Silver Linings in a Pandemic

Fabulous customers:

Karen brought in her Eversewn 20 machine to learn some of its features.  Her last machine was an old Singer that did a straight stitch.  That’s all.  I LOVED the jaw dropping moments when she learned that her new machine:  could make a buttonhole to FIT the button due to being able to slide the button right onto the foot itself; that there was a ‘stop/start’ button so she can skip using the foot pedal; that the decorative stitches make beautiful designs just by selecting a stitch and pressing ‘start’.  That was priceless.  Sometimes, it’s just the little things that bring us happiness.

Making:

A continuation of the Mountain High Quilt - I'm about 1/2 way done with my paper pieced blocks:

Learned this week:

I went into the new mask mandate with some trepidation, not sure how accepting customers would be.  I learned to believe in the best of folks.  They usually show it!

Speaking of great humans, I met Dr. Eva Moya, who is a professor of social work at Univ. of Texas El Paso.  She gave a lovely and inspiring talk at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, all about her help with humanitaran efforts at the US/Mexico border.  

Our customers purchased 2 dozen Eversewn sewing machines - we'll be taking them to El Paso and Dr. Moya will be a point person to help get them across the border to help empower those in need.  Reut spearheaded this effort!

To my right is Dr. Moya, and to my left is Roxie with the Dignity Mission with the church.

Silver Linings in a Pandemic

Fabulous customers:

Tomato Soup:

Add milk or water?  This was the conversation I found myself engaged in with 2 customers.  How we got to this?  I have no idea.  One minute we’re standing side by side in the store, looking at fabric and patterns, the next, debating over which is better - milk or water added to a can of tomato soup.  Then, of course, this must be eaten with grilled cheese.  And so on, and so on.  These gals were in town with a National Guard conference, and, well, added to my list of “best things about my day”

Making:

My daughter sent me a text and a picture. The text:

"if we're gonna keep wearing masks, I decided I should finally get around to hanging them on hooks!"

The picture, in her tiny apartment:

That was the kick I needed to work on stop feeling so hopeless and sad about wearing masks again, and just do it.  ("embrace it" is a stretch.....)

She and I made a pact to each make some new ones.

I began the “Mountain High” quilt this week.  

The kit is from Stitch in Durango, and the owner LeeAnn is gracious and kind and has a wonderful shop (don’t believe me? - her shop was on the COVER of Quilt Sampler this past spring!)

I began it after a spell of no sewing.  Just not feeling it and riding out the "creative block"

Its foundation strip piecing, and I did all the ‘boring’ parts - cutting!  But for me, choosing which colors to group together and what pieces to pull out of each group to cut was so perfect to get me back in my groove.  I only just started on one block, but holy moley, this is fun!

Norma Rose: The Backstory

 

It's not often that hearing the backstory on a designer line of fabric can make your eyes misty, but that was definitely the case when we connected recently with Natalie Barnes, designer of the colorful new Norma Rose collection now available for pre-sales from Hip Stitch. 

Norma Rose by Natalie Barnes for Windham Fabrics 

Natalie's design business is Beyond The Reef, and Norma Rose is her latest collection for Windham. It was an easy collection to create because its namesake and inspiration was close to her heart: it's all about her mom. 

The signature print, shown above in two colorways, taps into her mom's love of roses. Wherever Natalie's parents lived, they always managed to plant a rose garden. And her mom always filled her kitchen with fragrant rose bouquets, Natalie recalls. 

Other prints in the collection (see below) literally carry her mom's mark, including the print set against a background of handwritten recipes from Norma Rose's own recipe box. And there are more geometrics, prints and blenders rounding out the full collection.

Don't just take our word for it, though. Listen to our interview with Natalie, and hear her tell the stories. (And get your order in now, because the yardage and Fat Quarter bundles are going fast!

Natalie Barnes of Beyond The Reef 

Anita Marsh McSorley

 

With affection, respect and sadness, we would like to tell you a little about Anita Marsh McSorley, a prolific and talented local quilting leader who recently lost her battle with cancer.

We don't want to dwell on the sad aspects of Anita's passing, but on her kind spirit, abundant textile talent and skill and dedication to helping the Albuquerque fiber arts community grow and thrive.

If you were ever part of the Row by Row crush of visitors to Hip Stitch a few years ago, from you saw Anita's design prowess. Some of Hip Stitch's whimsical blocks in that annual promotional program were designed by Anita. (See one of her Row by Row block designs pictured above.) One year, her block showcased our new shop, and another year, she included Sock Monkey, which by default has become one of our shop mascots. (Or at least our spirit guide, because we aren't a very serious bunch at Hip Stitch.)

One of Anita's textile gifts was a deftness with color in both her own quilting and design work, and her hand-dyed fabric cuts. We had the privilege of offering Anita's hand-dyed fabrics to customers, as well as other pattern designs she created from time to time.

Anita was also active in the Albuquerque chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild, but perhaps her most notable quilty accomplishments came from her work with the Albuquerque Fiber Arts Council (FAC), which encompasses more than 16 different fiber arts guilds in the city. For six years, Anita was also director of the Fiber Arts Fiesta, a biennial show hosted by the FAC.  She managed the various aspects of show production with skill and diplomacy, only recently turning leadership of the 2021 Fiesta over to others.   

All that said, you know what we remember most about Anita? Her sunny spirit and friendliness. Her positive attitude and openness to new ideas and projects. A darned nice lady who loved people and quilts.   

Moda’s National Sew A Jelly Roll Day is Sept. 19! Are You Ready to Roll?

UPDATE: Our supply of Glorious Autumn Junior Jelly Rolls is gone, gone, gone (and we won't be getting more), so if you're interested in participating in our National Sew A Jelly Roll fun, place your orders now!

Let’s do a little Jelly Roll math...

It takes 38 Jelly Rolls laid end to end to equal a little more than a mile. 

So, how many Jelly Rolls does it take to speed you on your creative sewing journey?

As many as you want!

Load up for Moda’s National Sew A Jelly Roll Day, September 19, with Jelly Roll Quilt Kits from Hip Stitch! (Plus they come in a re-usable bag! How sweet is that?)

Our seven kits feature fabulous new patterns from Moda and limited edition Grunge Junior Jelly Rolls in four vibrant color ranges. Hop on this sweet deal right away and you'll receive Hip Stitch's custom Jerry's Jelly Roll Jig for free!

Here are the color ranges:

Cool Change--Shades in a berry-ish range of blue, purple, wine...

Stitch Pink--It’s a pink-a-palooza ranging from from light Duchess to rich Maraschino.

Glorious Autumn--A so-seasonal palette with yellow, mustard, pumpkin and burgundy...

Yuletide--Merry-making golds, greens and red...

Patterns include Short & Long in two versions--Rectangles and Checkerboard; Sparkle; and Three At a Time in Squares or Rectangles. Here are sneak peeks of these new quilt designs:

Sparkle 

Short & Long Rectangles

Short & Long Checkerboard

Three At A Time Rectangles

Three At A Time Squares 

Prices range from $74.99 to $112.99 per kit. Kits include full pattern directions, selected backgrounds in solids or Grunges and limited edition Junior Jelly Rolls. We can also add backing and binding...your wish, our command! Free shipping on online orders of $50 or more...and don't forget that free Jerry's Jelly Roll Jig.

Thanks for helping us celebrate National Sew A Jelly Roll Day!

Creative sewing is a journey. Hip Stitch helps you go the distance!

Jacquie Gering Digital Seminars Next Month!

 Jacquie Does Digital!!!

Hip Stitch is NOT letting the Coronavirus call the shots on inspiring quilting education. Join us September 18 and 19 when internationally known modern textile designer, educator and author Jacquie Gering presents two online programs featuring her signature style and walking-foot quilting artistry. Jacquie is also known in part for her work establishing the modern quilt movement.

Jacquie Gering

Registration for these on-line programs will be extremely limited, so sign up now. Register for both digital seminars and you will receive a coupon code for $15 off an on-line order. Here’s more about Jacquie’s presentations:

1.     Jacquie Gering Trunk Show, Friday, September 18, 7-8:30 p.m. MDT—See Jacquie’s latest work, including provocative new designs and quilting patterns, and hear how her exploration of quilting has deepened and changed over the years. You may have seen her trunk show in the past, but you haven’t seen this all-new edition! $19 per person, virtual attendance, 50 spots

2.     How Do I Quilt This?, Saturday, September 19, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. MDT—During the first half of this VIP class, Jacquie will present her philosophy and process of quilting, and show examples that demonstrate those principles. In the second half, you will watch and listen as Jacquie applies those principles to quilt top images that you and your fellow attendees have provided in advance. It’s almost like a private consultation with an undisputed master of straight-line quilting!  (Note: Each paid registrant in How Do I Quilt This? Will be asked to provide up to one (1) digital image of a finished quilt top for use in the class. Images due to Melissa Maher, Melissa.hipstitchabq@gmail.com by September 11. $49 per person, virtual attendance, 25 spots

Quiet Geometry II

Bang you're dead

Both of Jacquie’s September seminars at Hip Stitch will be presented on the Zoom platform. With paid registration, students will receive links to the presentation(s) via email. To attend the seminars, attendees will need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone with access to email. (We recommend a device with a large viewing screen and high-speed internet for greatest enjoyment. If you have questions, please contact Melissa Maher at Melissa.hipstitchabq@gmail.com.)

Sale on Jacquie Gering Books!

Until September 30, Hip Stitch will also offer a 10% discount Jacquie Gering’s books WALK: Mastering Machine Quilting with Your Walking Foot and WALK 2.0:  More Machine Quilting with Your Walking Foot. Visit our website for more details. This sale is open to anyone and does not require signing up for Jacquie's digital classes.

We've been trying not to bombard you with too much info - in email newsletters, on Facebook, on Instagram, on our website.  And the problem with that is, so much is changing EVERY SINGLE DAY.  So here goes with what's going on at Hip Stitch:

Face Masks:
We (and every other quilt/fabric/sewing shop) have received emails & phone calls asking about masks.  We are so amazed at the spirit of sewing - there's a million mask challenge.  There are new websites up exclusive to this.  There are patterns and patterns and patterns out there on the internet.

Here's what we know:
We sold through our 1/4" elastic, and then were generously given a donation of that very same size elastic yesterday.  Since then, we've been offering to folks who reach out to us a 5 yd. cut.  It's going fast, but that's something we can provide.  There are a few tutorials that have cotton ties!

"What patterns are out there?" is a frequent question.  Unfortunately, we are not medical personnel.  We are not in this field.  We don't feel comfortable answering this question with a recommended tutorial.  We've have been referring folks to the Centers for Disease Control website to research more about what's needed/recommended: HERE

Two fellow shops in town: Bob's Sewing & Vacuum and Ann Silva's Bernina, have coordinated drop off locations for donated masks, and have resources for folks looking to help make masks.  Thank you to them - what a wonderful community we have!

Our Store:
Our brick and mortar is closed.  We announced this last week, and the very 1st phone call we received was one in which we were asked "Is this permanent?".   Our BRICK AND MORTAR store is closed.  Our entire store is on our website: hipstitchabq.com.  Folks can shop 24/7 on it.  We have a skeleton staff at the store, fulfilling online orders and answering phones.  If you get the answering machine, leave a message.  We're either on another line or you've called before 10 or after 4 - the approximate times we're there.  We have every hope and plan to open our doors at the end of this pandemic, and when we do, we want you at our GRAND re-opening party!

Our Classroom:
It's now our shipping, video-making, sample-making hub.  Speaking of videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.  We're sharing quilt-a-longs, demos, tips, tutorials to keep you motivated and keep you sewing!

Jeremi:
Our sewing machine technician.  He's still here, he's still working on machines.  You're going to be home sewing & your machine may need a tune up or be acting up.  He's here for you.  Reach out to us via email or phone call - we'll arrange to get your machine, get it fixed, get it back to you!

Us/Your Hip Stitch family:
We're all, like you, stressed, having anxiety, not sleeping well, having bouts of crying.  All of our lives are upside down.  If you call and we sound harried, please be patient and kind.  If we don't answer an email immediately, please be patient and kind.  We working hard to keep our business going, without our physical doors open.  We're all in this together.

We are heartsick about not seeing you in the store.  Our customers, friends, community.   Stay well, stay connected, and we'll see you on the other side of this!