Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Quilt The North
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Il Borgo: 2025 Aurifil Advent Calendar Pre-Order
Last year, Aurifil introduced their very first Advent calendar. It was an overwhelming success and customers were so delighted that Aurifil has decided to continue the tradition. Il Borgo, Aurifil’s 2025 advent calendar is designed to capture the magic of the season through a maker’s lens. It invites quilters to rediscover the joy of anticipation — one colorful surprise at a time. Behind each door awaits a perfectly curated spool of Aurifil’s premium 100% cotton thread, ready to spark inspiration, creativity, and a few joyful moments just for you. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and the simple pleasure of a holiday tradition reimagined for the creative spirit of today. Pre-orders are being taken now, with delivery of the calendars in November 2025, in time to begin counting down the December days.
This palette of 24 hues includes five brand-new, limited-edition colors exclusive to this advent calendar in addition to a medley of Aurifil’s cotton thread weights, including the new Cotton 8wt/2ply and Aurifloss 6-strand divisible floss. You will also have access to a secure online portal - exclusive to calendar holders - filled with a trove of digital delights, courtesy of Aurifil. This portal contains festive surprises, creative content, and added value each day.
As an extra touch of magic, five sets worldwide will include a rare golden spool. If you find one, you’ll win an exclusive prize from Aurifil valued at over $300!
This
will be a limited production run, and orders need to be in to me by May 27th/2025 to guarantee on time delivery. I am offering these sets at a terrific price of $179.50 Cdn, plus $6. shipping anywhere in Canada. A $100. deposit is required at this time, with the remainder to be paid in November when the calendars ship. To place your order, please email karen at karenneary.ca
Friday, 4 April 2025
New Pattern: Well Anchored
Well Anchored ©
Pattern is available in print version on my website here, and can be downloaded at this link. If you prefer etransfer, please email for an invoice. Sew Karen-ly Created patterns are widely available at quilt shops, so please ask your local shop first; we want to support our quilt shops!
Monday, 31 March 2025
En Garde!
The pattern is printed on large format pages with the pieces all presented full-sized and mirror image, ready for tracing. The goose itself is raw edge appliqué and the border flying geese are foundation pieced. It's really a very straightforward design.
Monday, 7 October 2024
New Pattern Release: At The Cove
This year as part of the 2024 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Feestival, I have an exhibit entited “Quilts And Their Stories” at Mrs Pugsley’s Emporium. One of the stores I will be sharing is about a runner, “At The Cove.” Last fall I was contacted by author Barbara Emodi who was engaged in writing her latest novel when she was struck by a rather unique notion. This book, the 4th in the Gasper’s Cove mystery series, was to include her characters attending a series of workshops on a retreat weekend, where she has them make, among other things, a quilted table runner. She considered it might be fun if there was an actual pattern available in real life that could reference what the (imaginary) quilters were making, and wondered if I might have such a pattern. I didn’t…but I do now!
Barbara lives in Nova Scotia, and is a sewer with a great many books under her belt. The Gasper’s Cove Mystery books are published by C&T Publishing and have a wide readership. To say they are a fun read is an understatement; who doesn’t like a good “who dunnit”, especially when the main character is a sewer, and a Maritimer.
Thursday, 20 June 2024
Aurifil Advent Calendar L'Alpi
Friday, 10 May 2024
Catch of the Day Lobster Tote
Drum roll please! I am happy to announce the release of the 4th pattern in the Tidewater Totes series. There's nothing that says "east coast" more than lobsters.


As before, we took the totes to the lighthouse park in Five Islands for the photo shoot.
If you have ever been near the Bay of Fundy when the tide is coming in, you will understand that it's no small feat to take good pictures. These bags are all weighted down with bricks inside to prevent them blowing off the bench. Even so, it's snap, snap, snap quick-as-you-can!
The totes for all 4 of these designs are available in print and download version on my website, and are shipping out to stores as I write so please check at your local quilt shop.Monday, 29 April 2024
Aurifil Thread Labs 2.0
I am excited to announce that Sew Karen-ly Created...will again be a host shop for the latest thread-ucation program from Aurifil thread.
Thread Labs 2.0 is the sophisticated successor to the inaugural
educational subscription offered last year. Building upon the foundational knowledge provided in
2023, the 2024 program will offer an intriguing exploration of techniques and
applications, guided by a distinguished team of educators. From July to
December, participants will engage in an immersive learning experience,
covering a diverse range of skills from FPP to Machine Quilting, through the
practical use of various Aurifil thread weights. Subscribers who participated in
Thread Labs 1.0 can expect a unique program experience with Thread Labs 2.0
with no repeats in either the product you receive or in the projects and
presenters.
SCHEDULE:
Lab 2.1 | JULY / THREAD EXEMPLAR
Featured Educator: Nicholas Ball / @quiltsfromtheattic
Lab 2.2 | AUGUST / 50wt, FOUNDATION PAPER-PIECING
Featured Educator: Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill / @wholecirclestudio
Lab 2.3 | SEPTEMBER / 80wt & 12wt, BIG STITCH
QUILTING
Featured Educator: Sarah Fielke / @sfielke
Lab 2.4 | OCTOBER / 8wt & 12wt, EMBROIDERY
Featured Educator: Anna Maria Horner / @annamariahorner
Lab 2.5 | NOVEMBER / 28wt, 12wt, & Aurifloss, MENDING &
APPAREL
Featured Educators: Jenni Smith & Kay Walsh / @jennismithsews & @kaynwalsh
Lab 2.6 | DECEMBER / 50wt, 40wt, Forty3,
MACHINE QUILTING
Featured Educator: HollyAnne Knight / @stringandstory
What is the Aurifil Thread Labs 2.0 Subscription Box program?
Threads Labs is a monthly education subscription program running from July to
December 2024. Subscribers to the program will receive monthly thread
boxes. Over the course of the six months, you will gain all the necessary tools
to more confidently create with a variety of thread weights and techniques,
finishing the year inspired, armed with new skills and a wealth of knowledge.
How is Thread Labs 2.0 different than Thread Labs
1.0?
Thread Labs 2.0 builds on the educational foundation set by Thread Labs 1.0.
The program features six new educators highlighting custom curated ranges of
threads for 6 new projects. Boxes are focused on technique and on inspiring new
and creative use of Aurifil threads. There are no repeats and subscribers who
participated in Thread Labs 1.0 can expect a unique program experience with
Thread Labs 2.0.
I didn’t participate in Thread Labs 1.0… can I
still dive in to Thread Labs 2.0?
Yes, absolutely! Knowledge gained in Threads Labs 1.0 is not required for
success with Thread Labs 2.0. That said, if you’re interested in gaining
detailed knowledge of Aurifil’s history and a peek at the production process in
addition to an in depth thread education on available products, we’d highly
recommend looking into Thread Labs 1.0. which is now available as individual
boxes.
What is included in the boxes?
Each box will include a range of Aurifil threads relevant to that month’s
featured thread weight and technique along with access to a secure portal
containing education materials & projects, exclusive videos, a monthly
giveaway, and partner offers.
How long will content be available online?
Monthly secure online portals will remain active through June 30, 2025.
What is the cost of this program?
100% of the cost is for product included in the
box. The education portion of the box– along with any bonus assets– is fully
complementary and exclusive to subscribers. Sew Karen-ly Created
is happy to offer Thread Labs 2.0 for $110. per month for Canadian customers. We ship across Canada for a very reasonable (subsidized) flat rate, or you can pick up your threads in Amherst, Nova Scotia.
When will my boxes arrive?
Thread Labs 2.0 Subscription boxes will ship at the beginning of each month,
July – December 2024. Boxes SHOULD arrive to you by the 15th of each month.
How and when do we sign up?
Simply send an email as soon as possible stating your intention to
join. There is no registration fee, and no deposit required – just your
word.
Is there a sign up deadline?
Orders need to be submitted no later than Monday May 13. You may still join
after this date but your boxes may be delayed. All boxes are assembled by hand
and with care in the Aurifil offices.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations are possible with a 30 day notice. Example: You cancel your
subscription in mid-August. You will still receive and pay for your September
boxes, but will not receive your October boxes.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to be in touch. It's going to be a wonderful program!
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Tidewater Totes Launch!
"Tidewater Totes" photographed at the Lighthouse Park in Five Islands, Nova Scotia. |
I am thrilled to announce that the first three patterns in a series of "Tidewater Tote" Bags are now ready. These have truly been a labour of love, and learning. The challenge in designing is to make things attractive and detailed -while keeping the sewing as simple as possible- and I believe that goal has been achieved in these simple-to-stitch projects. Whale tails flashing above the water line, lobsters with their claws held high, anchors, and sailboats adorn the tote bag fronts, which are added in fusible raw-edge appliqué. These are uncomplicated, quick and easy to sew bags that can be made one day and put to use the next. Tidewater Totes patterns include clear, tested instructions and full sized templates.
This is the Sand Point Beach Bag which features soft rope handles. I am happy to say I figured out an easy way to attach the handles which does not involve applying grommets or making buttonholes. (I hate cutting holes in a project; I always make a big mess, or get the hole in the wrong spot and then it's ruined.) The rope (available at craft shops) gives a nice, nautical touch. The bag has an open top so you can easily stuff it with necessities for a day at the beach.

This one is "The Boat Tote", generously sized and featuring a recessed zipper on the top of the bag. Inside is an open pocket.
Soon to follow will be fish, lobsters, lighthouses, and a few more nautical surprises.
Patterns are available in both print and digital downloads from my website at this link:
Patterns may also be found at selected quilt stores, so please ask at your local quilt shop for your Tidewater Tote pattern.