Apple Blossoms and Mom

This coming weekend is a busy one, Apple Blossom Festival here in Red Hook on Saturday, Mother's Day Sunday, Lets hope for some nice weather. Just like today would be great. If the weather is good for Apple Blossom Festival I usually sit out front with some hand quilting, It always gets people interested. The special for the weekend is 15% off all Alex Anderson books. She is one of our favorite Quilt Moms. She has introuduced many of us to quilting and even though her TV show is not on the air anymore, she is still there for us through the Web and a soon to be launched magazine. From the new addition of her "Start Quilting" to the Super Simple Quilts book series, to redwork, and applique, she has great quilts with great instructions, and has inspired many of us to make beautiful things. She deserves to be honored on Mother's Day for all the nuturing she does for emerging quilters and the inspirations she provides. Maybe you and Mom can make a quilt together using one of these books. Alex is one of those ladies who gets to be one of my extra Moms this weekend. Many of you also have provided me with inspiration, laughter, a well timed cup of coffee, and friendship, as well as being loyal customers and I want to Thank all of you.


Tuesday is handstitchers club, we will continue English Paper Piecing. Wednesday is the applique panel for Summer Houses, I am happy to announce that we have the new dates for NY Beauty. It will be on May 20 & June 3, both Thursdays, from 10-12:30. This version of the classic block is made on a pre-printed muslin foundation that controls the bias in those skinny points and in the curves. With those shapes firmly supported by the foundation, the piecing is no problem and everyone will marvel at your piecing skills. You wont have to tell them the secret- just say Thank You.

I also got in some new books, Rotary Cutting Revolution by Anita Grossman Solomon, Me and My Sewing Machine a Beginner's Guide by Kate Haxell, and my favorite of the bunch, Dancing with Thread by Ann Fahl. This last is a great guide to free motion quilting. The book is very visual,( lots of photos ) and packed with all sorts of answers to questions you might not even have thought to ask. She has included information on batting, threads and needles, how to set up your space, and a very handy troubleshooting chart that can save your hair from getting pulled out if you run into a snag. There are several projects in the back of the book that are designed specifically to help you practice your free motion on useful and beautiful pieces. You could always buy it for yourself and make Mom a gift from it. Enjoy!!