A  new CD is out for a simply gorgeous quilt pattern by Black Cat Creations… Kathie Southern of StudioKat Designs is our current featured designer at QuiltersWarehouse… and have you seen the new Christmas Kittens by Mary Herschleb?

First, the new CD…

Aunt Bea’s Parlor by Amy Cotham of Black Cat Creations IS gorgeous, isn’t it? And now the CD is available for your machine! If you don’t already have an embroidery machine, it’s enough to make you want to go out and buy one. hmmm. The designs are in full color so you can match the quilt as shown. sooo pretty. Or use the one color designs and contrast the colors you select for the pieced portion of the quilt. Either way you will have a winner when you are finished.

On to our current featured designer, Kathy Southern of Studio Kat Designs… “art you can wear!” Patterns for bags, bags, and more bags. Here’s a few. . .

Mezza Luna is the name of this pattern. It’s suitable for beginners and versatile enough for the more experienced to really add some flair. You can get very creative.

This next one is Bellagio Bag pictured with one of the two flap styles. More of a free and easy bag again with plenty of opportunity to embellish, get fancy or just keep it simple.

How about a bag for inside your bag?

This handy purse insert pattern comes in two sizes. Use those wild fabrics that you’ve always wanted to use but were afraid to. No one will know but you!

Check out all of Studio Kat Designs‘ patterns for “bags with panache.”

And, finally, the Christmas Kittens…

Everyone knows once July gets here it’s time to start sewing for Christmas! You’ll get a nice head start and maybe thinking about Christmas will cool you off. This pattern by Mary Herschleb makes a cute bell pull – it’ll decorate you doorknob nicely. The pattern also includes four ornaments.

That’s enough kitties for now. Time to get your machine purring.

Wallhangings and miniatures are not the only sizes of Carol Hopkins quilt patterns, but she does have a nice selection of these. She designs her reproduction quilts for use with reproduction fabrics. But don’t let that stop you from experimenting! All of these quilts lend themselves to a scrappy look, so dig out your scraps and transform them.

Carol Hopkins is currently our featured designer at Quilters Warehouse, and she has a new quilt pattern called Hooker’s Hat Patch. What a nice wall hanging it would make – a perfect accent for a family room, or as the center of attention in your entryway. Tell your guests the name of the quilt and you have a conversation piece!

May 16 through the 18 was International Quilt Market in Portland Oregon. A beautiful city that provided the backdrop for a wonderful Market. 40 QuiltersWarehouse suppliers exhibited at this Spring Market with all there exciting new designs on display.

Suzanne and I attended market and took photos of all the booths of these suppliers. You can pretend to be in attendance as well and view the Spring Quilt market displays each of these designers had by selecting the tab above entitled ‘ quilt market photos’.

The new quilt pattern designs and products that were introduced at market will be featured on the QuiltersWarehouse home page over the next few weeks. Be sure and sign up for our weekly news letter so you don’t miss any of these new introductions.

I just returned from the 2007 Fall International Quilt Market in Houston, TX.  From this visit QuiltersWarehouse will be introducing many new items in our catalog over the next couple of months. 

With hundreds of exhibits to see, the ones I enjoy the most are the designers whose products are at QuiltersWarehouse.  It give me a chance to have a conversation with them and learn a little more about their inspirations for the patterns they design for you.

Quilt Market exhibit booth photos of all the QuiltersWarehouse vendors who attending can now be viewed by selecting the tab above.  It is your chance to see what is new, sometimes before it is even on the shelves.  On this page you can select the image for a larger view or select the vendor to shop their products at QuiltersWarehouse.  And as always, anything any of our vendors has is always in stock at QuiltersWarehouse.

Lazies, I’d like to introduce you to the newest Lazy Girl, the Miranda Day Bag, available this October.

Miranda Day Bag pattern from Lazy Girl Designs.

Details: Miranda Day Bag pattern
Available – October 2007
Item – LGD123
Finished Size - 12″ x 10″ x 6″ (width/height/depth)
Bag-E-Bottom Size D, LGD503 (also fits Summer Tote, Newport Tote)
Choose fabric handles, shoulder straps, or use fashion handles.
 

Let’s Meet Miranda
Miranda is the perfect girl to tag along for your day on the go. This moderate sized, yet roomy tote doubles as your personal assistant, offering up to 10 inside pockets to keep everything organized. The main compartment comfortably holds large items such as file folders and magazines. Fusible interfacing gives Miranda wonderful body and posture. Miranda is also ideal for fabrics with large scale prints.

What The Heck Is A Day Bag?
I field test each of my designs to see what I think, discover any issues, make changes, all that good stuff. Miranda and I made several outings together. As we were getting acquainted, I decided the best thing she could do for me was be a companion for a day on the go.

Well, I took Miranda with me on a day trip to see a friend. My hubster Michael was driving, so I had three hours in the passenger seat each way. Woohoo – I could catch-up on a few things while he drove.

‘Pockets in the round’.

I loaded Miranda with my work notes, file folders, magazines, sketch pad, novel, chocolate, and two bottles of water. I also transferred all of my goodies from my purse to the 10 ’pockets in the round’ surrounding the lining of the bag. Not only did everything fit, but Miranda stood open and at attention on the floor of the car by my feet for the whole trip. She was the perfect companion. I worked out of her the whole way. Everything I needed was visible and accessible. Easy in, easy out.

Detail of quilted panels stitched,
then top stitched at front center of Miranda.

She’s A Stand-Up Gal
I used a fusible interfacing against the cover and the lining to make Miranda stand tall all on her own. The panel construction for the cover creates a spine, like I-beams creating a hidden skeletal structure of support. The cover is constructed of eight panels. The panels are one layer of fabric and batting quilted together, then cut to size. I used a 1/2″ seam allowance, then opened and pressed the seams flat. Top stitching next to the seams adds more structural integrity along with a charming finishing detail.

I highly recommend the fusible interfacing for added support. Don’t worry about the interfacing adding bulk to the seams. It is trimmed short of the seams where it isn’t needed.

I think Miranda will be perfect for your next adventure. Whether she’s at your feet on a long flight, on the passenger seat while you run errands, or by your side while on the go.

Enjoy!
Joan

Vanilla House Designs has recently released six new patterns.  These patterns add to their funky and modern collection.  Included are three new aprons, a pillow sleeve, a funky new oven mitt, and a new way to do laundry! 

The Kids’ Four Corners Apron pattern allows your child to be just like Mom!  This apron mirrors the popular Four Corners Pattern in three pint sizes.  Small fits 18 Months to 3 years, Medium for 4-6 Years, and Large for 7-8 Years.  These Aprons are a must have for Mom’s little helper in the kitchen!  I can’t wait to see how my two year old daughter looks in it!  Maybe it will be one less outfit we ruin!

The Friday Night Apron is totally modern with a halter top and a figure fitting style.  It cuts down in the middle and veers up to wrap around your neck.  Incredibly cute!!  It’s in a style that looks great with the newer, brighter fabrics out these days as well as the more traditionally darker colors.   It is just that versatile! The apron fits sizes 4-14 comfortably, but for the larger girls, there are directions on the Vanilla House website for increasing the size of the pattern.

The Sunday Dinner Apron gives you the modern feel of a figure fitting style with a little more traditional cut.  This apron has more of a wrap around look to the top.  It still curves in to fit the waist, but the top is more covered than the Friday Night version.  This apron also looks great with varied fabric options! 

The French Laundry set gives you a new option to the way you launder your fine apparel.  The set comes with a cute pattern for a convenient bag on a hanger to hold your items and a funky padded hanger.  I’m always excited about anything that makes me a little more organized.  I can’t wait to try this out! The padded hanger has two available sizes: adult and child.

It’s A Wrap allows you to cover new pillow forms and also gives you a way to refresh those tired pillows that are too comfortable to get rid of.  (You know, the ones we hide behind the couch when we know company is coming!)  This pattern looks great with any fabric combination and comes off easily to throw it in the wash!  A must have with children around!   The pillow wrap comes with two different variations of the pattern.  Give those old decorations new life!  It’s also a great way to easily change up your color schemes at home!

 The Fish in the Oven mitt is just adorable.  You’ll instantly have a great conversation piece for those dinner or, in my case, barbeque parties or just a fun tool in the kitchen!  It comes in little fish sizes for women and big fish sizes for men.  It’s recommended that you use use Insulbrite thermal fleece and custom bias trim binding.  It’s just too cute to miss out on!