Class Sign-up day is September 5th Classes fill quickly - don’t be disappointed.
100 - 2093 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 1B5 Phone: (867) 393-BEAR (2327) www.bearspawquilts.com @ BearsPawQuilts1 Bears-Paw-Quilts
Well - hello and welcome back - did you have a good summer? I shall not talk about the weather - my friend Flick is here for a summer holiday and the temperature as I write this is only 3°C and there is new snow on the mountains. I’m a tad embarrassed. If it’s like this in the summer we need to get ready for hiding indoors and making lots more quilts. But we are having a great time together. We are flying to Dawson for a couple of days. Flick has been here 4 or 5 times so she has done most of the touristy things so we are just hanging around together like the old friends we are. We have known each other for 57 years. Let’s get back to BPQ. We had a good term - January to April. At the beginning of “after classes” we had good attendance at our daily “free sews”. This meant that many of you came and sewed in peace and completed a project from last term or from many terms ago. We will for sure continue to run the free sews as well as our monthly Sew Far Behind.The free sews will be during the day, but only when the classroom is empty. Every Saturday I shall put a post on Facebook so you can be sure that there is room for you. If you take advantage of this facility it gives you a better chance of completing your quilts. These sew-ins were disturbed by the arrival of Shelley and Bernie. They drove their RV from Saskatoon and arrived ready to start on the 144 machines that were waiting. This is such a fabulous service that we have - imagine if we didn’t have them here - OMG - we would be shipping constantly and hauling machines down south. Thank you Bernie and Shelley for the long-term commitment that you have given to BPQ and our customers.
pssst!
NEWSLETTER August 2026
We have a new teacher - Annie Cloutier. She is teaching a sort of Sashiko, a hand sewing technique that is Japanese in origin. I hope you will support her in her first teaching of sewing. I too have a hand-sewing project - Hand Play with Yarn - I’ve done it a couple times before but I do love the results. The rest of the teaching team are with us this term, Chris, Christiane, Laurie, Gwen, Tara, Karen, Ruth and Terry. Back from their breaks are Corey and Tricia. The counter staff are the same. Karen had a bad summer, she tripped over a vacuum cord and dislocated her shoulder and broke her humerus. A few weeks later she fell in the street and fractured the bridge of her nose and had to have 11 stitches in her forehead. She bravely is back in the shop working Saturdays - what a woman. Lee also had a bad time. She was visiting her daughter on Saltspring Island, tripped on the deck, fell and fractured her humerus. She is back in Whitehorse recuperating. We wish both of them well. Now it is time to thank all of my teaching and counter staff - you are the backbone of our shop. I’m always delighted at how much extra work you take on - it makes such a huge difference to the running of the shop But even more so, I need to thank you, my loyal customers. I am oh so grateful that you continue to shop locally as much as possible. Keep coming please. ~Ruth and the staff of BPQ Bernie and Shelley will be back next June so make sure you get your machine on the list NOW for servicing
September 1. Jelly Roll Rug with Ruth Headley
This great project continues to be popular, and so we’ve scheduled another one. Make an oval, a rectangle with WOF or a rectangle with fat quarters. Such fun! Tuesday, September 8th 6:00-9:30pm Thursday, September 10th 6:00-9:30pm $70.00 + pattern
2. Introduction to the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) with Chris Mahar
Did you get a BSR (stitch regulator) when you bought your machine? The regulator is to assist you in obtaining even stitches when free motion quilting. Learn the basics of using your BSR and tips and tricks for each mode. Best of all, you will have a full night to practice your free motion quilting trying new designs available for the evening of fun. Try different free-motion quilting techniques with different threads, stitches and even needles. Wednesday, September 9th 6:00-9:30pm $35.00
Winter Challenge This year our theme is Let it Snow. This gives you lots of choice for lap quilts, hangings, table quilts or 3D projects. The project needs to be hung in the shop on Friday, December 18th ready for viewing on Saturday’s Customer Appreciation Day. You can see and vote until December 23rd. We place the results on Facebook as well as photos of all the entries. The entry can be made using any technique, by hand or machine. It can be any size. All entries are anonymous, but put a name on the back. The entry fee is a pile of groceries for the Food Bank. Entries must be in the shop Friday, December 18th. Voting starts on Customer Appreciation Day and continues until December 23rd. Prizes are awarded from the viewers vote. It’s all about the participation, so please join in.♥ 2
3. QuiltStart with Ruth Headley
This class is designed for those who have no experience in quilting, or for those who want to get back to basic skills. The class has two components: Introduction to Quilting where you learn about the basic equipment and materials needed as well as learning about your machine, and QuiltStart where you will make a table runner in the Rail Fence design. This class provides the rudiments of quilting and prepares you to work on any number of projects afterward. This class is comprised of 14 hours of class time and up to 4 hours of extra sewing to complete the project. Introduction to Quilting: Friday, September 11th 6:00-9:30pm Class: Friday, September 18th 6:00-9:30pm Saturday, September 19th 10:00am-1:30pm Monday, September 21st 6:00-9:30pm $80.00 - pattern included
4. Machine Binding with Laurie Jacobsen
Learn how to attached a binding entirely by machine. No hand stitching! Come away from this class with a set of step-by-step samples that will guide you through your next project and handson practice that will have you well on your way to the perfect machine binding. Just in time to bind your Christmas projects! Monday, September 14th 6:00-9:30pm $35.00
5. Walking Foot Quilting with Ruth Headley
It may be time to invest in quilting some of your smaller quilts! Nowadays the designers have modernised walking foot quilting. Melissa Marginet was the first one to write a book on it. We will work through the book together. Tuesday, September 15th 6:00-9:30pm Wednesday, September 16th 6:00-9:30pm $70.00 + book
northern sky fabrics …ahem, our collection is out of this world!
6. Colour 1
10. Crimson Christmas
with Laurie Jacobsen
with Laurie Jacobsen
Join us for an evening of fun as we play with fat quarters to explore the colour wheel basics, intensity, tone, texture and fabric choices. This introductory colour theory course designed by Karen Mills is perfect for beginner to advanced quilters or anyone looking to add a little colour pizzazz to their quilts. All Levels Thursday, September 17th 6:00-9:30pm $35.00 + colour wheel
7. Sew Far Behind with Gwen Laxton
What an opportunity this is, a whole day to come to grips with some of those unfinished projects. It’s quiet, lots of space, no distractions and a teacher on hand to help you work out those problems...and all for a fabulous price. Sunday, September 20th 9:00am-4:00pm $25.00
8. Scrappy Quilt - Using The Magic Triangle with Tara Schultz
It’s time for another scrappy quilt. This one uses a triangle ruler, included in your pattern. The pattern is very versatile – it is set up to use scrap pieces in the finished block size you choose. There are different layouts to choose from included in your pattern – some use only Block A, some use only Block B, some are a combination of both. Make your own design using the blocks or pick from one of the ones they suggest. The sky is the limit with this one. Tuesday, September 22nd 6:00-9:30pm Friday, October 2nd 6:00-9:30pm $70.00 + pattern
9. No Snow Retreat with the lucky ones in Haines Junction
The new term is really underway when we start the retreat. A lot of us go on Wednesday night and settle into the Alcan Hotel ready for the early morning start on Thursday. Grace - who now owns Frosties caters to our culinary needs, her food is fabulous. In 4 days we can work through a lot of projects, start some new ones, compete some old ones. Just for the record last term we had a full house and a wait list so sign up soon. Thursday, September 24th 9:00am to Sunday, September 27th 3:00pm $280.00-ish + sleeping costs lunch & dinner supplied
Free Sew
During this retreat we can offer the classroom for a FREE SEW - there will be 2 members of the staff in the shop on both Friday and Saturday. Thursday the classroom is booked. Please pre-book for this event.
Give your Christmas decor the WOW factor with these oversized poinsettia blooms! This is a contemporary quilt that will bring elegance to any space. It is cut using the Creative Grids 60 degree diamond ruler. The piecing starts out smaller in the middle and “blooms” out bigger with each row of petals. No fussy piecing or Y seams involved. Lap size. Confident/Challenging. Monday, September 28th 6:00-9:30pm Tuesday, October 6th 6:00-9:30pm Monday, October 26th 6:00-9:30pm $90.00 + pattern
11. Bernina Club with Ruth Headley
In this class you will be making a small project that enables you to feel more comfortable with your wonderful machine. It is especially useful for new owners who get a free year membership if you bought your machine at BPQ. The nominal $20.00 kit fee is required for all others. Everyone who owns a Bernina, however long you have had it, is more than welcome to attend. Every month you need to sign up once you see the project and we have the sign-up sheet ready. TUESDAY, September 29th (Note Tuesday not Wednesday) 12:00-3:30pm or 6:00-9:30pm $20.00 Kit Fee (after free classes)
New Term Sale!
This year our Sign-Up day, September 5th, is before Labour Day. This is so we can hold some classes in the 2nd week of September. Notice - all these early classes are easy to prepare for - one Jelly Roll and Batting Roll and we are ready for the Rug class. The sale is scheduled for the following weekend. As always the remaining 50% fabric will drop to 70% off! The 30% will drop to 50% off and stay at that price. There will be a table of new reductions at 30%, which will remain at that price and on display in the back room from then on.
Saturday, September 12th 9:00am to 4:00pm Sunday, September 13th 9:00am to 4:00pm
Friday, September 25th & Saturday, September 26th
3
October 12. QuiltStart with Ruth Headley
Please see description #3
Introduction to Quilting: Thursday, October 1st 6:00-9:30pm Class: Tuesday, October 13th 6:00-9:30pm Wednesday, October 14th 6:00-9:30pm Thursday, October 15th 6:00-9:30pm $80.00 - pattern included
13. Daytime QuiltStart with Ruth Headley
Please see description #3 Introduction to Quilting: Thursday, October 1st 6:00-9:30pm Class: Monday, October 19th 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday, October 20th 9:00am-4:00pm $80.00 - pattern included
14. Portraits in Gray with Corey Sheffield
This is another course in painting with fabric, featuring my “appliqué with collage overtones” technique. It’s the third time for this technique with a different subject; portraits. Choose your own picture or that of a loved one. The instructions will focus on making the pattern using posterizing, choosing your fabric, and piecing it all together. A close up headshot will be required 2 weeks ahead of time in order for me to posterize it, enlarge it to 11x14 inches and print it. The Kit will include your own portrait: posterized and ready to make your pattern with, a set of instructions and a list of supplies needed. Saturday, October 3rd 9:00am-4:00pm Saturday, October 10th 9:00am-4:00pm $120.00 + kit
Class credits The class credits have changed a little. We offer you the opportunity to earn ½ price and even free classes. Each class you attend will give you points towards this goal.
= 1 point 3 points = ½ price class 6 points =1 free class We will calculate how many classes you did in a calendar year, obviously starting from last January. The points do not carry forward from one calendar year to the next, but your free class can be used or saved. It is based on the $70 class. This means there will be nothing given out this time but the year will be totalled and vouchers given out in December for use in January 2027
The BPQ Fabric Card We are of course continuing with our loyalty card. When you buy fabric at the regular price, we stamp the card, in units of $10 or $20. When it’s full you get - one free metre, OR two ½ metres OR four fat quarters. Save them up or spend them as soon as the ink is dried. 4
15. Crazy Christmas Trees with Terry Funk
This is a fun little quilt that works as a table runner or wall hanging. You can use Christmas fabrics or fun novelty fabrics. Think Thanksgiving or Halloween! Very simple and quick. Beginner to Advanced. Great for all levels Sunday, October 4th 9:00am-4:00pm $70.00 + pattern
16. Sashiko with Annie Cloutier
In this class, you will learn basic sashiko techniques and stitches. You will end up with a cushion cover made from old jeans or dark fabric. It includes hand stitching, of course, and machine stitching to construct the cushion. Wednesday, October 7th 6:00-9:30pm Thursday, October 29th 6:00-9:30pm Tuesday, November 10th 6:00-9:30pm $90.00 + pattern
We Have Gone Green
Bring your own cloth bags with you - or even better, make one to use. We have patterns too!
quality from to BERNINA 335 the contemporary enthusiast
6.3”
$2150.00
perfect for small sewing rooms • BERNINA Free Hand System
BERNINA
p t o b o b bin
BERNINA 325
Series 3 advantages • Modern design & compact size • Powerful DC motor • Centrally positioned, colour, 4.3-inch touch screen • Bright LED sewing light • Adjustable presser foot pressure • Adjustable thread tension • Semi-automatic needle threader • 5.5 mm stitch width • Large selection of stitches & fonts • Free arm for sewing tubular pieces • Slide-on freearm extension table • Quick Help • Setup program • USB port • Short & Long-term memory
the stylish entry-level model
6.3”
$1800.00
big potential-compact machine
We are your Bernina source 17. Holiday Glow
18. Fabric Pumpkins
with Karen Berrel
with Tara Schultz
Congratulations! You have just found yourself a new, cute table runner for the Christmas season. It is a simple appliqué pattern, using larger pieces of fabric. The larger pieces are perfect for the novice appliqué artist, and the curve of the pieces make it a bit more of a challenge for all! Of course, I have changed the method slightly from the original pattern - you will learn a freezer paper method to make this table runner. And just for the fun of it, we will also cover how to turn this piece into a bed runner. Get ready for the holiday season with this cute, modern piece. Thursday, October 8th 6:00-9:30pm Thursday, October 22nd 6:00-9:30pm $70.00 + pattern
For all you pumpkin lovers out there, here’s a pumpkin that you can keep year round. You don’t have to make it in orange fabric, you can make any colour you want. It is ideal for using some of those strips or scraps of fabric you are hanging onto. The pattern has 4 different sizes of pumpkins. You can make a whole family of them to decorate your house for the fall or turn into a pincushion. Friday, October 9th 6:00-9:30pm Friday, October 16th 6:00-9:30pm $70.00 + pattern
All About BPQ Retreats
Location
Sign-up begins
Retreat Date
It has evolved over the years that we do early sign-up for our Quilt Retreats. Rather than waiting for class sign-up days in January and September, we begin the sign-up for these coveted getaways earlier. Don’t despair, on Facebook, we let you know when sign-up will begin. Keep your eyes open for registration.
BPQ Birthday Haines Junction Longest Day Haines Junction Inn on the Lake
January mid-October April mid-June June
late-February April late-June late-September mid-November 5
19. Afternoon Delight
23. Jacks for Jill
with Tricia McIntyre
with Ruth Headley
This quilt is an afternoon delight because the top of the wall/lap quilt could be completed in an afternoon! Traditionally pieced, this quilt is made up of fast-flying geese, four-square, fussy cuts and strip piecing. Perfect for the graduate of QuiltStart. The pattern includes detailed instructions on how to succeed! What do you plan to do with your afternoon?
If you look at the pattern it looks like the game of Jacks. I chose to use the Alabaster Hue line of fabric, with a dark background. I made a lap size but you can easily change that - up or down. Good baby quilt with the right fabrics.
Saturday, October 17th 9:00am-4:00pm $70.00 + pattern
Saturday, October 24th 9:00am-4:00pm Friday, October 30th 6:00-9:30pm $90.00 + pattern
20. Sew Far Behind
24. Bernina Club
with Karen Berrel
Please see description #7 Sunday, October 18th 9:00am-4:00pm $25.00
21. Baby Bear Quilt
with Ruth Headley
Please see description #11 Wednesday, October 28th 12:00-3:30pm or 6:00-9:30pm $20.00 Kit Fee (after free classes)
with Tara Schultz
Don’t let the little pieces discourage you from making this cute baby (bear) quilt. There is a bit of cutting, but once you start stitching, it goes together rather quickly as each of the bear blocks is built in the same manner. The final size measuring 34”x44”, is suited to using some of your scraps. An accurate ¼” seam allowance is a must. Monday, October 19th 6:00-9:30pm Sunday, October 25th 9:00am-4:00pm $90.00 + pattern
22. Envirobag with Ruth Headley
This cute foldaway bag is so useful - a bit of piecing, some quilting and bag making. It has a flat bottom (I wish I had one) and so it is easy to pack with shopping. Wednesday, October 21st 6:00-9:30pm Friday, October 23rd 6:00-9:30pm $70.00 + pattern
Special Dates at BPQ
Sign-up Day Saturday, September 5th 9:00am to 4:00pm Labour Day Monday, September 7th Closed New Term Sale Saturday, September 12th 9:00am to 4:00pm Sunday, September 13th 9:00am to 4:00pm Haines Junction Retreat Thursday, September 24th-Sunday 27th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Wednesday, September 30th Closed Thanksgiving Monday, October 12th Closed Remembrance Day Wednesday, November 11th Closed Inn on the Lake Retreat Sunday, November 15th-Wednesday 18th Customer Appreciation Day Saturday, December 19th 10:00am to 5:00pm vote for your fav entry in the Winter Challenge Christmas Eve-eve Wednesday, December 23rd 10:00am-6:00pm Christmas Closure Thursday, December 24th-Friday, January 1st 2027 Happy Quilty New Year open Saturday, January 2nd - Sign-up 9:00am
tching i t s r u Let yo e the b star! 6
BPQ stocks these great threads:
Aurifil • King Tut Mettler Marathon • Superior