Sew in the Know Newsletter!

I was feeling a littl uninspired to write this newsletter and so I took a walk through the woods - and tick tick tick - the wheels started turning! So much so - that on the path I normall walk - I stepped over a tree that had fallen and did not eve notice it had fallen. Oh how deep and dark the well of inspiration can be!

Last week I went downstairs to my studio and I swear I did not come up for three days! Well - not 100% true... I came up for wine.

(Oh - and I came up for the deliveries of - you guessed it - fabric, fabric and more fabric! More on that below!)

Yes, I have been working hard at putting some great surprises together to help you (and me) make quilting more affordable. And hopefully inspiring you on being even more creative with your own quilts - so keep reading!

In other news - I am now set up to teach Longarming for those interested in learning a new craft. I have 2 longarms set up in the studio ready for lessons. You can read more about that here!

Fall is quickly approaching and PDQ Memberships are up for renewal. I did some calculations and the average quilter who sends 4 quilts a year saved over $200 in quilting, backing and batting costs - and got free pick up and delivery service. I have a limited number of memberships available - and when they are gone... well you know.... You can get your membership here. (Mastercard and visa are accepted.)

Come see me in person! If you live in or near Barrie - I will be speaking this Thursday evening to the Kempenfelt Quilters Guild about "No Waste Quick Finish Quilts" and how you can make small alterations to your patterns to cut down on waste and take a few shortcuts and still end up with beautiful quilts. (more below)

Finally I would like to encourage all of you to enter one of your quilts into your local fair. Our Studio Tuesday ladies are entering one or more of their quilts. They have made some amazing quilts over the last year - and they are just learning to quilt. ALTHOUGH - I am not sure Marsha will make it - she is still laughing ( as am I) and trying to extricate herself from the sewing machine! (yes - she sewed herself to her quilt!)

In the meantime - quilt on and try not to spend too much time with "Jack the ripper"!

Mandie (the quilter)

Located in Limerick (Near Bancroft) Ontario, she travels hither, thither and yon to spread quilting merriment!

Pick up and Delivery Request

Request your pick up here

Did you know... filling out the pick up request helps me AND you.

I print these sheets out and put them with your quilts so that all the instructions and your address are with your quilt. It also helps me to plan my pick up and delivery routes!

August 20th, 2025

Custom Quilting on steroids!

I made this quilt top last year and have been waiting to take a week to quilt it. 40 hours later and I had my first masterpiece. I will be entering it in my local Fair and just maybe I can take home a ribbon!

Here's how you can customize your own quilt!

Have you ever thought about designing the quilting pattern for your quilt? Learn how here.

PDQ memberships come due in September. I have done a quick review and almost all who are enrolled have saved over $200 this past year in quilting fees and batting and backing purchases!

Longarm Quilting Services

Backings and Battings

Videos and tutorials

Kits and Patterns

PDQ club info

Workshops

Studio Tuesdays

Other resources

I am very very excited about my new kits! I will be selling them as a vendor at the Faraday Quilt Guild Quilt Show which is included on the Apsley Studio Tour September 20th and 21st!

I will also be updating my web site to show all 7 different quilt kits that include everything you need for the quilt top - and many of them are precut - so you just need to start sewing!

These kits are for large throw size quilts and range from $65 - $85. That's a fantastic price... so keep your eyes opne - these will go quickly!

Here are a few pictures of some of the kits. (My favourite so far is the Snowman Quilt!. Watch your email - I will be sending out an announcement in the next week!

More about "No-waste, Quick Finish" Patterns

Incorporated in these patterns are quick sew methods, easy squaring up techniques and other tips so that you can finsih your quilt "likety-split" and ALL THE CORNERS MEET! (sigh)  I have taken all these tips and techniques I can find and amalgamated the techniques to create these patterns I call a “No Waste - Quick Finish” Quilts - Patterns and kits. So come on - let's get started! Read more here

It's not about speed. But we all have been in a spot where a last minute event pops up and we think - "wow - I wish I had known about this sooner - I had the perect quilt in mind."

It's also hard to keep a stash of quilts on hand to give away - because we usually make them personal.

I have a tip sheet I will be handing out on Thurday night but you can have it NOW.

There are tips explained like:

Use strip quilting methods

Use multiple HST making techniques

How to cut costs using good quality widebacks

Nest first- press later

Using the right tools (triangles are a must!)

.... and more

You can download the tip sheet here

OR

Come to the Kempenfelt Quilters Guild Meeting Thursday Night and get an in person presentation!

Meeting Details: 7:00 p.m., the third Thursday of every month at the Lions Gate Banquet Centre, 386 Blake Street, Barrie.

Here's a block you can whip up in a jiffy using Strip quilting method and 8 at a time HSTs. Add a checkerboard strip quilted 12 patch and get this:

I'll be sending this free pattern out this week - so watch your email!

Do you need some inspiration?

There's nothing more inspiring than looking at a full line of fabric...... oh what can I make from this?

One of my pet peeves when shopping for fabric is seeing 3 pieces of a line of fabric that I saw in a Quilting magazine - or a pattern, and none of the others are in the shop. :(

Off I go in search of the other fabrics in the line. Days and often weeks later - I still cannot find fabrics that go with the three I purchased in the first place - so now I search my stash for SOMETHING that will work!

This is why kits and precuts have become so popular. All you need - altogether at once. The entire line all at once!

AND SO.... I am solving my own pet peeve. I have on order 2 complete lines of fabric along with the 2 other lines I have in stock for kits - or for purchase by the meter.

I will be sending out special offers of full ines you can choose from in the next few weeks.

You are also welcome to drop into the studio to pick put what you want or I can ship or deliver when on my deliveries.

In the meantime - I have some beatiful precut 108 x 108 backings priced from $55 - $75....take a look below and let me know if you need some wideback! (I have 30 in stock!)

Would you like a one day workshop in your area for your guild or club? No Waste Quick Finish Quilt Workshops are one day in length and quilters will take home a completed - or nearly completed quilt top at the end of the day.

Workshop organizers receive a marketing sheet and supplies list and canalso request a special web page for members to sign up on to make it easier to promote through email. 

So if you need a little inspiration or encouragement and a ton of laughter - I can bring it with me! You will leave the workshop excited and inspired to try something new - or dig into your stash!

With a lifetime of sewing and home dec sewing experience as my alternate source of income, I would love to pass along all the tricks and tips and show you tools that I have found over the years to make quilting more FUN and AFFORDABLE for quilters - from newbies to seasoned stitchers.

Request a workshop here

These kits are all coming....... and more!

Occasionally life gets in the way of our hobbies, addictions and compulsions! If quilting is your therapy and life has gotten in the way of your ability to pay immediately - please let me know!

SHORT ON FUNDS?

Please do not let a temporary 'shortage of funds' delay you from getting your quilt longarmed! Contact me - and we can work out a payment plan. (yes - we can!) And I can also offer Visa and Mastercard options. Contact me here to learn more.

Thanks for reading to the end!

Please pardon any typos... I am a quilter and still brushing up on my editing skills!

Do you know someone who would like to read it - have them sign up here.

Have questions or comments - please be sure to let me know. Email me at info@janestreetquilts.com