Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Soldier's Sewing Kits in History

 My family enjoys visiting museums and historic sites.  My boys especially like the military displays.  Living in North Carolina, there are a lot of opportunities for patriotic day trips.
In 2017 the North Carolina History Museum in Raleigh had a special WWI exhibit.

 I am always on the lookout for sewing related items in history!  The soldiers had to carry sewing kits so they could make their own repairs while they were in the field.  Number 15 shows a German "housewife" sewing kit.  

 We also visited Fort Fisher in the Wilmington area of the North Carolina coast over Independence Day week.  This is my son, Levi on top of one of the fort's mounds.  There is a cannon you cannot see to his right.  The Atlantic Ocean is in the background of this photo.

Inside the Fort Fisher exhibit, I spied these bone buttons the soldiers used.  Neat-O.  A little bit of sewing history.  I can't wait to see what we discover in our explorations this year!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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Online Fabric Patterning with Wax Resist Class

Saturday, January 27, 2018

The Making of the Grow a Little Love Quilt

The Making of the Grow a Little Love Quilt
I made this quilt to highlight the "Grow a Little Love" quilt block I contributed to Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 16.  

 The quilt block and pattern appear on page 12 of the magazine, in the applique section.  It is block #1509.

 This block is fusible appliqued.  All the applique pieces were traced onto Heat 'n Bond Lite, ironed onto the fabric, and cut out.

This is the block before the zigzag edge stitching was applied around the edges of each patch.

A peek at the back of the block during the zigzag process.

Close up of the leaves during the zigzag process.

Next, I paper pieced little green striped rainbows.

And more little green rainbows.

The rainbows were sewn onto curvy rose patches.  I think they look like little watermelon slices at this stage.

Then the watermelon slices were sewn onto the blue backgrounds.  If I had to do this again, I would applique the watermelon slices onto a solid blue strip of fabric.  The tiny curves were tough to sew on this edge.

The curvilicious borders were joined to the quilt.

The final, solid green border was attached.

I quilted little back and forth lines in the blue backgrounds, swirls in the green borders and a wavy flower design in the watermelon slices.  I outlined stitched the applique pieces and did a loopy meander in the block background.

Fuzzy helped me with the binding.

The completed Grow a Little Love quilt.

The pattern for the block is available in the current issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 16.

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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas






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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

New Fat Quarters in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of January 23, 2018

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Country Home Fabric, by Anna Krajewski, for South Sea Imports. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is an allover floral print. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Country Harvest Fabric, by Anna Krajewski, for South Sea Imports. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is an abstract blue/green spotty print. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Petals and Paisley, by Quilt Country Inc., for Moda Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features purple scrolling vines on a black background. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Cultivate Kindness, by Deb Strain, for Moda Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a playful purple stripe alternated with sunny yellow flowers and green leaves. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Woodrose in Winter, by Holly Taylor, for Moda Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a lovely warm hand-drawn looking plaid. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Crackle Basics Red Fabric, for Moda Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a lovely red with a subtle allover crackle surface design. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!


For all these and more beautiful fabrics and patterns, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas



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Friday, January 19, 2018

Try Craftsy Unlimited Free!

This is an affiliate advertisement.  By clicking on the links in this post and making a purchase I will be compensated.

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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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Thursday, January 18, 2018

Fabric Sneaky Peeky!



Hello!  I just wanted to share a pic of this lovely fabric for an upcoming quilt pattern I am working on for Love of Quilting.  This is the Grace's Garden fabric collection by Betsy Chutchian for Moda.  I just love the rich browns paired with the cranberry red, deep blue, antique pink, tan, and cream fabrics.  They are so much fun to play with!  I hope you enjoyed this sneaky peeky!  I'll show more of this project when I can.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

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Thursday, January 11, 2018

New in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of January 10, 2018

Crafts Magazine, November 2001 issue. This magazine has 122 full color pages and is in excellent condition. Includes pull out pattern section. 

This issue includes Special Christmas Gift Issue, 27 Solutions to Your Gift-Giving Dilemmas, Greeting Cards with a Personal Touch, Holiday Plaques You can Paint Like a Pro, Cross-Stitch Creations to Deck Your Halls, Make this Not-So-Frosty Snowman, and more. 

Crafts 'n Things Magazine, October 1999 Issue. Used, but good condition. 90 pages. 

This beautiful issue includes 14 Free Patterns, Exclusive: Christmas Ornaments that Say WOW!, 25 New Ideas for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Anyone Can Make these Pumpkins!, Wine Glass Candle holder, and more.

Are you collecting these stellar crafting magazines? If you enjoy a variety of crafting techniques, this magazine will keep you busy.

All Small Quilt Magazine, the 2012 issue. This magazine features Wall Hangings, Table Runners, Baby Quilts, Little Treasures, 30 Projects to Make and Give, Cheery Table Topper, It's a Needle Keeper, Super Easy Baby Quilt, and more.

This fabulous issue of All Small magazine is in used but good condition. 128 pages of great ideas for quilting. 


Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop now!
New items added weekly.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

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New in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of December 8, 2017



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Paper Crafts Supplies

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

December 2017 Quilty Box Mini

 Yes, the holidays did put me a little bit behind.  Besides Christmas, two of my children have birthdays, one right before, and one just after.  But I still wanted to show you a peek at December's Quilty Box Mini.  This month's featured designer is Felice Regina.  I liked her cat illustrations so much that I visited her Etsy Shop and ordered a cat sticker, too.  She has loads of cute pins for sale in her Etsy Shop.

 A charm pack of her latest fabric line, Caturday, for Windham Fabrics is the star of this Quilty Box Mini.  I am planning on sewing some cute things with these!

 A spool of Aurifil monofilament thread in clear.  I've never quilted with monofilament thread.  I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Also included is another packet of the fabulous Plum Deluxe tea.  I've yet to brew a cup, but I'm going to try it on a quiet day.  And a packet of  Handmaid luxury hand creme in fig scent.  I've already used the Handmaid from the full size Quilty Box and it was luscious and right on time for the super cold and dry weather we've been having here in Northern North Carolina.


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To get your Quilty Box Mini, click on the above advertisement.  It really is like Christmas in your mailbox!  

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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Saturday, January 6, 2018

The Rainbow Connection Update

Here's the latest photo of my in progress hexie quilt, The Rainbow Connection.  I've been sewing along, slowly but steadily.  I need to stop and cut more hexies out of my scraps again.  That is my goal for today.  Do you like the progress?  I'm loving it.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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Thursday, January 4, 2018

New Fat Quarters in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of January 2, 2017

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Lilac Parade Cream Stripe, by The Buggy Barn, for Henry Glass and Co. Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, yarn dyed, 18" x 22" fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a cream and white stripe with a purple zigzag stripe. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project.  So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Bible Study I and II, by Kanvas Studio, for Benartex Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, 18" x 22" Fat Quarter Cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features the phrase "Peace be with you" and doves flying over a blue sky background. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Lilac Parade Brown Stripe, by The Buggy Barn, for Henry Glass and Co. Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, yarn dyed, 18" x 22" fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a brown stripe with a black zigzag stripe. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

For these fabrics and more, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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Monday, January 1, 2018

December 2017 Quilty Box

 I know I'm a little late on this one!  It's January 1st, but I really want to show you what's in the December Quilty Box.  It's my favorite box so far.

 Here's why:  Oh Kitty!!!!  It's Felice Regina's Caturday fabric collection!  If you're a regular reader of mine, you know how much I love my cats.  I'm so excited to sew something with these bright and colorful fabrics.

 Felice Regina could possibly be my new favorite fabric designer. Just look at her.  She has purple hair ~ Fabulous!

She also designed this exclusive Quilty Box subscribers only cat pin.  Oh kitty!  I'm in love.

I'm not a big fan of tea, but this Plum Deluxe tea smells heavenly.  I'm going to brew a cup and try it when the kids go back to school.

A blue Clover chaco liner is also one of this month's goodies.  I love these marking tools and already own a pink one and a white one.  They are my absolute favorite for marking fabric.  Clean, easy to see lines that brush away with little effort.

  Aurifil monofilament thread is something I've never tried before. 

A single use of Soak for hand or machine washing.  

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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas




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