Too Hot to Handle- free potholder patterns for the holidays!

If you could see what the potholders in my house looked like….. oh boy would I be embarrassed! Lets just say that Jace does a good percentage of the cooking in our house and he is not too worried about whether or not the potholders look good.  I’ve given up, so to speak, and instead I’m just happy he helps make supper most nights!

I do, however, have some pretty potholders that I take out when I want the kitchen to look good! Take a look at my Potholder Posse!

Five different potholder designs from the super easy to a bit more piecing.  One even has a pocket for sliding your hand into when you take those brownies out of the oven!

These potholders can be customized for any home by choosing different fabrics.  I happen to love the red and black color scheme for the holidays.  Dig into your stash and I bet you’ll find all sorts of options to make as gifts this holiday season!

Click on the link below to download the pattern.  Enjoy!

potholder posse pattern

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

 

Sew Easy- Hooded Towel Tutorial!

Have you ever had a fabric or project haunt you for weeks? For me, it was the idea that I needed to make something out of the adorable new The Adventurers collection by Blend Fabrics for my son combined with the realization that my kids desperately needed new hooded towels.  Jack, age 7, and Izzy, 5, had both tried in vain to use the baby sized hooded towels we got as gifts for their little sister Lola. I knew I needed to make them something bigger and I didn’t want them to grow out of it quickly.  I decided to let Izzy pick out her own fabrics, which of course meant she chose the Frozen panel for her main fabric. I decided to roll with it and feature as much of the panel on her towel as I could- who can argue with a 5 year old and her love of Frozen?

For Jack’s we used a 1/3 yard panel with a little extra fabric on the edges to make it as long as the towel.  I used a large bath towel and large hand towel for the hood.  This project was so quick and easy I will definitely make them more.  Izzy has already requested one out of the cute mermaid fabric at the shop and another out of the ballet dancer fabric, hmm I wonder if she likes fabric?

I’ve put all the instructions in an easy to print pdf that you can click on below.

hooded towel tutorial

Happy sewing! -Katie

Quick & Easy Pillows- plus another chance to win!

First of all, congratulations to Sherry Fram- she is the winner of the Izzy’s Quilt kit and pattern! Ready for another fun give-away? This time I’m publishing a new free pattern featuring my Giggle & Grow line of fabric.  Quick & Easy Pillows are just that and really fun to make.

I loved making the bolster pillow- it features one of my favorite fabrics from the line.  And, who doesn’t love rick-rac?  Click on the link below to download the pattern for all three pillows.

quick and easy pillows

Then, leave me a comment or send an email to katie@baywindowquiltshop.com to be entered in a new drawing. This time we are giving away a mini fat quarter bundle of 6 fabrics in the line! You can register now through Friday February 28th, 2014!