Monday, August 8, 2016

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

One of my go to projects for an easy gift to make is an infinity scarf.  With a yard of fabric and 30 minutes I have a home made accessory that I can either custom make to go with my wardrobe or make one as a gift for a friend.

Follow these step by step instructions to make your own infinity scarf.

Supplies Needed:
1 yard fabric such as double gauze, cotton lawn, rayon, or light weight quilters cotton.
Coordinating cotton thread
Sewing machine with basic tools
Rotary cutter with new blade
Cutting mat
6 1/2" x 24 1/2" or 8 1/2" x 24 1/2" ruler
Scissors
Pins

Ready to go?

I used a double gauze from Cotton + Steel called Trinket.  I like making scarves from double gauze because they are lightweight and soft to wear.  Who couldn't love these smiling daisies??


Start out getting your fabric trimmed up and ready to sew.
1. Fold fabric in half matching selvage to selvage.
2. Trim both short sides so you have clean straight edges.
3. Cut the length of the fabric at the selvage edge then cut fabric length wise at the fold so you have two pieces approx. 20" x 36".


4. Match the two short sides right sides together and sew 3/8" seam and press open.
5. You will now have one long piece of fabric approx. 20" x "71"
6. Fold fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together. Match the edges together and pin.
7. Sew 3/8" down the long side. This will create a long tube.


8. On both short ends place a pin at the seam and the opposite side from the seam marking the half way point.
9. Reach in the fabric tube, grab the far end and pill the fabric into the tube. Careful to not lose the pins or stick yourself.
10. Bring both short sides right sides together.  Here is where you want to put a twist in your infinity scarf.
11. Rotate the inside short end and match the seam to the pinned half way point of the outside short end and pin.
12. Pin the outer seam to the where the inside halfway pin is.


13. Place a few more pins around edge leaving a 4" opening.
14. Sew 3/8" seam around the edge leaving the 4" opening. Stay stitch at the beginning and end.
15. Pull the right side of the scarf out of the 4"opening until the scarf is all the way out.


16. Whip stitch the 4" opening closed.


Voila!  You have an amazing infinity scarf made by you.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Market Mayhem from Salt Lake City 2016

Fresh home from Spring Quilt Market and I have so much in my head of wonderful promotions, events, programs, projects and patterns we want to do.  As we learn and grow we want to share our passion and information with you. I thought what better way to share than to write a blog for you. I will try not to make it a grand novel but give some you key ideas of what is coming for you at the shop.

Lori Holt Booth

Quilt Market overview before opening

Dear Stella Booth




One of the key things all of us at the shop like to do it share our ideas and knowledge.  Between all of us at the store we have over 100 years of quilting and sewing experience.  That's a lot of information we have to share.  I am fortunate to have such an amazing staff full of experience.  In the next several months you will see us strive to not only share with you when you ask for help but also create some wonderful promotions to teach you tips and tricks to make your quilting and sewing experiences even better. We all strive to learn more and do better in what we make so why not give you some events that will focus on doing just that and for FREE!!



Latifah Saffir 




Classes are something I always get excited about because it focuses on a pattern or project that we love.  All of us in the shop have our favorite styles and types of projects whether they be traditional or modern quilts, bags, clothes, housewares, etc.  Fortunately we all take turns teaching classes for these types of projects we love.  You will be seeing even more classes coming in a variety of projects. If there is something you would like to see us teaching please let us know.  You never know it might be one we have coming or it may be one we can create for you.



Sassafras Booth with their new minis

You can't do classes without having clubs and block of the months.  You will be seeing even more of these coming in the fall PLUS we are going to start a Saturday Sampler program AND a new concept of block swap.  We are so excited for this I can't contain myself. We are hammering out the details and will be launching these soon.








I know a lot of you like going on retreat and attending quilting and sewing events.  While my dream is to be able to provide you wonderful retreats some day, I know that we can at least achieve some mini retreats and events in the shop.  We have an amazing Christmas in July retreat coming and information is one the website calendar now.  We are creating swag bags and even more freebies as we get closer to the event.  You won't want to miss our first mini retreat in the shop.  There will be goodies galore so sign up now to reserve your space. My hopes is to do more of these types of events for you so please feel free to share your ideas of what you would like to see.





Almost to the end of all the excitement. Fabric is of course our true addiction and what inspires us to make and create wonderful things.  We went crazy finding all kinds of lovely fabric and maybe even a little overboard but really there is no such thing as too much fabric (even though my husband would disagree).  So please keep coming to visit us whether it be in the shop or online.  We always have new fun bright fabrics, patterns and notions coming in for you to love as much as we do.



My final words to say are Thank You!!  To all of you who support me in my dream. To those of you who visit my shop and share my passion.  Especially to those of you who tell your friends and even strangers sometimes that they need to come see us.  Without all of you I could not be doing what I am doing today.  I truly appreciate all of you who have "Embraced the Mayhem" and truly keep us going. Please keep visiting, keep sharing and tell everyone you know what wonderful things we have to offer to everyone.


Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Mendocino Giveaway

We are so excited about Mendocino! The full collection has been in the shop and online (here) a couple weeks now, but this week we will be receiving the trunk show to go with it!!

Come by the shop later this week to see the "Anemone" Quilt in person and to pick up your quilt and pillow case kit bundle. (You can also get the bundle on our website here.)


In the meantime check out our Mendocino giveaway!!!



One lucky winner will win a bundle of 8-fat quarters from the line.


There are multiple ways to gain entries into the giveaway. You can even gain an additional entry for each day if you share the giveaway on Instagram using hashtag #qmmendocino! Be sure to follow @quilting_mayhem! (You can use this badge below.)

Entries close on May 9th. We will announce the winner in our newsletter (sign-up here) and on our Facebook Page on Tuesday, May 10th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Anniversary!!

Can you believe it has been a year already?? I can't.  So many things have happened since then.  The first day we opened is just a blur.  I want to thank all of you who have helped me along my journey.  I have made so many new sewing friends.  I am truly thankful.

Just over a year ago Katie joined me in my crazy dream to open and amazing quilt shop in Snohomish.  She has been my rock, my sanity and the devil on my shoulder.  She met me at the shop every day to cut and prep all the bolts of fabric that had been waiting in my home.  Alix soon joined us in dragging bolts from my house to the class room.  Unwrapping bolt upon bolt with my boys Alex and Zach.  The day we finally had the bookcases ready you'd think we won the lottery.  Katie and I were so happy every day we came in and got to look at our color wall.  We were like kids in a candy store.  Fabric candy that its.

Here are a few pics from the beginning:




My house was a little taken over before we got the store location.  Once we found the Snohomish location I knew it was meant to be.  Here are some pictures from how the shop looked during remodel.




Who knew shelving would make us so giddy with joy??  The day we were able to start building the color wall we were head over heels in love.  My poor contractor Bryan thought we were nuts.




Aren't these just the prettiest things you have ever seen?

Soon we had our opening day.  What a insane day that was figuring out the computer system and getting everyone through the store. My poor husband patiently dealing with all the problems for us and continues to put up me when we have "issues".  I have to give a shout out to my mother, Donna, who was there for me in the early days and continues to help out when I need her.  Her love and support has truly been wonderful.  The first day was a wonderful day filled with smiles and budding friendships and it continues to be that way.  These are just a few of the reasons I am glad I made the decision to open my own shop.




Since those days we have added even more fabric.  Who knew I'd figure out how to fit 500 more bolts into this place??  We have added more staff that I couldn't do without.  Judi, Trina, Chelsey and Allison all have their different talents and skills that they bring to the cutting table.  These lovely ladies keep me inspired and make sure everything keeps rolling.


Left to Right: Chelsey, Allison, Mindy, Alix, Judi, Katie, Donna and Trina. (We even know how to color coordinate without even trying.)

Classes are still continuing to grow as we pick up more instructors and offered more types of classes. Jane, Lori, Krista, Joyce, Jackie, Connie, Sheila, Sydney, Kathy, Melanie and Donna have all been wonderful to work with and great teachers to have in the shop.  If you haven't gotten to take a class yet check out our website to see what all we have to offer.

I can't thank everyone enough for all the love and support.  Snohomish is our home.  Mayhem is our life and we are here to stay.







Friday, April 29, 2016

Color Play Friday 80's Skate Party 4.29.16

Happy Friday Everyone!  We've had a crazy week getting ready for our one year anniversary for the store.  The time has gone by so fast and it's hard to believe how far we have come since I first started this adventure.  My family, friends and co-workers have all been amazing and supportive through this entire year. I couldn't have done it without them.

This picture definitely takes me back to the 80's when I was a kid and at a school skate party.  I broke my arm while there with my best friend who is still my bestie to this date.  Can't say it's the best memory and my kids still don't understand why I wouldn't be excited to put skates on.

I took the challenge of this picture by storm this week and went a little crazy with the aqua/teal and mixing it with the deeper reds and greens.  Surprisingly it worked for me.  Some of you might think I'm crazy and you're right!  I just love how playing with these pictures color palettes and fabric really make me see beyond my normal color scales that I have used for years.  Ask me to put aqua and red together and you'd get a funny look from me but now I really want to try it.

I hope you enjoy my crazy selection as much as I do!




Fabric Selection:
Flow by Zen Chic for Moda
Gigi's Blooms by AdornIt
La Vie Boheme by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake
Chipper by Tula Pink for Westminster/Free Spirit
Wonderland by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery


For more information about Color Play Friday or if you would like to join us contact eitherLorinda Davis of Laurel, Poppy and Pine or Trina Seagraves of InAnOtterLife.

To see other variations of Color Play Friday check out the following wonderful ladies blogs:
Chrissy at Lovehazelhoney.blogspot.com

Friday, April 15, 2016

Color Play Friday - EMP

It feels like forever since I've done a Color Play Friday.  Or even blogged for that matter. I need to rectify this problem.  I love playing with colors and fabric when I do my color play. Hopefully you love my choices as much as I do.  As always I am very thankful it is FRIDAY!!!!  

I really love this weeks picture that was chosen.  Besides just being an amazing reflection of the Seattle Space Needle on the EMP building the color and texture it captures is beautiful.  My love for the color orange is not one of my best kept secrets.

The picture captures the true essence of Seattle.  Typical overcast sky with the tail end of a nearby sunset reflecting off the metal exterior.  I would have loved to have been there at this time.  So many things were in play at the time to make this picture so perfect.


Fabric Selection:
Foxglove by Aneela Hoey for Cloud 9
Rhoda Ruth by Alizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman
In the Bloom by Valori Wells for Robert Kaufman
Foxtail Forest by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella
Roam by Hawthorne Threads
Lavish by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery

For more information about Color Play Friday or if you would like to join us contact either Lorinda Davis of Laurel, Poppy and Pine or Trina Seagraves of InAnOtterLife.

To see other variations of Color Play Friday check out the following wonderful ladies blogs:
Chrissy at Lovehazelhoney.blogspot.com

Friday, April 1, 2016

Color Play Friday - Rose Petals


Happy April Fool's Color Play Friday!! 
This is one of my favorite days because it is my oldest daughters birthday.  I started quilting when she was born.  I was fortunate to be able to work part time so my mom was taught me how to quilt.  I joined her quilt group and took some classes from Roxanne Carter who to this day is still one of my favorite teachers.  That was 22 years ago today.  Who would have thought that all that would have brought me here today.

If you've been following along you might have noticed we've had a lot of pink to purple pictures lately. These are some of my favorite colors to work with.  When I first started quilting purple and green was in every one of my quilts.  I'm glad to say I have expanded my choices in colors these days.  I try to embrace every color and occasionally I even get out of my traditional box of color choices and try to use some colors that I shy away from,

Some people choose to just not work with certain colors.  I have heard more than once "I don't use that color".  While that is a personal choice I feel it is good to try new things including new colors in fabrics.  I have seen several techniques people use to make them go outside of their color box.  Some people will ease in to a new color slowly by trying small bits.  Some go bold and just do a whole quilt or project in a color they once would not touch.

One of my favorites was a customer who asked if a family member or friend come in to buy for her she wanted them to select a yard of fabric they liked so she would have to work within their favorite fabric.  This way she could work with a new palette while creating something for someone else that she knew they would like.  I might have to try this sometime.

Among other things I use Color Play Friday to broaden my color use horizons.  Each week I'm given a picture at someone else's choice to pick and choose what colors to play with and pair fabrics up with.  I find this challenge fun and appreciate the opportunity to play with fabrics without actually cutting into any.  This way I am never disappointed with that I choose.  I just start with a new slate each week.

So on with the beauty of nature and all the wonderful color it brings with it.




Fabric Selection:
Flow by Zen Chic for Moda
Mendocino by Heather Ross for Windham
Petal & Plume by Bari J for Art Gallery
Flow by Zen Chic for Moda
Simply Colorful by V & Co. for Moda
Chipper by Tula Pink for Westminster



The Nitty Gritty:

If you would like to join all us lovely ladies in Color Play Friday hop on over to Trina at In An Otter Life and Lorinda of Laurel, Poppy and Pine to get the scoop on how to play along. You won’t regret it.

Supporting Cast:

Steph of Shimmy and More
Bethany of Sew-Not-Perfect
Chrissy of Love Hazel Honey
Sarah G of Sarah Goer Quilts
Yvonne from That's Sew Creative
Sarah S from 123 Quilt
Jennifer