The New Husqvarna Viking Platinum 16

Do you have a pile of  quilt tops waiting to be quilted? Have limited space for a quilting machine? Have disabilities that prevent you from standing to quilt?

Just take a look at what the new Husqvarna Viking Platinum 16 quilter can do for you!

This machine features:

• An included table that supports your project on an 18x30 table that is expandable to 6 feet with optional extenders. Perfect for those bigger projects 
• Quilt while sitting down.
• A color view screen to adjust speed from slow on up.
• Needle up and down with a touch of the foot control.
• Separate bobbin winder.
• Large bobbins that are about 3 times the regular Husqvarna Viking bobbins.
• An optional stitch regulator to keep your stitches perfect every time.

Best of all you can come into the store and take the machine for a test drive before you buy. This machine has a great price to match!  Be sure to hurry in now for holiday sewing availability--- this is a really popular machine.

Join us for a Class!

This summer is just getting better with all the great new classes we have in the works. In this post we'd like to highlight a couple that you do not want to miss---the first is on July 23rd and is the Double Diamond Tote class. This bag features the double diamond technique on the front along with a decorative twisted handle. The bag is large enough to accommodate a whole market day of purchases! What a lovely gift it would make if you're planning on getting started on your holiday gift sewing early this year.

The other class that everyone is looking forward to is the Wildflower Embroidered Quilt class. This is a Smith Street design and features all those lovely wildflowers you find in Michigan woods and meadows. You can almost smell the beautiful Tiger Lilies, Jack in the Pulpits, and Trilliums. Join us beginning in August for this really outstanding project. View our whole class project here. And don't forget to finish those unfinished projects and get them in for credit! 

 

Sewing Machine Issues? Try this...

The other day I was sewing out an embroidery design on a piece of ribbon that I was going to attach to a quilt as a label. All of the sudden, half way through stitching out the design my normally well behaved machine gave a clunking noise and, after stopping the stitching, and examining my project I found a birds nest that could have accommodated an ostrich underneath my project.

So, as many of us who enjoy sewing, I started the process of troubleshooting. I first checked the threading---making sure that the thread hadn't become caught coming off the spool or come out of the lifter arm on the topside. I examined the bobbin thread and made sure that it was properly threaded and flowing out of where it should be.

Then I examined the needle and realized I hadn't changed out the needle from a large quilting project that I'd worked on last. Well, no wonder my poor machine was experiencing technical difficulties! Not only was the needle the wrong kind for my current project, but the needle was dull from all that quilting. I changed to an embroidery needle of the proper sized for the close woven ribbon and had no other problems after that.

Today's sewing machines do wonderful things. And they are very sophisticated and designed to work with the tools we have available today. That means that a home sewing enthusiast needs to brush up on the needles and feet that are available and when and how to use them.

Vintage machines like Grandma and Mom used could, and often did, go years on the same needle. (Although running on the same needle for years is not something I would recommend---those poor machines are not at their best with an old, dull needle.) In fact quite frequently we have customers come into the sewing center and brag that the same needle has been in the machine for years. But the modern machines that handle tension control and automatic adjustments for you need to have good sharp needles that should be swapped out after each project, sooner for those large quilting projects.

And today's needle assortments come in all sizes for all different uses. We have specialized needles not only for embroidery, but for delicates, denim, stretch knits, quilting, and others. Each of these needle types have a special design making them a solution for their designated purpose. For example, a Microtex needle has a specially designed tiny, sharp point to get through those delicate, sheer fabrics---a solution that wasn't available to Grandma's vintage machine.

So if you're having issues with your machine, after checking the threading, try another needle.  Head over  to our website to check out all the types of needles we have available. Come see us in the store to stock up so you'll have plenty of needles on hand for your next sewing projects.

Quilts are Blooming at the Sewing Center!

Spring has arrived at the sewing center with this beautiful Husqvarna Viking design Quilted Blocks and Borders #233. This design package not only has some beautiful quilt blocks but will help you finish the whole quilt with some spectacularly elegant borders that are all done in the hoop.

Flowers, butterflies, birds, and flourishes for your quilt----so elegant and fun---now blooming at the sewing center. Hurry in before they're all gone!

Spring is finally here--Let's Sew while it Warms Up!

We're so glad spring is here and while we're waiting for the weather to catch up, we're sewing up some spring and Easter projects here at the sewing center! Here are just a few of some ideas from around the web in addition to the great things we've got planned in coming weeks.

Did you know you can sew a kite with your sewing machine? The way this March has been it'll be "out like a lion" on March 31st; which will make it a perfect day for kite flying . The instructions are on the Husqvarna Viking Site click here to get the plans.

Are you planning an Easter dinner? Placemats in the shape of Easter Eggs are so much fun and make the holiday table a real celebration. Click here to get some ideas.

How about a lovely bouquet of spring right on a quilt or bed runner?   We're doing classes to show you just how easy and fun this beautiful quilt is to stitch up. Won't you call to register?

One of our sewing enthusiasts stitched out this magnificent Anita Goodesign for her church. She's working on a Footprints to donate this month. Come in and get the embroidery design.

Looking for a design pack to add a bit of pizzaz to your Easter projects? This pack from the Husqvarna Viking line is so cute! These lovely designs can be added to home decor, handbags, tiny teeshirts, or stitched onto homemade crafted Easter baskets. Aren't they pretty?

 Come in and see all of our great project packs, embroidery designs, notions, and sewing machines. Sign up for a class and join in on the fun!

Some of the Greatest Deals of the Year are almost Gone

These Quilting Month Deals are almost over---hurry in!                  

	Store Events |  Website | Kalamazoo Sews Blog
	Hurry in! Get an in store shopping spree of $300 with the purchase of a Designer Ruby Deluxe or $500 with the purchase of a new Designer Diamond Deluxe! Only through March 31st, 2013 and only as long as supplies last.   Light weight and portable---perfect to bring into class!  The H-Class 100Q is a lightweight machine with big features that help you get professional results with whatever project you're working with. Included are the adjustable presser foot and needle up and down---features normally found on the higher end machines.  The Ultimate Quilter and freebies! Buy the Sapphire 875Q this month and get a free quilting kit while supplies last!	Kalamazoo Sewing Center: 5401 Portage Rd., Suite 6 Portage, MI 49002 (269)342-5808 Fax: (269) 342-0456 email: mail@kalamazoosews.com Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30, Saturday 9:30-1 Closed Sunday Class schedule is subject to change. Please give us a call if the weather is inclement. New Feet to help you with your quilting--a dual feed with snap on feet of its own: Interchangeable Dual Feed Foot Share and Chat with us:

Husqvarna Viking 100Q: Portable---Big on Features!

We're frequently asked what is a good, general purpose, convenient, easy to use sewing machine that is good for beginning sewing, with room to grow, and decent features.

The Husqvarna Viking H-class 100Q would fit the bill for a great beginning machine. This machine is light weight and portable---great to carry into our classes. Easy to learn and easy to use, this machine is jam packed with features normally found on more expensive, advanced models. And if you buy it from us, we'll schedule a class for you to learn how to use it.


This machine features:

• 20 built in stitches
• Drop feed for free motion quilting
• Adjustable pressure on that presser foot---gives you added assistance to evenly feeding your projects through the machine for perfect stitches.
• Extra presser foot lift for heavy projects.
• Needle up and down---so handy for times when you need perfect corner turns.
• A fix function to automatically tie off those stitches for you--no more doing it by hand!
• Compact and portable at just 15 pounds---but with the room to handle a quilt.
• Hard cover is included.

 If you've always wanted to learn to quilt or sew, this is a great machine to get you started. And at ***$399*** during the month of March (National Quilting Month), now is the time to come see us to get one of these great machines before they're gone. Be sure to schedule your class so that you'll be able to get the most out of this fantastic machine.


***While supplies last. See store for complete details.***

Join us for National Quilting Month this March

           

	Store Events |  Website | Kalamazoo Sews Blog
	March is National Quilting Month! Won't you join us? We have lots of great quilting projects planned. Need a new machine? Notions to take your creativity to new hights? Come see us! Events--Won't You Join Us? Sincerely Yours Quilt---a beautiful, classic quilt and we're still welcoming new students! Call to register and come join us March 20th to create this stunning quilt. Learn to applique and stitch the Floral Applique Quilt---one block at a time, one block per month. There's a different flower to plant every month---March 1. What a way to start out National Quilting Month! Quilting offers opportunities to pick up sewing skills and practice them until you're a pro. The stitcher's garden applique quilts are an excellent example of learning new skills a bit at a time and stitching up a sweet quilt all your own at the same time. This quilt offers lessons on different feet that are available and/or that came with your machine. Make perfect stitches, sew perfect ruffles, sew buttons, buttonholes, use your decorative stitches---learn how with our Applique Quilt classes. Just look at this gorgeous quilt top by Terri M. Smith!   Please see our class schedule for the times for this quilt. Get a Shopping Spree March 1 through March 31!** Buy a Designer Diamond Deluxe and get a $500 shopping spree for notions, threads, additional hoops, and tools to take your creativity to the limit!    Or buy a Designer Ruby Deluxe in March and receive a $300 in store shopping spree to help you with your first projects!Hurry in this offer won't last! And remember our sewing machines come with free classes to help you take advantage of all your machine's new features!     **Please see store for complete details for all as additional restrictions may apply.	Kalamazoo Sewing Center: 5401 Portage Rd., Suite 6 Portage, MI 49002 (269)342-5808 Fax: (269) 342-0456 email: mail@kalamazoosews.com Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30, Saturday 9:30-1 Closed Sunday Class schedule is subject to change. Please give us a call if the weather is inclement. New Feet to help you with your quilting: Share and Chat with us:

Get ready for National Quilting Month with 0% Interest!

Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 875Q

This month we're helping you get ready for National Quilting Month by offering 0% Interest Financing from now until February 28, 2013 on selected models with special features built in just for the home quilter.

Even though you can quilt with any machine, there are a few design features that really help you out and make your sewing more fun and more accurate and professional.

The first thing on a quilter's wish list would be a large sewing surface and our sewing deals this month offer 8 inches for the Husqvarna Viking Opal and a really super 10 inches for the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 875Q. This is the area between the needle and the sewing arm---the place where you slide the rolled up quilt through when quilting---the more room here the easier it is on you and the more even your stitches become.

The next thing that's nice to have is the Husqvarna Sewing Advisor. This is like having a sewing assistant right in your sewing studio. Key in information on fabric, choose a stitch, and your machine makes adjustments to tension, stitch length, and lets you know which foot and needle to use---all handled for you to make sewing so easy.

Sewing with the Husqvarna Viking Opal

Another handy feature for when you're piecing quilt tops together is the ability to move your needle over for the quarter inch seems (instead of moving your fabric from under a foot and suffering fabric slip). The Opal and the Sapphire 875Q have 29 needle positions to help with all your sewing.

You'll find that features like a needle threader, a fix stitch, and a thread cutter in addition to needle up and down and free motion quilting with your built in stitches are items that you can't believe you lived without.

The Sapphire also has the Exclusive Sensor System  that helps your quilt feed through the machine so that every stitch is perfect from the first stitch to the last.

For a limited time you can take home one of these machines and make payments with 0% interest for 24 months. Come see us in the store for complete details as restrictions apply---hurry in stock supplies of these machines are limited.

        

You're Invited!

You're invited to this Kalamazoo Sewing Center exclusive Anita Goodesign event on February 14th, 2013. Event fee is $20 and includes packet of goodies. Call today and register! Hurry space is limited!

  

Sewing Notion of note

One of the first things that you learn in quilting class is that precise cuts are imperative to your finished product. Fortunately, the sewing center has many tools to help you get this cuts done accurately and easily so you can get to the sewing part!

One of the best investments you can make is in a good quality cutting matt. It doesn't need to be large---but if you have the room you should consider this 24x36 version from TrueCut.

The matt features measurements to the 1/8th of an inch, angle marks of 45, 60, 90 degrees for making cuts and when you need to find the bias just set your fabric on the lines and cut. This is a superb quality matt that should last you years.

Be sure to take care of your matt---avoid exposure to excess heat (don't leave it in a hot car) and don't roll or fold it---there's a handy hanging hole for wall hanging when not in use. You won't be able to find this kind of quality elsewhere for this amazing price---just $59.95.

   

Machine Quilting

One of the best ways to learn how to sew is to piece a quilt. By the time you've pieced your first quilt top you'll know how to sew a straight stitch. If your top has a bit of applique, you'll be the master of curves, fancy stitches, and those supplemental feet that came with your feet.

And all these skills learned will transfer into other sewing that you do whether it's home decor or designer fashions for your family.

If you've been to any of the great quilting classes at the sewing center lately, you probably have some quilt tops done. If you're the average customer, you are daunted by the next step: the quilt sandwich and putting it all together with machine quilting. At the sewing center we have special classes where we gather together to put our quilts together. It's a job where you may need an extra pair of hands and room to work and we're here to help.

Stitching in the ditch

The most important step in quilting your quilt is basting the sandwich layers together. Sewing Center experts recommend spray basting as the best way to sandwich your quilt components prior to quilting. But if you don't like the spray or have allergies, we have special pins for pin basting or you can baste with a needle and thread. Whichever way you baste, be sure to take your time to get all the layers smoothly together. This will make the rest of the quilting process easy and fun.

Even Feed Foot really helps quilting

One of the easiest quilting techniques is the stitch in the ditch method. This is where most quilters start because it requires a simple straight stitch around the quilt squares. There are special stitch in the ditch feet with flanges that ride the seam to keep your stitches straight. If you're having issues controlling your quilt, try an even feed foot as a tool to keep your quilt straight and evenly fed through the machine.


As you become more experienced you can begin exploring the quilting options your machine gives you. For example, the new Designer Ruby Deluxe has a number of built in quilting stitches that can make the quilting as creative and fun as piecing your quilt. And with these stitches the actual quilting of your quilt becomes less intimidating.



Designer Ruby Deluxe Quilting Stitches



More fun Designer Ruby Deluxe Stitches 

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Your Singer Sewing Machines also have many fun stitches for quilting also.

Singer 7469Q Confidence Quilter 









7469Q Stitches

The best way to try all these fun quilting stitches is to enroll in a sewing center class to  make a pillow topper. A fun, smaller project will bring out the designer in you and will provide courage and experience to tackle those large quilt projects that await you in the sewing room.

The best way to learn sewing is take a class at the sewing center and we have some really great classes planned for this holiday season. Won't you join us, take some time to relax with us and make a few gifts or decorations that are just you. It would be so awesome to help you create a wonderful holiday season for you and your family!