Cyber Monday Deals on Swell Cloth

Just in case you're in the mood to do a little shopping today, I'm offering some crazy deals on Swell Cloth.

• First 10 orders over $50 receive $10 off!*
• 20% off all orders - coupon code CMD20
• Free shipping on all orders $75+

Invoice will be adjusted when it is processed. Good Monday, November 29 only. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

*Must be $50 total after 20% discount. 

Need a present for your best sewing/quilting friend? Bundles, pre-cuts and patterns make great gifts! And there's no shame in treating yourself either (at least, I've never been above the one for me, one for you philosophy!) :-) 

Happy shopping!

♥Sarah

Tutorial Round Up: Advent Calendars

Alright - So, I'm only giving you 2 days to whip up these advent calendars before they need to be ready for use on December 1. Sorry for the late notice. But, you're a talented group of people - I just know you can do it! And who can resist these beauties?

Christmas in July by Sew, Mama, Sew!

Fabric Advent Calendar by FaveCrafts

WhiMSical Hanging Advent Calendar Tutorial by Whimsy Girl

Advent Calendar Tutorial by Molcats

Have a great week, everyone!

Scrappy Mug Rug Swap Sent and Received

Hello, my friends. Are you as sad as I am that this holiday weekend is wrapping up, and we have to return to the real world tomorrow? :-(

Well, here are a few pics to bring some you some cheer. The Scrappy Mug Rug Swap has wrapped up, and I have both sent and received my goodies.

I received this adorable owl mug rug from Dena (a.k.a. denawayne on Flickr). Isn't she cute?

Dena also generously added several fabric cuts from the same line she used to make the mug rug. How thoughtful was that?

Thank you, Dena, for making this lovely gift for me - I will enjoy using it every day. :-)

Here is what I sent my partner, who was  Me1issa - a Double Dresden Plate. The outer ring blades were cut in 3-1/2" lengths, and the inner ring of blades in 2" lengths. I think the result is pretty effective and a slightly different take on a traditional pattern - if I don't say so myself!

I also included a few goodies...

Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend! I'll be back tomorrow with a tutorial round up (topic yet to be determined - ideas?).

Happy sewing!
♥Sarah

Sneak Peak - Pillow Talk {Swap} and Shop Sample In Progress

Did you survive Thanksgiving? We had a wonderful day, despite a cold-rain downpour. Olivia and I had fun vegging out watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - every balloon and float was the best thing EVER to her. Then,we enjoyed a late-afternoon feast with my side of the family. In between parade and glutton, I had a bit of time to sew.

First, here is a sneak-peak of my Pillow Talk {Swap} project. Who's initial is in buttons? I will not tell. :-)

I'm using Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley fabric, and am loving the soft palette.

Then, I started a shop sample - Schnibbles Domino, which is a charm pack quilt.

I'm using MOMO's It's a Hoot fabric, and am even more enchanted with the designs than I was when looking at them on the bolt. The pic above shows the project needs help with pattern/palette balance. I need to make a total of 16 blocks - plenty of variation to play with and get just right.

 The instructions are easy to follow and quite cleaver in design; depending on how the quilt is looked at, different patterns are seen. Smart!

The pattern takes two charm packs. I tried to make it with one at first and quickly realized two are necessary. I chose the Birds of a Feather fabric for the backing and Plaid in Pistachio fabric for the binding.

Are you braving Black Friday shopping? I'm probably going to head out later today. For now, the house is quiet - the perfect time to get a few more stitches in. Back to the machine.

Quilt-As-You-Go Christmas Table Runner Tutorial

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm celebrating completing prep work for all our festivities by making this quick and simple table runner. The other day, I discovered left over Moda Figgy Pudding from a 2009 quilting project. What a lucky discovery! And I whipped this project up in no time at all.

Using the quilt-a-you-go method made it super quick to complete - under two hours (hand binding not included).

Step 1: Cut strips of fabric to any width. The only requirement is they are a consistent length. Cut as many strips as you'd like your table runner long.

Step 2: Cut your backing and batting to be about 1" wider than your fabric strips. Layer batting on top of backing with WRONG side of backing facing UP.

Step 3: Line your first fabric strip up with the top of your batting and backing. The fabric strip should be RIGHT side up. Stitch a straight 1/4" seam.

Step 4: Add the second strip, placing it on top of the first strip with RIGHT SIDES facing. Stitch 1/4" seam.

Step 5: Press the second strip back so the WRONG sides is now on top of the batting. Now - check the backing and see that you have a nice quilting line!

Step 6: Continue in this way until the table runner is the length you'd like it to be. My fabric did not stay lined up throughout the piecing process. Don't worry if this happens to you too - you can always trim when squaring up.

Also, make sure your backing stays smooth. Periodically check to ensure there aren't puckers or wrinkles.

Step 7: When you reach the last strip, secure it in place with a 1/4" seam.

Step 8: Your edges will probably not have stayed lined up through the piecing process. This is okay. Just trim up and square up at this stage.

Step 9: Once your table runner is nice and square, add binding in your preferred method. I like to machine attach to the front and hand stitch to the back.

Step 10: Voila! A completed Christmas table runner!

Of course, you don't have to use Christmas fabric. You can do anything, using longer or shorter pieces to make different size table toppers, mug rugs, pillow covers, or small baby quilts. This would also be a great Jelly Roll project!

Please share your photos of your completed project in the Flickr Stash Resolution Podcast group!

Happy sewing!
♥Sarah

Tutorial Round Up: Piping

Piping adds a tailored, refined finish to home dec objects, and I'm considering adding it to my Pillow Talk {Swap} project. Before putting rotary cutter to fabric, I wanted to gain a better understanding of the process others use to create custom piping using coordinating fabric with their item. Here is what I found. Enjoy!

Piping Tutorial by Sewnso's Sewing Journal

Easy Peasy DIY Pillow Piping Tutorial by Little Snoring Blog

Scalloped Piping Tutorial by Sew Blessed

Happy sewing!

♥Sarah

Stash Resolution Episode 18: Embellishments & Swell Cloth Annoucement

Oh, what a HUGE announcement I have to make today! 

Introducing, Swell Cloth, my quilt shop!

Listen to the podcast Episode 18 to learn about a special incentive code just for my podcast listeners. Download episodes of Stash Resolution for free on iTunes.

Want to win a bundle of 6 fat quarters of your choosing? Here are two ways to enter:

1. Comment on this blog post what your favorite fabric in the shop is plus a line you'd like to see carried in the future. 

2. Link to my blog from your blog and let me know you've done so in a comment on this post.

Deadline to Enter: Saturday, December 4

Winner will be announced in Episode 19 on Sunday, December 5 

Podcast Show Notes

What I'm Working on

-Helena Baby Sweater

-Hat in Mirasole yarn

-Hat in Cascade 220

-Socks in Regia Hand Dyed Effect

-Lamp Shade inspired by Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings

-Patchwork Curtains in Amy Butler LOVE

-Scrappy Mug Rug Swap

-STUD (Swap 'Til You Drop)  

-Pillow Talk {Swap}

-Green Stitch Podcast

Topic: Ways to embellish your projects

A Little Temptation

Here are a few Flickr pics to tempt you to get into your sewing room today!

1. workinprogress, 2. Pillow for Urban Home Goods Swap, 3. Making Progress, 4. Scrappy Applique Pillow - 2, 5. Joseph's Coat Pillow - it's done!, 6.Scrappy Pincushion Swap received from Tasha!!!, 7. Garland Placemats!, 8. birds on a wire in brights, 9. New pillow with mates

Tutorial Round Up: Flying Geese Techniques

Happy Monday! What? I didn't hear you. Let's try that again. (deep breath) Happy Monday! Yeah... I'm with you. Not that enthusiastic about the start of the work week either...

Let's distract ourselves for a few more minutes with a quilty topic, shall we?

I started a project using Flying Geese and thought you might enjoy seeing some of the variations on techniques available as free tutorials.

Many of you may be aware there is a Flickr group dedicated to the topic called Flying Geese Quilts and Blocks. So, if you try out any of these tutorials, consider joining their group and posting a pic to share the inspiration wealth.

Flying Geese Tutorial by The Last Piece

Flying Geese Tutorial by Modify Tradition

Paper Piecing Block by The Sometimes Crafter

the pressure's on...

Well... I never like going back on my word, but it looks like I am not going to be able to podcast this weekend. I am SO sorry, but trust me when I tell you it has been a series of unfortunate events, which have resulted in postponing my big announcement. What a let down... I promise I'll make it worth the wait. Okay?

In the meantime, I have eye candy for you! As mentioned in Stash Resolution Episode 17, I am participating in the Flickr swap, STUD (Swap 'Til You Drop). (cute name, right?) Today, the package from my wonderful swap partner arrived. Just look at all these goodies!

CA Sharp, my partner (a.k.a. Cindy), included so many extras - I feel incredibly spoiled! There's an incredibly adorable mug rug, a mini pin cushion, a tin with felt pieces for holding needles (needles included!), AND three fat quarters. Whew! She really set the bar high!

All that PLUS this unbelievable selvedge-inspired mini quilt. WOW!

Look how cute the circle pieces are!

Cindy is a long-arm quilter. Check out this amazing quilting!

And she even remembered to sign and personalize her project, ever little detail thought of.

I'm in the process of making something for Cindy. I only hope I can live up to this high standard - or at least come close. The pressure is on!

Alright, my sewing friends. Off to this busy weekend. Again, please accept apologies for the delay in releasing Episode 18. Hope you have a lovely weekend and have a chance to get a few stitches in!

One More Down, XYZ to Go

One more Christmas gift down! I completed hand stitching the binding to the Dresden Plate tablerunner out of Denyse Schmidt Hope Valley.

There are five "plates" and the finished piece measures approximately 10"W x 50"L.

I echo-quilted around each Dresden including one round on the plate and one round 1/4" around the edges. Very pleased with the results.

So - I made a list this week of the remaining projects I have yet to complete for Christmas. I don't want to give names of the gift recipients - just in case they happen to stumble upon this blog. :-)

-Person X - Courthouse Square Table Runner out of a Moda Martinique Jelly Roll
-Person Y - Birdie Sling Bag - Pattern by Amy Butler
-Person Z - Lap Quilt (pattern and fabric yet to be determined)

Then, I have several hats to complete - six in fact. Plus, Olivia's sweater is still hanging out there. Oh, and the pair of socks I started. Oh, and the three swaps I'm involved in.

No wonder my eye has been twitching all week!

Hope you are able to find time to stitch this week. Share with us what you're working on in the Stash Resolution Podcast Flickr group.

I plan to post Podcast 18 this Friday, a little earlier than usual, and have a HUGE announcement to make. Stay tuned!

Tutorial Round Up: Variations on Hexagons

It's no secret hexagons (sometimes lovingly called "hexies") are HUGE in our industry right now. Sewers and crafters a like cannot seems to get enough of these six-sided beauties - and I'm no exception. Paper pieced or 1/4" pieced, hexagons offer sewers many project options - large and small - as seen in the free tutorials listed below. Enjoy!

Sexy Hexy Quilt by Amy Butler

Hex Jeans by Sew, Mama, Sew!

Hexagon Decor by Craft Stylish

Hexagon Quilt by Bad Skirt

Sew and Flip Hexagon Topper by Jaybird Quilts

Half Hexagon Quilt Tutorial by Magikquilterdesigns

Sneak Peak - Scrappy Mug Rug Swap

Hi! It's been a while. This week was a little busy for us with the election. Now things seem to be getting back to normal - so it's only slightly crazy around here rather than excessively crazy! ;-)

I had just enough time this week to get a decent start on a mug rug for my secret partner in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap going on right now on Flickr.

As you can see, I'm playing around with layering Dresden Plates. I got the idea from a You Tube video created by the Missouri Quilt Company where they made an adorable turkey table topper and wall hanging using this technique.

The key is to start with your outer ring at length A and then the next (Ring B) should be about 1" shorter than Ring A.

I plan to send a little time sewing this weekend and hope to knock out this project plus work on another Christmas gift table topper project where I'm losely following the Courthouse Square pattern, as diagramed below from the About.com website.

Hope you're having a productive sewing weekend. Just seven weekends left until Christmas!