What a challenging couple of weeks! We know many of you have situations similar to us. First, the gas indicator meter on our propane tank malfunctioned so we weren't sure if our building would be heated during the bitter cold weather. Fortunately, we didn't run out of gas but had only a tiny amount left by the time the propane company was able to fill the tank. Then Monday on a whim Kay decided to run by the shop. She opened the door and heard gushing water. A quick glance to the bathroom revealed a burst pipe with water gushing out. Fortunately, the break happened just minutes before she arrived so we had minimal loss. Had she not stopped by when she did, we probably would be having a "we're having to close our door" sale to sell water damaged goods. But it all worked out -- the up side is that we have nice clean shop floors.
This week we are sharing some darling spring themed projects. First is Hen House. This piece is all cotton applique and finishes 20" x 20". Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and borders.
Morning Glory is another design by Bits & Pieces by Joan. Your $14.95 kit includes the background fabric, iron on stabilizer for the back of the fabric and wool. If you've done previous projects from the designer and have the pop out frame, this design will fit in the frame. The frames are black but we painted ours white for spring projects. Frames are available for $14.95.
We try to live by the words found on the next project: Be Humble, Be Joyful, Be Loving, Be Happy, Be Grateful and Be Kind. Your $29.95 "Be Bowl Filler" kit includes the pattern, preprinted background fabric, wool for applique, borders and binding. We chose to finish ours a a sweet wall hanging rather than make the bowl fillers as the pattern shows. Our wall hanging finishes appx 20" x 20".
The last kit we want to share this week features a mixture of Moda fabrics including French General fabrics. Your $56.95 Stars and Stripes kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and binding. The quilt finishes 56" x 70".
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a Yazzii bag. We'd ordered the bag for someone to give as a gift but they changed their mind so are offering it to you. It is the Carry All bag and is marketed as a crafters dream. There are 20 see-through zippered pockets of various sizes to hold all your craft accessories. This bag has enough depth to provide additional space for unfinished projects and an 18×12 mat board. Size Closed: 12.8in X 19.5in X 5.5in. $118.00
Please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com to reserve the bag. Please note, we will choose the most expedient shipping but there may be an additional shipping amount since this is an oversize object.
We are able to get more bags so if we sell this one and you want us to special order a bag, please let us know.
We are open today and hope you to see you soon.
Darlene and Debby
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
OK Mother Nature.....we have had more than our share of snow and cold temps......we are ready to see spring weather. The newsletter this week will be a little different than usual because we aren't able to get to the shop to photograph our newest projects. We thought we'd share photos of projects from one of our favorite designers, Margott Jenek. Be sure you read all the way to the bottom because we are offering preordering for a new gadget we discovered.
Margott is a master at combining fabrics with different textures into beautiful creations. She often uses Diamond Textiles to create her masterpieces.
The Four Seasons table topper always brings a smile to our face every time we look at it. Margott clearly explains how to construct it. Your $54.95 kit includes fabrics to make the quilt top including tabs, wool (the birds and rabbit are wool), backing fabric and binding. The pattern must be purchased separately and is $22.95. It finishes 30" in diameter.
Scraps of my Life was the first Margott quilt Kay made. At first it may appear daunting; however, Kay suggests making 2-4 blocks at a time. Before you know it, you'll have all the blocks made. Your $74.95 kit includes fabrics for the top, tabs, borders and binding. The pattern is not included and must be purchased separately for $27.95.
Pillows are a great way to add a fun accent to your decorating. Margott's "Pillowcase Collection" pattern contains patterns for 4 pillows. We have made kits for one of the pillows. Your $39.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics to make the pillow top, wool for applique, wool & cotton for the tabs and backing fabric.
The pattern includes instructions to make 3 additional pillows; however, materials to make those pillows are not included in this kit.
Finishes 9" x 17 1/2"
If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $22.95.
If you start the "Warm Wishes" quilt, you'll have it ready for winter decorating later this year. We love this quilt so much we plan to keep it hanging all year long. Your $94 kit includes fabrics to make the quilt top, borders and binding. The pattern is not included and must be purchased separately for $24.95.
Finishes 55" x 55"
Please visit our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/ to see all the Margott patterns we have in stock. If you see a pattern and would like us to put a kit together for you, please let us know. We are happy to put together custom projects.
This week in lieu of our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a new very handy gadget. Have you ever pulled a ball of Valdani out of a tangled mess only to find the color number tag has disappeared.....or maybe your sewing threads are a jumbled mess. Thread peels will keep your thread spools from unwinding. They are made of rubber that adjust to any spool diameter. You can write the number on the thread peel so it can be used over and over.
We have peels on order. With the inclement weather we expect shipping delays but anticipate we should be able to ship by next Thursday. Each bag contains 12 assorted colors - $8.76 per bag.
We aren't sure if we will be able to open this Saturday, Feb 20. If you're planning a trip to the shop please give us a call before you come. 479-372-7403.
As we are writing this we are glancing out the window to see ice covered trees with no sun in sight. As a reminder, if the Rogers schools are closed the shop is closed. If you have any questions or concerns about whether we are open, please call us at 479-372-7403. Of course, you can always shop in your comfy pjs on line 24/7.
If you are participating in Lynette Anderson's Peace and Joy block of the month, once you read this newsletter please pull your Month 6 kit and check it. Some of the patterns contain templates for Month 4 instead of Month 6. We know some patterns are correct because Kay randomly pulled a pattern to make the sample and her pattern was correct. The corrected patterns are on the way from Australia. Once we receive them, we will mail the corrected copy to anyone who lets us know they need one. If you have an incorrect pattern, please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com.
The first quilt we want to share this week "Stars and Holly Berries" designed by Norma Whaley was made by our friend Jean A for her son Richard. We love how Jean incorporated wool applique into the borders. Your $139.95 kit includes the pattern, all fabric and wool for the quilt top and binding. The vine in the border is cotton. The berries, leaves in the border and stars in the border are wool. All other applique is cotton. The quilt finishes 63" x 80".
If you'd prefer to use your own materials, patterns are available for $10.
If you can't get enough of Norma Whaley's look, you may be interested in her book by Quiltmania. "My Quilting Legacy" is filled with 18 fun projects. $42.95 -- that's $2.39 per pattern.....what a great deal!
We are placing an order soon so please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com or call 479-372-7403 to place your pre-order.
The Songbird Sewing Pocket designed by Rebekah Smith is so much fun to make. It's not only cute but practical as it contains a pocket in which to tuck scissors and notions. The little bird holds pins and needles. Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern and all wool to make the pocket (both front and back). Please note, the wool in your kit will be similar to the wool pictured but not an exact match.
If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, we have the pattern available for $9.
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a kit exclusive to Sew Graceful. Debby designed "Farm Treats" as a small piece that can tuck in a small area in your home or RV. The kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique and binding. Finishes 10" x 18".
It looks like we are in for about a week of very cold temps. We could complain about the unseasonably cold temps but we prefer to put a silver lining spin and consider bone chilling temps as an opportunity to snuggle in our favorite throw and stitch. This week we want to feature a couple of great take along projects perfect for snuggling weather.
The first is Apple Orchard. It's a fun little project and a fun way to practice several embroidery stitches. Your $17.95 kit includes the pattern, wool and cotton backing fabric. Wools will vary from those pictured. Finishes 6 1/2" x 6 1/2". If you'd prefer to use your own materials, we have patterns available for $6.50.
As you can see on the project above, a pretty vine has been stitched in the border on black wool. We are often asked the best way to mark stitching lines on wool. We've tried many methods but our new favorite involves a product found in the paper goods aisle of your grocery store. "Liberty" was the perfect piece to test out our newly found method.
We picked up a box of Press 'n Seal at our local grocery store. That product along with an ink pen (some say to use a fine tipped Sharpie but we found it tended to smear) was all we needed.
You can approach marking the stitching lines one of two ways. If you used a plastic overlay to help place your wool pieces on your background wool, lay a sheet of Press 'n Seal over the pattern and trace the stitching lines. Then lay the Press 'n Seal on top of the wool piece. Use your hand to press in place.
If, like us, you just eye balled placement of the wool on the background, lay your Press 'n Seal on top of the wool piece and free hand the stitching lines. Once you have the lines marked, press in place with your hand.
Now you're ready to stitch on the drawn lines. Your stitches should be slightly smaller than normal since you will be removing the Press 'n Seal from around the stitching and don't want to distort the stitching.
Once stitching is complete, carefully remove the Press 'n Seal. Here's the finished product.
We free handed the embellishing stitches on our flowers but you could also use Press 'n Seal to mark any additional stitching if you feel uncomfortable about placement.
"Liberty" kits are still available. Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, wool (background and applique are wool) and cotton backing fabric. The finished piece will fit in a large metal tray. The metal trays are back in stock for $46.95. Please call the shop at 479-372-7403 to place your order for the tray. The mat finishes 12" x 21".
If you've been on the fence about whether to purchase Kay's "Nestled in the Woods" or "Cabins in the Cabin" kit, we need to let you know we are down to our last 3 of each kit. Once these are gone, we won't be able to make more kits.
Your $139.95 kit for Nestled in the Woods includes Diamond Textiles homespun fabrics to make the quilt top and binding. Backing fabric is not included in the kit. Quilt finishes 78 1/2" x 87 1/2".
Pattern is not included in the kit. The pattern is in the Fall 2020 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.
Your $64.95 Cabin in the Cabins kit includes the fabrics for the top, binding and wool for applique. Quilt finishes 42 1/2" x 42 1/2". Some fabrics and wools will be substituted as some of the fabrics and wools used in the original quilt are out of print. We have chose close substitutes.
The pattern is not included in the kit but is available in the winter issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine for $9.99.
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring two very different items. The first is a nice heavy weight door mat. We removed it from the packaging to take a photo and didn't take the time to let it relax. It will lay flat -- we have the exact same mat in the shop. The mat is 18" x 30". $23.95
The second item we have in kit for one of our previous blocks of the month. Your $120 "Simply Joy" kit includes the Sew Graceful Quilting exclusive pattern, background cottons, wool for applique, borders and binding. Please note the plaid border is not available so we have substituted a nice stripe for the border.
