Pieces

Extra Wide

Regularly people ask why Piece by Piece doesn't have extra wide fabrics that can be used for backs of quilts.  The reason is that I don't find many that I think work well with the contemporary colors and designs of the fabrics in the shop. But, maybe that is changing.

These lovely dots arrived today and I'm hoping it is a sign of things to come, that we will see more extra wide fabrics we can love.  These are 108" wide so that means no seams (yeah) for most quilts and it is more econimical than buying the yardage needed for a large back from regular fabrics (yeah, again). 

We finished a new shop sample this week.  The pattern is Boardwalk from Fun Quilts and the fabric comes from Dear Stella's Palladium collection. 

I really like this soft yellow and gray pallette, it is soothing.  We have more of this fabric on the way and will have some kits put together to grab and make your own.

Fly Away....

Hey folks, it is no joke.  Rotary cutters are sharp, really sharp. They cut fabric beautifully and without them our craft would be much more difficult  - but don't ever take them for granted.

OUCH!

Even experienced sewists can have an accident and it hurts. I'm so sorry Tracy that things were off for you today for that brief second.  I'm glad it wasn't more serious and that you will be using your pointer finger again soon. In the meantime, I'm pretty sure you can't cook, clean, grocery shop, wash clothes or vacuum or pay bills.  Let this be a lesson to all of us....

The Two Ems

Our two favorite M companies; Michael Miller and Moda delivered big this last week also.  A feast for the eyes is the latest from Laura Gunn.  Her prints are always special.

Also from Michael Miller is the much anticipated Backyard Baby and Bella Butterfly.  In case you missed it, MM had a contest for new fabric designers to submit a baby boy print.  The public was invited to vote for the favorite design and the winner's fabric design was printed by Michael Miller along with companion prints.  We have quite a large collection from these lines - the highlights are...

You HAVE to feel these, they have a lovely hand.

From Moda came Reunion which features the return of the color Navy to the scene.  For whatever reason it was absent for a while, but it is back.

We also received some jelly rolls and charm packs from Moda but the accompanying yardage has not arrived yet so I will wait for them.

And last but absolutely not least, take a look at this "shop project".  I think everyone had their hand in this at some point or another and I think it came out really well.  Nice job, ladies - who knew Kesch was a paper piecing machine.

We made up some jelly rolls of the strips used in this quilt so you could grab one, pick the background color of your choice and make one of your own.

Speaking of paper-piecing, Tracy made this beauty. (pardon the tacky hang job)

I think I am caught up with the highlights of the last few weeks for the moment - oh wait.  What about the super bowl surprise class?  Did they have a good time or what?

I wasn't able to be here that day, but they reportedly kept the end-zone dance in check, there were no "excessive celebration" violations.

BTW - I apologize for my spelling impairment in the last post... proffreedding was never my strong.suit.

 

 

Generousity

Today was donation day sewing at the shop and I was struck by this image.  There was something about her red sweater and the really lovely black featherweight with the gold embellishment that caught my eye.  What they were sewing was also really impressive. They finished this top...

 

 

 

 

And made great progress on another.  These quilts will go to kids who graduate from the independent living program.  When they graduate they will move from being cared for by a loving foster family to starting their lives as independent young adults. If you would like to help, call the shop or check the calendar for the next donation day.  Big, big thanks to Kelly for organizing and leading this effort!

So Many New Things

So many new fabrics have arrived in the last few weeks while I was focused elsewhere that it is going to take a little bit to catch up.  And may I say (once again) that we are so lucky to have as much variety as we do in our fabric choices today. 

 

While I was checking in the new batch that arrived Tuesday I contemplated what pattern I would chose for each group.  If only I could actually get all these done.  The fabrics above is called Caimen and comes from the house designers at Westminster.  I think it is just screaming to be used in one of our favorite patterns - Sidelights.  I'm leaning towards the purples,...

 

The next box revealed Cosmos by Dan Bennett also from Westminster.  I find this reall interesting and think that the border print would look great in the pattern TV Dinners.  Really, we may have to make this.

As if that wasn't enough goodness for one day in the last box we found Verona from Riley Blake.

So, so pretty, but I couldn't choose between these two patterns to feature this collection.  What would you do?

FYI - The next class schedule is in the chaos stage....

but I'm confident I will pull it all together!  A sneak peek...

A Little Break

It has been a little while since I posted here, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything going on.  Lots of new fabrics have been delivered in the last couple of weeks and several projects have been completed but I've been preoccupied.

In one week

Two friends

Two memorial services

Too sad...

I'll regain focus soon and get the camera out again.