Patti's Quilting and Fabrics Reopens with Patti at the Helm

After being closed for about a month, I was glad to see Patti's Quilting and Fabrics open again! I went in and I have to say - I was shocked. Where there were four rooms stuffed with fabrics, there is just the one now. Patti was there and as friendly as ever, and even though she didn't say much, I gleaned together the story of what had happened from what I knew previously and what I had figured out from knowing the people involved.

Patti and her husband had decided to semi-retire and they sold the business to a young woman she knew. With three years left on her obligation, this young woman closed the shop on a Saturday and cleaned out the fabrics - every last stitch - and then proceeded to open a new quilt shop in Clifton Park, which shall remain nameless. Ever gracious, Patti didn't speak about it - I got the low down from other women in the shop when I was there, but Patti didn't say they were wrong when I asked directly. She just said she was focusing on the positive and that within six months her inventory will be back to where it was. She also spoke of a new development, in which she will rent out her longarm by the hour to quilters who don't have one at home, yet want to do their quilts on one. This is exciting, as we don't have anyone doing this right now!!

Please support Patti as she makes her return to business. There is still quite a variety of fabrics at the shop and they are all on sale for $8 a yard, which is a huge bargain for this quality of fabric. I wish her great success and joy - and I will be there to use her longarm for sure!!

Been Away a While

Hi all,
I have been away for a while. I haven't been quilting much. My pottery business has taken off quite a bit, and that has taken a lot of my time. But my mother is calling me back to my sewing machine. She wants me to make her a table runner for Christmas, so I have to get sewing again!

I am thinking of a couple of designs. She wants red, white and blue, so I picked out the fabrics today. I may do the Ribbon Design, from fresh lemon quilts found here:

http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1550

Or the shoo fly, found here: http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ig/Free-Quilt-Block-Patterns/Shoo-Fly-Quilt-Block.--A3.htm

Best Tutorials for Drawstring Bag

I want to make a drawstring bag for gifts and for some of the things I use when I have outside fire rituals. I scoured the internet for easy and clear tutorials, and I am always disheartened to see how complicated most tutorials are! It isn't easy to explain something tactile to people with just pictures and even videos. But I found two great tutorials, and recommend both!

The first tutorial can be found here at the Pink Penguin:

Pink Penguin

The second tutorial is by The Creative Place and can be found here: 

The Creative Place

Enjoy!!!

Working on fabric picture journals

I've been printing out photos on this fabric paper, and then making journal pages using them. It's fun, easy, and they will make great presents! Im offering a workshop in a couple of weeks. Check back for details!

My Snowstorm Quilt and a Free Workshop!!!

So it snowed today. And snowed. And snowed. So I worked on the quilt I decided on last night, the quilt of the hoarded fabrics! But that doesn't sound nice, so I am calling it my Snowstorm Quilt. I got it all pieced and I am sending it out!!! yes, I am!! I am going to pay someone to quilt this for me. It is too big to wrestle on my Janome. It will get messed up, I will get a neck ache and a shoulder ache, and it is not worth the aggravation. I will pay to have it done right. I am good with that. If I want this to last a lifetime, it has to be done right, and I can't do a big quilt right. I am good up to about a lap quilt. After that, it is a big struggle. So...I am bringing it tomorrow. 

And, Big News!! I am going to host a Beginner Modern Quilt Workshop on Feb 8th and 9th at my North Creek studio. You have to come with fabric and lunch - I will supply all else. We will make an easy quilt of your choice, or I can help you choose. I am going to work on getting some more experienced help, but I can help you make a lap quilt with a simple pattern and bring it home with you on Sunday. 

There is lodging up here in North Creek, or you can come up each day. Saturday is 8AM to 4PM, or later if you want to play, and Sunday is 9AM to 4PM, or whenever you are done. Email me at nancyleedunn@gmail.com if you are interested!! 

And enjoy the snow, east coasters!!!

I'm making colorful for a while!!

I decided to go through my stash and pull out the favorite fabrics I have been hoarding for a while. Here are two:

I am going to make a simple quilt with big blocks using these favorite fabrics, for ME! I haven't made a quilt for me since my second quilt, and now is the time!!!

Making the (semi)old new again

My mother made some blocks, all by hand, when she was learning to quilt with a neighbor. She lost interest and has had the blocks for about 25 years. She gave them to me about 5 years ago, and I wondered what to do with 3 blocks, so,they sat there.

This Christmas, she asked me for a table runner in red, white and blue. I went out and bought the fabrics and was ready to cut them up when I thought,"Hmmmm...I have those blocks!" They are maroon, cream and blue, so I took them out and played with them. They would be a lovely, big table runner. So I sewed, and pieced and quilted. 

Almost finished! It's been a long time since I "free ranged" as I call it! 

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!