Sew in the Know Newsletter!

Tomorrow is Canada Day and this year it's so nice to see people really feeling Canadian!

To celebrate Canada Day and our new found pride I created a new pattern I call Elbows Up Canada Quilt... read more below!

I also have 2 other Canadian Style quilt patterns and kits available (kits are almost sold out!) You can find them here. The patterns are digital - and have plenty of pictures so they are easy to follow!

A couple of months ago - a fellow quilter introduced me to a concept called Wabi Sabi.... and after thinking about it - I realized how quilting can be very Wabi Sabi...

( say that 3 times quickly!) Scroll down to learn more about that!

Studio Tuesdays are still running in July and our little group has made over 12 quilts - start to finish between us.

We will take August off and begin again in September. There is room for 2 more members - so let me know if you are interested.

Finally.......

I have attached a document below to help you prepare your quilt to be quilted. (10 tips) Be sure to have it on hand - it does help you remember the finishing touches!

Am I headed your way? Well .... yes I might be! Make sure to send your pick up requests to be added to me pick up and delivery schedule...

I will be headed to west to Hamilton Burlington and all points between in the next week or so - so be sure to let me know if you need a pick up!

In the meantime - quilt on (in between celebrating, beating the heat, clean up, gardening and all the other outdoor activities)

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!

June 30th, 2025

Quick and easy!

Here's a great fund raiser sale item you can create with just scraps! I have posted 14 step by step videos - all 1 minute or less long to help you create this cool lunch kit! See the videos here

If you need the printed pattern - email me and I can send it to you fo a small donation!

NEW! I have updated the website to reflect new longarming training I am offering!

You can book a six hour training session, enjoy an after training hike in the woods (if you like) and work in a bright studio with 8 large windows showing off the beauty of nature! Learn more 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

Other resources

I have been busy, busy, busy working on my new line of patterns that are fast and have little to no waste!

These "No Waste-Quick Finish" patterns are easy to read and have lots of pictures to go wth the instructions and most include a labelled block layout for those who like to follow a pattern to the letter! (See the image to the far right)

All of these patterns are downloadable and you can print them yourselves or read them from your computer or tablet. In the next few weeks I will be releasing several new "No waste - Quick finish" patterns so stay tuned! The will be released first on my facebook page - so go ahead and follow the page to be first to see the patterns!

Below you can see the Elbows Up Canada Quilt - a no waste pattern that uses quick techniques to speed up your piecing. (There is an option coming with aa maple leaf center) With many pictures - it is easy to follow and included in the pattern are links to videos and step by step piuctures of the quick finish methods.

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

Perfectly Imperfect!

I recently learned from a fellow quilter about the concept of Wabi-Sabi. It is a Japanese concept - centuries in the making that is often described as the appreciation of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". (hmmm remind you of something?) 

Like many expressions and definitions over time - the meaning of wabi-sabi has evolved and has many explanations. 

Looking up the definitions from many sources led me down a rabbit hole from which I thought I might never return. 

For me there was no clear understanding of the concept except that it meant “perfectly imperfect” - which leads me to tell you a story that you may have written yourself.

Last week a seasoned quilter brought me her quilt top to add backing and batting to - and then to quilt. She was extremely unhappy with the quilt - and told me to “do whatever” with the quilt. “I just want it out of my house”. READ More Here

Did you know...?

I have 19 blog posts with short stories about quilting... and you can read them all here https://www.janestreetquilts.com/offmyrack

There is a list in the sidebar that link to blogs like:

A quilter's sandwich! and

Step away from the sewing machine....

Have you heard me say "don't forget your victory lap!"

Once your quilt top is completed - remember to sew 1/8 inch inside the finished edge to "lock" your blocks and keep your quilt from coming apart at the edges.

This is so helpful for your longarmer because when we load the quilts - we often put a small amount of tension on the top to keep it as flat as possible when quilting it.

Also remember when piecing a backing to do your best to piece it horizontally so it rolls easier and remains straight on the frame! For more information on how to better prepare your quilt for a longarmer - download this document here.

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

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