Snow Happy

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Penny Haren

As record breaking snows hit the East coast, Robin Kingsley of Bird Brain Designs has released her new book – Snow Happy. Why not sit by a fire and stitch one of these projects while you are longing for Spring?

Item #B1338T Retail $24.99

This collection of hand embroidered designs are sewn into a wide variety of projects from towels to totes.

I love everything Robin designs! And did I mention that she is one of the most charming ladies I have ever met? These designs are so charming you will want to incorporate them into other projects. Why not stitch them up into your favorite design today? Order now – these books will be arriving any day!

Jo’s Little Favorites

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Penny Haren

You all ready know who will want this newest release by Jo Morton so make sure you order enough! This book of minis is due to arrive the first week of February and would make a great class series – kitted of course!

Item #B1357T Retail $24.99

These 13 classic quilt designs include tips to make piecing in miniature a breeze. The photography is worth the price of the book! Each quilt is displayed in vignettes that would add charm to any decor.

Most of the quilts are smaller than 36″ square so you can stitch these versions of her classic patterns in no time at all. Here is just a sampling…

Which one will you make first????

Take the Coloring Craze to a Whole New Audience

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Penny Haren

I love everything designed by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill. Her latest – Mystery of the Salem Witches’Quilt Guild will be released in four parts the next several months.

Item #CAH345 Retail $10.00

This panel measures 15″ x 42″ and uses her technique for coloring with embroidery. This is the perfect next step for those new customers who have embraced the adult coloring craze!

The mystery includes three embroidered panel patterns and one that includes the piecing instructions to complete the quilt. The final quilt measures 57″ x 72″.

The second panel will be available soon.

Item #CAH346 Retail $10.00

Visit our website to see the entire line of Cosmos floss that Meg recommends. They are listed as companions for each panel. Why not join the Witches Quilt Guild meeting and get to know the entire cast of characters.

Great Granny would be Proud!

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Penny Haren

Great Granny Squared is the second collaboration between Lori Holt and Its Sew Emma – and brings back memories of the Granny Square afghans that were our grandmother’s answer to scrap yarn!

Item #ISE903 Retail $13.95

Personally, I have a wool afghan that my grandmother made for my parents when THEY got married in the mid forties. It is one of my most treasured possessions and holds a place of honor in my guest room. Now I can make a companion quilt to coordinate in the room!

The book includes four different patterns to choose from!

The hard part is going to be choosing which one!

Handwork by the Fire

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Penny Haren

Bonnie Sullivan has done ti again! She has created a wonderful Block of the Month series called Tuxedo’s Tales.

Whether you choose to display them framed on a foyer table each month or sew them into a quilt, the end result will be charming!

January

Item #ATN1521 Retail $5.00

February

Item #ATN1522 Retail $5.00

March

Item #ATN1523 Retail $5.00

April

Item #ATN1524 Retail $5.00

May

Item #ATN1525 Retail $5.00

June

Item #ATN1526 Retail $5.00

July

Item #ATN1527 Retail $5.00

August

Item #ATN1528 Retail $5.00

September

Item #ATN1529 Retail $5.00

October

Item #ATN1530 Retail $5.00

November

Item #ATN1531 Retail $5.00

December

Item #ATN1532 Retail $5.00

Simple button embellishments add the awe factor.

Item #ATNTTEES5 Retail $12.14

Bonnie fusible of choice is Soft Fuse. This particular bundle includes twelve 18 inch by 3 yard pieces – enough for all of the appliques.

Item #SFP-3YDH Retail $20.00

And of course Bonnie has created a thread set as well.

Item #P812TUXTALES Retail $10.45

And it was all created with her Maywood fabric line – available in two shipments. (Item #MASTUTCA-1 and #MASTUTCA-2). Why not start your next heirloom today??

Choosing Fabrics from your Stash Successfully

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Penny Haren

Stash Lab by Tonya Alexander is as much a study in color as it is a collection of spectacular patterns.

Item #B1335T Retail $24.99

Learning how to choose fabrics from your stash – which crosses fabric collections – is an art that can be learned by following Tonya’s simple sorting techniques. After all, we know that when scraps are combined effectively, you achieve the results featured in her projects. The photographs speak for themselves!

Whether you love the look of traditional or modern quilts, this book covers the spectrum of spectacular! Start organizing your scraps today.

“Round Up” these Projects in an Afternoon

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Penny Haren

The latest Creative Grids “Round Up” tool designed by Terry Atkinson is so popular that two of our favorite designers have used it in their own projects.

Item #CGRATK1 Retail $22.45

This place mat designed by Margaret Travis is so fast and simple that you won’t make just one…or two…or four….

Berries and Leaves Place Mat

Item #CLPMTR014

This table runner by Deb Heatherly is a simple version of an old fashioned Cathedral Window pattern — and so much easier!

Alley-Oop

Item #CLPDHE007

Or combine this tool with the Strippy Stars Tool for a spectacular effect…

Blooming Stars Runner

Item #CLPDHE008

Item #CGRDH2 Retail $17.95

Display these with Terry’s patterns to create a complete display. All, can be completed in an afternoon…

Item #CLPTAK002

Orange Peel Table Runner

So striking – and a great way to show off some machine quilting!

Item #CLPTAK001

Krista’s Kitchen Hot Pads

I used this pattern as a Make It/Take It in a class last month. Ten women went home and made 56 more for gifts! Now that is a great pattern!

Item #ATK183 Retail $9.50

Terry’s Table Placemats

Can’t you picture these on a table with your favorite Fiestaware? Mixing and matching is even more fun.

Item #ATK184 Retail $9.50

Triplets

The colors in these baby quilts are the perfect choice for the new generations of babies!

Item #ATK185 Retail $9.50

Why not let your customers enjoy creating a project in an afternoon!

Hats with Personality

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Penny Haren

Tis the season. Our town had the first snow day today. What is better on a snow day then to be sitting by a fire doing your favorite needle art. These cute hats can be made in one sitting and have tons of personality.

Item #TTY15MO Retail $8.99

The packaging is irresistible! The yarn automatically creates the stripes and there is even a grommet to hold the little stuffed animal on securely.

They come in a wide variety of choices….

Item #TTY15PE Retail $8.99

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Item #TTY15SF Retail $8.99

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Display these at the register. Your customers will want one – one for each child that is! Visit our website to see the entire Top This collection!

Critters are all the rage

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Penny Haren

Yes, critters are the rage in nurseries these days – and these critters by Cheri Leffler are irresistible. Animal Parade 2 is her latest book that combines simple pieced quilts with appliques with personality!

Item #B1328T Retail $26.99

In this case, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words so I will stop typing now!

All of these quilts make great wall hangings as well so you don’t need to stop at just one! Why not add the appliques to a diaper bag, bibs, burp towels, etc.

This book is a follow up to her first book – Animal Parade. Your customers are sure to want this one as well. Both books should be a part of every quilter’s library. Let the new Mom pick her favorite!

Item #B1192T Retail $26.99

Once again, check these out….

All of these quilts are adorable without the appliques as well so you may want to take a picture to hang next to your sample so everyone can see it both ways. Your customers may decide to machine embroider designs on these patterns instead!

“Quilt Shop” is a Misnomer

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Penny Haren

If you truly are just a “quilt shop”, you are missing a wealth of business! Over 80% of the top 100 patterns on the Checker website are NOT quilts. Creating a quilt is an amazing experience but everyone wants instant gratification. Why not offer a series of classes that can actually be completed in class? And, as a bonus, choose projects that make great gifts as well. Make one in class, and then send them home with the supplies to make them for all of their friends!

Here are my top six choices to get you started:

This apron pattern is one of my favorites. It comes in two sizes so kids can have fun in the kitchen as well….

Item #ATK176 Retail $9.50

These Sweetpea Pods can be made with 10″ squares. Talk about easy to kit!

Item #LGD135 Retail $10.00

The hardware is included in the pattern:

Item #LGD137 Retail $13.50

It just takes a fat quarter – and the hardware is included in the pattern! How easy is that???

Item #FQG120 Retail $13.00

This is the new version of he classic Diva Wallet. Choose a different option – with the same great clasp.

Item #SMC824 Retail $10.00

This placemat or table runner has a classic look and is quilt as you go!

Item #TLP1234 Retail $9.50

Why not help your customers have a stockpile of gifts for the coming year? These would all be great Valentine’s Day; birthday; Mother’s Day gifts…

You can make ALL of these samples in the amount of time it would take to make ONE quilt sample! Use your time wisely. Don’t forget to take the time to display all of the companions with the projects and include pre-cuts!

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Monthly Archives: January 2016