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

Goodbye 2016

What a year 2016 was for us (and many of you).  It was filled with both sadness and joy.  We never know what the next day holds but hope 2017 is a year filled with good health and happiness for each of you.  We are going to try our best to make it a great year.

We are taking pre-orders for Kay's newest project featured in the spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  "Scrap Happy" is a nice way to brighten your home during these often cloudy days.  Kay used Diamond Textiles' Colonial Cloth as the background for the quilt and wool for the applique.  The quilt finishes 42" x 63".  Kits which include the background fabric, wool for the applique, and binding are available for pre-order for $84.95.  The pattern is not included in the kit and is available in the spring issue of the magazine.  Let us know if we can reserve a kit and/or a magazine.

You will need the Spring 2017 issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine to make the Scrap Happy quilt.  We expect the magazines to arrive by the beginning of Feb.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.

While the shop was closed, we took the opportunity to give the floors a good scrubbing and tidied up displays.  We found a few more kits for "Frosty Fellas" designed by our friend Robin from Briar Roots.  Once we sell these kits, we won't be making more as the fabric is out of print.  Your $42.95 kit includes the pattern with our changes, fabrics for the top, wool for applique, and binding.  The quilt finishes 29" x 34".  If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $10.

We also found several back issues of Quiltmania, Simple Modern, Simply Vintage, and Primitive Quilts & Projects magazines.  If you're looking for a back issue, please visit our website http://sewgracefulquilting.com/ Here's just a sampling of the goodies we have.

We are open today and back to our regular hours - Tues, Thurs, and Sat 9:00-3:00.  We very likely won't stay up to see 2017 in so will be open regular hours this Saturday.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Sew Graceful Quilting. We are closed Dec 22 - Dec 28.  We'll reopen Thursday, Dec 29.

Darlene and Debby and Kay and Erin and Mom and Dad [who are home wrapping us presents - wink, wink, hint, hint]

More last minute holiday gift ideas

Hopefully you have finished most of your holiday shopping and are ready to move to the next pre-holiday preparations -- baking cookies.  What fun memories we have of all the different kinds of cookies we baked as children.  What a decision it was to decide which cookies Santa would be most pleased to receive with his milk on Christmas Eve. This week we have a few last minute gift ideas to help you finish your shopping.  We found the cutest stitchery kits made by the sweetest couple living in Australia.  Each kit contains the design pre-printed on a nice quality muslin fabric.  Debby has stitched a couple of these designs and said they're a joy to stitch.  Each kit is $20 which includes the pattern and pre-printed fabric.  We will be happy to put together a thread kit to include with the kit ($1 per bobbin).  All these are in stock and can be ordered on our website Sew Graceful or by calling us at 479-372-7403. Follow Your Heart

Secret of Love

Simple Joys

Hearts Return

My Heart Sings

If you're shopping for someone who seems to have everything, we bet they don't have a set of wool punches.  These are an absolute "must have" for anyone who adds berries to their wool applique projects.  The set includes a 6" x 6" cutting mat and 5 punches (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1").  The mallet used to tap the punch is not included but a trip to the hardware store will take care of that.  $109.95

Look at those tiny perfectly round berries!  Yeah......that's a dime in the photo to give you an idea of the size.

Gift certificates are always a nice gift.  Personally, we love getting a gift certificate because it's like found money and we can spend it on whatever we want.  If you've ever checked your coat pocket or that side pocket in your purse and found cash you know exactly what we're saying.

One administrative note before we sign off.  As you're planning your visit to our shop, please note we will be closed for the Christmas holiday beginning Thurs, Dec 22 through Weds, Dec 28.  We will reopen Thurs, Dec 29.

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

More Christmas gift giving ideas

If you live in the midwest, you're likely waking up to freezing temps this morning.  We keep reminding ourselves one of the reasons we love living where we live is that we get to experience all four seasons.....we just prefer a shorter cold season than what we usually get. We're continuing with gift giving ideas this week.  We are down to the last few bundles of hand dyed velvet.  This velvet is a nice cotton product -- not the slinky, stretchy, always moving velvet your grandma had to deal with.  It's been hand dyed in beautiful primitive colors.  $40.50 for 9 - 8 1/2" x 10" pieces or $81.00 for 9 - 10" x 17 1/2" pieces

One lucky quilter will get a nice spring themed present in her stocking courtesy of her sneaky husband.  Since we need to order the kit, we thought we'd invite you to indulge yourself or a special someone.  "Bunny Town" was designed by The Quilt Company.  They're known for including the cutest preprinted fabrics in their quilts.  Here's the accessory fabric pack which will be included in your kit.

Bunny Town finishes 54 1/2" x 68".  Your $198 kit includes 6 patterns with full size templates, fabrics for the quilt top, the accessory fabric packet, buttons, and binding.  Let us know if we can help make your Christmas merrier by getting a kit for you or someone special.  E-mail us at info@sewgracefulquiting.com or call 479-372-7403. We just checked with the distributor and the kit is currently out of stock; however, they expect more around the third week of December......so your present may not make it under the tree but it'll be something to anticipate a little later.

We love what Lynette creates for the Christmas season.  Kay recently stitched her "Little Winter Wonderland" piece and we think it's adorable.  Your $39.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, binding, stitchery fabric, and 2 hand painted reindeer buttons. Darlene quilted our piece but it would be equally darling if it were hand quilted.

Another favorite Christmas pattern designer is Robin of Briar Roots.  Her Merry Christmas wall hanging is the perfect size for tucking into a small spot in your home.  Your $38.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabrics, wool for the applique, border, binding, and wool roving for Santa's beard.  Finishes 25" x 25"

A final Christmas gift idea is Bertie's Winter.  While looking for something in our warehouse, we ran across one last kit.  It's yours for $99.95.  The kit includes 4 patterns, background fabric (a very nice flannel from Primitive Gatherings), wool for the applique, binding and buttons.  The photo below shows ours before we added the border.  The border contains half square triangles with red and black flannel.

One administrative note before we sign off.  As you're planning your visit to our shop, please note we will be closed for the Christmas holiday beginning Thurs, Dec 22 through Tuesday, Dec 27.  We will reopen Thurs, Dec 29. We'll be back next Thursday with more gift giving ideas.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby