Author Archive
Deb Ann’s Fabrics, thanks in part to a grant from the Calvin W. Price Appalachian Enrichment Services, is hosting a two day quilting event, on 27 and 28 March 2020, at the McClinic Library in Marlinton, West Virginia. Come join us as we kick off the 2020 quilting season and learn how you can blend old with new skills.
Friday’s class will be learning about crazy patch or improvisational piecing. By definition, improvisational piecing, or improv for short, simply means piecing without a plan. Though improvisation has recently exploded in modern quilting, utilizing every single scrap of fabric and “making it work” is a hallmark of the of the earliest patchwork quilts. Improv piecing is truly adaptable to every style. We will have the opportunity to look at traditional patchwork as well as modern quilting. You’ll see how using structured improvisation addresses how to plan your patchwork and to deal with the, sometimes, visually overwhelming aspect of modern improv quilting.
Saturday’s class will be all about the actual quilting of a quilt. Lots of us may not be able to afford or what to have our quilts done by a longarm quilter. So we are going to learn the age old technique of “knotting” a quilt. Two different quilts will be available to allow class participants to develop this skill.
We hope you will join us for a learning weekend designed to bridge old and new skills. Please go to https://www.debannsfabrics.com/download/Quilters_Kickoff_2020.pdf for more information and to download the class brochure. You can register and pay for your classes online at https://www.debannsfabrics.com/product-category/craftclasses/
We look forward to seeing you soon!
If you have ever thought about knitting? Well, here’s an interesting article explaining five reasons you should learn to knit: https://www.katia.com/blog/en/5-reasons-why-learn-to-knit/
So, if you are now convinced knitting might be something you would like to try, a beginner’s knitting class will be held on Thursday, 27 February 2020, at 1:30 pm. Cost of the class will be $15.00 which includes all supplies. Each participant will learn to “cast on”, “bind off” and do the “knit stitch” while making a set of coasters. The instructor: Melissa Totten. We look forward to seeing you!
Here are the scheduled classes for February 2020.
Paint class with Melissa Totten. These classes are held the first and third Tuesday of each month and the painting subject will be announced at the beginning of class. Cost: $30.00
New beginner paint classes with Sherry Wilfong. Every Tuesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Cost: $30.00. She will be starting out with landscapes and will transition to other subjects as skill levels are developed. MUST HAVE FOUR INDIVIDUALS TO SIGN UP IN ORDER TO HOLD THESE CLASSES!
8 February (Saturday) 2020. Simplicity Quilt (beginner friendly); Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Instructor: Lisa Gandy; Cost: $15.00; Supplies: Basic sewing supplies, one layer cake, one yard of fabric for border and 20″ WOF for binding. MUST HAVE FOUR INDIVIDUALS TO SIGN UP IN ORDER TO HOLD THIS CLASS!
12 February (Wednesday) 2020. “Who love YOU” Owl Pillows (beginner friendly and FUN); Time: 1:30 pm until finished; Instructor: Debbie Walker; Cost: $20.00; Supplies: 1/2 yard of fabric for the body and 1/2 yard of fabric for the owl head. Everything else will be supplied. Come and make a cute Valentine gift for someone you love! MUST HAVE FOUR INDIVIDUALS TO SIGN UP IN ORDER TO HOLD THIS CLASS!
Just a friendly reminder: If you are interested in taking any class, you must call and sign-up prior to the scheduled class.
Due to a family illness, Katie’s jewelry making class has been rescheduled to 27 January 2020, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. We will be learning some basic jewelry making skills and will will be making earrings out of gemstone beads, silver charms and sterling silver findings. Tools are provided. Everyone will go home with three pairs of earrings. Cost of the class is $20.00. Just call 304-653-4150 to register or sign up online at debannsfabrics.com. See you there!!!
A hot bowl of soup or chili is great—except when it’s too hot to take out of the microwave! Solve that problem with bowl cozies designed to go in the microwave along with the bowl. You can grab your heated food and enjoy it right away. We will be making two different sizes of bowl cozies. The secret to making these bowl holders is to work with 100% cotton fabric, batting, and thread. Using polyester can result in melting or even fire in your microwave. So get ready to enjoy some leftovers and start sewing a bowl cozy or two!
Debbie will be conducting a class on 29 January 2020, from 1:00 pm until your project is completed. Cost of the class is $15.00. Materials needed for the class are as follows: Two coordinating 100% cotton only 10″ blocks, two coordinating 100% cotton only 12 1/2″ blocks and coordinating cotton thread. Batting will be provided.
Remember, you need to register and pay for your class prior to the class. We can’t wait to see you there!
7 January 2020: Painting class with Melissa Totten; Time: 1:30 – 4:00 pm; Cost: $25.00 if you bring your own materials – $30.00 if she provides the materials.
13 January 2020: Basket making class with Teresa Dunbrack; Time: 5:00 pm to ??; Cost: $35.00 for class and supplies.
15 January 2020: Landscape Oil Painting with Cynthia Gurreri; Time: 1:30 – 4:00 or 5:00 pm. Cost: $35.00 for class and supplies; HOWEVER, YOU MUST SUPPLY YOUR OWN BRUSHES!
21 January 2020: Painting class with Melissa Totten; Time: 1:30 – 4:00 pm; Cost: $25.00 if you bring your own materials – $30.00 if she provides the materials.
REMEMBER: You must sign up (either online or going by the shop) and pay prior to attending class. See you soon!
For every instructor, the amount of preparation to present a class is significant. From preparing instructional and learning materials, lesson plans and getting the classroom arranged, there is a lot to presenting a class. With all the preparation, it is very disappointing when only two of the five or six folks who said they were going to come show up for class.
Therefore, beginning 1 January 2020, you must sign up and pay for classes in advance. You will be able to pay and register for most classes online or by visiting Deb Ann’s Fabrics. For a class to be offered during the daytime, there must be four students signed up and the class prepaid. If you cannot attend the class and you cancel one week prior to the date, you can have the class fee moved to another class or receive a refund. When you pay for a class the commitment is there to attend. All instructors will be grateful, knowing whether to be prepared or they have time off.
Having the classroom available to the community has been a long held dream that has finally come to pass! We want to make the best use of our classroom and our instructors! Wishing you great happiness for the upcoming year and looking forward to all the many learning opportunities that will be available.
The basket making class with Teresa Dunbrack, originally scheduled for 16 December 2019 has been changed. Due to shipment issues with class supplies, this class has been rescheduled for 13 January 2020 at 5:00 pm. The $35.00 class fee includes supplies and instructor fees. Remember, you must sign up (either online or going by the shop) and pay prior to attending class.
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 30, 2019 is Small Business Saturday® – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. Please join the SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small business by shopping at a small business.
History of Small Business Saturday
First observed in Roslindale Village, Massachusetts on November 27, 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Express corporation.
The first event was sponsored by American Express, in partnership with the non-profit National Trust for Historic Preservation, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Roslindale Village Main Street. In 2010, the holiday was promoted by American Express via a nationwide radio and television advertising campaign. That year Amex bought advertising inventory on Facebook, which it in turn gave to its small merchant account holders, and also gave rebates to new customers to promote the event.
American Express publicized the initiative using social media, advertising, and public relations. Many local politicians and small business groups in the United States issued proclamations concerning the campaign, which generated more than one million Facebook “like” registrations and nearly 30,000 tweets under the Twitterhashtags #smallbusinesssaturday and #smallbizsaturday.
Shopping Small on Small Business Saturday
With the U.S Small Business Association reporting that 28 million small businesses in America account for 54% of U.S. sales, it’s no secret that small businesses are big business. Year round, small businesses shape our communities and neighborhoods thanks to their unique charm, characteristics and one-of-a-kind personas, and it’s these attributions that help make Small Business Saturday even more important to support and celebrate. Putting small businesses center stage on Small Business Saturday is the least we can do as customers for businesses and the people that work within them who do so much for us year round.
So please show your support of all small businesses in our community by SHOPPING SMALL!
REMINDER: If you are planning on attending a class, please call 304 653-0000 to register!
3 December: Paint Class with Melissa Totten; Time: 1:30 to 4:00 pm
Beginner Paint Class with Sherry Wilfong; Time: 5:00 pm to ??
5 December: Wreath Making with Robin Cort; Time: 1:00 to 4:00 pm; Cost: $25.00 which covers class and most supplies except the following: You need to bring your own green pine (real or artificial) or whatever material you want to use in order to cover your wreath (tinsel, pine, ribbon). Additionally, you will want to bring anything else you think would look good on your wreath. Robin will show us how to put it all together to make a beautiful holiday wreath! It goes without saying it would also make a great gift. Bring any snacks you might like to enjoy during the class.
10 December: Sweatshirt class with Deb Ann; Time: 10:00 am to ??; Cost: $10.00; Bring your own lunch; Snacks will be provided. You will need one sweatshirt, basic sewing supplies and small pointed sharp scissors.
13 December: Paint party with Melissa Totten. Time: 1:30 to 4:30. Cost: $25.00 with your supplies or $30.00 using her supplies. She will be teaching a Christmas painting that everyone can do! Come out and try your skills. It will be fun!
16 December: Basket making class with Teresa Dunbrack; Time: 5:00 pm to ??; Cost: $25.00 for class and supplies. Again, another GREAT idea!
17 December: Paint Class with Melissa Totten; Time: 1:30 to 4:00 pm
Paint Class with Sherry Wilfong; Time: 5:00 to ??
REMINDER: If you are planning on attending a class, please call 304 653-0000 to register! We look forward to seeing you!
Have as wonderful Christmas with whomever you are spending it with!
A cloth basket class has been added to the November class schedule. This class is being taught by Brenda Mann on 26 November from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Cost of the class will be $20.00. This would be a GREAT gift item for the holidays. All you will need for the class is as follows: Twenty 2 1/2″ strips WOF and your basic sewing supplies. All else will be provided. Bring your own lunch and make a beautiful basket!
Christmas wall hanging class taught by yours truly!
Wednesday, November 20th at THE CLASSROOM in Hillsboro, WV, 10:00-4:00. Lunch provided free by me! Cost of the class is $10! Please consider participating and ringing in the joyous season with a quilting project!
Skill level: beginner to intermediate
Quilt size 35”by 41”
Block size 7” by 9”
Materials:
1/3 yard red star print or your choice
1/2 yard red floral print or your choice print
5/8 yard black red print or your choice
1/4 yard cream and gold metallic or tone on tone
1 and 1/8 yard coordinating stripe or your choice
Backing fabric 41” by 47”
Batting 41” by 47”
All purpose thread to match fabric
Quilting or clear nylon thread
Basic sewing tools and supplies
Very sharp small scissors
These are the scheduled classes (so far) for the month of November 2019. PLEASE NOTE: If additional classes are added or supply lists are modified or added, additional updates may be needed!
2 November (Saturday); Stepping Stone Lap Quilt; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Cost: $15.00; Instructor: Lisa Gandy
Supply List:
Fabric A: 1/4 th yard. Cut two 2 1/2 ” strips, then cut them in half.
Do the same for fabric B, C and D.
Fabric E: 1 and 1/4 th yards. Cut five 2 1/2″ strips and three 8 1/2″ strips Cut strips in half.
Background fabric: 2 yards. Cut thirteen 2 1/2 ” strips; cut two 4 1/2″ strips and two 6 1/2″ strips. Cut all these in half.
First border: 5/8″ yards. Cut into seven 2 1/2 ” strips
Second border – 1 and 1/8 yards of fabric . Cut into seven- 5 1/2″ strips
Binding – 2/3 yards fabric. Cut into 3″ strips OR less and cut into what you normally use for bindings.
Backing: 4 1/2 yards fabric
Batting: 60 x 80
5 November (Tuesday). Paint Class. Time: 1:30 to 4 pm. Cost: $30.00 with supplies provided – $25.00 with supplies provided. Instructor: Melissa Totten
5 November (Tuesday). Beginner Paint Class. Time: 5:00 pm – ?. Cost: $25.00. Instructor: Sherry Wilfong. This is a NEW beginner class.
6 November (Wednesday). String Piecing. Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Cost: $10.00. Instructor: Debbie Walker
Supply List:
You will need to bring four 12 1/2″ squares of backing fabric; any color (I use muslin fabric).
Scrap fabric cut into strips 1 1/2″ to 2″. You can use all the same size strips or mix sizes. I will have lots of them available, too.
Border fabric- 1/2 yd of something that will match your fabrics.
Backing and batting can be bought later. NOTE: You may not get all the blocks done in class.
12 November (Tuesday). Volunteer Day. Time: 10:00 am – ?. We need at least six volunteers. We will be finishing up the “smile” bags for children overseas.
12 November (Tuesday). Paint Class. Time: 5:00 pm – ?. Instructor: Sherry Wilfong
14 November (Thursday). Beginner Knitting. Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Cost: $15.00. Instructor: Emily Sullivan. We will be making a beginner’s cowl!
Supply List:
Two skeins bulky weight yarn (each skein should have around 105 yards). They can be the same or different colors.
One set of size 17 straight needles
One tapestry needle or a crochet hook for weaving in.
19 November (Tuesday). Paint Class. Time: 1:30 to 4 pm. Cost: $30.00 with supplies provided – $25.00 without supplies provided. Instructor: Melissa Totten
20 November (Wednesday). Christmas wall hanging. Time: 10:00 am to 3 pm. Cost: $15.00; Instructor: JoAnn Cordell. A supply list and photo will follow in a separate post.
Quilters gathered in Marlinton for the fifth annual “Fall into Quilting Retreat”, 17 – 19 October, sponsored by Artcents’ (Diana Beverage) and Deb Ann’s Fabrics (Debbie Walker). We had participants from as far away as Pennsylvania and from other areas within West Virginia. Several special events were held during the retreat to celebrate its fifth year anniversary.
A quilt show was held at St. John’s Episcopal Church from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Thursday through Saturday. The quilts on display were the creative works of retreat participants and the show itself was open to the public.
This year we included an event that involved our local businesses who were very excited to participate. We believe Marlinton is special and has a lot to offer, especially in terms of special and unique stores and shops. Thirteen quilt patterns were placed in thirteen different establishments in town. Participants had to visit these businesses and collect their quilt block patterns. In order to qualify for the grand prize, you had to acquire all thirteen patterns. A list of participating business, locations and their hours were provided on the first day of the quilt retreat so folks could map out their strategy for collecting the patterns. We had great participation and the feedback from this particular event was very positive. Ann Myers, from Pocahontas County, was the lucky grand prize winner of the pattern hunt.
Saturday morning, quilters had the opportunity to attend a lecture, “Off the Wheel – Color Concepts for Quilters” by Barbara Ann Jones of Glenville, West Virginia. Most quilters haven’t taken a ton of art classes and, in turn, often lack confidence in their color sense, which makes fabric selection tricky! We get in color ruts, going back to the same few colors over and over, or we only feel comfortable making quilts from a kit, jelly roll, or a single fabric collection. Fortunately having an “eye for color” is not just something you are born with — it is something you can develop, as we discovered from Barbara Ann! The lecture was informative and well attended. Participants enjoyed the many examples of color play in the quilts and projects on display and appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue about color.
Later that same day, retreat participants were treated to a catered luncheon (thank you Rayetta) complete with a five year celebratory anniversary cake!
The closing event was the drawing for a stunning patriotic quilt. Last year’s participants brought in completed red, white and blue quilt blocks which were then incorporated into a quilt pieced by Debbie Walker and quilted by Barb Siers. Pat Paxton, from Woodrow was the winner of the quilt!
The retreat sponsors would like to take this opportunity to thank the businesses that participated in the quilt pattern hunt. A heartfelt thanks goes to Locust Hill Inn, Cabin and Pub, 4th Ave Mason Jar Trading Post, Pocahontas County Artisan Co-op, CJ Richardson Hardware, Dirt Bean Café and Bike Shop, Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Flower Garden, Pocahontas Times, Rayetta’s Lunchbox, Cackling Hens, Appalachian Sport, Tattered Rose Boutique and Legacy Designs. Additional special thanks go to Sue Owens for providing us with a venue for the quilt show and Lauren Bennett for providing us with a wonderful place to hold our retreat.
It was such a special time for all involved! Plans are in the works for the 6th Annual “Fall into Quilting Retreat” 2020! We’ll keep you posted.
As many of you already know, we have several special events planned during this year’s retreat, which will include a quilt show, a catered luncheon, a special class on color. To that end, we have added a “Quilt Pattern Hunt”. We thought the pattern hunt would be an excellent way to get our retreat participants out and about in our community, encouraging them to visit the many interesting and unique businesses within the Marlinton area. More information about the participating shops, locations, business hours, etc., will be provided on Thursday and Friday morning.
So here’s the scoop. The “Quilt Pattern Hunt” will consist of 12 different quilt block patterns and each selected business will have one of the twelve block patterns available at their establishment. “Pattern Hunters” will have to acquire all twelve quilt block patterns to be eligible for the grand prize drawing. Participating business have added unique items to be included in the grand prize basket.
We hope retreat participants will enjoy this event and take the time to visit the unique and interesting businesses within our town.
Time of class is 10:00 to 4:00. Cost of class is $10.00. Teacher is Joann Cordell.
Supplies needed: Basic Sewing Supplies (check quilting supply list on https://www.debannsfabrics.com/). In addition to neutral thread, you will need black thread. 1/8 yard each of four light tone on tone prints for your background; 1/2 yard dark print for inner border, pieced border and binding; 1/2 yard of assorted orange prints for pumpkins and pieced outer border; 5/8 yard for backing; 24″ x 26″ batting (if you have it, otherwise there will be plenty available to share); bring little scraps of yellow and green fabric (if you have it, otherwise there will be plenty available to share).
Bring your sense of fun as we work up this Halloween wall hanging just in time for the holiday. Lunch and snacks are provided FREE!
This the updated classroom schedule for the month of October 2019.
- 7 October Coil Rope Fabric Basket (Pat Paxton) – 1:00 to 4:00; Cost: $10.00; Supply List: Cotton clothes line, 1-1/4th yard of small print fabric; fabric glue; thread to match your fabric; zigzag foot for your sewing machine; basic sewing supplies (check this site for your basic sewing supplies list)
- 8 October Painting – 5:00 – ? (Sherry Wilfong); Cost: $25.00
- 9 October Sit and Sew – 10:00 to 3:00
- 11 October Stained Glass Leave Table Runner (Deb Ann) – 1:00 to 4:00; Supply list: 1/4 th yard border fabric; four fat quarters for leaves or scrapes (with the largest piece being 8″ x 14″); one and 2/3 yard fabric for background; thread to match leaves; fusible web will be supplied; basic sewing supplies; Please note: You can buy your border fabric later – you will not get to it in class.
- 14 October Fabric Bucket (great gift idea and easy); Cost: $10.00; Supply list: Two fat quarters (one for inside and one for outside); thread to match your fabric; basic sewing supplies.
- 15 October Painting class – 1:30-4:30 (Melissa Totten); Cost: $30.00 for class and supplies; Come paint something new each time. She will supply paint, canvas and brushes needed for each class.
- 22 October Halloween Wall Hanging (Joann Cordell); 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Cost – $10.00′ Supply list is currently pending; Lunch will be provided and is FREE!
- 22 October Painting – 5:00 pm (Sherry Wilfong); Cost: $25.00; This is a NEW beginner painting class.
- 25 October Painting Party (Melissa Totten); 5:00 to 8:00 pm; Cost – $30.00; Come try your hand at painting. Great fun. Something new each class. Open to everyone.
- 29 October Stitch and Fold Table Topper/Wreath (Brenda Mann); Cost: $20.00; Supply list: Back of the topper/wreath – 5/8 yard of fabricFront of the topper/wreath – 5/8 yard of fabric; Center applique – 1/2 yd fabric; thread to match; temporary marking pen; 2/3 yard pellon firm stabilizer (available at the shop); 2/3 yards wonder under; basic sewing supplies.
 Coil Rope Fabric Basket (Pat Paxton) |  Stained Glass Leave Table Runner (Deb Ann) | Halloween Wall Hanging (Joann Cordell) |  Stitch and Fold Table Topper/Wreath (Brenda Mann) |
Should you have any additional questions, please call Debbie Walker at 304 653-4150.
Our “Fall into Quilting” retreat is fast approaching and we wanted to take this opportunity to update everyone on a few “new” events for this year’s retreat. As most of you know, this is the fifth year for our retreat (I know, can you believe it!), so in celebration of that milestone we have a couple of special events this year.
First, there will be a showing of quilts to be held at the Episcopal Church (across the street from the Marlinton Wellness Center) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday. We are asking each retreat participant to bring a quilt to be placed on display. Only retreat participants will be able to enter a quilt(s) for display; however, the display itself is open to the public. We are toying with the idea of having a “Peoples Choice” award but we are open for feedback on that particular point. Otherwise, the quilts are being displayed for everyone’s enjoyment.
Secondly, in an effort to have people see what Marlinton has to offer, and it does have a lot of special and unique stores and shops, we are having a scavenger/pattern hunt. Twelve quilt patterns will be placed in twelve different locations in town. In order to qualify for the gift basket, you must have collected all twelve patterns. Think of this as a different type of “Shop Hop”!!! It is our hope you will take the time to see what each of these specially chosen venues has to offer. A list of locations will be provided on the first day of the quilt retreat.
In years past (doesn’t that sound soooo good) we have asked for retreat participants to bring completed blocks. This year, we are asking for participants to bring one or more FAT QUARTERS, not completed blocks. The fat quarters will be collected, placed in a lovely basket and will be the grand prize for the 2020 retreat. The more fat quarters you contribute, the more chances you have to win! Keep in mind if you forget, Deb Ann will have fat quarters you can purchase on site during the retreat.
Saturday we will be having a catered lunch, complete with birthday cake. Because, after all, it has been five years and who doesn’t enjoy cake!!!
We are very excited for this year’s event and are looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Debbie