I saw this line in the Ehrman Tapestry email and thought it applied to quiltmaking as well as needlepoint: “We have long known that stitching acts as a natural anchor for a busy mind. It is a form of “active meditation” that coaxes the nervous system into a state of quiet flow…Psychologists have found that engaging with these organic, natural patterns actively relieves the mental fatigue caused by screen glare and daily pressures. In the simple act of pulling pure, heritage wool through printed cotton canvas, you are doing more than creating a beautiful heirloom. You are restoring your mind, stitch by peaceful stitch, and bringing a piece of the untamed world back home.”
Admin
I updated the Mini One Handle Tote tutorial.
I also updated the Minikins page, again, with some new projects. There will be more updates as I have ideas for gifts using more of the patterns.
I also updated a page showing other types of projects I make. I am working on a bag page as well, but it isn’t ready for prime time yet.
I have also updated the BSK post to include a glue stick. I find glue sticks to be useful and always have one with me. I added it to the Optional section, so you can choose.
Projects, Classes, Patterns, Techniques & Tutorials
In my deep dive into round bags, I found this Emmaline free pattern, the Scraptastic Basket, which has a great shape and some in two sizes.
Emmaline has a new Maker Series. By making and entering you have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate.
The guild (mostly me) wants to arrange a bag class. At Sew Day a few people were working on the Everything but the Machine pattern. MaryC made one and she was helping everyone else. I thought this pattern looked familiar when I saw it and I realized I had seen a similar pattern at Stitched with MaryM. The one I saw is called the Tidy Tote and has a lot more going, on as MaryC said. I thought we might think about the Tidy Tote as the pictures on the Everything but the Machine pattern are hard to understand. I looked at the pattern and thought the fabric in the examples was nice, but not to show the steps in the pattern. If MaryC is demoing, then everyone should be able to make it.
Bay Area Modern will be hosting a workshop on August 22 to make the Everything But the Machine Bag. Sign-up on the BAM site.
In looking for something else, I also saw the Quilted Sewing Organizer Bag. This one also has a lot going on, but is more professional and polished looking. Definitely not as easy.
I saw a boxy bag by Ma and Me Designs on IG. I went and looked at her site. The colors, of course, drew me in. The patterns are versions of other patterns I have seen, but the presentation is very appealing.
At the July guild meeting, we talked about making quilts for outdoor use, such as picnic quilts or quilts for the beach. MichelleS was kind enough to share some of the resources she uses to make a blanket in a bag. One that looks interesting is the Bernina Blanket Bag. Lindsay from CraftBuds has a tutorial on making a version with a zipper. The FabMo version has a closure, which makes is a little different from the other ones.
I saw an ad for We Like Quilting, a magazine. I went and looked at their site and found some interesting freebies. I haven’t subscribed, because I couldn’t tell if there would be any bags or small projects included. I did notice they have a Gold Membership for $59 per year: “We Like Quilting Charter Gold Membership Special Offer—Just $59 for a Whole Year!
Become a Charter Gold Member today and get the We Like Quilting Magazine and Library, Special Collections, and downloadable and printable projects!”
I was inspired to embellish (sort of, you’ll see) a Metro Double Zip Pouch by the front of a coin purse I saw on the Haori Taiwan IG feed. They have a digital pattern shop and some of the patterns are unique and interesting. One I really like is the Zipper Expandable Pencil Case. I might have to buy the pattern just to see how she does the expandable technique. I also like the Triangular Multi-Compartment Sewing Storage Box. Both are interesting bags with features that I haven’t seen before. Not all of their patterns are in English.
Tools, Books, Fabric, Notions, Services & Supplies
Cyndi sent me a link to a new-to-me hardware company, Idleblooms. They have some interesting hardware!
Studio 180 Designs / Deb Tucker have a new line of rulers called First Choice. The website describes the 7×13 inch ruler as:
“This all-in-one ruler can be used for projects from simple to complex in a variety of unique applications.
- Standard measuring lines in increments as small as 1/8”
- Fine lines for better accuracy
- Specially marked ¼” line along one long edge
- Exclusive diagonal lines in 30°, 45°, and 60° radiating from both sides
- Marking lines – use them for marking Shaded Four Patch units, Flock of Birds units and so much more
- Cutting lines – use them for cutting accurate diamonds for Lemoyne Star and Wedge Star and so much more”
Let me know if you try them.
Alison Glass has some pre-sales of new Color Camp fabrics. I love the tone-on-tone colors and designs of her fabrics. She still has a few of the Guicy Guice fabrics I used in Triumphant. Tempting as they all are, I am trying not to be tempted.
If you want to buy kits for the new Sew Sweetness patterns, she has posted the supply lists. The new patterns will be available in the next day or so. I really like all of these and will be making the Natalma sharpish as a gift.
I keep seeing ads for AccuCut. I finally went and looked at their website. Bottomline: they do not have quiltmaking dies. They seem to have dies that cut shapes for classroom use, scrapbooking and cardmaking. On thier website is a page that shows compatibility with other systems. They also say “Machines Not Compatible With AccuCut Dies: AccuQuilt GO! Fabric, Cutter™, Sizzix Big Shot™, Tim Holtz Vagabond Die-Cut Machine by Sizzix™, Sizzix Big Shot Express™, Sizzix Big Shot Plus™, Sizzix Texture Boutique™, Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine™, Fiskars Fuse Creativity System™, Spellbinders Grand Calibur™.” I didn’t even know that many die cutting machines existed.
Events, Exhibits and Organizations
Judy Martin was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame (TQHF) in Marion, Indiana on July 23–25! She is on of my favorite quiltmakers. See a recent review of one of her books.
The next stop for the Forbidden Words Quilt will be Virginia, where it will hang at the historic Richmond Main Library,as part of the Central Virginia Modern Quilt Guild “Censored” quilt exhibit from September 4 – November 3, 2026.
Lorraine Woodruff-Long will be teaching at the San Francisco Quilters Guild, an In-person workshop called “Finishing & Binding”, Saturday, September 19, 10am-4pm.
Bay Area Modern will be hosting our next workshop on October 24: Improv Curves, with Claudia Shearer. The workshop will be at Grace Lutheran Church; set up at 9am; workshop begins at 10am.
Fee is $75 for BAM members; $95 for non-members (bring a friend!). Sign-up on the BAM site.
Media & Articles
Julie posted an article about why we don’t finish projects on her blog last month. I thought there were some excellent points and some techniques to use to move projects along.
Judy Martin was inducted into the Quilter’s Hall of Fame on July 24. The Electric Quilt Company took the opportunity to offer a discount on her Star Power add-on to the Electric Quilt software. With that they included some fun facts about Judy:
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- Judy Martin made her very first quilt in 1969 and went on to become one of quilting’s most prolific creators!
- She’s published 28 books and more than 1,200 original quilt and block patterns over her career!
- Her work has been showcased in museums, major quilt shows, and quilting publications around the world!
- Judy has inspired thousands of quilters through her teaching, lectures, and writing!
- She’s especially known for her beautiful star quilts, Log Cabin designs, and love of colorful scrap quilts (keep reading to see some examples)!
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Inspiration
Apparently, I am not inspired this month…or too lazy to ask for permission to post things.
NQR
Everything this month is quilt related. 🙂