May 2013 Fabric Newsletter

Gus shows us how to cut a circle

In this video, Gus shows us just how to cut fabric into circles for circular appliqué! Circles are typically hard to draw freehand, let alone cut out of fabric! Luckily, Gus has some great tips and tricks for cutting perfect circles every time. He uses the Hooterville quilt pattern as an example of when circle-cutting skills can come in handy.

Technique #1 - The Circle Ruler: This technique requires a circle ruler like the OmniArc Circle Cutter. Start by folding your fabric in fourths. Placing your folded fabric on a cutting mat, place the circle ruler on top (being sure to use the corner of the fabric where the folds meet as the circle center) and use the ruler to mark your fabric - to then be cut in a circle using the slits in the ruler. As Gus mentions, be sure to stick to the "One" rule. When cutting your fabric, subtract one inch from the desired diameter and use that slit to mark your fabric. Example: if you would like a 4" circle, use the 3" slit.

Technique #2 - Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite: Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite is a super-useful tool for doing appliqué in any shape -including circles! A lightweight double-sided interfacing, Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite has a temporary adhesive that allows you to position your appliqué pieces without worrying about them shifting. Once you're happy with their placement on your work, just iron the pieces to permanently fuse them in place - then appliqué away! To use Steam-a-Seam, just trace your appliqué piece (be it circle or owl, like the Hooterville Quilt) onto the interfacing, then press onto your fabric and cut out your shape. Voilà! You're ready to fuse!
*Gus's Tip: If you're doing a circle with the Steam-a-Seam, before fusing cut a smaller circle out of the middle so you have hollow circle instead of a solid shape. When you fuse it, the fabric will only be stiffer along the edges where the interfacing is, making your piece more supple overall!

Technique #3 - Adhesive Spray: Make your circle or shape template and use it to cut out your fabric shapes. Once the shapes are ready to go, you can use adhesive spray to then hold the pieces in place while you appliqué them! Gus also recommends pinning the pieces in place for extra security.

We overheard many oohs and ahhs when the Boho collection from Urban Chiks arrived. Boho is a vaguely '70s inspired collection featuring wonderful floral and geometric prints in a variety of colors. Groovy, vintage-looking posies popping in day-glow colors are sure to wake up your inner flower child. We just love the mix of small scale prints, like the Bohemian Daisies, and mid- to large-scale prints like the Free Spirit and Wild Child prints. Urban Chiks don't leave out the solids: the coordinating Basic prints bring some pizzazz without stealing the show.

Embrace your inner free spirit and let these prints inspire you. We think the Boho collection would coordinate wonderfully with the bohemian feel of the Mariposa Tee pattern from Sew Liberated or the Iris shorts from Colette for a fun addition to your spring wardrobe. There are also quite a few patterns from Kay Whitt's Sew Serendipity Bags book that would look fabulous in the prints from this collection. Try the Lunch Bucket Bag for the larger-scale prints or the Ruffle Hobo Bag with the smaller-scale prints. Whatever you choose, we're sure you'll love the Boho collection as much as we do!

We've got plenty of amazing fabrics on sale - here are some of our current favorites!

Dena Designs Taza Collection: 19% Off! The Taza collection from Dena Designs combines clean, crisp florals and bold geometrics for a result that is both contemporary and traditional. The soft blues, pinks, and greys that make up the color palette for this collection combine well together for mix-and-match potential for larger projects. Modern and still feminine, the prints from the Taza collection would look great on accent pillows, aprons, tote bags, and other home decorating projects. Try these amazing quilting cottons out on the Emmeline Apron from Sew Liberated or the Framed Tackboard from the One Yard Wonders book.

Jenean Morrison Power Pop Collection: 33% Off! Now is your chance to get these sugary, bright patterns in Jenean Morrison's Power Pop collection at a great price! The color palette is perfect for spring; and with a mix of small- and large-scale patterns in fun floral designs, you're sure to find one to suit your project. These mid-weight quilting cottons are great for a variety of projects, but we think the Dream all Day print would make a fabulous Bebe Dress from Serendipity Studios. If dresses aren't your thing, we also think the prints would be great for the projects in Craft Tree's Travel Accessories book.

Laura Foster Nicholson Ribbons: Starting at 25% Off! We are so excited to announce that we have ribbon in the shop now. And best of all, a lot of it is on sale! We immediately fell in love with the designs from Laura Foster Nicholson who is the in-house designer for Renaissance Ribbons. Available in a variety of widths, styles and prints, these ribbons make great embellishments for projects of all kinds. We love them as drawstrings for bags, edging, and even trim for skirts and sweaters. With so many great motifs (cakes, flowers, leaves), the hardest part will be choosing just one!