Panels -- your key to fast holiday projects!

We have plenty of quilts and projects that we spend LOTS and LOTS of time on. But holiday projects? Usually not in that category. When it comes to the holidays, time is short and the sewing list is long.

That's why we love panels (like the two below that we have online and in the shop at 118 N. B St. in Livingston, Mont.). They can be a beautiful short cut for all kinds of quilts, wall hangings, table runners and other pieces.

But we've met many a quilter who's attracted to -- but totally stumped by -- panels. Some folks have a hard time envisioning how to design with a panel in mind. We found this great video tutorial from the wonderful Missouri Quilt Co. that walks you through how to plan a quilt around a panel. 

The tutorial also has neat tips for incorporating pre-cuts like charm packs.

If you need help with a panel project, come see us, we love to talk ideas! If you've got the ideas and just need the fabric, come on down and we'll point you right to the panels.

Sew sweet advent calendar

When we get to thinking about the holidays and the possibilities for projects, our little brains just get going a mile a minute. Stockings! Table runners! Garlands! Ornaments! Tree skirts! And on and on...

This month we'll be sharing a few of the fun ideas we're thinking about and highlighting the great fabrics we have online and in the shop (118 N. B St. in Livingston, Mont.) that would go well with those fabrics.

First in our list is this great advent calendar from the blog sewmamasew.com. You can find the tutorial for the project here.

This would be darling stuffed with little candies or tiny toys for kids and grandkids. For adults, you could tuck in dainty love notes or jot down memories of holidays past to fill the pockets.

We looked around the shop and thought the Celebrate the Season collection designed by Angela Anderson for Quilting Treasures would be so perfect for an advent calendar like this. The collection has two colorways:  the black and gold combo for a more modern, dramatic effect, or the red and silver palette for a lovely traditional feel.

Either collection would create a gorgeous advent calendar your family will treasure for many holiday seasons to come.