Candy Bars!

Last season Moda came out with a Candy Bars, a 4 pack of 2-1/2" x 5" strips + a pattern. They're back for January with a twist! If your Candy Bar includes a golden ticket, you win a bag full of Moda "sweets"! Each person who finds a golden ticket will also be entered to win the grand prize: a lifetime supply of chocolate! Just kidding, but if you haven't seen the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it's a must see and you'll truly appreciate what Moda is doing. The grand prize is a trip to Dallas for a tour of Moda Fabrics!!

There are 2 different options as far as the fabric goes.  Box 1 features Antique Fair by Blackbird Designs, Lilac Hill by Brannock & Patek, Collection for a Cause - Faith by Howard Marcus and Dragonfly Summer by Holly Taylor.  Box 2 features Buttercup by Fig Tree, Oasis by 3 Sisters, Lovely by Sandy Gervais and Modern Workshop by Oliver + S.    You won't want to miss your chance to win, these candy bars are due in January.  You'll get a delicious fabric treat and maybe win a prize!  Sounds like a win/win situation to me~ 

Have fun getting ready for the holidays and happy sewing!!

Sneak Peeks from Quilt Market

We didn't go to Quilt Market in Houston, so we've been loaded down with after market appointments!  The amount of fabric we've seen in the last week is simply unbelievable~  Over the next few days (when I get a minute) I just want to show you what we're most excited about!

We may as well start with Moda since they never disappoint!  (Be sure to visit Moda's site so you can see the whole team on their front page)  Aneela Hoey is a new designer with them and this is  her first line, "Sherbet Pips".  Aneela is from the United Kingdom and learned to sew at a very young age.  She states in her Moda bio, "In the United Kingdom we were taught needlework from the age of eight.  We drew diagrams of sewing machines and how to thread them correctly.  I was thrilled when I got to a use a machine for the first time." She graduated with a degree in printed textiles.  She married and took a break to raise her children, fell in love with fabric and quilting, then along came Moda!

The playful motifs in "Sherbet Pips" echo the embroidery patterns Aneela creates.  You're going to love the color names, too:  Vanilla Ice Cream, Cotton Candy Blue, Bubblegum, Scooter Grey, Pink Lemonade and Cherry.  She's as cute as her fabrics! 

Be sure to check out her BLOG.  You'll enjoy it and you can see all of the prints in the line instead of the teaser I gave you~   This line isn't due until April of next year and already I can't wait to see what Aneela comes up with next!

Poinsettia Lane

Here is yet another beautiful quilt from the owner!  This is from the first Holiday Flourish Collection from Robert Kaufman.  The gold metallic makes it a very elegant Christmas quilt.  It would make a wonderful Christams gift and there is plenty of time to complete it by then (even though that date is sneaking up on us!)

The finished quilt size is 57-1⁄2" x 71-1⁄2", skill level is intermediate.  Below is a close up of the applique block, not so difficult!

We have kits available here if you like it.  Believe me, you'll be happy to have this quilt hanging on your wall for the holiday season~  I think I might smuggle this one out of the shop...........just kidding!

Happy Sewing!

All Stars 2

 Well here I am blogging about Riley Blake again!?!  I can't help it, they have such great fabric!  One of their latest is called All Stars 2.  It is available in cotton and flannel and it is so cute!  There are always tons of cute lines for girls, here is one that will please both.  What is great about it is that all of the fabric looks awesome together, but this collection is full of great stand alone prints.  Dots, Circles, Stars, Stripes and Paisleys in 3 delicious colorways, with irresistible chocolate in each group!

Click here to download the free pattern shown below that features the All Star 2 fabrics.  It's called Around the Stars and I think it would be perfect for any Riley Blake fabric.  Sweet Divinity, Love Birds, Nantucket Summer, Felicity, Summer Song or Rainy Days and Monday!  Take your pick!!  It is a good one to show off great prints.  You know how sometimes you just can't stand to cut a fabric up into tiny squares??  Your fabrics can keep all of their cuteness with the block size used here!

  Keep an eye out next week, we've got some really cute stuff we want to giveaway~ 

I hope you get to sew this weekend, I'm sure going to try!

Batik Quilts

Everyone loves batik quilts, here are a couple of patterns that feature batiks and are fun and easy to make!

This quilt is called Gemini, it's another from the girls at Blue Underground Studios.  We're borrowing it for the next few months, so if you stop in the shop you'll see it hanging up.  It's fat quarter and jelly roll friendly.  You need just 24 fat quarters or 2 jelly rolls.  We have tons of batiks here, here and here!   We have a few Strip-tease Buns from Island Batik here and tons of Jelly Rolls here.  The batiks show well in this pattern, but any jelly roll would be great!

This quilt is called Twilight, it was made using the Curves for Rectangles ruler by Creative Grids.  The owner made this one.  The pattern gives instructions for cutting with or without the ruler, but the ruler will give you a perfect cut every time.  One of the great things about this quilt is the border print.  We have quite a few of these available from Batik Textiles  The links above, next to the Gemini quilt, will take you to tons more batiks, as well.  If you have never worked with batiks, give it a try!  They really do make a beautiful quilt~ 

Let's Twist!

Looking for a great pattern for a Christmas quilt?  Try Let's Twist by Country School House.  It takes just one Layer Cake to make the pinwheels.  Think it looks complicated??  It's not!  This patterns uses the large Twister ruler.  No templates, no tracing, no slipping and no more frustration....Only Fun!   The quilt shown here uses the 12 Days of Christmas Layer Cake by Kate Spain for Moda.  We have over 50 Layer Cakes in stock, so there are plenty to choose from!  The pattern for the Layer Cake quilt comes with the tool, but there is also a book available called Let's Twist.  It has 12 different projects using the large and small Twister Rulers. 

Here's a tip from the maker, Zola, who has worked here for years and loves to sew~  The pattern only calls for 36 squares, but she used all 42 included in the Layer Cake and turned a square quilt into a rectangle!  Everything you need to make the quilt is available here.  If you would rather try a different layer cake, click here.  Either way, you're going to love it!

Woodlands Panel Project

Here is another quick project that turned out so cute!  It uses the panel from the Woodlands Collection by Erin Mcallister for Benartex.  The colors are so warm and inviting, it's a such a friendly quilt!  Even better, it was made using the free pattern from Benartex available here.  That makes it even easier to get started now!  The shop manager, Jenny, whipped up and quilted this project in a weekend.  The finished size is 32" x 50", so it makes a cute fall wallhanging that you'll love forever!

Quick Little Quilts!

Sometimes you just want to make a little project!  Here are a couple that are perfect for just that~  This is another one from the girls at Blue Underground Studios made with pink reproductions, which are incredibly popular right now. 

It's called Salt Water Taffy and takes just 10 fat quarters. 

The finished size is 35" x 40" 

If you like it and want to get started, here are a couple fabric lines that have great reproduction pinks.  Click here to see Hot For Chocolate by Blue Hill, it has tons of great darker pink. Click here to see Miniatures by Windham, it has tons of lighter pink.  Both links will also take you to the pattern. 

 Since it takes just 10 fat quarters, it's a great one to use up your stash!

 

If modern is more your style, this is Word Play by Michele D’Amore for Benartex!  This is a cool, sophisticated group inspired by graphic design and typography elements. The quilt below features the panel and a 4" border from the chocolate and cream colorway.  (You just need a 1/2 yard for the border) 

It is also available in black and white if brown isn't your thing~  The finished size is 40" square.

The fabric, in both colorways and tons of border options, is available here  

Below is a larger version with 2 borders, shown in both the chocolate and cream and black and white. 

Finished size is 48" x 54".  Kits for both colorways are available here

Hopefully you get to sew today, I think a little time to sew makes any day great!

Boo To You!

Is everybody ready for Halloween?  We love Halloween and all of the cute fabric that comes with it :o)  Boo To You by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake is one of our favorites this year!  It was screaming for a good pattern~  We picked the Fresh Cut pattern by Saginaw St. Quilt Co.  It uses the Straight Out of Line ruler by Creative Grids.  You can make it without the ruler, but it is just so handy!  The green for the borders turned out really cute, there is just enough green in the center that it finishes it off nicely.  I had a blast making this quilt and it only took 2 partially devoted Saturdays.   It's very busy, but so fun!  The finished size is 62" x 78"

Here's a closer look so you can see the block.  It was a simple project to quilt, she just quilted 1/4" away from the seam lines and went straight down each row, then turned it and did the same.  It made an intersection where the quilting crossed over, so you don't have a lot of stopping and starting.  If you're new to quilting, you should try this one!  We always recommend you have a walking foot for any machine quilting.

Here's a close up of the back, it turned out great with the quilting and variegated thread on the black.  The backing is perfect, it's from the Westrade Collection and King Tut has the perfect variegated thread, it's called Old Giza.  You would think it was made just for this quilt~

Of course everything mentioned is available here for purchase, even if you don't like the fabric, you should try the pattern!  When you do, we'd love to see what you choose!

 

It will be an adorable decoration for Halloween!!

Woodland Friends II

We just got in the cutest fabric from Clothworks and they sent us projects to hang, too!  Click here to download the free pattern that makes the super cute quilt shown below.  These little critters are just so happy, the quilt makes me smile!  Finished size is 32" x 40"

Here is a closer look so you can see the prints and quilting better~

Here are a couple of other really cute projects featuring the Woodland Friends 2 line that the wonderful people at Clothworks let us borrow.  These patterns and the fabric are available for purchase here.

This is from the Gracie pattern by Sandi Henderson.   "Gracie" is a pattern with endless options from casual to dressy, modern to funky!  The pattern includes 4 options (Jumper, Tiered Dress, Tiered Top and Tiered Skirt) in sizes 6-12 months through girls 8.  The project shown below is the Tiered Top.



This is the Be Green Market Bag by Cheryl Kuczek of Paradiso Desgins.  It is perfect for toting groceries from the farmer's market or the grocery, especially with the handy shoulder strap!  Finished Size approx:  10" long x 6" wide x 14" tall

Make something cute today!

Candy Cane Snowman

It's been forever since my last post!  Life got hectic, as it often does~  I'm back with a new one from Country Appliques and it is too cute!  Jan just brought this one in for us to hang in the store, everyone loves it! 

Brrrr...this jolly snowman will delight kids from one to ninety-two!  Finished size is 17-1/2"H x 31"W, the perfect size to hang and add cheer all winter long~

Here is a close up so you can see how cute and happy the snowmen are~

The pattern also includes instructions for the small quilt and pillow pictured above.  She uses the snowflake buttons for these, too.   The patterns and button kits are available here .  Things seem to be getting back to normal and I have lots of great stuff to blog, so I'll be back with more soon!

Christmas coming so soon???

Even though it's super hot outside and Christmas seems so far away, now is the time to get started on those Christmas projects!  We have a bunch of samples hanging in the store right now from local pattern designer Jan Kornfeind.   Her company is called Country Appliques.   Jan says, "Every person making one of our patterns is really creating a future heirloom. It's important to me that their experience is an enjoyable one and that the outcome of their project is a work they are proud of."  She does wonderful machine applique and her attention to detail is fabulous!  Below are 2 from the Olde Santa Series. 

This is #21 in the series, Santa With His List.  The finished size is 20-3/4" x 26", so it just makes a cute little wall hanging!  Santa checks his list of names, he'll bring gifts to all the good girls and boys on Christmas Eve!

Check out this awesome technique!  She just used a double needle and it gave it a trapunto look.  You should try it, it's so simple but it adds so much!

This is #19 in the series, Santa's Best Friend.  The finished size is 23-1/2" x 26".  Santa welcomes Christmas with a gift for all creatures great and small!

Here is a bit of a closer look, the snowflakes are buttons that she added.  Shes uses them in a lot of her patterns, they are so cute!

Everything you see is available to buy here, including the button kit.  I'll have more from here series coming soon, just in case you want to collect them all!  Just think what a wonderful gift to give for Christmas.  Click here to shop Christmas fabrics!  Get excited, it's coming!!

Aprons

I just finished up the cutest apron! The Emmeline Apron by Sew Liberated was super easy and so much fun to make~ It's totally reversible, so you can pick 2 fabrics that you absolutely love. I chose 2 of my favorite Michael Miller prints, Hedgehog Heaven and Emmaline , not on purpose, that was a happy coincidence!!

To the left you can see it as pictured on the pattern. It's an adult apron, but my daughter loved it so much, I let her be the model! The style is flattering for any size~  I have linked directly to everything above, so if you see something you like, you can get shopping!


 

Here's another cute apron from the Leanika collection by Dena for Free Spirit. It's a pre-printed panel, so you just cut and sew! Her instructions don't call for a lining, but we added one to make it more sturdy.  Just put your right sides together, sew and turn !

For me, aprons are an instant gratification project, just whip one up and enjoy!  Next week I'm going to show you a super simple apron technique that will have you saying, "Why didn't I think of that!?!"

Spa

I absolutely fell in love with this new collection from Windham! Spa by Rosemarie Lavin is fresh and inspiring! The name of the collection is perfect, the colors are so soothing~ I was so excited when I went to Windham's website to check out the free pattern (who doesn't love free???) and saw who designed it. It's Janine and Amy from Blue Underground Studio. Browse their site sometime, they have great taste. We have borrowed lots of their quilts to hang in our shop over the last couple of years. Their patterns are awesome and super easy! You can get started today, click here to shop!

You can download the pattern here, isn't it great?

Here you can see them all lined up!

Here they are on the shelf next to Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow, they are perfect together! Looks bold in the picture, but the greens are almost exactly the same, so you could easily mix and match and throw in a bit of color. I especially love the navy!

Quick Project!

For a quick, easy project to bring new life to any room in your house, stretch fabric over an artist's canvas!

Step 1: Pick out your favorite fabrics, large prints are perfect on a large canvas! I chose 3 of my favorites from Laura Gunn's latest line for Michael Miller, Poppy. It's perfect because the fabric itself looks like a painting! Run to your local craft store and pick up the canvases and a pack of thumb tacks. I got a 36"x24", a 28"x22" and a 20"x16".

Step 2: Iron out all of the wrinkles with your steam iron and then lay the fabric out flat on a large surface. Trim your fabric to the right size, about 5" bigger all the way around your canvas.

Step 3: Bring up the top edge first and tack it into place. Next do the bottom edge, tugging it so that it stretches tight and tack it into place. Next do the sides and fold your corners nicely.

Step 4: Tuck your messy edges in so the back looks neat, now flip it over and see your creation!

You're ready to hang, with very little time spent!

I hope this has inspired you and you have a great day!!

Christmas Fabric!

Here they are, as promised! We have a huge selection and something for everyone~ I always say "We have never met a Christmas fabric that we didn't like." Can't you tell?? It's all brand new for 2010.

My personal favorites are the bright fabrics, I just love them! Talk to you soon!

Green Piece

It's our first post on our new blog! I decided to start out by showing you the exquisite Moda Block of the Month Quilt that the owner put the binding on last week! It is Moda YOU Green Piece. I took a few pictures below, but if only you could see it in person!

All of the wool applique was done by hand using a buttonhole stitch and it's truly a thing of beauty~

The quilting is fabulous and really stands out on the quilt! Do you love it? You can buy the complete kit here! It includes fabric for the top, borders and binding, patterns for the quilt and applique and also the wool for the applique. You can also purchase just the fabric and patterns if you don't want to add the wool applique.

Here are a few more pictures that show more detail!

I hope you like it and we'll be posting something new soon! In the meantime, come on over to our website and check out all of the beautiful Christmas fabric that has come in! I'll post a few pictures of our Christmas section in the store. I love it when it's all full and brand new~ If you get a chance, we'd love to have you come check it out in person!