Save the date - November 9

The electric to our homes was restored late last week so we spent the weekend cleaning out refrigerators, washing mountains of laundry and enjoying tasty hot meals.  Darlene has had her nose to her quilting machines trying to make up for the week she was not able to quilt.

Kay spent a day reorganizing the shop.  The area by our front door is decorated with many of our favorite winter projects. 

Our fall area is now in the back corner of the shop and is filled with all sorts of fun projects.

Lisa Bongean's new book "Wool, Needle and Thread" arrived.  We'd read the reviews that said reading the book was like being in Lisa's private classroom.  We agree with the reviews.  This is a fantastic book filled with close-up photos of Lisa's hands working her magic.  The book begins with a discussion of Lisa's fabric tips and moves to her favorite tools, templates, threads and needles.  She shares five projects that will help you master the techniques. 112 pages $28.99

If you're like us, you are always looking for cute buttons to embellish your work.  We found the cutest sheep buttons made in the USA.  Each package contains 3 off white and 3 black sheep buttons.  These are great for our use since they don't have shanks.  The holes allow you to stitch them so they will lay flat.  $2.25 per pack

During Kay's reorganization of our storage sheds, she ran across 5 more copies of Blackbird Designs' book "Simply Vintage" which is now out of print.  If you need this title to add to your Blackbird library, now is the time to get it.  We checked Amazon pricing and were shocked to see the title offered for $199.99......we are selling ours for the cover price of $29.95. If you would like to reserve a copy, please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com ASAP.  First come, first served -- limit one copy per person.  If you haven't ordered from us in the past, go ahead and send an e-mail.  We will need to speak with you to get shipping and payment info so please include your phone number.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring a set of 37 - 9" x 9" squares of coordinated fabric.  $29.95

Last but not least, we hope you'll make plans to join us Saturday Nov 9 for our holiday open house.  We will have refreshments, new projects and gift giving ideas to share.

See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

We will be glad when we are back to normal

What a difference a week can make!  Last week we enjoyed seeing many returning friends for the craft fair.  This week if we invited our friends to our home we would have to ask them to bring candles and warm clothes.  We lost power in our homes (we live next door to each other and our mother lives down the street) early Monday morning and are still without power.  So, if you see us in the shop bathroom drying our hair or overhear us discussing the first hot meal we plan to prepare once we have power please indulge us.

Our little neighborhood is apparently low on the priority list for electric service and tree removal (the street to our neighborhood is still blocked by a fallen tree so we have to drive through a neighbor's yard to reach our homes).  We know power will be restored sometime and someone will cut the tree to make the street passable but in the interim we are spending a lot of time at the shop enjoying light and heat......

Since we have been chilled most of the week we thought we would share a couple of snow themed kits this week.  The first, Aubrey Lou, finishes 4" x 8".  We finished ours to be displayed on one of our metal Stix but it would be equally cute finished as a pincushion, bowl filler, small pillow or as an eyeglass case.  Your $14.95 kit includes the pattern, background cotton, wool for the applique and buttons. Stix are available separately in your choice of 8", 10" or 12" for $4.95 each.

"Wishing for Snow" features mom and dad snowman peering out the window wishing for snow.  Your $41.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric to make the top, wool for applique and binding. It also includes small black buttons, the rusty angel pendant, and rusty star. Finishes 27" x 27" If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $9.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring "Forest Friends".  The pattern is by Lynette Anderson but we changed the pattern to create a small wall hanging.  Your $26.95 kit includes the pattern with Sew Graceful changes, fabric for top, stitchery stabilizer, binding, backing, and rick rack. Finishes 8 1/2" x 25"

Kay has reorganized the shop and we will share photos in the newsletter next week.

See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

The final installment of Kay's sewing series

What a perfect day for the beginning of the fall craft fair season in NW Arkansas.  Crisp mornings followed by warm afternoons are sure to get many people inspired.  If you're in the area, we hope you'll plan to make a stop at the shop as part of your crafting fun.  We are open today (Thursday), Friday and Saturday from 9:00-3:00.

The winter issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine should arrive soon.  We are taking preorders and will ship yours as soon as we receive our shipment.  $9.99 The final installment of Kay's sewing series is contained in the winter issue.  The first in the series was My Sewing Accessory Case.  The case was followed by My Sewing Box & Scissors Keeper (because we need a box to house the sewing case).  My Thoughts Journal was the third in the series.  The final piece to the puzzle is a bag that will hold the sewing case, the sewing box and the journal (along with stitching, quilting supplies, quilts and about anything else you want to store). Your $25.95 kit includes a 100% laminated jute bag, wool for the applique and cotton for your name label.  The bag pictured in the magazine is no longer available.  We are substituting a laminated jute bag which measures 13 1/2" high x 17 1/2" wide x 7" deep.  It contains a canvas outer pocket with a velcro closure but does not have an inner pocket.  The bag we are substituting is larger which will allow you to store more stitching and quilting supplies.

The cooler weather is the perfect time to share our newest project, Checkerboard.  The quilt top is made using Maywood and Moda flannels; binding is a nice Diamond Textile homespun fabric.  Your $56.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and binding.  The quilt finishes 47" x 57".  If you need a larger quilt, we recommend purchasing two kits. If you'd like help choosing a backing fabric, let us know and we'll be happy to help.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we are featuring our Fairytale Cottages block of the month.  We are down to a handful of spots available so if you've been thinking about joining, now is the time.  Cost is $10 plus shipping each month.  The pattern is sold separately for $21.95.  Please visit our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/ for more info. We are happy to offer this as a kit if you'd prefer to have it all at once.  Kit cost is $141.95 which includes the pattern, background cotton fabrics from Diamond Textiles, stitchery stabilizer, wool for the applique, borders and binding. Please note the photo is an old one before we finished our quilt.  Fabric and wool for the tabs is included (the tabs tuck into the upper and lower binding seams).

We will have some of our samples for sale during craft fair weekend.  If you're looking for holiday gifts, we may have just the item(s) you're looking for.

See you soon.

Darlene and Debby

Snowman Sighting

Isn't this cooler weather refreshing?  It makes us feel energized and creative....perhaps cooler weather and increased creativity are reasons fall quilt market is always held toward the end of October.  We chose to miss fall market for several reasons with the most important being the fact that many of our favorite designers won't be at market.  With the high cost of attending market and with the ease of communicating new products via the internet and social media it's a wonder anyone has a booth.  If you see something from market that you'd like us to explore, please let us know.  We're always looking for new and exciting things.

Quiltmania #133 arrived and, as usual, didn't disappoint us. It contains photos from 5 exhibits including the Sydney quilt show and Sisters Outdoor show.  You'll also find patterns for 7 projects (2 of which are mystery quilts).  $13.99

If you're on auto ship, Debby has processed your order.  If you're not and would like to be, please email info@sewgracefulquilting.com

Debby recently finished the most darling snowman wall hanging.  We'd been waiting to share until we received our Ackfeld hangers.  Your $24.95 "Bo" kit includes the pattern, wool for applique, background cotton, binding, primitive dyed crochet edging, buttons and the darling star button in the center of the poinsettia.  He finishes 13 1/2" x 16" and looks very nice on the snowflake hanger. The hanger is sold separately for $10.95.

We received a great new book by Mary A. Blythe.  We weren't familiar with her work but after looking through the book will definitely be looking for future projects designed by her.  She uses variations of wool pennies in many of her projects.  The book contains 15 projects (13 table mats and 2 versions of an advent calendar) as well as tips on using wool.  80 pages $26.95

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we have one copy of Daine Gaudynski's Guide to Machine Quilting available.  The book contains step by step instructions to guide you from selecting fabric to binding the quilt.  Topics include choosing batting and backing fabric, basting your quilt top, marking quilting designs, a discussion about thread, and the proper sequence of quilting.  128 pages $24.95

The fall craft fair season is right around the corner.  Since the venue at the Embassy Suites in Rogers closed we won't have a booth; however, the shop will be open extended days during craft fair season.  Mark your calendars -- we will be open Thurs - Saturday, Oct 17, 18 & 19, 9:00-3:00.

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Fall inspiration

We are writing this on Weds which hopefully is our last super hot day of the year.  We are ready for cooler weather.....not snowy cold.....just crisp mornings, beautiful fall foliage, hot chocolate and lots of stitching time.

The first project we want to share should help get you in the fall mood.  "Harvest Blessings" by Norma Whaley is a combination of piecing and wool applique.  The photo below shows an unfinished (we need to add berries on the branch along the bottom) and unquilted quilt.  Your $68.95 kit includes the pattern, an assortment of shirting type prints for piecing, brown homespun for the baskets and border, wool for applique, inner border and binding.  The quilt finishes 38" x 38".

If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available separately for $12.50.

We can't have enough pin cushions.  They're great as decorative items, great as gifts and great when used to for their intended purpose as a pincushion.  Our "In the Pumpkin Patch" pincushion is quick and easy to put together.  Your $9.95 kit includes the pattern, background wool, wool for applique, border fabric and backing cotton.  It's been a while since we made our sample, so the wool and border fabric will vary slightly from the photo.

We have one pattern left of this beautiful quilt designed by Buttermilk Basin.  We had kits last year but sold out and have no plans to rekit it.  Pattern is $27.95.

Another fun fall themed quilt is Candy Corn by Cheri Payne.  Since Cheri passed away, the pattern is out of print so when we sell the remaining stock, we will not be able to get more.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the quilt, wool for applique and binding.  The quilt is paper pieced; however, it wouldn't be difficult to modify the pattern and make it using "regular" piecing techniques.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section, we have one "Bed of Roses" kit left.  Your $110.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, borders and binding.  It finishes 74" x 85". We will continue to offer patterns and once we find the perfect fabrics will likely remake this in another colorway.  Patterns are $9.

The fall craft fair season is right around the corner.  Since the venue at the Embassy Suites in Rogers closed we won't have a booth; however, the shop will be open extended days during craft fair season.  Mark your calendars -- we will be open Thurs - Saturday, Oct 17, 18 & 19, 9:00-3:00. We'd also like to share info about the Joplin Area Town & Country Biennial 21st Quilt Show.  The show will be held at the Joplin Memorial Hall, 212 W 8th Street, Oct 5 & 6, 10:00-5:00.  For more info visit  http://www.townandcountryquilters.com/.  Unfortunately, Kay will be out of town so we won't have a booth but hope you will make plans to visit the show.

See you soon.

Darlene and Debby