Dear Quilter,

My friend, McGill, lives in South Carolina and she recently visited a quilt store that had just opened in her town.  Oddly enough, they had no fabric but she politely left her email address anyway thinking that someday soon they would.  A few weeks later she received an email from the new quilt store regarding the upcoming classes.  Subsequently, I received the following email from her entitled "E-newsletter from that quilt store".  "Robbi,  Hi!  I got this e-newsletter from the new quilt store that opened in ______, and I HAD to forward it to you!!  How many quilt shops do you know that offer a Concealed Weapons Class?!?!!  I had to read it twice to figure out if it was some new, crazy quilt pattern!!  Have a good day.  Talk to you later.  McGill"  McGill has a great sense of humor and truly, it was a concealed weapons class being offered at the quilt store.  The irony of it being any rotary cutter is a great concealed weapon, don't you think?  So, if you need a replacement blade for your concealed weapon or some other notion, come on in and we'll fix you right up-no waiting period, no license, no questions asked.

Bittersweet Quilts is pleased to announce author, historian, and fabric designer Jodi Barrows will be in our shop September 6th, from 10:30 to 4:30 for demos, a trunk show and a book signing.  We realize this can be a very busy weekend for some, however, you will not be disappointed if you make time for Jodi's presentation on The Pony Express and coordinating fabric.  Sign up soon as space is very limited.  For more details, please inquire.

All That's New...wool kits and patterns, Shades fuse by the yard, Moxie, Castle Peeps and Poinsettia from Andover, Luna Notte jelly rolls from Moda, Summer's End by Kansas Troubles, Fruitcake by Basic Gray,  Harvest Roosters, Silk Garden from Wilmingtion, complete line of flannel Tic Tac from Andover, Nuances from P&B, new batiks and so much more.  Don't forget we carry embroidery floss, Valdani thread, and Auriful thread.

We Are 5!!  Can you believe it?  On July 13th Bittersweet Quilts turned 5.  Come celebrate our birthday this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 29, 30 and 31 with 30% discount on all cut yardage of 1/2 yard or more.  Select fat quarters $1.00.

Bias Binding Basics

Fri, Oct 1 OR Sat, Oct 2                                                                              10:30-2:30

$15.00                                                                                                           Donna Hill

If the words "bias binding" have your heart pounding, sign up for Bias Binding Basics.  We'll take the fear and mystery out of "BIAS".  Bring any project ready to bind.  Bag lunch.  (I/A) 

 Needle Tatting 101

Fri, Aug 20                                                                                  11:00-2:00

Sat, Aug 28                                                                                10:30-1:30 OR 2:30-5:30

$25.00 (book/needles/thread included)                                  Brenda Patterson

This is a hands on, basic tatting class.  Brenda will walk you through the basic tatting stitch, making a picot, adding thread, and more!  There are three beginner class times to choose from.  However, each class is limited to four (4) and they always fill so don't delay in signing up.  Snack in a sack.  (B/I/A)

PC-Mystery Quilt Club

Tuesday, Friday OR Saturday of third week                                       10:30 OR 2:30

August will be seeing the start of this beautiful Mystery Quilt.  Each month you will view a short demo of a new notion, book or pattern with absolutely no pressure or obligation to buy.  Then you will receive an absolutely FREE mystery block pattern designed by Jackie Robinson.  This twelve month mystery pattern is really eye catching, but you'll have to trust us about that.  We hope you'll join the fun.  P.S. PC does not stand for politically correct, but there will be a grand prize for the first person who guesses what it does stand for.  Sign up for the time slot that suits your schedule.  (I/A)

Winner's Bouquet

Fri, Oct 22 OR Sat, Oct 23                                      10:30-4:30

$20.00 (template/fabric req'd)                                   Donna Hill

Another great pattern by Atkinson Designs; the same people who brought you "Yellow Brick Road".  "You will be amazed by how simple curves can be!"  See shop sample done in batiks.  30's reproductions would also be a splendid choice.  Bag lunch.  (I/A)

Yellow Brick Road

Fri, Aug 13 OR Sat, Aug 14                                                                  10:30-4:30

$20.00 (pattern/fabric req'd)                                                            Robbi Triplett

A great pattern to begin your quilting adventure.  If you have ever thought about learning how to quilt, this is your class.  Call a friend and make it happen.  Starting with fabric selection through piecing your quilt top, the Bittersweet Team will gently guide you through the process of making your first quilt!  See shop samples.  Bag lunch.  (B)

Paper Piecing Made Easy

Sat, Sept 18                                                                                            10:30-3:30

$20.00 (pattern/fabric req'd)                                                             Gloria Faine

Learn how to foundation paper-piece from the Queen of Paper Piecing, Dr. Faine.  You will enjoy every minute learning to paper piece as Gloria holds your hand and walks you gently through each step.  Come see shop sample "Nightspins" in lovely purples.  Bag lunch.  Purple kits available upon request.  Only six (6) spaces available.  (I/A)

Mark Your Calendar and Save The Date

Sept 3rd & 4th               Little Balkans Days

Sept 6th                     Jodi Barrows

Sept 23rd-25th               Springfield Quilt Show

Mar 3rd-6th, 2011            Ozark Hills Shop Hop

April 14-17th, 2011          Bittersweet Retreat

Don't forget about our in-house, Machine Repair Technician, Raymond.  Same day service available by appointment.  BSQ also has several very nice, slightly used Bernina sewing machines awaiting adoption.

Beginning Wool Applique'

Fri, Oct 15 OR Sat, Oct 16                                                              10:30-2:30

$36.00 (kit/pattern incl'd)                                                             Robbi Triplett

Ever wanted to try your hand at wool applique'?  Come learn tips and tricks of working with wool and make a table mat too.  WARNING:  this can become addictive.  This is a great take along project.  See shop sample.  Bag lunch.  (B/I/A)

Pieces of Eight

Fri, Oct 8 OR Sat, Oct 9                                                                                   10:30-4:30

$20.00 (pattern/fabric req'd)                                                                 Donna Hill

This jacket class is just in time for the coming of old man winter.   Armed with 8 straight quarters, repurpose a casual sweatshirt into an elegant jacket complete with googaw and foofaraw.  See shop samples.  Bag lunch.  (I/A)

Free-Motion Quilting

Sat, Aug 21                                                                                10:30-1:30 OR 2:30-5:30

$30.00 (quilting gloves/fabric incl'd)                                   Robbi Triplett

Wanting to save money in these uncertain economic times.  Learn to machine quilt a Crib size up to Full size quilt on your sewing machine.  You'll be machine quilting with reckless abandon.  Zoom, zoom, zoom.  Snack in sack.  (I/A)

Basket of Blueberries

Tues, Sept 21, Fri, Sept 24 OR Sat Sept 25(kickoff date)          10:30-11:30

$5.00(each month)                                                                           Robbi Triplett

This will be a half square triangle swap group using only Jo Morton fabrics, shirting and 2" finished Triangles on a Roll.  This triangle swap will last only six (6) months.  Each month customer will 1.  be given two color themes to use  2.  customer will make HST  3. customer will bring them or mail them to BSQ  4.  BSQ will redistribute triangles  5.  customer will make two Basket of Blueberries blocks; one with each color.  This swap will be in conjunction with The Rabbits's Lair of Rogers, AR and The Quilt Merchant of Winfield, IL.  On the kickoff dates above, we will teach anyone how to use triangles on a roll.

Ewe and Dye Club

First Friday                                                                                10:30-1:30

$2.OO                                                                                          Robbi Triplett

Come spend the FIRST FRIDAY of every month working on a wool project in the company of other wool junkies.  Need I say more!  Sign up if interested and you'll receive an e-minder.  Snack in a sack.  (B/I/A)

SAVE THE DATES

March 3, 4, 5 & 6 is the 2011 Ozark Hills Shop Hop.  Hoffman Fabrics was commissioned to design two batik fabrics specific to our area with a bluebird and dogwood in the design.  Ellen Replogle then designed a quilt pattern based on these fabrics.  The following nine quilt stores will be participating in the Hop:  Bittersweet Quilts, Block By Block, Sew Neat, The Country Store, Quilt Sampler, Sew Simple, McKee Sewing Center, Quilts and Quilts and Country Corner.  More details to follow.  

Just announced:  

3rd Annual Bittersweet Retreat

April 14-17, 2011 

Watch for upcoming Block of the Month, “my whimsical quilt garden” using batiks and Kaffe Fasset fabric.  This BOM will be in tandem with The Rabbit’s Lair.  Details forthcoming.  See website www.bittersweetquilts.com for sneak peak preview.  Only forty (40) spaces available for both stores!  Happy quilting everyone.

Classes  B=Beginner  I=Intermediate  A=Advanced