Cell Phone Wallet

The winds were blowing and the snow drifting so not many people came to the store yesterday.  So, I decided to make something small that I could finish.  Since it was small and a second one always seems like to take less time that the first I decided to make two.

The wallet on the left is made from fabric that has been on the shelf for awhile.  The one on the right is fabric coming in February called 'Piecemakers' by Kathy Schmetz.  Our guild show in April is called Piecemakers so it is a 'must have'.

The wallet takes 2 fat quarters, some interfacing, 2 D-ring closure and a little piece of clear vinyl.  There are 2 pockets on the outside, one under the flap and one on the back.  Inside there is a vinyl pocket, a large pocket and several card holders.

 The business card is peeking out of a large pocket that holds your phone.  The pocket at the top is the vinyl one.  Upside down at the bottom are the card pockets.  There is room for 6.  The strap is optional.  The binding was made easier with a couple of tools.  The directions say to sew it to the inside and topstitch to the outside.  I used Wonder Clips from Clover to help hold the binding as I went around.  They held the corners in place until I could get close enough that a stiletto (in this case my seam ripper) would hold the folds in place.  Also, several years ago I got a foot for my Pfaff called a bi-level topstitch foot.  That really helped me sew close to the edge without slipping off.

Now, remember I said the directions said to sew the binding to the inside.  Well I was halfway around the topstitching before I realized it was the wrong side.  If you go back to the top photo you can see the difference.  The good news is that the choice of fabric makes a difference.  The bi-level topstitch foot kept my sewing lines straight but the check design on the fabric hides a lot!  It would not have worked so well with turquoise thread on black fabric for the other one.  There is a problem with doing it the opposite way to the directions.  I had a difficult time fitting my cards in the small pockets.  In time and with frequent card use, I am sure the fabric will stretch enough to make spending easier.







I think this is a great wallet to use when you don't want to bring your purse (life in a bag) into every store.  Combined with 'Among Brenda's Quilts & Bags' bag called 'Everything Goes Bag' I will be ready for anything!

Bikini Island Bag

Well, today is 'Visit Your Local Quilt Shop' day and many of the roads are closed.  The high winds are blowing all the snow around.  It is not very safe to drive although there are a few cars passing by.  So I have time to sew and post about new store samples.  Hurray!!

Here is the first:

This is 'Bikini Island Bag' by Brenda of 'Among Brenda's Quilts & Bags'.  It is perfect for the beach, the ship or toting your bits and pieces.  Inside it has a zippered pocket for your valuables, a cell phone pocket and another pocket.  The pattern calls for a large button on each side.  I used some red circles to make yoyos and used a small turquoise shank button in the middle.  There is a magnetic snap closure to keep things in the bag.  I needed something bright to add colour to this monochromatic day and season so went with bright red and turquoise fabric.

Time to sew some more.... wonder what is next?

'Visit Your Local Quilt Shop' Starts Today

We are starting the fun today.

Prize Draw

Receive a ballot with purchase to win first, second or more prizes.

First Prize-  GO machine rolling tote       You don't need a GO to make use of this tote. 

Second Prize-  Project Storage Box        Great for taking your tools to class or workshop.

More Prizes- 3 Gift Bags with lots of neat little items 

Register Prizes-  If your receipt has the word WIN on the back, you receive something extra!

Specials!

Starting today Thursday, sale fat quarters are only $1 each.  I will look for more to add if they are disappearing quickly.

Starting Friday, winter prints and patterns will be 25% off.

Starting Saturday, there will be something else but I am still thinking about that one.  Maybe something for finishing quilts?  Or, for starting quilts?  It will be a surprise.....

Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day is Coming

We have been busy cleaning and sorting through boxes and bins.  Scraps from store samples, Block of the Month projects and ends of bolts are being packaged, cut into strips and priced to move.  They make great additions to scrappy projects for new quilters and great contributions to projects for those in need.

It is still to early to predict the weather next Saturday so we are beginning to plan for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  There will be surprises and draws, new fabric and ideas.  More information is coming as we prepare.

Post again soon,
Shirley

Last Minute!!

Today, December 24, we are closing at 1 pm.  If someone is still shopping for you, have them call and arrange for a gift certificate.  You can pick it up during the sale and put it to good use.  It will be worth 30% more!

Year End Sale

 



Friday December 27 to Tuesday December 31

10 am to 5 pm

 

30% off all regular priced merchandise

 

Some other special offers

 

Thank you for your support.  Happy Holidays!!

Stocking Stuffers

Here are a few last minute stocking stuffers you could get:

On the left, a cute pair of embroidery scissors with a retractable tape measure.  The tape measure has a magnet on the back.  I wouldn't put it on the sewing machine but if you have metal on your table or filing cabinet you would have a better chance of finding it when stuck there.

On the right is a Blingaling  LED flashlight.  It has a hanging hook.  One customer bought it for her elderly mother to hang on her bathroom for late night walks down the hall.  There is a small magnet on the back to attach it to metal.  There is a smaller band of lights on the narrow end.  I used one to find the blue box late one windy night.  It was way down the road by the conservation area.  I would want one if I parked in a parking lot and needed to walk to my car at night.  The full lights would blind someone who looked directly at it.

On the left is the mini Seam Fix seam ripper.  The white end pulls out the thread bits left after picking. 

On the right are Wonder Clips.  Most people use them for binding.  I love them for bag construction with foam batting.  They clamp on tightly where pins bend trying to get them through all the layers.  They hold multiple layers of fabric at tricky points too.

Block of the Month Programs

Our most attended classes are based on block of the month programs.  Each program is designed to happen over a set number of months: 8, 12 or 16 months usually. 

Some programs are a specific quilt done in specific fabrics.  The cost of the quilt is spread over the number of months evenly so you don't have to invest all the fabric at once.  Each month you receive the pattern for that part, the fabric to make it and often a class to teach you a skill.  At the end, your receive all the fabric for borders and binding but it has been paid for over the months of the program. 

Some programs are for a specific quilt but you can choose your own fabric and make it in your style.  You invest in the fabric up front but over the course of the program you learn tricks and tips for improving your quilting skills. 

For the coming year we have a couple of programs.  One is already spoken for so we can go on to the others.

'Words To Live By' by Primitive Gatherings and Moda.  The quilt features wool applique with pieced border.  It is in Primitive Gatherings colours and uses fabrics from previous fabric lines.  I found this description on the Primitive Gatherings website. 

  The quilt finishes 86"x86" and will include...12-wool applique blocks, one center applique  block, 4 border applique blocks, all the setting and border triangles, inner border and binding. The blocks each will have an inked word, flowers etc. All will be done on a cotton background with wool applique. The 12 wool blocks are12inches and the center block is 24" This will run 14 months.

I am waiting for more information but am really looking forward to the wool applique.

'Designer Showcase' Block of the Month program for beginners

This is a 16 month program. We will help you choose the colours that suit your taste and décor.  Here is their description

Designer Showcase Sampler is here! Sixteen talented designers created an original 12” quilt block that showcases their special talents. Read a little about each designer as you follow the directions to complete the blocks. Quilting techniques range from Flying Geese and Half-Square and Quarter-Square triangles, to Pinwheels, Log Cabin construction and more. Finishing at approximately 75” square when sashing and cornerstones are added, The Designer Showcase Sampler is a unique quilt that is sure to please!

Watch for details or drop in and ask for more information.