‘Sonoma Rose’ characters have an edge

I started reading Jennifer Chiaverini’s new Elm Creek Quilts novel, “Sonoma Rose” last night and couldn’t put it down. I plowed through half of the book before I decided I absolutely had to go to bed if I was going to be of any use today. Part of what has me so enthralled in Chiaverini’s […]

Stephanie Soebbing

13 February, 2012

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Block a Day roundup – Week 6

My goodness were we productive this week. In the Block a Day Challenge we completed 85 blocks and four quilts. Keep it up for a chance to win this month’s prize, a copy of Eva A. Larkin’s “Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy.” Now onto a virtual show and tell of our work this week.

Stephanie Soebbing

10 February, 2012

64

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Modern quilt inspired by an antique

I’m working on a new baby quilt. I designed the pattern to be a modern version of the pictorial kit quilts that were popular in the mid-20th Century. I have a few of the antique crib quilts in my collection. They feature one large image that is appliqued, embroidered or both. Some are on a […]

Stephanie Soebbing

8 February, 2012

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Virtual Shop Hop: Neal’s Vacuum & Sewing Center, Muscatine, Iowa

Quilt shop names often contain some clever word play. The ones featured so far in the Virtual Shop Hop series fit the bill. There’s Quiltology, A Quilting Bee, Quilting Divas and Quilter’s Heaven to name a few. But Neal’s Vacuum & Sewing Center in Muscatine, Iowa, is straight to the point. You know what you’ll […]

Stephanie Soebbing

7 February, 2012

401

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Spring Flowers table runner pattern

I’ve designed a spring flowers table runner that I’m teaching as part of a beginner quilting class. It’s a quick and easy project for quilters of all skill levels. You can use hand applique for the flowers or fusible web. I used the latter for this table runner. I’m offering the pattern as a free […]

Stephanie Soebbing

6 February, 2012

1.07K

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An essay on neglected quilts and houses

Everyone has heard a tale or two about a quilt that was found at a garage sale. The owners just didn’t appreciate the quilt or know how to properly care for it. So the quilt spent a few decades neglected in the attic or being used to keep the garage floor clean when it was […]

Stephanie Soebbing

4 February, 2012

83

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Have a question for Elm Creek Quilts author Jennifer Chiaverini?

New York Times best selling author Jennifer Chiaverini will release her 19th Elm Creek Quilts novel, “Sonoma Rose” on Feb. 21. This novel will continue the story line that was introduced in “Quilter’s Homecoming,” and will answer the question of what happened to Lars and Rosa after they fled the  Arboles Valley and Rosa’s abusive husband. […]

Stephanie Soebbing

3 February, 2012

151

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Block a Day Challenge round up – Week 5

This week in the Block a Day Challenge we gained five new members, finished five quilts – two of which will be donated to charity – and 27 quilt blocks. Congratulations on a productive week. Keep it up and you’ll have a chance to win this month’s prize, “Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy” by Eva A. […]

Stephanie Soebbing

3 February, 2012

36

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The Block a Day Challenge January winner is…

Hlberg! Hlberg was one of the first participants to join the Block a Day Challenge. In January she completed 33 blocks, 2 quilt tops and one quilt. She won three spools of variegated quilting thread. The prize for February is a copy of “Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy” by Eva A. Larkin. The book teaches you […]

Stephanie Soebbing

1 February, 2012

31

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Block a Day Challenge – January round up

The object of the Block a Day Challenge is to finish more quilts in 2012, and boy did we finish some quilts in January. If you’re just now joining us for the Block a Day Challenge, here’s how it works. Spend a few minutes each day sewing one quilt block. Then take a picture of […]

Stephanie Soebbing

31 January, 2012

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