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

Block of the Month update

We have a lot to share this week so will jump right into it.  First, we want to update the status of our blocks of the month programs.  Several are almost full......we will not be doing any additional cuttings on any of these programs so once they're gone, they're gone.

To reserve your spot, email info@sewgracefulquilting.com.  If you're not a current customer, we will follow up to get your mailing address (if you're not local) and payment info.

Mary's Farmhouse - 4 spots left

Each month for 12 months you'll receive a pattern, background fabrics and wool for applique (the cream backgrounds are cotton). If an embellishment is required, it will also be included. During the 12th month, you'll receive binding in addition to the regular monthly kit. No finishing kit is required.

Cost per month is $10 plus shipping.

Optional but recommended items include thread pack, Soft Fuse, needles and brown pigma pen.

The quilt finishes approximately 36" x 36".

Midnight Silhouette by Blackbird Designs - 6 spots left Each month for 11 months you'll receive a fabric packet to make pieced stars or a portion of the applique.  Binding will be included with your 11th month block.  No finishing kit is required. Cost per month is $19.95 plus shipping. The pattern is sold separately for $12.95. The quilt finishes 68" x 84".

Christmas Tree Skirt - 1 opening left (2nd cutting) The photo below shows the original tree skirt we made.  Some of the fabrics are out of print so we have made substitutions.  This program runs for 9 months. Each month you'll receive a pattern, wool for applique, black wool for applique background and flannel or homespun fabric for the background. At the end of the program, you'll have all the fabric to make the quilt top and binding.  We modified the pattern and added a manger scene - your kit will include pattern and material for the manger scene. Cost per month is $19.95 plus shipping.

Simply Vintage by Blackbird Designs - 12 openings left This program runs 9 months.  Cost is for background fabrics, wool for applique borders and binding. No finishing kit is required. This program runs 9 months. Cost per month is $26.95. The pattern is available in Blackbird Designs' "Simply Vintage" book and is sold separately for $26.95. We have reduced the template sizes and you will be responsible for reducing your templates (we will provide the percentage amount of reduction). We also have made changes to the pattern and will provide those changes to you. The quilt backgrounds are all Diamond Textiles cottons and the applique is wool. Quilt finishes 59" x 59".

Before we move from the block of the month topic, we want to share Patricia DeCerbo's Mary's Farmhouse blocks.  She's added a lot of embroidery and some of her own wool to make the quilt her own.  We absolutely love what she's doing.

The summer issue of Simply Vintage arrived this week.  As always, it's packed full of inspiration.  $17.99 If you're on auto ship, Debby processed your order Tuesday so your magazine should be arriving shortly.  If you're not on auto ship and would like to be, send an e-mail to info@sewgracefulquilting.com or call Darlene at 479-372-7403.

Quiltmania's Simply Moderne magazine also arrived.  Although we aren't modern pattern quilters, we love to challenge ourselves and translate a modern quilt into a primitive look.  $17.99

A couple of years ago Kay had the brilliant idea of making Heart to Hand's "My Kitty Cat Says" quilt and offering it as a block of the month.  One thing led to another and she recently discovered the blocks she had made.  She decided to go another route and finished the blocks she had made into pillows, a book bag, a pin cushion and a table mat. She's written finishing instructions in case you prefer to make individual items.  The quilt pattern with the alternative finishing is $9.95.  Incidentally, the pattern is no longer available so once we sell our stock we will not be able to get additional patterns. The first photo below shows the quilt; the second photo shows the individually finished items.  Moral of the story -- it's OK to change your mind during your quilting journey.

Kay will be packing for the Common Threads Quilt show soon.  Please let us know NLT Jun 15 if there is an item(s) you'd like Kay to bring.  The show is June 21-23, 10:00-5:00 at the Century II Expo Hall in Wichita KS.  Visit http://wichitaquiltshow.com/ for additional information.

We'll be back next week with some cool projects to inspire you.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby