cuddle quilts are typically sent home with the babies who use them, so there is a constant demand for them.

Thanks very much. Your donations will be gratefully appreciated!

 
We can special-order products for you!

It happens all the time: You're reading someone's blog and they recommend a pattern, book, notion, or other item that you'd really like to have. Only trouble is, either they don't sell it or you don't want to order it from them because of the exchange rate, shipping costs, Customs issues, whatever.

Let us deal with it! We can usually order these products from our suppliers, and all of the hassles are taken care of. No fuss, no muss, and your order comes right to the store and into your hands.

We know that price is a big factor when shopping for quilting supplies, and it's easy to assume that big box or chain stores will always offer a better price than an independent quilt shop.

However, we recently have had several customers tell us of specific instances where our prices were equal to or better than our competitors', even after their 50% discount was applied. We appreciate knowing that people are paying attention and realizing that our prices are competitive, even though we're a small, local business.

To our watchdog customers: Thanks very much for doing the math!

We try our best to offer classes that we think will appeal, but we are always open to suggestions.

If there is a class that you would like to take but we aren't offering, just let us know. And if you have a group of friends who would like to take a class together, we can arrange that, too.

Happy to help.