New Class Offerings

We have many new samples on display for all the new classes starting this fall. Most of the classes still have openings, so look through the website listing and see what will fit into your schedule. Here are just a few to entice you:

Kwik Scrappy String Quilt
This is a great pattern for stash-busting. Emily will get you started with the freezer paper technique in the first class, and then help you put some blocks together at the second class. The pattern is designed by Two Kwik Quilters.

This cute guy is one of the characters on the Winter Season quilt. The fabric in this quilt is from Andover and the pattern was designed for it. You might have already seen the summer and fall seasonal designs. This one was irresistible, and since it is not a Christmas theme, you can enjoy it all winter long. Pam will help you with the machine applique to attach the circle designs, and if you have the Bernina circle tool you will learn how to use it. Buttonhole, zigzag or decorative stitches will work for the applique. The class starts October 6, hopefully long before we get any snow for real snowmen!

This is one block in the Mariner's Compass quilt. Janell Dahms is our guest instructor again, and she will walk you through all you need to know to make these beautiful blocks. Starting November 2, this technique class will teach you the paper-piecing method. We are very happy to have Janell return to teach this class that has been in demand by many.

Are You Scared Yet?

Gone Haunting from Clothworks

Unpacking these frightful fabrics gave me visions of candy corn dancing through my head! This is one of the cutest little Halloween groups we could find, and I especially like the 2 on the end with all the words. There are many possibilities with this one--we have sold a lot of the Crabapple Hill embroidery patterns for Halloween designs, and these colors go perfectly with the pale crayon coloration used in those whimsical pictures. Come audition your own! That striped print would be a perfect border on a hand towel or cut with a 60 degree ruler for a tablerunner. What other possibilities can you imagine?

Sweet Treats

Continuing with our "Made in Minnesota" theme, we have something to share with you that is a little more tasty than the Spam! Pearson's Candy Company has a long history right here in St. Paul. Many Salted Nut Roll fans are sooo thankful for Pearson's, keeping them supplied right along with Nut Goodies and Mint Patties. So we have a sampling for all our Shop Hoppers! How good is that! Come and get them before they are gone!

Here's the Latest--

This quilt is "The Craftsman".

On the left is my "Sweet Treat", on the right is the "Waffle Time" runner,

and hanging above is an apron.

This is my "Row Low".

We spent yesterday rearranging and displaying everything in our front windows and entry to highlight our "Made in Minnesota" theme. Complete with Spam! Not the junk mail type, but the meat-in-a-can type. The yellow caution tape is there as a reminder that all the fabric and kits for these samples cannot go out of the store until tomorrow. We open at 9AM, so come early! There are several more samples with patterns and kits just waiting for you. The coffee will be on and Grandma's Bakery is just across the street! We have sampled most all of their products, doing the research for you, and my pick is the Monster Cookies. Just a suggestion!

weekend hours: Friday and Saturday 9-5

Sunday 12-5

Gearing Up!

We are sorting, moving, organizing, planning and, of course, stitching!

We want to be all ready for you when Quilt MN starts on Friday.

Yes, this Friday!

So here is a little preview of 2 new quilt patterns I have designed--

First, Sweet Treat, measuring ~48 x 72. This will teach you mitered corners for the border if you haven't already picked up that skill, and makes good use of the Tri-Recs rulers by Sew EZ to make those stars with the long, skinny points. If you don't have the rulers, I have included regular piecing, paper foundation piecing, and template diagrams as alternate methods. Although, to tell the truth, the Tri-Recs is the way to go, and I'm not just trying to sell rulers!

Scenes of Minnesota farms and woods are placed between the stars.

Next is Row Low, measuring ~70x80. This is a row quilt that makes perfect use of the border print in the limited edition fabric group. It even includes the maroon and gold of the U of M! Luckily no gophers were included! But there are deer and eagles and loons and ducks all over. Rows of pieced blocks alternate with the scenery rows. This is similar to the quilt I designed 2 years ago, One Row to Go (aka Minnesota Mixer), but is bigger and has different pieced blocks.

And that's not all! We have quite a few other ideas of ways to use some of this fabric, and we are putting together displays and samples as fast as we can! We hope to have kits of everything available, as long as our fabric holds out! You can still place a request for kits or yardage, just give us a call at 651-429-1039.

See you on Friday!! Pam

Summer Sale

It's a great day for a sale at Bear Patch!

What day isn't?

Our 14th anniversary sale continues today and tomorrow from 9-5.

Laurel is even willing to part with some of her many beautiful samples,

for a small fee. Everything from bags to tablerunners to full size quilts.

25% off all fabric on bolts--including hundreds of clearance fabrics like these--

In-stock patterns and books 25% off

Fat Quarters and Bear Cubs--buy 2 get 1 free

Sweet Treat for You!

Working hard to get some delightful ideas out of my head and into the QuiltMN 2011 fabric--this is the result so far! This one is called Sweet Treat, my own pattern soon available at The Patch. We will be cutting kits for this and others. More to follow, for sure!

Pam