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www.topshelfquilts.com

Paula’s Corner 1

Fall Retreat 2

Needle &

Thread

Stitchers

2

January

Activities

3, 4, 7

February

Activities

4, 5, 8

March

Activities

5, 6, 9

Upcoming

Sales

10

Sew Together

Dates

10

Workshop

Suggestions

10

Inside this Issue

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 10% 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

$10 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!

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

This is the NEW Top Shelf Quilts! Hours

Monday Closed

Tuesday 10:00-5:00

Wednesday 10:00-5:00

Thursday 10:00-7:00

Friday 10:00-5:00

Saturday 10:00-4:00

Sunday 12:00-4:00

10 Elwood Street Frankfort, IL

60423 (815) 806-1694

Email: topshelfquilts@yahoo.com

January-March, 2015 Volume 2, No. 4

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“Needle and Thread Stitchers”

Do you love to do hand stitching?

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!

Quilting Retreats

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January Happenings

Tools & 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

Cost $5.00

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.

Date:

Saturday, January 17, 11:00—3:00

Cost: $40.00

XOXOX Table Runner (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”.

Date:

Wednesday, January 21, 2015,

12:00 – 2:00.

Cost: $20.00

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.

Date:

Saturday, January 24, 2015,

10:00—2:00

Cost: $40.00

Mr. & Mrs. Frosty One Patch Table Runner (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

Cost: $20.00

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January/February Happenings

Zen Table Runner 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”.

Date:

Wednesday, February 4, 2015, 12:00 – 2:00

Or

Sunday, February 8, 2015, 1:00 – 3:00

Cost: $20.00

Tools & 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

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, 10:00—1:00

Cost: $100.00 for 5 Sessions

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.

Date:

Sunday, February 22, 2015,

12:00—4:00

Cost: $40.00

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 pre-

cut 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).

Date:

Saturday February 21, 2015,

11:00—3:00

Cost: $40.00

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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”.

Date:

Sunday, March 15, 2015, 12:00 – 3:00

Cost: $30.00

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!

Date:

Thursday, February 26, 2015, 6:00—8:00

Cost: $20.00 Tilted Dancers – Table Runner 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

Cost: $20.00

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.

Date:

Thursday, March 19, 2015, 6:00—8:00

Cost: $20.00

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.

Date:

Thursday, March 12, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00.

Cost: $20.00

More Classes —>

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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.

Scrap Crazy: Big Sky Star - Table/Bed

Runner/ 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.

Date:

Saturday, March 21, 2015, 10:30—2:30

Cost: $30.00

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.)

Date:

Sunday, March 29, 2015,

12:00—4:00

Cost: $40.00

March Happenings Continued

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!

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015, 6:00—8:00

Cost: $20.00

Tools & 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.

Date:

Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 1:00 – 2:00

OR

Saturday, March 28, 2015, 2:00—3:00

Cost: $5.00

Quilts connect the past

with the present and the future.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Closed

2 3

4 Sunday Sew 11:00—5:00

5 Closed

6 Open Sew

7 Needle & Thread Stitchers—6:00

8 9 10 Saturday Sew 10:00—4:00

11 Tools & Techniques: One-Derful One Patch Tumbler Template 1:00—2:00

12 Closed

13 Open Sew

14 Tools & Techniques: One-Derful One Patch Tumbler Template 1:00—2:00

15 16 Friday Madness 4:00—10:30

17 Strips & Twist Star Quilt 11:-00—3:00

18

19 Closed

20 Open Sew

21 XOXOX Table Runner 12:00—2:00

22 23 Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale

24 Josephine’s Knot 10:00—2:00 Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale

25 Mr. & Mrs. Frosty One Patch Table Runner 1:00—3:00 Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale

26 Closed

27 Open Sew

28 Mr. & Mrs. Frosty One Patch Table Runner 12:00—2:00

29 30 31 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #1 10:00—1:00

January 2015

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Sunday Sew 11:00—5:00

2 Closed

3 Open Sew

4 Zen Table Runner 12:00—2:00 Needle & Thread Stitchers—6:00

5 6 7 Saturday Sew 10:00—4:00

8 Zen Table Runner 1:00—3:00

9 Closed

10 Open Sew

11 12 13 President’s Day Sale

14 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #2 10:00—1:00 President’s Day Sale

15 Tools & Techniques: Charming 5 Square Template 1:00—2:00 President’s Day Sale

16 Closed

17 Open Sew

18 Tools & Techniques: Charming 5 Square Template 1:00—2:00

19 20 Friday Madness 4:00—10:30

21 Strip Tube Quilt 11:00—3:00

22 Night Sky Quilt 12:00—4:00

23 Closed

24 Open Sew

25

26 Coffee Filter Fan Quilt 6:00—8:00

27 28 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #3 10:00—1:00

February 2015

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Sunday Sew 11:00—5:00

2 Closed

3 Open Sew

4 Needle & Thread Stitchers—6:00

5 6 7 Saturday Sew 10:00—4:00

8 9 Closed

10 Open Sew

11 12 Spring Halfmoon Wall Hanging 6:00—8:00

13 14 Beginning Patchwork Quilting #4 10:00—1:00

15 Happy 2 Year Anniversary! Ladybug’s Garden in Stained Glass 12:00—3:00

16 Closed

17 Open Sew

18 Tilted Dancers Table Runner 12:00—2:00

19 Embroidery & Coloring with Crayons 6:00—8:00

20 Friday Madness 4:00—10:30

21 Scrap Crazy: Big Sky Star Table or Bed Runner/Quilt 10:30—2:30

22 Tilted Dancers Table Runner 1:00—3:00

23 Closed

24 Open Sew

25 Tools & Techniques: 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 10:00—1:00 Tools & Techniques: Tumbler Single Strip Ruler 2:00—3:00

29 Pixie Squares Quilt 12:00—4:00 March into Spring Sale

30 Closed

31 Open Sew

March 2015

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Sunday Sew, Saturday Sew, and Friday Madness will

cost participants $10.00. (This provides for discounts

and prizes. Food is not furnished.)

Sunday Sew (11:00 - 5:00) January 4th, February 1st, March 1st

Saturday Sew (10:00 - 4:00)

January 10th, February 7th, March 7th

Friday Madness (4:00 –10:30)

January 16th, February 20th, March 20th

Open Sew

Every Tuesday (10:00—5:00)

No fees, discounts, food or prizes provided—just the

fun of sewing and socializing together. Everyone

welcome!

Sew Together Dates Upcoming Sales

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.

Help Us Loose Some Fat Sale January 23, 24, 25, 2015

Fat Quarters will be on sale—

every 4 purchased will be $10.00

(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.

Ask about long-arm

quilting services or

check the list on our

website!

Quick turn-around and

many beautiful patterns

to choose from!

I Have Suggestions for

Workshops or New Techniques

at TSQ