All Day Sewing Workshop!

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

I am sew excited to be hosting and all day sewing workshop at Material Girls Quilt Shoppe!

The class will be centered around my newest pattern “On The Go Trio” which has three easy sew projects that make perfect gifts! 

Click image to open and print flyer.

The Workshop will be held on February 5th

at Material Girls Quilt Shoppe 535 W. Douglas

in Delano District, Wichita, KS

10:00 a.m.  - 4:00 p.m.     Cost: $25.00

To sign up for the class/workshop:  Contact Material Girls at 316-684-5855.  Class Policy 

Bring your sewing machine, and your creative spirit for a fun day of sewing and making accessories!

New E-Pattern has arrived!

Monday, December 6th, 2010

At Spring 2010 market, I featured my Ruched Baby Quilt as the bakground for a free applique owl pattern.

I received such a wonderful response, I have put the quilt and applique pattern together as an E-Pattern.

If you would like to purchase this pattern, visit The Quilt Pattern Shoppe -Patterns!

The Owl Family free pattern is available on the website.

Midwest Sewing & Vacuum demonstration

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Saturday, the staff of Midwest Sewing & Vacuum was kind enough to invite me to visit

with their customers and answer questions about fabric and pattern design.

I would like to thank Jean & Judy for their hard work in setting up a

lovely refreshment area with a beautiful linen table cloth, crochet doily and pretty

floral china plates for guests to enjoy!   All very nice and well done!! 

They have so generously placed my display models made from my patterns and books in

Benartex fabrics right in the front window for several weeks now!

My sister, Tamara Gonzales came and took some pictures for me to share with you.

Jeff Gordon was on hand answering all the important, technical questions about the machines! 

I demonstrated on the Bernina machines with the ruffler attachment,  and also the BSR;

 Bernina Stich Regulator (the machine stitches when you move your quilt under the needle!) 

I wish everyone could have it on their machines when quilting.

I also showed decorative stitches & threads that I like to use on pockets and hems.

I want to thank everyone for all their help and kindness, and to the

guests who visited with  me about their sewing hobby.

I hope you had a happy weekend!

Free pattern!

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Click on the pattern image above for a free downloadable pdf E-pattern.  I hope you enjoy making your Three Birds Tweet applique baby quilt displayed using Benartex fabrics from my collections: In The Nest and Baby Business.

Happy Sewing!

On the Go Trio!

Monday, October 11th, 2010

What are the perfect accessories?

• The perfect purse
• One-of-a-kind brooch/hair clip
• Gathered scarf 

It’s my newest pattern, “On the Go Trio”! 

What is even better than having the perfect accessories?

Having the pattern to make more perfect accessories!

• The purse is perfect for travel, shopping, and running errands in style.

• The light weight, feminine scarf polishes up any outfit. 

• The flower (2 styles: rose & Lilly) makes hair styling simple.

• Or, embellish your sweater, purse or scarf with the flower as a brooch/pin!

Make them your way, any way, in every color way!  Can do sewing projects that make amazing gifts!

Fabrics: Baby Business Dark Grey 99 #2487, by Jackie Clark for Benartex.  “On the Go Trio” pattern  available in October, Fall International Quilt Market, 2010.

Brave and bold.

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Is there anything more wonderful than soft baby toes?  Everytime I was tempted to update the Britches & Bloomers cover, the JCD girls and I nearly came undone!    How could anything be sweeter than our little hugging barefoot girls? 

But, it did get sweeter.  I am so excited to have wonderful fabrics to sew the models for the new cover.  This photo has been in my mind for several years.. waiting for the right circumstances to remake the delightful pattern cover of  Britches & Bloomers. 

 The Little Flower Pocket Top looks so good with the Britches, and I couldn’t resist showing more fabrics using the owl pattern.. Sew many choices!  I am sew excited to be using my Baby Business and In the Nest fabrics by Benartex, and my little granddaughter, Ava and her cousin, Lyrik for this brave step. 

I can’t wait to show the new cover all finished!

In search of the complete shopping experience..

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Stephanie, Beverly and myself (from right to left) went a-hunting for “the complete shopping experience” here in our home town, Wichita, KS.  From curb to cash register, we wanted to feel that, as customers, we were inspired, encouraged and excited about the shop we were in.

Often when traveling, we have those experiences, but sometimes forget about our own backyard.  Delano District of Wichita is a delightful place to shop and so we spent the afternoon visiting this area.  For lunch, we ate at a lovely cafe, called The Palette Bistro, at 613 Douglas.  We loved the painted chalkboard and chalk art!

The food was fresh, the salad crisp, the fruit sweet and the dessert was delicious.  We all loved the presentation of the food, the atmosphere of the cafe and the special care of the menu.

Every shop has a “feeling”, an attitude, if you will.  We asked the independent business women how they would describe their business in one word, as we informed them we were blogging about our experience.  Cindy, owner of Sew Much (shown in the shop window with me) describes her shop as “the unique fabric boutique”.  Each time I have visited, she is working on an new display or checking in new product!

Sew Much carries silk, wool, cotton, linen, knits, patterns, notions and more.  The shop has a young, vibe, with a wonderful selection of Amy Butler decorator fabrics.

There is a wonderful variety of fabrics for making garments of all types and Sew Much also offers garment sewing classes.  I couldn’t get over the pom-pom fringe and oversized rick rack in every color!

Cindy carries my Cute as a Button Baby Jacket pattern.. I like seeing how it looks made in a variety of fabrics.  Here she shows it in corduroy.

Visit Cindy at 535 W. Douglas Ste. 130 or online at www.sewmuchonline.com.  There are two entrances for convenient access, as additional parking is behind the building.

Just steps away you will find Material Girls Quilt Shoppe at 535 w. Douglas, Ste. 140 (where you can also enter from the front or the back door)!

Owners, Jo & Jan will have a grand opening Sept. 10 & 11th with refreshments and door prizes.  The shop has a fresh, modern feel, with fabrics to suit any taste.   I encourage you to visit!

Very well done, ladies!

Material Girls describes their shop as “a unique quilting experience”.

Visit their website to find out about fall classes.

We found our way to Twist Yarn Shop at 607 W. Douglas where I ran into Diane Moos, who is a wonderful crochet artist.  She and several of the employees were refreshing displays and were hard at work.  You can visit Diane on Ravelry.com by looking up GracePlease to see the wonderful crochet dolls she has made.

Twist is full of fantastic selections of yarn, patterns and notions for knitters and crocheters.  Shelly has been getting in inventory daily!  If you love fiber, this is the place for you!

Here you will also find classes for all skill levels and clubs that meet regularly in the comfortable work area Shelly has set up.  KS My Stitch Crochet Guild , a guild my sister, Stephanie and I are all members of meets the third Monday of every month at Twist for programs, show-n-share and refreshments.

Bungalow 26 shop owner, Kelsey Metzinger visited with us about her weakness for “products”.  She carries wonderful candles, soaps, lotions.. all the spa goodies we like to spoil ourselves with.

Kelsey describes her shop as eclectic, with a Soho downtown vibe!

Each of the shop owners has done a wonderful job with their displays, store windows and had a unique selection of products to chose from.  We were impressed with the cleanliness, the friendly smiles, the helpful inquiries.  Each of the shopowners should know the appreciation we have for the hard work well done!  Retail therapy accomplished!

Material Girls opens their doors!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Congratulations to the hardworking gals at Material Girls Quilt Shop in Wichita, KS on your opening!  It was an exciting experience visiting this shop.  It’s what I call “the complete shopping experience”.

The displays and merchandising were fresh and fabulous.  From curb to cash register, these gals have done a fantastic job.  I bought a wonderful book, The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking, by Jane Brocket, C&T Publishing and have loved looking through it.

Delightful day of shopping.

Fun with hightops!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

I have had these shoes running around in my mind for the longest time!  Finally, Angie helped me make a darling pattern so I could applique them onto a quilt. 

Watch for a free download pattern on the website!  I love this argyle fabric on the shoes! 

I wish I could make a pair to wear!

Bernina BSR quilting attachment

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

I have been practicing quilting with the new Bernina Stitch Regulator, what an amazing attachment!  It allows you to free-motion quilt without using the foot pedal!  When you move the fabric, it regulates the speed of stitching by how fast you move your hands.  I am practicing, practicing, practicing so I can do more quilting.

I am taking a class at Midwest Sewing on July 31st to learn more.  I love taking classes!  I will be taking several this year to improve my skills.