Updating again. Due to the unpredictability of the weather in March we have decided to hold the Grids and Grommets Purse Class in April instead. That will be Saturday April 18th at 10am. We're also in the midst of planning a Shop Hop. We will be participating with Saintly Stitches in St. Ansgar and Debbie's in Osage. To be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1st and 2nd. Put those dates on your calendar for Fun, Food and Fats!

March Happenings

Greetings Knitters and Quilters,
Another nasty winter month has come and gone; we’re one month closer to spring and spring-time activities. At Stitches… we’ve enjoyed a busy winter but we, too, are anxious for warmth and sunshine! March can fool us; one day warm, next day blizzard, so watch out! I was born in a blizzard in March- better than a blizzard in April. Stitches… is looking forward to participating in the “Chucktown Chickfest”
April 4th and 5th. There will be demonstrations, prizes, food and fun. Plan to come in for a visit that weekend.

Quilters:
Just to let you know, Stitches… does have some new fabrics. A collection called Timeless Grace by Thimbleberries RJR and some great new Batiks. The very popular purse classes will continue. Specifically, Grids and Grommets, March 21st. Sign up now for a spot in that class.

Also, a quilt class - Carpenter’s Star will be held on March 28th. This a very basic class with a great looking quilt top. Kits will be available. Come in and see the sample and sign up.
Lunch is provided in both of those classes.

We’re still planning to have the “Duvet in a Day” class when we get a good number of participants. (a duvet is a cover for a quilt – do you have a down comforter that needs a cover?)

Knitters & Crocheters:
Under the pergola : Beginning crochet on Saturdays in March.
Please join us from 2-4pm if you want to learn to crochet. The first Saturday will be
“the stitches” and the following Saturdays will be easy projects.
We will continue knitting around the fireplace on Saturdays, too. Finish your socks and mittens or start a new project (a felted purse?).

To all friends of Stitches…
Thank you to all who have supported us and given us encouragement through our beginning months. We at Stitches… are learning what our clients need and want. Hopefully, we’re providing a service and supplies to our area to make your lives easier and more enjoyable. We hope it is a win/win for all.

Come in any time and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee or a soda and some conversation.

Hi Friends,

Lots of busy times at Stitches... these days. Saturday was a class for purse makers and they revelled in the Grids & Grommets Bag; so awesome and such a different look. Ginny Young led 10 enthusiasts through the directions and instructions to a new purse.

Last Wednesday was our first session of Block of the Month and 25 quilters came out on a much warmer evening than the original night of -25 degrees. We were wise to postpone. The quilt is called "Everything's Coming Up Roses". This is a great way to start the year.

The knitters have been busy, too. The sock class is progressing nicely and you are welcome to join any time because someone is alway starting a new sock. We are all at different stages of sock making after 15 minutes. Some of the class members have started on the second pair and some are still making the first sock. It really isn't as difficult as I first thought it would be. If you have not been in lately, stop in and see our cupcake wallhangings, pictured above (kits available) and the duvet will be on display this week for the first time. This is a class offering at the end of the month. On February 14th, Stitches... is offering a beginning quilting class taught by Deb Steere. It is a small quilt that can be expanded from a wall hanging size if desired and has 3 different blocks. The class participants will have a completed quilt top ready for quilting at the end of the day. Class will be from 10am to 3pm.

Hey Stitches... Friends,
Can you believe I have time to blog again this week. I am going to try to make time to update every few days so Stitches... stays current. The sock class is in full swing for Satudays in January. We'll be working on the heel this Saturday and maybe turning the heel, too. They're starting to take shape.
Coming up soon :
Saturday January 24th 10am Grids & Grommets Purse class (sign up now by phone or
email)
Duvet in a Day Class will be announced soon. Just couldn't get ready in January.
February will be KNIT MITTENS! at 2pm on Saturdays.
February will also bring a beginning quilting class. Watch for the announcement soon.
That's it for now. Have a good weekend.

Wow, what a winter. Are we going to survive this blast of Arctic air? Sorry to have to postpone the Block of the Month session but it was just too dangerous. And lots of our
participants live in the country. We'll plan on next Wednesday at 6:30pm. That's the 21st. Again, if you cannot make a session you can stop in any time and get instructions and fabric or it can be mailed to you.



The sock class is off and running and we're excited about doing the flap and turning the heel. If you are already ahead of the class and doing those things or even on the next sock, come anyway and enjoy the sunshine, fireplace, and commeraderie.



Just to let you know ----- it's mittens in February. That's Saturday afternoons from 2-4 pm.

If you don't want to make mittens for yourself or your own family or friends there are always school children without mittens. What a great contribution to make.

Happy New Year!

Quilters…
Join us for a fun filled year of sewing and socializing. We have lots of activities and new fabrics and notions monthly. New fabric collection: Feedsack (from the 30s).

Classes & Clubs :
January 10th: Grommet Purse Class, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call now to sign up

January 14th: 1st session of Block of the Month, 6:30 p.m.

January 17th: Duvet in a Day Class, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.


Knitters…
Under the Pergola with Mary Green: Tuesdays 1:30 to 5 p.m.

Around the Fireplace: Thursdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring your projects or learn to knit or crochet

Saturday afternoons: 2 to 4 p.m. Starting Jan 10th, Sock class 4 Saturdays


Let us know if there is something you would like to have for a class. We're always open to suggestions.

Hello Friends of Stitches...

The Holiday Open House which was also my Grand Opening was a great success even though the weather has turned and snow, sleet, and rain were a part of our weekend, too. Oh, well, that will get us in the mood for Christmas and motivate us to get some Christmas gift projects going. If you are sick of giving those plastic gifts from China come into the shop and look around at all the hand made, special projects that can thrill your family and friends. They're fun to make, inexpensive and much more meaningful.

New activities at the shop include:

Thursday night open sewing downstairs in our sewing room.

Thursday night knitting around the fireplace (beginners or bring your projects & knit)

No need to register, just come and enjoy!

Refreshments available.

Saturday, November 15th 10am Christmas Tree Skirt Class (must sign up ahead of time)

Saturday November 22nd 10am Christmas Placemats & Tablerunner (sign up ahead of time)

Saturday November 22nd 1pm Beginning Quilting (sign up ahead of time)

Saturday November 29th 10am Bow Tie Purse (sign up ahead of time)

(If you cannot come into the shop to sign up you may email @ charlescitystitches@gmail.com

or call me on the phone 641-228-3383

Hope you will enjoy the season. Making hand made gifts makes it so much more meaningful.