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