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51 yards (net) used. I am a little behind the halfway mark, but hope to catch up.
Projects, Classes, Patterns, Techniques & Tutorials
Bonnie Hunter started her annual leaders and enders challenge recently. It isn’t too late to join in and reduce your scraps and create more donation quilts.
Friend Julie mentioned the Patchwork Palooza in her cornucopia last month. I joined, so I am adding in the badge.
I was looking for a zipper tutorial on the Sew Sweetness site, which gave me the opportunity to look through Sara’s various bagmaking tutorials. WOW! I have missed a lot of them. Definitely go take a look, especially if you want to improve your bagmaking.
Tools, Books, Fabric, Notions, Services & Supplies
As mentioned above, Julie posted about the Patchwork Palooza in her July Cornucopia (where does she find these great links?) I signed up, but also went looking at Alison Glass fabrics. I saw some Sun Prints somewhere and can’t find the exact ones I saw. Perhaps they are old? I didn’t find the ones I was looking for, but saw that she has some Sun Prints called Whisper. They are described as “…entirely linework and motifs on a creamy white background—perfect for scrappy backgrounds or used individually as unique, dynamic neutrals.” I saw one with letters that I liked. I used some similar designs, but in different colorways, for Triumphant. I haven’t seen any of this in stores or online. Perhaps Alison Glass reserves certain prints for her website? However, I think I will use the Chrysanthemums and Coneflowers fabric pull I made. The flower prints are pretty large, though and might not be shown to their best advantage with these small blocks.
I am going through my journals and found some quotes from my review of Jennifer New’s Drawing from Life**. This quote spoke to me as I was reading Troublemakers: Silicon Valley’s Coming of Age** and there were clear parallels to the development of the technologies there and my creative efforts.
Stash Fabrics has the whole line for pre-order. Very tempting! Especially at a $1 less than on the AG site. 😉
I used most of the white fabric I bought at Quilts & Things for the various Sidewalk quilts, so I bought more. I struggled with finding a bright white. I didn’t want cream. I chose based on a couple of color cards I have and I think I did well. The AGF pure Solids Snow is really bright. On spec, I bought a yard of Winter White from Free Spirit. It is also pretty bright, but not as bright as the AGF Snow. I decided to buy a color card so I have another resource for next time.
I really liked the Tilda pink and Prussian blue fabric I am using for the Country Revival block, so I bought a bit more of it. I also bought a mini charm pack of white squares, but the shop cancelled the order saying it was on the website by mistake. Now I have to cut some. I know I have a lot of new white, but it is easier just to buy the mini charms. I’ll drag out the Accuquilt.
When I need some supplies or hardware quickly, I have been turning to Wawak. It is not as fast as walking down to my (formerly) local Joann, but close enough. Last week, I placed an order for sliders for the Pearce backpack and got them in three days. I didn’t have to pay for rush shipping. I wish they would expand their offerings, but the bag hardware and zippers are great and well priced.
In case you haven’t noticed, I just love fabric. I am putting it out there. Not all fabric colors, but the possibilities of the fabric in colors I like. Recently, I saw Summer Friday by Whistler Studios. They look like really great blenders. I saw a FQ pack on sale, but didn’t buy it. I am at 50 yards used and I don’t want to eat into that right now. I might change my mind. I wish I could see these in person.
I splashed out and bought some bag supplies from Sewfisticated. They are the company I learned about when I was part of the Bag of the Month Club. Their bag pattern, Pandora Charisma, which I received as part of the club looks awesome and I am planning on making it, though haven’t yet. Sewfisticated is based in Singapore, so I hadn’t bought anything from them, even though I was interested in trying their products on their pattern. Recently they had a sale and I took advantage of the sale to try a couple of things. The best part? The items got to me in about a week. Note: this was pre-tariff, so I don’t know if that will have any effect going forward. I was really pleased at the speed of service.
Exhibits and Organizations
Just a reminder that the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association is hosting their 2025 quilt show on September 27-28. The theme is 50 years of quilted memories and possibilities. Hours are 10-5 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday at Club Sportiva, 521 Charcot Ave, San Jose 95131, $15 at the door, $12 in advance. There is free parking as well! It will be before the next V&S is published, so I wanted to remind you to put it on your calendar.
BAMPFA has the Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California on view through November 30.
NQR
There is a GoFundMe for Karen McTavish who has experienced a severe medical crisis. I am sharing this because I am outraged that a small business owner has to do something like this. As a country we need some kind of safety net to keep people from destitution because of something out of their control.
**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.