Snippets 30 June 2012

June 29, 2012 Snippets, What's New (events) No comments

Stocktake Sale

Can you believe we are six months into 2012. Where has it gone?

Well the bonus for you is that it is the last day of the financial year and the dreaded stocktake is looming.
“How do you do a stocktake in a shop like this?” Is a question we are often asked. You can imagine it is not a really fun event. Every single thing from the single specialist machine needle to the cabinets has to be counted. Yes, computers do make it a little easier to keep a record of this but you still have to match the numbers to the computer count.

So our work is your gain. This traditional time for specials means there are some great ones you can grab now!

So make sure you don’t miss out on these.

AccuQuilt Go! Baby Fabric Cutter – Just $145.00 (RRP $229.00).
These are going fast – only a few left
AccuQuilt Go! Cutting Dies – 15% off selected dies (limited stock, so be quick)
Plus more great Specials including:

Dressmaking Shears reduced from $39.95 to $10.00 – you can’t go past these at this low, low price
OttLite Marietta Table Lamp $99.00 (RRP $149)

OttLite 3-in-One Craft Lamp $199.00 (RRP $299.00)

3 Pack of Rasant Threads – The world’s best known and loved sewing thread with reliability not matched by any other brand. Packs of preselected colours $20.

June Taylor Shape Cut Plus, a great bargain at only $79.00 (usually $105.00)
Sew Easy 3 piece Trolley Bag Set – $150.00 (RRP 219.00) Sew Easy says it all! It is so each to transport your machine and all you sewing needs in this smart 3 piece set.

And there is also the Dr Seuss whimsical pack of 9 Flannel Fat Quarters (over 2.5 metres of fabric) in How the Grinch Stole Christmas Pack. Start working now and you could have a quilt ready for Christmas in July!

We are delighted to announce the release of the new
HusqvarnaViking Limited Edition Tribute 140C Anniversary Machine

This stylish, Swedish designed computerized machine, apart from having the Exclusive Sensor System and Exclusive Sewing Advisory technology has 145 stitches, 4 alphabets, 3 speeds, 15 memories, easy touch stitch selection and loads more features too numerous to mention.

Husqvarna Viking is celebrating 140 years of market leading, innovative sewing and embroidery machines.

The New Elna Lotus – The return of a legend

Introductory Price $999.00

Now this brings back memories! Back in a previous life as a home economics teacher, Sandy remembers the Elna Lotus was the robust little workhorse that graced sewing rooms in schools throughout Queensland. I am sure many of you learnt to sew on this little beauty.

Well now it’s back – bigger and better than ever.

The new Elna Lotus combines maximum sewing pleasure and minimum fuss. Just like its predecessor, its sturdy flaps help to protect the machine and create a handy, generous sewing table at the same time.

Town & Country Fabric Collection

Between last year’s Royal Wedding, and this year’s Summer Olympics, it seems like everyone has a bit of “British Fever,” these days! Town & Country brings you the best of British.

Know Your Overlocker I class coming up soon

Have you been avoiding changing the thread on your overlocker?

Do you only use your overlocker for neatening seams?

Are you lacking confidence when it comes to using your overlocker?

Then Know Your Overlocker I is for you.

The first class is aimed for the absolute beginner and the second for those who want to expand their knowledge of overlockers.

Know your overlocker ONE is designed to teach you all you need to know about the basics of your
overlocker, and build up you confidence. In this class Jillan will teach you to understand about Threads, needles, Cutting Blades, threading your overlocker with confidence, tensions, differential feed, the correct stitch length, overlocking curves, beginning and ending seams and rolled hems.

Jillan will show you just how easy it is to understand and use your overlocker for much more than just simple seams and neatening. Book now for

Wednesday 18 July 2012 9.15am to 3.15pm

5D QuiltDesign Creator

I want one. I really want one and I want it now!!!

Wow – where do I start? The QuiltDesign Creator has it all.

Create quilt blocks using the step-by-step software wizard, echo quilt any shape or design, personalize quilt labels with a choice of 30 fonts and over 750 frames and flourishes, traditional quilting fill patterns and motifs and so much more!

Better still, it works with both automated quilting machines and embroidery machines.

Want to know more? Download the PDF brochure and select from the range of brochures to suit your machine or better still call us on 07 3849 4176 so we can explain exactly how it can work for you.

Tree of Life Stitch Along – the adventures of a newbie machine embroiderer

Last Snippets Sandy wrote about a new product, The Tree of Life machine embroidery CD from Anita Goodesign

“One of the great things about working in my little den out the back of the store, is that I get to see all the new goodies first! ,” Sandy wrote.

“Being relatively new to machine embroidery, I have, to date, only tackled small (and I mean small) projects such as in the hoop toys, hair clips etc.

However, when I saw The Tree of Life CD I threw caution to the wind and jumped in feet first. I just had to make it.

The instructions came out over lunch, the shopping list was created, and I went home with enough goodies to get started.

So many decisions to make:

Block Size: The pattern gives the option of four different sized blocks – I chose the smallest size (5” blocks), as I didn’t want to be too ambitious and knew my Janome 11000 SE could do the bigger size block as well.
Colourway – Well that was easier than I thought – I loved the colours on the cover of the pattern and these matched very nicely with a cushion cover I had made in class with Kellie Wulfsohn from Don’t Look Now
Batting: The design gives the option of layering the batting with the fabric prior to the embroidery and appliqué for a 3-dimensional effect or adding it later when all the blocks have been embroidered and pieced, for a more traditional look. I went for the 3-dimensional look using Nu-Wool batting due to its hi-loft.

Tips from a Newbie

Get organized – gather your fabrics for the appliqué and select co-ordinating threads, cut blocks, and fill several bobbins with bobbinfil suited to your machine.
If you are using a USB to transfer and/or open the embroidery files on your embroidery machine, remember the USB is NOT a storage device. Loading too many files on your USB can cause your machine to work too hard or too long looking for the files. Only use a 1 gigabyte USB and transfer a couple of files at a time as you need them. For more tips on Embroidery File Storage click here
Choose an embroidery needle that is suited to your machine. For dense designs a larger needle, such as a size 90/14, works well. Embroidery needles are specifically designed with a larger eye to guide the thread smoothly and avoid thread breakage.
Clean the bobbin area (raceway) regularly. Remove the needle plate, lift out the bobbin case and brush away the lint. You’d be surprised just how much lint gathers in this area and can cause problems with the tension, “birds nests” of tangled threads and jammed bobbin cases.
And remember when things aren’t going as smoothly as you’d like, if all else fails, read the instructions.

All the best and Happy Sewing from Sandy.

And last but not least this in this Snippets, our latest Handy Hints.