My Favorites has replaced the ineffective Wish List at QuiltersWarehouse.com. This improvement will allow shoppers to keep a list of items they like; want to look at again or plan to purchase during a future visit.

As a customer, simply add an item to your ‘My Favorites’ list anytime you are logged into your account. This list has no expiration and can be used to store quilting books, quilt patterns, notions and quilting fabrics. Then, the next time you visit QuiltersWarehouse, login and shop using these stored favorite items.

Suzanne Bruns, President of Prairieland Inc. said, “the wish list that was on our system was better suited to gift and specialty stores, not quilters or quilt shop owners who are customers.” “Our new ‘My Favorites’” will give our customers the ability to keep track of items they see and someday hope to purchase” she said.

In addition, Quilt Shops who re-order the same items over and over can store those items in the favorites. Then, with the click of a mouse, add them to their current cart without removing them from the favorites list.

“Every attempt has been made to convert current customers ‘Wish Lists’ into the new ‘My Favorites’ system by our IT staff.” Suzanne said. “Our apologies to any customer whose list didn’t all migrate properly.”

The new ‘My Favorites’ list for customers went live at QuiltersWarehouse.com on Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

Picnic time is almost over and we will be moving inside and baking and cooking more with the coming of fall.  Of course, we’ll be sewing more (and sometimes the cooking will wait!) so let’s make some aprons for all that work in the kitchen.

Virginia May Patterns by Susan Thorup began with the patterning of old aprons she has been collecting for years and emphasizes the vintage style. Here’s a few of her apron patterns…

Mother’s Feed Sack Apron is so pretty you could even use it to decorate your kitchen so make a couple of them. Use fabrics to match you kitchen decor and you’ll fit right in.

How about an apron for your little helper (or if you are really lucky, helpers).  Children’s Apron Selection has five aprons from which to choose.  They are easy to make; perhaps your little helper can even help you to make the apron – they’ll love it.

Are you wanting just one more BBQ before you give it up for winter?   This BBQ Apron is a simple pattern. You’ll be able to whip it up right quick.

And now for something completely different.  Isn’t this Hankie Quilt the cutest?!

Here’s one more selection from Virginia May Patterns.  Cathedral Window is a traditional quilt that is mostly hand sewn so this makes it a great take along quilt project.

 
Virginia May Patterns are written in a clear and easy to understand step-by-step format. Traditionally inspired quilts, aprons and home decor items as well as apparel will continue to show up in Susan Thorup’s collection of designs.

 Are you drawn to quilts with curves and circles but afraid of sewing curves?  Here’s a few patterns that give the illusion of curves and circles but are all made with straight seams.

Rings & Things by Carolyn Griffin of Far Flung Quilts, while not a pattern for a beginner, is made of only straight seams.  There are two sizes: full – 82″ X 82″ and queen – 82″ X 112″

Chain of Events another pattern of Far Flung Quilts is a dramatic quilt that is wall or lap size.  Cozy to snuggle under but what a statement on the wall! The curves are so pronounced it’s hard to believe that there are only straight seams in this quilt.  You will be combining two blocks, the “54 – 40 or Fight” and “Goose Chase” to creat this illusion.  If you use the Lazy Girl Designs Flying Geese Ruler you won’t need Math! and you won’t have to cut or sew any triangles!!  How easy can circles be?!?!

Baby Katchina by Barbara Engelking of 2 Much Fun is the perfect “circle” quilt to start with.  It measures 36″ square so it’s not a huge project but you will be paper pieceing Courthouse Steps, Curved Log Cabins (again, straight seams only!) and Lemoyne Stars.  If you’ve never paper pieced before, this is a great pattern with which to learn a new skill.  The designer promise tricks to make it easy as pie. 

If you like this quilt there is a lap-sized quilt, Katchina, which has a “curved” paper-piecing border… one quilt for the wall, one for the easy chair.  Then, circle around to Quilters Warehouse and check out all the quilt patterns.

Time to get sewing for autumn holidays.  The first to come will be Halloween.  No tricks – try these treats.  Yummmm!!  Sweets with NO calories!  Aren’t these Sweet Confections pincushions the cutest!  Use Halloween colors and arrange a few on a plate, add a spider or two and you have a wonderfully creative Halloween centerpiece.

The sweet treats are ready. Now to dress the table with Bats in the Belfry table runner and placemats.  This pattern by Sue Shipman of Friendship Designs is spooky enough as it is but you could add a few embroidered insects fot the bats to eat and really get the Halloween ewww factor!

Who doesn’t like making new friends?  Friends of Halloween would dress up a side table.  Make a few of the spiders and spread them around the candy bowl to add some spookiness to the treats.

Have you made any of the patterns from the “Straddling Series?”  If you haven’t, the Straddling Witch is one to try.  All the quilts in this series are the same size.  The quilts have pieced background and applique figures.  The straddling figures are all assembled in the same manner.  You’ll feel like you are working with an old friend when you make more than one.  There are over a dozen from witch – oops! – from which to choose. And if you fall in love with these cute characters there are a few notepads available each featuring a different straddling figure.

Well, after all that you are finally ready for the trick-or-treaters.  You could make a wallhanging to hang on your door to let them know you are welcoming them.   Welcome Halloween has all the requirements: a full moon, a bat, a ghost and a pumpkin!

There are many more Halloween patterns available, so do some browsing at Quilters Warehouse.   There you will find quilt patterns for any whim, need or desire.

This just in! A love child is born of Janome Sewing Machines and ThreadBanger!

Actually, it’s TWINS! Fraternal, of course, and both of the ThreadBanger Sewing Machines are chocked full of good genes and talent and are sure to live many, many creative years on the planet

OK, OK, so we jest. TB12 is a cast aluminum body machine that is based on a former model so popular that long-time Janome fans have been begging to see it again. So, here it is—upgraded and updated for ThreadBanger.

But seriously, we are pleased to introduce to you TB12 and TB30, the two newest and grooviest members of the Janome family of sewing machines.

The TB12 has 12 actual stitches, including a number of stretch stitches, and multiple stitch functions, including length adjustment.

EZ change feet and a simple 4-step buttonhole give you endless options for creativity, and a built-in one-hand thread cutter and simple reverse lever make finishing off stitching a breeze.

It’s a hardcore, no-frills workdog–perfect for on-the-go DIY.

The TB30 is a little fancier. (It’s just as tough, but it’s got some frills.) It has 30 actual stitches, 6 one-step buttonholes, a built-in One-Hand Needle Threader and Stitch Width and Length adjustments. Also, there is a Stitch Elongation feature– that means you can elongate some stitches without losing any density. 

Another cool feature is the Direct Stitch Selection Buttons. Push the button once, and the green light shows the left stitch pictured on the button is selected. Hit the button again and an orange light indicates the right stitch on the button is selected. The letter on each button advises you what foot to use. Such a pal!

There are three pressure adjustment levels for sewing a greater variety of fabrics, and a Needle Up/Down Button. This button allows you to select whether the needle stays down in the fabric every time you stop (allows for easy corner turning) or comes up out of the fabric each time you stop sewing. Nice, right?

Also, the Start/Stop Button allows you to sew without using the foot control! AND, if you press it and hold it down, it will sew very slooowly, so you can be as exact as you want.

Both of these machines are perfect creative tools for the DIY sewist!

We love ThreadBanger so sew so much that our own Kira DeLong personally delivered the first machines to Rob and Corinne’s ThreadBanger studio!

Our new designer this week is Arlene Ward of Designs by Arlene.  She has two popular series of redwork that focus on things that grandchildren do with their grandparents: “Me and Grandma” and “Me and Grandpa.”  

Me and Grandma Baking is one of the redwork blocks. 

There’s also Me and Grandma At the Fair, Baking, Churning, Feeding the Chickens, Going to Church, Having a Tea Party, In the Garden, Trimming the Tree (we are very busy, Grandma and me). We’re also Quilting, Sewing, Shopping for Fabric (we are kindred spirits!). Make one and frame it or use it as the focal point of a quilt. Make a few of your favorites and frame them for a grouping or use them to make a small quilt for your grandchild. Make all of them and create a beautiful quilt.

Can’t forget Grandpa – Here’s Me and Grandpa Fishin’

Look for Me and Grandpa Building Together, Camping, Playing Ball, Picking Apples, and Sailing.  A quilt made of these would make a great gift for your grandchild and for Grandpa too.

Arlene does not restrict herself to redwork; she has other projects also. If you have any energy left after all those activities with the grandkids, try this beautiful Fall Festival Table Runner.

And for Christmas, Peppermint Pinwheels is a 16″ X 40″ table runner.  Also included in the pattern are instructions for placemats.  These would make a great gift or keep them for yourself!  Change the fabric and you’ll have Pink Pinwheels, or Posie Pinwheels, or . . .

Have fun with all of Arlene’s designs and when you are finished, check out the rest of the quilt patterns at QuiltersWarehouse.com.