YOU CAN MAKE THIS KIT

Remember the Batting Buddy that I blogged about here? I want to show you what I did with the block that I made.

This is my new sewing kit. When Barb did the demo for using the Batting Buddy, I noticed she had a sewing kit with her. She told me that Sally had given her the idea to make it using the block she made with her Batting Buddy. I said to myself, “I can do that.” You use small snack zip bags and sew them to the center. On this website that I will tell you about, it said to use the stronger freezer bags, but I didn’t have any. I’m such a pack rat and after going through my junk, I found several of the smaller, thicker bags and used them as well as my “sandwich” bags. They worked perfect for holding that smaller item like a bobbin or button. I was going to make a tutorial but while blog hopping one day I saw this nice tutorial that you will love.
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UFO-rphanage Quilters has a great tutorial to make a sewing kit just like this. There are lots of ideas for different shapes and sizes. I also liked the suggestions for other uses for these little kits, such as younger children could use it for puzzles, games, etc. A person who does beadwork would make good use of it. It can also be made into a first aid kit, or used for meds when on a trip. There are a million ideas. Check it out.
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Until next time,
Caroll

SUNDAE ANYONE?

The Knotty Girls Stitching Bee met this week at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Sherri sent around an e-mail the previous week telling us that someone was generously donating her Sundae Glassware (I’m sorry but I forget who brought those in) so we could make pincushions and included a list of the items needed to make them.

Above is Colleen’s pincushion. She wants you to know that the rubber bands will come off once the glue has dried. These pincushions are just darling. (click on picture for closer view)

Betty Pritchard (above) worked at her hand stitching during the Bee. Her quilt is made of flannel so it was rather thick to stitch through, but she is doing great work. It is so much fun to sit around and stitch and gab and get to know each other. Isn’t it wonderful making quilting friends!

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Sarah over at the Last Piece has a pictorial in free form curvy piecing. This technique seems very complex, but give it a go with some scrap first and you'll soon see it's not nearly as hard as it looks!
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Until next time,

Caroll

DO YOU HAVE A BATTING BUDDY?

If you didn’t get to the Attic Window Quilt Shop last Friday night, you missed a huge sale and wonderful demo. The Crazy Days of Summer sale was fantastic. Everything 30% off! Where else can you get a bargain like that? Above, Barb David (seated at sewing machine) demonstrates how to use the Batting Buddy. The Batting Buddy is a special template to help you cut and place batting and backing. This quilt-as-you-go technique allows you to complete the quilting as you assemble your blocks. Barb did a great job and even though there were four sewing machines set up, people were standing in line to get a chance to make a block. This technique allows you to make a quilt of any size, and we found several other items to make with the Batting Buddy: Placemats, needle case, hot pad, notebook cover. The ideas are endless. Stop in at the shop and pick up your template before they are gone.

I should have taken pictues of some of the finished blocks, but I was waiting in line with my hands full and didn't want to get my camera back out. So I'll have to show you my mistake. I think I was so excited to try a new product that I didn’t pay attention to what I was supposed to do with what was in the kit. This is my attempt, which was a big NO, NO.

The block should have looked like this with the white fabric on the back. I don’t know where my brain was, but when I picked up my fabric kit, but I forgot to put the fabric on the back. Duh! You need to add the backing so the entire block is quilted when you are finished. As Barb says, when you’re done, you’re done.

I took my mistake home and gave it another try. This is what it should look like when finished correctly.

I’m going to make a needle case out of mine.
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Anne Kata has the greatest idea for using up those small pieces of fabric. Check her sidebar too. She has a featured tutorial on how to make your own summer sandals. Awesome.
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Until next time,

Caroll

GET READY FOR HALLOWEEN

Get a head start on making this Halloween wall hanging. The pattern is called Happy Hunters by Red Rooster. You can see it and purchase the pattern (very inexpensive) at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Don't you just love these beautiful warm autumn colors? This new fabric is in at the Shop. It is called Harvest Roosters by Debbie Mann from South Sea Imports

This new Moda panel is called Awesome by Sandy Gervais. Check out the squirrel at the bottom so happy waiting for all those acorns to fall. Pick up your panel and corresponding fabrics at the shop and make a lovely autumn wall hanging.
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Mel’s Own Place has a tutorial for making this cute owl plushie. What a cute Christmas gift for that beloved little one.
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Until next time,
Caroll

THINK SNOW AND FEEL COOL

In this heat it’s okay to think snow. Barb made this sample for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. It is called Snow Much Fun and is a This and That Pattern. Just thinking about making up this darling wall hanging makes me feel cooler.

New fabrics are in at the Attic Window Quilt Shop just in time for your to start those Holiday projects. This is Winter Medley from Maywood Studios.

This fabric is It’s Snow Fun by South Sea Imports. Stop in and pick up some of these Holiday fabrics and get started on those projects now. Those holidays will be here before you know it.
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Dream Castle Quilts has some nice star patterns. Check it out.
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Until next time,

Caroll

QUILT AS YOU GO DEMO TO BE HELD

I stopped at the Attic Window Quilt Shop today and guess what I saw! I get so excited every time I go in there because there is always something new to see and a class or a bee going on. I know I'll find someone with a show-n-tell. Today Barb was showing this quilt. It is a quilt-as-you-go project and I first blogged about it here. During the Crazy Days of Summer Sale on Friday, August 20th, from 6-9, Barb will be demonstrating how this quilting technique is done. If you are interested in learning how to make this quilt, stop by the shop during that time. No need to bring a sewing machine as machines will be available for you to use. For a small fee you will receive a kit to make a block and try this new technique. You will be able to try out the Batting Buddy, the tool that is necessary when making this quilt.

This is another great find today when I visited the shop. Pat Anisko shared her latest quilt with us. She calls it Frogs. She can’t remember the name of the book she got it from. Each frog is stitched with a different machine stitch. Pat said she made this quilt for herself because she loves frogs, but she bets that her grandchild will use it when he comes over. Click on the picture for a closer view. Thanks for sharing Pat.


The Pieceful Kwilter has a PDF file for an Easy Pleaszy tote. Check it out.
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Until next time,
Caroll

PURSE FOR WOMEN & A BAG FOR MEN

Cindy made this expandable purse from a pattern by Whistlepeg Creek Productions. Isn’t it beautiful? Very classy looking. Add your own special button as she did to make it distinctly yours. You can find the pattern at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Cindy will be teaching you how to make Mallorys Big Box by This and That patterns on Wednesday, August. 18th from 2-4. I can see this in a fabric that men would like. Why pay $118 for a leather shaving kit when you can make one just like it at one forth the price. Make your special guy this boxy bag for Christmas.
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The Long Thread has a list of links for creative back to school projects. Check it out.
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Crazy Days of Summer Sale on Friday August 20th from 6-9. I don’t know any of the details yet, but the Attic Window Quilt Shop always has great sales, so mark your calendar now so you won’t miss this fantastic event.
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Until next time,

Caroll

IT'S BOO TIME AT THE ATTIC WINDOW

This darling Halloween Wallhanging is called Midnight Crow and is from Crabapple Hill patterns. You can find the pattern at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Click on the picture to get a closer look.

The one on the left is me before I go to bed at night and on the right is me when I wake up in the morning. LOL

These darlings are from the pattern Happy Halloween by Amy Bradley Designs. This is a must-have. Get yours at the Attic Window Quilt Shop before they are all gone.

This fabric is Trick or Treat by Exclusively yours. This and lots of new Halloween fabrics are in at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.
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Katherine of Quilters Going Bananas has a great tutorial on Stash Manicure for Scrappy Stars. You’ll love this scrappy look and her directions are excellent.
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Crazy Days of Summer Sale on Friday August 20th from 6-9. I don’t know any of the details yet, but the Attic Window Quilt Shop always has great sales, so mark your calendar now so you won’t miss this fantastic event.

♥
Until next time,

Caroll

TEENS and TWEENS CLASS

The Attic Window Quilt Shop has something for tweens and teens. Lee Ann will be teaching a Kids Tote Bag class next Wednesday, August 18th from 10-2. The patters are available in two different sizes to meet various needs. This should be a fun class, particularly for that tween/teen bored with summer and looking forward to showing off something new when school starts. Call the shop for a supply list and to register for the class.

This pattern doesn’t look too difficult either. Isn’t it beautiful! The fabrics are from Benartex Tropicana Modern Mix. Kits are available at the shop.

I love this tabletopper. This is a new pattern by Carolyn E. I want to make several using fabrics to match the season. Check it out at the shop.

Crazy Days of Summer Sale on Friday, August 20th from 6-9. I don’t know any of the details yet, but the Attic Window Quilt Shop always has great sales, so mark your calendar now. You won’t miss this fantastic event.

Dawn Hay Designs has a free snowflake pattern every Wednesday for 10 weeks. The pattern is up for a week, so get over there quick.
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Teddi Munslow, quilt artist, has something different to show you. It is my inspiration to use up those ugly fabrics and scraps. Be sure and scroll down and see her last three posts. Interesting.

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Until next time,
Caroll

NEW JELLY-ROLLS & FREE PATTERN

The Attic Window Quilt Shop has new Moda Jelly- Rolls. These Marbles are called Citrus, Pastel, Warm, Bright. There are a zillion things you can do with Jelly-Rolls and Robin from News From The Nest has generously agreed to share with our readers her Super Fast Jelly-Roll pattern. Be sure to stop by Robin’s blog here and see what else she’s been up to. Thank you, Robin.

Super Fast Jelly-Roll Quilt

Approximate finished size: 65" X 79"
A friend shared this idea with me.
I've written it up so I can share it. Enjoy!

What you will need: 1 Jelly roll
First border: 1/2 yardSecond border: 1 1/4 yards

Directions: Sew all the jellyroll strips end to end in random order. Cut the selvages off as you go. You will have a very long strip of fabric approximately 1600 inches long.
(40 strips x 40")

Important: Cut 20" off of the beginning of the long strip of fabric and throw it in your stash. You won't be using it. This will make it so your seams will be staggered as you sew them together.Now find the 2 ends of the strip and put right sides together and start sewing!!!Sew down the long side of the strip to the end and cut the loop at the end of the strip.
You now have a very long strip that is 2- jellyroll strips wide.
If you want to at this point, you can press them open, but pressing is really not necessary until you have the whole thing sewn. Remember this is supposed to be a fun and FAST quilt.Don't stress over anything!Next...find the two ends of this long strip again and put right sides together. Sew all the way down to the end and cut the loop at the end again.
You will now have a strip that is 4- jellyroll strips wide.
Now...find the two ends of this long strip and put right sides together. Sew all the way down to the end and cut the loop at the end.
You will now have a strip that is 8- jellyroll strips wide.
Again...find the two ends of the long strip and put right sides together. Sew all the way down to the end and cut the loop at the end.
You will now have strip that is 16- jellyroll strips wide.
For the last time.... find the two ends of the long strip and put right sides together. Sew all the way down to the end and cut the loop at the end.
You will now have a strip that is 32- jellyroll strips wide.
You are finished!!!!
You now have the center of your quilt... It should measure approximately 50" x 64".
Square it up.
Borders are next:
First border: Cut 6 - 2 1/2 inch strips. Join together. Measure and apply borders as shown.
Second border: Cut 7 - 6" strips. Join together. Measure and apply as shown.

♥
Until next time,

Caroll

NEW SAMPLES AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

This beautiful quilt is a new sample that Maggie made for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. I believe it is going to be a BOM. What is important for you to know is that this is a wool on cotton quilt. Maggie said what she did was collect wools from thrift shops. When she saw a garment that she liked she would buy it, cut it apart, wash it and dry it. That way it won’t ravel and you don’t have to worry about shrinkage when you wash your quilt. A word of ADVICE from Maggie. Before you purchase a garment look at how it is constructed. Some of the men’s suit jackets are made of many small pieces. When she took a nice wool jacket apart, she realized the pieces were too small for her project. Get ready to take part in making this fabulous quilt and start collecting those woolens NOW. The shop will also have some wools available, but this quilt has so many pieces in it you might need something special for your color scheme.

This is Barb David with her newest sample for the shop. It is the Crap Apple Hill Snow Days. She was reluctant to let me take a picture because she still has some embroidery to do. Notice how the embroidery flows from one block into the next. This is a beautiful quilt and I know a lot of people have been waiting to see it. Thanks Barb for letting me share.

This is also from Maggie. It is the Mill City Sampler and is an upcoming BOM. It is made of civil war fabrics. What some of you make like about this Sampler is that it will be pick-up only. This will work well for those of you with schedules too busy to allow for a class.
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I love this idea. Sew Much Ado has a fantastic tutorial to make your own duster.

♥
Until next time,
Caroll

HAVE YOU MADE A REVERSIBLE APRON?

Have you ever made a reversible apron? Fresh From Mother’s Cupboard Kits are available at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. I love this fabric with the lighthouses. The left side of the picture shows the other side of the apron. What a great gift this would make. Two aprons in one!

You can make this darling little bag from the This and That pattern. Check out the sample and pattern at the shop.

Don’t you love this fabric? It is called Luna Blooms by Sue Zipman at Clothworks. Kits for this quilt, which includes the pattern, can be found at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. I love kits. It takes all the stress out decision making.
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Cathy over at Cabbage Quilts had a nifty idea that I’ve been meaning to show you. This past spring she made a string quilt. What I like about her idea is that once she made her square blocks she cut them into circles and created this beautiful quilt. You can see it here. Scroll down and read all her instructions. It looks like a fun quilt to make.
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Until next time,

Caroll

LOOK WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH DISHTOWELS

You can make any dishtowel look special with dimensional embroidery. Above, it looks fresh and clean with the adding of the 30s fabrics. Why not use a binding and fabric to match your kitchen or the kitchen of that lucky person who will receive it as a gift. You can get the patterns at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

This project bag is so cute and so easy to make. Just take a dishtowel, add a little rickrack and an eye-catching button to pizzazz it up, and you have a clever gift in no time. Patterns are at the shop.

I saw a pattern when I was perusing the Quilting Board and fell in love with it! You can get the instructiions for the Hidden Wells Blocks here. You can see pictures of the many variations here
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Until next time,

Caroll

SAND, SURF & SUNSETS QUILT SHOW

The Sand, Surf & Sunsets Quilt Show was held at St. Patrick's Catholic church in Grand Haven, MI this past week. Since the Attic Window Quilt Shop was a vendor there, I had to go check things out. Persons who attended the show were greeted by this lovely lady. I couldn’t resist. Check out her wine glass and shoes. Isn’t she beautiful!

This Wallhanging is called Raccoons at Midnight and is by Nancy Einfeld. She did a fantastic job of capturing the look on the racoon’s faces.

This quilt is spectacular. It is called All Creatures Great and Small and is by Barb Bredemeier. She said it took her five years to complete the quilt.
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This is a close up of one of the blocks. Check out that little mouse climbing the flower. Barb said she did all the appliqué, embroidery and quilting by hand. Wow! Barb you are fantastic!

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There were so many beautiful quilts at this show. I wish I could have taken pictures of them all. The show is over now, but be sure and plan next year to attend this fabulous show.

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Allie of Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life has some has some nice vintage designs for you. Check it out.
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Until next time,
Caroll