We are back from a wonderfully relaxing vacation and ready to hit the ground running. We visited a lot of quilt shops and antique stores but the favorite part of vacation was stopping at small out of the way bakeries and sampling all sorts of indulgent baked goods.
While we were gone our shipment of Simply Vintage magazines arrived. As usual the magazine is full of a variety of projects. We are including photos of a few of our favorite. 19 projects for only $18.99
If you're looking for a good take along on a trip project, Thimbles in Bloom may be the perfect one for you. Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, background cotton, wool for applique, binding and backing fabric. It finishes 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".
Please note -- wools in your kit may vary from those pictured but will be similar.
Another great take along project for those who like to embroider is Hens Live Here. We have only a couple kits and a couple patterns left so don't delay in placing your order. Kits are $21.95 and include the pattern, fabrics for the top, stitchery stabilizer, binding, raw wood worm button and buttons for eyes.
Finishes 12 1/2" x 13"
If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern which includes the worm button is available for $15.95.
We are taking preorders for what we consider to be the perfect press cloth. It absorbs steam so you get a perfect pressed finish. The texture is perfect for accommodating bulky seams so even the most detailed quilt block can be pressed. It works well with embroidery -- it prevents the embroidery stitches from being crushed. It's 20" x 20" so larger projects can be easily pressed.
Best of all it can be used over and over and the cost is only $5.99.
Our shipment should arrive by early next week.
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a darling kit. Your $38.95 kit for Rabbit & Hen includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique and binding. It finishes 21 1/2" x 27 1/2".
As a reminder -- we will be closed next week (March 21-31) for spring break. We have a lot to share this week so we will jump right in with both feet.
The "Forest Friends Pincushion" is absolutely adorable. It includes several of our favorite wool applique animals. It finishes 6" x 6" x 2" so could also double as a small pillow or bowl filler. Your $14.95 kit includes the pattern, background cotton, wool for applique, button and backing fabric.
The next two pincushions are both found in the same pattern, Buttons and Bows. In fact, the pattern contains instructions for 6 bowl fillers or pincushions.
We chose our two favorites and have made kits which include the pattern, background fabrics, wool for applique, buttons for eyes and the adorable ribbon for the bunny's collar. Kits will make the bunny and the little lamb pillow shown below. $22.95.
The bunny finishes 6 1/2" x 6" and the lamb finishes 7" x 5 1/2".
If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern is available for $12.
We have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Lisa Bongean's newest book, 101 Itty Bitty Celebrations. Each finishes 2" so are the perfect opportunity to use wool scraps. Each project is photographed full size which shows great detail. If you don't have a wool stash and would like us to put together kits for you, e-mail us a list of the itty bitty projects you want to make and we will make kits for you.
64 pages $22
........just when we thought we couldn't take any more cute small projects Kathy Schmitz released her book, Tiny Treasures. These are embroidered projects which finish at 1 1/2". Of course, you could easily modify and add some wool or cotton to each one. The book includes patterns for 72 miniature embroidery designs, a pattern for a 16" x 20" framed piece using 65 of the designs, a full color thread and stitching guide. $16.99
The last item we want to share this week is the newest issue of Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher. It's filled with 21 projects -- all for only $9.99.
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a set of 7 skeins of Valdani floss. Each skein is 6 ply and contains 10 yards floss. $23.95 per set
Doesn't it feel like spring is right around the corner? We are enjoying hearing the birds chatter and seeing the daffodils bloom. Our neighborhood woodpecker sounds particularly busy this year.
We don't like to start off with less than happy news but we want to be sure to get the word out. For the past 18 months we've seen fabric prices slowly increase. Prices continue to increase with a significant increase as of March 1. We have absorbed the price increases and managed to keep fabric at $9.95 per yard. Unfortunately, we can no longer absorb the increase so effective March 15 all new fabric we receive will be sold at $10.95 per yard. If you have quilts in the work that will need backing fabric, this would be a good opportunity to buy yardage before price increases.
One other administrative note before we share and inspire you.....we are taking advantage of spring break this year so the shop will be closed March 21 - 28. We'll be open Saturday, March 20 and reopen Thursday, April 1. We need a little road trip to rejuvenate our batteries.
Several week ago we told you about our "A Prairie Journey" block of the month. The program runs for 12 months. The quilts vary in size with the smallest being 12 1/2" square and the largest 30" square. You'll be exposed to a variety of techniques including piecing, cotton applique and wool applique. Each month you'll receive fabric for one quilt top and binding. The book must be purchased separately. Month 1 - $25.99 for the book and $19.95 for the quilt kit. Months 2-12 - $19.95 for the quilt kit.
We now have photos of the quilts and want to share those with you. Didn't Sharon P do a fantastic job selecting fabrics and making these quilts?
We have only a few openings left in this super fun block of the month. Please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com or call 479-372-7403 to sign up.
If you're like us, you have several projects in various stages of completion. We have found by keeping our stitching tools in a case it's easy to grab a project as we are walking out the door. Lynette Anderson designed a darling sewing case. Lynette's patterns are very well written with easy to follow diagrams. Your $37.95 "Mrs Hen" kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the sewing case and scissors case, wool for applique, and Busy Bee buttons.
We are out of kits featuring the fabrics and wools we used for the sample. The second photo below shows the current fabrics in the kit. Wool may vary slightly from photo.
A couple weeks ago we featured a cute basket of spring flowers (Morning Glory). This week we are sharing a cute spring angel which would make a nice complement to the basket of flowers. Your $14.95 "Spring Angel" kit includes the pattern, background cotton (the cream), and wools to complete the project. This project was designed to be framed but it would be equally nice finished as a small pillow or wall hanging.
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a Lynette Anderson kit, Bunny Garden. Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, stitchery stabilizer and the darling hand painted snail and carrot buttons. Finishes 12 1/2" x 13 1/2".
The "It Takes a Village Wool Project" began March 1. We couldn't be more happy to be a part of this talented group of designers. Each designer was tasked with creating a block to create a make believe wool village. Since we love animals and are in a somewhat rural part of the country, we thought the wool village needed a feed store.
Starting March 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2021, each shop will offer a kit and a pattern for a piece of this village. Kits include the pattern with full size templates and are $24.99 (including shipping) at each shop. If you'd prefer to use your own materials, patterns are $8 (including shipping). But that’s not all, you can choose from different settings to complete your own personal village. Our finished quilt is shown below. Our finishing kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for the border applique and binding. Ours finishes 53" x 53". Our finishing kit is $66.
To follow along on FB search for It Takes A Village Wool Project Group. Click the request to join group button. On Instagram the hashtag is #ittakesavillagewool. It's going to be so much fun to make this village with you!
We received our copy of "Freshly Stitched" this week. The book contains twelve beautiful stitching projects from Celeste Johnston of Lemon Made Shop. First you'll learn the essentials, like what fabrics work best, how to transfer your patterns, and using the correct posture to avoid strain as you stitch. Next move on to 12 modern projects to make, organized so that you start simply and build skills as you move through the book. Hardcover, 168 pages $22.99
As is quite often the case, we changed the pattern for Bless Me. Our little quilt is a combination of wool applique and simple embroidery. Your $11.95 kit includes the pattern, background cotton, stitchery stabilizer and wool. Fits in a 5" x 7" frame (not included)
Sometimes it's fun to make a new pincushion for your stitching bag. Darlene designed the Tomato Pincushion as a quick and fun project. Your $12.95 kit includes pattern, background fabric, backing fabric, wool for applique, stitchery stabilizer, black safety pin, ruler ribbon and a decorative button topped pin (colors will vary with each kit).
This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a fat quarter bundle of fabric designed by Stacy West of Buttermilk Basin for Diamond Textile. Your $79.75 bundle of Humble Beginnings contains 29 fabrics (most of which are out of print).
