New primitive stitching group is forming

Welcome 2019!  We're happy you're here and hope the new year is filled with health and happiness.  We realize many are still enjoying time with family and friends so will keep the newsletter short again this week....but we have a couple of items we just can't wait to share with you.

We are super excited to share the news that we have kits ready for the "Four Seasons" table topper.  Your $54.95 kit includes all fabric to make the topper (including the tabs), wool (the birds and rabbit are wool), backing fabric and binding.  The quilt finishes 30" in diameter.

The pattern is sold separately for $22.95.

Kay has wanted to start a primitive group for several years and decided 2019 is the year to kick it off.  So....every Thursday beginning Jan 10 will be devoted to anyone with a love of the primitive look.  If you're a quilter or rug hooker or needle puncher who just can't get enough of the primitive look, make plans to join us each Thursday 10:00-12:00ish.  We have a refrigerator so you're welcome to bring drinks and food and make a day of it. It'll be a time to enjoy each other's company -- no formal class, no fee to join, no need to make a reservation.

We will be back next week with more to inspire and some shop photos after our new year tidy up.  See you soon! Darlene and Debby

Happy New Year!

We know many of you are still in the holiday mode (as are we) so we will keep this short and sweet.  As a reminder, we will be open regular hours beginning Jan 1.  Darlene and Kay will be minding the shop Jan 1 & 3 so why not make plans to pop over and catch up with them.

Although we don't know what's behind the door to 2019, we hope the year holds health and happiness for you and your family.  We have several new projects on the drawing board for next year.

Thank you for your support and your friendship.  See you next year!

Darlene and Debby

Last minute gift items

This week we'd like to share a couple of great last minute gift ideas.  Gift certificates are a great way to let someone know you're thinking of them.  We're happy to mail them to your loved one.  They are available in any denomination. 

I'm sure we all can agree that a fun new pillowcase makes us smile.  These are perfect for the young and young at heart.  Kit includes the pattern and fabric to make one standard size pillowcase.  $12.95

Each year Moda fabrics sends us a Christmas present.  Sometimes it's a calendar, sometimes some little stitched item, sometimes an ink pen.....you get the idea.....some little something that probably gets stuck in a drawer.  This year they've gone above and beyond and sent us a quilting themed wall clock.  Apparently the interest has been so high that they've agreed to make them available on a limited basis for everyone. So.....we are taking orders for wall clocks.  They should ship to us in April.  We'll need you to e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call (479-372-7403) your order by Jan 1.  We will need to know whether you prefer the aqua version or the multicolor version (or both).  Cost is $19.95 each.

Just a reminder -- we will close Dec 23-31.  We will reopen Jan 1.  Darlene and Kay will be minding the shop and hope you'll make plans to stop in for a visit.....we promise we won't even mention football games. We wish each of you a wonderful holiday.

See you soon!

Darlene and Debby

Gift ideas for all the quilters on your list

Yikes!   How can Christmas be less than 2 weeks away??!  We have our holiday decorations up and are looking forward our holiday tradition of baking cookies with the grandkids.  To allow us family time, we will be closed Dec 25-Dec 31.  We will reopen Jan 1 - we know several of you enjoy getting out of the house on New Years' Day so plan to join us then.

The winter issue of Wool Works magazine arrived.  It contains 13 projects and 4 special articles.  If you're on auto ship, Debby is processing your order.  If you're not and would like to be, e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  You can also place your order by visiting https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/

A lap app makes a great gift for yourself or a special stitching buddy.  The base measures 8" x 12" to allow it to sit comfortably on your lap.  It includes 3 thread storage spindles and a very strong magnet to hold needles.  It can be adjusted in multiple directions.  The padded cover is 100% cotton and contains a pocket for scissors.  A sewing pattern to make a replacement cover is also included.  $69.95 If you can't make it to the shop, please give us a call at 479-372-7403 and we'll discuss available fabric cover choices.  We're happy to ship your lap app.

If you're been around the quilting world for long you are probably familiar with the name Alex Anderson.  She is personally working with RNK Distributing to create quilting products made specifically for quilters.  We're so excited to be carrying her line of rulers.  These rulers are available only at small Mom & Pop stores. These are our absolute favorite rulers......those who know us know we won't promote a product we don't believe in.  Each ruler contains a nonslip coating that absolutely, positively keeps the ruler from shifting.  Rulers feature easy to read lines for marking and measuring fabric in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1" increments.  Rulers also have multiple angles marked and can be read from right to left and vice versa. We have 5 sizes available: 3" x 12" $16.99 6" x 24" $31.95 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" $27.99 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" $23.99 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" $37.99

Our $10 block of the month for 2019, Fairytale Cottage, is starting in just a few weeks.  The quilt is finished except for quilting (the tabs will be added after quilting -- that's why they're just pinned to the design wall).  Background fabrics are all Diamond Textiles fabrics and the applique is wool.  The quilt finishes 25" x 34". The pattern is required and is sold separately ($21.95).  Each month for 12 months, you'll receive background fabric and wool.  During the first month, you'll receive stitchery stabilizer for the entire program.  Your borders will be included during the 12th month shipment.  No finishing kit is required. For more info, visit our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html.  When you're ready to sign up, give Darlene a call at 479-372-7403.......a block of the month subscription makes a wonderful gift.

Before we close we want to offer one final gift idea for the quilter who has everything....Jane Lury's book "Meanderings of a Quilt Collector" contains over 200 photographs in 320 pages.  It's a hard cover, coffee table type book filled with stories of collecting and historical data.  $56.95

We'll be back next week with a couple more last minute gift ideas.  Until then, we hope you are enjoying this wonderful season.  See you soon! Darlene and Debby

More great holiday gifts

Thanks to everyone who stopped by last Saturday for our holiday open house.  It was great seeing everyone.  Judging by the number who enjoyed Sharon's wool Christmas tree demo, there's lots of pretty wooly trees in the area.  We have more wooly tree kits and are happy to mail them if you can't stop by.  Kits are $24.95.

We are so embarrassed......last week we featured a kit by Lynette Anderson but described the wrong kit.....how all three of us missed that is beyond us......anyway, here's the correct info.  We have 2 Anderson's Farm kits available.  Your $199.50 kit includes the patterns with full size templates, fabrics for the top (there's a little wool on the quilt which is also included), borders, binding and hand painted buttons.  The quilt finishes 34" x 48".

If you need a quick and easy Christmas quilt, the Pine Tree Strip Quilt is for you.  It's made using a jelly roll and a background fabric.  It's a super easy pattern.....so easy that it was the first quilt made by Erin B. Thanks for loaning us the sample Erin! Your $64.95 kit includes the pattern, jelly roll, background fabric, borders and binding.  The quilt finishes 57" x 62".

We love the simple look of a two color quilt so were very excited to receive our copy of "Red and White Quilts".  Fourteen of today's top designers share their version of quilts using red and white fabrics.  Authors include Lisa Bongean, Kim Diehl, Sue Dailey, Jen Kingwell and many others.  The book includes vintage as well as modern quilts in techniques from patchwork to applique to English paper piecing.  112 pages.  $27.99

Our final project this week, "Glad Tidings", contains one of our favorite Biblical passages. The wording is stamped on sandcastle fabric so you can begin stitching as soon as you receive your kit.  Your $29.95 kit includes the prestamped fabric, thread, needle, border fabrics from Primitive Gatherings, binding and the star button.  The quilt finishes 17 1/2" x 20 1/2". If you'd prefer to use your own border and binding fabrics, the prestamped fabric, needle & thread kit is available for $18.

Judging by the weather reports, we may get snow Friday and Saturday.  If that's the case, please call the shop before you make a trip out.  479-372-7403

Darlene and Debby

Mother of Pearl thread winders make a great gift

We're super excited about our Holiday Open House this Saturday, Dec 1 9:00-3:00.  We'll have refreshments and have these activities planned.

• Wooly Christmas tree demo - if you purchase a kit to make a wooly tree, we'll give a free demo to help you get started.  With our technique, your tree will be ready for ornaments in less than 2 hours.  9:00-2:00
• Appliquick demo - Kay will be available to demonstrate the use of the Appliquick tools 9:00-11:00
• Select kits will be discounted
• Kay's "Frosty Morning" tablerunner as featured in Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine is back so you'll be first to get to see it up close and personal

Since Christmas is coming quickly, we will be highlighting gift giving ideas the next few weeks.  If you are looking for a unique gift, how about a mother of pearl thread winder?  These mother of pearl winders are no longer being made so once they're gone, they're gone forever. Each cute sheep in the Ewe Thread Winder collection is 2.25" wide and 1.5" high.  You'll receive 2 winders in each pack - $9.50 per pack.

The Hare Thread Winders are just adorable.  Each hare measures 2.75" wide and .34" high.  You'll receive 2 per pack - $9.50 per pack.

We just couldn't pass on the Blackbird Thread Winders.  Each blackbird measures 2.25" wide and .85" high.  You're receive 3 per pack - $9.50 per pack.

Perhaps you're looking for a special project to keep you busy for a while.  Lynette Anderson's Seaside Town is a combination of cotton applique, piecing, English paper piecing and embroidery.  Your $275 kit includes the patterns, hand painted buttons, fabrics for quilt top and binding. The fabrics in your kit will not be exact matches but will be close to the photo below. Please don't hesitate too long as we have only 2 kits available.

When we saw these sheep scissors, we knew we absolutely positively must order some.  They're actually much blacker than the photo shows.  They're 3.75" high so are the perfect size for your stitching bag (they're especially darling when paired with the mother of pearl thread winders).  $11.50 each

"Santa' Treats" is the perfect size for a small nook in your home.  The quilt finishes approximately 5" x 12". Your $15.95 kit includes the background flannel (the green fabric), black wool, wool for applique, buttons and binding. If you'd like to order an Ackfeld hanger to display your quilt, let us know when you place your order.  We'll also be happy to put together a Valdani thread kit for you.

The winter issue of Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher is filled with 30 projects designed with the punch needle and cross stitch enthusiast in mind.  $14.99

See you Saturday! Darlene and Debby

Save the Date

We know it's very likely you are busy preparing for your Thanksgiving holiday so we will keep the newsletter short this week.  Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec 1. We plan to have a Christmas open house on that day.  We are working out the details but know we will be available to help you make your very own wool Christmas tree.  We've refined the technique so it takes less than an hour from start to finish.

We'll share complete details next week but wanted to get our event on your calendar.......Dec 1.

We wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Darlene and Debby