New Albion Quilts + Quilts of Valor + Free Summer Sewing Ideas

Hello Friends! Happy July! If you're new here, welcome! Each weekend I send out a newsletter with the latest happenings and lots of project ideas - many of them free! As a subscriber, you also get free access to my Sentimental Stars pattern here.

What's New: New Quilts made with Albion prints

In the past few weeks I've seen a bunch of new patterns released featuring my Albion Fabric collection. Many of them are pre-cut friendly too!

I love the different patterns, background prints, etc changes the whole look of the collection. Click below to read more about these fresh new patterns featuring Albion.

REMINDER: it's the last weekend to get 25% off the Pine Hollow Patchwork Forest quilt pattern. It's the last time this pattern will go on sale before Christmas!

Quilts of Valor - Sewing for a Cause

Last week we celebrated the 4th of July - Independence Day - here in the US. In honor of that holiday I wanted to recognize and share one of my favorite quilting charities: Quilts of Valor.

This amazing organization recognizes and honors American service men and women. It's an organization created to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts.” And there are so many ways to contribute - whether it's donating a quilt or one block. Click below to read all about QOV.

This one is near and dear to my heart because my grandfather was also a WWII vet. And my husband grew up in a military family (his father served in the Army over 20 years) living both in the US and Germany. Through their experiences I've learned to better appreciate not just the service of these men and women, but also the tremendous sacrifices of the spouses and families who support them.

Want to help? It’s a great time of year to stock up on red, white and blue fabrics because they’re often on sale during July. You can make a quilt or just contribute a few blocks for the 2024 Quilt Block Drive (Details in the post. Click below.)

Already have too much red, white, and blue fabric? Consider donating your excess fabric to your local Quilts of Valor chapter!

I know many of you are already familiar with Quilts of Valor. Thanks to all of you who sew for this awesome organization.

Tips: Sewing Machine Needle Guide

Ever wondered what the difference is between all of the different varieties of sewing machine needles?

Or if there even is a difference?

Check out this post about different sewing machine needles and how to choose the right needle for the right project. As well as how to buy needles in bulk!

They really do make a big difference!

Fun Finds on the Web: Summer Fun FREE Projects

This week in the Summer Block Party we shared two free bonus projects using the SPB blocks including: a wall-hanging quilt and a cute scalloped pillow setting for any 12" block. If you're not already subscribed, Go here to subscribe to the Summer Block Party events and get all of the free patterns including these new projects.

Melissa of Happy Quilting has a free pattern for a scrappy Irish Chain-style quilt. I love her version in classic blue and white.

Tara Reed shares 3 quick methods for making fabric holders for Freezer Pops! Perfect if you're hosting summer picnics or your house is the go to "Otter Pop stop" this summer.

Damjana of Apple Green Cottage shares a new free pattern for adorable draw-string travel bags.

Post-Holiday Sales:

Connecting Threads is having Christmas in July sale with 25% off most precuts through 7/8.

The Fat Quarter Shop has all of their Riley Blake Confetti Cotton Solids marked down 20%.

Center Street Designs is having a shop sale of 20% off all patterns for popular bag and FPP patterns.

Annie's Craft Store has 20% off sitewide with code 20OFF.

This past week has been crazy town here with a family wedding and two simultaneous family reunions (all of my out-of-state siblings+families and all of my husband's out-of-state parents+siblings+families) here, not to mention our own daughters home for one pretty epic week of family time. It was a lot of fun and happy memories, but I'm not going to lie, I needed a nap pretty much every day too. lol.

So, as you can imagine, next-to-no sewing happening. Or yardwork for that matter. But that's okay. As I'm getting older I'm doing a better job of being in the moment - especially when it comes to those rare times with loved ones who live far away.

Most of the family left yesterday, but before our daughter flew back to Washington DC today, my husband and I were able to go with her on one of our family's favorite hikes in the nearby mountains. It couldn't have been a more beautiful evening - the wildflowers were blooming and waterfalls were visible cascading down the mountain cliffs. And the company was wonderful. After lots of people interacting all week, it was good to have our girl to ourselves her last night here.

All the best to you this week and wishing you some happy summer memories and maybe some moments of summer stillness too.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Take care,

Amy

If you would like to stop receiving this content, please click unsubscribe below.

This newsletter occasionally contains affiliate links - which means I receive a small commission if a purchase is made at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

​Visit my Pattern Shop

​

​​​​

​