Sew Nights and Design Walls

When my mom and I made the decision to open Quilter’s Hideaway, we knew we wanted a way to bring people together. We immediately knew we wanted some form of a sew night where people with different experience and projects could come together to learn from one another, create a community, and encourage each other throughout their projects. 

Our Open Sew Nights every Thursday, have slowly molded into this. Although I cannot be at every one (I’m still working fulltime in Tulsa), I receive pictures, and it makes me want to be there every week. 

There have been many finished projects throughout our short, two months of being open, many newbies have learned tricks, and friendships have been made around our tables. I’ve learned more about embroidery and so many other things, I’ve seen others teaching how to chain-piece, everyone has a home at Quilter’s Hideaway.

The other thing I love about sew night, is that our design wall is always covered in so many different quilts as people work to find a layout they are happy with. Occasionally I’ll even get FaceTime to give my opinion, or someone will leave a quilt up for a few days to play with until they are happy.  My favorite saying when a quilt is on the wall is, “Can I play?”  Everyone sees quilts so differently, and I love this. 

Everyone has been on a log cabin “kick” recently using our new rulers and upcoming class, but every single quilt has been vastly different. Other than the actual block, the quilts are unrecognizable as the same pattern. 

If you are on the fence, or want to surround yourself with funny, encouraging, helpful people, think about coming to our next Open Sew Night. It happens every Thursday. Come when you’re free and stay until the seam rippers come out. Usually the crowd starts forming after 4pm and we shut the party down between 8:30 and 9. 

 
I’ve seen knitting, embroidery, paper piecing, chatting, quilt layout, laughing, pressing, and so much more happening during our Open Sew nights.

See you at the machine,

•Care

Happy St. Patrick’s Day- FREE PATTERN

Top O’ The Mornin’ To Ya!  (I just looked up different St. Patrick’s Day sayings and came out somewhat empty handed. Thanks Google…)

 

Happy St. Patrick’s day!  As I sat in the car this morning before work, I realized that I had walked out the door without any green today… Thankfully, I had a green hair-tie in my car, but does that really count? We could get into the nitty-gritty, or I could share with you a fun, green pattern.  Let’s get to it, and hopefully it will make up for my lack of green wardrobe.

You can mix and match your fabric or use all the same.

 

Prep:

Dig in your stash for green and cream fabric. Or whatever floats your fancy.

 

You will need:

1/4 yard of green {clover fabric}

1/4 yard of tan/cream {background fabric}

One fat quarter {backing}

One fat quarter of batting

Two 2” strips {binding}

*You could also use mix and match your fabric as I did.*
 

Chopping Block:

Cut two 2.5” strips of clover fabric.

Now, cut 24 2.5” squares from the clover strips.

Cut two 2.5” strips of background fabric.

Now, cut 32 2.5” squares from the background strips.

Depending on the width of your fabric, you might need three 2.5” strips.

*Note: If you are unable to get the full 34 squares from these strips, you could also cut down the scraps in the next step to get the remaining squares.

Cut one 3” strip of clover fabric.

Cut this into four 3” squares.

*If you were unable to cut all your squares earlier, use the scrap from this step to cut the remaining squares.

Cut one 3” strip of background fabric.

Cut this into four 3” squares.

*If you were unable to cut all your squares earlier, use the scrap from this step to cut the remaining squares.

 

 

Stitchin’ Time:

For this step you will be using the 3” squares of background fabric and 3″ squares of clover fabric.

Take one of each square and place them right sides together. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.

Now sew a quarter inch on both sides of this line.

Repeat for all 3” squares.

Cut along the line you drew and press seam.

 

Trim these down to 2.5” squares.

You should end with eight half square triangle squares.

 

Assemble your block using the diagram.  Once assembled decide whether you want a stem or not.  It is personal preference.  I decided to add one using a scrap from an earlier step.  To attach it to my quilt I sewed lines through the stem multiple times.  I wanted it to look like veins on a leaf or stem, but also to be something fairly simple.  There are no rules here, just have fun and make it your own.

If you press your seams opposite directions for each row, it will be much easier to next each corner and patch your points.

When the top is complete create the quilting sandwich:

Backing fat quarter—Batting fat quarter—Quilt top

Pin, spray baste, or thread baste the sandwich so you can quilt it together.

 

Quilt however you desire: stitch in the ditch, horizontal lines, meander, the options are endless.

After quilted, trim edges and attach binding.

Finish by sewing the binding, and you will have a completed clover mini quilt.

Finished size: 16.5″ x 16.5″.

 

 

Instructions Without Pictures:

LUCKY, LUCKY

Prep:

Dig in your stash for green and cream fabric. Or whatever floats your fancy.

 

You will need:

1/4 yard of green {clover fabric}

1/4 yard of tan/cream {background fabric}

One fat quarter {backing}

One fat quarter of batting

Two 2” strips {binding}

*You could also use mix and match your fabric as I did.*
Chopping Block:

Cut two 2.5” strips of clover fabric.

Now, cut 24 2.5” squares from the clover strips.

Cut two 2.5” strips of background fabric.

Now, cut 32 2.5” squares from the background strips.

Depending on the width of your fabric, you might need three 2.5” strips.

*Note: If you are unable to get the full 34 squares from these strips, you could also cut down the scraps in the next step to get the remaining squares.

Cut one 3” strip of clover fabric.

Cut this into four 3” squares.

*If you were unable to cut all your squares earlier, use the scrap from this step to cut the remaining squares.

Cut one 3” strip of background fabric.

Cut this into four 3” squares.

*If you were unable to cut all your squares earlier, use the scrap from this step to cut the remaining squares.

 

Stitchin’ Time:

For this step you will be using the 3” squares of background fabric and 3″ squares of clover fabric.

Take one of each square and place them right sides together. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.

Now sew a quarter inch on both sides of this line.

Repeat for all 3” squares.

Cut along the line you drew and press seam.

Trim these down to 2.5” squares.

You should end with eight half square triangle squares.

Assemble your block using the diagram.  Once assembled decide whether you want a stem or not.  It is personal preference.  I decided to add one using a scrap from an earlier step.  To attach it to my quilt I sewed lines through the stem multiple times.  I wanted it to look like veins on a leaf or stem, but also to be something fairly simple.  There are no rules here, just have fun and make it your own.

 

When the top is complete create the quilting sandwich:

Backing fat quarter—Batting fat quarter—Quilt top

Pin, spray baste, or thread baste the sandwich so you can quilt it together.

Quilt however you desire: stitch in the ditch, horizontal lines, meander, the options are endless

After quilted, trim edges and attach binding.

Finish by sewing the binding, and you will have a completed clover mini quilt.

Finished size: 16.5″ x 16.5″.

 

 

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

See you at the machine,

• Care

 

A Long Overdue Update

Well, I jumped off the deep end for a moment and forgot to clue you all in. It’s been a little while since my last post. 

 On top of the quilt shop, I am still working a full time job. This week I had a business trip, so I did what every quilter would do and I loaded up my sewing machine in hopes of setting aside a few hours for sewing. Although my evenings were pretty full, I was able to start a new project. I like to think I needed a new project because I was in a new place. I’ll take any excuse to start something new.

  It isn’t WIP Week, so I cannot get in trouble. Remember, one of the goals about WIP Week is no new projects, though I often break that rule too. 

 

Anyways, right before I left I cut, and cut, and cut my fabric. Now all my pieces are cut and all I have to do is sew. This quilt is an old paper piecing pattern. I’m playing and learning, but mostly playing. 

I did not get far, however  I do have one fully finished block to share. 

I know I have several other things to update you on, but I always forget or jump around while writing. 

We had another warehouse trip this week, so watch for new inventory!! If you come to Open Sew Night tonight you might get a sneak peek as I input everything into our inventory system. Make sure you stop by. 🙂 

Boxes and car loads of fabric are a few of my favorite things. Of course, Millie tops this list, but they are both pretty fabulous.

Last week I ventured more into custom quilting with several wall hangings. They turned out really well, and I had a blast learning even more. 

I also finished a spectacular customer quilt in purples. There are even more quilts making it onto my need-to-make list, but I know I will never quite be able to finish that list. Instead, I will fall in love with each quilt that passes and enjoy getting to work with them for the moment.

A funny story; we looked high and low for a quilting pattern for the Kitty Cat quilt. The customer asked for paws or balls of yarn. The only paws I could find were obviously puppy dog paws or a tiger/bear type of paw. I couldn’t find any balls of yarn either. Finally, I found cricket balls. They really looked like balls of yarn, especially on a kitty cat quilt. I sent a picture to the customer and we agreed this was perfect! You never know what we will find, but I will keep looking until we can capture the look you are hoping for on your quilt.

Another update is that our first quilt class is this Saturday! The class is a disappearing nine patch quilt and we cannot wait. I have worked up several different sizes and the class is aimed at beginner level and up. Anyone can take this class and be successful. 

 I have finished the layer cake friendly version and I am working on the throw quilt/charm pack friendly version. I am using Ellen Medlock fabrics and I LOVE how it is turning out. Such a perfect spring quilt.

I think that brings you up-to-date. Don’t forget Open Sew Night TONIGHT! (It’s free!) 

See you at the machine (tonight at Open Sew!),

•Care

WIP Week Wrap Up

{WIP= Work In Progress}

Wow! The week flew past, yet somehow I was able to finish a few things. I sure hope you were able to as well. 

First, I worked on a class sample. Our first class is February 25th and it is a beginner quilt class on making a Disappearing Nine Patch; although, any skill level could join. I have set up three different sizes: a queen layer cake friendly version, a charm pack friendly throw size, and a charm pack friendly crib/toddler version. 

This is such a fun, versatile pattern. I used a Moda Grunge layer cake and grey complementary fabric to whip up this sample. I actually really like it and cannot wait for it to be my new couch quilt. I am using Ellen Medlock’s fabric line to make the throw quilt size. It will be an excellent quilt for the spring with all the bright colors. I just started this one, though, so it is not making the leap to the finished quilt pile just yet.

In addition to the Disappearing Nine Patch quilts, Millie was a go getter. This weekend we quilted about 10 quilts. It was such a great weekend spent getting to see different quilts and how the quilting pattern changed the quilt for the better. Everyone has such a unique style that I just love.

We still have a few spots open for the Disappearing Nine Patch Class and Thursday is Open Sew Night at Quilter’s Hideaway! Last week we stayed sewing until after 9pm.

See you at the machine,

•Care

A Local Designer!

When we started this journey many people asked if we would have any locally manufactured fabric. We have truly tried to meet everyone’s wants and wishes. With that said, yes! We do have many fabric lines that are local or made in the USA, but we also have a local designer! Ellen Medlock is a designer who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 
 
When we started talking, my mom remembered hearing of a local designer at different quilt shows and even remembered going into her shop some time ago. Many conversations later, we finally figured out her name and I was able to track her down. Although she has closed down her Tulsa shop, she still has an Etsy store and I found an email address. After drooling over her fabric line I asked… or begged… her to allow us the privilege of carrying several of her bolts. She said “Yes,” and I squealed in excitement. Not only is she local, I LOVE her designs!

Not love, but an oh-my-gosh-I-can’t-live-without-it kind of love! She uses bright colors and fun patterns. Her fabrics would be great in a kids quilt, but also work perfectly in so many other things. She has a panel to make a tote bag which is fabulous, and her kid’s counting book panel is to die for. It is just the cutest. 

I think it is safe to say we are enjoying this process and pulling in as many different types of designers and manufactures as we can. We are adding to our inventory weekly and making more orders just as often. We really hope you will let us know if there is something you’re wishing for.

Also, remember our first class is coming soon! It is a Disappearing Nine Patch happening on February 25th. I will be there, will you?

 See you at the machine, 

• Care

Remember where it started?

We are almost there. It’s like training for a (half) marathon and running your last long training run. There’s so much excitement but you’re also tired and sore from the run before and you just want to make it through this last little training session before you bring out your best, or at least that’s your hope. You hope that all of your training will have paid off-and it almost always does. 

It’s Thursday night; we open Saturday morning. There’s still quite a bit to be done but none of it is crucial to our door unlocking on Saturday morning at 10 AM. We’ve had many people wander by, and we are getting more and more excited as the time grows shorter. 

Fabric still needs set up, toilets still need cleaned, boxes keep getting delivered (apparently I like shopping for the store), and I’m sure there is more. Lists have been made and items have been crossed off then other lists have been created. I’ve called people many times asking to be reminded of different things because my brain is mush, but at the end of the day we will open and it will be perfect. Even if many things don’t go quite as planned. 

If you don’t remember, this is where we started-lime green walls, no name, clueless about starting a business. Just two girls with a dream running at it with lightening speed and absorbing all the new information we could along the way. 

If you want to see the “after” make sure you stop by! Our Grand Opening is Saturday February 4 from 10-6. We absolutely cannot wait to welcome you to Quilter’s Hideaway. The countdown is almost over. Did you ever think it would end? 

See you at the machine,

(Just kidding, I’ll be at Quilter’s Hideaway) 

•Care 

ONE MORE DAY!

Millie, the machine, Earned Overtime This Weekend

Happy Monday!

Today feels like Wednesday, or maybe Thursday without the added excitement that tomorrow is Friday.  It just has the drag that we are pushing through another week.  The get up and go of a Monday following a relaxing weekend is nowhere in sight.  I’m tired.  The reason I’m tired is exciting, though.  We open THIS weekend!  I never thought the day would come, but there are only 4 more days until Grand Opening, and we will be ready.

I might be drinking caffeine which I normally avoid and running around with a slightly jumbled brain, but it is beyond worth it.  Dreams are coming true, y’all.  Yes, I just said “y’all” maybe I do need a little sleep…

I digress.  This weekend was a whirlwind of fabric, Millie working away, and things coming together.  We could open tomorrow, but there are still a few things I am hoping to finish up beforehand.  It feels a little like wedding-week or the week of a big performance.  These are the only things I can find comparison to at the moment, but both are very positive and we survived each in their own way, so this will be no exception.

First up, Millie earned overtime this weekend.  It started with a ginormous King-size purple and camo customer quilt.  The pattern was simple but executed well and I can only imagine how long it took to finish the mile-long seams from one edge to another.  We found a quilting pattern called antlers and deer hooves, and I am so happy we found it because there is nothing that could have been more perfect.  Take a look!

Next, we pulled out my most favorite panel that just came in.  I wanted it visible for you to be able to see, and decided to toss it up on Millie and play.  Bruce the Moose came to life with an acorn precisely placed on his nose… snout?… I didn’t plan that, but maybe I should say I did? The acorn adds to the overall playfulness of this quilt.  It is a favorite for sure.

Bruce will hang in our kid room along with a cradle my grandfather made for me.  Our shop is filled with family and love.  Much of the furniture is from my grandmother’s house when she passed away.  The sewing machine my mom learned on which was purchased and owned by my great-grandmother sets in front of a quilt that my mom watched my great-grandmother sew using remnants of tattered clothing.  My mom’s first quilt hangs along with my first quilt-the difference is incredible, but each quilt showcases our tastes in a funny way.  Each quilt hanging in our store holds a story, as every quilt does.

The furniture in our shop, though many of the pieces are from IKEA, includes several family pieces: the cabinet puzzles were kept in at my grandmother’s, crates my husband built for our wedding, my mother-in-law let us borrow furniture, more of grandmother’s furniture, pieces made by my grandfather for me, and so much more are all mixed together.  It was fun creating the feel of our shop and trying to find ways to mix the old and new, much like mixing older fabric from your stash with new for a quilt.

After Bruce the Moose was complete, I worked on another customer’s quilt.  This one used hand-dyed fabric.  I love seeing all the different ways people create quilts and how their personality is showcased through fabric.

This quilt was yellow with pieced triangles and we found an all over triangle pattern to quilt on it.  I love how it turned out.

After Millie had a few seconds of a break, I needed one last thing finished before the weekend was over.  I had great plans of piecing a quilt for the back of our checkout area’s dresser.  We have it turned backwards so the drawers can be used for storage, but it left a slightly ugly back.  Time just kept sneaking away, and I made the decision to take a solid piece of fabric and try quilting it much like a Wholecloth quilt. It is not perfect, actually far from perfect, but it will work.  It also gave me a reason to use purple thread! Where are my purple loving friends??

Once it is cut down to size and binding attached, it will do the job.  I will keep practicing and one day, I will make a Wholecloth quilt. I just love how they look.

I think that about wraps up our weekend.  More boxes are due for arrival on Wednesday, and we will send out our first Newsletter tomorrow or the next day.  If you would like to be included in our newsletter, please send me an email with “newsletter” in the subject (quiltershideaway@gmail.com)

Don’t forget, you can have your own Bruce the Moose if you come to the Grand Opening on SATURDAY!

See you at the machine,

•Care

Squirrel moment: every time I post a blog, I worry about all of my high school and college English teachers reading it.  I’m sorry to all teachers and grammar enthusiasts trudging through my many issues. You are a champ for continuing to read these posts. Thank you!

FOUR MORE DAYS!!

Airplane Projects

I always try to have an airplane quilt in the works. No, not this one…

 

My “airplane” quilt is my travel quilt. It is the quilt I take with me to work on when flying on an airplane, going on vacation, or going on a road trip when I don’t need to catch up on binding. It is not an actual airplane, but is some form of hand piecing. My first “airplane” quilt was started many years ago at a Residency fair with my sister. She had a knack for taking me fun places including Kansas City to join her while they worked a fair for incoming residents. In the evenings she taught me to cut my pieces using a template, and during the day she worked with me on sewing by hand- an entirely new thing, much different than sewing with a machine. I remember constantly grabbing the ruler and checking my quarter inch seam (or lack thereof). We cut and sewed and cut some more. It passed the time and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 
 

Years later the project still sat in my unfinished project pile. I pulled it out again many times, but never quite made progress. 

The next time I vividly remember working on it was while my grandmother was in the hospital and we were celebrating her birthday. My grandmother was/is a key player in teaching me to sew. The amount of pillows we made in one summer while I was learning at a young age was surely enough to fill a gigantic foam pit at a gymnastics center. We sewed and sewed and stuffed until we were exhausted. We shared so many giggles that summer. Sitting next to her at the hospital talking about our shared, favorite hobby-sewing-was wonderful. I was finally making progress on my quilt. 

After I got home it went right back to my unfinished pile. I typically struggle with hand-piecing unless I’m traveling. I think the long to-do list at home is too much of a distraction for me to pull out some sewing and sit on the couch. I also like instant gratification and that is just hard to come by with hand sewing. At least it is hard when you sew about as fast as a sloth. Think the tag office scene from Zootopia—that is my speed. 

My sisters moved, life become even more hectic, and my unfinished projects pile became a mountain. Finally, I had a flight scheduled and I found my “airplane” quilt. I was flying alone to Kentucky  to visit my sisters and I knew this was the perfect project to bring along. I sewed and sewed until my fingers hurt, but this quilt was finished on the last flight home. A perfect, full-circle ending for the quilt that taught me so much about hand sewing. 

My next “airplane” quilt was an English Paper Piecing quilt designed by Mickey Depre. I’ve mentioned it here before, but be sure to check out her patterns. She is extremely talented! This row-by-row quilt was my first EPP adventure, and unfortunately it still remains in my unfinished pile.  

I did jump into another “airplane” quilt for my cousin’s baby on a flight to Disney World one year and it was finished and shipped in a fairly timely manner (a huge accomplishment!). 

I have found myself pulling out my Row-by-Row blocks by Mickey during my most recent travels. Maybe this year will be the year it is finished, but I am making no promises. I don’t like to race with hand sewing. I find that when I do, I just hate the process and sometimes dislike the quilt’s end result. That is not worth it to me. Unfinished projects keep me busy, so I will continue to add to my pile. One day I will catch up or give a few away, who knows.

Do you have an “airplane” quilt or a travel project? 

See you at the machine, 

•Care

14 Days!! 

Oh My!

Four words: Oh my goodness gracious. 

Friday was amazing! Although it started off rough it quickly turned into one of the best days ever. I woke up bright and early to snow on the ground and ice on the roads, but we had planned a trip to start picking out our inventory, and we were determined.

Our first stop to build our inventory was Marshall Dry Goods Co Inc. 

Marshall Dry Goods Co, Inc. manufactures fabric domestically and overseas so we will be able to offer both.  The other nice thing about them is their location. They are located in Batesville, AR so we were able to go to their warehouse and gather a full understanding of their process. 

I even made sure to ask if I could share pictures with all of you, so you could jump in this adventure with us. 🙂
We arrived, met our representative, and started walking. As we walked through their warehouse we were told prices, bundle prices, about the process and so much more. There were giggles, bug eyes, and many overwhelming moments. I felt like a kid in a candy store after spending a year on a diet. 

I was easily overwhelmed! 
We loaded cart after cart, desperately working to stick to our budget since this was only our first stop. 

After our carts were loaded, business was done, and “thank yous” were said, we loaded our car. 

We pointed our car towards Oklahoma and crossed our fingers for better roads on the trip home. Thankfully at least one lane was clear most of the way home. The next morning we met at the shop, and started another work day. We unloaded the fabric, I worked on the inventory and POS system, new LED lights were installed, and we even started cutting fabric. This is actually happening, y’all! 

Today we are in Kentucky staying with my sisters and heading to another warehouse in Tennessee this morning. There will be more pictures coming soon. 

For now, I’ll be sitting in the passenger seat inputting inventory on multiple devices-anything to get us open soon! 

See you at the machine,

• Care

Moving, Quilting, & Sew Much More

2017 is the year we unlock the doors to Quilter’s Hideaway.  Every day we are one step closer and yesterday was no exception.

 

Millie moved into her new and final home at the shop yesterday.

 

Before we moved her I wanted to play with quilting a quilt using a custom design instead of edge-to-edge or a pantograph.  I still needed to quilt Playtime in the Past, so I decided it was the perfect starting point.

I knew what I wanted in the solid squares, but I wasn’t sure what to do in the pinwheel blocks.  I really liked the secondary circle created by the design I quilted first, so I decided to play off that with a circular design over the pinwheels.  The result was perfect for this fun, playtime quilt.

Once Millie was set up in the shop, I was able to finish two more quilts.  It felt amazing to be working in our quilt shop and imagining what is to come.

This quilt is a customer’s baby quilt for a little girl.  It will be washed quite a bit, so a dense pattern-meandering circles, was chosen.  I love how it adds to the playfulness of this quilt.

 

The second quilt was a Disappearing Hourglass Quilt done in blue and cream.  It was a gorgeous customer quilt.  I quilted this with a damask pattern.  It was the perfect, subtle touch to finish off the quilt. Look at those points!

Aside from quilting and moving Millie, we were able to finish this 20 foot design wall for use in the classroom. Who wants to be first to have their blocks hanging here?

 

 

This was a full and busy weekend: moving Millie, building design walls, quilting, and so much more.  We only have 32 days until our grand opening, and many surprises along the way! Make sure you are following us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know!

 

See you at the machine,

•Care