Coming soon, new cottons and flannels...

Our owners just arrived back from Quilt Market, and therefore I have cotton on the brain. Over the next month or so we will be getting in lots of great new cottons and flannels. Hopefully they will give me a list of what is coming in month by month and I can post a coming soon section. From what I have seen, looks like some really great prints.

For today, I just wanted to show you a few projects, both cotton and flannel, that are going up in the store.

First the new California cotton print from Timeless. In one yard you get the best of California. Our sample maker decided top make an apron from it.

Here's the front:

and here's the back

This free Apron tutorial is very similar to the apron shown here. Again, while I love this new print, remember to check out all our cotton prints and pick one that is just right for you or the person receiving this great apron.

Another cute line we're featuring with a sample is Marmalade Flannels and Vintage Modern Flannel from Moda.

We have it in both cotton and flannel. Both these collections have the wonderful feel of the good ol' days. They have found a way to take vintage charm and add a bit of modern geometric flair.

Both collections have an assortment of prints to pick from. In this stroller blanket we used three of them. Click here to see the entire collection.

                                 

This blanket was made from a super easy pattern, not even really sure you can call it a pattern, more just a sheet of directions. Basically you get 1 3/4 yards of a one print and 1 1/4 yards of another print (cotton or flannel) and approximately 3 2/3 yards of ric rac or a contrast bias binding. You should always pre-wash both pieces before you cut them. Cut both pieces to the same size, 40' by 42' square. To add ric rac, put both pieces of fabric right sides together adding ric rac in between the two pieces.  Stitch around the edge of the blanket leaving an opening of about 6 inches.  Turn the blanket right side out and stitch the opening closed. Iron with steam. If desired, ric rac can be added to the outside of the blanket on the flannel side for a decorative look. Simply sew the two pieces of fabric together right sides together, turn right side out, close the opening, and add the ric rac on top to finished blanket. To make a blanket with binding, put the wrong sides together and add the binding edge on top of the cotton print side edge. Stitch 1/4 inch seam allowance around the blanket. Fold binding edge over to the back of the blanket and blind stitch by hand or machine.

The last sample is from the same collection. It is still in the process of being sewn, but I just wanted to give you a peek at this great patch work blanket.

                             

It is hand tied and not quilted. Really cute & simple. Again, I love this collection, and this quilt really shows off many pieces from it,but if you find yourself with less time than you anticipated you could buy our fat quarters, coming on-line next week,  and whip it together in no time.

That's it for now. Keep checking our site all month for great new cotton and flannel prints. Also remember all our cotton and flannels are 10% off everyday.

Riley Blake Verona Apron - these pre-printed Apron Panels make for aquick and easy afternoon sewing project!

Fresh from the design studio of Emily Taylor are these fun and pretty, cut-and-sew aprons from her latest Romeo & Juliette inspired collection for the Riley Blake fabric company, suitably named 'Verona.' With everything you need economically placed and printed on just one yard of basic cotton, this is a project that's quick, easy, and inexpensive:
Not only is the print lovely, but the pattern and design of how it all goes together is pretty brilliant also. Emily has designed these aprons in a way that makes them easy to customize and augment with your taste and crafting skills. You can choose one pocket or two; you can line the apron or not; you may customize the straps, and apply the coordinated ric-rac, too, if you like:
Seeing the simplicity of the layout will surely temp you to give it a try; for even the instructions are written on the cloth itself!

For a detailed tutorial, to meet the designer Emily Taylor, and for customization ideas and variations, I recommend watching this video.
You can shop these apron panels and the coordinating ric-rac here.

Holiday apron and the perfect tool to help make it super easy!

One of my favorite elves brought in this apron today and I just love it. The print is so fun and quirky and the colors are not that of your typical holiday print.  Green, lavender, pink & red may sound crazy together, but here combined with just the right amount of gold it really works.



Besides showing me this fantastic apron our elf reported on a new tool she found in our Notions department. It's called Turn-it-All. She told me that it made making the neck strap and the tie at the back a cinch!



In 4 easy steps you can turn so many items inside out. Since it has 3 different sizes it's perfect for the apron shown, as well as Spaghetti straps, scrunchies (great easy gift for your tween!), doll parts, and any thing that needs to be turned inside out after you sew it.



For $10.00 this tools seems like a steal. Find it online at http://www.lowpricefabric.com/p-1971-turn-it-all-ml203015.aspx