Superior Threads

December 2009

WISE WORDS FROM MOTHER SUPERIOR
It was exactly one year ago when we welcomed our Superior granddaughter into the world.  Avilyn is already one year old.  She has quite the playroom set up in her mom's office and definitely attracts attention when she comes to work (which is not often enough).  See the Specials section for the Happy Birthday Avilyn Special.  We also have a Free Christmas Gift offer with orders over $30 (see Specials section) and we have a new easy-to-make Texture Magic Christmas Stocking pattern available just in time for Christmas (see What's New section below).

  December 5, 2008

  1 year old.
  Avilyn's first words: "I love Grandma and Grandpa."

EDUCATION: Longarm Machine Needles

A needle catalog may contain over 4,000 different sewing machine needles -- needles for dozens of machine types and hundred of applications.  Multiply those by 6 to 10 sizes each and it’s easy to see why there are more than 4,000 different needles.  
In the longarm quilting world, one of the most popular needles is the MR (Multiple Range) needle, originally made by Singer.  This needle was designed with less flex to accommodate sewing through multiple layers and thereby reduce needle breakage.  Another needle, the SAN (Special Application Needle) was developed as a multi-directional needle by Groz-Beckert company.  SAN needles were developed to accommodate computerized machines and longarm machines because both require multi-directional stitching.  Groz-Beckert bought the Singer industrial sewing machine needle division about 10 years ago and has recently integrated these two needle designs.  As a result, we now have Multi Range and Multi-directional functions combined into a single needle type.  These new needles are available with titanium-coating and last 5-8 times longer than standard needles.  They are packaged in green plastic cases and are labeled using the MR designation. They are available in sizes ranging from MR 2.0 (#70) to MR 6.0 (#23) with the most common sizes for quilting being MR 3.0 through MR 4.5.  (To view needles on our website, click here.)

In the past, there have been differences in cross reference guides for the MR system and the number system needle sizes.  Now that Groz-Beckert needles and Singer needles are under the same roof, the absolutely correct cross reference system supplied by the manufacturer is available.  Here is it.
Needle Size
#14 = MR 3.0
#16 = MR 3.5
#18 = MR 4.0
#19 = MR 4.5
#20 and #21 = MR 5.0


BOB'S TEACHING SCHEDULE Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob
Jan. 6, 2010. Peoria Quilt Guild. Peoria, IL
Jan. 7, 2010. HAAQG. Bloomington, IL
Jan. 15-16, 2010. Ontario, CA. Road to California.  Bob will present two lectures and Superior Threads will teach two hands-on classes using Texture Magic.
Feb. 11, 2010. Scottsdale, AZ. Sew From the Heart
Feb. 25-28, 2010.  Sewing & Stitchery Expo. Puyallup, WA.  Bob will present four lectures and Superior Threads will teach one hands-on class using Texture Magic.
April 16, 2010.  Providence, RI. MQS show
July 1-3, 2010: School of Threadology goes to HAWAII as part of Quilt Hawaii 2010.

SCHOOL OF THREADOLOGY
April 7- 9. Certified Superior Threadologist course. St. George, Utah.  Only six spaces left.
July 1-3. Hawaii (Big Island). Certified Superior Threadologist course in Paradise. Part of the Quilt Hawaii 2010 event.  Life doesn’t get much better than this. Become a Certified Superior Threadologist while enjoying a few days in paradise. Other classes and events are also available as part of the Quilt Hawaii event. Great room rates at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa have been negotiated.  Register through Quilt Hawaii. 

$30 IDEA WINNERS
Please be our Business Consultant. Send us your ideas to help us serve you better (products, education, website, customer service, etc.). We will award a $30 gift certificate for the best ideas. In the e-mail subject line, please type "$30 idea."  Click here to submit an idea
This month's winning Consultants:
1.  Peggy Jebavy (Virginia, USA)  You have links within your newsletter in every section except in the section of the $30 idea. Wouldn't it be easier just to add a link directly to the email address with which you wish people to send their idea?
Bob’s note: Why didn’t I think of that?

2. Susan White.  Please add a date to your catalog. That way I'll know right away if I'm looking at my most current copy.  Please let us know in your newsletters when you have published new catalogs.  Please add an index on the inside cover or first page of your catalog.  
Bob's Note: We did it.  All of them.  The newest edition contains 78 pages of great information.  Color sheets for all products, All Thread Reference Guides, Thread Selection Guide, Troubleshooting Guide, and much more.  The newest catalog is light green in color and dated September 2009.  It may be worth $100.00 but it is sold at our printing cost of $2.

3. Peg Gamache.   In your MasterPiece thread on 600 yd. spools, you have light and dark neutral collection sets, each containing four colors.  How about a prewound bobbin collection to go with it?
Bob’s note: Done. Two sets are available. One set contains the lighter shades and the other set contains the darker shades of the same thread and the same colors on L-style prewound bobbins.  See details in the What’s New section directly below.  


WHAT’S NEW (This Month)
1.  Revised Inventory List. 24 pages of easy-to-print Inventory List.  This helps you keep track of your thread inventory and makes a convenient shopping list. 

2.  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.

3.  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).

4.  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).            

5.  Updated catalog, What Makes Us Superior?  The newest edition contains 78 pages of great information.  Color sheets for all products, All Thread Reference Guides, Thread Selection Guide, Troubleshooting Guide, and much more.  The newest catalog is light green in color and dated September 2009.  Sold at our printing cost of $2.

6.  Updated Longarm Thread Reference Guide.  Includes a cross reference for the MR scale and number scale.

7. Texture Magic Christmas Stocking pattern. 


Just in time for Christmas, an easy-to-make Christmas stocking with a designer flair.  Very easy-to-follow instructions.  Three different styles and three different sizes.  December Special:  Order together and get this new pattern AND a pack of Texture Magic for a special price of  $19.00 (reg. $21.00). 




WHAT’S NEW (Last Month)
1. Texture Magic patterns. We currently have 14 different patterns available. These patterns include quilt patterns, clothing patterns, baby accessory patterns, and patterns for bags and totes.  Also please check out the Texture Magic section in the Gallery. 
We receive many requests to view and resell other patterns for Texture Magic products. We decided to refer these to a pattern professional, The Quilt Pattern Shoppe, an online pattern reseller. Here you will see a Texture Magic Patterns section on their website and pattern designers can contact them to submit pattens for consideration. 

2. NEW Brytes. We are happy to have Caryl Bryer Fallert’s advice and name on this product. NEW Brytes is the same #30/3-ply polyester thread and color range as original Brytes but not as slick. We "de-slicked" it, making it easier to use at high speed. New Brytes is intended to be bright and visible and it is great for home machines (quilting and embroidery), longarm machines, and computer-aided quilting.   See Specials below for the introductory special price.


STORE LOCATOR
If you own or work at a store that carries our products, please register your store on our Store Locator. It is free. New customers can find you by country, state/province or zip code. We also list your contact information and what Superior products you carry. We recently added a new feature to online orders. At the bottom of the customers’ order, we list all stores in their area that carry our products. Your store must be registered on our Store Locator to be included. The Store Locator feature is as accurate and current as stores add themselves to our website.


BOB’S RECOMMENDATION for Website Design and Hosting
Frustrated with your website or webmaster? Or thinking about creating a website or need to upgrade, change, or maintain your current website? We have a wonderful recommendation. Check out WebsitesForQuilters.com. They are highly skilled, fast, accurate and have good rates. We use them, like them, and recommend them to everyone. Please contact them through their website or at service@danemco.net (This is an unpaid and unsolicited recommendation. We use them, like them, and therefore recommend them. You’ll love their superior service.)


HELP WANTED
Superior Threads is looking for qualified representatives to sell and demo our popular new product, Texture Magic at local shops all over the world. Some territories in excellent locations (below) are still available. If this sounds like a fun part time job, please contact kent@superiorthreads.com for details and an application.
Texture Magic Sales Territories are available in these locations:
Hawaii, all Islands
San Francisco & N. Ca Coast
San Bernardino & Riverside California
North & Central Utah
Phoenix & North Arizona
Mesa & South Arizona
Colorado
New Mexico & West Texas
San Antonio & South Texas
Houston Texas
Kansas & West Missouri
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Mississippi
Alabama
Georgia
SE Florida
SW Florida
North Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
North New Jersey
SE New York State
NYC & Long Island
Connecticut & Rhode Island
Europe, except Spain
Canada except British Columbia and Ontario
Everywhere else outside the US except Australia

1.  FREE to our Newsletter subscribers.  During the month of December, order a minimum of $30 and type “New Brytes” in the Comments box at the end of the order page and we will send you a FREE 275 yd. SPOOL of NEW Brytes.  If you have a color preference, please include it.  Merry Christmas.

2. 25% off Introductory Special on NEW Brytes 1,650 yd. cones. New Brytes is the same type, thread size, and colors as Brytes but not as slick. We "de-slicked" it. New Brytes is a #30/3-ply polyester thread intended to be bright and visible. 1,650 yd. cones are on sale at $12.65.

3. Try Me Specials. You choose the product, we choose the colors, and you save 40-50%. Available for most products.

4. Art Studio Colors 2,000 yd. cones. This is a beautiful high sheen premium trilobal polyester thread for both quilting and embroidery. 36 colors. Half price. Only $6.95 (regularly $13.90).

5. Perfect Quilter. When they’re gone, they’re gone. 50% off Perfect Quilter. Regular price for 300 yd. mini cones is $8.99 (34 colors still available). Now only $4.50. 2,500 yd. cones (only 17 colors left) are $15 (reg. $29.95). Perfect Quilter is a 17 wt. cotton thread that creates a wonderful, well defined stitch. We recommend using a Topstitch #100/16 needle and a thread stand/cone holder. Perfect Quilter is recommended for home machines and not for most longarms.

6. Superior Sampler Sets individually designed for home quilting, longarm quilting, embroidery, and bobbin work. Save almost 50%.

7. 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.  3,280 yd. cones are $9.95 (reg. $16.90).
Thank you Avilyn, for adding so much joy and love to our lives.

BOB’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Christmas music has long been a favorite of mine.  Not the Jingle Bells or the Here Comes Santa Claus or the Frosty the Snowman types but the Christmas carols that convey a real Christmas message.  These songs teach of Joy, Hope, Praise, Love, Worth, Peace, Forgiving, Light, and Salvation.  Here are some lines from my favorite Christmas songs that teach the real meaning of Christmas.  Can you name the songs they are from?  Answers are below.
a.  God and sinner reconciled.
b.  A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
c.  Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day. To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy.
d.  God is not dead nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men.
e.  He rules the world with truth and grace.
f.  Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
g.  Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
h.  The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.
i.  Son of God, love’s pure light.
j.  The King of kings, salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
k. And with true love and brotherhood, each other now embrace.
l.  Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.
m.  Light and Life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.
n.  Truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love and His gospel is peace.

These words tell the real Christmas story.  We can have peace and joy and love because of God’s gift to us – a gift of his own son to all mankind.  We can have forgiveness and reconciliation and hope and worth because of the gift of Jesus Christ to us – the gift of His life and atonement.  It is up to us whether or not we accept these gifts.  And if we do, we can show gratitude for them by how we treat others.  In many ways, we are God’s hands here on earth.  Are we loving, kind, forgiving, and of good cheer?  Do we help those in need?  Are we kind to a stranger as well as to those who are closest to us?  Do we lift up rather than tear down?  Are we quick to forgive rather than hold a grudge?  Are our words soft and loving?  Let’s reach out to our families and neighbors with forgiveness, kindness, and love, and by doing so, bring the Spirit of Christ into our lives. One kind word can warm a long winter month.  During this joyous season, let's mend a quarrel, seek out a forgotten friend, erase a grudge, ask forgiveness, offer forgiveness, express our love, and be of good cheer.  Jesus Christ is the son of God. He lives and is our perfect Example.  May we all enjoy the Spirit of Christ during this wonderful season and carry it into the new year.  
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Bob and Heather Purcell

Answers
a. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
b. O Holy Night
c. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
d. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
e. Joy to the World
f. O Holy Night
g. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
h. O Little Town of Bethlehem
i. Silent Night
j. What Child is This?
k. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
l.  O Little Town of Bethlehem
m. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
n.  O Holy Night

THANK YOU for reading. Please forward to a friend and have a SUPERIOR day.
If this was forwarded to you and you want to subscribe, please click here: http://www.superiorthreads.com/newsletters/ To unsubscribe your current e-mail address, click the link below.

Bob Purcell, the Thread Professor and self-certified Threadologist.

Superior Threads: The ONLY thread with a guarantee.
Superior no ka oi

Copyright 2009 by Superior Threads. If you wish to reprint the Education portion of this newsletter, authorization is hereby
granted as long as the source is clearly cited as follows: used with permission from Bob Purcell. www.superiorthreads.com