Laser Cut Quilts by Maddie Hastings has developed multiple designs that include laser cut fabric. These patterns are like jigsaw puzzles for quilters – with style.
These kits are due to arrive in September and include all of the pieces to create the design but do not include the background, backing, and binding. What a great way to introduce scrap booking friends to quilting!
Make it Blue by Natalie Bird is simply charming! Just look at these pics!
The photography is stunning! I love projects that combine embroidery, applique and patchwork. Don’t you want to redecorate and make these projects the focus of an entire floor – let alone a room???
In her words: This book has 9 projects including an applique and paper-pieced main quilt – The Blue Quilt, a paper-pieced hexagon quilt, an applique Baltimore style block quilt, needlebook, pincushions, purse, pillow, bag, and an applique and stitchery wallhanging. An optional center block for the main quilt is also provided – with the work LOVE instead of BLUE.
Wouldn’t this make a great nursery??? The muted colors will lull anyone to sleep!
When you ask, we listen! Thousands of you have fallen in love with the six and eight-inch Creative Grids® Curvy Log Cabins that make twelve and sixteenth-inch circles. But sometimes smaller is just plain fun so welcome the four-inch Curvy Log Cabin to the family!
These smaller blocks are just as fun and easy to make as the other sizes – with even more accentuated curves. Check out the possibilities with these Cut Loose Press™ patterns.
Fried Green Tomatoes includes a table runner and a set of place mats. Yin and Yang pillows show how block placement creates a totally different look.
Little Runaway Pinwheels below really shows how this smaller size sings! Round the World Tote has an Asian influence.
Circle of Love is an unusual setting that shows this block off to its fullest!
You already know who will want this one so order them now!
California is obviously agreeing with her because Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts is designing a wide variety of projects – each with her classic style.
I love applique so this is definitely my favorite. Did you notice that the applique borders don’t meet at the corners? This gives you a little bit of a fudge factor so you can applique all of them before attaching it to the quilt. How portable is that??
No pictures yet, but the item numbers for the pre-packaged appliques are on the website. For those of you who have her latest blue line of fabrics, the following quilts are a great way to use up some scraps!
I love earth tones so these quilts spoke to me and show why Edyta is the queen of color! Once again, the appliques are available.
Need some instant gratification? Why not choose this darling design that is a perfect wall hanging or pillow.
You already know who will want them so why not share this article and have your customers pre-order them?
These newest additions to the Fabric Confetti table runner line are just darling!
They remind me of the counted cross stitch samplers that were so popular years ago. Who would have thought now you can make them in a matter of minutes! They all require a hoop with an embroidery field of at least 5 3/4 x 10″.
Visit our website to see the entire collection. What great hostess gifts!
These gals are having way too much fun on this retreat! Now they are biking into town to do some major shopping! Can’t wait to see what is in their baskets.
For those of you not familiar with this embroidery block of the month by Crabapple Hill, there are six patterns in the series. Five patterns are embroidery designs and the final pattern gives instructions on how to put the entire project together.
It is kind of a mystery because you don’t know what the completed quilt will look like or at this point, what the final embroidery is! And, frankly, that is part of the fun. Everything that Meg Hawkey does is amazing so we know we will love it!
The latest installment is due to arrive in September so order it now. Don’t forget to order extras of the first three installments for those who are late to arrive at the party. The floss colors for each pattern are listed as companions on the website so be sure to have those in stock as well!
Traditional irons are heavy and most of the time it is sending a “woman to do a child’s job”. After all, most of quilting is pressing seams that are less than 12″. A smaller, more mobile iron is just the ticket. The lighter weight is a big plus. From Steamfast.
Memory also becomes an issue. These ruler stickers from G.E. Design can be used on mats, rulers, patterns, and fabrics. Keep them EVERYWHERE! Don’t waste time checking measurements for a second or third time….
Last but not least – rotary cutting. The Splash by Olfa offers a quick change blade system that is super simple. You no longer have to take a picture to remember how to put the thing back together – and there are no little parts to deal with!
Although this series is written for aging quilters, young quilters take note! If you use these tools from the very beginning, maybe you won’t develop the issues that we are dealing with now!
Threading needles becomes a problem but there are several solutions. For those who love handwork, try the Tulip self-threading needles. They come in a package of assorted sizes.
Or invest in a quality needle threader such as my favorite – this Clover version. The mechanism is enclosed so breakage is not a problem.
Consider the scissors as well. Some of them look cute but do they really meet your needs? Larger handholds and cushioned grip make everyone’s life easier. Throw in serrated edges that stop the fabric from slipping and you have a winner. Karen Kay Buckley’s scissors are the most popular.
Many of us prefer to hand stitch our bindings. But using your thumb to hold that fabric in place to create a nice, full binding edge can cause aches and pains. Clover Wonder Clips are the perfect solution. Move them as you sew or buy a large package that will hold the edges of an entire quilt.
Have trouble threading your sewing machine? Try Jeans needles. They have a larger eye because jeans threads are thicker and the points are very sharp to penetrate the thicker fabric. These same characteristics are great for all quilters as well.
What is causing you frustration when quilting? Why not ask your shop owner on possible solutions?
Think how much joy we get from quilting. It is not just a hobby. Quilting becomes a way to show friends and family that we love them. Classes, quilt shops and guilds provide a social aspect. And many quilters use it as a way to pay it forward by donating quilts. What can you do as a shop owner? Provide them with the tools that they need to quilt as long as they possibly can!
As we age, hand strength becomes an issue. Many women have mentioned that cutting the entire length of the ruler is an issue. They tend to slip and move away from the edge of the tool as they extend their arm. The perfect solution? The Creative Grids® Stripoology rulers. The weight of this ruler is enough to hold it in place without slipping so those with carpal tunnel issues won’t have to apply pressure to their thumbs to hold the ruler in place. And since the rotary cutter is placed in slots, every strip will be the same width.
Be sure to share the Creative Grids® Stripology Squared ruler as well. It is smaller and may be easier for an aging quilter to manipulate.
An added bonus? Since you don’t have to re position the ruler with each cut, you can cut 75% faster than with a traditional ruler. For those who can only rotary cut for limited periods of time due to arthritis, cutting 15 minutes instead of an hour is huge!
But sometimes, another ruler is required. That is when The Gypsy Quilter Gripper comes into play. The Gypsy Gripper is designed with two suction cups that attach to any smooth ruler surface. The Gripper ensures that even pressure is applied to the cutting surface so you can relax and rest your hand comfortably over the handle. Since no death grip is required, this tool is recommended for anyone with hand issues such as arthritis and carpal tunnel. Your hand is always away from the rotary cutter so your fingers are out of harm’s way.
There are also smaller sizes. Check our website for other options.
I Love House Blocks is a compendium of fourteen quilts created by many of your favorite designers. Part of the fun is guessing who designed which quilt!
Whether modern or traditional is your style, this book is for you. A picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, fourteen pictures will make this a must have!
Why not make a personalized quilt that showcases the houses that you have called home!