Waterwheel House Quilt Shop

Improvisational Quilting Club

Starting in January, we will be hosting an "Improv Quilting Club".  This club, limited to 10 participants, will meet the last Friday of every month for five months from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. The club will consist of two Series.  Series I will meet in January, February, March, April and May.  Series II will meet in July, August, September, October and November.  You may sign up for one or both series.

What is "Improvisational Quilting"?  For us here at the Quilt Shop it means starting with an idea or inspiration and sewing without a set pattern.  For example, in my Matisse Quilt, my inspiration came from the "Matisse"  focus fabric.  I fussy cut the fabric and framed these squares with sashing.  I then strip pieced strips in compatible fabrics and subcut these strip sets into units. I sewed the pieces back together  adding other strips of various widths until I got my desired block sizes.  This is a somewhat intuitive process.  Here are some photos of this quilt.

Framed focus fabric block.

A closer look.

The improv blocks.

There will be 2 introductory classes on Improv Quilting.  Friday, January 14th from 10:30-12:30 and Saturday, January 22nd from 10:30-12:30.  In these classes you will learn some intuitive piecing tecniques based on an idea or an inspiration.  If you are new to the idea of "Modern" improvisational quilting this is a good place to start.  You can then decide if this club is for you.

If you join the Improv Club, Series I, you will meet with the group the last Friday morning in January, February, March, April and May.  In each meeting you will be presented with an idea, inspiration or challenge.  You will start your small project at this meeting and will come back the following month with a finished piece or work in progress. Before each meeting you will be emailed a materials and supply list.

This group's focus will be on creativity and sewing without patterns.  You will be encouraged to use your own stash of fabrics, art supplies and embellishments.  We are very, very excited about this concept.  The best part of the club will be the coming together of "like minds" and sharing ideas through "Show and Tell".

We all ready have 5 interested members for the club so please call the shop to sign up soon to be included.

Our schedule of classes for January is full of fun projects!  It will be posted on our web site www.waterwheelhouse.com next week or you can pick one up at the shop.

Happy New Year to all our Quilting and Sewing Friends,

Shelley, Judith, Kelly, Meg, Faith and Grace

December Shop Tour

 
Welcome to the Waterwheel House Quilt Shop!  Not Your Granny's Quilt Shop! Located on Route 100 between Londonderry and Weston in Vermont.

Walk up our porch ramp and view some of our beautiful quilt samples for sale. Our samples feature fabric, books and patterns that we carry inside the shop.

 
Come through our front door into our first room filled with  seasonal fabric from the industry's best designers. Plus the best notions, books and patterns available. We strive to carry the newest in modern books and patterns.  We do our research to bring you titles by Elizabeth Hartmann, Cherri House,Amy Butler, Kaffe Fasset, Boo Davis, Denyse Schmidt and more... 

 
 Browse the back showroom for the latest Kaffe Fasset, Philip Jacobs, Amy Butler, Michael Miller, Lakehouse, Andover Dimples, Solids, Batiks, neutrals and Japanese fabrics.

 
Here's Gracie our "Official Greeter" napping in front of our charming kiddy fabric by David Walker for Free Spirit.  We have fabric growth charts and alphabet panels too!

 
More kiddy fabric including adorable flannels are here in our small side room.  Some of our home-dec fabric by Denyse Schmidt(County Fair) and Amy Butler solids are housed here.  We also carry a line of "Kwik Sew" patterns for the novice garment maker (or quilter, like me!)  We have books and patterns to make clothes for 18" dolls and doll making supplies too!

 
In what was once the original living room of this old house, you will find unique flannels and lucious wools and wool felt.  We carry moda wool as well as "Weeks Dye Works" and National Nonwovens wool/felt blends.  For our hand embroidery friends we have Finca #12 perle cottons in an array of colors for cross stitching, wool applique and redwork.  Here you will also find wonderful books and patterns that feature wool and embroidery projects.

 
Art Quilting Supplies occupy a portion of this space.  We feature supplies to alter fabric such as Shiva Oil Paint Stix, Rubbing Plates and Stencils from Cedar Canyon. fabric paints and dyes, Angelina Fibers, foils, fabric markers, wool blank bags to embellish  with charms from "Art Girlz", wool roving and felting equipment, buttons and more!

 
We have a beautiful,bright classroom with sewing machines you can borrow for classes.  A full schedule of classes is published each month.  Brush up on your quarter inch seams, piecing and finishing skills or take a beginner class to learn to quilt.  Art quilting, tote bags, wearables and more are offered each month.  Save 10% off of all fabric, tools and supplies needed for your class.

 
Shelley and Meg work on "squaring up" a quilt.  Large tables, cutting mats and rulers make the job a snap! We supply irons and big boards for pressing as well.  Join us every Tuesday for "Open Sewing" sit and sew with friends on your own sewing projects for just $5!

We also offer ""Long Arm" Quilting Services with competitive rates and fast turn around time.

We have clubs, classes and events.  To stay posted join my email list.  Email me at shellesas@waterwheelhouse.com

 
Happy Sewing!  Hope to see you soon,

Shelley

Thanks to Nancy Terhune Photography for these beautiful pictures!

New For November

Just want to share some new stuff with you. 
New line by Kaffe Fassett , additions to his "Liberty" Collection.  Love the tea pots!

Doggies and Roosters, great novelty prints.

Latest Book of full size patterns for those American Girl Dolls.  Too cute!

 

We have been waiting for this book to be released.  I think it is the best instructional guide to piecing and quilting published to date.  Elizabeth Hartman has a winner here.  We have 8 copies left!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at these bright flannels.  Fabulous!

More new from Westminster's Kaffe Fassett Collective.

Rex the Robot, from the book by Boo Davis "Dare To Be Square"  Kelly is hard at work on these wonder!  You sew girl!

More adorable flannel to whip up a quick baby gift!

Wonderful prints by Martha Negly. Cut up and use with lots of white, oh yeah!

I made this quilt "Paper Roses" with fabric from Kathy Davis' new line "Journey's" from Free Spirit.

Just released this clever, clever book of small gifts to make with a Scandinavian flair.  Love it, love it!

There is much more to share but gotta go...

Happy Sewing,

Shelley

 

October Classes & News

Gracie's got a new necklace!  Perfect for October, who doesn't love candy corn?

This is an easy pattern and I can make her seasonal collars! 

Here are some of the latest offerings in patterns and books from the Waterwheel House Quilt Shop

 
Two new halloween patterns from "Bird Brain Designs" 

Another "Easy Peasy" runner made up in our owl fabric.  Kit  $14

Fall Penny Rug Table Runner and Coaster Pattern.

Wise old owl, pincushion pattern from "Bunny Hill"

We love this pin keep!

Wonderful Wool!!!

We now carry, handmade, ceramic buttons by Jennifer Jangles- the perfect accents for any project.  

Got buttons? This new book shows you how to create fab projects!

More gifts to make from felt from this clever book, now in stock.

Fresh and modern home dec projects pack this new book by Joel Dewberry.

Charming projects that combine piecework with cross stitch.  We carry Finca embroidery perle cotton, the best!

We are totally in love with the projects in this new book.  Take a peak inside...

This dolly has a few dots of velcro on her body and hair to attach these darling outfits.  How fun is this???

 These patterns can  also be embroidered for a darling small quilt any child would love.

Love to play dress up! 

We search and search for the latest and greatest books and patterns for our quilt shop.  Hope you like some of our newest gems for Autumn.   Click on any picture to see a larger view

   October Classes & Events

Every Tuesday, 10:30 AM-3:30 PM- "Open Sewing     $5 No Instructor.  Sew with friends and meet new ones.

Every Sunday, 1 PM-4 PM       Finishing School $15    Finish projects with an Instructor.  Learn  basting, layering, quilting, squaring up, binding and other finishing techniques. Work on any project  or any technique.  No Finishing School on Sunday, October 31st.

Saturday, October 9th, 10:30 am          "$5 Club", Sold Out

Friday, October 15th, 1 PM-4 PM - "1 Million Pillowcase Challenge"  Free

Wednesday, October 20th, 10:30 AM-4:30 PM-  "Modern HolidayWreath" Wall Hanging by Jason Yenter/  $20  plus kit fee.

Thursday, October 21st, 5 PM-8 PM - "Soup & Sew"  "Walk About" wallhanging.  Materials list, wing clipper tool req.      $20 Includes a light supper!  Advanced Beginner

Friday, October 22nd, 1- 5 PM- "Bella Bag" hand bag. Materials List     $20

Wednesday, October 27th, 10:30 AM-2:30 PM- "Easy Striped Table Runner"  Materials List, 60 degree ruler req.    $20

Thursday, October 28th, 5 PM-8 PM  "Soup & Sew"  "Walk About" wallhanging.  Materials list, wing clipper tool req.   $20 Includes a  light supper.  Advanced Beginner

Friday, October 29th -Sunday October 31st- Retreat Weekend with Froncie Quinn  Call the "Colonial House Inn" for more info  802-824-6286

Schedule your own "Retreat Weekend"  Quilting friends of 4 or more stay at the "Colonial House Inn" and sew at the Waterwheel House Quilt Shop.  Select a project or just sew on projects in progress.  Teachers are available and the Colonial House has special rates for participants.  www.cohoinn.com

Announcing our 2nd Quilter's Challenge for Autumn and early Winter!

Rules for this challenge are as follows.  Use only solid or fabrics that read as solids( such as "Dimples" or other tiny prints) and 2 1/2" squares. 

 You may use just 2 colors or more. Quilt can be any size. 

We are offering bundles of solids in any colorway-  25 F.Q.'s for $25.  Call to order and we can ship. 

 Our Pot Luck Party and Show&Tell will be scheduled in early February, so you have lots of time. 

Please call or email to be added to the list of Challengers.  We will have prizes for many categories. 

Our 1st Challenge "9 Patch" this summer was such fun we can't wait to start this new contest.

For inspiration look at quilts by Amish or Gee's Bend, read Cherri House's new book, "City Quilts" or view the following websites-  www.dsquilts.com, www.filminthefridge.com, www.flickr.com/groups/freshmodernquilts, or www.ohfransson.com

In the mean time,  Happy Sewing,

Shelley, Judith, Kelly, Kim, Meg and Gracie