New Book & Fun Potholder Class

Are you starting to think about holiday gifts? Well, I have a fun idea for you. John brought a great little book back from Houston called POTHOLDER PLAY. It is full of fun little projects that would make great gifts. I have made up some of the coasters. These little "quilts" are so much fun. Just grab some of those fat quarters you have been collecting, and pick a project. There are potholders, coasters, a tea cozy, casserole jacket and even a market bag. I plan to take these coasters or mug mats and find a coffee mug to match. Maybe I'll put a few teabags with it and wrap it all up for a fun gift. Believe me, once you get started making these projects, you won't want to stop. Hope you will join me for a patchwork coaster class using this fun book on November 13 from 1pm-3pm. See you at the Den!

Autumn Quilting

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying this lovely Autumn weather. The chill in the air really makes me feel like firing up the machine. My younger son went away to college, so he really needed a new quilt to take with him. He requested the school colors of red and black. I chose a pattern called Waterfalls from the "Creative Quilt Collection" from That Patchwork Place. This quilt may look like a million pieces, but it is cleverly designed to use the strip piecing method. We added in some black for contrast, and Tom was very pleased with the final quilt! See you at the Den.

Welcome Autumn

Hello to Autumn!! The crisp morning air makes me want to get to the sewing machine. This week the "Punkin Heads" wall hanging was so fun to work on. Just gather some orange pieces and some black pieces and get working on those pumpkin faces. It is a good chance to practice your machine appliqué skills with a small project. If this technique gives you trouble, come on over for the class we are offering on September 19. We will be working on using some of those decorative stitches on the faces of those pretty pumpkins. See you at the Den!

Bags, Bags, Bags

Well, summer is almost over. I have been busy working on bags this summer. Just look at all the great fabrics from the Den that can be made into bags. I love the Amy Butler fabrics and the new yellow/gray colors are " the hottest combination for fall" according to the newspaper. And we all need an "alligator" bag, so I made one in the coral color. I also have one in black. I am working on some new designs, so the orange/pink/green dots of the Utopia collection were wild and fun for a shoulder bag. I also read that a red/black combination was a hot one, so I got some Kiku fabric off the sale rack and whipped up this bucket-like bag with a knotted shoulder strap to go with that little black dress. We have some great classes coming up including a "bag of the month." Check out the class schedule and I'll see you at the Den!

A New Skirt

It is so hot! I need something pretty to wear besides long pants. Kwik Sew has a wrap around skirt pattern that I just had to try. The store sample shown is make from a Kaffe Fassett floral. The skirt goes together quickly with only a few pattern pieces, perfect for the beginner. AND I think the skirt is very figure friendly. I have worn mine often and always feel cool and comfortable. Give it a try. See you at the Den.

Summer Batik Spinner Quilt

It is finally summer and the days are long and bright. Just perfect for piecing a quick lap size quilt. I thought yellow batik would be perfect for the summer along with a darker batik for contrast and green to surround them all. The "Spinners" pattern is a simple strip piece construction using a dark and a light. I made one for the shop in pastel baby colors, but using the batiks makes the quilt look totally different. We will be offering this class soon, so I hope you will sign up. See you at the Den.

Violets in Bloom

Hello everyone, are we warm enough? This warm weather calls for a small project that is easy to handle. I decided on a hand applique project from one of Mimi Dietrich's lovely applique books. I have a violet plant in my kitchen window that has been blooming for a month now, and when I saw the violets in the book, I was inspired! The fabrics for the leaves, flowers, and flower pot are from the Shadowplay line of fabrics, and the framing fabrics are from Splash. A small project like this is easy to work on while sitting in the yard under the shade tree. Just relaxing and stitching and sipping on a glass of lemonade. See you at the Den!

New Australian Fabric Star Quilt

We have a new Australian fabric at the Den. It has a pretty light teal background with seashells scattered around. It is so pretty and looks like summer, so I had to have some. I decided to make a small quilt using the friendship star pattern. When this block is sewn together using only three colors, it makes a great geometric pattern. I used a yellow from the Splash line of solids and the paisley from the Bleeker Street collection. I have my summer shells to remind me of the beach and summer colors for a cool quilt to put on my favorite chair. See you at the Den.

Fossil Fern Charm Square Table Runner

I have been using up the rest of my charm squares from the Fossil Fern collection. I had plenty of pretty colors left over from the bag and decided to make a table runner from the Little Charmers II pattern. This great pattern comes with three variations. This runner is called the Hour Glass. The pattern calls for one row of hour glass pieces, but I wanted it to be larger so I just made another row and sewed them together. The background fabric is called dawn, and it really sets off the colors. There are still a few charm squares left from the collections I bought. What should I create next? See you at the Den!

Another Charm Square Tote

John has cut up a new collection of Charm Squares for the Den. The entire Fossil Fern collection is now available in two packs. Of course, I had to have them both! Another Charm Party Tote is a must have with this group of fabrics. Trying to choose which 35 colors to use in the tote is the hardest part of this project. Choose one yard of your favorite color for the lining. My tote is lined in "twilight," a beautiful shade of blue. If you are not a fan of the really bright colors in my tote, there are lots of muted shades in the packs that would also be great in this bag. This bag is great for a beginner or an expert. We are offering a class on Saturday, May 10. Come on over for a Charm Party class! See you at the Den.

Easiest Handbag Ever

Spring seems to finally be here! We have a new pattern called "Easiest Handbags Ever." This pattern includes directions for four different handbags. I chose to make the French Basket Handbag. Yellow is my favorite, so I chose yellow from the Jane's Forest collection. Then I chose a large flower pattern from the Tree of Life Collection from Andover Fabrics. The directions are clear and, yes they are easy. This is a good sized bucket bag that has plenty of room for all the stuff you need to carry in the summer. Next on the list for this pattern is the Prairie Girl Bag. This bag has a different shape that can be made in small or large. I can't wait to get started. I love bags!! See you at the den.

BFF (Best Friends Forever) Bag

Hello everyone. I have been working on bags again. This time I have made two of the BFF Handbags. This is a really great bag with pockets inside and out and a chance to pick out some coordinating fat quarters to make the design your own. John made one for the shop using the Orientals. It looks great. I have been studying the Utopia collection. I chose three prints and put them together to make a bright spring bag. Then I decided to go to the Kaffe Fasette collection and chose just two prints, a dark for the main bag and a light with flowers for a contrast. I made the prarie points for some interest, centering them over a pretty flower. These bags are both made in the smaller size, but it won't be long before I must have the larger size. So many options, so little time! Hope to see you soon at the Den.

Charm Squares Again

Playing with the charm squares again! I have made a table runner from "Little Charmers II" pattern. This fun pattern includes three table runners. The one pictured is called the Framed 4-Patch. It involves some cutting of the charm squares and sewing them back together to form the design. I used the pale green from the Carla Miller line for the light color and I love it! Can't wait to try the other table runners in the pack. See you at the Den.

Make Momma Happy

Hello everyone. I have been working on a pretty wall hanging called "Make Momma Happy!" It is a two color work of art. I decided on yellow and got started. You cut all the pieces according to the directions and the whole thing goes together like a quick puzzle. The flowers are machine appliquéd on using the stitch of your choice. I used the blanket stitch on my machine, but the satin stitch would look great too. Mother's day is coming up. Maybe your mom doesn't need another night gown and would like a pretty work of art made by you. Or maybe you would like to give the kit to your mom or wife so she can have some quality time with her sewing machine. We have the kit made up in pink at the store, but we can make it up for you in any color you like...black and white, green, teal, blue, violet...... The possibilities are endless! Give it a try!!

Charm Squares

Charm Squares!! We have them at the Quilted Bear Den now. I made a new bag called the "Charm Party Tote." It is a really easy tote bag and since the squares are already cut, it goes pretty fast. We have the charm squares cut from the Carla Miller collection and I used them with the pink peacock fabric for the lining and handles. The bag has a cute front pocket with a flap, two inside pockets for organization, and buttons for embellishment. Please come by the shop and take a look!

Fat Quarter Quilt

Is spring finally here? I sure hope so! I have been sewing furiously trying to finish up a few things that have been hanging around. I finished the fat quarter quilt that I bought with my Christmas gift card. I love the patterns from the M'liss Rae Hawley Fat Quarter Quilt Books. It's really fun to gather the fat quarters together and make something pretty. I started with the outer border, a fabric that I had in my stash, and worked from there. She says in the book that she likes to use colors other that tan and white for the lights. I chose a pale green, and I really like the way it turned out. So, since I used up some stash, now I can get MORE!! See you at the shop.

Lotus Tunic & Cami

Hello everyone. I have been busy working on more store samples. Today I am showing one of the Amy Butler Midwest Modern Sewing Patterns. The new sample is from the Lotus Tunic and Cami pattern. I made the Cami with cap sleeve. It is a really nice top with a contrast shoulder detail, princess seaming for a flattering fit, and buttons up the back. (I used some of the new buttons we are featuring at the shop.) And while the cap sleeve would not be flattering to me, I would like to make the sleeveless Cami option for myself. It would be really nice under a jacket or light sweater in the summer. The other options are a tunic length or dress length. These two options feature a simple lining so you could make it out of a pretty summer color and not worry about the weight of your fabric. The pattern is nicely written, as are all Amy Butler's things, and it just flows from step to step with no problems. Hope you will check it out.

Kimberly Bag & Retro Apron

Hello everyone, hope you are staying warm and dry. I have been working on some samples for the store and really having a blast! First, is the new Kimberly Bag by Amy Butler. The fabric is by Joel Dewberry and it makes the bag look original. This cute bag just flowed together and looks great. The pattern is really well written and you can learn to work with Timtex, a heavy duty interfacing that keeps the bottom of the bag strong and gives the handles some body. Next on the sample list is the Retro Apron. I chose the 30's Washtub fabric with flowers and a coordinating purple for the binding and the pocket. The apron is finished with bias binding made from the same fabric as the pocket,but you could also finish it with purchased binding, so don't let that scare you away. Come on, don't you need a new apron that looks pretty? I think I might make it again in a fabric that matches my kitchen. Maybe my family won't notice my less than stellar cooking skills because they are mesmerized by my fabulously coordinated apron! Hope to see you at the shop.Carol

Amy Butler's Kimbery Bag using Joel Dewberry's fabric

Retro Apron using Washtub Butterfly Fabrics

New Quick Quilt

Hello everyone. Doesn't this cold weather make you want to sew up a quick quilt? I decided to use up some of my fabric stash. The trouble is, not much of the fabric coordinates together. So, I chose a pale green and went to Quilted Bear Den to find something to go with it. I found a great print on the sale rack! I put together a simple square and triangle lap quilt for a friend. (Check out the photo below.) Finishing a quilt and using up some of the stash--what a sense of accomplishment! So, if you have a stash fabric you love and need a coordinate, bring it on over for some help matching it up with something fun. Can't wait to see what you bring in!

Winter's Back - Time for a new Scarf

Well, it looks like the return of winter. I bought a new jacket the other day (on sale, of course) and I needed a scarf but did not want to knit one. I decided a quilted scarf could be fun. I picked out two fabrics that matched, that new rock candy is cool and a Christmas fabric. I cut two backing pieces 5 1/2" wide by width of fabric, seamed them together to make a piece 5 1/2 x 40". Then I cut a batting piece the same size. I used alternate strips of 2 1/2" and did a stitch and flip design--a quilt as you go. When it was done, I trimmed up the sides and put on a binding. I think it came out great, and this morning I wore it out in the snow. It really is warm and looks different from anything you can buy. Try it with scraps, or a crazy quilt design! Have some fun. Hope to see you at the shop soon.Carol

Thinking of Valentine's Day

Hey everyone. Now that you have taken the holiday decoration off the front door (hopefully), why not make a really quick decoration for Valentine's Day? The Valentine Heart patchwork piece is shown in the photo. It is made with a few fat quarters and some scraps. Stop by the shop and pick up some of the great reds we have and the pattern idea is yours for the asking. Just get that sewing machine humming, it will take away the winter blues!

Happy New Year!

Hopefully you have recovered from the celebration and are ready to get started on all those quilts and projects you resolved to finish this year. I resolved to clean my sewing corner which I will now refer to as "my studio." This sounds so much better than "my corner of the basement." So, I cleaned it all up on Sunday and found some things that were missing, some inspiration, and lots of dust bunnies. Another resolution --I am not putting all that Christmas fabric away. That Christmas quilt is going to be high on the list so next year I can finally put it on the couch! Besides, the shop has all the holiday fabric on sale, another incentive to get going if I should need more fabric to complete the project. I found my flannel fat quarters, they are so soft, and the colors are great. While I was out walking off the quilters spread, I decided to make up a few throw pillows. First I straightened up the edges, cut off the selvage edges and cut the fabric in half crosswise and lengthwise. I had 7 fat quarters, enough for 3 big pillows and one neck roll. I mixed up the colors, sewed them back together into a rectangle, and trimmed the edges so all the pieces measured the same. Next, I put each piece onto a batting scrap and quilted along the seam lines, matched up two pieces, right sides together, stitched around the outside, leaving an opening and turned right side out. I stuffed them with that new cotton batting from the shop, slip stitch the opening closed and TA DA--some new reversible pillows for the couch. They are soft and cozy and really nice when watching television on the couch. I hope you will try your hand at sewing up some of your fat quarters for some fun pillows! Happy New Year!Carol