Pretty soon it will be back to school time.  That means time for school supplies and a backpack.  Your sophisticated teenager may not be a fan of a homemade backpack, but the younger set sure will appreciate a special, one-of-a-kind, ‘made just for them’ backpack. 

The Chelsea Tote is versatile – it can be an over one shoulder bag, or you can unzip the strap and it becomes a traditional backpack.  An oversize pocket on the outside can hold those items that might be needed in a hurry. 

Celine Perkins, of Perkins Dry Goods, says this lined bag is unbeliveable simple to make.  With one pocket inside and one outside, the Zola Backpack is handy, too.  The drawstring top is easy to open and close.

The Mack Messenger is loaded with features: a quick grab handle at the top, adjustable straps, a front zippered pocket, split interior pockets with split pen/pencil slots, and secure magnetic snap closures.  A clean design, it has lots of room to show off a favorite fabric.

The book, Be-Bop Backpacks, offers 8 variations on a backpack.  You can personalize it to fit the personality of the wearer.  Use applique, paper piecing, patchwork… whatever strikes your fancy.  Then do it again another way!

Do you know a pre-schooler? or a toddler? Then you know they just love to carry things around.  Important things, like their current best stuffed friend, favorite book, or maybe even a snack.  And to put it all in a bag that they can carry themselves makes them feel pretty cool.  Totpacks are very easy to sew and they’ll get plenty of much-loved use.

When you are finished sewing for everyone else, check out the rest of the backpack patterns – you’ll probably see one that you’d like to make for yourself!

When you’re in the mood to change the look of your bedroom, or dress up your bed, but don’t have the time to make a bed sized quilt, there’s still lots you can do.   Bed runners will brighten things up and change the whole look of a room in much less time (and less fabric!) than a quilt.

 Head to To Bed Runner has a strong graphic look.  Add the matching pillowcases and you have a striking makeover.  Use the pillow case part of the pattern to make a coordinating wall hanging.  Designer Mary Hankey of 2 Easy Designs suggested small prints of tone on tones for the most impact. 

For a southwest look try Santa Fe Stars Bed Runner.  The pattern includes instructions for a wallhanging, too.

 For an even quicker makeover, use a quilt fabric panel like this Stonehenge panel.  It measures 24″ x 42″ so sewing two or three together, end to end will make a beautiful bed runner. Then just sandwich and quilt!   Or add fabrics from the Stonehenge line to either end.

Any row quilt can be modified to make a bed runner. Choose your favorite row or rows.  Let them stand on their own or add borders.  Memory Lane has SO many cute options that it’d be hard to decide on a favorite!  The puppies are adorable, the flowers are so pretty, the pinwheels have lots of motion….  go ahead, pick just one!

Of course, adding new pillows is always a quick, easy way to dress up a room.  Choose from dozens of pillow patterns.

Start sewing and before you know it you’ll be enjoying your new look!

(Don’t forget to enter our Pinterest contest for a chance to win a free gift card!)

Is the answer your stash?  Most of us love color, but there is something about a black and white quilt. 

Nothing like a Tuxedo to dress things up.   The Rainbow Block Template will make easy work of the curves, allowing you to concentrate on the beautiful contrasts of the black, white, & red.

                                                     Wrapped In Love And Memories is designed to show off your photos.  It’d make a great anniversary or wedding quilt.  Or….you could use those center areas for an accent color.

Easy Does It – yep it does look easy!  A quick finish lap quilt that packs a lot of impact.  

Red does seems to be the go-to color for adding punch to a black and white project.  Have you ever tried a different accent color with a basically black and white quilt?

The ClaudieJo Bag would be great if you have lots of different black and whites. Just carrying this bag would have to perk you up!

And now, here’s a little eye candy for all you black and white fabric lovers….

For more, check out the Black & White quilting fabric section on our website.

Are you one of those organized  people that starts sewing for Christmas in July?  I’ve heard that some people start in January!  If you’re ready to start now, here are a few ideas.

To get yourself off to a quick start try these quick finish projects.  Three for the price of one!  Simply….Ho! Ho! Ho! includes instructions for a table topper, a table runner, and a gift bag. 

If you like us on Facebook, or follow us on Pinterest, you may have noticed these Vintage Ornaments show up on our pages. They are all pre-printed and pre-colored.  All you do is embroider and embellish.  Great take along projects and great gifts, too.

 Is your tree skirt in need of replacement?   We have several Christmas tree skirt patterns with all different looks, from traditional to modern.  This Winterberry Star has a bit of an art deco look to it.  It’s a beautiful piece that can also be made as a wall hanging.  Why not make both?  After all, if you are starting now, you have time!

Do you have any new family members that need a Christmas stocking? Or maybe the stockings you have are getting a little threadbare.  The Stockings Were Hung pattern shows some whimsy along with the Folk Art look.  Personalize these your favorite way.

 The advantage to starting this early is that you have plenty of time for a larger project.   Christmas Windows finishes at 51″ x 63″ and will certainly set the holiday mood hanging on your living room wall.  Twelve applique wreaths that are as different as snowflakes will  hold any viewers interest; a beautiful piece of art for you to admire as you sip your eggnog and catch your breath after a long day of holiday activities. 

That’s enough window shopping for now.  End the procrastination before it starts and get sewing!

You certainly wouldn’t want to embellish every quilt you make.  That Dear Jane quilt will all those tiny pieces barely has room for anything else. The Baltimore Album quilt that you spent so many hours painstakingly hand sewing the appliqued pieces can stand on its own.  The favorite family room lap quilt doesn’t need anything but soft cotton fabrics and simple quilting to bring some comfy coziness.  Embellisment isn’t for every project.

But, sometimes you’re looking for an adventure, a little trip off the beaten path of traditional quilting.  When you get to feeling that way, go for it!

If you want to start slowly and not get too outrageous, try yo-yos, fabric flowers, inchies, or prairie points. All fabric, but these will ease you out of the box a little. Then you can move on to other embellishments.

Here’s a few to experiment with:

buttons
ribbon
cording
braiding
beads
yarn
ricrac
embroidery floss
felt
lace
doilies

All these items have been used on quilts with fantastic results. Some can just be added directly, and some you might want to manipulate or play with first, and then add them. Many scrapbooking embellishments would also work.

After that, you can get really crazy and try some unconventional items such as:

mini washers
beaded chain (you know, the kind that was used on old pull chain lights – if you are not old enough to remember these we don’t want to hear about it)
colored telephone wire (this is pretty old too – we used to use this to make spirally rings)

The sky’s the limit. Let your imagination run free. Not everything will work, and you might have to pull some stitches, but we quilters are no strangers to seam rippers.  Pull those stitches and try something else.  Just have fun!

Art for art’s sake is not found in a typical Amish home.  Amish quilts are one of the few forms of art acceptable in the Amish community and that is only because they serve a pratical purpose.  No wonder the women enjoyed expressing themselves as they made quilts for their families.  Over time, the quilts evolved from whole cloth with plenty of quilting to added cornersquares and finally color throughout.  Still simple, but beautiful in their simplicity. 

Historian, quilter, and noted expert, Rachel Thomas Pellman provides an information packed look at the development and tradition of Amish quilting in her book,  Amish Wall Quilts.  The distinctive quiltmaking characteristics of three different Amish communities are discussed.  You’ll learn details about how Amish women use quilting as a creative outlet.  Included are fifteen projects for wall quilts in the Amish style.

Almost Amish is less traditional, but still Amish inspired.  Three star blocks and tone on tone fabrics are used to create the beautiful, simple look.

Buggy By The Fence Rail uses the traditional rail fence block to provide a backdrop that looks like a country field.  The silhouette of a buggy is appliqued in the ‘field’.

And, for your puzzling pleasure, Amish Quiltscape Jigsaw Puzzle by SunsOut Puzzles. Relax and enjoy putting together this peaceful scene. Who knows, maybe it will be inspiration for your next quilt!

 When you are not quilting, be sure to enter our Pinterest contest and have a chance to win prizes!