Happy 250th Birthday America!

It's finally here, the big celebration for America! Since I ordered fabric for this occasion well over a year ago, it seems like it has been a long time coming! I'm excited to celebrate America, the land that I love, and I feel so blessed to live in a country that is so beautiful and affords us so much freedom. I hope your 4th of July is full of fun and family time and much celebration!

As many of you know, I am on vacation this week, and so is my staff. I'm so grateful for this time to rest, get some things done at home, and visit quilt stores of course! At the end of last week, my husband and I went to the Central Coast, and during our travels, I snuck into 8 stores! I visited Family Threads in San Juan Bautista, Orange Dot in Paso Robles, Roxanne's in Carpinteria, Old Town Quilt Shop in Orcutt, The Quilted Otter in Morro Bay, SuperBuzzy and Fabric Town in Ventura, and Station Creation in Buelton. All of the stores were so unique and had their own style. Funny story, we booked an AirBnB in Carpinteria, took a walk the first morning, and two doors down was a quilt shop- Roxanne's! I had no idea! 

After visiting so many stores, I am again reminded how blessed I am to own Sew Katie Jean! Thank you for coming along on this journey with me! Let's see what's coming up this month!

Anniversary Sale: Tuesday, July 7-Saturday, July 11:

July marks my 3rd Anniversary of owning Sew Katie Jean! However, Sew Katie Jean first started in 2014 with Katie Trott, transferred to its current location with Sue and Audrey in 2019, and I bought it from them in 2023. Sew Katie Jean is really 12 years old! So let's celebrate!

We will have all of this year's quilt samples on sale for 20% off! Each day of the week we will have a different special, so we hope to see you a lot!

Tuesday, July 7: 12% off yellow fabric, excluding fat quarters (Tammy's Favorite color) 

Wednesday, July 8: 12% off kits (excluding holiday)

Thursday, July 9: 12% off widebacks and 12% off batting on the roll for your quilt backs

Friday, July 10: 12% off one notion of your choice and a free fat quarter with purchase.

Saturday, July 11: 12% off 1 item of your choice (excluding classes), plus a free popsicle/ ice cream to celebrate our 3rd year!

Window Block: Peonies: Pure Poetry:

This month's flower is a Peony! My mother-in-law grows the prettiest peonies! I wish I could! I have a plant that she gave me, and I have only enjoyed 2 blooms since she gave it to me 5 years ago! I think I'll have better luck making one out of fabric this month! You can make your peonies purple, pink, red or yellow. This month's block will give you a chance to try your hand at applique. There are several methods for applique, and Mary Jo offers a few to try. We also have an alternate poppy block if you are not a fan of applique. Blocks are due by Friday, July 31 at closing.

July Classes and Clubs:

School of Sewing Level 1: Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 from 5:30-8:30pm:

This month we begin our School of Sewing Series again with Level 1. Rita Traxler will be the instructor, teaching students basic beginning sewing skills, as she guides them through four projects. The projects include: a pillowcase, a drawstring bag, an apron, and a small zipper pouch. This class is full, but we have a list started for our next Level 1 in October. If you are interested, please call the store and get on our waiting list. Cost is $146.95, includes the book. Next month, we will offer Level 2. 

Vintage Stars Series: Session 4, July 9 from 10:30-3:30pm:

 Betty Kisbey will be here to continue her instruction and adventure with Vintage Stars. This month, the participants will learn 5 new stars, including: Square Star, Chisel Star, Jewel Star, Elegant Stars, and Next Door Neighbor. Please bring the blocks you made from last month to share your progress. 

Make-It, Take-It: Iron Tote: Thursday, July 9 from 5:30-8:30pm:

Mary Jo will be teaching this month's Make-It, Take-It Class. She will be showing us how to make a travel iron tote. You will have the option of making three different sizes: mini, junior and full-size. These are so functional, as they protect your iron as you travel, they provide an ironing surface while your sewing, and you can pack up your iron when it is still warm because of the special ironing board farbic used inside. The cost is $42-$49, which includes the pattern (different sized patterns for different sized irons) and dinner. Dinner will be Chinese Chicken Salad. 

Women's Summer Dress Class: Saturday, July 11 from 9:30-3:30pm:

Maria Stack will be back this month to instruct us on making this simple June Sheath dress by Style Arc. Maria will work with participants to read the pattern and make adjustments for the perfect fit. Cost is $65.99, including the printed pattern.

Grid Girls' Grandeur: July 16, 23 and August 6 from 10-4pm:

Grandeur is a pattern by Deb's Cats n' Quilts and it uses Creative Grids Rulers, including the Hunter Star Trim Tool and the 6" Log Cabin Trim Tool. Laurie Johnson, a fan of the many Grid Girls' patterns, will be teaching this 3-part class. Cost is $115, excluding the two Creative Grids rulers you will need to complete the quilt.

Summer Crab Foundation Paper Piecing Class: Saturday, July 18 from 10-3:30pm:

Isn't this crab cute? Come join us for a fun day of foundation paper piecing and make this mini wall hanging. Barbara Carlston is one of our FPP instructors, and she will guide you through making this fun, summertime crab. We offer these mini seasonal FPP classes a few times a year to help you practice and increase your FPP skills. This is not a class for beginners. Our next seasonal FPP will be a turkey! In addition, we have table-top, mini quilt holders for sale to display your seasonal 12" x 12" wall hangings. Cost is $57.99, includes the printed pattern.

FMQ Application Class: Fall Table Runner: Saturday, July 25 from 9:30-3:30pm: 

Attention all FMQ 1, 2 and 3 students: Are you ready to practice some of the skills and motifs you have learned in your beginning FMQ classes? Are you looking to try out your new found skills in a real project, not just practice sandwiches? This class is perfect for you! Loretta Saenz, our FMQ teacher, will be here to lead a discussion on how to quilt this cute fall table runner. Come to the class with your fall table runner pieced, and be part of the discussion on all of your options for quilting. Upon registration, you will be given this free pattern from Julie Cefalu and the Crafty Quilter. Cost is $42.

Beginning Piecing & Quilting Level 2: Skill Builder: 7/29, 8/19, 9/16, 10/28, 11/12 and 12/10 from 10-4pm:

Laurie Johnson will be starting a new 6-month series of the Skill Builder this month.  If you have completed the Beginning Piecing and Quilting Level 1 class, or the equivalent, you are eligible to take this class. Registration is $14.95, the cost of the pattern book. The monthly fee is $35. This is a 6-month commitment.

My Grown-Up and Me: Let's Make a Quilt: Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 from 10-3 pm:

Calling all Junior Sewists between the ages of 8-18 years. Don't miss this great opportunity to make your very own quilt! Once again, Donna Bengle and Marcie Morrill will be the instructors for this annual, summertime quilt class that we offer. Over two days, students will cut, piece, sandwich, quilt and bind this simple quilt, pattern by Villa Rosa. Cost is $100, plus supplies.

Block of the Months:

A Road Trip:

Participants can pick up their kits and get a demonstration on this month's block on Saturday, July 11 from 8:00-9:00 am.** Note the time change.

Stitchin' in the Kitchen: 

Participants can pick up this month's towel and pattern starting today, Tuesday, July 7. July's towel features an eagle and an American flag in celebration of the 4th of July.

Dreamweaver Christmas Block of the Month:

This will be month 5 for the Christmas Dreamweaver. You will be working on the Straight Dark Chain Block. You can pick up your kits on Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 a.m., and Betty will be here for a short demonstration.

Trade Winds Wool Applique Block of the Month:

Our Trade Winds Wool Applique Block of the Month will be working on blocks 4 & 7, which include the cucumber, sea anemone, and kumquat fish. We will meet on Tuesday, July 21.  I will let you know when the kits are back from laser cutting so you can get your pieces whipped down before class. I would also like to encourage you to sign up for the Hand Sewing Group, as this is a great opportunity for you to work on your Trade Winds Block of the Month with other hand sewing enthusiasts. Hand Sewing is on Tuesday, July 28 from 10-4, cost is $10.

Looking ahead to next year's Block of the Months:

I just purchased the patterns and fabric for two of next year's block of the months! We will be doing "Love Letters" by Marcus, a traditional pieced quilt, and The Folk Art Sampler for our wool enthusiasts. Sign-ups will begin in September for these two new adventures. You can call the shop to get on the list to be called when these post. 

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

7/8: 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.

7/7 and 7/14: Tuesday Girls (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.

7/10, 7/17, 7/24, Friday Girls (Closed Mini Groups): Meets Every Friday, except the fifth Friday. 

7/15 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. 

7/22 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. 

7/28: 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 August:

I would like to highlight one of our classes for August that I don't want you to miss, and it is currently available for sign-ups.

FMQ Feathers Class:

Over the last year we have inroduced several Free Motion Quilting classes, including Levels 1, 2, and 3, an FMQ Application Class, and a Rulers Class. In August, we are adding a Feathers Class! The class will take place on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 10-3 pm. Loretta Saenz will be the instructor and the cost will be $50. Also, keep a look out for another rulers class in September.

In addition to this great class, we have School of Sewing Level 2 starting up in August, Beginning Piecing and Quilting Level 1, and another fun Make-It, Take-It Class. 

Just a reminder, from July 31-Aug. 3, we will be having our SKJ Summer Retreat at Mercy Center in Auburn. The store will be closed Saturday, Aug. 1, as we will be up at the retreat.

Just a reminder, if your scissors are getting dull, we offer scissor sharpening through Herzog Surgical.

I wish you all a happy 4th of July! I hope you have a happy and safe holiday weekend! 

Tammy