Speaking of inventory, ours was a breeze this year! Guess how many pounds of fabric we have on the floor? Post a comment - if you're the closest (by Jan. 31) we have a prize for you!

OK, we really mean weigh it. That's right, after New Year's Day, we'll disassemble the entire store so we can put every bolt on a scale and do that physical inventory thing to make the accountant happy. Because it doesn't make us happy - having to close for two days (Jan 2-3) and then put everything back together.

So here's your opportunity to make our load lighter! For 4 days after Christmas all the fabric is 20% off! That's right - we've never done this in our five-year history, but it's true. We're taking 20% off all fabric - minimum 1/2-yard cut - and 40% off the Christmas stuff that's left. See a NEW tag? Not on sale. We want to have something left on January 4th when we re-open after inventory!

 If you haven't noticed yet, it's time to start triming the tree, lighting the candles, and making preparations for company.  Which means giving gifts.  Which means you, my friend, are probably in need some some quick gift ideas.

If you have an hour or so, try these:

1. Quiltsmart Christmas Stocking
2. Ca$h and Carry coin purse
3. Half and Half Apron
4. Super Simple Mitered Placemats
5. Floral Bouquet Napkins

If you don't have an hour to spare, drop by the shop for these time and wallet friendly Secret Santa / Stocking Stuffer gifts:

1. Sew Inspired Gift Certificate
2. Aurofil piecing thread in neutral color
3. Two Year Pocket Calendar
4. Sewline Marking Tools
5. Best Press starch alternative

If none of these suggestion are floating your boat, come on by and we'll help you pick something out for that someone special.

Get it?  Matisse hurt!  Ma - tisse hurt.  My teeth hurt...Well, I never claimed to be a comedian.  Regardless, I wanted to let you know some new fabric has hit the floor of the shop.  And it's wicked cool.  It's by Alexander Henry, and here's a peak:

And here's a closer peak:

And here's an even CLOSER peak:

Pretty interesting, huh?

From Alexander Henry: June Bug

It's A Hoot by Moda:

In addition to the tried and true cotton quilting fabric in this line, we have several bolts of twill fabric, including this piece:

The program is called Roses of Remembrance.  Here's what the finished quilt will look like:

Don't you agree?  Isn't it divine?  The blocks are all traditional Rose of Sharon designs, but done in batiks from Island Batik.  There was a nation wide contest for the design of the blocks, and Ricky Timms and Alex Anderson chose the 12 winning blocks.

There are several ways to do the applique for this quilt (finished size 63"x63"): traditional hand applique, and machine applique.  If you are unfamiliar with these techniques or would like a refresher course, never fear: here are dates for upcoming classes:

• Hand Applique: Saturday, January 29, 10am
• Machine Applique: Saturday, February 5, 2pm

For those of you who own the Accuquilt Go or new Baby Go die machines, we have dies available that will cut the shapes for you, significantly reducing prep time if you choose to machine applique.  If you have a Accuquilt Studio membership, we have a die for that machine as well - simply bring your fabric to the studio and be done in a matter of minutes!

The Roses of Remembrance quilt was designed to "quilt as you go.'  If you would like to learn about this technique, we are having a class on that as well.  It's being held Saturday, January 29 at 2pm.

This Block of the Month program begins in January of 2011 and runs for 13 months.  There is a non-refundable $25 start up fee, and is then $24.55 per month.  This includes all the fabric for the blocks, borders, sashing, and binding.

We will be having a kick off event for this program on Saturday, December 18 at 10am.  We'll give you tips, techniques, and tidbits for making this wonderful piece.  The session is free for those registered with Sew Inspired for this program, but please R.S.V.P. so we know to expect you!

Solids.  Everyone wants ‘em, and we’ve got ‘em.  Our ladies were accosted at by every vendor trying to peddle their lines of solid fabrics.  We’ve already got a good thing going however, with our over 40 bolts of solid fabric from P&B.  These fabrics work wonderfully with the new modern quilt patterns found in City Quilts by Cherri House and The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartmen, and we’re getting more in on a steady basis.

Embellishments are still all the rage in the quilt world: buttons, ribbon, beading, and especially flowers.  Flowers made from wool felt are popular, as are flowers made from normal cotton quilting fabric.  Attach any of these embellishments to a quilt to make it “pop” and add dimension, to bags to add some flair, or even to the lapel of a blazer to fend off the winter blues.  As with most things in the quilting arena, there are very few “right” ways of doing things.  If you ask me, as long as it makes you happy, go for it.  I would however, NOT recommend embellishing a significant other’s clothing while they sleep.  Apparently guys don’t seem to like it when you bedazzle their favorite t-shirts without their consent.  Hmm…who would have thunk it?  I thought it looked great!

In addition to solids and embellishments, more and more alternative fabrics are coming into the quilt shop scene.  Look for linens, coated and waterproof fabrics, knits, twill, and canvas coming this winter and spring…with fun patterns as well to give you ideas on how to use these new fabrics.

Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to mention the Quilts of Valor program.  The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to provide quilts to Armed Service members and veterans touched by war.  As of the publish date of this blog entry, the total number of quilts given to Service members is 33,385.  We here at Sew Inspired have made and donated several quilts to this program, and have purchased a line of fabrics designed by Moda specifically for Quilts of Valor.  More information will be coming on Quilts of Valor’s new program “Under Our Wings” and when the new fabric will arrive, so be sure to check back.  Until then, you can certainly read more about this wonderful foundation here.

You can find a free pattern using Maison de Garance Jelly Rolls and sashing here.

The Best Stays the Same:

• Full 16" throat space, with 8" of vertical space - more than 3 times the quilting space of the average domestic sewingmachine
• Smooth table with available extensions assures an even quilting surface
• Up to 1500 precision stitches-per-minute (average domestic sewing maching: 800 stitches per minutes)
• Large capacity "M"-style bobbin
• Hopping foot prevents fabric movement during a full-stitch cycle

Improvements to the Original:

• Ability to save 3 preferred speed settings. One for slow, controlled quilting, one for free motion, and one for fast all-over designs
• Adjustable Color-Touch Screen includes:
• Customizable speed control
• Stitch counters: Lifetime and resettable "Trip Meter"
• Hardware and software info
• Diagnostics
• Customizable speed control
• Stitch counters
• Innovative Light Ring illuminates the quilting area with 28 LEDs
• Use HQ  Rulers for perfect stitch-in-the-ditch and curved quilting lines

So, what are we going to do about it?  Well, because I'm such a nice person, I'm going to help you by suggesting some simple, quick and fun home made gift ideas.  These should all take you less than an hour and before you know it, your gift list is half way finished - yippee hurray for all.

• Ca$h and Carry
• Baked Potato and/or Corn on the Cob Steamer
• Easy Striped Table Runner
• Two Halves apron
• Easy Mitered Placemat

Need some uninterupted sewing time to make these gifts? Join us in the studio! Every Tuesday beginning November 9th, we're opening our studio so you can use our design walls, tables, cutting stations... and get your projects finished! Need a more structured class? OK - the Cash & Carry is November's Totes & Techniques, and there are two other Sundays for aprons and placemats.

Cat in the Hat Fabric:

"Celebrate Seuss" Fabric:

For free patterns using these fabrics, check out the Robert Kaufman site for the Cat in the Hat, Bump Thump, and Celebrate Seuss.

Jersey knits:

Masculine Flannels:

Jacquard (perfect for linings):

Quilter's Linen (cotton fabric that looks exactly like linen!)

This is a series of classes that meets monthly.  Laurie starts with basic techniques and builds from there - the sky is the limit.  As you attend the various classes you'll build a fiber art book of ideas and techniques.  While you can join us at any point, the classes do build on each other, so I say - begin at the beginning with us and experience the entire journey!  Here's the deets (the younger generation's slang for details):

• Classes are the second Monday of the month from 1:00 - 3:30pm and the second Tuesday from 6:00 - 8:30pm.  You choose what works best for you.
• Open studios with Laurie are the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm.
• Each class is $35
• Each open studio is $25
• You can purchase a class "Pass" for $150.  This entitles you to three months worth of classes and open studios.  It essentially saves you $5 per class as well as $5 per open studio.

Come to the studio for more details and to see samples of what will be taught in class!  I think you'll be amazed at what you can do with fabric and a few embellishments!

Here's a look at some of the sample's Marianna and Viv have whipped up for the shop.  There is an unofficial (but no-holds-barred none the less) contest for the cutest wallet going on here between the employees and owners of the shop.  Stop on by and let us know what you think!

* This claim has not been evaluated by the FDA.