Checker Newsletter

The National Quilting Association created National Quilting Day in 1991.  This special day is celebrated the third Saturday in March each year.  Visit their website to explore ways that you can coordinate an event to honor the tradition of quilting in your area. http://nqaquilts.org/nqday/index.php

Each community chooses their own way of recognizing this event.  In our area, it is a day of service – quilters come together to sew for a common cause.  Thanks to the generosity of quilters everywhere, there are many national groups that coordinate these efforts and guarantee that these efforts find a good and deserving home.  Following is a list of some of my favorites:

Quilts of Valor

This program was started by Catherine Roberts in 2003 when her son was deployed to Iraq.  She wanted to cover all wounded and injured service members with a quilt.  Since it’s inception, this program has donated over 15,000 quilts to the cause.  Visit their website:  www.qovf.org for more information.

Quilts for Kids

Quilts for Kids began in 2000 with the following mission statement:

Quilts for Kids, Inc. transforms discontinued, unwanted and other fabrics into quilts that comfort children in need.  These children are fighting a life battle with cancer, AIDS, and other serious illnesses.  We also gift to children of abuse.  Our goal is to link design centers and other fabric sources nationwide to their communities, so that children in need in those regions may be served.

This program has been so successful because every effort is made to keep the quilts in the areas in which they are made.  Visit their website for a list of the organizations who accept donations:  www.quiltsforkids.org

Project Linus

Project Linus has distributed over 3,000,000 quilts since1995 through 378 chapters nationwide.  Visit their website to find an active chapter in your area: www.projectlinus.org Their mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriouslty ill, traumatized, or otherwise in ned through the gits of new, handmade blankets and afghans, created by volunteer “blanketeers”.

Make a Pillowcase Make a Difference

American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine has joined forces with many of the top companies in the industry to support an effort by quilters to produce 1,000,000 pillowcases.  These cases are distributed as a token of love to anyone that needs  a hug.  The recipient may be a cancer patient; a foster child, a battered woman, or a nursing home resident.  To participate, visit their website: allpeoplequilt.com

Hospital Gowns – Free Pattern

While this is not a national program, it is dear to my heart.  Rita Fishel wears many hats:  She owns a quilt shop in Southern Ohio, in an author with AQS, teaches all over the country, writes for Quiltposium magazine, and demonstrates for Creative Grids rulers.  But, when a dear friend was diagnosed with  , she dropped everything and created a pattern for a hospital gown that could be made out of the beautiful fabrics she loved and cheer up any hospital room.

Rita teamed with Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl fame to write a pattern in both adult and children’s sizes.  These patterns are available as free downloads on Joan’s website: www.lazygirldesigns.com/hospitalgown.php

We all know of someone in a nursing home or hospital that could use some cheer.  In my own case, I know two men in this situation – novelty prints with hockey or golf themes would be perfect – and much more appropriate than flowers!  How about a hospital gown out of the Maxine fabric I talked about last week for a favorite woman in your life?  Every nurse will smile – talk about a conversation starter!!!

Other Local Charities

Many local guilds and quilt shops have set up programs of their own that benefit local organizations.  Stop by your local quilt shop for more information.  They can get you in touch with a group or guild in your area that would be thrilled to accept your help.  And, remember, the need for donations is not just one day a year…..these causes need our support year round!

As quilters, we think nothing of spending days, weeks, months or even years creating the perfect quilt for our room – whether it be the bedroom, family room, or great room.  It could even be a sun porch that needs a special touch.

But after spending all of that time on the showpiece of the room, the adrenaline starts pumping and we are off to the quilt shop to start our next project.  Why can’t that next project be the accessories that will pull that whole room together?

Item #ANK296  Retail $16.00

Heather Mulder Peterson and Deb Mulder have written a new book – Shams with Style – that add that decorator touch to every room.  Each sham is unique – and doesn’t have to grace a bed!  I have a white wicker double rocker and would love to have these pillows grace it.  The ties at the top add the awe factor that turns handmade into “custom”!

These pillows are not only inviting, they tie the whole room together!  After seeing this picture, the quilt would look bare without them!

In this room, the solid accent pillows add a sense of texture and depth to the room.  They are a perfect accent to a scrappy quilt and defines the color palette for the space.  The covered buttons are easy and provide a three-dimensional effect and anchor the room.  What a great way to use up your scraps!

Most of these pillows just take a yard or two of fabric – that is a lot of bang for your buck!  And in just a few hours you can transform that quilt into a designer’s showcase!

Patrick Lose is an industry legend and brought us the original tone on tones that absolutely changed the industry!  His latest – Fizz with Robert Kaufman – are the best I have seen in a very long time!  Who can resist polka dots – and who would have thought that they could be made into a tone on tone?  I simply don’t know how he does it!

Patrick is known for “happy” with a capital “H”!  And, Fizz is just that – even the names make you smile!

Item #APL9801197 Tropical

Item #APL980118 Grape

Item #APL9801112 Ice

But Patrick included other colors that would be perfect for T-Shirt quilts and our winter holidays.  Who could resist this black in a Halloween quilt or the reds at Christmas!  After all, what isn’t fun about Licorice???

Item #APL9801182 Licorice

Item #APL980198 Strawberry

Item #APL9801113 Cranberry

These fabrics are not available until the end of May – but you need to order them now!!!!  They are just too good to resist.  Check out the website (http://www.checkerdist.com/products/fabrics/?f_l=4862&page=1&f_d=31438) to see all of the colors – or make a statement and order the whole line.   There are only 17 fabrics in the line – and you will choose them over and over again!

Books are my weakness – and there are some great books that have just been released or will be released in the near future.  Kathy Brown of Teacher’s Pet/Take 5 fame has her first book coming out with Martingale in May.  I love the whole concept of her designs – choosing five fabrics makes it so easy for quilt shops to kit her designs.  And, in most cases, you are hard pressed to believe that she didn’t make a scrappy quilt from her stash.  Who would think that this scrappy log cabin features just five fabrics?

But, Kathy is from Louisiana - just ask her about the “gators” – so her tasted range from country to beach blues – and everything in between.  The cover of her quilt features one of my favorite quilts that is set on point.  Setting blocks on point always adds interest to the design.  This one is spectacular – but is easy enough for a beginner.

Item #B976T  Retail $22.99

I have been a fan of Need’l Love for years and am thrilled that they have a new book out – Blossom Lane.  The Longaberger basket office building is five minutes from my house so how could I resist the cover quilt?  It is a gorgeous basket quilt that is set on point. What is not to love?  Some baskets are full of the most beautiful flowers – and some are empty – but they all have perfect proportions that make the entire quilt so pleasing to the eye.

This quilt is done in shades of taupe and grey – colors I would never have chosen – but now am drooling over!  This is just one of five projects in the book – they are all gorgeous.

Item #QBL  Retail $25.00

For those of you with a sense of humor – and children and grandchildren – this book will make you smile!  These are stuffed creatures that any child would love.  They all have so much personality – and just need someone to love!  Why not consider making these for children in the Quilts for Kids programs or any of your local charity.  They will love you – and everyone needs a friend.

Item #53575-8  Retail $16.99

Travel season is starting for me.  That means I will be spending a lot of time sitting in airports and riding in cars – if I can talk someone else into driving!  That is the perfect “down time” to take a moment and savor the moment!

Bird Brain Designs and Crab Apple Hill have some new projects that are perfect.  Trace the designs, pack some floss, and you have hours of enjoyment at your finger tips.  Some of these designs are not due out until next month, but if you order them now you will have time to get a sample done just in time…..

Line an Easter basket with one of these adorable towels.  Create an heirloom…..

Item #BBD430 Retail $9.00

Or welcome spring with these sewing notions.  Now would be the perfect time to start making them for presents for later in the year.  What great favors for a luncheon!

Item #BBD422 Retail $9.00

Can you picture these pillows on a white wicker rocker this Spring and Summer?  Who could resist.  Why not make them all – and give one a year as a special Mother’s Day gift.

Item #CAH259 Retail $8.00

Or frame them – absolutely exquisite!

Blue work is fast and easy – after all you don’t even have to change threads.  And, if you are traveling, you can thread multiple needles before you go – hours of stitching at your fingertips!

Item #BBD439 Retail $9.00

Green work offers the same benefits – or choose a color that matches your decor.

Item #BBD139 Retail $9.00

If you haven’t had enough of winter, you don’t live in Ohio!  We just broke a 100 year record for snowfall this month.  But who can resist snowmen – and these are absolutely adorable.

Item #BBD410 Retail $9.00

Crab Apple Hill does it again!  Meg produces an heirloom quality quilt every season – and I can’t wait to see this one up close and personal.  Who doesn’t love Dresden Plates?  She did her sample in blues but choose your favorite floral and work around it.  Give it your shops identity!  This is a case where several bolts of the main fabric will need to be ordered.  Once you make a sample of this quality, you don’t want to run out of the fabrics!

Item #CAH258 Retail $25.00

This fabric line is not due out until May, but by the time you see it at Market I can guarantee it will be too late to get the first run.  That means order this now!!!! Maxine has been one of our favorite characters for years.  Her attitude and moxsy reminds us of half of our post-menopausal friends – they have lost their filters and say exactly what they think.  And on any given day – or hour of the day –  Maxine is me! This particular print is a holiday panel – but that doesn’t mean it is Christmas.  Maxine takes her jabs at Halloween, Christmas, and everything in between!

Item #AMX10240223

“Blah, Blah, Blah” will be the lining of every tote bag this season.  It comes in five different colors – choose one that won’t show the dirt!

Item #AMX102427

These prints are not conducive for most quilts.  After all, who wants to cut up the punch line??? That means this will make your job easier.  Surround a panel with an inner sashing of the Blah fabric and surround that with an outer border of Maxine bubbles.  Then back it with the sound bites.  Your customers can have a throw done in just a few hours.  With fabric like this, let it speak for itself!

Item #AMX10241205

Or consider designing a kitchen around it.  Demo how easy it would be to make a valance out of one of the fabrics – and use the grommets to hang it.

Item #AMX10360108

Why not take 1 1/4 yards of this print and border it with the Blah fabric – and demo how to miter the corners.  (There is a table topper like this in my book – More Pieced Applique.  It shows a fail safe way to miter corners.  )  What a cute kitchen table topper!

Item #AMX1036170

Complete the look by making an apron out of any of the prints.  You can even fussy cut the fabric for pockets.  This one is a no brainer!  There are only 14 bolts in the whole line – but five of them are the BLAH fabric in five different colors and four are the sound bites.  Pick and choose to make your own fashion statement!  But, remember, when you are designing big, it takes a lot of fabric so you may want to order multiple bolts of your favorite prints. This is definitely a case where a little planning goes a long way!  Take a moment to decide how you are going to use the fabrics before you order.  I quickly designed a kitchen around it but you could just as easily use it to decorate a half bath, sew up some tote bags for your quilting supplies…….you decide.

The perfect project could be the show piece of your Shop Hop this summer!

I love the new tote patterns that use grommets – and everyone says they are so easy.  But if you are my age, inserting grommets meant buying special plyers or banging away with a hammer until you either ruined the project or beat it into submission!

Item #44364DH  Retail $10.69

Not any more!  Dritz has made working with grommets quick and easy and FUN!!!  I set aside a block of time to prepare a demo for this product for the Great Lakes Show next month.  An hour later I was done!  And that included hemming the fabric, etc. to make a mock shower curtain.  Unbelievable.

And it is failsafe – since you mark where the grommets are placed before you cut the fabric.  A template comes in the package.

Mark through the slots in the template.  These are the cutting lines.  Fold the fabric in half and clip the “X” to create an opening so you can use scissors to cut the circle.

Cut out the circle.

The grommets are in two different pieces.  One has circular grooves and one has prongs.

Place the circular grooves under the fabric on a flat surface.

And snap on the pronged side.

Each set has an opening so they can be popped on and off at will.  If you don’t want to wash your project with the grommets in place, simply insert a screw driver – or in my case, a pair of scissors – in the opening and pop them apart.  It really is that easy!

I am a believer – and can’t wait to incorporate these into my next project.

Why not make a sample of one of the great totebags that are in the top twenty and add the grommets in a demo day?  The grommets come in a variety of colors and sizes.  Or, you may want to show them how easy it is to make a shower curtain!

A standard shower curtain finishes to 72″ x 72″.  It is sewn out of two – 2 1/3 yard pieces if you are NOT matching a pattern.  If the pattern needs to be matched, adjust yardage requirements accordingly.  Remove the selvages and stitch these two lengths together along the 84″ length.  Press the seam open.  If you have a serger, serge this seam.  If you don’t cut it with pinking shears to stop fraying when washed.

Sew a two inch double hem on each side.  (That just means that you turn over 2″ of fabric and press.  Then you turn over 2″ again and press again.  Straight stitch with a matching thread along the hem fold.  Turn a four inch double hem on the top edge.  Center and sew 12 grommets along this top edge.  How easy is that!

Put the curtain on your rod before hemming the bottom edge.  a 2″ double hem should work but it may need to be adjusted accordingly.  You have a custom made shower curtain and have given your whole bathroom a face lift for less than $50!   What a great way to use stripes and plaids!

I just discovered a line of totes and storage containers by Creative Options that I just love!  They are stylish, practical – and the quality is amazing for the price.  I ordered some right away but they are back ordered.  I knew as soon as you saw them that you would have to order at least one of each for a Mother’s Day display, so the buyer needs to know how many to order so none of your customers will be disappointed!

Did I mention the quality???  It is great.  There are two sizes of rolling totes for those of us who “have machine will travel”.  I couldn’t decide so I ordered both – I have two machines so they BOTH need their own suitcases.  A picture is worth a thousand words…..

Item #700-431  Retail $79.90

Item #700-441  Retail $109.99

For those who need a “purse” to carry their quilting supplies, this one comes in two sizes.  Who could resist all of those pockets???

Item #700-323  Retail $29.99

Item #700-304 Retail $39.99

If any of your customers love beads, buttons, and whimsy, this is the perfect carrying case.

Item #700-704  Retail $24.99

If you are looking for something to carry projects, etc., this one is big enough for everything.

Item #700-112  Retail $15.99

What quilter could resist anything that makes us feel organized???  And, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity for them to spoil themselves  - so be a good Girl Scout and Be Prepared!

Runners, Etc. is not just a table runner book – even though we all know those sell like crazy.  Gathering Friends has created a better mousetrap.  They include instructions for great projects – and then add information on how to adjust them to fit your space.  And there are learning opportunities at every turn!

Item #GF128  Retail $19.99

This book could easily be expanded into a wonderful block of the month program.  Teach them how to make flying geese units the traditional way.  Then show them how easy it would be to paper piece this table runner.  Show them how to bind a quilt that has odd angles on outside edges.  Creative Grids Angle Finder (Item #CGRAF) ruler may be just the ticket!

Use these patterns as a basis to teach your students how to use triangle paper, flying geese paper, paper-piecing, etc.  Change the fabrics to incorporate the up-coming holidays and your classes will be full every time.

“Celebrate” is absolutely gorgeous and would be a great focal point on any table.  A treasured collection of angels or Santas would look great centered on this piece.  ”Just for Fun” could be an opportunity to demonstrate how easy photo transfers to fabric can be.  What grandma could resist a table runner that highlights pictures of her grandchildren?

“Family Heirlooms” would be gorgeous in greens for St. Paddy’s Day.  It also would be a great table runner for families to sign at the holidays.  Incorporate pigma pens or paints into this class.

Not only does bringing in different products to demo in your classes provide teachable moments, it also gives your shop an identity.  You have taken the project to the next level – and made it your own – and shown your students how to think outside of the box!  That is always a good thing!

Clover has just added butterflies, shamrocks, and an oval to their yo-yo inventory. I played with the oval yo-yo maker this week – and will have samples of all three at the Great Lakes Show.  The shamrocks and butterflies are available in two sizes.

Item #8711CV  Large $8.75
Item #8710CV Small $6.75

Item #8712CV Small $6.75
Item #8713CV Large $8.75

These latest additions to their line work just like your favorites.  We don’t have a picture on the website for the oval so I used that one in my demonstration.  (Item #8709CV Large $8.75)  The pen shows how large the actual yo- yo maker is.  These are a great way to use up a lot of fabric!

Cut a piece of fabric approximately 1/4″ beyond the template.

Snap the fabric between the templates and stitch through the slots in the template to create the yo-yo shape.

It is that easy!  Many of you wanted a yo-yo garland at Christmas.  This size would be great!  It would go much quicker with this longer length – and it would be a great way to use up all of those scraps of Christmas fabric!  But remember, whites and ivories are great for Christmas too so you could use up all of those scraps of neutrals and trim the tree in white and ivory.  Adding a gold bead or button to the center would add a little sparkle!  That way you can showcase your button collection as well!