Minis are Marvelous!

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Penny Haren

This series of mini quilt patterns are due to arrive next month and are a great way to use up scraps AND perfect your piecing skills. But don’t panic because these little babies are paper-pieced!

All of the quilts measure just six by eight inches! And the patterns are very reasonably priced – that was an unexpected surprise!

Sherri Hisey has developed her own line of foundation paper. It has a rough texture so it doesn’t slide under the pressure foot and comes in two sizes. Both can be run through a printer so no tracing required!

I can’t wait to try this! Why not teach a paper-piecing class and let the students try it? What a great use of those 2-1/2 inch squares and other mini pre-cuts!

Plan for Fall

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Penny Haren

I know – the holidays just ended and I am talking about Fall already! But it is best to be prepared and you will be ordering fabrics soon so lets plan how to use them!

Witches Night Out by It’s Sew Emma is due to arrive in April and is a perfect class! Pieced pumpkins are repeated multiple times in the quilt – a great basis for each lesson. Other Halloween favorites are scattered throughout! Start collecting those oranges today!

Scrap Basket Bounty

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Penny Haren

The Scrap Basket series written by Kim Brackett continues with her latest addition, Scrap-Basket Bounty.

This book features sixteen different blocks. Each block includes three different layouts so there are a total of 48 projects in the book! Now that is a bargain! Here are just some of the surprises inside….

Choose a background fabric and let your scraps shine! This would be a great sew-in. Everyone can bring their scraps to cut – and share. Seeing the different layout options and colorways are sure to inspire everyone. Have plenty of fat quarter bundles available. After all, some of us love scrap quilts but don’t have the stash YET to create them!

Carrie Nelson is over the Moon

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Penny Haren

This sampler quilt is a new and exciting ten-month block of the month program – all in one reasonably priced book! Due out in February, Summer Moon is made up of 72 blocks.

But, here is what makes this book different! The quilt is made up of 72 blocks set eight by nine. Each block is repeated three times in three different sizes so there are actually 24 different blocks in the quilt. The finished 4 1/2; 6 and 7 1/2 inch blocks are framed when needed so they all finish to the same size and can be set together with straight rows – it only looks complicated!

Setting it together this way, however, adds movement and interest to the quilt. You can use the same background for all of the blocks or add texture by using different ones. Each month, the nine blocks use the same background so it is easy to cut and kit.

The 72 blocks are completed in eight months. The remaining two months are needed to complete the frames for the smaller blocks. What a clever and original concept for a sampler quilt!

Ornaments in time for Christmas

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Penny Haren

Rachel’s of Greenfield has three ornament kits in the top 100 patterns this week!

The kits include everything you need to make six ornaments – right down to the gold hanging thread. They are perfectly sized to fit in a gift card so they can stand alone and BE the gift or be used as the embellishment on the gift!

Wouldn’t these be fun to have at a holiday get together? They could make an ornament to take home with them as a memory of the party. They are all in stock so you can get them in time for this holiday season!

Affordable, Quality Sewing Machines

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Penny Haren

Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, Checker is now carrying five versions of New Home sewing machines. These light weight, portable machines are perfect for travel – take them to classes and retreats without breaking your back! They only weigh 11 to 15 pounds! Or buy them for family and friends who want to try sewing/quilting for the first time.

So you can compare, I have included the actual specs for each machine – three manual and two computerized…

A perfect beginner, classroom, or travel machine! The NH7 New Home Sewing Machine contains seven utility stitches that will get you through most projects on the road or for just starting out.

Vertical oscillating hook bobbin system
Seven Stitches
One Four-Step Buttonhole
Manual Thread Tension Control
Easy Reverse Lever
Push Pull Bobbin Winder
Extra high presser foot lift
Maximum zigzag width 5mm
Maximum stitch length 4mm
Includes incandescent electric lamp
Machine Size 13.4in x 10.2in x 5.7in
Machine Weight 11.2lbs
Standard accessories include 2 plastic bobbins, needle set, screwdriver, seam ripper, felt, buttonhole sliding foot, and darning plate.

The NH15 New Home Sewing Machine is a classic mechanical model. Fifteen stitches round out a concise package to handle most sewing projects.

Vertical oscillating hook bobbin system
15 Stitches
One Four-Step Buttonhole
Manual Thread Tension Control
Built-in needle threader
snap on foot presser system
Free arm and flatbed convertibility
Easy Reverse Lever
Push Pull Bobbin Winder
Extra high presser foot lift
Maximum zigzag width 5mm
Maximum stitch length 4mm
Includes incandescent electric lamp
Machine Size 15.2in x 11.6in x 7.8in
Machine Weight 14.1lbs
Standard accessories include 4 plastic bobbins, small screwdriver, seam ripper, needle set, darning plate, zigzag foot, zipper foot, blind stitch foot, and buttonhole sliding foot.

The NH22 New Home Sewing Machine is a classic mechanical model. Twenty-two stitches round out a concise package to handle most sewing project.

Vertical oscillating hook bobbin system
22 stitches
One-step buttonhole
Manual thread tension control
Built-in needle threader
Snap-on foot presser system
Free arm/flatbed convertibility
Easy reverse lever
Push & pull bobbin winding
Extra high-pressure foot lift
Maximum stitch width: 5mm
Maximum stitch length: 4mm
Includes incandescent electric lamp
Machine size: W15.2in x H11.6in x D7.2in
Machine weight: 14.1lbs
Standard accessories include: 4 plastic bobbins, small screwdriver, seam ripper, needle set, darning plate, zigzag foot, zipper foot, blind stitch foot, buttonhole sliding foot for one-step buttonhole

Sturdy and efficient, the NH40 New home Sewing Machine has best features of an advanced computerized machine with the solid build of a mechanical model. Forty built in stitches provide enough variety for you to tackle all of your creative projects!

Horizontal full rotary hook bobbin system
40 stitches
3 one-step buttonholes
Manual thread tension control
Built-in needle threader
Snap-on presser foot
Needle up/down button
Easy reverse button
Thread cutter
Auto declutch bobbin winder
LED display
Easy navigation stitch selection
Maximum zigzag width: 5mm
Maximum stitch length: 4mm
Includes white LED lamp
Machine size: W14.7in x H10.4in x D7.1in
Machine weight: 12.6lbs
Standard accessories include: 3 bobbins, felt, seam ripper, screw driver, spool pin, spool holder, needle set, satin stitch foot, buttonhole sliding foot, darning plate.

The NH60 New Home Sewing Machine has everything you would need for all levels of sewing! The sixty built-in stitches will cover all of your sewing needs from garment construction, home decor, crafting, and even quilting.

Horizontal rotary hook bobbin
60 stitches
6 one-step buttonholes
Manual thread tension control
Built-in needle threader
Easy snap-on presser foot system
Needle up/down button
Start/stop button
Speed control slider
7-piece feed dog
Free arm/flatbed convertible
Drop feed dog
Locking stitch button
Thread cutter
Easy reverse button
Workspace: 170mm
Auto declutch bobbin winder
Foot pressure adjustment
Maximum zigzag width: 7mm
Maximum stitch length: 5mm
Includes LED lamp
Machine size: W18in x H11.7in x D7.2in
Machine weight: 12.3lbs
Standard accessories include: 4 bobbins, seam ripper, screwdriver key, needle set, large spool holder, small spool holder, buttonhole sliding foot, zipper foot, blind hem foot, satin foot, overcasting foot, 1/4 inch seam foot, open toe foot, felt, brush, extra spool pin, spool supporter.

The quarter inch foot; even feed foot and bobbins are also available. Why not buy them for your classroom? Your customers will love not having to hall a machine to class – and after using the machines, they will want their own travel version. That’s what you call a win/win!

Home Grown by Nancy Halvorsen

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Penny Haren

What can I say??? Nancy continues to amaze me with every line – and book – she does! In Home Grown, she showcases those values that we all try to achieve in our own lives.

And, in typical Art To Heart style, she has thought of everything! The fabric collection from Benartex – Home Grown by Nancy Halvorsen will be available next month – and comes in ten or 15-yard assortments.

I have showcased her signature teal below just so you can see some detail, but all of the colors are gorgeous. Gray is the new neutral – and she has that covered as well!

I have always loved what she does with tea towels…

With this line, she offers a set of six tea towels which can be used to make the projects above.

OR, buy them by the bolt! These yarn dyes are 43 – 44 inches wide.

Just look at the details on these individual blocks of the cover quilt.

Look what you can do with a panel!!!

Of course, it doesn’t stop there! The embellishments add that awe factor to each block!

These buttons are available for individual blocks are as an entire set. Why not do this as a block of the month? Make a block each month as well as a smaller project that will make great companions to add that Martha Stewart looks to your room. Or, have ideal gifts on hand when needed. Who wouldn’t love that???

Twelve Days of Christmas – Part One

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Penny Haren

Not only were all of these items hot at Market, but I also worked Festival and the Novi show in Michigan – and the consumers agree!

The Creative Grids® Stripology Squared Mini is a definite hit. Everyone loves the size and maneuverability of this baby! Designed to square up blocks up to 6 1/2″, I immediately learned that it is my go-to tool when sub-cutting strip sets. (The acrylic raises over the seams so there is no teeter-tottering like your experience with a traditional ruler.) Plus there are five patterns that support it. Offer it for Christmas and offer classes or demos featuring the patterns the first of the year.

Stripology Mixology is the perfect companion to ALL of the Creative Grids® stripology rulers. The book features 13 quilts made from pre-cuts – and tells you how to cut your own. And who doesn’t want a cocktail over the holidays – recipes included!

The portable Reliable Iron is amazing! It is not only an iron, but it is also a steamer. It gets to a temperature of over 300 degrees in a short amount of time. The bag is insulated so you can leave class before the iron is entirely cool – just leave the long cord on the outside of the bag. Another feature – the outside of the bag has a silicone side to use as a rest when in use. This one is a winner!

What good is an iron without a great ironing mat? These Gypsy Quilter mats come in a variety of sizes. The 13 1/2″ mat is one of the most popular sizes since it is big enough to press a 12 1/2″ block!

Stay Tuned for Part Two….

Cat Lover’s Delight

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Penny Haren

I am thrilled to announce that one of my favorite designers created a line of fabric for Timeless! This batik line features Deb Heatherly’s favorite – cats!

This 96-inch square block of the month features two of her highly successful Creative Grids® rulers – the Ultimate Flying Geese and the Cat’s Cradle tool.