Fundamentals Sew Along - week 13

Hi Everyone:
I hope everyone has had even a little time to stitch last week.  I know I carved out an evening to make a small  quilted bag for my camera.


I must apologize for this blog  post being a day late.  Yesterday was a crazy day!  We were so busy  that I thought I would post in the evening.   I made the blocks during the day, went home got all set up to blog and realized I had made next weeks blocks instead.  I have just finished  this weeks blocks which are called King's Crown.  I really like anything that has flying geese segments in it.   This block is a variation of a square in a square block.

King's Crown Block

Just thought I would check in and see how you are doing with your blocks. I know I have a bit of catching up to do for my personal blocks. Let me know if you are quilting along with me or you are saving them up to do them at once or a few at a time. Post a comment and we will draw for a free fat quarter. Happy stitching everyone. See you next week. Jeannie

New in March!

We've been opening boxes and boxes of new fabric, notions, books, and patterns over the past few weeks and we're so excited to share them with you!

New Fabric

Gorgeous prints and colours - you've got to get  your hands on these bolts before they run out! 

Ruby, by Bonnie and Camille for Moda, is a cheery line of fabric featuring retro flowers, vintage prints and pretty little scallops. We have it in flannel at only $10.99 per metre!
Click here to purchase: Ruby Flannel from Moda

Sweet Shoppe is a collection by Michele D' Amore for Benartex, Inc. This bright and happy collection features candy, cupcakes and other sweet indulgences in shades of aqua, cotton candy pink, licorice red and more.Only $10.99 per metre!
Click here to purchase: Sweet Shoppe by Michele D'Amore

Pinfeathers is a fun, modern collection by Carina Gardiner for Northcott. Flowers, little birdies, stripes and prints come in two colourways - Paradise Pink and Peacock Blue - both of which are sure to make you smile as you work with them. Only $10.99 per metre!
Click here to purchase: Pinfeathers by Carina Gardiner

La Belle by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Studio comes in two colourways - Raven and Cardinal. The focus print is a beautiful floral, coordinated with vines and textured leaves. The colours are warm and earthy - perfect for projects that need a touch of sophistication. Only $10.99 per metre!
Click here to purchase: La Belle by Deborah Edwards 

Family Forever is by Erin McAllister for Benartex. This charming collection has a feeling of warmth in every detail. Colored in soft rustic blue, warm gold, vintage green and barn red-this handsome group is ideal for any time of year.
Click here to purchase: Family Forever by Erin McAllister

Indian Summer by Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda features nature-inspired branches, birds, fading blooms, and tiny beetles in blues, chocolate browns, deep reds, and antique-button whites.Only $10.99 per metre!

Click here to purchase: Indian Summer from Moda

Forever Spring is by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex.The collection features gentle swirls, tiny checks, flowers, vines and subtle stars on a soft palette that includes Nancy's signature gold, blue grass, celery, and soft salmon. Only $10.99 per metre!
Click here to purchase: Forever Spring by Nancy Halvorsen

Blueberry Crumb Cake is by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics. These gorgeous florals in a peaceful blue and tan palette are sure to bring harmony and rest into your projects.Only $10.99 per metre!

Click here to purchase: Blueberry Crumb Cake from Moda

Bunny Patch Flannel is designed by Deborah Edwards for Northcott. The collection features bunnies and their friends in two colourways - Chocolate Cherry and Cotton Candy. Only $10.99 per metre!

Click here to purchase: Bunny Patch Flannel by Deborah Edwards

Beginner Quiltmaking by Machine - Register Now!!!

If

• you've always wanted to quilt but didn't know where to begin?
• done some quilting but want to better your skills?
• sewed but never quilted?
• had a difficult time working the sewing machine?
• always wanted to take a quilting class but was not sure which one to take? 

Then we've got just the class for you!!!!

Jeannie's Beginner Quiltmaking by Machine class is on in April!!! 

Jeannie will take you through the basics of making your very own quilt by machine. You'll learn to rotary cut, piece, assemble the top, sandwich the quilt, quilt, and bind! And after only 7 sessions you'll go home with this beautiful quilt!

Classes are on:

Tuesday Evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 beginning on April 3rd  (7 Sessions)

Class Fees: $99.00 (class material not included)

You will need to bring your own sewing machine.

Come in to the store to sign up or call Judy at 416-633-8800

We can only take a limited number of participants so make sure you sign up now!

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 12

Hi Everyone!

This is the third week of lovely spring like weather in Toronto.  I finally broke down and went into the attic and retrieved some of my summer clothes.  I hope that doesn't jinx things.   At this time of the year it is a tug of war between quilting and gardening. Today quilting won!

Today's block is called  Jacob's Ladder.  It is a variation of the Double X block that we did on week 10.                                     At first I was struggling about what I would say about the piecing in this block,  then I realized that  some of my half square triangles weren't exactly accurate.  I am not sure whether  it was cut or sewn incorrectly or distorted while being ironed.   I thought I might share with you how I square them up if they need it, using the 45 degree angle on the Omnigrid Ruler.

Omnigrid Ruler

If you line up the 45 degree angle on the ruler with the diagonal seam that joins your triangles, it will give you an accurate 90 degree line so you can trim your blocks.

Squaring up your Blocks

  Once everything is squared, piecing them together will be much easier.

Jacobs Ladder Block

This  is the finished product!!  Happy sewing everyone.   
Jeannie

Fundamentals Sew Along Week - 11

Hi Everyone:

     In Toronto, we have had two Wednesdays in a row with beautiful spring-like weather.  I can really get used to this.  As much as I like winter, not worrying about heavy coats and boots is really nice.  The block we are working on this week is called Churn Dash.  It is one of my favorites, and is on my list to do a whole quilt using this one block.  Possibly using 30's fabric.
   
     This block will come together easily.  The one thing I thought I might talk about (especially for the beginner quilters)  is cutting your fabric. I know this might sound ridiculous, but  I like to take as much of the math out quilting as I possibly can.   Instead of getting out the calculator or the graph paper to figure out how to get the shapes out of the fabric that you have been given. First, trust that we have given more than enough fabric to get you through this project. Then I would cut out the bigger shapes first.  Then the smaller ones.

     Today's block calls for 2  - 3  3/8"  squares.  My first cut was a 7" piece of fabric one.  The 2nd cut was
2 - 3 3/8" squares then cut into triangles.  The rest of fabric 1 can be cut into your rectangles. (see diagram below)

Cutting directions - fabric 1

Churn Dash Block

These are the finished blocks.  Aren't they pretty?  Happy sewing everyone.  See you next week.