A NEW go-to Zipper Option!

So... not too long ago in a previous post I sought your opinion about a new type of zipper we were considering adding to our line and while the verdict was mixed, there was enough positive feedback to merit giving them a try. And besides, I find them totally intriguing and can't wait to play to incorporate them into a few of my own samples.

Well they finally arrived last week and several of you in fact made notice of them in our last post, because we did use them in the sample we made out of fabrics from Pat Sloan's new fabric line, Bobbins n Bits.

So... now that I've used them... what's the verdict? 

I say, what's not to love?

Because if our black & white mini-striped zippers can be called "the perfect neutral", then these new translucent zippers can surely be called "the perfect coordinate"!


As you can see from these pictures, they literally take on the color of whatever fabric is behind them (kinda like a chameleon)! What other way could ALWAYS be assured of having the perfect coordinating zipper for your project?

We now carry these terrific translucent zippers in three convenient sizes! Just click here.

• 10" closed bottom
• 12" separating
• 16" separating

(And... because so many of you have requested it, we've also begun carrying the polka-dot zippers you love so much in the 16" separating style!)

So... I think I'm really going to enjoy using these new zippers. Between the mini-striped zippers, the polda-dotted zippers and these new translucents, I may never use a traditional colored zipper again!

(FYI-  I have found that these zippers are easiest to install 
when I make use of a ball point needle.)

 So what do you think?

If any of you try our new zips,

I would love to see a picture of your finished project!

We actually LOVE comments,
so we invite you to leave yours in the space provided below!

 ********************* 

 Did you enjoy this post?
If so, please feel free to share it via FaceBook or Twitter! 

Ode to a Good Purge

A while back I took you on a little studio tour and ever since then it seems that everyone has been clamoring for me to reveal my fabric stash.

But here's the thing....
I'm pretty sure you're going to be sorely disappointed when you see it for the following three reasons.

1. Even though I have difficulty throwing away even the smallest scrap of fabric, I rarely have more than scraps left over when I finish with a project.  
2. Since there are absolutely NO fun fabric stores in my area, I really don't get much opportunity to shop just for fabric for the pure joy of it, or to take advantage of occasional sales. 
3. Every so many years I get this almost overwhelming "urge to purge"! (I might add that this doesn't just apply to my fabric stash because I also get this same urge in regards to my closet, my pantry and my medicine cabinet.)

So with this backdrop in mind, I need to tell you that for some reason, I really haven't felt that "urge to purge" anything since 2009 when we moved into the new studio. Consequently my stash has been getting more and more disorganized!

                                      My bins, (which are organized according to color) are overflowing and out of control. And there are stacks of "unfiled" fabric obscuring the bins.  And even though I will  never EVER be mistaken for a clean-freak, this area is getting on my nerves more and more with each passing day. I just can't stand it when I can't find stuff. To me, life is just too short to waste it searching for things!

Now I know that several of you are thinking, "What stash?" What's the problem?" But I figure we all have a different threshold level for clutter, and mine is admittedly quite low, so............. I procured some more plastic bins this weekend and set about "making things right" in my studio!

Now........ 

isn't this a BIG improvement?

And what makes this finished look all the sweeter, is that not only is my stash perfectly sorted and organized now, but due to my purging, I've also picked up a whole shelf of empty space! Which should really come in handy in the next few weeks since as we expand our zipper line!

So.... how does my stash compare with what you expected? 
And what would you call yourself... 
         a collector or an organizer? 
                 Do you save everything or do you enjoy a good purge?

We LOVE comments (and questions too),

so please feel free to leave them in the space provided below 

*********************

Did you enjoy this post? If so, please feel free to share it via FaceBook or Twitter

Booth Evolution - 2013 Style

So... with the Guardian release finally in our rear-view mirror, I feel like I can finally take my eyes off my computer screen and turn them toward Portland, Oregon, the site of this Spring's International Quilt Market, which ironically was the site of our very first Quilt Market back in 2008. When I think of how much has changed our first market, it's just mind-boggling! Can you believe that back then we actually got ALL of our booth materials packed into one suitcase and carried it on the plane with us? WOW!

And even though I enjoy visiting a new venue every Spring, it'll be kinda nice to return to Portland. We're familiar with the city, the flight in over Mt Hood is nothing short of spectacular, and the mass transit system is outstanding! I guess we qualify as grizzled veterans now.  :)

Anyway, I thought you might like to see how our Spring "look" has evolved since 2008 and then give you an exclusive on the changes we've planned for our 2013 layout!

Things have sure changed for us since the last time we were in Portland in '08.

Our Spring '09 look in Pittsburgh, PA

Spring '10 in Minneapolis, MN

Spring '11 in Salt Lake City, UT

Spring '12 in Kansas City, MO

So... as you can see, if there's anything consistent about the history of our Booth displays, it's that we consistently change it up, and guess what? It's time to make the changes that we've literally been pondering since last Fall in Houston. You might remember that in a previous post we shared the blueprint we have in mind for this Spring's look and now it's time to see if it can work for REAL with the sample bags we intend to take with us to Portland.

If you've been with us for previous cycles, you know that we normally push everything out of the studio and set-up our mock display on the floor in there, but this time my husband suggested I avoid the complete disruption that this generally causes and just move a car or two out of the garage and set it all up out there instead... to which I replied... "DUH!" (I'm ashamed I didn't think of this before!)

So... the white masking tape on the garage floor indicates the 

new table configuration we're going to try for the first time in Portland.

Long story short, we're taking 4 square feet of display area from the left side

and moving it the right side of our booth because we definitely need more display 

area for our notions and work space for me. But there's another big difference 

that's not immediately apparent in the picture above. (see below)

The additional space we're adding on the right side of our booth will be 

work height, or ~6" taller than the bag display area on the left (indicated by my
less than perfect drawings).. This is roughly twice as much work height area
 than we had in Houston last Fall.

This will come in handy since we're adding an extra notions display this Spring.
(I added them to the picture above in case you couldn't tell.)

So now it's time to get my display bags out and decide which ones are going to Portland

 with us this time. I can to put my shelves together quite a bit different this time since 

the left side is so much longer than the right side, but it worked out just fine.

And here's what our lineup will basically look Friday in Portland. Oh, I'll play around 

staggering the bag heights a bit once we get there, but other than that, not much else 

will change. I'll have this picture and some very specific notes to go by,
 and having made all of these decisions at home, in advance of the show 

will really save me a WHOLE lot of stress and time in Portland!

So... now it's YOUR turn to sound off. 

I'd love to hear any thoughts you'd care to share about our displays, past OR present,

and stay tuned for much MORE about this year's Spring Quilt Market.
Because we're on our way there, even as we speak!

I'll be posting pictures and live updates directly to our Facebook page
from the Market floor  and of course there will be several posts here after we gt back!  

*******************
Did you enjoy this post? If so, please feel free to share it via FaceBook or Twitter!   

DIY Bobbin Holders

So....am I the only one 

who has a bobbin collection that looks like this??? 

 

 Some how, I think not! 

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to pick a bobbin out of that mess
only to have two others"jump out" and take off across the floor!
BOY that makes me mad!

And yeah, I know you can buy those little stretchy things that look like 

miniature ponytail holders to wrap around them and keep the thread

 all in place. I've tried those, and besides being rediculously expensive,

 they totally obscure the thread color on the bobbin

 unless there's a whole lot of thread on it. 

But here's the deal, a couple of days ago a friend of mine let me in on the best way in the world to make my own bobbin holders and everything you need you can pick up in a hardware store! 

•  Clear Flexible Tubing: the size I used was 3/4" OD and 5/8" ID. (Found in the plumbing department at your local hardware store.)
• A sharp razor blade knife

Ready to get started? 

First, Carefully cut little sections from your tubing. I made mine a little over 1/4" wide
(or depending how you're looking at it, a little under 3/8" wide).

Next, make a slice in your ring so you can open it up.

Now just wrap your plastic ring around the thread inside your bobbin
and VOILA! That's it!!!

The ring should fit easily within the bobbin case securing your thread in place 

where it belongs. And the thing I love best about these little holders,
is that you can easily tell what color the thread color is 
regardless of how much or how little thread is on the bobbin!

So... what do ya think?
Is that easy or what??

 ********************* 

 Did you enjoy this post?

If so, please feel free to share it via FaceBook or Twitter!

PPC7- A "Bits n' Bobbins" Market Sample

One of the most exciting things about Quilt Market is checking out all the new fabric. I love wandering the aisles among the new collections admiring all the wonderful project samples. It makes me want to branch out and be a fabric designer myself... but since I'm not, I have to kinda live out this fantasy vicariously through others. That's why it tickles me so when a fabric designer asks me to make up a sample in a fabric collection making it's debut at Market. It's the next best thing to designing the line myself!

Prior to the past two Spring Markets, Pat Sloan has invited me to take part in the pre-Market sample making frenzy. In the Spring of 2011, I made her this Quattro from her "Simple Stitches" collection and last Spring I fashioned this Porta-PocketsPLUS Purse Insert from her "Eat Your Fruits and Veggies" collection.

So... if you think I've been excited about seeing what Pat came up with this year, you're RIGHT! And it was worth waiting for! This year's collection is named "Bobbins n'Bits" it may just be my favorite Pat Sloan fabric line to date!

As usual, Pat let me choose any fabric combination I wanted from her entire collection. And can I just say, that was probably the hardest part about this project! But I was pumped to see that Pat included a few red and aqua combo options because its a color palette I really havent worked with yet.

I decided on this geometric print and paired it with two aqua and one red print. I especially loved this "text print" which incredibly had virtually the PERFECT spacing for our Credit Card caddys!

So... I'm betting that Pat's "Bobbins n'Bits" collection will be a BIG hit at Quilt Market, don't cha think?


And if you like what you see, I would suggest letting your local Quilt Shop know that this fabulous line is available for order now thru United Notions/Moda!

(And while your at it, you might also tell them how terrific it looks on our Guardian as well?)     :)

So now it's YOUR turn! 

I'd love to know who YOUR favorite fabric designer is

and if you have a favorite fabric collection you can share that too!

And stay tuned because Quilt Market in beautiful Portland Oregon is next week! 

We LOVE comments (and questions too),

so please feel free to leave them in the space provided below 

*********************

Did you enjoy this post? If so, please feel free to share it via FaceBook or Twitter