Saturday, December 1st

     I try to give you a brief look at the ever-changing quilt world in my notes, but there is so much more to see. We are working to transform every surface in the shop for our Market Party on Saturday. We started hanging the new models last weekend and have pretty much run out of room - it should be interesting to see how we solve that one!!! I hope you will have a chance to stop in - fabulous new fabrics, displays, demonstrations and even door prizes and treats are ready for you!

     Each year Quilters Corner presents a group of projects exquisitely wrapped and ready to give as a gift to your favorite quilter (or yourself!). Several of the gifts are shop exclusive designs being offered for the first time, others are favorites we have showcased in the last several months. Please visit our website to see all of our offerings and conveniently order online!

     After reviewing my notes from Quilt Market I realized that batiks are really hot! Several newer companies have added a tremendous amount of variety to this category. Each piece shows the makers hand - subtle variations in color and print make every inch unique! We are trying to find a way to share a more even supply (without the obvious lapses caused by the rainy season in Bali). I ordered so many pieces today that the shelves might just burst! Maybe they will tide us over. The new colors include a wider selection of pale tones and the usual emphasis on deep purples, blues, greens, reds and golds. Several companies had wild multi-color prints and I also noticed lots of new geometric textures.

     Historic fabrics are once again receiving lots of attention. Fabric companies are working closely with several museums to produce direct copies of some of their valuable archives. Andover has just sent us the Sophia Pearce Collection. Gail Kessler has designed this line so that you can recreate an 1840's quilt in the collection of the Winterthur Museum. The original is a medallion style broiderie perse masterpiece. Andover has printed the fabrics so that they will give the same effect without cutting out small pieces to appliqué. This would make an easy, yet striking historic style decorative accent. The pattern can be downloaded from Andover's website at www.andoverfabrics.com.

We will be adding these to our online catalog soon!

     Our friends at Sew Unique Creations (famous at Quilters Corner for their Ashley, Isabella and Penelope purse patterns) have produced a new series of patterns that we just love! Each pattern in the Collections series uses a small historic style block in five different projects. We have stitched the small pillow and wall quilt from the Grannie's Basket pattern in our favorite bubble gum pink and brown combination. It came out so well that I couldn't help but start her Harvest Baskets next!

     Starting with strips - 2 ½" strips - continues to be all the rage. There were books and patterns all over Quilt Market to make good use of Moda's Jelly Rolls and our shop strip packs. Barb just finished piecing Color Falls from Cozy Quilt Designs. This company really started this trend and knows exactly how to put these pre-cut, pre-coordinated fabrics to best use. Directions for throw, twin and king sizes are clearly written and illustrated in the Color Falls pattern. The border is the perfect place to showcase a favorite wild multi-color print. Pattern $8.00, Strip set - fifty 2 ½" strips in a bright rainbow - $40.00

     All you fans of Moda's Tidily Winks will be as excited as we were today. The box mountain left by UPS contained the entire Chutes and Ladders collection!!! Stripes, dots, squares and fun colors seem to have slipped right off a game board! And to make your stitching even more fun we have yardage, Jelly Rolls and charm squares all ready to play with!

These will also be added to our online catalog over the weekend.