Hello Friends. One would think that after a year and a half of staying at home, no class prep to do and no quilting students, that I would be super organized with all these things done and ready to go when the world opens up. Not!! As my mother always said, “There is nothing like pending company to get you to quickly get the vacuuming done!” Well I have been putting off a few important duties and just enjoying my time. My Bad! In August, I had hopped that my fall would be relatively normal with quilting students and classes at the local quilt shop etc.. But when that was all delayed again, I proceeded to procrastinate. Even my fabric order for my quilting cruise is more then 6 weeks behind. With nothing exciting or really new happening in the studio, even my social media posts have been lagging, well, let’s be real - totally absent. So my apologies for the lack of a blog/newsletter posts. This one goes out to Mary Anne.
Whats new? I am presently working on my recertification with Studio 180, which hopefully will be submitted by the end of this week. Studio 180 has come out with a few new tools and techniques sheets in the last year or two. You can check out these new tools and others on their website at: https://deb-tuckers-studio-180-design.myshopify.com I have these in stock as with all the tools and techniques sheets. For those who know me, know that I love my Studio 180 tools and techniques for a few reasons but mostly for making perfection easy and obtainable.
I have two new patterns in the works and those can be expected by early spring. My focus this year has been on getting back to basics and designing with those fundamental units we use all the time like Half Square Triangles and Flying Geese. One of the patterns soon to be available will be Path to Spring which I designed for the Spring Quilt Along. So if you missed out on the quilt along you will be able to purchase the pattern. A great scrap buster or Fat Quarter Quilt.
I have not been ordering a lot of new notions or fabric during the pandemic, but now with things slowly moving forward I have brought in a few new 108” backings and such. With winter on our doorstep I have the Hubby working on making and restocking the “Pressing Sticks” and a few of the Quilt Hangers. The Quilt Hangers can be made to your specifications if needed but are approximately 24” high and the arm 24” as well. They are available stained or not with the option of two different brackets. If a Quilt Hanger is something that you may like you can give me a shout and we can discuss delivery options. With Christmas around the corner we will be cutting off orders around the end of November.
New this fall to Quilting by the River is the ability to tryout and order Juki sewing machines. I am not a dealer, just a Juki machine lover and am offering the quilters in Norther Ontario the ability to have these machines available to you to order. Please visit my website for more information or click here.
I have had a consistent flow of quilts to be long armed and will be taking a break from that for the next few months. Getting a bit behind on my own quilting and it just seems silly to have a long arm and send your own quilts to a friend to have her do them. What’s with that?
I was lucky enough this year to be able to attend a girls quilting retreat where I was a participant not an instructor. It was held at the Bayview Wild Wood resort near Orillia. Had a blast! What a great group of quilters. Thank you Mallory for organizing. Believe it or not, I was able to get my Christmas sewing done, like that never happens. One of the afternoons we went to Thimbles and Things Quilt Shop. What a great place and yes I bought stuff. Hehehe
Needless to say there has not been quilters or classes in the studio. The Loft, however, has had a fair amount of visitors. Hello to the gals in the Bellville area, Parry Sound, Espanola, and of course Sudbury. It sure was nice to have the quilters in the loft. I have added a booking calendar to my website so you can check on availability. Please make note that The Loft will be closed from Mid December to the first week in February for the holidays and regular winter maintenance. You can check out the calendar here.
I have had a few pictures come to me of finished quilts for the gallery page. First off: Quarry by Diane Blais. This quilt just never gets old and is still one of my favourites.
Anne Hubert sent in her Periwinkle Swirl. A pattern by my good friend Michelle Renee Hiatt of SEW on the go. https://sewonthego.net/
Thank you all for being patient while I get my mojo back and get into the swing of things. I promise to post more regularly. Please watch my facebook and instagram pages for news of what’s new and happening here at Quilting by the (French) River. :)
Thanks for dropping by. Until next time, stay safe, be well and get to that Christmas quilting!