Dear Sewing Friends,
What a beautiful time of year, especially in NC!! All of the bright colors of spring in the landscapes are equally vibrant in the new fabrics that are filling our shelves. Whatever type of sewing you do we have the fabric, books, patterns, & inspiration to help you get started! As Tim on Project Runway says “It’s Sew Time”. I hope all of you watch it on Wednesdays at 10:00pm on Bravo. It is a great show for anyone who loves to sew.
If you have not seen the My Label software, be sure to ask us about it or check it out on the website. If you thought you could not make garments to fit, now great garment sewing is within your reach! For those who love embroidery Bernina is introducing “Design Connection”. It is a 12-month club membership that includes thousands of designs plus projects, tutorials, and videos. Join today and save over $1400!
Again in July we will be traveling to Bernina University in Kansas City to learn all about Berninas newest products and ideas. We will be anxious to share those with you. Last year 25 of us had the trip of a life-time when we traveled to Germany and Switzerland and toured the Bernina factory. Most of us said that it was the best vacation we had ever been on so we are planning a textile trek to Italy in September 2009. If you are interested in more informationlet us know at one of our locations.
We celebrated our 5th anniversary at Sew Original in October. Many small businesses do not survive those first five years, we are so thankful to have so many loyal customers. Without you we would not exist. The small retailer faces many challenges each day, but one of our biggest is trying to compete with internet sales. Yes, you may save a little if you by a book from Amazon, but are they able to answer your question about that quilt block if it doesn't go together just right? We want to be there for you after you buy just as we are in the beginning. You have heard us say many times "Where you buy is as important as what you buy."
As you may now already know, we are once again a Bernina only dealer. Bernina has always been our passion and if you have the best brand in the world why sell anything else? Bernina is the only machine company in the world that is still owned by the family who founded the company. Bernina is made with all metal parts and has a 20 year warranty on mechanical parts, how many machine companies can compare to that? Nothing Sews Like A Bernina, Nothing. We sell the best and service the rest! If you are shopping for a new Bernina, machine mastery classes are a very important p art of your new purchase. Sew Original offers up to 11 classes depending on the model purchased. No other dealer offers that! We also offer two years of free cleanings for your machine.
Sign ups are well under way for Camp SO & Sew. This annual sewing retreat is growing and promises to be bigger and better than last year. For more info check our website, www.seworiginal.org or come by either store.
For those of you who haven't heard of the public art display currently underway in western NC and surrounding states we'd like everyone to check out The Appalachian Quilt Trail, a series of quilt sites strung together in Eastern Tennessee, from the Kentucky/West Virginia line to the north, down to the North Carolina line to the south. The sites are quilt blocks painted on wooden squares and hung on barns and buildings throughout the participating communities. The quilt blocks were chosen as the theme because of their rich history of comfort, family, heritage and community. Quilt Trails can be seen in Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Madison, Watauga, and Yancey counties. Check out the website www.quilttrailswnc.org for more info and a map of current quilt locations.
Happy Stitching,
Melinda & Shirley

WS Classes for April - June 2008

Quilting in WS
Bargello Wall Hanging
This quilt always draws attention. You will need 10-12 fabrics to make this beautiful quilt. Looks difficult, but it isn't. This quilt is a lot of fun to make. Cost: $50 Monday, April 7th 10 – 4 Teacher: Gina Boone
BSR Basics
Come and build your confidence using you BSR. Stabilizers, batting, threads, needles and machine basics will be covered. Wednesday, May 21 @6pm Cost: $20 + kit fee Teacher: Muriel Riggs
Simply Simple Quilt – Bella
This quilt is designed for the new quilter. Cutting, piecing, general block & border construction will be covered. (Machine quilting will not be covered – this is a piecing class only) Kits will be available using the Northcott “Bella” fabric for purchase or choose your own fabric combinations. 2 Wednesdays, April 2 & 16 10 – 3 Cost: $60
Teacher: Muriel Riggs
STRIP COCKTAIL......a Jelly Roll Quilt
Choose a jelly roll in the fabrics of your choice for a fast quilt top to make. Construction time is cut short because the 2 1/2 inch strips are already cut for you.....or you can precut your own strips. This quilt looks great in any combination of colors. Come and sew for the day! Friday April 18 10:00 - 4:00pm Cost: $50.00 Teacher: Cathy Bogan
Hand Appliqué Techniques
You will learn 3 different ways to use freezer paper, Reverse appliqué, overlay, back basting, and many other techniques. We will take some time to get started on your own quilt. Bring fabric and pattern and you will get suggestions on the best technique for your block. No machine required. 2 Thursday, April 3 & 10 10a -2p Cost: $60 Teacher: Carrie Pippins
Landscape Quilting
Learn how to transform a small picture into an 18 x 20 wall quilt using your sewing machine. Bring in your favorite landscape photograph, still life art print, or a picture you like from a magazine. Using fabric, threads, beads, etc. you will transform your picture into a lovely wall hanging. Friday, 5/16 10 -5 Cost: $55 Teacher: Muriel Riggs
Quilt History Day
Candy will discuss "Quilting Fads and Fancies of the 20th Century." We will start in the 1890’s and continue through the second quilt revival, the period we are in now. Lecture attendees are encouraged to bring their own quilts of any time period for discussion. Written appraisals and verbal appraisals may be scheduled between noon and 5 pm. Written appraisals are $45 and include a written description, photograph and valuation. Verbal appraisals are $15, and include a discussion of the quilt and a valuation. If in doubt, Candy can help you decide which type of appraisal you will need depending on the value of the quilt and the reason for appraisal. Remember that contemporary quilts need appraisal too, as their replacement value may be quite high.

Free Motion free For All
Drop those feed dogs and learn to free-motion some easy (and not-so-easy) all over designs that will make your quilts look like you and your personality! We wilDrl also do some stencil exploration. Saturday, 6/14 @ 10 -4, Cost: $60 Teacher: Kay Preston
New York Beauty
We will learn to make our patterns and sew 4 inch
and 8 inch New York Beauty Blocks. The techniques used are paper piecing and sewing or “setting in” curves and you can use these techniques to create a tremendous number of visually amazing quilts. We will also discuss how to paper piece borders if you wish to use the same technique in your border as you did in your block. Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10 to 4PM Cost: $55 Teacher: Candy St. Lawrence

Feathered Star
One of the loveliest of all blocks, the Feathered Star is impressive as it is beautiful. Learn to piece the elegant Radiant Star the modern way with rotary cutting and fast bias triangles. We will use Marsha McCloskey’s techniques and her book. So by the end of our day you will be ready to piece any of the eight pointed feathered star varieties in her book. This class is best suited for intermediate level quilters or “confident beginners.” Cost: $55 June 13 in Winston-Salem 10A to 4P Teacher: Candy St. Lawrence

Elegant Table Runner
Your home will become elegant instantly when you display this beautiful table runner! March will be just around the corner and your topiary mortified runner will be ready. Using fusible web, stitching around edges of appliqué pieces and quilting are all the skills you will need . PS. The runner doesn’t have binding, but it sure likes it does!) Friday, April 11th

10 – 5 Cost: $50 Teacher: Jeannie Boles Friday, May 2nd 10:30 -5
Teacher: Candy St. Lawrence
$20 lecture fee, includes one verbal appraisal per person

Purses, Totes & Garments
Garden Fairy
This is a wonderful class for the beginning doll maker, as well as the experienced. You will learn how to create a sculpted face and body construction. Then have more fun by adding wings and embellishments. You will learn several ways to create your own doll hair. A great little doll for gift giving and easily transformed into an angel for Christmas giving. Friday, May 9, 10 – 4 Cost: $50 Teacher: Barbara Potoczny
Hollyhocks Wall Hanging
Learn the basics of Machine Needle Punch
by making this colorful wall hanging. Hollyhocks won a First Place in the North Carolina Quilt Symposium in 2006. Constructed on a black wool base, you will learn needle punching secrets with luxurious fabrics, as well as beading and much more. Bring your Bernina with the Punch Needle foot, or any other machine you have for needle felting, all makes are welcome.WARNING: Once you start machine needle felting, you will be addicted. It's so much fun! Monday, May 5th, 10 – 4 Cost: $50 Teacher: Barbara Potoczny
Edge Finishing

Edge Finishes Learn to give your jackets and other garments beautiful, creative, professionally finished edges. Mary will demo her bound notched collar, appliquéd binding, one-layer tailored edge, creative ways with facings, and more. Make samples in class. Friday, May 30, 10 – 12 Cost: $25 Teacher: Mary Ray
Start-With-A-Rectangle Jacket
Start-With-A-Rectangle Jacket Take a few measurements and design your own pattern for a stylish jacket based on Mary’s Start-with-a-Rectangle vest with underarm bust darts, collar, and optional tucks, pleats, or gathers at the waist. It’s an ideal project for the novice garment maker – with options for details to appeal to the more experienced sewer. Draft the pattern on paper or muslin, get the pattern fitted, and then make the jacket. Friday, May 30, 1 – 5pm & Saturday, May 31, 10a – 4p. Cost: $65

Fat-Quarter Bag

Put eight fat quarters, a lining, 2 handles, elastic, and thread into a black, top hat tap it with your magic wand and pull out a fat quarter bag. Come join the fun and make this easy, large bag. It holds a lot! Wednesday, 4/23 10 – 3 Cost: $45 Teacher: Jeannie Boyles
The Tilley Bag
The Tilley is a smart, compact handbag that you’ll want to have. It has room for everything you might want to carry in a medium size bag. Make it in a combination of two of your favorite fabrics and it will bring pizzazz into your wardrobe. Thursday, 5/22 10 – 4 Cost: $50 Teacher: Jeannie Boyles
Elegant Stitched Purse
Create a one of a kind purse using crazy quilting techniques. In this class, use all types of fancy fabrics to make a crazy patch. Then learn how to hand embroider a beautiful purse and make it your own by learning various hand embroidery methods, such as ribbon embroidery, stump work, Brazilian embroidery, and crazy quilt stitches. The possibilities are endless. Once you have the basic skills, you can then use them in other applications such as clothing, wall hangings or home decor.2 Wednesdays June 4 & 11 10 – 1 Cost:$50 Teacher: Andrea Kline
Hi Tech Tote
This bag is a padded bag for toting your lap top in style! Adjustable or stationary straps. Finished size 12”h by 15”w by 3”d. Saturday, June 7th 10 – 4 Cost: $50 Teacher: Muriel Riggs

(As samples of finished projects come in, pictures will be posted)

Creativity Flowed

We are back from our staff retreat at

The Magnola Manor B & B

in Warrenton, NC.
We laughed!

We ate!

We sewed!

We talked!

We walked!

It goes on and on and on.

The last night we stayed up late talking and laughing, not wanting the weekend to end.

Mary Ellen and Faye hard at work up stairs in the hall. Mary Ellen worked on a dress for her granddaughter and a quilt. Faye made a quilt top.

Ann finished this months BOM block and completed a guilt top.

Quilt top by Faye

Shirley working hard on one of her many projects.

Melinda hard at work on Easter dresses for her granddaughters.

Debbie and Martha cutting and sewing (and talking).

Susan working on her "pointless" quilt top.

Kay at work on her Weight lifting inspired quilt top.

Beautiful yellows, blues and green hand dyed silks. M-m-m-m-m-m!

We did do a little work. Faye is here putting her classes down on next quarters calendar for Melinda.

Candy is busy working on a beautiful star design on her tiny feather-lite machine.

Muriel is putting together her BOM Bright blocks from TWO years ago.

The other gals not pictured are camera sly. Terri worked on and completed a quilt top. Holly worked on and completed two quilt tops (they were UFO's). Joyce worked on two quilts, a black & white reversible quilt and a black & white Cat quilt. (I believe she likes Black & White, don't you?) Jeannie worked on a table topper and a Professional Tote. And last but not least, Judy worked on a Daisy quilt for her graddaughter Daisy.

The owners, Larry & Shelia Carver were wonderful hosts. The food was great. They and their staff did a wonderful job making our visit so productivity. Thanks for a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

It's Here!!! Bernina's Super Bowl Week Sales

It's Here!!! Bernina's Super Bowl Sale Week, with fabulous savings storewide.

All machines are specially priced, and Bernina is offering NO/INTEREST on any Bernina purchase over $1000 until 2010!!!!! (minimum monthly payment required)

Call to sign up for our Super Souper Bowl parties in either store. In Winston Salem join us Sunday from 1-4 or in Boone on Friday from 5-9pm.
In both stores we will have a delicous dinner, huge discounts, fantastic door prizes, and wonderful demos. In Boone we will welcome special guests- Lyn Lackey, our Bernina district manager who knows everything about Berninas,
Mary Ray, fashion designer, teacher, contributor to THREADS magazine, etc, Alice Davis, portrait artist, and Traci Warren, massage therapist. We have lots planned for you. Please call to sign up, 828-264-1049 or 336-760-1121.
We still have several used machines at greatly reduced prices. They will come with the remainder of the factory warranty and machine mastery classes!! These include (subject to prior sale)
Pfaff 2144 w/2170 upgrade
2170
Serger 4772
4842
4850
Bernina 170E w 185 upgrade
200 w 730 upgrade
153
165E
180E
430
440QE
240
440QE floor model
440QEE
200 w 730 upgrade
730E floor model

Thanks for your continued support and remember, IT' SEW TIME!!!!

Important reminders!!!!!!

Hope all of you are having a great week!!!!

We have a few important reminders:
Both stores are counting down the days until our Super "Souper Bowl parties. Join us for dinner, discounts, demos, door prizes and so much more! We will have NO INTEREST ON BERNINA PRODUCTS OVER $1000 UNTIL 2010!!!!! Machines will also be specially priced!!!!!

In Winston Salem, the party will be

Sunday February 3rd from 1-4.

In Boone, join us on Friday February 1st from 5-9 and meet Bernina District manager Lyn Lackey, Fashion Designer and contributing editor for THREADS magazine, Mary Ray, Portrait Artist- Alice Davis, have a chair massage by licensed Massage Therapist Traci Warren and Candy St. Lawrence will have a lecture on Redwork Quilts of the late 19th century!!!!

Be sure to call or come by either store to sign up!

We are receiving lots of new books, patterns and beautiful new fabrics. Be sure to check them out soon.

Bakers Dozens

Food for thought!

We have a store policy where if you buy 12 of anything---then you get the 13th free!

Buy 12 bobbins - get one free.

Buy 12 Spools of Isacord - get one free.

Buy 12 Fat Quarters - get one free.

We all like free Things!

Also remember if you purchase 30 Isacord threads - you get a

Thread Box free to keep them in!

(Special Pricing, too!)

Gently Used Machines

Just to bring you up to date. We have quite a few gently used machines for sale. If you are interested come by the shop in Winston

and check out the great deals on them.

We have:

1 - Artista 730 E Demo machine

1 - Artista 200E with 730 upgrade (includes BSR)

1 - Artista 630

2 - Aurora 440QE

1 - Artista 180E

1 - Artista 165E

1 - Virtuosa 153

Great Buys on Used Machines!

Certificate of Appreciation given to SO

Go Airborne!

On Saturday, January 12, 2008 Colonel John G. Chambliss with the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) came to the shop to give a Certificate of Appreciation for Sew Originals gifts of quilts to our Service men & women who were serving in Iraq.

The plaque reads:

16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne)

presents

Certificate of Appreciation

To

Sew Original

"For your absolute support to the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) and the United States Army. Your encouragement to deployed soldiers is greatly appreciated by all. Your commitment and devotion are deeply valued by those serving in Iraq and does not go unnoticed. Thank you for taking the time to brighten the day of a deployed soldier.

Airborne - All the Way!"

Also Shirley Bailey & Judi Low were given plaques that reads:

"This is to certify that

Shirley Bailey/Judi Low

has served with honor and distinction as a

U.S. Paratrooper

in the

Army's only Airborne Military Police Brigade

Her leadership and professionalism contributed immeasurably to

accomplishment of the Brigade mission and directly enhanced

the quality of life and combat readiness of it's soldiers.

In recognition of her dedicated service she is hereby designed a

Lifetime Member

of the

16th Military Police Brigade

Airborne"

Colonel John G. Chambliss

& Shirley

Colonel John G. Chambliss

&

Judi Low

The shop and its customers made quilts for our service men and women.

Thank you to all who helped Sew Original get this recogntion.

Souper Bowl Party Update

What a great time to finish up UFO's and start those wonderful new projects! For those of you lucky enough to receive a new Bernina for Christmas, be sure to sign up to take your Machine Mastery classes. We are so excited about our annual "Super Souper Bowl" Party". In Winston Salem it will be held Sunday February 3rd from 1-4 and in Boone on Friday February 1st, from 5-9pm. In both stores we will have dinner, discounts, demos and door prizes. Last year our party in Boone was snowed out so this year we are making it a real BIG CELEBRATION. Come meet our special guests: Lyn Lackey- Our Bernina District Manager (who just happens to be the #1 DM in the country!!!!!) Mary Ray- Fashion Designer and contributing Editor for THREADS magazine Alice Davis- Portrait Artist Traci Warren- will do chair massages, to help relieve those tired muscles after sewing! Candy St Lawrence will give a lecture on "Fantasy and Fairies: The Embroidered Quilt of . the late 19th Century".Be sure to call to sign up so we know how many to plan for! Winston Salem 336-760-1121,Boone-828-264-1049!

Souper Bowl Party in the Works!

Gee it's hard to believe it's the middle of January already! Sorry for the delay in posting. The New Year came in slow at SO, but is now back to full swing.

This is s

Save the Date invite

for our annual

"Souper Bowl Party"

Sunday, February 3rd, 2008

1pm - 4pm

(Winston Salem Store)

AND

Friday, February 1st, 2008

Check Store for time

(Boone Store)

Don't Forget $5 Quilt

Meets

January 15th @ 10, 2 & 6 and January 17th @ 6

this months blocks will be posted at the end of the week.

Upcoming classes In Winston Salem

January 14 - 1pm - Serger Mastery #1 , Basic Sewing @ 6 - 9

January 15 - $5 Quilt - 10, 3 & 6

January 16 - Simple Star Wall Quilt 10 - 1 OR 6 - 9

January 17 - Embroidery Club (Joyce in back!) 10, Machine Quilting for Beginners @ 1:30 and $5 Quilt @ 6

January 18 Machine Mastery # 5 @ 9:30 and Machine Mastery # 2 @ 1:30

(Thread Painting has been canceled on January 19th)

January 20 - Preparing for Machine Quilting @ 1:30 - 4:30

January 21 - Machine Quilting @ 10 - 4 and Basic Sewing @ 6

We have some great classes scheduled. Come by and see the beautiful samples of the classes planned by our teachers. They have put lots of thought and planning in their classes.