What we've been up to lately

We enjoyed our twelve days of fun at the Minnesota State Fair. The weather was perfect and we met many new quilters and sewers. Immediatly after the fair was over Karol and I were off to Madison, WI for the Quilt Expo put on by Wisconsin Public Television and Nancy Zieman Productions. This is a wonderful show and well worth the 4 1/2 hour drive. You would think we would want to take a break...not at the Sampler. Our fall newsletter is out and classes are filling fast. In October the Sampler will be celebrating 25 years in business. We have many special events planned (25 days of fun) so check out our website, http://www.the-sampler.com/ or call for a newsletter, 952-934-5307. New merchandise is lining the shelves and new samples are up to inspire you. We are excited to announce we now carry original hand dyed fabrics by Diane Swallen. You will not be able to resist these beautiful fabrics. I can't wait to put them into a special project.

Here is a peek at some of the new samples we have been working on.
And the Sampler wouldn't be the same without something new from Kaffe Fasset. We just received his new book, Quilt Romance. It is a beautiful book, full of great quilts.
There are also some great deals on Bernina sewing machines coming up that will be hard to resist. Stop by and talk with Tracy or Sandy about getting a new sewing machine before winter rolls in. Don't forget we service all sewing machines right in the store. Rick is a certified technician and takes care of all makes and models. See you at the Sampler......Mary

Wow!

The Sampler is transforming into a wonderful world of color. The new fabrics keep getting better and better. One of my favorites is this fun bright green and blue collection. I had a customer in recently who is going to make a baby quilt out of these fabrics. How much fun is that.

This blue and white collection is gorgeous and would be a great addition to anyone's stash. You will love the new Philip Jacobs and Kaffe Fassett fabrics that are now on the shelves. Here is a small taste. I know you will love them. One of our favorite designers, Lori Allison has shared a great idea with us using these fabrics. She the perfect Philip Jacobs fabric and turned it into a very fashionable shower curtain. She was nice enough to provide us with the instructions. If you are interested in the instructions please contact the shop. I know my bathroom could use a facelift and plan on using Lori's idea very soon. Thanks Lori for sharing. We are busy preparing for the Minnesota State Fair. Be sure to stop by our booth in the Creative Activities Building Annex. We will have the new Clover bow maker for you to check out, along with quilt kits, apron kits, and much more. Of course there will be great deals on Bernina sewing machines that you won't want to miss. Tracy and Sandy will be around to give you all the details.

We keep adding new classes for the fall. Our newsletter will be ready this week. Check out our website for details. http://www.the-sampler.com/ or call us at 952-934-5307. We can also be reached by email: sampler@the-sampler.com

Welcome to the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop

We are looking forward to seeing everyone during the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. Cathy Guy has outdone herself this year with a wonderful quilt made from this years fabric. Patterns will be available as well as a limited number of kits. We also have some small projects available including a tablerunner and a checkerboard! If the Minnesota fabrics and projects aren't enough to tempt you just wait until you see the new Westminster fabrics that are now in stock. We have some fabulous Kaffe Fassestt, Philip Jacobs and Brandon Mably fabrics. Be sure and stop by during the shop hop and pick up your free block pattern and 5" square of the Minnesota fabric. Happy Hopping, Mary

New Look

We've made a few changes at the Sampler. We have designed a space especially for the next generation of sewers/quilters. This space is full of fun fabrics, terrific ideas, books and much more. We have also included the best Bernina sewing machines for the beginning sewer.
You are now greeted by a wonderful display of new quilts and fabrics. Take a look at all that color. The quilt you see is made from a gradated fabric and black fabric. It is really something to see. We have also started to put together a machine embroidery area. The thread has been moved and soon all the other essentials for embroidery will be together. In the midst of these changes the quilt shop goes on as usual. New fabrics, books, patterns and notions keep coming in. We are gearing up for Quilt Minnesota which starts July 31st. I think you will love the projects and quilts we have put together with the Quilt Minnesota fabric. Be sure and come in to see our new look and shop the new fabrics and ideas.

Summertime fun!

Lots of new fabrics have started to roll in to the Sampler. Check out these great decorator weight fabrics. This fabric would work for clothing as well as tote bags. You will also find a nice selection of the laminated fabrics everyone is wild about. We have a wonderful new tote bag pattern designed by our Bernina Manager and quilt designer Tracy Trevethan. The pattern works great with the laminated fabrics. We also received a line of brights that would work for great in quilts or clothing for little girls. Make sure you check out the new class list which includes a couple classes on clothing for little girls. Summer may have only begun but Christmas fabrics have started to arrive at the Sampler. Come in to see this fun line of fabrics from In The Beginning. We also have a book of patterns to use with these fabrics.

We have some fun events coming up this summer. Starting with the annual 4th of July Quilt Show. We are taking registrations now. There is a $150 gift certificate given for viewer favorite quilt.

Also on July 18th the Minnesota Road Show is coming to the Sampler. There will be demonstrations of techniques from 6 different Minnesota designers. This is an all day event which includes lunch, door prizes and lots of great information. All for $20. More information can be found on our website

www.the-sampler.com. The Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop will be starting July 31st. The fabrics for this year are in the shop. We are taking preorders and will have it cut and ready for you on the 31st. Be sure to check out all the bus options for the shop hop. This year there are many opportunities to get to more shops. Check out www.quiltminnesota.com for more

information. Have a fun start to your summer and be sure to stop by and see us at the Sampler.

Spring is here!

Karol and I are just back from being vendors at two fantastic quilt shows, the International Quilt Festival in Chicago and The American Quilters Society show in Paducah, KY. We had a great time talking to quilters from all over the world. Both shows are wonderful and should be on every quilters to do list. If you would like to see pictures of the quilts from the shows go to http://www.americanquilter.com/ and http://www.quilts.com/ .

The picture on the left is our booth at the show in Chicago and the one on the right is our booth in Paducah. Now that we are back we are gearing up for the Twin City Shop Hop. That starts April 30th. We love seeing all the quilters who come out for this event. Join us Thursday and Friday from 9-9 and Saturday from 9-5. We have great new demostrations for you to watch, new products on the shelves and new quilts hanging everywhere. Hope to see you, Mary

Something for everyone

Recently we received a shipment of fabulous new fabrics from some of our favorite designers, Amy Butler, Philip Jacobs and Martha Negley. We can't wait to start using these wonderful fabrics in new projects. Here is a taste of the some of the new fabrics.
As you may know Wendy Fedie is no longer our Bernina manager. She didn't actually retire, she will be filling in in the Bernina department and teaching a class or two. Tracy Trevethan has joined us as the Bernina manager. She is no stranger to the Sampler, having worked here several years ago. Tracy is an accomplished quilter, teacher, and pattern designer. She is very familiar with Bernina sewing machines and will be able to answer all your questions. Look at the fun terry cloth slippers she embroidered the other day.

The Amazing Sewing Race began in January. We started in California and are now in Nevada. Everyone will be busy doing card trick blocks this month. Our small project this month was a fun punchcard holder. There is still time to join the race. The patterns are easy and the show and tell is fabulous. There is always something new at the Sampler, stop by and see us soon. Check our our website, http://www.the-sampler.com/ for all the latest. Mary

CUSTOMER QUILT

Polly taught the Bella Bella quilt class last year and one of her students recently sent a picture of her completed quilt. She loves it and has it hanging in her newly remodeled and redecorated living room. We love it too and congratulate her on a speedy completion. Polly will be teaching Bella Bella again this summer so be sure to check our website, www.the-sampler.com , for the class schedule as we get closer to that time.

Applique Fun at The Sampler

Two Wednesday's a month a group of customers meet at the Sampler to enjoy the art of hand applique. We call it Applique Antics. They work on their own projects and get questions answers by the staff. Linda Sander began this quilt in a William Morris applique class at The Sampler. It is now finished and hangs in her home. We love show and tell and love Linda's quilt. If you are interested in a hand applique class or in the Applique Antics gatherings check out our website http://www.the-sampler.com/ for dates and times. Mary

Greeting you at the front entrance to the Sampler is a beautiful heart quilt called For The Love designed by Kay M. Capps Cross and made by Polly North . You will also find a great display full of valentine treats ready to stitch up for that special someone. A fun new fabric called Just Desserts arrived in time to make up some tasty nonfattening treats for your sweetheart. Cathy Stiele made up a darling tablerunner using this fabric. It's a must see. My favorite new addition is a fabric called Hot Flash by Free Spirit. This is a crazy fabric with lots of bright, fun colors. I'm excited to see what projects come out of this fabric line.
On another note, our winter class list is out and there are many new classes and events for you to look into, including a Stash Blaster club, Exploring Curved Piecing, Little Charmers Jumper, and Free Motion Feather Machine Quilting to name a few. Also there is still time to join us in the Amazing Sewing Race North America. We have something special planned every month. Check out our website http://www.the-sampler.com/ or stop by the shop for more information. Keep on quilting, Mary