Braced Star

  The goal when I started blogging was to post sixty 6 1/2" blocks.  We are slowly approaching that goal.  This does not mean that I will stop.  It does mean that it is time for new ideas.  I have a few in mind so we will see what will happen.  
  As for the 6 1/2" blocks, I have been piecing them but I have just over half of them made.  I hope to have it finished this year, not in 20 years.  haha  We will continue to tape the blocks for youtube.  That helps me in getting the blocks sewn.  Thank goodness.
  Today's block is Braced Star.  Sew the center first, then the star points.  Sew the block together at an angle.

Braced Star

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

  Medium fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  star points

  Four Medium to Dark fabrics
    cut one  1 1/4" x 2 5/8" rectangle from each of the four fabrics

Keep quilting,
  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  

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

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

Fabric Junction-A History Lesson

Fabric Junction hasn't always been this bustling quilting business you see and hear about today.  Yes, Terry has been sewing since before 6th grade.  But the store got its start when Terry wanted to sew clothes for her children, back in the 70's.  As her expertise grew, Terry was asked to create and repair clothes for friends and family.  From there she expanded to baby blankets.  In 1982, she started entering craft fairs.  Crocheted and baby nursery items were her favorite things to enter. 

Soon she started sewing formal wear-prom and wedding dresses for the ladies, and tuxedos for the men.  Along with creating original apparel, she started doing alteration work for the public.  With a daughter who was a dancer, Terry quickly learned how to make dance costumes.  She was hired to create costumes for many dance troupes in the Black Hills.  She was also asked to make costumes for an old west bar in Deadwood, and costumes for various theater productions in Rapid City.  Although she sewed clothes for other people, Terry had been quilting for herself for years. Her earliest quilts were quilted on a sewing machine, taking a week to finish after the piecing.

She opened her store in 1998.  Originally, she offered fabric for clothes and quilting.  In 1999, she bought her first long-arm machine.  This allowed her to add quilting services to her repertoire.

As the store became more successful, she spent most of her time offering fabric, notions, and service for the quilting side.  She started traveling to quilting shows all over the U.S. in 2004.  This allowed her to expand her knowledge in fabric and technique.  She also became well known here in South Dakota.  She eventually needed a business partner to help with all of the responsibilities.  She partnered with one of her sons, Chris, in 2012.  Chris soon became indispensable with his knowledge of sewing machines, embroidery, buying, and administrative duties, to name a few.  The same year, they decided to carry Baby Lock sewing machines.  The store is now an authorized dealer and a huge source of machines and support in our area.

As the store grew, the footprint of the brick and mortar store grew from 600 square feet to 2400 square feet.  At this point, we're busting at the seams with fabric, notions, two long arm machines, and multiple finished projects that beautify the walls in the store!  We boast six employees who are almost as knowledgeable as Chris about our fabrics, notions, and services.  All of our employees are sewers, so they completely understand your struggles and triumphs as you work through your projects.  Online, our store has expanded our business beyond our state borders.  We currently ship nationally and internationally on a regular basis.  It's a fun part of our day to see where all of our customers live.

Throughout Terry's journey, she has been an advocate for teaching what she knows.  Because of this she started a YouTube channel in 2013.  To date, over 24,000 subscribe to her channel to watch her clearly explain how to make quilts, table runners, scarves, pillow cases, and other beautiful projects.  We have also expanded into Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.  We hope to continue to reach people with our quality fabric art.

Terry's history with her store has been one of love, hard work, and service.  We can't wait to see what happens in the next 20 years!

Baby Lock Destiny II Launch Party!

We are so excited to be a part of the Baby Lock launch party for their new machine, the Destiny II!  Join us in the store on October 1, 2016 from 12:30-3:30 to see Nancy Zieman introduce the Destiny II live from Baby Lock headquarters.  If you bring your smartphones, you can get your questions answered live by the experts.

Watch a short video here.

In other news, our very first Row by Row customer came in with her project.  Doris brought her quilt by yesterday and showed us her beautiful creative design.  Thank you, Doris, for letting us see it!

Did you know we provide long arm services?   

We own two long arm machines and lots of quilting experts to help you finish your projects. We welcome you to come in or call to learn more about how we can help with every stage of your quilt.