Crosses & Losses

   Talen stopped by to help me make salads for Christmas eve.  His favorite thing to make is the pinwheels made from jello and marshmallows.  He is going skiing tomorrow so I am on my own baking pies.  Before he left, he made his request for an apple pie.
  Today's block is-- Crosses & Losses.

Crosses & Losses

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq. for HST
    four  2" sq.
    one  3 7/8" sq. for HST

  Medium or Dark fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq. for HST
    one  3 7/8" sq. for HST

Enjoy your weekend,
  Terry

Weathervane

  Our customers have picked up their quilts in time for Christmas.  So the next couple of days will be slow with the exception of a husband or friend purchasing a gift certificate.  This gives us the time to get some of those odd and ends done before the new year starts.
  On New Year Day, check out our online only fat quarter sale at junctionfabric.com.  
  Moving on to today's block-- Weathervane.  It is made of an array of HST, flying geese, squares and rectangles.  You have done all of these before.

Weathervane

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  use 8 for the flying geese

  Medium fabric
    eight  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles  use 4 for the flying geese

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq. for center
    four  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

Have safe trip if you are traveling for the holidays.
  Terry  

Babies

  Friends and family are adding to their grandchild numbers.  This is wonderful.  I currently have 10 grandchildren.   I feel very fortunate.  Please, add these new babies to your prayers.  One of the babies came a month early, so far everything is alright.  Another one, the mother is having problem and they think the baby may come early.  We pray that baby and mother will be fine.  Last, but most important is my nephew and his wife.  They just found out that the baby will be born with heart problems.  Pray that mother makes it close to term and that the doctors know how to help the baby.  Thank you for your prayers.
  Today's block is--Peace & Plenty.  More HST and a few flying geese.  I know that it is not new but look at all the different ways in which they are used.

Peace & Plenty

  Cutting
    Light fabic
      four  2 3/8" sq.  for HST
      eight  1 3/4" sq. for flying geese

    Medium or Dark fabric
      four  2 3/8" sq. for HST
      four  1 3/4" x 3 1/2" rectangles for flying geese

Thank you,
  Terry  

Countdown

  The week is counting down until Christmas.  Are you ready?  I am one of those last minute people.  I have almost finished my gift making.  Talen said that he will help me making the dinner fixin's.  He is such good help.  He wants to make sure that we make apple pie (his favorite).
  Until then, here is today's block--Jefferson City.  There is not anything new in this block just squares and triangles.

Jefferson City

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    four  1 7/8" sq.
    one  2 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    four  1 7/8" sq.

  Dark fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice

  Relax and enjoy a hot chocolate,
    Terry
    

Snowball

  Wind, wind and more wind, with all the wind I don't know if we will have a white Christmas or just wind.  Either way I am a little closer to being ready.  Just about have all my gifts made and wrapped.  
  This weekend my oldest son, Ryan will be receiving his doctorate in engineering.  A must to attend.  We are very proud of him.  Also, another Christmas program with Christopher's children.  Looking forward to see them perform.
  Snowball is today's block.  Use the stitch n flip method when sewing the squares in each corner.  Stitch n flip is when you place the smaller square in the corner and sew diagonally across the small square.  Cut off the corner and press.

Snowball

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Medium or Dark fabric
    one  6 1/2" sq.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
  Terry

Triplet

   Well, I didn't get my tree decorated.  I spend the day sewing Christmas gift for my family, that was more important.
If I keep up the work, I may have everyone taken care of by Christmas.  I hope that you are getting your holiday ready to enjoy with family and friends.
  Today's block is--Triplet.

Triplet

Cutting
  Medium fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice creating 8 triangles, you will use 6 of them
      two  2 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice creating 8 triangles, you will use 6 of them
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Terry

Busy Time

  December is the month that gets busy with the grandchildren's programs.  Saturday, we watch two of the girls, Maeve and Brooklyn, in the Nutcracker and Sunday was Anya's choir concert.  Next is church Christmas programs.  No matter what it is, it is wonderful to watch them all.
  So if your schedule isn't full yet, here is today's block--Tulip Lady Fingers.  Just a few squares and HSTs.  I did this one as a tablerunner a couple of years ago.  The runner is also on our youtube channel, Fabric Junction.  Click HERE to go to it.

Tulip Lady Fingers

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.
    four  1 7/8" sq.  for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  1 7/8" sq. for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.

Just a reminder that HST is for Half Square Triangle.
  Terry

Quilting

  Our quilters are busy, busy, busy like Santa's elves getting everything ready for Christmas.  Today was their day off so Christopher and I stepped in.  We spent the day long arm quilting to make sure that everyone's quilt is finished on time.  It is always fun to see what others have made.  The variety that our customers create is great.  We are not to the bottom of the list but just a little closer.
  Today's block is Windblown Square.

Windblown Square

Cutting

  Light fabric
    one  4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice
    two   2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    one  2 7/8" sq. for center

  Medium fabric
    one  4 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice, use 2
    two  2 3/8" sq.  cut one diagonally once, other one use in HST

  Dark fabric
    one  4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice, use 2
    two  2 3/8" sq. cut one diagonally once, other one use in HST

Have fun.
  Terry

     

One More

  I can't believe that November is half over.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming fast.  My Grandmother always told me that as you get older, the years seem to go faster so enjoy every moment.  I feel that she may be right.  

  Buckwheat is the next block.  To sew this one, I did the four-patch in the center first.  Then, cut the large squares twice to make the HST.  Lastly, matching the triangle in the corners.  I sewed this block in 3 sections at an angle.  Normally, we sew in horizontal rows.

Buckwheat

  

Cutting

  Light fabric

    two  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice for HST

    two  1 7/8" sq. for center 4-patch

  Medium fabric

    three  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice for HST

  Dark fabric

    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for HST

    two  1 7/8" sq. for center 4-patch

Terry       

Quilting

  Have you picked your fabric, yet?  I am making my blocks from Northcott's Toscana line of blues and purples.  Also, using white solid as my light.
  Here is today's block.  It is Album Star.  The star points are made from flying geese.  I used the stitch and flip method.  You place the square in the corner of the rectangle and sew it diagonally.  Trim the extra off the corner and press.  You can check out the technique on youtube.com at Fabric Junction under making flying geese--3 different methods.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle
    four  2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
    four  2" sq.

  Medium or Dark fabric
    two  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
    eight  2" sq.

Enjoy the block,
  Terry

The Satisfying Sentiments of Christmas

Christmas Countdown

3	days
86	hours
5202	minutes
312170	seconds

No need to panic.  Just thought I'd take a screen shot of a Christmas Countdown page I had found.

We hope you are enjoying your Christmas holiday, whatever that looks like to you.  We have been having extremely cold weather, even for South Dakota.  Last week we experienced two days that didn't get above 0.  And the wind chills had us in the -20s and -30s.  It's not my favorite.  But to be honest, once it hits a certain temperature, cold is just cold.  It reminds me to be thankful I have a warm house to come home to.

Here at the shop, we have been enjoying filling our customers' orders while they browse the store.  They look over finished quilts, table runners and even some infinity scarves made from Cuddle material.  The TV runs Terry's YouTube tutorials quietly while Christmas music plays on the radio.  Our classes have been suspended until the new year.  Christopher is working on a sewing machine that has been brought in to be fixed.  Our ladies industriously work on the long-arm and embroidery machines.  They efficiently finish gifts to be given over the holidays.  Customers arrive and leave carrying their machines, finished projects, and a few items to be used for their next project.

As busy as these last few days are, there is a sense of satisfaction in getting things done.  Crossing items on our To Do list off.  Every finished task for us means another customer has what they need to help with their holidays.  We are grateful to see these customers regularly.  We are also grateful for our customers we don't see personally, but who we get meet through our online presence.  The comments on YouTube, Facebook, and email are always read with a discerning eye.  We want to make sure we are meeting the needs of the people who watch and follow us.  

Our website has been a great way to reach out as well.  We are one of very few stores that have a website that allows you to order online.  We have shipped all over the country and internationally.  Our shipping department gets a kick out of all the addresses in which we get to label and send supplies.

I hope you have gotten a little glimpse of what's going on in the store this week.  We also hope you understand how important you are to us.  Thank you for supporting this local store.  We look forward to serving you throughout the holiday and the upcoming new year.

Merry Christmas!

My Spin on a Holiday Classic

Have yourself a quilting little Christmas.

Pour yourself some wine.

From now on your fabric can be bought online.

Have yourself a quilting little Christmas.

Make your new quilt green.

From now on your new stuff will be shipped for free.

Here we are shivering in the snow,

Happy summer days behind.

Quilting blocks for our blanket now.

Yes, we'll show them how, we bind.

Through the years we all will sew together,

If the fates allow.

So have yourself a quilting little Christmas now.

Free shipping from Fabric Junction within the US. Now through Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!

www.junctionfabric.com

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Credit:  Brad Lebrun

This is the view of an elementary school building about an hour west of us.  The snow fell yesterday.  Needless to say, the kids got a break from school in that town.  We have gotten some snow here, too.  Enough that the kids have missed two days of school.  Well, I'm not sure they've missed it.  But you know what I mean.

Yesterday, we couldn't even open the store.  The snow was blowing sideways.  The streets weren't plowed.  It was cold.  Walking to the car reminded me of those old cold medicine commercials.  The one where people have their heads bowed down, pushing through the blizzard, shivering in their coats.  The snow has finally died down today.  Only the wind continues to blow.

While we were closed, we missed our customers who come to visit us.  Thankfully, they could still order online if they needed to.  Our website is up 24/7, every day of the year.  If you ever need anything, please check on our website.  Flannels, thread, fill, widebacks, and more.  You can even place an order for quilting services.  We may have exactly what you're looking for!  www.junctionfabric.com

If you do get a chance to visit, bring your scissors.  In addition to cleaning and servicing machines, we now have the ability to sharpen your scissors.  Let us help you make the season bright by keeping your equipment shiny and new feeling.

Wherever you are, we hope you are having a fantastic festive season.  We would love to see your holiday creations and feature them on our blog!  Send them to junctionfabric8@gmail.com.

Planning Ahead

I might be a planner.  I really don't like to fly by the seat of my pants.  I don't accomplish much and I usually get a hole in my pants.  Having children has altered my plan making abilities a little, but it still makes me uncomfortable.  

Terry is the same way.  She loves to plan ahead.  And she loves to help you plan ahead.  If you're that kinda person.  That's why she has taken on our new Block of the Month.  In November, it's hard to think about summer.  Or at least next summer.  I'm still thinking about last summer. <sigh>  But by getting this BOM started now, you will have a beautiful, patriotic quilt done just in time for the 4th of July.

To help you out, Terry has started her YouTube video tutorials for this project.  The first month is right here:

You are welcome to join us every month.  We can ship right to your door so that you can follow along.  Here's the sign-up:

Marcus Fabrics Star Spangled Liberty Sign-Up

Our holiday sale is getting better and better.  Don't forget to look at our sale page for cute fabrics and panels.  Or sophisticated.  Whichever side you lean towards.  We have fabrics for everything from quilts to wall hangings to table runners to placemats.  And we have the videos to help you make them.  If you make a mistake, we have tools to help you with that, too.  We just got in new scissors, snips and tweezers by Famore Cutlery.  Take a look on our Notions page.  We're hoping you might want some.  If not, maybe a sewer in your family needs a stocking stuffer.

Thanks for following along.  We really appreciate everyone who reads our blog, views our YouTube channel, and surfs our website.  Feel free to comment, call or email us if you have any questions, need some supplies, or want to provide feedback.  Have a great week!

A Nation....Tired.

I'm not one to comment on the political process.  I believe both sides have some ideas worth value and some that should be tossed in the trash.  God in heaven rules and nothing is a surprise to him.  But wow, am I tired!  Are any of you taking a huge breath of relief that it's all over?  What will we ever fill our time with now?  

I know!  Let's fill it with quilting.

How cute is this?!

A customer of ours from Virginia sent us this picture.  She used our panels to make an adorable baby gift.  I love these Northcott Connector Playmat panels.  The kiddos can even run their cars and planes and boats on them.  It's like a soft, portable train table!   

Need some ideas for home decor for the holidays?  Come look at our Thanksgiving and Christmas items.  Currently on sale.  Saving money on gifts just means you can make more gifts, right?  I'll also let you in on a little secret.  We still have a few Halloween items in stock.  They are 50% off.  Want to plan ahead?  Or just like Halloween?  Pick up a few things before they are sold out.

Terry has posted a brand new YouTube tutorial.  If you have a bunch of scraps laying around, this might be your ticket to de-cluttering.  You can watch this quick, 7 minute video here:

I hope that this week brings you interesting things to create, a friend or family member that loves your work, and the energy to get it all done!

Pumpkins and Turkeys and Trees, Oh My!

Normally, I balk at the idea of Christmas sales before the first snow.  

But seeing as how this is a quilt shop, and you need time to finish your gifts, I think it's perfectly appropriate to be having a sale now.

So, as some of you know, our holiday sale is in full swing!  This week, Halloween is 30% off with panels starting at $5.75 and yardage at $7.55.

Thanksgiving is 20% off, with panels starting at $6.55 and yardage at $8.35.

Christmas is 20% off, with panels starting at $6.55 and yardage at $9.15.

Click here to go to the sales page.

Check back every week throughout the season to see how low we can go.
                                                                                                            

Tis the season for falling leaves and football.  
Just three short years ago this area went through a little something called Atlas.  On October 3-5, 2013, Winter Storm Atlas swirled through the area with gusts of 70 mph.  Within a 30 mile radius, snow accumulations ranged from 14-58 inches.  Here in Sturgis, we received 29 inches in roughly 24 hours.  And rough it was.  Residents of the areas impacted reported more than $1.7 billion in damage, including lost livestock, downed trees, and structural damage.  A week later, it rained.
Was there a positive to all the chaos?  Most definitely.  The agricultural community immediately banded together to help their brothers and sisters.  People donated time, dollars, and even cattle from their herd to families in need.  And the people that donated weren't just from South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.  Local charities set up donation sites so that national and international residents could give.  

Every year about this time, we are reminded of the extreme weather that can occur in these parts.  We also remember the extreme care that our community gives to each other.  We are proud to be part of a community that withstands blizzards without complaint, provides for each other, and rises again.

Contest Time!

Otherwise known as, Whoops!  It's Thursday.

Sorry that I'm late in updating our blog!  We are having so much fun at the store that it kinda slipped my mind.  Here's what is going on:

• Lots of customers are coming in to stock up on their fall projects.  
• Our Christmas flannels are starting to be delivered.  
• We are in the process of installing a Smart TV for our live Baby Lock Destiny II Launch Party.
• We are smack-dab in the middle of teaching our 8-12 year old sewing students how to make headbands, key chains, baby blankets, pin cushions....and well, you get the picture.
• We are finishing 20 quilts this week for our awesome local customers.
• Terry just posted another YouTube video with an Easy Twist technique for your next project.

Do any of these things sound fun?  Click on the links that interest you for more information.

On top of all that, we are having a contest!  Like and Share our Facebook page for an entry to win an exclusive Sturgis Rally Gift Pack.  It includes a Sturgis Rally fat quarter, nail file and key chain.  If you follow us on Pinterest and/or Twitter, you get an extra entry.

Thank you for allowing me to be late this week.  I hope you are having a beautiful autumn season and are filling your calendar with enough projects to keep you busy as it gets cooler.  Don't forget to call or contact us online if you have any questions or need anything!