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5/15/2012

If you are looking for a quilt to give you a feeling of summer, check out our latest quilt, “Circles”.

This quilt would be a perfect picnic quilt with the bright cheery colors.  The fabrics are from Moda’s fabric line Salt Air.  We’ve put together a kit for you that includes the pattern, a layer cake, border and binding fabrics all for $83.95.  Click on the photo to learn more.

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5/8/2012

It’s a RETREAT week for 4 gals from around the Midwest! Cyndi, Joyce, Annette and Candy met here on Monday and will stay till Friday sewing, sewing, sewing. They’ve set up their sewing room in our Classroom.

They each brought projects that they’re just starting or finishing up. They sew and chat and sew and snack and sew and shop and sew. It sounds like a sweat-shop from downstairs, but they really are having fun. It’s amazing how much quilting a person can get done when there’s no laundry, no cooking, no vacuuming or dusting, no dishes to do etc.

We have the irons and ironing boards and some countertops for cutting (and holding snacks) so these gals just bring their machines and rotary equipment and anything special they like to use when sewing. It’s fun to go upstairs every now and again and see what they’ve accomplished. Then we all get jealous and feel like slugs because we don’t get as many quilt tops done in a week!

FYI: The classroom rents for $10.00 per day per person. You can sew from 9:00am daily, Monday through Saturday, until late at night every night except Saturday.

We run a “tab” if you need fabric or notions or a new quilt kit to start on. Candy bought the French General “Layer Upon Layer” kit and finished it Monday! Cyndi bought a Kansas City Jelly Roll to make her Log Cabin Blocks. She’s almost done with 20 blocks.

Annette, Cyndi, Joyce and Candy met at Country Threads Camp many years ago and get together here for their own retreat annually.

If you are interested in the “Layer Upon Layer” kit, I’m sorry to say, the French General version is sold out but we just released a version done with the fabric line “Battle Hymn 1862.”

It finishes at 45″ x 45″.   You can find it our website here.

Are you wanting to sew for a few days without interruption? We still have some openings left in our camps.  Why don’t you come and join us?

Marigold Camp (2 day Camp, $64.00) is June 21 and 22, 2012

Beginners’ Sweet Pea Camp (2 day Camp, $64.00) is June 21 and 22, 2012

Dog Days Camp (3-1/2 day Camp, $275.00) is August 7-10, 2012

Bittersweet Camp (3-1/2 day Camp, $275) is September 25-28, 2012

Sunflower Camp (3-1/2 day Camp, $275) is October 9-12, 2012

Send an email to info@countrythreads.com or call Mary Baker at the shop at
641-923-3893 and she’ll send you information about

Country Threads Camp

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

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5/2/2012
Happy May Day a day late!!  Yesterday we forgot to tell you about our May Day (week) special.  Remember our new Chicken Feed pattern line that are only $5 each?  Well we are launching a week long event featuring those very patterns.

Order anything online on our website between 12:00 am, Tuesday, May 1, 2012 and 11:59 pm Monday, May 7, 2012.
Your name will be put into a drawing to win
ALL 10 CHICKEN FEED PATTERNS
AND A FAT QUARTER COLLECTION

of 21 prints from the brand new “Seasonal Little Gatherings” collection by Primitive Gatherings.

Retail value: $113.00.

Here’s a sneak peak at the “Seasonal Little Gatherings” Collection. Aren’t they gorgeous?

If you want a peek at the Chicken Feed patterns you can win, follow this link.

Remember, order anything from the site to be entered.

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5/1/2012

We love when the delivery truck comes with boxes.  We never know what is coming.  It is so fun to open the boxes and see new goodies.  Our latest box in the shop contained the “Primitive Quilts and Projects” magazine.  This magazine is our favorite one on the market!  Have you seen it before.  The magazine has only been in circulation for year and this particular issue is their 1st anniversary issue.

This issue is filled with many great projects, 15 projects to be exact!!

We love the cover quilt.  The words around the edge say, “Family ties…are precious threads.”

The magazine has been very popular in the shop.  I think it’s because the magazine features so many different styles of projects.

Here’s a quilt that would be perfect for using up scraps.  The quilt is 70″ x 92″.

Next up is the Farmer’s Market Tote.  What a cute creation using flannels!

There are several appliqued quilt in the magazine.  Here is Antique Rose.  It’s a 82″ x 82″ beauty.

At Country Threads we are all crazy about wool.  In fact, we just put a huge order to restock our wool.  I’m sure some it will be used to make these cute Cottage Clutches.

When we said this magazine has lots of variety, we really meant it.  Here’s a little 30″ x 30″ quilt that would be great for a wall hanging of a table topper.

This next quilt, Wild Coxcomb, is 60″ x 60″.  We really love this one.  The quilting on it is amazing.

This next little antique reproduction quilt, Cheddar Cheese and Crackers is designed by Lori DeJarnatt.  Lori was one of the bloggers who reviewed our book, “Country Threads Goes Back to Charm School”.   With blocks that finish at 4″ x 4″, this one is a cutie.

The magazine has a rug hooking project and even an embroidery project!

This little journal cover is so cute too.

With so many projects, 15 in all, packed into one magazine, it’s hard to pick a favorite but the girls in the shop have all voted and this is our favorite.

It’s Liberty House.  It’s 18″ x 28″.  Perfect for a door or for a wall hanging.  It seems like flag projects always catch our eye.

If you’re looking to have your own copy of  ”Primitive Quilts and Projects”, follow this link.  Get your quickly.  It’s a magazine we usually sell out of.
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4/24/2012

While in Cincinnati, we debuted our new pattern line called, “Chicken Feed” patterns.  It features little patterns with easy designs and a big impact.  The best things is, they only cost $5 each. We have ten patterns in all and if they are a success, we plan to add more to the line.

This is Liberty Table Runner.

The runner measures 16″ x 40″.  You can purchase the fabric pack which includes the pattern for $41.95.

Next up in a wall hanging, Lydia, that measures, 22″ x 30″.

The fabric pack for this is $31.95.

This half square triangle quilt, Molly Gray, was a real hit in Cincinnati.  It measures 40″ x 56″.

The fabric pack is $42.95.  If you are looking for a bigger quilt, you could easily add a few treasured fabrics from your stash and make more blocks.  The pattern can easily be adjusted to make a quilt the size you need.

This little gem, My Sister’s House, is perfect for hanging outside.  It finishes at 14″ x 19″ and the kit is $19.95.

Who doesn’t love a quick easy project?

What’s a new line of patterns without a star quilt?  We couldn’t imagine it so we added, Opposites Attract.  As is, it measures, 35″ x 49″.

It is perfect for throwing over the back of a sofa.  One gal in Cincinnati bought two of the $84.95 kits to make a larger version.

We stepped out of usual line of quilts and wall hangings to bring you our 13″ x 17″ Paintbox Pillow.

The kit features our favorite solids and costs $37.95.  The blocks for the pillow are paper pieced.

After last week’s “What’s New” posting, we had lots of questions about our Raspberry Lemonade quilt.  Here are the details.  It measures, 34″ x 34″ and the fabric pack is $67.95.

The yellows and reds play so nicely together to make a cherry summer quilt.

We had lots of people ask about the blue floral fabric in our Pennsylvania Infant Throw.  It’s just a gorgeous fabric.

The throw measures 22″ x 34″.  For $29.95 it is a quick affordable project.

This is Stars on Track.  It measures 40″ x 56″  .   If you are wanting a bigger quilt, this is one that can easily be adjusted by purchasing two of our $67.95 kits.

This classic quilt is sure to appeal to many tastes.

Mary’s 4-Patch continues to the most popular of all of our Chicken Scratch patterns.  For $73.95, you can have your own kit to make this 60″ x 66″ beauty.

All of these are projects are available as pattern only or as kits. Each of the kits includes that pattern.  Just click on the photos to order.  We hope to create more Chicken Scratch patterns.  They are fun for us to design and fun for you to make.

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4/17/2012

We made it back from the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati.  We had a great time getting out and meeting so many of you.  We thought we would take some pictures so all of you could see our booth.

Here’s Mary Baker tending the cash register.  The quilt in front of her is one of our new Chicken Feed patterns, Raspberry Lemonade.

While at the show we did demonstrations of our favorite projects, rug twining and punchneedle.  Here is our Rugs from Rags area.

The throw rug on the frame was made using T-shirts!  Several gals bought the book hoping to make a rug using left overs from T-shirts quilts that they had made.  We had several art teachers purchase the book and frames in hopes of teaching their students to twine rugs.

Connie spent much of her time demonstrating and answering questions about punchneedle embroidery.

We brought some of our latest projects.

The pumpkin punchneedle kit that says, “Give Thanks”, was our most popular seller.

Here’s our Shephard’s Shade kit.

Our Homestead Sampler kit, was popular too.

We brought several wool patterns.  Punchneedle and wool projects are very popular with out customers this time of year as so many of our customers are looking for portable projects to take with vacationing or traveling over the summer.  Here are some of wool projects.

Gentle Life and Our Promise are shown here.

We brought many of our pincushion patterns and kits.  One of the favorites was this cute little dash hound pincushion.

Here are some the of projects from our books, Country Threads Goes to Charm School and Country Threads Goes Back to Charm School.  There are several new Charm School projects shown too.

The next photo shows our paper pieced projects and our new rescue dog inspired projects too.  Shown are Our “Very” Best to You, All Around Town, and Small Things.  Also shown is Don’t Shop, Adopt.

These little stitchery patterns were popular too.

The other popular item at the show was our new fairy garden goodies.  In fact, they were so popular that there were no goodies left to take a photo of.

While we were gone, the gals that stayed behind at the shop were busy cleaning, resorting, and making space for the new goodies that we ordered while we were gone.  Look for a new supply of wool, a few new kits and lots of fairy goodies.

Thanks to all of you stopped by our booth.  We hope to see you again  next year!

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4/9/2012
For the last few months, the girls in the shop have been B-U-S-Y, B-U-S-Y!!  They have been busy cutting kits while Connie and I have been busy designing and sewing fresh new things for you to see.  We have been stacking totes full of goodies in my garage for preparation to bring to Cincinnati, Ohio to the International Quilt Festival held at the Duke Energy Center.   What a mess!

The show is sponsored by Quilts, Inc. www.quilts.com.  You can follow the link to learn more.

The gals and I won’t need any more exercise today, because we have been going back and forth hauling the totes and loading them into the Penske truck.  Of course, the dogs have been “helping”.  Here’s Izzy inspecting the back of the truck.

Slowly but surely the truck will get filled.

Please come out and see us.  Country Threads has 4 booths: 229-231, 328-330.  We would love to get a chance to meet you all.  We will have demos going on so stop by and see us in action.

The show runs
April 12 (Preview Night) 5:00-9:00pm
April13 and 14: 10:00am – 7:00pm
April 15 – 10:00-3:00pm

See you there!

4/3/2012

Here at the shop we are doing a new version of the twist as in twister ruler.  Have you tried “the twister” ruler yet? It’s so fun and easy.  Here’s our latest project “Twisted Strips”.

This lap quilt is from the Let’s Twist Again book by Country Schoolhouse.  It finishes at 55″ x 75″.  The book sells for $19.95.  It features this quilt along with 12 other great projects that use the Lil’ Twister Template that sells for $9.98.

We used a Starter Pack of 100 Charms, 2 each of 50 fabrics ($27.95) for the  pinwheels.  With the pre-cut squares, you can start sewing immediately.

This quilt looks difficult but it is so simple with the Twister Template. You will only be sewing squares and strips. The fun is all in the cutting with the template.

Using the twister templates is one of those sewing techniques that you’ll want to do again and again.

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3/27/2012

Extra!  Extra! Read all about it!  Country Threads is releasing three new kits from our Charm School Collection.

First up is our “Never Tilt Your Chair Back At the Table” kit.  This 24″ x 24″ project is made with a Primitive Gatherings Charm Pack along with red fabrics for the triangles, borders and bindings, which is all included in the kit.

Next up is “If An Invitation Says No Gifts, Don’t Bring One”.  This kit includes the pattern along with an Etchings Charm Pack and fabric to finish the top and binding.  This cutie finishes at 24 1/2″ x 24 1/2″.

The final kit being released is “It’s Not Good to call Your Boss ‘Dude’”.  This finishes at 23″ x 29″.  The kit includes the pattern, a Good Fortune Charm Pack, setting block, border fabric and binding fabrics.

If your are interested in ordering any these, just click on the photo.  If you are looking for other small projects, don’t forget out book, “Back to Charm School“.

I almost forgot to tell you.  Our winter hours have ended.  Starting next week, the shop will be open on Mondays.  As you are busy making summer travel plans we hope that your travels lead you to Country Threads.

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3/20/2012

The weather here in Iowa has been amazing and we are in spring cleaning mode!  We are cleaning out the flower beds, bringing out pots, and sprucing up the landscaping.

You can see the perennials sprouting along the shop.  With last night’s rain, the grass is even greening.  Before long we will have to add lawn mowing to the to-do list.

I am sure many of you are in spring spruce up mode too.  Why not add a Country Threads Barn Quilt to you outdoor decor?   Barn Quilts are great for adorning your barn, garage, or even the wall in your sewing room.  The two large Barn Quilts shown hanging on the shop are Feathered Star and Golden Corn.  To the left, we have four of the small barn quilts hanging together.

These barn quilts are unique in that each one of the fabric designs is replicated from fabric in our store, giving them a “true” Country Threads look. The colors come from lovely fabrics not just primary colors that are typical for barn quilts. They are made of Dibond (2 sided aluminum with foam core center) which is lighweight yet sturdy.

The barn quilts come in 13 different designs.  Here is our Diamond Star.

Here is our Lincoln Barn Quilt.

This one is Corn and Beans.

They are available in two sizes (24″ x 24″ and 48″ x 48″) with the option of predrilled holes in all four corners.  They are super easy to hang.   Here we are hanging the Barn Swallow Barn Quilt.  Really one person can do it themselves.  We  just opted for two of us as the ladder was on squishy ground and the dogs make every outdoor job around here just a little more interesting.

When purchasing a Barn Quilt, you can purchase them with pre-drilled holes or you can save a few dollars and drill the holes yourself.  You also have the option to pick up your barn quilt if coming to Country Threads and to have it unboxed, which saves on shipping and boxing.

View all thirteen blocks here on our website.  It will be hard to pick a favorite.  After a long debate, I put my favorite,  Barn Swallow on the barn here at Country Threads.

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2/14/2012

From our book “Back To Charm School” comes this spring tablerunner which measures 20″ x 48-1/2″.  Directions can be found on page 11 of the book.  Our kit with red/rose/pink and gray/brown fabrics is available for $31.95.  Book sells for $24.99.  Available by website (just click the picture) or by phone.

Today also starts our annual bolt sale featuring selected fabrics at $5 a yard!  Connie and I have spent the last few days picking and choosing bolts of fabric to put out at these great prices.  The sale will be running for a while but come early for the best selection.  1/2 yard minimum cuts are required.

Happy Valentines Day from the crew at Country Threads!
Mary E.

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2/7/2012
This winter Iowa is setting all kinds of records for high temperatures and lack of snow.  Most of our snow is gone and the forecasts for the upcoming week aren’t predicting snow.  Trust us, we aren’t complaining.  The mild weather has all of us in the shop thinking of spring.   The nice weather has us looking at seed catalogs, and planning our gardens.  It’s too early for gardening so let’s sew spring like instead.   What’s better than a bright spring like quilt?

This quilt kit was made with Moda’s line Fairy Tale Friends fabric by American Jane along with American Jane Pin Dots. The pattern was designed by American Jane Patterns. The quilt finishes at 75″ x 91″, the perfect size for a twin bed, a picnic throw or a snuggle by a spring time camp fire.  The fabric to complete the quilt top and the binding are included.  Click on the picture to purchase the kit or just the pattern.

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1/31/2012

It’s been a busy winter taking care of the chickens, a new puppy and all the other farm animals. You can read about in the Farm News section of our website.

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Mary’s Four Patch Kit is Back in Stock!

1/27/2012

The winter cold is still with us here in Iowa.  We’d like to complain about the ice and snow, but the there are so many good things that come with the winter.  The gardens are quiet and that gives us plenty of time to keep our sewing machines humming along.  We all know a humming sewing machine is music to a quilter’s ears.

The gals here at Country Threads have been busy cutting quilt kits for one of our shop favorites, Mary’s Four Patch.

This quilt has been such a shop favorite that we have made and kitted the quilt three different times.   The ease in piecing makes this quilt a great project for beginning quilters and seasoned quilters alike.  The kit includes the pattern and the fabric you need to make this 60″ x 66″ quilt top along with the binding.  We don’t anticipate these kits being in the shop for long so order your kit today.

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New Patterns Released!

1/19/2012

Country Threads has just released 6 new patterns.  These patterns have been available to our Civil War/Reproduction Club members for the past year and are now being released to the general quilting public.  As a quilter from The Quilted Works in St. George Utah described it, these quilts have the “flavor” of quilts from the Civil War to Turn of the Century time period.  They showcase fabrics similar to those used in that time period but don’t duplicate the utilitarian size of quilts made in 1865-1900.  We love the old look and feel of the fabrics from the Civil War era, so much so that we have an entire room dedicated to those fabrics.

You can order these patterns online – just click on the image to order.  Civil War Log Cabin  #701

Union Star #702

Remember Me #703

Churn Dash Weave #704

Troops in Formation #705

Battlefield #706

Connie is designing 6 more Civil War era quilts for the 2012 Civil War/Reproduction Club at Country Threads.  If you like these quilts, you might consider joining!

The finished size of the quilt is 65″ x 65″.  Cost for BOM membership is $107.95.  This price includes the pattern, 38 fat eighths of dark and medium fabrics and 10 fat quarters of light fabrics and postage. It does not include the sashing, setting triangles, border and binding fabric.  We will have several color options for the border, setting triangles and sashing for you to choose from.  No two quilts will end up looking the same – isn’t that fun?  Join the Round Robin Block of the Month today! We start in January 2012, but you can join anytime.

The kit is available along with the option to get an unfinished frame to finish your project off. Get them now while supplies last, you never know what will be left in the shop after our “Big Event”.

Allegheny County by Carol Hopkins for Civil War Legacies Patterns

Remember Me Quilt available for Civil War Reproduction Club members

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Also new in the shop is Jeanne Horton’s American Spirit fabric line from Windham Fabrics. This line includes 31 different prints and a panel. We have Fat Quarter Bundles and Fives Packs also for sale. Hurry, supplies are limited and with great fabric like this it won’t last long!

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5/25/2011

A shipment of new books has just arrived and we are inspired by the projects that we are seeing. One of the books is by Lynne Hagmeier, Kansas Troubles, and is wonderful. “Piecing the Past: Vintage Quilts Recreated by Kansas Troubles” book has 11 pieced quilt patterns and several projects, definitely worth picking up! You can find this book on our New page in the Shopping Cart.

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5/23/2011

A new pattern from Kim Diehl just arrived in the shop. Her “Country Whig Rose” pattern measures 42 1/2″ square and uses vibrantly colored appliques with soft backgrounds for a wall quilt with undeniable country charm.

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5/21/2011

While Mary and Connie were at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, UT they found these wonderful pincushion patterns and had to have them. These adorable animal pincushions are designed by Hatched & Patched.

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Another great item from Hatched and Patched is their book “Some Kind of Wonderful“.

Check out all of these great things on our New Page in the Shopping Cart.

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5/9/2011

We have been getting new fabric in the shop almost daily for a week! YEAH!! The fabric we are featuring this week is by Windham Fabrics and is called Hannah Wallis. These gorgeous reproduction fabrics are now available on our website, so check them out on our Fabric page or just type in Hannah Wallis in our search bar.