Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Good Friday, April 2

Just a head's up. Bright Hopes Quilting will be closed April 2 in observance of Good Friday.

Build A Block

Hey there! I wanted to tell you about a new set of classes that we are starting in April and continuing, well who knows how long this will last because there are SO MANY block designs out there and we won't live long enough to make them all. BUT this is a start and here's how it goes.

Each month there will be TWO opportunities to take a mini-class on making one specific block. We will offer the class twice so that those who can't make it one time have a chance at a repeat. AND we will be showing how it's made in 2 sizes, because, c'mon! Some like them BIG and some like smaller quilts and we aim to please!

Now, some blocks are super easy and we want to make them for those quilters who have barely tested the waters and think they MAY want to proceed slowly and make a few but not commit to anything long term. Or, possibly they tried that block and had issues with it and want a refresher course. Or perhaps you took a beginning quilting class a few years back and want to pick the craft up again.

Some blocks are going to be more, shall we say, challenging? Those that have Y-seams, for example. You know what I'm talking about: the blocks you have avoided like brussell sprouts on a buffet! Curved edges, anybody?

Well we're going to tackle them too. One block a month and if you take 12 classes, you have a sampler quilt! How Good Is THIS?

This is the first block, Churn Dash, in the series that we will be making. The class lasts a brief 2 hours and you will leave with instructions for both a 6.5" and a 12.5" block.

So we have mailed out the newsletter this afternoon, (check your In-Box) and you'll find, along with a slew of great new classes lined up, one Saturday and one weekday blocked out for Build A Block. $10.00 per class.

This would make one great scrappy quilt, BTW. Use up those left-overs.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Great Book Titles

If you haven't had an opportunity to browse thru these four books, let me introduce you:

1. The Quilting Arts Book, by Patricia Bolton, is the next generation of creative quilt-making. Our Instructor for Techniques, Mary Green, has been offering classes with embellishments for several years now and if you have had the pleasure of this experience and feel ready to spread your wings but still want a little guidance, this is the companion for you!

Step by step, Bolton leads you thru various techniques of Reverse Applique, Mixed-Media collage, painting with pastels, portraiture and much, much more. At $24.95, this is true value for your dollar.


2. And what about those of you who have been piecing for some time and still wonder why your quilts don't lay flat or perhaps the blocks don't line up. Harriet Hartgrave's Quilter's Academy is your own personal Master Class, to be attended at your own pace and will improve your technique swiftly as you proceed thru the levels. This is the first in the series, Freshman Year.
$27.95


3. Now, I cannot tell you how often I hear people who come in to Bright Hopes Quilting with a quilting friend and exclaim, "I don't know HOW y'all get so much done.... I don't have time to make anything!" This great book, Quilting In No Time by Emma Hardy, has 50 "week-end" projects that answer this lament beautifully. Everything from bags and purses to home decorating indoors and out.

$24.95


Okay one more!
4. There are 13 great quilt patterns in this ONE book and just thumbing through it when it arrived made me want to knock out 4 of them, ASAP. (It is jelly roll and layer cake friendly so the title is completely apt.) The staff at That Patchwork Place have really puled together a collection of everything from from chic and fashionable to scrappy and casual. Check. It. Out! All that for only $21.99.



Thursday, March 18, 2010

Million Pillowcases for a Cause

During the course of the past few months, quilters across America have been gathering together or flying solo and creating pillowcases to donate to American Patchwork & Quilting's "1 Million Pillowcase Challenge".

As you may remember reading here on the blog, we hosted the Sharp Needles last month (and today!!! we made 16 in 2 hours) on one of of their meetings and they knocked out quite a few cases and these have been distributed to the Methodist Children's Home in Mandeville.

Bright Hopes has reserved one day each month for the next three months as "Let's Make a Pillowcase" days. These pillowcases will be donated to Lake Pontchartrain area charities.

If you are interested in taking part in this ongoing project and wish to learn more about it, please visit the All People Quilt site . There you will find lots of good information on the Challenge, keep track of the Pillowcase Count (over 44,000 sew far!) and find downloadable patterns for the pillowcases in the event you wish to get a head-start and make a few on your own!

Join us April 10, May 22 and June 12 from 10 am to 2 pm as we sew pillowcases.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Voila!


Here is the newest Block of the Month from Bright Hopes Quilting, sewn by Mona! It's called "Romantic Blooms" by Kit Morse and Julie McAufille and using the fabric line by Alex Anderson.

The photo looks a bit wonky because it is so large, we were forced to take the shot sideways! It looks somewhat reminiscent of a medallion quilt and Mona says making the blocks will fine-tune your sewing skills.

We are going to be offering it as an 8-month BOM, $20.99 per month and Pearl is taking sign-ups now. Please give us a call to reserve your space. (985) 845-9554

Two weeks ago, Linda Kay taught our second helping of Lagniappe Classes and here are the stools:
So cute...... and keep in mind, we have another one coming up on March 20 making the Biscuit Basket and you have to register in advance.

I have to show another new sample that we have up on display using a pattern called Big Bang!


Phillip Jacobs designed the fabulous flower fabrics and this pattern really does allow them to show off their boldness. Click on the photo to see the fabrics and take a close look at the seashells, a personal favorite of mine.

Lastly, this Friday, March 5, is Sit and Sew and we welcome you to bring in those UFOs and make a day of it at Bright Hopes Quilting!