Scraps never looked so good!

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Penny Haren

Kim Brackett has created 18 new designs using our favorite sizes – 2 1/2″; 5″ and 10″ pre-cuts. For those of us, however, who can no longer close the door on our stashes – she gives cutting instructions for yardage as well. These projects were made from an eclectic collection of fabrics. Learn how to combine traditional prints with solids, florals and batiks. Sometimes crossing genres adds that spark to your quilts. Aren’t we all looking for that awe factor? Scrap-Basket Strips and Squares by Kim Brackett #B1327T

In this case, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words so here is some eye candy just for you!

: Wildflowers

: Touch a Star

: Half Hitch

: Pinwheels

: Sunday Best

This should be displayed in a place of honor right next to your pre-cuts!

Kathy Schmitz has Done it Again

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Penny Haren

I love everything Kathy Schmitz – and this book is no exception! Many of you know her because of her enchanting one color block of the months. Look what happens when she adds a rainbow of color to her designs!#B1371T

This book is full of small projects that would be a perfect way to introduce your customers to the joy of handwork. Each of these darling sewing accessories could be the basis of a perfect series of classes. What great gifts!

: Acorn Needle Holder

: Garden Arbor Pincushion

: Cheery Cherries Tote

Or choose these adorable magnets that would take center stage on any fridge – or use it as intended as a needle keep. Talk about great gifts! Continue the kitchen theme by stitching these adorable towels.

: Tea Time

: Magnetic Needle Keep

Embroidery is no longer just back stitches and French knots! Honor your grandmother by taking YOUR embroidery to the next level! This book is due to arrive in June so it is the perfect source for those summertime projects.

Challenge your Customers

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Penny Haren

The key to owning a successful shop is catering to the needs of ALL of your customers. That means you have to offer programs and classes for beginners; those who love handwork; AND those who love to think outside of the box. You probably already know which customers would love a challenge. These are the students who always have to tweak a pattern. They need to make every design their own.

Pat Pease and Wendy Hill to the rescue. Their new book – Creative Quilt Challenges offers seven challenges that would each be the basis of a great class. Item #11117 Retail $29.95

These women teamed up to create some amazing quilts by following the challenges in the book. Learn tips and tricks from each challenge that will make everyone better quilters.

Check out these samples of the quilts they created. Can you guess what the challenge was???

Why not start a group in your shop today? The completed works would be a great exhibit at your next quilt show!

A Creative Grids® Sampler – the Perfect Class Series

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Penny Haren

Item #DH1601 Retail $14.00

This is the PERFECT class/demo sampler! Deb Heatherly who created the Cat’s Cradle and Strippy Stars tool designed this sampler quilt which features five different Creative Grids® tools.

Each session, teach them how to use a different Creative Grids® tool. Each tool retails for less than $20 which makes the entire project very affordable when spread over a series of classes.

Cat’s Cradle Tool

Item #CGRDH1 Retail $17.95

Strippy Stars Tool

Item #CGRDH2 Retail $17.95

Eight Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool

Item #CGRJAW1 Retail $19.45

Six Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool

Item #CGRJAWMN6 Retail $17.95

Six Inch Square on Square Trim Tool

Item #CGRJAW7 Retail $17.95

AND, these tools are not one trick ponies! There are a host of companion patterns and books to support them. Once your students learn how to use the tool, they will want to make more! Encourage them to work on additional projects each month instead of working ahead! This satisfies the over-achiever in every class!

The pattern sheets are individual so you may choose to give them the pages that feature the blocks as they make them each month.

These are not professional photos – the slippers at the bottom of one pick may be a giveaway! But I wanted to share the pics from Deb’s test class. Since the quilt only requires five different fabrics – a background and four shades of a color (light, medium light, medium and dark) – it is easy for the students to pick out their favorite colorway.

Why not show these to your students so they can picture it in different fabrics.

Why not take a few minutes to pick out several different colorways for those who don’t like to pick out fabrics? And of course, scrappy is always a choice!

It’s okay to cross the line!

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Penny Haren

I am talking about fabric lines! In Stashbusters – a new book by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith – explains how to choose fabrics from your stash and create spectacular quilts!

Item #KCS11195 Retail $24.95

In this case, the projects are great but learn from the experts. Don’t just skip to the projects – read how to choose fabrics. Dolores loves to embellish with appliques so working with wool is covered as well.

Here is just a taste of some of the projects. Did I mention that the photography makes you want to go house hunting???

These are just a taste of the nine projects included in the book. Let them teach you how to “control” scrappy and use up that stash!

Perfect Log Cabin Minis Every Time!

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Penny Haren

I love, love, LOVE these new Creative Grids® releases! I love minis and could never achieve perfect log cabins in four and six inch sizes until now! These trim tools also create Courthouse Steps and Half Log Cabin blocks – with the cutting requirements printed right on the tool!

Item #CGRJAWMN4 Retail $12.95

Item #CGRJAWMN6 Retail $17.95

I am not exaggerating! I have made over 700 log cabin blocks in 4″and 6″ sizes – and they are just as accurate in the 4″ size with 1/2″ logs as they are in the 6″ size with 3/4″ logs! In fact, I love them so much that I wrote a book based on the six inch size – but more about that when we have a publishing date!

Jean Ann wrote a book that is available NOW – yes it is in stock!

Item #JAWBK01 $17.99s

This book includes patterns for projects made with the four AND the six inch log cabin tools.

There are also some charming Cut Loose Press patterns to support them as well!
Glory in the Cabin is a striking table runner that uses the six inch size.

Item #CLPJAW042

Or create a needle case…

Item #CLPDKR016

Diamond in the Logs by Debby Kratovil features the four inch version.

Item #CLPDKR015

Last but not least, Deb Heatherly has combined several of our top Creative Grids rulers to create this gorgeous quilt. Why not do this as a demo of the month type quilt? More about this later when the book is in stock! It is at the printers now!
Item #DH1601 Retail $14.00

These rulers sell themselves! Just have a sample sitting by the register! Visit our website to watch the videos and see just how easy it is to be perfect!

Triangles Couldn’t be Easier

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Penny Haren

Pre-cut fabrics have become the staple of every quilt shop – and anything that supports them is sure to be a best seller!

Enter Edyta Sitar. She is known for her breathtaking color selections in scrappy quilts. Just look at the cover of her book – Friendship Triangles.

Item #L11248 Retail $24.95

To make it easier to create this variety of fabrics, she is releasing triangle paper next month. The papers are designed for 5″ and 10″ squares – and come in multiple sizes. Each package includes 25 sheets.

The number of triangles created from a package depends on the size of the triangles. For example, a package of 1 1/2″ finished triangle papers designed for five inch squares makes 200 triangles.

Item #LBQ-0523-X Retail $6.00

The papers for ten inch squares makes 800!

Item #LBQ-0528-X Retail $8.00

Visit our website to see all of the different sizes – and everything Edyta Sitar! They are expected to arrive in April.

Civil War Legacies continue…

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Penny Haren

Carol Hopkins, author of the Civil War Legacies series, is releasing the third edition that is due out next month!

Item #B1365T Retail $24.99

This book includes 16 patterns in a variety of sizes. They feature classic blocks in interesting settings. The cover quilt is a great example of simple four-patches and triangles creating a breathtaking pattern.

Melissa’s Locket
Pinwheels shine in this honeycomb pattern.

Skedaddler turns simple four-patches on-point to add that “awe” factor.

Homefront combines eight pointed stars with a simple feathered star inspired setting – perfection!

Parasol Stars is set on point and adds interest to a simple four-patch and flying geese quilt!

Why not display this latest edition with the two previous best sellers – right next to your civil war reproduction fabrics?

Item #B1098T Retail $24.99

Item #B1223T Retail $24.99

You already know you want it, so order now!

Everything Kim Diehl

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Penny Haren

I love everything Kim Diehl – and her new book and fabric collection are spectacular! Welcome Wagon, her new fabric line due out in June, supports her Whatnots club – but will shine in any design. This fabric line is due to ship in June.

Here is a sampling of the patterns and colors in this new line, starting out with her signature teal.

Item #6561-77

Item #6566-66

Item #6567-66

Item #6563-88

Item #6562-88

Item #6564-30

Item #6568-22

Item #6565-77

To see the complete Welcome Wagon collection, visit our website.

These prints would be right at home in the quilts featured in her latest book – Simple Christmas Tidings, due out in May.

Item #B1330T Retail $28.99