Just a quick blog post to say that LLQ will be closed for family reasons from April 5 – 8.
Laurena’s mother’s health has taken a turn over the weekend and she wants to be with her.
Sew Social with Sue will take place on April 7 as planned.
I’ll update again if dates extend.
Keep Laurena’s family in your thoughts this week.
One of our lovely customers recently requested that we use Quilter’s Dream Cotton Supreme in her king size quilt… she won’t be cold this winter. With that roll now added to our batting wall, it means we currently have all four Quilter’s Dream Cotton Batting in stock.
The Supreme is a 100% cotton batting in a 93″ width and costs US$0.50 per inch ($18/yard). We sell all of our batting by the inch and cut them from the roll just for your quilt.
If you’re not sure which batting to choose and want a toasty, heavy quilt this winter, ask to feel the new Quilter’s Dream Supreme!
Leaf peeping is always a good reason to hit the road during the fall in New England. Frankly, the quilt show calendar is equally inspiring.
Of course, be sure to stop by the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, where Carol Bryer Fallert’s quilts are on display through October 31. There’s also a great exhibit of Civil War Era quilts on exhibit, too!
It’s time to hit the road!
Can you believe we’ve gone 10 days without a snowstorm? Only flurries and signs of melting snow. February went by in a flurry both figuratively and literally.
If you missed the Open House the Statler Stitcher Creative Studios classes, we were delighted that the snow held off. Thanks to all who came! It was a great turn out, a good way to stop shoveling and quilting to socialize. We enjoyed chatting with everyone, sharing a warm drink and a nibble (or two).
Jaws dropped when quilters walked into the new space (we’re wondering if “the Annex” nickname may be replaced by “the Blue Room”). Brian Tjelta shared tidbits from the latest software version for the Statler Stitcher.
Everyone gravitated around the Virtual Quilt Show. Nearly 100 photos were contributed by more than 36 people. Close ups, on the bed, held up by family, just off the frame or hung professionally, it was an inspiring sight to see.
On Monday, it was back to snow storms…..
While we’re still getting used to the extra space, we already appreciate not squeezing everything into the original room. More later, but for now, there’s quilting to be done!
Back to work… whoosh!
In our email reminder and on our Facebook page we announced our hope to project images of quilts worked on at Laurena’s over the years. Whether it is a custom quilting job that Laurena did or a quilt done individually, we thought this would be a great way to celebrate the many tops that have become quilts since Laurena started the business.
Many, many, many thanks for everyone who contributed to the Virtual Quilt Show! Alanna’s putting the slide show together. If everything goes as planned, we’ll enjoy seeing a great many quilts at the Open House with no white gloves necessary 🙂
Can we request no snow on Saturday?
Gammill released “teasers” of some of the new CS6 software updates over the last couple of months. If you own a Statler that currently runs on Version 5.0, you can download the new software today for free.
On February 6, 2015, Laurena’s Long is hosting Brian Tjelta and offering classes on CS6 and using Creative Studios software. The morning session focuses on understanding the Creative Studios software and how to upgrade your system. We’re limiting class size to 8 people, so sign up soon! All classes will take place at Laurena’s Longarm Quilting in Burlington.
The afternoon session takes us through the great new features of Creative Studios version 6.
You can register for the Statler Stitcher Creative Studios classes on line or call us and send a check for your registration to hold your spot.
Here’s the class descriptions in more detail:
Friday, February 6, 2015 from 9:30 to noon: Creative Studio Green Light
Make headway in your understanding of the software that controls Gammill’s Statler Stitcher. Gain experience installing and upgrading the Creative Studio program. We’ll cover setting up custom projects and using some of the great features in Creative Studio. Build confidence and understand the options so your journey from idea to a beautiful quilting is smooth.
Friday, February 6, 2015 from 1:00 – 3:30 New features in Gammill’s Creative Studios 6.0
Here’s your chance to experience the new features included in Creative Studio 6. From importing images from your cell phone to linking patterns together (concatenation), the possibilities for custom quilting on a computerized quilting machine are becoming nearly endless. The software upgrade is free for all registered Gammill users.
Homework for both classes: Sign up for the Gammill Quilting Forum at https://www.gammill.com/forum/register.php? If you already own a Statler Stitcher, be sure to list your controller number in your registration information.
Bring to class: Paper, pencil, a laptop or tablet with Creative Studio Stand Alone Mode (SAM) installed, your controller/red key number.
Looking forward to all of the quilting possibilities with Creative Studios 6.
Whoosh! Where did September go? Well, in Laurena’s case, it was spent at the longarm, quilting beautiful tops that will be on display at this fall’s quilt show season. Beautiful colors on trees and quilt shows around Boston guarantee great day trips. Ready to hit the road?
On Saturday October 18, Concord Piecemakers has their yard sale at St Matthews Church in Acton from 9am to 2pm. I hear the pickings are particularly good first thing in the morning (picture entire quilt backs at fabulous prices), but of course, one person’s rejects are another person’s treasure.
At 10 am on October 18, the New England Quilt Museum has a gallery talk and reception for their latest exhibit “Humorous Quilts: Keeping Us in Stitches.” Seems like you’d have to choose between the best bargains at the quilt show and the talk, unless you’re a speedy shopper!
The following weekend, kick off on Friday October 24, Rising Star Quilters Guild opens their show at St Brigid Church on Mass Ave in Lexington. Their show runs Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday and Sunday (October 25 and 26), the Burlington Quilter’s Guild hangs their show at the Middlesex Community College. It’s a mere 20 minute drive between quilt shows (click to get the Google directions between the 2 locations), so visiting both would make a great day out.
November 6 -9, A Quilter’s Gathering holds its yearly expo at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. There may still be space in some of the classes, and the merchant mall is usually a great place to find those bits and bobs that your usual quilt store may not carry.
The Hammersmith Quilt Guild brings us through the fall with their show at the Saugus Senior Center during the weekend of November 15 -16, 2014.
Get your sewing done this weekend, while the quilt show schedules allow!
P.S. I didn’t even mention the International Quilt Festival, visiting the Dear Jane Quilt in Bennington, VT or the final days of the current exhibits at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. Just in case you’ve got a case of quilt show wanderlust!
A glorious day both outdoor and indoor, last Sunday was. We hosted a “quilt-in” for the Boston Modern Quilt Guild on August 10, as they wrap up their Quilts for Boston initiative. Guild members filed in and out, quilted on the Gammill longarm machines, chatted, laughed, and dropped off binding and more finished quilts.
Gwen and Laurena kept both the Statler Stitchers going. Sara and Courtney tried free motion quilting on a longarm for the first time. They easily adapted, incorporating a variety of motifs in the quilts.
Five quilts came off the machines that afternoon, ready for binding. A leisurely, fun way to spend a Sunday!
Many of us cope with family members who aren’t thrilled to experience a Quilt Show. At the Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod Show, it might just be easier to send them on to other places, leaving you in peace and quilts.
First and foremost, the beach. Cape Cod National Seashore not only has magnificent beaches, but a wonderful visitor center near Eastham. Will they need to eat? Stop by Arnold’s clam shack.
For the golfer, Cranberry Valley Golf course offers award winning 18 holes of championship golf.
In case of rain, Hyannisport offers indoor alternative perfect for the family: The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum.
For the curious shoppers of all ages, the Brewster General Store offers sweets and goodies that will distract them from any vendor purchases you may have picked up at the Quilt Show.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs from Dennis to Wellfleet and there’s many bike shops along the way that will rent bikes and trailers.
That should keep them busy. Enjoy the Bayberry Quilt Show. There’s nothing like undistracted immersion in a favorite past time. Be sure to stop and say hi to Laurena at the Gammill Longarm Quilting booth.
If you’re on the Cape in the next couple weeks, be sure to stop by the Bayberry Quilters show in Harwich, MA. Laurena will have a booth at the show where you can try a longarm quilting machine. It’s always a great show and a wonderful time to be on the Cape!
See you there.