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September 3, 2011
 Greetings!  

I hope you've had a wonderful summer and have survived all that Mother Nature has thrown your way in the last few months.  For many of you, I know, the drought or hurricane or floods have brought big challenges. In Great Falls, VA where we're located, we saw the biggest earthquake in a century and the threat of Hurricane Irene -- both in one week!  We were very fortunate to suffer only very minor inconveniences.

 

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter. Please remember that you can also keep in touch with us via Facebook.  We really enjoy your comments and photos, so keep them coming! 

Colorplay Fabrics Coming Soon!
Colorplay Stack
Colorplay Fabric Collection
My next new "mini-collection" should be available in quilt shops and on our website in just a few weeks.

Colorplay features three fabric designs, each in four colors, for a real rainbow of shades.

The fabric is not yet available by the yard, but you can pre-order a Fat Quarter Bundle at the link below.

 Colorplay Fat Quarter Bundle



What's New
Kashmir Border Print Table Runner
This new table runner features fabrics from the Kashmir collection.  The table runner has shaded strips with a braided look that are easy to sew, and a center medallion and edging made from the Kashmir border print fabric. The kit includes all the fabrics for the top, back and binding.  And we also now carry 18" wide batting that's perfect for projects like these.Kashmir BP TR

Click on the link below or the table runner image for more details.
Kashmir Border Print Table Runner


 

 


Polly's Poinsettia

Polly's Poinsettia The December issue of McCall's Quilting magazine will feature the pattern for this log cabin variation quilt that I created. Polly's Poinsettia (yes, it's named for my grand-daughter!) is designed as an easy lap- or wall-size project that you can have completed easily before the holidays.

The magazine will be mailed to subscribers in just a week or two, and we'll be able to start shipping kits shortly after that. For more details or to pre-order a kit, click on the link below or the quilt image.
Polly's Poinsettia Quilt Kit


Quilter's Quest - Shop Hop & Quilt 

QQ2011 QuiltWe've been finalizing the details for our local shop hop, Quilter's Quest.  The Quest includes ten shops in Northern Virginia and Maryland and will run November 9 - 13. Those who take part in the shop hop can pick up one part of the pattern for this year's quilt at each of the shops.

This year we've done something a little different:  I designed the quilt, but each shop will be interpreting the design with their own fabrics, colors and border treatments. Our quilt is shown here.  It features some really beautiful appliqu� designed by shop staffer, Diane Kirkhart.

Although the quilt pattern is only available to those who visit all the shops in person, we are working on some project ideas with a similar look and feel for those of you who can't make it. Stay tuned!

And if you live within a day's drive, I really encourage you to come take part in our shop hop.  It's a whole lot of fun and there are some great prizes. You can find more information at www.quiltersquest.org.
 

Remembering 9/11/2001

Windows Quilt A week from tomorrow marks the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001. A friend and neighbor was killed that day. And like so many, I was overwhelmed with shock, grief, and by those horrible images.

 

Within days, I had begun a new quilt. Choosing fabrics and exploring the design challenges helped me work through my emotions. In October 2002, a little over a year later, I had completed my quilt, Windows, shown here.

 

You can see a larger image of the quilt and read a little more about this quilting journey of mine in the Quilt Gallery on my website. (If you click on the Gallery photo on the website, you can see a much larger image.)

 

I hope you will take a moment on Sunday the 11th to remember how much was lost and how much was changed on that lovely September day with the clear blue skies.

   


Ask Jinny:  How do you make border print curve?
Jinny, your Windows quilt is so beautiful. I understand there's no pattern -- which is fine because I think it's beyond my skill level!  However, I'm curious as to how you made the curved bands of border print around the center. Can you tell me how you did it?

Anonymous
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Segment-Windows QuiltThe curves are actually an illusion: the circular bands are made up of small wedges of fabric that have straight sides.  However, by dividing the band into many pieces, you can get the appearance of curves.

In general, this is how you can achieve a similar look:
  1. Divide the bands into segments. (The larger the band, the more segments you'll need to maintain the illusion of curves.)
  2. Straighten the top and bottom curved sections to straight lines.
  3. Make a template from one of the wedges.
  4. Cut the number of wedges you require from identical pieces of fabric.

I've put together a detailed response in the Ask Jinny section of my website. This isn't something you can accomplish "lickety-split", but it isn't as hard as it looks.  It just takes some time and patience. 

 

Do you have a design, color or quilting question for Jinny?  Send an email to [email protected]. Although she can't respond personally to your messages, she will select questions with broad appeal to be addressed in this newsletter and on the website. 


Jinny's Journey Block of the Month  - Bonus Pattern
JJ- Bonus Month 7
Traveler's Pouch pattern, courtesy of StudioKat Designs. 
Last month's block pattern was the Mariner's Compass. To give you some extra time to get the points just right, there's no new quilt block pattern this month. Instead, you get another bonus pattern!

This terrific Traveler's Pouch is courtesy of one our favorite pattern designers, StudioKat Designs. You can download this free pattern, and all the Jinny's Journey block patterns and materials published to date at the Jinny's Journey Download Page below. 

 Jinny's Journey quilt image 

Remember, the free patterns are only available via the link below so if you don't download the pattern right away, be sure to save this email.

 

[link available to subscribers only] 

  

We have complete kits and patterns ready to ship.  The kit is available with three different border color options!

See them all here.   

 

 
Happy quilting!

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