Christen Phillips

  • How To Get Really Flat Seams When You Sew

    Today I’m going to share with you a fun little trick! You’re going to love it. It works every single time without fail. Here is how to get really flat seams when you sew!

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    I bet you even have everything you need in your house right at this very second…

    *announcer voice* Are you tired of those wonky seams that will not stay where you put them? Pressing and pressing with your iron can stretch and pull your fabric throwing off your measurements and eventually ALL your hard work of extra precise cutting!

    [*Insert really bad infomercial lady struggling with even the simplest of tasks*]

    When you’ve had enough, you’ve had enough!

    There has to be a better way, right?

    *ding ding ding* YES! There is a better way!

    Ok ok… no more bad infomercial… just simple practical advice from here on out! …I think I might have had too much Coke Zero today?

    First, I’m going to show you the easiest way to press your seams. You can probably start doing as soon as you reach the bottom of this post…

    And then I’m going to give you some of my recommendations on tried and true products that can help ease your fabrics into submission and make you their Queen.

    The Easy Method

    Here is what you need:

    1. Iron (This one is my favorite!)
    2. Ironing board (or this really really amazing wool mat)
    3. Your pieced fabric
    4. And a really thick magazine

    Wait, what?…

    Yes! Think like… Ikea Catalog – thick and heavy. A phonebook will work (if anyone even still has those?) but it is a little over kill. You don’t have to go that heavy. Just thick enough to have some weight to it. A Time Magazine will not do the trick.

    A good hardcover book will work as well, but please be aware that you’re going to be laying it on top of really hot fabrics, over and over and over again. I haven’t personally experienced any damage over the years, but I wouldn’t trust it with my favorite books, ya know?

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!
    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    Pressed To One Side or Open?

    Choose: Do you you want to press your seams to one side or open? Ah, that is a good question that will leave any new quilter scratching their head.

    Is there a right way? Is there a wrong way?

    Personally, I like to press my seams to one side. BUT if you take a poll of other quilters, you’ll get all kinds of answers and some will even dare say that I’m a crazy fool!… we quilters can get pretty heated when it comes to the big stuff…

    I think it is a choice you have to make for yourself and depending on the fabric and project as well. There isn’t a wrong way, I can answer that for you.

    From here on out, I don’t care what you do with your seams, the steps to follow will be the same if you want to know how to get really flat seams when you sew!

    Here is what you’re going to do:

    Start by getting your iron to the right temperature for your fabric.

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    Press on the backside of your fabric piece first to get the seam to lay flat.

    Press your seams however you like.

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    Then turn your piece over and give it a light pressing on the front side of your seam as well. This will set the seam from both sides.

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    A quick note about fabric: It expands when it gets hot. That is why sometimes, you can iron it all out and then when it cools, there is some curly/warped situations that can happen. It is a form of fabric rebellion.

    After you iron your seams and before it can cool all the way, place it under your magazine/book.

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    The weight of the magazine will ensure that your seams stay put and as the fabric cools off, it will stay perfectly flat. So simple, yet amazing, right?!?

    I usually will have a few layers of fabric cooling in a stack under the magazine at a time. Then I swap them out for fresh hot ones every 4-5 layers so that I know they are cooling nicely and really really flat.

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    …Other tools I like to have up my sleeve to make the chore of ironing less of a pain.

    1. Magic Sizing

    I don’t know what this stuff is made from, but if you have a fabric warp issue, this stuff will fix it. When you want that quilt to lay flat and the fabric just isn’t cooperating… magic sizing is your answer.

    It is a fabric starch that makes all the fabric fibers step back in line like the day it rolled off the machines in the factory. Ta-da… magic!

    2. Mary Ellen’s Best Press

    Best Bress is absolutely loved by quilters everywhere. It has been around for ages and is a really great product. I’ve owned several bottles over the years and if you’re looking for a good spray with bang for your buck, you won’t be sorry!

    3. Flatter Spray

    This one is relatively new to me, but… I love it so much. First of all, flatter spray smells lovely. (I have the pink one… because well… pink!) It doesn’t leave any feeling of stiffness to your fabric but you won’t see a single wrinkle in sight when you use the flatter spray prior to ironing! No white flakes or crusty bits either!

    I use this when I really want perfection beyond the grasp of this universe. And my flatter spray always delivers.

    Learn how to get really flat seams when you sew with just a few simple steps, and a tool you already have in your house right now!

    4. Wool Ironing Mat

    Maybe I’ve been in a cave for a while or something, but I’ve really taken notice lately to these wool ironing mats. I assume they must have been around forever though. Have you seen them?

    When you iron with them, the wool maintains the heat (not enough to scorch your fabric) so it kind of warms the underside of the fabric as well and you have good even heat all around and lovely lovely pressed fabric.

    Genius!

    By following these tips, you will be well on your way to discovering how to get really flat seams when you sew! Easy Peasy, right?

    If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below and I will do my best to answer your questions!

  • 4 Reasons why you should never apologize for taking a sewing day

    When life gets super hectic and beyond controlling stress levels… I crave sewing time. Do you ever feel the same way? Like if you could just lock yourself away for a little bit and hyper-focus on something else you could clear your head?

    To make room for all of the extra tasks at work and the appointments on your calendar, it is easy to start cutting back on the time you carve out for yourself.

    You might reschedule that lunch date you had with a friend, stay up late to work on that project for work…. or put that quilt you were really excited to start sewing on the back burner for “someday“. *womp womp womp*

    Even with all that is going on and your full calendar… you should never apologize for taking a sewing day and here is why.

    I’m a huge believer of self-care and do what you gotta do to take care of you so you can take care of everything else.

    I’ve written a few posts on the matter if you care to enlighten yourself a little more…

    What you do to take care of you is not a priority that should make anyone feel ashamed or apologetic. (To clarify, it is not an excuse to neglect the needs of others either... keep reading to know when to draw the line.)

    4 reasons you should never apologize for taking a sewing day. Even 10 minutes can boost your mood, decrease your stress level and leave you feeling energized and better able to handle everything else in your life.

    The 4 Reasons why you should never apologize for taking a sewing day

    1. To Avoid Burnout

    Sometimes we need to take action to care for ourselves to avoid burnout. You are aware of your personal limits and you certainly know when you have reached (or gone past) those limits!

    Take steps to keep yourself from reaching the end of your rope during an especially busy or stressful season!

    Doing what you can to be healthy, make good choices, and generally, being responsible for our own wellbeing is not selfish. It is necessary.

    For me, somedays, that looks like me sitting on the couch with a book in my hand and my back to an enormous load of laundry waiting in the corner for me. Don’t ever let it smell your fear…

    Other days, it has been a hectic week and I just want to get lost for a few hours sewing!

    2. The Ability To Make Progress Towards Something Within Your Control

    Maybe its a huge project at work that isn’t progressing like it should… or it is an out of control potty training toddler that has you wanting to pull your hair out?

    The fact is there are times when no matter what you think or do, you are not the one in control. For OCD people like me… it’s utterly exhausting.

    Taking 15 minutes to sit down and stitch a perfect quarter inch seam, over and over again to make progress towards a bigger sewing project is enough to bring a little order back into the world.

    Read more tips on how you can get better piecing.

    3. Two Words: Brain Rest

    Ok, so sewing isn’t exactly a nap for your brain…

    BUT it does require enough concentration that you can’t be focusing on planning out that crazy big church fundraiser AND following a sewing pattern at the same time!

    Unless you are a superior human species, you simply won’t get anywhere with either project with only half of your attention span.

    You gotta have your whole brain on that sewing pattern or you’ll be spending time with your seam ripper!

    FYI: This one is my favorite seam ripper.

    Taking focused time to sew can allow your brain to block out other stresses that might be weighing heavy on your shoulders.

    4. A Focused Sewing Day Benefits YOU in SO MANY WAYS!

    You are simply less able to handle the stresses that come our way when you’re already depleted by physical and emotional exhaustion. 

    You are more resilient and more able to handle life’s stress when you are both physically and emotionally at your best.

    When someone tries to give you grief for spending time with your favorite sewing machine instead of _(fill in the blank)_ you can give them this list!

    A Sewing Day Is Beneficial For Your Physical Health.

    4 reasons you should never apologize for taking a sewing day. Even 10 minutes can boost your mood, decrease your stress level and leave you feeling energized and better able to handle everything else in your life.

    It isn’t a jaunty jog around the block or the same as eating a whole bushel of kale, no… but the relaxation you get from taking a happy sewing day (or even a few minutes!) can trigger a relaxation response in your body. It can calm your stress hormones which can help prevent damage to your health… so in a sense, sewing is really good for your health, both inside and out!

    Your Needs Are Just As Important As Others Needs.

    I can’t say this enough. Your needs are just as important as others.

    Taking time out to care for yourself can remind you and others that you and your needs are important, too!

    Sewing Time Gives You Alone Time

    Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, there is something special and comforting about a little alone time when you need it.

    When you’re relaxing by yourself, it’s much easier to slip into a state of quiet meditation, enjoy some self-reflection, or let your problems work themselves out in the back of your mind, without taking all of your focused concentration.

    It Makes You a Better Caregiver

    As mommas, this is easy to overlook because our joy is supposed to be to take care of our families.

    However, people who do not take care of their own needs (including inner happiness) and forget to nurture themselves are at danger of deeper levels of unhappiness, low self-esteem, and feelings of resentment.

    If you’re broken, you are or no help to anyone. Don’t let it get that far.

    Taking time to care for yourself regularly can make you a better caretaker for others.

    Is there a thing as too much self-care time?

    Taking a sewing day is necessary and fundamental, especially in a world where just existing is hard enough.

    My “sewing days” can be anywhere from an uninterrupted 30 minutes at my sewing machine while dinner is in the oven to a long Saturday morning where I don’t even look at the clock until lunchtime.

    It doesn’t mean that I’ve crossed everything off of my to-do list. It doesn’t mean that I’ve scrubbed the house clean or vacuumed all the floors.

    I don’t know about your life, personally… but in my house, there is ALWAYS something to do, something the mend, something to be cooked…

    It just NEVER ends…

    There is a small trap with self-care/sewing days that I feel obligated to point out!

    Sewing days as a form of self-care should not be used as an excuse to run away from everything that is required of you.

    Just because you might forget about the rest of the world for a little bit doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.

    Sewing days are not the adult version of pulling the covers up over your head so the daylight can’t find you and drag you out of bed!

    Also, taking care of yourself is important, but not so important that you neglect the care and well-being of others.

    Before you abandon everything and lock yourself in your room for hours, do a quick check to make sure that you have your top priority list items in check:

    • Take care of your family’s needs (even if its a cereal for dinner kind of night!).
    • Make sure you keep up with work tasks that have a specific deadline and don’t let them pass you by.
    • Be kind to yourself and others. Do not let anyone who is important to you feel like they are any less important.
    4 reasons you should never apologize for  taking a sewing day. Even 10 minutes can boost your mood, decrease your stress level and leave you feeling energized and better able to handle everything else in your life.

    You don’t need to apologize for taking a sewing day, ever.

    Self-care and sewing days should be high up on your priority lists.

    Take care of yourself and remember all the benefits of taking a little sewing time can have on your wellbeing and your days if you just carve out a little time.

    Sewing Time = Happy Time 🙂

  • WIP/UFO Progress – A Baby Quilt

    If you haven’t joined in on the fun of finishing up your WIP and UFO pile… you HAVE to check out this post. I made a vow to work on my unfinished quilts and document it so you can see that it IS possible.

    We all have piles of unfinished craft projects or quilts that we were once passionate about… don’t even bother telling me you haven’t any while you try to hide them in a closet. There are no secrets here between you and I.

    Confession: I actually worked on two (yes! 2) different quilts this month that had been lingering in my “WIP/UFO corner” – Also, yes, in my sewing room I have a WIP/UFO corner. You can take a tour of my space in this post.

    I’m quite proud but I can only show you one of the projects because the other is still not yet been given as a gift! So look for another post in the coming weeks because it is THE SWEETEST blanket! I love the way it turned out.

    Ok, so a slight bit of backstory on the quilt that I am going to share with you today.

    As a family, we sponsor two children through World Vision. Recently, I made a small purse for our sweet little girl that lives in Burundi, Africa.

    When the little boy we sponsor in Mali, Africa told me he loves rainbows… I knew just what to create for him! I’m learning that this child and I have a lot in common already! 🙂

    I found a rainbow-striped fabric at Hobby Lobby a while back. It has been waiting for this very quilt 🙂 Do you ever get that feeling when you have the PERFECT fabric for a project?

    I decided not to use a pattern and just play with the fabric making it up as I go. (Sometimes these are the most fun quilts to create). Simple. Beautiful & makes the fabric shine.

    I simply cut the striped fabric into squares and turned them to create the chevron pattern. Each square is 10.5″. Finished size is 10 inches once sewn together.

    The blue fabric I used to frame the quilt rows and the binding is reminiscent of a beautiful clear sky!

    Check out the fabric on the backing of this quilt! Oh my goodness, right?!

    It is adorable and inspired me to find a picture book all about space and the planets to send him with the quilt!

    When you find fabric for a really good deal, this is why I say to STOCK UP!

    I love this space fabric. I think I purchased 15 yards of it at $2/yard! I have had it in my stock for a while but I just knew that I would come in handy for an easy quilt backing.

    For more tips on getting fabric for really cheap, check out these tips.

    As for the quilting, I also stayed with simple. Straight line quilting. I’ve been infatuated with every single “matchstick” quilt I have ever come across.

    The quilt just folds so lovely and bends with every curve when you’re snuggling under it! A lot of this has to do with the quilting lines…. so while it takes FOREVER a really long time if you haven’t tried it, I highly suggest you give it a try sometime.

    It also has a sort of mindless satisfaction feel to it while you’re working. Easy and a steady motion that calms the mind and gives the brain rest.

    I’ll share more quilts as I finish them 🙂

    How are you doing in your own personal WIP/UFO challenge??

    I finished one of my WIP/UFO projects! I promised to share each one with you as I slowly whittle down my pile of unfinished quilts. This week is a small throw sized one i made for a little boy. The simplicity of the pattern compliments the fabric perfectly!
  • HST – More piecing in less time!

    I am all for a good quilting trick to get more done in less time. You know that. Today we’re going to dive into the most popular ways of making HSTs – Or Half Square Triangles. More Piecing in less time!

    For more quilting terminology, check out The Quilter’s Code Unlocked.

    Sometimes you need to draw a line on your fabric to ensure straight sewing or cutting, I really like these markers because the line stays when you need it to and disappears when you don’t need it anymore. All it takes is a few squirts from a mist spray bottle. and you’ll never even know it was there!

    These 5 little steps are going to be essential in stepping up your HST game! More progress in less time! I'll show you how to use it in my Quick Quilted Table Runner pattern.
    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!

    1. Making HSTs two at a time (the “traditional” method)

    Unless you have a specific pattern to go by which tells you all the measurements up-front, you’ll need to do a little math.

    Decide the size you want your unfinished HST block to be (the size of your block PLUS your typical 1/4″seam allowance). Add 1″ to that number.

    This is the measurement you want to cut the squares to make your two half-square triangles.

    UNFINISHED HST BLOCK + 1″ = SQUARE SIZES TO MAKE TWO HSTS

    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!
    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!

    2. Making HSTs four at a time

    Making HST is definitely more piecing in less time! But the math becomes a little more complicated.

    I usually make HST 4 at a time if I am creating pieces where I need them to all be the same size but the size isn’t specific. i.e – If I am just playing with fabric.

    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!
    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!

    3. Making HSTs eight at a time

    Making eight HST is certainly fewer calculations than making 4 at a time. You’ll find it extremely satisfying to have so many HSTs in such little time!

    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!
    Learn how to sew 2,4 & 8 HSTs in no time! More HST mean quicker quilts and beautiful works of art in a fraction of the time!

    And there you have it! All the useful charts and measurements for making HSTs quicker than quick. You’ll be creating beautiful masterpiece quilts built with HSTs in no time!

    With these HST tricks. you’ll be sewing more piecing in less time!

    Do you know all the terms that the professional quilters use? Check this list out and see where you stand. Pin it for later so you can refer back to this extensive list.
  • Organizing your sewing/craft room with Dollar Store back to school sales!

    Have you ever considered shopping back to school sales to organize your sewing/craft room? Today, I’m going to share my favorite finds from the Dollar Store back to school sales and I promise you won’t ever look at the chalkboard and locker shelf displays the same way again!

    If you're looking to organize your sewing/craft room... back to school sales are the perfect place to start and snag some really great deals! Check out these finds from the dollar store that I found. Happy Organizing my friends!

    First of all, I’m a nerd, ok? When I was growing up I didn’t look forward to summer ending and going back to school so much as I looked forward to shiny new pencil cases and getting to pick out a brand new binder and oooooh… new markers! Yes, girl, yes!

    Catch other kids over on the video game aisle or maybe on the candy aisle… I’m the geek completely freaking out over the Ultimate Crayola Crayon Collection.

    Personally, I want my sewing room to be a space that I create to be tailored to my specific needs. I love walking in and not seeing some generic “craft or sewing space” but seeing everything hand-picked and selected by me because I love it!

    If you’re working on creating the space of your dreams, you NEED to check out my newest ebook! Just 25 Days is a step by step blueprint framework to creating the sewing/crafting space of your dreams! I’ve loaded it full to the brim of printouts, organizing workbook pages, links to all my favorite products. I even added a budget guide with tons of ideas for what to do if you’re short on cash but really want to overhaul your space! It is a framework for creating your dream space!

    “This guide has everything! I didn’t have a clue where to start. I was overwhelmed and uninspired by the mess in my sewing room. I followed the plan and now I can’t wait to come home from work and CREATE every day!”

    Back to School Sale Finds for your Sewing/crafting Room

    Back to school sales are all about getting your mind in the right place and setting yourself up for success for the next school year! With this kitty cat pencil case to inspire me, I will totally make an A in science this year!

    But you don’t have to be counting down your remaining days of summer to get your life in order with back to school sales!

    Let’s get into the deals that you can use in your sewing/crafting room, shall we?

    Containers in every single shape and size!

    Everything has a place when you have these cute containers! You can use them to store safety pins, buttons, or make a travel sewing kit!

    These beautiful large containers were actually in the garden section but could easily suffice for a desktop container in your craft space!

    Never overlook the office supply display!

    I found these multi-packs of skinny wash tape! Isn’t it adorable? You could use these as little labels and fun trim all over your space to dress it up and add a little “party” vibes.

    I know a lot of the fun things are geared towards children or college kids trying to grow into young adults… but who wants to leave the fun of childhood behind? You are absolutely correct when you guess that I totally DID buy this flamingo tape dispenser. His name is Frank.

    Binders!

    These are my favorite way to store my sewing and quilting patterns! keep everything organized and within easy reach on a shelf. no more papers stuffed in a box where they can fall out, get all wrinkled or even worse… get lost.

    Do you know what also goes with binders? Clear pocket dividers… or “sheet protectors” as they called them! This pack had 16 in it! You’ll want to grab a few packs of these to organize your binder. I make one pocket for each pattern and put everything for that pattern, templates and everything, inside of it. It keeps my patterns protected and keeps the edges from getting wrinkled.

    There are also dividers if you want to be ultra-organized by quilt size or pattern type.

    Pencil Pouch Organizers

    These pencil pouches that have a clear window make awesome traveling sewing kit for on the go crafts or quick grab sewing like English Paper Piecing.

    These pouches are such a good deal, but if you want to make your own zipper pouches, I have a pattern available in my shop with 6 different sizes to fit your crafty needs! Zippy Project Bags.

    Notebooks and Spirals

    There are the standard notebooks that are on sale for HUGE discounts too! I use these for everything… from making my weekly meal plans and grocery lists (game changer! because you can look back at past weeks when you draw a blank on what to cook for your family) I also use them to keep up with supplies I might need, shopping lists, to-do lists… everything. My life is literally held together with google calendar and spiral notebooks.

    Bins and Baskets

    For shelf organization and storage, you can’t beat the price for these baskets and bins. They come in all different colors so you can pick your favorites or mix and match! Add a label and you’re an organizing QUEEN!

    Crafty supplies!

    Be cautious with this aisle. You could find yourself just accumulating a bunch of junk that will eventually collect dust in your space! However, if you look carefully and thoughtfully, you can find some really fun craft items at a super deal.

    I found these super cute mini clothespins on the craft aisle… along with beads and buttons galore.

    Perhaps a bit out of the box thinking but also, pure genius. I saw a friend once store her beads for a current project inside ice cube trays. They’re stackable. They’re durable and the rounded bottoms of the trays make digging out your beads or jewelry pieces super easy! You can also organize all your different beads in each tray.

    Next time you go into the dollar store, do an experiment. Leave your brain at the door and walk in pretending like you don’t know the intended purpose for most items.

    Is this a box that is meant for pencils? Or is this a box that can hold my embroidery scissors collection? Is this a bag of pom-poms or my future window valance garland?

    You’ll be surprised by just HOW MUCH you can find on such a small budget at the Dollar store and completely organize and get your sewing/crafting space in tip-top shape!

    What are your favorite finds from back to school sales?

  • 8 Reasons Why You Should Shop At Local Quilt Shops

    It’s so easy to get caught up in the big sales online, isn’t it? Big Box stores can offer big deep discounts when they want to… And you never even have to leave your living room chair. With all the ease, it might be easy to never leave your house!

    Check out the bottom of this post for finding quilt shops in your area. Don’t be afraid to go on a little adventure to the other side of town every now and then… you may just find the fabric shop of your dreams!

    Here are 8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Shopping Local Quilt Shops vs. Big Box Stores. This list goes deeper than just FREE shipping!

    Here is why you should shop at local quilt shops!

    1. When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your neighborhood and your community.  

    It is said that for every $100 spent locally, roughly $68-$73 of it return to local activity! Wow!

    When you shop at local quilt shops you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality.

    2. The ladies in local quilt shops are the best of the best!

    Every single quilt shop I’ve been inside (and I usually try to hit up at least 1 or 2 when we travel) has the best people inside it! Friendly faces and smiles that are all too happy to have quilty conversations with you!

    Also, other customers… who isn’t happy when you’re shopping for fabrics? Everyone is happy happy happy!

    3. Quilt Shops will go the extra mile for you

    Because the employees are likely personally invested in the fabric curating and selection as well as displays and collections they are selling, they are more likely to go the extra mile for their customers.

    These ladies are extremely knowledgeable about their fabrics, their selection and will even help you pull together a quilt color palette if you’re having a hard time. They live and breathe fabric every single day and they are the masters of it.

    For more info on curating your own fabric selection, check out this post.

    4. Non-profits receive more support from Local Businesses

    Local business owners provide significant support for non-profits. i.e. Quilt shop owners are just really really nice people! Non-Profits receive as much as 350% more money from local shops that non-locally owned businesses.

    So, your money actually reaches even further to help the community!

    5. A more defined selection

    I’m not going to lie, the selection that you will find at a local quilt shop is so carefully crafted and refined to the requests of your community, it is unreal. Want local baseball team fabric? boom.

    What is it that your quilting group is into right now? – Chances are that you’ll find something to meet those needs in your local quilt shop. If not, all you have to do is request a certain product and I’m sure they will be happy to carry it for you!

    6. CLASSES! Learn something new!

    My local quilt shop hosts numerous group activities and classes each month… you’ll never be bored. You can learn a new skill taught by another local, or check the schedule for a meetup of another traveling quilter!

    Meet new friends, ask specific questions and get one on one help. Make sure to ask your local quilt shop if they have a calendar of events so you can start scheduling your quilting education!

    If you’re looking for something very specific that your local Quilt shop doesn’t offer… I am always happy to point people towards BluePrint. They’re online classes are very informative and really good at breaking down the steps.

    Watch writing classes at myBluprint.com

    7. Create Local Jobs – Maybe even for you?

    Another benefit for your community is more jobs… perhaps even a position open for you if you’re in the market for some part-time work! Maybe you’re retired and need a little extra spending money (or more money for fabric)

    Do you have a skill that you think other people could benefit from? Perhaps you could hold a class?

    8. You don’t have to pay to ship or wait for your mail person to bring your fabric!

    This one is self-explanatory but it is worth mentioning… especially if you are impatient like I am. When I am inspired by a great idea or a beautiful vision for a quilt project… I want to start now, like right now… not 3-5 business days from now.

    Here are 8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Shopping Local Quilt Shops vs. Big Box Stores. This list goes deeper than just FREE shipping!

    How Do I Find Local Quilt Shops?

    The first thing you can do to find your local quilt shops is to ask around! Ask where your quilting friends shop. See if your guild has any recommendations!

    Another way you can find local quilt shops is to give google a search for “quilt shop in your town” or “fabric shop in your town“. You might just be surprised to find a few little shops you didn’t even know existed!

    Read the reviews online and make sure it is in a safe area before you venture out but don’t be afraid to go to an area of town you haven’t frequented before.

    Make an adventure out of it!

    If you live in a big city, chances are that you have at least a few quilt shops around you. But don’t forget to search the small towns around your area!

    Small towns are full of wonderful small businesses that can use some good local business as well!

    You can even get a few girlfriends together and make a day of it by carpooling and getting out of town for a change of scenery (oh, and getting some fabric too, of course!)

    I live in Houston, Texas (no lack of anything here!) and my favorite quilt shop is a place called Quilter’s Crossing 🙂 You can check out their website here.

    Tell me about your favorite local quilt shops! Write your town and your quilt shop in the comments below.