January News: Welcome 2026!

It's a brand new year, a fresh start and a time for renewal. I always the love the changing of the calendar and seasons, and the opportunity it gives us to assess where we are in life, and if we are truly pursuing the things that are important to us. I get so busy with work and family and to-do lists, which are all important, but I need my down time and spiritual replenishment the most. I plan on making more time for this in the new year by attending Bible study and attending church services in- person. I hope you are able to see what you need and make time for them in the new year! 

Of course, part of my "down" time also inlcudes sewing! I get so refreshed when I actually make time to get some of my own sewing done. I have a few projects lined up, including finishing my Folk Art wool applique, making a By Annie tote for my daughter, and perhaps my Christmas quilt I started last year! How about you? The best way to make progress is to name what you want to accomplish and then create an action plan! We can do it!  

So what's new for Sew Katie Jean in 2026? Oh, so many things I have planned, and I can't wait to share them with you! Let's start with our new theme for our monthly window blocks.

Window Blocks for 2026: A Bouquet of Quilt Blocks

This year we are doing a "Bouquet of Quilt Blocks." Every block will be a flower, and we will use the same beautiful,white-on-white vine for each background. Each month you can pick up a pattern and background fat quarter for $6. Make one for yourself and one for the store. Save all twelve blocks for the year to make a beautiful Bouquet of flowers quilt! We are starting off the year with a Camellia Block. Camellia flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and some with stripes. You can make your camellia any color, using the white vine background that we provide. As usual, the blocks are due at the end of the month, on Saturday, January 31 by 5 pm.

January Classes and Clubs:

Beginning Piecing and Quilting: Saturdays, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 from 9:30-3:30:

May the art of piecing and quilting never be lost! We will continue to offer beginning piecing and quilting classes during 2026. Laurie Johnson is our instructor for this beginner level quilting class. During the 4 Saturdays, you will learn to choose fabric, measure and cut accurately, piece the top of a quilt, sandwich and machine quilt, and bind a quilt! The cost is $146.00, which includes the pattern and 4 days of instruction. We still have 2 openings for this amazing class. We would love to have you join us!

School of Sewing: Level 1: Tuesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 from 5:30-8:30pm:

We are continuing with our School of Sewing Classes in 2026. These classes are so popular and such a great start for someone wanting to learn to sew! Rita Traxler is the instructor, and she will teach the basics of sewing through 4 projects, including a pillowcase, a drawstring bag, an apron, and a zip-it pouch. The cost is $164.95, which includes the book and 4 days of instruction. Our class for January is full, but if you are interested, please call and get on the waiting list.

Convergence Quilt Class: Thursday, Jan. 8 from 10-3 pm:

This Classic Convergence Quilt Pattern by Ricky Tims will be taught by Kathy Hilton. You just need 4 fat quarters to do this pattern, plus a little extra fabric if you want to add a border or applique. Kathy has made over 400 of these quilts, and is quite the expert. Join us for a fun day of learning this easy, yet intricate, looking pattern. Cost is $40, plus supplies.

Intro to Wool Applique: Thursday, Jan. 15 from 10-3 pm:

Our Intro to Wool Applique class is back by popular demand! Diana Meier will be here to instruct you on the basics of wool applique. You will learn how to get started in this wonderful world of wool applique, with its gorgeous wool colors and threads. Cost is $50, plus supplies.

Make-It, Take-It: By Annie's Foldilocks: Thursday, Jan. 15 from 5:30-8:30pm:

These "Make-It, Take-It" Classes are one of my favorite classes of the month. I enjoy getting to teach, and I enjoy the fun and fellowship of the ladies in our sewing community. This month we are working on another By Annie project called "Foldilocks." You will need to have some experience making By Annie bags, like our basics classes we did last year. This bag is a handy wallet-style bag that can be used on its own or be part of a purse as an organizer. Cost is $44.95, which includes the Foldilocks pattern and dinner.

Intro to Foundation Paper Piecing: Tues., Jan. 20 from 10-4 pm:

Another great class is back! Barbara Carlston will be here to teach this introduction class to foundation paper piecing. It is the Wensleydale Pattern by Jen Kingwell, and it is a simple pattern for learning paper piecing with lots of repetition. I'm so glad we are having this class now, as we have another great "mini seasonal block" that Barbara is teaching in February, and we also have Tori Johnson returning to teach a Jacqueline de Jonge pattern later in February. The cost for this class is $73.99, which incudes the pattern and instruction.

My Grown-Up and Me: Snow Hat: Thursday, Jan. 22 from 4-6 pm:

Our "My Grown-Up and Me" Classes will resume again this year on the 4th Thursday of each month. These classes are for our junior sewists, ages 8-18 years, accompanied by an adult. We also offer this class to adults who are young at heart! This month we are making a snow hat! It has a toggle draw string and can be made out of fleece or flannel. The cost is $30, plus supplies. If you would like to use our Giants fleece, it is included in the class fee. 

Free Motion Quilting Level 2 (FMQ 2): Thurs., Jan. 22 from 10-3pm:

We are on our second round of introductory free motion classes at Sew Katie Jean. We are so grateful to have found our instructor, Loretta Saenz. She is an amazing teacher! She gives detailed instruction, demonstrates each step and gives time for application and individual help. We will be continuing these classes throughout the year, and we have added an application class in February to practice what you have learned in the introductory classes. We also have plans for ruler work classes! This Level 2 class still has room, so if you have taken level 1 or the equivalent, you are ready for this class. The cost is $50. 

Beginning Piecing and Quilting Level 2 Skillbuilder: Starts Wed., Jan. 21*:

This is a Level 2 Skillbuilder Class for beginning quilters who have completed our beginning Quilting Class or the equivalent. Laurie Johnson is the instructor for this 6 session class, and she is an excellent teacher, who is patient, pays attention to detail and gives great 1-1 attention to her students. *The class is a 6 month commitment, meeting once each month, completing two blocks each session. The cost is $35 each month, to be billed the first of each month. Registration is $14.95, which includes the pattern book. The class will meet on 1/21, 2/18, 3/5, 4/15, 5/20, and 6/4 from 10-4 pm.

2025 Year of Color Celebration: Friday, Jan. 23 from 5-7 pm:

Did you complete all of the Year of Color Blocks in 2025? Come celebrate with us! If you have your blocks put together in a quilt top, you can purchase your backing fabric for 20% off. Not sure how to put them all together? Come see what others have done and get some new ideas! We will have colorful snacks, a drawing for prizes for everyone who completed all 12 blocks (you get an extra ticket if your top is pieced together!) and fun sharing and discussion! Please bring your completed blocks whether they are sewn together or not. This event is free to all who participated in our year of color. Just RSVP to the event online so we know how many snacks to buy.  

Laura Heine Collage Class: Jan. 29. 30, and 31 from 10-4 pm:

Nancy Mayer will return to teach this ever-popular, Laura Heine Collage Class. Come spend 3 days with us creating the Laura Heine collage of your choice. We have several patterns to choose from, and I can also order a pattern if we don't have it. Nancy is fun and engaging, and you will learn the collage technigue for wall hangings. Cost is $120 for 3 days of instruction. 

Block of the Month News:

We have a new section on our website for learning about and signing up for Block of the Months! Check it out! You can still call the store or sign up in person.

Critter and Clover (1 spot left!) is a Wool Applique Block of the Month that started 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. 

Farm Fresh is Lori Holt's new Sew Along beginning in January of 2026. We have 4 kits left! We are taking preorders for kits. Cost is $315, plus tax. Participants will receive a cute, new Farm Fresh tote bag and charm! We can take payment in full, or accept payments until Jan. 15th. Kit includes 22 3/4 yards of Lori Holt's newest line of fabric called "Farm Fresh." 

Block of the Month for 2026: A Road Trip:

Our Block of the month for 2026 is full! We will have our first demonstarton and pick-up on Saturday,. January 3 at 8:30 am. Shirley Cox will be leading us on this quilting adventure through the United States. Be sure to join us this first session to get your passport stamped and to get started on your "Road Trip."

Stitchin' in the Kitchen Tea Towel of the Month Club 2026:

Starting on Saturday, Jan. 3, we will begin our Tea Towel of the Month Club called "Stitchin' in the Kitchen." This term was coined by Midway Wool. I met the owner of Midway Wool when I went to the Houston Quilt Market, and she set me up for this new embroidery club. Each month you will receive a preprinted tea towel with a monthly theme. The registration is $24.50 w/out the thread and $34.50 w/ the thread. The registration includes the first month's kit and orientation class on January 3 from 4-6 pm. At the class, you will receive the first kit and given instructions on how to get started and complete each towel. The monthly cost is $14.50 w/out thread and $24.50 with the thread. A credit card will need to be kept on file for billing on the first of each month from January-November of 2026. We have 1 spot left. 

Dreamweaver Christmas Block of the Month starting March 2026!

I am so excited to offer this Christmas Block of the Month for 2026. The Pattern is Dreamweaver by Jessica Dayon, featuring holiday fabrics from Blank Quilting. This is a 7 month program, with Betty Kisbey demonstrating the monthly blocks on the third Saturday of each month. Registration is $25, which includes the pattern. The monthly fee is $35, which will be billed the first of each month starting in March. Sign-ups will begin in January.

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

1/7: 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. If the class is full, please call and get on our waiting list. We often have cancellations at the last minute.

1/6 and 1/13: 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, so spots will open as availability permits.

1/9, 1/16, 1/23: Friday Girls (Closed Mini Groups): Meets Every Friday, except the fifth Friday. 

1/2: 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 will be our last class.

1/9: Critter and Clover Wool Block of the Month Pick-Up and Demo: Meets the second Friday of each month from 4-6 pm. 

1/2 and 1/14,  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 an extra sew day on the first Friday, 1/2.

1/28 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. 

1/27: 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 February:

We only have 2 spots left for our Sew Katie Jean Retreat at Mercy Center in Auburn. We will be having a "Galentine's" theme for our retreat, as it takes place over Valentine's day weekend, Friday, 2/13-Monday, 2/16. The cost is $540. We have registration papers in the store, or I can email you the registration.

Check out our online calender in February for more great classes, including: FMQ Application Class: Valentine's Day Table Runner, School of Sewing Level 2, Shamrock Mini-FPP Quilt Block, Quilt Jacket Class, Jacqueline deJong FPP class, and more FMQ beginning classes.

Wishing you all the best for this fresh new year!

Tammy