A million thank you’s are in

order! I don’t know how to sincerely

thank you enough for your continued

patronage of Thimble Towne. From just

thinking of us as your first stop for your

quilting and sewing needs, to attending a

class or two, the quilting community

continues to show me that Thimble

Towne has done, and continues to do

right, by you quilters and sewers on a

daily basis.

This was particularly evident

with the first ever Central California Quilt

& Sew Retreat that not only sold out in

just over a month, but had a wait list too!

Based off of your enthusiasm and interest

we have decided to make the retreat an

annual event; dates to be announced soon!

We continue to bring you a

variety of classes, workshops, and events,

and hope to keep you eager and excited to

attend. One such retreat coming up is the

much anticipated Judy Niemeyer Bali

Wedding Star Retreat taught by Certified

Instructor Patsy Carpenter. This is Judy’s

most sought after pattern ever created!

We still have a few open spots so be sure

to sign up as soon as possible!

This class calendar continues to

deliver some amazing classes and starts

2015 off on the right foot. Be sure to take

advantage of the free training sessions we

are offering and, if you have recently

purchased a Baby Lock Destiny from us,

your training schedule has been set for you

to learn the “ins & outs” of this amazing

machine!

National Baby Lock Educator RLarry

Touchette is back with two serger training

classes and a great table runner project

class. You’ll have to see for yourself some

of the amazing things you can make, all on

your serger!

Enough talking though, read on ahead and

check out the class offerings for yourself!

See ya around “Towne”

- Jeremy &

The Amazing Thimble Towne Crew

Spring Into Towne…

Thimble Towne

400 West Caldwell Ave. Ste. F

Visalia, CA 93277

(559) 627-5778

www.ThimbleTowne.com

www.facebook.com/ThimbleTowne

COMING

SOON!

JUDY

NIEMEYER

SHOW

&

TELL

STAY TUNED

FOR

DETAILS!

Volume 3, Issue 1

Spring 2015

Talk Of The Towne Thimble Towne

CALLING ALL QUILTERS!

Only one month to go before the entries

deadline for the:

20th Annual

Best Of The Valley

Quilt Show!

The entries must be postmarked by the

February 14th deadline.

Be sure to visit the show website for

more entry information at:

www.BOTVQuilts.com

OR

pick up your entry at the shop!

Beginning Quilting 101: Just Cant Cut It This class is designed to teach you quilting from square one. Learn to properly cut fabric using rotary cutters, master the ¼” seam and piece together your first quilt top. This class will teach you the basics necessary to move forward on your quilting adventure.

Instructor: Barbara Phillips Instructor: Barbara Phillips Dates: Mon. 1/26, 2/2 & 2/9 Dates: Mon. 4/6, 4/13, & 4/20 Time: 10 am to 1 pm -OR- Time: 6 pm to 9 pm Fee: $40.00 plus supplies Fee: $40.00 plus supplies

Beginning Quilting 102: Simple Sampler Quilt You’ve graduated from BQ: 101 and now its time to take the next step in your quilting education! Create this gorgeous sampler quilt while learning a variety of quilting techniques. This pattern will teach you how to make; half square triangles, flying geese, quarter square triangles, strip piecing and more!

Instructor: Barbara Phillips Dates: Monday, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, & 3/23 Times: 10am to 1pm Fee: $75 plus supplies

Introduction To Paper Piecing:

Have you wanted to learn how to paper piece but maybe feel a little intimidated by the size of the projects? Well, worry no more. We have the solution for you! Using Judy Niemeyer’s Charm Elements patterns, Certified Instructor Patsy Carpenter, will guide you through the very basics of paper piecing. You can turn your project into a table topper, a pillow, wall hanging, or make a few more blocks and turn it into your own quilt design!

Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Thursday, 1/29 Times: 10 am to 4 pm Fee: $30 plus supplies

Finish It With Patsy: Have a few unfinished Judy Niemeyer projects? Need a little more guidance to finish them? If so, this class is for you! You will

have access to Certified Instructor Patsy Carpenter all day to give you the extra help you may need!

Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Wednesday, 2/4

Times: 10 am - 4 pm Fee: $30

Page 2 Volume 3, Issue 1

2015 Spring Classes

Talk Of The Towne Page 3

2015 Spring Classes Intro To EmbroideryWorks Software: Back by popular demand! The most popular features in embroidery software have come together in EmbroideryWorks. EmbroideryWorks Everyday comes with all of the essential editing tools you use daily. It provides embroiderers with a toolbox filled with all the essential design editing functions needed to create beautiful embroidery. Our resident software guru, Jenny Glass, will walk you through step by step and have you creating and editing your own designs in no time! Instructor: Jenny Glass Dates: Thursday, 2/5, 2/19, & 2/26 Times: 1 pm to 4 pm Fee: FREE with purchase of software from Thimble Towne

Summer Solstice: One of Judy Niemeyer’s most popular patterns, this gorgeous design whips together in no time! It’s a great quilt with lots of techniques. This class is featured in our popular 2-day back to back session giving you plenty of time to work on your quilt and apply all the techniques you just learned! Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Thursday, 2/12 & Friday, 2/13 Times: 10 am - 4 pm Fee: $70 plus supplies

Thread Painting: Have an artistic side that’s just dying to come out? Ever wanted to learn some fun design ideas and techniques to help make

your quilts pop? Why not try your hand at thread painting! Let Juanita take you through the basics of thread paining and help you learn a new technique to really make those pieces shine! Learn shading and texture techniques while you design and work

on a floral panel from the class, all on your sewing machine!

Instructor: Juanita Cairns Dates: Monday, 2/16 Times: 10 am - 2 pm

Fee: $25 plus supplies

Free Motion Quilting: Beyond the Basics Free Motion Quilting: Beyond the Basics will take you to the next level of free motion quilting. This class will explore feathers, leaves, flowers and other designs for your quilts. Debbie will work with you to gain more confidence as you continue your free motion quilting adventure. Dates: Wednesday, 2/18 & 2/25 Time: 6 pm to 9 pm Instructor: Debbie Van Fossen Fee: $35.00 plus supplies

On The Run Again - Table Runner Series: Everyone loves table runners and table toppers and, how much quicker they come together than a quilt pattern. If that sounds like you, then you’ll be happy to know that we’ve found a great book with 15 fun and unique projects! We love each of them and are certain you will too! This class will be offered monthly with a table runner being taught from the book. Take one session or take them all, you won’t want to stop!

Instructor: Barbara Phillips Dates: 2/20 (Granny Square Stars), 3/13 (Framed Florals), 4/17 (Fresh Connection) Times: 10 am - 3 pm Fee: $20 plus supplies

Quilt Club: The fun continues into 2015 with quilt club! The quilt for the month of February is a fun Jay Bird Quilt pattern by the name of Science Fair. This fun pattern uses that Hex and More Ruler, also, by Jay Bird Quilts, but also comes with a template print out, if you don’t have the ruler. Imagine all the fun color combinations that can be created with this fun quilt?

Dates/Times: Saturday, 2/21, 3/28, 4/18: 1 pm to 4 pm Tuesday, 2/24, 3/24, 4/28: 10 am to 1 pm -OR- 6 pm to 9 pm Fee: FREE w/purchase of pattern from Thimble Towne

Bella Bag: This charming new bag from Fig Tree & Co. is sure to turn heads and have everyone ask where you got it from! With its high end boutique look, with interchangeable bows, you can do it up or do it down to fit the occasion! Instructor: Ann Hinman Dates: Wednesday, 2/25 & 3/4 Times: 10 am - 2 pm Fee: $35 plus supplies

Page 4 Volume 3, Issue 1

2015 Spring Classes

Talk Of The Towne Page 5

2015 Spring Classes

SERGER TRAINING WITH NATIONAL BABY LOCK EDUCATOR

RLARRY TOUCHETTE

One of the perks of buying your Baby Lock Serger from Thimble Towne is the unbeatable FREE training

that you get along with your purchase. Not only do you get that FREE training from us here in-house,

but you also get it from National Baby Lock Educator RLarry Touchette, at no cost to you!

We are happy to pick up the tab and bring in this amazing talent to share his passion for Baby Lock sergers with you!

You will learn all of the “Ins & Outs” of your amazing serger that you will want to run home and get serging!

Serger Basics Training:

Date: Friday 2/6

Time: 10am - 3pm

Fee: FREE with purchase of machine from Thimble Towne ($50 otherwise)

8 Thread Serger Advanced Training:

Date: Friday, 3/6

Time: 10am - 3pm

Fee: FREE with purchase of machine from Thimble Towne ($50 otherwise)

Serger Table Runner & Placemats:

This is a great way to further your serger skills and create something beautiful while you’re at it!

R.Larry will guide you through using your Baby Lock Serger to create these gorgeous placemats

with matching table runner, yes, all in the serger!

Date: Monday, 4/13

Times: 10 am - 3 pm

Fee: $25.00 plus supplies

Open Sew

Come on down and sew the day away at the shop

in our newly remodeled classroom!

Dates:

1/14, 1/15, 1/16, 1/19, 1/22, 1/30

3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/20, 3/30, 3/31

4/1, 4/3, 4/6, 4/7, 4/14, 4/20, 4/21, 4/27

Times:

10 am - 4 pm

Machine Service & Repair

Just a reminder, we have a full time in-house technician

available for all your service and repair needs. Jason is

eager to help ensure that you keep your machine working

at its best and that it is always available to get you through

those long day and nights of sewing!

No need to make an appointment with services either, just

bring your machine on down to the shop!

Fire Island Hosta: Regular or Queen: If you missed the boat the first time this class was offered be sure to sign up fast because it fill up quickly! Back by popular demand, we bring you the first quilt pattern in Judy Niemeyer’s leaf inspired series, Fire Island Hosta. Learn all about her curved piecing techniques and how to make a perfect 1/4” without using a ruler! Want it to cover your bed? No problem, make it larger and create the Fire Island Hosta Queen! Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Friday, 2/27, 3/27, 4/24, & 5/29 Times: 10 am - 3 pm Fee: $140 plus supplies

Prairie Pinwheels: One of Judy Niemeyer’s newest patterns that debuted this year, it is sure to please everyone. This quilt explores a new design style and is a great quilt whether you are a beginner or advanced paper piecer. Don’t let the flying geese in this quilt deter you either, they are easy to put together! Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Thursday, 3/5 & 3/12 Times: 10 am - 3 pm Fee: $70 plus supplies

Mondo Bag:

“Quilt Smarter, Not Harder!” is the motto for fusible quilting company, Quilt Smart. After you see how easy this bag goes together, you will be saying it too! Using Quilt Smarts fusible interfacing you will complete this bag in one day! This great carry all is perfect for heading to the beach, a soccer game, or quilt show! Instructor: Jeremy Swaim Dates: Saturday, 3/7 Times: 10 am - 4 pm Fee: $25 plus supplies

Page 6 Volume 3, Issue 1

2015 Spring Classes

Talk Of The Towne

Walkabout: Join Barbara for this fun quilt! This is a great opportunity to show off your favorite fabrics, large prints would look absolutely amazing in this pattern, and learn how to miter borders while you are at it! This quilt has always been a crowd pleaser and we are sure you will love it! Instructor: Barbara Phillips Dates: Wednesday, 3/11 & 3/18 Times: 10 am - 1 pm Fee: $30 plus supplies

Free Motion Quilting: The Basics Have you ever wanted to try your hand at free motion quilting? Not sure where to begin? Join Nationally recognized quilter, Debbie Van Fossen for Free Motion Quilting: The Basics. Debbie will teach you about threads, batting, needles and just about everything else you will need to begin your free motion quilting adventure. We are lucky to have this talent locally, so be sure to take advantage while you can! Instructor: Debbie Van Fossen -OR- Instructor: Debbie Van Fossen Dates: Saturday, 3/14 Dates: Wednesday, 3/25 Times: 10 am to 4 pm Times: 10 am to 4 pm Fee: $35 plus supplies Fee: $35 plus supplies

EmbroideryWorks Software Advanced:

Using EmbroideryWorks Advanced you will explore and learn the advanced features the software offers. You will learn how to create your own designs using various appliqué shapes and design fonts. **Students must first take Intro to EmbroideryWorks

Everyday before enrolling in Advanced class.

Instructor: Jenny Glass Dates: Thursday, 3/19 & 3/26

Times: 1 pm - 4 pm Fee: Free with the purchase of EmbroideryWorks Advanced from Thimble Towne

Finish it with Charlotte

Not sure what your next steps should be on putting together your quilt top? Have questions about which fabrics or colors work best together? Don’t worry! Bring those unfinished quilts and let Charlotte guide you on how to finishing them. Charlotte can

help answer any questions and address any problems you are facing. You can breathe again, help is on the way!

Dates: Saturday, 3/21 Time: 10 am to 3 pm

Teacher: Charlotte Rogers Class Fee: $15.00

Page 7

2015 Spring Classes

Talk Of The Towne

A few spots still remain! Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this four day retreat and create one of Judy Niemeyer’s most prized quilts; Bali Wedding Star!

When: Thursday, March 19th through Sunday March 22nd, 2015

Where: Lamplighter Inn

3300 W. Mineral King Avenue

Visalia, California, 93291

Registration includes: Continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner daily.

Special Instruction from Judy Niemeyer Certified Instructor Patsy Carpenter. Your own Five foot table with chair and power. VIP private shopping night at Thimble Towne.

Door prizes and giveaways.

Page 8

Bali Wedding Star Retreat

Talk Of The Towne Page 9

2015 Spring Classes Feathered Goose: Don’t miss your chance to make this great quilt! This beginning/Intermediate quilt is perfect for someone just starting out on their paper piecing journey looking to stretch themselves a little further. A variety of fabrics can be used to make this quilt as unique as you are! Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Thursday, 4/2 & 4/16 Times: 10 am - 3 pm Fee: $70 plus supplies

Paradise In Blooms (TOM): Judy Niemeyer’s Technique of the Month quilt for 2015 is Paradise in Blooms. Judy’s third TOM quilt, incorporates several of her techniques. The purpose behind the TOM quilt is to help familiarize everyone with her patterns so that you can comfortably pick up any pattern and successfully complete it. Instructor: CI Patsy Carpenter Dates: Thursday; 4/23, 5/7, 6/11, 7/9, 8/13, & 9/10 Saturday; 4/25, 5/9, 6/13, 7/11, 8/8, & 9/12 Times: 10 am - 4 pm Fee: $30/monthly session plus supplies

Quick Curve Ruler (QCR): The QCR ruler continues to be a hit in the industry and by popular demand we are bringing back our QCR technique class! This class will teach you the techniques necessary to use the ruler, piece, and square your blocks. You can choose any of the patterns available, 18 in total, to make your own Quick Curve Quilt! Instructor: Jeremy Swaim Dates: Wednesday, 4/8 & 4/22 Times: 10 am - 1 pm Fee: $25.00 plus supplies Free Motion Quilting: Feathers, Feathers, Feathers

Debbie is taking Free Motion Quilting to the next level with Feathers! Many of us are intimidated by feather quilting. This class will guide you through the anatomy of a feather, helping you to better understand how they are formed and quilted.

Dates: Wednesday, 4/15 Time: 10 am to 4 pm

Instructor: Debbie Van Fossen Fee: $35.00 plus supplies

Talk Of The Towne Page 10

Destiny Training Classes BABY LOCK DESTINY TRAINING SERIES

These training sessions have been set up exclusively for Baby Lock Destiny owners who have purchased their machines from Thimble Towne. Two separate training series have been set to accommo-date as many people as possible. Due to the demand, we ask that you sign up to reserve your spot for each class. You can do so by calling the shop or coming in person. These will be on a first come first serve basis and space is very limited.

**YOU MUST RSVP IN ORDER TO ATTEND EACH TRAINING CLASS** Destiny Training #1: Offered on 1/21 (10am—12 noon) or 3/4 (6pm—8pm) Get to know your machine. This class is designed to cover the key sewing features of your machine. We will go over the “ins and outs” of your machine, including the basic maintenance and up keep needed in order to make sure your machine is running at its best.

Destiny Training #2: Offered on 1/28 (10am—12 noon) or 3/11 (6pm—8pm) This class will cover the advanced sewing features of your machine. Destiny Training #3: Offered on 2/11(10am—12 noon) or 3/25 (6pm—8pm) Begin to learn and understand the basic embroidery functions of your machine. Learn about your new hoops and how they will work with your machine depending on the job you are doing.

Destiny Training #4: Offered on 2/18 (10am—12 noon) or 4/1 (6pm—8pm) Explore and learn the advanced embroidery functions of your machine. Dig in and learn the IQ design scanning functions of your machine and how to set up your IQ designer for perfect digitizing!

Long Arm Services Available!

I have always said, “A quilt isn’t a quilt until it’s quilted” and really it’s the quilting that makes the

quilt and brings it all together. Did you know that Thimble Towne can quilt your quilt for you? Let us help

you finish your quilt and save the stress of trying to do it yourself on your home domestic machine. We

offer edge to edge pantograph quilting services here on site! Quilts can be brought in any time during

business hours and no appointment is necessary. Your quilts will be ready in 10 days or less too! We

have immediate openings available now so hurry on in!

Talk Of The Towne Page 11

2015 Baby Lock Training Classes BABY LOCK TRAINING SERIES

One of the key benefits of owning a Baby lock Sewing Machine, Embroidery Machine, Serger, or Quilting Machine is the ongoing training Thimble Towne offers. Beginning in 2014 we will be offering weekly classes to make sure you are getting the most from your Baby lock machine. Training is broken down into several components. We will be offering a 5 part training series that will focus on several of the features your machine(s) offer in order to make sure you get the most out of your Baby lock. As always, because you bought your machine with us here at Thimble Towne, all of your continuing educations will always be FREE! Baby lock #1: Offered on 1/20 (10am—12 noon) or 3/31 (6pm—8pm) Get to know your machine. This class is designed to cover the key features of all sewing and embroidery machines (excludes multi needle embroidery and sergers.) We will go over the “ins and outs” of your machine, including the basic maintenance and up keep needed in order to make sure your machine is running at its best. Baby lock #2: Offered on 1/27 (10am—12 noon) or 4/7 (6pm—8pm) Your machine comes with its own selection of feet; some you may already know how to use and others may be a little foreign. This class will cover the different presser feet available to you and how to use them taking away all the guess work. Baby lock #3: Offered on 2/3 (10am—12 noon) or 4/14 (6pm—8pm) This class will cover advanced sewing features of your new machine! With this knowledge you will be comfortable enough to use some of the many features on your machine to create some amazing projects! Baby lock #4: Offered on 2/10 (10am—12 noon) or 4/21 (6pm—8pm) For those of you who have an embroidery machine classes #4 and #5 are for you! Class #4 is an introduction to embroidery. Here we will cover the basics of your embroidery machine, hoops, and the transferring of designs. Baby lock # 5: Offered on 2/17 (10am—12 noon) or 5/5 (6pm—8pm) This class will cover basic machine editing and advanced embroidery options. We will touch on embroidery placement, the key to successful embroidery.

As always, we are always happy to help with any questions you may have about your machine!

Talk Of The Towne

Page 12

2015 Spring Class Calendar January 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13

Open Sew

14

Open Sew

15

Open Sew

16

Open Sew

17

18 19

Open Sew

20

BL Basics #1

10-noon

21

Destiny #1

10 –noon

22

Open Sew

23 24

25 26

Beg Qltng 101 (1/3)

10-1

27

BL Basics #2

10-noon

28

Destiny #2

10 –noon

29

Intro to PP

10-4

30

Open Sew 31

February 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Beg Qltng 101 (2/3)

10-1

3

BL Basics #3

10-noon

4

Finish It w/Patsy

10-4

5

Software: Intro

(1/3)

6

Serger Basics 10-3

7

8 9

Beg Qltng 101 (3/3)

10-1

10

BL Basics #4

10-noon

11

Destiny #3

10 –noon

12

Summer Solstice

Day 1: 10-4

13

Summer Solstice

Day 2: 10-4

14

Judy Niemeyer

Show & Tell

15 16

Thread Play 10-2

17

BL Basics #5

10-noon

18

Destiny #4

10 –noon

FMQ: Beyond (1/2) 6-9

19

Software: Intro

(2/3)

20

TR Series 10-3

21

Quilt Club 1-4

22 23

Beg Qltng 102 (1/5)

10-1

24

Quilt Club

10-1 OR 6-9

25

Bella Bag (1/2)

10-2

FMQ: Beyond (2/2) 6-9

26

Software: Intro

(3/3)

27

Hosta (1/4) 10-3

28

Talk Of The Towne Page 13

2015 Spring Class Calendar March 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Beg Qltng 102 (2/5)

10-1

3

Open Sew

4

Bella Bag (2/2)

10-2

Destiny #1 6-8

5

Prairie Pinwheel

(1/2) 10-3

6

Serger: Adv 10-3

7

Mondo Bag 10-4

8 9

Beg Qltng 102 (3/5)

10-1

10

Open Sew

11

Walkabout (1/2)

10-1

Destiny #2 6-8

12

Prairie Pinwheel

(2/2) 10-3

13

TR Series 10-3

14

FMQ: Basics 10-4

15 16

Beg Qltng 102 (4/5)

10-1

17

Open Sew

18

Walkabout (2/2)

10-1

19

Adv Software (1/2)

1-4

20

Open Sew

21

Finish It

W/ Charlotte 10-3

22 23

Beg Qltng 102 (5/5)

10-1

24

Quilt Club

10-1 OR 6-9

25

FMQ: Basics 10-4

Destiny #3 6-8

26

Adv Software (2/2)

1-4

27

Hosta (2/4) 10-3

28

Quilt Club 1-4

29 30

Open Sew

31

Open Sew

BL Basics #1

6-8

April 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Open Sew

2

Feathered Goose

(1/2) 10-3

3

Open Sew

4

5 6

Open Sew

Beg Qltg 101 (1/3)

(6-9)

7

Open Sew

BL Basics #2

(6-8)

8

QCR (1/2) 10-1

9 10

BOTV

11

BOTV

12

BOTV

13

Serger TR

Beg Qltg 101 (2/3)

(6-9)

14

Open Sew

BL Basics #3

(6-8)

15

FMQ: Feathers 10-4

16

Feathered Goose

(2/2) 10-3

17

TR Series 10-3

18

Quilt Club 1-4

19 20

Open Sew

Beg Qltg 101 (3/3)

(6-9)

21

Open Sew

BL Basics #4

(6-8)

22

QCR (2/2) 10-1

23

TOM #1 10-3

24

Hosta (3/4) 10-3

25

TOM #1 10-3

26 27

Open Sew

28

Quilt Club

10-1 OR 6-9

29 30

***** Bali Wedding Star Retreat 19th -22nd *****