By Lindsay Conner

It’s been more than six years since Cathy Thornton and her brother-in-law Tony and sister, Marti went into business together by opening a quilt shop. Knowing what they know now, they wouldn’t change a thing! “When Tony retired from the military, he was interested in buying a turn-key operation,” she explains.

[Family Photo]

“In his search for a new business,

Featured Fabric: Henry Glass & Co. Surf’s Up by Barb Tourtillotte

Pattern Design by: Apple Green Cottage

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

Are you ready to start sewing some easy projects for summer? This bucket hat comes in five sizes (for kids and adults) and looks cute sewn in summer-themed fabrics! I used the free sewing pattern and tutorial from Apple Green Cottage, and

Tell us about yourself.

Hello! My name is Barb Tourtillotte (pronounced Tour-till-oh), and I have loved creating art since I was a wee one… drawing on walls, doodling, painting, crafts, sewing, and drawing. I got my degree in graphic design and illustration (long before we had computers!). I then started a graphic design studio called Graphicworks which I worked at for

Featured Fabric: Studio E Fabrics Garden Party by Maureen Fiorellini

Pattern design by: Heidi Pridemore

Sewn by: Heidi Pridemore

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

The Organize It Basket is perfect to use while working on a project. You can store the fabric pieces inside. Use the outside pockets for the project tools and threads. This basket also works great for extra storage in the kitchen,

Happy National Quilting Day! What better way to celebrate than by joining your community of makers for the Villa Rosa Designs Fast & More Fun Blog Hop? SIY-Sew It Yourself is SEW excited to be a participant in this year’s hop.

A HUGE thanks to Villa Rosa for organizing this hop and to all the generous sponsors for offering amazing prizes! Today

Embarking on the journey of sewing your own garments can be both exciting and intimidating, especially if you’re new to the craft. However, with the right guidance and some beginner-friendly projects, you’ll be stitching up your own fashionable clothing in no time!

These beginner-friendly sewing projects offer a great chance to practice essential sewing skills while creating wearable garments. Remember to

Featured Fabric: Studio E Fabrics Splendid Path by Chelsea DesignWorks with Karen Montgomery

Pattern design by: Lindsay Conner

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

This “pillowcase” style dress looks darling in floral or springtime fabrics and is easily customizable to fit a young child size 2T to 5T. This free pillowcase dress pattern uses the “burrito” assembly method, similar to our free burrito pillowcase pattern.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a quilter, and I love what I do. You may know me, not because of my designs, but because I run a group called Nine Patch A Day Group on Facebook where I go live most Sunday evenings to talk about quilting. My friends and family joke that I am a “recovering” shop owner. I

Featuring: FreeSpirit Fabrics Murano by Odile Bailloeul
Pattern Design by: Sally Gauntlett
Sewn by: Sally Gauntlett

Something I’m trying to do more, since I mostly work from home, is to get out more and work in a local café or park for a little change of scenery. It’s always useful to have something to protect my laptop when transporting it around and keeping

(Like a weighted blanket, but warmer!)

Featured Fabrics: The Blank Quilting Corp. Gypsy Flutter by Elsie Ess

Pattern Design by: Amy Simmonds of Stitched by Starlight (@stitchedbystarlight )

Sewn by: Amy Simmonds of Stitched by Starlight (@stitchedbystarlight )

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!  Whether it’s snowy where you are, or if it’s just colder than normal (I remember 60 degrees feeling cold when I