Hello Autumn and Apples and September!

Sweet September and the first official month of Fall, my favorite season! In the Flynn home, we have lots of birthdays in September and October, so I know we will be in for some fun family time. I also love the colors in Fall-yellow, orange, red, and brown, and I love the cozy feeling that comes with this season! The fabric for Fall is so gorgeous too! In fact, I have lots of beautiful fall bolts to share with you. We have been making kits for quilts, table runners, pillows, and snack mats for you to decorate your home with for Autumn. We also have some pretty cute Halloween fabric, too! I hope you will come in and see all we have to offer.  

Fall also seems to be the start of getting back to classes after a summer of vacations. We can help with that here at Sew Katie Jean! We have several fun classes scheduled for September and October, including some new classes and the return of some favorites. I hope you will join us for more learning fun with our sewing community.

Window Block: Iris: Nature's Paintbrush:

This month's flower is an iris!  Irises come in shades of purple, yellow, orange, red, white, and blue! They are known for their medicinal purposes, and they are the national flower of France! Blocks are due by Wednesday, Sept. 30 at closing.

September Classes and Clubs:

FMQ Rulers Class: Thursday, 9/3 and Thursday,9/17 from 10-3 pm:

Loretta Saenz will be returning this month for a Free Motion Quilting Class using rulers. During the class, participants will learn to use 7 different rulers to make a carry-all ruler bag. Class includes two days of teaching and 7 rulers, including a 3" heart, Spin-E-Fex 10, Spin-E-Fex 11, Simple Semi Circle, 6" arc, 8.5" Cross Hair and a 3"x 8" Straight ruler. Cost is $273. We have two spots left.

Quilted Jacket Class: Saturday, 9/5 from 9-3:30pm:

The Quilted Jacket Class is back with instructor Maria Stack. The pattern is from Laundry Basket Quilts, and it is a great pattern to learn how to make a quilted jacket! You have several options when making this jacket. You can use just beautiful fabric, a pieced quilt top, a completed quilt, or you can make the specific pattern provided in the pattern. Cost is $57.

Vintage Stars Series: Session 6, September 10 from 10:30-3:30pm:

 Betty Kisbey will be here to continue her instruction and adventure with Vintage Stars. You will learn the Illusions Star, Rising Sun Star, Spinner Star, Album Star, Old Tippecanoe, and Woven Star. Please bring the blocks you made from last month to share your progress.

Make-It, Take-It Class: Panel Blocking Class: Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5:30-8:30pm:

When we were on our retreat, several of the gals were interested in learning how to square up their panels. Thankfully, Laurie Johnson was at the retreat and gave us a mini lesson! We are doing a mini class at our Make-It, Take-It this month. Participants will need to bring a 24" panel to learn how to square it up before piecing with it. Cost is $30 and includes dinner.

Jelly Roll Rug Class: Saturday, 9/12 and Saturday, 9/19 from 9:30-3:30pm:

Diana Tatro will be returning to teach this Jelly Roll Rug Class. Many a farmhouse had one of these rugs in their home, and now you can make one for your home. The two-day class includes a kit, which includes the pattern, a tube maker and the jelly roll batting. All you need is a jelly roll of fabric and a machine with a zigzag stitch! Cost is $175.10.

Beginning Free Motion Quilting: Tuesday, 9/15 from 10-3 pm:

This month we are offering our introduction class on free motion quilitng. Loretta Saenz is our instructor, and she will guide you through the beginning steps to free motion quilting. You will learn designs based on freehand lines and circles, marking a quilt top, and ideas for practicing and putting the newly learned motifs to work on your quilts. Cost is $50. 

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

This month will be session two of the Level 3 Skill Builder.  Laurie Johnson will be teaching two more blocks this month, including: Maple Leaf and Variable Star. Please bring all of your fabric and blocks completed thus far.

Intro to Starch Applique: Thursday, 9/24 from 10-3 pm:

Appliquing is one of the techniques used in quilting to enhance or add dimension to your quilts. There are several techniques to applique, and this month we are offering a class on starch applique. Diana Meier is one of our local quilters with a vast knowledge of hand sewing techniques, including starch applique, wool applique, and English Paper Piecing. Don't miss the opportunity to learn form one of the best! Cost is $50. 

My Grown-Up and Me: Special Fall Extended Session: Trick or Treat bag: Thursday, 9/24 from 4-8 pm:

For September,we are doing a special session of My Grown-Up and Me. Our instructors made the cutest Trick-or-Treat Fall Tote for the kids and those young at heart to make! Because the project takes a little longer than 2 hours, we are including dinner and extending it to 4 hours. The class fee is $76.99, which includes instruction, a precut kit and pizza dinner. Donna Bengle and Marcie Morrill will be the instructors for this project. 

Enchanted Forest FPP Class: Friday, Sept. 25 from 10-4 pm:

Come make this beautiful table runner and 6 piece placemat set for the holidays. Tori Johnson, a licensed Jacqueline de Jonge instructor, will be here to guide you in making these foundation pieced beauties! Cost is $95, which includes the pattern. Kits are also available. 

Welcome Fall Saturday Sew Day! Saturday, 9/26 from 9-4 pm:

Saturday, Sept. 26 is Johnny Appleseed Day and Fall began on Sept. 22. We will enjoy some yummy fall treats and enjoy sewing with friends on a lovely fall day! Cost is $20.

Linda Ballard's Double Your Pleasure Quilt Class: Wednesday, 9/30 from 10-3 pm:

You can't beat learning an original quilt design from Linda Ballard! She will be returning this Fall for a beautiful wall hanging or table topper sized quilt called Double Your Pleasure, where the Dresden Plate is the star attraction! Linda is always a joy to be around and she always offers great tips for piecing and quiting. Cost is $70, which includes the pattern.

Block of the Months:

A Road Trip:

Participants can pick up their kits and get a demonstration on this month's block on Saturday, Sept. 5 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, Sept. 1. September's towel features a house with apple trees.

Dreamweaver Christmas Block of the Month:

This will be the final month for the Christmas Dreamweaver. You will be working on the Dresden Plate Blocks and the Center Star. Betty will give final instruction on assembly of the quilt. Please plan to pick up your kits starting Sept. 1, so you can work on your dresden and final center star before the final class on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 a.m.

Trade Winds Wool Applique Block of the Month:

Our Trade Winds Wool Applique Block of the Month will be working on mini blocks #6, which include the rose petal shell, polyps, and the lobster.. We will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 29.  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 handsewing enthusiasts. Hand sewing is on the 4th Tuesday of every month. 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. Our sample for Love Letters will be arriving any day, so come take a look when it comes in!

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

9/2: 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.

9/1 and 9/8: 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.

9/4, 9/11, 9/18, Friday Girls (Closed Mini Groups): Meets Every Friday, except the fifth Friday. 

9/9 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. 

9/23 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. 

9/22: 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 of time, as this class fills up quickly.

Looking Ahead to October:

Our beginner classes start back up in October, including School of Sewing Level 1 and Beginning Piecing and Quilting. Our Make-It, Take-It this month will be a classic project, as we make a thread catcher/pincushion. We will also have the return of the Tuffet Class, which is always a favorite! Don't miss our Turkey FPP Class and our special Halloween Sew Day.

I hope to see you at some of our upcoming classes and/or sew days.

Happy Fall everyone! I hope you get a chance to enjoy this new season as much as I do! Look for all of the beauty in the changing colors and in the family around you.

Tammy