I had to laugh when on May 30th, the first of the Christmas fabrics arrived at the JoAnn's where I work. We now have quite alot of it as well as a bit of Halloween and Fall Harvest (Thanksgiving). We have already sold quite alot, so if you do intend on starting your Christmas projects, don't wait to look for fabric - it's already there!

Last year I really liked the Christmas fabrics we got with alot of black in them. Surprisingly, they were stunning. Red poinsettias and holly etc. on black backgrounds. Check them out!

Nancy in NY where the weather is lovely!

Need to set the mood for creative Christmas sewing? Play some Holiday music...or watch a Holiday movie...like A Christmas Carol, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, A Christmas Story...

You dudettes have some great ideas for gifts!!!

FW

Linda, I loved your mother's day bags you made so much that I'm hoping I can get recovered enuf to make them for my girlfriends at christmas. I really wanted to make them summer bags but can't sit at the sewing machine yet. Now I've got to try the baked potato bag. So hard to sit here with all this inspiration and not be able to sew!

Mandy that is great to get your DD on a "real" machine! I agree, the youngsters really need a GOOD machine more than an experienced sewer might! (don't tell George, or he'll take my Bernina & let ME use the Janome! )
If your Kenmore is like mine, it would be easy to attach a "speed regulator" to the foot, so if she "floors it" it still won't get out of control. That really helped George get going, although he's a speed demon in all respects so it didn't last long, but long enough for him to get the hang of it.
And if you have a low table & chair that really helped too, so there weren't issues with reaching the pedal.
Good luck!
Florence

Well, the quilt pattern is planned and now my oldest DD has decided that she wants to help too! She is 8 and has been showing an interest in quilting for a while now and has REALLY enjoyed making yo-yos with those Clover yo-yo makers She also is the apple of Aunt Mary's eye, so I know she will be so pleased to see that Katie helped. I might even have Katie sign the blocks she creates

So yesterday we sat down with the little toy sewing machine we got her for Christmas this past year and I tried to show her how to use it. It does work, but it is actually too cantankerous for an 8 year old my my opinion. You have to do everything just so for it to sew a nice line. But she did learn to thread it on her own I talked it over with DH and agreed it was time to pull out the real deal for her, so today I am going to teach her to use my old Kenmore basic sewing machine. We are going to paper peice this quilt - I figure sewing on a printed line would be easiest for her - and then for the border we will use her yo-yos for the flowers!

Linda, I haven't made the baked potato bags, though I have bought some potato fabric especially for that purpose. Hmm, I think I had better dig that out, I do want to make some for family members for Christmas. Thanks for the reminder!

JoAnne

Rorimer wrote:
Joanne, have you tried the baked potato bags? I made them for a couple x-mas gifts last yr. I found a "Chef Tator" to embroider on the outside of them and they were such a hit , there will be more going out the door this yr..and YES..the tators really do taste like old fashioned baked potatoes.

ooops, edited 2x times, me speeling not so good 2nite

Oh, what a great reminder - Christmas postcards! Maybe that should be my holiday project..... if I get started this summer, I have got a shot!

What a great reminder! I think this has to be the year I finally do something with my growing stash of those beautiful Christmas fabrics other than take teensy little pieces and make a handful of Christmas cards. Maybe several Christmas quilts--one for me, one for my oldest son and daughter-in-law...and maybe one for my brother who (almost) never calls me but he's still my big brother. Maybe he'll get a LITTLE quilt--just big enough to fit into a large envelope. LOL Gosh, I think I'll have to go sort through my prized Christmas stash...

Thanks Joanne.... that was a great link

Carla

Maybe you could make a memory quilt and put in pictures of her husband in the middle of those log cabin blocks. Judy in AZ

What a wonderful quilt, that would be. you go girl, don't forget to post a picture so we can enjoy too..Debbie

Funny to see this thread this morning, because I was up late last night planning a quilt to give my dh's Great Aunt this year for Christmas. She is 88, and she just lost her husband a month ago (he was 92). She just seems lost without him, but she still made the journey here to our house for our girl's birthday party on Saturday. While she was here she was admiring my BOM blocks that I had hung on my design wall, and after she left it hit me - if anyone could use a quilt this year at Christmas she does!! So last night I loaded up the Quilt Design Wizard and worked out a pattern for a log cabin lap quilt. It will be in shades of red and cream, and I might work in some applique in the border if I have time. Now I just need to go do some fabric shopping... oh what a chore

If you want a great, free, pattern for a fabric grocery bag, take a look at this site: http://lynbrown.com/ You can find the pattern by clicking "Grocery bag" under "Categories" on the right.

This wonderful woman is the teacher in the quilt class I attend. She has many free patterns on her site. Tomorrow, she starts a new mystery quilt. Enjoy!

JoAnne in southern California