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SALE!!! | | |
More items added, look again!
Select Yardage &
Fabric Packs
40% OFF!
A great way to get great fabrics and save money.
Visit our Internet Special
page for the full selection.
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RAW-EDGE BINDING | | |
If you don't count the time it took me to select the two fabrics, it only took 2 hours to make this quilt using our raw-edge applique method. (See the Bear Aloft article at right.)
The first time I made a raw-edge 2FAQ quilt it took just 2 hours to make the quilt, but 3 hours to do a traditional binding! No good. I needed a binding that would take 10 minutes, not 3 hours. So, here is how I do a raw-edge binding now:
- Cut binding strips 1" wide (not on the bias), trim selvedges off both ends of the strips.
- Do NOT join the strips together.
- Iron strips in half lengthwise, right side facing out.
- Slip the edge of the quilt into the folded binding strip. Snuggle the quilt right up into the crease of the fold.
- Stitch the binding onto the quilt approximately 1/8" from the raw edge of the binding. This row of stitching catches both the top and under-side of the binding at once.
- Overlap binding strips by about 1/2" as you work your way around the quilt. Yes, you will have raw edges where your binding strips overlap, adding even more texture and interest.
NOTE: I miter my corners, but you don't need to. Just cut the strips even with the edge of the quilt at the corners, turn and keep going with another strip, for a little fluff at each corner.
 | | Where strips join on raw-edge binding. |
On Janice's last quilt with raw-edge binding she free-motion stitched a wonky, zig-zaggy line of stitching that wandered across the binding and onto the quilt top at random. No precision required, and even more fun!
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CURRENT
INTERNET SPECIAL | | |
Tropical Splendor
36" x 42"
Sale Price: $12.00
(Regular Price: $15.00)
Click here to purchase this pattern.
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I HAVE A NOTION | |
Introducing you to the notions Nancy & Janice use.
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Aurifil color card |
If you have been following us for any time at all, you have figured out that we love Aurifil cotton thread. We love it so much it is the only thread we sell.
We know it can be challenging to make your color selections on the computer. So, to help you out, we offer Aurifil's wonderful color card at a price well below retail.
This card has actual thread wrapped on cardboard panels. You are not making your selections from a photo, but from the real thread! What could be better?
Suggested retail for these color cards is $46.00. Lucky for you, we sell it for just $29.50!
Click here to buy yours.
The thread we sell:
- 50wt - perfect for hand and machine applique, and machine quilting.
- 28wt - wonderful for hand quilting.
100% Egyptian cotton,
long staple, made in Italy
(This color chart works for all Aurifil cotton threads, all weights.)
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LEARN NEEDLETURN APPLIQUE AT HOME | |
Bring the teacher home with you!
When you want to enjoy the gentle process of hand-stitching and do not need your quilt done quickly, then needle-turn applique is the method for you. Whether you have been appliqueing by hand for years, or have never tried it, there is a LOT for you to learn from either of our DVDs.
 | | 2 Fabric Applique Quilts with Nancy Lee Chong - $25 |
 | | Hawaiian Quilting with Nancy Lee Chong - $35 |
Click on the photos to read more about both of these videos and for help deciding which one is right for you. Enjoy!
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If you received this Newsletter from a friend, sign-up to receive future issues here: | |
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| Greetings!
 Just in case you are scrambling to put together one more gift for someone special, this month we show you how quickly you can make one of our 2 Fabric Applique Quilts using raw-edge applique. Don't crinkle your nose! It is a wonderful technique for a fast, good-looking quilt. Let us show you.
We also have a new shipment of sun-printed fabrics from South Africa. Read about who makes these luscious fabrics, then go pick your favorite before someone else gets it. From our homes to yours, we wish you a wonderful holiday season; filled with family, friends, peace and joy.
Mele Kalikimaka, Merry Christmas,
Nancy & Janice |
| BEAR ALOFT | | |
FAST! Raw-edge Applique
 Raw-edge applique often gets a derisive sneer from quilters. But let's take a few moments first to consider its benefits.
- FAST--an entire quilt can be finished, complete with binding, in just a few hours.
- SOFT--no fusible means the quilt is cuddly soft.
- DURABLE--stitched by machine.
- ATTRACTIVE--the soft edges are an added surprise when the quilt is viewed up close, and from a distance most people can't even tell when the applique has raw-edges.
 Hands down, we think raw-edge is the way to go when making a quilt for a child. This is a quilt that can be used, abused, and worn out - not saved. Who wants to spend months making a quilt by hand only to have it drug around by a toddler? But with this low-effort, high-reward technique you will not think twice about having your quilt be the one that is loved to death! But it is not just for kids, read on.
Here are the steps for raw-edge applique*:
- Pre-shrink all fabrics and batting.
- Mark the entire pattern (using the dashed lines) on the RIGHT side of the applique fabric (the fabric you see framing the quilt).
- Stack all the layers of the quilt on a table:
- Quilt back, wrong side up, then
- Batting, then
- Background fabric, right side up, then
- Applique fabric, right side up. - Baste or pin through all the layers, inside the bear, the balloons and around the frame (all the shapes marked with an 'A' on the pattern). TIP: Use a basting tack gun for really fast basting!
- Free-motion quilt along all the marked pattern lines.
- Cut near all the stitching lines, on the outside of the applique shapes, removing excess fabric and revealing the background. The quilt is nearly finished.
- Continue to add more quilting or embellishment if you want (and have time).
- Bind the quilt. TIP: Read Nancy's instructions for Raw-edge Binding, at left.
- Wash and dry the quilt twice, trimming away the loose threads after each trip through the dryer. This fluffs the edges beautifully. And you are DONE!
*More detailed instructions are included with every 2FAQ pattern.
Bear Aloft, 24" x 36". $12.00 Click here to get your pattern now.
We have a variety of Fabric Packs for you to make your Bear Aloft quilt. Click here to see them.
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Oak Leaves & Acorns,
Close-up of raw-edges |
This technique makes beautiful quilts from any of our 2 Fabric Applique Quilt patterns, not just for kids quilts. The soft edge of the applique adds another dimension to quilts like our Oak Leaves & Acorns (right), Peacock, Welcome, Rose Arbor, Sunshine,
...any of them, really.
Any time you need a fast quilt.
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| TROPICAL SPLENDOR | | |
Something Different
 Now, a pattern for those of you looking to take your needleturn applique skills in a tropical direction. This collection of flowers and greenery, collected in three vases, and arranged on a tabletop in an alcove, truly shows off the beauty of the tropics. Nancy has thoughtfully prepared this pattern, full-size, with every piece numbered, so you know the exact stitching order. Just stitch one piece at a time, and it will be done before you know it. Also included are details about the plants and their colors, to help make fabric selection easier. And Janice has hand-dyed all the fabrics you need for the applique in one easy-to-buy pack. She would even be happy to hand-dye the fabrics for the background, if you ask.
 | | Aloha Album centerpiece |
What began as the centerpiece for our Aloha Album pattern, became its own pattern after we received numerous requests for it as a stand-alone pattern.
This quilt could be fused and machine stitched, but we do not provide specific instructions for that with the pattern. Consider too, that the quilt top will become very stiff as succeeding layers of fabric and fusible are piled on top of each other.
TIP 1: Use fabric markers, paints or paint sticks to add shading, dimension, and character to some of the flowers in your vases. In this yellow version, fabric paint was used to get the heliconias just right.
TIP 2: When quilting, machine stitch in the ditch around and in the flowers and leaves, then hand quilt the vases, tabletop, and background - where your stitching will show.
INTERNET SPECIAL PRICING!
Tropical Splendor: 36" x 42". Normally this pattern sells for $15.00, but for a limited time you can purchase it for just $12.00, a $3.00 savings. Why not treat yourself to a new project for 2012? Buy It Now.
Purchase the pattern with the hand-dyed applique fabric pack and save $8.00. Click here.
Visit our Student Gallery II for more photos of Aloha Album and Tropical Splendor. |
| LANGA LAPU: SUN-DYED FABRICS | | |
Inspired by Nature
Molweni! Good Day! (a Xhosa greeting)
 A new shipment of Langa Lapu sun-dyed fabrics from South Africa arrived in late November. These 100% cotton fabrics, in hard-to-find sizes, are perfect for making quilts with our patterns! Langa Lapu is 'sun cloth' in Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa, spoken by 8 million people.
 Pru Bolus, and her team at Langa Lapu, collect foliage that is discarded by gardeners and florists. Then, using eco-friendly, light-sensitive dyes they expose these large pieces of fabric to the sun. A process done completely by hand, and only on the calmest, sunny days during the hottest months of the year, September through May. You can see that each fabric is a unique creation.
The pieces we have are especially perfect for Hawaiian quilts of any size, or consider them for any of your quilt projects.
- King-size 110" x 110" (exact sizes vary somewhat)
Beautiful as a whole-cloth quilt, just quilt it! Or for a bed-sized Hawaiian quilt, with no seams! - 78" (2 meter) lengths, approximately 60" wide.
Perfect for our Delicate Beauty quilt, or any Hawaiian wall quilt - enough for binding, too. - Yardage, 60" wide. You choose from 1 yard to 6 yards, for any of our quilt patterns!
 You have to see all these beautiful fabrics. They are one-of-a-kind, one each. First-come-first served!
Click here.
Let Janice be your personal shopper and help you pair these gorgeous fabrics with just the right companion fabric for your quilt.
 | | Gorgeous striation in vibrant colors |
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1/4 of a king-size piece, with huge leaves! |
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COMING EVENTS | | |
Nancy's Whereabouts:
Here are opportunities to take a class from Nancy, or catch one of her presentations at a show, shop or guild. Most guilds welcome visitors, so don't be shy.
Plan now for 2012:
- January 9 & 10, Foothill Quilters, Auburn, CA
- January 13 & 14, Quilting at the Lake, Lake Havasu City, AZ. Hawaiian Applique workshop, and a 2 Fabric Applique Quilts workshop. Sign-up now!
- Feb 18-25, Cruise the Hawaiian Islands with Nancy while you learn to design your own Hawaiian quilt. Cruise is full. We hope you will be onboard!
- Feb 27, Pahala Quilting, on the Big Island of Hawaii
- Feb 28, Quilt Passions, on the Big Island of Hawaii
- March 10, Jannilou Creations, Philomath, OR
- March 13, The Quilting Loft, Seattle, WA
- March 16-18, Quilters Anonymous Quilt Show, Monroe, WA. Both Nancy and Janice will be at this show with all our goodies for your shopping pleasure!
- March 27-29, Des Moines Area Quilters Guild, West Des Moines, IA
- April 25-26, Valley Quilt Guild, Yuba City, CA
- May 4-5, Mountain Star Quilters Guild, Medford, OR. Nancy will be the Featured Quilter and we will have our booth at this show!
Register early for classes. They can fill quickly, or be canceled if not enough people register in advance.
Click CALENDAR for details and contact information.
Nancy is booking classes, shows and events for 2012, 2013 and 2014. If you would like her to come to your area to teach, let your quilt shop, quilt guild, or show organizer know. Print Nancy's Brochure and pass it along.
QuiltUniversity.com
If you do not live where you can take a class from Nancy in person, then perhaps a class at Quilt University would work for you.
"No tests. No grades. No Pressure. New classes open every weekend from January until the end of October. Students receive a password to an online classroom with a teacher-led Discussion Forum and Student Gallery. A typical class consists of three or four lessons."
Nancy's next classes:
Celtic Tablerunner - begins Jan. 6
Hawaiian Quilting 101 - begins Jan. 27
Registration is open for classes starting in January.
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Thank you for spending a little of your precious time with us, we really appreciate it. Remember to send us your stories, pictures, questions, or suggestions. We love to hear from you. And have a wonderful holiday!
A hui hou,
Until next time,
Nancy & Janice
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