Let us know what you think! -Kris

And to all of our favorite independent quilt shop owners, Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for buying fabrics that you know we’ll love, giving classes that spark our imagination, and creating a community for us stitchers!

Now – time for some chocolate! -Kris

Giveway #1:

My giveaway is a brand new pair of 5 1/4″ All Purpose Craft Scissors! Excellent all around scissors for fabric, needlework, crafts and home use. They have a pointed tip.  These high quality scissors will cut Inn-spire like a dream! Just comment on this blog post and I will pick a winner on Feb 14th! Winners must be from US only!

Giveaway #2:

My friend, Linda Pearl of the Patchwork Pearl is giving away a copy of the DVD, Why Quilts Matter! She has extended her giveaway to February 13th. To enter Linda’s giveaway, follow or like the blog (go to the post here!).

I hope you have a great week and good luck with the giveaways!

-Kris

Don’t you just love the the Kaffe’d Palm Leaf? Love the blue birch also!

These leaves are simple to make, you can also enlarge the pattern to any size! Take the leaf pattern page to any copy shop and let them enlarge it for you. How striking on your table!

If you are in the Gaithersburg area, classes are Sat., Jan. 14  or Sat., Mar. 17, 2012.

Have fun! -Kris

I really enjoy the Tea Leaf technique and the results that people have been achieveing are amazing! We have updated our technique and we now use “Lapel Stick” to reduce bulk! For more details, see this blog post! 

When designing this pattern, I had the pleasure of working with Cathy Ruggiero (of Candlelite Quilts) on this pattern! She provided me with a pattern for the stitchery which is included in her “Flowers of Hope” pattern! (If you like the stitchery, click here to go to Candlelite Quilt’s website for ordering!). Cathy’s pattern contains the version of the stitchery at the size you’ll need to put into this pillow.

Flowers of Hope is a pattern for mini penny squares which features No-Hoop Redwork. You have to try this out! It’s so easy, even I can do it! This pattern was addapted from antique applique designs for redwork. It’s a versatile pattern which could be used for a wall hanging, sweet additions to a tea cozy, napkin, tablecloths….when I look at this pattern, I see afternoon tea and a warm fire!  Which reminds me…I think I need a cup, right now!  -Kris

Sometimes a panel is perfect! We spied this panel at Stitched in Stone in Kingston, NH and decided it had to be a class sample! What a hit! Our bag is 9 1/2″ wide – same as the panel squares!  We were even able to use a shorter panel as the rear slip pocket of the bag (shown on the right).

You will love using the Everyday Bag – it has everything you need for every day! Five credit card pockets, a change pocket, key leash, adjustable strap, inner cushy pockets and outer slip pocket!

(The only drawback in using a panel is the fussy cutting that you have to do – if you are using an allover panel, you’ll be able to stack your pieces and cut more than one, not so with the panels.)

Also included in this pattern are instructions for custom piping for a tailored look. Don’t be afreaid of piping! You will surprise yourself!

Thanks for letting me share this project with you!  -Kris

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.  ~Author Unknown

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Keep on quilting!  -Kris

I thought I’d share my experience with you – last Saturday at Sew Creative  , I taught our new Natural Inspirations Leaf Bowls project to a special group of fun and creative women!  Here are some photos taken during our class:

What was so special about this class? I think it was the level of sharing that went on during the class! As we created our natural masterpieces, everyone enjoyed choosing fabrics, talking about threads, learning about needles (thanks to Phyllis Vray, shopowner extrordinaire) and swapping stories during our time together. It was fun to watch the different method and processes that people use when they are creating!  We then oohed and aahed at all of the results!

This was the first time for these ladies to use inn-spire, a heat set, moldable stiffener that we specify in our pattern. Here are some things to think about if it’s your first time using inn-spire:

1.  Sew with a Microtex Sharp size 90. Phyllis recommeds that Pfaff owners use an Inspira needle – and what a difference that made for our Pfaff users!
2. You will need to use a fusible web adhesive to bond your fabric to inn-spire. Innovative Craft Products has just introduced inn-spire-plus, which is a double sided fusible product which makes this project even easier!
3. Make sure that when you are going to sew on inn-spire that has had Whisper Web applied to it, that you have used a little steam in this process.  Water helps to complete the fusing/bonding process. If you don’t fully bond the Whisper Web/fabric/inn-spire combo, you will find that during sewign you have some “dust” which is actually glue that is not fully bonded to your fabric and inn-spire. This can gum up your machine (ick!).
4. Edge finishing: We recommend a loose satin stitch or couching embroidery floss to the edge. You may find that you have to go around twice to get the coverage that you want – just make sure that you widen and lengthen your stitch slightly.

What do you enjoy about your sewing/quilting classes? Comment below and you may win a free Natural Inspirations Leaf Bowl Pattern!

Keep sewing!  -Kris

We made some changes that I would like to share! First of all, we used Inn Control Plus from Innovative Craft Products! This really gave our bag some “oomph”! It is so stable – you can stand this baby on the table and fill it up (no slumpy bag with this product!)! We quilted the flap only…then we took advantage of the fusible and just fused the front, back and sides of the bag. It really saves time!

We also added swivel hooks and D-Rings to the Strap – I am planning a separate post on that! 

We used PUL for the lining of the Mom’s Messenger  - in case she puts anything messy in the diaper bag! (That never happens….)  The PUL is the white fabric shown in the lower photo. By now, you probably know what this is but, let’s talk about it anyway! PUL is a Polyurethane Laminated fabric – it’s soft, flexible, and waterproof! You’ll find it being used in everything from lunchboxes, re-useable diapers, and more! I purchased mine from Nancy’s Notions  and really liked the quality.

I really found this product easy to use  – here are my notes from using it:

• Cutting – I cut in single layer because I found it was slippery.
• Use a Microtex sharp 80/12 needle.
• Pin in the seam allowances, so that you don’t create holes.
• I did not use any special presser foot  – just what I would normally use.

I hope you’ll give PUL a try on the next project that you might like to have a waterproof lining! It’s easy to use and it looks great!

-Kris