Daily Blog

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Follow along with Jen of Shabby Fabrics in this tutorial to see how to create a simple and useful ottoman! Note, there is one correction, see below.

CORRECTION: at 13:25 they stated "marking in" at 1/4" but it is meant to be 1/2" just like the top was marked!

Click here to download the pattern template.
 

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In this lesson, Sharon shows you how to "flash feed" or chain piece your blocks through your sewing machine.

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The party is over and the town of Sisters has wrapped up another show...and it does take a village to raise a show!!! I will be sharing highlights from the Quilter's Affair and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show over the next few days on wooliemammoth.blogspot.com and The Quilt Roadies YouTube Channel. But today I wanted to share a little about what it takes to raise a show. The Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show is a non profit which is supported by donations of both money and physical help. The show's mission is to educate the public about the art, skill, and heritage of traditional and contemporary quilts and fiber arts, while enhancing the cultural vitality of the community of Sisters and Central Oregon. One of its many programs is  Wish Upon A Card. This year with the generous donation of Michael Miller fabrics quilters were asked to create postcards to be sold and auctioned off or you could create a postcard using your own design and fabric! In addition, each of the Quilter's Affair instructors were asked to make at least one postcard which would then be framed professionally and auctioned off. The instructor's cards sit out at the Sisters High School all week where the quilt classes are held, allowing quilters to write down bids until the winner is announced on Friday.

I was tickled pink that my postcard sold! Myrna from  High Desert Frameworks in Bend donated the labor and product for framing a juried of selected postcards. She works tirelessly to find the best mat and framing technique to make the postcards sing!!! Enjoy the slideshow of postcards created by the Quilter's Affair teaching staff and please think about sending a postcard next year to help support the arts through scholarship.

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Tracy Mooney spoke with RJR fabric designer Amy Barickman about her fabric line, Stitcher's Garden, at Spring Quilt Market 2016. Amy is a special innovator and creator and you will marvel at the all the spokes in her quilting wheel.

Learn what inspired Amy's "Vintage Notions" book and hear how the book inspired this latest line of fabric. Amy shows Tracy a number of fun projects and talks about using embroidery to highlight designs. Amy also shares pages from her "Inspiration Sampler" and talks about her latest coloring book featuring vintage clothing patterns.

Look beneath the video for a link to Amy's quilt pattern.

Click here for Amy's books, threads, and patterns.

Click the button to download Amy Barickman's pattern, Starstruck, featuring the Stitcher's Garden fabric line from  RJR Fabrics.

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Ever wonder where inspiration comes from when seeing some of the amazing costumes in a Broadway show?  Dive into the creative world of Director Julie Taymor and learn about the inspiration behind the costume and character of Rafiki in Disney's The Lion King.

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You are going to want the new Quilters Select Mat and Ruler. You are going to want them more once you see "The Trick". Take a look and then please get your 1 Year Star Membership (Renew or Join). An entire year with 26 new shows and Instant Access to over 230 shows is still just $42.95. Then get 30% off these brand new quilting tools after you Join or Renew your 1 Year Membership. We only have a few in the warehouse so the early orders will get shipped right away.

We have ordered more, so don't worry, you will get yours and the discount. 

(Because of the weight and size, these are only being shipped in the USA right now. We hope to have Canada soon.)

YOUR 30% COUPON WILL COME WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP PURCHASE.

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(Budget Decorator)

For most quilters,  organizing WIPs (Works in Progress) and UFO (Unfinished Objects) is a huge dilema.  It's exciting coming home with a new project pattern or fabric purchase.  But suddenly, life takes over and that pattern or fabric becomes an orphan in the waste land, ortherwise known as your closet or chest of drawers. Keeping track of the pattern instructions, fabric, templates, and other small items for each project often involves a time wasting game of hide and seek. 

While  we can't help you with the number of WIPs or UFOs, but, we can offer some ways to keep those project families together.

Angie at GnomeAngel is a big fan of stackable storage systems:

"I have all my scraps, yardage and fabric collections in clear storage boxes. This allows me to see what’s in there and stack them on top of each other and fit way more than I should into my room. I’m also a fan of portable storage – this means I can move my works in progress around the house with me and take advantage of spending time with my family while I work.

I’m sure you’ve probably got some Tupperware containers in your house. I love having a variety of smaller shaped containers in my sewing space, they’re great for storing things like From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates, spare machine needles, threads, bobbins and notions. The great thing is you no longer have to pay Tupperware prices to get these types of containers, there’s heaps of container sets on the market that offer a variety of shapes and sizes.

See more of Angie's tips for organizing your WIPs at GnomeAngel.

MsMidge stores blocks and templates for her year-long WIP until needed in a zip-up binder filled with clear sheet protector pages.  The zip-style binder keeps all of the elements from falling out in the event that the binder is dropped.

Whether your budget is small or large, we found a variety of options that just might be the perfect fit for you. Regardless of which system you select as the best option for you, it is always important (whether it's an envelope, notebook, box or drawer) to add a project or pattern name label for easy retrieval for down the road. 

Clean and Clutter Free Options:

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1.Easy fold mailing boxes. They come in a variety of depths and sizes.  Go in with a couple of quilt buddies and save you a bundle. Papermart

2.Need more room for your WIP?  Tab Tuck boxes offer more space. Papermart

3.Make your own custom project zip folders. Crazymomquilts

4.Large 12" x15 1/2" Clasp envelope.  Staples

5.Clear, slim and easy to stack Tellfresh Pastry boxes. Decor

6.Ikea Alex cabinets (left) placed on a table for easy access. Heartandhandmadeuk

7.Create a streamline look using Ikea Alex cabinets under a long counter along wall. JennSkiFicker

8.Scrapbook portable 12" x 12" project cases. Iris

9.6-Drawer craft storage. Iris

10.Pant hangers and zip-loc bag system. PaperLust

Visually Stimulating Options:

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1.Colorful poly zip envelopes (14 7/16" x 9 3/4"). Apecenvelope

2.Snap closure poly envelopes. Amazon

3.Extra large envelopes measuring up to 18" x 24". Lion

4.Colorful Stockholm collection box storage. ContainerStore

5.8-Drawer storage on wheels.  Deep and spacious size drawers (36 1/2" x 15 3/4" x 12").Office Depot

Just joined our year of organizing?  Click here for other TQS Organization blogs.