Ever thought about taking the leap into art quilts but don't know where to begin? Jen Houlden is here to help! Her workshops are the perfect jumping-off point to create your own fabric works of art while playing with texture and colour.

Along with the two-day in-person workshops there will be a one hour Zoom session prior to class to discuss fabric selections, background ideas, and other supplies needed (a recording of the session will be available to those unable to attend prior to the workshop).

Choose from Two Workshops:

Icons on the Landscape

Icons on the Landscape
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Monday, May 8, 2023 at 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
1 hour Zoom Intro: Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00pm

This workshop centers on your choice of 4 patterns inspired by nature - the Saguaro tree, an inukshuk in the Northern Lights, a white pine on a rocky shore, or a polar bear at sunset. Learn how to select fabrics, cut and arrange your pieces, and use a variety of techniques to create depth and visual interest in your personal masterpiece!

Wild and Spectacular Flowers
Friday, May 5, 2023 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
1 hour Zoom Intro: Thursday, April 13th at 7:00pm

This workshop focuses on free-motion zig-zag - a technique that adds amazing texture and dimension to an improvised flower. Learn about choosing fabrics for both foreground and background layers, then add unique quilting and finishing techniques to make a stunning wall-hanging, pillow, or table runner.

Visit us in-store to view samples or to register - you'll be amazed by what you can create in a weekend!

Wild and Spectacular Flowers

Spring cleaning has begun, and while your house may be in tip-top shape, how does your sewing machine look?

Many of you have had the right idea of bringing your machine in for a tune-up but the influx of machines means our super sewing machine repair techs, Terry and Adam, are booked solid. This unfortunately means we can't accept any additional repairs until April 1st. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but look forward to seeing your machines next month!

Only a couple of spots remain for our In-Town Retreat at Camelot Golf & Country Club! Join us April 14-16, 2023 for a weekend that will keep you in stitches!

Arrive at any time after 10:00 am on Friday and stay until 4:00 pm on Sunday (with time out to go home and sleep, of course!). There will be lots of fun activities and prizes, a surprise project for Friday evening, an optional, reasonably priced kitted project, and great opportunities to meet and mingle with other quilters. 

The price for the entire weekend is $540 plus HST, including meals and snacks (plus a cash bar for added fun!). We'll also be setting up a mini QP pop-up shop for any notions you may have forgotten to pack (or fun souvenirs to remember the weekend).

Registration deposits of $270 will be accepted in-person or over the phone with a credit card. Deposits are not refundable unless we are able to find another person to take your place, and the balance will be due by March 31, 2023.

We can't wait to see you there!
Amy, Val, Leslie, & Sam

Our Panel workshop is all about what to do with those beautiful panels you keep hoarding. Carrie will help you with inspiration and design to start using them!

Tension Headache takes the fear out of the scariest part of your machine, the tension dial! Val will explain how tension works (with handy visual aids) so you know exactly how to achieve perfect tension every time.

Have a project you are already working on but don't have the space (or peace and quiet) to finish it? Our Winter Sit & Sews give you access to our classroom, cutting tables, and ironing stations while you chat with your fellow sewists. (it's the perfect opportunity to work on Christmas gifts in secret!) Staff members are on hand if you get stuck and you can take advantage of 10% off all regular-priced items the day of your session.

This is just a small sampling of what we have to offer so check out our classes page for the full list. Looking for something in particular? Let us know! We are always looking for new ideas and welcome your class suggestions!

Our Bargain Basement is finally back in its original home after over two years! Stop by the shop to see it in-person or browse the bargains online (and check back often - we add more fabrics to the basement regularly!).

You've got the fabric, planned your project, and are ready to quilt - but is your machine up to the task? Whether you're looking for a portable machine to take to class or something a little more heavy-duty for embroidery and machine quilting, there's a Pfaff for you. Visit us in-store to give them a try before you buy (no appointment necessary)!

Here at Quilty Pleasures, we pride ourselves on keeping your sewing machine in tip-top shape! Terry and Adam will service most makes and models so you can keep sewing for years to come! (Click on the list if you want to print a PDF.)

Come use our space and our tools (and escape your family, renovations or anything else you'd like to leave at home). Come alone or bring a friend. This is a great opportunity to sew-cialize with friends, both new and old! You can reserve a four-hour time slot for $15. A staff person will be assigned to help you, if needed, but there will not be a specific lesson or class being taught. You must bring your own machine (as always, we can help you carry it in), your project supplies and rotary cutters.

As an added bonus, any regularly-priced shopping you do the same day will be discounted by 10%. Please call the store to register or ask any questions you may have. 613-834-3044

There are several dates scheduled so check out our classes page for a complete list. Don't see a day that works for you? Let us know and we'll keep you in mind when we add to the schedule!

There's nothing like learning a new technique and making new friends!

Check out our list of classes here and keep an eye out for more being added!

Looking for something specific? We love to hear new class ideas! Just let us know what you would like and we will keep it in mind for a future session.

Shopping for your college-bound kid or know someone interested in taking their first steps into quilting and embroidery? Try the new Pfaff Anniversary Creative Ambition 640, an awesome machine that has all the features of Pfaff we know and love (like Integrated Dual Feed technology and beautiful stitches) as well as embroidery capabilities - suitable for both the experienced and novice quilter!

Stop by the shop to see the available machines. Receive a complimentary machine training with purchase with one of our knowledgeable teachers! Visit us in-store to try them out before you buy, or see a demo.

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.

While we aren't in a position to order every fabric TrendTex sells, 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:

1/ Visit shop.trendtexfabrics.com to, well, shop;
2/ At checkout, enter the code STI020 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!