Dear Friends,
The past couple weeks have flown by! The excitement over the Quilt Sampler magazine article is keeping us more than busy. We've made new quilting friends from all over the world - literally! It is putting us a bit behind in our "fabric-receiving" job. Elizabeth is thrilled to pieces because the box mountain makes a very comfy seat - the perfect reading nook if you're nine. Visit soon; either on line or in the shop, I'm sure there is some extraordinary fabric hiding in those boxes!
Mary Beth
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Charming Challenge!
At our May anniversary celebration we shared sets of 21 charms - they could be saved for some future project or used in our shop challenge. Guests were invited to use at least 14 of the charms (and any other fabrics they wished to add) and given 21 weeks to create a challenge project. Well - time's up! The pieces that arrived by the September 21st deadline will be on display Sept. 25 to Oct. 10th. Wait until you see how creative your quilting friends are - be sure to vote for your favorite, as the viewer's choice maker wins 21 coordinated half yard cuts!
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Q21 Summit
Saturday ~ Sept. 26th ~ 1:00pm
We will devote Saturday afternoon to the topic of wise use of your resources - your time, talent and stash! You will find a wall to wall display of scrap style quilts in the classroom, technique demonstrations (both upstairs and downstairs) and displays of helpful tips to make your quilting efficient, and most importantly, fun!
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Quiltmaking 1 Classes
 The fall sessions of Quiltmaking I are just getting under way. If you had hoped to be part of the evening class you have another week to register. The evening class start date has been changed to Tuesday, September 29th.
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21st Anniversary Quilt Pattern
Patterns for rows one and two of the bars style quilt described in our yearly date book are on the counter and have been mailed to those that requested them. If you received one last week you will find a tiny omission (well, not that tiny...). In my haste to finish I didn't notice that there were no letters corresponding to the cutting directions on the drawings - whoops! They have been revised and a new copy can be found on the front counter. The next set of patterns will be ready the 26th - I'll look for the letters before I put them out!
(Psssst- How gracious of Mary Beth to take the blame- but really it was my fault. I was in a hurry to spend time with visiting family and completely missed the letters she had on the original. I'll pay better attention the next time! Jeni)
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Great New Books
 I came across Star Savvy Laps from Fats as I was looking through the newest books to share with members at our next Quarter Queens meeting. Ellen Replogle has done it again - yet another book filled with fantastic pieces created from fat quarters. This time you will find instructions for 13 different lap quilts featuring pieced stars (some of the quilts are fairly large, others could easily be enlarged to bed size).
Most of Ellen's quilts are made in country style prints - her fat quarter collection must look like the front left corner of the shop! Because the directions are illustrated with gray scale drawings you will be able to imagine them in other fabric styles as well - batiks would be an interesting alternative (bright contemporary style quilts would result).
Instructions for each quilt begin with a fat quarter lay out guide and are followed by a cutting chart and block and quilt assembly sections. Many of the pages also offer added bits of information - the designer's inspiration, technique tips and general guidance.
Ellen has worked hard to present a wide variety of quilts, from simple to complex, which can be executed with her modern approach to piecing. Each design calls me, but I've begun with Star Whimsy - one blocks a start right?! Book $22.95
Order your copy online...
------------------------------------------------------------  If you're a Jelly Roll fan you'll want to take a look at Stop, Drop and Roll. Heather's premise is perfect - if you're stressed Stop, Drop what you're doing and grab a Jelly Roll. The finished quilts are great fun and the sewing is sure to be as well. Bold fabric combinations enhance the simple piecing in these quilts. They are perfect for groups that include polka dots and stripes. I had just finished sketching a design that mimicked ric rac when I opened the book - beaten to the punch - there was a perfect one already published. Heather begins the book with general directions that include both piecing and machine appliqué techniques. The cutting chart for each project details how to use Jelly Roll strips, but also how to use other cuts of fabric to accomplish the same look. Clearly illustrated construction information (including pressing directions) and beautiful photos round out the book. These cheerful quilts will make a wonderful addition to your home. Book $15.00 Order your copy online... |
The Newest Fabrics!
 Lisa Audit has designed another beautiful group of fabric and a stunning pieced quilt to show them off. Blossoms and Garlands, a bed size (98" x 112") pieced design, features the floral panel (cut and accented with sashing) and pieced border blocks. The elegant green, rose and cream prints make a gorgeous quilt. Quilt kit (including pattern and fabrics for top and binding) $135.00, Poetic Blossoms fabric $9.20 per yard
See these fabrics online...
Order the Blossoms and Garland Quilt Kit online...
 We have just received the newest Metro prints from Marcus. This striking designer group is produced with stylish bags in mind - although the floral and geometric prints (both a straight and diagonal stripe) would also be perfect for tabletop items and quilts. The deep rich plum, green and pumpkin prints are accented with just a touch of blue. Fabric $9.30 per yard
See these fabrics online...
 Ginkgo Tonals have just arrived from Kona Bay. The tone-on-tone leaves prove to be the perfect accompaniment to our selection of intricate Asian prints. Several of the exquisite colors have been accented with gold - look for beige, orange, red, brown, green, blue and black versions. These looked so good with the other prints they have already moved right into the Asian display. $7.60 per yard, fat quarter stack - 10 fats for only $19.75!
See these fabrics online...
 The new Love to Craft fabric collection takes a fanciful approach to sewing notions and machines. Light colors - including pink, lime green and yellow - give the vintage machines a whimsical look. These pieces are perfectly complimented by the new Tapestry Tonals from Avlyn - these prints will form a complete rainbow over the course of three shipments. The green, blue, purple, peach and pink color ways arrived first - perfect with some of the bold new florals as well. Love to Craft $9.00 per yard, Tapestry $8.60 per yard
See Love to Craft fabrics online...
 History buffs will love the new Collections for a Cause line from Moda. The Alliance group features historic style prints in several different print sizes. This time I love the actual fabric far more than the artwork I was shown several months ago - you can take a look at all the different pieces in the charm stacks but can purchase only the reds by the yard from us - sorry! Fabric $8.99 per yard, charm stacks $8.00
See these fabrics online...
 Bold texture and color mark the new Visual Arts collection by Ro Gregg. An historic influence can be seen in the prints but the bold colors turn them into contemporary winners. Select from yellow, orange or green prints - or why not combine them for something bright and bold. Fabric $9.30 per yard
See these fabrics online...
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