Thursday, January 31, 2019

Industry News- The Sew Revolution Continues in Murray, Kentucky

Members of Murray First United Methodist Church in Murray, Kentucky are at it again this week for the 18th year in a row with their annual Sew-A-Thon. The goal of this annual event is to supply clothing and other necessities such as dresses, blankets, washcloths, and more for those in need locally and in third world countries.
Faye Lingle of Murray guides a blanket through a sewing machine Monday during the first day of the annual Sew-A-Thon at Murray First United Methodist Church. Photo Credit: John Wright / Ledge & Times.
All are welcome to attend and participate from newcomers to expert quilters. Tasks include fabric cutting, ironing, and sewing. ­­­­Hundreds of clothes and supplies will be given to those without thanks to this generous church.
Jo Ann Puschnig of Murray, left, uses scissors to cut some fabric, along with Anna Wright, one of the coordinators for the annual Sew-A-Thon Monday at Murray First United Methodist Church.
Hats off to Murray First United Methodist Church. We commend you for all you have done to contribute to the #SewRevolution, from teaching newcomers how to quilt and donating your time, talent, and treasure to sewing and quilting to meet the needs of others.
Does your community have a Sew-A-Thon? Interested in starting one? Sound off in the comment section below.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Desire to Inspire February- Looking for a Challenger!


Calling all seamstresses and lovers of crafting! You won't want to miss, "Handmade with Love" by Paula Joerling. This 16-SKU collection includes allover embroidery thread, tape measures, pin cushions, buttons, spools, scissors, and more! PLUS, did we mention there is a 24" block panel and two FREE projects? There is even a labels pattern so you can personalize your projects. Ships in March 2019.

In this month's Desire to Inspire Challenge, the winner will receive this collection to make something great. The caveat is... it MUST BE made in the month of February, and pictures of your finished project(s) must be provided to us by the end of the month. Along with your picture and bio, too, of course. 

Are you ready to take on this challenge? 

Send an email to jennifer@jaftex.com to put your name in the hat!





Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Desire to Inspire- January Challenger - Lisa England



Meet Lisa England - She took on the challenge of using "Spring Awakens" by Debi Hron in the month of January 2019.

"Hello, my name is Lisa England.  I grew up near Pittsburgh and now live in the small town of Ashland, KY.  I learned basic sewing many years ago when home economics was taught in school.  My mother-in-law is an accomplished seamstress who has helped me to improve my sewing skills.  I’ve been making quilts for over 20 years and still find it fascinating and fun.

I met my husband when we were engineering students at Virginia Tech, and we got married a week after graduation.  We moved to Ashland (his hometown) and have lived here ever since.  We have one grown son who is also a Virginia Tech engineering graduate.  He lives and works near New Orleans and is getting married this summer.  We travel to New Orleans as often as we can.  We also enjoy taking trips to explore National Parks or to find scenic places to hike and enjoy nature.

Since I started making quilts I have taken classes, learned from books, magazines, and the internet, and have figured some things out as I go.  I have tested patterns for designers and have designed a few of my own.  I’ve done online challenges, taught a couple of classes, helped some friends learn to make quilts, and sewn hundreds of projects big and small.   I don’t have one particular style, but work on whatever interests me.  Some of my current favorite things are foundation paper piecing, making scrappy quilts, and working with bright colorful fabrics. My interest in quilt making shows no signs of fading!  Last summer my husband encouraged me to upgrade my mid-arm quilting machine to one that is computer driven.  I am having great fun trying out some of the many amazing quilting patterns that a computerized machine makes possible.  And it turns out my husband is great at tech support for all things computer related.

I really enjoyed working with the “Spring Awakens” fabrics.  I thought the sweet animals would be perfect for baby quilts, so I made two.  Each one was designed to best feature some of the animal fabrics from the collection.  I quilted them with designs that had flowers and leaves to go with the nature theme of the fabrics.

36" x 48"

39" x 45"

Close Up of Quilting
I always enjoy using leftover fabric bits to make small projects so I used some scraps from these quilts to make a pot holder and a small “dumpling” pouch (using a tutorial from MichellePatterns).

Pot Holder
Dumpling Pouch- About 3 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Monday, January 28, 2019

Get Quilting- Whimsy Basics Bundle Giveaway


"Whimsy Basics" by Henry Glass & Co. Fabrics are wonderful blenders for your next quilt project with 28 different colors to choose from! They also pair nicely with any of the Henry Glass collections.



View the Full Collection Below:

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Industry News- From Quilting for Survival to Paying it Forward

The Gaspays are quite the inspiration mother-son combo. Their hobby? The thread that holds them together? Quilting. Yes, they love to quilt among their friends and share their latest projects at their monthly quilting group, but this time the impact is even larger.  Starting tomorrow, their "Fiber Structure" is hanging on the walls of an old, war memorial, opera house which is currently the site of The San Fransisco Art Commission's Main Gallery.

San Francisco artist Mik Gaspay and his mother, May Gaspay, collaborated on the site-specific installation “Fiber Structure.” Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle
You see, this moment is truly monumental because life wasn't always this way for Ms. Gaspay. Decades ago, she immigrated from the Phillippines to the United States. Her quilts were not as ornate or gathering the attention of the public eye like they are today, however, they were keeping her and her four children warm. Gaspay could not afford much but would buy different pieces of fabric here and there which in fact, truly mirrors the roots of patchwork quilting. Mrs. Gaspay did not have a lot of money but instead possessed a lot of passion and love for quilting, which she knew could be utilized to provide for her family. 
San Francisco artist Mik Gaspay and his mother, May Gaspay, install a quilt at the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Main Gallery. Photo: Yalonda M. James, The Chronicle
Today, she is providing joy to all who will walk the halls of the opera house with her son by her side. A light will shine upon the rich history that once lived there. But even more so,  Ms. Gaspay will inspire others. Those who walk among the halls may be quilters, artists, or simply a passerby, but they will hear the Gaspay's story and know how quilting carried them through the hard times. Who knows vast the impact will be.


Interested in starting a quilt project and using the final result to impact someone's life? 



 Do you have a story of how your quilts have impacted others? Or maybe, someone's quilt has impacted you? Sound off and let us know in the comment section below!

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Get Quilting- Moon and Back Fat Quarters Giveaway

The moon is light for the soul! "Moon and Back" by LeAnn Anderson and Kaytlyn Kuebler is a 13-SKU collection featuring allover characters and rockets, swirl prints, border stripes, and a book panel. This animated line plays off of the popular phrase, "I love you to the moon and back!".





Monday, January 14, 2019

Get Quilting- Wine Night Bundle Giveaway


Life is too short to drink bad wine, so why not have a stylish wine bag too? "Wine Night" by Mary Beth Baker is a 15-SKU collection that features tossed grapes, corks, and wine seals. PLUS there are two FREE projects: a table set and a wine bag

Friday, January 11, 2019

January 2019 Look Book!

Happy New Year! Here are thirteen, brand new collections! These lines will be shipping into quilt shops between June and September 2019. Heritage, tradition, and nostalgia are the focal points of this release and there is something for everyone. Also, there are several collections that are centered around winter themes too!
We hope you enjoy the latest fabrics from Henry Glass & Co., Inc.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Kim Diehl Book Launch Giveaway

We're doing a giveaway to celebrate the launch of  Kim Diehl and Jo Morton's new book, "Simple Friendships II"!  The prize includes a copy of the brand new book published by Martingale that features 14 fabulous quilts from blocks stitched among friends, PLUS 29 fat quarters from Henry Glass & Co. of Kim Diehl's, "Wit & Wisdom". (Hint: You'll want to scroll all the way through this blog post for an ADDITIONAL surprise)



Grab a pal and get quilting with Kim Diehl and Jo Morton's, "Simple Friendships II" published by Martingale. Each chapter focuses on a classic quilt back for you to try with easy instructions to start your own group block exchange.


View the Full Collection Here

"Wit & Wisdom" by Kim Diehl is a 29-SKU collection from Henry Glass Fabrics. This line features the classics, meandering leaves, folk art stripe, floral sprays, serpentine swirls, and more. Also available is FREE "Lanterns in the Cabin" quilt project.

SURPRISE! Martingale is doing a giveaway too! Quick! Go enter here!

Monday, January 7, 2019

Get Quilting- Tickled Pink Bundle Giveaway


With various hues of pinks and browns, Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs has certainly done it again with her exquisite line, "Tickled Pink".  Who knew it could be so great, but with browns, creams, and golds, and it is beautiful! Featuring a variety of florals, mandalas, and ditzy tonals. This breathtaking collection is shipping now!

Friday, January 4, 2019

Desire to Inspire- Meet Lisa England- January Challenger


Meet, Lisa England! She is the January challenger for this month’s “Desire to Inspire”challenge! We can’t wait to see what she creates!

Lisa grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, went to college at Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) and has resided in Ashland, Kentucky since she graduated. She is excited to work with this vibrant collection by Debi Hron.


Take a look at some of her other creations here: http://bit.ly/2Tup2ro