Practical Orchard

  Binding, binding and more binding.  Sometime it seems like that is all that I get done.  Thank goodness that I quit doing it by hand years ago.  I would not be able to keep up.  Besides my hands gave out some time ago so I bind only by machine.   Being busy is a good thing, not a complaint.
  After a busy day, it is nice to do a simple block.  Today's block is Practical Orchard.  You can mark your diagonals first and sew, then cut if you like.

Practical Orchard

  

Cutting
  Light Medium fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  use 2 triangles for hour glass

  Dark Medium fabric
    four 2 1/2" sq.
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  use 2 triangles for hour glass

Relax and enjoy,
  Terry

Merry Kite

  As I have been working with the different blocks, some of them I think would make some interesting quilts.  If I only had the time to make them all.  As the year proceeds, I will see how many of them get made.  I would like to see what you are coming up with using the blocks.
  Today's block is Merry Kite made from flying geese and squares.

Merry Kite

Cutting
  Light Fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese

  Light Medium fabric
    eight  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  eight for flying geese
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for center

  Dark Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" sq.  for outer corners

  Dark fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.  for flying geese
    eight  1 1/2" sq.    

Golden Gate

  Do you ever get your fingernails done?  You know that I do if you have ever watched my youtube videos.  It is one of things in life that I enjoy doing.  About twenty years ago, I found out that there was a way from keep me from biting my nails.  Yes, I was a nailbiter.  I have always wanted long nails but as a biter that was not going to happen.  For twenty years now, I have been getting my nails done.  She does a French manicure because with all the sewing that I do I wear the polish off before it was time to redo.  They look longer then they really are because of the way that they are done.
  On to today's block--Golden Gate.

Golden Gate

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one 2 1/2" sq.  for center
    four  1" x 2 1/2" rect.
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.

  If you have not seen the real Golden Gate bridge, take time to do so.  It is impressive.
  Terry  

End of Day

  There is nothing like breaking up the day with a visit to the dentist.  There wasn't any problem but it changes the tempo of my day.  First, you are busy piecing, then the dentist, then trying to get back in the swing of sewing.  It seems like the dentist just sucks the life out of me.
  Enough of that, on to today's block--End of Day.  What a neat block of HST and squares.

End of Day

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    four  2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    four  2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    four  2" sq.

  Just a reminder that you can sew your HST first then cut them.  Your choice.
  Terry  

Birds in the Air

  What a great way to start the new year with soup night with the grandchildren.  For Christmas, some of the grandchildren gave me some soup mixes that they liked.  So tonight, I fix one and had bread and crackers to go with it.  Cookies for dessert to finish it off.      
  For today's block-- Birds in the Air.  This one is a nice change of pace, made with five large triangles.

Birds in the Air

Cutting
  Medium fabric
    one  6 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle

 Dark Medium fabric
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle

  Dark fabric
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

Happy piecing,
  Terry  

Maple Leaf

  The snow has melted or maybe the wind has blown it away.  I forget how windy the fall can be.  The leaves have all moved to the next state.  So how appropriate that today's block is Ozark Maple Leaf.  Once again a great block of squares and HST.

Ozark Maple Leaf

Cutting

  Light fabric

    two  2 1/2" sq.

    four  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST

    six  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric

    one  2 12" sq.

    two  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST

    three  1 1/2" sq. 

  Dark fabric

    one  2 1/2" sq.

    two  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST

    three  1 1/2" sq.

Enjoy the block,

  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

Country Music

  Yes, I like country music.  Just watched the CMA awards, in which I enjoyed all the performers.  I do enjoy all types of music but country is my favorite.  I like the old twangy sound of the old singers that I listen to with my dad.  The country singers of the 60's and 70's that my mom like and everything since then.  Maybe my enjoyment is related to the memories with my parents, a little two stepping or foxtrot with my mother in the kitchen to Eddie Arnold or Charlie Pride.  My parents were avid square dancers, sometime I got to tag along.
  This block is in their honor--Square Dance.  Make the sides using the same method as making flying geese.  You will have extra fabric on the sides of the geese.  After the geese are made, check to make sure they measure 4 1/2" to match the center square.  Trim a little if necessary.

Square Dance

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
    one 4 1/2" sq.

  Dark Fabric
    eight  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.     

  I hope that you take time to dance even if it is by yourself while doing the dishes.
 Terry

Another Day

  Sometimes, it is hard to think of what to write.  I spend most days quilting.  That is not very exciting for some but that is my job and I enjoy it.  I sew samples for the shop, create for Fabric Junction's youtube channel and make quilts that I have been commissioned to do.  Today was not any different.  I was hoping to have my 6" block quilt finished by now to show you what could be done.  No, I am still working on it.  The good thing is that the blocks are all picked and my fabric is cut.
  Today's block is At the Square.  Use your favorite method in making the hourglass units that are in the corners.  Either cut the squares diagonally twice then sew or mark them diagonally, sew and cut, repeat twice.

Cutting
Light fabric
  one  2 1/2" sq.

Medium fabric
  two  3 1/4" sq. for the hourglass
  four  1 1/8" x 2 1/2" rect.
  two  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.

Dark fabric
  two  3 1/4" sq. for the hourglass
  four  1 1/8" x 2 1/2" rect.
  two 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect. 

Hope that you get to spend your time doing what you enjoy.
  Terry

  

November Days

  As the days get colder, the more I enjoy sewing.  I can sit at my sewing machine and look out the window watching as winter comes this way.  The leaves have fallen, the nights are colder and frost is on the windshield of my car but I am warm and safe at my sewing machine.  Have you ever noticed how time goes quickly when you are busy working on that new project or finishing an old one?  I lose track of time all of the time.  
  Time for the next block--Card Basket.  I don't understand why it is called Card Basket for it doesn't look like cards or a basket.  There are 3 great types of squares in Card Basket.  HST are in the corners, hour glass units on the sides and a square in a square in the center.

Cutting

Light fabric
  two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice then sew or sew then cut (pick you favorite method for making the hour glass)
  one  1 7/8" sq. for the center

Light Medium fabric
  two  2 7/8" sq. for HST

Dark Medium fabric
  one  3 1/4" sq. for hour glass
  two  1 7/8" sq. for sq. in a sq.

Dark fabric
  one 3 1/4" sq. for hour glass
  two  2 7/8" sq. for HST

Stay warm,
  Terry  

Safely Home

  It is nice to be home after a great weekend in Pierre.  The ladies were wonderful and lots of quilts and food.  I enjoyed myself and met some great quilters.
  Today was soup night with the grandkids.  They came and went.  The mess is picked up.  I thought this would be a great time to share another block.
  Cat's Cradle was picked so that you can do half square triangles that will be sewn into larger triangles.  They are then sewn to another triangle to make the square used in the block.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 1/2" sq.
    three  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    three 1 7/8" sq. use with the dark fabric   1 7/8" to make HST

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.
    nine  1 7/8" sq.  use 3 of them with the light fabric 1 7/8" sq.
    cut the other 6 diagonally once to make the larger triangle

I think that this is a fun two color block.  Enjoy
    Terry

Another Soup Night

  Another soup night is over.  The grandbabies were over for chili and chocolate cookies. Fun and games was played by all until the parents came to pick them up.  It is wonderful to have them so close.
  Tomorrow I need to get everything ready to go to Pierre.  I will be teaching at a retreat this weekend.  I have to make sure that I am prepare for the class and truck show.  
  Today's block is made of half square triangles and 4-patches.
Here is Prairie Queen.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for the HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for the 4-patch
    one  2 1/2" sq. for the center

  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for the HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for the 4-patch
  Reminder  HST--half square triangle

  Prairie Queen is a block that I used in a lap quilt.  The size of blocks that I made were 9 1/2".  The light fabric was the same throughout the quilt.  The medium fabric was different in each block.
  Have fun.
    Terry

Busy Week

Greetings,
  It is late.  I was going to post earlier but I was busy long arm quilting.
  Here is today's block--Greek Cross.

Cutting
  Dark fabric  
    two  2 7/8" sq. for half sq. triangles
  Medium fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq. 
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for half sq. triangles
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
Use your favorite method to make your HST.
  Check out our tutorials on youtube at Fabric Junction.

Enjoy,
   Terry
   

Questions

Hey Everyone!  
Sorry it's been awhile since I've updated the blog.  We are chugging along this spring.  We finished our Shop Hop last week.  We are getting ready for a quilt show in Rapid City.  We are planning our summer sewing programs and retreat.
In the meantime, I'd love to ask you a few questions...

1)   What's your favorite sewing machine?
2)    Are you already wearing shorts or are you still bundled up in your winter coat?
3)   When does school get out in your area?
4)   What are your plans for this summer?

I'll stop there.  We would love to know where our readers are from and what's going on in their lives right now.  It's fun to learn about our internet friends.

To get us started, I'll answer the questions, too.

1)  My favorite sewing machine was the one my Grandma used when I was growing up.
2)  I am currently wearing a winter coat.  I am very jealous of my family members who live in Texas and North Carolina.
3)  School gets out the last week of May.  I'm hoping the snow will have melted by then.
4)  The store is planning our children's sewing classes and adult retreat.  We always have a fun time getting ready to see our Rally friends, too.  Personally, I'll be sending the kiddos to basketball camp, softball practice, and the pool.

If your kiddos are a little younger, make sure to check out our panel of the week.  We have Quilting Treasures What Little Boys are Made of panels for $5.25.  There are some really cute coordinating fabrics that would make somebody a darling quilt.  Check it out here:

We hope you have a great weekend!  I can't wait to come back Monday and learn more about you!

Baby Lock Sale and Other Stuff

Sturgis hosted its annual motorcycle rally last week.  Around here, we start counting the days until fall after the rally ends.  (Sometimes it's a short count.)  This fall and winter are promising to be colder than usual, so we are going to make sure our sewing machines are tuned up and ready to go.


If you need a new machine, this might be the time for you to buy one from us.  We are running a great promotion on two of our Baby Lock machines.

Baby Lock was the first to introduce the world to sergers with easy air threading and no tension knobs.  The Baby Lock Ovation Serger brings you the largest workspace in the home serger industry.  The Ovation has other innovative features like a knee lift and six bright LED lights to make every sewing project easier.  Plus, you get 87 stitch combinations including the Baby Lock Exclusive Wave Stitch.  

MSRP-$5,999.00  

Sale Price-$3,999.00

We are also offering the Baby Lock Ellegante3.  With hundreds of built-in embroidery designs including exclusive Nancy Zieman designs, the Ellegante3 makes it easy to make every project unique.  Baby Lock IQ Technology works with the "brain" of the Ellegante3 to help you transition between sewing and embroidery.  Plus the IQ powered LCD Color Touch Screen lets you effortlessly change your machine settings.  Additionally, with on-screen editing, you can put a unique spin on designs from your personal library.

MSRP-$6,999.00

Sale Price-$3,888.00

Supplies are limited.  Sale ends September 5, 2016.  You can order your machine by calling the store at 605-347-2235.

Our Wednesday fabric sale is our brand new Studio E Mariposa Meadow line.  This line includes beautiful blues, purples and pinks with a butterfly design.  These would make a great option for those of you who watched the Disappearing 9 Patch tutorial and liked the fabric we used.  (Which has since sold out.)

Regular Price-$12.50/yard

Sale Price-$10.00/yard

As school gets started and you have a little more free time, we hope you come and visit us in Sturgis.  Or browse our website for free patterns, tutorials, and of course, our high quality quilting supplies.

Our Greatest Asset

Well that would be you, of course.

Our customers come in with an idea or two.  














They go home with some raw materials.  

 

 

And they create masterpieces.

(These customers used our Sturgis fabric and our Row by Row kit.)

We love seeing our customers' finished projects.  They show us the brilliant creativity that our sewers possess. 

If you come in to the store for fabric, notions, or just help, we would love to see what amazing quilt you come up with.

The Machine Expert

This week we are introducing you to Fabric Junction's other store expert, Chris Koontz.  Yep, you read that right!  Chris is Terry's son, and is the go-to guy for machine repair, embroidery, order fulfillment, and whatever else needs to be done.

Chris is the second child in the Koontz family. He started his career in construction and sales in school and started working for his Dad after college.  He learned the details of business ownership and excellent customer service from that experience.  Now, he applies those qualities to Fabric Junction.  

Chris spends a lot of hours at the shop.  He's the cameraman behind Terry's YouTube videos, the certified Babylock representative, payroll manager, and he may even be the one that quilts your project when you drop it off.

 When Chris does have some free time, he spends it with his wife and three children.  As a family, they have criss-crossed South Dakota many times participating in Taekwondo meets, baseball tournaments, and soccer games.  If you want to impress Chris, tell him your favorite quote from Friends or Pawn Stars. 

Chris and his family support small businesses here in South Dakota.  They also enjoy the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally where they meet people from all over the world.  

The next time you're in Fabric Junction, make sure to ask Chris to show you around!

Next week, we will introduce you to one of our helpful and efficient employees.