Something New!

I am actually posting about a new project from some new fabric!

That doesn't happen too much anymore.

Connecting Threads sent me a fat quarter bundle and some of their thread to make something with for Many Hands and Many Hearts.  I have always liked their thread for piecing.  I have not tried to use it on my longarm.

The fat quarter bundle is the Blueberry Parfait collection.  Lovely blues and creamy tans.  I haven't figured out what pattern I am going to make but I think the blocks will be boxy to really show off these pretty fabrics.  I have two designs in mind - I will make the final decision when I start cutting this week.

I tried to insert a video so you can see for yourself how pretty these are - not sure how this will work.  Sorry about the background noise.

Once I get the first few blocks completed, I will share what I am making.

I am excited about this new project!

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Christmas in July Sale

 

Connecting Threads is having their Christmas in July sale.  This is a great time to stock up on backings.  There are quite a few regular yardage pieces for under $4 a yard and wide backing for under $9.  Many are some of my favorites!

That is it for today :)

I Bought a Bit of Fabric

 One of the things I have discovered when doing block drives, is I need to be very prepared with materials prior to the start of each event.  So when Connecting Threads had their last sale, I did a bit of shopping (Thanks to a few donations to my blog and some affiliate purchases.)

I think I am pretty set for the next block drive but I have used just about all of the patriotic fabric so when I saw all these pretty blues heavily discounted, I bought 4 yards of each.  They are fairly neutral and should work on quite a few of the block drives as backings.

I bought most of the same prints in red also.  I think I paid less than $4 a yard for all of these.

I also grabbed some neutrals.  A few of these I plan on using in the next block drive which will get announced the end of this month.

At least fourteen backing for $200!  WooHoo!!  That sounds like a lot of fabric but so far each of the block drives have resulted in 15-20 quilts.

I also bought three rolls of batting and quite a few cones of thread.  

I'm keeping those delivery workers busy!

So many of you have also helped out by sending some fabric with your blocks.  It really does help out a lot.  I can always find a use for it!

I will be sharing some more finished quilts on Friday....

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I Have Been Waiting for this

 Almost every July, Connecting Threads has a nice sale where I can stock up on my backing inventory.  I just got notice of their sale.

This year they are calling it their Finishing Sale.  Both Batting and Wide Backing are up to 25% off.

They have some of my favorites in stock - Hand Drawn Lines, Lava Lamp and Word Play.  This is a great time to buy those items that are keeping you from finishing that quilt!

They also have a few white on white that can easily be used for background fabrics.  In fact, I have been using the Handrawn white on a number of current blocks.  Can't beat the price!

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Need Fabric or Notions?

 I am just popping in today to let you know there is a good sale going on right now.  It might be the perfect time to stock up on backing fabrics, background fabrics or thread. 

Connecting Threads is having one of their sitewide sales through May 30th.  This includes an additional 20% off items in the sale section.  Just use promo code MDW22.

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Wide Back Sale

 

Just popping in this morning to let you know that Connecting Threads has their wide backing fabrics on sale today only.  A few of my favorites are the Hand Drawn and Star Flower.  I have used both on previous quilts.  Just use code 25BACKING.

Is it time to Stock Up?

 Hi Friends!  I am just popping in to day to let you know that Connecting Threads is having one of their Sitewide sales through the end of the month.

This is a great time to stock up on thread, batting, or backing fabrics.  They also have notions and books!  Just use code SEW4SUMMER to get 20% off your cart...including sale items!

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Backing Fabrics

 It is always fun to receive some happy mail!

Recently I took advantage of a sale at Connecting Threads and purchased a whole bunch of 2.5 yard cuts of 108" backing fabrics.  I bought both a light denim and dark denim chambray.  Not only can I use these as backings, but they would also make a nice background fabric.

They also added these Hand Drawn Lines pieces to their inventory again.  I have purchased them in the past and they are a favorite.

I also bought pieces of  Word Play and Multi Dot - these will work with just about any scrap quilt. I like 2.5" yard cuts because they can be used for a larger bed quilt or I can sometimes get two lap quilts out of each cut with some creative piecing.

I like to have a stash of backings so that when I am finished with a quilt top, I can shop right at my house.  I just don't have the patience to shop for backings at the end of the process - I want to be able to get right to the quilting.  Plus this way, I can take advantage of sales when I see them!

Now I just need to get some projects finished!

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Happy National Quilting Week

 This is our week - The week we celebrate Quilting!

And thanks to a few of my affiliates, there are lots of ways for you to celebrate.

First up, you can take 20% off your entire order at Connecting Threads.  I just placed a nice fabric order that included a number of backing pieces.  I will share photos of my purchase once it arrives.  But the sale doesn't apply to just fabric - they have batting, thread and lots of notions.

The Fat Quarter Shop is celebrating with a free World Piecing quilt pattern along with a contest if you wish to participate.  You can read more about the event here.

I should also note that right now, they have all of their Clover Notions 30% off.  Not sure how long that sale will continue...

At AccuQuilt, for a few more days, you can get 25% off many of the Go! products.  Remember to use the code CUT25 when you checkout.

Right now, these are the only events I am currently aware of.  If I see more, I will let you know!

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New Fabric Purchases

 I recently took advantage of one of the big sales around Thanksgiving.  My fabric came today so I thought I would share some of the pretties I bought.

Almost all the cuts I purchased were 4 yard pieces.  This size works great for backings on the large lap size quilts I generally make.  I bought three really pretty greens.  A green sketch (no longer available), one called Dapper, and Trellis on the bottom.

I definitely seemed to be in the mood for orange because I certainly stocked up.  An orange sketch and pumpkin mums (no longer available), a Tartan Plaid, another color of Dapper, and a Heather Ross called Roses.  Looks like some orange quilts will be happening in 2021!

I needed some red backings so I ordered another color of Dapper and one called Chantilly.  I probably should have ordered a few more reds but it seems only these two made it to my cart.

And finally I bought some more neutral prints.  The top Trellis print I think I might use as a background for a scrappy quilt.  I am really intrigued by this print and just might have to buy some more of it.  The bottom two are actually wide backings - some white Hand Drawn Lines and one called Word Play.  There are just so many ways these fabrics may be used in my future quilts.  

I think most of these prints were purchased from the sale section.  I keep all of my backing cuts in rainbow order so I can quickly look through them to see what I should purchase to keep my stash well rounded.  I try to keep the cost down on my backing fabrics so I can use them on my scrap quilts.  That makes it easier for me to donate so many of them.  

It won't be long before you start seeing these prints in my finished quilts.  

Enjoy your day - I am off to organize some fabric!

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Dinosaur Scraps into a Finish

What do I do with some bits of dinosaur prints?

I decided to cut them up into squares, pull a few coordinating prints from my stash and grab a couple yards of a background fabric.  Then I went to my go-to Wiggle Time pattern to make a small quilt.

For one of the dino prints I only had a few squares, so I just sprinkled them throughout the quilt.

I barely had just enough of the background solid - in fact, I made the top and bottom border a bit smaller than the pattern calls out so that I would have enough fabric.

I found a funky brown print for the backing and finished it off with the perfect striped fabric for the binding.    I was pleased to be able to use up these novelty scraps - I am sure someone will love all the fun prints in this quilt.

This is the second stack of novelty scraps I have turned into something useful.  It feels good to clean these hard-to-use scraps out of my scrap bins.  It will be nice to start out 2021 with my scrap bins purged of "unloved" fabrics.

Enjoy your weekend.  Stay well!

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Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

The Big Sale is still going on at Connecting Threads.  Every day there are great deals on something new.  What will it be today?

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My Happy Mail

 I finally had a chance to open up some happy mail I recently received.

I bought four cuts at 4 yards each from Connecting Threads for some future quilt backings.  The bottom print is a reorder - I love that soft red and was so happy to get more of it.

The fabulous green print is called is Chaise - and it is still available in four colors.  I hope to get more of these prints soon.

And the top two orange and blue prints are called Dapper.  I wasn't quite sure about these prints when I bought them but once I see them in person, I am ready to buy more.  There are still four colors available in this print too.

I already have plans for the red and the blue prints so you will most likely see these in an upcoming quilt.  I always find myself with lots of sewing time in the winter.  So that means lots of quilt finishes!

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Precut Sale

 I don't usually buy precuts, but I know many quilters love them!

Today only, Connecting Threads has all of their precuts 25% off. 

 Just use the promo code STASHUP when you check out.  There are some great rainbow samplers if you want to freshen up your stash for next years' RSC blocks.

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Buying Stash Fabric

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you already know I like to buy stash fabrics for my backings and backgrounds.  When I decide to finish up a quilt top or start a project, I like to "shop" in my stash for its backing or for its background.  

And I also like to buy the fabric I stash at a really great price.

I often get emails asking me how I decide what to buy...

I recently received the order I place at Connecting Threads when they had one of their 30% off the entire order sale.  I thought I would share my purchases.

First, I usually make large lap quilts - 60 x 72" is about the size I aim for.  That means that 4 yards of fabric is a perfect backing size if I seam horizontally.  For wide backs, a 2 yard cut will work great.

The dark gray chambray on the bottom is a wide backing - I was drawn to it because it could be a backing or it would be great for sashing or the background fabric on a quilt.  Connecting Threads carries it in a number of colors. The same is true for the turquoise Grunge fabric (Pool).  It is also a wide backing cut and available in other colors.

I am in love with the white floral print.  I wish I would have ordered more - lucky for me it is still available.  It is a wide backing cut and is also a really versatile piece.

Connecting Threads is starting to stock a number of other manufacturer's collections so I was delighted that they had Janet Clare's newest collection.  I am a huge fan and love the "distressed denim" look to her blues.  I bought this 4 yards of Seaweed print.  Once again, it could be a backing or a fun directional background fabric.

I was pleasantly surprised with the top blue fabric.  This print went in and out of my cart a number of times.  I am so glad I purchased it.  I can see it as a binding, backing or some fun striped sashing.

So I guess my point in sharing these is that when I buy for my stash, I am looking for fabrics that I can see used in a number of ways.  I don't often buy prints that are multicolored or what would be considered "focus fabric".  I have discovered that those fabrics are the ones that hang around my stash for years waiting for the right project.  I can see me using any of these in the near future!

So if you are not sure quite how to go about buying pieces for your stash when you see a great sale, I hope this helps some.  Of course, these colors and prints work well with my style but with a little adjustment on color, they might just work with yours.

Enjoy your day!

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***This post contains affiliate links.  I appreciate the support!

Need Backings?

I am just popping in this afternoon to let you know that Connecting Threads currently has a bonus event going on through the end of the week.  You can take an additional 20% off any Clearance item using the code EXTRA20 at checkout.  That means additional savings on fabric, precuts, kits notion or books.  This is usually the time I pick up large cuts of fabric for backings and backgrounds.

I just might be putting a few items in my shopping cart right after I finish this post....

This Garden Path kit is on sale right now and I actually quilted one up for one of my clients. 

 It is really a pretty quilt!

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Design Wall Monday

I seem to have finally gotten over my impulsive quilt starting phase and am now feeling motivated to finish up some projects.  So that means a lot of my design walls are empty right now.  So I spent a bit of time moving around some blocks on my design walls.  

I thought I would share some photos.

In my sewing room, I have all of the blocks completed for this Kaffe quilt finished.  I just need to work on the final layout and sew it up.

On the other wall, is the RSC color block quilt.  I was hoping to finish up the last two blocks last night and start sewing the top together, but I was easily pulled away to go have dinner with friends.

With two finishes in the near future, I need to start thinking about some backing pieces.  Conveniently, I see Connecting Threads is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with $25 off.  

Isn't that perfect timing!

 In my quilting studio, I have this RSC project up.  I am not very excited about this one but am not quite ready to give up on it.  If I have to stare at it as I quilt, maybe I will come up with some layout ideas.  Right now, I am ready to hand them off to someone else!

I also put up the blocks for this little quilt I made from some gifted leftovers.  I need to ponder what the next steps are and decide on a background fabric.

And then there are these RSC garlic knots.  This project will be continuing on into next year, so there will not be any progress on it until 2020.

So I might be starting two or three new RSC blocks for next year. 

 I need to start thinking about what  designs I want to make!

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Connecting Threads Anniversary Sale.




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A Quilt Update

I thought I would update you on my progress to finishing the top for my RSC Garden Quilt.  Even though I have been working on some Orphan Block quilts, I am still sewing up blocks and components for many other quilts.

That is always how I sew!

I think the last two blocks I showed you were these pink ones.  I decided I just did NOT like that bottom flower block in my quilt so I modified it some and made another one...

This block is so much better!

I pulled out my brown scraps and made a few more blocks.  I think that small snail block took me as long to make as half my blocks combined!

I didn't have snails when I lived in Washington - we had the giant banana slugs.  So when I moved to Oregon, I thought the snails were cute.  Let's just say I don't think that any more!

I guess I am about halfway done with sewing all my blocks together.  The bottom half will be a bit slower going because I still have a few more blocks to make.

My goal is to have this one finished in September.

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Sew Fresh Quilts (Bee Social)

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So Scrappy for RSC19 

Connecting Threads is having another sitewide 20% off sale.  Just use PROMO code SUMMER20.  This includes Sale items so it is a great time to pick up backings, batting and thread!

Connecting Threads also has quilt kits.  I have never purchased one but I have clients who do.  In fact I just finished this lovely quilt.

It is called Garden Paths and it looks like it is on sale right now.

The purple fabrics are simply yummy!

No Scrap Left Behind - A Book Review

I was recently contacted by CT Publishing with the offer of a free electronic copy of Amanda Jean Nyberg's No Scrap Left Behind book in return for a review of the book.  They noted my blog was all about scraps - imagine that!

I quickly took them up on their offer as this book has been on my wishlist since it was released.

I was really pleased with how the book is organized.  It walks you through all the steps of using your scraps to create beautiful quilts - from scrap management to color selections.

I also like that the quilt designs are organized by scrap shape - squares, triangles, strings and snippets.  Once you identify what type of scraps you have, you can take a look at the best quilt designs to the most out of your scraps.

Once I read through the book, I decided to start the Donuts quilt.  This design is in the string section and I have wanted to make this quilt for a really long time.  I am going to make my quilt a bit smaller - going with only 13 circles which will make a 66" square quilt.  While my pinks scraps were out, I put together enough of the components to make two of the "donuts".

Each "donut" is 16" square.  I haven't decided on a background fabric yet.  I will do that after I have the 13 blocks completed.  I am not sure if this will become an RSC project or if I will just sew up blocks as I come across scraps.  It shouldn't take much time to complete at all!

I am sure this will not be the only quilt I make using this book.  It is filled with so many great ideas for using your scraps.  

If you are interested in picking up this book, it is currently on sale here!

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