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April Sew Fun

by Cathy Ellsaesser, posted on

If we’re lucky, April will bring some showers, but it most certainly will bring  fabulous Sew Fun sessions to your local Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum store. We hope you can join us for April Sew Fun, and that you’re bringing an OFU (Object Finished Up) for Show and Tell.

Here’s a preview of a couple of projects our Sew Fun presenter has in store for you this month.

Rock Solid

Rock Solid book cover for presentation at April Sew FunRock Solid book cover for presentation at April Sew Fun

Solids – they’re versatile, they’re affordable, and they’ve got the starring role in 13 vibrant quilts by top designers in this book by Karen M. Burns.  Quilt a colorful work of art in brilliant solid fabrics. This new collection of bright and simple-to-stitch designs with subtle modern style shines are sewn in colorful Kona Cottons. Re-creating each quilt is a snap, thanks to comprehensive color keys and Kona Cotton color names included with each pattern. Quilt a colorful work of art in brilliant solid fabrics!

In this collection of fabulous quilts created by some of the brightest quilt designers around, you’ll find that no two designers see color exactly the same way. Some of the quilts in this book are quite modern, while others are a bit more traditional in design. Some are made with a very limited palette of just three colors, and others use 20 or more Kona hues. Seriously, could you limit yourself to just three colors when there are so many to choose from?

 Kona Cottons

Kona Cottons, the largest line of quilting solids available, have been around for more than 30 years. In that time they have become quite the staple for quilters who love working with solids. Interestingly enough, Robert Kaufman Fabrics introduced these solids that quilters have grown to love back in the mid 198os, to go along with its line of Hawaiian prints. Those prints were used primarily for garments, as were most Robert Kaufman fabrics. As you can imagine, once quilters caught on to the 12 primary and bright colors being offered, it didn’t take long until the line of colors was expanded. What started as a dozen colors soon grew, and today there are a whopping 303 colors—from the most subtle of neutrals to extremely vivid brights and everything in between—giving today’s quilters a range of choices like never before.

color chart showing all different colors of Kona Cottons

Make Yours Unique

The designers’ passion for working with such wonderful cotton solids is clear. Experience the the same enjoyment and thrill as you piece your next quilt from solids. Whether you follow along using the same colors as shown, or you choose to put your own color spin on your quilt, the patterns in this book are designed to work well in solids. You’ll find designs stitched in neutrals, some that feature just a pop of color, and those that are full-on rainbow riots.

It is easy to make a quilt exactly as it’s shown,  as the specific Kona color names are given for each quilt.  (After all, when then are dozens of greens and blues, being specific is the only way to go.) However, if you’d like to mix things up and color your own way, there is a color reference for each quilt at the back of the book. That way, if you’re not sure exactly what shade “frappe” or “mimosa” is, you can look it up on pages 62 and 63 and make any desired color substitutions.

 

Example of quilt from Rock Solid book presented at April Sew Fun Example of quilt from Rock Solid book presented at April Sew Fun Example of quilt from Rock Solid book presented at April Sew Fun Example of quilt from Rock Solid book presented at April Sew Fun

Is there a Kona cotton quilt in your future?

Maise Bowler Bag

photo of Maise Bowler Bag pattern for April Sew FunThe Maisie Bowler Handbag Pattern by Swoon Sewing Patterns includes instructions and pattern pieces to create a bag 12 1/2″ W x 8″ T x 6″ D. A modern twist on a retro design, this large handbag is the perfect fit for any “Bombshell Betty”. The unique handles and domed shape pay homage to bowling bags of the past. Carry this bag by the handles in the crook of the elbow or over the shoulder with a detachable strap.  Keep small things safe and easy to find inside a zippered pocket.

The possibilities are endless with this pattern. Use vinyl or leather as the accents and handles or go fabric all the way. Here’s a look at some of the different bags made with this pattern.

photo of Maise Bowler Bag pattern for April Sew Fun photo of Maise Bowler Bag pattern for April Sew Fun photo of Maise Bowler Bag pattern for April Sew Fun photo of Maise Bowler Bag pattern for April Sew Fun

Materials Needed

  • 1/4 yard (or fat quarter) 44” wide quilting weight exterior fabric
  • 2/3 yard 44” wide quilting weight lining fabric
  • 2/3 yard non-directional contrasting fabric, woven or vinyl
  • 1 yard foam interfacing (Pellon Flexfoam FF77)
  • 1/2 yard fusible heavy stabilizer (Pellon Peltex 71F)
  • 2 yards fusible woven interfacing (Pellon Shapeflex SF101)
  • 2 yards pre-made piping
  • Two 1” swivel clips
  • Two 3/4” D-rings
  • Four 1” rectangle rings
  • 14” all-purpose zipper (main compartment)
  • 7” all-purpose zipper (zippered pocket)
  • Fabric glue (Beacon Fabritac)
  • Coordinating thread

You don’t need to be a bowler to enjoy this fun bag. I can’t wait to see what fabrics our Sew Fun presenter used to create hers!

Join Us at April Sew Fun!

To see what else we have for you this month, be sure to attend one of our April Sew Fun sessions. Come, and eat some chocolate, maybe win a door prize, and discover some new and interesting projects to try.  Also, don’t forget to bring your creations for Show and Tell and get that prize and raffle ticket for the 2018 UFO Challenge.  Click here for some photos from the March Sew Fun events. We love to see what you’ve been sewing, and we love to share them with all of our readers.

With multiple sessions a day at each of our locations, how can you miss it?  We hope you can join us at one of these times:

Aurora: Tuesday, April, 17, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m or 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Littleton: Wednesday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m or 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Arvada: Thursday, April 19, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m or 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Colorado Springs: April 20, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you.