Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Lots of books coming

It's hard for us to believe it's time for us to celebrate another birthday.  We opened our doors 7 years ago and hoped people would find us nestled among the gently rolling hills in Northwest Arkansas.  We never dreamed we would meet so many wonderful people.  We are thankful every day for all our customers and friends who have been beside us during happiness and sadness.

We're planning a birthday celebration on Saturday, Jan 28.  Of course, we'll have refreshments (we now have a frig with a freezer!)  To show our appreciation to you, we are having an in store sale on Jan 28. 
  • All regular priced fabric - finish the bolt - 20% off
  • All clearance fabric - finish the bolt - $5 per yard
  • Select patterns - 6 for $12
  • Select magazines - 50% off cover price
  • Select notions - 1/2 off marked price
  • Select samples for sale
  • ......and maybe a few more surprises.......
Carol and her staff at Quiltmania have been very busy.  We have 4 new Quiltmania books to share.  They all should be released by the end of January.  If you'd like to reserve a copy of any title, please e-mail us at info@sewgracefulquilting.com or call 479-372-7403.

Many of you enjoyed Bonnie Sullivan's Quiltmania book several years ago.  Her new book, Heart of the Home, looks even better......if that's possible.  $48.95
Quilts from the Colonies by Margaret Mew contains 17 projects.  192 pages $51.95
Petra Prins and An Moonen wrote a great book several years ago, Promenade in a Dutch Garden.  Their new book, Promenade in a Dutch Castle, looks like another winner.  $51.95
Quilts for Life Made with Love is Judy Newman's new book.  The book contains 18 projects.  232 pages $51.95
The new Quiltmania magazine arrived.  Kay processed auto ship orders Sunday so you should have your magazine if you receive it in the mail; if you're local, it's waiting for you in your folder.  We have extra copies and will be happy to reserve a copy for you.  $13.99

Please note - this issue contains Part 1 of a mystery quilt by Michelle Yeo.  If history is any indication, this issue will sell out and readers will be scrambling to find a copy. 
The spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine also arrived.......our UPS guy has been very busy.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you. $9.99
Whew!  That's a lot of information to share.  We'll close for this week but we back next week with more to inspire you.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the birthday celebration on Jan 28.  See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

News from the quilting world

Just a week ago as we sat down to write the weekly newsletter the temperature was a bone chilling 12 degrees; today it's a balmy 70 degrees with wind gusts up to 40 mph.  It's a good thing we like to layer clothing or we'd be constantly digging through our winter clothing tub.....then through our summer clothing tub.

This week we'd like to share a darling flannel quilt, Winter Folk Fun.  Erin did a great job making our sample (it's only the second large quilt she's made).  It's a great quilt for a beginning to advanced quilter.  The quilt features Bonnie Sullivan's flannel by Maywood Studio.  The "applique" shapes appear to be actual applique but are actually a preprinted panel.  Darlene did a great job quilting the quilt to make it appear as though it's been appliqued.

Your $64.95 kit includes the pattern, preprinted center panel, fabric to piece the borders, and binding.  The quilt finishes 56" x 69" 
If you'd prefer to design your own quilt, we have the center panel (it includes the long blocks with the cardinal and the Let it Snow banner, the 4 snow people heads, and the snow scene) available for $10.

We have kits for "Little Critters" back in stock.  This cute little purse finishes 4" x 5 1/2".  Debby made the sample and said the instructions are very well written.  Your $19.95 kit includes the pattern, purse fabric, wool for applique, and zipper.
We should receive our shipment of Wool Works magazine within the next few days.  If you've already reserved a copy, you don't need to take any further action.  If you haven't reserved and would like to get a copy, please let us know quickly (info@sewgracefulquilting.com or 479-372-7403).  The first printing is sold out; we have 7 extra copies and they're on a first come, first served basis. 
We have several quilt world related items to share.  We know many of you look forward to the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt show.  This year it was to be held Jan 12-14.  Unfortunately, the owner of QSC Expos passed away very unexpectedly.  Since there's no successor to produce the event, the show has been cancelled.

Barbara Brackman announced in her Dec 29, 2016 blog post she is retiring from writing quilt books and magazine articles.  She also is not designing any fabric lines.  She will, however, still write her blog and share on Instagram.  She writes an entertaining and informative blog which you can find by clicking Barbara Brackman.  We're particularly sorry to read she won't be designing new fabric.
As many of you know Kay is absolutely crazy about applique.  During our Christmas brunch, she was snapping photos of the restaurant decor and declaring "ooooh that would make a nice applique......oh my goodness.....that would be so cute as an applique.....".  She was very sad to learn one of her applique mentors, Sue Garman passed away this week.  If you're interested in quilting even the tiniest bit, you owe it to yourself to visit Sue's blog.  It's a treasure trove of inspiration.  You can find it by clicking Sue Garman

We had considered one of Sue's pattern for use as a block of the month.  One thing led to another and we didn't follow through so have a couple pattern sets available.  First come, first served.

"All Around the Town" is a set of 12 patterns with Sue's very detailed instructions to make a 63" x 63" quilt.  $60 for the set
Debby will be out of the shop next week and Kay will be working on her place.  She'd love to see what you're working on so why not make it a point to pop in the shop.  See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Flannel is perfect for snuggling

Brrrr.....we have been in an ice box these past few days.  We love frozen Reese's cups and think we could just set the bag in our warehouse and have all the frozen candy we want this week.  Cold weather causes us to think about snuggling up and what better snuggling fabric than flannel.  Darlene put together a super simple flannel quilt using Primitive Gatherings' Wool Needle line.  We have our sample machine quilted but it would be a great quilt to be hand quilting using the big stitch and Valdani perle cotton.  It finishes 54" x 63" - perfect snuggling size.  Kits are $46.95.  Let us know if we can reserve one for you.
Our $10 block of the month, Pretty Petals, kicked off this month and we have openings.  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.  We have an optional thread kit available.

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. 
While we're on the subject of blocks of the month, we want to share another which will begin in February.  Thanks to Jean A for making Spooky Hollow.  We adore the additions she made -- like the nail polish on the skeleton - how innovative!  The backgrounds all are Diamond Textiles fabrics and the applique is wool.  The quilt finishes 46"x 58".  Cost is month is $19.95 per month for 9 months; pattern is sold separately for $20.  If you'd like to reserve a spot for this very sweet Halloween quilt, please contact us at 479-372-7403 or e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com.

If you'd prefer to use your own materials we have extra patterns (without our changes) for $20.  
We're super excited for our friend Robin Vizzone of Briar Roots Primitive.  Her first book, Peculiar Primitives, is due for release late April. The book is designed to appeal to both the beginner and experienced stitcher.  It contains 12 projects including table toppers, primitive dolls, wall hangings, and pincushions.  80 pages $25.95

Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.  Just e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll be sure to save a copy for you.
Another primitive designer who does amazing work is Rebekah L. Smith.  Her second book,Seasons of Wool Applique, is due for release late June.  It contains 12 seasonal wool projects (3 per season) including a journal cover, pillow cover, table rug, wall hangings, storage boxes, and more.  96 pages $29.95

We'll be happy to put you on the list for this book. 
If you normally visit the shop via Highway 71 and turn by the gas station - Pleasant Ridge Road is closed from the gas station for a mile or so until the middle of next week.  You'll need to go on down to Walnut and wind your way to the shop.  If you need directions, please don't hesitate to call. 

See you soon.

Darlene and Debby