Bobbin boxes make a great gift

A quick check of today's date reveals the month of November is over half over.....which causes us to ask did someone steal some days from us......Thanksgiving cannot be next week!  Since the holiday season is right around the corner, we thought we'd share some gift ideas with you during the next few weeks. Although tea towels have been around for ages, we never tire of looking at them.  It's fun to change them out and brighten the kitchen with a new one.  You have plenty of time to get either (or both) of these tea towels stitched in time for holiday gift giving.  One of the best things about making a tea towel gift is that no quilting is required so once you're done, the gift is ready to be wrapped. Both "Joy" and "Wool" were designed by Buttermilk Basin.  Each kit includes the pattern, towel, and wool (the Joy kit includes buttons and bells).  Each kit is $16.95.

Perhaps your friend dabbles in wool applique and embroidery.  A set of Sew Graceful's favorite Valdani perle cotton #12 bobbins in light and dark colorways would be a perfect way to help them add to their thread stash.  Each bobbin set includes 12 bobbins and a bobbin case.  $12.95 each We'd also suggest adding a pack of size 24 chenille needles for $2 per pack.

Our Quiltmania shipment arrived.  If you're on automatic to receive your magazine Debby is processing your order.  If you're not on automatic and would like to be sure you never miss an issue, send us an e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll get you set up. We're particularly excited about the Simply Vintage magazine.  Erin and Kay have a design in the magazine and it even made the back cover.  We are taking orders for "O Deer" and expect to have kits ready by early next week.  Your $24.95 kit includes the fabric for the quilt top, wool for applique, binding, hand painted reindeer button, and black micro buttons.  You'll need the winter issue of Simply Vintage for the pattern.

Soft Fuse rolls are back in stock.  We've been waiting for our shipment since August and it finally arrived.  Rumors were circulating that the company had gone out of business but those were only rumors.  We'll be happy to hold a roll or two for you if you'd like.  We are also happy to mail -- just let us know how many rolls you'd like.  We received two cases but expect they'll sell out quickly so don't delay if you're in need.  $19.95 per 3 yard x 18" roll.

One other thing before we close.  We understand Cox is upgrading their spam filters.  If you don't receive a newsletter each Thursday please check your spam folder.  You can always visit our blog each week and read the newsletter.  http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/ We have lots more to share but this is getting long so we will close for this week.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Pretty Petals starts Jan 2017

Cooler weather has finally arrived!  To welcome the cooler weather, we reset the entry area at the shop.  It's full of projects that are perfect for stitching in cooler weather and gift giving during the upcoming holiday season. If you spy something in the photos you'd like more information about, please let us know (info@sewgracefulquilting.com or 479-372-7403).  Our props aren't for sale......we have a lot of fun finding cute and whimsical pieces at our local shops to use for display.

We are super excited to be able to share our $10 block of the month for 2017, Pretty Petals.  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. 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.

We are also offering optional items to help you as you work on your Pretty Petals.  If you'd like any (or all) of these, please let us know when you sign up. Valdani perle cotton bobbins are $1 each per month.  This project will require 19 bobbins.  We'll include the colors you need with the corresponding block.  The first month requires 8 bobbins so you can do the math. We recommend Soft Fuse for fusing the wool and size 24 needles for stitching the wool.  Backing fabric is available for $22.

Kay recently finished a really cute table runner.  "In the Meadow" is small enough to be easily quilted on your home sewing machine (ours was quilted on a Bernina).  Your $22.95 kit includes the pattern, wool for applique,  Primitive Gatherings' flannel for the background, borders and binding.

Sue Spargo is known for her whimsical designs often using very bright wool and lots of beautiful stitches.  We are taking pre-orders for her 2017 wall calendar.  We realize wall calendars may seem a bit old fashioned to many people but we love having a calendar hanging on our wall.  It's a great place to jot down reminders of the grandkids' soccer games, deadlines for paying taxes, or the date the furnace filter needs to be changed.....you get the idea......wall calendars keep us organized. "Stitches to Savor" is $22.99.  Let us know if we can reserve one for you and one for a gift for a friend.

Kay is in Bartlesville OK for a couple of days sharing her love of wool.  We are putting together a class schedule for next year.  If there's a class you'd like us to include, please let us know. See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Quilt market review

Before Kay gives you her impressions of fall quilt market, we'd like to share a very cute Christmas project.  Debby stitched and finished this set of 6 ornaments.  Your $24.95 kit includes the winter 2015 issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine which contains the patterns (and lots of other great patterns), fabric, wool, buttons and 2 wooden hoops for finishing.  If you have the magazine, we'll deduct the magazine cost.  If you'd like more wooden hoops, we have them available for $2.50 each.

If we had to sum up fall quilt market in one word, that word would be "quiet".  Many of our favorite primitive designers didn't attend.  Several designers commented they had nothing new because, like us, there's not enough hours in the day to tend to family commitments, work outside the home, take care of aging relatives and have energy left to design. We fell in love with Jo Morton's new line, Reflections.  In fact, we loved it so much we ordered the entire line.  Fabric should arrive in Jan and we are taking pre-orders for fat quarter bundles.  34 fat quarters for $93.50

We also liked Blackbird Designs new line, Sweet Cherry Wine.  We are considering picking and choosing our favorites and ordering some.  What do you think about it?

Barb and Alma also have a new book coming out in February featuring their quilt "Ripe for the Picking" which uses prints from their Sweet Cherry Wine line.  The book is $28 and we are taking pre-orders for it.

Primitive Gatherings' newest pattern, Liberty Gatherings, should be available soon.  If you'd like us to reserve a copy for you, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  The quilt features wool applique and piecing.  $30

We picked up several new spring projects and will share them with you as we move into next year.  Meanwhile, we'll continue sharing new projects to get you in the mood for the holiday season which is just around the corner. We will close with something we never thought we'd see in November......the forsythia bush at our neighbor's house is blooming.  Look closely and you'll yellow blossoms.  Crazy weather!!

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Mr Fall Scarecrow

Kay had a wonderful time at the Claremore show.  Lots of beautiful quilts, yummy food, easy loading/unloading access, and many offers from guild members for bathroom breaks.....sometimes it's the little things that matter a great deal when you're vending by yourself. We are winding down our travel schedule for the year.  Darlene will give a presentation to the Pieces & Patches Guild in Rogers on Monday, Nov 7 and Kay will have a trunk show and workshop at the Bartlesville (OK) Piecemakers Guild Nov 11.  If you'd like us to vend at your show, teach, or give a trunk show at your event in 2017, please send us an e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com).  We love traveling and sharing our love of what we do with everyone! Our winter shipment of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine finally arrived.  The magazine has some great projects including "Wandering Beauty" by Kay.  Kits for Wandering Beauty are $24.95 and include fabrics for the top and binding.  You'll need the magazine for the pattern.  $9.99

Our newest project, Fall Scarecrow, is just too adorable.  His little smile just makes us smile every time we look at him.  Your $19.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric which has been distressed to give it a primitive look, wool for applique, borders, binding, and backing.  Once we sell all of these kits, we won't be able to make more.  The designer won't sell wholesale any longer so we aren't able to get more patterns.

If you follow us on Facebook, you probably noticed our post about the lack of snow in the near future.  If you've been longing for snowy weather, maybe this throw will make you smile.  Your $42.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, and binding.  The quilt finishes 46" x 55" so is a nice size for the back of a chair.

Fall quilt market starts tomorrow.  Kay and Erin are taking a road trip and searching out new goodies for the shop.  Unfortunately, several of our favorite primitive designers won't be at market but they'll do their best to find the unique and fun projects.  We'll be back next week with an after-market report.

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Exciting news about Jo Morton and Kim Diehl

We had a great time visiting with everyone during the craft fair at the John Q Hammons center last week.  Lots of you sought us out and we appreciate your kindness as there were lots of enticing booths there. A group of ladies came into the booth oooohing and aaaahing.  One commented "Oh that's so cute!".  Her two friends looked at each other, smiled and said you owe us a Coke.  They'd made a pact that they weren't allowed to use the word "cute" during their craft fair shopping excursion.  OK.......just how can you shop at Sew Graceful and not use the word "cute"?!  I'm afraid we would just have to buy a case of Coke because there's no way we could not use the word. Very exciting news.  Jo Morton and Kim Diehl have teamed up to write a book entitled "Simple Friendships".  It won't be available until mid-Feb but looks like it'll be worth waiting for.  According to the Martingale website the book is "Ideal for quilters who love scrappy patchwork style and classic applique."  That sounds just like us. 128 pages, $28.99 If you'd like to reserve a copy, email us at info@sewgracefulquilting.com and we'll get your name on the list.

We've been promising you a project that's sure to make you smile and finally have it ready.  Many of you will smile as you read the sentiment stitched on this fun piece -- "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat."  Jo Ann Mulally designed this fun piece; she's retired now but we were able to get a few patterns.  Once these kits are gone, they're gone for good. Your $19.95 kit includes the pattern, sandcastle fabric for the stitching background (it's a wonderful toasty color), borders, binding, and flannel for the backing.  You may notice Kay hand quilted her quilt.  It's very easy to do the same with yours using Valdani perle cotton 12......not everything has to be machine quilted.

If you're looking for a quilt that looks difficult but is simple to construct, our Dresden Trail is for you.  The quilt finishes 53" x 66" so is the perfect size for snuggling under during the cool evenings.  Your $76.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, and binding.  The dresden tool is required and we will include it free of charge.

If you've been wanting to try some hand dyed velvet, we have bundles available.  Each bundle contains 9 - 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" of the most yummy hand dyed velvet.  Each bundle is $40.50.  If a small bundle won't satisfy your love for all things velvet, we have fat quarter bundles of the same 9 luscious velvets for $162.  Let us know if we can reserve a bundle of yumminess for you. Since the velvet has been hand dyed, there may be variations in the color but each piece is beautiful.

Kay will be at the Country Fare Quilter's Guild show in Claremore OK Fri (Oct 21 - 9-5) and Saturday (Oct 22 - 9-4).  The show will be held at the Claremore Community Center, 2301 N Sioux Ave.  She will have several new projects to share.  For more info, visit http://www.countryfarequiltersguild.org/ Hope to see you at the show or in the shop this weekend. Darlene and Debby