March Is Happening

The Tri-County quilt tour is ON!  Don't miss out on all the great variety of quilts - now through Saturday!  Our quilt is up, with a day to spare, and the glue is mostly dry....we won't share all of our last minute secrets, but let's just say sometimes it really does take a village!  Thank-you Nikki for the amazing quilting that adds so much to our quilt.  We'll be sharing more photos in the next few posts.  Here is our block, a paper-pieced robin with a lucky clover and our version of April - perfect for today I think.  This umbrella pattern was created by a local quilter from the Seattle area and we have a quilt on display and her pattern available for purchase.  Watch for more pictures of our quilt - "Make this year Count".

March Robin Tri-County Quilt block

Our version of April - Umbrella Girl 

 And we also have 33 small customer quilts on display - the results of the Civil War Sampler challenge - wow is this an amazing show - come in and vote for your favorite!!!  Or you can come several times and stuff the ballot box, we'll have them up until mid-April.  And last, but certainly not least, we have some gorgeous quilts on display from Quilts Remembered - these quilts will be here through the 24th, so don't delay or you'll miss a chance to see some great workmanship and fabulous color choices.

Quilts Remembered Four Score quilt

 And a little bit of new fun - this collection called "Divers" by Margo Krager - we have fat quarters, bundles and fabric by the yard - amazing purple and rusty orange.  The word "Divers" means various in French, and the patterns are antique reproductions - a bit of a different influence from the fabrics we typically see from the civil war period.

Divers by Margo Krager 

Close-up of Divers

Happy Stitching!

A bit o' green and our latest!

This book Lizzie's Legacy is published by Kansas City Star, and Betsy Chutchian's second book.  History Repeated is certainly one of our all time favorites - and we know this will be equally enjoyable.  Lots of great pictures and a bit of history - our favorite kind of treasure!

And we took just a few minutes, truly, to strip-piece this table topper.  It is from a tutorial we found online, so no pattern required.  Of course, we can hardly wait to make it again in our favorite Halloween fabrics!  This great stonehenge shamrock fabric line, could make some festive napkins or bibs if you have a wee one to celebrate.  Go here for step-by-step how to's  http://fabricmill.blogspot.com/2012/08/spiderweb-table-topper-tutorial.html

A bit' o green table topper!

Prairie Women's Sewing Circle project

And since we were in the mood for spring green (aka poison green) and daffodils, this little one patch quilt was just right.  A smaller version (1 inch finished squares) was made from leftovers and is perfect to set a vase of fresh daffodils upon.   We are wrapping up our Prairie Womens' group and haven't committed to our new path just yet, but if these are the types of projects you'd like to work on and would like to join our monthly sewing group, please put your name down and we'll get in touch when our plan is ready.  Here are some other photos from our current session.

class projects

scrappy inspiration

Caramel Chocolate broken dishes 

 As you might be able to guess, this last little quilt was created just as an excuse to try the new Ghiradelli turtle brownie mix - we followed the recipe for the cookie option on the back of the box.... thumbs up from the entire sewing group!

P.S. We have received over 20 civil war sampler challenge quilts - they'll be on display starting on the 20th!   The Tri-County quilt tour also starts on the 20th and I'm pretty sure our quilt will be ready....

Happy Stitching!

Thinking Spring?

Just arrived with the sunshine today - and hopes that spring flowers are on their way - a lovely lavender floral group "Rebecca" designed by Mary Koval for Windham Fabrics.

And for those of us lucky enough to be irish, there is no time like the present to whip up a little something green to ensure your good luck.  We have a fun group of stonehenge and a couple of other festive shamrock pieces to consider.

We are busy getting ready for the upcoming Quilt Tour  (March 20-23rd) - and since spring appears to be on the way today at least - the theme "A Year in Quilts" - and our assigned month of March is all coming together.  And... we are feeling lucky that our quilt is going to be back from the quilter soon...

Our pin cushion this month features this pattern from Indygo Junction, and these little wool felt projects are pretty quick to stitch up once you narrow down your color choices.  We have the pattern available for purchase and will add some additional wool felt to our collection this month.

Scraptastic Ideas

We're having fun showcasing lots of different projects featuring scraps.  Leslie shared shared some traditional ideas and more modern takes featuring brights by color or from a selected palette ....leftovers from quilts and odds n' ends combined to make great donation projects, baby quilts, complementary gift ideas, etc.!  

Maybelle's Star in 1800's reproduction in process

We really like the versatility of this pattern by Common Threads - we have a work-in-progress using 1800's reproductions combined with shirtings shown above, and then we mixed up a bright quilt, using 1/4 of the pattern to create this baby quilt, approx. 40 x 40...lots of fun!!  This pattern features 3 inch finished half-square triangles by the way!

Maybelle's Star in contemporary - baby size (40x40)

Old time scrap quilt, new spools gone scrappy

If you missed our first round of lectures - we've added a couple of new dates....Saturday April 20th and Friday April 26th.  Both dates the lecture will be from 11:00 - 1:00pm.  Give us a call or an email if you're interested and we'll get a spot reserved.  

Brights - by color

More ideas with leftovers and themed scraps!

We are super excited to offer two upcoming workshops with Mary Elizabeth Kinch from Toronto.  We are still working out the details and will share the specifics with you soon here on the on the blog shortly - for now, save the dates...June 1st and 2nd.  More soon!





















Happy Stitching!

What's new and on tap!

We're offering this gypsy carry-all class again this spring and we've set the date for Saturday April 27th, it requires a bit of prep work as you start with prepared blocks, but they can be as simple or embellished as you want.  You can choose the size for your bag, and the pattern is included as part of the class.   If you missed this class last time, sign-up now and get started on your blocks!

Gypsy carry-all

We have had some requests for stitchery techniques - so here is an opportunity to dabble with some hand stitching!  This will provide just the right amount of experience if you want to work toward embellished crazy quilt blocks for your gypsy bag.  Come spend a few hours exploring embroidery, learn a few stitches and how to combine them for beautiful results on a prepared sampler block that Suz will have all ready for you.  After the class you can finish up your block and turn it into a fun needle case like the ones shown below.  Saturday March 2nd, from 10:30 - 2:30 is the date for this project.  

embroidery sampler

On Saturday we rolled out the patterns from Primitive Patchworks, accompanied by a great selection of Nancy Friesen's quilts.  Nancy dropped off the quilts in person and held a great little introduction to applique class Saturday morning before heading back to Oregon.  What a fun chance to meet the designer, get a taste of hand applique, and see all the great quilts.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  We'll have these quilts and patterns on display for the next few weeks so stop by and admire the talent!  

Primitive Patchworks trunk show

Primitive Patchworks trunk show

Here is our latest addition to the reproduction side of the store - New Colonies from Windham Fabrics, designed by Nancy Gere.  We haven't seen some of these prints before and the colors are great - soft enough but also vibrant.  These will be great incorporated into some patchwork projects you may have in the works.

New Colonies by Nancy Gere

Stay on top of our class offerings and store events by checking the website periodically.  We're working on lots of fun ideas so we'll try to keep you updated here as well.

Happy Stitching!

February Happenings

This fabric group from Moda by Sweetwater, "Mama Said Sew", says it all...with a couple of other written word motifs these fabrics would make a pretty yummy valentine....and here's our version.  We cooked up a sweet treat for this month's pincushion - a cookie cutter base, a quilty fabric in black and white and red all over...add a bit of glue and you have it, no hot stove required!

We have a little introduction to applique class scheduled for next Saturday, and it will be an opportunity to meet the pattern designer from Primitive Patchworks as she plans to be in our area to deliver her quilts for the upcoming trunk show!  We featured pictures of her quilts in a post last month.

We are also busy working on some class ideas, and I am chatting with teachers and gathering samples and trying to nail down some dates so we'll have more things coming soon.  Until then, please take a look at our website - we've added some items to the classes and events pages as we are building in items one at a time.  If you think you'd like to join us on February 9th for a short applique lesson with Nancy Friesen, please give us a call or stop by as we only have a few spaces left.

And stay tuned....we've got a workshop in the planning stages with Mary Elizabeth Kinch http://www.maryelizabethkinch.com/ for early summer.  


Happy Stitching!

More Scraps and Half-Square Triangle Exchange

New year, new projects right?  The only problem with that idea is that we all have TOO MANY ideas, unfinished projects and wish lists...not too mention left over bits!  We have some options that will help you absorb all of those leftover parts and loose ends...This is one way to revitalize some of your scrappy Civil War reproduction fabric bits - or equally stunning in batiks or whatever your stash produces!

 The project is called Second Hand Clothes and the pattern is designed by Red Crinoline Quilts. The version pictured on the pattern cover is a big one...85" x 93", but our version pictured below is a nice throw size about 52" x 68". This is one of those patterns that lends itself perfectly to size adjustments, and as scrappy as you want to go. You can easily build these units over time, in between other projects...or all at once in a scrap and go fashion. And for those of you who are out of scraps, or just like ours better....we have some 'sticks' and fat quarter bundles that are just perfect for this project.

One of the great things about scrappy projects is that there is often little planning necessary - no need to panic if you run out of fabric and need to substitute - because that's the point!  And in the end you are left with a gorgeous quilt and a sigh of relief that you've made some room for new fabric?  This project is straight seams, perfect for easy piecing while you visit with friends at a retreat - and the pattern is fat quarter friendly or pieces 9x11 (our sticks include 12 different fabrics) will do the trick!   

2nd Hand Clothes

Sticks and Bundles

We've opted to host another Half-Square triangle exchange...April 1st, so get to work on those triangles!  Maybe you participated previously and are ready to add to your collection or just need some more variety - OR - if you are just catching up with us and want to participate this round, here's the scoop:
Sew up your civil war scraps and trade them for others! This program is based on what Edyta Sitar describes in her book Friendship Triangles, pictured below. The idea: purchase our premade 'cinnamon sticks' containing special half square triangle paper and scrappy Civil War era fabrics, add your own fabrics to make a second batch, and make up as many half square triangle units as you'd like to trade.  Each sheet of paper makes 28 units.  You can also buy a pack of the paper and create solely from your own stash.  These are the 2 inch finished size - and the only restriction is that the fabric needs to be 1800's reproduction fabrics.  

Then, April 15th, we'll make the exchange of half-square triangles and you'll come away with a bigger variety of half-squares and some possibilities for a start on a scrappy quilt. Get your triangles turned in by the 1st of April if you want to participate.  We've got a few cinnamon sticks all ready to go and will be adding more next week!

Happy Stitching!