Quilting

In these uncertain economic times, everyone is cutting back where they can. We’ve heard a lot of quilters talk about spending less on their fabric stash. Well, we found a few ways that quilters can keep on carrying on with their projects for a lot less than they’d usually spend on designer fabrics. We know quilters don’t want to sacrifice quality – so we came up with a few tips on how to shop frugally for your favorite fabrics.

First of all, check out this ebook for $3.99: The Frugal Fabriholic.

Full of easy fabric shopping advice, don’t forget to email the author to receive her list of Top Ten Sewing Websites. The web is the best way to find great deals for fabric. Find out as much as you can from the folks who’ve made the most of their searches.

For instance, we found a Yahoo Group called The Quilter’s Flea Market. Look here for quilting and fiber art supplies – including fabric.

AND, we found the fabulous online store $5 Bucks a Yard.

Another store, The Fabric Shack, has a constant sale going on. Check back often to see what they’re listing in their sale bins. Word has it they have great in-person prices, too. Next time you’re in Waynesville, Ohio, stop by to peruse through the items on their scrap table.

These are just a few ways to be frugal when shopping for your favorite designer fabrics. Don’t forget that several tips exist for shopping for patchwork materials and other inexpensive ways to keep sewing, quilting and crafting. The web is full of great bargains. Let us know if you’ve got a favorite frugal sewing tip!

I have the good fortune of knowing two couples who are becoming parents very very soon: one couple is having Baby #3 and the other is having Baby #1.  What does that mean for me?  The hustle and bustle of getting baby gifts made and shipped.

Of course, my go-to gift is a baby quilt.  My personal favorite is a Stacked Coins pattern, a la Handmade by Alissa.  But I also love to pull together scraps.  Or, in the case of the in-progress piece below, I like to use what’s given to me.  I’ve simply arranged the 12 blocks from my quilt guild’s last Block Swap and made a sweet little blanket that works for both boys and girls. 

Besides gifts for babies, I need gifts for siblings and parents, as well.  And, I hit a wall.  I needed inspiration and guidance.  So, I turned to the experts:

Anna Maria Horner.  Here’s a woman who knows about babies.  She’s had six!  And she’s got projects for a new baby, parents and siblings in her latest book: Handmade Beginnings.

Amy Butler.  She’s a celebrity among sewing celebrities.  And her fabric designs are versatile and timeless.  Her patterns are easy to follow.  Check out her book of pieces for kids: Little Stitches for Little Ones.

Lotta Jansdotter.  Love her printing techniques.  Why wouldn’t I love her projects for babies?  Cuteness abounds in Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing for Baby: 24 Projects for Newborns to Toddlers.

I still have much stitching to do on my Wonky Log Cabin Baby Quilt.  And, I have the troublesome problem of choosing just three or four more projects to complete quickly to send with baby gifts.  Gotta get them out soon, though.

We found Sew Deerly Loved when we were searching for Heather Ross Munki Munki fabric. This little shop delivered in a big way. And besides running the Sew Deerly Loved Etsy shop, this busy fabric seller has six kids, quilts and writes a lovely blog: lovely little handmades.

The shop is stocked with a great selection of Japanese fabrics and quilting cottons – sold in yardage, fabric sets and bundles. You’ll also find a great deal of popular patterns. And customer feedback is 100% positive!

We love the selection at Fat Quarter Shop!  Of course, they have way more than just fat quarters.  They have quilt kits and free patterns.  And, they have our favorite:

Fat Quarter Clubs!

We love the Fat Quarter Club options.  And check out their other pre-cut fabric clubs.  Get charm packs and jelly rolls ready to sew!

The American Quilt Society is publishing a new magazine all about the quilting lifestyle.  The tagline is even, “It’s more than making quilts.”  You’ll find lots of inspiration and articles that speak to the various aspects of the life of a quilter: cooking, traveling, etc. 

You will find patterns and technique in this magazine too.  Artistic Directors Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims give you plenty to think about.  These two have lived very robust and interesting quilters’ lives, and have a lot of ideas to share. 

The Quilt Life is published six times a year and will be a great treat when you find it in your mailbox.

One thing we love about the online fabric shop, Quilt Home, is this:

Designer Samplers!

Anna Maria "Good Folks" Designer Sampler

Just check out the vast array of pre-cut fabric choices available from Quilt Home.  Not only do they have pre-cuts, but they have an excellect selection from a full-range of popular fabric designers.  Prices are great and look for the coupon code on the right side of the site.  Also, orders over $50 receive FREE SHIPPING!

Quilting Arts and Bernina are offering a free Bernina aurora 440QE (which features the much buzzed about stitch regulator) to the quilt artist who gives the best representation of this image:

The contest is called “Stitch This.” Make a 14 x 11 horizontal art quilt (or up to three quilts) and enter for your chance to win!

Details about the “Stitch This” contest can be found on the Quilting Arts site.  Be sure to pay close attention to the contest guidelines. 

And check out that prize!

Come see us at International Spring Quilt Market at the Minneapolis Convention Center from May 21st through May 23rd! We’ll be in Booth #2343. Just look for the pretty rainbow corner booth and pink Dura Snips on a Neck Strap we’ll be wearing:

Think of Havel’s Sewing for “…When you need to cut it close!”

Find one or start a chapter in your neighborhood!

The Modern Quilt Guild is a relatively new guild that is growing rapidly throughout the US.  Both online and in local chapters, The Modern Quilt Guild promises a fresh approach to the more traditional guilds and organizations.  According to the website, “modern quilting” simply means “…quilting in a style that seems ‘urgent and meaningful to us now’.”

The guild has asked members to write about what “modern quilting” means to them and link to the website in the comments section.  Take a look at some of the personal responses to the question, “What does “modern quilting” mean to me?”  You may discover you’re a modern quilter.  If so, find a local chapter on the right hand navigation.  If there’s not one in your community, start one today!

March is National Quilt Month!

In honor of National Quilt Month and the upcoming National Quilt Day on March 20th, Havel’s Sewing would like to share a few quick links to some of our favorite quilt designers’ pattern shops.

Thimble Blossoms

Cherry House Quilts

The City Stitcher

Lazy Girl Designs

Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns

Java House Quilts

Larkspur Lane Designs

So find a design and get quilting! If you choose a Quilt in a Day pattern, you can make 28 quilts before the month’s end!