Four Seasons BOM - Free Pattern

The Four Seasons Block of the Month features the Rock Candy Collection designed by Mark Hordyszynski for Blank Quilting. Like us, you may already be familiar with his name as he was the designer of the very popular Fairy Frost fabric for Michael Miller Fabrics. This collection is similar but a larger scale and we find it more interesting. It is also softer, so whatever gives it texture, there is less of it.

There are over 40 different colors of the Rock Candy in the 54" x 69" finished quilt.

The day we were looking at the fabrics and pattern, 2 co-workers and 3 customers wanted to make it, so, we thought we better offer it. It is more reasonable than most BOMs, because the pattern is FREE with the Block of the Month.

Whether done by hand or machine the result is gorgeous. Definitely an heirloom piece. About hand-applique, if you fear it, all it takes is emmersing oneself in a project like this to become totally comfortable. On the other hand, if you fear machine applique, the same can be said. We have two really good DVD's to learn either or both. The first is Hand and Machne Applique the Karen Kay Buckley Way and the second, by Sharon Pederson is Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter.

Here at The Cotton Club, Kate studied with Karen and then watched the video and she said the DVD was as good as taking the class.

To see the BOM Online, Click Here.

To see the DVDs mentioned above, Click Here.

This next week I will be taking a Machine Quilting class. I, Cheryl, am a wannabe machine quilter, so I am going to emmerse myself for a week and see what I can do. I will post again when I return!

Paula Nadelstern introduces limited edition Kaleidoscope Giclee art prints of her work.

From Paula Nadelstern's art show at the American Museum of Folk Art, this is one of 12 art prints she is offering in signed limited editions. Isn't it a fabulous way to be able to see her work. Here are what some of the people who have made purchases have to say:

This is beautiful art! And I love being able to look at Paula Nadelstern's handiwork in these prints "up close" and seeing how the design blends so skillfully across seam after seam. I'm a beginner at learning her techniques, working my way through the 'Puzzle Quilt' book right now, and many of the pictures I've seen of her kaleidoscopes can look so intimidating. These prints are a fantastic learning experience that let me see more clearly what she is teaching in her books, and they give me more confidence that, while I will not likely attain anything close to this level of mastery, my learning journey is being guided by a superb artist. These prints with their breathtaking detail are far more beautiful than any book or internet pictures of her work can possibly convey. -- P.B., Texas

We have two of these prints hanging prominently in our living room - they are stunning and draw the attention of everyone who visits. For a quilter, this is an ideal way to disply the artistry of the craft. -- J Ewing, Providence, RI

Paula Nadelstern's quilts are stunning. The colors and design sing a song to you. Having watched her quilts for years, it gives me great joy to look at one of her quilts everyday by having one of her giclee prints on my wall. The colors are so true and the medium is a good fit for the complexity of the quilt. --C Cunningham, Long island City, NY

To revisit the prints, Click Here.

By the way, we do not profit from the sale of these prints, but we do plan to own one in this lifetime!! And we think you might want one too.

Also, from this collection of blocks, we still have a good stock of the beautiful notecards, Click Here.

And Paula's newest fabric line - Nuance, Click Here.

As well as, previous fabric lines books, patterns and supplies, Click Here.

To visit our Kaleidoscope Category, Click Here.

We keep a Scope News Email Roster especially for people who are kaleidoscope enthusiasts. If you would like to be added just email us at cotton@cottonclub.com and ask to be added to the Scope News Email Roster.

Cheryl
The Cotton Club

Marking Fabric - Sewline vs. Bohin Mechanical Chalk

We recently received the following question from a customer: "I was wondering which fabric marker is better, the Bohin Mechanical Chalk or the Sewline?" It is hard to answer as to best. We think it depends on what you are doing and how much money you are willing to invest.

The chalk in the Bohin pencil is softer and flows without much pressure, but it does have to be sharpened. If a consistent width of line is important, it won't be as consistent. Jami, as a long-arm quilter loves it as she is using it after the quilt is sandwiched. As a hand-quilter (who rarely hand-quilts anymore) I would also love it for marking after the quilt was sandwiched and in the frame. I don't think the Sewline would work well for either of these uses, but I would prefer the Sewline if I was marking the quilt before it was sandwiched, as I could do so on a hard surface.

Because the Sewline pencil advances with a click and is always the same width, it gives a consistent line. With 5 colors, one always works. There is an additional investment. Although some people are happy to have one pencil and change the lead, after I was sold on it, I bought all 5 colors and I have to admit, it is nice to be able to reach for the one you need when you need it.

I found, I LOVED the Sewline when I was putting my Ruth McDowell style Jar quilt together with curves. It is a freezer paper method. In order to sew the curves freezer paper has to be removed. So, each piece must be traced around before removing, leaving a sewing line and hatch marks. Although I have all sorts of markers, it wasn't until I took a white Sewline home for the dark pieces that I really started having fun putting that piece together. The next day I came down and bought all the colors. They have a top on them the color of the lead and I love knowing exactly which one to grab.

Bottomline: If I could afford the Bohin and all the colors of the Sewline, that would be my first choice. Having the Bohin and one color of the Sewline could work too. If only one Sewline, buy the color you use in fabric the least. For instance, if you never use pink, buy a pink one and it will show on anything else. As far as the Bohin is concerned, at the price of $12.09, everyone should have the vesatility it allows.

If you want to see to the Bohin,
Click Here.

For more information on the Sewlines,
Click Here.

American Beauty BOM

Where does the time go. It can't be since October that we have posted. Shame on us. We work every day and this is a business, but it seems there are just never enough hours in the day. On the other hand, if ALL we had to do was work, we could certainly get more done.

Anyway, enough whining about not having enough time and on to our most current project - American Beauty BOM. It looks like lots of local shops are doing it, but if yours isn't, we have it! You even have a choice of the Light or Dark Version. You can start anytime. It is a beautiful quilt. People seem to be drawn more to the Light Version, but the Dark is actually selling better. That seems odd.

If you want more information Click Here.

And, if you want to check out our other BOM programs, Click Here and scroll down.

It feels good to be back posting again. Watch for weekly updates!

Serenity Garden Quilt Collaboration

When we saw the Primitive Garden wool quilt & pattern, we thought it would be beautiful in the neutral prints and woven fabrics produced by Diawabo & others today. All we planned to do was make one block to promote the kit in our wide range of Serenity print and woven fabrics. Patty Henry made that block. Then, our quilt guild needed a raffle quilt for their 2010 quilt show - Love to Quilt - June 26 & 27 and we thought, why not work with Boise Basin Quilters to complete the quilt. Now, in a short period of time, we have a photo of the finished quilt and they have a beautiful raffle quilt. It has been shown in Portland at the Northwest Quilting Expo and the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, so you might have seen it. If you want to buy tickets, go to Boise Basin Quilters. Click Here.

If you want to make it, we have a kit and are working on a BOM, Click Here.

If you want to see the enitre collection of Serenity prints, Click Here.

Extendable Magnetic LED LIght or Lighted Pin Picker Upper

What a surprise! We bought these tools for ourselves/quilters and our husbands loved them! Usually our tools are not quite good enough for them. They are always trying to re-engineer them. But not this one. Their eyes light up like they can hardly wait to have something in some hard to get place. We love them too. And my elderly mother who is not as steady as she once was has found it useful to pick things up. Terrific invention!

This 8" long Extendable Magnetic LED Light also known as a Lighted Pin Picker Upper will extend to 28" and the magnet will pick up 8 pounds.` The battery is replaceable. Does life get any better! If you want to know more, Click Here. Enjoy! Cheryl

Texture Magic

Art Quilter Alert! Texture Magic is like shrink wrap, it shrinks under steam. When it is layered with fabric, stitched and steamed it shrinks up to 30% and creates a new textured fabric.

To get us going, there are several new patterns using this product in a baby quilt, purse or tote, but we think the art quilters of the world are going to find ways to use it in their work that will surprise and delight us. It adds texture, loft, visual depth, and luminosity. We can't wait to see its use expanded. That is what is wonderful about the quilt world. A product is often made for one reason and then, used for many.

To see Texture Magic in use, Click Here.