Quilter's FabriCalc

This is my favourite thing to use at the store! A few easy buttons and you can find out how much fabric you need for backing, borders and binding. If you need hundreds of squares or triangles, it calculates how much fabric you need in seconds, both in inches and metres. At $59.99, it is the type of present a gadget lover may get for you. But, I know some people have a calculator and haven't had the time to practise. We will be having 30 minute classes in the new year so you can learn how to use it. The classes will be repeated as often as needed and planned to build skills over several months.

Once you start working with it, you will be hooked! It is a wonderful tool for stash busters

Great New Thimble

There is a great new thimble on the market from Clover. It came out this spring and has been featured in magazine articles about best new items.

The tip is dimpled metal with a raised ridge. The main thimble is made from flexible rubber. The package says the scallop design of the rubber keeps your finger cooler by the air flow. It comes in 3 sizes: small, medium and large. The retail price is $11.75.

I am not a thimble wearer but do like the feel of this one. The rubber sides can be used to grip a needle when you need a little extra traction.

Mary Ellen's 'Best Press'

It's a wonderful life since 'Best Press' entered the sewing room! I grew up helping with the ironing, everything from shirts to underwear to bed sheets. How I wish I had this back then.

'Best Press' really makes ironing easy. I was amazed at how easily the creases disappeared from the fabric left folded in my stash for years and years. So this morning I went looking for some old linen and tried it on a wrinkly tablecloth. Ten presses across the cloth with a hot iron did nothing so I sprayed on 'Best Press'. The wrinkles were gone in 2 swipes. It's almost enough to pull the tablecloths out for Christmas!

'Best Press' is available in 3 sizes. Try the 473 ml (16 oz) size first ($9.99), because it comes with the spray, and then refill it from the 999.59 ml (33.8 oz) size for $18.69. If you are using it up quickly go for the 3.9L size (1 gal) which we special order so you receive 25% off the $56.26 regular price. There are several scents to choose from. Since I have allergies to flowery scents we order scentless or lavender. You can request Caribbean Beach, cherry or rose if they appeal to you. Check out the scents and sizes at www.quiltsourcecanada.ca

Christmas Quarters

'Christmas Quarters' look like a present so whether you buy one for yourself or receive one as a gift, it will make you smile. We put 4 to 6 fat quarters in a clear bag and tie it with ribbon. Some days we have fun choosing the fat quarters to put in the bag so it is ready to go. Someone can choose the fat quarters so we can make a present especially for you.

Feel free to recycle the bags and make your own Christmas present for a quilter friend. Hmmmm....maybe I can reduce my stash by making presents this year and find some new stash additions by next Christmas.....

Quilter's Connection Magazine

Support a new Canadian magazine for quilters with a subscription! A Christmas present for you and the magazine publisher. There is a new issue coming anytime now so if your giver wants to put the first one in your stocking they can pick it up here. The magazine is sold only in quilt shops and not major retail stores.

I have a few names on my list of people who want me to save them a copy instead of getting a subscription.

Check it out at http://www.quiltersconnection.ca/ Look for the 'Among Brenda's Quilts' ad in the next edition.

Collins Project Travel Case

Looking for something special to put on your Christmas list? How about the Collins Project Travel Case?

In 4 different prints, this travel case measures 13.5" by 14" by 2.5" and sells for $52.99. It has a solid frame to protect your project. There is a removable shoulder strap and an identification card on the outside.

Inside there is a matching pincushion, vinyl zippered pockets for your notions and an elastic strap and buckle hold bits and pieces in place. This makes it the perfect way to organize your tools when you travel to a class.

We have the black/white/red version in the store now. If you want to check out the other 3 colour options go to http://www.quiltsourcecanada.ca/ and give us a call. We usually get for you in 2 days. Or, send your giver to get a gift certificate so you can personal choose your favourite.

There is a lesser priced but similar product from Sullivan's but you have to like bright pink. Email themarshstore@execulink.com for more information.

Fons & Porter Marking Tools

Choosing the right marking tool is like being lost in the forest. You get turned around every time you think you are headed in the right direction.

Fortunately for your Christmas stocking, Fons & Porter products have a number of products to suit different marking needs. For those who want to use pencil, their mechanical pencil makes a fine line that can be stitched over to cover it. The pencil lead comes in black and white with refills.

Or, they have water soluble graphite pencils that wash out. We have had a couple of quilts come in for quilting that were marked with pencil. The quilters were having trouble removing the pencil marks and would have loved the marks to wash out with water.

Brenda has been using the water soluble markers which look more like pencils. In fact the side of the marker says 'watersoluble all surface pencil'. The package comes with 1 white and one black. They can be sharpened to a point so you can keep sharp.

Remember always always always test the marking tool on a scrap before using it on a quilt!! Most water soluble products become permanent when ironed!! Be aware!