Day one is done.

Day one of Quilt Minnesota is done. I was up early and at the shop to double check everything.

* Passports stamped
* Charm Square
* Quilting Tip
* Pattern for block
* Pewter Charms ready

All the displays were OK with kits and patterns out.
Bathroom cleaned, and stocked.

Before I knew it, it is was time.... the first hopper arrived at 9:30. From then on it was just a happy blur. We would be packed with hoppers and then get a lull. Then you'd look up and in the door would come another wave of ladies laughing and having fun.

The bus arrived a bit late but was full of happy, fun quilters. We got them stamped, their fabrics cut, kits and other items rung up and bagged and got them back on the bus. From the comments that were made to us, they enjoyed the hop.

Tomorrow we will start all over... another fun filled day.

I want to say thank you for all the wonderful comments that were made about the shop. It's nice to know that were on the right track. As always, we appreciate your business and look forward to helping you again in the future.

Patti

Excited...it starts tomorrow

It's finally here.... Quilt Minnesota 2011 kicks off tomorrow morning!

Are you excited? Did you grab your quilting buddies and make plans to hop?

I've seen a few photo's of the projects that some of the shops have made from this years line of fabric. One word..... Creative. From Bed Size Quilts to throws, totes to table toppers, there's something for everyone. And that's just the start, we've all been working very hard to get in the latest lines of fabric, newest notions and make up some hard to resist projects.

I hope you all have a great time. Drive safely and be sure to say "Hi" when you're in the shop.

Happy Hopping,
Patti

Vignette in Stitches Mystery Quilt

The wait is over. We finally received the issues of the Vignette magazine we ordered.
For those unfamiliar with Vignette, it's from Australia. It's got the best receipes, some embroidery.. like the one the ladies are doing shown here, and lots of other fun articles, pictures and more.

A few months ago, Linda P. was in picking out her fabrics for the pieced sections. She was choosing them from our "Daydreams" line. Her threads coordinate perfectly to the fabric. It's turning out so sweet, and fresh looking.
Next Sandy S. started making hers... and the list continues.

Embroidery Club met yesterday, Sandy S. was nice enough to let me take a couple photo's of her blocks. I wish I could get better close up's, the stitching is wonderful. I honestly envy the ladies that can do embroidery with such consistant stitch lengths and perfect curves.

So, if you would like to make this little mystery quilt, we have the first three issues in the shop. I must warn you - they are a bit spendy, but this project is well worth the extra cost.

Is this Wicked Awesome or what????

Well, here are the first three blocks of what I think is the most Wickedly Awesome Embroidery Block-of-the- month I've ever seen. It's called "Witches n Stitches Bootique" by "Oh my Bloomin' Threads."

Sandy D. is working on completing the handwork and then we'll pick out the fabrics for the pieced blocks. We've ordered some really cute ones.
We should be officially starting the BOM August 15th. More details to follow. Just had to share these with you. Good job Sandy!!!

The new "Chicklets" are done.

My apologies to the ladies that were in looking for more "Chicklets". It seems like they just evaporate off the shelves.

I spent the weekend folding and packing up LOTS of them. I hope this will hold you over for a while.

There's a box all tagged and tied up, ready to put out on Monday. These are just waiting for the tags and to be tied.

I owe a Thank You to a special friend, Julie Stewart. Julie owns "Keepsake Cottage Fabrics" in Bothell, Wa. She told me about the little packs at a retreat we were on together. Following her lead, I decided to make up a few.... a few has ended up being more like hundreds. Thank you, Julie for a nice little tip.

I'll finish these up and they'll be available on Monday.

Patti

Other Patti's Garden

I spent yesterday with Patti H... known to many as "Other Patti".We worked on the class schedule, finished up some loose ends for the upcoming Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop and then just relaxed.

I had to share these pictures of Pattis garden. Right now she's getting ready to go to Michigan to pack up her Mother and bring her back to move into her house.So, on top the things she does for the shop, she also has her long arm business and is re-vamping her entire home to accommodate her Mother and all her Mother's belongings.
When I was looking at her gardens,I loved the Shabby Chic, English Garden feeling I got. Patti said she hadn't had time to take care of them lately.Between the nasty weather, then the house re-do and trying to keep up on the customer quilting, the gardens had to take a back burner.I found them quite charming. She has a lot of little added touches that give each garden a special feel. The little bird house on the rusty milk can, the little iron chair sitting in the corner. So, there may be a few weeds... life is full of a few weeds.

This was so cute, just an added touch of color.

While I was taking the pictures a Monarch butterfly was floating in and out of the flowers. It's been years since I've seen one. That just added to the tranquil feel.

I hope you enjoyed seeing Pattis garden. I know I'll go back and spend a little more time there before summer ends. Maybe enjoy it with her Mom.

Thanks Patti H, for a fun day.

Almost ready for the Hop.

We have our "Quilt Minnesota" display all set up and ready for everyone to see.

The new line of fabric for this hop is really getting
a warm reception. We've been pre-selling it since we opened the boxes. Yesterday a customer on vacation from Connecticut was in, and pre ordered 10 yards. She's from here originally and loved the fabric.


Becky designed and made the quilt on the bed. Can't you just picture it on a bed in a cabin, it
gives you that Up North feeling. We do have a limited number of kits available for the quilt.
If you would like us to hold one for you, give the shop a call today.



Here's a close up of the quilt blocks. I love the way Becky used the border stripe in the
quilt. She just randomly mixed it through so it says Minnesota throughout.























Theresa made up the Pillow case above the bed the apron and blue table runner.
Jamie made up the Red table runner. I think everyone of the samples displays
the fabrics well.


Only a few days left til the hop starts...
I hope you're all as excited as we are.

Let's make 2011 a hop to remember.

Patti

Tuesday Special

"Tuesday Special"
July 19, 2011

"Free Air Conditioning While you Shop"

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

No purchase necessary
But sincerely appreciated

Bed Turning and Quilt Appraisal Day

Talent Show/Bed Turning and Quilt Appraisal Day
Thursday, September 15, 2011
1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Fabric Town is pleased to have Jean Carlton, AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser at our shop doing quilt appraisals by appointment and answering your questions. Insurance, Fair Market and Donation appraisals are available for quilts or quilted textiles: vintage or newly made.

Many people think only vintage quilts need be appraised but consider the investment you have in your newly made quilts. Replacement values for new quilts often include the costs of labor as well as materials. Many quilt shows are now requiring appraisals by certified appraisers. When shipping your quilt to a show or sending it as a gift, you will want to insure it against loss or damage. Knowing the value of your quilts, new and vintage, and informing your insurance agent of this fact, can be a big help if claims for damage or loss are necessary.

Any quilt you value should be documented, photographed and appraised. The written appraisal fee is $45 per quilt. It takes approximately 30 minutes to examine and photograph your quilt. Appraisals are mailed within two weeks. Consultations are also available.

Call or email Jean now to reserve a time or to ask further questions.
763-420-7229

QuiltsEtc@comcast.net

Just a follow up.

A week ago I posted this picture. I found it in an email that was sent to me. I had no idea what the name of the pattern was.

Today, a very thoughtful Customer, phoned the shop to leave me a message. She found the quilt and was calling to give me the name.

It turns out the name of the quilt is "July 4th".

Now I feel really stupid. When I saw the picture it said "4th of July" under it... I just thought that was when the person posted it. Duhhhhh

Thank you thoughtful person for the phone call. I really appreciated it. I will now have Becky get the pattern for me when she does her ordering.

Rumors can ruin a business

There is a rumor that is floating around about Fabric Town closing, or as it was stated... going under. I want to set the record straight. Fabric Town is NOT, closing, going under or anything of the sort.

We just re-negotiated our lease with our landlord and signed on for 3 more years.

People say that we are not getting in the amount of fabric that we use to. That's true, but think about it, what shop really is? This economy has taken a toll on every business and half the families in this country.

When our customers spend less, we have to buy less. In order for us to keep our doors open we have to be sensible about what we order and when we have it come in. Right now the Holiday fabric is coming in, that eats up a good portion of our budget. So when that happens other areas have to wait their turn. Next would be our Civil War section. We have quite a few bolts coming from Andover, Marcus and Blue Hill. Our 30's section just got 20 new bolts and we have ordered 30 more to arrive within the next few weeks. On top of all that, you add in the fact that we have 2 full orders of the Quilt Minnesota fabric in stock, waiting for the Hop to start.

There are reasons that we no longer carry certain lines or brands. For one, batiks are no longer at our shop. My reasoning behind that; when you have two shops within 5 miles of you -each carries a large selections of batik, why would I want to have the same thing? Moda is another one. This I won't go into, but look around, you'll notice that alot of shops are not carrying the Moda selections they use to. Several are no longer carrying Moda at all. I am still on the fence about Moda. To be honest - There's life without Moda.

We are currently working on fun things for our customers. A few examples would be our Quilt Sewcial, Talent Show Bed Turning, Classes with Celine Perkins of "Perkins Dry Goods", and Buttermilk Basin is coming with her fabulous wool trunk show and lecture. This is just to name a few

Patti H. is putting together our class schedule for fall ..... and we have alot more in the works.

I am asking a favor from you, if you hear these rumors, please squelch them. A rumor like this could ruin a business. We are NOT closing.

That is all I'm going to say about this subject.

Patti

I am breathless....

I don't know the designer... I have no idea who sent me this photo.... all I can say is
it took my breath away. This is fantastic.

Quick Tips for Curved Piecing.

I was always afraid to attempt curves because I was sure I couldn't do it. This is very easy, it just takes a little patience.

The first thing you must do is to divide your arc and pieces in half. This is important to insure that you ease it in around the curve evenly. I fold each piece in half and finger press (or you can use your iron) the center to make a crease.

Here you can see the crease in the center of the arc.

Once you have that done, with right sides together, line up the crease and pin the pieces together. Put your pins on the smaller piece - in this case it's the black and white. You do this so you can put the larger piece on the bottom when you sew. This is so your feed dogs can help you evenly ease the fullness in.

I must admit, I'm a pin person. I use alot of pins and when doing curves, I feel you can't over pin. You have your pin in the center, now go to each end and line them up and pin them.
I know this feels awkward, like it's never going to fit - just wait, it will.

The curves are on the bias, so they have a lot of stretch to them. If you pull them slightly, you will see how the two fabrics arc together. Now you will start pinning between the pins you already put in. Pull to line up the fabics and evenly pin the sides together. Do this all the way from end to end.

Now it's time to sew, put the larger piece of fabric on the bottom.
I use a piece of mole skin because my foot is not accurate and it also gives me a ridge to run the curve along. I don't take my pins out when sewing ... just go slowly over them.

After you've sewn the arc together, remove the pins.
Now you're ready to press and see how well your curve turned out.

I like to spray my piece with either Best Press or Magic Sizing. This helps make a nice crisp seam. When you press, start from the side and press to the top. Your arc will just lay flat and the bias edge makes it curve smoothly.

Congratulations... you just did "Curved Piecing". I hope this was helpful.

I apologize for the quality of these photos. I am still learning how to use my new camera and it was on "Magic" setting.... who knows what that is.

New Samples, kits and more.

Do you decorate for the seasons? Theresa has been working to get all the
"Little Quilts" by The Wooden Bear finished so you will be ready in time.
They are nicely displayed on a cute wire frame.

Lola is working on a few more "Scrappy Sacks".
These little bags contain all the pieces pre-cut to make the miniature quilt.
Perfect to go to retreats or as a gift.

New display at the front of the shop.... these are some of our new projects that
we presented at the Minnesota Quilter's Show. Fun Holiday projects and more coming soon.

This runner is called "Hidden Charms", one of the tiny cards from "Pieced Tree Patterns"
It's quick, fun to make and looks great in any fabric combination.