To Market, To Market! Quilt Market ... that is!

Linda and I will soon be headed to 2014 Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, PA!.  We are always excited to see the new lines of fabrics, patterns, trends and 'stuff' that are introduced to quilt store owners.  The displays are beautiful, the samples of the new patterns are made up in every flavor imaginable and the choices are many!  This makes it very difficult to determine which ones are "just right" for you - our customers!  We try to get rested up and be in our best frame of mind but oh my ... it is still difficult.  We will do our very best to bring back great patterns, fabrics, and ideas to keep you inspired and excited to turn fabric into beautiful projects.

I (Donelle) will be teaching a Business Class to other store owners, managers and quilt teachers about what else --- Teaching Classes!  Here's where you come in.  I have a section of my class totally devoted to sewing hints and tips.  Many of you have been taking classes from us for 30 years and have learned many little tricks from us, as well as other sources.  SEW (pun intended) if you would please share 1 or more of those with me, I would love to have a list of 100 or more hints & tips that I can pass on to my class attendees.  Send them to my email address here and don't forget to add your name and town.  I will be sharing these with all of you in future blog posts so that everyone benefits!  Thanks for taking a few minutes today to share those with me.  I will need them by Saturday, May 10th so that I can put them in the handout.  Thanks, girls!

I will be back here again soon with more fun information!  Don't forget to stay tuned to your email and be sure to LIKE us on FACEBOOK.  We will be posting information there while we are at Quilt Market.

Oh, I almost forgot!  We have a HUGE Indoor SIDEWALK Sale beginning on Thursday, May 8th!  We have tons of things a greatly reduced prices.  Some up to 75% OFF.  Many are items are in very limited supply and we are trying to make room for the new merchandise that will be arriving shortly after we return from Market!  See our FACEBOOK Post for May 6th for a list of some of the items.  I am in a SPRING CLEANING MODE and will be adding items all week-end long!

See you at the SIDEWALK SALE!  Whew...we need to clear out many nooks and crannies before we leave next Wednesday!  Pittsburgh here we come!

Donelle

Blogin, Blogin, Blogin!

Here we go again!  I know that I need to keep up with this but somehow, I seem to get behind.  I had something happen this morning while working on a project, so I thought I would share my experience with you.  And maybe, just maybe, I will get back into the habit on meeting you here on my blog more frequently.

As I was working on this quilt...

I experienced all kinds of problems with fusing down the pieces of the giraffe.  So I learned some lessons and here is my helpful tip for today...

Just a word of caution!  When using Heat ‘n Bond, Wonder Under or any type of fusible web – FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!  We have experienced problems ourselves by failing to read the directions.  They all work perfectly for their intended purposes WHEN YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.  Ask me how I know!  I found out the hard way this morning and I am passing this information on to you so that you do not have to experience that same frustration.  If you have any questions, please contact us.  I know that many times you do not save the directions and you have fusible that you have no clue how to use.  Here are some organizing hints.

1.      When purchasing the fusible, keep the label/wrapper so that you know which type it is.

2.      Label a zip-lock type bag for each type and weight of fusible.  Use a Sharpie Marker to label the bag.  Keep a set of instructions for each type in the bag that is specific for that weight and brand.  (I would put the instructions in a page protector cut down to convenient size and keep that in the bag.)

3.      Return scraps that you have left over to the proper bag.  You never know when a small piece of fusible will be just the right size.

4.      Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the corner of the bag.

5.      Arrange the bags on a key ring to keep them organized and handy.

This same type of organization will work well for interfacings.

A little work now will keep you organized and make your life in the sewing room so much easier!

Until next time...and I hope that is soon, remember to make time for the things that you enjoy!

Donelle