Christopher Straub Speaks at The Sampler

On Friday, March 12 over 30 lucky customers heard Christopher Straub of Project Runway fame speak about his experience on the show, how he was chosen to be on the show and what he is designing now. The question and answer period lasted a couple of hours. Christopher answered all those fun questions about Project Runway. Two of Christopher's handbags were given away to lucky attendees.

Claudia Clark Myers at The Sampler

We were thrilled to have award winning quilter, designer and author, Claudia Clark Myers share her talents with a group of quilters on Sunday, March 7. The quilters spent a day learning new techniques and being inspired by some of Claudia's beautiful quilts.





























Claudia taught some great paper piecing techniques. Everyone had time to practice and achieve some great results.





































Claudia shared many of the quilts from her new book.
Everyone had a wonderful time and we look forward to having more quilting events like this one at the Sampler.



Coming up Friday March 12 Christopher Straub of Project Runway fame will be speaking at the Sampler. Visit our website www.the-sampler.com for details.

Excited New Quilters

Our Beginning Quilt class just finished up their sessions with teacher Diane Entrikin. We wanted to show off their accomplishments. They had a lot of fun and are ready to start on their next quilting project.






























Be sure to watch for new classes and events coming soon to the Sampler. We are especially thrilled to have Christopher Straub of Project Runway fame coming to speak at the shop on Friday, March 12. Check out our new website www.the-sampler.com for details.

What we're talking about at the Sampler this month!

The Carousel Lap Quilt
From: Cozy Modern Quilts book
Here is just a sample of what this quilt looks like. It is fast becoming a customer favorite. The rich colors and great textures bring this quilt alive.

Here is another quilt filled with texture. The Seashell fabric is from Westminster Fabrics by Phillip Jacobs. It looks great combined with Kaffe Fassett fabrics. The pattern is called Midnight Garden.

And speaking of texture....We are very excited about the fabrics from Art of Possibility Studio, designed by George Mendoza for Free Spirit Fabrics. Art of Possibity
Studios represent physically disabled artists. Find out more at their website.
http://www.aopstudios.com/ We have a sample, quilted beautifully by Shannon Atwill, hanging at the shop. Mary Deeney quilted the one on the left for her son's apartment.

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