Hello everyone.

March is here and the time will be changing soon - I just can't keep up! I'm glad I got new wipers on my car before all the rainy day driving. But seeing all the rainbows has been beautiful - that is if I don't look down and see how quickly the weeds are growing! The trees are blossoming and the bulbs are starting to bloom - it's just lovely.

We are always busy coming up with new quilts and projects. We've also been cutting fabric bundles. The second line of Cottage Cloth II came in so we made bundles of that, plus more of Cottage Cloth I (see the pictures below in What's New and Exciting). 

We will be at the Madera Quilt Show next weekend (see details below). If you're in the Madera area, please stop by. The shop will be open it's usual hours. But please remember that we'll be closed the weekend of March 23 (see below for details).

Stop by when you get over our way to say hello.

Madera Quilt Show

Family Threads will be a vendor at the Madera Quilt Show NEXT WEEKEND.

Saturday, March 16, 2024 10AM - 5PM
Sunday, March 17, 2024 10AM - 3PM
 

Where:
Hatfield Hall at the Madera District Fairgrounds
1850 W Cleveland Ave Madera, CA 93637

What to expect:
A variety of Quilts, Vendors, Quilter's Cafe, Raffle Items, Quilter Market, Opportunity Quilt and more.

It's Available as a Kit!

The wonderful quilt Cindy is posing in front of - it's available as a kit both in the shop and on our website.

Zig-Zag Grunge Paisley Picnic
Can you say that three times fast. :)
MEASURES: 66" x 72"
KIT INCLUDES: Pattern sheet, all fabric for top and binding
NOT INCLUDED: Backing 4-1/8

ZIG-ZAG GRUNGE KIT 

Holiday Kits

Like we mentioned we're always making kits!

4 Leaf Clover Kit
MEASURES: 46" x 46"
INCLUDES: Pattern, all fabric for top and binding
NOT INCLUDED: backing

4 LEAF CLOVER KIT

In the Middle Chocolate Bunnies Table Runner
MEASURES: 15" x 43"
INCLUDES: Pattern, all fabric for top and binding
NOT INCLUDED: backing

CHOCOLATE BUNNIES KIT 

Town Events and Us

Two events will be happening in San Juan Bautista - the Craft Fair and the Rib Cook Off. Because of the chaos and lack of available parking we've decided to close these two weekends.

Closed: Saturday, March 23
(Craft Fair - is actually both Sat and Sun)

Closed: Saturday, April 27
(Rib Cook Off is actually Fri, Sat and Sun)

WHAT'S NEW AND EXCITING

Here's a recap of what we've been posting on social media - just in case you missed it.

ONGOING/MONTHLY
QUILTING OPEN SEW

Do you have a quilting project you'd like to start or have started but need a little help? Why not set aside time to get some help.

Aneda will be here once a month (the 2nd Thursday). She's been a quilter for decades and has knowledge of piecing, appliqué and paper piecing (machine, not English Paper Piecing EPP). This is NOT a structured class, nor should it be considered a private lesson but rather answering questions and offering help to get you going.

• Dates: Second Thursday of the month
• Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Cost: $25
• Skill Level: N/A
• Instructor(s): Aneda Phillips
• Pre-class homework: N/A
• Supplies: Vary according to your individual project

ONGOING/MONTHLY
WOOL APPLIQUÉ OPEN SEW

• Dates: First Friday of the month
• Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Cost: $25
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Instructor(s): Beth Upstill (West Coast Wool)
• Pre-class homework: N/A
• Supplies: Bring your own wool project and wool stitching supplies

ONGOING/MONTHLY
FINISH-IT FRIDAY

Come and sew on whatever you'd like. Call to sign up - please don’t just show up. 

So that everyone gets a chance, you may sign up for more than one a month but you might get bumped.

Maximum 7 people

Dates: 3rd and 4th Friday of the month **Since March has FIVE Fridays, we'll be adding one more on March 29**
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: $5
Skill Level: N/A
Instructor(s): None
Pre-class homework: N/A
Supplies: Whatever you'd like to sew on.

ONGOING/MONTHLY
BARN STAR SAMPLER

In this Block-of-the-Month program, you'll be following along with Sheila as she guides you through each month's block(s).

All of your block construction will be sewn at home, but each month she'll talk about which blocks you'll be working on and how they are made. You can bring your completed block(s) the following month for a little show-and-tell.

If you're looking for a little sewing time, you might consider coming to one of our Finish-It-Friday monthly events.

• Dates: Third Saturday of the month Starting May 2023
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
• Cost: $5
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Instructor(s): Sheila Galindo
• Pre-class homework: N/A
• Supplies: Barn Star Sampler Book + Fabric

CLASS
EVERGREEN TABLE RUNNER OR WIND BLOWN QUILT

You can choose between these two projects because they both use the same ruler:

EVERGREEN 
In reds and greens, this is the perfect centerpiece for holiday decorating. Or, change the color-way and give it a cottage or lodge feel so you can use it all year round. At 20 x 40, it is also the perfect size for a kitchen island.

WIND BLOWN
In this quilt, it's all about tossing leaves this way and that. Using nine fat quarters, a background and the ruler you'll have a pile of leaves to put your quilt together. Quilt measures: 55 x 70

• Dates: Saturday, March 9
• Time: 10:30 am to 2:30
• Cost: $40
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Instructor(s): Aneda Phillips and Joanna Johnson
• Pre-class homework: 
• Supplies: Fabric according to pattern/pattern sheet, ruler (KItty Cornered CGRDH5), starch, small iron and ironing mat + basic sewing/quitling supplies

CLASS (3 WEEKENDS)
QUILTING 101 - Sophie's Delight

If you've wanted to learn to quilt, here's your chance. Aneda and Joanna will be here over the course of three weekends showing you how to choose fabric, quilting tool basics - using a rotary cutter, ruler and mat together to cut block pieces, how to sew "quilters" seams using the proper measurement and different techniques. Of course they'll be throwing in tips and tricks too.

While this is beginning quilting, you need to know how to use your sewing machine BEFORE class. You do not have to know all the in’s and out’s, but please come to class knowing at the very least how to turn your machine on, thread your machine and wind a bobbin. Also, quilting is based on using a 1/4” seam, so please make sure your machine has a 1/4” foot.

We require a minimum of 4 students (maximum 6) for this class to happen.

• Dates: 3 WEEKENDS - Saturday AND Sunday March 23, 24, April 20, 21, May 18, 19
• Time: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm (the shop actually closes at 3:00 pm and is closed on Sunday; so you'll be here after hours with the instructors)
• Cost: $185
• Skill Level: Beginner
• Instructor(s): Aneda Phillips and Joanna Johnson
• Pre-class homework: At the end of each class, instructions for pre-cutting supplies for the next class will be given. So yes, there’s some homework.
• Supplies: Fabric - (8) 1/2 yard pieces, 1-1/2 yards of background, starch, small iron and ironing mat + basic sewing/quilting supplies; Pattern included with the class.

CLASS (WEEKEND)
CACTUS WREATH

This beautiful quilt starts with a medallion and grows from there. The pattern offers three sizes – wall hanging 60” square, throw 72” square and queen 92” square. You can use any colors for your strips - pick from a collection for a coordinated look or go for scrappy.

During this class you’ll be shown how to make the blocks and put the quilt together. You will probably not have a completed quilt in 2 days.

We require a minimum of 4 students (maximum 6) for this class to happen.

• Dates: Saturday, April 27 AND Sunday, April 28
• Time: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm (the shop actually closes at 3:00 pm and is closed on Sunday; so you'll be here after hours with the instructors)
• Cost: $80
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Instructor(s): Aneda Phillips and Joanna Johnson
• Pre-class homework: Cut out fabric per pattern instructions
• Supplies: Pattern, fabric according to pattern, starch, small iron and ironing mat + basic sewing/quilting supplies; OPTIONAL (but QUITE handy) Creative Grids Corner Clipper Ruler