News from the Island

Upcoming Demos are added frequently.  Please check here for updates.

June 21st, Quilted Strait in Port Gamble (WA) 11am-2pm

October 3rd, Gig Harbor (WA) Quilter's Guild 1:30pm





Pattern of the Month Highlights

The Pokey Pincushion is something I love.  Here is why. Laura proposed we make a pattern for a pincushion. I was skeptical.  I had a pincushion. It was made by a dear relative that had passed away.  It was what I used.  Period.  But Laura has a way of encouraging.  So we designed a very simple pattern.  Oh, my goodness!  I love it! 

I still use the sentimental pincushion by my sewing machine.  A place of honor.  But the Pokey Pincushion is so wonderfully easy and perfect in every way and I love, love, love the walnut shell stuffing.  So this pincushion sits on my ironing board.  Or I move it to the cutting table.  Or I move it to the side table when I’m hand sewing.  I never knew I needed another pincushion.  Now I want two more. I will play with color when I make them.  You might need one (or more) too and this pattern is affordable and so darn easy! BGQ1203, Pin Cushion Filling.

Demo Day and Sew Expo

Posted by lynnette on Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Demo Day and Sew Expo

Greetings!  Laura and I are busy preparing for our Sew Expo next week.  I have been making new floor mat samples – small 9 inch squares and circles to use as examples when I talk about techniques.  I made samples last year, spur of the moment, at Laura’s urging before we went to Fabric Depot for a demo day.

Well, we loved having samples to explain the many fun ways to embellish floor mats including drawing on them, adding ric rac or trims, adding photos, stitching the pieces before gluing them down, adding paper, etc.  It’s great to handle samples instead of picking up a mat from the floor every time you explain something.  Great idea, Laura!

HOWEVER, I didn’t like my rushed samples and knew I could do better.  So I’m working on them and will have them ready to debut for Sew Expo.

Here are some pictures of our last Demo Day at Ruby Street Quiltworks in Tumwater, on President’s Day.  We had a blast! What a fabulous store.  They have an amazing selection of fabrics and the staff is delightful and very knowledgeable.  Thanks for the visit!

 RSD1

RSD2

Congratulations go out to Kathy Belter who won the floor mat we made that day!  Here’s a picture of the mat.  I mailed it to lucky Kathy yesterday.

 Strain Mat

We are also preparing for wholesale market in Salt Lake in May.  We are featuring Kinkame’s Shades by Clothworks in our booth since our own fabric won’t be here yet.  One of our favorite and most celebrated patterns is Seaside Climbing Rose.  It’s a hit with 4H groups and those who make charity quilts because the directions are strip pieced.  Easy as Pie – wait, why do people say that?  Pie is not easy to make.  It’s as easy as eating delicious pie.  That’s a better description.  Only sewing this quilt has a lot less calories (note that it's on the design wall and not sewn yet)!

 Seaside Climbing Rose Shades

You should know that Shades is a blast to work with because it’s dyed from dark to light and back to dark in every color in the rainbow.  It looks like you’ve created a beautiful watercolor painting.  I love it!  And the other groovy thing is – stores can reorder it!  Wow!  That is really something today, when fabric flies out so fast, and the opportunity to grab something you love is gone in a nanosecond!

Next week, I probably won’t blog unless it’s mostly pictures.  If I can keep my eyes open after long days at the show. You never know though, shows are exhilarating too – especially hanging around with fabulous quilt people all day.

Hope to see some of you at Expo!


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Comments

  • I love the pictures! What a surprise. I am delighted with this whole process and have the kit and Numerous mat pieces (thanks for the mis-cuts :o)) to work with. You guys are the best!!! Loved your Expo booth too. Kim
    by Kim on 04 March 2011 at 9:12 a.m.
  • Great to hear you are having fun. Take pictures and I will post them on the blog. Hope to see you at Expo!
    by Lynnette on 28 February 2011 at 4:39 a.m.
  • I was at your demo at Ruby Street Quiltworks. I bought your kit and have been making my own floor mat this weekend. It should be done by tomorrow night. I absolutely love it!
    by Karen on 27 February 2011 at 10:11 p.m.


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