Here is a fun idea for that 4th of July backyard Bar-B-Q or tailgate party. All you need is a couple of wine glasses (I use plastic ones for outdoors), some battery operated tea-lights, and a little time in your sewing room with the new Quilt-Smart pattern for wine glass lamp shades. Whip some shades up in red, white, and blue fabric, add a little trim if you like, and you have a very simple, fun decoration for your party. Do them in white lace and you have a perfect addition for your wedding reception tables. Why not some pastel “shades” for the baby shower? These are sure to get comments – and they are fun and easy to make. Bright colors will add a magic glow to that special birthday party. Check out your local Quilt-Smart dealer (or buy them on-line if you can’t find them in a store near you) and start designing your next party.
After a little time off – away from my desk – traveling around the country turning my grandson into a dolphin and other such wild sewing activities, I am now back home in Virginia setting up a pretty aggressive sewing class schedule. We will be hosting some Fabulous Free Furlough Friday Fun Festival (F6) demos beginning in July at Quilt and Sewing Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I have set up some beginning sewing classes that should be fun for everyone. I am also continuing my series of Heirloom Notebook Classes and offering some heirloom projects along the way. One of the most fun project classes is our Heirloom Christmas Stocking with a Twist. The twist is, if you decide not to make a stocking, we will show you how to take the techniques and design whatever is your fantasy – it might be a pillow, table-runner, baby coverlet, bell-pull – you decide and we will help you design and complete it. As an added incentive, after the 20 hours of class instruction and some home sewing on your own, we will have a special little wrapped gift for your stocking (or whatever) for everyone who finishes the project by the last class.
Our beginning sewing class schedule is filled with mini-one-day (3-4 hour) classes where you can complete the project before leaving (or with minimal sewing left to do when you get home). We have placemats, tote bags, sachets, bell-pulls, table runners, etc. planned that will delight your creative side. If you are in the area, drop by the shop and sign up for some of these little min-classes.
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