Happy New Year!

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

Our offices will be closed starting today, Thursday December 31st, and will open again Monday January 4th at 9am.

For 2010 we hope you have a SUPERIOR year!

Bob and Heather

New Longarm Needles

What's New in Longarm needles:
A smaller needle, SAN 11 #14 (MR 3.0) is now available. Recommended for very fine threads such as The Bottom Line, MonoPoly and Kimono Silk (coming soon).

Groz-Beckert SAN 11 (Special Application Needle, style 11) is specifically made for multi-directional use, which is exactly what longarm machines need. This style is the sxame as the MR (multi range) needles.

• Titanium-coated needles last longer and run cooler.
• Multi-directional design means more accurate stitching while moving the machine is any direction.
• Extra strength means maximum flexibilty and bending.
• Deep scarf prevents skipped stitches, less puckering, and less thread breakage.

Texture Magic Tuesday/ Cupcake Tote

Quite often there are patterns on the market that would be enhanced by adding a little bit of Texture Magic here or there.

What little girl doesn't love cupcakes? Adding Texture Magic to the frosting area makes this tote almost good enough to taste.

Little Cupcake Tote by Quilts Illustrated was easily adapted by using our Texture Magic Conversion Chart.

Texture Magic was stippled to the back of the purple fabric using MasterPiece #148 Pop Art Purple

This little tote can be easily assembled in a few hours, and would make a nice gift for a young daughter or grand daughter.

Helping In Houston

One of the nice things about attending IQF in Houston, is the opportunity to meet up with friends.
Annette Hendricks stopped by looking for just the right threads for her next project.
Annette, of Grayslake, Illinois recently won the Judges Choice Award, IQF 2009 for her quilt "Hide and Seek (now where did that mousie go?)"

The thread is just as valuable as the fabric for effect. Different places need different threads.
I love to audition different selections.
Some areas need a shiny thread. Others will look good with a thicker thread. Some sections look best using variegated.

Along with producing her own works of art, Annette is one of the three sisters of Three Sisters Art Quilting fame.

Gail Thomas, Denise Havlan, me, Annette Hendricks
These artists stopped by to pick out their choice of threads for their next award winning quilts.

Merry Christmas!

"Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you." (John Greenleaf Whittier)

From our Superior Threads family to yours, we wish you a Happy and Joyous Christmas!

Bob and Heather

MasterPiece Neutral Bobbin Sets

What's New:
For prewound bobbin lovers!!
MasterPiece neutral bobbin sets.
Neutral colors are the most popular when it comes to bobbin thread. We now have two new assortment sets.

Neutrals Light contain four light MasterPiece colors x 3 bobbins each.

Neutrals Dark contain four darker MasterPiece colors x 3 bobbins each.

• Item number for the LIGHT set is L-12-MPLT.
• Item number for the DARK set is L-12-MPDK
• These same color sets are also available in regular spool sets (not prewound bobbins).

Texture Magic Tuesday/ Poinsettia Quilt

Christine Kling, owner of a Quilting and Embroidery Business, has expanded her horizons and is now also the Texture Magic Rep for Southeastern Pennsylvania. Using her own design, this Poinsettia Quilt is just one example of the many ways Texture Magic can enhance any project a quilter may envision.

Christine has been quilting for about 12 years, and having the opportunity traveling to show various quilting stores, guilds and quilting clubs the joy of using Texture Magic is a great part of why she loves being a new Rep. “I first realized the beauty of this product when I visited several Amish Quilting shops in Lancaster County, Pa”, says Christine. “Their enthusiastic reception made me realize how special Texture Magic is.”

Christine loves the versatility Texture Magic gives quilters in making bags, quilts, and table runners to name a few, into unique works of art that can be enjoyed by all. With the Holiday Season upon us, Christine is really looking forward to sharing the many virtues of Texture Magic with everyone she visits!

Peace On Earth

Gail Thomas is an award winning quilter and working artist who lives in British Columbia, Canada. We often see each other at quilt shows. Recently Gail shared with us her design "Peace On Earth" (21" X 17")
This is a wonderful example of how Gail used Superior Threads Metallics for the hand stitching.

Gail wrote:
"I was given the fabric in Houston and knew that it was to be part my new Christmas Card Quilt design. I reconnect with friends and I am introduced to new friends in Houston and I always come back from that trip with glowing memories. So I can honestly say that you all inspired this quilt.

Painted doves, raw edge applique (the fabric on the leaves and berries is silk), hand quilted with Superior Threads metallic. I loved the hand sewing and more will follow."

Thank you Gail for sharing with us this beautiful Christmas Greeting.

#523 Avilyn on Sale

In honor of Avilyn's 1st Birthday:

So Fine color #523 AVILYN is named after our granddaughter and we are celebrating. She is one year old.

40% off this lovely pink color through the end of December.

So Fine is a very smooth #50/3-ply lint-free poly. Fantastic as a top thread, bobbin thread, construction thread, and also as a matte-finish embroidery thread. The 3,280 yd. cone is $9.95 (reg. $16.90).
Thank you Avilyn, for adding so much joy and love to our lives.

How Bob Waits in Line

On the way home from IQA in Houston our flight was canceled. Our entire group had to be rescheduled on another plane.
This is the only way Bob can patiently wait in line. Women wait in line together. We gab and get to know each other.
Not Bob. He spends his time on his laptop answering e-mails.

We have to give him some leeway because he managed to get us all home by that evening.
Never underestimate the power of Bob.

Texture Magic Tuesday/ Red Silk Coat

When we teach at trade shows I often like to wear clothing made with Superior Threads products. I feel this is a nice way to give you ideas on the use of our threads and notions.

My friend Lorraine, of Lorraine Torrence Designs wanted to see how Texture Magic would work up in one of her new patterns.
Lorraine has won numerous awards in the AQS Fashion Show and has judged that show and other Wearable Arts Shows.

Texture Magic is very compatible to use in clothing. This coat was made with red Dupioni silk purchased from Lorraine.

I used Ruby #130 Glitter thread with #627 BottomLine in the bobbin.

One of the nice things about working with Texture Magic is that it acts like an interfacing, so no additional interfacing is needed.

Superior Christmas Party

As 2009 comes to a close, we met together for our annual Superior Christmas Party.

We appreciate the support family members give to each of our staff, so everyone was invited to join us for a nice dinner at a local restaurant.

Superior baby Avilyn dressed up in her nicest Santa outfit.

This has been a busy year for us, with many new and exciting developments. Our group has grown in numbers.

We are always sad when some need to leave us. John, who has worked hard in our warehouse, will be moving as he furthers his education.

After dinner, we enjoyed a gift exchange. Some gifts came with a little teasing.

Jon, our vice president, keeps his own sandwich supplies in our kitchen. It was only fitting he be given another peanut butter and jelly for his lunch tomorrow.

We love working together. This has been a great year.

We finished the evening by thanking everyone for all the efforts they each have put forth in making Superior Threads a company that provides the best quality and service.
We are looking forward to 2010.

Superior Christmas Tree

Need any ideas as you decorate your Christmas tree this year?

How about putting together a Superior Christmas tree?

We know what we would like under the tree... and on the tree... and by the tree.

Including something that is as BRYTES as the lights.

Tell Santa to make sure he has a lot of thread in his sleigh.

And last, but not least, every tree needs to be topped with a Metallic cone angel, complete with Machinger wings.
*our thanks goes to Pat, Ricci and Deisy for their superior decorating ideas.

Locating Superior Thead Products In Your Area

Have you experienced the situation where you are working on a project, and run out of your favorite Superior thread?

No need to stress. We have a solution for you!

On our website, we provide a STORE LOCATOR where you can look up the nearest quilt store that sell Superior Thread products.

Search by zip code or State/Province or country. We do recommend calling them before making a long trip to make sure they have the exact product you are looking for. With over 1,000 Superior products, we understand that stores cannot stock most of our products. We appreciate those that carry any of our products.

If our products are not available in a store in your area, please ask, beg, and plead with them to add Superior products. They will listen to you.

Texture Magic Tuesday/ Staff Stockings

Annie Unrein has designed a new Texture Magic pattern just in time for Christmas. Festive Stockings can be used for any occasion. Stuff a special stocking with goodies and notes and hang it from a bedpost or doorknob to celebrate special days- birthdays, anniversaries...whatever!

We got together as a staff here at Superior Threads to make Festive Stockings.

Our guinea pigs did a wonderful job!

Deisy had never used a sewing machine before. We are so proud of beautiful job she did in making and finishing her stocking.

Each person used a different Superior Thread to sew with, and stitched the Texture Magic with a variety of designs.

There are three sizes included in the pattern: small, medium and large.

The pattern was so easy to follow.

Unless of course, you have someone in your group who likes to be contrary. All of ours faced to the right, so of course Carrie made hers facing to the left!

Festive Stockings can be ordered on our website.

We are now on Facebook AND Twitter

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and to hear about new products and specials.
If the Facebook link above does not take you directly to our page, here are the instructions:

• From your Facebook page, click on Friends at the top, and then Find Friends.
• Search for Superior Threads in the search box.
• Click on the Pages link on the left-hand side of the screen. You should then see the Superior Threads logo.
• Click on Become a Fan.

Gift Certificates Available

With Christmas around the corner, this is a nice time to remember that special someone with a Gift Certificate from Superior Threads.

To order on line, visit our web site.

You will find these easy to follow instructions:

• Gift Certificates are available in $25.00 increments.
• For a $50.00 Gift Certificate, enter 2 in the quantity box. For a $100.00 certificate, enter 4 in the quantity box.
• If you want us to send it to another person, enter that person's name and address in the Ship To field or provide a name and e-mail address and we will send it by e-mail.
• Shipping charges are not assessed for orders containing only gift certificates.

Try Me Specials

Have you considered purchasing several Superior Thread products but are not sure where to start? We have the answer for you!

We offer Try Me Specials to help you in the decision making process.

You chose the product, we chose the colors, and you save 40-50% off.

Available for most products.

Texture Magic Tuesday/ Norrie's Bag

Recently Norrie MacIlraith of Minnesota, participated in our School of Threadology. While she was in class she showed us the bag she had made with Texture Magic.

Norrie is currently the Texture Magic Rep over the East Minnesota area. As part of her responsibilities she visits quilt stores, guilds, and various groups to show the wonderful ways to work with Texture Magic.

She used Texture Magic on different sections of her bag, highlighting how different stitches produce various results in texture.

The inside had several pockets, with plenty of room to carry packages of Texture Magic and Texture Magic friendly patterns. Notice she also left enough room to include several projects made with Texture Magic, too.

It was so nice to meet Norrie, to have her participate in our School of Threadology, and to feel her enthusiasm.
Norrie sent us this note once she arrived home:
"I want you to know that I appreciated all your planning for this classes, fabulous meals, and general care of the participants—it felt truly special. Please extend a thank you to all your staff."