Hallowe'en 1904 Block of the Month

It's never too early to start thinking about all the aspects of Fall, autumn leaves, back to school, and Halloween chocolate, right? Unfortunately, it also means that summer is over...but we won't think about that right now.

We've been making progress on these blocks and they've been getting some notice hanging up in the classroom. It's our newest Block of the Month program- the name of the pattern is Hallowe'en 1904 and it's from Blackbird Designs. Don't you just love those harvest-y colors? Cheddar, black and tan with a splash of green...we stuck pretty close to the colors in the photo, but you'll have to come see the blocks in person to get the best impression. This is an applique project...lots of stars with a moon and a few pumpkins, and it finishes at 90" x 90". 

Here are a few blocks made up...again, photos don't really do them justice but they are turning out pretty great. And of course, we had to pull out some old Halloween props to make a fun photo.

This is a five-month program, and you'll receive enough material for the quilt top and binding. We've got a few kits ready to go now, so let us know if you're interested!

Happy Stitching!

New Fun Things to Play With!

Aren't bags fun little projects to whip out? They can make great gifts, too...especially one that is as quick and adorable as this one! It's called the Buttercup Bag, and you can find the pattern here. It just takes a couple of fat quarters, a bit of interfacing, a magnetic snap, and a few buttons for accent...doesn't get much easier than that! We've already found a couple of cute fabric combinations, but we imagine that you can come up with tons more!

This funky new grouping is from a company called Dear Stella...lime green, navy blue, and a bright teal with a bit of grey for accent, and a variety of fun patterns. Haven't quite figured out the right sample for it yet...but thinking a fun summer skirt, throw pillow or modern quilt top?  Does this group spark any ideas? Maybe a great new reusable bag...it's getting close to the start of the Bellingham plastic bag ban, and it might be a good idea to stock up! 

Happy Stitching!

Batik BOM Update!

Here's a quick update on the Batik BOM program...our top is done! It's not a great picture as we didn't have a wall big enough to showcase it!  But you get the idea, right? Turned out gorgeous with all those batiks playing together...after a bit of careful piecing to get the blocks and zig-zag sashing lined up. The final ginko leaf border ties all the colors together beautifully, don't you think?

We have ONE kit left for this batik beauty...it runs for 9 months but you can pick up kits as fast as you want, if you have a deadline (Christmas gift for a lucky someone, perhaps)? Let us know if you want to sign-up!

Enjoy all this lovely weather...and a rainy break today perfect for sewing time!

Happy Stitching!

Finish One Project, Start Another

Well...last month was the final meeting of the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle Journey Three. Sad to see all the fun end! Only for a little while though, because we plan to start things up again in the fall, with Journey Four. You can see some photos of the projects below...definitely some variety from the current Journey, which always makes for some fun sewing times! 

This time, the club will meet on the first Wednesday of each month, from September through March (we'll skip January). There are two sessions: a morning group from 10:30-12, and an afternoon meeting from 1-2:30. The cost is $80 for your class fee AND pattern set ($80 for six small patterns plus a bonus project, and 6 gatherings of fun, camaraderie and treats on occasion!? Doesn't get much better than that...). If you can't make time in your schedule for class-time, there is also an option to purchase the pattern set alone for $40. We're quickly filling the morning session, but there are still a few spots open, and lots of room in the afternoon session. Let us know if you'd like more info!

Here is the last project from the current Prairie Women session...we chose schoolhouse colors to show off the blocks.

Speaking of new projects... pictured here is the new Clubhouse Block of the Month project from Michael Miller and Swirly Girl Designs. The program is called 'Weekend' and this particular color-way is titled 'Cabana'. We're running it as a traditional BOM program (pick up a kit every month, no class or meeting) but with the addition of occasional group sew-days. The photo of the quilt is kind of deceiving- the blue in the border fabric is more of a denim-textured color than a bright blue. Some of the fabrics are shown below... of course, fabric in person is always better than fabric online, but at least you get an idea of the color palette. These fabrics are allocated for kits only right now, but eventually some of them will be available for other projects. It's a gorgeous color combination, don't you think? 

For other news...we just received some new preprinted tags for your small projects. These are called Tag-It-On's, and they are the ones that you stitch into a seam - on a binding of a quilt or into the cuff of a pillowcase. We have several options, from Halloween to Christmas to 'Grandma Loves You'...perfect for adding some personalization to a project!

Happy Stitching!

All Ready to Sew... and Eat!

Recognize those boxes? We used one version for the June pincushion, but here are our other versions- one is perfect for holding bobbins, and the larger, square box is great for spools of thread, scissors, chocolate...you name it! Some boxes are stained and some are left 'blonde' for variety.  We will have more back in stock soon, so let us know if you want something reserved for you!

See, you can already see how useful these boxes are....they'd fit great in this sewing tote! This pattern came from a fellow crafter's blog- it's written up as a lunch bag pattern, but as the creator suggests it works for gathering up all your sewing supplies. The drawstring on top keeps everything inside but it's got cute handles as well...a great compromise!

Here is the bag in *slightly* different fabrics- the main bag fabric reads as a neon yellow in the photo but is actually a bright green. You'll definitely be able to tell which lunch is yours, right? We tracked down a bento box to put inside ours...lined the bag with spill-proof PUL fabric - add some snacks and you're good to go! The sewing tote would be a great present for a stitching friend, and the lunch bag would make a great treat for a co-worker or that friend that has everything!

Happy Stitching!

Sparkler Time!

It's that time again...our July pincushion is called Vintage Sparkler Posy Pot. Long name but definitely scored on the cute factor, don't you think? Start with a clay pot, add a little stitched pillow and a fabric 'sparkler posy' and you've got yourself a sweet little reminder of summer...or the summer we wish was on its way....  You could distress your pot and ticking pillow to add a bit more primitive flavor if that suits your style. We've got our kits all ready to go!

We've received some great new lines from Moda lately...including this bright group called Tradewinds from Lily Ashbury. Those colors are so radiant, and the fun, tropical-theme motifs would make an awesome tote or apron. The pictures don't do the intensity of the colors justice...you'll have to come in to see them yourself!

This is the latest group from Bonnie and Camille for Moda, called Vintage Modern...there are some FUN colors mixed in. Bright teal, red and pink and all the shades in between...and who doesn't love a good polka dot?? We have layer cakes and a fun layer-cake friendly pattern...time for a new cheerful project?

We recently received a few bolts of extra wide backings...a couple from French General and 3 Sisters, a mottled dark blue and some green leaves...perfect for a painless finish to a big quilt!

Happy Stitching!