fruit

My boy is 11 year's old now.  He is a crack up! Both my boys are actually (at least I think so).  And a bit of a rag a muffin.  He is going through a scruffy phase of not wanting to cut his hair.  There are worse things.

Today I was in the garden pruning up all my roses for winter.  He came out and asked me if he could make a fruit salad.  I know he loves to eat different foods, but this was a new request.

Apple, pear, grapes, and maraschino cherries (with the cherry juice). And yes, he did make it.  He is good with a knife thanks to boy scouts.  Isn't it just gorgeous!  Much like himself.

new patterns

I just received 3 new patterns from Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew.  They are all adorable!

Aren't they just the cutest!  Joyfully is the first one coming up in the shop.  Arlene has made it using Christmas fabrics.  But it will look just as perfect using any of your other favorites!  Come by and get yours soon.  They are $8.99 each.

christmas birds

I made my Christmas birds!  And you thought I wouldn't get them done, didn't you?

Well, they were fun to make (again)!  My girl even wanted to help me stuff the birds.  We used a handy chopstick to get the stuffing down into that beak.

And here is the link for you to make one of your own.  They are cute on a Christmas tree and... attached to someone's Christmas package.  Enjoy!

christmas medley

This is one of my newest dies from Accuquilt.  I have already used it for a quilt that we will be hanging in the shop soon.  We made some snowflakes using some pretty white on white fabric.  This is the cutest die to use for applique.

I used a fusible pellon to applique the fabrics to the quilt.  First you apply the fusing and then you can run it through the Go! Baby.  If you use this method, then you can layer up to 3 fabrics at a time.  When I made my snowflakes I loved how crisp and clean it came out.

This is the one that I want to make! It is a skinny table runner size, but would look cute bigger as a throw for the couch.  That's what I always like to make!

Or this runner, that comes free when you buy the Christmas Medley die.  See how the snowflakes are cut in half?  Go and visit Accuquilt and look for their Christmas quilts, and their quick videos.

tumbler quilt

This is the Tumbler Quilt that I am already in the process of making.  I am cutting up a big variety of fabrics to make this. I am excited to get sewing to see how easy these shapes go together row by row.  If you use the same fabric as the first and last piece in the rows, it creates your first border.

Here is the tumbler used to make a table runner.  I like the edges on this!  Looks like a wave and goes nicely with the effect of the fabric and quilting.

This is what the die looks like.  You can cut 3 at once, or use up to 6 layers of fabric and make 18 tumblers at once.  This is the way I did it, and when I cut my fabric in 4 1/2" strips it made for little waste.  Plus it just went so much faster!

The Go! Baby will be 10% off next Friday and Saturday!  Visit Accuquilt.com to see more.  They have great videos too.

black friday and small business saturday

Yup, I am having a Black Friday Sale.  It is my biggest sale of the year!  Here is the breakdown...

Friday, November 23

9 am - 10 am 30% off ALL Fabrics

10 am - 4 pm 20% off ALL Fabrics

Buy 3 fat quarters get 1 free

Patterns and Books 10% off

PLUS

on both Friday and Saturday

ALL Go! Baby from Accuquilt will be 10% off

You will also be invited to bring in your fabrics to use the Go! Baby yourself for FREE.

I will have 4 different templates available for you to use.

Think of it as a test drive for your newest purchase.

This week on my blog, I will be showing you some of the different quilts you can make using these dies.  You will just fall in love with their accuracy and how easy and portable they are to use!  It will make the best Christmas gift to put under your own tree.

free sew day

Does anyone want to come and sew with me in the shop tomorrow?

One of my shop teachers said that these little birds would look cute on the Christmas tree.  Thanks for the fun idea Lydia!

I have made these before for my little bird cage hanging by my cutting table.  Won't these be cute in red and green for my shop Christmas tree?  They would look cute in any color really!

Come into the shop on Monday, November 19.  And I will be sewing and stuffing these little birds.  You are welcome to sit and sew with me, just bring your own sewing machine.  And I will give you the free pattern too!

thankful

Today I am thankful for our Veteran's.  That we are able to support them and acknowledge their sacrifice for their fellow soldier, and their country.  I am especially thankful for those in my family who served, the ones who have returned home to us, and those that we have mourned.

thankful

I have seen this around a bit.  I know it is already November 4, but I want to give it a try.  Since we do have so much to be thankful for, it's great to acknowledge it.

Today I did some gardening.  It's been awhile since I have done any, and with a gorgeous 80 degree day, it was irresistible.  But, I now have a rash.  Some allergic reaction to something, just great!!

So tonight I am thankful for a husband who will drive to Walgreen's late at night, and get me medicine and ice cream.  Just what I need! I love him :)

dream quilt

I pulled the winning ticket for our raffle quilt, and it went to the wonderful Janine Caruso!  Thank you to all who bought tickets and were excited to win the Sew Katie Jean First Anniversary Quilt.  We were able to donate $500 to the Lincoln Lighthouse Resource and Counseling Center.  I am so proud of the work that our teachers put in to make this beautiful quilt and that so many fell in love with it and wanted to purchase tickets. Thank you for supporting a worthy local organization!  There will be another quilt next summer :)

halloween

This is downtown Lincoln on Halloween!  There were a ton of kids out getting candy from the local merchants.  Every year from 3-5 pm, families go shop to shop trick or treating.  I have such a good time seeing all the costumes, it's like I'm the kid!

 Halloween Fairy, Ex-Rocker, and Hobo Kid

Here are my kids, dressed up.  I love helping them get their costumes together.  It's fun finding things from around the house and thrift shop that will work.  Homemade is the best!  And Target is also a huge help!

Napolean Dynamite (my favorite)

Halloween Fairy (without wings) 2012

Candy Corn Lalaloopsy Haloween 2011

Bat Girl 2010

I couldn't resist showing you my girl from the last two years!  Happy Halloween!

here I am

It has been a long time since I blogged.  But I am writing to tell you a good news!

Sew Katie Jean is having a fabric sale!

25% off of all fabrics

Friday, October 5 and Saturday, October 6

Lincoln is celebrating the opening of a long awaited highway bypass.  And what a better way to celebrate than by doing a little bit of shopping for fabric!

I hope to see you there.

Shop hours:

Monday - Friday 10 am - 3 pm

Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

neopolitan

Over a month ago I asked each one of my shop teachers to make a quilt block.  They were given a choice of  six fat quarters and to pick out two of their favorite fabrics for their block.  Some of the teachers made 3 or 4 blocks! 

Lydia Shelton brought them home to put all of the blocks together with this fantastic sashing.  They look gorgeous on point! Cindy Lloyd did the custom quilting and hand sewn binding.

Sew Katie Jean is now raffling off this quilt for $1. tickets.  The money raised will be donated to the Lincoln Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center.  I hope you come in soon to buy a ticket and help us celebrate our One Year Anniversary by supporting such a great local organization.

Here is a bit about them from their website:
Our goal is provide readily, accessible services at no cost to children, youth and families who need physical, emotional and/or mental health resources to improve their quality of life. By providing these resources and support, we will assist our youth in becoming a positive influence and contributing in meaningful ways in the schools, with friends and members of the community.

holiday fabric cards

All week Sew Katie Jean is celebrating our 1 Year Anniversary!  And I do say  OUR.  For it is true that I do work in the shop myself, there are many talented hands and many wonderful hearts that make this {sewing} machine go.

On Wednesday, August 15 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm / FREE
Fabric Holiday Cards
No sewing machine required.

Make these faux quilted cards just once and you will be hooked! Our teacher will take you through each step to make these fun and beautiful cards, perfect for any occasion. This is a free class to celebrate my one year shop anniversary! Just buy your fabric at the shop, no sewing machine required. Kits available $3. Teacher: Arlene Irby

free class monday

It has been hot here in Lincoln!  Luckily I have great A/C in the shop.  So next week when you are planning to come to celebrate my anniversary, remember it's cool here.

On Monday, August 13 from 11:00 - 1:00 you can learn how to make this table runner in a jiffy.  The fabric kit is $7.85 and the instruction is free.  Just remember to bring your sewing machine with you.

And remember to bring some extra cash to buy raffle tickets for our beautiful quilt.  Money raised will be going to the Lighthouse Resource and Counseling Center.  And you just might win!

birds and bees

Feast your eyes on this gorgeous fabric!  It just arrived in my shop.  Gorgeous (yes I do love it so). I wasn't sure how my quilters would receive it.  They love it of course too.  We already have a quilt in progress and a class date to set.

I have managed to set aside a few fat quarters for myself.  You know that Yellow Brick Road pattern.  I can see it now made up in the beautiful purples and aquas of Tula Pink.

quilt kit of the week

This quilt is a classic.  Do you recognize it?

Yellow Brick Road, by Atkinson Designs of course!  It seems to be every one's go to favorite.  Well, it's our too!

So we made it our Kit of the Week, here at Sew Katie Jean.  It includes 6 fat quarters and the pattern.  But if you already have the pattern, pick up a few of these 18 x 22 bits of fabric for a sweet summer quilt.  We even added a bit of ric rac on ours for a touch of fun!

farmers wife - class 3

Block #2 -  Autumn Tints

I was having a busy day in the shop last Friday, so I didn't get as many of my Farmer Wife blocks done as I would like, (great for the shop though!).  I just finished three this time.  But I did have fun doing a bit of fussy cutting.

block #23 - Country Farm

My collection of American Jane fabrics make these blocks come together in a way that I am totally lovin!  I'm trying to not over think my combination choices too much. This block, #23, is fun in the two different plaids, I love how it looks!  I just need to take some seams out and get them all squared up right.

Block #6 - Big Dipper

And sewing up these seams was simple and fun!  I love how nicely my points came out.  And I do love seeing the pinwheel star in the block center.  Are you making any of these blocks too?

silver star

There is a new quilt hanging in the shop.  It's called Silver Star and the pattern is only $2.00!

We have been loving these patterns from Villa Rosa Designs.  My teachers have been making a new quilt from this collection at about one a week.

Our version is made with Denyse Schmidt fabrics from Freespirit and Vintage Modern from Moda.  Don't you love it!

circa 1880

Every once in a while, I am lucky when someone brings in an old quilt.  I just love looking at the old fabrics, seeing the blocks that were pieced together with scraps just to make it all work.  I often think about all the time and work that went in to not only the hand sewing, but the cutting of all those bits of fabric.

This quilt was in a bit of disrepair when I first saw it a few months ago.  Quite a few of the fabrics were disintegrating and torn.  But this quilter wanted to rescue what she had and preserve it.  So we chose a few new fabrics for her to use.  Can you see them in this above picture?  If you know the fabric that I have in my shop, you should be able to recognize them, there are two here.

The quilt label reads:

Made By:

Dulcia Gould Harris

New Burnside, Illinois

Circa 1880

I think she did a fantastic job!  And thank you to all of you that share your treasures with me, they are always inspiring.

sew night

The Sacramento Modern Quilt Guild is having a summer Sew Night this week!

Thursday, July 5, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Sew Katie Jean

603 5th Street, Lincoln

{916} 209-3930

When you are done with your 4th of July party, come to downtown Lincoln on Thursday night. The Farmer's Market begins at 5:00 pm so you can get a bit of a walk, plus the ususal fruits and vegetables. Then at the corner of 5th and F Street is Sew Katie Jean, where we can all sew and visit for a few hours. Please feel free to bring whatever project you are working on.

If you are interested in learning more about this new guild this is the perfect free event for you to come to.  All are welcome!

farmer's wife

I love sharing these class pictures with you.  

Isn't it fantastic how just the choice of fabrics can make a quilt look traditional  in blues, pale yellows and greens.

Using Kaffe Fasset fabrics make the same quilt look artistic and modern.  The choices are unlimited.  And all up to you!

block 69 - Practical Orchard 

block 81 - Snowball 

I have loved American Jane for such a long time.  I am so happy getting to use it for this quilt! 

block 9 - Box 

It will be at least a year long, to finish this 111 block queen size quilt.  It is an ongoing class and you can join in at any time.

 block  84 - Spool

Right now we are still trying to schedule a second class.  It has been such a popular class request.  I would love to see someone make this quilt out of batiks too!

block 31 - Friendship Star

What fabric would you use?