Join Us As We Celebrate Our 4th Anniversary!

Posted by Diana Wendorf on

Welcome to What's Up Wednesday!   

Join us in celebrating our 4th-year Anniversary in style!  Our store is filled with specials and great prizes.  One lucky shopper will win our Grand Prize, which grants a 25% discount off all bolt fabric purchases for an entire year.  Please note that the Grand Prize discount excludes Minnesota Shop Hop fabric, Tilda fabric, and Cork.  For all of the details, please scroll down to the Classes and Events section of our newsletter.   

Aryn, from The Blue Fox, will be at our Marketfest booth on Thursday night.  If you're not familiar with Aryn she is the talented instructor for the Barn Quilting classes at Affinity For Quilts.  You'll have the opportunity to purchase pre-made Barn Quilts and various ornaments at her booth.  While you're at Marketfest, make sure to stop in for our Anniversary Sale and enter our Anniversary Drawing. 

The new Villa Rosa patterns are available! Whether you're interested in creating a quilt, or a table runner, the Villa Rosa patterns can serve as a great source of inspiration for your projects.

Our Quilt Minnesota Sample selection continues to grow!  Creating quilts with panels offers a great opportunity to showcase specific themes, motifs, or designs. It allows you to incorporate larger-scale imagery into your quilt while also incorporating complementary fabrics to enhance the overall aesthetic.  In Grand Prize, from Villa Rosa Designs we used the Quilt Minnesota State panel with 4 coordinating fabrics and one of the tonal fabrics for our background.  With a finished size of 51" x 69", this quilt makes a versatile project that could be used as a throw or a smaller bed quilt.

Enhance your table's appeal with a Minnesota style  runner featuring the Fly Away pattern, designed by Tricia Lynn Maloney of Orphan Quilt Design for Villa Rosa Patterns.  This runner measures 16" x 54" and is a wonderful way to use the 5" Quilt Minnesota squares you'll collect during your shop-hop adventure. 
Do you want to keep your craft projects in a single, convenient place?  Look no further than the Pucker-Up Project Tote from Bodobo Bags by Ticklegrass Designs.  This tote bag is specifically designed to meet every crafters' needs. The Petite Tote size was selected for our sample and measures 10-1/2" W x 5" D x 12" T.  If you'd like a larger option,  the Large Tote measuring 13-1/2" W x 5-1/2" D x 15" T is the ideal choice for you.  

July has arrived and the holiday fabric is starting to come into the store.  It seems there's a good reason we use the phrase "Christmas In July!"  Take a moment to explore the fabulous new holiday lines that are now here. 

Peek into the magical snow-dusted flora of Enchanted Forest, designed by Cori Dantini from Free Spirit Fabrics. Here, in the Enchanted Forest, playful animals frolic amongst speckled toadstools on the forest floor while gift-bearing Gnomes busily roam through the village with holiday spirit.

Baby, It's Gnomes Outside by Wilmington Prints is an adorable Christmas themed Gnome fabric collection featuring Santa gnomes, snowflakes, Christmas lights, and more!   Add this fabric to your next Christmas project for a fun look that is sure to delight the whole family for years to come. Whether you're making a Christmas tree skirt, quilt, or home decor item, these mischievous gnomes will add holiday spirit and silliness to your home.

If you are unable find an item you are looking for, please speak  to any member of the Affinity For Quilts team, and we will do our best to order it for you.  While we strive to carry a wide range of items to meet your quilting needs, there are certain products that may need to be special ordered.  

Classroom Space
Our classroom space is currently open.  If your group is looking for a place to meet, please contact Affinity For Quilts at 651-429-1039.  Evening meeting space is available, but please note that there will be a fee associated with evening meetings.  

Reoccurring Store Specials
  • Double Punch Tuesday: Every 1st Tuesday of the month.
  • Freebie Monday: Every 2nd Monday of the month.
  • FQ Wednesday:  Every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Buy 6 Get 7th Free.
  • Sale Wall Friday:  Every 4th Friday of the month. Take an extra 10% off all Sale Wall Fabrics. 

Sewing Machine Service
Is your sewing machine in need of tune-up or repair?  If so, Jordan is on-site to assist you with all of your machine needs.  When bringing your machine in for service, please remember to include the sewing machine, foot control, power cord, standard zig-zag foot (if your machine sews a zig zag stitch), bobbin case, bobbin and thread.  You can reach Jordan directly at  612-275-3356 to speak to him directly or to schedule an appointment. He is currently offering curbside pickup and delivery for your convenience.


The Quilting For Affinity Group
Share your finished projects!  Join the "Quilting For Affinity" Facebook group to share your work and be inspired by others. Just click here, and you will be redirected to the Facebook group.  Select 'join group' and you will be added.  It's that easy!  

 
Tip of the Week!  Use the same ruler for measuring, drawing, and cutting, throughout your entire project.  Surprisingly, an inch on one brand of ruler may not equal an inch on another brand.  
Just a reminder if you have a tip you would like to share with our readers just e-mail Diana at quilt@affinityforquilts.com.  
Classes and Events
In order to provide all of our customers with the opportunity to take classes, we require payment at the time of registration.  If you need to cancel, we kindly ask for 7-day prior notification to the class date.  This allows us to offer your spot to someone on our waitlist and refund your registration fee.  Thank you for understanding this policy and happy quilting everyone.

When you sign up for a class at Affinity For Quilts you will receive information regarding the class including any required supplies needed for the class and pre-class preparations.   Make  sure to review the supply/class prep list to ensure you have everything you need for a wonderful class experience.  If you sign up and pay by phone, don't worry, we can email you all of the necessary information for a successful class experience. 

If you are interested in an event and it is full, please add your name to the waitlist.  If a spot becomes available,  we will contact the first person on the waitlist to check their availability. 
The waitlist also helps us gauge the popularity of an event and determine if we should offer it again in the future.

You can register and pay for classes in person at 2199 4th Street, White Bear Lake Minnesota, or by phone at 651-429-1039.
 

Help Us Celebrate 4 Years
Affinity For Quilts Anniversary Sale


Join us from July 10th thru July 15th as we celebrate our fourth anniversary! Get ready for a chance to win fantastic prizes and enjoy special store-wide savings.  

  • Grand prize:  One lucky customer will receive 25% off all bolt fabric purchases for 1 year.  Please note that this excludes Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop fabric, Tilda fabric, and Cork.  

  • First Place Prize:  Gift Basket filled with quilting goodies. 

  • Second Place Prize:  A $50 Gift Certificate.

  • Third Place Prize:  Two 3-Yard Quilt Books of your choice.

During the sale, we'll have the following discounts:

  • 20% off all bolt fabric purchases (excluding Quilt Minnesota, Tilda, cork and Sale fabrics).
  • 15% off all pre-cuts.

  • 10% off all kits (Excluding Quilt Minnesota and Tilda fabrics).

  • An additional 10% off all sale wall fabric.


No purchase is necessary to enter any of the prize drawing mentioned above.  Simply visit our store between July 10th and July 15th,  fill out an entry form, and you're in!   The drawing will take place on July 17th, and winners will be notified.  Increase your chances of winning by visiting multiple times during the week and entering again.   

Dates:  July 10th thru the 15th, 2023
Time:  9am-5pm

Open Embroidery With Sharon

Bring in your embroidery projects, or follow along with Sharon as she stitches Crabapple Hill's newest embroidery Block Of the Month Superstition.  The group will meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 10:00am-3:30pm.  Feel free to bring you lunch, or you can always go out and grab a bite to eat with your fellow stitching buddies at any of the great restaurants in Downtown White Bear Lake.  Sharon will be available to answer any questions you may have.  Remember to bring your Show and Tell.

Date:  Thursday, July 13, 2023
           Thursday, July 20, 2023
Time:  10:00am-3:30pm
Class Fee:  $12.00
Instructor:  Sharon Lenertz
Midnight Open Sew

Are you looking for a fun way to spend a Friday night? Join Diana for Midnight Open Sew. Bring your current project, machine, and basic quilting supplies for 8 fun filled hours of just sewing.  This month we will be having pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad, and Cherry Pie Bars for dessert.

New for 2023, show-and-tell!  Inspire your fellow quilters with your handiwork.  We will be having show-and-tell after supper, at approximately 6:30pm.     

***Please note the date change.  This is the third Saturday because of the start of Quilt Minnesota on July 28th.   

We currently have five spaces open.  


Date:   Friday, July 21, 2023 
Time:  4:00pm-Midnight
Event Host: Diana Wendorf
Class Fee:  $20.00
Lone Star Tote Class

Create a custom tote bag to show off your quilty skills! This tote leaves a lot of room for adding your own personalized touch with your fabric choices, the lone star layout and finally quilting your design. It is the perfect summer bag! Natalie's experience teaching and her relaxed teaching style will make this a day of creating you won't want to miss!
 

Class Prep: There is some cutting completed prior to class

Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023
Time: 9:30am – 4:30 pm
Instructor: Natalie Novacek
Class Fee:  $55.00
Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner/Intermediate

There will be a half hour break for lunch

Sew-In-Sunday

Are you ready to spend the day quilting with friends?  Bring your own project(s) to work on and spend the day sewing!  Dinner will be served at 5pm.  This month we will be having pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad, and Cherry Pie Bars for dessert.


New for 2023, show-and-tell!  Inspire your fellow quilters with your handiwork.  We will be having show-and-tell prior to supper, at approximately 4:30pm.   

Date:   Sunday, July 23, 2023   
Time:  1:00pm - 7:00pm 
Event Host: Diana Wendorf

Class Fee:  $20.00
17th Annual Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop

We are counting down the days until the start of Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop 2023.  If you have not seen the fabric line for Shop Hop 2023, take a minute and do so.   Affinity For Quilts is currently taking pre-orders for the 2023 Quilt Minnesota fabric line.  To reserve your fabric go to  www.affinityforquilts.com, click on shop and choose Quilt Minnesota 2023 or follow this link to go directly to the Quilt Minnesota 2023 fabrics.  For your convenience, all Quilt Minnesota 2023 fabrics are set up with a price of $0.00.  Beginning July 25, 2023 we will call customers to obtain payment information.  Once payment is received, we will get your order packaged.  Preorders will be ready for  pickup or shipping on July 28, 2023.  

Dates:  July 28, 2023 thru August 19, 2023
Hours:  Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
             Sunday 11am-5pm
Jelly-Roll Placemat Class                 

Learn all the skills needed to make the popular jelly roll rug, with less commitment of time and materials. The class time will allow you to complete a 15 x 20- inch place-mat to use at your table or as a decorative accent. Kris is an expert on making this project and will provide her own hints and tips for success. Enjoy watching your colorful project grow. A sewing machine with zig-zag stitch at least 5.5mm wide is required for this class.

Class Prep: This project requires 2 ½ ” strips. Students can use a jelly-roll or cut their own strips prior to class.

Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023
Time: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructors: Kris Livingston
Class Fee:  $35.00
Skill Level: Beginner 

Boro Sashiko

Join Tammy for the Boro  Sashiko class.  In this class you will combine your fabric scraps with Sashiko embroidery to create beautiful textile art. This is a great way for quilters to put  favorite leftover bits of fabric to use. This will be a raw edge, hand sewn project. You will learn about creating variations too! Gather your fabric scraps, scissors and embroidery supplies and begin creating using the Japanese tradition of Boro Sashiko. 

No Sashiko stitching experience necessary. 


Date:  Saturday, August 12,  2023
Time: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Instructor: Tammy Berry
Class Fee: $25.00
Sashiko Stitching Club

Join our instructor led open Sashiko stitching group.  During your time together, you will be able to work on your own individual projects and get tips and pointers from other stitchers, and our beloved and talented instructor Tammy Berry. During each club Tammy arrives prepared to share patterns, techniques, or a new project. Participants will also receive a 15% discount for their Sashiko supplies, and fabric purchases.  Discount exclude thread, notions and Quilt MN fabrics.

Be sure to call today to reserve your spot in this fun club!


Date:  Wednesday, August 16, 2023  
Time:  12:30pm-3:30pm
Instructor:  Tammy Berry
Class Fee:  $12.00
Singer Featherweight Machine Maintenance Class

Spend the morning with Jordan to learn how to take care of your Singer Featherweight sewing machine. In this class you will be inspecting, oiling, cleaning, and sewing on your machine!  You will leave this class knowing the dos and don'ts of these great old Singer machines.  

Class Prep: There is no class prep for this class

Date: Monday, September 11, 2023
Time:10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructors: Jordan Frayne 
Class Fee:  $20.00

One Block Wonder Panel Quilt

2part class

Join Becky in this two part class as she guides you through the steps to create a stunning watercolor style quilt. Learn how to transform fabric panels into kaleidoscope blocks that beautifully frame your chosen panel. Discover the art of intensifying colors and adding movement to create a captivating quilt. The finished size of this project will vary depending on the panel chosen for your project.

Dates & Times:  Saturday,  August 26, 2023   9:30 am – 1:30
                      Sunday, September 10, 2023   12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Instructor:  Becky Umenthum    
Class Fee: $55.00

 

Beginning Quilting

Join us for our 3 part Beginning Quilting class to learn the very basics of quilt making. In this class you will learn how to use the rotary cutter, cutting mat, basic quilt ruler, reading a quilt pattern while creating the Burn Bright quilt top . Diana will lead you through the steps to create this fun beginner quilt top. The pattern we have chosen is by Morgan McCollough from Modernly Morgan and is created with the beginner quilter in mind. A straight stitch sewing machine is required for this class.

Dates: September 19, October 3 & October 17, 2023
Time:  9:30 am - 12:30 pm or 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 
Class Fee: $50.00
Instructor: Diana Wendorf
Barn Quilt Block Painting Class

Join Aryn and create your own unique barn quilt design on reclaimed barn wood! Locally sourced, carefully selected, sanded and assembled. Choose from nine beautiful designs! Pick your own color scheme and relax at Affinity For Quilts in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Designs include:
1. Pinwheel
2. Flag
3. Faded Star
4. Friendship Star
5. Marigold
6. Hidden Cross
7. Blue Cross
8. Tulips
9. Pumpkin

Registration is handled by The Blue Fox and must be done using the link below.  The $50.00 class fee includes all supplies needed for the call.  Follow the link below to register: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/395665475087

Date:  Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time:  1:00pm - 4:00pm
Instructor:  Aryn Lill
Class Fee:  $50.00  Follow like above to register.  Class fee includes all supplies.

Beaming Quilt Class

Join Sue for the Beaming quilt class. While this quilt looks difficult it is easy to create and quick to finish. You will practice half square triangle and flying geese techniques. The over-sized blocks will give you the opportunity to practice squaring up your blocks so that they fit together nicely. Choose from three different sizes - Baby, Lap, and Bed size. Though you may not finish in class (especially if you choose the largest size) you will leave the class having the skills to finish your project at home in very little time.

Class Prep: There is cutting required at home before the day of class.

There will be a half hour break for lunch

Date: Friday, September 29, 2023
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Sue Severiano
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Class Fee:  $55.00

 

Beginning Applique Class

Join Linda for our Beginning Applique class. Using the book 'First Time Applique' by Janet Pittman, Linda will guide you through each step for machine applique from tracing, to cutting and finishing. Choose from 5 different applique projects to start with or plan for all of them! A sewing machine with zig zag stitch is required for this class.

Class Prep: There is a little cutting and attaching interfacing required at home before the day of class

Date:        Saturday, September 30, 2023
Time:        10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor:    Linda Heimerl
Skill Level:    Beginner
Class Fee:    $55.00

Laura Heine Teeny Tiny Collage Class

Join Lori for a day of fabric collage! During this all day class you will learn how to assemble one of Laura Heine's whimsical Teeny Tiny Collages. These fun projects are a great way to use up those fabric pieces that you have been saving for just the right thing. This project is it, you have found it! Our in store sample is just one of several pattern choices for this class. The results are beautiful and the possibilities are endless!

Date:  Saturday, October 7, 2023
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Instructor: Lori Adameitz 
Class Fee: $45.00

Apron Class

Join Kris to create Minnesota designer Mary Mulari’s popular crisscross apron. Choose from the adult or child size pattern! This pattern design is reversible and slips easily over the head with no ties. Consider novelty prints for holiday baking or for a fun gift. Kris will provide ideas for apron customization and tips for making the process to create this project even easier, including cutting patterns with the rotary cutter and quick patch pockets.


Teacher, Kris Livingston enjoys encouraging others in the creative process of sewing. She has 20 plus years of experience.

Date:        Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time:        9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor:    Kris Livingston
SkillLevel:    All skill levels welcome
Class Fee:    $35.00

Thank you for your continued support, you are appreciated more than words can ever express.

Stay well and happy quilting everyone.   Remember, you cannot keep a good quilter down.

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