The Email Newsletter For Creative Machine Art Enthusiasts
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I know it has been awhile since we've sent you a letter, and it's not because there hasn't been lots to tell you either. It's because there's been SO MUCH going on, we are spinning here at Sulky! Here's some of what's been happening since my last letter:
As you know, we launched the Sulky Embroidery Club (sulkyembclub.com) and it has been wildly successful. We are so appreciative of your response. We've added lots of designs and projects recently and we hope you take a minute to visit and see what we have to offer. There's a link to the club above, and some more of the exciting designs and projects further down in this letter.
Three of my favorites from my Winter embroidery CD are shown here and are offered individually for purchase on the Sulky Embroidery Club website.
We've introduced lots of new Sulky products recently!
- 42 MORE BLENDABLES! Yes, now we have 126 fabulous colors in both 30 wt. and the heavier 12 wt.
- My brand new book: "Fun with Sulky Blendables and Solid Color Cottons" (#900-B21)
- (Lots of photos and descriptions of the projects below.)
- A brand new Sulky Sew Exciting Seminar to go with the book
- And NOW - 7 Sit 'n Sew classes taught by our National Sulky Educators that can accompany a Sew Exciting Seminar or be presented independently in your favorite store or for your favorite Guild
- Sulky PolyLite 60 wt. Thread in 36 solid colors and 24 multi-colors that change in short, rhythmic 1" intervals
- Soft 'n Sheer Extra (a heavier, iron-on version of Soft 'n Sheer)
- Sticky Fabri-Solvy (a printable version of Fabri-Solvy) - incredible for handwork, too.
- Sulky Iron-On Transfer Pens in a 4-pack and 8-pack
- 40 wt. Flesh-tone Slimline Box Thread Collection
- 2nd Embroiderer's Dream Collection of 40 wt. Rayon (104 colors)
- New Real Thread Charts and Free Printed Thread Charts
(There are links to more info about all the new products at the end of the newsletter.)
So, you see, I really have been very busy getting all these new and exciting things ready for you, and just in time for the holidays, too! Don't forget to let your personal "Santa" know what Sulky surprises you want from your favorite sewing store, or you can order on-line at: speedstitch.com
I went to the International Quilt Market in Houston at the end of October, along with Patti Lee, Carol Ingram, and Ellen Osten (and, of course, Fred and Jason who spent almost all of their time in our booth). The four "girls" walked the show looking for fabrics for our Sulky Certified Teacher Training projects and the new Sit 'n Sew classes we are offering. Carol took a bunch of photos of some of the nicer booths that we thought you might enjoy, and you can see those further on in our newsletter.
I know many of you are busy getting Christmas presents ready. We are all sewing and embroidering more now for our friends and families. There are lots of great projects and ideas at the Sulky Embroidery Club website, too.
As I write this, I'm looking out my window at the gently falling snow, and thanking God for all the good things in my life. Fred and I just returned from spending the Thanksgiving holiday with our grandchildren (oh, yes, we also spent it with our children)! We all have so much to be thankful for. Most of us still have more than enough, and it has become more and more important each year for each of us to share our bounty with our community, friends and family. May you have a blessed, happy and safe Christmas holiday season.
From Joyce, Fred, Jason, Patti, and everyone here at Sulky.
Until next month…
INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BOOK
What you'll want in your holiday stocking this year!
What's in the book?
Here are some of the amazing projects in this new book which are virtually all done with Blendables and Solid Color Cottons, along with a few other Sulky Threads for accents:
- Pumpkin Market Tote
by Carol Ingram - featuring Paper Piecing on Paper Solvy, 3-D Padded Leaves, and many other fun techniques. - Sashiko Square
by Rebecca Kemp Brent - featuring Sashiko by machine using Sulky 12 wt. Cottons. 
Team Quilt
by Bev Morris of Abigayle's Quiltery in Olmsted Falls, OH.This is her favorite fund-raising quilt which is perfect for all those "teams" and charity events in everyone's life! You will love her personalizing techniques and beautiful quilting with Sulky 30 wt. Cotton Blendables.
- The Perfect Cover Up
by Eric Drexler, National Sulky Educator - an easy and fun vase cover that stretches and fits over a bud vase. Another wonderful, fearless way to teach free-motion. Eric always makes it "sew easy". - And then, to really knock your socks off, Sulky Designer, Evelyn Byler has made the most magnificent shawl on her long-arm machine. Evelyn has done some amazing thread work over the years, but this is by far the most beautiful. It can be done on a home sewing machine too (just not as quickly), but oh, my…it is luscious! You will fall in love with Blendables all over again!
And wait! Still another incredible project from Evelyn! A wonderful variety of 3-D leaves totally made with Blendables and other Sulky Threads in an array of colors and sizes, mounted on a cabinet door (really!), with cup hooks added underneath to make the most beautiful key holder you will ever see.
- Jim Suzio, a Designer well-known to many of you - has designed a REVERSIBLE purse or clutch made from lots and lots of Blendables Thread. It can be done free-motion or you can purchase his digitized design for an in-the-hoop, computer embroidery project. Visit jim at www.jimsuzio.com
Nancy Sapin, National Educator for Sulky, and famous for her corded projects (check out the info on the Tissue Box Birdhouse below under the "Art" section), has designed a really durable and beautiful Shoulder Bag that uses her special corded technique and gorgeous batik fabrics. Featuring the Blendables and Sulky Fuse 'n Stitch, this is the next step in corded projects for your customers.
SERGER PROJECTS, GALORE!
Ellen Osten, Director of Education for Sulky, designed a clever, woven Serger Cosmetic Bag or Change Purse using Sulky Cut-Away Plus and her serger, and lots and lots of Sulky Blendables and Solid Color Cottons.
- Joan Friedrich, Author and Babylock Educator, dazzles us with her Sulky Blendables Doily made with Sulky 12 wt. Cotton Threads on the Serger! This is the perfect project to dazzle your customers with the simplicity and beauty of serger stitching.
- Designer Pam Laba created a beautiful, unusual reversible belt that you will love showing off to your friends. This one is fast, fun and easy!
- June Garris created the perfect hostess gift with a set of coasters and a matching carry basket. Using the rolled hem on her serger, June made this corded project totally unique.
- Eric Drexler then took it even further and made a serged rolled hem on fabric strips which he wrapped to make corded placemats and bowls that had a unique spiral effect and a wonderful twisted top.
Carol Ingram added one more trick to her designer arsenal by turning miles of Sulky 12 wt. Cotton Blendables into a continuous serger chain which she KNITTED into a scarf using a simple drop-stitch pattern. (No reason why you couldn't crochet with this as well.)
FASHION:
Sulky National Educator and Bernina Fashion Show Designer, Diane Gloystein, created the most elegant and easy scarf ever! This fabulous scarf, created on Sulky Ultra Solvy using beautiful hand-dyed rayon ribbon, will make you forget everything you thought you knew about making scarves on the sewing machine. The technique is "sew simple", but the end result is just magnificent. Another, fun, easy class using decorative stitching and Sulky Blendables Thread.
- Designer and National Sulky Educator, Lee Fletcher, shares a simple, but unique, Decoratively Stitched Bag that showcases the beautiful decorative stitches on your sewing machines and how they "pop" using the Sulky Cotton Blendables. Everyone is always looking for tasteful results using decorative stitches, and this project fills the bill wonderfully!
ART:
Pine Scrub at Cathedral Rock by fiber artist Chris Eichner, will take your breath away. If your customers like landscapes, this one is "to die for"! Chris makes it easy and fun using Sulky Super Solvy, NEW Soft 'n Sheer Extra, and Fabri-Solvy along with at least 7 Blendables and numerous 40 wt. Rayons, Holoshimmer and more. WOW!
The fabrics are so pretty, and the threadwork is so very dimensional. A great way to teach free-motion, too.
Artist and Designer, Linda Visnaw, created a wonderful Tsukineko Ink placemat and napkin project that is simple and elegant; but wait until you see how it comes alive when it is free-motion embroidered with Sulky Blendables. This one is for your artsy customers; and even for those who think they aren't, this is such a fun class. Linda taught this at the seminar training event for our National Educators, and all of us caught the fever! Extensive "painting" instructions are on the CD and video links, too!
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Nancy Sapin, National Educator for Sulky, and "Cording Queen", has outdone herself once again with an adorable home-dec project. Joyce Drexler dreamed this up, and Nancy made it a reality. These Tissue Box Birdhouses are so much fun, and we couldn't resist making it into a "challenge" for all of the National Sulky Educators. Wait until you see their creative versions of this pretty project - all pictured in the new book!
HAND PROJECTS:
- Patti Lee, VP of Consumer Relations for Sulky, used the Blendables and a hand sewing needle to create a lovely Post-It-Note® Holder on card stock. Quite therapeutic!
Maxine Ramey, owner of a wonderful quilt shop in Franklin, NC, designed a beautiful needlecase that is done with Sulky 12 wt. Blendables. The Blendables are quickly taking over "floss" for handwork. It is lovely, and would make a simple hand-work stitching class with some machine assembly of the case.
- Sue Hausmann, host of the long-running PBS-TV Show, "America Sews with Sue Hausmann", created a number of beautiful twisted necklaces using either the Spinster Tool or the bobbin winder on your sewing machine. This is a delightful class for young and old!
- Amber Drexler, daughter of Eric, and granddaughter of Fred and Joyce, contributed her very popular braided Uni-Sex Friendship Bracelets. The young people in your life will love these!
- Terry Stenger shows off her version of the "Charity Bracelets" that she uses as a fundraiser for her children's schools.
- Designer Connie Kauffman created an adorable set of Punch Needle Mitten Coasters with Sulky 12 wt. Cotton Blendables. Punch Needle is a lot more fun using the Sulky Blendables.
It's time to have FUN WITH SULKY BLENDABLES!
A wonderful embroidery tip just in from Jim Suzio - Designer
"I was just helping a lady, and shared an idea, and she went 'ballistic!'. She was making free-standing lace angels, and I challenged her to try something that I did (when making my candle wraps). Use Sulky Clear Polyester monofilament thread in the needle/bobbin. Looks like cracked glass! While using white thread looks great, the sparkle that comes off the clear thread is really cool! (And you can add more if you add a metallic as well)."
Thanks Jim! Just in time for Christmas ornament making!
Sulky Embroidery Club
If you missed the Sulky Embroidery Club Holiday Newsletter and would like to see it, click here.Here are some of the designs and projects now available on the Sulky Embroidery Club website:
BOOTS - Designer Carol Ingram has once again added to her best-selling Snow Family embroidery designs with this lovable guy, "Boots". Don't you just want to hug him and bring him in the house for some hot cocoa?! This slightly plump fella is adorned with some of Carol's signature 3-D elements, with lively fringe on the scarf and a fluffy fringe ball at the end of his stocking cap.
SEWING GRANNY -
Here is Carol's long-awaited "Sewing Granny" snow lady. She is just full of character and looks so lovable she makes you want to join her in the snow. "Sewing Granny" features the wonderful patchwork quilt, embroidery hoop and sewing basket filled with notions.
BUT WAIT…THERE'S MORE…
Sewing Granny also has a "Granny Pocket Topper" to coordinate with "Sewing Granny" and lots of accessories. Her sewing basket and hand embroidery hoop are also available as a stand-alone design. There is a golden scissors border in both large and small sizes; individual spools of thread; a thread spool border with bobbins and a sewing needle and thread - so cute; and even a thimble. Imagine all you can do with this great selection of designs. "Sewing Granny" is also a 5" x 7" design. To see these designs and many more, visit sulkyembclub.com.
Fun At Quilt Market In Houston, Texas!
I went to the International Quilt Market in Houston at the end of October, along with Joyce Drexler, Carol Ingram, and Ellen Osten (and, of course, Fred Drexler and Jason Prater who spent almost all of their time in our booth introducing the fabulous NEW Products). The four "girls" walked the show looking for fabrics for our Sulky Certified Teacher Training projects and the new Sit 'n Sew classes we are offering. Carol took a bunch of photos of some of the nicer booths that we thought you might enjoy if you missed them.Patti
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Jason and Fred at Sample Spree |
 Sample Spree insanity |
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 Sulky booth, Fred in foreground |
 Tear-down after the show |
"Sewing, Quilting, Fun & Fashion - Oh My!"
Embroidery Designed by Joyce Drexler,
Creative Director for Sulky of America.
We have now completed all but 2 of 23 Sulky Certified Teacher Training Events for 2011+. They have been wonderfully received and with our new on-line survey, we have been gathering terrific data for future use. We are so thankful for all the positive feedback, and for the helpful suggestions from everyone who attended.
IT'S TIME TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAM…
Are you asking yourself, "Why would I want to become a Sulky Certified Teacher, NOW of all times?"
Find out by clicking here.
Or, perhaps your dream is to just have a fun, 3-day get-away adventure with people who love sewing as much as you do. In either case, we can make your dream come true!
Don't miss the 2011+ fun and festivities! (2011 plus, because we continue the events into early 2012 in the "warmer climates" for the snowbirds and residents there.) We are planning for even more attendees at 22 locations throughout the USA, and now two in Canada, and lots more fun!
More than NINE new projects are planned, each with several techniques. And because you asked for it, some are much more involved than previous years. Visit our website: www.sulky.com to see photos of the new projects. PLUS… THE information everyone has been asking for:
HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKET YOUR OWN CREATIVE PROJECTS. In this economy, a lot of us are using our sewing skills to save money by making clothing and gifts. Some of us are even hoping to sell some of our creative projects. But where do we start? How do we succeed? We'll show you ways to help you successfully market your projects and/or your teaching skills.
PLUS…
How, Where, When, and Why to use them.
• I am so confused about stabilizers… There are so many choices, and I know they make all the difference for a finished, professional look, but how do I know what to use where? Can't it be made simple? It can, and we will!
How to do your part…
Where to start giving back to your community or the world community at large.
• AND… debuting the two new Sulky Stabilizers that will make you wonder how you ever survived without them!
• ALSO… Introducing the NEW 60 wt., Sulky PolyLite Thread! And lots and lots more!
- Marketing and Promoting Classes
- Where to Teach
- Class Pricing Suggestions
- Kit Fees & Class Policies
- News Release Guidelines
- Teacher Preparation
Register today, or for more information call 1-800-874-4115
Ext. 161 (Cathy - West of the Mississippi)
Ext. 176 (Michelle - East of the Mississippi)
For information on any of our products or programs visit sulky.com
The new Sulky Certified Teacher Training schedule for 2011+ is just out. Don't miss this opportunity to sign up - classes are filling quickly! Like Dr. Phil says: "IT'S TIME TO GET EXCITED ABOUT YOUR LIFE!"
STAGGERED BARGELLO SERENITY DUCK WALLHANGINGFearless, no-match bargello, and a ready-made, pre-cut pintail duck appliqué - a recipe for success. We will show you several methods of appliqué that will win over the most appliqué/quilt-resistant among you. This beautiful wallhanging is easy and fun, but still elegant and intricate looking. Even a quilting newbie will love this easy staggered bargello technique and the amazing ease of using pre-cut appliqués. The unusual staggered-bargello finished, bottom-binding makes this project especially unique.
In addition to these projects, there will be:
The Fashionable Bodacious Bag and 3-D Flower
Hold My Napkin, Please - Quilt for a Cause Placemat
Pillow Quilt to Go
The Hoffman Challenge Fabric in the "Not Your Grandma's Convertible Apron"
Your Measuring Buddy
An Elegant Confetti Ribbon Scarf
A Handy-Dandy Tech Tote
Haughty Hat
And lots of surprises!
These classes are filling fast. Don't wait!
Click here to see the projects for the 2011+ Sulky Certified Teacher Training Program.
Locations and Dates
| Date | Location | Educators |
| Feb, 2012 | ||
| 02/01 - 02/03 Cost: $529 | Ellen Osten | |
| 02/01 - 02/03 Cost: $529 | Lee Fletcher |
New Products
Below are some new products that we have introduced in the last few months.
- New - PolyLite 60 wt. Thread -
Click here to download the flyer to view all the display options - New! 3rd group of 42 colors of Sulky Cotton Blendables in both 12 wt. and 30 wt.
- New! Soft 'n Sheer Extra™
(a heavier, iron-on version of Soft 'n Sheer) - New! Sticky Fabri-Solvy™
(a printable, sticky version of Fabri-Solvy) - New! Sulky Books! Sew, Craft, Quilt and Embroider Confidently with Sulky Stabilizers
- AND
- Fun with Sulky Blendables and Solid Color Cotton Threads
- New! Sulky Iron-On Transfer Pen
4-Pack and 8-Pack - New! Flesh-tone 40 wt. Rayon Slimline Collections
- New! 2nd Embroiderer's Dream Collection
of 40 wt. Rayon - NEW REAL THREAD CHARTS AND FREE PRINTED THREAD CHART!
Printed Thread Charts
The long-awaited FREE, PRINTED SULKY THREAD CHART is here! Ask your local store to order article #999LIT4, which is a pack of 50 charts. FREE to them and to you.
This chart includes all 333 solid 40 wt. Rayon colors (including the NEWEST 51 RAYON COLORS) 55 variegated and multi-colors; 156 30 wt. Rayons; 138 Poly Deco including the 8 neons; the NEW PolyLite in 36 solid colors and 24 multi-colors; all the Sulky Metallics; all the current SULKY Stabilizer information and MORE!
AND, the best part is the handy, tear-off, pocket inventory chart.
A new REAL thread chart for our Rayon, Poly Deco, and PolyLite lines is now available. This single chart has real thread swatches that depict all 388 colors of 40 wt. Rayon, all 156 colors of 30 wt. Rayon, all 138 colors of 40 Wt. Poly Deco, and all 60 colors of the brand NEW 60 wt. PolyLite. Plus, it includes the Clear and Smoke Invisible Thread and Black and White Bobbin Thread. The item # is the same as our previous Rayon card - Art. # 998-SAM3.
**Be on the lookout for a new Real thread card for both our Cotton lines and Metallic lines soon**
Click here for more info on either of these thread charts.
Coni Stanley, former Janome Education Coordinator, shared these pictures of her gorgeous scarf made on the New Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy.
Thank you Coni!
Makes me want to whip up a few for the holidays!
CONGRATULATIONS! – Sulky Door Prize Winners
Judy KroupaMontello, WI
At the Quilt Expo Show in Madison, WI
Sylvia Witcoff
Knoxville, TN
At the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville, TN
Cynthia Morris
Tacoma, WA
At the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma, WA
Molly Zachariash
At the ASG Conference in Los Angeles, CA
Lynda Belton
At the Rocky Mountain Quilt Show in Loveland, CO
Judy Lowrey
Winchester, VA
At the Quilt Expo Show in Chantilly, VA
Lynette Disrud
Eden Prairie, MN
At the OSQE Show in Bloomington, MN
Carol Wiggs
Houston, TX
At the Houston Quilt Festival in Houston, TX
Madeline Glover
Woodstock, GA
At the Georgia Quilt Show in Duluth, GA
VISIT US IN OUR BOOTH AT THESE UPCOMING CONSUMER SHOWS…
| DATE | SHOW | LOCATION |
| 01/19/2012 - 01/22/2012 | Road To California - LEARN MORE | Ontario, CA |
| 01/26/2012 - 01/28/2012 | Rusty Barn | Phoenix, AZ |
| 02/23/2012 - 02/25/2012 | Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Lakeland, FL |
| 03/01/2012 - 03/04/2012 | Sewing & Stitchery Expo | Puyallup, WA |
| 03/08/2012 - 03/10/2012 | Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Duluth, GA |
| 03/14/2012 - 03/17/2012 | American Quilter's Society | Lancaster, PA |
| 03/22/2012 - 03/24/2012 | Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Chicago, IL |
| 03/29/2012 - 03/31/2012 | Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Cleveland, OH |
| 04/12/2012 - 04/14/2012 | Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Worcester, MA |
| 04/13/2012 - 04/15/2012 | Intl Quilt Festival | Cincinnati, OH |
| 04/25/2012 - 04/28/2012 | American Quilter's Society | Paducah, KY |
| 05/10/2012 - 05/12/2012 | Home Machine Quilting Show | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 08/17/2012 - 08/19/2012 | ASG Conference | Houston, TX |
| 08/17/2012 - 08/19/2012 | Rocky Mtn Quilt Show | Loveland, CO |
| 09/05/2012 - 09/08/2012 | Quilt Expo w/Nancy Zieman | Madison, WI |
| 09/28/2012 - 09/30/2012 | American Sewing Expo | Novi, MI |
| 10/04/2012 - 10/06/2012 | Original Sewing & Quilt Expo | Chantilly, VA |
| 10/18/2012 - 10/20/2012 | Georgia Quit Show | Duluth, GA |
| 11/01/2012 - 11/04/2012 | International Quilt Festival | Houston, TX |
Newsletter e-mail reminder
Be sure to put sulkynews@sulkyonline.com in your e-mail address book so that our newsletters reach you and don't end up in your Spam folder.
SOME THINGS TO PONDER…
"The most successful people are those who are good at Plan B."
- James Yorke
"It's much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem."
- Malcolm Forbes
"Other people do not have to change for us to experience peace of mind."
- Gerald Jampolsky
FREE Project of the Month
Sulky Thread Sculpted Rose Bud Pin
by Gina Butler
Thread Sculpture is the art of creating fabric from machine embroidery threads. Pieces can be formed into any shape imagined. This is a very good technique for those who are new to the machine arts. Wonderful results can easily be achieved using only a straight stitch. For flower patterns, look to seed catalogs and books on gardening. Of course, those of you with "green thumbs" can "pick" patterns from your own gardens.
VISIT OUR "FREE PROJECTS" SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE THAN 60 FREE, DOWNLOADABLE PROJECTS: www.sulky.com/project/index_project.php
Have a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas and Holiday season!
Patti Lee
Vice President
Consumer Relations
Sulky of America, Inc.
Patti.lee@sulky.com
www.sulky.com
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