1. A scrappy look in a snap – learn the secret from 15 Moda designers (+ giveaway!)

    Posted by on June 1, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , ,

    Remember how we predicted that 2016 would be the year of the scrap quilt waaaay back in January? Well, we were right! But, well . . . we sorta cheated. We knew a little secret back then:

    Moda-All-Stars-Scraps-Made-Simple

    We knew that Moda All-Stars Scraps Made Simple was arriving this month!

    What’s so simple about these scrap quilts? They’re precut friendly—so achieving a sensationally scrappy look is a cinch. Use your precuts, your stash fabrics, your precious scraps, or a combination of them all. The choice is yours!

    And . . . do you mind if we just flat-out name drop who’s starring in this scrap-happy book? Shade your eyes—it could be dangerous to see all of these quilting stars at once. 👓

    Carrie-Nelson★ Carrie Nelson, certified Scrapaholic, Wearer of Many Hats at Moda, and author of the Schnibbles series of books


    Old-School-quilt
    Old School by Carrie Nelson

    Amy-Smart★ Amy Smart, Director of Scraps at Diary of a Quilter and best-selling author of Fabulously Fast Quilts

    Laura-Boehnke-1★ Laura Boehnke, licensed Scraptitioner and pattern tester

    Amy-Ellis★ Amy Ellis, Interior Scrap-orator, founder of Blogger’s Quilt Festival, and author of five books, including Modern Heritage Quilts

    Housewarming-quilt
    Housewarming by Amy Ellis

    Edyta-Sitar★ Edyta Sitar, Fabricology Scrapnician at Laundry Basket Quilts

    Sheri-McConnell-1★ Sheri McConnell, author and Scrap-Happy Sewist at A Quilting Life

    Lisa-Bongean★ Lisa Bongean, Maven of Miniature at Primitive Gatherings



    Flight Path quilt
    Flight Path by Lisa Bongean

    Corey-Yoder★ Corey Yoder, Captain Scraptastic at Little Miss Shabby

    Jan-Ragaller★ Jan Ragaller, pattern tester for Moda with a PhD in Scrap Quilt Mania

    Susan-Ache★ Susan Ache, Scrap Mason and quilt designer for Moda

    Jenny-Doan★ Jenny Doan, Queen-of-Quite-a-Lot at Missouri Star Quilt Company

    Lissa-Alexander★ Lissa Alexander, Scrap-Quilter Extraordinaire and Director of Marketing at Moda

    My Favorite Color quilt
    My Favorite Color by Lissa Alexander

    Lisa-Calle★ Lisa Calle, Four-Star Fabricologist and designer of Quilter’s Groove Rulers

    Lynne-Hagmeier★ Lynne Hagmeier, Mighty Mixologist at Kansas Troubles Quilters

    Sherri-Falls-photo★ Sherri Falls, Professional Scraptender at This and That Pattern Company

    On the Grid quilt
    On the Grid by Sherri Falls

    In Moda All-Stars Scraps Made Simple you’ll find patterns for all of your favorite precuts—fat quarters, fat eighths, Jelly Rolls, charm squares, and Layer Cakes. Best of all, each designer shares her best “Scraps of Wisdom” along with her pattern, so you can build your know-how as you build and deplete (and build and deplete!) your precut stash.

    Here’s one example of the scraps of wisdom you’ll find inside Moda All-Stars Scraps Made Simple:

    Scraps-of-Wisdom-from-Amy-Ellis

    See all 15 quilts from the book >

    Celebrity quilt designers, a wealth of quilting wisdom, and gorgeous precut patterns turned scrappy—the combo will make any quilter happy! Order your copy of Moda All-Stars Scraps Made Simple today and instantly download the eBook for free.

    What precuts call your name the loudest: fat quarters, Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, charms? Tell us in the comments and you could win a copy of the Moda All-Stars Scraps Made Simple eBook! We’ll choose a winner one week from today and let you know by email if you win.

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  2. Why you need neutral quilts in your life (+ sale!)

    Posted by on May 30, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , ,

    May-30-sale-rotator

    From-Knockout-NeutralsBold. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Neutral?

    You may not know it now, but by the time you finish reading this blog post we’ll bet you’ll agree: you need neutral quilts in your life!

    Why? Let us tell you all the reasons.

    1. Neutral quilts fit into any decor (traditional, modern, country, you name it).

    2. Neutral quilts are great for any person (guys and gals, babies and seniors, grads and dads…you get the idea. Anyone!)

    3. Neutral quilts are perfect for any occasion (housewarmings, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirements, and just because why-the-heck not occasions too).

    In other words: when in doubt, take the color out!

    Our sale books this week guarantee you’ll never fret about whether someone (including you) will like a group of colors in a quilt. Check out the gorgeous quilts below and stock up on books that will provide you with a perfect go-to color scheme every time. All 20% off this week, plus free shipping!

    From Knockout Neutrals: 12 Showstopping Neutral Quilts
    By Pat Wys

    Quilts-from-Knockout-Neutrals

    Browse all the quilts in Knockout Neutrals >

    From Spotlight on Neutrals: Quilts and More for Any Decor
    By Pat Wys

    From-Spotlight-on-Neutrals

    Browse all the quilts in Spotlight on Neutrals >

    From Modern Neutrals: A Fresh Look at Neutral Quilt Patterns
    By Amy Ellis

    Quilts-from-Modern-Neutrals

    Browse all the quilts in Modern Neutrals >

    And now for something completely different!

    Go Beyond Neutral with John Q. Adams and discover colorful alternatives to neutral background fabrics. Switch out the usual hues of beige, taupe, ecru, and tan for nature’s boldest colors—midnight blues, stone grays, moss greens, and even fiery reds. John’s quilts are photographed in amazing outdoor settings—they’ll make your jaw drop!

    Have you made a quilt with nothing but neutrals? Tell us in the comments!

    May-30-sale-rotator

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  3. What to do with old quilts: 5 ideas to ponder

    Posted by on May 27, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , ,

    What-to-do-with-old-quiltsWhat to do with old quilts? It’s a question many quilters have asked. Whether you’ve inherited quilts, enjoy collecting antique quilts, or happen to own an old quilt with a story (or one that’s shrouded in mystery), knowing what to do with an older quilt can stump us.

    We asked some of our antique-quilt-loving authors for answers to this quilt quandary. They’ve made antique quilts their passion, so read on—their advice might help you or someone you know bring an older quilt back to life.
    spacer 10px deep

    Mary-Elizabeth-Kinch“Make a copy of your favorite antique quilt. The makers of those quilts may not be around to tell us about their work, but with careful study the quilts will give up all their secrets and you will discover things about color, proportion, scale, fabrics, and prints that will be invaluable and that will influence your own work.

    Below is a copy I made of the Dennis Cann Cot Quilt, part of the Quilters’ Guild Collection at the Quilt Museum in York, England. My quilt appeared in Simply Vintage/Quiltmania in 2013; you can see the original on my Pinterest page. Of course my propensity for small pieces means I ‘accidentally’ made the quilt almost half-scale to the original! Those wee squares in the center section finish at ½".”

    —From Mary Elizabeth Kinch, co-author of Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts and Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts

    Dennis-Cann-Cot-Quilt-remake-by-Mary-Elizabeth-Kinch
    Mary Elizabeth’s remake of the Dennis Cann Cot Quilt. See the original here.

    Julie-Hendricksen“I’ve been collecting antique quilts for more than 30 years and at last count, I owned more than 200 of them. Each one is fascinating. The closer you look, the more interesting they become. Over the years I’ve discovered so many unique prints, unusual fabric pairings, faded colors that intrigue me, and distinctive settings or borders. All of this has helped me build a wealth of knowledge. That’s why I’d suggest you use a vintage quilt for color inspiration when making a new quilt. There’s so much to be learned from the quilters of yesteryear.”

    —From Julie Hendricksen, author of Remembering the Past and Preserving History (coming September 2016)

    Men-at-Work-quilts
    Men at Work – antique and new versions – from     Remembering the Past

    Nancy-Mahoney“When I started quilting, I was a purist. I wanted to continue the art of quilting much as our grandmothers and great-grandmothers did. Now 25+ years later, I’m a realist. There are too many quilts that I want to make, and too little time. That’s one reason I enjoy collecting vintage quilts; I can own a beautiful patchwork or appliqué quilt without having to make it! I think old quilts are a wonderful inspiration. I love remaking antique designs using new, up-to-date fabrics.”

    —From Nancy Mahoney, author of Quilt Revival, Appliqué Quilt Revival, and Treasures from the ’30s

    Beginners-Luck-quilt
    The charming block in this Beginner’s Luck quilt, featured in     Treasures from the ’30s, is based on a pattern from Laura Wheeler Designs, a company that produced quilt patterns for newspapers during the 1930s. Designed for piecing with curved seams and templates, Nancy updated the construction for rotary cutting and used a starch appliqué technique that makes the block much easier to sew.

    Karen-Earlywine“If there is damage to an antique quilt from wear or the environment, some intact parts of an older quilt might be used to make a decorative teddy bear. I have one, shown below.

    A friend of mine made keepsake birth announcements for each of my grandchildren by using portions of a quilt her grandmother made that had been largely worn out. She embroidered their names and birthdates on a piece of the quilt and then had them framed. It made for a very nice gift!”

    —From Karen Earlywine, co-author of Candy Store and More, Fancy to Frugal, and Link to the ’30s

    From-Fancy-to-Frugal
    Teddy bear (pattern not provided) and quilts from     Fancy to Frugal

    Where does your passion for quilts fit: old quilts only, new quilts only, or a mix of both? Tell us in the comments—and if you have an idea for using old quilts in new ways, please share it

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  4. 🌷 Spring Quilt Market trends update! 🌷

    Posted by on May 26, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , ,

    Quilt Market logoInternational Quilt Market is a trade show where quilt-shop owners, designers, and quilt-industry professionals gather to show the latest and greatest offerings coming soon to quilt shops near YOU. You might say it’s where independent quilt shops go to shop—looking for new fabrics, notions, books, club ideas, and more!

    This May, Quilt Market was held in Salt Lake City. Martingale sent a team of eight people to the show, not only to scope out potential new authors, but also to showcase authors’ books that are soon to be released. In addition, our team was looking to spot new trends. So what did we see at this latest Market? Here are eight great trends you can keep your eye out for:

    1. It’s time to get CAMP-y! Whether you’re interested in “glamping,” sitting inside a sewn-to-stylish-perfection Airstream travel trailer, or roughing it in a playful pup tent or teepee, one thing is for sure: quilters love camping motifs this year. We counted at least six teepees, four fire pits, two campers, and even some faux roasted marshmallows on the show floor. So fire up and get ready for camping!

    Quilt-Market-trend--teepees
    Playhouse Teepee from Simple Simon and Company.

    Lets-Go-Camping
    Coming in August from Martingale—Let’s Go Camping!: Crochet Your Own Adventure by Kate Bruning. Pick up your copy wherever books are sold.

    2. BLUE and WHITE were more than all right. They were the perfect pair and the season’s freshest one-two punch of color! Whether it was the new Shibori line by Debbie Maddy of Calico Carriage Quilt Designs for Moda Fabrics or the new Marks line by Valori Wells Designs for Robert Kaufman Fabrics…we think blue and white will take this season’s top honors as the go-to dynamic color duo.

    Quilt-Market-trend--blue-and-white
    Top:     Marks by Valori Wells Designs for Robert Kaufman. Bottom: Shibori by Debbie Maddy of Calico Carriage Quilt Designs for Moda.

    3. There’s power in PRECUTS! If you didn’t believe in the power of precuts before, you can’t deny it any longer. Strips and squares and fat quarters, oh my! They were everywhere. They call at you from shop shelves and checkout counters, practically begging you to take them home. Fortunately there are great patterns to accompany your favorite cuts. Check out Scraps Made Simple by the Moda All-Stars or One Bundle of Fun by Sue Pfau, both from Martingale. Your only problem will be choosing which pattern to make first!

    Scraps-Made-Simple-and-One-Bundle-of-Fun
    Scraps Made Simple is available now; look for     One Bundle of Fun at your local quilt shop in July.

    4. BIG FLOWERS were big! Spring had definitely sprung and it was showing its staying power with plenty of big florals printed on fabric, as well as embroidered onto furnishings and embellishing booth displays. Cultivate your love of all things floral with the array of blooms sure to be on your local shop’s shelves soon.

    Quilt-Market-trend--big-flowers
    Clockwise from top: Mod Corsage by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit; giant paper flowers in the Michael Miller booth; Potpourri pattern from HappNstance by Fabric Confetti.

    5. Bring on the BARNYARD ANIMALS. With an oink oink here and a moo moo there, here a cheep, there a baa—everywhere you looked, there were adorable barnyard animals. We were especially smitten with Stacy Iest Hsu’s Farm Fun fabric line from Moda. If farm fresh is your happy place, get ready!

    Quilt-Market-trend--barnyard-animals
    Stacy Iest Hsu’s Farm Fun fabric line from Moda.

    6. What starts with an E and ends with everybody wanting to get in on the fun? EMBROIDERY, of course. Whether it’s soft and sweet, bold and beautiful, whimsical and wonderful, there truly is something for every stitchery lover this season. Don’t miss out making your mark with this hot trend. Martingale is at the ready to help you get inspired with three books and a stunning new calendar all centered on this hot topic!

    Embroidery-books
    Clockwise from top left: Stitches from the Garden, Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery, Snow Happy, Stitches to Savor 2017.

    7. This trend isn’t likely to flutter by too quickly. Spring Market was again aflutter with BUTTERFLIES. You could find them on fabric and in pieced and appliquéd patterns. Perhaps no butterflies were more striking than the quilted beauties on Lepidoptera, a new pattern from Elizabeth Hartman featuring her Paintbox Basics collection for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

    Quilt-Market-trend--butterflies
    Lepidoptera pattern by Elizabeth Hartman

    8. MACHINE QUILTING. Finishing your own quilts—whether on a home sewing machine or long-arm quilting machine—is what everyone is talking about and learning to do! You can be a “perfectly imperfect quilter” like author Christa Watson or remember author Angela Walters’ advice that “finished is better than perfect.” Either way, you won’t want to miss out on all the amazing advice this pair shares in their new co-authored book The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting. In it, they share expert advice and encouragement on when, where, why, and how to use a long-arm or sit-down machine to finish your projects with flair. It’s a must-have resource guide for quilters trying to improve their quilting skills, no matter what machine they use.

    The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Machine-Quilting
    Angela Walters and Christa Watson at Spring Quilt Market talking up their new book.

    Those were the top trends we spotted at Market. Which ones fire you up to make more quilts? We’d love to hear which ones you’re most excited about.

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  5. The coloring craze has arrived – for quilters (giveaway + contest!)

    Posted by on May 25, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , ,

    A coloring craze is sweeping the nation! Millions of grown-ups (including yours truly) are recalling the carefree delight that coloring can bring. It’s relaxing, creative, portable—even a bit addictive! And really, who loves to play with color more than quilters? Well, get your colored pencils sharpened and your coloring hand rested and ready, because we’re so excited to announce the release of Color a Quilt, our brand-new coloring book that’s perfect for quilters and coloristas alike!

    Color a QuiltColor a Quilt includes 45 fun-to-color designs from popular That Patchwork Place® books. Information about each design is included on the coloring page, just in case you you want to sew a fabric replica of your artwork! Plus, we’ve gathered photos of all the designs on our website so you can see what they look like stitched up as quilts. Refer to the photo of the original quilt as a color guide, or use the coloring page as an opportunity to try out something completely different. Coloring gives you the chance to experiment and visualize a quilt design without the time commitment or money you’d invest in a real-life quilt.

    We couldn’t wait to start coloring here at the office! Here’s some of our handiwork, along with the original quilts:

    Buckwheat Star from Civil War Remembered by Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene

    I’m a big fan of Star blocks and I love the Civil War reproduction fabrics of the original quilt, but I thought it would be fun to see how the design might look in an entirely different color scheme of fuchsia, red, and purple with a gray background.

    Buckweat-Star-colored-by-Beth
    Buckwheat Star, colored by Beth

    Leaf Pile from Stash Lab by Tonya Alexander

    I just love how Martingale book designer Connor colored the Leaf Pile design in a gradient of blues. It really shows how versatile the design can be depending on the color and placement of lights and darks.

    Leaf-Pile-colored-by-Connor
    Leaf Pile, colored by Connor

    Farmers’ Market from Pat Sloan’s Teach Me to Appliqué

    Pat Sloan’s Farmers’ Market quilt features a bright and cheerful palette, so I used the original as a guide for choosing my colors. Cute!

    Farmers-market-colored-by-Beth
    Farmer’s Market, colored by Beth

    Daydream from Striking Strip Quilts by Kate Henderson

    Wendy, Martingale’s director of sales, tried out an alternating black and white background for the colorful spiderweb blocks, adding another neat layer to the design. Now I’m itching to try out this pattern!

    Daydream-colored-by-Wendy
    Daydream, colored by Wendy

    Seeing Spots from Splash of Color by Jackie Kunkel

    I’ve been thinking about making a rainbow quilt but haven’t quite figured out a plan. The Seeing Spots coloring page gave me an easy way to take the idea for a test drive, and also really highlights the possibilities of the pattern.

    Seeing-Spots-colored-by-Beth
    Seeing Spots, colored by Beth

    Sallie’s Quilt from Tributes and Treasures by Paula Barnes and Mary Ellen Robison

    Martingale marketing graphic designer Kathy used bright primary colors combined with black and white to color in Sallie’s Quilt from Tributes and Treasures. The bold combination emphasizes the graphic quality of the design.

    Sallies-Quilt-colored-by-Kathy
    Sallie’s Quilt, colored by Kathy

    And check out this fun hyperlapse video we filmed at Quilt Market last week! That’s me coloring.

    Coloring-video

    From-Color-a-Quilt

    CONTEST ALERT! We want to invite you to be a part of the Color a Quilt fun, so we’re also announcing a coloring contest! Simply buy a copy of Color a Quilt, do your best coloring, and post a photo of your colored quilt on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #coloraquilt. (Not on Instagram or Facebook? Snap a pic of your coloring and send it to jenny@martingale-pub.com.) Ten random winners will receive a book of their choosing. We’ll choose random winners on Monday, June 27. Good luck and happy coloring!

    Have you joined the coloring craze yet? Tell us in the comments!

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  6. 🏆 And the best way to applique designs of all kinds goes to… (+ sale!)

    Posted by on May 23, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , ,

    Save 40% on select eBooks this week

    Do you suffer from appliphobia? Don’t let a fear of appliqué designs stop you from making the quilts you love. There are lots of ways to appliqué, and we know there’s a perfect method for you!

    Today we’re bestowing a few appliqué awards on eBooks that will help you learn, master, and most importantly, enjoy appliqué. Best of all, each eBook is instantly downloadable and on sale for 40% off this week! Which technique will you try first?

    Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter🏆 Fastest appliqué technique: machine appliqué

    Learn how in Machine Appliqué for the Terrified Quilter

    If you think that life is too short to do handwork, this is the book for you! Author Sharon Pederson referred to appliqué as “the A word” until she learned that she could mimic the look of hand appliqué with her sewing machine. Her techniques for invisible, reversible, fusible, and padded machine appliqué will make you a convert.
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    Double-Wedding-Ring-quilt-applique-designs
    Double Wedding Ring quilt

    Feeling a little less . . . terrified? See more >

    Design, Create, and Quilt🏆 Most artistic appliqué technique: Fast-Piece Appliqué

    Learn how in Design, Create, and Quilt

    Does the artist in you wish for appliqué know-how? Let quilt artist Rose Hughes grant that wish with her ingenious Fast-Piece Appliqué technique (watch Rose demonstrate it in this video). With her step-by-step guidance and incredible range of creative ideas and inspiration, you’ll be able to create any appliqué motif you can dream up!
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    Tree-of-Life-quilt-applique-designs
    Tree of Life quilt

    Rose’s sketching exercises will get your creativity flowing >

    Frayed-Edge Fun🏆 Most forgiving appliqué technique: raw-edge appliqué

    Learn how in Frayed-Edge Fun

    Who doesn’t love the fluffy, plushy goodness of a frayed-edge quilt? Try fun raw-edge appliqué and piecing techniques that are so easy, you may never want to hide your seams again! Other perks: worry-free wash-and-dry quilts, boo-boo proof block construction, and quilts that everyone will love to cuddle under.
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    Baby-Blues-quilt-applique-designs
    For this clever Baby Blues quilt, the back side of blocks are folded and appliquéd to the front.

    See more from Frayed-Edge Fun >

    Mimi Dietrich's Favorite Applique Quilts🏆 Best slow-sewing technique: hand appliqué

    Learn how in Mimi Dietrich’s Favorite Appliqué Quilts

    If you want to learn the mother of all appliqué techniques, learn from the best: Mimi Dietrich! Mimi’s array of books about hand-appliqué culminates in this beautiful collection of quilt designs—and with Mimi’s friendly guidance, any beginner can make them.

    Songs-for-All-Seasons-quilt-applique-designs
    Make Mimi’s Songs for All Seasons quilt as a skinny quilt or a square quilt.

    Which appliqué techniques have you tried: machine appliqué, Fast Piece Appliqué, raw-edge appliqué, hand appliqué? Tell us your favorite in the comments!

    Save 40% on select eBooks this week

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  7. ⏰ FLASH SALE! 16 terrific table-runner patterns – take a peek

    Posted by on May 20, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , , ,

    flash-sale-skinny-quilts-ii

    The-Dahlia-is-a-Diva-table-runnerDrape. Hang. Tuck.

    Tack. Fold. Ruffle.

    However you display them, it’s easy to say YES! to decorating with table runners—that you make yourself!

    Using a runner to brighten up any space is a simple task. And since runners run around a quarter of the size of an average throw quilt, you know that sewing speed is built in.

    When you stitch a stash of runners from today’s flash-sale eBook, Skinny Quilts and Table Runners II, you’ll be able to spruce up a room with a dash of color, a ton of texture, or a splash of the season. For any reason! Runners are fun to make, quick to stow away, and easy to display. (Not to mention a great handmade gift to give.) And the showcase of popular designers in Skinny Quilts and Table Runners II will inspire you. Take a peek:
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    Skinny Quilts and Table Runners 2
    Clockwise from top left: Wisteria Lane by Melinda Bula; Rhubarb Crisp Runner by Jo Morton; Rungs by Karla Alexander; Starry Night by Karen Costello Soltys, Las Hojas del Otoño (Autumn Leaves) by Jane Dávila; An American in Paris by Joanna Figueroa.

    See all 16 projects—get them all for only $6.00 right now >

    Skinny Quilts and Table RunnersWant more runner patterns from popular designers?

    Get the book that started the “skinny” series: Skinny Quilts and Table Runners! Try out a new technique or style without committing to a lot of time or fabric. You’ll find designs from Kaffe Fassett, Jane Sassaman, Marti Michell, and many more.
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    What spot needs a “skinny” spruce up in your home: a skinny wall, a skinny shelf, a skinny table top? Tell us in the comments!

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  8. Win at gift giving all year long – sew many gifts! (+ giveaway!)

    Posted by on May 18, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , ,

    Get ready to be thanked, appreciated, admired, and hugged. Because when you sew gifts for others, gratitude is their return gift to you!

    Sew Many GiftsIf you like to sew gifts but sometimes wonder what to make for someone special—or if you’ve never sewn gifts before but would like to start—let the new book Sew Many Gifts become your go-to gift guide. It’s packed with treasures to treat those you love. And because you love to sew, you treat yourself too!

    Gift ideas are sorted into categories, making it a cinch to find a unique handmade gift for most anyone on your gift list throughout the year. The designer roster is an impressive one too, including Amy Smart, Gail Pan, Amy Struckmeyer, Sarah Bisel, and Natalie Barnes. These popular Martingale authors can’t wait to inspire you!

    Take a peek at just one gift idea from each chapter of Sew Many Gifts—visit this link to see every gift idea in the book.

    Gifts to Wear

    Fat-Quarter-Apron-and-Pot-Holder
    Fat-Quarter Apron and Pot Holder by Beth Bradley

    A sweet kitchen set is perfect for a foodie, a bride, or a new home owner—and you can easily make it in a weekend or less.

    See all 3 gifts to wear >

    Gifts for the Home

    Bloom-Pillow
    Bloom Pillow by Andy Knowlton

    This pretty pillow relies on fusible appliqué and a straight stitch around raw edges. Construction’s as easy as smelling spring flowers!

    See all 7 gifts for the home >

    Gifts for Sewing Pals

    Biscornu-patchwork-pincushion
    Biscornu Patchwork Pincushion by Adrienne Smitke

    The French word “biscornu” means quirky (in the best way!), making Biscornu the perfect name for this uniquely shaped pincushion.

    See all 4 gifts for sewing pals >

    Gifts for Those on the Go

    Glam-on-the-Go-by-Natalie-Barnes
    Glam on the Go Travel Case by Natalie Barnes

    Imagine sewing this Glam on the Go travel case to give to someone special, along with special jewelry tucked inside!

    See all 5 gifts for those on the go >

    Who’s next on your gift list: a family member, a friend, a sewing buddy . . . yourself? Tell us in the comments and you could win a copy of the Sew Many Gifts eBook. We’ll choose a winner one week from today and let you know by email if you win. Good luck!

    Need to sew a gift NOW? Purchase Sew Many Gifts at ShopMartingale.com and you can instantly download the eBook for free. Or buy only the eBook and SAVE $8.00.

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  9. Serve up pretty patchwork at the kitchen table (+ sale!)

    Posted by on May 16, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , ,

    May-16-sale-rotator

    Table runners remind us of Hershey’s Kisses, Milk Duds, Junior Mints, and Skittles . . . Each piece is its own tiny treasure. And try as you might, you can’t stop at one!
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    Fluttering-By-quilt
    Fluttering By from     Table Toppers

    The seasons and reasons may change, but there’s always a place to show off a little quilt you’ve made. You can play with different shapes and sizes—for instance, set a square topper in a diamond shape, let longer runners drape over table edges, or group a set of three small, square toppers together. And of course, the table isn’t the only place that you can show off smaller quilts. Hang them on walls, drape them over chairs, toss ’em over a cabinet door, line a basket . . . the possibilities are practically endless.

    When you whip up a quilt from one of our sale books this week you’ll save 20%, get FREE shipping in the US and Canada, and be on your way to stitching a stack of happy little quilts to grace your table all year long.

    If you like VARIETY, you’ll love
    Table Toppers: Quilted Projects from Fons and Porter

    Short, long, square, skinny, classic, contemporary—these table-runner treats from Fons and Porter will inspire you every which way. Experiment with a new color palette, learn a helpful technique, show off your quilting . . . with this diverse collection, you’ll have fun trying it all.
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    Projects from     Table Toppers

    Don’t miss the watermelon runner—perfect for summer >
    $19.99 $15.99 + FREE shipping
    eBook-only $11.99

    If you like a MODERN VIBE, you’ll love
    Set the Table: 11 Designer Patterns for Table Runners

    For a new challenge, a speedy gift, or a stress-free sewing spree, these runners from popular designers make great go-to projects. Turn out one of these pretty quilts in a weekend or less!
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    Quilts from     Set the Table

    Can you find the runner that’s an ode to the cocktail shaker? >
    $16.99 $13.59 + FREE shipping
    eBook-only $9.59

    If you like SEASONAL SENTIMENTS, you’ll love
    Stitch on the Double: Easy Quilt Projects to Sew on the Go
    by Kathleen Brown

    If you can do a running stitch, you know the basics of the Double Stitch technique. Follow this easy hand-piecing method to get the warm, textured look of hand quilting as you sew. You’ll be amazed at how much sewing you can complete in as little as 10 or 15 minutes!
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    Quilts from     Stitch on the Double

    See the sweet tulip topper featuring its own buzzing bees >
    $24.99 $19.99 + FREE shipping
    eBook-only $13.59

    If you like . . . PICTURE-PERFECT PATCHWORK, you’ll love
    A Year of Paper Piecing: 12 Sensational Seasonal Designs
    by Beverly Maxvill

    What better way to practice your paper piecing than on a dozen small, quick-to-complete quilts? By the time you finish December’s Cardinal in Wreath quilt, you’ll be a pro—and you’ll have a year’s worth of pictorial quilts to prove it.
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    Quilts from     A Year of Paper Piecing (Don’t forget the papers!)

    A guide to paper piecing will help you along the way >
    $26.95 $21.56 + FREE shipping
    eBook-only $15.16

    What’s decorating your table right now: a quilt, a candlescape, a bowl of fruit…your sewing machine? Tell us in the comments!

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  10. 🎄Make your next Christmas a Kim Diehl Christmas🎄(+ fabric giveaway!)

    Posted by on May 13, 2016, in quilting & sewing, , , , , , ,

    Kim Diehl fans, we’ve been waiting sooooo long for this moment! And today it’s finally here—the moment when we get to raise our glasses of eggnog from ’round a toasty holiday hearth and say:

    Merry Christmas from Kim Diehl!

    Simple-Christmas-Tidings

    Kim’s first-ever book dedicated to the holiday season—destined to be her 10th bestseller—will have you dreaming of December and wishing for snow. Ask us how we know . . . we’ve been dreaming and wishing since we saw Kim’s Christmas projects arrive in the office!

    Seriously, are you itching to stitch these Scrap-Basket Stockings as much as we are?
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    Scrap-Basket-Stockings

    Sew delightful!

    In Simple Christmas Tidings, Kim celebrates the magic of the holidays as only she can. Her rich, scrappy color palette will warm your home and charm your guests. From classic to whimsical, Kim’s got lots of treats for you this Christmas—and they’re not only of the fabric variety. She’ll share her holiday decorating ideas, tried-and-true recipes, and treasured traditions with you too!
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    Hospitality-Door-Hanger
    Hospitality Door Hanger

    Today we’re thrilled to have Kim here as a guest writer to give you a peek inside her latest book. Welcome back, Kim!

    But first…

    FABRIC GIVEAWAY! Our friends at Henry Glass have given us this beautiful bundle of 16 fat eighths from Kim’s “Winter Blessings” line to give away to you!

    Kim-Diehl-fabric-giveaway

    Learn how you can win this pretty collection plus a copy of Simple Christmas Tidings at the bottom of this post. And be sure to visit the Henry Glass blog today; they’re having a Kim Diehl celebration and giveaway too!

    Kim-DiehlChristmas in May? Absolutely! If you’re a quiltmaker and you’d like to wrap yourself (and your family) in a little handmade goodness when the snow begins to fly, now is the PERFECT time to start planning, dreaming, and stitching for the holidays.

    Simple Christmas Tidings is such a labor of love and so very special to me, because it gave me the opportunity to design and stitch a huge variety of quilts and projects using blocks and motifs loved by generations of quilters. And what an honor to share some of my favorite holiday recipes, decorating tips, and ideas that make my home sparkle during the chilliest of winter days, as well as traditions I’ve enjoyed with my family through the years.
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    Winter-Delight-Candle-Mat
    Winter Delight Candle Mat

    My very favorite holiday quilts and projects are those that don’t scream “Christmas!,” because I’m able to use and display them for the entire season (or even longer), not just for the holidays. With this in mind, you’ll find tons of classic patchwork and appliqué designs, richly hued colors in both cotton prints and wooly fabrics, and a huge variety of projects from big to small that use lots of easy techniques.
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    Snowman Shenanigans Wall Hanging

    My mother used to tell me that good things come in small packages, and she was so right! It feels incredibly good to start AND finish quick little projects, and Christmas Baubles are just the thing for a dose of instant gratification. Quick-to-stitch wooly snowmen and penny ornaments, a sprinkling of fabric yo-yos, and patchwork stars can be whipped up in a jiffy. Best of all, they can be tied onto doorknobs and handles for a dollop of holiday cheer all through the house, or they can be shared with special people in your life when you tie them onto gift bags and packages. Everyone loves receiving a little homemade cheer!
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    Christmas Baubles

    Thanks so much for letting me share Simple Christmas Tidings with you. I hope you’ll take a few moments to break out your favorite holiday music, sip on a yummy beverage, and curl up in your favorite chair with the book as you dream about Christmas!
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    Twinkle-Trees-Table-Topper
    Twinkle Trees Table Topper

    Simple-Christmas-TidingsThanks for sharing your holiday cheer with us, Kim!

    What is your holiday home in need of: a new table topper for your Christmas feast, new stockings to stuff with treats, new ornaments to decorate the tree? Tell us in the comments and you could win the beautiful bundle of Kim’s “Winter Blessings” fabric from Henry Glass PLUS a copy of Simple Christmas Tidings. We’ll choose a winner one week from today and let you know by email if you win. Good luck—and happy holidays!
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