New holiday projects

What a week!  As many of you know, our mother lives down the street from us.  This arrangement makes it very handy when she needs us quickly.  The other night she telephoned to tell us she needed us quickly.  She had just seen a snake slither down her vent.  Oh my gosh!  That is a problem we haven't dealt with.  After several phone calls, we learned exterminators who specialize in snake removal exist......so we have the experts on the way......we'll keep you posted.  We hope you have had a less "eventful" week!

This week we want to share a couple of fun holiday themed projects.  Since "Blessings" is all embroidery, it is a great take along project.  It'll soon be time for the kids (or grandkids) to go back to school -- what a great use of your time as you're siting in the pick up lane at school. Your $22.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, borders, binding and backing fabric.  The background is a beautiful Grunge fabric by Moda -- we think it's perfect for this piece.  It finishes 20 1/2" x 24.

We'll be happy to put together a thread kit for you.

Lynette Anderson is well known for her Christmas projects.  "Primitive Christmas" includes applique, piecing and embroidery.  It finishes 10" x 13".....if you do the math you'll quickly conclude those are small half square triangles.  They finish 1/2" but we have included Primitive Gatherings' triangle papers in your kit so you'll be assured of perfect piecing.  Your $39.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top (fabrics will vary slightly from photo), wool for the star shape, binding and hand painted buttons. If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $16 and the button pack which includes the star and Santa is $13.

Quiltmania #126 recently arrived.  It contains 7 projects and articles about 3 exhibits:  the Salon pour l'Amour du Fil, the Dallas quilt show and Botanical Wonders.  All for only $13.99

By the time you read this, Kay will be on her way to Edmond OK for the Edmond Quilt Guild show.  The show is Aug 3 & 4 at the Oklahoma Christian University in the Gaylord Center, 2501 E Memorial Road, Edmond OK.  Hours are 9:00-5:00 both days.  For more info visit http://www.edmondquiltguild.us/quilt_show_2018.htm She's packed lots of goodies to share including the newly quilted Friends for Christmas block of the month.

If you have reptile stories to share, we'd love to hear them.....not that we are crazy about reptiles.....but misery loves company.

We'll be back next week to share more to inspire you.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby

Diamond Textile 5" assortments

Sometimes we just have to chuckle at Mother Nature -- this should be the hottest time of the year but the weatherman is predicting cooler temps and rain.  At this rate, we will be mowing far into the fall season.  We have to admit we are eager for some cooler weather.

Many of you know we love working with Diamond Textiles fabrics.  They're such a nice quality woven fabric and are available in dozens of textures and colors.  Sometimes we need just a small amount of a large variety of fabrics......that's where a 5" fabric pack comes in handy.  This week we are featuring our newest shipment of Diamond Textiles' 5" fabric packs.

You can order via the website (https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com) or call us at 479-372-7403 to place your order.

Please note:  each photo shows only a sampling of the fabric contained in the pack.  Please go to http://www.diamondtextilesusa.com/ and click on the "Collections" tab.  You'll see the fabric line list on the left side of the page.  Click on the name and you'll be taken to a page showing all the fabrics in the collection.

PICKET FENCE - 28 fabrics - $8.50

GREEN RIVER LODGE - 16 fabrics - $7.95

ENGLISH GARDEN - 54 fabrics - $24.95

PICARDY - 17 fabrics - $8.50

HERITAGE - 31 fabrics - $24.95

BRITTANY - 32 fabrics - $11.95

NIKKO A & B - 60 fabrics - $24.95

DIJON - 21 fabrics - $8.50

NIKKO EARTH - 28 fabrics - $11.95

The Edmond (OK) Quilt Guild show is right around the corner, August 3 & 4.  Kay will be packing for the show next week so please let us know by July 31 if there's something special you'd like her to bring to the show.  The show will be held at the Oklahoma Christian University in the Gaylord Center, 2501 E Memorial Road, Edmond OK.  Hours are 9:00-5:00 both days.  For more info visit http://www.edmondquiltguild.us/quilt_show_2018.htm

We'll be back next week to share more to inspire you.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby

Malgorzata Jenek's designs are now available at Sew Graceful

We won't open with a weather report because we are quite sure you are getting as weary of the hot weather as us........at least the 90 plus daily temps match weather we should expect the middle of July.

We are super excited when we find new designers.  About a year ago we discovered Malgorzata Jenek's designs; Kay promptly made two of her quilts:  All Those Simple Things & Scraps of my Life.  We have decided to add to our selection of Malgorzata's patterns.  This week we want to share the patterns we now have in stock.

We are working to make samples and will keep you updated as we finish each one.

All patterns include full size templates and detailed instructions.

It's hard to choose a favorite but the "Four Seasons" table quilt ranks very high on our favorites list.  It finishes 30" in diameter.  $22.95

"Tuscany" finishes 61" x 49"  $24.95

The "Quilted Diary" is filled with objects sure to bring a smile to you.  It finishes 57" x 51".  $24.95

"The Pillowcase Collection" is a set of 4 pillows.  They look wonderful finished as pillows but would be equally nice finished as small quilts.  $22.95

The next pattern contains patterns for 2 sewing pouches, a needle holder and an IPad Cozy.  Each piece is beautifully detailed.  Your "3 Sewing Patterns & IPad Cozy" pattern is $22.95.

"The Fairytale Cottages" is a darling wallhanging quilt featuring the Nikko fabric line from Diamond Textiles.  It finishes 34 1/4" x 25 1/4".  $21.95

We love how Malgorzata finished her "Best Friends" wallhanging.  Notice the trees along the top.  It finishes 23 1/4" x 34 1/2".  $20.95

We've been itching to start on "Warm Wishes".  It's such a beautiful winter themed quilt.  It finishes 55" x 55".  $24.95

We have patterns and kits for "All Those Simple Things" which finishes 45 1/2" x 35 1/2".  Patterns are $17.95 and the fabric pack is $46.95.

"Scraps of my Life" finishes 47" x 51 1/2".  The pattern is available for $27.95.  A fabric kit which includes all fabric needed to make the quilt top is available for $74.95.

All items are available by going to our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html or by calling Darlene at 479-372-7403.  We'll be back next week to share more to inspire you.  See you soon! Darlene and Debby

Harvest Time kits are ready

We're so excited to share the 3rd in Kay's series of table runners (or wall hangings) featured in Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  "Harvest Time" contains our favorite fall object -- pumpkins.  The cream pumpkins are actually creamy, not stark white as this photo shows (we obviously are not trained in the art of photography).  Your $36.95 kit includes all fabric needed to make the top and binding.  The pattern is not included in the kit.  It is found in the fall issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine. Each table runner in the series finishes 23" x 42" which makes changing them out for the season super easy.  The kit for the spring runner, Bees in the Meadow, is available for $38.95.  The summer runner kit, High on the Hilltop, is $28.95.  Patterns are not included in the kits -- you will need to purchase the corresponding issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine. Our shipment of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazines should arrive shortly.  If you'd like us to reserve a copy for you and/or a Harvest Time kit, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  You also can order by going to our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html Magazine cost is $9.99. The next project would be a great vacation take along project since the design is entirely embroidery.  Your $24.95 "Love is Patient" kit includes the pattern, background fabric, Valdani perle cotton #12 for stitching, binding, backing fabric and specialty rick rack. It finishes 15 1/2" x 20.

Next week we hope to share news of books that will be coming soon.  Meanwhile, we hope you are finding some quiet time for sewing before the hustle and bustle of back to school begins.  See you soon! Darlene and Debby

Summer Sewing

You're probably thinking the same thing as us -- where did the first half of 2018 go......it seems like just a few weeks ago we were planning 2018 events.  We hope you had a safe and fun 4th of July.  We enjoyed a quiet celebration with family.

We love it when people share their version of our patterns.  Amy Louise Deen used Kay's "Picnic in the Park" pattern to create her beautiful version of the quilt.  Her mom chose the red fabric for the larger squares; she used her very first jelly roll for the small squares.....what wonderful memories this quilt contains!

If you would like to share your version of our patterns, please e-mail photos to info@sewgracefulquilting.com or post on our Facebook page Sew Graceful Quilting.

If you'd like to make your own Picnic in the Park quilt, we have kits in the original colorway available.  Your $83.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and binding.  The quilt finishes 57" x 57".

Most of you realize we often change patterns to make them unique.  When Debby saw Bonnie Sullivan's "Itty Bitty Button Pictures" she knew she was going to make some changes.  The pattern suggests each piece be individually framed in a 4" x 6" frame.  She sewed them together to create a darling wall hanging which finishes 16 1/2" x 17". Your $26.95 kit includes the pattern, background cottons (we used Diamond Textiles), wool for applique, borders, binding and buttons (there's lots of buttons).  Let us know if we can reserve a kit (or two) for you.....it's not too early to begin thinking about holiday gift giving.

We will keep this short as we know many of you are traveling and hanging out with family.  We'll be back next week.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby

Friends for Christmas block of the month

Kay had a great time at the show in Wichita last week.  She came home with dozens of photos of quilts to share with us.....we can see why she returned full of energy and inspiration after seeing so many pretty quilts.  Several people stopped by the booth asking where we plan to be the next few months so we thought we'd share our schedule for the remainder of the year.
Edmond OK - Aug 3 & 4
Pittsburg KS - Aug 31 & Sep 1
Benton AR - Sep 21 & 22
Fort Scott KS - Oct 19 - 21
Kay will be presenting a wool trunk show at the Little Rock Guild Oct 8

We are super excited to share our newest block of the month, Friends for Christmas by Lynette Anderson.  Our version uses primarily Jo Morton fabrics which give it a rich timeless look.  The block of the month will start this August and run for 7 months.

Each month you'll receive a pattern with full size templates, fabric for the block and buttons for eyes (if applicable).  During the 7th month, you'll receive border fabrics and binding.  Cost is $26.95 per month (plus shipping if you're not stopping by the shop to pick up your block).

To sign up give Darlene a call at 479-372-7403.  She will need your mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and method of payment.

Our newest kit, Star of Wonder, was a huge hit in Wichita.  Your $15.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric and wool for applique.  We framed ours in an 8" x 10" frame as suggested by the designer and couldn't be happier with the result. We stitched our piece with Valdani perle cotton #12.  Let us know if we can put together a thread kit for you.

The summer issue of Punch Needle & primitive Stitcher magazine is packed full of projects to appeal to a wide variety of readers.  This issue contains 15 projects as well as the usual article spotlighting a shop.  $8.99........if you do the math you'll find that's only 59 cents per design......what a deal!

We are working on more new samples to inspire you.  We'll be back next week.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby

We are crazy about snowmen!

It's been so hot lately that we thought it would be fun to think cool thoughts this week......so this newsletter is filled with kits featuring snowmen.  We must admit these are just a few of the many snowman kits we have available.  We kinda have a thing for snowmen!

"Here I am Lord" is our newest kit.  It finishes 13" x 14 1/2".  Your $19.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique, binding, backing fabric and snowflake buttons.  If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $8.

"Rosie" is mostly pieced with a little applique.  Jane H made our sample and used Soft Fuse and a blanket stitch for the applique.  Your $29.95 kit includes the pattern, all fabrics for the top and binding.  It finishes 18" x 24".  The pattern also includes a larger version snowman (25" x 36") - we'll be happy to put together fabrics if you'd prefer to make the larger version. If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern is available for $9.50.

"Snow Buttons" by Little Red Button Company is absolutely too adorable.  It finishes 10" x 12".  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, binding, buttons and backing fabric.  If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern with buttons is available for $12.95.

Lynette Anderson's "Snowball Fun" was super fun to make.  It features fabrics by Primitive Gatherings along with wool applique.  The quilt finishes 43" x 52" so is a nice wall hanging size.  Your $64.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique and binding.

The final piece we want to share this week is "O Deer" which was designed by Erin Bush.  Your $33.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique, binding and darling hand painted Lynette Anderson button.  It finishes 14" x 14" and fits nicely on an Ackfeld stand.

Row by Row begins today and runs through Sep 4.  You must physically visit each shop to get your free pattern (or to purchase a kit).  Once the program ends, the patterns and kits go into hibernation for approximately a month.  After hibernation, we are able to mail kits. For a complete list of participating shops and more information, visit https://rowbyrowexperience.com/

Kay is all set up at the Common Threads Quilt show in Wichita KS.  She "convinced" her sweet husband to accompany her so if you see a strange man in the Sew Graceful booth, it's just Mike pitching in to help our small business.  The show is June 21-23, 10:00-5:00 at the Century II Expo Hall.  Visit http://wichitaquiltshow.com/ for additional information.

We'll be back next week.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby