Thursday, June 30, 2011

Summer Spectacular Week One!

Happy Thursday y'all!

We're kicking off our Summer Spectacular today ... the first of four sales in July!  Starting today (and through July 10th), you can save 20% on all Solids and Blenders!  This includes Bella solids, Free Spirit Designer prints (houndstooth, beads/dots), Moda Essential Dots, Moda Crossweave, and more!

And .... when you place a minimum order of $15 (prior to tax and shipping) now through July 5th, we'll add a free Watermelon Mug Rug kit to your order!  No need to add anything extra to your cart and no coupon codes needed to receive this kit!  We'll automatically add one to all qualifying orders!

Isn't this cute?!  It's about 6 in x 12 in and super easy ... fabric and instructions will be provided in the kit - just add thread and batting!

We'll also be doing a Free Fat Quarter Promotion drawing for each week of the Summer Spectacular.  We'll post a random winner from customers ordering June 30-July 10 here on Monday, July 11th.

All prices have already been adjusted in the shop to reflect the sale - so start saving today!  Also, if you have a previously issued shop-wide coupon code please be aware that the Summer Spectacular specials will not be included - but all other merchandise is fair game!  Thank you. :)

Stop by tomorrow ... I will be announcing the first challenge in our new bimonthly challenge!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

They're Here!

Dear UPS Delivery Person, 
Thank you for bringing fabulous new precuts!
Yours Truly, 
Chrissy @ Sew Lux   :-)

Now available ... charms in Ruby, Little Apples, Circa 1934, and Late Bloomers as well as layer cakes in Etchings!

And at about 11 PM tonight, I'll start updating prices in the Solids and Blenders section (20% off!) to start off our first of four sales in the Summer Spectacular! (Yes, we're starting a day early! :-)  Don't forget you can get a Watermelon Mug Rug Kit FREE with a minimum $15 purchase - we'll automatically include it in qualifying orders now through the July 5th!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Countdown to Christmas is here!

Introducing ... Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater!

I love it ... this stuff is so stinkin' cute!  How adorable would some little embroidered trees or reindeer be?!

Yardage in selected prints is finally here!

Did I mention precuts for Ruby, Little Apples, Circa 1934, Late Bloomers and Etchings should all be hitting our doorstep today or tomorrow?!  I'll post here when they arrive! :-)

Happy Sewing :-)

Monday, June 27, 2011

Summer Spectacular!

Hello, hello!  The holiday weekend is coming up fast and we're kicking off July with a Summer Spectacular.  We'll be having a series of sales - a different one each week!  We've decided to make this sale easy for everyone and we'll be adjusting prices at our sewluxfabric.com shop so you don't even need a coupon code to take advantage of all the great deals! 

Here's a look at our upcoming sales ...


Other July news ... Summer House by Lily Ashbury and Dogwood Trail by Sentimental Studios for Moda are both due to hit our shelves.  We'll also have precuts for many of the fall collections (Ruby, Little Apples, and more) later this week. 

Happy Sewing!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Farmer's Wife Sampler Blocks 1 & 4

Hello ... again!

Have you jumped on the Farmer's Wife Sampler (FWS) bandwagon yet?  I've been hemming and hawing about my fabrics.  I like scrappy, but that intimidates me for something like this.  I think I'll save the scraps for string or spiderweb or something else.  So, I grabbed a long-neglected charm pack, hoping I can squeeze many of the blocks out of smaller blocks. :-)

I also decided to try to paper piece most.  So far, okay.  Here's the first block - Attic Window.

So, I was feeling pretty good ... let's go for another one.  Number 4 - the Basket Weave.  And ... FAIL.

Can you spot the error?!  OMG ... I didn't even realize it until after I took like 5 pictures! LOL  I'm not picking out the teeny tiny stitches, so I'm either going to scrap it or just use it anyway and keep the reminder that no one is perfect.  But I'm sorta OCD too ...

Are you doing the FWS?  Tips or tricks (other than the obvious pay attention when you're sewing! haha)?

Happy Sewing! :-)

Swoon Quilt Kit

Hey y'all! Just a quick post to announce this ....


You can now reserve a kit for the Swoon quilt!  Check it out here and reserve your's today!  Please be sure to read the description for all specifics on how the reservation works and email us with any questions.  Quantities are limited.  We hope you'll enjoy having this option. :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Boy Colors

Hiya!  I got some more work done on my quilt that I started when I should have been finishing my sewing room clean up! :-)  I have it all pieced together except for the border ... need to get some more black fabric.  I will take some whole quilt top pics tomorrow since the sun went down a little too far by the time I finished for me to get some today.

Another view ...

I took this downstairs to proudly show the mister and I asked "what do you think?" and he replied "its boy colors."  Believe it or not, he actually likes this one as compared to this one ...

To which he said "when did you get that fabric ... the middle ages?"  LOL  I guess he's not a fan of the castle peeps.  Incidentally, this quilt is a WIP ... needs to be sandwiched, quilted, and bound. (Tell me I'm not the only one with multiple quilt tops sitting around waiting for their turn under the free motion or walking foot?!)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Friday, June 24, 2011

Excited!

Happy Friday folks! :-)

I bet you wouldn't think I'd be excited about getting an invoice .... but an invoice to me means that new stuff has shipped and is on its way!  Very excited that within the next week we'll have charm packs for Ruby, Little Apples, Circa 1934, and Late Bloomers as well as layer cakes for EtchingsCountdown to Christmas is also already en route as well!

Also, we're working on a great kit opportunity for a little somethin' somethin'!  And I'm picking perle colors out for a new sampler pack to match this line. :-)

I am also excited for July ... we're doing a Summer Spectacular with a new sale every week, giveaways, and great deals on pretty much everything we have!  I'll post all the details on Monday as well as get the new newsletter out then too.

In the meantime, I've been putting a matching pair of FQs I picked up some time ago at Joann's to good use.  24 blocks ready for a little bit of sashing ...

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Easy Does It

Hi!  I've been easing into the room clean up over here!  :-)  Here's a sneak at one corner.  We won't look behind the camera just yet ...

I did move some furniture around and got *some* of my fabric organized.  (Um, that's only about half of my stash ... scary!)  Once I am really done (and by done, I mean it is in a state that is "as good as it is going to get"), I will take some photos and give you a tour.

I did get distracted and started a quilt last night.  And then I saw the new Swatch Book pattern from Keyka Lou today and whipped one up immediately!

It's a super easy pattern and I was done from purchase to print to press in about an hour. :-)  I did adjust the measurements a little to accommodate a little notebook I had on hand since I don't have any moleskins yet.

Happy Sewing!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Need another project?

Hi everyone!  I hope your week is off to a great start so far.  :-)

My mom and I were discussing today that we need to get a world map and some pushpins to mark all the states and countries that our customers are from.  Today we added a new location .... Greece!  We are so thrilled to be building this little once-pipedream-of-a-business and so grateful for all of you ... whether you live in Greece or here in our own county in NC ... who have supported us so far.  Thank you!

It's summertime, which for me means days with no schedule!  :-)  And the opportunity to craft or sew all day if I want to (and don't have other chores that can no longer be ignored).  I've spent some time surfing blogland lately and have come across some neat quilt alongs.  At the moment, I've been eyeballing and lurking around some of them and have started in on a few others. I hope to share a "WIP" report of my own soon .... I might actually rival Mary's list.  ;-)
Have you jumped on the Farmer's Wife bandwagon yet?  There's something about these sampler blocks and the history in them that appeals to me.  Not so much the traditional fabrics, but I love that these blocks are ones that women have been making for many, many years.  I did breakdown and buy the book about 2 weeks ago and I am still deciding on what to do about my fabrics.  I am thinking that they'll be happy scrappy.  But my scraps look like this ...

Think that's too much for this kind of quilt?  I'd love your thoughts!  :-) 

Well, that's all for now folks.  Tomorrow, I have plans to work on the biggest WIP project .... cleaning and organizing my sewing room.  Can y'all relate?!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Bliss Scraps Winner!

Hello, hello!

Happy Monday, y'all!  It drew a winner for the bundle of Bliss scraps today and the winner is ... drum roll, please ... Jenniffier!  You can see her list of WIPs here. :-)

Jenniffier, please email us (sewlux (at) gmail (dot) com) and I will send you this little bundle of leftovers from my Bliss pinwheel quilt.  There are six roughly 5" x 22" strips ... hopefully you can work them into a WIP! 

Hoping to work on assembling some Clover & Violet Stitch and Quilt Along blocks so that I can start embroidering!  :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happy Weekend!

Hi everyone!  Hope your weekend is off to a good start.  I'd like to say I could share a last minute Father's Day gift, but my dad is the hardest to shop/buy/make things for.  :-)  So, mexican restaurant here we come!

I have been busy this week ... I rearranged the shop a bit, adding sections and moving some things around.  You can now search by style (dots, stripes, etc), search the sales by price, as well as a new section called "last chance" where we have end of bolt type pieces - less than 2 yards and remaining fat quarters.  (You can see the remaining inventory by adding the item to you cart - for most prints, its a half or 1 yard left!)  I also updated some Just Wing It prints to show the remaining yardage available since a few were unavailable while we were making kits for the Clover and Violet Stitch and Quilt Along.  I also ordered some Pellon interfacing that is called for in Amy Butler bag patterns.  We should have that in next week and then I'll be anxiously awaiting the Summer House line next month since I think it would look AWESOME in that Spice Market tote.

I did also do some sewing this week ... I made these blocks for my 3x6 beehive ladies.  I used a block from the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book for my inspiration.

And I tried out a Simplicity shirt pattern last night and made a tank top.  I'll have to take some pictures and tell you more about that later.  My first real piece of clothing without someone walking me through the process!  (Quilting no problem.  Clothing ... frightening!  Too many directions!  haha)  I wanted to practice on something smaller before I tackled making a couple of dresses for a coworker to take to an orphanage in Haiti next month.  More on my clothing making adventures later!

Well, that's about it for now.  Don't forget to use your coupon code from the newsletter this weekend. :-)

Happy Sewing!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Show Us Your WIP!

Hiya!  Do y'all get the American Patchwork & Quilting magazine?  I really enjoy this magazine - lots of great projects of varying skill levels.  One thing that caught my eye on this month's cover was this bag...


This is just the cutest! I'm tempted to make it with a Summer House charm pack!  How bright and fun would that be?!

What are you making right now?  I'd love to see your current WIP (work-in-progress) .... leave a link in the comments and I'll choose a random winner on Monday, 6/20 for a bundle of Bliss scraps.

The next edition of the newsletter went out this evening ... the 10% off everything coupon code in it is good through Sunday!  Didn't get it?  Sign up using the link in the menu bar on the left and I'll make sure you get a copy in your inbox.  :-)

Happy Sewing!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Quick Gift Idea

Hi all!  Today was my last teacher workday, so I've got lots of summer plans involving the sewing machine!  I did want to share a quick gift I made for one of my administrators. 

Awhile ago I found this List Taker pattern from jcasa.  I bought it, but it took awhile to get around to making some.  I made about 8 for a mother-daughter tea and I knew that it would be a great gift for my coworker.  She is always carrying around a notepad and writing reminders for herself.  She is also a former art teacher, so I will admit that I agonized over the fabric choices ... do y'all do that when you're making a gift for someone?  Anywho, I wanted it to be fab as she has an amazing style and wears lots of interesting clothes and jewelry.  (And I mean interesting in a good/Anthropology inspired kind of way, not in the "hmmmm, well that is interesting" kind of way! haha)

Here's what I came up with ...

I used some more dots on the inside in an avocado-y green.  These fabrics aren't all perfect matches, but I think they "go" well and I really love the result.

I am tempted to make a twin, but then her's wouldn't be unique and I think she really liked it!  :-)

I am also really proud of my first attempt at pebble quilting.  Not too bad!

Well, that's it for now folks ... working on a few things, including the next edition of our newsletter (coming out Thursday with a weekend coupon code) and anxiously awaiting the arrival of our coming soon collections, especially Summer House!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Customer Spotlight: Julie

Hi!  It's time for another Customer Spotlight post!

Julie from Make Lemons emailed us to shared a really cut pool tote with us.  I love how perfect the Sugar Pop prints are for a project like this ... summery and fresh!  Check out her awesome tote.

Julie also gives basic directions for this tote ... including a zippered pocket on the inside!  Check out her post here to learn more and be sure to say hello to Julie!

Thanks so much for sharing your project with us, Julie!  We love seeing our customers' work. :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Friday, June 10, 2011

New Patterns Now Available!

Hi again ...

Just wanted to share that we got our shipment of new patterns in tonight ...

Amy Butler Spice Market Tote & Amy Butler Birdie Sling
Cluck, Cluck, Sew Shortcake & Off Track
Jaybird Quilts Unwind & Thimble Blossoms Swoon (back in stock!)

Please note if all you order is pattern, we will refund excess shipping. :-)

Happy Sewing!

Charming Crosses Tutorial - Part 2

Hiya!  Well, I made it to the end of the week and its been a busy one closing out the school year at my daytime job and attending graduation rehearsal, etc. :-)  I am happy to report that I have finished both table topper/wall hanging tops and am excited to share them with you tonight!  Ready?

Just so you know my measurements, the white sashing was cut at 2.5" wide (finishing to 2" wide) and the outer borders were cut 5" wide.

Start by adding sashing between the blocks. (Block Tutorial Here!)

Then around the blocks ...

Now, let's add an inner border.  I decided to use this diamond print (Flurry Sparkle Red Ribbon) and fussy cut it a bit.  I cut strips 1.5" wide and used my ruler to line up the diamonds for my first cut as shown below.

Keep adding your inner border (diamond print) and then add your main/outer border.  I used the Joy Red Ribbon on this one.  And I love how this one turned out!

I think I prefer the scrappier version of these charming crosses blocks, too.  But I also like the softer blue version ... more winter, less full-on Christmas! :-)  (I promise to take a brighter photo after I quilt it!)

So what do you think?  If you make one of these, I'd love to see it - please share with a link or in our Flickr group! :-)

Thanks for stopping in! 

Happy Sewing!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Still Working ...

Hey y'all!  Need to do a bit more work before the next part of the charming crosses tutorial is ready ... stay tuned ... hopefully tomorrow! :)

Happy Sewing!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

You Know You Want to Make One!

Hi!  :-) 

Last week some of y'all sweetly completed our survey and I took notice of the types of patterns you like and want.  We sold out of Swoon in a hustle, so when I went to order more copies, I added some other fun patterns to my cart!  My favorite can't-wait-to-make-it pattern is a new one from Amy Butler called the Spice Market Tote.  Here's a picture of it ...
Our order shipped today so we should have them on Thursday or Friday and of course I will let you know here when they are live in the shop!  :)  I also ordered a few other patterns including quilt patterns from Cluck, Cluck, Sew and Jaybird Quilts.  :-) 

See y'all tomorrow with more of the Charming Crosses project!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Monday, June 6, 2011

Charming Crosses Tutorial - Part 1

Hi and happy Monday!  I'm back today to share the process for what I am calling the Charming Crosses blocks for the wall hangings/table toppers I am making from the Flurry charm pack. Are you ready?

Just to recap, I am making TWO wall hangings/table toppers from 1 charm pack with some yardage added into the mix.  The one will measure approx. 20" x 40" and the other will measure approx. 34" x 34". 

For the square version, you'll need:
  • 24 - 5" squares
  • 1/4 yard white (or other neutral for sashing)
  • 1/3 yard coordinating print for inner border
  • 1/2 yard coordinating print for outer border
  • 1/3 yard for binding
  • 1 yard for backing
For the rectangle version, you'll need:
  • 18 - 5" squares
  • 1/4 yard white (or other neutral for sashing)
  • 1/2 yard coordinating print for border
  • 1/3 yard binding
  • 1/2 yard for backing (we'll piece this a little) - or 1-1/4 yard
Step 1: Sort your charm squares into two groups - one set of 18 for the rectangle version and one set of 24 for the square version.  For this project, I am doing blue/green for the rectangle and red/green for the square. 

Step 2: Sort each collection of charms into sets of 3.  One of the three charms in each group should be a contrasting color/print.  You'll need two sets of 3 charms to make one finished block.

Step 3:  Slice 2 charms (the pair, not the contrasting color one) in half.  I do mine with a little bit of wonkiness. :)  Perfection isn't required here!

Cut the contrasting color charm into 4 strips - again you can eyeball these or measure perfection here.

Step 4: Stitch a contrasting strip to one half of a charm.  Then add the other half of the charm.  You'll end up with a striped block.  Press seams - I pressed mine away from the center strip.

Then cut that block in half again, this time in the opposite direction, as shown.  Again, I did mine with a little bit of wonkiness. 

Step 5: Repeat step 4 to add a new stripe and join the halves back together. Press toward the newest center strip.  (See below.)

Step 6: Trim your finished block to 4-1/2" square.

Step 7:  Make the rest of the blocks from your two sets of 3 charms (see step 2). You should have 4 blocks like this.


Step 8: Join your blocks together. First join the two in the top row and then join the two in the bottom row.  Then join the rows to make a 2x2 block.


Step 9: Press and admire your work! :)

That's it!  Very easy and quicker than you think, I promise!

For the rectangle verison, you'll need 3 finished 2x2 blocks (measuring 8-1/2" square).  For the square version, you'll need 4 finished 2x2 blocks.

On Wednesday, I will show you how we'll assemble this all together to make the top.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let me know here in the comments or on the Sew Lux Flickr group page.

Happy Sewing!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Grab a Charm Pack!

Hi y'all!  We're winding down the weekend here.  We celebrated my husband's birthday yesterday and then hung around the pool today.  While we floated around, my mom and I also planned out some great sales and promotions for the summer, so be sure to get signed up for the newsletter!  :-)

I've been dreaming of how to use my Flurry charm pack and finally came up with a plan!  :-)  I love the bright colors and modern prints despite the fact that I decorate for Christmas in burgundy and gold!  This weekend I sketched out a plan for, count 'em, TWO wall hangings (or table toppers/runners) from one charm pack plus a bit of yardage.

I got to sorting tonight and took some photos of my process for the block design and I'll be sharing the tutorial tomorrow.  I have a series of posts planned for the week so by this time next week, you'll have all the directions you need to create this project.  If you'd be interested in a kit, please let us know in the comments and I'll add one to the shop!

See ya tomorrow!

Happy Sewing!  :)

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Bundle Up

Hi everyone!  Hope you are having a great weekend! :-)

It's been pretty warm here, but this new Flurry line by Kate Spain has me dreaming of Christmas crafts.  Check out these bundles ...


I've got some projects in the works with these lovelies ... stay tuned! :-)

Happy Sewing!

Friday, June 3, 2011

New in the Shop!

Happy Weekend!

We got another delivery from brown today full of charm square packs.  Lots of Bella White Bleached and two NEW collections ...

Dogwood Trail


And Summer House (my favorite)!


Check out all of our precuts here. And in case you are wondering, Dogwood Trail and Summer House yardage is expected in July, although I heard they are trying to get Dogwood Trail out in late June.  We'll keep you posted, of course!  If you are interested in preordering yardage in either of these collections, please email us at sewlux(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Customer Spotlight: Toni

Happy Friday!

Toni of Tiny Lil Stitches was sweet enough to contact us and share a project with us using the Sunkissed prints she recently bought from Sew Lux.  I was excited to see this cute table runner she made (as well as to hear how quickly it sold in her shop)!
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Toni!

If you have a project you've made with fabric from our shop, we'd love to share it here on our blog.  Please email us at sewlux(at)gmail(dot)com with your project.

Happy Sewing! :)