SewCalGal found us, and she wanted to include us in her blog, http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/. We always love meeting quilters and learning what they think of our patterns!
To go directly to her article about us, click here.
Be sure to leave some comments!
Thank you, SewCalGal, and we look forward to hearing more from you!
Visit our website and see what inspired her to blog about us.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Lucy Dollars
LUCY DOLLARS: the new way to get free or discounted items from The Quilted Closet!Lucy is Elaine's adorable Goldendoodle, and our wonderful companion at The Quilted Closet!
We appreciate our loyal customers and want to show our gratitude. With every order of $20 or more, you will earn Lucy Dollars to use the next time you shop with us. The more you spend, the more you earn!
Click Here to learn more about Lucy Dollars.
Click Here to shop and start earning your Lucy Dollars now!
This post is by Emily, Elaine's assistant. Check back soon for updates from Elaine and me!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Janome Institute
Institute was in Orlando this year. June Colburn and I stayed at a Disney resort on Disney property, and it was tons of fun. June and I also shared 1 1/2 booths, and this picture is of my side of the the booth. My best selling pattern was the Out & About Jacket.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Carol's Jacket
Well, we've got another Sizzle Jacket to admire! This one is from Carol, who is friends with Frances Dittenhoffer from Cambridge, Ontario. Frances belongs to the guild in Ingersoll Ontario. They are one talented group, aren't they?!? Great job, Carol! Your jacket is stunning!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sizzle Jackets for Everyone!
Wow! This awesome group of eight is each wearing their own completed Sizzle Jacket. Amazing. It was February that I got a call from Frances Dittenhoffer, telling me she was going to be teaching a class on the Sizzle Jacket. Now, a mere few months later, and I'm receivng a photo of Frances (the blond in the red version), and all her students--ALL WEARING THEIR COMPLETED JACKETS! Wish I could clone Frances, as she must be one great teacher. And, I had the pleasure of meeting a group of these gals in my booth in Chicago at the Quilt Festival. They were so much fun, and so charming, I found myself wishing I lived in Canada, so I could join the group myself. To each and everyone of you, a huge CONGRATS! Your jackets are all awesome. I think it was the great design, don't you? Can I take some of the credit?? OK, you get it all. Thanks, Frances for sending the photo. You all did an awesome job.
Monday, June 15, 2009
More Quilt Market Photos
Spring Quilt Market was in Pittsburgh this spring. The convention center has wonderful natural light that cast a spot on my booth for about 20 minutes each afternoon. It was awesome (and hot!) Also, the exhibit hall has these windowed walkways going over the top of the entire hall. I snapped these photos of quilt market one morning before the show opened from one of the walkways, right thru the glass. One of the photos is the right side of the hall, then the left.
Then, I snapped a couple images of my booth (alot farther back than Jamie's!). I introduced 3 new jackets, a new vest, and 6 new Kibitz Club projects.
My Booth at Quilt Market
This photo was taken by my friend, Jamie Kalvestran, from Scrap Bags. She stopped by when I was out--which couldn't have been much, since I was there alone! Anyway, you are seeing the cover quilt from my Appli-curves book. Isn't it great!?! I love that quilt! The fabrics are from Starr Designs, some other great friends of mine. They are hand-dyed from one of their fat-quarter bundles.Of interest, is that I just "crossed over" from Wordpress. That means I moved my blog to Blogger from another site: Wordpress. I can get way cuter backgrounds with Blogger, so I moved. I couldn't import all my posts individually, so I have one long post which is all the posts I had from my old blog. I hope you like the new look! I think I'm going to love being able to change my backgrounds so easily!
Later,
Elaine
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
April 21, 2009
I had a fantastic time in Chicago. As a vendor, I was just amazed this year at how easy it was to get into the hall for set-up and tear-down. Last year I waited in a line to get to the dock for hours. This was so slick this year! I love it when it goes like that! And I had fantastic help in the booth: Cyndie Manypenny from Hampshire, IL and Pam Schwarz from Roberts, IL. Thanks so much, both of you!
Probably one of my best sellers was my new Appli-curves book. The large "hearts and gizzards" quilt on the back wall to the right was the main attraction. As usual, the fabric glitter and my "Glitz It With Glitter" book was a hit. I also had my newest fabric line "At the Barre" with a great quilt made up--and fabric kits to go along with it.
My bestselling jacket was my newest jacket "Out and About" Jacket. I also brought some of my old samples to sell. I had to be hog-tied by my employees to get me to do that, but it was a good idea, I have to admit. These were jacket samples from the very beginning of my business and each one brings so much emotional attachment for me. I remember buying the fabric, what was happening when I was sewing it, who the models were for the pattern cover, etc,etc. It was like selling a "part" of me. It all seemed right, however, when one lady bought my little kitties jacket. She stated: "this is for my 3 year old grand-daughter. She just lost her kitty, so she is going to love this." That made it all seem right. And as the show went on, I kept hearing stories from others about how special the jacket was going to be to the recipent, and I knew it was better to have them being used, than to be collecting dust in my studio!
The crowds were great at the show, and the sales were great, too. I was so pleased. I was also thrilled that I had a corner booth right on the main aisle! That surely didn't hurt.....
My next show is Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. Should be equally as good and inspiring.
March 30, 2009
Haven't posted in awhile. We took a family vacation over spring break--a fabulous cruise to the easter Carribean. It was awesome! I didn't know a person could pack so much into a vacation, and this one gets the prize.
But, now it's back to business: Orders, phone calls, designing for Spring Quilt Market, and ....just around the corner on April 16-18, is the International Quilt Festival in Chicago. People from all over the midwest come to this event to shop, learn, become inspired, hang with friends, and more! I was a charter exhibitor when the show started some 6-7 years ago. I took a couple years off and then, last year came back as anexhibitor.
I took the big plunge, and I am having a double booth! This will give lots of space to shop. I plan to hold demo's throughout the day and give out prizes! I also am bringing alot of my old samples and I am going to have them marked down 75-80% so they'll move! It should be lots of fun and I'm hoping the weather holds out for us.
Be sure to stop by the booth.
March 5, 2009
This quilt is quick and easy, and the pattern is free! The center is one big panel and this adorable quilt is perfect for little dancers!
It uses fabric from Elaine's new line At the Barre and can have a pink or purple theme.
The pattern is available for a free download from Andover Fabrics.
We have one customer who is making this quilt for twins: one pink quilt and one purple! I can just imagine how excited those girls will be when they see their new quilts!
We are having a sale on the fabric kit for this quilt: regular price is $64 but until March 10, it's only $54.99! Be sure to check it out and the rest of our designs at http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/.
I will be excited to see more designs from this fabric - keep an eye out because Elaine is always coming up with new ideas!
This post is by Emily, Elaine's assistant. Look for more from both Elaine and me, coming soon!
February 23, 2009
Nancy Zieman, of Nancy Zieman Productions is the show's host, and she chose my new book, Appli-curves to showcase on the show. The programs will be made available to PBS stations in September 2009, and then will run for 2 years on channels across the land! There'll also be a DVD of the show so you can watch the show after airing if you want to view again and again!
It was a great trip, and we had a ton of fun in make-up, taping, and even getting ready. Be sure to watch for the show and DVD to come out in the fall.
The technique of Appli-curves uses fusible web and edge-stitching to do perfect curves with very little effort. I love this method (of course, since I wrote the book!) and it is never-fail. Even a beginner will be successful. For a sneak peak of the some of the quilts featured in the book, or to pre-order your copy of the book, click here.
February 23, 2009
Just had to show you a version of my Starstruck Jacket made by Vicky Konrady. Vicky is a talented and creative manager/employee of the Quilt Blockin West Des Moines, IA (http://www.quiltblockiowa.com/) The Quilt Block just happens to be my local Bernina dealership. Vicky has made many of my jackets and, I'll be darned if hers don't always turn out cuter than mine!!! Vicky makes up a sample and gets a great class together and then she teaches the jacket class at the Quilt Block (owned by Mary Miller). Well, as you can see, Vicky did it again! Here is the front and back views of Vicky's Starstruck Jacket. Isn't it amazing?
For those of you who might not be familiar with this technique, I call it "thread potpourri". The star fabric is made by sandwiching threads and fibers between a layer of fabric and topped with water soluable stabilizer. Then, you stitch like mad over the sandwich, wash and you have this amazing fabric. The stars are reverse appliqued onto the jacket fabric. I use this technique in many of my patterns, including Calypso Travel Bag, Sizzle Jacket, Odyssey Quilt, and Jonita's tote, to name a few. I also have just the technique outlined in my Embellishment Potpourri book. I've had the pleasure of teaching this technique several times, and it is so much fun. No two "thread potpourri" will ever turn out the same, even if you try to duplicate them. I've included a pic of my original Starstruck Jacket below, so you can see the original design.
December 30, 2008
Want to get away from the snow and ice?!? How about coming on down to Cocoa Beach (just east of Orlando) for the Sew Sunsational Sewing Event. This is my second year being part of this event and it is tons of fun! Both this year and last I was asked to teach a vest as an all-day class. For this year, I have a totally different color palette than last year. Here's the four Hoffman batiks I'll be designing from. These exact fabrics will be in the kit for my class on January 19, 2009. The vest is in process, but I do know a few things about it besides these awesome fabrics! For one, it will have a two-color zipper in (you guessed it!) red and black. Then, there will be couching and some beautiful thread embellishment. It is coming together, and I'll be sure to post the pic when it is complete. The vest class is an all-day class, so be sure to sign up for it if you plan to attend. After Sew Sunsational, the vest pattern will be added to my line of new patterns for spring.
Sew Sunsational Sewing Event is is held Sunday January 18-Friday, January 23, 2009. The schedule is jam-packed with wonderful teachers who cover all things "sewing". It is a full week of sewing, lectures and fellowship with your quilting friends, (even those you may not have met yet.) For more info, or to register, call the Ultimate Sewing Place, at (3221) 267-8225.
To see some of my already published vest patterns, as well as other quilted wearables, visit http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/
December 8, 2008
Not too long ago, I got a call from Don Feyma of Quilt-Kits-Online.com. He told me his wife, Cindy, had spotted our pattern, #912, Santa's Best Stocking, which sparked an idea. Don and Cindy have an online store that sells all sorts of wonderful things quilt-related. Don said Cindy knew the perfect fabric to make the stocking, and that they were going to kit the fabrics, pattern, and even offer a custom name embroidery for the top of the stocking. Shortly thereafter, Don called to order patterns, as the stocking was finished. Here is their sample. I love it! It is always fun for me to see what my pattern will inspire someone else to create. Cindy couldn't have found more perfect fabrics, and the embroidered name will save tons of time!
Since it "tis the season", now is the perfect time to check out this project. You can purchase the kit with all sorts of options for an amazingly reasonable price! Click hereto go directly to Quilt-Kits-Online.com.
Even if you aren't going to make the stocking yourself, wouldn't this be the perfect gift for a anyone who loves to sew? How about a new mom, who hasn't made a stocking for her child yet?
For me, the best way to get a project completed is to have a kit. Then, all I need to do is sit down and sew. Sometimes looking for all the supplies can really turn out to be a procrastinator! If you'd like to check out any of our other patterns, be sure to visit us! Have a great week!
December 2, 2008
Had a wonderful time at Thanksgiving with all of my family. Was WAY fun, as promised. The food was to die for, but seeing everyone was the best of all!
I'm back in the office this week, and ready to get rolling! After filling the orders, I started working on a new fabric line. I have sketched out some of the motif's and now need to add color. I am very excited about this, but for this those who do not know how fabric design works: I'll need to send my ideas to Andover Fabrics and they'll need to approve the designs. I'll keep you posted as things develop on the new line.
Our Bendable Bright Light sale has had great response. There are still a few more days left, so don't delay.
Emily (office assistant) and I are working on putting together a "store locator" section of the website, so you can see what stores carry our products. Watch for this to be coming in the new year, also.
My best, Elaine
November 25, 2008
Well, being Thanksgiving week, I can't seem to stay seriously focused. Our family will be joining all the rest of my family at my sister's in Wisconsin and it's always WAY fun! My sister is making a quilt for her 19 y/o son and asked me to pull some fabrics from my stash for the project. (How did she know I had a stash??!!?) Anyway, I am really enjoying playing in fabric again, since I haven't been working on any design for what seems like a long time.
I do have some exciting fabric coming from Florida--I am teaching at Sew Sunsational in Cocoa, Florida in January, and I'm designing a new vest just for the class. At market, I picked out the fabrics--all Hoffman batiks in red and black. The Ultimate Sewing Place in Titusville (the hosts of Sew Sunsational) ordered the fabrics and they just arrived to them, so they are shipping me my yardage today. I can hardly wait. The vest will have a two-color zipper (thanks, Linda McGeHee!) and it will be adorable. I'll post images as soon as I have something to show.
Enjoy your holiday and be sure to check us at http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/.
November 18, 2008
Calling all dancers! Or mothers of dancers! Or just plain dance lovers. My new fabric line with Andover Fabrics "At the Barre" is here! Well, almost. The designer cuts have arrived, which means the salesmen have their samples to show the shop owners, and I have a few yards of each piece. The fabric is "on the boat" right now, coming from the mill, and is expected to be ready to ship to the shops in December or January 2009 at the latest.
Now, for a peek at this new line. There is a panel print, in either pink or purple. These dancers are really authentic, since I consulted my sister and her daughters who are in dance. They gathered around their kitchen table in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with a few of their dance buddies, and critiqued the artwork! But in the end, I've heard from early reports that it is one of the most authentic dance lines people have seen. These are panels about 10" so they are perfect to set into big blocks for a quick quilt.
Then, there is the print that gave the line it's name: the girls at the barre. Of course, this is in either pink or puple as well. Wouldn't this be perfect as the cuff on a pillowcase for that dancer you know? Or the borders on a quick quilt using the panels? I can see it all now!
To see the entire line (except for the 10" panel prints) click here. And then, take a gander at the other prints. All in the pink, purple, lime that girls and dancers all love. I was sad that this fabric didn't come in time for fall quilt market. which means I didn't have the time to make anything, but the projects will come. Write me a comment and let me know what you think of the new line, or if you have some ideas of what you can imagine made from it. But, most important of all, ask your local show owner to order it from Andover Fabrics. Or, she can contact me directly and I'll get the order to Andover for her.
November 10, 2008
Greetings! When I left Des Moines for the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo it was 76 degrees here. Of course, I didn't bring proper outerwear for the snow I woke up to on Friday morning! That happens to me everytime I go north--you'd think I'd learn.
Now it's back to the office. I have a some great ideas for some new designs. I always get incredibly inspired when I travel, and this time I have an idea for a new jacket that is simple, quick and adorable. I think I plan to use the Cherrywood hand-dyed cuordoroy, that I recently picked up. I'm also anxious to get started working on some new fabric lines. I'll keep you posted and show you images of the works in progress as I get them. For now, it's off to work on all the "housekeeping" that's piled up so I have time for design--my favorite thing to do!
November 4, 2008
I'm heading off to Minneapolis tomorrow to vend at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This is a new location for this show, but there is a great lineup of teachers, and it promises to be a wonderful show! If you're in the Minneapolis area, stop by to take in the show. Be sure to stop by my booth and say "hi". I'm especially excited about my two new books "Appli-curves" and "Toppers for Every Table". It'll be the first time I've had them at a show, except for Quilt Market, so will be fun to see the response.
And don't forget to vote today. It is gorgeous weather here in Iowa--76 degrees yst, and looks like it'll be about that again today. I remember many election years waiting in my big, warm winter coat to vote. What a nice treat for Iowa. This is an exciting election and for sure will make history.
Well, I need to get thing packed in the van, so I'm ready to go. Hope to see you in Minneapolis.
October 31, 2008
I'm learning slowly, but surely, how to post, and I just posted my first image. This is my booth photo from Quilt Market. I cropped the picutre, but it really shows off one of the quilts in my new book, "Appli-curves". Everyone was so excited about this new technique! I taught a 1-hour class for shop owners and teachers and they all completed their New York Beauty blocks in the class. And they looked awsome! Even if you've never done curved piecing, you'll be successful with this method. Your curves are perfect every time. More photos from market to come!
October 28, 2008
I just returned from Quilt Market in Houston, and I learned about how to begin a blog from Viginia at The Galloping Pony Studio. I know nothing about this...so, bear with me. I have a photo of my booth to post a little later, but first I need to learn how to put up a post.
Just a quick note--I've got some new things to show you--a new book, Appli-curves, from Krause, that is WAY COOL, a new book on tablerunners Toppers for Every Table, from DRG, and two new jacket patterns. Give me a couple days to figure this out, and I'll get more info for all of you. Any bloggers have any tips???
It's great to be back in Iowa and sitting at my computer. Hotel living is not for me (except I love having my bed made and my room cleaned daily!) When we landed in Des Moines, I hit the Ladies room before I went to Baggage Claim. And when I got out of the Ladies room (It was a quickie!) my bags were the only ones left, and everyone else on the flight had left already. You gotta love the Des Moines airport--low stress.
Well, good night for now.
Elaine
I had a fantastic time in Chicago. As a vendor, I was just amazed this year at how easy it was to get into the hall for set-up and tear-down. Last year I waited in a line to get to the dock for hours. This was so slick this year! I love it when it goes like that! And I had fantastic help in the booth: Cyndie Manypenny from Hampshire, IL and Pam Schwarz from Roberts, IL. Thanks so much, both of you!
Probably one of my best sellers was my new Appli-curves book. The large "hearts and gizzards" quilt on the back wall to the right was the main attraction. As usual, the fabric glitter and my "Glitz It With Glitter" book was a hit. I also had my newest fabric line "At the Barre" with a great quilt made up--and fabric kits to go along with it.
My bestselling jacket was my newest jacket "Out and About" Jacket. I also brought some of my old samples to sell. I had to be hog-tied by my employees to get me to do that, but it was a good idea, I have to admit. These were jacket samples from the very beginning of my business and each one brings so much emotional attachment for me. I remember buying the fabric, what was happening when I was sewing it, who the models were for the pattern cover, etc,etc. It was like selling a "part" of me. It all seemed right, however, when one lady bought my little kitties jacket. She stated: "this is for my 3 year old grand-daughter. She just lost her kitty, so she is going to love this." That made it all seem right. And as the show went on, I kept hearing stories from others about how special the jacket was going to be to the recipent, and I knew it was better to have them being used, than to be collecting dust in my studio!
The crowds were great at the show, and the sales were great, too. I was so pleased. I was also thrilled that I had a corner booth right on the main aisle! That surely didn't hurt.....
My next show is Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. Should be equally as good and inspiring.
March 30, 2009
Haven't posted in awhile. We took a family vacation over spring break--a fabulous cruise to the easter Carribean. It was awesome! I didn't know a person could pack so much into a vacation, and this one gets the prize.
But, now it's back to business: Orders, phone calls, designing for Spring Quilt Market, and ....just around the corner on April 16-18, is the International Quilt Festival in Chicago. People from all over the midwest come to this event to shop, learn, become inspired, hang with friends, and more! I was a charter exhibitor when the show started some 6-7 years ago. I took a couple years off and then, last year came back as anexhibitor.
I took the big plunge, and I am having a double booth! This will give lots of space to shop. I plan to hold demo's throughout the day and give out prizes! I also am bringing alot of my old samples and I am going to have them marked down 75-80% so they'll move! It should be lots of fun and I'm hoping the weather holds out for us.
Be sure to stop by the booth.
March 5, 2009
This quilt is quick and easy, and the pattern is free! The center is one big panel and this adorable quilt is perfect for little dancers!
It uses fabric from Elaine's new line At the Barre and can have a pink or purple theme.
The pattern is available for a free download from Andover Fabrics.
We have one customer who is making this quilt for twins: one pink quilt and one purple! I can just imagine how excited those girls will be when they see their new quilts!
We are having a sale on the fabric kit for this quilt: regular price is $64 but until March 10, it's only $54.99! Be sure to check it out and the rest of our designs at http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/.
I will be excited to see more designs from this fabric - keep an eye out because Elaine is always coming up with new ideas!
This post is by Emily, Elaine's assistant. Look for more from both Elaine and me, coming soon!
February 23, 2009
- Elaine and Nancy heading to taping
This past week I was privileged to tape a series for Sewing With Nancy at Wisconsin Public Television.
- Deanna Springer, Donna Fenske and I are loading the van for our trip to Madison to tape Appli-curves on Sewing With Nancy.
Nancy Zieman, of Nancy Zieman Productions is the show's host, and she chose my new book, Appli-curves to showcase on the show. The programs will be made available to PBS stations in September 2009, and then will run for 2 years on channels across the land! There'll also be a DVD of the show so you can watch the show after airing if you want to view again and again!
It was a great trip, and we had a ton of fun in make-up, taping, and even getting ready. Be sure to watch for the show and DVD to come out in the fall.
The technique of Appli-curves uses fusible web and edge-stitching to do perfect curves with very little effort. I love this method (of course, since I wrote the book!) and it is never-fail. Even a beginner will be successful. For a sneak peak of the some of the quilts featured in the book, or to pre-order your copy of the book, click here.
February 23, 2009
We all need it--time to be with those we truly love, but don't get to spend alot of time with. Recently, my baby sister and I met in Albert Lea, MN (about 1/2 way between Des Moines and Eau Claire, WI) for a sewing retreat. Laurel's son, Joseph had left home for college and Laurel wanted him to have a warm, cozy quilt for him to sleep under, reminding him of the love and family he left behind. Laurel's friend, Roxy, had offered this pattern called Boxed Blessings by Ingrid Barlow as an easy, quick one. I pulled from my fabric stash to provide all the fabrics, since Laurel is new to quilting and doesn't have a "stash" yet. (Give her time....;-/ ) Anyway, here is the entire quilt top which we pieced in less than 24 hours. Thanks, Ingrid, for a wonderful pattern!
February 3, 2009
New Again Bag
New Again Bag from Erica's
Some of you might be taking our Kibitz Club at your local sewing machine dealer. We designed this club so shop owners could teach classes, have fun, and introduce you to new features and feet on your sewing machine you may not be used to using. We have a Kibitz Club #1 and #2. In Kibitz Club#1, our second pattern is the New Again Bag. It is made from recycling an old pair of jeans. Trims are added to "spice up" the denim, and you actually can add a pocket using the zippered fly front. Well, Erica's Craft and Sewing Center in South Bend, Indiana is doing our Kibitz Club. Erica decided thay in her club, she'd demonstrate the fringe foot, the chain stitch and other fun things, and thus, no need for the purchased trims that are suggested with this pattern. Wow! You can see below the awesome bag she made up for her sample. The creative genius out there never stops to amaze me!
Reverse of New Again Bag from Erica's
February 3, 2009
I finally got my pictures downloaded so want to share them with you! Yesterday I posted about how the vest class was such fun, and here's a pic of the group that took the class. Seeing that pic reminds me of how beautiful it was in Florida just a couple weeks ago! It was -2 degrees this morning when I went to my exercise class! Brrrr! I even had a dream last night that I was in Florida on a walk, and NO ICE!
February 2, 2009
Here is the adorable vest I taught at Sew Sunsational in Florida on January 19. I had an awesome group of students and we had a wonderful day. If you check back to a previous post, you might remember that the fabric came in, and had no idea what I was going to create. We couched Razzle Dazzle thread onto the vest panels and used some of the leftovers for the pocket. This will be a new pattern I'll be introducing at Spring Market. I had the students test out my directions, and I had named the vest "Val's Vest". The mascot for the Sew Sunsational event is "Flossie the flamingo" so the students suggested I change the name to "Flossie's Vest". I think it's a great idea, and the vest will be called "Flossie's Favorite Vest". I thought you might enjoy seeing "Flossie", she comes around to the classrooms and has to check out what everyone is doing. This is such a fun event, and in the sunny city of Cocoa, Florida.
This vest pattern isn't up on our site for purchase yet, but will be in the future. To see our other patterns, visit http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/
January 5, 2009
Happy New Year! If you're like me, you're wondering how in the heck December can be over, and it can already be nearly a week into January! Augghhhh! I must be having fun, as time is zipping by.....
Just had to show you a version of my Starstruck Jacket made by Vicky Konrady. Vicky is a talented and creative manager/employee of the Quilt Blockin West Des Moines, IA (http://www.quiltblockiowa.com/) The Quilt Block just happens to be my local Bernina dealership. Vicky has made many of my jackets and, I'll be darned if hers don't always turn out cuter than mine!!! Vicky makes up a sample and gets a great class together and then she teaches the jacket class at the Quilt Block (owned by Mary Miller). Well, as you can see, Vicky did it again! Here is the front and back views of Vicky's Starstruck Jacket. Isn't it amazing?
For those of you who might not be familiar with this technique, I call it "thread potpourri". The star fabric is made by sandwiching threads and fibers between a layer of fabric and topped with water soluable stabilizer. Then, you stitch like mad over the sandwich, wash and you have this amazing fabric. The stars are reverse appliqued onto the jacket fabric. I use this technique in many of my patterns, including Calypso Travel Bag, Sizzle Jacket, Odyssey Quilt, and Jonita's tote, to name a few. I also have just the technique outlined in my Embellishment Potpourri book. I've had the pleasure of teaching this technique several times, and it is so much fun. No two "thread potpourri" will ever turn out the same, even if you try to duplicate them. I've included a pic of my original Starstruck Jacket below, so you can see the original design.
December 30, 2008
Want to get away from the snow and ice?!? How about coming on down to Cocoa Beach (just east of Orlando) for the Sew Sunsational Sewing Event. This is my second year being part of this event and it is tons of fun! Both this year and last I was asked to teach a vest as an all-day class. For this year, I have a totally different color palette than last year. Here's the four Hoffman batiks I'll be designing from. These exact fabrics will be in the kit for my class on January 19, 2009. The vest is in process, but I do know a few things about it besides these awesome fabrics! For one, it will have a two-color zipper in (you guessed it!) red and black. Then, there will be couching and some beautiful thread embellishment. It is coming together, and I'll be sure to post the pic when it is complete. The vest class is an all-day class, so be sure to sign up for it if you plan to attend. After Sew Sunsational, the vest pattern will be added to my line of new patterns for spring.
Sew Sunsational Sewing Event is is held Sunday January 18-Friday, January 23, 2009. The schedule is jam-packed with wonderful teachers who cover all things "sewing". It is a full week of sewing, lectures and fellowship with your quilting friends, (even those you may not have met yet.) For more info, or to register, call the Ultimate Sewing Place, at (3221) 267-8225.
To see some of my already published vest patterns, as well as other quilted wearables, visit http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/
December 8, 2008
Not too long ago, I got a call from Don Feyma of Quilt-Kits-Online.com. He told me his wife, Cindy, had spotted our pattern, #912, Santa's Best Stocking, which sparked an idea. Don and Cindy have an online store that sells all sorts of wonderful things quilt-related. Don said Cindy knew the perfect fabric to make the stocking, and that they were going to kit the fabrics, pattern, and even offer a custom name embroidery for the top of the stocking. Shortly thereafter, Don called to order patterns, as the stocking was finished. Here is their sample. I love it! It is always fun for me to see what my pattern will inspire someone else to create. Cindy couldn't have found more perfect fabrics, and the embroidered name will save tons of time!
Since it "tis the season", now is the perfect time to check out this project. You can purchase the kit with all sorts of options for an amazingly reasonable price! Click hereto go directly to Quilt-Kits-Online.com.
Even if you aren't going to make the stocking yourself, wouldn't this be the perfect gift for a anyone who loves to sew? How about a new mom, who hasn't made a stocking for her child yet?
For me, the best way to get a project completed is to have a kit. Then, all I need to do is sit down and sew. Sometimes looking for all the supplies can really turn out to be a procrastinator! If you'd like to check out any of our other patterns, be sure to visit us! Have a great week!
December 2, 2008
Had a wonderful time at Thanksgiving with all of my family. Was WAY fun, as promised. The food was to die for, but seeing everyone was the best of all!
I'm back in the office this week, and ready to get rolling! After filling the orders, I started working on a new fabric line. I have sketched out some of the motif's and now need to add color. I am very excited about this, but for this those who do not know how fabric design works: I'll need to send my ideas to Andover Fabrics and they'll need to approve the designs. I'll keep you posted as things develop on the new line.
Our Bendable Bright Light sale has had great response. There are still a few more days left, so don't delay.
Emily (office assistant) and I are working on putting together a "store locator" section of the website, so you can see what stores carry our products. Watch for this to be coming in the new year, also.
My best, Elaine
November 25, 2008
Well, being Thanksgiving week, I can't seem to stay seriously focused. Our family will be joining all the rest of my family at my sister's in Wisconsin and it's always WAY fun! My sister is making a quilt for her 19 y/o son and asked me to pull some fabrics from my stash for the project. (How did she know I had a stash??!!?) Anyway, I am really enjoying playing in fabric again, since I haven't been working on any design for what seems like a long time.
I do have some exciting fabric coming from Florida--I am teaching at Sew Sunsational in Cocoa, Florida in January, and I'm designing a new vest just for the class. At market, I picked out the fabrics--all Hoffman batiks in red and black. The Ultimate Sewing Place in Titusville (the hosts of Sew Sunsational) ordered the fabrics and they just arrived to them, so they are shipping me my yardage today. I can hardly wait. The vest will have a two-color zipper (thanks, Linda McGeHee!) and it will be adorable. I'll post images as soon as I have something to show.
Enjoy your holiday and be sure to check us at http://www.thequiltedcloset.com/.
November 18, 2008
Calling all dancers! Or mothers of dancers! Or just plain dance lovers. My new fabric line with Andover Fabrics "At the Barre" is here! Well, almost. The designer cuts have arrived, which means the salesmen have their samples to show the shop owners, and I have a few yards of each piece. The fabric is "on the boat" right now, coming from the mill, and is expected to be ready to ship to the shops in December or January 2009 at the latest.
Now, for a peek at this new line. There is a panel print, in either pink or purple. These dancers are really authentic, since I consulted my sister and her daughters who are in dance. They gathered around their kitchen table in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with a few of their dance buddies, and critiqued the artwork! But in the end, I've heard from early reports that it is one of the most authentic dance lines people have seen. These are panels about 10" so they are perfect to set into big blocks for a quick quilt.
Then, there is the print that gave the line it's name: the girls at the barre. Of course, this is in either pink or puple as well. Wouldn't this be perfect as the cuff on a pillowcase for that dancer you know? Or the borders on a quick quilt using the panels? I can see it all now!
To see the entire line (except for the 10" panel prints) click here. And then, take a gander at the other prints. All in the pink, purple, lime that girls and dancers all love. I was sad that this fabric didn't come in time for fall quilt market. which means I didn't have the time to make anything, but the projects will come. Write me a comment and let me know what you think of the new line, or if you have some ideas of what you can imagine made from it. But, most important of all, ask your local show owner to order it from Andover Fabrics. Or, she can contact me directly and I'll get the order to Andover for her.
November 10, 2008
Greetings! When I left Des Moines for the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo it was 76 degrees here. Of course, I didn't bring proper outerwear for the snow I woke up to on Friday morning! That happens to me everytime I go north--you'd think I'd learn.
The show was alot of fun. I had wonderful sales and am busy tying up loose ends since I got home. One of the best sellers from my booth was my Sizzle Jacket--this one uses Razzle Dazzle thread and my "thread potpourri" technique. Customers loved the glitz. In the picture at the left, is a group of ladies who were so much fun! Notice the lady in the back (two people over from me) is wearing my Weekender Jacket sample.
I've got another image to show you--my sister, Laurel Callaghan and my niece, Biz Callaghan, came up from Eau Claire to help me with set-up. We had a great day and they made my booth beautiful!
Now it's back to the office. I have a some great ideas for some new designs. I always get incredibly inspired when I travel, and this time I have an idea for a new jacket that is simple, quick and adorable. I think I plan to use the Cherrywood hand-dyed cuordoroy, that I recently picked up. I'm also anxious to get started working on some new fabric lines. I'll keep you posted and show you images of the works in progress as I get them. For now, it's off to work on all the "housekeeping" that's piled up so I have time for design--my favorite thing to do!
November 4, 2008
I'm heading off to Minneapolis tomorrow to vend at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This is a new location for this show, but there is a great lineup of teachers, and it promises to be a wonderful show! If you're in the Minneapolis area, stop by to take in the show. Be sure to stop by my booth and say "hi". I'm especially excited about my two new books "Appli-curves" and "Toppers for Every Table". It'll be the first time I've had them at a show, except for Quilt Market, so will be fun to see the response.
And don't forget to vote today. It is gorgeous weather here in Iowa--76 degrees yst, and looks like it'll be about that again today. I remember many election years waiting in my big, warm winter coat to vote. What a nice treat for Iowa. This is an exciting election and for sure will make history.
Well, I need to get thing packed in the van, so I'm ready to go. Hope to see you in Minneapolis.
October 31, 2008
I'm learning slowly, but surely, how to post, and I just posted my first image. This is my booth photo from Quilt Market. I cropped the picutre, but it really shows off one of the quilts in my new book, "Appli-curves". Everyone was so excited about this new technique! I taught a 1-hour class for shop owners and teachers and they all completed their New York Beauty blocks in the class. And they looked awsome! Even if you've never done curved piecing, you'll be successful with this method. Your curves are perfect every time. More photos from market to come!
October 28, 2008
I just returned from Quilt Market in Houston, and I learned about how to begin a blog from Viginia at The Galloping Pony Studio. I know nothing about this...so, bear with me. I have a photo of my booth to post a little later, but first I need to learn how to put up a post.
Just a quick note--I've got some new things to show you--a new book, Appli-curves, from Krause, that is WAY COOL, a new book on tablerunners Toppers for Every Table, from DRG, and two new jacket patterns. Give me a couple days to figure this out, and I'll get more info for all of you. Any bloggers have any tips???
It's great to be back in Iowa and sitting at my computer. Hotel living is not for me (except I love having my bed made and my room cleaned daily!) When we landed in Des Moines, I hit the Ladies room before I went to Baggage Claim. And when I got out of the Ladies room (It was a quickie!) my bags were the only ones left, and everyone else on the flight had left already. You gotta love the Des Moines airport--low stress.
Well, good night for now.
Elaine
Friday, June 5, 2009
Rested up after Spring Quilt Market
I think I finally may be rested up after my trip to Pittsburgh for Spring Quilt Market. It was a great show!
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