Can you afford this?

So we all know the price of everything is on the rise. Interest rates, house prices, gas, food -- you name it. And let's face it -- we have an expensive hobby, and the fabric prices are on the rise, as is everything else we use. Thankfully some of us have a stash, and hopefully, we still like what's in our stash! Mine will keep me going for the rest of my quilting life! But here's something that caught my attention recently, and quite frankly -- I'm still in disbelief!

I'm sure this situation happened with other designers, but I only give you one example. 

I'm sure everyone has heard of Tula Pink? It would appear that her fabric has become a license to print money! I'm not saying that any of what I'm about to share is wrong, but we need to ensure that we are not becoming followers but choosing fabric because we LIKE it!

Toes in the Sand is a pattern by Jaybird quilts initially published 10 years ago. The fabric choices are perhaps not the best, but it's still an attractive quilt. 

The original Toes in the Sand pattern

Ten years later, the pattern gets republished in Tula Pink fabrics, and I'm sure it's exhibiting a revival. As a matter of fact, I'm teaching this class. Not because of the new coloring, as I purchased the pattern 10 years ago and still want to make it. My principal reason for choosing this pattern is the triangle shape of the blocks. It's different, and I try to change what I teach each year. 

The NEW pattern for Toes in the Sand

I will say that Julie (from Jaybird) very kindly put out a pdf (10 pages or so) for those with the original pattern of the changes in the new book, so we didn't have to buy two books! Thank you, Julie!!!!

Does anyone remember the Tula Pink Butterfly quilt? Well, that was published 10 years ago, and YES -- I have the original pattern. 

The original butterfly quilt pattern by Tula Pink

This pattern was redone with Tula's basics, so people could make it from fabric that would be readily available. If you look inside the patterns, they are pretty much the same graphics, with a few things added to the new version. Those new pages were NOT made available as a PDF (to my knowledge) for those with the original pattern. The rewrite took EONS, yet most of the inside is the same. 

The NEW Butterfly quilt pattern

Both the original quilts were very popular, so why not refresh them with new fabric to keep the sales momentum going. I'm OK with that. 

And I'm sure there are more instances where a pattern is released or rereleased with Tula Pink fabric to drive sales. Why not? Especially if you like Tula's fabrics, which are available through Free Spirit Fabrics. 

But this next situation is quite disturbing. I removed the shop's name because I believe this pattern is likely available from more than one place, and I didn't want to point fingers.  

Here's a new quilt called Queen of Diamonds. It's beautiful and, you guessed it, made from Tula Pink fabrics. 

Queen of Diamonds

When you read some of the literature, you think that it was designed by Tula Pink. NO  --- check the bottom of this screenshot to see that it is designed by Pink Door Fabrics. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that! It's pretty straightforward if you read the fine print. 

So far, so good. Now look at the size of the quilt -- it's a nice lap size at 60" by 73 1/2". Yep -that's great. 

Keep reading. This quilt was designed using EPP (English Paper Piecing) and endorsed by Tula Pink. Here's the kicker --- it used 91 (NINETY-ONE) different fabrics, with 137 fabric cuts in the kit for a total of 31.14 yards (YES --- that is NOT a typo) --- THIRTY-ONE yards or for those who like meters, that's 28.47 meters. 

WOW --- I've had a close look at the picture, and in almost all cases, you need a couple of pieces of each fabric. I don't know what the cut sizes are, but you have better like Tula Pink a LOT to buy this kit. 

Personally, I find this outrageous. I know some designers tend to add extra yardage to the requirements, but to purchase over 31 yards of fabric to make a lap-sized quilt? Who the heck are they selling to? 

Wait --- I didn't tell you the price. This is in Canadian dollars. 

If I convert that to USD, the total is $630, depending on the exchange. Did you notice the PLUS sign behind the amount? Well, there's a fabric kit, the pattern, the English paper piecing pieces, AND an acrylic template set that you can purchase, and each of them runs close to $90 CDN. 

I don't know about you, but I am very frugal with my quilting budget, and I could not / WOULD NEVER spend that kind of money on ONE quilt. I don't care how much is left over. 

I'm sure some people will purchase this kit- heck, they will also buy all the bits. I think this has gone too far and is a blatant money grab. 

And after looking at the patterns in those diamonds, guess what? If you have the Hex n More ruler from Jaybird and her Toes in the Sand book? You can make MOST of those blocks with piecing on the sewing machine. 

I think it's shocking, and we need to speak to these designers. How will they listen to us? STOP buying these outrageously priced kits. Everyone needs a stash, but you had better LOVE and worship Tula before you buy this kit. Personally, I don't think any designer deserves that much love. This is a trend/fad -- whatever you want to call it, that has gotten out of hand! Again, this is NOT a Tula Pink design, so don't yell at her! 

Will there be FOMO in my house? I barely have any Tula Pink fabric as I'm not a fan, and I HATE following what everyone else is using. I want my quilts to be MINE, not a mirror of the original, but that's just me. I make mistakes with color and value ALL THE TIME. But if I didn't do that, I would never learn how to work with them. So I step outside the box, make mistakes, and relish when it happens! Thankfully, I don't make as many mistakes as I used to, but I still goof from time to time. 

The shop opening went very well -- I"ll update you tomorrow once I've done my two events today. If you stop by the shop, the entrance is around the corner on John Street. If you're in the area, stop by to see the events. Lots of samples to share with you! 

Quilting 101 event

Embroidery 101 event

Someone asked about the hiking sandals versus Tevas, and here's a picture of each so you can see the difference. 

Tevas are very comfortable sandals but don't offer much support, and the toe area is quite open. 

Teva sandals

However, with some of the steep descents, I'd be afraid that my foot would slide too forward, so this is an example of a hiking sandal, which is also open, but has a bit more solid toe area to protect the end of the toes. 

Hiking sandal

I will look at a pair of something similar and try it out on some rocky terrain around here in the spring. We have the Bruce Trail, which is not the same terrain but can be very rugged in some areas, so I'll be out for some extended hikes with running shoes, trail runners and open sandals, and my CHEAP athletic socks to see what's going to work for me. And if you don't wear socks at all, guess what? Less laundry and less stuff to carry!

I don't think it's so much about the sock, but the shoe's fit that is more important! I've walked MILES in those cheap athletic socks and only started having issues with blisters when my right foot grew, and I was in denial and didn't get a larger pair of shoes in time! That happened just about two months before I left for my trip, and I didn't clue in. So I bought larger hiking shoes, but I only went 1/2 size larger, when with the fancy socks I had bought, I needed to go a full size larger. Sigh..............

OK --- that's it for today. I've packed my samples for the two lectures today, and I have to take the girls for their walk, and then I'm ready to leave. 

See some of you at 9:30 today for the quilting lecture or at 1:00 PM for the embroidery session. 

Don't forget the Virtual Retreat this weekend. 

Saturday, October 29  (starts at 6 PM)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, October 30 (starts at NOON)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81693717518?pwd=STNoVVQzbDd4ZnROQndNNlpvcC90QT09 Meeting ID: 816 9371 7518 Passcode: 579285

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

What's new is really old!

I caved! I had to watch the other two episodes of The Great Canadian Baking Show. I am a junky for that kind of thing, and since I cannot control myself very well, I try to refrain from getting hooked! Now when is Episode 5 playing? 

I cringe at the stress level they must experience for the duration of each challenge. I mean, some of the contestants are making stuff they've never heard of! The show was taped in the summer in a non-air-conditioned tent, so you can imagine the challenge of working with some of the ingredients!

Then I went downstairs to my press cooker, and I swear I felt just like them as I fussed with sample making that needed to be done for a presentation! Same stress, different material! I think my life is just one big challenge - each day brings something new! 

I dare not look at my calendar! This month is a crazy situation; however, I have two days booked off for some fun time! There will be no watching shows next week as I have a ton of prep work to do! Thankfully, the craziness ends at the end of the month, and things will be calm for a week or two.  

My Zoom account is getting a good workout! I had a panic moment last night on Zoom, and thankfully someone came to my rescue. I decided to get cute and use the LASER POINTER that you find on the Zoom screen. Perfect - it's easier to show up what's happening on the screen. However, it doesn't function like a mouse and wouldn't start the videos! NO!!!! Then someone suggested that it's a toggle switch -- toggle on and toggle off. Yep -- that worked! 

Sometimes, your brain just doesn't function when you're frazzled. I swear I tried that, but I think I had selected another tool. Lesson learned - do not try something new in the middle of a presentation!

I've got three presentations today, so there won't be a lot of extra work getting done, but there are things that need to be finished today so, between presentations, I'll be doing that. 

I see people posting stuff on Instagram and getting so excited because it's a new technique they've learned or that they have "created." Hmm -- NOTHING is new - maybe a new way to present it, a new slant, but nothing is new! It's interesting as the new quilters discover these techniques, yet the methods/styles have been around forever! I had tagged a couple of pictures that I can't find, but I will share them with you. It's hilarious! I guess that's why we see so much in our world reworked every generation. 

But what a hoot with this picture. This is one of the hosts (Alan Shane Lewis) of the Great Canadian Baking Show. Does anyone recognize that shirt? 

How about that shirt!

Yep -- it reminds me of The Big Shirt by Cindy Taylor Oates. This pattern is ancient! I did make one shirt, and I don't think I've ever worn it. Well, it's back in vogue - I must dig it out and wear it! I must find it first! I think some topstitching needed to be completed!!

The Big Shirt pattern

I think that's hilarious. Now I know that it's not exactly rocket science to color block a shirt, but it's a pretty similar style! I need to find my shirt now to see if I serged the seams. 

I had a couple of other examples, but as mentioned, the photos seem to be missing. I'll try to locate them for another day, and I know you're going to get a kick out of them!!!

Well, here's a piece of good news! There is a new quilt store and retreat house being constructed in Paris, Ontario! 

K & A Quilt Studio opening a SECOND location

I've already paid to be first in line for the retreat! Just kidding - that is not true, but we hope to be one of the first groups to visit the house. Maybe we can be testers!! 

I'm not sure what coming soon means as they haven't broken ground for the store's construction. The house already exists. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it will be up and running by the end of 2022. You know how long construction is taking these days!!

It's like the house a couple of streets over. They ripped the bricks off part of the front to replace them, and there it has sat. It's a couple of weeks now, and no progress. I would NOT want to be the owner. They seem to be having significant issues with what? Product? Insurance company? Who knows, but it's been a long slow process. It would have been faster to rip the house down and rebuild it!

House under repair

At least, they seem to have the tarp somewhat secured for the moment. At one point, the tarp was flapping in the wind, and you could see right into the house! 

So I'm getting much better at swapping out my running shoes when they break down, but I also put a lot of KM on my house shoes. I bought a new pair the other day, and today I'm breaking them in! I like slippers with stiff soles on them, and so far, they are comfy! 

Exchange the old for the new

Let's not forget that today is Remembrance Day in Canada. Wear your poppy proudly and take a moment to remember the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom. Our life would be pretty different without their contribution! 

The Poppy

OH OH OH --- I remembered that I saved that Instagram photo on my phone, and I found it. So this is another NEW trend. Oh my   --- this was HUGE when I started quilting, and I thought it had disappeared for good. But no - this trend is back. So get out your orphan quilt blocks and decorate a sweatshirt!!!

On that note, I'd better get myself moving. Lots of stuff to do today and no time to waste!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!