Hi there…another great day to be alive, and lots to look forward to in our quilting world with classes, events, retreats and our National Quilting Symposium in Christchurch all happening this year.
https://quiltsymposium.com/

The class schedule, tutors and merchants have all been announced for Symposium and it is not too late to register if you are keen to attend classes.  If you are not registered there will be a entry fee to view the exhibitions, but as always the entry to the Merchant Mall will be free of charge.

We are looking forward to being part of this event (1-6 October) as a merchant and look forward to seeing you all there.  
Bernina NZ will be supplying the hire machines for this event once again, which means ex-symposium machines at great prices..perhaps an early Christmas present?   The machines on offer will be B770 PRO, B570, B475, B335 and Q16+.  Numbers will be limited, but if you would like to express your interest  please let us know.

What’s new in the shop…well the new fabric range “Slow and Steady” including pre-printed stitchery panel from Anni Downs (Hatched and Patched) has just arrived and the new patterns for these projects are due to arrive any day.  If you have a bit of a stash of Anni’s fabrics, why not combine some of the old with the new as they all work well together?

Need a bit of summer vibe?  This little retro caravan needle case from Australian designer Two Brown Birds is pretty cool, with a place for needles thread and scissors for when you are on your travels.  I have put this together as a kit all ready for you to sit and sew ($34.00).

Our William Morris sewing accessories are continuing to be very popular with scissors, snips, marking pencils, pins and tape measure all part of the range.
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/index.php?option=com_mijoshop&route=product/search&search=william%20morris
If you like a challenge…why not stretch your imagination and creativity by creating a small quilt (12” x 12”) for the Bernina Threadwork Exhibition.  You could win a brand new Bernina 325 machine which will be decided by viewers choice.
https://www.bernina.com/bernina/media/BNZ/Challenges/2026-THREADWORK_EntryForm_2.pdf
These quilts will also be on display as part of our Ashburton Mid Winter Retreat at the Hotel Ashburton (17-19 July).  If you would like a registration form for the retreat, just email us and we will send it right back to you ☺

If you are into slow stitching, embroidery and button making don’t miss our class on Friday-Saturday 27-28 March with Maria Moressey.  If you would like to do the class but would prefer a different design for the central panel, this can also be arranged.  
https://www.anniesquilts.co.nz/cms/classes.html
I am also looking forward to teaching a class in Wanaka later this month.

The date for our Hanmer Springs Retreat has also been locked in and that will be 6-8th November (registrations for this one will be out soon).

Now…on to the recipe.  We have an abundance of pears at the moment and plenty of free pears to give away on the verandah at the shop, please help yourself!

Pear Pud

• 150 g butter
• 200 g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 140 g flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 6 small pears peeled and cored (but left whole)

Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a large six whole muffin tray.
Cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs one and a time.  Add in the ginger and zest and the sifted dry ingredients and combine.  Spoon the mixture into the muffin pans and nestle a plear into each one.  Cook until the cakes are golden brown and the pears are cooked.  Serve warm dusted with icing sugar and a dollop of custard.

That’s all from me this time, happy stitching!
Rachel and the team at Annie’s CQS
03 3076 277
www.anniesquilts.co.nz