November Saturday Sampler

It is a beautiful November day and great to visit with our lovely Saturday Sampler ladies.  We appreciate each one of you, those who were here and those who couldn't make it.

For the Celebration! quilt, we will make two blocks this month. The first is colorful celebration treats,







and the second block is appliqued with cheerful balloons.   

The pieced quilt blocks are a repeat of two blocks done earlier in the year, there are two different options, one block with applique and one without. Be sure and save the left over green and tan triangles for next month's block.

Here is the fall colorway, it is gorgeous.  We are so excited that we're almost finished with these quilts and hope you will like the finished project.  We are also anxious to see the design you choose if you use your blocks in a different pattern than we chose.  Have a happy time sewing! 

 

October Saturday Sampler

It is beautiful October.  The mountains are snowcapped, and because of the rain everything still has a hint of green with fall colors abounding.  Love it!!!!

Here is the pink and green block . . .




. . . the fall color block, yours will not yet have the brown triangles sewn on. . . but since our quilt is all together, the photo looks like this!

And here is the Celebrate! project.  It is going to be a fun and colorful piece of art when completed.

If you missed our Saturday Sampler, please come in when you can and check out some of our luscious new fabrics, pre-cuts and other goodies. Hope to see you soon!

September Saturday Sampler

What a wonderful Saturday we have had.  It is grand to see our friends every month and share quilting ideas.  Here are the blocks for the month . . .

the pink and green block. . . .





. . . the autumn color way . . .
 

. . . and we are starting our third applique project for this year, A Celebration Quilt.  It can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and any special occasion.  Use it for your children, grandchildren, friends and other family members.  The first block is party hats.

IT will be approximately 22 x 28 and maybe a little sashing thrown in, a nice project to bring out for special family times. 

 

August Saturday Sampler

We enjoyed meeting today for Saturday Sampler . . . a beautiful "headed toward end of summer day". The fields are green, the temps cooler in the mornings, just a great time of year.

Here is fall block for this month.   It is pictured in the quilt, your block will not yet have the browns on the outside.





and here is the pink and green block. Don't forget you are using green and beige pieces left over from last month's block.

"The Quilting Room" block is a black background with colorful spools of thread
appliqued in a row.
  

And here is a finished look at "The Quilting Room" project.  We have finishing instructions and kits that include the trim and buttons (not the sequins), the borders, binding and backing.  We also have the darling Ackfeld wire hangers in several styles.   

If you were not able to make it to the class, come in and see the samples, or if you live out-of-town we will be happy to mail!  Have a great day and hope to see you soon!

July Saturday Sampler

Hope you are enjoying this warm summer season.  What a great time for family outings, vacations, camping, gardening and quilting!  Here are photos of the Saturday blocks for July.  The first is "The Quilting Room" block.  Your kit contains all the fabric and the ribbon, you supply the buttons. We love it!






The pink and green block is shown already in the quilt . . .  set on point.  Your block will not yet be stitched into the quilt of course, so it ends with tan on one side and green on the other.Your fabric also includes only one red, so the center square will be the same color as the rectangles.

Here is the autumn color way, also stitched into the quilt.  Next month we will be giving instructions for putting the entire quilt together, so you can begin that portion of the project if you desire.

These blocks are all displayed in the store.  Come on in for a peek.  See you soon!

June Saturday Blocks

Don 't know where the time goes . . . sorry these are a bit late in being posted.  They are very pretty blocks.  Here is the pink/green "Cinnamon Spice" color way . . .







and . . . the Autumn quilt.  Don't you just love, love, love these warm tones!

And the second block in "The Quilting Room" series.  This is darn cute!

We are having a little contest with "The Quilting Room" block.  Each month of this year we have shown "extra" ideas for using the blocks and this month we are opening the creative process to you. Use the artwork in this block and create something of your own.  Maybe a little bag, a book cover, an apron . . . anything you desire. Bring it to the July meeting.  Prizes will be given!  

Speaking of Class

 

 

You'll want to join us for one of the coming classes. 

 

 

What Was She Thinking - June 8, 10:00 a.m. after Saturday Sampler

This has been a very popular and much requested class.  Learn great pointers for making this charming rug, wall hanging, or table topper. We'll help you choose colors if you desire. $10.00 fee.

 

 

 

 

 

Good to be Square - June 15, 9:00 a.m.

This beautiful geometric quilt will take on the personality of fabrics you choose.  We have kits available in gorgeous warm batiks, or make it in bold prints, pretty posies, masculine fabrics or cute as a square button prints.  An informative class for the beginning or advanced quilter.  $10.00 fee.

 

 

Need a get-away???  Call us for a Retreat . . .!  We'll arrange dinner on Friday night, sew as late as you'd like, stay over, and sew all day Saturday.  Or it can last even longer if desired.  We'll have kits, new projects, demonstrations and give you lots of new ideas.  Just give us a call to schedule . . . whether it is five or fifteen . . . we'll provide the fun.

 

You'll want to see our new Java Batik Macchiato fabrics, here is a photo that hardly does them justice.

 

We also have new minkee chevrons and tone on tone patterns. A great new line of Timber Lodge Flannel and new ruffled fabrics.  Hop on in and take a look!

 



Happy Mother's Day!

From all of us at Valley Fabric Shop, we'd like to wish you a very happy Mother's Day.  We hope the weather is sunny, the food delicious, and your family is thoughtful!



And . . . here are the new blocks for Saturday Sampler.  We began a new project for the applique group . . . something "quilty". . . and hope you like it as much as we do.

As we have also promised, here are a couple of different ways to use the block.  First, a sewing machine cover. . . make one for yourself and one to give as a gift.  What "stitchin" girl wouldn't love to receive one of these.  Notice the cute spool blocks on the back.  We have kits that contain everything including buttons, binding and backing. 

 

And. . . another great project is this large bag for carrying quilting supplies to a class or retreat or even a weekend get-away. The Saturday block we designed makes the front pocket and on the inside is a bolt covered with batting and fabric; a removeable  pressing surface.  We love it!

 

For the autumn  and the  pink/green quilts, you will make another of the same blocks we made last month. To see a  photo, look under the April Saturday Sampler posting.   If you are appliquing the vine, just make sure you are placing it in the right direction.  It should be a mirror image of April's block.

You have cream and green fabric from last month, so this month's kits will contain only the vine and leaf colors, or the vine and flower colors.    Happy Stitching!

Saturday Sampler Help

 

 

For the April Saturday Sampler block, you will make a choice.  You will either make the applique block . . . OR . . . the pieced block.  You do not make both blocks.  At the beginning of the year, we had several people ask for an option to the applique blocks.  The pieced block is that option.  Choose to make the block you desire, but you will only make ONE.

 

We apologize for any misunderstanding and will certainly answer any questions you might have.

 

Another reminder about the April kits: there is extra fabric that you will use for the May block.  Save the pieces you have left over, do not discard them or use them for another project.   You will make a similiar (not identical) block in May and the May kit will contain the remaining fabrics you will need to complete the block for that month.

 

Hopefully this makes things a little more clear, if not give us a call.  We appreciate every one of you and hope you are enjoying this year's project.  They finished quilts will be lovely.

 

Happy sewing, and hope to see you soon!

 

April Saturday Sampler

Can't beleive it's the middle of April already!!!  That means better weather is on the way. . . . ?


Here is a peek at our Saturday Sampler blocks for this month.  First we have the pink/green color way.




If you don't want to applique,  take the pieces that are in the kit and make the following pieced block.  Directions for both blocks are in the handout.  (Don't know what happened to the photo color . . . look how different the reds look and it is the same fabric!  The top color way is more true.)

Here is a sample of the autumn block.  The handout includes these leaf patterns as well as some that are a bit simpler.  You choose which leaves you like, and make them in any of the fabrics included in the kit.  You may also make a pieced block instead of an applique block.  Whew! . . . hard to keep track of all the choices.
 

And the Summer Sunshine project includes the watering can . . . the last block for this project.  We have finishing kits if you desire to purchase one. 

 

For  May Saturday Sampler we will introduce a  new small project.

We also wanted to give a reminder that you can finish your projects any way you desire.  We show a sample of one way to finish the blocks, and offer a kit, that is optional.  You can finish your blocks in whatever way you choose.  If you enter the contest at the end of the year, the only requirement is that you use the pattern and fabrics we provide for each block.  The beauty of the program is that you may put your blocks together however you want.  We appreciate each of you and love to see the creative ways you stitch!  See you soon.

Great New Light

We have been using the new LED light by EcoluxLighting, it fits any machine and we can't beleive the difference it makes when sewing on your machine.  IT is amazing!

 

This light is a bit spendy, but SOOOO worth the money.  It enables better stitching because you can clearly see where you are going.

 

 

 

 

Put it on your own gift list,  mother's day list,  your birthday list . . . or your just because I am wonderful list. 

 

 

A great tool. 

Happy Easter

We wish you and your family a happy Easter and hopefully Spring is on it's way!!

 

Just wanted to share some photos of our Saturday Sampler additional projects, namely an apron, a wall hanging, and potholders.  Kits are available for all of these, and the patterns are your Saturday blocks from March.

 

 

 

 

We had a great time at our "Stash Magic" on March 22!  If you were not able to attend . . . SNOW. . . here is one of the samples we showed. 

 

 

 

 

We have other wonderful samples . . . we'll post them as soon as we get them all photographed.  Ask to see the quilts the next time you are in the store. 

 

 

We also have an amazing trunk show right now. . . quilts by Marcia Layton.  These are small quilts with yo-yo details that you MUST see.  The yo-yo's vary in size and create amazing dimension and interest, not to mention delightful whimsy.  Here are a few pictures. . .

 

 

Come on in and see the other patterns also, all are so much better up close and personal. 

March Saturday Sampler

Here is the Summer Sunshine block for March.  Cute and simple!  When you are in the shop, check out our new "lady bug projects: an apron, pot holder, table runner, and pillowcases.  They are adorable and we have kits for some of the projects. 

This is the pieced block in the pink/rose color way.  It is very, very pretty.  The quilt is going to be gorgeous!

And here is the Autumn color way.  It is a real stunner . . . next month we'll be starting on the applique blocks.
Fun!  Fun! Fun!

Also, save Friday March 22, at 6:00 p.m. for a little quality quilting time.  Join us at Valley Fabric for an hour of delightful quilts, techniques, new samples, handouts, refreshments. . . and a few surprises.  We are having fun preparing and know you will enjoy the finished results.  You'll enjoy new ways to use your stash and pre cut fabrics. 

A Little OOPS!

If you are working on the watermelon block this month, your light green might be 1/2" short.  We don't know how this happens . . . hope you will stick with us through thick and thin (thin being our mistakes!!!!)

If you will find the center of your watermelon paper pattern and fold  a 1/8" tuck in the pattern it will reduce the size by just enough to cut your pieces with the fabrics in the kit.

 

 

We apologize for the error and any inconvenience it  may cause you.  Somewhere from the design process, to the sewing process, to the copy machine that is having issues........our pattern is a little different size than the kits allow.  Thanks for understanding and we will be happy to assist in any way to work out any issues you may have with the block.

Sign up for an Applique Class

 

Monday, Feb. 25 at 10:00 a.m.

or



Tuesday, Feb 26 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Both of these classes will feature several techniques in machine applique including fusible web, interfaced applique, (looks like you did it by hand) as well as vines and circles and other tips and techniques.  Bring your own machine, learn to set it on the size and type of stitch for the style of applique you are doing.  This class will assist you in doing the invisible applique on the Saturday Sampler Quilts.

 

Look What's New

WE thought you might enjoy seeing a few of our new things.  The watermelon and sunflower runner and placemats can be made with the Saturday Sampler patterns. They are cheerful and make us feel like Spring.  It is early, but start now and have fresh new decor for your table!








And what is more spring-like than pinwheels!  This delightful quilt pairs Hello Sunshine, a fabric line from Riley Blake, and very easy-to-piece pinwheels and blocks.   Whip this up easily in a day.

Sign up for a class to make an adorable rug from this gorgeous fabric, Honey Honey.  We've also made a great bag and some children's clothes.  TOO cute . . . you just have to see it!