Keep 'em coming!

We are accumulating our samples and ordering patterns and notions so all will be ready come August 3.  Lots of fun and preparation!

Exclusive embroidery design by Mary from MH Designs--and you thought she only did paper piecing! Her inner embroiderer has surfaced once again to create a great design that complements our Minnesota fabric perfectly.  Pattern and kits will be available for purchase, but even better, each shop hop visitor to the store will receive a design for a quilt label created by Mary.  It can be stitched or drawn and personalized for placement on your Quilt MN creations!

Bridget's Bagettes by Atkinson Designs are a perfect little souvenir of your shop hop experience.

Waffle Time tablerunner by Atkinson Designs is easy to put together.

Two Timing Tumbler by The Teacher's Pet can be put together with a charm pack (40 5" squares) plus backing and binding.  The Tumbler template from Marti Michell will make cutting these shapes a breeze, plus it is a versatile template for tumblers from 2" to 5 1/2".

Cliffsbear Table Runner from Boulder Creek Designs adds a little touch of the wild woods to your table setting.  And we wouldn't be Bear Patch without a few bears roaming the store!

And the Take 5 quilt from The Teacher's Pet turned out beautifully in this fabric.

Believe it or not, there is still more to come!  Plus, we are also preparing for the annual summer sale here starting this Thursday (7/26) and running through Saturday.  This is a sale that should not be missed.  Fabric, books and patterns are marked down 25% (in-stock only and 1/2 yard minimum cuts) and we will be pulling out some choice kits and goodies for clearance prices.  Hours are 9-5 each of the 3 days.  Don't hesitate, the deals won't last forever!

A few more Quilt MN ideas to tempt you!

Tumbling Mats, pattern by Far Flung Quilts , using a package of pre-cut stiff interfacing mats and the tumbler ruler by Creative Grids.  I made these myself and will make more. (That means it was enjoyable and successful!)  Things I liked about making these placemats:

• the Craftex pack of mats have a real nice rounded corner and were easy to work with.  They are fusible on both sides, the backs of these placemats are just one fabric.  Debbie made another set that had one piece of fabric on each side, saving the time of piecing.
• The tumbler ruler was a slick deal, and I could stack up the 6 fat quarters and cut out 30 tumblers in a row, then move the ruler over to the next row.  Just get yourself a sharp blade to start with!
• The fusing went pretty easily, I did use a press cloth because it took a good amount of time and heat and pressure to get a thorough bond all over.  I am always worried about scorching my fabric so the press cloth gives me a little insurance.  Those singe marks don't disappear very well, ask me how I know!
• I did the binding all by machine and it looks good!  Just remember to slightly ease a tad bit of fullness around the corners so it will lay flat when folded out.  I sewed the 2 1/2" strips to the front (after pressing them in half) and then pressed the binding seam away from the mat and folded it neatly to the back and pressed again, then stitched in the ditch from the front.  Only had one little spot on a corner that had a tuck in the back and had to be re-engineered.  And, of course, use a walking foot, preferably with the center guide!

The Quiltie Trio runner was made by Anne from a much-loved and well-used pattern by GE Designs.  We have used this pattern so many times in holiday themes.  It is just the right size for a little centerpiece and it done quilt-as-you-go, so the piecing and quilting are done at the same time.  How great is that!  And another great MN designer who has many other patterns and books that you need to know about.

Emily finished up Cabin in the Woods by Patchabilities with a laser cut kit available, too!  The fabric kit for this comes with everything but the batting and thread, plus saves you a heap of time because you don't have to trace and fuse all the pieces!  There is a layer of fusible on the wrong side of the fabric, and each piece is meticulously cut by laser-guided machinery.  We love this new service that we can offer you on select Patchabilities kits.  Of course, you can always purchase the pattern only and put your own favorite fabrics into your little cabin.  Eagle eyes might notice that we even used the stripe from Quilt MN 2011 for the binding.  We had just a little of that print left and thought it would be great for this project.

All of these patterns and kits are available for purchase starting August 3.  But the good news is that we are taking requests right now!  While supplies last, of course, so don't delay!

Now back to my stitchin' -- Pam

Busy Bees

We are working like busy bees getting ready for the upcoming Quilt MN Shop Hop (Aug. 3-20).  It involves the creation of quite a few samples that use the focus fabric in the best way possible.  Then organizing the patterns and notions that are required, along with cutting and preparing kits for many of the projects, consumes a whole lot of our busy bee energy.  But it is all worth it when we pull the loose ends together and get feedback from our valued customers.  

In addition, I get to put on my designer cap and put together one or more exclusive patterns for the store.  Some of you might know that I have done this in years past, plus I have enjoyed publishing some other patterns along the way.  This year I decided to take on the task of coming up with a good way to use the 4 large printed panels that were designed.  They really look like vintage posters, the quality is great.  They measure about 11" x 15".  I decided to come up with 4 different border alternatives.  They are all 3" blocks.  Here's a snapshot that I took to put on the pattern cover:

 They could be hung together or separately, depending on your space.  I'm thinking I might hang them all in a row in my hallway.

But I couldn't just stop there.  There needed to be a quilt pattern, too.  I went for something quite different for me, and maybe for you, too.  But I ended up really liking it, so I hope you do, too!  The picture below is not the actual quilt, it is a digital rendition of the fabrics and blocks.  The real deal is still on my quilt frame!  

This uses a little of all of the fabrics (except the panels).  It is often called the Spiderweb or Kaleidoscope block.  I have titled it Pie In The Sky, because I like pie and it looks like big slices of pie to me!  The strips are all cut at varying widths (so not much matching seams to do!) and sewn to a stabilizer.  The light areas are made using a kite-shaped ruler/template.  It was really fun to put together!  I see more of these in my future!  Kits are being cut and packaged and we are taking requests for everything that you love.  Watch here for updates with more fun!

Wishing you a happy day of quilting!

Pam

More Christmas

We are steadily bringing in more bolts of Christmas fabric, although we are far from thinking of December as we swelter in our heat wave!  But I just couldn't resist sharing this special group with you.  It comes from Stof Fabrics and is called Enjoy Christmas.  There is a little touch of metallic gold mixed in with this holiday theme fabric.

The border print panel has about a 24" repeat, and we think it would fit well into a couple of our favorite patterns.  The Triple Treat pattern from Thimbleberries comes to my mind.  What do you think?