Carola's Quilt Shop

Quilting Arts at Carola's Quilt Shop

2011-10-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

Quilting is so much more than a soft and cozy quilt.
Quilting can be an artistic expression of our creative side.
There is an artist in all of us.

Everyday we see beauty around us and wish we could capture it and interperet it in cloth and fibre.
A sunrise bursting with magnificent colours, autumn leaves, a flower bouquet or a photograph of your grandchild, all can be the inspiration for your next sewing project.
Our Quilting Arts groups are exploring the capabilities of our sewing machines. Our machines are "tool boxes" full of stitches.
Simple stitches (straight and zig-zag) can used in combination with everyday and exotic threads, needles, presser feet, notions, fibres and fabrics can create texture & three dimensional effects.
Have you ever wondered if you will ever use all those "fancy stitches" that came with your sewing machine? A wall hanging or even a baby quilt is the perfect place to test them out.
Along the journey you will discover which threads, needles, machine feet and tension settings make it all so much fun.
In our Quilting Arts Group we work with silk ribbon in the bobbin, attach free motion, beads to the fabric, create wavy seams with ease, "no stuff" trapunto and make cedar boughs with only thread on water soluble stabilizer. And that's only the beginning. Best of all are, the friends to play with, who bring their own ideas, encouragement and support. Yes, Quilting Arts is a passion. Join us!

Alphabet Fairy Panel from Michael Miller

2011-07-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

This Fairy Quilt was pieced and quilted by Sherri Coulthard of Roberts Creek BC Canada.

Alphabet Fairy Panel Quilt

The Alphabet Fairy Panel by Michael Miller has been our favourite so far. From A - Z this panel has 24 blocks (UV and XY share a block). Sherri used a wide assortment of different green fabrics to sah the blocks with floral corner stones. She added a Alphabet Fairy fabric as the border. The panel $10.99 and the border fabric $15.99 per metre is available for purchase at Carola's Quilt Shop. Email Carola to order info@carola.ca

Check out the closeup to see Sherri's

petite stipple quilting in the back-ground

of the fairy blocks. The sashing was quilted

in the ditch, the border was quilted

with "Continuous Line" butterflies

Close up to show scrap fabric sashing and corner stones

Aurifil Designer Thread Collections

2011-03-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of Aurifil Mako Egyptian cotton thread then you will love these new designer collections. They come in an attractive plastic storage container which holds 12 large spools of thread.

The collections retail for $104.95 It like getting two spools free! Includes Shipping for the month of April 2011. Sorry Canada and USA only. Call toll free1-877-886-0033 ask for Carola and

she will make sure you get the collection that suits your needs.

Happy Stitching

Chinese Puzzle Quilt for Christmas

2010-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

I discovered a wonderful versatile project called the Chinese Puzzle Quilt. The recipe is simple, each block requires 5 - 5" squares. Four of the five assortment fabric prints are folded in half diagonally and are placed one at a time on the fifth unfolded square, basted in place one at a time. Below is a photo of my "Christmas" Chinese Puzzle Quilt.
There are several layout possibilities. I made a small pillow using this technique. A great project if you like to add dimesion and texture to your work. (Psst, I rate this project as "super easy" with stunning results
Contact us if you would like the pattern. The cost is $11.00for the pattern or $50.00 for the kit tax & postage included.

Getting back to sewing this fall

2010-09-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

Is it time to think about Christmas gifts to make this fall? We have more Christmas fabric lines at Carola's than we've ever had before! Below is a picture of a very popular Christmas Tree Skirt. We offer it as a pattern or kit. It is easy to make and a simple style for most tastes.

Below is a snapshot of some of our Christmas fabrics and two lines of Autumn themed fabrics too. Do you already have plenty of Christmas Fabrics? We just might have "the right" fabric that will help you pull your project together.

The Travelling Bear

2010-08-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

I would like you to meet Marion, visiting from Germany. Do you see who we are holding? That is Marion's Holiday Bear. She takes one of her handmade bears along on her world travels. Marion picked up some Canadian Maple Leaf fabric to make him a vest, I think. Marion will forward a picture as soon she has stitched it up. If you would like to see some of her other mohair bears:

Marion's website is http://www.yuschel-baeren.de/
Thanks for stopping by Marion!

Block of the Month - All Cooped Up

2010-08-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

We are starting a new Block of the Month Club. Designed by McKenna Ryan it is suitable for even the Art Quilter. Below are all nine blocks. Your options are endless, individual art quilts, tote bags, placemats, wall quilts, you decide. Each block measures 8" x 8"

The first block of the month called "Hit the Hay" is available immediately priced at $19.95

Please email or call us toll free to sign up for the whole series of nine blocks at 1-877-886-0033
Let us know any time if you would like us to set aside a finishing kit of additional fabrics for border, blocks and binding.

Tomato Pin Cushion

2010-08-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

Until two years ago I was so proud of my good eye sight. I could easily read the needle size on the top of at sewing machine needle. No More!

This is where the tomato pin cushion come in. Have you noticed that a tomato pin cushion is divided into segments by green floss?
Take out your "ultra fine" permanent marker and mark each segment with the different needle sizes; 60,70,80,90 etc. sizes you most commonly use. Instead of returning a "used" sewing needle back into it's packet, place the needle in the appropriately marked segment of your tomato pin cushion. By the way, you should never return a used needle to it's original package because you don't want to mistakenly pull out what you think is a "new" needle only to discover it is dull or damaged.

Quilting on the Sunshine Coast of Canada

2010-08-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
Today I am writing the very first message on our Blog from my Quilt Shop here in Gibsons BC.
We are busy getting ready for the 11th Annual Fibre Arts Festival www.gibsonslandingfibrearts.com August 19 - 21st
I will be teaching a hands-on Free Motion Quilting Clinic as well as manning our booth in the merchant mall.

My daughter Alaina has an extensive vintage toy sewing machine collection which will be on display during the Fibre Arts Festival at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, 716 Winn, in Lower Gibsons starting this Saturday August 14th and at Carola's Quilt Shop 1161 Sunshine Coast Highway in Upper Gibsons. www.carola.ca
Here is a sneak peak at her collection

I look forward to blogging about thread, what sewing machine needles and threads are best for different techniques and how to use your sewing machine's capabilities to add so much more to your work. What sewing machine needles and threads are best for different techniques.
Happy , Carola & Company