Monday, March 30, 2015

Fresh Cut + Quilt Display

We’ve had such in influx of great new fabric, I feel like that’s all I’ve been blogging about!  But I HAVE to show you when pretty things show up on the shelves, right?  Well today I’m giving you a peek at a line called Fresh Cut (Moda)

Fresh Cut fabric from Moda 

And we have Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes for Fresh Cut too!

Fresh Cut precuts

Today I also have a quilt to show off!  This quilt display is the Running Offset pattern (blogged about first here) but made in Day Sail fabric (Bonnie & Camille for Moda).  Fun, isn’t it?

Running Offset quilt pattern display

The pattern is available only at The Fabric Mill!


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Wildflowers

Wildflowers fabric from Camelot fb

Wildflowers is here!  This lovely line from Camelot Fabrics is filled with spring flowers and colors to brighten your home.

wildflowers fabric from Camelot

You still have plenty of time to make a fun Easter dress or skirt!

wildflowers fabric from Camelot 2

Did you know Camelot has a great selection of free project patterns on their website?  Quilts, table runners, pillows, bags, you name it!

Here are just two that caught my eye –

I love this Box Trot Quilt.  The fabrics shown in the project are from the Wildflowers line (shown above)

Box Trot Quilt pattern 

I also love this Framed Quilt pattern!

Free quilt patterns from Camelot

Click on the images to be taken to the free pattern.  Print it out and then bring it in to the shop to grab the fabric you’ll need!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Feed Company

Feed Company bolts 

Feed Company is Sweetwater’s newest fabric line for Moda and we have it on the shelves!
We have yardage and precuts now available (charm packs, jelly rolls)

Feed Company charm packs

and while supplies last we have a few more charm packs of Sweetwater’s last line, Boathouse

 boathouse charm packs

Both Boathouse and Feed Company would be fabulous for those upcoming Summer-ish projects you have planned!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Curves Made Easy! Quick Curve Ruler Tutorial

Have you heard of the Quick Curve Ruler?  It’s a pretty slick tool that makes cutting, piecing and sewing with curves a breeze!  We carry the Quick Curve Ruler here at The Fabric Mill, and so I thought I’d do a quick walk through to show you just how easy using this ruler is!

Quick Curve Ruler table runner

This table runner pattern (called Urban Runner) is free and included with the ruler – it’s actually the back and the inside of the ruler’s label.  There are also other quilt patterns available that use the ruler (we carry several!).  Oh- and for a limited time, we have kits for this runner too!

Let’s get started!  First of all, we need to cut the curves.   The instructions for this runner do a great job of explaining these steps, including diagrams but I’m a visual learner and step by step photographs are helpful. 

QCR tutorial 1

You’ll need long, 8.5” wide strips of fabric.  For the first curve, line up the top and bottom edges of the fabric with the dashed lines on the ruler.  Then move the cutting slit (where your rotary cutter fits into the ruler) all the way over to the left edge of the fabric.  Use your regular rotary cutter to slice right along that curved slit. 

QCR tutorial 2

Look – you did it!  Next, move the ruler over so that the top and bottom edges of fabric still line up with the dashed line on the ruler.  The curved dashed line on the left will now line up with the curve you just cut.  You’re now ready to cut the next curve -

QCR tutorial 3

Just like this! 

QCR tutorial 4

Now continue moving the ruler over and cutting curves until you get to the end of your fabric strip -

QCR tutorial 5

Repeat these steps for the other fabrics you’ll be using.  For this table runner kit, there are four main prints. 

QCR tutorial 9

That wasn’t so bad, was it?  Next we’ll cut the background (white) pieces.
These 3.5" x 8.5" background pieces can be stacked and cut two or three at a time.  Line up the top and bottom edge of the fabric along the same dashed line like we did with the main prints.  The right edge of the fabric will line up with the right edge of the ruler.  Now just cut along the curved slit.

QCR tutorial 6 

Voila!  Really, once you get the hang of this, it goes pretty quickly.

QCR tutorial 7

Repeat until you have cut all of the background curves.

QCR tutorial 8

Now we are ready to sew!  At this point I highly recommend you cut two test blocks out and sew them first.  After two blocks you’ll get the feel of it and your blocks will improve.

Grab one main fabric piece and one small background piece (concave curve).  Line them up, right sides together, with 1/4” bit of the background fabric peeking out at the top.

QCR tutorial 10

Place fabrics under the presser foot and using a 1/4” seam…

QCR tutorial 11


…start sewing.  It helped me to lift the top fabric up as I sewed.  Keep the right edge of the fabrics lined up at the 1/4” seam as you sew.  Go nice and slow at first – and you’ll get the hang of it – I promise!

QCR tutorial 12

When you get to the end, the bottom the white fabric should peek out about 1/4” again like when you started.  We will trim these blocks down a bit when we square them up later so if they’re not perfect that’s okay!

QCR tutorial 13

Open up your block and pat yourself on the back because you just sewed a curve! 

QCR tutorial 14

We need to add the other side of the block now.  Grab the second piece of background fabric and line it up as shown below:

QCR tutorial 15

Sew as you did before, with a 1/4” seam, and lifting the top layer up a bit as you sew.

QCR tutorial 16

Repeat until you have made all 28 of these.

QCR tutorial 17

Press the blocks and then we will trim and square them up.

Place the ruler with the top and bottom edge of the curve lining up at about the 1/4” mark on the ruler (see red circles).  The top and bottom left edges of the curve should line up at about the 2-1/4” mark on the ruler.  Trim the top and right edge of the block.

QCR tutorial 18

Rotate the block so we can trim the other two edges.  This time just line up the left edge with the 4” line on the ruler, and the bottom edge with the 8” line on the ruler.  Trim off the top and right side of the block.

QCR tutorial 19

Repeat to trim and square all blocks – don’t they look great? 

QCR tutorial 21

You’re now ready to sew the blocks together -

QCR tutorial 22

You will need 14 of these for the runner.

Quick Curve Ruler table runner 3jpg

This was my first time trying the Quick Curve Ruler and I’m glad I tackled this smaller project first.  I feel like I’ve got the hang of it though and I’m ready to tackle a whole quilt pattern!

If you’re needing a little more encouragement, the designers of the ruler have three online video tutorials to show you how to cut curves, sew curves, and square up blocks.  You can find the videos here.

The kits for this runner are $15.50 and available while supplies last!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Civil War Times Miniatures

Civil War Miniatures

Civil War Times Miniatures is a new line from Penny Rose Fabrics (designed by Erin Turner).  These deep, rich colors are just gorgeous! 

Civil War Inspiration

And we have added a “Civil War Quilt Inspiration” board to our Pinterest account – so click over, follow us, and enjoy some inspiration! 


Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Military Max

Military Max fabrics

Military Max is this cute new line from Riley Blake.  We have it in cottons and flannels!
My boys fell in love with this line when they saw it! 

Need some ideas on how you can use it?  How about some new pillowcases?  Or a Lego play mat and storage bag (click here for tutorial). Or you could make one of these quilts: 

Military_Max_quilt_tutorial 

Both of these quilts are free tutorials on the Riley Blake Blog.  
Click the photo to be taken directly to the tutorial.

title_image_jpg_600x600_q85


Friday, March 6, 2015

New Display quilt and pattern

Running Offset quilt pattern 

This eye-catching quilt is one of our newest displays!  I love the use of the geometric prints in this pattern. 

 Running Offset quilt pattern 2

The pattern is called Running Offset written by Lady Bug Designs.  It’s such a clever way to showcase those large-scale prints.  We have the pattern for sale right now in the shop!



Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Thinking Green

 stack of green fabrics

Now that it’s March, I’m in the mood for green!  I’m really looking forward to spring and to try and hurry it along, I’m working on a few projects using fresh, green fabrics.

stack of green fabrics

I love that print on the top of the stack.  It’s a new one from Moda (designed by Pat Sloan from the One for You One for Me line) and it has all of these fun sayings on it.  What a great addition it would be to your Spring projects! 

The Fabric Mill new fabric

Be sure to check back here next week for a new tutorial using some of these green prints!



Monday, March 2, 2015

Coca Cola Quilt and Kit

Coke quilt kit

Have you seen these new quilt kits?  This fun quilt is made from the Coca Cola fabrics along with some coordinating prints.  It’s a fast and straightforward four-patch pattern that would make a great gift for someone who can’t live without their favorite soft drink! 

Coca Cola quilt 

The quilt finishes at about 56” x 65”, and the kit is $57.00.  You can purchase the kit in the store, or order over the phone (801-225-3123)

Coca Cola quilt kit