Dimension

 Name: Dimension

Design:  Nydia Kehnle

Size:  65"" by 78""

Fabric: Kona Cotton in Jade Green, Teal Blue, Pool, Windsor

Binding:  Jade Green  Backing:  New Bedford, Rising Sun Wallpaper by Denyse Schmidt

Quilted: by me with Aurifil 50 wt in bright Turquoise, 5005 in an irregular grid

I finished this quilt a few weekends ago.  It sitting waiting for a sleeve as I will pop it into our guild show next month.  This is a fabulous design from Nydia Kehnle, called Dimension.  It is paper pieced and I biggie sized it with extra blocks to make it much larger.  The 3 D effect is quite the thing.  It is made entirely from Kona solids for the front and binding.  And I bought them all at Sew Sisters.  If you read this quick and pop over there, they may still have their Konas on sale for the weekend.  Quick!

It was a breezy day when I took these pictures.  The grass was so green even though it was mid winter.  It was just a tease though as we were hit with snowfall and cold this week and we look like we live in a winter wonderland today. 

I backed the quilt with a wonderful Denyse Schmidt print.  Mostly grey with a bit of a sheen and a small print.  Almost a bit masculine.  It was a perfect fit.  Quilted with a bright turquoise Aurifil, in an irregular grid.  Lots of clothespins for this one! 

Sew Sisters has an deal for you!

Sew Sisters has a deal right now while supplies last.  25 fat quarters of either classic Tula Pink fat quarters or batiks for $50.  Seriously.  Act fast because this will not last long.  

A little stash building

I took advantage of the no shipping a few weeks ago at Sew Sisters.  I found lots on sale and added some prints from Tula Pink's Slow and Steady line and then a few others fun prints.  I took a picute of the selvages if anyone is interested.  The Anna Maria Horner print is such a wonderful low volume option.  And there is just something wonderful about the Bear Essentials prints from P and B Textiles.

Sew Sisters has new fabrics added to their clearance section and an awesome deal on Aurifil basic threads (white, grey and natural) if you need any. 33.3% off but only in January.

Hello!

Sometimes you blink and a month has gone by.  Oh my!  Well... hello!

I want to tell you about great customer service.  This is especially timely because I have been busy with multiple emails, phone calls, frustration exercises with a retailer after an online order was messed up.  Not a fabric store but some Christmas shopping.  Long story short, after that retailer's customer service completely fell apart and they don't care, along came Sew Sisters and they have amazing customer service.  And they did not ask me to say this.  It just is.  I ordered some Kona, and one of the colours was back ordered and I neglected to give them instructions about what to do if.  Anyway when I thought the order was taking a little bit longer to get here, I sent an email.  Judy answered me right away and it had to have been about 10 or 11 pm in Ontario.  The next morning, I received another email, saying they were sorry, and they would send me all but the back ordered Kona.   Awesome.  First of all, they answered.  Secondly, they had a solution.  Thirdly, they sent me a note with an extra fat quarter.  Nice!  More than nice.  It was awesome.

And we have snow.  Lots of it.  Past my boot tops kind of snow.  Stuff we never see in this quantity.  Crazy snow.

Kona Sale at Sew Sisters!

20% off continuous yardage until October 2!  This is your chance to stock up on fabulous Kona!  Flate rate shipping $9.99 in Canada.  Check out the details and get shopping at Sew Sisters!

Sale Sunday at Sew Sisters!

Quilting season is back and Sew Sisters are ready with 20% off continuous yardage of clearance fabrics.  Check out all the details on their blog.  Flat rate shipping in Canada and the US.  Sunday only!  Get shopping!!!!

Thread Sale at Sew Sisters!

I do like thread and I do like a sale.  Sew Sisters has both.  At once.  Bonus!  Stock up on thread and while you are there, take advantage of the awesome flat rate shipping and add some Kona solids or some of the other awesome fabric.  Or some Machingers.  They are on sale too as the deal for August.  Only $8.39.  

But do it quick because the thread sale is August 19-21!

Thrifty Finds and some fabric news at Sew Sisters

I hadn't been to a thrift shop in ages but I managed a quick visit the other day.  I found some vintage rick rack along with some other treasures.  Don't you love the pose on the pattern?  So stylin'!  I think I will practice that pose.  I am intrigued by the needle threader, complete in the box with instructions.  I have yet to try it.  Something tells me the fact that it is all complete in the box means it did not get a lot of use which could mean that the "witch" is not that great.

And the fabric news.  Sew Sisters has lots of stuff in their clearance section for as little as $8.99 a metre and some lovely new Art Gallery fabrics by Bari J and Katrina Roccella.  Go have a look.  To die for.  Yep.

Victoria Day Sale at Sew Sisters

Get up bright and early on Monday for the Sew Sisters Victoria Day Sale!  Monday Only, 20% off yardage.  And if you want all the details, hop on over to Sew Sisters and check it out.  

I am going to do a little pre-shopping this evening.  I noticed some interesting new low volumes from Art Gallery Fabrics... Pastel thrift.  Just the name makes it intriguing!  And then there are always the Konas!

Free Shipping at Sew Sisters for Mother's Day

Get your Mother's Day shop on at Sew Sisters.  Free shipping from May 6 to 8 on orders in Canada.
So many fabulous fabrics including so many Kona Solids!  Check it out!

Fabric Finds at Sew Sisters and free shipping today and tomorrow

I was really excited to see the new Anna Maria Horner collection, Skipping Stones,  at Sew Sisters.  I have long been an AMH fan but I am used to the incredibly saturated intense colours and vibrant prints but here she has taken her trademark prints and re-imaged them in neutrals.  Oh my goodness and are they ever lovely and so on trend with all this low volume love.  I picked out a selection and am just in total "oo ahh".  Here is a bit of a closer look at a few of the prints...

And in case you want to rush to your computer and buy some, Sew Sisters has free shipping today and tomorrow and all sorts of other lovely sales this week.

Sew Sisters has a Bundle Bonanza Sale!

Check it out!  Starting Feb. 26 through the 28th at Sew Sisters!

Who doesn't love a Sew Sisters sale?

Psst!  Just this Sunday, 20% off yardage at Sew Sisters!  And flat rate shipping within Canada at only $9.99!

Please note: 

• The Sale is ONLINE ONLY. The store will remain closed on Sunday, January 24, 2016. 

• Flat Rate Shipping will apply - $9.99 within Canada. 

• If you live in Toronto and would like to pick your order up please mention this is the comments box. Shipping charges will be removed at the time of billing. We will email you when your order is ready for pick up.  

• Discount is only valid on Continuous Yardage including Clearance and Last Chance Fabric. 

• Discount does NOT apply to pre-cuts, kits, fat quarter bundles, mini-bolts etc.

More details on the Sew Sisters Blog!

Hmm... Let's Eat!

Cynthia gave me some of her new fabric a little bit ago and I used some of her Let's Eat line for Robert Kaufman combined with some scraps to make Husband some new oven mitts.  I have to say it is pretty awesome to have such a talented quilty buddy!  This particular line has some lovely fun choices and this particular fabric worked perfectly with my black and white scraps and that awesome clown stripe binding.  Lots of quilting in Aurifil 50 wt in grey keeps all the layers of batting and insul-bright together.  Wouldn't want any heat to get through these mitts.  I did not use a pattern but traced around an old pair of oven mitts that we have used for years.  Super fun and oven mitts are a great gift item for showers or house warming gifts.  Or for your husband if you are like me and have a husband that does all the cooking!

Don't forget, Sew Sisters has free shipping in Canada this weekend!

Free Shipping at Sew Sisters this weekend!

Sew Sisters has fee shipping this weekend!  Get your shop on!  Only in Canada!  

Kona Club Challenge August Bundle

I put this tutorial together for Sew Sisters for their Kona Club Challenge. last month.  There are some great projects for other Kona solids projects on the Sew Sisters blog and this tutorial is also found there.

And Sew Sisters has an awesome deal of the month for November, Kona Basics, Ash, Black, Charcoal, White and Snow are only $7.69 a metre.  Just saying.


I decided to make something a little different for this project.  It would make a great gift for someone else but it might also be something you might like to make for yourself!


Supplies:

• 4 FQs of Kona Solids ( I used Cornflower, Daffodil, Grapemist, and Windsor)
• 1 FQ of Kona Solids OPTIONAL (this is for the lining and I used Kona Snow)
• Scrap piece of batting measuring 14" by 23" at least
• 1-3 ring binder 1" (I used an inexpensive Hilroy binder measuring 11.75" by 21.5" when open and lying flat.  The spine measured 1.5")

All seams are 1/4"

Cutting Instructions:

Decide which Kona FQ will be your feature colour for the outside binder cover and cut

2-8 x 13.5"main cover

From the 3 remaining FQs cut

2-8 x 13.5" inside flaps
2-8 x 13.5" inside flap lining

2-6.75" x 8" inside flap pockets

10-2" x 8" spine pieces assorted colours

2-2.5" x 8" inside pocket top edge from a colour which contrasts from the pocket

 

 Sewing Instructions:

Arrange the pieces for the binder spine in a pleasing order and stitch together.  Press the seams to one side.  Centre the spine section to the front cover pieces and stitch as shown in the photo.  Trim the top edge of the spine section.  Place the outside binder cover on your batting, baste as desired and quilt as desired. I like straight lines and lots of them!

 Press down 1/4" the long side of the pocket top edge.  Stitch pocket top edge to pocket. Press seam towards pocket top edge.

 Press pocket top edge towards the pocket, covering the seam.  Top stitch close to the edge, encasing the seam. Repeat for second pocket.

Layer your flap pieces in this order.  Inside flap, pocket, inside flap lining and finally batting scrap measuring 8" x 13.5".

Stitch flap to flap lining, making sure you have inside flaps which are mirror images of each other as in the picture below.  Trim batting from seam allowances, press and top stitch edge.  Nice!

Stitch flaps to main binder cover.  Again, trim excess batting from seam allowance and press.  At this point test the fit of your binder in your cover.  You want there to be some looseness as the top stitching at the end will also reduce the amount of wiggle room. Trim your binder cover to measure 12.5".

 With right sides together, stitch top and bottom edge of flaps to outside binder cover.  Trim batting from seam allowance.  Trace the rounded corners of the binder on all 4 corners and stitch a curved corners.  Trim seams and turn to right side.  Press carefully.  At this point, you may wish to place lining on the inside of the binder cover.  Slip stitch to top and bottom inside binder encasing upper and lower bottom edge.  This is completely optional.  Otherwise, press spine of binder top and bottom edge to the inside.  Top stitch carefully around the entire outside of the binder cover.  I added a second row of stitching to secure the seam at spine edges.

 And there it is!  A lovely covered binder to store all your patterns and notes in and some lovely leftover scraps too!

Kona Club Challenge over at Sew Sisters and a Giveaway

I have a project featured over at  Sew Sisters for their Kona Club Challenge today.  I was asked to come up with an original project using one of their monthly bundles of Kona cotton.  Each month Kona Club members recieve 4 FQs or 4 half yards of Kona Cotton.  The bundle is inspired by a photograph and the bundle I used  was from August.  But I am not going to tell you anything more.

Pop on over and have a look and enter the giveway for some Kona cottons!

Sunday Sale at Sew Sisters!

Get ready!  Sew Sisters is having a big sale this Sunday, online only!  20% off yardage only.  Have a look at all the info on their blog so you don't miss out on the great deals!  I might just have a gift certificate that I got for my birthday and I think I might have to go shopping!

All you need to know about the Sew Sisters Sunday Sale!

Yesterday, when I shared the whole long story about the Grape Juice quilt, I mentioned that I used Aurifil 50wt in grey... Dove in actual fact.  I should have mentioned and I will do that now that the deal of the month at Sew Sisters is a set of 3 spools of Aurifil 50 wt and the set includes the work horse colours.  White, Black and Dove.  It is a really good deal.  3 spools for $24.73.  That is 45% off!  Just for September.  

Stock up on Kona while you are there and Sew Sisters now has Essex Linen.  For real.  Awesome!

Organizing solids... it needed to be done.

I have been on a bit of a drawer tidying bender this summer.  From Husband's t-shirts to the kitchen junk drawer, I have tidied it.  It has been awesome and left me feeling virtuous beyond all measure.  Then I read a post by Very Kerry Berry where she talked about her organization and inventory of her solids stash.  Oh my goodness.  I got right on that.  I organized, folded, identified and inventoried the whole mess.  What this told me is that I really like buying certain colours.  Kona Crocus and Kona Ash for one thing.  I have several lengths of Kona Bahama Blue and Kona Ruby was another one that I seem to like buying.  Good grief.  I also realized how close some of the colours are as I tried to identify Kona Silver and Shadow.  Seriously.  So where did this leave me?  I am right out of Kona Berry (a favourite). I couldn't find Kona Curry which I was sure I had until I realized I had pulled it for something.  Crisis averted.  I think that now that I have a list with the colours and quantities on the computer, I will be much smarter about what I think I need.  I feel so much better now.   I did organize and inventory my non-Kona solids as well.  And I keep the whites and almost whites in another location just in case you wondered.

And if you are still with me, Sew Sisters has Tula Pink's extra wide backing fabric in stock.  It is apparently gorgeous.  Check it out.  And I will be placing a Sew Sisters order shortly to take care of my Kona Berry problem.