Hot August Sewing!

Hello August! We had such a mild July weatherwise, but I don't think we will be getting off so easy in August. That's ok, because we are quilters and we can sew in any weather! I hope you have been enjoying some fun summer activities and will continue to do so in August. The kids will be going back to school and so will the teachers. I pray that all of the teachers have their best year yet and have the strength, patience and joy to be the best teachers they can be! I can't believe I have two grandchildren who are starting TK this year! I'm so excited for them to start their school journey.

On with the happenings at Sew Katie Jean! We had a great anniversary sale at the beginning of the month, and we still have some quilt samples available for sale. We also enjoyed having the Pioneer Guild next door at the Veteran's Hall for their Day Camp. We always enjoy seeing these nice ladies! We have a full calender of classes once again, with a few extra sew days added in. 

 Window Block: Year of Color: Hot Days of August! Orange is the star of the month!

Our color this month is orange for the blazing hot sun rays. You will receive a fat quarter of white with orange polka dots for the background fabric, and you can use orange from your stash or pick out some orange fabric at Sew Katie Jean. The block is called the "Folded Corners" by Humberg Creations. Window blocks are due by August 30th 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.

July Classes and Clubs:

Beginning Piecing and Quilting: 4 Saturdays; Aug. 2, 9,16, and 23, 10-3:30pm:

Do you sew, but haven't learned to quilt yet? Or, are you a self-taught quilter who might need some in-person guidance by an experienced quilter and teacher? Well, this is the class for you! Laurie Johnson will be here once again to teach our Beginning Piecing and Quilting Class. She will teach you about fabric choice, measuring, tools, cutting, piecing with accuracy, sandwiching your quilt, quilting and binding. Cost is $146.50, plus tax, which includes the pattern. 

 Tuffet Class: Thursday, August 7 and 21, 10-4 pm:

The Tuffet Class is back! You can make a round one or a square one! The Tuffet is an heirloom piece that your family will treasure forever. Come join us, as Diana Tatro teaches us how to make this one-of-a-kind piece. This is a 2-day class with some homework in-between. You will start the top in the first class and complete it at home. During the second class, you will assemble the tuffet. The cost of the class is $117, plus tax, which includes the pattern. You will also need a hardware kit, which includes the foam, batting, wood round, legs and button. You supply the fabric. The cost of the Hardware Kit is $170, plus tax, due at the first class.

Make-It, Take-It By Annie Basics: Easy Does It Bag; Thursday, August 7 or Aug. 21 from 5:30-8:30pm:

This is the 4th and final class in a series of By Annie Basics. We will make this handy zipper bag with small handles, great for sewing or school supplies, or maybe a toiletry bag for traveling. The cost is $30, plus supplies, but it does include dinner! We will be having pasta salad and garlic bread.

School of Sewing: Level 2, Tuesdays, August 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 5:30-8:30pm:

School of Sewing Level 2 is for those students who have completed Level 1, or the equivalent. This class has 4 sessions, meeting Tuesday nights, to complete 4 different projects. Our instructor is Rita Traxler, and she will instruct you on sewing skills to complete each project. The projects for Level 2 are: a zip-it pillow, a purse, a tote bag and quilted placemats. Cost is $140, plus tax.

All-Purpose Mesh Tote Bag: Thursday, August 14 from 10-4 pm:

This bag is "fun and functional!" It looks great, and it can be used for so many things. You can take it to the beach, shopping at the grocery store, or it can hold your sewing supplies while you're on your way to class! Rita Traxler will be teaching this class. The cost is $35, plus supplies.

Moroccan Sampler Block of the Month: #8, August 19 from 10-3 pm:

Laurie Johnson will continue working with her Moroccan Sampler students this month, and they will be working on their next block, which is called "Clover Blossom." Remember to bring all of your fabric and blocks you have started and completed, as well as your 2 1/2" square ruler and your 6 1/2 square ruler. 

My Grown-Up and Me: Snap Bag Back-to-School Pouch; Thursday, Aug. 28, from 4-6 pm:

This month our junior sewists will be making a snap bag for their back-to-school supplies. You can put pencils, crayons, erasers, chapstick, hand sanitizer, or any items for school that you want to keep handy. The cost is $30, plus supplies. This class is for junior sewists and their favorite grown-up who sews. Don't have a junior sewist to bring, but want to make a back-to-school pouch for a loved one? You can join us, too! 

Betty's Vintage Baskets Class: August 28, from 10:30-3:30pm:

Betty Kisbey will be here to continue instructing her students on her vintage basket quilt. The ladies are on month 5 of 7.

Creative Landscape Quilts: Friday, Aug. 29, Sat., Sept. 13, and Sat., Sept. 20: 

Ever wonder how quilter's make quilts that look like photographs? Well, Pat Visher will be here at Sew Katie Jean to teach you how to accomplish making a creative landscape quilt from photo to fabric. During the first 2-hour session on Friday, Aug. 29, you will get instruction on how to get your photo reprinted and learn the technique used to determine the values in your photo. During sessions 2 and 3, both on Saturdays in September, students will learn how to transfer the enlarged drawing to the background fabric, begin putting fabric in the design, and sew the pieces in place. Cost is $70, plus supplies. 

End of Summer Sew Day: Saturday, August 30, from 9-4 pm:

At the beginning of Summer, we had a "Start of Summer Sew Day," so we are having an "End-of-Summer Sew Day" in August. Let's beat the heat and sew in SewKatie Jean's sewing room. You can bring any project you want to work on. Cost is $10 for a day of sewing with friends.

Upcoming Block of the Months and Kits:

Critter and Clover is a Wool Applique Block of the Month that starts in September. Registration is due now. Cost is $109.25, plus tax, which includes the pattern book, embellishment thread kit and the first month's kit. September-May is $24 per month for the monthly wool kits. We only have 1 spot left!

Farm Fresh is Lori Holt's new sew along beginning in January of 2026. We are taking preorders for kits. Cost is $315, plus tax. We can take payment in full, or accept payments until Dec. 1st. Kit includes 22 3/4 yards of Lori Holt's newest line of fabric called "Farm Fresh." 

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

8/6: 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.

8/5 & 8/12: 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.

8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22: Friday Girls (Closed Mini Groups): Meets Every Friday, except the fifth Friday.

8/8: 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).

8/2: 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. 

8/13, 8/20, 8/29: 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. This month we have 2 extra days! On Aug. 29, the hours are 10-3pm due to a class at 4 pm).

8/27 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.

8/26: 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 September:

Check our online calender in September for more great classes, including Creative Landscape Quilting by Pat Visher, Slow Stitch Fabric Collage by Laura Callahan, Free Motion Quilting by Loretta Saenz, Clsm Bag by Ruth Shields, Quilted Jacket by Maria Stack and a Fall "Mini" Paper Piecing Class by Barbara Carlston.

As it is the season for returning back to school, remember to pray for the teachers, administrators, support staff and kids. Enjoy this summer month before we head into Fall.

Tammy