#95 Wiggle Me Colourful

Ok, the holidays are over and I hope that you have found or ordered your fabrics!! and are getting ready for the first set of instructions to show up in the next post. Don't forget about the discounts that have been offered in the previous post! I hope you all took advantage of the savings.

I don't know about you but I'm super excited...so, instead of waiting till Monday July 13 for the next post to go up, I'm going to post on Friday July 10th!!!

Also a reminder of the  FaceBook group page for posting your pictures (let's see some fabric pictures) and asking any questions, etc during the sew along....we have 35 members already!!!

 So glad I'm not in this on my own, thanks everyone!! I have pinned the link to the blog at the top of the page, so you can get to the blog posts easily and if I can cut and paste you will find this post there too. I will not be posting the instructions for the sew along on FB, just additional information only and links to the blog for the sew along.

coupon code "WiggleMe" is still available till July 13th and is now worth 20% off regular priced fabric and precast!!!!

I also Wanted to share some exciting news with all of you....

I have my first blog sponsor! 

I am so excited to introduce Rita from Fabric Please as my blog's first sponsor!!*

I recently met Rita at the Creactivfestival in Mississauga in April and she is so excited about her new Quilt shop adventure. I wanted us to get to know Rita and her online quilt shop a little better so I sent her a list of questions I would ask "over coffee". So for us here in Canada and I guess there are some in parts of the States too, grab a Timmy's (mine is medium dark roast with 2 sugars)  or your favourite coffee or tea for our international friends and get to know Rita and Fabric Please.....

1. What would you like to tell us about who you are? Name, Rank, Serial Number, lol

My name, Rita Ferber.  I'm married and have a teenage son.  My husband has been my rock, my inspiration and the love of my life.  After 27 years, I still find him as fascinating as the day we met. We have been blessed with a son that fills our home with wonder and excitement.  We have two Portuguese Water Dogs that keep us all on our toes!  

 2. What hobbies have you been/are you interested in? Do you have any time now to sew?

My main hobby is sewing but I also knit and crochet.  I love home renovation projects, pottery (working with clay) and landscaping.  Basically, anything that has a tangible "finish" at the end that I can stand back and see the fruits of my labour.  I try to sew as much as possible but, as the business grows, there is a bit less time than I'd like.  A perfect day is when I'm in my studio with my sewing machine humming away!

 3. What made you open a quilt shop? Why an online one? Do you run it alone?

I was a massage therapist for 25 years and needed to find a new career that was a little gentler on my body.  I've been sewing most of my life and I have always loved fabric.  I had been bugging my husband about buying a brick and mortar store for several years.  The timing and location just never seemed to feel right.  I kind of "woke up" to the idea of an online store one day.  I'm not sure why I didn't think of it sooner, but I'm so glad I finally did!  I am having so much fun with it!  Yes, it's just me!  Eventually, I may need to bring in others to help, but for now, the control freak in me is loving every bit of it!

 4. What has been your favourite part of owning a quilt shop? Any challenges? 

Buying fabric!  That's definitely been my favouite part of owning a quilt shop!  In the beginning, I was a bit intimidated by all the choices and worried about choosing fabric that other people would like.  After a couple of months, I realized, there are so many different tastes in fabric that no matter what I choose, there will be others that like it.  My main focus is to buy fabrics and prints that inspire me to make things.  It's all about making things, isn't it?

5. What does the shop carry? Kinds of fabric? Notions? Patterns, Etc.

I carry a fairly wide variety of quilting cottons, a few flannels, knits, fleece and even burlap!  I only carry a few notions at the moment (pins,rotary blades/cutters, needles) and a few patterns.  Basically, I carry what I personally use.  I like to know how everything works, what it's used for and whether it's worth the money.  I won't sell anything that I don't personally endorse.  I also try to pass the savings along, if I get a deal, so should my customers.

 6. Do you have any future changes you are working towards? Long term goals for your business?

I'm working with my web designer to set up a rewards program on the site.  I love points programs!  Why shouldn't we all get a little something for free?  My long term goals for the business are to continue growing!  I've already had a number of international orders! Exciting!  I'd love to be the fabric store everyone thinks of first when they have a new project in mind.

Please! Pick Bundles

 7. Have you attended any of the trade show? How was that experience? (it looks so amazing when you see the pictures on instagram for them)

With the business so new, I've only had a chance to go to the Creativ Festival in Mississauga this past April.  I had a blast!  My sister-in-law joined me and even though she knows nothing about fabric and sewing, she fit in perfectly!  I am signed up for the Fall Creativ Festival, I'll have a larger booth and more fabric for everyone to choose from.  I am also planning ahead to next year... both Creativ Festivals, of course, but also, the 2016 Quilt Canada.  I love meeting my customers face to face!  I could talk fabric and quilting all day long!!

 8.Anything else you’d like to share……
I think that about covers it!  I just want to say a huge thank you to all of my customers and everyone on all of the social media sites!  The encouragement and positive response has been so great!  I know it sounds a bit corny but it's been life affirming!  Everything feels so right about this venture.  

It was fun for me to find out more about Rita and even though she gave me permission to edit her answers (because she thought some of them might have been wordy, lol) I left everything just as she answered!!!! It was a great coffee time chat with a new friend! ;)

Hope you all enjoyed getting to know Rita better too, and will stop by and say hello!!

Enjoy your week and see you back here on Friday for the first set of instructions!! 

*a note to my readers: When taking on a blog sponsor know that I will only work with companies and  products that I believe in and spend my own money on. My words will always be my own. 

#94 Week #1 Wiggle Me Colourful Sew Along

I am so excited to begin....

and so grateful for all the support I have been shown for the sew along. 

Don't forget you can join 

the Facebook Group here, not mandatory, but helpful! 

Also a great place for asking questions and showcasing your picture progress,
and because we have such generous sponsors, we will be having a finished quilt top link up/giveaway on the Facebook Group page at the end of the sew along.

As this is my first sew along, I would love to hear 

what you like and may need me to add or change to make it better for you.

Discount reminders: (just click on the logos to follow link to quilt shops)

Rita is also offering a 15% off code

 "WIGGLEME" 

 on any 2.5" pre-cut strips in store until July 13th.....

But wait

there will be a  Canada Day sale Wednesday July 1-4th

and you can save 20% off any item (excluding sale items) just use code "CANADA20"

(bad news....Rita can no longer get the Splash Bali Pop)

Pam is offering a 15% discount on jelly rolls until July 7th using code

"WIGGLE15"

And joining in on the fun....Tanya from is offering a 20% off storewide coupon with code

"SEWALONG20"

Calico Cat Fabrics is a cottage industry quilting supplies shop dedicated to quilters who seek only the best for their projects!! Let us do all the work seeking out your favorite prints and you get all the fun of creating your one of a kind pieces!!

We offer so many pre cut options..jelly roll fabric strips, charm packs, layer cakes, fat quarters and more!! We add new fabric collections all the time so be sure to stop by often and find the inspiration for your next project!!

Week 1

Wiggle Me Colourful 

Approximate size of top: 60" x 70"

Jelly Roll Friendly

or

 and this or yardage:

Here's some combinations I came up with using EQ7:

But don't be limited by my colour choices...

let your imaginations run and lets see what you can come up with!! 

Or just relax and follow along...it's your quilt, enjoy :)

That's it for this week! Super simple! Now if you are a go getter,  and have bought yardage for your background,  you will have figured out how to cut that up by the information above in the fabric requirements, lol, so have at it!!

See you back here in 2 weeks!! Lots of time to order fabric and relax and enjoy summer holidays, family, friends and some good food!!

Hope this isn't moving too slow, but it is summer.....summer is just slower, right?

Here's a button if you want to grab the code, and let's use #WiggleMeColourful for posting to social media!! Can't wait to see what you come up with!!

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#93 Announcing the "Wiggle Me Colourful Sew Along"

(Made with a variety of Kona jelly roll strips and Kona Black for the background)

I've been hard at work creating the tutorial to go along with the pattern I designed, and I'm so excited to make the official announcement of the...

Wiggle Me Colourful Sew Along 
start date

 June 29th. 

Not an ideal start date, I know,  with Canada Day and the 4th of July just days away, so I'm going to make the first part of the tutorial a 2 week period, I hope this will give everyone time to enjoy the holidays and order materials, as well as get organized to sew!!

I also made the tutorial in a different fabric choice to show you another option... I'm all about the visual...and seeing is believing....I think it turned out fantastic. (made with Hoffman Fabrics- Splash Bali Pop, and Kona Natural for the background)

and I can't believe it,  I managed to create a sew along button if you would like to grab it...

(hope it works....and thanks  to Erin at Sew at Home Mummy she has great helps and tips and a whole series on Beautify your blog)

<div align="center">
<a href="http://upstairshobbyroom.blogspot.ca" rel="nofollow" title="UpStairsHobbyRoom" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJIp3FPHJmeJzVYSGoVxdzVdpBFld0Ws_4rht6ZVt69v5pFIjtEXHWkk5psaDJJ5AgmLGiSqG503gRKZ2WqdVBNZSlojuJQkNbOs_4owUa7zM_bt7Fs9vPV4lqa-2Aq9K70agWg7HHQnC/s1600/Wiggle+Me+Colourful+Sew+Along+Button.jpg" alt="UpStairsHobbyRoom" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

and I have (I think) made a FaceBook Group page called Wiggle Me Colourful Sew Along. I know I said you wouldn't have to sign up(and this is not mandatory), but I got to thinking if there is any issues with the tutorial or you just have a question, it would be easier to to that in one place. That way everyone will see all the questions and answers, and we can all help each other. Also, you can post your work in progress pictures for all of us to enjoy and drool over. I may even learn how to navigate FaceBook itself, lol! (I am so bad at it)

Speaking of pictures if you are posting on social media use the #wigglemecolourful so we can see those too!!

I wanted to take a moment and  introduce you to the wonderful Canadian sponsors for our sew along:

Meet,  Rita from Fabric Please a new online Canadian Quilt Shop who generously donated 2 Bali Pops, one for the tutorial and one that was used in a give away I had here on the blog a few weeks ago!!

I had a chance to meet Rita at the  Creativfestival in Toronto this past spring, and I can tell she is passionate about what she is doing! Rita is a wife and mom that needed a career change and turned her passion for fabric and sewing into a ...."love what you do and you will never work a day in your life", experience!! I love how she describes herself and how she quilts, you can read for yourself here at Fabric Please!! 

Rita is also offering a 15% off code
 "WIGGLEME" 
 on any 2.5" pre-cut strips in store until July 13th.....
But wait
there will be a  Canada Day sale Wednesday July 1-4th
and you can save 20% off any item (excluding sale items) just use code "CANADA20"

and Fabric Please has flat rate shipping rates to everywhere!!

Meet Pam of Mad About Patchwork, an online quilt shop that just recently added a store front at

2477 Huntley Road in Stittsville, Ontario

She ships everywhere, because "creativity has no borders" 

carries lovely quilt quality fabrics, has great customer service

and monthly sales on fabric 

and a monthly stash builder sale (Kona solids) for June it's the Flame Spectrum

*Pam is also offering 15% off all jelly rolls till July 7th with discount code
"WIGGLE15"

(Pam and I were hoping to have kits available with the Kona jelly roll and background fabric, but last I heard the jelly rolls were still on backorder. So I will update you when I have more info.)

Is another online quilt shop with a store front in Toronto at

3961 Chesswood Drive

Meet Judy of Sew Sisters Quilt Shop, a Canadian Quilt Store dedicated to all things quilting.  

Whether shopping online or in person at our store in Toronto, our goal is to provide you with great service and offer top quality products at the lowest possible price.  

We have a large selection of quilting fabric, patterns, books and notions - everything you need to complete your unique quilts!  

Be sure to check out our very large Sale Section with over 400 bolts of fabric for only $7.99/metre!

At Sew Sisters, we believe you should buy fabric, not postage – so we offer great rates on shipping.

Orders over $100 ship for free within Canada!

We're having a charm pack sale going on at the moment - for canada day

And lastly a new 

  American friend Tanya of 

Tanya is offering a 20% off coupon code "SEWALONG20"

Calico Cat Fabrics is a cottage industry quilting supplies shop dedicated to quilters who seek only the best for their projects!! Let us do all the work seeking out your favorite prints and you get all the fun of creating your one of a kind pieces!!

We offer so many pre cut options..jelly roll fabric strips, charm packs, layer cakes, fat quarters and more!! We add new fabric collections all the time so be sure to stop by often and find the inspiration for your next project!! 

Well I think that's all for now, see you all back here on 

June 29th 

#92 A Dresden Table Topper

Quick update for those of you who are interested in the Wiggle Me Colourful Sew Along....I have been working on the pattern this week and have it tweaked to work with a single jelly roll and background yardage for a completed quilt top. I have to laugh at myself, when I made the pattern I was just winging it and I guess I had more than one jelly roll open and laying around. Oops, and who knew (not me) that a jelly roll only has 40 strips and not 42, like the other precuts, lol. I really need to pay closer attention. Anyway all is fixed with the pattern and will be making the tutorial over the next few weeks!!! So excited to get this done and out to you all. Hang in I'm almost there.

Thought I would post some quick pictures of the Dresden Table Topper I just made for my Mothe-in-law's 75th birthday (today) party this Saturday!!  It turned out better than I had envisioned.

I used the 10 degree ruler, cutting 36 blades from 9 different fabrics.

Instead of appliquéing it to a block I decided to add backing and finish it with the points as part of the charm. 

 I layered the batting, then placed the backing fabric right side up and the dresden right side down, pin in place. Sew 1/4" all around the outside edge.




Trimmed away the extra

Clipped the inside corners and trimmed away the bulk of fabric and batting from the outside corners.

Trim the bulk of fabric and batting away from the outside corners

Turned right side out and poked out all the plate points.

I pressed it, pinned it and starting in the centre did continuous 1/4" from seams quilting on all blades. Sewing every other blade the first time round and finishing the missed ones the next time around.

For the centre I made a patchwork of 1.5" squares

I traced the circle onto the patchwork with heat erase pen and stitched around on the line for pressing my seam allowance.

Pinned in place

I started with the 4 to make sure it was centred and added a few more after.

blanket stitched with some yellow decorative thread

One more project done and checked off my party prep list!!!

#91 Wiggle Me Colorful Sew Along Info and a Give Away

I'm not as young as I use to be....now I'm not trying to make excuses....just reasoning why I am so far behind...I just can't do it all...lol. I know some of my Instagram friends jokingly call me the machine....maybe when it comes to sewing, but not where yard work is concerned...and I've been doing a lot of that lately. My Mother-in-law is turning 75 and my father-in-law asked if we would host a birthday dinner at our home and of course we said yes....I love my in-laws....they're the best. The only problem is now 20 plus people are coming here and all the yard work and house work, lets face it,  would never have gotten done till after the Sew Along was over, all of a sudden had an immediate deadline. Yikes, I hate deadlines.....lol!!
Good news, yard work is done....and I am almost totally recovered, (the I am old part!!)... and this week I will be working on the pattern, pictures and tutorial for the sew along.!!!!!

 Thank goodness when I got to the walkway, the field work was done and my son started helping.

 There is no way I could have lifted some of these stones.

 Every single stone in the path and the flower beds has been found on the farm property, mostly dug out of a field, which makes it super special and cheap, lol

Here is the great news: 

I have been in contact with some great online shops here in Canada and have some give aways planned and kits available. Hope to share more news about the kits real soon, there has been an issue with some back orders, but as far as a give away.....

Fabric Please has generously donated two Bali Pops, and I am sharing one with you!!! The other will be the tutorial sample and I can't wait to start!! 

So let's keep this simple, the give away is open to everyone....including international visitors. I am not going to have a sign up for the sew along, but hope that you will sign up to follow my blog via email or bloglovin, etc.... I truly appreciate everyone who takes the  time to stop by and comment, and I hope that the sew along will be a fun experience for us all.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I also wanted to let you know that Craftsy is having a sale on their classes. I have to say that when I first heard of Craftsy I wasn't convinced that I needed to pay for classes, lol! I signed up and downloaded some free classes and loved them. Then they had a sale and I bought a class.....well lets just say I have bought a few... the teachers are amazing, the videos are done so well, and the fact that they are always yours and available is fantastic, not to mention the list of subjects available. If you have an interest, there is probably a class available. If you haven't checked Craftsy out this weekend would be a great time to see what you are missing.

*

*I want to be up front and let you know that I am part of the affiliate program. I'm not even totally sure how this works, I am new to all of this, but know this, you will never see anything on my blog that I don't believe in or spend my own money on. My words are my own, always.