As soon as August arrives I can’t help but turn my thoughts to fall, the possibility of cooler days, and back to school. Even though I no longer have kids in school I can’t help but drool over the pristine notebooks and school supplies in the store. I always buy myself one new thing each year like a new folder or pens just to acknowledge this passage of time and reflect on past memories of excitement of a new school year.

Soon to be stocked in your favorite local and online quilt shops is my newest collection for Art Gallery Fabrics called Bookish. This collection is for all the sewing/book lovers out there that want to combine both there passions in one media—fabric!

I just received my advance yardage for the collection and am so thrilled with every print and busy sewing fun new projects for the Look Book scheduled to release September 3rd. I’ll have some fun new free projects and a new quilt pattern to add to my pattern libraries.

As well as Look Book sewing, I’ll be making a Bookish version of the Sweet Home quilt. If you haven’t already signed up for the Sweet Home Quilt Along that starts August 25th, then be sure to sign up and join the over 640 others that will be stitching along with Maureen Cracknell and I for the 6 week event.

Quilt Along members should have gotten an email earlier this week giving a heads up that next week there’ll be a very special giveaway prize from out sponsor Midlife Quilter to kick start the QAL. Check your inbox or spam folder to make sure you’re getting those special QAL Member emails.

Sign up now, if you haven’t already, and the first to know about the giveaways, weekly posts, and piecing tips and tricks. There’s also a Kit Directory available to members that lists all the available kit options for the Sweet Home quilt, including my Bookish version available at Lady Belle Fabric.

I’ve been busy secret sewing over here and already have the first of two Sweet Home quilts made. This Holiday Mix version is available as a kit from Chenille-It and will be finished with faux chenille binding was expertly long arm quilting by Terri Neil of Quilting Rubies. I love how this “Dainty Lady Floral” panto mimics the look of snowflakes without being truly wintery. Same with the prints—the colors say Christmas but there’s not an actual holiday print in the mix. You’ll see more of this quilt during the QAL.

Free Back to School Projects

Whether you have kids going back to school or are just like me and have an overwhelming desire to have new school supplies this time of year—I’ve got some free project ideas for you to try your crafty hands at.

Looking through my Free Projects page I have a few oldies but still goodies to (re)share.

Above is a tote bag and pencil case made from my Signature collection. The tote bag is a free project from Dritz sewing and the pencil case is a free project found right HERE on my blog.

A bucket bag is a fun alternative to a backpack and is also a free pattern on the Free Projects page. This sample is also made with fabrics from my Art Gallery Fabrics Signature line.

My free Market Bag pattern is a great idea for college-bound kids as it can be used for groceries, sorting laundry (yeah, right, but one can hope), or an extra carryall tucked in a backpack.

And, lastly I have a fun way to freshen up or protect a notebook, book, or journal with a scrappy cover. There’s something so comforting to hold a cloth-bound book you’ll want to make one for all your books and notebooks! Find this free pattern on the Free Projects page.

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