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Ever wonder how fabric is made?  This video from the Discovery Channel will give you some idea.  You might be envious; the bobbin that's used can hold 250,000 meters of thread...

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Have you heard about the Whipstitch Sewing Café?  It's located in Providence, RI.  For $6 you can have a cup of coffee and one hour on a sewing machine, as well as access to an ironing board and other essential tools. You might receive some help, but they have no formal lessons.  The cafe also sells supplies and fabric and encourages people to learn to sew or just to enjoy sewing with other people. 

Click here to learn more.

Do you have a shop like this in your area?  Even if you have a machine at home, how much fun would it be to have a sewing party with your friends?

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There will be a second "Quilts of Valor" special on Public Television, featuring our very own Alex Anderson, along with the wonderful Marianne Fons and the amazing Mark Lipinski.

According to Marianne Fons, "All PTV member stations will have access to "Quilts of Valor II" later this month. Each one decides when to air it. As it is a 'pledge special,' they will be most likely to air it when they do their fundraising."

To make sure this unique and compelling program is aired on your local station, contact your station's programming department and ask it to schedule the show.

For help in finding your local station, go to http://www.pbs.org. Contact your station via email, phone message, or personal note to let them know you want to watch "Quilts of Valor II."

To learn more about the Quilts of Valor program, click here.

To watch a segment from "Quilts of Valor," the original show, click here.

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Kathy McNeil is a fearless quilter (would you cut up your wedding dress?), and as a longtime critical care nurse, she is very aware of the health benefits of quilting.  She uses a variety of techniques to create the effects she desires.  Need a color that you don’t have?  Kathy shows how to heat set crayons to create any fabric color you need.  She achieves different looks depending on whether she sets them while wet or dry.  She then shows how to build a landscape or pictorial quilt by creating collage units.  This allows her to move around the elements before finalizing the design.  Her choice and use of fabrics will change the way you look at them.  Her unique style extends to elements of her home as well.  Then, Ann Harwell creates precision cut and pieced masterworks, inspired by nature and images from the Hubble telescope.  She shares her technique for piecing with pins directly in the seam.

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Class has started with Kathy McNeil teaching her award-winning techniques. This full length DVD class is streaming all year online at TheQuiltShow.com.

You can see this 2 hour class or other classes by clicking Watch>Featured Guest DVDs on the menu bar above.

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Alex is excited to show you her latest fabric line from RJR Fabrics, "Chirp."  A little birdie tells us that she might just let you sneak a peek at the quilt she designed with those fabrics. (It's a Free Pattern for You).

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Spoonflower makes it possible for individuals to design, print and sell their own fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap.  In their "Year in Review" they designated their top two designs. What do you think - are you surprised?

If you want to learn more about Top Designers and Top Designs at Spoonflower, click here.

Their Most Purchased Design was:

Geometic Bear by andrea_lauren

Their Most Favored Design was:  

Geometric Vintage Feathers Pastel Arrows in Mint and Coral by littlesmilemakers

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It's that time of year.  Have you made any quilting resolutions for 2016?  Are you going to finish that UFO, clean out your stash, write a book?  Add a comment and let TQS know what you are up to for 2016.

Here are some great resolutions from Gayle Norman at RickyTims.com.

I RESOLVE not to feel guilty when I buy fabric with absolutely no future use in mind. It makes me immensely happy to buy it, fondle it and just look at it and that makes it worth it!
I RESOLVE that next year when I look at that same fabric and wonder why the heck I bought it, I still won't feel guilty but simply pass it on to a friend, the Goodwill, a retirement facility, or an organization that does charity quilts.
I RESOLVE that I will continue to guard carefully my sewing and quilting time. This keeps me happy and able to serve the rest of my world.
I RESOLVE that I will continue to support and encourage all the young people in my life who take an interest in this craft that I am so passionate about.
I RESOLVE to surround myself as much as possible with friends who love quilting and fabric collecting as much as I do.
And lastly, I REFUSE to put deadlines or limits on my creative spirit.

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Julie at TheCrafyQuilter.com has some great ideas for using clothespins in your sewing room, and the ones she uses are just adorable!  Click on the Go to Tutorial button below to see how she uses the clothespins and how she creates them.