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.

Quilting Tip of the Week 7.16.15

Getting a new dishwasher? Save your silverware tray. It's great for storing your sewing supplies next to your sewing machine.

Don't have access to one? Try calling your local appliance store to see if they might have one from a customer's trade in. Have a friend who goes to the area dump? Perhaps they might find one (or two!) for you. Keep recycling!

Jo's Country Junction Sunbonnet Sue Dish Towel

We have several lovers of Sunbonnet Sue and here is a quick project for those of you who do not want to invest the time it takes to make an entire quilt.

While the project asks for the Accuquilt cutter, you can modify any Dresden plate template and bonnet, arm and hand pattern you probably already have on hand.

Check out the video and more links to free patterns:

http://www.joscountryjunction.com/sunbonnet-sue-dish-towel-with-my-accuquilt-go/

Quilt Show August 8th in Wilton

Country Square Quilters will be having their annual quilt and rug show at the Wilton Blueberry Festival on Saturday, August 8th from 10-3 at the Methodist Church on Main Street in Wilton.

 

 

Grammy's Choice Quilter Road Trip

What do you get when you have 12 quilters go on a shopping spree? Advice on colors, talk of patterns and ideas and lots of laughter.

On June 17th,  Grammy's Choice quilters went on an outing to the Busy Thimble Quilt Shop in Litchfield, Mystic Maine Quilt Shop in Chelsea and out to lunch at the Olive Garden.

I called the shops ahead of time to let the owners know we were coming. Mystic Maine offered our group a discount which was a pleasant surprise. We also learned that Olive Garden will take a same day reservation. Our table was surrounded by three walls which made it very private like having our own room.

We planned on going to both shops and then lunch but changed our plans to shop in Chelsea after lunch. Another change on our trip was stopping for ice cream. Everyone thought that was a tasteful suggestion! Many of us did not realize how large even a baby cone was at Fielder's Choice in Manchester. We had a wonderful day!