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INTERNET SPECIAL

WHAT'S NEW! 

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT 

READY TO RETREAT? 

Aloha!  

Nancy has just returned home from teaching lots of classes in Western Washington and Oregon the past few weeks. Classes in her home territory are particularly fun because they are a pleasant mix of long-time students and brand-new students. This mix brings the enthusiasm of beginners together with the wisdom of experience and everyone comes away better for the time together.   

Whether you are in the midst of summer heat, or in the chill of short winter days (down under), we hope you will allow your passion to lead you in new directions this month. 

E komo mai,

Welcome,

Nancy & Janice

Reach for something new     

Stuck?

At one time or another we are all guilty of resisting the urge to try something new because we have a preconceived notion about how hard it might be, or that it is somehow inappropriate. Following are just a few examples. Put yourself to the test. What misconceptions may be holding you back? 

Quilters are all gray-haired old ladies. This one is too obvious, but it points out how stereotypes linger in the minds of people who don't know better, and may stop us from doing fun things. As a quilter you know that quilters are young, old, male and female. Your age or gender should not stop you from starting something you want to do. Don't put off for retirement what you can do today.  

Machine applique is faster than hand applique. This one may be more controversial. From our point of view, hand applique is definitely faster because it is portable. Machine quilting can only be done while sitting at a machine, which means we can't be machine appliqueing at the doctor's office, on the airplane, at the beach, or spending time with the family! Yes, it takes longer to form a stitch by hand than by machine, but for us the quilt top is finished faster when it is portable. Consider, too, that speed is not always the goal. The rhythms of handwork are soothing and even therapeutic. Need a calming influence in your life? Try hand applique! 

Cotton batting is best. Well, best for what? Thin cotton batting has become the go-to batting for the majority of quilters today. But the various features of polyester, silk, cotton and bamboo batting mean that we should consider the look and use of our finished quilts when deciding which batting to use. Today we even have fire- and heat-resistant batting when that is important. If you've fallen into a rut, explore new things. 

Needleturn applique is hard. Only if you have not learned how to do it. With just five simple shapes (straight edge, inside curve, outside curve, point and valley), once you know how to do them you can do ANY applique with ease. Ready to learn? We know a good teacher. 

Hawaiian quilts are difficult to make. Only if you have not learned how to make them. Each step in making a Hawaiian quilt is easy, and Hawaiian quilts are made one step at a time - just like any other quilt. When you don't know how to do something, it is mysterious and can seem hard; but as soon as you know how to do it, the mystery is gone and the process is doable. You already know where you can learn the steps to make your Hawaiian quilt a reality. 

Quilts are only for beds. A misconception held by non-quilters. All quilters know that quilts can be hung on walls, worn as garments, used as tablerunners and placemats, carried as bags...and what else? Use your quilting skills to make something different.  

What misconceptions do you have that are keeping you from trying something new? When you are considering something new, remind yourself that perfectly average people have done this before you. You are at least average, so you can do it, too!

Sunflowers may not follow the sun across the sky each day, but you can follow your dreams wherever they lead you. Step out today and try something new.  

Follow your bliss 

Sunflower Fields

Don't sunflowers just make you happy? What is not to enjoy about a flower that grows up to twelve feet high, has a huge flower head with dozens of bright yellow or orange petals surrounding those delicious seeds. Those seeds, by the way, are inside individual fruits that are the product of hundreds of tiny flowers that make up the large and colorful flower head.   

The Sunflower has been chosen as the symbol of organizations, cities, states and nations; influenced artists; lifted the spirits and provided nourishment to weary travelers; and inspired all manner of noble ambitions. What will it inspire you to do? 

Our quilt puts orange flowers against a pale apricot sky. But your quilt can put yellow flowers against a blue sky, or in a green field. We have several color options for you to choose from in our Fabric Pack selection. Remember, when you are looking at our Fabric Packs, that you can choose any 2FAQ Pack to go with any 2FAQ quilt. There are three pages of 2FAQ Packs to choose from, and the choice is yours!  

Sunflower Fields: 24" x 36". Normally $12.00, for a short time this pattern is our Internet Special for only $10.00.

FLOWERS THAT NEVER FADE - Hawaiian Quilt  

Flowers That Never Fade

In our quest to make sure you never run out of creative options, this Hawaiian Quilt pattern offers you choices. Look closely at this quilt, and you will see that each of the four vases holds a different flower. Clock-wise from the upper left corner are: Orchids, Anthuriums, Heliconia, and Torch Ginger. The pattern provides templates, in large and small sizes, for all four flowers. You choose which flower, or flowers, to put in your vases.   

We designed this quilt so you only need one yard of fabric for the applique. Perfect for a special hand-dyed or other unique fabric. Check our new supply of Janice's Hand-dyed  

Flowers That Never Fade: Heliconia version

fabrics and sun-printed Langa Lapu fabrics to find something perfect for your quilt.  

TIP: If you are curious about how Janice made the quilt above, with different flowers in every vase, read our January 2011 e-Newsletter.  

Flowers That Never Fade:  42" x 42" pattern, $12.00.  Purchase your pattern here.    

• See more versions of this quilt in the Hawaiian Quilt Gallery on our website.
• Learn step-by-step how to make your Hawaiian quilt with our DVD: Hawaiian Quilting with Nancy Lee Chong  
• Ready to Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt? Then you are ready for our book & DVD set!