It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  I'm still trying to prepare for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with my family, but had to get the tree and decorations up in the shop early for Grayville's annual Christmas Parade and downtown merchants' Open House on Saturday, November 24.  Open House is 4:00 - 6:00, and then the parade starts.  If you're in town, I hope you'll stop by!

New fabric has arrived and I'm trying to find space for all of it.  Many Christmas fabrics have been moved to the clearance section and are now 25% off---there is still plenty of time to make things to decorate at home.  Think tablerunners, stockings, and......new Quilt-As-You-Go Placemats!

These are so quick and easy to make, and they're a great way to use novelty fabrics.  Besides making placemats that are a perfect match in my kitchen, I can imagine lots of different sets for holidays, spring, fall, etc.  Here is a picture of a couple that I made this morning (yes, they really are that quick to make)!  The binding is made by folding up the backing, pressing, and top-stitching in place.  I discovered that the easiest way to do this neatly is to use 1/4" Steam-a-Seam (what a great product!!) and press the binding in place. Topstitching it was a breeze!  Wouldn't a set of these make a great gift?

 

 

It's hard for me to believe, but I am approaching my second anniversary in business.  Thank you to all my valued customers!!  I appreciate your business SO much and hope to be able to celebrate many more anniversaries.  To celebrate this anniversary, I will be offering a 20% discount on any cut of 2 yards or more from November 30th through December 8th.  Beginning on "Black Friday", register to win discount coupons and a $25 gift certificate.  Drawings will take place on December 15th.   Tell all your friends and stop by the shop soon!

Here's a great block idea and it's perfect for 5" and 10" squares.  Check it out!

This pinwheel block is so simple you'll wonder why you didn't think of it yourself.  Here's how it's made:

Make some half-square triangles.  Cut them in half vertically. Rotate one side 180 degrees and sew them together.  Trim to square, then sew four of them together!  How simple is that?

This is from a new book, Sew Simple Pinwheels by Karin Hellaby.  Karin has created four different techniques in one book and it's a bargain at $14.95.  She also shares several different setting and variations of the basic block. 

These books are on order and should be available within the next couple of weeks.  Try a few blocks and see what you think!

How cute is this?  It's the Caddy Pad, a clever iron tote and ironing pad all in one!  This is great for classes and workshops (and soooo fashionable).  It's quick and easy to make, and the pattern even includes the heat-resistant lining.  All you need is a couple of pretty buttons, a dab of elastic, some Insul-Bright (or Warm Tater or cotton batting pieces), and a 21" x 28" piece of gorgeous fabric.  Until the end of September (or until they're gone), purchase this pattern at Piece Time Quilt Shop and I'll give you the Insul-Bright free! 




Can you believe Labor Day is right around the corner?  The time just seems to be flying.  Fall and some cooler days are coming!  It's a great time to start a new project and the shop is full to bursting with new fabrics.  Lots of new gorgeous fall fabrics, Halloween, and Christmas prints are here.  There are whimsical penguins, snowmen, reindeer, etc., along with some very elegant and sophisticated prints with gold highlights.  I have some Christmas stockings, table runners and wallhangings made up to give you ideas and there's something to suit all tastes.  Not interested in a major project yet?  How about a Halloween or Christmas pillowcase?  Kids love them and they're quick and easy to make.  Or make that special Trick or Treater a personal trick or treat bag!

Also new is Spendor II designed by Jason Yenter for In The Beginning fabrics.  The collection has a great focus fabric, a border print and a bird toile, as well as smaller prints and tone on tones.

Splendor II

Just arrived is Mill Girls from Marcus Brothers and it's beautiful.  It was designed by Judie Rothermel and celebrates the women working in the textile mills of Lowell, MA during the mid-1800s.  This collection has a palette of tans and browns blended with burgundys and blues. 

Another adorable collection for little boys from Blend Fabrics has just arrived!  Little Monkeys is a playful collection of 123s, ABCs, and monkeys, of course. 

New 60" wide Grinch Dreamie fleece makes a quick and easy fringed throw and the Cat In The Hat cuddle cloth is to die for!  I quilted two pieces together without batting and it's the softest, snuggliest little blanket you can imagine. 

Christmas prints (check out that Cat In The Hat sunggly).

Quick Christmas Wreath using the Twister Ruler.  Pattern in stock.

Enjoy Grayville Days this weekend and stop by the shop soon to see all the new fabrics!  I will be closing early on Saturday, September 1 due to Grayville Days and the parade.  I expect the street to be blocked off by Friday, but it's a short walk from nearby parking areas.

Dog Days of Summer

Tired of this long, hot, DRY summer?  Me, too.  Get out of the heat and spend some cool inside time sewing!  In spite of all my watering, I don't think I'm going to be canning any fresh tomatoes or juice this summer....:-(  Instead, I've been sewing up fall and holiday items to show all the great fabrics that have been arriving weekly.  I'm rapidly filling up all my new space, so if you haven't been in the shop for a while, you'll see lots of inspiration the next time.  Many new fall, Halloween and Christmas fabrics are in and just begging to be made into fun things.  I've been trying out several different rulers and am very happy with the different looks:  a Christmas tree skirt made with the 10 degree wedge ruler, a wallhanging made with 60 degree triangles, a table topper using the 120 degree ruler, and a Twister Christmas wreath wallhanging.  Just for fun, there are several Halloween items and some cute Christmas stockings.  A new line of wool felt stocking patterns are in and they're so fun and easy to do.  I'll be making up kits for them soon, so they'll be ready to grab and go.

I've also received a couple of collections in from a brand new fabric company--RTC fabrics.  They are very high quality and are so pretty.  Best of all, they are priced at only $8.00 a yard! 

Stop in soon while the holiday selections are the best.  New things are arriving all the time, so be sure to check them out!  As always, I appreciate your business.

Handy Quilting Apps

Do you have an iPhone or an iPad/tablet?  If so, there are a couple of free apps that are very handy to have. 

I use Robert Kaufman Fabrics' QuiltingCalc all the time.  It makes it so easy to determine how much fabric is needed.  There is a backing/batting calculator, a piece count calculator, pieces to area calculater, binding calculator, border calculator, set-in and corner triangle calculator, and square-in-a-square calculator----pretty much everything you need.  It's great in the quilt shop and would be so helpful when you're shopping.

Another one I use a lot is Block-Fab-HD. This app has a library of grid-based blocks to choose from and you can choose the number and size of the blocks you want, then BlockFab determines the amound of fabric needed.  You can play around with the blocks in different layouts and varying colorways or try out different combinations of blocks.  You can also work with individual patch shapes, which is useful for pieced borders or if the block you want isn't in the block library.  BlockFab will determine the fabric needed for each color in the block as well as for each piece in the block.  This isn't a quilt design app, but it can give you great ideas and makes it so easy to see how certain blocks look in a quilt layout or in different combinations. 

Give them both a try!  They're free and fun.

Keep cool----hope to see you soon.  Lots of new fall fabrics and holiday prints are in and I've already made up several Halloween and Christmas items.

Back from Quilt Market!

I’m back from the International Spring Quilt Market and it was AWESOME! There were nearly 600 exhibitors and I think I stopped at all of them. (I’m not moving so fast right now….but did remember to wear really comfy shoes. It’s a law---fashion stops at the knees at quilt shows and Market!) So many beautiful quilts and interesting notions and products….and have I mentioned the FABRIC? Oh my. I was in heaven. Some of the booths were absolutely jaw-dropping in their beauty and creativity. It was also nice to meet so many designers and "celebrities". I’ve never been a celebrity-hound, but I have to admit that it was thrilling to meet and speak with so many of the people who have made quilting and the quilting industry what it is today. They were all so friendly and gracious. I was too awestruck to take pictures, which I regret now, but the camera wasn’t even on my mind while trying to take everything in.

Sample Spree was quite an adventure. My sister went with me and you wouldn’t believe the crowd. First, we waited in what seemed to be literally over a mile-long line. Fortunately, it moved pretty fast as they checked badges and allowed people in. Once inside, it was SO hard to wiggle our way up to the tables. Having spent the last 20+ years in southwest Kansas where 5 people are considered a crowd, my sister was beginning to freak out a little. While I had heard that Sample Spree was sometimes a "Women Behaving Badly" event, people were mostly nice and we managed to hit all the spots and fill our bags with goodies. Good thing she was with me, because I doubt I could have carried those bags by myself afterwards. I laughed so hard at my sister, whose first comment when we emerged was, "I’ve never had so many women’s breasts all over me!" She also agreed with me that Orion Burns is one good-lookin’ guy!

I have to say that Kansas City is beautiful and welcoming! There was so much going on and so many people that I was never frightened walking around, even when I had to park two blocks away. On the night of Sample Spree, there must have been thousands of people out and about, even besides the quilters. There was a graduation, what looked like some kind of street festival, and Jersey Boys was being performed at the theater a block away. (Great show, by the way.) The Marriott even had a light show going on the front of their building, which was beautiful. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. I made lots of great new contacts, discovered many new pattern designers, and will have lots of gorgeous new fabrics and goodies arriving at the shop soon.

I came home to about 50 bolts of new fabrics, too! It’s nice to be back home in the shop and feel energized and full of ideas from Market.   I visited the Homespun Quilters Guild in Mt. Carmel on Tuesday night and had a great time. What a good group of ladies!  So much fun and so talented and creative. 

Stop by and see all the new things---even new Halloween and Christmas fabrics that have to come out of the plastic and onto the floor.  Check out the pictures below.

Alice Putnam Collection from Windham

Imperial Collection 8 from Robert Kaufman

New Patriotic Prints

Christmas!

Adorable new Kids Quilts Patterns

Ready for Quilt Market!

Vacation is over, but we had a wonderful time at the beach and fishing in the Gulf.  No record-size tarpon this time, but I did manage to land 130-pounder.  Believe me, tarpon fishing is exciting no matter what size you have on the line!!  We didn't get as much fishing in as we would have liked due to the windy conditions, but the winds sure did feel good out on the hot beach.  The weather has been beautiful here too, so if you're like me, you're having a hard time staying inside.  While all my projects sit and wait for me, I've been planting flowers, painting and just enjoying sitting outside!

I'm also gearing up for my very first International Quilt Market, which starts this week.  I will be heading out to Kansas City on Wednesday and will have a full schedule through Sunday.  I'm SO looking forward to it and hope to learn a lot and bring back lots of new ideas and products.  Thursday will be a full day, with the Schoolhouse Series.  This is an information-filled forum for manufacturers, publishers and retailers to present new products, techniques and books.  I have the opportunity to choose 18-20 classes from the more than 250 offered each 15 or 30 minute interval!  I have also signed up for several other classes during the following days with instructors such as Marti Michell and Deb Tucker.  I'm excited and hope to have lots to share with you afterwards.

The shop will be closed on Wednesday, the 17th, but will be open the rest of the week as usual. Stop by!

120 Degree Triangle Ruler

I just finished trying out the new Creative Grids 120 degree triangle ruler and it's really neat!  There aren't many patterns available for this ruler yet, but the insert that comes with the ruler shows several different ways to use it.  I thought I'd try out a couple to see how easily they go together.  I used three 2 1/2" strips first and made some big triangles, then cut some single 4 1/2" strips.  I really liked the single ones (and they were fast), so I went ahead and put six of them together for a table topper, although I'm now thinking I might make more and put another round on it.  It could end up as a really great medallion for the center of a quilt. I think I might want to think a bit more about the color placement when using three strips.

My pictures aren't great, but you can get an idea of how they turned out.  I think you could make some really great geometric blocks with this ruler.

The ruler itself is very easy to use and has markings to make triangles from a number of different size strips.  If you look closely at the second picture, you'll see that there is a seam in the center of the bottom triangle section.  Yep, no set-in seams! 

That's it for today.  Hope to see you soon. 

Hallelujah!

The Women of Courage shop sample is done!  While the blocks themselves aren't really difficult, some of them do take some time.  Plus, as you know, wrestling a big quilt around at the machine can be a job in itself.  At any rate, I highly recommend the year-long plan versus the 3-week plan!  I still have four spots left in the Block of Month program for this quilt, so come by the shop to take a look at it to see if you might be interested.  It really is a gorgeous quilt and I'm so happy that I took it on.  It's one that I'll always be very proud of.  I've spent a lot of my time in the last year making quick quilts that display the fabric I have in the shop, so it was good for me to get back to practicing and improving (hopefully) my basic piecing skills.  I love that there are so many quick, easy quilt patterns nowadays and, being the fabricaholic that I am, I know that simple certainly doesn't mean it won't be beautiful, but you can't beat the feeling of accomplishment that comes after completing one that challenges you a little more.  Here is a picture of my completed beauty:

There are some great blocks in this quilt that I don't remember seeing before, too.  My favorites are the corner and center star blocks.  They weren't difficult at all, but I love star blocks and am anxious to incorporate them into some other things I have planned.  Wouldn't they look beautiful in a Christmas quilt??  Speaking of which, believe it or not, new Christmas fabrics will be arriving in the next couple of months.  I already have new Halloween fabrics that I haven't put out yet, but I wanted to enjoy the spring days we've been having for a while longer before I started thinking about fall.  Not to mention, I have to figure out WHERE it's going to go....I've been enjoying all the space in the new shop location!  But, I have a lot of new things on the way, so it will be filling up fast. 

Time to take a break and just rest.  Stop by to see me soon!

New Block of the Month Sign-up

"Windham Fabrics latest collection by Nancy Gere™ was inspired by the new 'Women of Courage' Block of the Month designed by Denice Lipscomb. The Women of Courage fabric collection has luscious floral prints, beautiful tonal blenders and a breathtaking color palette of brown, tan, red, teal and green. The 12 month BOM is special because each block from the program corresponds to a brave and courageous woman in world history. Together, they create a spectacular Block of the Month. Enjoy learning a little bit about history as you sew with this gorgeous collection."

Now that all the work of relocating the shop is complete, I've been busy sewing blocks for the shop sample of this new Block of the Month which starts in June. If you haven't seen this quilt yet, be sure to check out the link below or better yet, stop by the shop to get a look at the fabrics! It's a gorgeous quilt, and when completed, is 98" by 98". I am already signing people up, so stop by and get your name on the list. This is a 12-month program and the cost is $24.95 per month. There is a $25.00 "commitment fee" which, if you complete the program, will be applied to your finishing kit. Each month, you will receive the fabrics, the pattern and a brief history of the courageous woman being honored. Women included are Sojourner Truth, Christa McAuliffe, Susan B. Anthony, Helen Keller, Sacagawea, and Mother Teresa. There are a several that I bet you haven't heard of before, too. It's not only a beautiful quilt, but it's very inspiring as well.  Hope to see you soon!

http://www.windhamfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?Category=564

Things are coming together....

The big move was completed on Monday afternoon and I've spent the following days setting up in the new place.  I think it's looking good and I hope you do, too.  I know every bolt of fabric in the shop (better than ever after loading and hauling it!) but am still amazed at the amount.  Seeing it all spread out makes me wonder how in the world I had it all crammed in the other little space!

Cleaning in the back and working on the storage area is on the agenda for today.  Tomorrow is for loading up Quilter's Day Out items and setting up for Saturday.  Tri-State Quilter's Day Out will actually be a day of rest for me after the last week and I'm looking forward to it. 

Don't forget that re-opening day is Wednesday!  Come and see the "new" shop and let me know what you think.  Here are a couple of pictures to tempt you...

Piece Time is Moving!

It's true!  I am moving to a bigger, new location.  Tentative plans are to begin moving the weekend of March 4.  The shop will be closed the following week and re-open on March 14 in the new location at 110 E. North St. in downtown Grayville that formerly housed Lovins' Pharmacy.  I'm excited that the parking situation will be resolved (no more crossing the highway!) and that I will have more room to grow.  I'm certainly NOT looking forward to the actual moving part, but I believe it will all be worth it in the end.

Because of the upcoming move, after today I will not be able to accept any more quilt tops for quilting until after the move.  I have lots of things to get finished before Tri-State Quilters' Day (and before my husband starts dismantling the quilting frame!)  I will be happy to take your name and number and call you as soon as things are back up and running.

I will still be vending at Tri-State Quilters' Day in Evansville on March 10.  Lots of new kits and pre-cuts will be on display.  I hope you've made plans to attend this event.

I will keep everyone posted on any news concerning the move, but I hope to see you before.

Anita

Strip Tube Ruler

I thought I'd tell you a little bit about the Strip Tube Ruler since I discovered it was still unknown to some.  It's been around for a little while and has been demonstrated at some local shows recently, so I mistakenly thought everyone was aware of it.  I apologize!

This ruler, which is made by Cozy Quilts, is a very handy ruler for making half square triangles and diagonally pieced blocks.  You can use it to make accurate half square triangle units from 1" to 9 1/2".  And, because you line the ruler up on the seam line and not the edge of the fabric, you always have accurate HSTs even if you didn't sew a completely accurate 1/4" seam (no one ever has that problem, right?)   No marking lines, no math, no tearing away paper, no trimming and no waste---how great is that?  There are SO many options with this ruler.  The book Strip Tubing shows numerous blocks and layouts and there are a number of great patterns available using the technique.  The ruler, the book and several different patterns are in stock at the shop. 

Rather than try to explain how to use the ruler, I've attached a link (at the bottom of this post) to a short video demonstration of the ruler.   I will just add that I always spray and press my fabric "tube" with Best Press on both sides before I begin cutting.  I have had no problems at all with the bias edges, however they should probably still be handled carefully. 

Some of you may have made blocks like this in the past using a ruler with a right angle.  I have, and I found this ruler to be SO much easier.  (And why didn't I think to come up with a ruler like this???)  I currently have a ruler with a semi-straight piece of tape across it and one with a line made by a Sharpie because I'm a make-do sort of gal.   The Sharpie mark works great if all I ever want to make is 4" HSTs, but I think that permanent line would annoy me now if I wanted to make another size.   The Strip Tube Ruler retails for $14.95 and I think it's one that is well worth it.

Below is a picture of the baby quilt I recently made using a jelly roll and the Strip Tube Ruler.  The link to the video demonstration is below it.  Happy Quilting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3k85E3lzfU

Pictures of new fabrics and a SPECIAL picture!

Here are the pictures of some of the new fabrics I told you about earlier.


Sweet Dinosaur collection:

Passage to India

(Jewel colorway):

Passage to India (spice colorway):

Satsuki collection:

My red and white quilt:

And best of all----Carter Lawson Cleveland!  My new great-nephew was born today and he's as beautiful as his big sister.  What a wonderful day!



More New Fabric!!

If you can't get into the shop soon, check out the new Passage to India fabrics on the Robert Kaufman website!  (I'll get around to posting pictures soon...)  I have the entire collection in both the spice colorway and the jewel colorway and it's all gorgeous and selling fast.  I've made a table runner, a table topper and just HAVE to make a pillow, too.  Not only would it make a beautiful bed quilt, but I can see valances and other decorating pieces from this collection, which also includes a panel with beautiful, large individual blocks (mmmmm.....maybe a great purse or tote.)

I've also received a really cute dinosaur print collection that is strictly for little boys.  It's SO adorable.  It's a new collection from Blend, which is the new fabric company by Anna Griffin.   This fabric is so soft and smooth.  The striped fabric has a tape measure design in it which is just begging to be made into a growth chart----coming soon!

I've also received some Asian-inspired fabric, and the newest fabrics from the Celebration of Seuss collection is due to arrive next week.  This collection includes a panel with a large Cat In The Hat and has the entire story printed on it!  How fast and easy would it be to add a border and call it finished?

I've finished my red and white quilt and am very happy with it.  I'm binding tonight and hopefully will have it out in the shop to show off tomorrow.  Even the most simple block is striking in red and white!

I'll get busy tomorrow and take pictures and get them posted.  In the meantime, stay warm and keep on quilting!

Happy January

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!  I've been a little remiss in keeping up with this blog, but was getting really comfortable taking it easy for a change...  That's not to say that I haven't still beeen sewing! 

In case you're all ready to start a new project for the new year, here are a few of the collections that I've received in the last couple of weeks.  I've already made quilts from a couple of them and am hard at work on a red and white quilt.  I've wanted to do one for a long time and while I was thinking ahead to February, I resolved to get one finished.  I love the simplicity of it, but another of my resolutions was to get more creative with borders, so I'm now working on that part!  It should jazz it up just enough.

Hope to see you soon!