Archive for March, 2009
March 30th, 2009
I’ve heard a rumor that there is a new product coming out very soon that could change the way we quilt. A leading innovator in the quilting world, AF Enterprises claims to have done it again. I’m still trying to get more details about the Quilter’s Portable Tool Kit, but I did hear that it’s powerful enough to finish any quilting product. This promises to be one of the most exciting and far-reaching new ideas in a long time. I’ll update as soon as I find out more.
No longer a rumor . . . it’s on the market. Amazing product! Check out the Quilter’s Portable Tool Kit. Powerful, versatile, portable. Just can’t say enough good things about it.
March 26th, 2009
Remember when aprons were commonplace. Whether is was your Grandma, your mom, or you that wore the apron, it used to be that a woman wasn’t in the kitchen without an apron on. Why did we stop using them? They do their job protecting our clothes. And they can be fun and stylish too.
You know that you can find quilt patterns at Quilters Warehouse, but did you know that there are Apron patterns to be found also? Check out these patterns and maybe you’ll want to start wearing that apron again.
Fat Quarter Aprons by Seams & Dreams has instructions for five different apron styles. And they are all fat quarter friendly.
Here’s a BBQ apron. Choose a floral and you’ll have a nice apron for yourself. Or maybe a food themed fabric (colorful chili peppers?) for a fun apron. Use a bold stripe for the man in your life. There’s instructions for a child sized apron too. You could make the child sized apron in the same fabric to match mom’s or dad’s apron. It’s a simple pattern – you’ll want to make several.
These aprons won’t do much to protect your clothes, but aren’t they CUTE?! The Pocket Aprons pattern comes in four different styles. And a kid size too!
Here’s some more “Pretty Aprons“ - these are pretty, they have pockets and they are big enough to cover your clothes. Four different designs, each with five pockets and each with a different style . . . cute, cute, cute.
All right, you’re on your own. I got you started. Now I’m off to make an apron. See you in the kitchen with my apron on.
March 23rd, 2009
In some places the earliest flowers are beginning to show their beautiful faces. If they aren’t showing up in your garden, or if you want them indoors find a quilt pattern with your favorites.
The sunny blossoms of Daffidil Dreams will surely brighten your day and any wall that you choose to hang in on. The instructions include both hand and machine applique methods for the daffodils and the leaves and stems.
How about a tea party to celebrate Spring’s arrival. Adorable kitty teapots sit with a vase of daffodils in China Kit Tea Party.
Holiday Table Runners has Tulips for Spring. And when you complete the Tulips you can get a head start on the other seasons. These would make great gifts, wouldn’t they?
Wow! A whole field of tulips! Dutch Tulips pairs Tulip blocks with Dutchman’s Puzzle blocks to make this beautiful arrangement.
Time for a walk . . . you can stroll down Primrose Lane. There’s quite a lot of variety in this quilt. You certainly won’t get bored making this one and you might even learn something new!
Spring Is Wild is a collections of Spring Flowers: Phlox, Verbena, Violet, Primrose, & Morning Glory. These flowers bloom with needle-turned dimensional applique, embroidery and fabric paint. Scatter the finished blocks through a quilt and you’ll have an entire garden of beautiful Spring flowers.
Haven’t showcased your favorite flower? Browse through all the quilt patterns and you will surely find something that strikes your fancy.
March 18th, 2009
Sampler Quilts are a great way to learn to make different blocks and to learn different techniques. And once you are finished, you will have made a quilt that is fascinating to look at and study. One of the new items this week among the quilt patterns at QuiltersWarehouse is a sampler.
The Let’s Go Sampler has several pieced blocks, a generous sampling of applique and a few different row pieces.
Charm Sampler uses a variety of techniques including English paper piecing, applique, embroidery and machine piecing. It finishes at 19 X 37 and the instructions are written so that a beginner should have no trouble with this quilt.
If If you enjoy embroidery, Indigo Wildflower Sampler is the one for you. There are several intricate pieced blocks surrounding 6 different bunches of embroidered wildflowers. In spite of the name, this would look great in other colos, too. It’d look great in all reds and white. Or how about Chartreuse Wildflowers?
Are you feeling patriotic? Liberty Star is a great Red, White, and Blue sampler. You can make the nine block version as shown or the alternate 5 block version which leaves 4 blocks open for embroidery. Your choice. Or make one of each!
You need to be careful with Pinwheel Sampler so it doesn’t make you dizzy. Pinwheels everywhere and if that’s not enough, there is pinwheel sashing! This quilt will brighten up any room.
This was just a sampling of the samplers available, so sample your favorites and get sewing!
March 16th, 2009
Do you have tons of scraps? Here’s a few patterns to help you control the overflow.
Scrappy Pinwheel will really show off your colorful scraps. The pinwheels and pieced border are perfect for scraps. And it’s a small wall quilt, 19″ X 23″, so every bit of it can be made from scraps . . . it won’t take much for the inner border or for the binding. You won’t want to stop at just one.
Scrappy Heart is shown in pastels but wouldn’t this look great with all different red hearts? Who doesn’t have 9 different pieces of red in their scrap stash? Or, if making as a gift for a friend, the hearts could all be their favorite color. Instructions included for fusible or machine applique – your choice.
Oh My Stars, even the background is scrappy. All different shades of gold – makes you feel like you did a great job! Or, make blue stars. Or make the background all scrappy blue for night-time and use your whites & cremes for the stars.
Potholder Potpourri is six different patterns for potholders. You can use up a wide variety of scraps with these. A quick finish will give you a sense of accomplishment, that bolstering feeling of fulfilled creativity, you’ll see your scrap pile diminish and you’ll have little gifts to keep on hand.
All these patterns are from just one designer . . . Just My Imagination. Browse QuiltersWarehouse and you will find so many more quilt patterns for scrappy quilts
March 12th, 2009
Whether it’s a dedicated room, a section in the basement, a corner in the family room, or the dining room table when it’s not being used for eating, everyone likes a neat, organized sewing area. We have fabric to store, pins & needles, thread, rulers, patterns and more.
This storage box is perfect for storing WIPs (Works In Progress), or patterns. If you are new to quilting and just starting to build your stash, it might hold all of your fat quarters of one particular color. Or if you’ve been quilting for a while, perhaps it would store all of one color of fabric scraps.
The Multi-Craft Rack Storage will hold all your pins, needles, thimbles, quilting marking pens, extra bobbins, seam rippers, and more. If you like to embellish your quilt projects, think of all the materials for embellishment this will hold.
Are you on the go with your quilting? Do you head out to a quilt day at your local quilt shop or to an evening of sewing with your quilt guild?
The Total Tote will hold everything you need to take with you. It has storage on each side with adjustable elastic bands to keep things organized and in place. There are several interior pockets. You also have the option of removing the center divider to provide bulk storage.
If you are taking your sewing machine along with you this wheeled sewing machine bag will be sure to hold it and still have room for your projects. It has an inside pocket to hold your quilt patterns. When you are not on the go, it collapses and stores easily.
Ok, now, no excuses . . . get organized, then get sewing!
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