Sew Mamas: February 2010

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Online Resources

Free Pattern Resources

http://www.fatquarterfactory.com/Free_Patterns.html
These are all charm square patterns. They could be easily adapted to other sizes.

http://www.quilterscache.com/
This website is a wealth of information. There are lessons on things like paper piecing, applique, and color theory that you can choose from a drop down menu. There is also a huge list of patterns (hundreds!)if you choose “Quilt Blocks Galore” from the drop down menu.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com
This is part of the Better Homes and Gardens website. They have several free patterns available to print as well as tips, tricks, and videos you can watch. New patterns are added all the time.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/forums/show/10.page
This is a message board where people patterns and techniques. Most posts are written as tutorials that walk you through how to put the block together. You can also post a question looking for a pattern that you may be having trouble finding.

http://www.sewingrepublic.com/projectIdeas.html
This website features a new project to sew each week, complete with instructions. You can also search previous projects.

Free Patterns from Fabric Manufacturers
Almost all major fabric manufacturers offer free patterns to download and print that go along with their fabric lines. Here are some links to those.

http://amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php
There is a link to dozens of free patterns here- everything from quilts to bags to wall hangings.

http://www.andoverfabrics.com/QuiltDesigns/QuiltDesigns.asp
Free patterns from Andover Fabrics

http://www.benartex.com/projects/p_archives.php
Free patterns from Benartex

http://www.classiccottons.com/t-freequiltpatterns.aspx
Free patterns from Classic Cottons

http://www.clothworkstextiles.com/patterns.asp
Free patterns from Clothworks Textiles

http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/patterns.php
Free patterns from Free Spirit Fabrics

http://www.hoffmanfabrics.com/content/content-folder.asp?FolderID=7
Free patterns from Hoffman Fabrics

http://www.inthebeginningfabrics.com/freepatterns.htm
Free patterns from In The Beginning Fabrics

http://konabay.com/quilting-fabric/category/Free_Patterns_to_Download.html
Free patterns from Kona Bay Fabrics

http://www.marcusbrothers.com/makeit/index.html
Free patterns from Marcus Brothers

http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/DownLoad.cfm?Gid=1160
Free patterns from Michael Miller Fabrics

http://www.northcott.net/index.cfm?action=quilts
Free patterns from Northcott Fabrics.

http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/free_patterns/
Free patterns from Moda Fabrics

http://www.pbtex.com/html/free_patterns.html
Free patterns from P & B Textiles

http://www.rjrfabrics.com/patterns/by_designer.cfm?designerID=3
Free patterns from RJR Fabrics

http://www.redroosterfabrics.com/quilt/
Free patterns from Red Rooster Fabrics

http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/
Free patterns from Robert Kaufman Fabrics

http://www.ttfabrics.com/patterns/index.shtml
Free patterns from Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Videos
http://quiltinaday.com/theater/library.html
At this link you can watch Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day video series.

http://www.expertvillage.com/tag/quilting.htm
This link has video clips showing how to do lots of different things.

http://www.hgtv.com/simply-quilts/video/index.html
Video clips from HGTV shows showing different quilts and techniques.

www.youtube.com
If there is anything you want to see a video of, you can enter it in the search box at You Tube, and chances are good someone has made a video of it. (I found a good one showing how to use the June Tailor Shapecut ruler when I first got it and wasn’t quite sure what to do.)

Online Stores
There are more stores online than you could shop at if you worked at it all day everyday (trust me…) For most things, it’s probably easier and just as cost effective to shop locally (to save shipping costs, be able to actually see fabrics, support local retailers, etc.) However, no one store can carry every line and sometimes stores sell out of a particular piece you need, and that’s where online shopping can be a lifesaver. Just remember to check shipping costs ahead of time- that can be a difference of several dollars a yard when you calculate it in. Here are a few shops we’ve purchased from with good customer service and prices.
http://www.fatquartershop.com
http://quilthome.com
http://www.wishuponaquilt.com/
http://www.sadiesquiltingtreasures.com/index.htm
http://www.contemporarycloth.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi
http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/
http://www.clotilde.com/
http://www.sewmamasew.com/
Http://desperatequilters.com
(Good sales on charm packs and jelly rolls)
http://www.beckysquiltsandcomforts.com/
http://www.connectingthreads.com/QuiltingB.aspx
(Carries their own line of fabric that is only $5.98/yard, and has good thread prices)
http://www.myquiltingcottage.com/
(Just sells precuts on their online store, but great prices- Jelly Rolls are $25.99 including shipping)
http://www.fabricshack..com
This store has more fabric all in one place than any other I’ve found. If you think you can’t get it anymore, check here before you give up.
http://www.overrainbow.com/
They add new fabrics to their sale list nearly every day. They also carry patterns.
http://www.ebay.com
If you haven’t shopped on eBay for fabric, it is definitely worth a look. It’s a great place to find “out of production” fabrics, and if you have lots of free time you can catch auctions at bargain prices (I frequently pick up charm packs for around $3..) You don’t have to bid, either, there are plenty of “Buy it Now” items that just have a set price. As for reliability, if you check the sellers rating, you can shop very safely- just be sure to choose someone who has an established reputation as a trustworthy seller.
http://www.etsy.com
Etsy is like the biggest craft fair imaginable, just online. The only things that can be sold on Etsy are handmade goods, or supplies to make handmade goods. You can search for fabrics or patterns, and if you don’t find what you are looking for in a regular search, try clicking the tab to search under “supplies.” There are also LOTS of fabric sets for sale, if you are looking for coordinated bundles of fabric to use together. Again, check the seller reviews, but for what it’s worth, I’ve made dozens of purchases here and never had a problem. It’s also just fun to browse items that are being sold to find inspiration for things you want to make.

There are Yahoo groups for everything. Just go to www.yahoo.com and search under “Groups” for things that interest you. One I have used is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SewItsForSale/
This was suggested to me as a great place to shop for a “pre-loved” sewing machine, but there is a lot more there as well. You must apply for membership, and then you may list for sale any sewing related items. You can also browse the listings and buy things. I just purchased a “bundle” of 22 quilt magazines for $14 (plus shipping) which is a fun way to decide which magazines you like best before subscribing, or to get back issues of favorites magazines you may have missed.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

February Meeting

Snow Goose

Carol started our meeting by finalizing plans for The Snow Goose Quilt Show.

Jan will be at the Fair Building on Thursday at 2:00 to start collecting the quilts to show. Also, bring your non quilt sewing items to display, as well as any antique quilts.

We still need people to sign up to sit at the front table on Saturday. Those who signed up to make goodies to sell, please have them wrapped and ready to go. Thanks to everyone for their hard work!

It is not too late to sign up for a class. The deadline has been extended to the 17th. Take your registration form and money to Linda Kersey. Also, let her know if you would like to reserve a time to have your quilt apprised by Sandra Starley. She is an excellent quilt appraiser and the cost is 35$.

Block of The Month
The Winner of this Months Block of the month is Pauline Warner. Congratulations Pauline!!
Next month's block is a cute flower block.

Next Month's Meeting
Next Month we will have Marsha and MaryAnn from the Corn Wagon come to teach us an applique technique. (Wow! How lucky are we!!) Be sure not to miss next month's meeting and feel free to invite all of your friends to come too!

We are also looking forward to April's meeting where we will learn to clean and maintain our Featherweight sewing Machines. This should be great so spread the word.

Program
Cindy and Carol taught us how to do an applique heart. Thanks for the demonstration ladies!