Shop photos

We have several new projects to share this week but we'd like to begin by sharing some photos of our shop after Kay reworked the front area.  We love how she displayed the Pretty Petals quilt (our 2017 $10 block of the month) among punch needle, wool, and cotton projects.  We have openings and invite you to read more about it at our website Sew Graceful

"Spooky Hollow" looks beautiful hanging above all that scrumptious Valdani perle cotton.  We have openings in the Spooky Hollow block of the month ($19.95 per month for 9 months plus $20 for the pattern).  If you'd prefer to buy the kit all at once, we have everything cut and packaged ($179.55 plus $20 for the pattern).

Kay's "Scrap Happy" quilt is now hanging in the shop after being featured in the spring issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.  We have kits ($84.95) and magazines ($9.99) available.

If you've got a critical eye, you may have noticed a couple of very cute pieces hanging on our front door in the top photo above.  Debby created 2 wall hangings and a darling pillow using the Maywood snowman panel we recently received.  The applique is preprinted so you'll have these finished in a snap. Your kit will include instructions, fabrics for the top of both wall hangings, binding, and fabric for the pillow.  We have only a few Winter Trio kits left so don't delay in letting us know you'd like one.  $34.95

Another new project recently finished by our dear friend Jane H is "French Wrens".  It finishes 40" x 40" and features Jo Morton's Gratitude line of fabric.  Your $52.95 kit includes the pattern, all fabric to make the top, and binding.  We'll be happy to help you choose backing fabric for $9.95 per yard.

Our favorite guy in brown brought 3 large boxes from Moda.....sigh......our shipment of Jo Morton's new line, Reflections finally arrived.  We are cutting fat quarter bundles.  Let us know if we can reserve one for you by calling 479-372-7403 or e-mailing (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) $98.95 per bundle - 34 fat quarters.  It's a particularly wonderful line.......and will work well if you happen to have fabric left from Jo's first line with Moda.

We realize this is getting long and you're probably on sensory overload but we can't close without letting you know we received our shipment of fabrics for the Scraps of my Life kit.  Your $74.95 kit includes 160 - 5" squares of fabric and fabric for the borders.  All fabrics are from Diamond Textiles - the same fabrics Malgorzata used as she designed the quilt.  The pattern is available separately for $28. We are working on a sample and hope to have something to share with you very soon.

We hope to have a class schedule by next week.  We are finalizing a few things before we publish it.  Thanks for your patience.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Pitter patter

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the shop for our party on Saturday.  Also, thank you to those who called or e-mailed wishing us a happy birthday.....and to the person who called and sang happy birthday to us.......thank you.  We had a great time and are looking forward to another year of sharing what we love. We can't help but notice the trees are budding and tender vegetation is popping through the soil.  We've noticed lots of robins back in the area, bluebirds are looking for nesting boxes, and the woodpeckers can be heard almost daily.  Even though the calendar says it's the middle of winter, it feels like spring is just around the corner.

We're certain many of you can relate to the sentiment expressed on this cute wall hanging:  "Nothing makes a home complete without the pitter patter of doggie feet".  Your $19.95 kit includes the pre-stamped sandcastle fabric, perle cotton for the embroidery, a needle, all fabric to make the top, and binding.  Finishing is quick and easy (ours was quilted on a home sewing machine).

Is it just us or does it seem like the new book selection is wonderful this year?  We're sharing another book that looks like it'll be a winner.  Roseann Kermes' book "A Little Something" is scheduled for release by the end of May.  We are putting together an order and will be happy to reserve a copy for you. According to the website, the book contains cheerful little projects with detailed photos and clear instructions.  $19.99

Our philosophy is you can't have too many totes.....we have totes to carry our totes.....and still want more.  Kay recently finished this sewing pocket and said it's super easy to make.  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern and all wool to make the project.  Let us know if we can reserve a "Cottage Clutch" kit for you. The photo below shows it closed (the left photo), the inside (upper right), and outside (lower right).

We are working on several new projects and hope to be able to share them soon.  We stay very busy but we love every minute we get to create.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Lots of books coming

It's hard for us to believe it's time for us to celebrate another birthday.  We opened our doors 7 years ago and hoped people would find us nestled among the gently rolling hills in Northwest Arkansas.  We never dreamed we would meet so many wonderful people.  We are thankful every day for all our customers and friends who have been beside us during happiness and sadness. We're planning a birthday celebration on Saturday, Jan 28.  Of course, we'll have refreshments (we now have a frig with a freezer!)  To show our appreciation to you, we are having an in store sale on Jan 28.  All regular priced fabric - finish the bolt - 20% off All clearance fabric - finish the bolt - $5 per yard Select patterns - 6 for $12 Select magazines - 50% off cover price Select notions - 1/2 off marked price Select samples for sale ......and maybe a few more surprises.......

Carol and her staff at Quiltmania have been very busy.  We have 4 new Quiltmania books to share.  They all should be released by the end of January.  If you'd like to reserve a copy of any title, please e-mail us at info@sewgracefulquilting.com or call 479-372-7403. Many of you enjoyed Bonnie Sullivan's Quiltmania book several years ago.  Her new book, Heart of the Home, looks even better......if that's possible.  $48.95

Quilts from the Colonies by Margaret Mew contains 17 projects.  192 pages $51.95

Petra Prins and An Moonen wrote a great book several years ago, Promenade in a Dutch Garden.  Their new book, Promenade in a Dutch Castle, looks like another winner.  $51.95

Quilts for Life Made with Love is Judy Newman's new book.  The book contains 18 projects.  232 pages $51.95

The new Quiltmania magazine arrived.  Kay processed auto ship orders Sunday so you should have your magazine if you receive it in the mail; if you're local, it's waiting for you in your folder.  We have extra copies and will be happy to reserve a copy for you.  $13.99 Please note - this issue contains Part 1 of a mystery quilt by Michelle Yeo.  If history is any indication, this issue will sell out and readers will be scrambling to find a copy.

The spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine also arrived.......our UPS guy has been very busy.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you. $9.99

Whew!  That's a lot of information to share.  We'll close for this week but we back next week with more to inspire you. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the birthday celebration on Jan 28.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

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