Bargain Lover's Contest Entries

We've received a steady stream of entries to the Bargain Lover's Contest and they are all so great! Thank you to everyone who entered and if you haven't sent in your entry yet get them in before the 28th of February 2012! You can send as many entries as you like - just make sure your project was made with Bargain Lover's fabric, take a picture and mail it to judy@sew-sisters.com. Send us your name and anything you would like to say about the quilt. We love fabric and we love fabric stories so do share. :) 

And remember that there are lots of prizes! 

Grand Prize – One Year Subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Viewer’s Choice – 3 month subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Most Original Idea – 3 month subscription to the  Bargain Lover’s Club!

Judy’s Choice – 3 month subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Jeannie’s Choice – 3 month subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

If you haven't heard of the Bargain Lover's Contest or the Bargain Lover's Club  go to the Sew Sisters website. Follow our blog so you hear about everything that's happening at the store. 

OK! Let's get to the fun part! 

Here are some of the entries to the contest. More to come everyday so make sure you check. 

This quilt is from Colleen Nicholls. The pattern is from  Peacebrook Quilting and Colleen Nicholls donated it to the victims of the Slave Lake fire.

This Jewel Box quilt is by Maureen Elsey and was a gift for her son and his wife at Christmas 2010.   

This entry is from Cathy Loos. She says, "When I make a quilt, the quilt is about a person's life". This quilt was made for her friend who is a retired school teacher. 

Arts and Crafts Sampler Block of the Month

Starting April 2012, the Arts and Crafts Sampler Block of the Month offers you an opportunity to bring Australian designer Michele Hill's fabric collection, Morris Meadows, to your quilting table. Inspired by the work of legendary artist and textile designer William Morris, the  collection features gorgeous floral and border prints with rich tonals that accentuate the floral applique blocks in Michele's quilt designs. The collection is brought to us by In the Beginning Fabrics. 

Arts and Crafts Sampler by Michele Hill

Whether you enjoy machine or hand applique techniques the Arts and Crafts Sampler is sure to become a family heirloom. What's more, if you or your family decorated your home with Morris's wallpaper or furnishings, this quilt will certainly add to your lovely collection. 


During this 10-month Block of the Month program, you will receive all the patterns and fabrics needed to complete the quilt top including binding. The finished quilt measures 60 1/2" x 72 1/2". 

There is a $25 non-refundable start-up fee, then only $24.95 per month plus 3.50 shipping and handling (within Canada) for each kit. If you pay for the whole program up front we will waive the registration fee. Please just let us know in the comments box when you check out that this is what you would like to do. 

This program will begin in April, 2012. Sign up on our website.

Fundamentals sew along - week 6

Hi Everyone,
I hope everyone had a great week with lots of time to sew.  I still haven't had time to start my stonehenge blocks, but I am sure you will agree that the blocks for the store look great.  Maybe this week I will be able to carve out a little time to do this.

This week's block was a lot of fun.  It is a very easy way of constructing star blocks.  The process is the same as last week.  Putting a small square in the corner of a larger square and sewing diagonally across creating a triangle.  Don't worry Magnolia, you are not  geometrically challenged.

Mark sewing line diagonally across square from corner to corner

The diagram above should help.  If you want another short cut, you could press your squares diagonally turning them into triangles.  Then open them up and use your crease as your sewing line.  Once you have pieced your triangles onto your rectangle you have a choice.  You can either cut away the seam allowance,  or leave it in and just press in place.  It will be a little bit bulkier if you leave it in but if you are not hand quilting through it I wouldn't worry. I find there is less distortion this way.

Seam allowance cut away

The back of the block with seam allowance left in.

What not to do

Can you see the mistake that I made? Oh well, it happens to all of us.

Dandy Star Block

This is what the finished blocks look like. I look forward to your comments on the blocks so far.  

Bye for now.  

Jeannie

Bargain Lovers Contest

We have sent out hundreds – actually make that thousands – of packages of fat quarters to our Bargain Lovers in the last year.  Now it's time to have some fun!  Send us a picture of something you have made with Bargain Lovers fabric for your chance to win some fun and fabulous prizes!

The rules are simple – your project  (doesn't have to be a quilt) must contain Bargain Lovers fabric – it may use other fabrics as well.  The picture of your project must be submitted before February 28th, 2012.  Prizes will be awarded on March 7th, 2012.  You may enter as many projects as you like – the fun will be in sharing as many ideas as possible! Send all entries to judy@sew-sisters.com.

Not a member of our Bargain Lover's Club?  You can still participate … just purchase one month for $18.99 … and you can join in the fun.  Remember to let us know that you only want one month’s worth so that we cancel your subscription!

The Prizes!!!

Grand Prize – One Year Subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Viewer’s Choice – 3 month subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Most Original Idea – 3 month subscription to the  Bargain Lover’s Club!

Judy’s Choice – 3 month subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Jeannie’s Choice – 3 month subscription to the Bargain Lover’s Club!

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 5

Hi Everyone,  Can you believe it is the 1st of February?  It really doesn't feel much like winter, not that I am complaining.

Thank you for your stories.  I have heard the one about the fat quarters being free samples.  I don't think I would get away with that one in my house.  Don't worry about the stonehenge being too dark Magnolia,  there are many  more light blocks to come.

Stitch on the pencil line

This week's block will go together very quickly.  First you will need to draw a line with a fabric marking pencil diagonally across all 8 small blocks.  This will be your sewing line.  Then place the small block in the corner of the large block and sew along the pencil line.  See diagram above.  I strip pieced these blocks which made things come together quicker.  You will sew 2 small squares to each large square.  Refer to your pattern for color placement.

Trim seams like this

When you trim your blocks make sure that you cut on the correct side of the stitching line or you will be in trouble.  This will be your finished product.

Paths to Pieces Block

You should be receiving your February package of blocks soon.  Starting next week we will be having packages of the blocks in the store that you can pick up weekly if you want to join us.   Anita you are the winner of this week's draw.  Email us to claim your prize.  Look forward to seeing you all next week.  Jeannie