Free Pattern: Burpee Bib

I have made myself many of these Burpee Bibs and they have been one of my favorite baby items! So we are sharing the pattern with you! Now you can make some for yourself, or they make fantastic shower gifts. In my opinion they are one step up from the fabric adorned burp cloth’s that you usually make. This Burper doubles as a great little bib! The curve on our pattern is just perfect for your shoulder as well as your babies neck. Mine have a little snap, but you can use a button, Velcro or even ribbons to fasten it on as a bib. This is super simple sewing! You don’t have to be an expert! Enjoy!

Burpee Bib Pattern

This is my little guy modeling, isn’t he a doll?

Favorite Fabric Friday: Kokka Mushrooms

I get on kicks with certain themes when it comes to fabrics. Last year it was owls, I was in search for every cute owl print I could find. Lately I have become obsessed with mushrooms. I am really not sure why? It just is. So here is my latest favorite , it comes from Kokka. The colors are a little different than I am usually drawn to, but still I am in love.  I have been making a wool quilt for my bed and I think I am going to put this on the back. Hmmm, or maybe I need to come up with a mushroom quilt? Maybe add some fairies and gnomes?

Just In: American Girl Club!

These make me want to have a little girl!!! We have a little 3 year old in our family who is getting really into dolls, so that made us really into dolls. As we were looking for all of the accessories, and clothing, we noticed that there was not a lot out there that was as fabulous as we felt it should be. So, of course, we got busy making our own. We have come up with so many wonderful items! We figured you would want to make them for the little doll lover in your life too! So we have started an American Girl club. Each month we will be producing kits for different doll items. You can just purchase the kits, (in the shop or we will be happy to ship them) or also attend the class to learn all of the techniques and tricks. There is so much on the docket: A Halloween costume, pajamas (matching for a girl and doll, of course), fairy wings, spring dress, an Ice skating outfit and so much more!!!! February will be our 1st month, with the items shown here, the outfit and quilt kit can be purchased together or separately. Make sure you call or e-mail us so we can add you to the list of participants!

UPDATE: You can purchase the kits for the dress & quilt above on our website. These are the February Club Kits, we will post all future months on the blog as well.
February Dollie Kits

P.S. These items will work for a lot of other dolls, including the Pottery Barn Kids versions.

Featured Class: Invisible Machine Applique’

One of our most popular classes we teach at Piper’s is our Invisible Machine Applique’ class. Why? Because it is so easy, once you learn and it gives you beautiful looking applique with the edges turned under. Jeanette, the teacher combines several different methods to give all shapes the best result. This adorable little outfit from the quilt Betsy’s Closet was made using this method. The stitch can be done on any sewing machine, you don’t need anything fancy. Just a few of our techniques, some tools, a machine and some clear mono filament thread.We have tested a million threads and our current favorite is the Mono Poly thread in clear.  There are two options for this class on our current schedule, in fact one starts tomorrow night! Call us to sign up!

Favorite Fabric Friday: Gray!!!

I don’t know if you have noticed, but there is a major trend of the color Gray in quilting fabrics lately. I am loving it!!!! I have loved the color gray for a long time and have had to search hi and low for any fabric, but now it is every where. It blends well with so many colors and is a great neutral alternative to white, cream or black. I am working on 3 quilts right now and 2 of them have gray backgrounds, the other still has lots of gray worked into it. If you haven’t gotten into this color, give it a try. I think you will be surprised how much you like it. I really hope this trend sticks around for a while!!!

Quick Tips & Tools: Bamboo Batting!

Can you believe that they can turn this into a batting? Bamboo is all of  the rage lately in textiles! Maybe you have heard of bamboo towels or sheets. But now it is being made into quilt batting, and we are huge fans! We do a lot of hand work around here, including hand quilting and bamboo batting has replaced wool or silk for us.  We like it better and it is less expensive . It is super smooth like silk, but also is fresh and fluffy like cotton.  We love it for machine quilting too, you can quilt up to 8″ apart! It is naturally antibacterial , and only shrinks about 2% when 1st washed. Plus there is that whole save the planet thing, Bamboo is very green because it grows so quickly. It is one of our must have favorites around here, and we are pretty sure once you try it, it will be one of yours too.

 

Sneak Peak: Modern Baby Quilt

I am having so much fun making this quilt! This is our Modern Baby Quilt, it is super easy and fast, and even a beginner can make it. I am making a boys version for Ronan with gray(my new favorite fabric color) and a girls version with white just for kicks. The goal is to finish them both this weekend, while I stay inside and stay warm on this snowy day. I will be teaching this simple quilt and the fast technique in February, check out our Winter Class Schedule for more details. See the whole quilt next week, stay tuned! I hope you will love it as much as I do!

Winter 2012 Class Schedule

 

Early Bird Special!!! Register for a class from today through January 12th and receive 10% off your tuition! We have a fabulous new class schedule, please check it out through the link below.

Winter 2012 Class Schedule

Featured Class: Learn the best techniques in hand quilting and binding in a 4 part series class. You will finish a beautiful little quilt similar to the one shown above from Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts and become a finishing expert. This is a great follow up to anyone who has just completed our Beginning Quilting series! Check out the schedule for more info.