Just another snowy Sunday.....

in April!

"As Seen In" Quilt Mag June/July 2011 - Deep Blue Seas

Nancy Rink designthe waves in the ocean, this quilt tumbles with movement.

Strategic use of Marcus Fabrics' "Strip It" fabric in the outer border allows you to get the look of additional piecing without the additional work!

The blocks are easy to piece, so you'll have this crisp combination of fabrics stitches up in no time.

Fabrics are from Marcus Fabrics Blue Storm collection designed by Laura Berringer.

Quilt Dimensions: 73" x 91"

Skill Level: beginner

New Block of the Month "Chestnut & Vine"

Fabric Chestnut & Vines from Marcus Brothers and Faye Burgos and pattern from Vicki Bellino of Bloom Creek.

Finished Size 82" x 82".

This newest block-of-the-month from Bloom Creek uses a brand new Strip-It fabric (preprinted 2 1/2 strips) from the Chestnut and Vine fabric collection by Faye Burgos for Marcus Fabrics. Pattern includes directions for both stitched and fusible beginner-level applique.

This BOM pattern is designed a little different. Each month, blocks or a border will be added to the previous month, so that at the end of the sixth month, the quilt top is completely finished!



Chestnut & Vine is a stunning 6-month program that will amaze you with it's Strip-It fabric! If you've used Strip-It before, you know that it makes your quilts look intricate, without you having to do all that piecing. Plus, the simple applique adds an elegant touch.

This Block of the Month (BOM) starts in April. (SOLD OUT)
Price for each month (1 through 6) is $24.95 plus shipping. You will receive generous cuts of fabric to make the block sections each month.

Purchase Quilt Kit TOP here for $134.50 + shipping: Chestnut & Vine

SewCalGal's Golden Quilter Awards 2011 Nominee!

Abbi Mays has been recognized for your contributions in making our world of quilting so wonderful, having been nominated by quilters throughout the world for the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards. Like the Oscars, we are honored to be nominated as we are truly appreciated for our talents and contributions.

The specific category you were nominated for is: Best Quilt Store (online)

click here to go directly to where you can vote

click here to go directly to the giveaway

Fellow nominees for Best Quilt Store (online) include:
Abby Mays
Burgundy Buttons
Canton Village Quilt Works
Cotton Charm Quilts
Cozy Quilt Shop
Crazy Quilt Girl Fabric Shop
Delta Patchwork
Fabric.com
Fabric Buffet
FabricWorm
Fashionable Fabrics
Fat Quarter Shop
Green Fairy Quilts
Hawthorne Threads
I Have a Notion
Missouri Star Quilt Company
Old Country Store Fabrics
Pink Chalk Fabrics
Prairie Moon Quilts
Quilt Home
Quilt In A Day
Quilt Taffy
Sew Fresh Fabrics
Sew, Mama, Sew!
Sew-Sisters.com in Canada
Sew Fun Quilts
Sew Unique Creations
Shabby Fabrics
Stitch in the Ditch in Canada
The Quilted Kitty
Venezie Designs
Whittlesfabrics.com

Voting is now open for WW quilters to vote for their favorites nominees in each category, thru March 31st. Early April announcements will be made as to who the ultimate winners ae of the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards. But all nominees are recognized for their contributions too! If you would like more information on all the nominees, for all the categories, you can find that information here: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2011/03/vote-for-your-favorite-nominees-for.html

The 2011 Golden Quilter Awards is currently going on. Nominations are now closed and voting for your favorite nominee will be held March 18th - 31st. Anyone can vote for their favorite nominee for any or all of the following categories:
1) Best Designer,
2) Best Teacher/Instructor,
3) Best Author,
4) Best Quilt Store (physical)
5) Best Quilt Store (online)
6) Best long-arm quilter
7) Best Quilt Retreat (new category for 2011 Golden Quilter Awards)
8) Most Innovative new product (physical item)
9) Most Innovative new product (software item)
10) Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement":

Winners of the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards will be announced on April 2nd.

Quilts of Valor

Abbi Mays Fabric Shop is pleased to participate in the industry-wide American Quilts of Valor program.

We will have special fabric collections and free patterns from Marcus Fabrics, Moda and Clothworks for making your own personalized and special projects.

The American Valor Fabric Collections and further information on the upcoming programs will be released shortly.

Stay tuned for details.

Read more about participating in this project at:

QOV Foundation

Happy St. Patricks Day

“Bless your little Irish heart and every other Irish part"



Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqo7VHkobu8

Spring 2011


A ROWS GARDEN



Plain and pieced strips star in this sun-kissed bed size quilt!

Finished Size: 81" x 108"
Block Size: 12: x 18"
Skill Level: Confident Beginner

"A Rows Garden" is a bed-sized quilt that is simple to put together. The blocks are quite big and the fabric does most of the work for you. It features prairie points on the top and bottom. If you at all skittish about trying them, they really aren't hard. Fabrics used in this quilt: Ambrosia from Robert Kaufman by Amanda Murphy

Purchase kits here: A Row Garden
Included in kit approx: 9 1/2 yards fabrics from Ambrosia

"As Seen In" The Quilter Magazine April / May: Paisley Park

seen on pages: 24 - 26



Simple square-in-a-square units make the blocks of this 64" x 75" lap quilt.

Soft springtime colors take on the look of watercolors in the muted fabrics.

Purchase your kits here: Paisley Park out of stock

"As Seen In" Quilt Mag. April/May 2011 ~ Mariner's Watch

We saw this quilt at International Quilt Market last October. At that time, they weren't sure if there would be a pattern available for sale. Fortunately, they went one better and published the pattern in Quilt Magazine April/May 2011!
Here is our photo from market:

Mariner's Watch is on pg 44 - 47

Have you always admired the Mariner's Compass but were afraid to try it? Well, if so, here's an easier way to make all those tiny points meets with a paper-pieced medallion. Strategic use of Marcus Fabrics' "Strip It" fabric allows you to get the look of additional piecing in this medallion quilt without the additional work! The central compass is paper pieced, while the remainder of the quilt features traditional piecing. Fabrics are from Marcus Fabrics' Metropolis collection designed by Faye Burgos.

Quilt Dimensions: 67 1/2" x 67 1/2"
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Quilt Kits can be purchased here for $76.95 + shipping: Mariners Watch out of stock

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Fabric Pattern Review: Star Cakes!

I think this is still one of our favorite patterns: Star Cakes
You can read about it here: Gabbi Abbi

We have kits available for these quilts and if you are interested: email me: linda@abbimays.com

This quilt used a layer cake from Moda Citrus: we used the left over fabric and made a fun border!
The quilt was quilted in a star pattern by Judy Kracker using fluorescent thread!

To make this quilt we used yardage from Moda Martinque

This FLANNEL quilt uses a layer cake and fabric from Creekside Trail purchase kits here;

Creekside Trail

So What's Up?

hope this squirrel wasn't trying to leap to the bird feeder:

because he's a long way up!

Granny out running with the big dogs!

Granny out enjoying winter:

Pattern Review: Bird Cage by Edyta Sitar

This was an interesting pattern because we like how it's turned on point!

Edyta's pattern showcased the fabric collection Close to My Heart from Moda.


Finished Size: 51" x 51"

We though we would try this pattern using the fabric collection: Luna Notte



Finished size: 64" x 82" which includes a 5 1/4" border


Fabric requirements:
8 yards of fabric for top, border & binding

Quilt Kits can be purchased for $76.95: Bird Cage

Wildflower Rhapsody pictures

Kits are still available: Wildflower Rhapsody

Fabrics are available here; Wildflower Rhapsody



We've completed the first 3 blocks and can tell you we love this pattern! It's easy and fun!

The pattern says to fussy cut these:

Block 1 we did not fussy cut the brown points.


Block 1:

Block 2 we fussy cut the large flowers but didn't cut them all the same.

 Block 3

 Block 4

Block 5

Block 5

Block 6

Block 7

Block 8

Block 9

Block 10

The center block is one my favorites because this block was easy and fun!

We wanted to try to make this block in a larger size to fit on a table. The fabric collections we used was Moda Sunkissed. We started with 8" squares then recut to 7 1/2 and ended up with a table cloth 52" square. Isn't it lovely!

Corner Fan Block

Also, we've found a new tool that will help you cutting these smaller pieces:

Fiskars Finger Rotary Cutting Tool

Just started blogging today!

Good morning Sunday!

20 Minute Pillowcase + Free Pattern

The first time I made a pillowcase with this pattern I said "WOW - it was sooo easy"!
I can't wait to teach the grandkids how to make one.

Here at Abbi May’s, we have put together pillowcase kits with a variety of fabrics from our shop.

**Each kit inludes pattern and fabrics needed to make one pillowcase:
3/4 yard main fabric
1/4 yard cuffed edge fabric
2" accent strip
**Prints in kits will differ from photos**

You can purchase your kits here: 20 Minute Pillowcase