Monthly Archives: December 2017

Lunch Hour Projects in Wool

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I know when a book is in the top 50 at Checker – and isn’t due to arrive until March, we have a winner. And, in this case, the reputation of the author and designer speaks volumes!

 

 

 

 

Kathy Brown of Teacher’s Pet has created fourteen of the most adorable projects that really can be completed in a lunch hour or two. Look at these charming examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all need that little something throughout the year to let people know we care. Why not teach a wool class – and kit these projects for a register display. These are the type of projects that everyone will make in quantities. After all, who could resist making journals for everyone in their book club? You get the idea! The book arrives in March – just when customers are looking for handwork for vacation travels. Stock up on wool now!

Thirties Prints in a Charming Setting

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Judie Rothermel’s new collection, Basket of Scraps by Marcus Brothers. is featured in an upcoming book by It’s Sew Emma.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Block of the Month style quilt book is due to arrive next month – perfect timing to wash away those Winter blues.

The setting stars which frame the blocks are simply stunning. The quilt can be made in two sizes – queen and king – so you can finally make a quilt to fit your bed. And, since it is a block of the month, it can be pieced a little at a time so they have removed the intimidation factor.

Here is just a sampling of this fabric line which is due to arrive later this month:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversational prints combined with mini coordinates – and a check threw in (which would be an awesome binding) – who could ask for anything more???

Quilts of Iceland

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In this inspirational, full-color book, Gudrun Erla of GE Designs pays homage to her homeland. She has taken several quilters on tours of Iceland and shared the beauty and hospitality of this country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now she is sharing that experience with you! Gudrun is also an amazing photographer. As she toured the country with fellow quilters, she photographed her favorite places and the quilts that inspired them. The pictures literally jump off of the page! Here is just a sampling of a few of the eighteen projects created for this book:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of the projects are created with her time-saving techniques and the Creative Grids® Stripology ruler.

But this is not just a quilt book. Gudrun also shares some of the rich history of this nation as well as beloved recipes from family and friends. Pre-order the book now. Who knows! Santa may be inspired to leave a trip under your tree in 2018!

 

The Perfect Ruler Wrap

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Annie Unrein creates the perfect bags so when we wanted to develop a storage system for Creative Grids® rulers, she was our first call. The prototype was the hit at Market – and in January you will see why!

In Annie’s words: Store and carry rulers, an 18″ x 24″ mat, rotary cutters, and more in the handy padded organizers. Organizers in two sizes may be hung on the back of a door or folded and wrapped to carry to classes. Straps secure the flap and an adjustable, detachable padded carrying strap make the organizer easy to transport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opened, the storage unit can be hung on the back of a door in your sewing room. When going to classes, simply fold it up and take it with you. We filled it with 17 rulers with lots of room to spare!

I love the thought that went into this design! It is 72″ long so it holds a multitude of rulers AND uses a 2 yard cut of Soft and Stable, which is available as a pre-cut. The bag is 27″ wide so it will hold those 24-1/2″ rulers AND one package of 54″ mesh can be cut in half and used for all of the pockets No waste! The bag requires two yards of fabric for the outside and two yards for the lining. Why not teach a machine quilting class so they can learn another technique?

Don’t you love inspired design???

Tiger Lily Press Shines Again

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I love everything that Tiger Lily Press produces. Each pattern provides learning opportunities so they are great choices for classes. Two of their latest pattern additions are a case in point! Quilters are always nervous about curves, but these designs are so striking – and easy to sew that they will get over the intimidation factor very quickly!

Who could resist these beauties due to arrive later this month?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are sure too join other Tiger Lily Press patterns that have become staples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their patterns are easy to teach, easy to kit and easy to make! What a great beginning to classes for the new year!

New from Angela Walters – Creative Grids® Machine Quilting Templates

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Angela Walters has developed a series of machine quilting templates with Creative Grids®. You talk about a marriage made in heaven! Angela’s genius with our signature grip! These templates are 1/4″ thick acrylic so they work well on a standard sewing machine as well as a longarm. They were specifically designed to fit in the palm of your hand so they are easy to manipulate on either machine.

Without further ado, meet Shorty, Slim, Archie, and Squiggy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The black and white markings show up on dark and light fabrics. And the printed grid lines make spacing quilt lines a breeze. The video instructions include potential quilting designs that can be created with each tool. The video can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the back of the package, visit www.checkerdist.com, or  www.creativegridsusa.com. But we all know that Angela really shines when she is in front of the camera so she will be releasing more videos very soon. We will keep you posted!

The Perfect Pressing Mats

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Think about it! Every seam you sew will be pressed. So why are we willing to spend several thousand dollars on sewing machines and settle for inferior ironing surfaces? Not anymore! I saw these Wooly Felted Wonders ironing mats when I was teaching this Fall and begged our buyers to carry them.

Why do I love them??? Let me count the ways:

  • They are 100% felted wool and made in the USA.
  • The mat absorbs the heat and steam so it is like pressing from both sides.
  • But since the mat is 1/2″ thick, the heat does not transfer to the surface below the mat.
  • The fabrics don’t shift as you press them.
  • The cushioned surface absorbs the seams so there is no shadow through.
  • The rounded corners reduce wear and tear – simply put, they are quality through and through.

They come in three different sizes:

Wooly Felted Wonders also have dryer balls in three different colors: gray, brown, and white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simply place four to six balls in your dryer – depending on the size of the load – to reduce static and naturally fluff your laundry. This can reduce drying time up to 20%. Add a few drops of essential oils to add that awe factor. Save money as well since no fabric softeners or dryer sheets are needed. These balls last for over 1,000 loads. Who doesn’t want to save time and money! All of these products are due to arrive soon so visit our website to see all of the possibilities and place your order.

Violet Craft and Palm Canyon

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When I saw the latest pattern by Violet Craft was in the top 50 BEFORE it was in stock, a girl just has to sit up and take notice!  Then I saw her new fabric line due to arrive in February and it all made sense!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This stunning quilt is made from Robert Kaufman Palm Canyon – and boy did she capture the essence of the landscape that inspired it!  Just look at some of these prints:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pattern will be available before the fabric arrives so why not prep your paper-piecing templates and be prepared? Consider ordering the kit and printing the foundations for them. Everyone loves being spoiled!

Double Wide Dresdens

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What is a double wide? If you talk to the gals at Me and My Sisters, it’s NOT a trailer! They have taken the traditional 18-degree Dresden and doubled it to 36-degrees. Why? You only need half as many petals (10) to create the look of grandma’s quilts with the added bonus of creating a secondary star design in the middle!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out some of the 13 plus projects in this book, starting with their version of a hungry, hungry caterpillar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a fun, easy demo! Why not order them in for your Holiday Open House?

The Witches Quilt Show

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When EVERY pattern in a series is in the top 100 patterns, you know you have a winner! The Stitchwitch Spellbinders Quilt Show by Meg Hawkey of Crab Apple Hill is a block of the month – and if you start now, it will be done in time for Halloween, 2018! We quilters have to plan ahead!

Check these out! Each one is more adorable than the last…

Block One – Nivelda Fifflestitch was recruited to advertise the opening of the quilt show and she’s doing a great job – as long as she can stay air born. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block Two: Appelonia Fifflestitch is a bit of a free spirit! I hope she doesn’t get hung up in the clotheslines hung with quilts on her way down. Yes, it’s happened before.

Block Three: Ludmilla Hexenbroot is so late getting her quilt entry into the show, she just had to throw it around her shoulders, tie it at her neck, and FLY! Hope she gets it there on time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block Four: Delthezda Booch’s cat, Honeybunny, is holding on for dear life! Usually he gets to ride in the box on her handlebars but today the box is full of Delthezda’s quilt entries for the show.

Block Five: Cursida looks a little apprehensive about riding to the show in Adrazelle’s motorcycle sidecar! Hold on Cursida – you’re almost there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block #6: Blanderhoop and Appeldore are are picking up last minute entries for the quilt show – and having WAY too much fun doing it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block Seven: Alwinnia Carbunkle is driving the Blackbird Shop Hop Bus again this year and possibly for the last time if the look on her face is any indication of how the trip has gone! The shop hop ends with the Stitchwitch Spellbinders Quilt Show, so ready… set… SHOP!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block Eight: The quilts are hung, the shop is ready, all of the vendor booths are set up – there may even be live music!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ninth pattern in the series shows how to put all of the blocks together into an heirloom holiday quilt!

 

 

 

 

Wouldn’t a set of these be the perfect holiday gift? Include the background fabric – and if you are REALLY feeling generous, trace the designs so they are ready to stitch!