San Diego Sewn-Sharing the experience

Wrap LA in Love: Quilts for Wildfire Victims

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have left countless families displaced, heartbroken, and struggling to rebuild. As quilters, we know the power of a handmade quilt to bring warmth, comfort, and love to those in need. That’s why I’m reaching out to our incredible quilting community to join me in providing quilts for these families.

Why Quilts?
A quilt is more than just a blanket. It’s a symbol of care, hope, and resilience. For families who have lost their homes and belongings, receiving a handmade quilt is a reminder that they are not alone. This winter, as they begin the difficult journey of rebuilding, your quilt can offer them both physical and emotional warmth.

How You Can Help
I’m coordinating a quilt donation drive to get these quilts into the hands of those who need them most. Here’s how you can participate:

• Donate Crib-Size or Larger Quilts: We’re accepting new or gently used quilts that are lap-size or larger. These will provide the warmth and comfort families need.

• Ship or Drop off Your Quilts to:
  Debbie Harris
  c/o San Diego Sewn Quilt Drive
  17601 Santa Rosalia St.
  Fountain Valley, CA 92708

• Deadline: Please ensure your quilts arrive by February 1st.
  

• Want to drop off in the L.A. area? Stephanie can help. Click here for more
  
• Want to drop off in San Diego, email me Amanda@sandiegosewn.com and let's coordinate. 

Distribution
Once your quilts arrive, my mom, Debbie, has graciously offered her home as a sorting and collection point. Several quilt guilds are partnering with me to ensure that the quilts are distributed directly to families in need through trusted local organizations. This effort is personal to me, and I’m committed to ensuring your generosity reaches those who need it most.

Can't ship a quilt and want to help? Donate here

A Personal Connection
Jennyth of Pasadena Quilt Studio is at the heart of this devastation. Though she is safe, her community has been deeply affected. Jennyth and I started our fabric shops around the same time and have always supported each other. While she isn’t in a position to organize something like this right now, I want her and her community to know that we’ve got their back. Let’s show her the strength and love of our quilting community.

Spread the Word
If you can’t donate a quilt, you can still help by sharing this effort with others. Whether it’s your quilt guild, sewing friends, or social media followers, every bit of support makes a difference. Together, we can provide hope and warmth to families who have lost so much.

Thank You
Your kindness and generosity mean the world to me and to the families who will receive your beautiful quilts. Let’s come together and show that, even in the face of disaster, love and compassion prevail.

For updates on this effort, or to ask questions, feel free to contact me directly at amanda@sandiegosewn.com or ig @sandiego.sewn

Thank you for being part of this meaningful initiative. Let’s wrap LA in love, one quilt at a time.

Warmly,
Amanda
San Diego Sewn

 
How It Works **New- Please READ**

To get your FREE Quilt Block Mania Block each month, simply add the pattern to your cart and check out—no code needed! The pattern will be available for free from the first Tuesday of the month at 6am PST through the last day of the month. After that, it will be available for purchase in our shop, allowing us to continue offering these patterns even after the Quilt Block Mania has settled down. This way, you can always access your patterns without any delays.

📚✨ **Transform Your Quilts with the Retro Book Case Pattern!** ✨📚

Dive into the world of cozy creativity with our Retro Book Case foundation paper piecing pattern! This enchanting 12.5-inch block features a beautifully detailed bookcase filled with books, a steamy cup of coffee ☕, a charming lamp 🛋️, and a lively plant 🌿. Perfect for quilters of all skill levels, this pattern offers endless possibilities for personalization and creativity.

**Why You'll Love It:**
- **Size:** 12.5-inch block 📏
- **Features:** A bookcase bursting with character, featuring books, a warm coffee cup, a stylish lamp, and a vibrant plant 📚☕🛋️🌿
- **Skill Level:** Ideal for beginners and seasoned quilters alike 🧵
- **Fussy Cut Opportunities:** Customize the picture frame element and book spines with your favorite fabric motifs ✂️
- **Format:** Instant download PDF pattern 📄

Imagine the satisfaction of creating a little literary haven within your quilt. With the Retro Book Case pattern, you can bring your love for books and cozy spaces to life using your favorite fabrics. Whether you’re dreaming of a vintage library or a modern reading nook, this pattern is your canvas. 🎨

🛒 Download your PDF pattern now and start stitching your story today! Let your imagination run wild and turn your quilt into a masterpiece with the Retro Book Case pattern! ✨📚 #Quilting #Sewing #PaperPiecing #QuiltPattern #RetroBookCase #FussyCut #QuiltLove

I'm excited to share my latest creation with you: the Desert Cactus block for May's Quilt Block Mania.

Hi there! It's time for a FREE FPP block for April's QBM block pattern. I am keeping it cool and San Diego with this little Surf Shop! Growing up in Huntington each, CA, I was surrounded by local surf shops. The treasures one could find in a local surf shop was unbeatable. Ahh, the good ole days. Am I right?

There are 2 fussy cut opportunities here and I can't wait to see what you fill your shop with! Not a beach fan? Omit the top section and this little house can be anything you want it to be. Enjoy.

Click HERE for your Surf Shop FPP Pattern 

 You can also check out the other blocks from the Quilt Block Mania Family the first Tuesday of each month. See below for more. 

Become a San Diego Sewn Makers Member and get so much more. Check out the details here

Sun Block Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Beach Ball by Patchwork Breeze
Ocean Sunset
Beach Reading by Inquiring Quilter
Follow Me Fish
Sand Castle by Appliques Quilts and More
Beach Umbrella by Inflorescence Designs
Beach Hut by QuiltFabrication
Scooping Sand by Patti's Patchwork
Snowy Owl
Beach Bum Bear by Colette Belt Designs
Scrappy Starfish by Sewistry
Seashell by Slightly Biased Quilts
Crab by Tourmaline Thyme Quilts
Sea Lion by Emerald Falls Quilts
Seaside Horizon by Cristy Fincher
Sunshiny Days Block by Craftapalooza Designs
Buoy by Oh Kaye Quilting
Surf Shop FPP Pattern
Eyes on your Fries

Well, I hope it was worth a few days of wait! Here is my FREE FPP pattern this month, Juice Box. Now this one might be a little tricky. I don't write fabric requirements for FPP patterns, as I tend to make the with scraps, however, this pattern needs a lot of background fabric. I happened to have 1/4 yard of black Ruby Star Society "Acroma" fabric that was left over from another project that I used for the background here and it was plenty, so that is my recommendation for background fabric; 1/4 yard or a fat quarter. My second tip for this one is to use contrasting fabrics to "outline" your juice box giving it a more 3 dimensional look. Tip number 3, and you may not like this one....this pattern has a Y seam. I know, I know, but I couldn't get around it and this is a large enough FPP pattern to where it isn't scary. For your Y seam, I recommend tearing out some of your paper before joining those sections together to reduce the bulk. Finally, have fun with this one! There is a 4" 6" opportunity to have some fussy cut fun in the middle of this block. So if there is a bog 'ole fun print that you have been saving for, who knows what, here is your chance! Alternatively, shrink this down 75-50% and get crazy with this fussy cut pieces you've been saving. As always, tag me in your makes so I can share your awesome work!

Don't forget to grab all of this months Free blocks with these links below: 

Champagne Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Martini by Crafty Staci
You Shake Me Up
Scrappy Mug by Katie Mae Quilts
Pina Colada by Appliques Quilts and More
Cosmopolitan by Inquiring Quilter
Cups and Saucers
Bubble Tea by Inflorescence Designs
Beer Pong by Patti's Patchwork
Perfect Flying Geese
Bear Loves Cocoa by Colette Belt Designs
Coffee Bean by Sewistry
Sip & Stitch by Happy Hour Stitches
I'm a LIttle Teapot
Bit too Much by Epida Studio
Tupperware Pitcher by Cristy Fincher
Ice Cubes by Create with Claudia
Cherry by Slightly Biased Quilts
Tea for Me by Craftapalooza Designs
French Press by Oh Kaye Quilting
Sew Fresh FPP Block by San Diego Sewn
Cheerwine by Emerald Falls Quilts
Release the Kraken by Art Quilts by Design
But First Coffee by Paleofish Designs
Margarita by Sallys Sewing Circle
Iced Lemonade by Patchwork Breeze

Enjoy!

Amanda

I'm bringing back the blog for a few reasons. But today, I have to break the news that our rewards program is likely going away. At least for the time being. This program is not sustainable for me to keep up and is causing more harm than good for the shop. However, those of you who are SDS maker members will still be a part of the rewards program as a perk of your membership. 

So, let's talk about the membership. A lot is changing in this world and the San Diego Sewn Makers Membership is one way stay connected and be able to provide perks for shopping with San Diego Sewn. 

As a member, you will receive: 

• At least one email monthly with a discount code on regular priced merchandise. 
• I will pay your shipping one time per month; because let's be honest; there is no such thing as free shipping. 
• You will periodically get 5" x 5" fabric swatches mailed to your home to help you navigate what is new and what your upcoming projects need!
• A library of free project and quilt patterns
• You will get  quilt and project patterns, designed by me for free!
• I like to draw, paint, and design. As an artist, I will occasionally send you art. It might be a sticker, a phone wallpaper, or an art print. 
• Access to any tutorials that I create. 
• Additional discounts, based off of the new rewards program that I am currently working on creating. 
• Whatever else I can think of that I want to share with all of you!

Are you ready to become a member?

Click here to join

Not ready? That's ok. Stay in touch for more updates by joining the mailing list. 

Everyone experiences stressful moments. Take some time to yourself to re-focus and give yourself the freedom to bloom. 

Life gets busy, and often times we can lose our sense of self while running around taking care of everyone else. So, this is just a little reminder that you are important and are free to be you. So bloom. Do something you love, something you've been wanting to try, something you haven't done in forever. Do it for yourself. The more you love on yourself, the more of that love will pour over others without even trying. 

Take a few minutes to pretty up this coloring page and be still with your thoughts. 

Feel free to share your finished art on social and tag @charleighdotdesigns or @sandiego.sewn and let me know if this brightened your day.