Last minute Mother's Day gift ideas

What a lot of rain we've had lately.  Other than rainy days causing us to want to take a nap, we enjoy staying inside and creating.  One project we've been working on is our Row by Row project.  If you're not familiar with the program click https://rowbyrowexperience.com/ to read about it.  In a nutshell, each shop creates a project based on a theme and visitors hop from shop to shop to collect patterns and/or kits.  Kick off is June 21.  The theme this year is "Taste the Experience"......wonder what we will create.....

Mother's Day is right around the corner so we thought we'd share some great last minute gift ideas for mom -- they'll also make great gifts for yourself or your stitching buddies (Christmas is only 7 months away).

Kelmscott Designs' needle minders are not only pretty but practical.  They include a magnet which holds your needles in place.  No more dropping needles on the floor.

You may order on line by visiting https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/, by e-mailing info@sewgracefulquilting.com or calling 479-374-7403.

Crow with Star - $9.50

Sheep at Night - $9.50

Folkart Willow Tree - $9.50

Hibiscus - $9.50

Bee - $9.50

Buzz - $9.50

The first kit we'd like to share this week makes us smile every time we look at it.  "Hen House" is entirely cotton applique (we used Soft Fuse and a simple blanket stitch on ours).  Your $28.95 kit includes Simply Vintage magazine #28 (fall 2018) which contains the pattern by Edyta Sitar, fabrics for applique, background fabric, border, backing fabric and binding.  It finishes 20" x 20". Of course, the magazine contains additional projects.

Some of you can probably relate to the sentiment expressed on the second kit we'd like to share, "Voices".  Your $19.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, borders, binding and backing fabric.  This is a very easy project to make even if you've never done applique before.  It finishes 9" x 18".

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section we are featuring a Quiltmania book.  We love the quality of books published by Quiltmania.  The photography is absolutely stunning and directions are very well written with lots of illustrations.  Most books are written in both English and French (Quiltmania is a French company with offices in the US). The translated book title is "Quilted and Embroidered Fantasies".  It contains 20 projects combining quilting and embroidery.  304 pages $49.95

Spring quilt market is next week so Darlene and Kay will be off on an adventure.  Be sure to watch Facebook and Instagram as they post their adventures.

The shop will be open regular hours next week with Debby holding everything down.  See you soon!

Darlene and Debby

New Handmade by Margott patterns arrived

It's hard to believe May is already here and that it's time to start thinking about summer vacations and summer stitching.  The first project we want to share is one of our favorite summer pieces.  "Liberty" by Norma Whaley of Timeless Traditions.  We love how Norma pieced the backgrounds.  The red portion behind the pot is fabric and the remaining applique is wool.  Your $61.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, borders, binding and wool for applique.  Finishes 25" x 50".....if you don't need a long table runner this makes a great wall hanging or throw for the end of a bed.

You can get your kit by visiting https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html or e-mailing (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or calling 479-372-7403. 

We received three new patterns from Handmade by Margott.  We love all of them but our absolute favorite is "All about Wool" -- we know that surprises you!  Just look at that adorable bird in block #4.  The All about Wool pattern quilt finishes 49 1/2" x 49 1/2".  Pattern is $24.95 You can order any of Margott's patterns on our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html

"Botanical Quilt" finishes 51 1/2" x 47".  Notice the tabs along the upper and lower portion -- very unique.  $24.95

"The Sampler Quilt" looks like a fun one to make.  We think it would be equally pretty on a dark background...perhaps using the new Nikko Granite line.  Quilt finishes 68" x 68".  $24.95 On a side note -- if you ever want us to put together a kit of any pattern, let us know.  We love creating.

The summer issue of Wool Works magazine arrived.  It contains a nice variety of projects including a rug hooking pattern and a needle punch pattern.  Of course, any of the patterns could easily be converted from wool applique to a hooked rug and vice versa.  14 projects - $10.99

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section we are featuring "Country Style Quilting" by Lynette Anderson.  We have only one copy left so please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) if you'd like us to reserve it for you.  128 pages - $24.99

When we hear of quilting related events, we love to share them with you.  The tenth annual Airing of the Quilts is happening May 3 (9:00-5:00) and May 4 (9:00-4:00) at Bell Park, 1050 Bell Park Road in Greenwood AR.  According to the flyer this is a "Charming regional show displaying quilts in a striking setting with mountain views."  Admission is only $5.  For more info, call 479-883-0254 or 479-806-1081.

Hope we see you soon!

Darlene and Debby

Spring inspiration

Are you like us -- loving this spring weather?  Every time we drive out to the shop we notice more plants and trees in bloom.  Once we spot baby deer we will know spring has officially arrived.

The first project we'd like to share this week will allow you to enjoy flowers without all the sneezing and sniffling pollen often causes.  Your $26.95 "Garden Window" kit includes the pattern, background fabrics, border, wool for applique and binding.  Finishes 13" x 23".  If you look closely you will notice ours is hand quilted with Valdani perle cotton.....not everything has to be machine quilted.

We are out of the cute flower garden hanger but can easily order more.  It's an additional $19.95.

Please visit our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/, or e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 to place your order. 

Pillows are a quick and easy way to add a surprise to any room in your home.  When we received the Pillowcase Collection pattern we had a difficult time deciding which project to do first.  We finally decided pillowcase #3 would be a good choice.  It is wool applique on beautiful Diamond Textiles fabrics.  Pillow finishes 9" x 17 1/2". The pattern contains patterns for 4 pillows - $22.95.  The kit includes fabrics for pillow #3.  You'll receive fabrics for the top, wool for applique, wool & cotton for the tabs and pillow backing fabric.  The pattern is not included in the kit and must be purchased separately.  $22.95 for the kit You can purchase by visiting https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html or by e-mailing (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or calling 479-372-7403.

We received our shipment of the spring issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.  This is the largest issue ever.  As always, it's filled with all sorts of beautiful projects appealing to those who like the primitive look.  $9.99

The 2nd installment of Kay's sewing set is in the summer issue.  We have kits available for "My Sewing Box and Scissors Keeper".  Kits ($29.95) include the fabric, interfacing, and wool to cover a paper mache box.  The box and scissors are not included. Several people have inquired about where to get the box.  Here's Kay's response:  "When I designed this project a year ago (yes, there's a long lead time between designing and publication), the individual boxes were readily available at Hobby Lobby.  Unfortunately, the individual boxes have been replaced with boxes in sets of 3.  I guess the silver lining is that you'll have a couple extra boxes to play with."  We bought a few sets and will be happy to ship you a set if you don't have a Hobby Lobby in your area.

We also have kits of the 1st installment in her sewing series - My Sewing Accessory Case.  Your $46.95 kit includes fabric, wool, stabilizer, twill measuring tape, bee needle minder, buzz needle minder and thread rings. Please note, your kit will contain heart thread rings - the bluebell thread rings pictured in the magazine are no longer available.  Also, wools may vary slightly from those pictured. Pattern is not included -- the spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine contains the pattern and must be purchased separately.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section we are featuring a cute spring wall hanging.  Mr Bunny finishes 21 1/2" x 27 1/2".  Your $38.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabrics (Diamond Textiles), stitchery stabilizer, borders, binding and wool. A thread kit containing Valdani perle cotton size 12 is available for an additional $17.95.

We have scheduled one session of Kay's Invisible Machine Applique class for Friday, May 3, 9:00-11:30.  Cost is $35.  If that date doesn't work for you, please send us an e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) and we will see if we can schedule a date that works with your schedule.  We used to schedule lots of classes but found little interest in them so decided to go to an on demand basis. If there's a technique you'd like to learn or a project you need help with, let us know.  We're more than happy to work with you.

Hope we see you soon!

Darlene and Debby

Fun spring inspiration

We hate to start off our weekly newsletter with not so good news but many of you are waiting for an update.  Remember late last year/early this year when we started taking pre-orders for the Moda sewing clocks?  We were told several times to expect shipment in April.  Well......it's April so we called Moda to check on the status of our shipment.  Oh my gosh!  Moda didn't get as many clocks as they ordered and some arrived damaged so after the big accounts got theirs there was not enough for the little guys.  We are so frustrated and disappointed.  We have expressed our disappointment but don't expect we will ever see any of our order.  If you pre-paid for your clock(s), Debby will refund your money.

On a happy note.....we still love Moda and will continue to carry their beautiful fabrics.

We feel like a little guppy compared to the big whale.

Debby has been in the springtime mood and created the cutest table runner.  Your $17.95 "Spring's Promise" runner includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and binding.  It finishes 12 1/2" x 33".

In keeping with a spring theme, we'd like to share some of the cutest needle threaders we've seen.  We've tried them and they work very well.  The hummingbird beak is the threader - when it's not in use it's covered with the protective plastic cover.  A thread cutter is included at the base of the head.  $2.95 each -- your choice of pink, green or blue.

Kay returned from a very fun teaching/trunk show experience at Pittsburg KS.  We love it when she comes home because as she unpacks she always organizes and spiffs up the shop.  She decided to hang Norma Whaley's "Sweet and Simple" quilt on our tall wall.  She sold out of books in Pittsburg but we have more on the way.  Let us know if we can reserve one for you.......yes.......we know we will get them.  $34

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section we are featuring a cute wall hanging.  Your $12.95 "Best Things" kit includes the pattern, fabric and wool to make the sweet little wall hanging.  We have only one kit left so don't delay if you want it.

Hope we see you soon! Darlene and Debby

Great take along project

As we are writing this the temps are in the 80s but tomorrow we're expecting a cold front with possible freezing temps.  Of course, what we'll get is nothing compared to what our friends up north are expecting -- over a foot of snow and blustery winds. 

The first project we'd like to share is the perfect take along on a car ride to see the pretty trees project.  Your $18 "Faith Plants the Seed" kit includes the pattern which has been stamped on Sandcastle fabric, perle cotton for embroidery and a needle.  We framed ours in an 8" x 10" but the pattern includes instructions to make a 19" x 21" wall hanging. 

As many of you know, we often change a pattern.  This was definitely the case with the Itty Bitty Button Pictures pattern.  The pattern showed 6 small projects, each individually framed.  We thought it would be more practical to modify the pattern and create a wall hanging so that is what we did.  Our wall hanging finishes 16 1/2" x 17".  Your $26.95 kit for "Itty Bitty Buttons" includes the pattern with our changes, background cottons, wool for applique, borders, binding and all buttons needed to complete the project.

We know several of you are patiently waiting for your Nikko kit.  We contacted Rohni at Diamond Textiles yesterday and learned the fabrics are on schedule to be ready the beginning of May.  The quilt finishes 67" x 76".  Your $86.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and binding.  If you would like to reserve a Nikko kit, e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com or call 479-372-7403.

Moda has been printing "Grunge" fabric for several years.  We resisted buying any because we thought it was too contemporary for our look; however, the Grunge line has expanded to include fabrics that work well with out primitive look.  If you're looking for Grunge fabric, please send an e-mail or give us a call and we'll be happy to see if we have what you're looking for.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section we are featuring a cute pillow.  Your $21.95 "Angels Gather" kit includes the pattern, fabric for the pillow top and backing fabric.  It finishes 18" x 18".  If you'd prefer to finish yours as a wall hanging you could use the backing fabric as binding.

Before we close we want to share a clear photo of our newest block of the month, The Ark with the buttons.  We're also including a collage showing a sample of the buttons you'll receive with this block of the month....a doggie bone, a dove and a darling cow bell.  For more info about the block of the month, please visit https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html.

Hope we see you soon!

Darlene and Debby

New button club block of the month

We are super excited to share our first bit of news with you.  As many of you know, we've offered Lynette Anderson's button club for the past several years.  We've been eagerly awaiting announcement of her new button club and were so excited to receive the e-mail.  Of course, we didn't think twice and signed our shop up.

As with all her button clubs, this is a mystery quilt.  She has given us a few snips to share.  The "Tree of Life" is a 5 month program beginning July 2019.  The quilt will be a combination of applique with cottons and a little wool, embroidery, yoyo's and hand painted buttons.  We will be using some of Lynette's fabrics and fabrics from other designers.  The approximate finished size is 32" x 36".

Each month you will receive the pattern, fabrics (and/or wool) to complete the block and a hand painted button.  Borders and binding will be included in the cost of the program.  Cost per month is $24.95 plus shipping.  Lynette uses Valdani 3 strand floss for all her embroidery and we are offering an optional thread kit containing 10 flosses for $36.

If you are a current customer with a credit card on file, you may e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) to sign up.  If you are a new customer, please call 479-372-7403 to sign up.  We'll need your mailing address, e-mail, phone number and payment info. 

Last week we promised a clearer photo of our newest block of the month, The Ark.....next week we will have the quilt with buttons sewn on.....we are in the process of hand sewing the binding.  The quilt is a combination of cotton and wool with embroidery.  We have added buttons which will be included with your block of the month.  The quilt finishes 34" x 41". The block of the month program begins May, 2019 and runs for 10 months.  Each month you'll receive fabric and wool to make a block.  During the 10th month you'll receive fabrics for the sashing, borders, binding and buttons.  Cost is $12.95 per month plus shipping.  The pattern must be purchased the first month for $22.50.  We also have an optional thread kit containing Valdani perle cotton size 12 for an additional charge per month. If you are a current customer with a credit card on file, you may e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) to sign up.  If you are a new customer, please call 479-372-7403 to sign up.  We'll need your mailing address, e-mail, phone number and payment info.

We love decorating with wall hangings that can be kept up throughout the year.  "Bird on a Vine" is a great example of such a quilt.  It finishes 18 1/2" x 18 1/2".  Your $26.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique and binding.

Another timeless piece is "Count your Blessings" by Lynette Anderson.  You may look at the photo below and think wow that doesn't look like Lynette at all.......that's because we changed the fabrics and added wool......we love changing things.  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, stitchery background with stabilizer, wool for applique, borders, binding and the hand painted moon button.  It finishes 9 1/2" x 14". Notice our sample has been hand quilted with Valdani perle cotton size 12 -- not everything has to be machine quilted.

This week for our "when it's gone, it's gone" section we are featuring a quilt by Cheri Payne.  Some of you may be familiar with Cheri and her very primitive style.  She passed away just over a year ago so all her patterns are now out of print.  We have a few kits left of her "Church Cat".  Your $38.95 kit includes the out of print pattern, background cotton, wool for applique, borders, binding and buttons for eyes (buttons will vary). Some fabrics may vary slightly from photo.  The quilt finishes 18" x 31". We do not have the pattern available separately.

Next week Debby will be out of the shop so Kay will be filling in with Darlene.  Goodness gracious there is no telling what will be created with those two pulling fabrics.
Hope we see you soon!

Darlene and Debby