Cotton Cuts Collective Making Burp Cloths for Military families via Operation Showers

Each month, Cotton Cuts’ sister company Cotton Cuts Collective partners with a charitable organization to use and learn sewing skills while supporting the community. Cotton Cuts works on simple projects that can make a big difference in the lives of others and see the power of many sewists working together for good.

In April, Cotton Cuts Collective will be making burp cloths for military families via Operation Showers. Operation Shower’s mission is to ease the stress of deployment by hosting joyful baby showers for military families across the country. Their baby showers provide expectant military families with high quality products for their babies while recognizing all that they do for our country.

Operation Shower hosts Baby Showers for Military Families

Operation Shower was founded in 2007 when LeAnn Morrissey had the idea to send a “baby shower in a box” to four expectant military moms whose partners were deployed at the time.

Operation Shower Baby Shower in a Box

The support she received during the process of putting the boxes together, the gratitude of the mothers and the morale boost for the fathers were all LeAnn needed to realize that this was something worth doing again and again. Soon after, Operation Shower hosted its first unit-wide baby shower at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

By 2010, Operation Shower had partnered with the PGA TOUR and Birdies for the Brave® for the first time ever and a year later had the honor of working with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to host a baby shower with Joining Forces. Another key partnership then began in 2012 with a grant from the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund.

Over the years, Operation Shower has hosted showers for thousands of military families, thanks to the overwhelming support of individuals and groups across the country. In 2015, Operation Shower even took its mission to Italy for the first ever international baby shower! The showers not only provide amazing must-haves for the moms and their babies, but also give these women and their families a chance to come together and celebrate.

Operation Shower hosts Baby Showers for Military Families - Welcome Home Baby

After all, the military moms who hold it all together at home deserve a party!

On April 18, 2019, please join Cotton Cuts Collective anytime between 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm to aide in making burp cloths for the military families. All materials will be provided, however Cotton Cuts Collective is requesting a $10 class fee to help with supply costs.

Cotton Cuts Makes Burp Clothes for Military Families via Operation Shower

Cotton Cuts also encourages you to bring any donations of swaddling blankets, sleepers, onesies, and baby socks, as they are most needed by Operation Shower. Cotton Cuts Collective is located at 2032 Chesterfield Mall Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017. They are located directly next to the Cheesecake Factory. Please join us!!

Cotton Cuts April Classic Box Fabric Sneak Peek

April 2019 Classic Cuts Sneak Peek

Who is ready for a sneak peek into the gorgeous you may receive in your April’s Cotton Cuts Classic and Mini Pop box? We are and we think you are going to love the springy feel to this month’s box!

In this month’s box you may find some Gnomes and Garden Fabric by Doodle Girl Shawn Wallace for Riley Blake Designs.

Gnomes and Garden Fabric by Shawn Wallace for Riley Blake Designs

Do you remember the amazing Berry Season we posted on Instagram here from Quilt Market 2018?

Elizabeth Hartman - Robert Kaufman - Berry Season Fabric Quilt

Well, the berry season fabric could possibly be yours in the Cotton Cuts Classic and Mini Pop boxes! We think you will love the Berry Season Fabric by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman, like these adorable owls!

Spring Awakens Fabric Owls by Debi Hron for Henry Glass

You will not want to miss out on the Growing Beautiful Fabric by Crystal Manning for Moda fabrics! Just look at these adorable toad stools!

Growing Beautiful Fabric by Crystal Manning for Moda fabrics

As always, Cottons has a few other surprises up our sleeves for our Classic and Mini Pop members out there,

Not a member yet? It’s not too late to sign up, there are still a few days until our April delivery ships (but only a few boxes left - we've sold out the past 10 months in a row!), so register now here before the week slips away from you! Use code COTTONCUTS to receive 10% off your first month of our Classic membership!

And remember, 20% of our profit goes to make quilts for kids in need...a win-win for all of us!!

Paper Pieced Bunny Quilt Made with Cotton Cuts Classic Box Fabric by Christy

Paper Pieced Bunny Quilt made with Cotton Cuts Classic Box Pink and Navy Metallic Fabric

How beautiful is this Paper Pieced Bunny Quilt Wall Hanging made by Cotton Cuts Brand Ambassador Christy? With Easter just around the corner, the bunny wall hanging will be the perfect decor for her coffee table. She used the the Peek-A-Boo Bunny Paper Pieced PDF Quilt Block Pattern by Center Street Quilts. You may find it here.

Cotton Cuts Classic Fabric Subscription including Bliss by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake

Christy used Bliss fabric by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake Deigns. The Bliss line has a stunning metallic finish. The fabric was a perfect match for the Paper Pieced Bunny Quilt Block pattern.

Cotton Cuts February Classic Box featuring Riley Blake Designs Fabric Bliss

Included each month in the Cotton Cuts Classic Box is an inspirational quote. The inspirational quote for February was “The best view comes after the hardest climb.” What do you think of February’s quote? Let us know in the comments below.

Cotton Cuts February Featured Designer Kristy Baum

Did you know with each Cotton Cuts Box you not only receive a box of beautiful fabric, but also a pattern from our Featured Designer. Our February Featured Designer was Kristy Baum From St. Louis Folk Victorian. Cotton Cuts members were able to choose one of Kristy’s amazing quilt patterns, including her Star’D Quilt Pattern below.

Star’D Quilt Pattern by Kristy Baum

We look forward to seeing more projects Cotton Cuts Brand Ambassador Christy makes from her Classic Box. Please show us your creations and use hashtag #ccfeaturefriday on Instagram to enter to win a 1/2 yard of fabric! Visit the Cotton Cuts Instagram for more information!

Not a Cotton Cuts member yet? No problem, use code COTTONCUTS to save 10% off your first month!! Go here to sign up!

Introducing Brand Ambassador Christy!!

Meet Christy! One of Cotton Cuts Classic Box Brand Ambassadors!

Christy joined Cotton Cuts as a Brand Ambassador in October of 2018. She was selected from a very long list of talented sewists. We wanted our members to get a chance to get to know Christy a little better, so we asked her a few questions:

How long have you been sewing?

Hmmm, I took a sewing class in Jr high and another sewing class in 4h so I learned the basics when I was about 12 years old but didnt do any sewing after these classes. I made a cute pillow, a skirt, a pair of shorts and some sweatpants. I did a pretty good job but just wasn't super interested in sewing. When I turned 16 o e of my first "real" jobs was at a fabric store. The ladies there were super encouraging and so I decided to make a crib set for a store display. It was a fun Noah's ark print. I made everything you'd need for a nursery and had a pretty fun time with it. One day a customer asked the manager how much that nursery set was and she told her to ask me if I would want to sell it. I gave her a dollar figure, she purchased it and I was dancing!! I think that's what made me most excited about sewing.!! So I've been sewing off and on for 25 years. When I started having babies and space was an issue I packed things up and didn't touch my machine for about 6 years... then more babies and it got put away again. In 2012 the quilting bug hit me hard and I haven't stopped sewing since!

How did you learn to sew?

I guess I answered that in the previous question. Lol. I learned the basics early on but most everything has been self taught from videos and trial and error!

Favorite thing to sew?

I love making quilts but don’t have as much time for quilts as I wish I had so small projects are just as much fun! I love paper piecing and making mug rugs, zipper pouches, pincushions, wall hanging and anything little! Lol

Favorite thing about sewing?

ummm. Fabric and more fabric!! Lol. Ok seriously I just love to create beautiful things! My favorite is to gift these beautiful things and see the smiles!

5. Favorite item you have ever sewn?

That would have to be my big purple Tula pink, paper pieced Elephant quilt! I love to look at her hanging on my wall!

Share something interesting with us?

I am turning 40+1 this year! Hubby and I have been married for 22 years and have 6 kids! We have a crazy life but I love every second of it! Hubby and I own a business building and shipping gable vents. Gable what? Ya, I never thought i would own a attic ventilation company. Haha. Weird! I am obsessed with anything lemon!

What do you love about your Cotton Cuts Fabric Subscription Box?

What's not to love??? Every cotton cuts box is packaged so beautifully! My cute purple box is currated with my likes in mind and the fabrics are beautiful and high quality! I have 2 daughters that love to pet the fat quarters just as much as I do!

Please feel free to go follow Christy on Instagram at @6littlestitches!

Introducing Cotton Cuts Brand Ambassador Elaina

Meet Elaina! One of Cotton Cuts Classic Box Brand Ambassadors!

Elaina joined Cotton Cuts as a Brand Ambassador in October of 2018. She was selected from a very long list of talented sewists. We wanted our members to get a chance to get to know Elaina a little better, so we asked her a few questions:

How long have you been sewing?

I’ve been sewing off and on over the past 28 years. I was twelve when I learned hand sewing. First it was doll clothes. At the time country style bunnies and dolls made from muslin were all the rage and I really wanted to try make them too. Received my first sewing machine when I was seventeen from my mother and grandmother as a high school graduation present.

How did you learn to sew?

My mom taught me all of the basics and then some. By the time I was born her sewing days were pretty much over. She had an aversion to all things crafty. But to her credit, she was and still is my biggest fan, critic and biggest supporter of all my creative endeavors.

What is your favorite thing to sew?

Quilts are by far my very favorite to sew. I’ve always been fascinated by them. I remember one of the first quilts I wanted to make was a Clamshell pattern. We had just moved and I was trying to get used to a new school. I found myself a bit lonely and was trying to occupy my time when I saw the pattern in one of my grandmother’s many craft books. I traced the template and carefully cut out the fabrics and was determined to figure it out on my own. Had no idea how difficult of a pattern I had picked to start off with. In the end I couldn’t figure out how to sew them together. Several years later I decided to recut those fabrics and I made my first quilt using the Drunkard’s Path block. I still want to make a Clamshell quilt.

What is your favorite thing about sewing?

My favorite thing about sewing is how much it has enriched my life. There is nothing like the creative journey of learning and making something with fabric and thread, especially if it’s for someone you care about. Seeing what my fellow creatives make and share inspires me. Along with my family, they are a great source of support and motivation for me to try new things.

What is your favorite item you have even sewn?

My favorite thing I have sewn is a Double Wedding Ring Quilt for my awesome nephew and his wonderful wife. I made it in one of my favorite color ways, a rainbow. At first I wondered what had I got myself into. After some frustration, tears and some choice words over the next couple of days I finally completed my first block. The quilt was finally finished and gifted several months later.

Share something interesting with us?

My renewed enthusiasm for sewing really began over last summer. Shortly after I first was married I had tried to pick it up again but I just had a block creatively. Over the years I collected fabric, a fair share of magazines and was an onlooker from afar on sewing and quilting social media platforms. And that continued until I decided to try another sew-along on Instagram. The first two I joined I never finished. It took the third sew-along, known as the #100days100blocks challenge hosted by @gnomeangel for me to fully participate and finish. Finally was I hooked again on sewing. That positive experience, connecting with so many wonderful creatives has brightened my life in many ways. Through my fellow Instagrammers, I discovered the wonderful folks at Cotton Cuts, their amazing products, a.k.a. fantastic curated fabrics and other services they provide to support and enrich the creative and local community.

What do you love about your Cotton Cuts Subscription Box?

I love my Cotton Cuts Subscription Boxes because I love surprises. And when I open it,  it’s like sunshine and rainbows. There’s nothing like a box of beautifully curated fabric that someone has carefully chosen, nicely folded and wrapped with a pretty bow based on what you love. The half-yard cuts are such a great option. I pick the fat quarters because I love fat quarters. Plus they are perfect for the sheer variety I prefer adding in my quilts. They are also nice and sizeable cuts that would work for many smaller projects like bags, zipper pouches and so much more.

Please feel free to go follow Elaina on Instagram at @on5thave !

Pictures That Should Be Quilts- Geometric Rainbow Unicorn - National Unicorn Day!

Happy National Unicorn Day!! Is there anything more magical than a Geometric Rainbow Unicorn? This weeks Pictures That Should Be Quilts is an amazing unicorn sculpture by Okuda San Miguel from Madrid, Spain. You can find his work on instagram, @okudart. How would you use this in your next project? What project will it inspire for you?

Pictures That Should Be Quilts - Geometric Rainbow Unicorn Sculpture

Introducing Cotton Cuts Brand Ambassador Marianne Jeffrey

Meet Marianne Jeffrey! One of Cotton Cuts Classic Box Brand Ambassadors!

Marianne joined Cotton Cuts as a Brand Ambassador in October of 2018. She was selected from a very long list of talented sewists. We wanted our members to get a chance to get to know Marianne a little better, so we asked her a few questions:

1. How long have you been sewing?

I have been sewing since I was a teenager. I did Textiles and Designs in high school and my mom bought me a singer 99 sewing machine from the local secondhand shop to sew with. I sewed mostly clothes until I began quilting in 2012.

2. How did you learn to sew?

My mom and my high school Textiles & Designs teachers taught me the basics, then most other basic sewing skills I learned through trial and error. Now I love Youtube, it is a great forum for learning skills specific to quilt making.

3. What is your favorite thing to sew?

My favorite thing to sew is throw quilts between 50" and 60" square, because I use that size a lot to snuggle up under on the couch in winter.

4. What is your favorite thing about sewing?

My favorite thing about sewing is seeing a finished project after spending many hours designing it and then sewing it. The sense of achievement is astounding.

5. What is your favorite item you have ever sewn?

My Adventurously Epic Sampler king size quilt. It was a project that took me about 5 years from the design process to making the quilt and then publishing the book.

6. Share something interesting with us?

I began quilting after a  nearly fatal pulmonary embolism in 2012. It was something I had always wanted to try but thought I would do it when I retired. But that embolism taught me that tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

7. What do you love about your Cotton Cuts Subscription Box?

The quality of the fabrics! The way the fabric arrays build from month to month because each box has pieces that work well with fabrics from previous boxes. The excitement of opening my mailbox and seeing that cute box in there each month and knowing it holds many hours of joy.

8. Please feel free to go follow Marianne Jeffrey on social media!!

Instagram: @mariannejeffrey

Blog: https://adventurousquilter.blogspot.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/302776246529328/

Cotton Cuts donates 65 Quilts to Children in Need Through the Linus Project.

Cotton Cuts Heart Builders are volunteers from all across the US who each play a role in getting a quilt from start to finish in creating amazing quilts for children in need. On March 15th the Cotton Cuts Heart Builders were able to make 65 quilts for the Linus Project. Wow!!

Cotton Cuts has a network of hundreds Heart Builders, who are volunteers from all across the US who each play a role in getting a quilt from start to finish.  They use both Top Makers and Finishers who donate their time to assist in making these donations possible.

This quarter the amazing Cotton Cuts Volunteers made quilts for the wonderful organization, the Linus Project. Project Linus, a non-profit organization, provides homemade blankets to children in need. Their blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources. Project Linus National Headquarters is located in Belton, Missouri.

The mission of Project Linus is to first Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” Second to Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Cotton is honored to partner with Project Linus to help children in need and humbled by the generosity of the time given by the Cotton Cuts Heart Builders to make this amazing donation of 65 quilts possible. The Heart Builders have given months of their own time.

Also donated, was a nine patch quilt made by visitors of the Cotton Cuts Collective grand opening. On January 26, 2019 Cotton Cut opened a Sewing and Event Space in the Chesterfield Mall in Chesterfield, MO. Guests were welcomed to sewing a 9 piece quilt block to later be donated. How beautiful is the finished quilt?

Cotton Cuts would like to thank all of their wonderful volunteers for making this Heart Builders donation so successful.

Pictures That Should Be Quilts, Acrylic Pour by Waterfall Acrylics- March 26, 2019

This weeks Pictures that Should Be Quilts is a stunning triple ring acrylic pour by Waterfall Acrylics named, The Twistinside. You can find Karen’s beautiful work on her instagram page or in her Etsy shop! Have you experimented in acrylic pours yet? How would you use this in your next project? What project will it inspire for you? Leave a comment below and continue to tag #picturesthatshouldbequilts when you find your next inspiration!

Pictures That Should by Quilts Acrylic Pour by Waterfall Acrylics March 26, 2109

March 19, 2019 Cotton Cuts Pictures That Should Be Quilts- Mosaic Fleur De Lis

This weeks Pictures That Should Be Quilts is an amazing mosaic Fleur De Lis by @rah.pha. How would you use this in your next project? What project will it inspire for you? Leave a comment below and continue to tag #picturesthatshouldbequilts on social media when you find your next inspiration!

March 2019 Cotton Cuts Classic Fabric Subscription Box Sneak Peek!

It is Sneak Peek time for this month's Classic and Mini Pop members out there. In this month’s box you may find some Best Friend Fabric by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda Fabrics. You may also find some Sun Print Fabric by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics. We think you may love the Porcelain Fabric by 3 Sisters also for Moda Fabric and the Tonga Batiks by Timeless Treasures Fabrics. As always, we have a few other surprises up our sleeves for our members out there!

It is not too late to sign up, there are still a few days until our March delivery ships (but only a few boxes left - we've sold out the past 10 months in a row!), so register now here before the week slips away from you! Use code COTTONCUTS to receive 10% off your first month of our Classic membership!

And remember, 20% of our profit goes to make quilts for kids in need...a win-win for all of us!!