Welcome Books Patterns Kits & Notions Specials Show & Tell Appliqué blog Author's gallery Events Newsletter The real quilt puppy Willie's dogblog Giveaway for Kids	KITS & NOTIONS Now for your quilting pleasure, a selection of very special items.	KITS & NOTIONS To the Bookshop To the Patterns

Butterfly on Blue Pink Lady The manufacturer donates a portion of each sale to breast cancer awareness and education. Lily of the Valley on Green Cherubs on Peach

Magnetic Needle Minder Wear it or set it down beside you... you'll know where your needle is! This magnetic Needle Minder looks just like a beautiful cameo brooch. A separate magnet in the back keeps it in place on your clothing. No more needles in the arm of the sofa, or stuck through your shirt! Makes a great gift for someone who likes to sew, or for yourself. You'll be able to specify which one you want in the shopping cart. Hibiscus on Black Rose on Lilac Hearts Afire Curious Cat Miller's Dragonflies

Needle Minder $9.50 Ordering information

"Introduction to Back-Basting" Kit Appliquérs! Have you heard of back-basting hand appliqué? Other terms for it are template-free or no-template appliqué. Whatever you call it, there's no faster way to get to the stitching! The pattern is traced only once, onto the back of the background fabric. This method is not new, but may have been flying along under the radar for a lot of appliqué fans. Besides eliminating several steps in preparation and placement, the pieces can't shift and are very accurately sewn. No more do-overs! I've developed this kit, complete with pattern, instructions, and all of the materials you'll need to become introduced to back-basting preparation. For best overall results, some hand appliqué experience is helpful. Kit includes: Heart & Flower block pattern, illustrated instructions, guide to points and notches, 10" background fabric square, fabrics for appliqués, basting and appliqué needles, and basting and appliqué threads. Kit makes one 9" Heart & Flower block. Colors similar to those shown. Also needed: scissors, pins, and a marking implement. (I use the blue water-erasable marking pen, shown below).

Intro to Back-Basting Kit $12.00 Ordering information

Mark-B-Gone™ Water-Erasable Marking Pen I use this pen for marking the background fabric in the back-basting appliqué method. Easy to mark with, easy to see, easily removed.

Mark-B-Gone Pen $4.75 Ordering information

Kay's Favorite Appliqué Needles Longer than sharps so you can get a better grip on them, skinny so they glide through fabric easily without resistance, and sturdy enough to resist bending. These are Kay's favorites for hand appliqué!

Size 10 Appliqué Needles $2.75 Free Shipping on this item Ordering information

Clover Patchwork Scissors These 5½" hand scissors are the bomb for hand appliqué! The blades are microserrated, so they grip the fabric instead of chasing it. And, the cut edge is less prone to fraying.

Clover Patchwork Scissors $23.50 Ordering information