Flying Geese Fabric Blog

Retro Clean Works to Clean Quilts Safely

adminfgf — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:43:09 +0000

Have you ever had an antique quilt or piece of vintage fabric with those brown age stains that just ruined the pristine look of what otherwise would be a real prize? I recently found a bag of 30′s butterfly blocks at an antique store in Old Town Temecula, but the blocks had brown age stains. I have more than 30 blocks, enough to make a quilt, but they needed some cleaning.

I know Retro Clean is a safe and effective way to bring hand washable textiles (i.e. vintage linens, quilts, clothing and laces) back to a state free of brown age stains while leaving the fabric with renewed color and vitality. I cleaned my blocks with Retro Clean, and as you can see from these before and after pictures, Retro Clean truly worked to bring back the vitality to my beautiful butterflies.

Happy Quilting,

Marilyn

Quilt Kit – “A” is For Africa

adminfgf — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:17:03 +0000

If you are looking for a fun quilt kit, we have the answer using the new Alexander Henry Africa Collection part two. Land of dense forest and burning deserts. Home to the world’s last great herds of wild animals. Take a safari through this collection of African ethnics, inspired by the cultural wealth of this vast and colorful continent. Printed on 100% premium cotton.

We have both the book and quilt kit available to make this adventurous quilt. Who do you know that would love this quilt?

Dotty Anything Case by Susan Manion

adminfgf — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:00:34 +0000

Every time I reach into my purse for my phone, this little case makes me smile. Black and white polka dots and Kaffee Fassett bright fabrics are my favorite combo. We even have a pillow kit with these fabrics in the shop. If you’d like to make a case for your phone, ipod, Blackberry or camera.

Click on the link for a free pattern for the little case to help you bring a little cheer to your purse too!

Needle Nanny Solution to Lost Needles

adminfgf — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:28:40 +0000

Are you always looking for your sewing needles? Worry no more…Flying Geese Fabric now carries the magnetic Needle Nanny by Puffin & Company. We have five styles available – a moon, cat, dog, heart and bird. These make great fits for your quilting friends or a Mother’s Day present.

Spring Fabrics Are Here!

adminfgf — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:55:18 +0000

Southern California has slipped back into our typical winter with temperatures in the high 60′s this week. As I look out my window this morning, I see my backyard blooming and lots of buds on the roses.

Easter is just weeks away and we have lots of small projects and patterns to bring it into your home. We have some really cute fabrics that would make a great table runner or pillow.

Happy Spring!

Think Spring, Think Wool Projects

adminfgf — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:14:50 +0000

We wake up every day trying to come up with new and beautiful ideas.

Over the past couple of years, I have fallen in love with wool. We have had Gene Shepherd here with his unique hand-dyed wool, ordered lots & lots from Wild Thymes and Weeks, and a little here and there from other sources.

Thinking “Spring” prompted me to take this lovely stack home with me. It is calling me and will soon become something I’m going to want to live with in my home, and hopefully we’ll be offering it to you in the shop.

Happy Quilting,

Susan

Moda Velveteen Heart Pillow

adminfgf — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:10:11 +0000

At Flying Geese, Valentine’s Day begins as soon as we take down the Christmas decorations. The hearts go on the tree we keep up all year, and the armoire is filled with heart items from our store patterns.

There never seems time to prepare for this holiday, but when Marilyn said we needed to make something from the Moda burgundy velveteen we have, I started to think about it. We also have some pretty ivory felted wool and a spool of ivory picot edged off white ribbon. Using some buttons and beads I had at home, and a piece of rick rack, the pillow here is the result.

Hope you all like it. A kit will be on our website soon, just in time to make it for someone you love, including yourself.

Happy Quilting,

Susan

Alex Anderson Sightings

adminfgf — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:01:43 +0000

Barret and Alex Anderson

When my adorable 24 year old nephew Barrett was home from his corporate job with Apple in Northern California at Christmas, he mentioned that he had to get back before New Year’s for the wedding of his girlfriend Amy’s friend who happens to be Alex Anderson’s daughter. He asked if I knew who she was. I let him know that I did, along with most of the modern world’s quilters.

He sent me this photo that they took for me of him with Alex that weekend. Looks like it must have been a really fun day!

Happy Quilting,

Susan

Beginning 2012 with a Feeling of Gratitude

adminfgf — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:06:59 +0000

Saturday Sampler 2012

During our Staff and Teacher dinner in mid December 2011, we looked around the table and felt so grateful for all of our wonderful employees who show up every day to take care of our customers and keep the shop running. Our talented teachers never cease to amaze us with their knowledge and skill and their willingness to take the time to share it with those of you who come in to learn more about the art and craft of quilting. Thank you so much to all of you. We hope to bring you some of their expertise here.

2012 will bring lots of new things from Flying Geese, and this is where we will let you know about them as the year unfolds. Our Saturday Sampler will begin on January 14^th and it may just be a favorite so far. We have a wool club beginning January 26^th, a Christmas sampler this Spring, and two smaller projects that will be available both in the shop and on line each month. We have new patterns and events in the works, and will be posting an occasional free pattern in our blog to thank you for reading it and keeping in touch. You are why we do this, and we are grateful for the support of each and every one of you.

Happy Quilting,

Susan & Marilyn