mom's birthday

Last weekend I was in Portland, OR with my mom, Donna, and sister, Mary.  Mary has a quilt shop in Minnesota, Quilter's Eden. She is the one that I now blame/thank, for my opening Sew Katie Jean. I also have a middle sister, Judith.  We three are closer now than ever ~ I love my sisters!

Our mom is going to be 80 year's old in January. We are throwing her a party.  I don't think she knows that just yet! sshhh :)  And she needs the perfect gift.

We decided to make her a quilt!  Each one of us will make 3 quilt blocks a month. One block to go to mom's quilt, one for ourselves, and the other goes to the other sister. Judith sews, but doesn't quilt.  She has made one block already, and gets a few lessons from Mary along the way since they both live on the east coast.

We decided to use only fabric by Bonnie and Camille from Moda.  Each collection goes together so perfectly, that we will have a lot more fabrics to choose from.  I want to share with you my quilt blocks that I am making.  And since I am a bit behind in making my one a month I will be posting at least two a month!

So look for my Gram Quilt tutorials.  Each quilt block that I will be using will be based on something different about my mom.  I hope you will be inspired to quilt along with me!

pillowcases

Did you know that we had 388 Pillowcases for Soldiers come through the shop last month.  It was such a fantastic feeling to see so many people work together to make these wonderful gifts to our military.

This is a picture of my son's Boy Scout Troop #745.  A bunch of girls and moms came out to help us sew that night too! I had such a good time and was so proud of my oldest actually sitting down at the sewing machine for the first time.

So if a 14 year old boy can make a pillowcase then so can you!  We meet the last Wednesday of every month for a FREE Sew Night at SKJ.  If you can't make it next week, mark your calender and make it for next month.

Wednesday, May 29

6:00 - 8:00 pm / FREE

Teacher: Katie Trott

classes

There are classes galore coming up in the shop.  For just one way to follow our class schedule (besides coming into the shop, or being on our email list) is to follow Sew Katie Jean on Facebook.

Saturday, May 11

Convergence Quilt

10:30 - 1:30 pm / $30.

Teacher: Kathy Hilton

Saturday, May 11

Quilting 101

2:30 - 5:00 pm / $25.

Teacher: Lydia Shelton

Saturday, May 25

T-Shirt Quilt

10:00 - 12:00 pm / $25.

Teacher: Cindy Currier

And there is always more to come.  We love to teach any kind of quilting and sewing.  Plus we just love to see you learn something new!

two fat quarters

It's the perfect time for you to update your wardrobe
with a little bit of color and fun.

Let's make the Infinity Scarf together.

All it takes is two fat quarters!

Friday, May 10

3:00 - 4:30 pm / $10.

Teacher: Tessie Takehara

Come by the shop or call to register {916} 209-3930

loomis quilt guild show

Last weekend was a busy one!  Not only was there a Shop Hop (Renegade Run) but I was also involved in being a vendor for the Loomis Quilt Guild ~ Quilt Show.

This was my first time being a vendor at a quilt show, and I was a bit nervous.  I was worried about my booth set up, because I wanted to use my pop up tent for the inside show.

And I really wanted my booth to reflect the same bright feel of my shop.  Well, I think it looked terrific!  Bright, fresh, and airy.  Very Sew Katie Jean :)

My Mom, Donna, was also there to help.  She loves to demo the Go! Baby, from Accuquilt.  We had a good time together, and made a great team.

And thank you to the Loomis Quilt and Fiber Guild! You took good care of us with plenty of water and a lunch, including homemade cookies.  We look forward to being a part of your next event!

limelight

We love Villa Rosa Designs.  These $2 quilt patterns are the best deal in town!  And we make them quite often.

This one is called Limelight.  It is made using 12 fat quarters. We used some of our favorite new fabrics from Anna Griffin called Chinoiserie.

It is gorgeous, Asian inspired fabric.  And anything Anna Griffin makes in irresistible.

mushroomed

Sewing Sisters

If you have been following on Facebook, our plans for making 100 pillowcases for soldiers has mushroomed!  We are now making 200 pillowcases!

Beale AFB family drop off their pillowcases

A Lincoln High School graduate serving in Afghanistan asked if we could send him a pillowcase.  Now we are sending 200 to his unit.  Lincoln has gotten involved and everyone has been making stacks of pillowcases and dropping them off at the Sew Katie Jean.

Boxing up pillowcases for shipment

We now have almost 300 made!!  That will give us 200 to send to this Naval unit in Afghanistan and more to send to send to another group in May.

Birdie, Marcus, and Michele getting 7 boxes ready

Thank you everyone for getting involved. Our little city has shown me again, why I love living and working in Lincoln.  Thank you!