Boo!

 It's really time now to get serious about frightening things.  If you haven't already made something to add to your Halloween decor, this is just the thing!  We have a slick little project--

Jack O. Lantern from Quilt Company Patterns

The best part is that this comes in a little kit with pre-cut pieces and directions.  It just doesn't get much better than that, and will be done in no time at all!  We were all out of the kits, but our stock has been replenished.  So now is the time to make your move.  Come in or call (651-429-1039).

And if you want to work on something a little more involved, but still totally fun for Halloween, take a peek at this wonderful needlework design from Crabapple Hill.

Which Witch's Boot

Sharon stitched this up for display, quilting by Janet Hanson, Grand Quilted Glories.  Beautiful!
  The stitchery includes shading with the use of crayons, adding a whole new dimension.

Tips From Some Pros

Although we do focus on quilting at Bear Patch, we also are lovers of most kinds of fiber and fabric.  This includes a random garment here and there.  I guess I started out on doll clothes and my own clothes, making plenty of both before I ever even had a notion to make a quilt.  So when I saw this list of tips for improving the process of garment sewing, I knew I needed to check it out.

I learned about this through the Bernina USA Facebook posting, so if you aren't already a "Facebook Friend" you should consider doing that.  There just might be more good things there to help you with all kinds of sewing.

Fall Classes

We have 30+ new quilts and projects hanging in the store--here is a sample of the classes offered this fall.  For complete information, please visit out website.

Customize a digital slideshow

J.O. Lantern

Looking for some inspiration for your Fall projects?  We have the perfect thing to give you a kick-start.  This small but happy jack o' lantern is all packaged up in a kit.  The pieces are pre-cut (oh yeah!) and directions are included, all packaged for you by Lola Hendrickson.  The finished size is approximately 14 1/2" square.  The kit costs only $16.95.  Call or come in to pick up your very own J.O. Lantern today!

Buttermilk Basin Trunk Show

Stacy West, creative genius of Buttermilk Basin has loaned us several of her great samples for display.  She has a way with wool and fiber that is fun and appealing.  Right now she is out in Reardon, Washington, teaching classes to some lucky folks at Buggy Barn.  How cool is that?!  MN girl gone big-time!

The 3 smaller pieces arranged on the left are part of a 12 month collection of patterns, each featuring a quilt block plus a themed wool applique.  Each one is cuter than the last!

Here are some more examples of the opportunities that she has created for you to add a little bit of folk art whimsy to your collection:

Woolen Pincushions Through the Year

Wool & Needle Block of the Month

Patchwork Pillow Thru the Year

We have many of Stacy's patterns and can order any that you might request.  We will help you with your questions about wool applique, plus we will have a class offering this fall if you are a newcomer to this art.  We have a good selection of many colors of hand-dyed wool, plus wool felt bolts and squares.  If the embroidery stitches are a puzzle to you, we have plenty of helpful tips and even an upcoming class for beginning embroidery, too!  A recent shopper at Bear Patch was so smitten with the Buttermilk Basin designs that she had a trunkful of the trunk show when she left! She shall remain nameless, but her initials are AB, and when I saw her last Tuesday she was stitchin' on some wool.  And that's why our Bear Patch customers are the best!

Holiday Time is Here

Come see all of our wonderful autumn, halloween and Christmas fabric collections!  We brought out more bolts today, and have an excellent selection.  In fact, we had to haul up another table from the basement just to hold it all!  The assembly of that table did provide some comic relief, I wish I had a video of Debbie and Tammy putting together the cube base of the table.  Those pieces were every which way by the time they pulled it together!  So we need your help to come take some of this fabric home so we can avoid a replay of that scene!  Below are pictures of many of the fabrics, but not all.  I did forget to get pictures of the great Christmas flannels.  I have to save something for next time, OK?

We have been so happy and busy during these MN Shop Hop days, seeing old friends and meeting new ones from all over the place.  What a bunch of nice people!  We are so grateful for our dedicated quilters!  The Shop Hop continues a few more days, ending Aug. 19.  We do still have a lot of the fabrics left, which pleases many shoppers who are looking to add to their collection.

While the days of summer seem to be winding down, we are getting ready for our fall class offerings.  Debbie is working on the master calendar on paper, and then will start adding classes to the website.  They go live as soon as they are added, but if you want to see the full listing when everything is in place, please add your name to our email list and you will receive a notice.  The email list can be accessed on the website homepage.

Just a teaser about a couple of the upcoming classes--
Sue brought these in to share this morning.

Cranberry Chutney by Madison Cottage Design

Swirling Leaves by Quilt Woman

 Also, I just put up another Scrappy Sack sample called Shoo Fly.  It is bottom right in the picture below.  These are small quilt kits, and the big bonus is that almost all of the cutting has been done for you!  A little cloth bag contains squares, triangles, border strips, etc., along with the directions.  These would make a fabulous present for anyone you know who likes to sew.  Remember to check them out now so we will have the one in stock that you want and you won't be disappointed!

A few of the Scrappy Sack samples

pre-cut pieces