Children's Summer Class Schedule

We are offering 3 classes this summer for children and thought you might like to see the projects. The quilt camp is 3 sessions , on June 12th, 19th,and the 26th. call or e-mail for time and details. The small patchwork purse is offered on Thursday June 23rd. 1 session 9.00-12.00 a.m. and the sling bag is Thursday -June 23rd 1.00-4.00p.m.Please give us a call for the details . Ages are 9 and up. Supply lists available when you register. We always enjoy seeing what the children pick for their projects and they always surprise us.

Nebraska authors book available at Calico House

We are so excited to have received the new book "Home on the Plains ":Quilts and the Sod House Experience published by Kansas City Star Books today. I hope you have been looking forward to its release as much as we have. We want to congratulate both Kathy Moore and Stephanie Grace Whitson on its release and a conclusion to all their hard work.

The bolts of Civil War Reunion by Barbara Brackman from Moda arrived Yesterday . Honestly they are just beautiful and feature red , grape, and blues throughout the collection. Several customers have actually swooned out load over them.

Cute purses featuring Soul Blossom by Amy Butler

Our customer Meredith stopped by today and we asked her if she would let us feature her purses she made using patterns from Amy Butlers Style Stitches book. There are 12 basic patterns from chic clutches to delicate wristlets and pretty hobo bags. Meredith also used Amy's new Soul Blossom fabrics are't they cute? We hope this inspires you to try some of these fun bold fabrics. And a big thank you to Meredith for sharing her finished projects.

Polka Dotted Chili Pepper Fabric

It would be fair to say that we truly love all things with polka dots, even chili peppers. And the plan is to be working on a table cloth and napkins using these new arrivals shortly. We will keep you posted when there finished. Don't these happy fun fabrics make you want to have some chips and salsa. I tried the peach salsa at Trader Joe's the other day and loved it. I get in a lot of trouble when I go in there, but its worth it.

Great Quilt classes for Adults and children

A good time was had by all. If you missed our QIY event, remember Lora has classes on Machine quilting and Quilting 101 coming up. Call or e-mail for dates and times. We also have great classes for kids in the summer and dates and times are now available,along with Samples for the class projects. I will try to get pictures posted shortly.

Join us in sewing blocks for the Quilts of Valor Project and help Moda

Please join us at the Calico House April 11th or April 16th in making star blocks for the Quilts of Valor Project that Moda is sponsoring. The block designed by Minnick and Simpson (fabric designers for Moda) will be set into quilts by employees at Moda . We need to have the blocks to Moda by May first. Stop in to pick your time slot (for Sewing) and pattern after March 23rd. The pattern is also available through the unitednotions.com web site , go to fun stuff and then down to the cutting table blog . It's easy to find from there on. We will have sewing machines and irons setup and ready for you. Questions, drop us an email or give us a call.

Are your rotary blades costing you time and heart ache?

A good time was had by all at National Quilt Day at the International Quilt Study Center & Museum and the Calico House. The museum had demonstrations and lectures all day and we had our QIY event for every one who could attend. At the museum Patt demonstrated one of our favorite new notions the Truecut rotary blade sharpener. The best feature is that you sharpen your blade while its in the handle. There is a sharpening stone stone enclosed that can be rotated 4 times before needing replacement. But the best news is you can sharpen 28mm, 45mm, and 60mm blades. There in stock and we can save one for you .

A BIG thank you to Carol Curtis, Lora Rocke, Mary Dittenber, and Carol Goodding for all your work and demonstrations for QIY.(quilt it your self) and to all those who attended. We hope you enjoyed it and picked up a few tips.

Are you looking for Dinosaurs?

We are always watching for cute dinosaur fabrics in interesting color combinations. Pictured are just a few of those that have just arrived. They are perfect for quilts and matching pillow cases . Stop by to see the companion fabrics.

Have you noticed that there sure seems to be a lot of babies being born. We have some beautiful soft flannels in a variety of colors, and I bet you could find 2 or 3 to make some receiving blankets. They are always a lovely useful present and really don't take that much time.

Hope you can stop in soon. And have a very fun National Quilt Day, March 19th.

QIY Event Demonstration Schedule , March 19th

Hope you are planing to join us Saturday, March 19th for our QIY (quilt it your self ) Event.

Here is the schedule of demonstrations

10:00-10:45 Marking your quilt top

10:45-11.30 Layering and basting your quilt

11:30-12:15 How to choose your thread, batting and needles

Lunch break

1:00-1:45 Choosing your quilt designs

1:45-2:30 Long arm quilting, what you need to know before you drop of your quilt

2:30-3:15 Hand quilting

3:15 -4:00 Binding your quilt

Mary Dittenber just finished quilting this quilt shown for the Calico House and I had asked here to quilt it as if the rectangles where individual tiles. She certainly met my expectations and will be talking about this quilt in her 1:45 demo and talk. Some times you know just what you want , but she will discuss how she chooses quilt designs for those customers who have no ideas when they drop their quilts off. The pattern is called Sassy Fats and uses 13 fat quarters and two border fabrics.The fabrics are from Michael Miller and kits are available.

A little bird told me there will treats for those who attend.

Blissfully Beautiful Batiks

It 's always a good day when a shipment of Hoffman batiks arrives. And this is just a preview of some of the new arrivals. I once asked the Hoffman rep how to tell the wrong side and they told me that the back side is usually less distinct . But honestly with Hoffman it is really hard to tell ,because their quality is so lovely. I also frequently have people ask if I prewash them. I usually do and only rarely do I have one that bleeds. If you have any problems I recommend that you use a product called Retayne, a color fixative for commercially dyed cotton fabrics. We have some in stock and it is available in small bottles. It is a good idea to use rubber gloves when handling this product. Please remember to unfold all fabrics before you wash them and take them out of the washer right away when finished.

Wonderful wine themed fabric

It is always fun to find a new fabric that features wine and cheeses and honestly they are really few and far between. Hope you love it. Let us know your ideas on how to use it.

Kick back , maybe with a glass of your favorite wine and go to Nifty quilts' photo stream and see the incredible quilts . I know you will be inspired . I first saw this thru craftgossip.com

We set up a twitter account today and will be tweeting your way soon.

Desperate to be a better machine quilter

Do you have piles of quilt tops waiting to be quilted. I know for most of us its fun to sew together all those fabrics we so love and could not wait to get home with. And yet so many of us are just afraid of that next step, the quilting. Well the book pictured here free motion Machine Quilting by C&T can and will help you. I am not that easily impressed , but Don Linn the author has written a wonderful book . It is thorough and assumes nothing. If you need the basics , it is written in a easy format and encouraging manner. I bet he is a great teacher. Like every thing you want to be good at practice is the key.

We will also be showing and talking about the basics at our QIY (quilt it your self ) Event at the store, Saturday March 19th. We have demonstrations and samples to share with you .So please stop by. It 's our way of sharing on National Quilt Day.

Exciting new fabric Designer

Welcome Stephanie of Lily Ashbury to the Moda design team. If you love brights ,view her complete line of Summer House at www.lilyashbury.com . I was not able to find it at the Moda fabrics web site yet and nor could I find a expected delivery date . We will keep you posted . I have noticed that all the yellow based greens continue to be very strong and pink and large bold designs are still the norm. Summer house has several bold florals and paisleys. I have a soft spot in my heart for paisley do you ?

On a totally different thought one of the requests we mention every year to our fabric reps are more fabrics with sports as the theme.

Of course we try for football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, hockey and hopefully those featuring both male and female players. I know this is an uphill battle , but we will keep trying. Luckily we did receive some exciting and unusual football, baseball and even hockey fabric this week. ( The three pictured here and there companion prints are just waiting for you to stop by.) Hope you like them . If you have any questions on them just drop us an e-mail.

www.calicohouse@neb.rr.com

Just Wing It by Momo for Moda

Fun new charm packs and jelly rolls by Momo have just arrived . You might remember their wonderland group from a few seasons ago that was their first group for Moda. Just Wing It has butterflies and lots of fun Springy colors. Its not feeling very Spring like here today , but we can see it from here.

I am taking a lot of pictures of new merchandise to share with all of you and we are almost ready to post our schedule for the QIY (quilt it yourself. ) Event. Carol has been making samples for us as we are all visual learners. So save the day March 19th and join us at The Calico House for a day of fun and sharing.

New designer for Moda: Aneela Hoey

This top photo was taken at last falls quilt market in Houston and its really helpful to see quilts made up in the new fabrics before we place any orders.

Its also exciting for us to find and share with you new fabric designers that we see as rising stars. Aneela lives in the Uk and designs and sells her fresh embroidery patterns , at http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk

I loved the reds and greys in this group Sherbert Pips and the sheer whimsy of her designs. Moda has a knack for finding and choosing new talent. All the precuts :charm squares , layer cakes and jelly rolls are in stock and the entire collection on the bolts will arrive in about 30 days . Be sure to look at Moda's web site for ideas using this fun collection , as they add to the bake shop frequently . ( this is free girls , you need to look)