Hello baby Kiana!

Santa was a day late delivering this sweet package to our Gaby but she has to be the best present ever!  What a pretty girl and isn't she so lucky to have a fabulous group of Aunties at the Provo Cotton Shop!  We can't to see her. 


Babies... what a good thing.

Finished or almost

We love it when our friends share what they have done!  I'll admit I was skeptical that this elf would get everything accomplished when she was buying fabric on Thursday.  I just happened to be in the store on Friday (seems we can't stay away even on our days off!) when she popped by to show us one of the three sets of cowboy outfits she and her sister elf had finished.  She had said they were simple when she bought the fabric and I understand now.  Shoulder seams and side seams for the vest and some fringing.  The only seams on the chaps are to attach the ties.  What fun those little cowboy dudes will have!

And this is Trevor's Quilt, lovingly created to honor a fallen soldier in the war in Afghanistan.  There is an antique flavor to this quilt because of the traditional block and sashing designs.  The lighter blocks are more creamy and tan rather than white and the checkerboard border finishes the design off perfectly.  A truly beautiful quilt.

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December's Block of the Month

Next BOM dates are January 20 or 22

Chrisanne has started working on next years Block of the Month.  

Watch for details here :-)

Elving

A blog I read daily has had several posts over the last few weeks on elving. I love that verb! Doesn't it just perfectly describe what is going on this time of year and now at a rather frantic pace? And one of the fun things about working at The Provo Cotton Shop is that we get to see what kind of elving is going on.

Pajama pants and pajamas, pillowcases and of course blankets are what the elves seem to be sewing. And of course we PCS elves are working on gifts too! Since the workshop doors are still closed, I won't have any details until after the gift opening but here is a what Elf Heather made as a season opener:


Heather says, "Cole asked me if I could make a Santa hat for Rizzo, his gecko, and I agreed, not knowing that this was going to be a difficult task. I bought some felt and tried making some patterns for this minuscule hat. I finally got it sewed together (after some minor needle pokes to the fingers) and we attempted many times to get a decent picture, but the dang thing wouldn't hold still, so this is the best we have."

Now that''s a day brightener if I have ever seen one!

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January

More than the first page in a new calendar, although I always find that enjoyable, it's really about all the opportunities that are awaiting us in the new year. Remember that commercial where the cartoon guy knocks on the tv screen from the inside? I think he said, "Mr. Opportunity here, and I'm knocking!" That's how I feel about our classroom, a big opportunity, filled with possibilities and no knocking is needed! The door is always open. Come on in!


Here's what we have to offer you in January at the Provo Cotton Shop:



Classes:
(sign-ups are available at the cutting counter)

The Pea Patch
Part One of the Easy Peasy Quilt Series.

This is the perfect beginner quilt! Finished size is 54x54. It will help you develop your skills with a ruler and rotary cutter, simply and successfully. You will be able to complete this top in class or come darned near close to completing it!

Class size limited to 6, no children please

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 1-5
Cost: $20, includes pattern
Supplies needed:

• 8 coordinating Fat Quarters
• 1 yard border fabric
• Basic Sewing Kit*
• 6x24 ruler
• rotary cutter
• sewing machine

It's best if you can bring your own machine to work on but we do have several machines available in the classroom that you may use.

* Basic Sewing Kits should contain: Pins, scissors, chapstick, pencil, thread, an additional wound bobbin and a seam ripper. That's just the basics, you can include anything else that would make your life easier. I always have a Diet Pepsi in mine.

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The Twister

Got cake? Layer cakes? This quilt is all about cutting cake! The sewing is not difficult and there is a specially designed ruler/tool for the cutting that helps you get the twist. While not a totally beginner quilt, I would classify it as good for a confident beginner. The quilt finishes about 61x61 inches.


Date: Friday, January 14, 1 to 5
Cost: $20
Supplies needed:

• Large Twister tool
• 1 layer cake
• 1 1/4 yards border fabric
• 3/8 yard inner border fabric
• 1 1/4 yards outsider border
• 5/8 yard binding fabric
• 4 1/4 yards backing fabric
• Basic Sewing Kit
• Sewing machine
  

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Nebraska Waves

Visually stunning! This Jo Morten quilt is great for the scraps and stash we all have... and some of us have bigger stashes than others! Bring what you have and fill in as you need. And sharing with others if you can, is a good way to reduce those stashes!

Come and learn the fast and great techniques that make all the difference in putting this quilt together!


Date: Saturday, January 15 10 - 3 (pretty much all day)
Cost: $30 Lunch and snacks included
Supplies needed:

• 3 to 4 lights (cream, tan, gold)
• 3 to 4 medium to dark fabrics ( purple, green, red, rust, blue)
• 3 yards for setting blocks and outside border
• 1 yard for inside border
• Basic sewing kit
• Sewing machine

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Maybe our most exciting class isn't really a class at all but more like a group sewing hug!

Sew What? Saturdays

Saturdays (see dates below) in January our classroom will be open for you to bring a project and just sit and sew. No children, just grown ladies needing their own time, out or away, to enjoy sewing. We have room for six comfortably so there will be a sign-up. You should bring your own machine but if you need to use one of our classroom machines, there will be an additional $5 charge. One of our charming staff members will be participating as well and available to assist you if needed.

The details:
Dates: January Saturdays 8, 22, and 29
Time: 11 - 5
Cost: $5 per Saturday and an additional $5 if you need to use a classroom machine
Sign up required: Space is limited

What to bring: a project, your machine, and a basic sewing kit which should include a ruler and rotary cutter if you need them. We have cutting mats on the tables and an iron and ironing board for you to use.

Come join us! This might be an opportunity to start a small sewing club with your friends. Sharing time doing what you love is a fabulous way to enlighten and brighten any day!

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And What's Going On Here?


Chrisanne, our embroidery wizard, is using the new Baby Lock circle sewing attachment to create an amazing quilt top. I'm pretty sure your eyes will bug out and your jaw will drop when you see it! Even more amazing is that the attachment doesn't need to go on an embroidery machine but can fit on a regular sewing only machine!!