What We Found At Quilt Market!

Spring Quilt Market 2015 

Reviews and Finds!

   Two times a year your Quilt Shop owners converge on Quilt Market where we learn about what is new and might make a difference in the way we make our quilts. 

 Certainly there is plenty to see and learn about. We take classes on how to compete with the big stores. We learn about shopping and market trends. And finally we get to put our hands on the newest things that are being brought to market. 

 This is a where the American Dream is alive and well. It's kind of like the TV show Shark Tank. Except we the shop owners decide what is going to make it and what might fall by the way side. 

 Not long ago the Rotary Cutter was brought to market and now we all have one.... or eight. Chances are if you have it in your sewing kit; it once had it's day in Spring Market Court. 

 Below are some of the things that caught our eye that will be available at Handcart Quilts & Yarns soon! 

 First Up! Sew Tacky Technology Seam Guide! This baby has tons of uses!

This has got to be the coolest way EVER to make your seams perfect!(Not to mention Half Square Triangles) I personally can't wait to turn our Teenie Stitches Kids loose with these! Click Here To See Video 
 #SewTackyTechnology 

In the video above you might have noticed that his adorable purple Featherweight is rocking what must be the most FABULOUS extension table. Sew Steady makes them like that one and an even cooler one that has a drawer!!!!! 

 Now for those of you who can't figure out what you might put in a drawer I have provided a short list of things to fill it with in  In This Video ( Click Me)

 AND the Wish Table helps you sew circles! 

It holds all of your goodies (chocolate included).

 AND even better is the neato-skeeto Quilting foot that they have as well!!! Now before you start hemming and hawing about "I already have a darning foot or a free motion foot for my domestic sewing machine" Let me assure you, this little darling is not the same! 

 All of that fancy schmancy ruler work that longarm quilters do, you can do with this foot. It won't go over or under your ruler getting you stuck in the bits. Instead it will glide around the rulers giving you perfect lines and keeping your fabric pushed away and unbunched. #SewSteady

 Next up we have Arrow Sewing Cabinets!I had played with these before and was super excited to see what my husband thought of them. 

 These tables are very well made with an eye to the sewist's needs. With the help of Sew Steady they are able to fit every quilt shop quality sewing machine with a table insert. 

We all grew up around those fantastic cabinets that old sewing machines fit into. This is a super cute well made way to bring those cabinets back while using our new machines! AND if you ever upgrade your machine all you need to do is order a new insert for your new machine! It's easy to see why we fell in love .

 We also loved This one! great for a smaller space! and it folds up and even rolls with you to retreats, classes and other sewing adventures.

 Feast your eyes on the cute chairs too!!! and yes they have hidey holes under the cushions!

(Your next question will likely be about the adorable button rugs. They are made by Ikea and can be found HERE ( it's only $49.00 you need one) #ArrowSewingCabinets

 The Turn Sharp Rotary Blade Sharpener was another fun product that answers the call we all have! Rotary cutter blades are expensive and dull before their time. This Handy-Dandy gadget will keep them sharp as long as possible! You can see it in action  By Clicking Here
 #TurnSharp

  One of the things I was looking for was more patterns for my hand embroiderers. 

We found some really fun patterns and I'm excited to see how they go.

 We love Aunt Martha as much as the next stitcher but something new would be good!

 And MAN OH MAN we found them!!!!! I hope Cranberry Pie Designs is the next big thing because We loved EVERYTHING she had to offer! #CranberryPieDesigns

 Our Notions companies were full of fun stuff. 

The Gypsy Quilter made it to the top of our list. My favorite being the ruler handles. 

We already sell a different brand but these seemed far superior and we will be going this route from now on. My husband however wants THIS!!!

The Gypsy Sit Upon. He said his bum has never felt better! (That is a direct quote) #TheGypsyQuilter

We also found barns!!!!

 We are in a farm town and this was like finding a bit of home and I can't wait to see what my customers think of them!!!

 Last but certainly not least we sunk our teeth into the new dies from AccuQuilt!!!!

 It is no secret that I LOVE AccuQuilt.

 Having worked there I know not only the product but the people make up this company so After a quick hug from my favorite girls Erica and Lynn we got down to business and looked at the new goodies.

 SKWEEEEEEEEE!!!! I love all of them and I know my customers will too! 

#AccuQuilt #BetterCutsMakeBetterQuilts

So That along with lots and lots of fabric was our market. We saw many many items and will be putting many of them to the test with our pint size reviewers. 

Our first line of reviews will take place at the Teenie Stitches Kid's Guild tomorrow. Stay Tuned!!!! 

#HandcartQuilts

#TeenieStitches

#QuiltingWithKids

#KeepCalmAndQuiltOn

Don't forget to tell us what you think of the items we found! What is your favorite? 

Please make sure to follow us on Facebook and on the Blog

There is plenty more to come!

Happy Stitching

&

Don't Forget

Quilting With Kids - Keep Calm & Grab The Seam Ripper

Once Upon a time in the little town of Clarinda Iowa...

A country school teacher decided that children were missing something in their education. She in turn set her mind to inspiring children to learn about the farm land, animals, and other aspects of their life that a formal education didn't necessarily teach.

She focused on Head, Heart, Hands and later Home.  Her work later became the 4H that many children know and love today. 

In the spirit of this when my husband and I moved to Clarinda Iowa from Omaha, Nebraska to open our quilt shop Handcart Quilts and Yarns we decided to continue her work focusing mainly on home especially around quilting and other sewing projects. 

Our dear friend Lexy Davies and her girls who live, eat and breathe all things 4H were quickly struck with the same passion and before you knew it we were getting quilts ready for County Fair.

Kambrea age 16 at the time made a Hunter Star Quilt where she got a purple ribbon at County Fair and a Red at State.

Karissa age 15 at the time made a Funky Log Cabin getting a purple ribbon at County Fair and went to state where she got a blue ribbon ( top honors) 

 Kandalyn age 12 at the time hand embroidered her center and surrounded it with Drunkard's Path blocks! She received a lavender at County Fair

2015 Fair Quilt "Memory Lane"

 Karissa age 16

Fair Quilt "Letters From Home" Karissa Age 16

         

Kambrea age 17 Auction Quilt for

 Iowa Poultry Queen

"Hen House Home"

Kandalyn age 13 "Soldiers and Stars" 

2015 Fair Quilt

Kandalyn age 13 and her Drunkard's Path

2015 Fair Quilt "Supernova"

The 2015 Fair Quilts started in March and Karissa and Kandalyn are doing two quilts and Kambrea made a quilt to be Auctioned to pay for her Poultry Queen Competition expenses.

We have calls all of the time to help kids with their quilts for fair. Unfortunately parents and grandparents think that they can do the work or that we will do the work for them. I have pretty strong opinion on kids doing their own work. 

The kids that learn with us pick their pattern, find their fabric, cut their quilts using the AccuQuilt, thread their machines and even clean them.

 They sew every stitch and rip out just as many.

 They are learning that not doing something right the first time typically means extra work down the road. They are also learning that all things can be fixed with a little hard work. 

Quilts are honest. You can tell us that your stitches were good and they may look right at a glance but when a quilt starts to go together and the rows are not lining up the kids find out pretty quick that they are only cheating themselves. 

Some of our sewers are precise.....

Others are perfectionist... ( yes.... Brie, Scarlett's daughter, likes paper piecing.... she is 8 )

and some (cough cough) figure that if you don't see the mistake from 100 yards away then it's OK ;) 

These girls were the pioneers of what was to become the kid's guild. Before you knew it we were having our first meeting of The Teenie Stitches Kid's Quilt Guild. We recruited our friend Scarlett who is our resident Featherweight enthusiast and we were ready to go!

Now the kids in our little town are not lacking in after school programs, dancing, swimming, FFA, 4H, band, track and even a Lego Club rein supreme so finding the right day was a bit of a bear but we settled on the 3rd Monday of every month in the shop at 5:30. Sometimes that means the kids need to come and do homework with us at the shop.

Our First meeting was filled with 21 kids ages 6-17. We talked a little about what a guild is gave them each 2 Fat Quarters to create something for show and tell at the next meeting and then turned them loose on the Handi Quilter Machines. (not threaded of course) 

As in all things kids we were not sure what our numbers would be the next meeting. We thought maybe some kids would have decided this was not for them but others might tell their friends.

 We are now, after 5 months at 40 kids and growing. 

Our first quilt was a signature quilt. They wrote their first names and ages on their neutral Fat Quarter blocks and then we used the Missouri Star Quilt Company's Exploding Block Technique  to attach a 10'' Square  with a print

This was the perfect first quilt and although we saw some rather inventive ways to speed up the hand embroidery process. What can I say..... These kids are nothing if not efficient when it comes to getting out of work they maybe are not completely in love with. 

Our next meeting was about getting their sewing machine driving lesson and getting their permits. If you are teaching your kids how to sew I recommend clicking HERE for diagrams and even the permit shown above!

Our current project is a Quilt of Valor. We hope to give it to a person who has served our country at our annual Independence Day Festivities in the near by town of New Market, Iowa. ( Which includes pie making contests/ auctions, tractor pulls, a parade, draft horse pulling contests and other wholesome family activities not to mention FIREWORKS!) 

Our goal is to teach these kids not just how to quilt but the spirit and community of quilting. We are not just teaching stitches. I hope we are teaching independence, problem solving, geometry, charity, teamwork, and other life lessons. I hope that the boys and girls that quilt with us will make great friendships and memories and that they will learn valuable life skills. 

We are passing on a tradition as old as time. Keeping this great art alive while bettering our youth. 

When we hang their quilts in the store window they come and take pictures with it. I hope they feel accomplished. I hope that they know that with the help of good friends, a decent sewing machine, and a seam ripper all things are possible.                             

On June 30th we will be making the 2.5 hour drive to 

Missouri Star Quilt Company so the kids can meet 

Jenny.  They are pretty excited to meet her because we watch her videos all the time.  One of our little sewers  Cloe already met her and was the star of show and tell. 

We would like to help other shops start Teenie Stitches Guilds all around the US so if you would like some help give us a call! 

Lets get America's kids quilting !

You can contact us on our Facebook by clicking HERE