Harper's Girls

Tulips are abloomin'

2012-02-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

The calendar says February and winter but the tulips are a'bloomin' here at Harper's. The Tulip Tango table runner is bright and cheery and you don't even have to quilt it after it's pieced. It's a "quilt as you go" project so when you're done, it's done! Could be that's why Prairie Sky Quilting calls this pattern series "Fun and Done!"

We're starting the class for this technique and project on February 25th. It's a Saturday afternoon full of fun, starting at 1PM. Make the table runner, a crib quilt, a throw or a twin quilt--it's your choice. We'll even help you choose the fabrics if you want. So stop in just for the fun of it!

Season's Greetings!

2011-12-22T13:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a whirlwind of activity around here lately, preparing next year's class schedule (Check it out here!) and finishing up those last-minute holiday projects. Come by and ask us to show you the waterproof laminate iPad case Rosemary put together- it's a super-speedy last minute project for the techie on your Christmas list... And as a special Christmas bonus, our laminates are 20% off! (We won't tell if you spend the extra cash on a little something for yourself.)

From all the Harpers' Girls,

Holiday Hoppin'!

2011-10-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the Holiday Hop yet? On November 4th and 5th, Harper's will be participating on the 2nd annual Kansas City Holiday Hop, along with Bon Bon Atelier, Bernina Sewing Centers, and Urban Arts + Crafts.

This year, each store will be creating their own FREE holiday stocking pattern to give out to hoppers! In addition, the stores will all be raffling off their one-of-a-kind stocking creations to benefit Operation Breakthrough. Operation Breakthrough is a local organization that works with over 600 children daily to make sure they get the meals and support they deserve. You can read more about the services they provide on their website, http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/

So, the elves here at Harper's have been busy creating a stocking for the hop, and we'd love to show it to you... but not yet! Here's a sneak peek of our contribution...

Hope to see you next weekend, hoppin' along with the rest of us!

The Non-Pattern Pattern!

2011-10-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

Are you longing to put together improvisational quilts, but afraid of straying from traditional patterns? We have a class that is perfect for you! On Saturday, October 29th, Paula Leber (who also writes the blog Paula's Stitch Witchery) will be teaching a workshop on the Non-Pattern Pattern!

So what IS the Non-Pattern Pattern? Created by Victoria Gertenbach of the blog The Silly BooDilly, they are "techniques that can be used to create a certain design look over and over, but open-ended enough to allow for complete individuality every time, and loads of variation possibilities." By following a series of steps but making unique individual choices with colors and sizes, you can create one-of-a-kind pieces that still provide you with the guidance of a pattern.
(photo source here)
See more of Victoria's fabulous work at her blog and flickr page.

Susan Beal and the Modern Log Cabin

2011-09-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when you think about log cabin quilts? You may think of your great-grandmother's quilt rack, but have you seen the new wave of interpretations of this timeless block? Susan Beal is a crafter and author who loves the rich history of log cabin quilts, and is encouraging modern quilters to give the block their own unique spin! Her new book, Modern Log Cabin Quilting, includes 25 projects based on traditional log cabin quilts that showcase today's bright modern fabrics. It's a beautiful and inspiring book, and we were fortunate enough to have Susan stop by the store this week and sign several copies of it!
Susan lives in Portland, Oregon, but came into town to speak to the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild about the history behind and techniques of log cabin quilts. Among other books, she recommends Marti Mitchell's Log Cabin ABC's, a book we frequently use for our quilting classes, too!

When she came to visit us at Harper's, she was accompanied by her adorable 10-month old son Everett, who was a perfect gentleman. You can read more about her crafty exploits on her blog, West Coast Crafty. In addition to Modern Log Cabin Quilting, she has written other books and contributed projects to many more. We look forward to seeing more of her creative projects. It really was a delight to meet her, and we hope she will come back soon!

Project Linus, and our Harper's Blanketeers!

2011-08-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

One of the (MANY!) wonderful things about the community of quilters that we get to meet at Harpers is how kind and giving they are. We have seen, time after time, how our group of quilters will pull together and sacrifice their time and resources to help those in need. One of the ways our patrons show their continued dedication to charitable causes is by the HUGE amount of quilts and blankets that are donated to Project Linus.

Project Linus is a non-profit organization, with a two-fold mission (taken from their website, www.projectlinus.org):

"First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children."
Harper's, as the local drop-off for Project Linus quilts, has the unique pleasure of seeing the incredible work of the talented quilters, or "blanketeers" who make this organization so successful. In addition, we see the generosity of so many of our customers who bring in supplies to be used in the quilts. It is humbling to witness the dedication of those who contribute to this cause.
As many of those who are involved in Project Linus know, Karen Moore was very involved in the organization, making countless quilts and designing and producing kits for them as well. We recently hosted a Project Linus sewing night in her honor, in addition to the group's monthly meeting. It is a tribute to Karen's dedication how many people she introduced to Project Linus, and how many can say that they have made the quilts she designed for the cause.
The Project Linus group meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Quilts and supplies for Linus quilts can be dropped off at the store at any time during regular business hours. Please call if you have any questions about the Project Linus group or organization, and check out their website at www.projectlinus.org.

Retro Inspirations & a NEW CONTEST Announcement!

2011-07-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

If you've been in the store recently, you've probably noticed that we have QUITE a collection of dresses to greet you! Our friends at Cloud9 Organic fabrics have loaned us the amazing dresses they made- one for each of the 8 fabrics in their "Cut Out and Keep" line! Check out the five of them that make up our "welcoming committee" right by our front door:
All the dresses are made with Amy Butler's "Mini Dress, Tunic, and Top" pattern. Everyone who comes in can't help but comment about our line-up of ladies, and so many people are saying the same thing: "I HAD that dress!" So we decided to check out the retro inspirations for this modern dress...
Because don't we all love a good pink and white circus tent?
(I'm not going to lie: I REALLY want this coat.)
Jumper chic.

When we finally stopped giggling at vintage pattern illustrations, we decided to look through our CURRENT pattern books and scout for more MOD patterns! Check these babies out:
Burda 7796
Burda 8072
Burda 7680
Burda 7798
Wouldn't it be fabulous to see more of these awesome garments in action? YES! we thought, and thus Harper's "Cut Out and Wear It" competition was born! It's a great way to live out your "Project Runway" fantasies and go organic at the same time-- and the winner will get a $50 gift certificate!

The rules of the game:

-Entry must be a garment. Any size or style is welcome!

-Entry must be made of Cloud9 Organics "Cut Out and Keep" fabric, purchased at Harpers (one yard minimum). Entry form will be given at time of purchase.

-Entry can be from any commerical pattern-- remember, whenever you buy fabric to make a pattern you get 40% off the pattern price! You can also design your own pattern!

-All entries are due by 6pm on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd. They will be on display throughout the month of September, during which time they will be voted on by Harper's customers. So even if you don't want to play along, make sure to come in and vote!

So, sewists, START YOUR ENGINES! We can't WAIT to see what you make!

In Memory of Karen Moore

2011-07-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

Many of you may have been fortunate to work with Karen Moore and share her passion of quilting, embroidery, sewing and, much more. She unexpectedly passed away Tuesday. Karen was a brilliant artist who will be terribly missed by the staff of Harper’s, her students, and her family. She was a dedicated part of the Harper’s family and loved sharing her passions with her students. Please keep Karen’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

The memorial service for Karen will be this Friday, July 8th from 6:00-8:00 pm, and will be held at the Amos Family Chapel, located at 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee KS. Her funeral will be Saturday, June 9th at 10:00 am, also at the Amos Family Chapel.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Karen's favorite charity, Project Linus. If you would like to donate a quilt to Project Linus in Karen's honor, you may bring it to the visitation or to drop off at Harper's after. Cash donations can be left at the funeral home or sent to the local chapter of Project Linus:
Patty Gregory
7313 E. 158th St.
Belton, MO 64012

In addition, Harper's will be hosting a Project Linus Night on July 20 at 6:30pm in celebration of Karen's love of quilting and dedication to the Project Linus organization.

Laminate 101

2011-06-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sewing with laminated fabric is simple and fun!

Oh, what to do with it?

Just Some Inspiration:

Here's some tips from Elaine (if you missed her seminar on Saturday afternoon!)

Taking Care of Laminated Fabric:
- When you purchase laminated fabric or fusible laminate, roll on to a card-board tube rather than folding.
- To clean: wipe mild soap and water or gentle surface spray cleaner
- To launder: machine wash gentle, cold. Do NOT dry
- Iron on WRONG side (side without lamination) with a dry iron, low/cool setting

Notions and Tools:
- Use regular thread
- To mark: use wax-free tracing paper with a smooth edge tracing wheel
- Use size 12 or 14 sharp sewing machine needles (recommended Schmetz)
- Use Teflon coated presser foot or a presser foot with masking tape (blue painter's tape)
- Use transparent tape to hold pattern pieces to the right side of your fabric
- Binder clips or large paper clips can be used when sewing large things together

Sewing on Laminated Fabric:
- Use wavy cutter to finish edges of fabric
- Do not use fusible interfacing
- Do not use seam finishes
- Use larger stitch length (close stitch length will create too many holes and can weaken the seams)
- Stitch slowly as you gently guide your fabric through you sewing machine to help keep from puckering

Care and Storing Projects:
- Do not fold your fabric when storing
- Hang (padded hanger) it from it's handles or stuff the inside of the bag
- De-wrinkly by laying it out in the desired and run hair dryer back and forth across the wrinkles on low setting
- Keep out of direct sunlight because fabric will still fade

Linn County 4H Club Visit the Harper's Girls!

2011-06-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today Harper's had the priviledge of hosting the delightful girls of the Linn County 4H club, who came all the way from Lacygne, KS! The girls had spent the day in Kansas City, visiting fashion designers and touring the garment district, and finished up with a sewing lesson here at Harper's.

Elaine had a lot of fun showing them around the store and teaching them to use the sewing machines. For their project, the girls made drawstring pouches out of Pillow & Maxfields' latest line, Gypsy Bandana. They used the "bandana" squares of the fabric to make the reversible pouch, and seemed to have a lot of fun doing it! While several of them were still working on inserting the drawstring when they left, the girls were very fast learners, and we're sure they will all have the project finished before they get back to Lacygne.

Remember at these girls' faces, there are sure to be some future fashion stars among them!

Do not fear the QuiltMath!

2011-06-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

As a quilter, or any sort of sewist, we have all come to the point where we could no longer deny the fact that:

SEWING REQUIRES MATH. (Sometimes a lot of it!)

Quilting especially revolves around numbers, hundreds of precise measurements that add up bit by bit to form the fabulous quilts our customers produce. Whether you follow patterns or prefer to "wing it", the more you quilt, the more you appreciate the beauty of the science that I like to call QuiltMath.

We do A LOT of QuiltMath at Harper's. Consider it a public service, but it's something we really enjoy doing. Have a quilt top and don't know how much to buy for backing? Bring it in, and we'll tell you how much yardage you need, how to lay it out, and how much fabric to get for binding. Need to know how many squares to cut for your king-size postage stamp quilt? How much fabric it will take to get all of those squares? We can tell you. Just come in and ask!

All of Harper's employees do a lot of math, but when it comes to QuiltMath, Mary Honas is our Jedi Master. Mary is an encyclopedia of quilting information, and can figure out yardage like crazy! In addition to sharing her expertise with our customers, Mary also teaches a class (that will be held again this fall,) called Figuring Yardage, where you learn the secrets of QuiltMath. Don't worry about prerequisites-- this isn't astrophysics, and Mary can guide even the least mathematically inclined through the process of figuring yardage!

A favorite resource of ours at the store is this book, The Quilter's Pocket Reference. We keep one behind the counter at all times, and it is invaluable as a reference for every sort of quilting question. It includes the standard sizes of mattresses and quilts, yardage requirements for backings and bindings, technical tips, and a million other handy bits of information that will save you a LOT of figuring. It's like having a tiny Mary Honas in your pocket! It's a cheap investment that can save you hours of researching, so pick one up the next time you come in--you won't regret it!

Sidewalk Sale Blowout!

2011-06-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hear ye, Hear ye!

The annual Harper's Sidewalk Sale Blowout is being held THIS Friday and Saturday, June 17th and 18th! Come to check out markdowns and clearance items including books, notions, and best of all, FABRIC!

We will also be doing demos both Friday evening and Saturday morning on how to make a super simple project, the Six Seam Market Tote! Tote materials will be sold at a special discounted price, and you pick your own delightful fabrics! It's a great project for any skill level, and it's super eco-friendly.

Come by and check us out! We will be open from 10am-8pm on Friday, and 9am-5pm on Saturday- hope to see you there!

Christmas in June?

2011-06-10T02:33:00.000-07:00

Start your Christmas engines, folks, we're getting our holiday fabrics in at Harper's! Be prepared this year, and finish those projects ahead of time to de-stress your holidays. Our new Moda pre-cuts will save you even more time on those Christmas projects, and with so many patterns designed specifically for precuts, you can just pick one and start sewing!

So stock up for that rainy day when your poolside plans get cancelled, and you'll spend the day sewing! Banish your inner procrastinator, and embrace your inner Boy Scout: BE PREPARED!

Pillowcases for Joplin Sewing Day- June 5th

2011-06-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

By now, we have all seen the images of the huge amount of damage done by the deadliest tornado to hit the US in 64 years- the one that hit Joplin, MO on May 22nd. The contrast between the sunny "before" shots and the stark, desolate "after" shots is breathtakingly horrible. But the community is moving on, working to rebuild and regain some sense of order out of the chaos. Communities all around Missouri, Kansas, and the world have aided relief efforts, and many of us have wondered, how can we help as well?

As many of you may or may not know our quilting friend, Sonie Joi Ruffin of Kansas City was raised in Joplin, MO. Elaine, our owner, contacted her and Sonie let us know that her family is safe. Sonie was raised on the East side of Joplin where her family resides, opposite of the damage, "the people of that community are resilient and tuff." Sonie is asking for our help by donating to "Heart to Heart International (Joplin, MO.) and / or take physical donations to their local Red Cross for Joplin, MO". Harper's will also be collecting the immediate needs for those down in Joplin. Sonie mentions the most immediate needs are unopened cleaning supplies, toiletries, nonperishable food, water, hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, blankets, pillows, etc. We are collecting these items and will deliver them to our local American Red Cross for Joplin, MO on June 6th. We will take donations up to June 5th.

Sonie Ruffin is a self-taught fabric artist and story teller, has carved out a niche for herself in the arts community as a fabric artist, fabric designer, and writer. She embraces community and in turn teaches her audience the importance of our understanding the thread that connects us all together in this tapestry of life.

In addition to taking donations, Harper’s will be hosting a pillowcase workshop on June 5th. Beginning at 1:00 pm we will have our classroom open to anyone who would like to come and sew pillowcases to donate to the relief effort. If you are unable to come, you can also donate pillows (standard or travel), or pillowcases you have already made. While a pillowcase is a small thing, it offers the kind of "homey" comfort that many people in Joplin are missing right now.

If you would like to make pillowcases but are unsure of how to make them, check out these free patterns available through the APQ 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge site:

Free Pillowcase Patterns

We hope to see you at the Pillowcase Event on June 5th starting at 1pm.

Thank you in advance. Quilters are the most compassionate. Our hearts and prayers go out to those in need.

Mixing Prints and Solids

2011-05-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

Working at Harper's, I spend a lot of time gazing at fabrics, mentally combining them into my ideal quilt-concoctions. One of my favorite things to do is mixing prints with solids.
There seems to be two distinct categories of quilters, those who just love solids, and those who don't quite get why you would want to use solids when so many fabulous prints exist! I think there is an easy compromise between the two, though; when we use our fabulous prints as inspiration for choosing a beautiful palette of solids.
I think very visually, so I LOVE to make piles. If you've come into the store looking for a fabric to go with something specific, you know that I will automatically just start piling bolts up on the counter. For me, this is the easiest way to edit my fabric choices.

For instance, in this stack of fabric, I started with the prints from the new Spring Street line by P&B Textiles. It is everything I love, bright colors and cheery prints, and even little bicycles! I used the prints to pull together a selection of solids that complemented the prints. I say "complemented" and not "matched" because, let's face it, we don't NEED to exactly match all the time. Complementing fabrics build off of one another and make the combination stronger.

Sometimes, instead of using one specific line of fabric, I like to build my combinations around one "focus" print.

I ADORE this new car print by Caleb Grey for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, so I began by simply looking at the print for a while, and deciding which elements I wanted to emphasize.

If you hadn't noticed by now, I am definitely not afraid of bright colors. First I picked a set of solids that were similar to colors in the car fabric. I found the orange dot, and loved the subtle texture it gave, while bringing out the orange in the print. Finally I added the striped fabric. While this is a very stand-out print, I like the way it works because it has similar colors and the same geometric elements as the other fabrics.

These are just a few samples of my personal method of combining fabrics. How do you do it? Do you start with a single fabric, or a group? Solids, or prints? Do you mix the two? Inquiring minds want to know!

Going Green- Thinking About Organic Sewing

2011-05-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
What do you think when you hear the word "organic"? Shopping at the farmer's market or pushing a cart around Whole Foods are some of the most common answers, but I am growing more and more aware for the need for organic products in other areas of our lives as well as the foods we eat.

Cotton is one of the most chemically treated crops on the planet, and accounts for around 25% of the pesticides used in agriculture. Organic cotton is extremely low-impact on the environment, and has recently become far more affordable than ever. Many companies and designers are producing beautiful, affordable cottons made with earth-friendly organic materials, including low-impact dyes. It's an exciting shift in the industry, and here at Harper's, we are excited to be a part of it by offering new organic fabric by Cloud9!
Cut Out and Keep is a new organic line designed by Heather Moore, better known on the internet as Skinny LaMinx.

Heather is an illustrator designer who lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and is known for her bold, graphic illustrations and papercuttings. You can check out her designs and blog at www.skinnylaminx.com

As soon as this fabric came in the door, I couldn't stop thinking of what I could do with it! I decided that my first project would be to make a GIANT summer tote that would be perfect for trips to the pool, weekend road trips, and impromptu picnics.

I have to say that this tote has been an awesome addition to my bag collection, it's extremely stiff and sturdy, with six pockets for all those summer essentials. And, because I love you all so much, I decided to write up a FREE (with fabric purchase) pattern for it!

The pattern should be ready and in the store by this Thursday, so come on by to check out this beautiful line of fabrics, and make one of these bags for yourself!

C'mon guys, let's go green!

Amy Butler For The Young!

2011-03-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

I do not remember the first Amy Butler fabric I saw, but I remember being in love with her fabrics since I knew her name. It's as simple as that. My high school graduation quilt was made out of her fabric and still sits on my bed seven years later. When her new lines come in, I am gitty like a young girl. Her fabric lines are inspiring to young seamstresses to those who have sewn their entire lives. The bright colors and eccentric patterns fill my mind with fresh ideas of millions of projects I could work on. My collection of Amy Butler fabrics is always growing!

A few weeks ago, one of my students completed a "jaw-dropping" purse designed by Amy Butler and out of Amy Butler fabrics. It was "jaw-dropping" for these reasons: Caroline really has developed so much as a seamstress that she put together this Tear Drop Bag (from Amy Butler's Style Stitches book) all by herself, she used her Christmas money she'd saved to buy the Amy Butler fabric (the book was a Christmas present too), and she was so proud of the product when she finished (and she should have been!)

Yes, I was very jealous myself! I wish we could zoom in on the detail that is so perfect on this purse that Caroline worked hard at (and always does with every project). After congratulating Caroline on her exceptional skills, I think I have to thank Amy for designing these fresh, new purse patterns and for her exceptional fabric prints. Her fabrics are loved by so many of my young seamstresses and it is because of the bright colors that she illuminates that we have young seamstresses interested in sewing! Thanks Amy for your inspiration!

And for Caroline: you are awesome! You inspire me! My next project in line is definitely a Tear Drop Purse (yes the line might be long, but...)

Sewn Up by Morgan

Scared of Knits?

2011-02-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

I admit. I am scared of knits. Or at least I was scared of knits.

With all the great knits we have iat Harper's right now, they seem to attract my young seamstresses. They want to make things that they see in their favorite ready-to-wear stores. And what's wrong with that? As their teacher, I must learn with my students because I have not sewn on knits in a very long time.

Today, I walked by our knit rounder and was literally stopped by this adorable shrug (so of course, I had to try it on!) This NEW shrug Joyce made out of knit inspired me to want to sew my own project out of knits (not just be a guide). My mind exploded with a collection of shrugs that could be an addition to my wardrobe...I had to stop and limit myself to one at a time.

We are giving this pattern away with the purchase of our knits! And here are some tips that can help us all become experts at using knits:

Use a ballpoint/knit/stretch/ or universal needle when sewing knits. The weight of the fabric determines the size. Lightweight (tricot) knit would use a 70/10, med. Weight knits use the 80/12 size, and the heavy knits would use the 90/14.
Direction of the stretch is very important when cutting out knits. Straight of grain arrows on pattern pieces should be parallel to selvedge. The most stretch is in the width of the fabric, not in the length. Follow straight of grain arrows on all pattern pieces, some are on a fold line and that indicates the straight. Fold lines should still be parallel to selvedges.
Baste garment and check fit before sewing together and using small knit stitches to complete garment.
Use fusi-knit for interfacing all knit facings. Double needles work very well on knit hem edges. Use 1-1/2” strip of interfacing in hems to stabilize before stitching.
Lighten the pressure on the presser foot and needle bar when sewing knits. Start stitching 1/4” from edge when starting to stitch.

Good luck starting your next knit project! I can't wait for mine!

Sewn up by Morgan

Snow Day Fun

2011-02-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

So if you are like me (and are somewhere in the Midwest) and you are snowed in (and probably were yesterday), what have you been doing? Sewing? Or spending countless hours going through Sewing and Quilting Blogs, like me?

Some Blogs I always love (for their information, but also for their colorful layout and photography):
Heather Bailey's Blog
Anna Maria Horner's Blog
Cherry House Quilts
Deb Rowden's Blog
I know that if I could find Amy Butler's blog, if she has one, I would love it!

Here are some of the ones I have found searching on these Snow Days:
Sewbot's Laboratory
My Aunt June
Empty Bobbin Sewing
Urban Patchwork
Susie Can Stitch
Sew This Is My Life
A Quilt is Nice
Oh yes, I found more than this. It it is so addicting that I find one blog from another and then another. The list could go on and on. But while doing this, I am brainstorming all the different ways to improve our own blog. Trust me, a new blog format is in the workings.

So what are some of your favorite blogs? Do you have a blog we can check out?

Sewn up by Morgan

Let's Show Our Best of 2010!

2011-01-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

We are hosting

The Best of 2010 Gallery Open House

Saturday, January 29 from 5:00-8:30pm

We will be displaying the work of our talent students, customers and staff! Are you interested in showing some of your best work from 2010 (or even from before that)? We want to create a

Gallery full of inspirations and ideas

and boy, do we have some exciting things already to be displayed. We still have room in the Gallery if you are interested in displaying any of your work!

Email HarpersMorgan@aol.com for a entry form.

Besides a Gallery display, we also have a Silent Auction where other

Downtown Overland Park Merchants have donated items to be a part of our Silent Auction. We are very excited about the items that we have received! And, of course, there will be a

Raffle, Food and Drinks, too!

Thank you to:

Taste Restaurant, Ten Thousand Villages, Tradition Furniture, The Other Place, Clock Tower Bakery, Crave, The Tasteful Olive and The Culinary Center of Kansas City for your donations for this event!

AND...The Best Part?

100% of the proceeds are donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

BUY TICKETS NOW!

The tickets are a $10 donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, include the Gallery viewing, appetizers, drinks and a raffle ticket!

Top Stitching Like A Pro

2011-01-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

We have all seen the hype of the popular designer quilted purses, bags, wallets and other accessories, but as seamstresses we ALL have the ability to create beautifully quilted fabric to use in those items. And, we can even use our favorite designer's fabrics!

Here are some tips on quilting your own fabric (here I am using one of my favorite designer Anna Maria Horner's fabric):

Marking the Fabric:

I mark my fabric using a quilting ruler and generally mark about two inch blocks to keep the quilting from being too time consuming and depending on the project or look I want. I prefer Chalk either in the form of a pencil or roller so that comes off easily with water, but Dritz water soluble pen is also a great way to mark! Remember not to press so hard that it is permanetly on your fabric until it is washed (we want to see the stitching not the chalk residue).

My Thread and Needle are VERY Important!
I am using Sulky Cotton Thread 12Wt with a Mettler Thread 40 Wt in my bobbin. The 12 weight thread is thicker thread that leaves a larger stitch.

The needle is Schmetz Topstitch Needle Size 16. The hole in this needle is larger for the diameter of the thread and sharp for the purpose of penetrating all layers.

What about Stitch Length?
I put my stitch length on my Huskvarna Viking Machine up to 3.5 (Max is 6.0) to make a longer more visible stitch to show off your quilting (I mean we do it so it shows...right?)

Hope you can use these tips to make your own Quilted Fabric!

To Be A "Bag Lady" or Not To Be

2011-01-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

What defines us as an individual and expresses who we are better than the bag or purse we carry? I think it is important for us women as individuals to take a stand and become the person we are!

This year we are offering a NEW class series called Bag Ladies where women can gather to work on a bag with a group of friends and fellow seamstresses. At the beginning of the year, we need to remind ourselves that this time in class is not only about what we learn, but about the important aspect of taking out time for ourselves every day or week to do something we all love.

We all love sewing!

So why not express ourselves in the bag we carry with the gals we love and doing what we love! Gather your girls and come check out Bag Ladies this year!

How about one of these bags? Or maybe all of them?

Kimmi Rose

Mondays, January 24 & 31 1:00-4:00pm

Pleated Clutch

Tuesdays, March 8 & 15 10:00am-noon

Lap Top Tote

Saturdays, April 23 & 30 3:00-5:00pm

Birdie Sling

Tuesdays, May 24 & 31 6:00-8:00pm

Cosmo Bag


Saturdays, June 18 & 25 1:00-3:30pm

Reserve Your Spot Here!

A Sucessful Camp Snowy Nights!

2011-01-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

Year after year, every Winter Break, I am reminded about how much fun Camp Snowy Nights is! I hope I am not the only one having such a blast. This year we had 2 eight hour classes and one 4 hour class where 18 pairs of pajama pants were made!

Our Thurs/Fri Group Showing Off their NEW PJS!

We see new faces of young sewing artists eager to take off (or refresh their sewing skills) into the world of sewing, and at the end of each session it reminds me how important keeping our youth excited about sewing is. This class honestly inspires me to keep finding projects that will continue to keep these girls sewing. Pajamas are just the beginning of what they can learn to do!

Here are some photos of the girls working hard: (Looks like they might be having fun!)

Finished Projects from our Snowy Day Studio

We offer 2-3 youth sewing classes a week, and every single one of them is geared towards the level of the artist. These girls surprise me every week of what they can do! I hope to see even more young faces coming in to share this art with us!
If you know someone (or you are) interested in youth sewing classes check out our online catalog at: Youth Classes!

NEW CLASSES START Tuesday, January 4!!! First Youth Studio of the Year is Saturday, January 15 1:00-4:00pm!

If you have any questions about our Youth Classes email Morgan at HarpersMorgan@aol.com

The Sleep Sack Revolution

2010-12-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

The newest trend in infant care is the use of the sleep sack!

Use the Hushabye Baby pattern from Favorite Things to make your own sleep sack. It keeps the baby covered and cozy for sleep or play. The fully lined sleep sack has Velcro tabs at shoulders and side zipper making it easy to remove baby and to change diapers. A fun toy that is easy to hold completes this patter.

Check out the latest about infant sleeping habits and the sleep sack in the Kansas City Star if you missed it on Saturday, December 4 at:
Back to Sleep Campaign Urges Careful Care of Infants

We are offering a class in January 2011, too! Check it out!

Sleep Sack - b.a.b.e.s
Keep baby covered and cozy for sleep or play. The sleep sack is fully lined and has Velcro tabs or buttons at the shoulder and a side zipper. You can add batting for a warmer outfit. Add a person-alized onesie or t-shirt and baby is ready to go.
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Joan Sherman Thursday, January 27 – 1:00-4:00pm – Session 18

Stamped French Linen Coasters

2010-12-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

As seen in Real Simple Magazine! We love seeing something that we can almost replicate through our sewing talents and save money! These coasters are priced at $18.00 (for only 4 coasters) and we have a kit with linen almost replicating these (but another motif) for $11.00 (6 coasters can be made with that price). What a Holiday idea!

Make a Memory Board!

2010-12-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

Or a bulletin board that will match any room of your house! Put one by the front door or out in the hall; you can make them match. Make a mini one for you kid's locker, too. Find your favorite fabric, wrap the board and secure it with thumb tacks in the back. Change it when you find another fabric you just love!

Cross-weave ribbon or rick-rack to create slots to slide your favorite photos under. Keep track of your business cards and promotions by displaying them on this board.

We just love the idea of having the versatility of changing the look of our memory board. The old can be new before you know it!

Bah Humbug Bag!

2010-11-20T13:22:00.000-08:00

No need for scrooges this season, but this Humbug Bag is a perfect gift! If you haven't seen these thrifty triangle bags, you are missing out. Make one in three different sizes (Small: 4 1/2", Medium: 5 1/2" x 7 1/2", Large: 7" x 9 1/2") for three different gifts.

The Humbug Bag pictured above is laminated on the inside so that it can be used as a make-up bag that can be wiped clean. Laminate the outside or even both! Line them with coordinating prints or quilt your fabric first. Everyone has a need for this little bag! A golf ball bag? Organize your purse clutter? Hang to organize your closet? Keep clothespins hidden in this? Carry it as a clutch to the movies? What else could we do with this versatile bag? Just about anything!

Sarah Bay's

2010-11-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a young one prosper at something, and love doing it. That's what I love about teaching the young girls at Harper's. Each of my students have their own stories and successes with sewing. Each one is so special!

Meet Sarah! Sarah has become a talented seamstress over the last year. I can not believe it was just last November that Sarah moved from the waiting list for my You Can Do It weekly class to an enthusiastic student of mine! She has come so far and as I think back at the projects she has completed, like a laminated rain poncho for camp (which it never rained), a Birdie Sling bag by Amy Butler, presents for multiple friends, pillowcases for the Million Pillowcase Challenge and so much more.

Sarah last February with her Poncho

Just recently, Sarah showed all this talent that she has worked so hard at, by planning, preparing and sewing products for a booth at her school holiday sale. I was lucky enough to join Sarah this evening, as she got to sell, show-off and work her marketing skills (which she sure did). There was nothing about that night that Sarah should not be proud of; there is nothing I can't be proud of either. Here are some pictures of her booth that she coordinated and decorated all herself (it was all her!):

It really is hard to even share how amazing watching these girls is every week. I try to put their pictures in our weekly newsletters to let them know that what they are doing is special. Like Sarah, I have exceptional students who have started their own sewing businesses, use their talent to fund raise and continue to complete more and more challenging projects every week. Most times I think they are more talented to me!

Sewn up by Morgan

Something Warm...

2010-11-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

We can feel it! The chilly air coming through! Brrr!

So here's a Holiday Gift Idea that can keep your loved one warm. What is more cozy than an embellished fleece scarf with rick-rack?

We just can't help how much we love rick-rack these days! Whether it fat, skinny, blue or purple, there is always a way to add some fun into any project; so why not scarves, too? Stack-it once, twice or even three times; try twisting it together then sewing it on!

Using about a 1/4 yard of fleece (the wider the warmer) and the length of fabric, a wavy cutter (our other favorite thing), rick-rack, and not much time at all...You can have a gift your friend can use right away!

Make one for your young one too!

Don't stop with rick-rack (even though, we just love it) and keep your ideas rolling with ribbon, fabric strips, fussy cut flowers or shapes, beads or what ever else you can dream up. And boy, are there some fun fleeces to play with! Valori Wells has some beautiful fleeces we just can't keep our hands off (pictured above)!

Sewn up by The Harper's Girls

Holiday Gift Time Already?

2010-11-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

Well as a matter of fact, some might believe it's past that time for a seamstress or quilter, and you may be short on time if you planning something big for your loved ones this holiday. But don't worry, there are others out there (many of us included) that need some quick project ideas for the holidays (and they are perfect for small gifts for friend or hostess throughout the year). So here's your source...we are going to put our minds together and try to come up with as many gift ideas as we can to share with you on our blog! AND we will also be having Holiday Hint demostrations at the store for FREE! Watch this blog, out Facebook or Pressing Matters for what's up next!

Don't miss Lauren this Saturday, November 6 at 1:00 showing how to use double fusible web (like Steam-A-Seam 2 or Steam-A-Seam Lite), sharing ideas of how to use it and so much more!

So our Holiday Idea for you this week are Embellished Hand-Towels. Maybe there isn't much sewing, but double sided fusible web can save the day this holiday season. Embellish a hand-towel with your favortie print or border print.

Fussy-cut a design from a fabric and fuse it onto your towel, or do the same with a border print! Add rick-rack (we just got new colors), ribbon or anything you might dream up! This gift can be very personalized so explore your creativity! We would love to hear your ideas or see pictures!

Sewn up by The Harper's Girls

The Trendiest Trend in Diapers

2010-11-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

So what is the "trendiest trend" in diapers? Well...re-usable, recyclable, earth saving, ecological diapers are surely it. We are all about being Green! So let's make them on our machines using The Nappies: Designer Diapers & Wet Bag and our favorite fabrics!

These adjustable diapers with Velcro are cute and comfy, and the removable soaker inside is made with PUL (Polyureththane Laminate), which is an inner waterproof, moisture barrier that is combined with 2 layers of flannel and 2 layers of 300 weight polar fleece (It's the real stuff!!!).

On our Nappie diapers, we add an extra layer of PUL on the inside of the outside for big mis-haps, so that we are covered all the way. PUL and 300 wt polar fleece are difficult to find, and we have finally found them! Contact us if you are interested in either of these products.

Sewn up by The Harper's Girls

Meet Designer Renay Martin

2010-10-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

In 2006 my dear friend, Elaine, convinced me to work at her fabric and quilt store. I had to be sneaky about announcing this to my family as they would be mortified and horrified that I was ditching them to work “outside the home”…they were used to me “working” for them! (Little did they know, I had been running a custom formal-wear business out of their home for 12 years)

As I became comfortable working at the store I decided to teach a few classes. Purses intrigued me. I was soon teaching several purse classes and found myself re-designing and re-writing directions prior to each class. Elaine took one look at that process and told me “I” needed to design and write my own purse patterns. Purse Strings Patterns was born.

Annabelle is my first design!

Elaine introduced me to an editor she knew, Deb, and off I went. Who knew that I could sew as well as “technically write”? All you have to do is know how to talk out loud and write down what you are saying as you are doing it. Then plan on reading and re-reading and bothering your co-workers and relatives to read and re-read your instructions. (I’ve found that they see you coming and suddenly have a blinding eye infection!)

Kimi Rose

Goal: From day-one my goal has been to “get it right,” making sure even the novice understands my “word-ology,” and not using acronyms or abbreviations. They’re annoying. Diagrams are my deal, too. Who doesn’t like a good diagram when you are just too lazy to read? Sewing is supposed to be fun and I want to keep it that way. I may not always get it perfect, but I always care that all skill levels of sewers understand what I’m trying to relay to them.

Ideas: Everything is an inspiration to me. I once designed a purse from a detail on the bodice of a night gown. “Geisha Girl”. Just look around, it’s there.

Names: Why do men want me to name a purse after them? It happens all the time. Is it some desire of theirs to be “close” to a purse but not actually be seen carrying one? Hmmmm. “The Henry Bag,” “ The Freddy Tote.” It’s just not going to happen. I usually name a purse after someone, or something that is in my life. That’s it…and it has to sort of work for the “feel” of the bag.

The Newest Bags:

Venti Tote

Venti Tote is a huge carry-all. Quite stiff, so it’s sturdy enough to load up with projects, laundry, toys, and etc. Toss it in the back of your car and run your errands. Everything is in one place.

Kits for Wool version available!

Vanity Fair is more a “regular” purse size and has a softer look. It consists of 8 panels that you piece together. You can mix up the fabrics in so many different combinations. Or maybe a different fabric for each panel! The newest model I have in the store is made from 2 pieces of our wool/cashmere blend. I mixed in a batik for the lining and binding. “Luscious” is the word I think of when I look at it…or maybe butter brickle ice-cream!

Kits for the following are available at Harpers!

~ Many thanks to all you girlfriends for purchasing my patterns. I hope that you have as much fun as I do when I’m sewing and creating!

Sewn up by Renay Martin

Cherri House Comes to Kansas City!

2010-10-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

Yes! Yes! Yes! Kansas City had the pleasure of having Cherri House here this past weekend! Harper's Fabrics and the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild teamed up to bring Cherri House, of Cherry House Quilts, all the way from Houston to Kansas City.

On Thursday, at the KC Modern Quilt Guild meeting, Cherri shared her passion of quilting, stories about her quilts, her inspirations, and of course, her beautiful quilts. We all left feeling a little bit closer to this talented artist/designer, and with at least some spark of inspiration to work with her passion, solids.

Bright and early Friday morning, Cherri came to Harper's for a workshop! We'd anxiously been waiting for her to come, and I personally had been contemplating which color-way I was going to make my City News quilt for weeks...I knew Cherri's direction would lead me the right way! The 18 of us in the seminar got to know Cherri and her expert advice very well, by the end of the day. We learned about picking our fabric colors by value of color and how to match them up with our blacks & whites, and then finally how we were to arrange our blocks to create the illusion that City News creates. I can't wait to see everyone's quilts done!

Cutting away...

The Blue Way

The Red Way

After a day of learning, cutting, sewing, and having a lot of fun, we were sent off with the skills and inspiration to finish this City News quilt. I am ready and I am pumped! I honestly haven't made a quilt for years, which is somewhat hard for me to admit publically...but here I go...I am about to change that!

We thank Cherri House for coming to Kansas City and hope she'll be back soon enough! And in the meantime...I am going to finish that quilt!

For more pictures check out our Facebook Page!

Sewn up by Morgan

Blogging Friends Meet At Harpers!

2010-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Linda, of Flourishing Palms and Carla, of Lolly Quiltz connected at Harpers a few weeks ago. Pictured below these Blogospheric Buddies became friends through their Blog connections!

We at Harper's are so excited that we could find a place for these two talented quilter's to meet and share a fun afternoon at. Linda recreates this story so beautifully with her Blogospheric Buddies post!

Thanks for sharing girls!

Sewn up by The Harper's Girls

Oh, What To Do With A Zipper?

2010-10-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

Don't worry! We now have so many ideas!

It was a tough one for us girls to chose which Zipper Challenge Idea we loved the most (Thanks for all the ideas!)...but it came down to Juliesigns and her idea about using a zipper to keep your IPOD head-phones from tangling.

Here's what Juliesigns wrote:
"Zippers are PERFECT for making holders for iPod cords. Fold the edges over with the cords inside and sew them up. You can unzip the zipper to use the headphones. And zip it up to keep the cords neat and untangled. I plan on making several for Christmas gifts."

So, we have made Juliesigns idea up to see just how great it works! Here are some pictures of our Zipper IPOD De-Tangler (Does this have a real name?):

Perfect Halloween Colors!

Thanks again for the great ideas!

I can't resist sharing the idea that sparked this whole Challenge for me...I didn't want to reveal it until we heard everyone's ideas...

A Zipper Headband!

I had no plan when I set out to make this...just a few ideas of how I could make it the simplest project! So away I went...And I am still going! The girls in my Youth Sewing Classes were so excited and just couldn't resist!

They always love being models of their own work!

Even my friends in their mid-twenties loved them! I never thought I could have so much fun with zippers as I have in the last few weeks during The Zipper Challenge. Be prepared for more Challenges on our Harper's Girls Blog and on our Facebook!

Sewn up by Morgan

Meet the Designers of Pillow & Maxfield

2010-09-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Val Pillow & Anne Maxfield

Meet Val Pillow and Anne Maxfield, the local designers of Pillow & Maxfield of Micheal Miller Fabrics, this weekend at Harper's! We are having our Pillow & Maxfield Open House on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2, but at 1:00pm on Friday and Saturday you can meet these fun gals. Not only can you share some inspiration and some laughs with them, check out the fabulous displays and samples of their latest line "Pretty Bird" for some inspiration of how you can create with this beautifully colorful and eccentric line!

Here's a sneak peak at these great girls!

Who exactly are the girls behind Pillow & Maxfield?

Val Pillow and Anne Maxfield, two great friends! We met while working for the same company and like to fancy ourselves as creative gurus. LOL We both love textile design and have creative passions for clothing design, jewelry making, painting furniture, embellishing clothing, and the list goes on and on. We're both inspired and motivated by design, color and creativity. It creates an undeniable energy.

How did you get involved in fabric designing?

This great thing happens when you go shopping with a friend, you quickly find out what each of you are drawn towards. We just kept talking about what our next careers would be and quickly landed on our love for textile design.

What is your background in art, or where did you get your talent?

We both have extensive backgrounds in design and have been creating since we were young pups.

What inspired your most recent collection Pretty Bird?

It just felt right to create this collection. Birds are such a natural and calming part of nature, they were calling us! It's so easy to feel inspired by their shapes, colors and free spirits.

The Pretty Bird collection is offered in three delicious eye catching color palettes, an aqua and pink, a blue and olive,

and an orange and brown. Each collection has 16 uniquely styled and easily coordinated designs that focus on a flock of charming birds, flowers and the garden where they live. The collection has a notably happy feel and is a true festival of color.

What is your favorite part of being fabric designers?

Originally our favorite part was brainstorming for our future collections. We would spend hours putting together storyboards with sketches and color palettes that we love. We might put together 5 different probable storyboards in a day and then whittle them down to the seeds of our next collection. While we love brainstorming, we spend a lot of creative energy and are usually exhausted at the end of the day. LOL!

Yet, while we still love the creative development, we have now found that there are many smiles in seeing what others create from our fabrics. It's so heartwarming to hear when someone tells you that their new nursery was created from your fabrics. We love to see them get excited about their next project, knowing that our designs are the impetus for their creativity. It's as if in some small way we are getting be a part of their creativity and lives.

"Whimsy"

Out of your two collections so far, which is your favorite?
Whew, that's a tough one! Each collection holds within personal design favorites. We have a soft spot in our hearts for the Whimsy collection because it was our first and is still going strong. Then there's Pretty Bird because the designs are gorgeous and the colors are so yummy. Is it OK if we don't choose favorites? : )

What can we look forward to seeing soon from you?

We're so happy you asked! Our next collection is Gypsy Bandana. This next collection makes us jump up and down like two school girls. The collection comes in three yummy color ways and is chalked full of designs that are beautiful, fresh, and happy. The collection should arrive in stores in late November or early December. It has a few BIG surprises that make sewing projects a breeze.

What advice would you give new designers about designing fabric and how to get into the designing business?

We would say, "Stick with it sister"! Follow what you love and are drawn toward. We constantly ask questions. It's a good idea to pick up the phone and make some calls and remember there are no stupid questions. We quickly found out that this is such a friendly industry, chalked full of helpful, charming souls.

We can't wait until The Pillow & Maxfield Open House this weekend!

Visit http://www.pillowandmaxfield.com/ for more information on their fabric lines.

Sewn up by The Harpers Girls

Photography provided by http://www.pillowandmaxfield.com/

The Ultimate Zipper Challenge!

2010-09-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

So many zippers...Oh My!

With the arrival of a vast collection of zippers, we are so antsy to see what creative things people can design with this array of 36 colors of 14" zippers (that can be easily shortened). The rainbow of colors has sent our minds spinning of what can we possibly do with this collection!

So...Here's the Challenge! Share your ideas of what you would do with a collection of beautifully colored zippers or even how you could just use one to embellish your next project. Yes, zippers can be functional, but they can surely be a lot more fun than just a closure to a skirt. They have invisible zippers for a reason, but these are NOT invisible zippers! We want to use them and their colors!

Just post below your idea, and The Harper's Girls will decide which one we think deserves some zippers and patterns for them to start their Creative Project! So it's your chance to WIN 5 Zippers and a Pattern to use a few of these coloful zippers with!

Start zipping through your mind of creativitiy...

Sewn up by The Harper's Girls

Vintage Notions For All Generations

2010-09-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

The domestic arts have certainly changed over the past decades. Somehow over these many years, the same feeling in which women (and even men) get from creating still comes when they indulge in sewing, quilting, needlework, cooking, and fashion. It's a natural feeling of confidence after an accomplishment that others and yourself can enjoy. As the art changes significantly, it still brings creative souls together of all ages.

Amy Barickman locally out of Kansas City has cultivated these arts in her new book Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion and Fun. Inspired by Mary Brooks Picken, who is a pioneer in domestic arts and international authority on dressmaking and fashion. Amy has researched and studied Mary and her Women's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences. Inspiration floods the pages of Amy's book, as she explores the seasons with sewing patterns, recipes, and essays from the Institute's newsletters. There is truly something on ever page that will bring that nostalgic feeling out of each one of us.

Everyone has there own story about what has brought them into this world of art, and throughout this book we all embark on our own journey of how we came to find a love for creating. Whatever our niche may be within the domestic arts, we have all found a secure source of happiness that lies within the layers of fabrics or threads of needlework.

As I look at my own story through the generations of my family, it is the togetherness of quilting, sewing and cooking that brought my grandmother, mother, now my daughter and I together to escape in a passion together. In sharing this love with one another we hold memories together that we will hold dear longer, and will be told to the next generations. These memories and stories may last longer than the threads of any quilt, and are essential to our sanity in this busy world.

At Harper's we are hosting a monthly gathering, The Vintage Notions Gathering, that will bring us together; an excuse to indulge in the arts and come together as women for years have. During this gathering we will share our own stories and inspiration, while we follow Amy's book and complete projects. Karen Moore and I look forward to sharing our stories with you and hearing your own personal pasts, during these gatherings.

We encourage all to come on Wednesday, September 22 at 7:00pm to Harper's and meet Amy Barickman and hear her story and how she came to this fascination with sharing Mary Brooks Picken's talent and journey with the world.

Check out this video about what it is all about: https://amybarickman.com/vn-what-people-are-saying/

Sewn up by Elaine

The Magnificent Bea Oglesby

2010-09-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Magnificent may be a small under statement for the talent that Bea Oglesby holds within her fingers. Bea, locally in Kansas City, started her passion for hand-applique in 1990 and has taken it to extreme limits. Her intricate stitching, precision, and original patterns have led her to success in publishing many books which include: Art Noveau Quilts, Fruit Salad: Applique Designs for Delicious Quilts, Alphabet Quilts: Letters For All Ages and so many more books. Bea's most recent Circles: Floral Applique in the Round evokes her passion for flowers in a medallion formation.


Circles: Floral Applique in the Round

This Saturday, September 18 at 1:00pm, Harper's Fabrics & Quilt Co. will host Bea Oglesby as she signs her Circles: Floral Applique in the Rounds. Come meet Bea and view her astonishing work!

Bea prefers the needleturn method using freezer paper for her patterns and for herself, but as an educator she knows everyone has their own method. In her classes she shares tips and tricks that can help her students achieve the success that she has within her work.

A close-up look at Bea's Circles

For any of you have had the opportunity to take one of Bea's classes here at Harper's, you all know she is absolutely full of motivation and inspiration. After taking a few of her monthly classes, I still try to leave my generation's fixation on "fast products" so that I can truly delve into this art. The precise finger movements and eloquent stitches make me marvel over those who truly have the patience, like Bea and so many of her students. I honestly yearn for this patience, and some day my blocks will make a quilt or maybe even a wall-hanging; until that day, I will slowly drool over the patterns and my very tiny amounts of accomplishment.

If you are interested in learning hand-applique from such an expert, check out the classes that she offers at our store! Bea's Circles: Floral Applique in the Round will be starting in January as a monthly class!

Sewn up by Morgan

Joining All The Fun!

2010-09-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for this moment! Anxiously, I have anticipated The Harper's Girls joining in on the exciting blogging world. Actually, exciting is an underestimate of what is going on in the fabric and quilting blogging network. If your new to it like we are, jump in and join us on our journey through innovative ideas, inspiration and the technological stratosphere which will lead us to unbelievable discoveries!

Here at The Harper's Girls blog, we are going to share with you all what is going on at Harper's Fabrics & Quilt Co. in Overland Park, KS. Our team of "Harper's Girls" are each talented in individual and special ways. Each one of us have a niche that makes us special, and we will all share those things with our readers.

But the inspiration doesn't only flow from us! We want our readers, guests in our store, and our students to share with us their latest project, the story about their favorite quilt or quilter, or maybe just a tip that has helped them everyday. Come along for this creative patchwork journey!

Sewn up by Morgan.