Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Stilettos make great holiday gifts

Hopefully your Thanksgiving holiday was as nice as ours.  We enjoyed spending time with our family and counting our many blessings.  With Christmas gift giving just around the corner, we thought we'd share some items that would make nice gifts for that special someone.

A new stilleto would make a nice gift for both quilters who love to piece and those who enjoy applique.  These stilletos are made right next door in Oklahoma.  Since many designs are unique, we won't be listing these on our website.  If you see one (or more) you'd like, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 with the item number which can be found in the upper right hand corner.  Each is $12.95

 
Perhaps your friend is like Kay and loves tins and boxes and anything that can be used as an organization tool.  These cute tins are the perfect size for stashing pins or paper clips or small sewing sets or mints or......you get the idea......they're just fun.

Quilters Gonna Quilt - 3 1/2" x 4" - $3
 
Make Beautiful Things - 2 7/8" x 3" - $2.50
Eat, Sleep and Quilt - 2 1/4" - $1.50
Maybe you'd prefer to give a kit to keep your friend entertained.  "Hearts" and "Snowglobe" is actually 2 kits in one.  For $22.95 you'll receive patterns to make a mat which will fit on the small Ackfeld stand (stand is sold separately) and a pillow.

Your kit includes the pattern, wool for both projects, background fabric, and backing fabric for both projects.  We have a limited amount of these kits so don't delay in placing your order.
If you're local you're likely familiar with Mockingbird Moon which is a darling yarn shop located at 315 N 2nd in Rogers.  Loralee's daughter, Lydia Nelson, not only is proficient in the world of yarn but is also a quilt designer and fabric designer for Moda fabrics.  Her first fabric line "Darling Little Dickens" has shipped and Loralee has it in the shop.  In addition to Lydia's fabric, Loralee also has a small amount of contemporary fabric.  You can learn more about Mockingbird Moon by visiting Mockingbird Moon
 
We'll be back next Thursday with more gift giving ideas.  See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Sew Graceful Quilting.  We'll be back next week with a newsletter packed with gift giving ideas and inspiration.

We will be open regular hours this Saturday, 9:00-3:00.
Darlene and Debby (and Kay and Erin and Mom and Dad)

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Bobbin boxes make a great gift

A quick check of today's date reveals the month of November is over half over.....which causes us to ask did someone steal some days from us......Thanksgiving cannot be next week!  Since the holiday season is right around the corner, we thought we'd share some gift ideas with you during the next few weeks.

Although tea towels have been around for ages, we never tire of looking at them.  It's fun to change them out and brighten the kitchen with a new one.  You have plenty of time to get either (or both) of these tea towels stitched in time for holiday gift giving.  One of the best things about making a tea towel gift is that no quilting is required so once you're done, the gift is ready to be wrapped.

Both "Joy" and "Wool" were designed by Buttermilk Basin.  Each kit includes the pattern, towel, and wool (the Joy kit includes buttons and bells).  Each kit is $16.95.
Perhaps your friend dabbles in wool applique and embroidery.  A set of Sew Graceful's favorite Valdani perle cotton #12 bobbins in light and dark colorways would be a perfect way to help them add to their thread stash.  Each bobbin set includes 12 bobbins and a bobbin case.  $12.95 each

We'd also suggest adding a pack of size 24 chenille needles for $2 per pack. 
Our Quiltmania shipment arrived.  If you're on automatic to receive your magazine Debby is processing your order.  If you're not on automatic and would like to be sure you never miss an issue, send us an e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll get you set up.

We're particularly excited about the Simply Vintage magazine.  Erin and Kay have a design in the magazine and it even made the back cover.  We are taking orders for "O Deer" and expect to have kits ready by early next week.  Your $24.95 kit includes the fabric for the quilt top, wool for applique, binding, hand painted reindeer button, and black micro buttons.  You'll need the winter issue of Simply Vintage for the pattern.
Soft Fuse rolls are back in stock.  We've been waiting for our shipment since August and it finally arrived.  Rumors were circulating that the company had gone out of business but those were only rumors.  We'll be happy to hold a roll or two for you if you'd like.  We are also happy to mail -- just let us know how many rolls you'd like.  We received two cases but expect they'll sell out quickly so don't delay if you're in need.  $19.95 per 3 yard x 18" roll.
One other thing before we close.  We understand Cox is upgrading their spam filters.  If you don't receive a newsletter each Thursday please check your spam folder.  You can always visit our blog each week and read the newsletter.  http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/

We have lots more to share but this is getting long so we will close for this week.  See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Pretty Petals starts Jan 2017

Cooler weather has finally arrived!  To welcome the cooler weather, we reset the entry area at the shop.  It's full of projects that are perfect for stitching in cooler weather and gift giving during the upcoming holiday season.

If you spy something in the photos you'd like more information about, please let us know (info@sewgracefulquilting.com or 479-372-7403).  Our props aren't for sale......we have a lot of fun finding cute and whimsical pieces at our local shops to use for display.
 
We are super excited to be able to share our $10 block of the month for 2017, Pretty Petals.  As many of you know, we've offered a $10 block of the month each year since we opened almost 6 years ago.  There's never any sign up fee; nor is a finishing kit required -- you'll get all the fabric and wool you need for top plus the binding. The quilt finishes 43" x 43".

This year we are changing things just a tiny bit.  We based our block of the month on a pattern in a book so the first month will cost $18 and will include fabric and wool for one block plus the book (retail value $25.95).  Months 2-12 are $10 per month.

If you're local and would like to sign up, please stop by, call (479-372-7403), or e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) and we'll get your name on the list.  If you're out of town and have a credit card on file, call or e-mail and we'll include you.  If you haven't ordered from us in the past, we will need your credit card to get you signed up.  Call us at 479-372-7403 and we'll get you signed up. 
We are also offering optional items to help you as you work on your Pretty Petals.  If you'd like any (or all) of these, please let us know when you sign up.

Valdani perle cotton bobbins are $1 each per month.  This project will require 19 bobbins.  We'll include the colors you need with the corresponding block.  The first month requires 8 bobbins so you can do the math.

We recommend Soft Fuse for fusing the wool and size 24 needles for stitching the wool.  Backing fabric is available for $22.
Kay recently finished a really cute table runner.  "In the Meadow" is small enough to be easily quilted on your home sewing machine (ours was quilted on a Bernina).  Your $22.95 kit includes the pattern, wool for applique,  Primitive Gatherings' flannel for the background, borders and binding. 
Sue Spargo is known for her whimsical designs often using very bright wool and lots of beautiful stitches.  We are taking pre-orders for her 2017 wall calendar.  We realize wall calendars may seem a bit old fashioned to many people but we love having a calendar hanging on our wall.  It's a great place to jot down reminders of the grandkids' soccer games, deadlines for paying taxes, or the date the furnace filter needs to be changed.....you get the idea......wall calendars keep us organized.

"Stitches to Savor" is $22.99.  Let us know if we can reserve one for you and one for a gift for a friend.
Kay is in Bartlesville OK for a couple of days sharing her love of wool.  We are putting together a class schedule for next year.  If there's a class you'd like us to include, please let us know.

See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Quilt market review

Before Kay gives you her impressions of fall quilt market, we'd like to share a very cute Christmas project.  Debby stitched and finished this set of 6 ornaments.  Your $24.95 kit includes the winter 2015 issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine which contains the patterns (and lots of other great patterns), fabric, wool, buttons and 2 wooden hoops for finishing.  If you have the magazine, we'll deduct the magazine cost.  If you'd like more wooden hoops, we have them available for $2.50 each.
 
If we had to sum up fall quilt market in one word, that word would be "quiet".  Many of our favorite primitive designers didn't attend.  Several designers commented they had nothing new because, like us, there's not enough hours in the day to tend to family commitments, work outside the home, take care of aging relatives and have energy left to design.

We fell in love with Jo Morton's new line, Reflections.  In fact, we loved it so much we ordered the entire line.  Fabric should arrive in Jan and we are taking pre-orders for fat quarter bundles.  34 fat quarters for $93.50
We also liked Blackbird Designs new line, Sweet Cherry Wine.  We are considering picking and choosing our favorites and ordering some.  What do you think about it?
Barb and Alma also have a new book coming out in February featuring their quilt "Ripe for the Picking" which uses prints from their Sweet Cherry Wine line.  The book is $28 and we are taking pre-orders for it.
Primitive Gatherings' newest pattern, Liberty Gatherings, should be available soon.  If you'd like us to reserve a copy for you, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  The quilt features wool applique and piecing.  $30 
We picked up several new spring projects and will share them with you as we move into next year.  Meanwhile, we'll continue sharing new projects to get you in the mood for the holiday season which is just around the corner.

We will close with something we never thought we'd see in November......the forsythia bush at our neighbor's house is blooming.  Look closely and you'll yellow blossoms.  Crazy weather!!
See you soon.

Darlene and Debby