Our Favorite Finishes from 2020

 2020 is nearly over and it sure has been one for the history books. With the year nearly at its end one of my favorite things to do is look back at the things I have made over the year, things I haven't finished and projects that I would like to do. So tonight I will share with you Esther, Carrie and my own favorite projects and what we hope to finish off yet this year. 

Esther was busy and when I asked for her 3 favorites she sent me 8. So here are her favorites from 2020. 

Esther hopes to finish off her Labor of Love Sampler Quilt yet this year and maybe start working on her sample quilt for our Virtual Retreat at the end of January. However her Sewing Room is also getting a remodel so she isn't sure how much sewing she will be able to do while that is happening. 

Carrie sent me these 3 photos when I asked her for her favorites. 

I am with my mom and I cannot pick just 3 favorites, so here are several of the ones that I love that I made in the last year. 

I have a couple that I hope to finish yet this year, but we are remodelling our basement at the moment and I have to pack up my sewing room  because drywall is the next step and I do not want drywall dust all over my fabrics and notions. So we will see how much I get done. I would love to finish off my Woodland Wonderland Quilt

Do you have any favorites from this year, are you sewing frantically to finish something for Christmas or before the end of the year?

This is the last blog post for 2020 as I am taking the rest of the year off and spending a lot of quality time with my family. Both my husband and I have been really busy with work so we are looking forward to a couple quiet and relaxing weeks spent with each other and our boys. 

Merry Christmas from all of us at Chicken Feed Quilts and we wish you a Happy New Year. 

Kayla

Virtual Retreat January 2021

 We are so excited to announce that in January we are going to be hosting a Virtual Retreat. You can join in from the comfort and safety of your own home! The retreat will run January 21-23.

There are only 2 requirements that you need to meet to join in on the fun. The first is you need to have access to either Zoom Meetings or Facebook, and the second is that you buy the kit from our shop. 

The Project we will be making will be a mystery but sneak peeks will be shown on Social Media up until the start of the event.

The Retreat will start Thursday, January 21 at 6pm with an introduction to the event and project reveal.

The retreat will end Saturday, January 23 at 3pm after 2 days of sewing and games.

During the retreat there will be tutorials from Esther, Kayla and Carrie, games to play and progress check-ins all via Zoom Meetings and a Private Facebook Group.

As I said earlier the project will be a mystery but we will be putting up some sneak peeks on Social Media. I can tell you that there are two size options that you can choose from, either a lap/twin or queen/king sized project. You will need to decide what size you would like to do when you sign up for the event. 

After you register we will send you a Questionnaire to fill out with a list of questions about your favorite prints, colors, backgrounds you like, what precuts you like to work with, and what your favorite designers are. This will help us make a custom kit just for you for the event!

Your Project Kit will include: Either Moda or Art Gallery Fabrics to make the quilt top and binding, a spool of Aurifil Thread that coordinates to your fabrics and the book needed to make the quilt. The kit will be ready for pickup

Everyone that "attends" the event will receive a Goody Bag sponsored by our distributors. 

There is also a gift basket to win from our shop, just by registering for the event you will get added to the draw, but there will be ways throughout the weekend to earn additional entries!

For all the locals that are "attending" we will have an optional $75 Food Package available to make your weekend even more relaxing. (Local refers to anyone willing to drive to our shop on Thursday, January 21 to pick up your meals)

We have partnered with Chef Stella from Lethbridge and The Chrysalis Cafe from Coaldale for the food packages. 

The Food Package will contain:

Wine and Cheese Plate for the kick off evening

2 Breakfast Meals, 1 for Friday Morning and one for Saturday Morning

1 Supper Meal for Friday Evening. This meal will be prepared and frozen so you will need to reheat it. 

Some added snacks and beverages for the weekend. 

Supply List and Questionnaires will be sent out to all those that register

Signup for this event ends January 7th so we have time to put together the kits. 

You can sign up for the event here 

Esther, Carrie and I are so excited for this event and hope that many of you will join us for it!

Kayla

New Fabric

 We are already nearly half way through December! Tonight I have several new fabric collections to share with you. 

From Moda we have: 

Bittersweet Lane by Kansas Troubles, this collection has purple in it again, and they always sell quick so be sure to get some soon if you like them. The lights are also really nice in this one. 

Figs and Shirtings by Fig Tree is also new. This is the first Fig Tree we have had in the shop in quite awhile but it has been very popular. 

Folktale by Lella Boutique is finally here! This one was delayed quite a bit and we had a long list of people to call when it arrived. Many of the bolts are very small already and several have even sold out so be sure to shop very soon if you were wanting any of this beautiful collection. 

Shine On by Bonnie and Camille is also here. We made kits up for the sew along with their Quilt Bee Book, and while many were sold before the fabric arrived we still have 2 left, and the sew along with Bonnie and Camille just started so it is not too late join in on that!

Quotation by Zen Chic is a really fun bright line. Carrie made a quilt from it on Sew a Jelly Roll Day and it really shows off the colors in the collection. 

From Deb Strain we have Bee Grateful. It too is flying off the shelves. 

From Ruby Star Society we have a new collection called Florida. Carrie and I both have new bags packed for our next trip to Florida, that we are hoping can happen sooner rather than later.

 

We also have a collection from Rifle Paper called Strawberry Fields. 

There is lots more fabric to choose from in the shop and on the website. We are still open for instore shopping and we offer curbside pickup as well as shipping for those from out of town. 

Have a great week,

Kayla

Garden Sampler Block of Month Introduction

 Whoops it is Friday! This week just went by so fast, and yesterday was Carrie's turn to blog, and she forgot after work as she prepped for Bible Study instead. 

So I had so much fun doing my last block of the month, the Midnight Clear BOM, that I decided to start another one. I found the Garden Sampler Book on our shelf and thought this one would be so fun to make. This quilt finishes at 70.5" by 88.5" 

I will be using Date Night from Riley Blake Fabrics and am going to use a light yellow background just for a twist and for something fun and different. Plus I think that will make it look even springier. The yellow I plan to use is Baby Yellow from Moda, it is the background of the photo above. There is also an option to have a white background if you would prefer. 

This one will run for all twelves months of the year, starting in January already. With you receiving fabric for one block each month. If you sign up, we will auto charge and auto ship your block on the first of the month, or the first day we are open each month, whichever is first. 

There will be a sign up fee of $5.00 which will be discounted off the first month, and there is shipping available for $4.00 each month. 

Each month the packet would cost $30.00. 

If you are interested in sewing along Sign Up Here

Have a great weekend everyone! 

I am looking forward to going to the Nikka Yuko Lights with my boyfriend this evening.  

Carrie

Subscription Boxes

 Happy Monday!

We did a poll on our Social Media this past summer asking if there was any interest in Subscription Boxes from our shop, thank you for all your responses and we are pleased to announce that starting in January we will have two different subscription boxes available to you. 

Our packing boxes are designed and should be on their way to us next week if all goes according to plan.

For those wondering a subscription box is exactly how it sounds, ours are monthly so after you subscribe you will receive a box from us each month. The details of what will be in the boxes is below. 

One box is called the CFQ Crate. It will contain a variety of different items each month from fabric to notions to patterns or our favorite products. The boxes will be $45 each and the value of goods inside will exceed that. You can sign up online by clicking here. 

The other box is the CFQ Curated Fat Quarter Subscription. Each month you will receive a bundle of 6 fat quarters in a select color shade chosen by us. The color shade will change each month. This is a great way to build up a rainbow in your color stash. The price for this one is $25 per month. You can sign up online by clicking here. 

In regards to both boxes you can choose to have the box shipped to you for a fee or come pick it up at our shop. The boxes will be ready to pick up on the first Tuesday of each month, and will also be shipped out on that date. 

For both boxes we will be keeping a credit card on file and you will be charged automatically each month. You can cancel at anytime with no penalties. To cancel you just need to call us or send us an email asking us to cancel your subscription and we will do so. 

We are having a lot of fun planning what to put in each box and putting together fat quarter bundles so we hope you will join in on the fun. It all starts in January so subscribe now. 

Have a great week, Carrie will be back on Thursday. 

Kayla

Woodland Wonderland: Month 6

We are now on Month 6 of our Woodland Wonderland Quilt. This month is fun with lots of different blocks. We get to make more trees, stars, the hedgehog, and a branch for owl to perch on, and we get to assemble another row!

For the Snow Tree Blocks I went back and looked at the ones we made in Chapter 3 and made sure I chose different greens than I had already used, for the rest they go together the same as in Chapter 3 so nothing new. 

Same with the Sawtooth Star block we need to make. One thing here, my book has a typo and it says use Chapter 3 to make another block, but we actually made them in Chapter 1 so flip back to the first chapter for all the instructions. I actually made 2 this time, as I had two from earlier with the same center, and I decided I would rather have all 4 be different. 

Than we get to assemble the Snow Tree Blocks and the Sawtooth Stars into one row, I love putting rows together, it feels like I am accomplishing something and getting near the end!

The Twinkle Star block is fun, and was a different construction than I normally use for this type of block so that was neat. It came together really nicely, just follow the diagram to assemble the block in the right order, starting with A in the center. 

The Hedgehog is next! I love this block so much. It is so cute and though it has lots of pieces goes together really nicely. Just be sure to keep each piece straight by labelling or neat piles as you don't want to put them into the block wrong. Also when putting k and p onto f the diagram shows them with space in between, I did not have this space, but when I sewed it into the block there was a space because of the seam allowance. So my final piece looks the same just not the initial diagram. 

One more thing to make yet this month, the branch for our Owl, this is quick to make and adds a special touch to the owl, making it even cuter.

Next month we have a lot of work ahead of us with blocks to make, filler rows to piece and the final assembly!

Have fun sewing up your month 6 blocks!

Kayla

12 Days Of Christmas

Can you believe it is the last day of November? My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this weekend, although it was a little quieter than we had been planning, steak dinner at home as opposed to a tropical vacation. 

Our 12 Days of Christmas Event starts at the shop tomorrow, December 1st, so I thought I would just run through what you can expect on each of the 12 days. Each of the 12 days has a little theme and the deal of the day will coordinate with that. 

Day 1 is Tuesday December 1st.  Still time to get some sewing done for Christmas. All Christmas yardage is 25% off, this applies to all fabric on the bolt that we consider Christmas. This one is instore only, however we will happily help you out with an email or phone order and apply the discounts for you that way as well. 

Day 2, Wednesday December 2: Stationary. With the purchase of any notebook or planner you will receive a Chicken Feed Quilts pen and notepad free! This applies to any instore shopping or web orders, no codes needed. 

Day 3, Thursday December 3: LDH Scissors. Buy any pair of LDH Scissors and get a free pair of LDH Snips. This is available in store and online, again no coupon needed. We have been really happy with the products from this Canadian Company and their customer service has been excellent. 

Day 4, Friday December 4: Yardage at a steal. Buy 4 meters of fabric for $40, mix and match 1 meter cuts or choose just one 4 meter cut. Valid on 100% 42" wide cottons only. (Cuddle, Fireside, Gauze, 108: wide backings, denim and canvas are all exempt) Instore only, however we will honor the dicount over the phone or through an email order. 

Day 5, Saturday December 5: Thread, all threads buy 5 spools get the 6th free (the 6th must be of equal or lesser value) Valid instore and online, for online just put 5 in your cart and in the notes section tell us the color and weight of the one you would like as your 6th and we will add it in for you free of charge. 

Day 6, Monday December 7 (note that we skip Sunday because we are closed) Pattern Love. Buy and 2 patterns and we will give you a 3rd free. (The free pattern will be from a basket of our selections) this will automatically apply in store and online.

Day 7, Tuesday December 8: Get Organized. Stash n Store, regular and mini as well as our Chicken Feed Quilts Ruler Racks are all 15%. This is instore only, but again we will honor the discount if you call us or email us. 

Day 8, Wednesday December 9: Creative Grids Love. Get $8 off the purchase of one Creative Grids Ruler. We really love the quality of these Rulers, the markings are clear, they have non-slip grips on the back, and the variety of sizes is incredible! Valid Instore or through a phone or email order. 

Day 9, Thursday December 10: Staying Fueled. Get a free drink coupon to the Chrysalis Cafe with the purchase of any mug, wine glass or water bottle. If you were unaware the Chrysalis Cafe is located in the same building as we are, and serves specialty coffees and teas, baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and soup. This deal is instore only. 

Day 10, Friday December 11. Pressing Matters. Purchase any wool pressing mat or acorn pressing solution and get a free Chicken Feed Quilts Mister Bottle. This one is valid instore and online, no coupon needed. We find that the wool mats and the acorn pressing solution really makes a difference in how flat our seams get when pressing. 

Day 11, Saturday December 12. Gift It. Purchase a gift card valued at $50 or more and get a bonus card for 10% of the value. For example, buy one for $100 and get a bonus card of $10. Buy it for a friend, family member, or maybe stick it in your own stocking!

Day 12, Monday December 14. Final Day! Get 50% off one item of your choice. Valid instore and if you call the shop or send us an email we will honor the discount as well. 

I know this may be a little inconvenient for our online shoppers, however with our current website POS System we are unable to make the coupon codes very specific at all so this is the only way around it. 

Each day the deal is valid during business hours while supplies last. There is no rainchecks. 

Have a great week! 

Kayla

Midnight Clear BOM Borders

 This is the last week of our sew along. All we have to do is put the borders on, or if you are like me and wanted to wait, assemble the quilt center and put the borders on. 

 For assembling the quilt center I laid out my blocks how I wanted them to be, then you place a sashing section between each block. Make sure you watch which way those “ribbons” point in the sashing row, so they all go the same way and give the ribbon effect. 

After you have this done, we have to sew the first border on. For sewing borders I like to measure the sides of my quilt center and then cut my borders to size. Once they are cut I pin the centre’s and then again at one point between the end and the center on both sides. This helps me not stretch my borders or my top when attaching these. 

 

Once these are attached we need to make our corner squares, for these I used my Folded Corner Clipper again rather than drawing the line across. 

 

See how the points nicely line up and nest when attaching the corner square the the top and bottom borders. 

  

All that is left is to attach the final border. 

Here is my completed top. 

I chose a green Shannon Cuddle for the back of my quilt. Hopefully I can get it quilted and bound next week. Watch for the photo of it complete to be posted. 

Thanks for sewing along with me. I had so much fun working on this. I am already planning my next one, so watch out for that. 

. 

Why we love Quilt Alongs

 Happy Monday, is anyone else loving this warmer weather? Our family certainly is, and my boys have been doing a lot of sledding and hockey in the driveway. 

I want to talk about Quilt Alongs. There are so many to choose, from so many different places, and so many color choices. How do you go about deciding when to jump in on one and when not to? What is so great about a Quilt Along?

A Quilt Along is when a group of people sew along together on the same project over a specified period of time. It can be very scheduled or relaxed, all depending on the organizer and the people joining in. 

First off I love Quilt Alongs I think they are fantastic for a number of reasons. 

Most times Quilt Alongs have a forum of some sort where you can share your progress and see how everyone else is coming along on theirs. This helps you to stay on track with the schedule. 

They can also be a fun way to try something new and because you are sewing along on the same project with a number of people you can ask questions if you get stuck on a technique or are confused with something in the pattern. 

Often the organizer of the quilt along will give out lots of tips or tricks on the pattern to make it easier for you to do or open your eyes to a way of doing something that you would never have considered. It is often a very good learning experience!

It can also be a fun way to jump out of your box with color schemes. When you see everyone else's fabric pulls, progress and finished project it can be super inspiring and may encourage you to try out something similar in the future. 

There are often prizes available throughout the quilt along, some may have prizes every week, others a grand prize at the end. 

As much as I love a quilt along it is possible to take on too many. 

When considering joining be sure to take into account any quilts that have deadlines coming up and how much time those will take, maybe you need to make a quilt for an upcoming wedding, graduation or baby in the family, that will take up a lot of your hobby time, or it could be that the project for the quilt along will work out perfectly for the person you need to make a quilt for. 

Also look at the schedule for the quilt along and consider if it is something you can honestly keep up with. Maybe a block a week works for you, but a block a day is way too much. Some quilt alongs have you make six blocks a week, others are a little slower paced. Some last a year, while others are completed in a month or two. Just keep in mind your time and how quickly you normally sew. You don't want to take on too much and fall behind, as this can be extremely discouraging. 

At the moment, I have two Block of the weeks that I am participating in (1 called Sewcialites by Fat Quarter Shop, and the other by Sherri McConnell using her Labor of Love Book) as well as a block of the month that I am the organizer for (Woodland Wonderland). And I just finished up one on our Facebook page using Creative Grids tools.  This gives me plenty of time for the other sewing that I want to do as well. 

So where to find quilt alongs?

Well the first answer is right here on our blog. We generally have at least one on the go, right now we have two going, the Woodland Wonderland and the Midnight Clear. 

Check with your local quilt shop if they are running any quilt alongs or block of the months. We have the two I mentioned and we have a couple new ones planned for the new year when these ones are finished. 

Social media is the next big place to discover a quilt along. Many pattern designers run a quilt along with their patterns, and so following a favorite pattern designer is a good way to find out about new QALs.

Moda Bakeshop does several quilt alongs through out the year, some of them being a block a week, others a block a day. These ones are free patterns. 

Moda Blockheads is a group of Moda Designers that design blocks, and a new pattern is released each week, you just have to visit their blog to download the instructions.

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life runs a quilt along every year on her blog that starts in January and ends in December. The pattern is a free download during the year, but when it is over it becomes a purchase pattern. 

Creative Grids has a Facebook Group called Grids Girls that has a couple quilt alongs through the year as well. Many of these ones are a mystery which can be so fun to join in on, as you don't know what the end result is going to look like!

So if you have never joined in a Quilt Along I encourage you to do so, it will open up your quilting world to new colors, pattern designers, techniques, and quilting along with others will hold you accountable to finishing. 

Kayla

All the pictures posted are quilt alongs that I am currently working on or that I did over the past year. 

2021 Aurifil Color Builders

Tonight I am introducing a new subscription program that will run in our shop in 2021. 

It is called the 2021 Aurifil Color Builders and is organized by Aurifil Thread and is available to you through Quilt Shops that carry Aurifil Thread. 

The program was built to highlight 40 wt thread which is very versatile. It is great for piecing and quilting, sewing garments and bags and is beautiful when used as a Topstitching thread. 

There are 12 mini collections that you will receive over the course of 1 year. Each mini collection will focus on a different color, and will include a warm, medium and a dark shade of the color.

  

Aurifil's goal is to increase their sustainability and have a positive environmental impact and so this year for the Color Builders Program, Aurifil has chosen to focus on Endangered Species. Every month for 12 months they will focus on one of the animals currently on the Endangered Species List and work with Earth League International to create change with awareness and fundraising. The color inspiration for each month will come from 1 of the 12 different animals. 

We have Early Bird pricing on right now for the 2021 Aurifil Color Builders Club. If you sign up before November 30 you will get the mini collection of thread each month for 1 year for $45 a month. 

If you miss the Early Bird sign up it will be $50 per month instead. 

The sign up fee is $5 and this will be returned to you as a credit on your first bill. 

Shipping is available and is $4 per month. 

A credit card will be kept on file and you will be charged each month on the 1st (the 2nd if the 1st is a Sunday or a Holiday)

You can sign up by clicking Here

This program is a great way to slowly build the colors of thread in your stash. 

Have a great weekend, Kayla