Quilting Tip of the Week 7.23.15

If you have accidentally fused an appliqué in the wrong place, use a new fabric softener dryer sheet as a pressing cloth to loosen the web so you can remove the appliqué to reposition it.

Shopping Bag Tutorial

You probably have a bunch of reusable shopping bags in your car trunk. If not or if you would like to make some for holiday gifts, try out this tutorial from Geta's Quilting Studio.

I've had this money fabric for many years and never found a suitable use for it until now. How apropos for shopping bags! I believe I have enough fabric for four bags, which is plenty for me. Another type of fabric that would be cute is all the beautiful fruit and veggie fabrics now available. Of course, bust some of your stash and really clean house!

The only modification I would make on the pattern is to make the handles perhaps an inch or two longer. That would make more room for taller objects not to hit your hands when picking up the bags. Don't forget to double stitch all the seams required per the pattern and I also used a shorter stitch length for added strength.

You know, these would make adorable Halloween bags for the kiddies--use your imagination--the sky is the limit!

Geta's Shopping Bag Tutorial

Marden's "Christmas in July" Sale

Marden's annual holiday sale began Thursday, July 16th. They boast several hundred new fabrics in Christmas, Halloween and Autumn prints in quilting fabric, fleece and flannel.

Usually, during the weekend of "Maine Quilts" Marden's have also offered a 10% discount. Be sure to check your local Marden's to see if that is the case this year.