Virtual Bernina Club is coming to Bloomington!

More info forthcoming.... but you KNOW it's going to be fun!!

BeeTown Quilts -- A Common Thread

If you love beautiful things, you won’t want to miss this very special exhibit at the Mathers Museum!!

The Mathers Museum is located at 416 North Indiana Avenue in Bloomington, and is open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free.

I think I’ll have to go on Sunday!! See you there!!

and don't forget to redirect your bookmark to our new website!!

We've MOVED!!

Our website is nearly ready and the blog has been migrated.... so you can now find our blog here...



See you there!!

OESD Offers Virtual Training!!

OESD Virtual Training – Join us for classes taught by the educators at OESD!! We’ll connect online and learn lots of new tips and techniques for embroidery!! These are great classes for experienced embroiderers OR for those of you who are considering the purchase of an embroidery machine!

Cost is $5 per class. We will begin taking reservations on Feb 1! These classes are lecture only, so no supplies are required!

Date	Time	Topic	Notes
Tues Feb 5	3-4	“On The Edge”	Learn to do embroidery on the edge of anything—pant legs, tablecloths, shirt hems and more. Explore working with the unhoopable or the hard to hoop. We will focus on the tools that can make this type of embroidery simple to do.
Fri Feb 15	11:30-12:30 OR 3:30-4:30	“Explorations – See What the Talk is All About!”	Get an overview of how Explorations can make your embroidery easier and more fun
Thur Mar 13	3-4	“Designs That Do Tricks”	Are you familiar with the OESD embroidery designs that do tricks? We will look at many of our newer collections that feature something unique: applique, cutwork, and designs and projects completely stitched in the hoop. Come and see which design collections will do tricks! You are sure to receive a treat!
Wed Mar 19	11:30-12:30 OR 3:30-4:30	“Explorations – Part 1” (in a series of 4)	Lettering -You mean I can do all that? When exploring all the things you can do with the Lettering level, people are amazed they can do so much for so little!
Wed Apr 16	11:30-12:30 OR 3:30-4:30	“Explorations – Part 2”	Classic - Who knew planning a project could be so easy? See what the addition of Color Wheel, Cookie Cutters, Articles and Stitch Sequence can do to add to your embroidery success.
Tues Apr 22	3-4	“Three Hours or Less”	Are you looking for a last minute gift idea? Need a hostess gift and have no time to stitch? Come to this class and learn how to stitch gifts you can complete with your embroidery machine - in three hours or less!
Thur May 8	3-4	“Stabilize to Maximize”	How do you know which stabilizer to use for the tshirt you are making? This class will teach you the basics of embroidery stabilizers and give you guidelines for choosing the proper stabilizer for your fabric and design.
Tues May 20	11:30-12:30 OR 3:30-4:30	“Explorations – Part 3”	Galaxy or Options to add to Classic. Explore the possibilities with some great options like Reshape, Sequence as Selected/Slow Redraw, Buttonholes, Applique`.
Thur Jun 19	11:30-12:30 OR 3:30-4:30	“Explorations – Part 4”	Galaxy or Options to add to Classic. Explore Layout Wheel, Quilter, Multi-hooping, Stitches 'n' Effects, Circle-Ring-Star, Stipple Stitch and we'll also explore our new Add On Companion Software - Make It Stitches.
Tues Jun 24	3-4	“Embroidering on Paper”	Join the latest scrapbooking craze - learn to embroider and embellish paper! This class will give you guidelines on choosing the proper designs and using the proper materials and accessories to make your projects a success.

Yummy New Fabrics from Art Gallery Quilts!!

I love it when Dave, our FedEx driver backs the truck up to the door -- that means there's a bunch of boxes for him to unload -- and that usually means a new line of fabric has arrived!!

Yesterday, we received two beautiful lines from Art Gallery Quilts!! They're small lines, but they'll go beautifully with lots of the fabrics we have in the shop!

The Oriental Collection is soft and gorgeous...

The Feelings Collection is stunning!!

We also have the project sheets for both collections, so come in and enjoy them!!

Machine Embroidery Supplies at Shiisa Quilts

Come in and check out our embroidery supplies and collections!! We are an OESD dealer offering Embroidery Take-Out -- so you can choose to purchase a collection or a build-your-own pack of 10 or 20 designs! Licensed and non-licensed collections are available on a variety of media...

You can find embroidery designs online at
Please use our dealer number 101-07-0291




We also carry a complete line of OESD stablizers -- just what you need to make your embroidery look perfect! If you're confused by the vast array of stabilizers on the market, come in and let us help you choose just the right one for your project!



Why OESD brand stabilizers?

Consistent Quality:
Hold an OESD stabilizer up to the light; you’ll see the quality right away. Our products
are consistent throughout—no week spots or thick spots to worry about. We also provide
consistency from one roll to the next. You’re sure to have a quality product every time.

Stabililty:
In order for a stabilizer to provide a good clean sewout every time, it must be stable
enough not to stretch as it’s being hooped or sewn. This is true of OESD’s stabilizers,
which can provide the best sewout possible.

Multi-directional tear:
OESD’s tear-away stabilizers, are consistent throughout, providing a clean sewout and
easy removal when the embroidery is complete. Some tear-away stabilizers tear easily in
only one direction. (This also means they’re stronger in one direction than the other,
which can provide inconsistent results.)

Convenient Packaging:
OESD stabilizers come in rolls or die cut packages, cut to fit the various hoop sizes on
the market. Rolls and Die Cuts provide the most efficient use of the stabilizer, so there’s
little waste.

Variety of Products to Meet Every Need:
With everything from the most basic to specialized products, OESD has the right
stabilizer for every project. Each product is tested and retested to insure its quality and
usability.

Backed by Years of Experience:
OESD’s range of stabilizers comes to our customers from years of combined experience
in Industrial embroidery and Home Sewing. This unique blend of expertise leads us to
search for only the highest quality products.

Cut for the Cure Rulers from Nifty Notions

Shiisa Quilts carries the full line of Nifty Notions Cut for the Cure rulers designed by Kaye England!

CC rulers have several distinct advantages:

• Perfect sight lines and unmatched precision
• Read right to left and left to right
• Compatible set of squares, rectangles, and specialty rulers

Try them and see for yourself! Cut for the Cure rulers ensure accurate cuts and allow you to use one brand of ruler for all your cutting needs!

They are accurate, easy to read, and versatile! Each ruler is labeled with its size or specific job -- and includes a set of instructions for its use. Fourteen styles are currently available, with more specialty rulers in the planning stages. Choose your favorites or collect them all!

And most importantly... for every ruler sold, a donation is made to the Chicagoland Affiliate of the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation!

Bohemian Brights from In the Beginning Fabrics

Bohemian Brights just arrived today...

Oooooooh!! These are pretty!!! Here's a sneak peek at them... but you really need to come in to see them "in person"...

At the Park from Benartex is in!!

A new designer and a fresh new look! We loved Wilma’s designs the moment we saw them. From the adorable alligators on roller skates, to cuddly bears selling hot dogs with ketchup, anything is possible with the At The Park collection! Wilma’s designs have appeared on bedding, clothing, cards and books, delighting families everywhere. That’s why we’re so pleased to offer her first quilting collection. These fabrics have everything for fun children’s rooms, clothing and quilts--the possibilities are truly endless! It’s a wonderful way to spend the day At The Park!

to see the collection click here


Just a reminder that we're open this week -- Tues through Sat from 10 to 5!!

Fun With Fats!!

Shiisa Quilts held its very first special event on Friday night!!

Twenty very special customers joined us for an evening that started with pizza (from Pizza Express, of course!)... once everyone had fueled themselves for the labors ahead, we broke out the fat quarters... a whole LOT of fat quarters!!




Bonnie and Patricia demonstrated the folding instructions and everyone started to work... they were spurred on by the knowledge that someone would win a prize for folding the MOST fat quarters of the evening!! Tim Slack won that honor by folding 196 fats and won a starter kit of Soak. Tim swears that he would have folded more had he not run out of fats to fold!!









We had prizes for the youngest folder and the oldest folder as well as the folder with the nearest birthday!! Then we had prizes just because it's fun to give away prizes!!

After the work was finished, the Fats Folders and Fabric Fondlers (I think we need to start a club, don't you?) explored and shopped.



What a fun night it was!!

Our First Artista Sale!!

I'm a bit late posting this, but it's still exciting!!




Jacquelyn (on the right) took advantage of the Bernina Year-End Sale to purchase an Artista 730E... so in addition to getting Bernina's top-of-the-line embroidery machine, Jacquelyn will be Bernina's guest at an Exclusive VIP event reserved for 730E Anniversary Edition Owners!!

Jacquelyn's event begins with a Welcome Reception starting at 6pm on Wed., 4/9/08. The VIP treatment continues with a day of hands-on workshops presented by Bernina Educators on Thursday, 4/10/08. Unique shopping opportunities will be available that day. In the evening, Jacquelyn will use her VIP tickets to attend Preview Night of the Spring International Quilt Festival hosted at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Friday, April 11th Jacquelyn will be treated to a surprise visit from … well, if we told, it wouldn’t be a surprise!! Then she's off to view the exquisite Bernina Fashion Show and enjoy an elegant luncheon.

Shiisa Quilts is VERY excited to have a Jacquelyn attending this event in our name!! We can't WAIT to hear all about her great trip!!

Piece, Love, and Quilts from Benartex! Your Chance to Win a Bernina Aurora 440QE!!

Just in Time for the New Year, TWO fabulous new fabrics and a GREAT new contest! Just create a quilt using our City Girl or Woodstock fabrics and enter for a chance to win a fabulous prize.

Click the following for The Piece, Love and Quilts Contest Rules and Entry Form

YOU COULD WIN, one of the following prizes:

• A deluxe software from Electric Quilt!
• A Bernina Aurora 440 Quilter's Edition sewing machine with exclusive Bernina Stitch Regulator.
• A year's worth of fabrics from Benartex! or
• An all expense paid trip to Quilt Festival!* trip prize available for US/Canada entries only

And where can you FIND this fabulous fabric?? At Shiisa Quilts, of course!!

Robert Kaufmann's Quilt Quest 2008

Looking for something to spark your creativity? Color Theory may be JUST what you need!!

All About Color Theory

The official fabric collection of Quilt Quest ’08, Color Theory by Sandra Banavawill inspire you with its playful and bold color combinations in geometric patterns offered in a variety of scale. Color is so very important to every quilter, and this collection speaks to that obsession, stressing the importance of mastering color to master the art of quilts.

Shiisa Quilts has the entire line of Color Theory in stock -- just waiting for you to turn it into something beautiful and creative!

If you've been wondering... we're not really "open for business" yet, but we're happy to welcome visitors!! (and yes... the cash register is working, so if you just can't wait... we can indulge your impatience!!)

We will open officially on January 25th!! Our hours will be:

Tues/Thurs/Sat 10-5
Wed/Fri 10-8
Sun/Mon Closed

Our First Bernina Sale!!

Today was a very SPECIAL day for Shiisa Quilts and for Donna!! Donna bought her very first Bernina Aurora QE and became our very first Aurora owner!! It was pretty exciting for ALL of us!

Our Answer to the Jelly Roll...

Jelly Rolls are all the rage -there are lots of books and patterns for strip quilting using jelly rolls (2 1/2 inch strips)...

Well... we needed something that was uniquely Shiisa Quilts... so... we present...

Sushi Rolls!!

Although Bonnie worked hard to find just the right fabrics to make this first set look like a REAL sushi roll, Shiisa Quilts will offer a variety of Sushi Roll "flavors"...