Just Say No to White on White

Occasionally I have people ask if I have any "white on white" fabric. White on whites are exactly what it sounds like, they are white background fabrics with a white pattern overlaid. (see picture) Most of the time, the pattern is stamped over the fabric instead of dyed or woven into it. These fabrics are easy to identify because if you run your fingers over them, you can feel the texture of the stamp. Joanne's carries a large selection of such fabrics, which tells you something about their likely quality.

The stamped texture throws my quilting machine into fits. As the needle goes through the quilt, I can hear the sound of it piercing the stamped material, and it's not good! It spells thread breakage and missed stitches galore. In short, I HATE white-on-white fabric. When I see a quilt made with it, I get chills. And not good chills.

So, it's not surprising that the answer to the question of whether I have any or not is a resounding "NO!" Thus far, I haven't identified one I like. I believe that companies like Moda do make white-on-whites that are not stamped, but I haven't had the need to find out. I much prefer a traditionally manufactured print or a marble instead. Plus, my quilting machine is high maintenance and so am I. We need quality fabric!

New Market Stuff Just In

The shipments are starting to arrive on things I couldn't stuff into mine or my mom's suitcase from Market! Today I received my Patchabilities patterns, and I have finished uploading them to the website and created a new catagory just for them! The Patchabilities catagory holds the patterns I have so far, but there are sure to be more because I love their stuff! (There is an adorable Summer scene set that has a martini button that I must have before next Summer!) All of Patchability patterns have awesome buttons that make them unique, and buttons are included in each pattern! There is also a wire hanger from Ackfeld available for every pattern, which just finished them off beautifully. Their Advent Calendars are the best I've seen anywhere! As each season approaches, watch for new things to be added in this catagory.

Also arrived this week are Amma's Garden fabrics from G.E. Designs and Red Rooster Fabrics. The Poppy Garden quilt that coordinates with these fabrics is gorgeous, and waiting to be quilted at the shop right now!

New notions arrived this week as well, including the buttons for the Lackadaisical quilt. I know you're thinking that the kit price is high for this quilt, but trust me, the buttons are well worth it! They are fantastic, lending a unique effect to an otherwise super simple quilt.

I also have jelly thimbles from that I will be uploading as soon as I find or take a good picture.

Last, I now have mini irons and mini iron cooling bags. These are excellent for small project like the Patchabilities, or for applique. The cooling bag allows you to transport a hot iron to and from classes or other locations. The Patchabilities Christmas Bulbs kit includes a patch for the sole-plate of your mini-iron, making it non-stick. This allows you to iron on the fusible ribbon (for the bulb hooks) and any other fusible product, without it sticking to your iron and without using a pressing sheet!

For now, that's what's new. Watch for more, because that's not all I ordered!

Serged Satchel from Indygo Junction

I spotted this bag in the Indygo Junction booth at Market and loved it. (My mom hated it, so I guess this is subjective) The pattern will be in store soon, and since I just heard on the news show that "ruffles are everywhere" this season, it's just in time! Actually, I loved several of Indygo Junction's new patterns, and am expecting many of them in store by the end of this month! Summer clothes for girls, bags, tunics, and even pajamas! Since the patterns are coming in November, maybe I'll have time to make something for the girls before next Summer!
You can see them all soon in the Bags and Wearables pattern catagory.

Food Drive at The Crazy Quilter

I guess it's time for me to grow up and give back to the community! For my first attempt at becoming socially responsible, I am holding a food drive during the month of November. Here is how it will work:

Thru Nov. 30, when you bring a nonperishable food bank donation, I will give you 10% off your in-store purchase. The only exclusions are machine quilting and class fees.

In addition, for online purchases, I will donate 10% of the total purchase, (before shipping and sales tax) to the local food bank.

Now you can quilt in November and feel good knowing someone will be eating Thanksgiving dinner because of you!

Wool Pin Cushion Kit

For the past few evening while I watch TV I've kept my hands busy making up one of the new wool pin cushions I found at Market. Here is a picture of the final result:

Everything but the floss and stuffing to make this pin cushion is included in the reusable tin! For $1 more, I also have bags of crushed walnut shells, which is used for the filling. A great stocking stuffer or friend gift!