September 14, 2010 – 10:05 pm
I keep hearing people refer to “fat quarters.” What in the world is a fat quarter?
A fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of fabric that measures 18″ x 21″. It gets its name from the fact that a traditional quarter of a yard of fabric measures 9″ x 45″ (or the width of the fabric), and a fat quarter is actually a 1/2 yard of fabric cut in half.
The rationale for the fat quarter is that quilters can get bigger and more pieces from a fat quarter than from a traditional quarter-yard cut of the same fabric because of the size configuration.
You’ll see fat quarters marketed in quilt, fabric and craft stores in colorful displays to tempt you into buying several. Like some potato chips, you can’t have just one!
There are clever folding methods for fat quarters and creative quilt store owners continue to invent more ways to entice us into buying these pre-cuts. They’re handy to have around when you need a small amount of lots of different fabrics, like for quilt making, appliques, trims, bias, yo-yos, etc. Many sewers organize them in plastic boxes by color so it’s easy to find the right one when needed.
Be sure to watch for fat quarter sales and check prices of fat quarter cuts compared to purchasing a traditional quarter yard of the same fabric if that size works for your project.
If you need even less fabric, look for fat eighths–a cut that’s either 9″ x 22″ or sometimes 11″ x 18″. They’re equally as tempting!
September 14, 2010 – 6:00 am
“Any day spent Sewing is a Good Day” Notecards
Ten cards with matching envelopes on finely textured linen stock with coordinating ink color. Blank inside for your personal note.
Pure Whimsy Giftables has been in business since 1992 selling sewing-related gift items.
Congratulations to yesterday’s winner, Rosemary Lee from Michigan!
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September 13, 2010 – 6:00 am
Scissors Pin
Sleek, movable scissors are 3″ long with a sculptured handle. Comes in a pewter finish.
Pure Whimsy Giftables has been in business since 1992 selling sewing-related gift items.
Congratulations to yesterday’s winner, Ann Davis from New York!
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September 13, 2010 – 1:38 am
If you’re looking for a perfect baby gift for a friend (or even for yourself), Sew Magical for Baby, by Laura Lee Burch, has 30 fun and easy-to-sew toys and accessories. If you’re a new sewer, there’s a chapter on sewing basics to get you started, before you jump in the mix of stuffed toys, soft blocks, blankets, bibs, slippers, sun hats and other whimsical things. There’s also a couple of things for new moms as well. Patterns are included, but most need to be enlarged for use. Large color project photos and colored step-by-step illustrations make the instructions easy to follow.
September 12, 2010 – 6:00 am
Kwik Sew Memo Pad and Measuring Tape
A handy measuring tape and a pad to take notes; compliments of Kwik Sew.
KWIK SEW patterns are known for their great style and fit. All KWIK SEW patterns are multi-sized with four or five sizes in each envelope and each pattern has more than one view. They currently have over 800 patterns available – including the latest fashions and a variety of crafts – and all are printed on one side of durable white paper with colour coded cutting lines for each size. This makes them a dream to work with compared to tissue paper patterns. KWIK SEW offer the largest selection of patterns for children, men, lingerie, swimwear, active wear, and fleece. With multiple designs and variations provided in every KWIK SEW pattern, there are thousands of sewing projects to choose from. Visit them at www.kwiksew.com
Congratulations to yesterday’s winner, Carol Remy from Louisiana!
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