Quilting Adventures ~ The Friendly Store for Everyone Who Creates With Fabric!

One of our customers, Mary, sent us some GREAT pictures with this note:

‘I haven’t had the guts yet to try and make a “big girl” skirt like the
beautiful ones you and Phoebe made….. but I have made a bunch of little
girl ones!  Here’s one I had fun with with the “Elifun” fabric….. I also
made a couple of zippered pouches to match.  My 2 year old loves green, so the skirt is for her.  I’m working on one for her sister who’s favorite is
red (Elifun fabric).  Mary Terry showed it to the girls who picked it out
for valentines skirts….’

So, Mary, let me fill you in on a little secret – “big girl” skirts are SO not hard!  Phoebe will be the first to tell you what a wimp I am when it comes to garment sewing, so if I can do it – and if you can make the adorable bag above – well, you for sure can do it.  And secret number two – skirts are SOOOOO comfortable!

Thanks so much for sharing. 

~Joyce

Sue W. was kind enough to send us photos from the One Block Wonder Encore class.  Remember that these quilts are on design walls, not yet sewn together, but aren’t they just awesome?  We’ve got these classes on the schedule again in April and May if you miss the last go-around. 

One Block Wonder Encore! – Basic Hexagon Blocks
One Block Wonder Encore! – Constructing Cubes
One Block Wonder Encore! – Design & Layout

Now, the pictures.  Here’s Marguerite’s:

And Easter’s:

Sue’s:

And Nancy’s:

A word of warning, though – once you make one of these quilts, you just won’t want to stop! 

~Joyce

One of our favorite customers is signed up for two classes at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Fest this weekend and she’s got the flu.   She’s looking to give them away rather than waste them, so here’s how we’re going to do this.  If you’re interested in either of the classes, leave a comment below and I’ll put her in contact with you.  Be sure to specific which class you want.  And I’ll delete this post when the classes are spoken for.

They are:

Thurs. 9-4 w/ Amy Stewart Winsor—”Playtime Neighborhood in Fusible Applique”

Friday 9-4 w/ Christine Fries-Ureel—” Are Those Leaves & Butterflies Real?

You can read about the classes at the Mid-Atlantic website.

~Joyce

We’ve got two great classes (among others!) starting off the month of March, which is just next week!  Both of these are great technique classes that once you get started, you’ll find yourself inspired to take these ideas in so many different directions from traditional to contemporary!

Nina has been working hard on a series of classes on the new Cathedral Window book.  Yes, cathedral window has been around *forever*, but trust me, these are different.  For the first in her series, on Saturday, March 7 , she’ll be teaching the basics, making this adorable pincushion:

Susan is also teaching another fun class with a great project that teaches some fun techniques, too – the Needle Felted Rabbit class is next Tuesday evening, March 3:

Please stop by, call, or email to sign up soon! 

~Joyce

If your sewing room/studio is a mess, you might want to take a couple of hours this week to so some early spring “cleaning” and help a good cause at the same time.  One of our customers is involved with Journey for Grief, a bereavement support group sponsored by VCU Medical Center’s Department of Pastoral Care.

If you have fabrics, new or used, in good condition that you no longer need, please bring them to Quilting Adventures to drop off for Journey with Grief, a support group for individuals and families of all ages who have dealt with loss.  We are seeking donations of buttons, beads, ribbon, lace, fabric (any size), felt, scissors, pins, thread, sewing notions, batting, or other items that can be used in quilting and fabric projects.  We are also in need of a functioning sewing machine.  Bring your items to the shop anytime from Friday, February 27 through Monday, March 2. (Laundering the fabrics would be helpful but not necessary.)

This 7-week bereavement support group sponsored by VCU Medical Center’s Department of Pastoral Care beginning February 19th and
running through early April, meeting on Thursday nights.  If you are interested in participating in the group or obtaining more information, please contact Ann Charlescraft to register.  acharles@vcu.edu or 804.828.4661.

~ Joyce

While we were at Market last fall, we stumbled across this new book by Cassie Barden.  Many of you probably remember my raptures over this cute messenger bag which is in the book.  I still haven’t made it, but I absolutely love this book.  There are so many awesome projects.  We have a trunk show here in the shop with some of the projects, and I’m pretty sure that it will be leaving in the next couple of days, so run by and check it out while it’s still here.

I took some pictures of the samples, so you guys can see some of the cool things even if you can’t make it in the shop.

Have a great weekend!

~Phoebe

Hi everyone -

Seems like forever since I posted, I know. How many of you have had the
respiratory crud pretty much like all “winter” this year? Well, add me
to that list. WHEN will spring get here?

Okay, enough whining – that’s my excuse for not posting more. I have an
inbox full of great photos of show and tell, but that will have to
wait. Tonight I want to share a little of the new fabric that came in
today (the rest is still in boxes in the back).
Andalucia from Michael Miller:

Here’s the next ten bolts of fairy frost, wonderful shades of purple, lavender
and periwinkle – and believe me, fairy frost is very hard to photograph, so please come see it in person!

Hope to see you soon!

~Joyce

My inbox is overflowing with show and tell pictures and stories!  So this may be a long post while I try to catch up. 

Ruth C wrote, “Attached are pictures I took of my granddaughter, Eve age 2, wearing the dress I made for her.  I took the Introduction to Smocking class followed a few months later by the Basic Square Yoke class both taught by Carleen Fink.    This dress was the project I did for the Basic Square Yoke class.  I enjoyed both classes so much.  Carleen is such a knowledgeable and
patience teacher.  I had never sewn for little girls before since I had
two boys.  It certainly is a lot more fun to sew for little girls.  I plan
to do more of it in the future.”

Eve is such a cutie!

Here’s Lila’s adorable daughter Jocelyne in her pants made from the “Bloomers and Britches” pattern by Jackie Clark.  Lila writes, “I thought for next time I may put in a “Fake” button hole on the front and put through a ribbon bow that looks like it “ties” it at the waist.  You were very right.  A simple pattern to make and it turns out adorable.  I just love looking at her in them. ”

From the Melly and Me pattern, this giraffe by Jessica G:

More Melly and Me animals by Jackie C:

Please keep the show and tell photos coming!  Sometimes it takes me a little while to post them but we certainly do all enjoy seeing what you’re doing!

~Joyce

Our new fabric finally started rolling in the door today.  We got two great groups in, which probably couldn’t be more different from each other.

First up is Woodland Wonderland and Garden Friends by Jay McCarroll for Free Spirit.  Many of you know him as the winner of Project Runway from season one.

They are mostly small scale prints, and would be great for another one of my cute little skirts. 

We also received this great group of blue and yellow florals from Timeless Treasures.

Late last week we got A Bit of Whimsy from Wilmington Prints.  I think it is a great spring line, and cute too!  I don’t think a picture of it made it on the blog, so here you go.

~Phoebe

Yesterday we received the sample for the Lilah the Trollah Lady Doll class in the mail!  It’s an upcoming class with a great teacher – Mark Middendorf.  He’s coming in from out of town, so March is the only time we currently have it scheduled.  Mark will go in depth with the face sculpting, painting, and outfit construction.  You can read more about it on our website:

http://www.quiltingadventures.com/classes-detail.php?ID=157

Here are some pictures of the new sample.  If you would like to see her in person, come check her out, she is sitting right next to the register!

Have a wonderful day!

~Phoebe