Dear Oda May,
I love this Pinwheel
Baby Quilt and want to make the exact same version. But I can’t find the
Snippets charm packs anywhere. Can you help me?
Pinwheel Pining in Paducah
Dear Pinwheel Pining,
Snippets
by American Jane sure is cute with all of those paper dolls, daisies, and
polka dots! It is out of print (OOP) and now hard to find (HTF). My first suggestion is take a look at
American Jane’s latest collection, ABC 123. Won’t that make a perfectly pretty
pinwheel quilt?!
If your heart can be satisfied by Snippets alone, start with your local quilt shops. They often hold
on to inventory a bit longer than online shops.
Next, try online auction sites. Then, take to social media to see if
there is another quilter out there who has the fabric and wants to do a trade.
And finally, you never know what an internet search might bring. Search for
American + Jane + Snippets and don’t give up if the first page doesn’t yield
success.
Sincerely Snippets-less,
Dear Oda May,
I love the Moda Bake Shop! I have so many ideas for using
pre-cuts that I’d like to share with your readers. How can I become a Chef?
Wanna Cook in Walla
Walla
Dear Wanna Cook,
The Moda Bake Shop thanks you! We love you, too, and all of
our dear readers. So you wanna be a Chef? First, take a look through all of our
wonderful recipes and make sure your idea is not too similar to a published
project. Second, sketch or sew up your project idea. It doesn’t have to be
complete, but it should give an idea of how the finished project will look. Third,
submit your application right here {Moda Bake Shop Application}. Be sure to check "submission."
Rolling in Recipes,
Dear Oda May,
Last year I joined a local quilt guild, and I have made so
many wonderful friends. It’s such a joy to sew with others who are passionate
about the same craft. The annual guild retreat is coming up, and it will be my
first time to go on a retreat. I am almost paralyzed with indecision. What
should I pack? How many projects can I make in 3 days?
Reflective Retreater in Racine
Dear Reflective,
How wonderful to find a shared joy with others! I remember
my first quilt retreat like it was yesterday. Luckily for you, I have a short
list of packing “must haves.”
-Sewing machine (don’t forget the foot pedal!)
-Rotary cutter and mat
-Thread snips
-A good cotton thread
-Extra needles
-As many Moda pre-cuts as you can stuff into your bag
(rolling bag recommended)
Seriously, my dear, Moda pre-cuts are the only fabric to
bring on a retreat. Most of the cutting has been done for you so you can
maximize your sewing time (and still have time for those whispered quilt
retreat chats “Is she really going to just lop the ends off that fabric to make
her borders? Well, I never.”)
Have a lovely time!
With Retreat Envy,
8 comments:
I have found many OOP fabrics through Etsy, so it really pays to have a good look. I'm in Australia but have been able on several occasions to find yardage for borders, backing and binding to finish off quilts (for which I had bought the fabric long ago)
Hi, Oda May: My daughter just found fabric she was looking for on eBay.
Fabulous! :o) I too have had luck doing a quick web search with the name of the fabric. :o)
Advise for retreat goers.....don't forget your sewing machines cord either! It and the foot peddal are about the only things that you can't beg, borrow, or steal from your fellow retreat goers.
Going on retreat? Yes, be sure to pack the cords/foot for your machine. My friend forgot hers once and we had to drive back halfway home (rendezvous with her DH) to get it. Also an extension cord and an OTT light if you have one (retreat room lighting is not always as good as you have at home)Cut your projects up and be ready to sew. Bobbins; wind lots of bobbins to match your projects and be sure to take the matching threads. If you do hand work, take some with you, sometimes you want a break from sitting behind your machine. A pillow or cushion~the seats are guaranteed to be less comfy than the one you use at home.A dollar store lint roller; not only to keep you looking presentable, it's also great to clean up your space a little bit before you leave (especially if there's carpeting on the floor!)
A catch-all for your scraps (we tape brown paper bags to our desks)Is your retreat having show and tell? Take a fave project and brag about it. A retreat can be a perfect time to get advice or help on something you're unsure about.
Have fun....take a nice big wine glass....(after you've switched the machine off for the day!!)
Fabshop's Fabsearch is a wonderful resource for hard to find fabrics.
http://www.fabshophop.com/fabsearch.asp
Another way to find a certain fabric or charm pack is to google the name and click on "Image". It will bring up a page full of the fabric or charm pack your'e looking for. Now click on the picture and in most cases it will take you to an online store that still carries that line.
I second those who say don't forget your foot pedal/power cord! I run quilt retreats in the French Alps and that is something often forgotten. One year a lady used her laptop power cable for her Bernina. Lucky break! Sandra has given all the same good advice I give my campers. One add'l item for overnight retreats is earplugs for sleeping. Happy quilting!
Post a Comment