We are moving our Blog

Quilting by the Bay is moving to a new blog. Please bookmark our new blog address http://quiltingbythebay.com/blog/ and come visit us. On our new blog we have special pages for each of our Block of the Month programs where we will share tips and recommended accessories.

We have lots of great Block of the Month programs available at Quilting by the Bay. Come join the fun!

Happy Sewing!

Tracy

We are moving our Blog

Women's Voices

I’ve been working on the Women’s Voices Block of the Month quilt, which will be our shop sample at Quilting by the Bay. So, far I have 16 blocks finished, which I have photographed for a little sneak peek. There are 25 blocks and each month you make 2 blocks from the same pattern, but the colors are switched around in each block to make them look different. I will be posting an entry here on the QBTB Blog each month beginning in November for the blocks with images, tips and what I have learned along the way (which is a LOT). I am making mine according to our fabric key, but with the images I post you will be able to see where you can switch fabrics around to give the blocks and quilt your own voice.

Happy Sewing!

Tracy

Women's Voices

Carry Me Bag

I made another bag! This one was a lot of fun and would be a great tote for taking to classes. It's 18" long so you can fit some rulers in there and it's nice and sturdy!
All you need is the Carry Me Bag pattern by Bunny Hill Designs, a Patisserie Honey Bun and some basic bag construction supplies. You know interfacing, Timtex, and a few pretty embellishments.
One Moda Honey Bun will make 3 of these bags, so make one for yourself and a couple of friends.
The first step is to lay out the strips in an order that you like for the outside of the bag.
Be careful when pressing your seams it's really easy to get tucks on these narrow strips!
Constructing the outside of the bag can get a little tricky on the corners, but it's okay. Just use a lot of pins and you will end up with a fabulous curved seam! The Glass Head Silk Pins are my favorite! Joan recommended them to me and now I don't know how I ever lived without them.

Make your lining and pockets. You can choose how many pockets you want on each side. I made two pockets on one side and three on the other.

The next part can get a little tricky working with Timtex in the bag construction. So you might want to call in an assistant.
Unfortunately, I became very involved in this part of constructing the bag and forgot to take photos and my assistant turned out to not be very helpful with photography.
Just remember when working with Timtex you are the boss. You are in charge of the Timtex. Don't be afraid to bend it if you need to when sewing pieces together. It's will flatten back into shape and when you are done you will have a super sturdy bag that you will love!

Next add your binding making sure to keep your button loop and handles out of the way while you are sewing.


Sew ribbons on the sides of the bag and tie into a pretty bow.
All done! Load it up with supplies and off to class you go! :)
I used the Patisserie Honey Bun for this bag, but I think the Aviary Honey Bun would also make a really beautiful bag. I've got my rulers, rotary cutter, scissors, Best Press, pattern and a Layer Cake in there and room to spare. I Love it!

p.s. If you were at the 2009 Quilter's Paradise Retreat you may have gotten a sample Honey Bun in your goodie bag that is enough to make one of these bags. You will need to just add a few extra inches to your lining yardage requirement for handles and binding.
Happy Sewing!
Tracy

Carry Me Bag

Charms, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes...Oh my!

I love when the UPS guy visits the shop. It's like Christmas morning opening those boxes and seeing what goodies Sandy has been ordering for us. Just look at all of these Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and Charm Packs! Oh, my wheels are just spinning with ideas of what to make with these new collections. A Thanksgiving table runner using the Pumpkin Spice Jelly Roll and the Diamond Medley Pattern and a Charming Tote would be pretty with the Pumpkin Spice Charm Pack! I must be in the mood for Fall.

How about a Jelly Braid quilt using the Millhouse Inn Jelly Roll or the Pashmina Jelly Roll. There are so many options! Now, if we could just get the UPS man to bring us more hours in the day!

Check out our collection of Jelly Roll and Charm Pack patterns and see what fabulous ideas you can find to create with all of our new Pe-cut fabrics.
Happy Sewing!
Tracy

Charms, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes...Oh my!

Women's Voices

I’m working on our shop sample for the Women’s Voices Block of the Month program. I’ve finished the first block and I want to share it here with you. Just a little sneak peek. When the first block ships in November I will post photos that I took in various stages during the block construction and share any tips that I discovered right here on the QBTB blog. It will be our Block Blog support! So, come on by the shop or click on over to the online shop and sign up for the Women’s Voices Block of the Month program, then be sure and check back each month when you receive your block and follow along for tips and photos here on the QBTB blog.
Tracy

Women's Voices

Magical Elves

Santa is coming to town and he is bringing elves that can seam rip and press fabric! I had no idea such elves existed. But what a great time saver! Imagine how much more sewing you can accomplish if you don’t have to stop to press or un-stitch your projects. Just call on an elf!

Quilting by the Bay has a great weekend planned for you October 23-25. It’s Santa’s Workshop Retreat. There will be goodie bags, demos, shopping, food, sewing machines whirring away and of course those magical elves! Who knew???

Where can I sign up? I can’t wait to see what these elves can do.

Oh, wait…Sandy just informed me that I should warm up my iron and get out my seam ripper. Hmmm…so much for the magic.

Hope to see you there!
Tracy

Magical Elves

That's a Big Bag Baby!

Okay, I finished the Chubby Charmer Bag and I want to share a few photos that I took while making it as well as some tips. This bag is so cool! You can actually fit a 13 x 9 casserole dish in the bottom and still have room to throw in a few bags of chips or maybe some beach towels and off to a picnic you go!
You start out with 48 charm squares. Arrange them in a pleasing manner.
Tip: Don't stress it...Batiks are always pleasing no matter how you arrange them!


Get all of your supplies together. Lining, fusible batting, Chubby Charmer pattern and magnetic snaps.

Assemble the bag according to pattern instructions.
Tip: Add the magnetic snaps (or velcro) before you put the lining in the bag.

After the lining was in I was turning the bag right side out and I noticed that it sort of looked like a frog. I just couldn't resist sharing that with you :) You can see my kitty helpers in the background hard at work as usual...
And there you have it! A gorgeous Batik Bag! But wait...

With the magnetic snaps on the sides undone look how BIG this bag opens up!
And for a little perspective, I put a 13 x 9 casserole dish inside. See, plenty of room to spare!

We have Batik Charm packs available at the shop in Green (as seen here), Blue, Pink/Purple and Brown/Golds. All of them would make a beautiful bag I'm sure. Also, consider using the Portabello Market Charm Pack or the Thimbleberries Charm Pack for a more homey look or come by the shop to check out our wide selection of Charm Packs. Oh...you could make a 30's bag, a Christmas bag, a patriotic picnic bag or maybe an overnight bag with soft floral fabrics. Just remember, you need 48 charm squares.
Have fun sewing!
Tracy

That's a Big Bag Baby!

The New Old Bali Pops

We finally got more Hoffman Bali Pops in the shop! Not the new colors of Bali Pops, which we got last week, but the old Bali Pops.
The original Bali Pop Colors!!
Mint Chip, Kiwiberry, Butterscotch, Mulberry, Strawberry Fields and Sherbert.
Oh, that makes me hungry...

Tracy

The New Old Bali Pops

Batiks are not just for quilts!

Do you love Batiks? Denise loves them so much she wears them! She made this shirt this past week and wore it to work on Tuesday. If there is a Batiks Anonymous we may have to admit her...

We have a great selection of Batik fabrics in the shop and our minds are always buzzing with ideas of how to use them. Currently I'm working on a Batik Bag using the Chubby Charmer pattern. I'll keep you posted on my progress. So, far I'm organizing my 5" charm squares in a pleasing manner, which is not hard to do with Batiks since they are always so pleasing :)
Maybe I'll be joining Batiks Anonymous with Denise hehe...
Happy Sewing!
Tracy

Batiks are not just for quilts!

More Figgy Pudding please!

I have been having so much fun with the new Figgy Pudding collection from Basic Grey. First I made this adorable quilt using one Figgy Pudding Layer Cake and Thimbleblossoms A Piece of Cake pattern.

Then last weekend I made a wine bottle gift bag using the pattern from Atkinson Designs book "Let's Do Lunch". The wine cover was so quick and easy and used only 2 fat quarters and...oh yeah...that bottle of wine...I guess I'll need to get another bottle of wine for the bag...hehe.

With the scraps I made up a little matching candy bag.

What should I make next? There are so many ideas...table runner, stockings, apron or maybe a Christmas tree skirt!

It's a good time to get started on your Christmas sewing projects and gifts. Don't forget to check out our O'Christmas Tree block of the month. It's only a 6 month program and you know what will be here in just 6 months....Christmas! :)
Happy Sewing!
Tracy

More Figgy Pudding please!

The New Hoffman Bali Pops

They're here!!!!
The new Hoffman Bali Pops arrived today and are they ever gorgeous!! Six brand new delicious flavors in Cappuccino, Cotton Candy, Mocha Chip, Spumoni, Green Tea and Berry Bliss.
Yum! I just can't decide which one I want...maybe I should just get one of each!
Come by and check them out before they are all gobbled up! :)
Tracy

The New Hoffman Bali Pops

Christmas in July

It's Christmas in July!
The new Christmas Mini Honey Buns from Moda are in the shop now. Each box contains 2 adorable mini Honey Buns and a pattern for a cute little Christmas Stocking! Using the two Honey Buns in the package you can make 6 stockings!


These are the perfect size for filling with little sewing gadgets or a few fat quarters for your favorite quilter...or for yourself :)

Check out the adorable stocking I made last night in just a couple of hours! It measures approx. 10 inches in length. It's so cute I don't want to give it up! But tomorrow I will hang it up on our Christmas display at QBTB and maybe Santa will leave me something special. Come by the shop and see all of the new Christmas goodies that have arrived! Glace from Three Sisters and Figgy Pudding from Basic Grey....mmmmm yum!
Tracy

Christmas in July

Beach Birdies

Who can think of being at the beach on days like we have had lately! Whew! Its hot! The nice place to be is in the AC at Quilting by the Bay - and then you can enjoy these really fun Beach Birdies - a new collection from Moda. Here's one of the 3 panels and there are some really cute coordinates to put together a throw, wall hanging or use for tote bags! There is even a Christmas panel with the Birdies all ready for the holiday!

Speaking of the holidays, we have a big surprise coming soon! Just wait till you hear what's coming this fall! Oh, the fun we will have! But in the meantime, we are working on ideas and inspiration for your holiday gifting. I really love to be able to make gifts - and my philosophy is I get the fun of planning and shopping, the therapy of creating and the joy of giving - so what a great way to stretch my dollars!

My dad loved his quilt! And my mom, the quilter, asked me if I made pillowcases to go with! So pillowcases he shall have - and it is a good thing to think of when giving that quilt. There is nothing like a set of matching pillowcases to go with the beautiful quilt. Guaranteed Bed, Bath and Beyond won't have anything nearly as beautiful as what a quilter can create!

Anita Goodesign has some really great Christmas designs coming out in July. One of them is a tile scene called Santa's Visit and my Designer Diamond has done a beautiful job. All Anita Goodesigns are multi-format so it really doesn't matter what embroidery machine you have. It will be at Quilting by the Bay in the next few days - its really gotten me in the spirit.

I need to take a break from quilting and get a dress done for our Alaskan cruise in July. I'm excited to be taking two classes with Margaret Miller - one Angle Play and the other is a class to set block collections. Our friends from Australia are joining us and we will stay with my quilter friend in Seattle and visit the quilt museum there.

Maybe I'll even blog from there!

Be sure to checkout the website and get signed up for Judy Niemeyer!

See you soon at Quilting by the Bay,

Sue

Beach Birdies

Life is a Garden

"Life is a Garden of Scraps" is the quilt you see ... sent to my dad for his 85th birthday. He should open it this weekend. And life sure dishes out some really dillys, doesn't it. And when things get tough, where do quilters turn - to their favorite quilt store - aka Quilting by the Bay! Sometimes to start a new project or just find that special piece of fabric to finish one... and sometimes its just to find solace in the beautiful fabrics.

And for those of you who have not been by Quilting by the Bay lately and seen the chairs full of fabrics, you are missing a real treat. In the last 3 days we have probably received 15 boxes of fabric! The new Moda Beach Birdies with great colors and patterns featuring cute flamingos - even a Chrismas one!

And the very best news is that Judy Niemeyer is coming! Not sure who she is - check out her website www.quiltworx.com and see all the dynamic choices for her projects. She will be at Quilting by the Bay for 8 days! Because her class space is limited we have scheduled her so not only are there a variety of techniques available but also class spaces to accomodate our dedicated quilters. We are told her classes fill quickly so we are taking deposits now. Call or stop by QBTB for more info.

Enjoy your quilting time!

We look forward to seeing you soon at Quilting by the Bay,

Sue

Life is a Garden

Retro

What a great birthday party at Quilting by the Bay this weekend! It was so fun to see our QBTB family and reminisce and also share the fun and excitement with new friends! There was a real special moment for me yesterday when friends were uniting around the store and I thought back to those early days - getting to know you.... and now, it isn't unusual when we look at a new fabric collection or a specific bolt of fabric that we say "that's perfect for her". One of our customers walked in the door on Friday and said "I'm in my happy place!". That's what it is like for me at QBTB - my happy place where I can enjoy helping, planning for the future and especially be inspired by your creations.

And the walk down memory lane went down a long road back to my Harvest Gold appliances when our new fabric collection from Timeless Treasures called Apples arrived! Wouldn't you know I would like something with a food name! The colors and prints are really fun - apples, trees, owls and flowers with a swirl blender to match. Think ahead to the holidays and the quick aprons, table runners and placemats that you can create for those on your list of think early gifts. I'm thinking those fun "6 Halves Make a Whole" Placemats.

I've taken another walk down memory lane this week as I finish up my Blooming Scraps quilt that will go to my dad for his 85th birthday. I took it to show my mom, the woman who inspired me to start quilting and my dad wanted it. Oh, what a terrific solution for the ever challenging birthday present. As I work on the binding, I see the different scraps which remind me of the project or the event in my life related to that fabric.

And now, it is time to meet with my therapist! Frank is outside helping Pete today so I don't have to chase him around to retrieve things he swipes.

Thanks to all of you who make Quilting by the Bay my happy place and the wonderful quilt store it has become - and especially to Sandy and Al who strive to assure that our quilt store will be well stocked and full of inspiration.

See you soon at QBTB!

Sue

Retro

Happy Birthday Quilting by the Bay

It's our Birthday!! Quilting by the Bay first opened it's doors 7 years ago. We are celebrating June 12th and 13th by having a fantastic online special of 15% off books and kits. Check out the website at Quiltingbythebay.com

Also, come by the store today and join in the fun at our Lucky 7 Sale. During our Lucky Seven Sale our special is buy 5 get 2 of equal or lesser value free (minimum 1 yard cuts for fabric). For example, buy 5 spools of thread - get 2 free; buy 5 fat quarters get 2 free; buy 5 yards of sale fabric at $4.99 - get 2 yards free; and yes someone has already asked - if you buy 5 sewing machines we would be happy to give you 2 free ; ). If you have one of our Coupon Books there is a coupon for a free gift with any purchase over $100 too.

There are great deals on our Husqvarna Viking sewing and embroidery machines too, with prices starting at $299 you don't want to miss this opportunity to take advantage of some of the lowest prices we have ever offered on Emeralds, Sapphires and Topaz machines. Our Sapphire 850, regularly priced at $1899 is only $999 for 2 days only!

Happy Birthday Quilting by the Bay

Choo Choo Puppy

As a child, I was fascinated with trains. My grandfather was a train engineer and it was a real treat to go to the end of my grandparents' street and watch him bring the train in. Train travel was so common "back in the old days". Now with the fast pace of life, trains have lost their role in our daily lives. But not for our doggie clan - they have their own personal choo-choo train - and our furry friends are on board. What a great cuddle quilt for a little one, espeically when it is backed with Minkee. Stop by and see it - the quilting (done on Belle, of course) just makes it that much cuter! I wonder if I could get Frank (our dog who is always into mischief) to hop on board and take a ride so I can get some uninterrupted quilting done!

I've had a day to spend with my therapists (aka my Designer SE and Designer Diamond sewing machines). For many years I have wanted to make a Hunter Star quilt - and you know, those diamonds can just be such a pain. When Sandy and I were at Quilt Market we met Deb Tucker who designed the Rapid Fire Hunter's Star technique. So this week, I set aside some time to try it. It is so easy, the pictures are so clear and the instructions included are for both right and left handed quilters. I have everything ready for a demo board which should be done by the end of the week so you can see how easy and fun this technique is. I'm hooked!

Lots of new things to see at Quilting by the Bay,

Sue

Choo Choo Puppy

Buckeye Beauty

Here's a little sneak peek at one of the new Hoffman Bali Pops that are coming soon! This quilt pattern is called Buckeye Beauty and it is made with the new Spumoni Bali Pop. There are 6 brand new and delicious Bali Pop flavors on the way and available for pre-order. You can view them here in the Quilting by the Bay online store.

Buckeye Beauty

Vienna

Hmmmm - where do I want to go now? I haven't seen a good waltz since Dancing With the Stars ended so I guess I'll just have to travel to Vienna. That's a really long trip to just get the new Vienna collection by Timeless Treasures that has arrived at Quilting by the Bay. Its yummy in Harvest which is Sandy's favorite. My favorite is the one called Neutral and I really like the geometric rectangles. Maybe a set of placemats from 6 Halves make a Whole or the new 6 Halves Make a Whole Lot More - don't laugh, I'm actually planning Christmas presents - the key word to that sentence is planning!

While Sandy was at Spring Market we were busy finding things in the store room - and we found some kits for which we could not find a pattern. So now they are really nice mystery quilt kits waiting for your imagination.

Another fun week at QBTB - new fabrics, new books and a new blog tomorrow with a sneak peek behind the scenes at QBTB.

Its always a good day at QBTB.

Sue

Vienna

Trick or Treat

A trick - not from Quilting by the Bay!!! Yes, its a haunting panel and collection of Halloween blenders from Red Rooster called The Haunted Hallow with nice rich autumn colors and Sandy's favorite pumpkins! Tricia is already planning her trick or treat bags...

Have you seen the August 2009 American Patchwork and Quilting magazine which features the Bali Bag at Quilting by the Bay. It is really cool to see our store in print in another national magazine.

Today is a real treat for me- I'm at home quilting without Frank. For those of you who don't know Frank, he is our beagle who steals fabric and makes me chase him to get it back. Good exercise but delays the creative process unless you consider how to resurrect the dog eared quilt square part of the creative process. I'm working on a quilt called Confetti out of a new beautiful pearlized collection, "Spring Street", coming soon from Hoffman Fabrics.Fabrics.

Saturday is a great day to stop by Quilting by the Bay - see you soon!

Sue

Trick or Treat

Lakehouse Fabrics

Lakehouse Fabrics

Wow! The UPS guy just loves QBTB - he calls it job security - we call it "in love with the new fabrics"!!! Look at the great new Lakehouse fabrics that Sandy found at Spring Quilt Market. It just sings of summer with the butterflies and beautiful blue background. Oh, what a wonderful quilt this would make!

And have you checked out the Quilters Paradise Retreat for 2010? Although it seems far off, lots of quilters are already planning for the event. Pat Wys is teaching her specialty - Silver Thimble Extravaganza! Students in her class can actually get all the tidbits for every quilt being made - and there sure are some great quilts and projects. You can get the info at Quiltingbythebay.com and also register online.

Keep checking our blog or sign up for the RSS feed to have it delivered to your email. I hope to keep you inspired!

Sue

Lakehouse Fabrics