Class list and latest info

 Although I am no longer open 10-5 5 days a week I am open By Appointment. You only need to give me an approximate time and I will try and be there for you. I have had a relaxing time since December and now feel like teaching a few classes so below are the classes I have scheduled for April and May. If you are interested in participating then please call or message me and I'll pass on the details.

Applique Raw Edge - postcard Wednesday 20 April 6:30pm - 9:30pm 

Dianne will show you how you can make a small item like a fabric postcard) using a raw edge fusible design and machine stitching. The techniques you learn on the small project can be used for larger projects as well. Choose your own design or from Dianne's selection, you'll also learn how to colour to enhance your design.

Inktense Pencils - how to us them on fabric, choice of 2 classes one night or one daytime

Thursday 28 April 6:30pm - 9:30pm OR Friday 29 April 930am - 12:30pm

Dianne will share her knowledge of using these wonderful Inktense pencils on fabric, with Textile medium which makes them like a watercolour, great for blending. You can create your own designs and also use on existing preprinted fabrics. If you don't have the pencils you can use Dianne's for a materials fee.

Cathedral Window Patchwork - Tuesday 17 May 6:30pm - 9:30pm OR Saturday 21 May 10am - 4pm

Dianne has a super easy technique for making cathedral window patchwork using squares of fabric from 2" up to 8". Learn the "technique only" in the shorter night time class or spend a whole day creating lots of blocks to use in a bigger project, or get a small project mostly done in class.

Making Your Mark on Fabric - Sunday 29 May 10am - 4pm

Dianne loves to make her own designs on fabric and has a large selection of techniques to share with you. You will paint on fabric using a variety of household objects, stencils, stamps, textures, sun printing and more. You can paint fabric with your own designs and also colour over an existing preprinted fabric that you no longer like, making it much more modern and usable rather than throwing it out.

Please call, email or message Dianne for more details and to book your place in class, here in Palmerston North.

Look forward to hearing from you 

Dianne

Retiring Sale

 I have decided to semi retire, so our last day of being open as a "bricks & mortar"store will be Saturday 4th December. 

Almost everything in store is 40-50% off original retail price. There are a few exclusions (batting, Brother sewing feet and machines, magazines). I will still do some online sales and will continue with teaching (both local and around NZ) and will still design and create patchwork patterns and kits.  I will not be open 5 days a week anymore. From about February/March 2022 I will also do some machine quilting for other people as I will then (hopefully) have time, but I do not want a full time occupation doing this so this will be limited. I will still have some batting and backing fabrics available for this. We will be open Tuesday 30 Nov to Friday 3rd December 10-5pm and Saturday 4 December 10-1pm (or later if you contact me ) and then we will close the doors.

Because of my teaching I will also continue to sell some of the more unusual items such as the Inktense Pencils and Blocks (there will be more classes using these); fabric paints and pens; handpainted fabrics; I will also still sell Brother machines and accessories, Scan n Cut machines (and run a couple of classes in using these); handmade lampshades kits and a little more. 

My contact details all remain the same and we will still live on site as we currently do.

Wishing you all the best for the Christmas and New Year.

Dianne

Sale this weekend only

 We are having a 25% off sale, for almost everything in store, this weekend Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October 10am - 4pm. Exclusions are sewing machines and feet, batting, magazines, gift vouchers and items already on sale. We'd love you to come and visit and see what there is. Selected fabric panels are marked at HALF PRICE.

This weekend is also Rose City Quilters "Celebration of Quilts" Exhibition at the Leisure Centre, Ferguson St Palmerston North, Sat 23 and Sun 24, 10am - 4pm Entry only $5. Why not visit the quilt show at the Leisure Centre and check out our sale at 318 College St Palmerston North and stock up with bargains.

Best wishes to all, remember to wear your masks. 

Dianne

Quilters Weekend Out

 This weekend, 25th & 26th September, is the Quilters Weekend Out. Visit Village Books & Crafts and Amiee's Homestead Quilts in Palmerston North, Fox's Cottage Quilts & Wool in Foxton and Cherry Pie Bernina and Plume Art + Stitch in Levin. We will each have specials and offers for this weekend and you will collect a FREE house block design from each store, so by the time you have been to each you will have 5 different house blocks to use in any way you choose. Each shop will also have a finished project as a pattern and possibly a kit for sale.

I have made a Funky House Bench Pillow using 3 house blocks in both modern Kaffe Fassett fabrics (called Fassett Street) and a more traditional country style version (called Hilltop Lane). Both are available as a pattern $10 and limited kits available for $50 which have the pattern and all the fabrics to complete it.

A fun weekend, visiting local quilt shops and checking out what each shop is doing. Have fun, see you soon. 

Dianne

Club Meeting 27 September 2021

 “Rose City Quilters’ Club night will still go ahead on Monday, 27 September 2021.

If Palmerston North is still in Covid-19 Level 2, then there will be a maximum of 50 people allowed in the venue (you will need to register at rosecityquilters@gmail.com) however the meeting will be livestreamed and you will be provided with a link.  More details will be given after we have heard the Covid Level announcement next Monday, 20 September.

 

If Palmerston North moves to Covid-19 Level 1, the Club meeting will be held as normal unless the government has some new Level 1 restrictions.  Again, we will provide details  after 20 September.

 

In the meantime, please make sure you look after yourselves.

 

Kay Booth,

President, Rose City Quilters”

More new stock

 My order from Australia has finally arrived after 1 month delay. So we now have in stock the Rotating Cutting Mats. A 30cm x 30cm Mat is $44.80 and the 45cm x 45cm is $97.00. These make life so easy as you don't have to turn your fabric, just the mat, and you don't have to run around the table to cut from the other side. 

Also in the box was a Birch Mini Crafting Iron which is not even as big as my hand, so portable and easy to use. $45.30

More stocks of the Magnetic Handbag Buttons arrived in as well. Small in nickel and antique brass  ($4.90) and large in antique brass ($5.20)

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.. We close at 5pm tonight (Christmas Eve) and have a 4 day break, then we reopen on Tuesday 29 December, Wednesday 30th & Thursday 31st December 10am - 5pm, then close for another 4 day weekend and reopen on Tuesday 5th January 2021.

Best wishes to one and all, thank you for an interesting 2020.

New stock in for Christmas

 Some new items have just arrived in from the US, but they have taken quite a long time to get here, unfortunately. Check out these wonderful Silicone Iron Rests from Gypsy Quilter, $14 each 10.5" x 5.5" in a colourful selection of lime green, purple and red. These are great because when you are doing a lot of ironing you can leave the iron face down on them without damaging your ironing board.

Another item in the parcel were Keychains for Quilters. These have 2 different images on them - Sewing Bee and Quilter. Only $12.50 each.

Frixion Pens are back in stock, black only $7.50 each for fine. These are great for use on fabric but really should only be used on very light colours (white & Cream) as when they are ironed to remove the black markings they do leave a faint white line (due to the gel pen component they use in the pen).

We also got more of the Inkjet printable fabric sheets in , so have plenty of those for you over the holidays. Only $4 per A4 sheet.

Wishing everyone a Lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year. We do hope you get some time for yourself to create, enjoy. Dianne

Club Member wins NZ Quilt Challenge

 Earlier this week club member Sheryl Meech was announced as the winner of the 2020 Brother NZ Quilt Challenge. Congratulations to Sheryl. Here is a photo of her quilt and being presented with her prize - a Brother PQ1500SL sewing machine, which she has had a play with and loves.

Maybe next year more of you might enter too. I know there were at least 3 entries from our region this year. We have a very good record of success from RCQ. 

Wishing you all the best for the Christmas season from the committee, Rose City Quilters.

Brother NZ Quilt Challenge

Brother NZ Quilt Challenge 2020 winner

Today Christine from Brother NZ and I surprised Sheryl Meech in Levin with a visit to tell her she had won this years Brother NZ Quilt Challenge. She was very surprised and loved her prize which is a PQ1500SL, semi industrial sewing machine ideal for quilting and piecing.

 here are Sheryl (left) and Christine (right) being socially distanced.

Enjoy using the machine Sheryl, it is a beauty.

Congratulations and thank you to Brother for running this competition.

Dianne

 

Cracker Snaps

 Are you thinking of making your own Christmas Crackers this year? If so we carry Cracker Snaps so you get the "bang" in your crackers. Still only $4 for a packet of 10 snaps, discount if you buy 5 or more packets. They are really easy to make and you get what you want inside, so you can theme the gift to your guests. 

New Pattern

 I designed a new pattern a couple of weeks ago that has proved very popular. I do have patterns or kits available.

It is about 15" x 27" and makes up very easily. Patterns are $12 and kits are $48, they contain everything you need to make it including batting, backing and binding.

Dianne

Quilters Road Trip

 Quilters Road Trip, this weekend Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 October 10am - 3pm. Visit each of the 5 stores in the region - Village Books & Crafts, Amiee's Homestead Quilts, Fox's Cottage Quilts & Wool, Cherry Pie Bernina and Plume Art + Stitch. Each store will be offering specials/ or a sales table, plus each store will have quilts on display, lots of goodies and a couple of hidden letters that you need to look for. There are 2 sets of 2 letters hidden in each store, find them, write them down and then decipher what the words are. Complete the entry form and leave it at one of the stores. You are then in with a chance to win one of 5 gift baskets. Have a wonderful time travelling around on your Road Trip and Good Luck. 

I will have Wendy from Wombat Crafts with her wonderful Mosaics on site displaying and selling her lovely pieces. Mosaic and patchwork go hand in hand don't they.

Love to see you this weekend. New stock just in - some wonderful landscape fabrics and some new fabric covered button style jewellery.

Dianne

Quilt Show

 This weekend I am a merchant at the Wairarapa Quilters Quilt Show in Carterton at the Carterton Events Centre, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18,19 &20th September 10am -4pm $5 entry fee. This is our only quilt show this year, as all others were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. There are 6 merchants on site and lots of quilts on display for you to enjoy and be inspired by. Look forward to seeing you there. We have lots of goodies on the stall to tempt you.

Dianne 

New books arrived in store

 I just opened a parcel and there are some books, Yay. Been waiting for a few of these for a while.

Check these out 

Red & White Quilts $50

14 quilts with timeless appeal in red & white fabrics. Amazing what you can do with 2 colours.

Simply Stunning Seamless Quilts $65.00

14 striking projects using easy-to-cut outline designs, fusible techniques and no piecing. Some beautiful quilts in this book.

Miniature Quilts $45.00

15 exquisite miniature quilts designed by Kumiko Frydl, all less than 24" square. Full colour diagrams and clear instructions. Some absolutely amazing quilts in this book, you have to check it out.

Rainbow Quilts $60.00

Scrap bag sensations. Organise your colourful fabric scraps into usable pieces to sew beginner friendly quilts with personality. Lots of lovely an very colourful quilts for you to use up those scraps. 

Rulerwork Quilting Idea Book $48.00

Stitch 59 designs using 6 basic quilting ruler shapes including straight lines, circles and squiggles. A basic introduction to rulerwork with tons of helpful information on using quilting rulers and ruler feet.

 

Jill Maas Cloth Doll Class

 Jill Maas is coming once again to teach a cloth doll class for us 29/30 August. This 2 day class is $125 (+$10 pattern fee). You get to choose from 2 new dolls - Molly or Emma and her pig Pandora.

Gorgeous aren't they!

Do contact me if you are interested in joining in with this fun class.

Dianne

New stock in store

 Last week we received in some lovely new Janet Clare fabrics. Fresh colours in green, cream and a blue grey (or some may say grey blue) which look really good together. Simple blocks and patterns can use this style of fabric to best advantage. NZ$31.50 per metre.

Fabric Strip Club #26

 I find it hard to believe that I haven't posted since the middle of May. Oh dear, so sorry, so many things going on. It is time for the next Fabric Strip Club as well, that time goes by so fast. Number 24 was in July and for that I chose to play with Ombre fabrics as I love the effect they give. My photo is below.

Don't you love the shading from light to dark, some parts seem to glow because of this.

 I did #25 in July using William Morris Fabrics and it was very well received.

The pattern I created here reminded me of a village square or a knot garden. Done in the softer colours of William Morris it looks really good but can also be done in most other fabric styles and colours.

Patterns are available for only $8, although if you call and check us out on Fabric Strip Club day (2nd Saturday each month) then the patterns are only $6 each. Plus we offer you a discount on purchases that day and spot prizes. I also show you the techniques I use for that particular quilt design.

For the club on Saturday 8th August I have designed a new pattern and for this one I chose to use children's fabrics but once again, you can use any style of fabric you like. I think this would look great in black, tan, cream, with maybe rust in there as well.

Look forward to seeing you

Dianne

Open Again

Hello to everyone, as of today we are allowed to reopen and have you instore but in limited numbers and requesting that you please stay 1m apart where possible. Hand sanitiser is available in store if required. We do ask that you please complete the contact tracing register as per guidelines, these details will be kept private and not used for any other purpose.
We'd love to see you in store and be able to assist you where possible. Seeing fabric in the "flesh" so to speak is the best way, photos never do colours as they really are.
Please call in, we are operating under normal hours (10am - 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am - 1pm on Saturday). We do appreciate everyone who purchased items from us over lockdown, paying in advance and waiting whilst Level 4 was in operation and then pre-ordering and collecting once in Level 3. Your support has been wonderful and we APPRECIATE you.
Dianne

Lockdown Level 3 means we can operate online

Hello, I hope you are all surviving okay under our Lockdown. As the Government announced yesterday that we will move to Level 3 on Tuesday 28th April then we will be able to sell online and over the phone but unfortunately you cannot come into the shop. Since I don't really have anything but this blog and Facebook as my online I am happy to send photos of anything in particular that anyone is wanting more detail about. That would help you see what I am referring to and maybe you can choose from that.We operate from a studio at the back of our house so it is separate from the home and there is only my husband and me, we can leave items on the front porch for collection, or if local, we may be able to deliver to your door. If out of town then we can send by courier to you. Payment can be made by bank transfer or Paypal if you want to use a credit card. You can ring on (06)3555735 or you can email dianneandcolin@inspire.net.nz or direct message on Facebook and I will be happy to try to assist you.
Dianne

Quilting in Lockdown

We are just nearing the end of our first week in lockdown. I am lucky because I work from home, my business is run from a studio at the back of my house. It seems very strange not going out there Tuesday to Saturday as we are currently not allowed to open as we are a non-essential business and we want everyone to remain safe by staying away from each other. We are not able to do mail order as the couriers are required to serve essential services so that will have to wait until we are able once again to sell items. But there is no harm in checking out what has arrived in.....
The Thursday after closing down we had a shipment of Batik fabrics arrive in, which had been held up at customs for a few weeks. So sad that everyone cannot come in and see them but I will post pictures here for you to see them.
These first batiks are 112cm wide and are NZ$26.80 per metre. Beautiful aren't they!

These next 2 photos are for 275cm wide fabrics that are NZ$40.80 per metre. I love the stripe variations in these ones. They just make you want to do something with them.

There are some lovely patterns that come with these as well. it is amazing what you can do with striped fabric. Most of these patterns use only one of these striped fabrics to achieve the pattern

And then there are the striped fabric backgrounds that have silhouettes over them....

These all look wonderful using the fantastic stripes of these batiks. I will be cutting some background packs to go with these patterns soon. 

Dianne