Minis are Marvelous!

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Penny Haren

This series of mini quilt patterns are due to arrive next month and are a great way to use up scraps AND perfect your piecing skills. But don’t panic because these little babies are paper-pieced!

All of the quilts measure just six by eight inches! And the patterns are very reasonably priced – that was an unexpected surprise!

Sherri Hisey has developed her own line of foundation paper. It has a rough texture so it doesn’t slide under the pressure foot and comes in two sizes. Both can be run through a printer so no tracing required!

I can’t wait to try this! Why not teach a paper-piecing class and let the students try it? What a great use of those 2-1/2 inch squares and other mini pre-cuts!

Yoko Saito’s Imaginary Garden

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Penny Haren

I love to applique and a quilt like this has been on my bucket list for a long time.

This quilt is a true work of art, and yes, it is mainly aimed at applique enthusiasts as this wild herbarium is composed of dozens of different flowers, cut from a subtle palette of grey and taupes, appliqued directly on a background.

The pattern “Imaginary Garden” was a huge success when it was first published as a three-part series in Quiltmania magazine. As a result of its popularity, it is now available in booklet form!

Image result for imaginary garden by yoko saito

Check out the detail! The little touches of embroidery enhance every flower.

This booklet is actually a library of many of her designs that she uses to embellish purses and small quilts as well. Just think of the freedom! Add any design, any embroidery, anywhere until the entire background surface is covered! This is a true labor of love.

Put a Cork in It!

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Penny Haren

These new five yard bolts of 25-inch wide cork are due to arrive in March. I got to see them at Market – and couldn’t stop petting them – they really are that special!

They now come in designs and colors. Here are just a few examples…..

Pickle Pie Designs have several In the Hoop Designs that support this material. The luggage tags are gorgeous and include vinyl. What a great class – showing them what needles and threads to use to get such eye catching results! Buttonholes and top-stitching? A piece of cake!

The coasters would also be great wall decor in a teenager’s room. Can you see their name or school spelled out above a door??? Or “quilt shop”; “classroom” – you get the idea!

A little goes a long way. Sue O’Very used it to accent and reinforce the corners on this little purse; and as an accent on the zipper. Just a little adds a touch of class.

But let’s not forget the Corky Wallet from Sassafras Lane. It has been in the top 100 patterns for months. What a great Make and Take!

Get organized now! Order the cork, the patterns, and designate a space right by the register. They may have questions – and you will be right there to answer them!

Dress in Style

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Penny Haren

Karen Nye, the creator of the Little Somethin’ Jacket, has now created “One Great Jacket” – and truer words have never been spoken! This new pattern is due later this month and is sure to be a winner!

The pattern includes three different variations in multiple sizes. And look what a difference in the fabric can make!

The simple fit of all of the CNT garments makes it easy to fit AND easy to sew!

Plan for Fall

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Penny Haren

I know – the holidays just ended and I am talking about Fall already! But it is best to be prepared and you will be ordering fabrics soon so lets plan how to use them!

Witches Night Out by It’s Sew Emma is due to arrive in April and is a perfect class! Pieced pumpkins are repeated multiple times in the quilt – a great basis for each lesson. Other Halloween favorites are scattered throughout! Start collecting those oranges today!

Scrap Basket Bounty

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Penny Haren

The Scrap Basket series written by Kim Brackett continues with her latest addition, Scrap-Basket Bounty.

This book features sixteen different blocks. Each block includes three different layouts so there are a total of 48 projects in the book! Now that is a bargain! Here are just some of the surprises inside….

Choose a background fabric and let your scraps shine! This would be a great sew-in. Everyone can bring their scraps to cut – and share. Seeing the different layout options and colorways are sure to inspire everyone. Have plenty of fat quarter bundles available. After all, some of us love scrap quilts but don’t have the stash YET to create them!

Carrie Nelson is over the Moon

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Penny Haren

This sampler quilt is a new and exciting ten-month block of the month program – all in one reasonably priced book! Due out in February, Summer Moon is made up of 72 blocks.

But, here is what makes this book different! The quilt is made up of 72 blocks set eight by nine. Each block is repeated three times in three different sizes so there are actually 24 different blocks in the quilt. The finished 4 1/2; 6 and 7 1/2 inch blocks are framed when needed so they all finish to the same size and can be set together with straight rows – it only looks complicated!

Setting it together this way, however, adds movement and interest to the quilt. You can use the same background for all of the blocks or add texture by using different ones. Each month, the nine blocks use the same background so it is easy to cut and kit.

The 72 blocks are completed in eight months. The remaining two months are needed to complete the frames for the smaller blocks. What a clever and original concept for a sampler quilt!

Wash Out Applique Paper

Posted on December 29, 2018 by Penny Haren

This applique paper by Helen Stubbins of Hugs’ n Kisses is a great demo product!

This fusible paper comes in 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets and can be run through a printer. Fuse it to the wrong side of the fabric; cut the fabric 1/4 inch away and turn. When the project is washed, the paper dissolves and leaves a thin, pliant film.

The best part? This paper is also available in shapes that are already cut to the most popular sizes….

including the shapes required for the Lucy Boston quilt.

A new product is your new best friend when doing an English paper-piecing project. SewTites are magnets that hold the two pieces together while piecing so there is no shifting! They come in packages of three so they are the perfect addition to your demo!

Why not set up a display with samples so your customers can see how easy this is? Be sure to include fabrics that would be perfect choices for a Grandmother’s flower garden or Lucy Boston quilt!

3 Dog Designs Drama

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Penny Haren

Carl Hentsch of 3 Dog Designs has several new releases expected next month – and all of them are stunning!

Enchanted Window is a perfect setting for a panel. Just a few companion prints make a nice sized throw. And, since the panel is the focal point – and therefore doesn’t have to be pieced, this can be done in a matter of hours!