Looking for an affordable computerized sewing machine?

Here's a deal on Amazon today that is worth noting!

This is the Brother CS6000i Sew Advance Sew Affordable 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine - and it has all the features I like on a machine for quilting - the option to use a button for start/stop vs. just the foot pedal, drop in bobbin, automatic threading, thread cutter, and a nice variety of 60 stitches! But even better, this offer includes additional quilting feet - a walking foot, a spring-action quilting foot and a guide for spacing your quilted lines evenly. And (drum roll) a hard shell case!

Combine this with a FREE SHIPPING offer, and you've got yourself a deal almost too good to pass up. This machine is light weight (16 lbs), which, combined with that free case, makes it perfect for carrying to your favorite quilting classes.

But wait! There's more! (Do I sound like an infommercial??) This includes a free quilting table that extends the size of the bed on the machine! And did I mention it's got a 25 year limited warranty??

The price? Normally $449 - now just $152 with free shipping! Click HERE for this offer.

I have no idea how long this offer will last. If you're in the market for a new machine or a second machine to take to class, this may be an offer you can't pass up.

Includes bed extender for quilting!

New Quilt Tutorial – great scrap quilt!

This very sweet quilt is called “The Christmas Crazy Quilt” and is the subject of an online tutorial written by Natalie Bonner over at the Piece n’ Quilt blog.

The finished quilt is 43 x 53, and the fabric requirements are simple – 2 charm packs, 1 jelly roll, 1/4 yard binding fabric and 1 3/4 yards backing fabric. Natalie used Moda fabrics in her quilt (she gives the specifics of what fabric lines she used in her tutorial), but this would be a great scrap quilt as well.

Natalie’s tutorial is detailed and easy to follow and, best of all, the pattern doesn’t require figuring out side triangles – use the full sized charm pack squares and square them off with your rotary cutter and ruler once they’re sewn! The size of this quilt might be a bit small for some, but the pattern is easy enough to extend by another row or two to get the size quilt you want.

If you prefer the line of fabrics used in Natalie’s tutorial, you can purchase the Moda fabrics at her online quilt store, Piece n’ Quilt. And check out the sale fabrics while you’re there!

The QOB Yahoo Group reviews Whittles Fabrics online quilt fabric shop

A few weeks ago, the Quilting on a Budget Yahoo group learned of an online store called Whittles Fabrics. We were all excited to find their normal prices (not just sale prices) were $3.00 to $3.50 per yard. Once we learned of the site, many group members visited and made fabric purchases.

The Quilting on a Budget group is all about great fabric at discount prices, so as our orders were received, people posted their opinions on the quality of the fabric, speed of shipping, shipping charges, service, etc. The reviews of Whittles Fabrics were 100% positive! The group received no special discount, Whittles was not aware that the web site address had been posted to the group as a whole, and there is no affiliation. These are totally unsolicited opinions.

Here’s what the group had to say:

“I, too, have had a great experience with my Whittle's orders.  my fabric has always been top quality.”

“I only ordered 2 yards of material from them but I also was very happy. They charged actual mailing which was under $3. I love these people.”

“I ordered from them too and am very happy with what I received. I also liked the note and free fat quarter. Personal service in today’s market is wonderful.”

“I agree that personal service is great and it is too bad it is lacking in so many places. With this economy it really pays to go the extra mile.”

“I, too, have had a great experience with my Whittle's orders. my fabric has always been top quality.”

“I only ordered 2 yards of material from them but I also was very happy. They charged actual mailing which was under $3. I love these people.”

“I ordered from them too and am very happy with what I received. I also liked the note and free fat quarter. Personal service in today’s market is wonderful.”

“I agree that personal service is great and it is too bad it is lacking in so many places. With this economy it really pays to go the extra mile.”

“I'm another very happy customer. Great prices and wonderful service. My order arrived three days after I placed it (having placed it in the evening). While they don't have a huge selection, be sure to check back frequently as they update their offerings often.”

“While I have not ordered from them yet, I did have to go check out the site after so many comments here and the prices are wonderful. As I said I haven't ordered from them at this time, but will be checking back as they add new fabric to their offerings. The fabrics I looked at and it was quite a few were priced MUCH lower than LQS in my area as well as other online stores I have visited recently (also with no buying). I read the About Us section and it appears that they are planning even more offerings in the future so while I did not find anything I just had to have or needed at this moment or any thing that struck my fancy I am almost sure I will soon. Thanks
to whoever originally posted about this fabric store, I will be checking back with them often.”

“I also purchased fabric at Whittles and was extremely pleased! As someone else mentioned, it arrived in just 3 days after my order. (I've waited as long as 2 weeks after being charged full-price priority mail for shipping). I got a free FQ as well. I will say their shipping charges are also very reasonable -- and, of course, their fabric prices are amazing!”

The consensus is obvious. Great fabrics. Great prices. Excellent personal service. Fast and reasonable shipping. Isn’t that what every quilter wants from an online quilt shop?

Mother’s Day Fabric Sales

Too many great fabric sales today to use Twitter to spread the word!

The Quilted Castle – 50% off Mary Englebreit’s Basket of Flowers (Moda) line - $4.62 yard with panels and pre-cuts also on sale.

The Quilted Castle – 50% off the Hartfield collection (Moda) - $4.50 /yard.

The Quilted Castle – 50% off Nature’s Chorus by April Cornell (Moda) at $4.75 /yard.

Fabric.com  – use code CLEAR507 to receive 20% discount in already marked down CLEARANCE section, as well as $1.95 yard section.

FabricBlowOut.com – Place order by midnight on Monday, receive 10% off fabric. Start with these fabrics at $2.99/yard.

Carriage House Quilt Shop – Use code MOM for additional 20% off any fabric in stock. Expires midnight tonight, 05/10/09.

FabricCafe - $1.99/yard specials going on. (Note: Their newsletters says $1.99/yd – the web site says $1.99 per fat quarter – you may want to check before ordering.)

BeSewHappy Quilt Shop – Use Code 09mom15 for 15% off entire order, including sale items.

Tranquility Quilts & Fabric Shop - You can choose between free shipping or 40% off one item. Enter your preference in the comments section of your order. Your discount will be adjusted manually at the time your order is prepared.

Hancock’s – Paducah – Many good closeout sales going on here! Note that most prices are for one-half yard.

Bear Paw Quilt Co. – Use code 50109 for 10% your total order. Expires 05/31/09.

New - Kaleidoscope Tote from Paula Nadelstern

It's difficult NOT to admire Paula Nadelstern's kaleidoscope quilts - or her snowflake quilts or her puzzle quilts - or her fabric line. Although intricate in detail and appearance, her kaleidoscope quilt concept is surprisingly easy to understand (though I'm not sure anyone does them as well as Paula).

Now Paula has come out with a Kaleidoscope Tote bag which can currently be pre-ordered on Amazon.com for just $5.95! The tote bag is said due out later this month (April), so the wait won't be that long. The tote is a 15.5 x 15x 8 zippered tote bag featuring Paula Nadelstern's "Kaleidoscopic XXV: It's About Time" quilt image. The perfect size for storing or transporting quilt blocks.

Or you could just put it up on a shelf in your quilt room and admire it!

More Lighting Deals for Your Quilt / Craft Room

Everyone who quilts and sews, or does any kind of vision-intensive crafting, knows how important good lighting is. I have a tabletop Ottlite next to my cutting table, and another next to my sewing machine and will never go back to standard lighting for those two spaces.

When you think Ottlite, do you think “expensive”? Possibly true when you see them in the stores, but not necessarily true when you go to the Ottlite web site and check out their “Close-Out Specials”!

This Venice Table Lamp is perfect in any room for those who do hand sewing or crafting while watching TV. It is 30 inches high, with an 8 inch base with an aged bronze finish. Normally priced at $249.00 – it’s on sale for $46.95!

This little portable gem is called “The Flexible Craft Lamp” and is ideal for both working at home or taking along to your next quilt class. It stands at just 9.5 inches high with a 6 inch base, and flexes in any direction you need it. Normally $49.99, it’s currently on sale for just $19.99!

Both lights come with a genuine Ottlite bulb, guaranteed for 10,000 hours. That’s a lot of quilting!

I have no affiliation with the Ottlite folks – I just sincerely love their products!

From Around the ‘Net – Free Quilt Patterns

Big Horn Quilts is offering several free stashbuster patterns that are perfect for the stash / scrap quilter. While you’re there, check out their sale fabrics – $3 - $5 per yard!

Sew Natural has a cute free pattern for a cell phone bag – nice way to use up some of your favorite scraps. The online patterns comes with a step-by-step tutorial. Very easy project!

Don’t miss this beautiful Country Sampler Quilt pattern by Debbi Mumm – found at the Country Register web site, which is well worth visiting!

Planning a quilt of your own design? Check out these free downloadable design sheets, brought to you by Paper Pieces.com. They also offer free classic hexagon quilt patterns.

Quilting About.com is known for all it’s free quilt patterns and great information on quilting, but have you been to Janet Wickell’s web site? Janet is the editor of Quilting About.com and offers MANY beautiful free patterns on her site, ScrapQuilts.com.

If you’ve never visited The Purl Bee, you are in for an amazing trip through Creativity Land. (Don’t even think about going to this web site unless you have a few hours free – there is THAT much to see!). The Purl Bee offers instructions on how to make a quick tied quilt that’s not only a good use of scraps, but will be a beautiful addition to any home.

The book Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing caused quite a buzz around the Internet not long ago. In case you didn’t get a copy, here’s a free pattern called “The Playing Along Quilt” from the book, brought to you by SewingIdeas.com. There’s many great free patterns on this web site, so check them all out!

Two of my favorite web sites – SewMamaSew and Oh! Fransson! – present free pattern for a useful yet pretty Weighted PinCushion Organizer. The QOB Yahoo Group is currently having a Secret Sister Exchange – and what a great Secret Sister gift this would be! Or a Mother’s Day gift, or a birthday gift, or….

I’d not heard of the fabric collections by Art Gallery Fabrics before, but I do love what I see! According to their web site, they are “very well known for the exceptional premium quality cotton and a modern, fresh, and contemporary approach to designs.” And if you take a peek at their fabrics, you’ll understand why. It’s wonderful to find that they offer free quilt patterns to go with their gorgeous line of fabric! Many of these patterns can be used for scrap quilts, but you may just want to toss the budget out the window when you see the Art Gallery Fabric lines…  Sssshhh.. I didn’t say that!

That’s all for today!

Rock bottom quilt fabric prices

What can be better than a really good fabric sale on high quality quilting fabrics? A really good fabric sale COMBINED with a 30% off coupon! 

Now through March 30, click here - Fabric.com Coupon Corner – and receive an ADDITIONAL 30% off Fabric.com’s already low-priced, high-quality quilting fabric! In most cases, this brings fabric.com’s clearance prices down under $5 per yard, and in some cases, under $4.00 per yard! They also have free shipping for orders over $35.00, 100% money back guarantee with free return shipping if you’re not happy. Well worth checking out these clearance bargains.

Fabrics included in this sale are Normal Rockwell fabrics, Project Runway fabrics and more.

The coupon expires 03/30/09 and quantities are limited, so head over now and don't miss out on this great sale!

Steals and Deals – 03/20/09

The Connecting Threads web site is already one of the best places on the Internet to purchase top-quality quilting fabric, since the price on all their fabrics is just $5.96 a yard. But when they have a sale and offer these same top quality fabrics for 20% to 40% less than their already low price, everyone wins! At $3.96 and $4.96 a yard, the sale bin at Connecting Threads is a place to bookmark and check often.

Connecting Threads also offers “Weekly Specials” and this week they have a variety of battings on sale at 30% off. Worth stocking up at this price.

Anna Lena’s web site is having and End of Bolt Sale, with most fabric listed at $3.00 per yard! The trick to the End of Bolt sale is that you need to take the entire length they have left on the bolt – which averages around 2 yards. But at that price, why not!?!

FabricShack has re-stocked their $2.98, $3.98, $4.98 and $5.98/yard clearance bins again! Definitely worth checking out.They also have a sale on Fat Quarter packs – 13 fat quarters for $10.00! You can order as many packs as you like!

Who doesn’t love 50% off fabric sales?! Whether you quilt or you do other types of sewing, you’ll find suitable fabric on sale at Fashion Fabrics Club’s web site.

EthelBird and Eliza Kids – may be an unusual name for a web site, but the fabrics they sell suit the name perfectly – quilt fabric geared toward baby and children’s quilts. Fun to just look around, but even more fun when they have a sale! Many fabrics at 20 to 40% off.

One of the best bargains on the Internet: The new issue of “Cotton Spice” magazine is available for free download. Not only can you download the March 2009 issue, but you can download (and print!) back issues as well. Of course “free” is a word we like a lot around here!

That’s it for today’s Steals and Deals – but of course, I’ll be back with more!

Finding a Steam Iron for every Quilter's Budget

Quilters often overlook the importance of a good steam iron, although when piecing together our sewing masterpieces, we often spend as much as 20% of our time at the iron, carefully pressing each seam. We press again when putting rows together, again when creating bindings, and one final overall press to square up the quilt top just created.

Piecing accuracy improves immediately when you take a bit of time to press your quilt blocks as you sew them. Pressing may seem like an unnecessary step, but the payoff comes in time saved when your quilt blocks fit together. Pressing seam allowances as you work helps eliminate little widths of fabric that become "lost" in seams, creating distortions and making blocks smaller than they should be.

There are firm opinions on to steam or not to steam -- an equal amount of quilters swear steaming will distort your quilt blocks as there are those who swear the only way to square your quilt blocks is with steam. The major benefits of steam are crisper seam allowances and better squaring of a skewed block. Dry pressing, on the other hand, runs less of a risk of stretching the fabric, as dampened fibers are more pliable.

Is it time to replace your old iron?

If your iron is old, chances are it’s not giving you the accuracy, heat or steam you need. An iron that spits water, stains fabrics, or does not have accurate temperature control can burn and/or ruin those quilt blocks you worked so hard to create!

Unfortunately, name-brand, high-end steam irons are often priced out of the budget quilter’s reach – ranging from $150 to $500 and up.

Yard Sales, Flea Markets, Craigs List and Freecycle are all excellent sources for finding affordable name-brand steam irons. When possible, ask to plug in the iron so you can check and make sure it heats properly. Even  $5 for a Rowenta iron is too much if you get it home and find out it doesn’t work!

Another option is to find name-brand quality irons on sale on the Internet. Here are some links to reasonably priced, high quality steam irons. Considering the money quilters spend on fabric, sewing machines, notions and threads, a good steam iron that will improve your final quilt should be considered an “essential” in every quilt room.

From AllBrands.com

Oliso TG1000 Steam Iron with Auto Shut-off, Anti-drip, Digital Controls with Stainless Steel Soleplate and free Soleplate Cleaner. This iron created a lot of stir in the quilting community just a few years ago for it’s unique “legs” which allows the iron to remain horizontal without scourching your ironing board surface. Currently selling on Allbrands.com for $99.00.

For many quilters, Rowenta is THE name brand in dependable steam irons.

Rowenta DX8800 Professional AirGlide Steam Iron  1700W, 3Lb, 13oz Tank, 3-Way Auto Shut-off, Self-Clean, Anti-Drip, and free Soleplate Cleaner Kit is a bargain at $99.00.

At just $49.00, The Rowenta DX-1700 is an effective Auto Steam Iron, with an 8.5 Ounce Water Tank, 3 way Auto Off, Anti Drip, and free Stainless Steel Soleplate Cleaner Kit.

From Amazon.com

Black & Decker D2020 Digital Advantage Ironis a good choice for those with a tight budget, priced at just $39.99. Although it won’t provide you with the high steam capabilities of the Rowenta irons, it does include spray, variable steam, surge and vertical steam features.

For those who travel, quilt in an RV or while on vacation, or who prefer to take their own iron to classes, this SteamFast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Ironis priced right at just $25.45, has a 1.25 ounce water tank, heats up in 15 seconds, has variable temperature settings, a non-stick soleplate, 1-touch steam control, and dual voltage for travel convenience. This little gem measures in at just 5 2/7 x 3 x 3 inches.

On the other end of the steam iron spectrum, are “steam stations” or “steam generators”. Heavy duty irons with huge water tanks and high steam output. Normally priced at $300 to $600, this is definitely THE iron for those who love to steam.

Currently on sale for $92.00 is this Euro Pro Shark Steam Station which has pressurized and continuous steam power, powerful penetrating steam which requires less arm pressure. It also offers professional dry cleaning results on silks, cottons and wools. It has a brushed aluminum soleplate, which allows for high heat retention for perfect pressing.

Whether you find a great deal at a yard sale, or invest the money by purchasing an iron, a high steam, efficient iron is a must have for every quilter.

Name brand quilting threads at reduced prices

The Quilting on a Budget Yahoo group has been having an interesting discussion on the use of less expensive threads vs. "name brand" threads - the benefits and drawbacks of each.

So it is timely to find that Superior Threads is currently offering a "Try Me Special". They offer a wide variety of high quality threads including King Tut, Bottom Line, So Fine, and more. These top quality threads are offered at an affordable price as a way of allowing you to try out the threads to see what you do (or don't) like. Read the descriptions of each thread, as some are limited to a quantity of 5 or less at this price. You choose the quantity, they choose the colors in this introductory offer. Also in this "Try Me Special" are pre-wound L and M bobbins, glitter and metallic threads, and Sunburst Thread - which is sunlight activated color changing thread, as well as "Dissolve" - water soluble stabilizer. Click here to see all of these great sale items.

If you're looking for more bargains in threads, make sure to check out the LongCreek Mills web site. They are currently offering 5000M cones of 100% high quality cotton 50 wt quilting thread for just $3.00! You can view this sale here. And if you buy thread by the cone, you may also want to check out their commercial grade heavy metal cone thread stand, normally $33.95, on sale for $.9.59!

Thread Art is also having a sale on 1000M spools of 100% long staple, mercerized cotton 50/3 ply thread for both hand and machine quilting. This thread comes in 40 different shades, and is on sale for $1.59 per spool. You can view this sale here. This sale ends 02/27.

Steals and Deals on Quilting fabric, books and more

Quilt Fabric Closeouts is having a spectacular sale on the Fabri-Quilt line of fabrics, including spectacular fabric in gradient colors – at $3.99 a yard! Go HERE and then click on “Premium Cotton Closeouts”. Sale ends 02/20/09.

Bear Paw Quilt Co. continues to offer remarkable fabric sales – this time 100% Cotton quilting fabrics from name brand manufactures such as South Sea Imports, Marcus Bros, Windham, Spectrix, Classic Cottons, Indo US and many more – at $3.99 a yard. Applies only to fabrics with a ref# prefix of QQF. Sale ends 02/10/09.

Fat Quarter World has quilt books and patterns on sale, with jelly roll patterns as low as $3.50. They also have many fabrics on sale at 50% off, with some priced as low as $3.96 per yard. Check out all their sales here.

Crafter’s Cottage has added many books and patterns to their clearance sale, for as little as $3.00. You can view sale items here.

FabricShack updated their $3.98 sale bin lately, so there’s many new fabrics to check out. While you’re there, be sure and see if there’s any goodies in the $1.98 and $2.98/yd bins as well!

PeggyAnne’s online store has quilt kits for $35.00. At that price, it’s surprising that the kits include all fabric for top, binding and backing! While supplies last.

Connecting Threads is always worth checking out since the normal price of their gorgeous fabric is $5.96 a yard. But did you know each week they offer “web specials” – and this week’s specials include several fabrics at $2.98 a yard! Worth checking out – and worth bookmarking to check out each week.

Quilt books for sale for as little as $2.99?? You bet! One of our QOB members brought this sale to our attention at Bookcloseouts.com. Search for the word “quilt” or go to the Craft and Hobby section.

New Free Quilt Patterns

CreativeSewingOnline offers the “Happy Trails” quilt pattern – perfect for a scrappy quilt. Download the pattern here.

Block Central is offering a free pattern for the 58 x 58 “Free Star Shine Wallhanging”.

Jinny Beyer is offering her free quilt patterns according to experience of the quilter. Find all her free quilt patterns here.

You have to love it when bloggers share their quilt patterns! Cherri House of Cherry House Quilts has created two beautiful quilt patterns – the first called "Housewares" and the second is titled "Sugar Snap". You can find both free patterns here. While you're on this site, check out the other free patterns (along with some very unique "for sale" patterns) offered here.

Debby Mumm offers a very traditional quilt pattern with her “Spools Lap Quilt” free pattern.

Need a fast, but beautiful, baby or lap quilt pattern? If you can cut a square, you can make this beautiful free Patchwork Jungle pattern (pictured at left) found at the Hoffman Fabrics web site.

Looking for a pattern with a more modern feel? Check out the free “Nara” quilt pattern on the same site.

That’s all for today!

Exceptional deals on lighting for the Quilt Room

Whether you do hand applique, hand quilting, or simply sit at your sewing machine at night, good lighting is imperative to every quilter.

When it comes to lighting, brighter isn't always better. Bright light sources reveal vibrant colors but also cause a harsh glare, causing the eye muscles to squint. Other light sources reveal high contrast so that edges of objects appear clear, but the drawback is distorted color. Also, the more intense the light, the more energy is used, generating more heat.

OttLite offers a unique solution to this problem. OttLite lighting is expertly engineered with 508 technology to bring the quality of High Definition Natural Lighting™ indoors, providing the ideal balance of brightness and contrast. The result is reduced glare, less eyestrain, and low heat.

OttLite lighting systems combine this cutting edge technology with features such as articulating shafts, adjustable shades and achromatic coating to supply illumination precisely where you need it.

Compare an OttLite side by side with an ordinary light and the result is extraordinary. See the difference with your eyes…and experience the difference in your ability to work longer, happier and more comfortably.

OttLites have long been hailed by quilters and crafters as the perfect lighting to do hand or machine sewing, but is often out of our budget range. Until today!

The OttLite web site is having a “web special” on some of the best OttLite’s for quilters and crafters. For example, this desk lamp sits up to 19 inches high and offers all the benefits of the OttLite high definition natural lighting… and the price is $49 – for TWO LAMPS! Put one next to your sewing machine, and a second next to the chair where you do your hand work.

Another exceptional offer is this OttLite floor lamp. Timeless styling and exquisite details combine in this update of the classic pharmacy lamp. Swing arm with tilting shade conveniently extends for ideal viewing comfort. 45 to 56 inches tall. Priced at $99! But here’s the deal – get a second OttLite free ($119 value)! That’s right, you get the Wing Shade Floor lamp for free – and with FREE SHIPPING AND HANDLING!

You can find all these deals available on the OttLite web site. They do not state on the site how long these offers are available.

No affiliation – just bringing you a good deal when I see it!

Free Quilting Magazines

A quilter can never be inspired enough, motivated enough, know enough, or learn enough! It's why we all love quilting magazines.

Online magazines seem to be the newest trend. You view the entire magazine, including patterns available for printing, right on your computer, or save it to a file and print it out - and "go green" at the same time!

COTTON SPICE magazine is published online every two months, and isn't your typical quilting magazine. It not only contains free and printable quilt patterns, but also glimpses at other crafts (scrapbooking, for example), contains recipes, stories, book reviews and more. The best idea by this online magazine is they allow you to view and download back issues as well.

Our friends "down under" are offering a free six month subscription to DOWN UNDER QUILTS. I think it's fascinating to see quilt magazines from other countries, and this magazine is chock-full of inspiration (and 4 free patterns). Don't let the prices you see give you heart palpitations -- remember it's all in Australian dollars. Here's the link to sign up for this six month subscription:

TRADITIONAL PAPER MAGAZINES ON SALE:

If you prefer to have the magazine in hand to view at your leisure, Amazon.com has several quilting magazines on sale right now:

Quiltmaker magazine has tips, techniques & patterns for today's quilters. Features include projects, lessons, and instructions for all interest levels and abilities. This sale is 40% off news stand prices!



McCall's Quilting attracts quilters of all skill levels with a variety of complete, how-to quilting projects, including bed-size quilts, wall hangings, wearable and small projects. The publication features the latest quilt making techniques as well as traditional methods for piecing, applique and quilting, both by hand and machine.


Quick Quilts Quick, Easy & Fun! Technology has embraced this art form, making quilting easier and more fun than ever. Quick Quilts celebrates that technology, proving that quickly-sewn quilts don't have to be uninspired.

50% off sales - Quilting fabric, books, patterns

Cottage Quilts is having a year-end clearance on selected (8 pages) patterns, magazines and books -- most are 50% off. You can find them here:

However, if you use the code SAVE MORE in the Special Instructions box at check-out, they will deduct another 10%. Note, however, that the additional 10% will NOT appear in your invoice and will be taken off manually -- so watch your final charges.

=====================

Stitchin' Heaven is also having a sale -- this on fabrics and panels -- many at $2.00 per yard and panels at $4.48 each and up. While supplies last.

I've mentioned before that I use panels for a way to practice my machine quilting. They're a great size, and they usually have some kind of theme characters or items (cars, trucks, angels, houses) that you can use to practice outline stitches, then surround them with a meandering stitch to make them pop. Add a quick border and you've not only practiced your machine quilting, but have a baby or donation quilt ready to go when you're done.

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We've been talking in the QOB Yahoo group about using home dec fabrics for tote bags, so I thought I'd mention that JoAnn's (national chain) stores have their Home Dec fabrics on sale this week at 50% off.
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I often see great sales at Fabric.com but they are almost all one day sale events, so by the time I'm ready to post about them, the sale is almost over. So -- my advice to you -- sign up for Fabric.com's newsletter and get the info in email every day. Not all their sales are quilting fabric, but many are! They are having a "Designer Fabric BlowOut Sale" through 01/19, including Amy Butler fabrics. You can sign up for the daily newsletter here:

That's all I have for today!

Sale on Everything Quilting - except fabric

Quilter's Threads is having a going out of business sale, and this is a sale worth checking out. Although there is almost no fabric on the site, you can find exceptional deals on sewing machine and serger needles, seam rippers, bias tape makers, patterns of all kinds (including clothing), pins, fabric paints and inks, fusibles, and more. You can also find a large variety of high quality, name brand threads, including silk!

Fabric sales are easy to find this time of year as quilt shops prepare to receive the new year's fabric inventory. But sales like this on notions, threads, etc. don't come along too often.

End of Year Quilt Fabric (and more) Sales

Has your wallet recovered from the holidays? If so, you may want to check out some of these online quilt shop year-end sales! In most cases, these sales end 12/31/08 and have limited supplies.

Cottage Quilts is having a Year End sale -- some great buys on books and patterns, plus take an ADDITIONAL 30% off fabrics found in the $3.99 Clearance Fabrics and Back Door Bargains. You must use the code HOLIDAY BLOCKBUSTER in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS box (not the Coupon Box!) at check-out. Discounts are figured MANUALLY so you will not see the final price until they send you confirmation.
Find the sale here: http://tinyurl.com/8bxrf3

THREAD SALE - This is an amazing sale, even if the final total sounds very expensive. But I thought I'd post it just in case there are some serious thread /embroidery machine people in the group. Heart of Dixie Quilt Shop is having a huge sale on "Madeira Rayon 220 yd/200 m Thread Treasure Chest" - which includes 194 spools of thread ($657.50 value), an 82 design Embroidery Design CD ($214 value), a wooden 3-drawer chest to hold the thread ($160 value), Color Cards & Conversion Chart ($10 value) and a combo Thread Cutter/Needle Threader ($3 value) -- for $298.00. Total value is $1044.50 -- you save $746.50!
You can find it here:
http://tinyurl.com/8o7mfk

Quilters Roundup (http://www.quiltersroundup.com) is also having an end of year sale:
1 yrd minimum on 50% off items. Christmas Prints are up to 50% OFF. 40% OFF - Flannels, Western Prints, Oriental Prints, P&B Textiles, RJR Fabrics, Benartex, All Fleece. 2007 Flower of the Month Prints are 50% OFF & 2008 Prints are 30% off. Winter Color Palette colors of Blue, Cream & White are 40% off. Sale prices valid through 01/06/09. Orders of 60+ will receive an additional 5% off. Orders of 120+ will receive an additional 10% off. Orders of 250+ will receive an additional 15% off.

The Thrifty Needle is having an end of year blow-out sale - you can find items here: http://tinyurl.com/954374 (Some cute quilt-themed sticky notes!) There are 30 pages of sale items!

The Fat Quarter Shop (quite possibly the most popular quilt fabric web site on the web?) is having a 50% off sale on many fabrics:
http://tinyurl.com/77r4yz

Joann's has several fabrics that you might be able to use as either background or backing fabric -- for $1.74 a yard!
http://tinyurl.com/86wfq9

The Virginia Quilter is having a "Super Closeout Sale" with fabric at $3 and $4 a yard:
http://tinyurl.com/784k2n

Books for $4, fabric for $3.80 a yard, patterns for $4.77 -- one of my personal favorite web sites - Aunt Bea's Sewing Basket - is having a huge sale -- 20% discount taken at checkout. 21 pages of sale items! http://tinyurl.com/8uhqgv

FabricShack.com continues to add items into their $1.99/yd and $2.99/yd sale bins! http://tinyurl.com/ysu53b

And if these sales aren't enough -- check out the LIST OF SHOPS that are participating in the FabShopHop's 5-Day Inventory Blow Out Sales: http://www.fabshophop.com/BlowOutSale.asp

A WORD TO THE WISE - If you order from any of these shops, calculate your own total BEFORE submitting your order, and check that total when you receive your email confirmation. Three times I have had a problem with the totals not being figured correctly when the discount is applied AFTER ordering. In all cases, the total was applied correctly when I contacted them, but if I hadn't noticed and brought it to their attention, I wouldn't have gotten the correct discount.