Love is in the details…

I’ve heard this saying before and I believe it’s true. The month marks the end of the 4th year of a club I started called the Fabric Fan Club.  When I started this club I knew I wanted to share my love of fabric with others who had the same love.  Each month I’ve picked a fabric to send to the members along with a pattern and also a surprise gift.  I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun it is to find a gift for 80 or so fabric lovers every month! To package up their goodies and send them off to places throughout the country is very rewarding.   One of the gifts they give me is the freedom to design new quilt patterns and projects every year and they don’t even know what they are going to receive.  I’m able to design and my own pace and surprise them each month with the new quilt patterns. That blind faith that they will like what they get- whether it’s the fabric, gift, or pattern is pretty awesome.

Here’s a peek into what I sent this month.

As this year winds down it’s time for me to start thinking about what next year will bring.  I’ve decided to make 2019 a Mystery Quilt with additional bonus projects throughout the year.  “Piece by Piece” is what this year’s Fabric Fan Club will be called and I’m excited to get started.  This year will still feature a fat quarter of fabric, a gift, and the Mystery Quilt pattern.  On top of that, Club Members also get a coupon for 20% off their fabric purchases on one day each month.  It really is for the fabric lover at heart!

You can read more about it on our website, or give us a call at the shop and we’ll fill you in.

Today I’m sharing one of the projects from 2017 with all of you.  The Let It Bee Runner was one of the most popular that year and I can’t wait to remake it in fabrics that we have at the shop now.

And click on the link below to download the free pattern.  I hope you enjoy sewing this fun table runner, and I hope you’ll consider joining me in 2019 for another fun year of Fabric Fan Club!

let it bee runner

What’s your inspiration?

Most people have one shadow, I usually have two.  The only way I am able to find time to sew is when I can also find something for my girls to do nearby.  I spend most of my day with the littlest, Lola, at my side.  When school is out, we are joined by Isabelle.

My sewing room is cluttered with toys, ready to inspire them to play.  I decided along time ago that the mess was totally worth the reward of having time to sew.  I’m also pretty lucky to have a large sewing space that doesn’t need to look perfect on a daily basis.

This past month I’ve had a number of sewing deadlines to meet including finishing up the instructions for my 2017 Fabric Fan Club Sampler Quilt.  It is being quilted as I type and I will share a picture next month.  If you’re in the Club you’ll get your finishing instructions in your February shipment.

Curious about what the Fabric Fan Club is?  I started it 3 years ago as a monthly fabric subscription and it has evolved through the years.  Next year I’m launching the Scrap Sewciety as the 2018 Fabric Fan Club.  I know we all have plenty of scrap fabrics sitting around.  And I’m guessing, if you’re like me, you have very good intentions on using them.  With the 2018 Club I plan to take you on a year long journey through your scraps.  I will be designing 4 brand new quilt patterns that will utilize your stash.  Each month you will get sent on a little mission into your scraps to find fabrics that we will incorporate into the quilts.

The other really fun part of the Fabric Fan Club is that I also select a small gift that I send with your shipment each month.  Oh and don’t forget about the fabric! What kind of Fabric Fan Club would it be if you didn’t also get fabric? Each month you’ll also get a fat quarter of fabric.  If you are interested in joining me in 2018, the first shipment will be March 1st. You can register on our website, http://www.baywindowquiltshop.com

This year we decided to offer a new type of Block of the Month program called Inspiring Stitches.  It’s actually a calendar for 2018 that has instructions for each month of the year.

We loved this idea so much we made up two different versions- dark or light. Full disclosure here, I didn’t sew them.  A huge thank you to Missy Stine for making both models!!

Each month the designers will be sharing additional patterns that feature the month’s block (with the exception of this month). So look for a new blog post from me each month that includes a link to that pattern.  You will need the calendar to complete each project (it will give you the first set of instructions).

Here’s a look at the January block in both colorways:

One of the things I love most about this sew along is that you can honestly start any time.  You only have to make a few blocks each month which means it will be easy to get started whenever you want.

You can find kit information and the calendar on our website.

As January comes to a close I am excited for what February will bring: a new View From Bay Window issue, the start of Schoolhouse class preparations, our annual Liquidation Sale at the PACC, plus who knows what else will inspire me to create!  Happy sewing- Katie