Long Arm Success with Linda V.Taylor!
Are you daunted by the prospect of doing your own quilting once the top of your project has been completed?  Well, it's time to step out of your comfort zone and let a master help you learn the joys of quilting your own work.  Join us every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Classrooms  as Linda V. Taylor shares her tips and tricks, as well as the fundamentals of long arm quilting.  With three new classes each week, we know you will be wondering why you didn't try this fun and creative method sooner.   Click here to join the class.

Paola (left) and Livia (right) Rovaris

Global Tour Part 2:  A Stitcher's Double Delight
As we continue our tour around the globe, let us venture a little bit further south in Europe to the city of Torino, a city Italy that the Rovaris sisters call home.  While working at the Houston Quilt Festival we found their charming booth just around the corner from ours.  Decked out in homespun red and white ticking, the booth exuded a warmth and hospitality amidst the hustle and bustle of the Festival around us.  In an age where so much is made by machine, it was a breath of fresh air to see that everything they design is made by hand, including these monogram pendant necklaces.

  
                                     Monogram Pendant Necklaces by Rovaris

While cross stitch have waned in some areas over the past few years, it is very much alive and well in Europe according to the Rovaris sisters. Their small business, born from their love of cross stitch, has grown over the past ten years by leaps and bounds.  But, as is often the case, the road that lead them to where they are today came from a much different direction. To read more visit our Articles page here.   

TQS "Quilters Choice" Contest!
How would you like to win money for your original quilt creation?  With the holidays just around the corner, those winnings could go a long way towards the purchase of something on your wish list.  In honor of the season, we challenge you to come up with a quilted or wool project that expresses the glories of Fall. It’s the time of bountiful harvest, so let your imagination go wild. The contest, which is open to all TQS members (Basic/Star), runs from October 18-December 15, 2010.

As an added bit of inspiration--and to get you in the mood--we're sharing the pattern for this autumn table runner. With the help of the AccuQuilt Go! Rose of Sharon die set, each of the small pieces were cut in no time flat, and the Olfa 45mm Wave Blade made easy work of cutting the multicolored edging. With all the elements cut and ready to go, you can get to the fun part--the needlework!  To download the pattern, visit our Projects page here. For more information about the TQS Quilter's Choice Contest, click here. 

Holiday Train.  Courtesy of Chicago Weekend Fun

Holiday Celebrations
The holidays have begun and what are you going to do with those out of town visitors?  Such is the question posed by many.  TQS has found a few events that will help you entertain the young and old while at the same time keep your sanity.

• Ride the Holiday Train in Chicago, IL.  The train's cars, decked inside and out with holiday lights, include Santa and his helpers who are there to hand out treats to riding passengers.  For more info click here.
• See the Zoo Light at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL. In addition to the Zoo Light the zoo includes giant snow globes, and other amazing scenes sure to delight.  Click here
  for more info.
• Take the gang on the Window Walking tour of some of New York City's finest window displays.  From Macy's to Bloomindales's the spectacular scenes in the windows make for a festive way to spend an evening out of doors.  Click here for more info.
  
• Listen to the sounds of Nashville's Music City Bronze December 12 + 13, 2010.  This hand bell ensemble be sharing two free holiday music concerts.  Click here for more info.
• Learn the art of baking yeast rolls and breads from an expert--a grandmother.  Join seniors at Hadley Park on December 15, 2010 for a morning of baking fun and taste testing afterwards.  Click here for more info.
• Visit historic Colonial Williamsburg, VA.  During the entire month of December step back in time as this historic village offers everything from music, spectacular fireworks, walking tours, wreath making workshops, and more.  For more info click here.
• Drive the family through nearly a mile of spectacular holiday scenes illuminated by over 1 million lights at Santa's Ranch in New Braunfels,TX .  More than one hundred displays and animation is sure to impress even the grouchiest of scrooges. Click here for more info. 
• Step back in time by visiting the town of Quedlinburg, Germany.  This thousand year old town, filled with hundreds of half-timbered homes, participates each year in drawing visitors from around the globe to share in the delights of an old fashioned Christmas Market. Don't miss Germany's largest Advent calendar.  Each day the door of one of twenty four homes near the castle is opened.  For more info click here. 
• Check out the best holiday lights display in Adelaide.  Drive the family through some of the more festive neighborhoods of Adelaide, Australia.  Click here for more info.

Look for Carnival by Red Rooster is available at your local quilt store in Dec/Jan.
Tip of the Week:  Washing Fat Quarters
We just received a fat quarters packet from Red Rooster called Carnival.  For those who love the combination of black, red, and white, this is a real treat.  But, how best to wash these small pieces of fabric.  Due to their small size fat quarters need to be given a bit more care than larger pieces of fabric.We saw a similar question posted in the Forum asking for advice on the best way to pre-wash fat quarters.  A number of TQS member shared their tips on handling these and other small bits of fabric:

• Snip off a small bit of one corner of the fat quarter before washing to prevent raveling.
• Put fabric in a mesh lingerie bag before tossing in the washing machine.
• Wash fat quarters in the sink or a small wash basin and line dry. 
  
• Place fat quarters in a pillow case.  Tie end of pillow case in a knot and toss in the washing machine.
• David Taylor (Episode 406) serges all four edges of his fabrics before washing.

Cyber Monday Sale Extended
TQS is clearing the shelve and extending the incredible Cyber Sale through the end of this week!  Don't miss the big "After Thanksgiving Sale".  Huge savings on books, BOM kits and more.  Quantities are limited, so don't delay.  Start your Holiday shopping with us here!