Wordless Wednesdays – 2/29/12

Tips and Techniques Tuesday – 2/28/12

Some questions seem to be asked over and over again. Today, I will try to answer some of them for you. The first is, how much fabric do I need for my binding? If you are cutting your binding in strips from selvage to selvage, the answer is to measure your quilt and add the measurements from all four sides together. Divide your total by 40 (this is the number we use for width of fabric), and you will know how MANY strips of fabric you need to cut. Multiply the number of strips by the width of your binding (I cut mine at 2-1/4″), and the answer will tell you how many INCHES of fabric you need. Always round up; if you need 15″ of fabric, then purchase 1/2 yard (18″).

There are many resources available to help you determine how much fabric you need for bias binding. One of those resources is here, and another is here. Bookmark one (or both) of these pages, and the next time you need bias binding, you will know how to figure it.

Another question that is asked over and over is how do I find fabric to match what I bought X number of years ago? There is a wonderful resource you can use; email fabsearch@aol.com with any information on the selvage of the fabric, the color, the collection, the manufacturer, and anything else you think might help. Do NOT send pictures or links; they are not passed on to the readers. Your email will be included in a daily digest that is sent to quilt shops all over the United States. I’m not sure about the other shops on the list, but I read that digest every day, and have sent fabric all over the country and even to Canada and England; those extra sales help the shop, and they help the quilter who ran short of fabric.

This ended up longer than I had expected, so I’ll stop here, and try to include more questions and answers next week. If you have a question, please complete the form below. We’ll do our best to get you an answer!

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Margaret’s Monday Mash-Ups – 2/27/12

Did you ever notice how quickly these Mondays roll around? Here I am again, trying to come up with something to write about. Tonight, our local quilt guild, Heartfelt Creations, will meet at the First United Methodist Church in St. Clair. Our meeting begins at seven, and the doors open at 6:30. If you have been thinking about joining a guild, come in tonight as my guest. We’d love to have you! We don’t have a lot on our website, but some of our pertinent information is there.

Tuesday is our Elm Creek Quilts Club all-day sew. Pack a lunch and come sew with us. The cost is $5, and we sew from 10-4. On Tuesday night, some of the members and friends of the VALOR League from Algonac will meet at River Place to put quilt blocks together. The blocks will be sewn into a quilt that VALOR will auction to raise funds.

Our Serger Club meets Friday. Oops. Must be time for me to get another Club newsletter out. Quilter’s Academy Freshman Year meets Saturday. If you missed this session, we will offer it again soon.

Have a wonderful week. Stop in to see the new fabrics, patterns, notions, books, and samples we have. And be sure to sign up for the newest Block of the Month – Michael Miller’s Clubhouse Cabana quilt by Swirly Girls.

Show-Off Saturday – 2/25/12

These Quick Zip Bags were made in our Janome Club by members Joy Osterland, Janet Chiakmakis, Brenda Pedersen, Diane McCallum. and Dianna Phillips! The pattern used was The Quilt Company’s Project Sheets Quilt Zip Bag. The pattern is free with the purchase of two fat quarters, while supplies last!

Fabric Friday – 2/24/12

These great projects were made by Joy Osterland and Janet Chiakmakis using the Country Vineyard fabric we have in the store! Using the pattern from the collection, you can make a wine bag, embellish towels, and create coasters.

      

Thirsting for Knowledge Thursday – 2/23/12

We have new hand-stitching patterns in the store from Chickadee Hollow Designs! There are 11 different designs, in both vintage and heirloom ornaments. They are pre-printed and pre-colored, ready for you to stitch! We’ll be adding a limited line of embroidery floss in the near future, also.

            

Wordless Wednesday – 2/22/12

Today marks our one-year anniversary of this blog! That’s 365 days of Margaret’s Monday Mash-Ups, Tips and Techniques Tuesdays, Wordless Wednesdays, Thirsting for Knowledge Thursdays, Fabric Fridays, and Show-Off Saturdays! Thank you for remaining loyal and keeping up with our blog – we love communicating and sharing with you!

In order to reward those of you who have kept up with the River Place Quilt & Sew blog, we present this coupon. It is good for 25% off one full-price item and has a week deadline for use. Please be sure to read the other disclaimers on the coupon.

Thanks again for your loyalty! Here’s to another year of blogging for River Place Quilt & Sew.

Tips and Techniques Tuesday – 2/21/12

Spring cleaning at River Place!

Stop in and check out our clearance section. We have a large selection of patterns on sale for 50% off! If you’re looking for a new project for the spring, this is just the sale for you.

Margaret’s Monday Mash-Ups – 2/20/1\

We have quite a week planned at River Place. Our Stitcher’s Garden group meets today at 1:00. Tomorrow, we have Embroidery Club at 11, and then at 2:00, Jan Zimmer from Memories Manor is bringing her daughter and a group of her friends to start their sewing journeys. Our Software Club meets Thursday at 1, Hand Applique meets Friday at 2, and Quilter’s Academy – Freshman Year meets Saturday at 11.

Please welcome Kelly Mertz, who will be helping out at the store on Monday afternoons, and Janet Chiakmakis, who will work on Wednesdays. Diane and Kelley still plan to hang out on Tuesdays, and Diane works on Thursday, as well.

Don’t forget Leslie Hocker is in-store on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11-2, meeting with her alterations and general sewing customers.

Of course, Rachel still comes in on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and Sandy comes in whenever we need her (we NEED you, Sandy!!!).

All of us work hard to give you the best possible experience as a customer in our store. Please come in soon to see all the new and exciting fabrics, notions, patterns, books, and machines.

 

Show-Off Saturday – 2/18/12

Leslie Hocker made this ABC wall hanging for customer Lea Bier, for use in her daughter’s classroom!