Free project download ~ “Gift-T-bags”
from Thistledown & co.
This fast & easy project upcycles ordinary t-shirt sleeves into fun, earth-friendly little gift bags. Decorate for any occasion. Perfect for the upcoming Holidays. Enjoy!

At Quilt Market Thistledown & co. introduced our new line of Earthknit™ patterns that upcycles leftover cotton quilt batting into fabulous, thrifty new-found yarn. 3 great patterns to play with. “Earth diva” and “eco-purse: for the fashionista in you and “eco-pillow” for home decor. Help save the planet while you have fun making these new projects. 

Karen & I have just returned from Quilt Market where the Earthknits patterns were very well received along with the 2 new quilt patterns “Chocolate Chips” and “Spin Cycle”. Market was very busy and filled with excitement. There were lots of other new earth-friendly products shown, such as the Mountain Mist eco-friendly batting and fiberfill and the new Warm & Safe batting form the Warm Company. There were many first time buyers at Market and naturally loads of gorgeous new fabric introductions such as Mark Lipinski’s “Katmandu” for Troy Inc. Michael Miller, Moda and Lakehouse had some gorgeous offerings as well as so many others. Also of note, Marcus Bros. beautiful “Surf and Sand” fabric collection would be perfect for my “Serenity” quilt pattern, check it out. Enjoy your creative endeavors and as a gift to you I have a free earth-friendly holiday project for you to download. It’s easy and quick and lots of fun.
Please note it is copyrighted and limited to personal use or for classes, not for reprint.
Enjoy the Holiday Season,
Linda Zokan
Thistledown & co
 

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.

With the holidays fast approaching, we’ve all begun to think about our decorating. I love decorating for this time of year! I have found the most adorable patterns for some of my wall hangings this year. The Wooden Bear has come out with a pattern for every season. The other great thing about these patterns is that you can use mostly scraps and clear out that stash a little! Here we go!

For Halloween, I am just in love with the hanging and straddling witch patterns.

 She is going to be so cute hanging next to some of those fake cobwebs! The Frankie patternlet will make my pillows and towels blend right in too.

And then for Thanksgiving, The Hanging and Straddling Scarecrow patterns top the list.

There’s also this adorable turkey as well as the patternlets to match!

For Christmas don’t miss out on Santa. He hangs around with the best of them.

Then of course you have the snowmen. Who can resist?

Mix it up with the patternlets and you’ve got everything you need this year!

For even farther down the road, check out their other patterns here. There’s something for St. Patty’s day, Easter, Spring, Summer. My decorating just got a whole lot easier!

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

Hi Quilting Friends!

My teaching schedule really slows down during June and July, on purpose.
This gives me time to catch up, to visit family, and to get ready for my crowded fall schedule.

The Kaleidoscope pattern is coming along and samples are being made. This is how I test my directions and make any changes needed.

Take a look at our Featured Video on KayeWoodTV.com.
It’s a Windmill pattern that is so easy to make.
Just cut the pieces with my Starmaker 5 Master Template and it goes together with just a little seam matching.

After you’ve finished with your Windmill Quilt, email us a picture and we’ll put it on our Reader’s Show and Tell pages. I’d love to see it!

Kaye

Purchase Now
Strip Quilting Projects 2
Star Maker 5 Master Template

Post and images courtesy of Kaye Wood, Inc.