Park Bench Quilt Shop

Summer Sillies!

2011-08-10T16:38:00.004-04:00

This summer has been hot, hot, HOT! Lucky for me I have an air conditioned sewing room so I can sew, sew, SEW! While we have been busy getting ready for our Holiday Open House next week my mind is really thinking about some fun little projects. Sure, the holiday quilts, table runners and other projects have been fun and look great, but really, it is summertime. Can I just take a break and sew something silly? I love the Bucket Hat by Betz White. Some of the funky prints we have would look great! Surely I could get that done in a jiff! Maybe I could even finish 2 of them before anyone even realizes I have strayed off task.

The Jack and Jill hat is also calling my name. I know the perfect little one to make it for. It is so cute and frilly. Seriously. It needs to be done. It is too cute and definitely fits the silly category.

Ok. Decision made. Time to sew a couple of sillies and then I promise to get right back to work on those Holiday Open House projects. Times-a-ticking. Deadlines approaching. Cute hats to get started! What kind of silly sewing do you love to do??

Little Miss Know-It-All

2011-07-07T17:26:00.010-04:00

Sometimes I just think I am a Little Miss Know-It-All! Need a quick quilting project to whip up this weekend? I know just the thing. Have a big wedding this summer and want to make a special quilt for the happy couple? I know the perfect line of fabric to use. Need a tip on hand applique/fusibles/machine tension issues/bindings? I know the answer.

Last week a quilter comes in the store. This person is a long time sewer, new quilter and not real confident in choosing fabrics. She wanted to make a baby quilt for someone who loved purple and she didn't have a lot of time to complete the project. I made a pattern suggestion and a few fabric suggestions and then left her for a moment to help another customer.

She came up to the counter with her fabric selections and asked

my opinion. I had not considered this line of fabric but, I fell in love! What a wonderful, modern look she had. It included the purple she wanted, we paired it with white and it was just delightful. So delightful that I knew I needed to make one as well!

So it turns out I don't know it all! I never thought to use this line of fabric and turns out it was perfect for this project. Instead of giving the inspiration, I was totally inspired! That's why I love this business. Each day brings a new idea for a project, a new look for the delicious fabric we can buy, and new friends walking in the door.

This much I do know: Life doesn't get much better than this!

Finished Project:

(Well, almost finished!

The binding is not sewn down yet!)

Pattern: Bouncing Borders

Fabric: Weekends

by Erin McMorris

for Freespirit Fabrics

Happy Fourth Of July!

2011-06-30T21:20:00.003-04:00

As I get ready to pack up my weekend bag and take off to enjoy a little R & R, it dawns on me that as I sit with my family, sipping a cool beverage, eating a little BBQ and catching up with those I haven't seen in quite a while, there are families that are not able to be together because of family members in far away places continuing to fight for our freedom. To those families I would like to say a big THANK YOU!

THANK YOU for the sacrifices you have made and continue to make.

THANK YOU for doing the job that many of us do not have the courage or determination to do.

THANK YOU for making it possible to live in the greatest country in the world.

I am humbled and honored to be your friend and neighbor. Here's hoping that your weekend finds you and your family safe and happy. Enjoy!

Pictured is Catch A Falling Star by Patch Abilities.

Ladybug, Ladybug!

2011-06-21T07:51:00.003-04:00

I wanted to kick out a new table runner that fit my summertime mood and these little ladybugs were perfect! Machine applique makes it easy and quick. I like to use a fusible webbing that remains soft after fusing so my current favorite is Wonder Under by Pellon but a new featherweight Heat and Bond is being introduced from Therm O Web that I am anxious to try. It is supposed to be like the old Eileens which I loved! I will let you know my opinion after I check it out.
My sewing machine has many decorative stitches suitable for machine applique and I do use them when I am really feeling creative but my "go to" stitch is a buttonhole stitch that repeats the downward stitch, but not the"bite". It outlines the applique nicely and looks clean. I like the stitch to show so I usually use a Mettler Silk Finish thread. Sometimes I prefer the stitch blend in so I will use the Mettler Fine Embroidery instead and if I want the applique to have a more fancy look than Sulky Rayon Machine Embroidery thread is just the ticket because of the sheen.

The pattern pictured is Lady Bugs by Jeri Kelly. I love the little button embellishments!

Batik Geek!

2011-06-10T23:23:00.000-04:00

Batiks. I struggled with them this week. I loved them, I didn't love them. I pulled together some wonderful bright batiks (Love) for a quilt but did not trust my instincts on the sashing and now I am not entirely happy with the results (Didn't love!)

Since I don't work with them often I decided I just needed to give it another go. I gathered up the leftover strips from the quilt (Love) and paired them up with a main fabric to construct a nice Market Bag. (Didn't love, again.)

Seriously. What is wrong with me? How can I go wrong two times using these beautiful batiks? On any given day I can pull together some terrific color combinations of regular fabrics that result in quilts, totes, purses and bags that I love. But these wonderful batik fabrics, made in far away places like Bali, during the rainy season, in some cases hand stamped with chops made from wood by skilled artisans? They confuse me. They taunt me. They laugh at me.

But wait. I am smarter than these batiks! I will not let them win! I can make something pretty, I know I can. Time for one more try. Trusting my instincts I will make another Market Bag. I will choose fabric that will make me happy. Carefully I approach the wall of batiks and start pulling dark, almost black prints that will make my brights pop. Don't Love. I switch out the brights for warm golds to go with my darks. Don't Love. Fine. I will try some comfortable pinks and greens. No, try pink and yellow. No, make that a pink print and a another pink print.

Well, here is the finished bag. I am not sure I won. Maybe the batiks are smarter than me. I Love the batik fabrics in this bag. They look OK together. It's cute. Not a WOW bag, but I'll take it as a small victory in my batik challenged quilting life.

One day, when I can catch the batiks in a weak moment, I will swoop in, gather them up and make something I LOVE!

Do Some Just For Fun Sewing!

2011-06-03T23:00:00.000-04:00

Somedays you just want a nice, relaxing project to work on that doesn't require a lot of thinking and pre-planning but still turns out cute as a button! That is what happened the other day when Patty decided to take a break from a hectic "must-sew" schedule, and do a little something fun.

The Koin Keeper from This and That fit the bill. She had the fabric picked out and the project cut and sewn within two hours. Great therapy because Patty loved the result and was a happy little camper the rest of the day! Yea!

Lilly Pilly

2011-05-31T22:39:00.001-04:00

Lilly Pilly is one of the fun patterns from Don't Look Now! that is currently hanging in the store and it gets a lot of comments. Yes, it is a lot of applique and yes, you could do it all by hand. It would look absolutely beautiful if you did! The pattern calls for a combination of hand and free motion raw edged applique. As someone who loves to do hand applique, but needed to get this done in a jiffy, I resorted to "tweaking" the pattern just a little. I added a tutorial with pictures so you can see how I accomplished that. It is a lot of fun! I think you need a Lilly Pilly of your own!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T18:22:00.000-05:00

Well, the 2010 holidays are over and we have entered 2011! Hopefully you had a wonderful time filled with family and friends. I am so excited to get started on 2011 projects. Check out the fabric from Michael Miller that just arrived in the store. It is called Larkspur and the colors are yummy! There are allover designs and border prints too. I can feel a skirt in the making as well as a very cool tote bag. The decorator weight version is due to show up any day now. I will post pics a soon as I get some projects going with them. Stay tuned!!

Park Bench Update

2010-12-08T17:36:00.000-05:00

We have been busy here sewing up samples for the Winter Class Schedule, samples to show off the new fabric that arrives each week and sneaking in some sewing of Christmas presents for friends and family! Pictured are some new Moda Pre-Cuts that have arrived. The full lines will follow after the first of the year. Hopefully they will inspire you to start a new project when the holiday excitement is over.

Stop in for a Christmas cookie if you are in the neighborhood. We have fresh ones everyday! This week we have Coconut Buttons. This may surprise those of you who know me but I made them myself! And they are quite tasty!

2010-12-01T10:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who attended our Holiday Open House! Congratulations to Johanna F. and JoAnne R. They won the Holiday Gift Tins. Enjoy your goodies ladies!

As you get busy with your holiday sewing, baking, shopping and company - don't forget we have some great suggestions for sewing buddy gifts and quick projects to make. Or maybe you just need a break from it all. Stop in, browse and relax! There might even be a Christmas cookie to enjoy.

Be sure and bring in your visiting family and friends. Share your new quilt shop with them. We love company!

Holidays at The Bench!

2010-11-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

Look what we have been doing at The Bench this week. I know, it seems too early, but we are getting ready for our Holiday Open House. This Friday and Saturday, during regular business hours, we will be showcasing some terrific holiday quilts and quick projects. Some new things will be debuted along with some you may have seen already. Please join us for cookies and wassail and see how we do the holidays at The Bench!

November Happenings!

2010-11-05T20:48:00.000-04:00

Dr. Seuss has arrived at The Bench! We are happy to welcome the whole cast of characters from these delightful books and have a couple of great projects to make that are quick and easy. You CAN get them done before Christmas!

Wow! The fun stuff we saw at Quilt Market last week! So many cool things we can't wait to show you. On Thursday, November 11th from 4:30 to 8:00pm we will have the latest and greatest on display and previews of things to come. This is a free event!

Join us on Friday and Saturday, November 19th & 20th for our Holiday Open House! We will showcase new holiday patterns and kits, show some quick gift projects, and enjoy cookies and punch. Quilty stuff and munchies, its a win-win! Another free event so stop in and see how The Bench does the holidays!

Stay tuned for more fun stuff because we have lots planned! Visit our website to browse our fabrics and shop. Our Facebook page has the newest news as it happens. Join us!

2010-10-03T22:49:00.000-04:00

We are very excited about this adorable line from In The Beginning called Happy. It has fun prints and colors that are perfect for all sorts of kids clothes, totes or quilts. Check out the Jennifer Jangles hand made ceramic buttons that coordinate with the line. Think of the embellishment possibilities! We can't wait to get started on our projects to inspire you. See it in person at The Bench or check it out on our website.

New Fabric Arrives At The Bench!

2010-09-25T17:07:00.001-04:00

What a nice ending to a great week! Friday we put over 100 new bolts of fabric on the shelves. Tangled Threads from Red Rooster has dusty browns, blues and greens. This fabric has a sewing theme. Breakfast At Tiffany's from Moda has yummy peaches, greens, teals and browns. Jelly Rolls, Charm Packs and Layer Cakes round out that collection. In batiks the McKenna Ryan collection Hope Faith and Love from Hoffman fabrics is beautiful! Check all the new stuff out on our website. The Gallery section has some new samples posted as well. Are you a Facebook fan? You can find us there with regular posts on The Bench happenings!

Happy Sewing!

Grand Opening Week!

2010-09-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a wonderful Grand Opening Week we had! Thanks to everyone who stopped in to see the new shop and experience what The Bench has to offer. You can see some of the beautiful flower arrangements that were sent to us welcoming us to the neighborhood and sharing words of support and friendship. We appreciate every one of them. Thanks very much for your thoughtfulness!

Congratulations to Pat W. She won the drawing for our gift bag of goodies! Gift certificate winners were Denise S., Doris F., Bernice F. and Sharon H.

If you have a minute, please take a look at the Gallery on the Park Bench website and see the great quilt block Cassie C. made from our Astral Summer collection. She did a great job!

New fabric arriving weekly! Stay tuned for updates.

The Countdown Begins!

2010-09-04T21:18:00.001-04:00

Here we go! Grand opening is the week of September 13th with lots of fun give-a-ways, "Double Punch" card days and more! If you really can't wait for the festivities, stop in and see us beginning September 7th. We will be ready for business while putting the finishing touches on Grand Opening fun! Here is a sneak peak of what you will see:

Nicey Jane fabric from Freespirit. Also in stock from Freespirit is Nest, Weekends and Happy Go Lucky. Several more Freespirit lines on order!

A beautiful selection of Kaffe Fassett fabrics including Shot Cottons.

Olde World by Maywood Fabrics. Not pictured are great flannels, laminated fabrics in the Nicey Jane collection and much more!

Check out Lauren's Apron, Moda Pre-Cuts with the full coordinating lines of fabric, Town Square Quilt, and the Smarty Girl purse made from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane fabric from Freespirit.

Special thanks go out to our friends who have been helping us get ready for opening! Your help with sample sewing, quilting, bindings, inventory control and more are greatly appreciated! We could not have met our deadline without you!

Although our website is now up and running, it is still a work in progress. Many of our fabrics have been listed and the Fall Class Schedule will be posted next week.

Share this blog site with your friends and stay tuned! The Countdown continues!

Grand Opening Right Around The Corner!

2010-08-23T23:06:00.000-04:00

Take a look! Shelving units are in and fabric is being loaded, the check out counter has been built, floor units are in progress and much more! There is still some painting to be done and displays to set up but we are getting close. The Grand Opening festivities take place the week of Sept. 13th. Details are posted on our website: www.parkbenchquiltshop.com
There is now an easier way to sign up for this blog (yea!)
Check out the e-mail sign up to the left of this message and get a heads up every time something new is posted, about once a week, unless something very exciting is happening and I think you will want to know about it!

Yea! The awning is here!

2010-08-05T22:02:00.000-04:00

Wow! What an exciting couple of days! The carpet was installed yesterday so we were able to move in some work/sewing tables and prepare to put up shelving. Our new awning went up today, we got loads of yummy fabric in, and Patty and I started sewing at the store to complete some new samples.

Take a sneak peak at some of the newest arrivals! We are having a blast pairing up new patterns with new fabric.

2010-07-29T20:29:00.000-04:00

OK. No picture with me in it today. After spending too many hours painting the ceiling of the main area of the shop, Patty and I ended up with as much paint on us as the ceiling did. This would not have been a pretty picture! It wasn't nearly as fun as unpacking the new fabric that arrived today! You are going to love the "At Home For The Holidays" line for Christmas by Henry Glass and "Luna Blooms by Clothworks" for everyday. Did I mention that we will be doing the Civil War BOM for 2011? I know!! I can't wait until we open either!

Exciting Updates

2010-07-28T21:45:00.000-04:00

Wow! Have we been busy making decisions on fabric purchases, patterns, and notions. Our bench is in, beautiful and functional display pieces have been purchased, our sign is close to being installed and we are just having too much fun! Please take note of our new address and phone info:

Park Bench Quilt Shop
1613 E. Wheeler Street
Midland, MI 48642
(989) 832-5722
parkbenchquilts@att.net
parkbenchquiltshop.com

See how official we are becoming! Our Grand Opening will be September 13th - 18th. Details to follow. Stay tuned!

2010-07-18T21:39:00.000-04:00

Boy have we been busy! We have torn down walls, pulled up carpet and hauled tons of construction trash out to the dumpster! New floor in the bathroom, new faucet, water is on and painting has begun.

2010-07-17T16:10:00.000-04:00

Watch our progress as we work to make the September 13th Grand opening date! This is a picture of the front of our building before our sign is up. The windows are covered so you can't peak until we open... unless you are following this blog. Pictures of our hard work will be posted. Stay tuned!

Park Bench Quilt Shop

2010-07-17T15:25:00.001-04:00

Coming soon!