$2 Yard Fabric Special

flannels4baby.com  has a daily fabric special.  Each day we select one of our fabrics to be offered to you at only $2 yard.  This price applies to purchasing by the yard only. 

We have a nice selection of baby print flannel/flannelette from Alpine Fabrics, Baum Textile, Marcus Brothers, and AE Nathan, to name a few.  Our cotton quilting fabrics come from Avlyn, Wilmington, Kings Road, and more.  These fabrics are regularly at $3.99 yard.  This is a great buy on your cotton quilting fabrics. 

Have you checked our Twitter page? 

Please contact us if you have any questions before placing an order.  We enjoy hearing from you on any issue.  Our telephone number is on the home page and other contact pages include a mailing address and an email address.

Follow us on Twitter

It just sounded like it would be fun.  I am a little surprised at my interest in all of the new technology.  Five years ago I had problems logging on to a computer just to get emails.  I guess it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks after all. 

We would like to invite you to follow us on Twitter.  We are new to this and have few followers at this time, so help us out.  

Right now you can follow the progress of our 48 Hour Fabric Special.  Now only about 24 hours to go.  We still have fabric available and of course there are many fabrics not included in the special, but at our great prices.  Remember that free shipping on any order over $75 in the continental US.

Lets all jump into this new technology and have some fun and take a few moments to get our minds off of our problems.

Ohio Star Quilt Making the Sashing

The sashing strips are made up of the 4 inch Quarter Square Triangle Block and the 4 inch squares cut from the Fabric B.

Quarter Square Triangles Sashing

Start sewing the Quarter Square Triangle blocks together in groups of 2.  Join the sides with Fabric A so you create the appearance of a square of your main fabric in the middle of triangles.  Use a 1/4 inch seam and 10 – 12 stitches per inch.  Pin the seam at the top and bottom of the piece by putting your straight pin in the seam allowance and matching to the bottom block just as you did to sew the triangles together to form your block in the last posting. 

Sew 40 sets of 2 quarter square triangle blocks.  Press seams flat and then open them from the back then press from the front.  Divide the sets of 2 into 2 groups of 20.

Creating Sashing Row

You will be making 5 sashing rows.  For each row you will need 5-4 inch blocks from Fabric B and 4  of the quarter square triangle sets.  The layout will look like this:

B = 4 inch square of Fabric B  and

QST = Set of 2 Quarter Square Triangles.

B – QST – B – QST – B – QST- B – QST – B

Press all seams flat then open from the back and then from the front.

Row 2

You will do 4 rows using the large blocks and the other sets of quarter square triangles.

QST = Set of 2 quarter square triangles

LG BK = The large block of Fabric A

QST – LG BK – QST – LG BK – QST – LG BK – QST – LG BK – QST

Press seams flat and open from the back and press again from the front.

Once you have all of the rows made we will be sewing them together.

Ohio Star Quilt Quarter Square Triangles Step 3

Making a Quarter Square Triangle Block   

Quarter Square Triangles Pinning & Sewing Block

  

Pinning and Sewing to form a Square

Insert a straight pin into the seam on the top triangle and match the point of the pin to the seam on the bottom triangle.  When this is matched up place a straight pin on each side of the seam to hold this in place.  Do not remove the pin matching the seam.  Pin on each end of the triangle.  This is a bias edge so a couple of extra pins are a good idea to keep the edges matched and when you sew the seam it will not stretch out of shape.

Sewing the Seam

You will sew a 1/4 inch seam using about 10 – 12 stitches per inch.  I prefer to backstitch at the beginning and end so my seam doesn’t come apart at any point.  When you get to the center where the pin is matching the seams leave it in the fabric until you are up to it.  Slip the pin out just as you sew across that seam and continue to the end of the triangle.  Then look at the right side of the block to see  that you have sewed this square so you have all 4 pieces meeting nearly perfectly in the center of the block.  If  they are off a thread or 2 don’t worry about it.  With flannel you can gently move it into place and when you press and later when you quilt it will not show if you are off just a little.

Pressing the Seam

Use the up and down motion to press the seam allowance closed just as you sewed it.  Then open the block and from the wrong side press that seam open.  Flip the block and press the seam from the front, again with the up and down motion, not a sliding action.

Quarter Square Triangle Block

Squaring the Quarter Square Triangle Block

Use one of the bias square rulers available.  You are making a 4 inch square.  The 2 inch line will match the center of the block and the bias line is with the seam line.  Trim along the outside edge of the ruler on two sides, then flip the square and line it up again to trim the other 2 sides.  Now you have a 4 inch block.

 

In our next post we will be sewing these blocks together with the 4 inch block to form the sashing of the quilt.

Ohio Star Quilt – Quarter Square Triangles – Step 2

My favorite technique for making Quarter Square Triangles comes from Wendy Gilbert  “A Star for All Seasons Table Runner and Placemats” a Quilt in a Day Publication

Cutting The Square                                   

Quarter Square Triangle Cutting

 

Cut along the pressed fold lines from corner to corner.  You will have 4 pieces.

 

 

 

 

Pressing the Seams

 Note:  Pressing is an up and down action with your iron rather than sliding the iron over your project.  Sliding the iron can result in stretching of the seams or the fabric.  I prefer to use a steam iron for a flatter seam.

 

Quarter Square Triangles Pressing

+Press the seams flat to seal the stitches into the fabric and to begin with a flat fabric.  Then from the wrong side of the fabrics use the tip of your iron or your finger to open the seam and press it open.  Then turn to the right side and press from the right side. 

 Note:  I like to press the seams open on flannel to reduce the bulk when joining blocks together.  If you are concerned about the seam coming apart, consider how you are going to quilt the blanket when you are finished.  If you use a quilting technique that sews across the seams you will reinforce the area. 

Next Post will discuss sewing the triangle shapes together to form a block.

Toymaker’s Law

Some common sense appears to be surfacing concerning the “Toymaker’s Law” that was scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 10, 2009.  That deadline has been extended by one year.  That does not mean we can forget it for a year, though.  Everyone needs to get involved to protect the small businesses that would be seriously affected by this law.

Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in July 2008 with good intentions.  They wanted to protect children from lead and phthalates found in plastics.  Unfortunately they required testing of all products made for children under the age of 12.  This would have affected secondhand stores and children’s boutiques.  This would require those of us providing items for infants and children to pay for testing on each of our products.  Consequently it would put many of us out of business.  

Most large companies who are suppliers for small cottage businesses have already done testing and it seems that may cover us when we purchase their items.  It may be possible to get certification from those companies.  I contacted some of my fabric suppliers and was told that they were working on the situation and would keep me informed or they already had it covered.  There is some information out there suggesting that cotton fabric will get an exemption from the testing. 

The testing will not be enforced at this time at the national level, but your state attorney general can still require it.  You need to contact your senator today and give your imput. 

I have come across some good information and advice on this topic and I am going to add some resources for you to look at and act on.

http://www.theprofessionalcrafters.com   This is where I first learned about this issue and of more details about this law.

http://www.etsy.com   has some good information and a call to action on our part with directions on how to contact your senator to let them know how it would hurt you if this law is not thought out completely.

http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com/2009/01/31/cpsia-stay-of-enforcement-thoughts-around-the-web/.  There are more comments and resources here.

Relgious Theme Flannel Print Fabrics

Religious Theme Flannel Print

Bible Stories Flannel Prints are available NOW at www.flannels4baby.com.  Click on the image to follow the link to see this print and 5 more.  There is a whale print, lion print, primary stripe flannel print, and an angel print on lavender background.  We also included a Noah’s Ark print. 

These religious theme flannels are from Alpine Fabrics and you know they are a nice quality flannel.  For all of you that have been looking for an inspirational print flannel it is now a possibility.  These prints would be beautiful for the 42 inch square swaddling blankets, or the main fabric print of a beautiful, special baby quilt. 

Make your purchase soon as the company will not be doing another run of them.                                         

Noah's Ark Flannel

Let’s continue to let the fabric companies know that we want fabrics that reflect an inspirational message and a direct message from the Bible.

Remember at www.flannels4baby.com we give you FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $75 shipped in the continental United States.

Cotton Quilting Fabrics Reduced

Antique Gold Poinsettias

100% Cotton Quilting Fabrics are now Reduced to only $3.99 yard with FREE SHIPPING  on all orders over $75  in the continental United States at www.flannels4baby.com.

There are many beautiful cotton fabric prints new on the bolt and ready to be shipped to you for all of those 2009 sewing projects.

“On Sale” is the best way to describe these cotton fabrics.  We need room for new fabrics coming in and these are beautiful for quilts, clothing, curtains, use your imagination. 

We also have FREE INSTRUCTIONS on our website www.flannels4baby.com to sew cloth napkins and a cloth shopping bag.  There is even some time to get these projects done before Christmas.  We ship quickly and use the US Post office Priority mail.  Most packages get to their destination in the US in 2 – 3 days during the other times of the year.

Hockey Print Cotton Angel Print Cotton Fabric

Multicolored Hearts Quilting Fabric

Military Baby Boom

Hot Air Balloons on Flannel

The best order I have had the opportunity to fill at www.flannels4baby.com came in from a soldier in Iraq.  He was ordering baby print flannel for his wife who was pregnant with their first child.  He let me know his choices were a hit when received.

On Dec. 10th NBC News had a story about the Baby Boom since the soldiers have been returning home.  At Fort Bragg  in Fayetteville, NC, they are delivering 300 babies a month, up 50% since last year.  Other bases are seeing an increase as well.  This is not the first time in history that we have a baby boom when soldiers are protecting  our freedom.  The end of World War II showed us that. 

At www.flannels4baby.com we have a selection of beautiful, soft cotton flannel prints and solids for making swaddling blankets, layette items, or quilts.  We will even make the swaddling blankets for you.  We have a very nice selection of prints appropriate for boys.  There are trains, fire engines, baseball, trucks, tractors,  and some cute newborn prints. We also have some camouflage prints.   Of course you may wish to use these for baby girls as well.  There are some nice prints for baby girls as well. 

We at www.flannels4baby.com would like to say “Thank-you” to our military for keeping us safe.

Handcrafted Fabric Gifts – Free Instructions

                                               

Discount Cotton Fabric

 www.flannels4baby.com has added Free Instructions to make cloth napkins.  This is a “good thing” as we have heard from a famous voice.  Cloth napkins will save money, the environment, and energy.  At a time when we need to keep our budget down, this could help in a small way.  It bugs me when so much of my grocery budget goes for paper products. 

Do you have a fabric stash?  Making cloth napkins is a great way to reduce that stash, get rid of some fabric that looked wonderful when you purchased it and now you wonder “why did I spend my money on that.”  In addition to reducing the stash, you can save money on energy costs.  It takes less energy to launder the cloth napkins than to make and dispose of the paper napkins. It isn’t necessary to have fresh cloth napkins for every meal.  Have a special place and special napkin rings for each member of your family and after a meal set them aside to be used again. With cloth napkins you will also save a tree. 

Making cloth napkins is an easy, quick fabric craft project.  It makes a great gift idea as well.  That is something everyone can use a few more of and they don’t already have it and it will fit.

See the FREE INSTRUCTIONS on making cloth napkins on our HOW-TO PAGE. There are also several nice quilting cotton fabrics that would be perfect for a quick easy, inexpensive gift idea. Some new quilting fabrics have been added to the Clearance Page and to New Arrivals.