Hi to All,
Well girls, I am sitting down at the computer writing this newsletter and I have made myself a rule that I'm not
allowed to leave this chair until the newsletter is finished. I know the newsletters have been thin on the ground over
the last 6 months or so, but life has been very hectic and I find I have written about 6 front cover notes like this
one but just not managed to get to the end without being interrupted or distracted! So hopefully, this time you'll
actually get to read this. So much has happened since the last newsletter, it's hard to work out where to begin.
Our most recent news, of course, is that we have now amalgamated the two shops. I found customers didn't want the burden
of finding a park when they went to the Adelaide St. store and we were always sending clients to and fro between the two
shops because the stock never seemed to be in the right place at the right time. So, we have now located everything at
Pallas Street and the good news is that we will be open 7 days a week from 9:00am to 4:30pm! So now you don't have to
think about what day it is! We've had a few staff changes. Firstly, we were very sad to say goodbye to Tracey who was
finding the travel a bit of a struggle and is now spending more time enjoying her beautiful daughters. Tracey had been
with us from the start and was valued by all and is sorely missed. Robyn has also decided to try her hand at something a
little different and we wish her well in her new job. So, now we have Cheryl as our resident patchwork and quilting
advisor and Melissa as our machine embroiderer and sewing machine specialist. Then, of course, there will still be me
(who just does what the others tell me to do!) So if you haven't met the girls, COME ON IN and say HELLO!
We returned in November from another successful retreat. - We had 61 ladies from as far as Cairns to New Zealand! It was
our first year of including machine embroidery and that was a great success. The ladies learnt heaps about embroidery
techniques as well as their machines. The patchwork ladies didn't disappoint, producing some wonderful quilts and bags
and finishing off lots of ufo's. Purses started out a little tight in the auction but the momentum picked up after a
while and we managed to raise over $350 for Breast Cancer. The Show & Tell lived up to it's normal standard and created
lots of interest and motivation. We have some very talented customers! The girls were very excited with their sample
bags which were filled with lots of goodies donated by ourselves as well as donated items from many of our regular
suppliers. We would particularly like to thank Leuteneggers, Sydney Sewing Supplies, Victorian Textiles, Ella and Skysie
designs, Sullivans and Bag Ladies Tea for their generous contributions. Our challenge this year was to make up a 12"
block out of the Leutenegger Fusion range. We were overwhelmed by the response. We now have enough blocks to make up 9
quilts for raffles for Breast Cancer Research. Many of the girls have rebooked for next year. Registrations are now open
to all and places are limited. Unfortunately, costs have risen slightly for next year due to increases at the
accommodation venue. However, many girls are paying it off over the period of the year to 'spread the financial pain'
over the whole year.
I've caught up with most of you since I went to Dallas for the launch of the new top of the range Pfaff - the Creative
Vision. I've always said that if they could put all the best features of each brand into one machine, we could get rid of
the rest - well they have! It has a fantastic lighting system, an excellent scissor cutter, Precise Positioning, of
course the infamous IDT and the hugest sewing field on the market. I was extremely impressed with the stitch quality and
ease of use. There is nothing that this machine cannot do! Melissa has one of her own and absolutely loves it - of
course! If you're game enough, ask her for a demo next time you are in the shop. We are lucky enough to have Cheryl
Bryant from Pfaff visiting the shop in May to give demonstrations on the Creative Vision and software. Bookings for
this will be limited so if you are interested in attending, let us know early! Pfaff have also released a fantastic Pfaff
Accessory Bag. If you buy one for $9,999.00, I'll throw in a free Creative Vision machine! That's a deal you can't
refuse!
Last year was once again extremely busy with classes and we tried to offer as much as possible to help you all to learn
new skills, make new freinds and be motivated and inspired to be more creative. We ran quite a few beginner patchwork
classes which have seen new friendship groups formed and lots of new quilts created. Our childrens classes were also very
successful once again. This year, we have a few new things to try so we hope you will support them. We will be offering
classes to encourage better use of your sewing machines and overlockers. We also ran a number of classes with outside
tutors for Machine Embroidery and Sewing Techniques to help 'raise the standard' of our skills. Thanks to all who have
supported these classes and benefited from them. As you can appreciate, it is sometimes a big financial gamble due to the
costs to organise these events but it was all good! If there is anything you would like included in the class list for
this year, please tell us asap.
Our first 'Show& Tell' was held on 6th December and was hugely successful. Our special thanks to the Stark family (and
inlaws) for making their beautiful home available to us. It was the perfect venue for our Breast Cancer Research
fundraising event. It was so gratifying and motivating to see all the wonderful work the girls have produced throughout
the year. I was so proud of you all! Luckily the rain held off and we all enjoyed a relaxing afternoon tea graciously
supplied by our shop members. We have already diarised the event for this year.
Oops - out of room already!
Happy Stitching
Melissa, Cheryl and Leanne
