Have you heard about the Wasatch Front Shop Hop? It is an amazing event that lots of quilting stores participate in across Utah. Think prizes, giveaways, contests, great sales, fun events, and multiply it 13 stores and you get the idea. It is amazing!

This year it is June 13th-16th so mark your calendars!

Go here for more information: www.utahshophop.com

Paper piecing Tutorial

Before you begin, starch and press all your fabric pieces. Sub-cut each piece and set aside.

Turn your stitch length on your machine to 1 ½ to 2. You want a tiny stitch when you paper piece.

#1- copy your pattern 2 times.

#2- Trim your pattern about 3/8” outside of the solid outer line. You will trim your block ¼” outside of the solid line when you are all finished.

#3- Fold your pattern. You will fold approx ¼” outside of each solid line on the interior of your block. I use a metric ruler and use the “shaded” part as my ¼”. I position my ruler so the shaded part is just outside of each line and fold.

#4- Fold ¼” past all the “sew”/ solid lines in your pattern. You do not need to fold the four outside lines. Your pattern paper should look something like this.

#5- Take your center piece. Your pattern says “green” so take a green square and glue the wrong side of the fabric to the wrong side of the paper. Use a glue stick and use the glue sparingly.

#6- Hold the pattern up to the light and look through the printed side of your pattern. Make sure that your fabric piece has covered the center square area. You will need a seam allowance on all four sides of that center square.

#7- Fold the pattern on the previously folded line between #1 & #2. Take a pair of scissors and trim off any excess fabric hanging past that fold line.

#8- Take one black triangle and place it right sided together with the green square. You will line it up along the edge that you just trimmed. Take it to your sewing machine. Carefully turn over your pattern, keeping the fabric pieces lined up. Sew along the line on your pattern that is between shape #1 and shape #2. Sew a little bit before the line and a little bit past the line.

#9- Press. Your seams will always have to go toward the last piece you just sewed on.

#10- You will now need to trim the seam allowance off of the edge by #3 on your pattern. Fold back the pattern on the previously folded line. Trim off any excess fabric.

#11- Place another black triangle right side together along this edge you just trimmed. Take your piece to the sewing machine, carefully turn it over so you can see the printed lines on your pattern. Sew exactly on the line between shape #1 and shape #3.

#12- Press.

#13- Continue these same steps adding each piece onto your pattern in their numbered order until you are all finished. You will always follow these same steps for each piece you add.

- Fold back the paper and trim the seam allowance from the seam where you will be sewing next.

-Unfold your pattern. Lay the next piece of fabric right side together, lining up the raw edges along the seam line.

-Sew exactly on the printed solid line.

-Press.

-Trim your next seam allowance.

#14- When your block is completed. Trim it to ¼” around all four sides. Lay your ruler so the ¼” marking is directly over the printed solid line and trim.

Your block should measure 6 ½”.

#15- Carefully tear off the paper. It helps to fold the paper along your stitching lines before you try to tear it off.

You are all finished!

{clicking on the image should take you to the original source}

$10 for day pass
$25 three day pass
kids 12 and under free

There are lots of classes to take for all skill levels ranging from binding a quilt to dying fabrics!

The show also includes a quilt competition with $27,000 in cash awards and a live auction of quilts that are gorgeous and can sell for $25,000!

Last years winner of the quilt competition was Sue McCarty with her quilt “Harmony Within.”

We just got in this incredible fabric: the Ghastlies collection, by Alexander Henry fabrics. I would love to make a Halloween quilt with these fun fabrics. Such great prints and characters!

This month, we are giving away (4) fat quarters to two lucky winners!

TO ENTER: Leave a comment, answering the question:

What is your favorite item at American Quilting??

For an extra entry, like us on Facebook and leave a separate comment (if you already like us, leave a comment too!!).

Be sure to enter by midnight on Sunday, May 13th! Remember – - 2 winners this time!!

Here are the pictures for what we are working on this month!

- (6) framed square blocks. Feel free to use whatever fabric combinations you want, you don’t have to do it how they are pictured. Be careful with your 1/4″ seam allowance; they are cut so that you should finish with a 3 1/2″ block exactly – - no trim room.

- a little piggy. Applique it on using whatever method you like!

- and a puppy! Appliqued using your favorite method!

General Class Information:
- Class tuitions must be paid at time of sign-up.
- Class tuitions are non-refundable unless cancellation is made 48 hours before the class.
- Any class may be cancelled if less than three people are registered. You will receive a full refund if AQ cancels the class.
- Remember to pick up your postcard coupons (May-August) at the shop, one per person please. These are available to you during the month of May.
-If you want to receive additional coupons and announcement via email please sign up/register at american-quilting.com. Our email system is how you will receive notice of unadvertised sales and upcoming events at the shop.
- Please remember that any coupons must be present for you to redeem.

Upcoming Events: Block of the month Programs & Clubs

Saturday Sampler sign-ups
It’s time to register for our 9th annual Saturday Sampler! The theme for this coming year is “A Quilters’ Alphabet”. It is a great skill builder! You will learn many types of piecing and some really fun blocks! Registration fee is $40. For complete details, ask us for an “info sheet” at the shop. You may register May 1st through June 2nd. Saturday Sampler is always a mystery! We would love to have you join us. This program begins July 14th! Here is an example of the colors we will use:

Vintage Rouge – *New
Starts May 14th. This class will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month. This BOM will last 6 months. Each month you will come in to pick up your new kit. Each kit will cost $32. There will be a half-hour class to demonstrate each kit. Registration fee is $20. Pick up all 6 months kits and get a get a $20 coupon to go towards your backing.

Home Sweet Home – *New
This is a really cute quilt with lots of houses and hearts! This BOM will be held on the 1st Monday of each month, and will run for 12 months. Monthly kit cost is $23. There is a $20 registration fee that will be given back to you as a coupon to use toward your backing if you pick up all 12 months of kits! A short (half-hour) demonstration will be held at the beginning of class to show you how to sew your kit. Starts August 6th.

Class Descriptions

Calico Garden
This is our “Civil War Era” Club. We will work a little bit at a time, do some fabric trading, and learn some history. We will spend a lot of time learning about Florence Peto, a great quilt maker and historian. There will be “posey packets” of tiny blocks for you to purchase each month if you choose to do so. This class will last for one year. This is one of the most charming quilts I have ever seen. This quilt will take some effort, but it is worth it. Come join us and make an heirloom quilt. Each month we will highlight something new to teach you to help you make your own fantastic version of this quilt. Learn some fun techniques!
Class fee is $5 per month         Teacher-Amy McClellan

Clothesline Club
Each month we will highlight a different new pattern from a great book by Darlene Zimmerman as well as several other sources. We have a lot of fun! We also go over history from the 1930’s. There will be prizes, treats and tons of friends! Join anytime!
$5 each class        Teacher-Amy McClellan

Notebook Cover
Debbie will teach a simple notebook with binding and ties. Cute for a gift own personal use.
We will have several colors for you to choose from.
Tuition-$10     Kits-$9         Teacher-Debbie

Summer Fun Banner
A banner that can easily be adapted to showcase photos of your summer activites. This is a really cute decoration for your home.  You can use clothespins to change the photos throughout the summer.
Tuition-$10                Kit-$15      Teacher-Carol Smith

Buggy Barn
Meridy will teach you how to master the Buggy Barn technique. You will learn how to make any buggy barn pattern. Even if you have taken a buggy barn class before, it will be a great refresher. A kit for one block will be supplied.
Tuition-$10    Kit-$5        Teacher-Meridy Palmer

Scrap Happy
Marilyn and Amy Smart have so many great ideas for you to use up all those scraps you have hanging around in your sewing room. Get great ideas for organizing, utilizing and most important, sewing up all those scraps. Don’t miss it!
Tuition-$10        Teachers-Amy Smart & Marilyn Yerkes

Izzy’s Choice
This has been a yearlong class where we have learned “Back Basted, Template Free” appliqué. This class will end in August. We will be starting a new year long class in September if you would like to join this appliqué group, plan on signing up then! This is a great class for you to learn Jeana Kimball’s technique.
Tuition is $180 for the year, or $15 per class.         Teacher-Jeana Kimball

Cottage Garden
Jeana has also been teaching this yearlong class. The class that will replace this one will begin in September. It will be a “Masters” class where you can work on refining her techniques and work on blocks from her past classes.
Tuition-$90    Teacher-Jeana Kimball

Covered Ironing Board
These little ironing boards are fantastic. You will pick out your fabric and we can help you get it all covered. They fold up for storage and are so portable. You will love having your own personal ironing board!
Tuition-$10    Kit-$29        Teacher-Diane Woodward

Foundation Paper Piecing
Come and learn how to paper piece. You will make a placemat in class. You will learn how to do this exact and fun method. You will also receive several additional patterns for you to practice on at home.
Tuition- $10    Kit-$10        Teacher-Collett Allred

Mom & Me – Flip Flops and Flowers
Make your flip flops darling. Easy for all ages. Mom can help with flowers. Come in and get a class list for supplies. Bring your own flip flops and we will decorate them really cute!
Tuition-$10       Kit-       Teacher-Cliss Ercanbrack

Mom & Me – Cinchy Bag
A little backpack, perfect for the pool, the library, to hold your lunch while you’re riding your bike…etc. You pick your favorite fabric!
Tuition-$10    Kit-$9        Teacher-Sharon Budge

Beginning Piecing
This class is a 3-part class where you will learn so many things; cutting, pressing, seam allowance, how to use rulers, as well as sewing several different basic quilt blocks. You will start sewing your blocks in class and will have a cute table runner by the end. Even if you have sewn before, this is a great class where you will learn important piecing skills. Come into the shop prior (at least a few days before class) to choose the fabrics for your kit!
Tuition-$30   Kit-$50 (front and back)    Quilting & batting-$25     Teacher-Meridy Palmer

Mom & Me – Pillowcase
A great beginning project for moms and children. Your child will learn basic, easy skills as they make a pillowcase. You can choose your own fabric or we will have kits on hand for you!
Tuition-$10      Kit- $12/pillowcase           Teacher-Deanna Allred

Mom & Me – Fabric Necklace
You will love this fun, easy Mom and Me fabric necklace class.  Amy Butler designed this adorable necklace and it a great project for all ages.  You will make two cute necklaces to wear this summer and have instructions to make several more later!!
Tuition-$10      Kit-$10/2 necklaces        Teacher-Lori Winder

Mom & Me – Crayon Apron & Bag
This is a popular class and will fill up fast, so sign up quick. Cute idea for crayon storage, kids will love it!
Tuition-$10       Kits will be available         Teacher-Cliss Ercanbrack

Binding Bag
Learn how to bind and make a cute envelope bag at the same time.
Tuition-$10    Kit-$9        Teachers-Xarissa Jardine & Lori Winder

Hobo Bag
These small bags are so cute and handy to carry small toys, make-up, jewelry, and sewing kit supplies etc. Make up several for yourself or make them for your kids and grandkids. Each hobo bag takes 2) half yards. We can help you choose your fabrics if you want! It helps to know what you are going to carry in your bag. You can bring your toys etc with you if you want.
Tuition-$10             Teacher-Debbie Olsen

O Holy Night
This Wool Nativity has been one of Under the Garden Moon’s most popular patterns. Amy will get you started on this cute project. A kit for the wool is available.
Tuition-$10     Kit-$28.95     Teacher-Amy McClellan

Advent Calendar
Come make a fun and easy Christmas Advent Calendar. This calendar has cute little pockets to hold goodies or notes or small gifts. It is fast and easy and makes a great gift for someone you love or for your own family. The finished size of this Advent Calendar is around 24 x 36 and has handy pockets in the back for hanging on the wall. Kit price includes front and back.
Tuition-$10    Kit-$49        Teacher-Meridy Palmer

Bag it & Tag it
In this class, you will learn how to make several different types of bags and gift tags. Make gift giving even better, by making the packaging cute and different. Easy and fun for all ages.
Tuition-$10    Kit-$15        Teacher-Amy McClellan

Tree Skirt
This is a very traditional tree skirt made in the perfect six-sided hexagon shape that we all love! This tree skirt would look great in so many different color schemes. You pick your favorites!
Tuition-$10    Kit-$40        Teacher-Sharon Budge

Paper Dolls
Darling paper dolls for your little ones, several different styles of dolls: Dolls of the world, Western dolls, and Traditional dolls too. Excellent gift for birthdays or Christmas.
Tuition-$10        Kits-$20       Teachers Collett Allred & Deanna

Mom & Me – Hipster Bag
Darling bag for school or laptop. It has a few pockets for you to stow your stuff. Skill level 12 years and up.
Tuition-$10          Kit-Come in for yardage list    Teacher-Xarissa Jardine

Itsy Bits
Have you been intimidated with super tiny English Paper Piecing? Amy will show you some ins and outs using itsy bitsy papers. These items can then be used for embellishing some of your special quilting projects.
Tuition-$10      Kit-$10 (tiny notebook and a star)      Teacher-Monica Steelman

Quilters Notebook
These notebooks are perfect for you to take along with your stitching/appliqué projects. They include a cutting mat, tiny design wall, and mini pressing board. They work great for traveling, or using at home as a “lap” workstation.
Tuition-$10    Kit-$30         Teacher-Amy McClellan

Cupcake Potholder
Sweet and simple cupcake potholder for all the cupcakes your going to bake! Darling!
Tuition-$10             Kits will be available   Teacher -Collett

Machine Appliqué
Gloria will teach you an alternate technique to hand appliqué. This machine appliqué method does not involve your edges needing to be turned under but is washable and won’t fray. You will need to bring your own machine that has a blanket stitch. You will also need an “open toe foot” on your machine.
Tuition-$10     Teacher-Gloria Mosbarger

Abby Bag
Super cute pin-cushion and bag to put sewing threads all in one. Everyone who sews needs one of these cute and useful bags.
Tuition-$10       Kit –come in for your cut/supply list      Pattern-$9   Teacher-Collett Allred

Sassy Denim Skirt
Re-purpose your old jeans into a fun sassy skirt. Has your little girl outgrown her jeans, turn them into a cute little skirt.  Easy to do for kids and grown-ups alike.  You’ll need your own pair of jeans and the amount of fabric will vary depending on the size of the jeans your going to use. Talk to Deanna for fabric amounts.
Tuition-$10          Teacher-Deanna
Trixie Stix Exchange – August 21st
Pick up trixie stix at the shop, take them home and sew them, bring them back to us!
We will trade them all around and at the “exchange” you will get a “mixed up” bag back. We will keep track of how many you bring in! This is really a great way to get a huge variety of 1930’s reproduction fabrics and sewing them together is a cinch. At the exchange, you will receive several ideas to then take home and sew your half-square triangle blocks into something fun!

Fun Events:

Wasatch Front Shop Hop
You will not want to miss the Shop Hop! We will have a great time reminiscing about our dancing days on “American Bandstand”. Prizes, drawings, games, treats and lots of fun! June 13th – 16th.

Christmas in July
Come and enjoy all the fun of the Christmas season without the cold weather! July 16th –July 27th. We will highlight our new Christmas fabrics. We will also hold several great “Christmas” classes.

Sidewalk Sale
August 2nd & 3rd. Come find terrific bargains at our annual sidewalk sale!

Garden Party
This will be our 8th Annual “Quilters Garden Party”. You are invited to come to Amy’s home to see an outdoor quilt show and cool off with an ice cream sundae! Each year we hang almost 100 quilts for you to enjoy. You will not want to miss this fun event.

If you are looking for an awesome introduction to quilting, this is your chance! Saturday Sampler is a fun block-of-the-month club where you learn lots of different blocks, techniques, and quilting tips.

If you are interested, Saturday Sampler sign-ups start now in store. It starts in July and runs until June of 2013.

Here’s how it works. You pay $40. You come pick up your monthly kit on the designated Saturday. You sew your kit. You come back the next month and do it all over again! If you fall behind, or miss a month, you can still pick up your kit – - you just have to pay $5.

I am just finishing my second year doing it and I love it.

The theme this year is Quilter’s Alphabet and the quilt will be all colors. Red, teal, blue, gold, green, gray, even a little purple and orange.

We will also be using several of the new “solids” that are so popular right now.

The feel of the quilt will be medium to dark colors. True color!

It always fills up super fast so be sure and get your name on the list!