Summer is Here!

I know it isn't offically summer until June 20, but with Memorial Day last weekend, school getting out and the rising temperatures this weekend, it sure feels like it! Of course, as a teacher, I have always loved summer for the break it gave me and the natural slowing down of things for a season. Although I'm not on vacation, we can all still take a season to slow things down and enjoy! With it being warmer outside, it is a great time to get in your sewing space and work on some projects! Let me tell you what's going on at Sew Katie Jean this Summer. 

First up is our Monthy Window Block Contest. We had another great turnout for May with brown and chocolate. This month our color is Pink!

Pretty in Pink!

Our color this month is Pink! June 23 is National Pink Day! There are a whole host of other national days this month that include pink things, like donut day- pink sprinkles; nail polish day-pink , and frosted cookie day-pink frosting! Window blocks are due by June 28th at closing time. First prize wins the blocks, second prize is 4 free fat quarters and 3rd prize is a $10 gift certificate. Remember, we are doing a year of color, so make one block for the shop and one for you to make a year of color sampler quilt.

We are also gearing up for a wool block-of-the-month starting in August 2025 and a new kit for Lori Holt's Farm Fresh Collection starting in January 2026.

Critter and Clover is Sue Spargo's newest block-of-the-month starting in August. Critter and Clover is a continuation of Sue's small studies, which includes nine little critters in the meadowlands and a few mystery creatures. Registration is $109.25, plus tax and due August 1. The registration includes the pattern book, the embellishment thread pack for this series and the first month's kit. From Sept.-May, the monthly kit cost is $24 per month. If you want your wool to be laser cut, add an additional $10 per month. To enroll, we will need to keep your credit card on file and it will be billed the first of each month. 

Designer Lori Holt has been busy creating a new line of "Farm Fresh" Fabric to go with her Sew Along that starts in January 2026. The quilt you make in this Sew Along, is a compilation of patterns from her Vintage Farmbook and Farm Girl 2 books. Many people see Lori's Farm Girl 2 Quilt and want the farbic, much of which is no longer available. Now you can create a similar pattern with new fabric. You will recognize some of the patterns, as she is revisiting some patterns and adding new colors. We have just 10 kits available for this program. All participants will receive a cute new  Farm Fresh vinyl tote bag and Lori's new Farm Girl Berry Basket Charm.

You have 3 payment options to join in the fun of this new Farm Fresh Sew Along. The kit includes 22 3/4 yards of 54 different fabric prints. You can:

-Pay in full by July 1-$315, plus tax

-Make a deposit of $157.66, plus tax, by July 1, the balance of $157.66 plus tax, will be auto-deducted on Dec. 1.

-Monthly auto payments July 1-Dec. 1, $52.50, plus tax, per month.

June Classes and Clubs:

Sunny Days Foundation Paper Piecing Class: Thursday, June 5 10-3:30pm:

Bring the sun inside without the heat! Barbara Carlston will be here to continue your foundation paper piecing skill building. This class is not for beginning paper piecing students, rather it is a follow-up course to practice your skills from your beginning class. If you are interested in an introductory class, we have one coming up in October. The cost is $45, which includes the pattern.

Tuffet Class: Day 2, Saturday, June 7, 9:30-2pm: 

Saturday the 7th is Day 2 of our Tuffet Class. The ladies will be building their tuffets! They will have completed the pieced tops and be assembling the tuffet. If you missed this class, we have more classes in August and October! Come make a touch of whimsy for your home with this one-of-a-kind tuffet, not just for Miss Muffet. Our instructor is Diana Tatro from Yuba City. The cost is $117.99, which includes two days of class instruction plus the pattern. The finishing kit is $170, which includes the hardware for the tuffet assembly.

Make-It, Take-It: By Annie Basics Part 2: Piecekeeper; Thursday, June 12 and Thursday, June 26, 5:30-8:30 pm 

This "Piecekeeper" project is second in the series of the By Annie Basics. Last month we completed the Petit Four Baskets, which introduced Soft and Stable the base stabilizer for all of the By Annie projects. This month we will add a zipper and mesh or vinyl to our "By Annie" skills. You can choose whether you want the from of your project bag to be vinyl or mesh. This is a 1 day class being offered 2 different evenings from 5:30-8:30 pm. Cost is $30, and includes dinner (Chinese chicken salad).

Kid's Summer Dress Class for Adults: Saturday, June 14, 9-4 pm:

To continue with our garment sewing classes, this month we are having a children's dress class for adults. Maria Stack will be back to instruct you on how to make this adorable children's summer dress. You can make any size form 0-14. The cost is $45. 

Moroccan Sampler Block of the Month: Month 6, June 12 from 10-3 pm:

Laurie Johnson will continue with her Moroccan Sampler students this month, and they will be working on their 7th block, which is called "Dutch Treat." Participants will need to bring: 2 1/2" square ruler, 3 1/2" square ruler, and 5 1/2" square ruler.

Laura Heine Collage Class: June 17-19, 10-4 pm:

Our gal Nancy Mayer will be back from Oregon to instruct us on the Laura Heine technique. We are so happy to have her visit and teach our many customers how to tackle these beautiful collage patterns. This is a 3-day class that does have a waiting list. The June class is full, but you can call and get on the list. Our next classes will be offered in October and March. The cost is $90, plus supplies.

Summer Saturday Sew Day! Saturday, June 21 from 9-4 pm:

Come join us for a day of sewing to celebrate the first, full day of summer. We will serve lemonade thorughout the day. Bring whatever you want to work on. Cost is $10.

Betty's Vintage Baskets Block-of-the-Month: Month 2, Thurs., June 26, 10:30-3:30 pm:

Betty Kisbey will be here to continue her instruction on vintage basket patterns. This is a Block-of-the Month class that started in May.

Introduction to Starch Applique, Saturday, June 28 from 10-3:30 pm:

Diana Meier will be here to instruct us on the method of starch applique.  While you won't be making the quilt sample as shown here, just yet, you will be learning the technique. The cost is $50.  

Pizza, PJ's and Playing With Farbic: Saturday, June 28, 5-9 pm:

It's time for our quarterly Pajama Party! Come enjoy an evening of sewing in your summer pjs. We will have pizza and games, too. Please bring a patriotic, or red, white, and/or blue fat quarter to play. Cost is $20.

Monthly Clubs and Sew Days: 10-4 pm, Cost $10:

6/4: Villa Rosa Club: Open to all Villa Rosa Pattern enthusiasts! Come work on your Villa Rosa patterns during this sew day. This club fills up quickly so it is a good idea to sign up early.

6/3 & 6/10: Tuesday Girls (Closed Mini Group and Sew Day): Meets the first and second Tuesdays of the month. This group has room for a few more sewists to join their Tuesday Sewing Group.

6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27: Friday Girls (Closed Mini Groups): Meets every Friday, except the fifth Friday.

6/13: Folk Art Wool Block-of-the-Month, Pick-up and Demonstration: Meets the first Friday of the month from 4-6 pm with Pat Hertema. ***This month we are meeting the second Friday, as our instructor Pat is on vacation.

6/7: Amish With a Twist V, Block-of-the-Month Pick-up and Demonstration: Meets the first Saturday of each month from 8:30-9:30 am with Shirley Cox. 

6/11: Open Sew Day: Open Sew Days are for anyone who has a project to work on. These open sew days fill up quickly, so it is a good idea to register ahead.

6/25 Lincoln Farm Girls: This is our Lori Holt Group where we sew all things Lori Holt. This group meets the 4th Wednesday of each month. This is a popular club, so be sure to sign up early.

6/24: Hand Sewing Club: This club meets the 4th Tuesday of each month, and it is for hand sewing enthusiasts. If you love to embroider, do wool applique, sashiko, or any hand sewing varieties, you are welcome to join us. No machine sewing on this day. Please remember to sign up ahead, as this class fills up quickly.

Looking Ahead to July:

Check out our online calender for upcoming classes in July, including: School of Sewing Level 1 with Rita Traxler, "Enjoy" by Linda Ballard, "Shimmer" with Barbara Carlston, Quilt-As-you-Go Strip Quilt with Elizabeth White, My Grown-Up and Me: Kid's Quilt Class with Donna Bengle and Marcie Morrill, X-Block by Betty Kisbey, Intro to Wool by Diana Meier, and a Christmas in July Reindeer Quilt Class.

Sew Katie Jean will be on Summer Vacation from Sunday, June 29 through Monday, July 7. The store will be closed to give our staff a little rest, and so Tammy can unpack the rest of her boxes from her move! When we reopen on Tuesday, July 8, we will be celebrating our 2-year anniversary with daily specials!

Wishing you all a great start to summer!!

Tammy