In this class you will learn all the basics for making a quilt; from cutting it out to sewing on the binding. You will find that making a triangle is as as 1,2,3. Just remember if you can see a staight line then you can make a quilt!
This is a two part class meeting on: Sat. March 2nd9:30-11:30am and Sat. March 9th 9:30-11:30am
Instructor: Kathi Morgan
Cost: $25.00
Call us at 563-262-5709 or sign up online at http://www.thelittleredhenonline.com/Beginner-Quilting-101-class101.htm
Round toothbrush rug are a lot of fun to make and are a GREAT way to use up old fabric.
Supplies:
-Toothbrush Needle (provided in class fee)
-Scissors
-1 yard fabric cut into 2-1/2″ Strips
-Large Saftey Pin
Fee: $18 (includes start for rug and toothbrush needle)
Class Date: Sat. March 9th 12:30-2:00pm
Call us at 563-262-5709 or sign up online at http://www.thelittleredhenonline.com/Round-Toothbrush-Rug-Class-rugclass.htm
I spent the weekend working on getting our online world all up to date again. You might even notice some Halloween flare! While working away I noticed a towel that Kathi had made up from a few different little doodles of mine. It’s been sitting there for about 7 months and we haven’t done anything with it. It’s such a simple pattern I thought why not post the pattern on our blog.
Kathi picked a pretty neat looking towel to put it on but it’s so simple it would work on almost anything. You can download the template and instructions by CLICKING HERE. Print it off and add it to your stash.
In the instructions I talk about a Pilot Frixion pen. You can really use any transfer ink or process you like but we LOVE the Pilot Frixion pen. We always have a mug full of them when we go to shows. One of the most common questions (besides where did you buy your foam flooring) is, “Do these really work?” Yes, yes they do. Unlike other pens/chalks we’ve used in the past these leave no residue behind. It’s like they were never there. You won’t be rushed by these pens either because they don’t fade over time. When you are ready to remove the lines just use your iron and move it back and forth. It’s key to remember it’s the friction that’s removing the ink not the heat. You can check them out HERE.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week since it’s only Monday. Mondays are the worst. Hopefully it will be a better week because you started it off getting a free pattern.
So my goal of keeping up on this blog hasn’t really worked out. We just finished the last “In the Coop” book of the series so I’m hoping that will clear my schedule for more time with the webpage and blog. We are finally settled back in to the shop from the Des Moines show. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us!! We had a great time and had a wonderful show. The Des Moines show marked a milestone for us this year. Last year’s AQS Des Moines show was The Little Red Hen’s first appearance at a quilt show. (We were previously The Cotton Shop which has done them for years.) Our goal before we came back to Des Moines in 2012 was to have published A book. One book. I thought a Christmas book would be a good topic to start with and I came up with Christmas in the Coop.
Christmas in the Coop was the last of the “In the Coop” series; however it was actually imagined first. When I brought the idea to Kathi and Kathy about the book they each added in a new book to the list. So creating one book turned into creating three books in one short conversation. Our compromises always seem to turn into more work.
Our goal from the beginning with all three books was to keep them affordable and to pack as much into the pages as we could. We self-published all 3 books so aside from printing we did everything else. Last February we began the seven month process. The development for each book went something like this. I would start by designing 20-30 patterns to go into the book. I would compile them into a huge notebook like this….
The notebook of designs for Harvest in the Coop
Then as a team we would start picking out patterns to make. Ashley is one of the most precise and amazing cutters ever, so she would cut all the fabric for the projects and double check the math. Then it would get fun as we divided out the patterns for people to make. Brenda is AWESOME at hand stitching so by default she got most of the projects that required hand stitching. Kathy and Kathi would fight over the remaining of the patterns. (Luckily there were no bruises or broken bones.) After the projects were completed we would select about 14-17 that we really loved to put in the book.
The unique thing about our shop is we have a greenhouse, florist, and gift shop in the same building, so this made the process of doing a photo shoot much easier. Many of the items you see in the books are actually items for sale in our shop. The greenhouses provided excellent natural light. As for the antiques we used in the photos, everyone brought some from home. Our local photographer, Genevieve Meeker, was so incredibly flexible with us. Every time she brought us our photos I had people crowded behind me on the computer so excited to see her beautiful results.
After photos came a lot of crazy days of work. Kathi and Ashley wrote and compiled the instructions while I laid out our book and put together the graphics. In general we completed this process for each book in about a week. There were MANY all-nighters. Once we got a rough draft put together we would ask various people to proof read and check our measurements. (You will see their names in the Special Thanks portion of our books) After many reviews it would go to our printer who is based out of Illinois. After that we anxiously awaited for the UPS man(EVERY DAY).
The first two books were on schedule for the most part so we had them before our big due dates. Christmas in the Coop did not go as well. We had so many complications with fabric and shipping that I never thought it was going to be completed. Things were such a dilemma up to the very last minute with the book. I didn’t even know what day we would receive the book. We actually had to have Christmas in the Coop, delivered directly to Des Moines so we would have it for the show. The first day of the Des Moines show I spent on the phone trying to track down when the books would arrive. I’m not sure how the UPS man felt being stalk down by me but we did actually end up receiving them in Des Moines.
I think we all really enjoyed the challenge and fun of creating the “In the Coop,” series. However I have to say I’m happy that they are done. I’m 85% sure that it will be a long time before we add another one to the group. (Unless it becomes a compromise for something else.) I will say we are staying just as busy coming up with new product. The nice part is the deadlines are not as demanding. I’m hoping that we will have some big surprises between now and Des Moines 2013. One of which I will give a hint to. The picture below is something I dropped off to Kathi and Kathy about 6 weeks ago and I imagine you’ll be hearing about it in the next couple months….
Are you ready for some fun relaxing fun? WE ARE!?! Is it Feburary yet? This years retreat will be held Febuary 22-24. Retreat starts at 10:00am Thursday and ends at 2:00pm on Sunday. It will be at Spring Valley Bible Camp which is located just north of Muscatine at 2858 180th Street. The cost this year is $175 for 4 days and $160 for 3 days. Half the cost is due when signing up to reserver your spot. The remainer is due at retreat. Cost includes lodging, food, and LOTS OF FUN!! We are so exciting and can’t wait! For more information on retreat CLICK HERE. To sign up online CLICK HERE!
So we’ve been bad….. You haven’t heard from us in awhile. Our excuse is we’ve put together 3 books, 15 new single patterns, redid our website, planned a bus trip, redid the store, booked a few more shows then normal and are planning a few other surprises coming soon. We hope when you see our new stuff you will forgive us. 
It’s my personal goal to try to update at least once a week. (I’m not the best at personal goals but I will try really hard) Who is the person making this personal goal? I’m Emily and if you’ve ever been to our shop, then you probably haven’t met me. I’m a behind the scene person. I upkeep (err..try to upkeep) our blog, webpage, and Facebook page. I also spend a lot of time designing our new patterns. Now that everyone knows who’s responsible for the lack of upkeep, I really need to focus on making these weekly updates happen. Otherwise I imagine there will be lots of complaints to the bosses about this Emily person.
To help my cause I’m going to offer up a peace offering… WIN A NEW PATTERN!!! As I said before we have a lot of new patterns coming out. The lovely owl pincushion in the picture above is one coming out next week. It’s one of my personal favorites. Before I tell you how you can win one I need to fill everyone in on what we have going on. As I said before we have three new books. Two of which are currently available, Quilting in the Coop and Harvest in the Coop. Both can be purchased online at our store. Our third book, Christmas in the Coop, should be available sometime within the next month. We are all really excited and proud to share them with you. We hope you enjoy them.
Kathi and I will be in Galena next weekend for the Galena Quilt Festival. If you are in the area you should come visit our booth!!! We will have all kinds of new good stuff to check for you to check out.
We also have an online sale going on… You can save 20% off your entire order! (excludes bus trip and preorders) Just use coupon code 20off at checkout. Sale ends Aug 6 at midnight.
NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE OWL PINCUSHION PATTERN… Just comment on this post below and tell me about one of your own goals. Comments close Monday, August 13 at Midnight. I WILL PICK FIVE WINNERS!!!
UPDATE 8/18 - Thank you all for all the wonderful messages!!! The winners are….
