New Low Volume Club

Low Volume prints are the best and have quickly become a favorite in my own sewing and quilting for backgrounds.  Essentially, low volume prints are white or cream and have black, grey or sometimes colorful print that isn't very dense or bold.  Here are some examples of some previous low volume bundles we've had in the shop (no longer available).

As a result of my own collecting, I will be curating a monthly bundle of six low volume prints for our new Low Volume FQ Club that starts in January.  The club is $18/month shipped in the US and you can join (or cancel) anytime.

Learn more about the club here and reserve your spot!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Mini Sew Together Bags

When I look back at 2014, I think I'll call it the year of the Sew Together Bag.

This year, I've made several of these great bags ... actually more like 13 (with several more in various stages of completeness!).  It's a little embarrassing when you no longer need the pattern - even for cutting!  haha

Recently, I saw a post on Instagram about a mini version.  Well, we all know that smaller = cuter.  Right?!  So, I made my way over to Occasional Piece's website to learn more.  Basically, once you have the original pattern (available here) by Sew Demented, you can download the worksheet by Elizabeth at Occasional Piece to calculate the measurements for the smaller bag.

What's different?  Well, not a whole lot ... the bag goes together the same, but there are two zippered pockets instead of three and its about 2/3-ish scale in terms of bag width.

I like to make my Sew Together Bags in batches and assembly line them.  Of course, I decided to make four minis the week of Christmas.  You know, just because.

I cut everything and then sewed everything.  Since I use several feet on my machine while making the bag, this just works easier for me.

I quilted each one a little differently.  And due to the time crunch, I kept it simple by not piecing the exterior as I usually do.

I am happy to report that they were well received at Christmas.  My next batch is planned for this week while I am off from work!

Have you made one yet?  If not, don't be scared!  Email me or tag me on IG if you need help.  :)

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Year End Clearance Sale

Just a quick post to share a little about our Year End Clearance Event...

We're making room for lots of pretty things in 2015 and we need some space in the shop!

Save 20% on already reduced yardage, bundles, precuts, etc now through 12/31/14.  We'll be adding to the sale section with last chance pieces and more now through the end of the year.  These additional savings won't be back for several months, so head on over and check it out!

Gene Pool Quilt : Progress

Hey friends!

I hope you all had a great holiday with family and friends.  :)  After crazy last minute sewing and running around, I spent the majority of yesterday working on a new quilt top ... just for fun.  (The best kind.)

Of course, I didn't really need to start a new project, but I couldn't stop myself!

We got the new Gene Pool quilt pattern by Jen Kingwell in last week and I had some Moda scrap bags from Honeysweet & Mirabelle by Fig Tree Quilts and I knew they'd play so nice together.

I've added in a little bit of Somerset as well to help me get the size a little better. So far, I'm having a lot of fun playing around with placement and piecing this together.

I hope to finish it next week ... and I should really get a move on since this isn't coming off my design wall without being sewn together!

I'll keep you posted ... one of my goals in 2015 is to do better about sharing my work here and not just on Instagram!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop - Pleated Tree

Hey there!  When Jennifer of Ellison Lane asked me if I'd like to participate in her Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop I was happy to oblige!

I thought it would be fun to make a smaller version of my pleated tree block.

The original block is 8" x 10", but you can make this block pretty much any size and even a little wonky if you like!  I'm including some pictures from my original tutorial below - feel free to check out the complete tutorial here. 

For the smaller version, I pleated a 4" x 10" strip off a layer cake square.  Your pleated piece should look something like this ...

In my original tutorial, I used a solid white background.  If you are using a print, you'll need to cut two 6" squares.  Cutting each one on opposite diagonal angles to get triangles for the sides.

Sew the sides on one at a time and then add a trunk section along the bottom.

Trim to the size you want and add a border if you like.  I chose to add a scrappy-ish border of red prints from Miss Kate by Bonnie & Camille.

I used a red layer cake square for the backing and self-binding of my little mug rug.  It's quick and simple!  Check out this tutorial here that shows how I do this binding technique.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  If you make a pleated tree project, I'd love to see it!  Link it up or tag me @sewlux on Instagram.

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Daysail Precuts

Hey there and Happy Monday!

We're really excited to report that our first round of Daysail precuts have arrived in the shop!

I was very lucky to get a layer cake early, which I used in my Sewvivor bag project and the collection is so great!

Snag a charm pack, layer cake, or jelly roll while they last!  We'll get our second round in late January/early February.

We also got precuts of Color Theory and Fresh Cut as well!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Holiday Sale - 20% Off Storewide!

Just popping in to share our holiday sale with you all - tis the season for making!  We're making the making a little easier with 20% off storewide now through 12/4/14.  

Use coupon code "HOLIDAY20" at checkout (after the payment screen).  All in stock items are included (presales & reservations are not included in this sale).  

Introducing the Snow Tires Mini Pattern

Hey there!

I've been obsessed with making Sew Together bags the past few months and have cranked out quite a few.  One of my favorites was one where I mini-sized my Snow Tires pattern.

This past weekend, I was working on assembling a few more bags and went back to this fun and quick to piece pattern.  After several comments on IG, I thought it would be fun to go ahead and make the mini-sized pattern to share.

So, I give you the Snow Tires Mini ....

This particular pattern is sized to 18" x 18", but you can easily make it longer or wider to fit your needs.  The 18" x 18' size is perfect for pillows like the one shown here using Folk Art Holiday.

Paper patterns, PDF patterns, and kits for this particular pattern are available while supplies last and you can get one free this week (offer ends 11/30/14 - see above for details)!

Hope you all are having a great week!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Persimmon 16-Patch Quilt

This past weekend I had the chance to get away and sew for the weekend with some friends. And I managed some pretty fun finishes including a quilt top!

With the holidays fast approaching (and also wanting some easy sewing while chatting with my friends), this quilt was the perfect quick & easy project.

The more I use the Persimmon collection by Basic Grey for Moda the more I love it.  The colors are beautiful and its perfect for fall and the Thanksgiving season!

This top turned out at 48 x 56 and can be made with just one layer cake!  (You'll need 3 yards backing and a 1/2 yard for the binding.

All layer cakes are 20% off this week in our shop - just use code "CAKE20" and we'll throw in a free pattern sheet for this quick and easy quilt with any layer cake now through 11/23/14!

Priory Square is Here!

Priory Square by Katy Jones for AGF is here!  These prints are so soft and the colors are stunning!  And did we mention that the rose print is metallic?!  Shop the collection here.

Are You Ready for Christmas?!

Only SIX Saturdays left until Christmas!  I don't know about you, but I've got to get my sewing elves started! :-)   It's time to get your holiday fabrics and we're having a sale - save 20% on all Christmas yardage and precuts AND all of our Last Chance pieces this week.  See them all here. Enter HOLIDAY2014 after the payment screen at checkout to apply the discount.

Happy sewing!

Mini Medallion Series : The Last Border

So excited to finally share the last border on my Summer Breeze Mini Medallion series quilt over at Clover & Violet ... 

I really love how it turned out ... now just to quilt it before Christmas gifting!

Check out the post and download the pattern here. 

Happy Sewing!  ;-) 

All Things New at Sew Lux

Hey everyone! 

I've been a terrible blogger lately!  But I did want to pop in and share some shop updates with you all. I will work on getting some posts together about my recent sewing and trip to Quilt Market! 

Best.Day.Ever! by April Rosenthal has arrived and we're featuring 12 prints in the collection in this fun Moda FQ Club bundle for November.  We have precuts and yardage now available in the shop as well. 

November's Color Me Happy club bundle features brown.  I chose some great low volume prints to lighten up this bundle and I love the range of shades. Most of the prints are from Persimmon by Basic Grey and Elementary by Sweetwater.  These would go great in a Modern Maples quilt.

While at Market, I got a glimpse of the Folk Song collection by AMH.  She's reprinting 14 prints on cotton from previous lines and we ordered them all for Sew Lux.  You can preorder bundles now - these will arrive in February.

Another market find ... the Gardenvale quilt featuring Jen Kingwell's first collection for Moda.  This is a dresden quilt kit that includes the genius striped panels for the dresden plates.  Reserve your kit today for April delivery.

And if you've followed me on Instagram, you know I've become a glue baster for nearly all my piecing!  I love not having to deal with pins and the regular old Elmer's glue hold everything in place - perfect for quick chain piecing!  I picked up some glue tips for the shop while at market.  Grab a set of 2 here.

And there's a bunch of new short stacks in the shop ...

We also now have Essex Linen in 3 (of my personal) favorite colors!  So excited - I use the yarn dyed black in nearly every bag I make!

Priory Square is arriving this week too!  That's all for now!  Stay tuned for my last border for the mini medallion quilt series over at Clover & Violet - coming this Saturday!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Machine Sewn Mini Pattern!

Hey there!

I am so excited to share that we have a brand new pattern available!  The Machine Sewn Mini is the a fast and easy-to-piece mini quilt.  

I also made a cute pouch with a block because the blocks were just so addictive to make! 

Download your PDF pattern today and start sewing!  Or get the pattern free with a mini quilt or pouch kit purchase!

See all the options here. 

Happy Sewing!  :-) 

Anniversary Clearance & New Collections

Hey there! 

October is our Anniversary month and we're so thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of your sewing and quilting adventures!  We have a few things planned to celebrate this month, including a Clearance Event this weekend! 

Save an extra 15% on all items in our Sale Section!  With over 400 items (many newly reduced!), there is something for every stash!  Check it out and use coupon code "4YEARS" during checkout to save big!

We added some new FQ Frenzy Short Stacks earlier this week - these are one time bundles to help clear out our precut FQ bins.  Take a look and grab your favorites fast!

Persimmon by Basic Grey is here ... its just soooo pretty!  I can't wait to put together a fall quilt with this line.  The colors are delicious and so are the names (crumb cake, for example!) and the prints just play so nicely - florals, ikats, geometrics, low volumes ... did I say it's pretty?!

Kate Spain ... she's done it again with another gorgeous palette of colors and prints.  This collection, Horizon, was inspired by bits of sea glass.  Blues, aquas, greens, and even purple and grey mix together in this beautiful collection. Yardage, bundles, and precuts now available.

What can I say?  Rustic Weave is a gorgeous rainbow of tonals that will play nice with so many prints and collections in your stash.  Pick up a rainbow bundle or order yardage of your favorites! See them here.

Whew!  I think you're all caught up now ...

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Curated Collections - Duos Bundles

We're been having some fun the in shop this month pairing up colors in a Duos bundle series. 

This week, I couldn't resist the Pink & Aqua combo!

Earlier this month, we introduced Sunshine & Berry ...

...and Navy & Coral.  All available while supplies last. 

Suggest a combo by sharing an inspiration photo on Instagram and using #sewluxduobundle

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Perle Club : Tiger Tape Tutorial

Hey there!

This month, all of our Perle Club members received some Tiger Tape and needles along with their shipment of threads.  I'm going to show you a quick how-to for using the Tiger Tape to help guide your hand quilting.

Basically ... if you're a pro at hand quilting, you probably won't need Tiger Tape.  But for those of us who are new or it isn't our best skill yet (ahem ... like me), its a great tool to help you practice sewing consistent stitches.

Start with something small to practice ... I have a little Mini Dwell block.  I spray basted mine really well, but a hoop is also really helpful and I would definitely use on a bigger project.

 Place a strip of the Tape along the line where you want to sew.

Thread some perle embroidery floss on your needle.

Knot the end of your thread and come up from the back. (If you are starting in the middle of your quilt, knot the end of your thread and pull the knot through the backing to bury the knot in the batting.)

Coming up from the back, sew straight down at the next line.

Then come back up at the next line.

And repeat.  As you get more comfortable, you can load a few stitches on your needle.

Once you finish your line, you can usually reuse the tape once or twice more and continue stitching in the same manner.

Of course, there are some great hand quilting tutorials online in several places. Here's a helpful video and post on the Craftsy website.

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Mini Medallion Series - Border 3

Hey everyone!

I have been having so much fun sewing this Mini Medallion the last few months ... and maybe even more fun checking out all the versions you all have been making!

Here's the latest ...

You can see the brief tutorial and download the pattern over at Clover & Violet here.

Don't forget to tag me on Instagram - or leave a comment with a link so I can see what you're making!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Tula Pink Moon Shine is here!

The complete collection of Tula Pink's newest line is now available!  Check out all the great prints from Moon Shine here!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Labor Day Sale

Shop the Sale here!

Have a great weekend everyone!