Highlights May 29,2021 Recent Newsletter Highlights

Aloha Prints – Time for a vacation

I recently read that one of the top 3 destinations for vacation time this summer is Hawaii. I doubt that will be a place we go, but we can provide you with some great fabric and an easy pattern to make a quick Camp Shirt.

Even if you aren’t planning a trip, these fabrics are great to wear as they are 60% cotton and 40% rayon. They hang beautifully in the pattern.

Our pattern choice is Easy Ageless Cool from Cutting Corners. We make this pattern so often because so many fabrics look great in it. Hope you will give it a try.

This is what you will need to go with your pattern.

XS – 2yards; SM-M – 2 1/4yds; Lg-XL – 2 1/2yds
4 – 1/2″ buttons (I’ll be glad to pick them for you – just put in a note)
1 yd interfacing (We use the French Fuse so our shirt isn’t stiff)

Read More
Highlights May 29,2021 Recent Newsletter Highlights

Robins Pickens – Cottage Bleu

If you love contemporary floral designs, then Robin Pickens is probably a familiar designer. If not by name, then by her lines for Moda. She has done some great collections, each focusing around a particular flower. We have seen roses, petunias, poinsettias, sunflowers and now the hydrangea.

Know you will love this new line, just in time for summer.

Read More
Highlights May 29,2021 Recent Newsletter Highlights

The Zippy Bag — ” A Fun Sew”

I just completed by first Zippy Bag and it was what I like to call “a fun sew”. I had to closely read the instructions on each step and I like that little challenge. I only had to rip out when I “assumed” I knew what to do.

I highly recommend this little bag. We did the large size which is about 8″ x 8″.

What you’ll need:
1/2yd fabric and 1/2yd for lining
SF101 Interfacing 3/4yd
Faux metal zippers by the yard
We used Cork as the fabric above the pockets
We used the chain strap and mini connectors
If you prefer the fabric strap, purchase the hardware kit.

We have what you need!


It’s the hardware that makes the bag. We have the faux metal zippers by the yard and the Zippy Hardware Kit if you use the fabric strap. If you want the chain strap, you don’t need the hardware kit, but purchase the chain strap and mini connector.

Now for the fabric. I love the weight of the cotton/linen for bags so that was my selection. I also switched out the fabric above each zipper for cork fabric. I’ve also included the lining. If you chose these fabrics, it’s 1/2yd of the cotton/linen, 1/2yd of the lining, 1/2yd of AF101 interfacing (you don’t need to interface the cork) and one piece of cork.

What was so fun about this little project is that I had enough fabric left over to make another of my favorite little bags, The Glam Bag.

What you will need:

You have plenty of fabric, as you only need 2 pieces 6″ x 9″ from both the outside fabric and lining.

You need one of those little nylon zippers, 2 pieces 6″ x 9″ of fusible fleece and you are set to use up the leftovers.

Read More
Highlights May 29,2021 Recent Newsletter Highlights

Collage Essentials

All you need to enjoy collage is a design idea, a pair of scissors, a Teflon pressing sheet, Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 and some great fabric. You will be cutting out elements from various fabrics to create your own design. There are patterns to follow, or if your are adventuresome, grab some free clip art to use as your design. There is also a great little book on the combination of fabrics and techniques if you want a little guidance.

Now for the fun part — the fabric. We are going to share some of our favorites for collage, including our new line Soul Shine. The panel is a perfect place to start with collage. It’s hard to see what is possible in this panel from the overall picture, so we have included some close ups. These designs are perfect for ease in cutting and recreating something new. We also have the coordinates to the panel to add some interest and additional designs.

We offer other great fabrics for collage as well. Here are a few of our favorites. All of these fabrics have easy to cut shapes, flowers, animals, and other great stuff.

You don’t want to put your new collage on just any old plain background. You always need interesting lights to work with. Here are a few of our favorites

If you just aren’t sure about a pattern to work with, try one of these from Laura Heine.

Read More