South Bay Quilters Guild

AAA Sewing & Vacuum Gift Cards

2010-09-03T21:40:28Z

This information copied from AAA's Friday, September 3rd email.

Gift Card Blast Off!

Super-size your money with our Gift Card introduction.

Yesterday our new Gift Card system was installed. We are now pleased to offer Gift Cards for your convenience. Gift Cards may be purchased in any amount, and look just like a credit card. You can even re-load them with more funds as time goes by. They are convenient and safe, and are something we've been wanting to offer our clients for some time now.

To kick off our new Gift Card program we are hosting a Blast-Off Increase-Your-Card-Value sale! For every $100 dollars you spend on a Gift Card, we will load up $120 on the card. Yes, that's right! You'll spend just $100 and get a Gift Card worth $120! This will work for any full $100 amount. For instance:

Buy a $100 Gift Card - receive a card worth $120
Buy a $500 Gift Card - receive a card worth $600
Buy a $1000 Gift Card - receive a card worth $1200
And, so on...

Take advantage of this special offer for yourself, or take care of your Holiday shopping early while getting more punch for your buck!

Valid one day only: Saturday, September 4, 2010

We'll be open regular business hours Saturday, which are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come in early to get your Blast Off Gift Cards, and then enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend knowing you are a savvy shopper who got a TERRIFIC deal!

Sewingly Yours,

Amina, Aman, Salima, Sohail, and Suzy
AAA Sewing & Vacuum Center

Friday Freebies: Patterns and Tutorials

2010-09-03T06:55:49Z

Oh, there are so many sites to visit, patterns to see, videos to watch, and beautiful fabric to inspire. I'm hoping these will foster creative thoughts as you head into the holiday weekend.

Quilt Binding

Pat Sloan shares her technique for applying quilt binding by machine, and using a blanket stitch on the front. Her pictures and video are very clear. She makes it seem so easy!

Jennifer at That Girl ... That Quilt created a method of binding the edges of her Hexagon quilt. Lots of tutorial pictures to follow. And I really like the look of her table runner using the hex shape:

Apron tutorials

A Girl's Garden Party Apron

And then I searched for "free apron patterns". Oh my! These ought to keep us busy making aprons for the Fashion Show! The sites have long lists, but some of the links have nice patterns. Click here and here and here and here.

Three-tier apron by Shabby Fig

Sewing, non-quilt items

Camera Strap Cover
Nice idea to customize a camera strap with the beautiful fabrics of your choice!

Scrappy Strip Rose
Embellish a sweater or purse. Here's a sample from the author's site, Cluck Cluck Sew:

Soft Fabric Basket
As part of a baby gift set, or for displaying fabric or yarn, or holding guest hand towels ... Many uses.

Amy Butler Hourglass Pillow

Quilt patterns

Amy Butler Daisy Chain Strippy Quilt

Piece O' Cake Designs Dutch Tulip and Simply Color

That's it for now. Happy sewing!
Sherilyn

National Sewing Month 2010

2010-09-02T04:56:16Z

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? I think that means we have an excuse to spend just a little more time sewing or adding to our stash, right?

NationalSewingMonth.org has a list of ideas for getting more involved with sewing this month:

Teach a family member or friend to sew.

Volunteer your time and teach sewing to a local youth organization like Girl Scouts and 4-H Clubs.

Make it possible for someone to learn how to sew. Give employees time off work so they can volunteer their time; or donate fabrics, equipment, and sewing supplies.

Sew more often. If you haven't been sewing lately, find out what's new in the sewing world at a local fabric or sewing machine store.

Join your local chapter of the American Sewing Guild at www.asg.org and participate in its activities.

Contact your local public television station and make a contribution that supports sewing programs.

Create your own sewing circle of friends; it's fun to sew with others!

The National Sewing Month website also has written instructions and a video for making either a Kindle or an iPad cover.

And lastly, there is an "Accessorize Your Life" contest through the month of September. Your accessory can fall into one of these categories: Fashion/Garments, Personal Items, Home Dec (including kitchens & outdoor), Sewing Room, Travel, Pets, Office/Work, or Auto. Guidelines and the entry form are available on the contest page.

We'd love to hear how you plan to celebrate your love of sewing!

Bowers Museum Quilt Faire

2010-09-02T04:15:39Z

I received the following information from the Bowers Museum about their upcoming event. First, some information on the quilt faire, and second, an opportunity for quilting vendors.

Quilt Faire:

The Bowers Museum is proud to showcase the art of quilting in its contemporary forms with our Quilt Faire weekend. Browse the colorful, detailed works of local quilters and take a piece of the beauty home with you! Also, please check out our Quilts special events held in conjunction with the faire.

Lecture: Saturday, November 13, 2010
Keepin' 'Em in Stitches: America's Funniest Quilts
Julie Silber, quilt curator and historian, reveals the hilarious anecdotes behind some 19th and 20th century quilts.

Film: Sunday, November 14, 2010
Hearts & Hands: 19th Century Women and their Quilts
Highlights women's greatest achievements in textiles during major historic events of the 1800s.

Saturday and Sunday
November 13 and 14, 2010
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
John M. Lee Court
Admission: Free; Does not include admission to the museum or special events
For more information please call 714-567-3677

Vendor Opportunity:

The Bowers Museum is proud to host a Quilt Faire on Saturday & Sunday, November 13 & 14, 2010 held in conjunction with our current exhibit, Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique.

We are currently looking for creative local quilters to serve as vendors for the faire. The weekend events will include quilt sales, demonstrations, hands-on projects, a lecture and film screening.

For more information, please click here to download the Bowers Museum Quilt Faire informational flyer.

To apply, please click here to download and fill out the application and return to the Bowers Museum Education Department at education@bowers.org no later than September 10, 2010.

If you have any questions please call 714-567-3677 or email education@bowers.org.

We look forward to your participation in this wonderful event!

Thank you,

Nancy Warzer-Brady
Vice President of Education

Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706
www.bowers.org

8 Stretches to Help with Stitching Stiffness

2010-08-26T04:55:44Z

I came across the Auckland Patchworkers and Quilters Guild site, and decided to look around. (Which reminds me that I'd like to explore websites and quilts from Guilds around the world. But that's for another day.) The Auckland site has an article listing "stretching tips to help avoid problems associated with long periods of repetitive stitching." The information was originally provided by Sarah at The Good Use Company and I've included her suggestions below.

"You can work with a strain, but never a pain."

Hold each stretch for 3 seconds as you exhale and repeat gently 3 times.

Shoulder Stretches to ease neck stiffness:
1) Roll your shoulders in large circles, up, back, down and forwards 3 times. Reverse the direction and repeat.
2) Lift one arm across your body, taking your elbow past your nose, and feeling the stretch behind your shoulder. Repeat with your other arm.
3) Drop one hand down your back and gently increase the stretch by pulling on the elbow with the other hand. Repeat with your other arm.
4) Stretch both arms above your head, clasping your hands high above you and squeezing your arms in to your ears. Breathe out then lower your arms.
5) Clasp your hands behind you at bottom level and pull your hands down, bringing your shoulder blades together and opening the front of the chest.

Forearm stretches:
6) Put the palms of your hands together and, keeping the whole hand and fingers in contact, press downward, stretching the under side of your wrist. Roll your fingers to point toward the floor then back to point at your body.
7) With arms at your side, straighten your elbow. With your shoulders relaxed, flex your wrist, pulling your fingers up, and slowly rotate your whole arm as far as possible in each direction.
8) Drop your arms at your side, flick your fingers and hands, stop and pause. Combine with a long breath out for good micropause effect. Stop, drop, flop and pause for 3 seconds.

Micropause every 15 minutes when sewing continuously but if arm or hand pain occurs, micropause every five minutes.

Do you have any other favorite stretches for quilters?

Jo-Ann's Craft and Quilting Contests

2010-08-26T04:16:37Z

Brief information on two contests sponsored by Jo-Ann stores, with links to the official websites.

Craft for a Cause Contest 2010

Use your creativity, skills & passion to help your favorite worthwhile cause.

Judged on creativity, quality & functionality for the charitable organization receiving the item.

Crafting contest begins August 15, 2010 and ends October 30, 2010.

Additional information from Jo-Ann's blog

Quilt Your Colors Contest 2010

Use your talent & skills to create an award-winning quilt made with fabric purchased from Jo-Ann.

Winning entries chosen for: Workmanship • Originality • Level of Detail

Contest begins August 29, 2010 and ends December 18, 2010.

Will you be quilting for a cause or quilting your colors?

Quick Weekend Projects and New Notions

2010-08-21T21:49:31Z

Looking at the myriad of quilt-related blogs and articles on the web, I found some quick projects that could be accomplished over the weekend. Maybe some of these will fit into your schedule?

Projects:

Scrappy Bookmarks
Very simple. Instructions are shown following the second photo. Back to school item?

(photo by Anna Maria Horner)

Organize quilt projects
Inexpensive and space-saving method of storing in-progress projects.

Cell Phone Pouch
Hmmm, my Mom was asking for one of these. This pattern could also be made with a solid piece of fabric for a simpler style. Or add beads and other embellishments.

Fabric Fortune Cookies
These would be fun for a Friendship group or Asian-themed party. Or just because they would surprise my family!

(Andrea Shedletsky for International Quilt Festival)

Fabric and fast2fuse Heart Ornaments
Couldn't this easily be adapted to any shape? I'm thinking pumpkins or Christmas bells.

Christmas Tree napkin
Dottie showed this at Show-N-Share last year. Never too early to start thinking of Christmas!

Notions:

Fiskars Fingertip Rotary Cutter
Handy for cutting the intricate pieces. (Shown on Amazon; this is an extra "plug" for shopping through the SBQG Amazon link!)

Clover's Soft Touch Thread Pic
"...the perfect tool for hiding or removing stray threads as it easily slips through fabric, leaving no marks or punctures."

Does anyone have additional quick project ideas? Happy quilting!

Sherilyn

Friday Freebie - American Glory pattern

2010-08-20T04:17:57Z

Thanks to Dottie and Arlene for this guest post.

The Moda Bake Shop blog has a simple stars and stripes quilt that could be adapted to the Quilts for Wounded Soldiers size. The pattern creates 9" finished blocks, which can be laid out in 5 blocks x 8 blocks (45" x 72"), plus 3" borders.

The pattern calls for two solids and one print, but would also be interesting made from scraps. Or try switching the colors to a red/blue background with white stars.

The pattern, with cutting and piecing instructions, is available on the Moda Bake Shop site.

New forms for SBQG members

2010-08-17T03:08:52Z

Two new forms are available in the Members Only section of the website:

Show 'n Share (under Intraguild forms): Use this form to describe your show-and-tell project. Your information will be read while you present your wonderful, completed project to the Guild!

2010 Fashion Show Entry (under Fashion Show forms): Use this form to submit your aprons, garments, and/or accessories for the November fashion show. Submission deadline is October 19th.

"Fractured Landscape Quilts" book

2010-08-17T01:00:35Z

An SBQG member, Eva, would like to briefly review a copy of "Fractured Landscape Quilts" by Katie Pasquini Masopust at tomorrow night's SBQG general meeting. If you have a copy of this book and can bring it to the meeting for a quick look, please contact Eva, or reply to this post, or contact Sherilyn (SouthBayQuiltersGuild@gmail.com) and I will put you in touch with Eva. Also, if you have any thoughts to share on the book, we're all ears, er, eyes!

Luella's - Upcoming Events

2010-08-16T02:54:45Z

"Don't miss this!" from Luella's Quilt Basket:

Please join us on Tuesday evening (August 17) at 6:30 for our 5D Embroidery Software Launch Party! This fabulous new software from Husqvarna Viking is so user friendly. There are so many new features that you will have to see it for yourself.

Then on Thursday, August 26, we invite you to join us for Designer Ruby's Debut Party. Join us at 6:30 pm to experience this wonderful new sewing and embroidery machine from Husqvarna Viking. It will be love at first touch!

We have a new format for our Class Preview event. On Friday evening (August 20) at 7:00, come and "Meet the Teachers" and see the classes we have on tap this fall. Each teacher will give you a brief introduction to their classes and show their samples. The teachers will be available to answer your questions. You can sign up for your classes and receive a 10% discount off your class fees at this event. If you want a sneak peak at the classes, the new schedule is posted on our website.

Wordless Wednesday - A Rainbow of Quilts

2010-08-11T11:00:00Z

Penny Halgren

Elizabeth Skiles Ward

Debbie Mitchell

Carolyn Saxby

Sonya's Snippets

Delaware Quilts

Tuesday Tutorial - Machine and Hand Quilting Techniques

2010-08-11T04:00:44Z

How to Tie a Quilt Using a Sewing Machine. Plain stitches, decorative stitches, or buttons.

Hawaiian quilting by machine. "Some ancient Hawaiian princess is likely rolling over in her grave."

Quilt As You Go (video). Treat each block as a mini-quilt. Assemble the blocks with sashing, and then quilt the sashing. Very portable.

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas in August

2010-08-05T02:33:02Z

For Wordless Wednesday (all pictures, no words), and in conjunction with our Library having "Christmas in August" at the next meeting, here are some Christmas quilts to inspire us to get an early start on gifts! The links following each picture provide information on the artist and whether a pattern is available.

http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/christmas-whirligigs-final-sneak-peeks/

http://www.westminsterfabrics.com/images_wfi/pdf/MN%20Christmas%20Cactus.pdf

http://www.blackeyedsusandesigns.com/on-line-catalogue/applique.html

http://www.bonnetgirls.com/Christmas%20Bonnet%20Girls.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lululollylegs/3033721055/

http://autumnaskswhy.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-6-christmas-quilts-and-blankets.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22833158@N05/3092976209/

http://blog.jwdpublishing.com/category/patterns/

http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-quilts.html

http://www.kiwiquilts.co.nz/shop/Jelly+rolls+and+patterns./Cactus+Wreath..html

Tuesday Tutorial: What are blogs, RSS, and Google Reader?

2010-08-04T04:19:33Z

Thanks to Dottie for this guest post to kick-off our Tuesday Tutorials!

"Blog" is short for "web log". A web log is a kind of online diary, where someone posts little articles about whatever they're interested in. Many blogs are updated daily or several times a week. They show you photos, post free patterns to download, make you laugh, let you learn about life in other countries . . .

There are some really good blogs about quilt making, knitting, crocheting and other crafts. How do you keep track of them? How do you know when they post something you haven't seen yet?

"RSS" stands for "Really Simple Syndication". It's an easy way to keep track of websites whose content changes frequently, without having to go visit each of those websites just to see if anything's new.

"RSS in Plain English" is a quick explanation of how to get started:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU

Google Reader is a popular way to read RSS feeds; it's the one I use. You need to go to Google, click the Sign In button at the upper right, and create a new Google account by entering your email address, and creating a new password. Don't use your regular email password - create one just for Google. (If you already have a Google Gmail account, you can use that.)

Once you have a Google account, at Google's main page, click the "more" button at the top of the page, and choose "Reader" from the drop down menu.

Here's Google's Help page on getting started with Google Reader:

http://www.google.com/support/reader/bin/answer.py?answer=113517

Depending on the way the blog owner has set things up, you may be able to read the whole article directly from Google Reader. Or you may just see a page title, so you need to click to leave Google Reader and go to that blog to read the rest. If you set your browser to open a new page or a new tab when you leave Google Reader, it's easier to go back and take up where you left off.

Some blogs you might like:

Material Obsession, a quilt shop in Australia:

http://materialobsession.typepad.com/

Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts does interesting things. In her right hand sidebar, she links to some good tutorials, and has a long "blogroll" - a list of other quilters' blogs for you to try.

http://mrsschmenkmanquilts.wordpress.com/

Moda Bake Shop, from Moda Fabrics, has free patterns for their jelly roll and layer cake bundles.

http://www.modabakeshop.com/

One Pretty Thing roams the Internet finding ideas from the craft blogs, and posts a daily selection for you.

http://www.oneprettything.com/

- Dottie

Note: If you have additional questions on blogs or RSS Readers, please ask. We're here to help you understand, and enjoy the abundance of quilt and craft blogs available on the web!