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.

• Register for a class at a local fabric store or sewing machine dealership and take a friend.

• 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!

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
 

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.


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?

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

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

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?
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!
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