Carolina Patchwork Quilts - Blog

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2008-03-08T20:09:00.004-05:00

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Quilts for sale! Find the perfect quilt from over 100 designs of handmade patchwork quilts, embroidered quilts, baby quilts and quilted wall hangings,

2008-02-16T05:26:00.000-05:00

Quilts for sale! Find the perfect quilt from over 100 designs of handmade patchwork quilts, embroidered quilts, baby quilts and quilted wall hangings, applique quilts, teen bedding

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10 Tips to Train a Money Savvy Child

2008-01-05T03:32:00.000-05:00

Managing money is one of the greatest skills parents can teach children and encouraging good spending habits at an early age will save your child lifelong angst.

1. Bring your child to work with you to explain where your money comes from and how you
earn it
2. Teach kids the difference between needs and wants. Explain that you have both too, and
how you make decisions about purchases.
3. Deposit your children’s money into an account to teach them how to manage it.
4. Allow your child to keep his or her own money. It should be the child’s job to keep it safe.
5. If your child wants to borrow money to purchase holiday gifts, consider it a lesson in loans.
Charge a bit of interest, and he or she will understand that it is better to spend what you
have than to borrow.
6. As your child gets older, gradually increase the amount of purchases for which she or he is
accountable.
7. Share with your children the importance of giving. It is the greatest gift you can give yourself.
Involve them in your charitable donations this holiday season. Encourage them to donate
some of their own money. There are many reputable sites to learn of quality organizations.
8. Let children make (small) mistakes with their money so they learn the consequences of poor
money management.
9. Monitor your child’s spending habits so you can provide real-time, real-world guidance.
10. Take advantage of new tools available to help your children and family learn financial
literacy. Obopay is an excellent one - it is mobile phone based and almost all children are
already comfortable with mobile phones.

Send/Receive money from your cell phone

2008-01-05T03:28:00.000-05:00

Need to get money to your teenager - fast? Send it to their cell phone!

Obopay, Inc. is a pioneering service that lets consumers and businesses
purchase, pay, and transfer money through any mobile phone using Obopay’s mobile
application, text message, mobile Web, widget, or Obopay.com. As the first mobile payment
service created exclusively for the mobile phone, only Obopay works on any phone and any
carrier to empower consumers and businesses with the convenience of mobile payments.
Obopay is bringing mobile payments to more consumers through industry-first alliances and is
headquartered in Redwood City, California.

Free money!

Great site for bedding tips!

2007-12-30T00:41:00.000-05:00

I just came across this neat site with a lot of tips on all kinds of bedding.

I was especially interested in topic on returning bedding after purchasing it, taking it home and checking the style and color with your bedroom decor.

While I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, I can only accept returns for new and unused quilts. So if a quilt you purchase from me does not work out, and sometimes they don't, please return it as soon as you decide it just won't do.

How Many Chics Can I Name?

2007-12-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

Quilts are often associated with shabby chic or cottage chic styles. What does chic mean? How many chic styles are there?

Check out this article to learn more: Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia: How Many Chics Can I Name? You can also take a short survey about your "chic" compared to others.

11 Great Uses for Quilted Lap Throws

2007-12-09T00:19:00.000-05:00

Quilted Lap Throws can be so handy during the holidays....

Drape it on your chair, right at hand when ready to relax.
Family elders who chill easily will appreciate the handy shawl
Tired toddlers nod out quickly when buried under the quilt
Lay on the floor for new borns to keep an easy eye on them
Use as an table cloth for the children's table.
Get several for extra seating using TV trays
Bring it on sleigh rides to keep your seat warm
Quickly cover a worn ottoman for unexpected visitors
At 36" x 27" it is easily tucked in the car
Decorate your dog's bed for the holidays
Tack it to a dowel to hang on your door in place of a wreath

Christmas Lap Quilts Sale - 35% )ff

2007-12-09T00:16:00.000-05:00

Christmas Lap Quilts on Sale - Save 35%!!!

Imagine snuggling under a cozy lap quilt by the fire....

The bustle of the holidays makes relaxing in your favorite chair a treat to look forward to.

The tree is decorated and the stockings are hung. You relax with flavorful eggnog, recalling the happiness of past holiday seasons, counting each as a precious blessing .

The air is filled with the excitement of your children or their children anticipating a visit from St. Nick and the sweet agony of secrets wrapped in bright paper piled under the tree.

Ahh...

You are winding down and enjoying your reflections.

Could this moment get any better?

Imagine a quilted throw tucked across your lap to warm your toes. The familiar coziness and timeless charm of quilts eases you into perfect blissful comfort.

You must soon jump back into the hectic preparations of the holiday meal and greeting friends and family as they arrive for the festivities.

You will soon learn it is not only useful to keep warm, these holiday theme quilts will complement your holiday decorations, lending a homey touch to any style in any room.

You will discover these quilts to be very useful

~ Drape it on your chair, right at hand when ready to relax.
~ Family elders who chill easily will appreciate the handy shawl
~ Tired toddlers nod out quickly when buried under the quilt
~ Lay on the floor for new borns to keep an easy eye on them
~ Use as an table cloth for the children's table.
~ Get several for extra seating using TV trays
~ Spills are not a problem with our washable quilted throws.
~ Bring it on sleigh rides to keep your seat warm
~ Quickly cover a worn ottoman for unexpected visitors
~ At 36" x 27" it is easily tucked in the car
~ Decorate your dog's bed for the holidays
~ Tack it to a dowel to hang on your door in place of a wreath

And now you can save 35% on our holiday quilted throws!

Go to our sale page now and save $20 on seven of our holiday theme lap quilts. We discounted our most popular holiday throws with angels, snowmen, Santa, and snow flakes.

And you save even more with our free shipping policy!

And another benefit -
~ At these affordable prices, they are great gifts for anyone!
~ Pick up a couple for last minute gifts

Hurry to get yours now to enjoy during the holidays!

Happy Holidays Wishes from our Family to Yours

The holiday season is a time of giving and sharing love with dear friends and family. We wish you a safe and joyous holiday season.

As always, I would like to thank you for your interest in our quilts. We sincerely appreciate your business, and set high goals to maintain your trust and ensure a pleasant shopping experience.

We appreciate your recommendating us to your friends and family. Urge them to visit our shop and browse our large selection of quilts. Remember to tell them to enter the Carolina Patchwork Quilts free quilt contest and get special discounts and promotions by requesting our newsletter!

New Quilts Added!

2007-11-30T21:49:00.001-05:00

These quilts will be added to my site on 12/1/2007.

My second passion.....

2007-11-09T17:53:00.000-05:00

I created a business based on my passion for patchwork quilts. Little did I know it would spawn a new passion....

I always knew I would develop a business around my favorite past-time, which is home decorating. When I started out with my internet business, I was told to select a niche with one product, and become an expert in a field with little competition. What I didn't know was how much my e-commerce education would fascinate me. Not only did I have to teach myself html, link trading, webrings, affliate marketing, PPC advertising, SEO techniques, Page Rank,SERPs and the intriguing study of website analytics.

These are the entry level topics every webmaster has to, well, master. But it is the intangible gleanings from random bits of information stumbled upon while researching that tease the neural networks in my brain. Every once in a while, seemingly disconnected factoids tucked away will suddenly find connections that reveal a concept that springs into bright wholeness, surprising and amazing me with delightful clarity.

I recently experienced such an enlightenment while working on a rather mundane subject - keyword research. I have brainstormed with friends, tried every keyword research tool on the web, performed A/B testing and still never quite "got it". I could never get into the mindset of potential customers looking for quality patchwork quilts. I created campaigns for patchwork quilts, bedding, bedroom decor, wedding gifts, heirloom gifts, college student apartments, and many more. While my efforts were fairly successful, they lacked depth and true insight into my customer's core motivations for buying a quilt.

Then a few days ago, I was studying a totally different subject, good copy writing techniques. Good copy appealing to emotions is very powerful. Then the light bulb came on. I knew how to find the exact motivators that influence buying behaviours. It is a surprisingly simple idea- just ask them!

After working on several variations of questions, I decided on a direct approach. On my subscription form, I added this leading statement:
"The first word that comes to mind about our shop is.... "

The results were amazing.

First, the question purposely precludes thoughtful reflection, or conscious consideration, which usually stunts creativity with an innate fear of criticism. I wanted core beliefs and values that shape decisions and evaluations.

Second, by subtly limiting the response to only one word and asking for the first (immediate) impression, I prompted instinctive and fundamental responses with ingenuous honesty. Best of all, I collected the exact motivators I was looking for! I can influence positive decisions using words that carry personal meanings.

I know the precepts of NLP recommend mimicking a person's mannerisms and speech pattern to create a sense of familiarity and comfort to build trust. That notion must be attached to rogue neuron in my brain; it just didn't connect with how to understand my visitors. Maybe it is the anonymity of the web that shunted personal interaction.

For the curious, some of the words submitted were grandmother, charm, warmth, beautiful, enticing, want, unique, comforting, cozy, indulgence, quality, beauty, home-y, friendly, my room, beauty and country. I believe these responses are very revealing.

Now I need another eureka moment to understand what they are revealing.....

You bought the perfect quilt, now how do you care for it?

2007-10-26T07:33:00.000-04:00

How to Care for Your Quilts

Washing

All of our quilts are machine washable, but care is recommended. If possible, wash quilt in in large commercial washer on the gentle cycle to allow for plenty of room and thorough cleaning. While home washers can be used (if capacity allows),the agitators in home machines may stretch the patchwork or appliques. Always wash in cold water using a laundry product designed for delicate fabrics. This ensures the colors stay true. Always wash the quilt by itself at the fullest setting, and rinse in cold water. Fabric softners can be used and will minimize wrinkling. Tip: Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar in wash water to set and preserve colors.

Drying

It is best to air dry quilts when possible as machine drying tends to lift and fade the threads on the surface of fabrics and cause the colors to appear faded. However, it is possible to dry the quilt in a large capacity dryer on a lower setting to minimize fading. Fabric softening sheets also help minimize fading. Commercial dryers offer the best air flow for larger quilts.

Mending

The beauty of owning a patchwork quilt for life is that they are so easy to mend! After all, they are made of patchwork! Should a tear or hole appear in your quilt, find a similar fabric pattern from an old dress, shirt or sheet, cut to cover the rend and stitch! Not only is it an easy task, but it adds one more memory as the quilt is handed down to the next generation!

Storage

Find a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting for storing your quilts. The ultraviolet radiation in both daylight and fluorescent lights causes dyes to fade and fibers to become brittle. Refolding and rotating your quilts seasonally helps protect them from light damage.

Avoid attics, garages, damp basements, and other locations where quilts are exposed to high temperatures, high humidity, and stagnant air. Heat and/or humidity, and lack of ventilation set up the right environment for mold and mildew. An unused extra bed makes an ideal storage spot. Place cotton sheets between quilt layers to prevent dye transfer.

If you put your quilts away, avoid storing quilts directly on wooden shelves or in cardboard containers with gift-wrap-type tissue paper. Untreated wood and paper cause the yellow and brown spots seen on many old quilts. Instead roll cotton quilts (rather than folding) with acid-free tissue paper between the layers. Or, use polyester batting to cushion folds. To prevent permanent creases, regularly refold the quilts in a different way, then reroll them. Place rolled quilts inside cotton pillowcases or sheets to protect against light, dust, and contact with acidic materials. Do not use plastic bags as these tend to retain moisture and encourage mildew growth. If you need to store quilts on wooden shelves, place them in cotton pillowcases first. Then, use a layer of muslin or even aluminum foil to create a barrier between the wood and the pillowcase.

Dry Cleaning

On occasion, we may offer quilts that are labeled Dry Clean Only. In this case, bring the quilt to your local professional dry cleaner and have them test a small section for color fastness in your presence.

Quilt Dimensions

2007-10-26T07:24:00.000-04:00

Before you buy a quilt, measure the width, length and depth of your mattress, then use this handy guide to determine the size quilt you need.

Printable Version

This table lists the standard US mattress sizes, quilt dimensions, and the side and bottom drop length.

Mattress	Mattress Size (W x L)	Quilt Size (W x L)	Side Drop	Bottom Drop
Twin/Single	39 × 75	68 x 86	14.5"	11"
Twin/Single XL	39 × 80	68 x86	14.5"	6"
Double/Full	54 × 75	Full 86 x86	16"	11"
		Queen 90 x 90	18"	15"
Double/Full XL	54 × 80	Full 86 x 86	16"	6"
		Queen 90 x 90	18"	10"
Queen	60 × 80	Queen 90 x 90	15"	10"
		Oversize Queen 96 x 98	18"	18"
		King 100 x 90	20"	10"
		King turned 90 x 100	15"	20"
		King 104 x 90	22"	10"
		King 105 x 95	22.5"	15"
		Luxury King 114 x 98	27"	18"
		King Plus 115 x 105	27.5"	25"
Olympic Queen	66 x 80	Queen 90 x 90	12"	10"
		Oversize Queen 96 x 98	15"	18"
		Oversize Queen Turned 98 x 96	16"	16"
		King 100 x 90	17"	10"
		King 104 x 90	19"	10"
		King 105 x 95	19.5"	15"
		Luxury King 114 x 98	24"	18"
		King Plus 115 x 105	24.5"	25"
California Queen	60 x 84	Oversize Queen 96 x 98	18"	14"
		King turned 90 x 100	15"	16"
		King 105 x 95	22.5"	11"
		King turned 95 x 105	17.5"	21"
		Luxury King 114 x 98	27"	14"
		Luxury King turned 98 x 114	19"	20"
		King Plus 115 x 105	27.5"	21"
King	76 × 80	King 100 x 90	12"	10"
		King 104 x 90	14"	10"
		King 105 x 95	14.5"	15"
		Luxury King 114 x 98	19"	18"
		King Plus 115 x 105	19.5"	25"
California King	72 x 84	King 105 x 95	16.5"	11"
		Luxury King 114 x 98	21"	14"
		King Plus 115 x 105	21.5"	21"

The Easy Way to Find Your Perfect Quilt

2007-10-26T07:19:00.000-04:00

If you are not sure about which quilt you want, or which colors you need, don't despair!

At Carolina Patchwork Quilts, we recognize shoppers are often in search of home decor items that match an existing color theme in their home or bedroom, especially in quilts, throws and wall hangings. We also recognize that not all computers are alike, and the colors in our graphics may seem different from computer to computer. We are here to help!

If you need a specific color, or you are looking for a specific theme, please email or call us at 866-505-8600 and let us know what you are looking for! We will scour our catalogs and send you email photos of our suggestions. We will be happy to work directly with you to find the perfect quilt!

We have also designed our site to help you easily find colors and themes yourself with our site search engine. We enjoy the pleasure of working with an expert colorist who supplies the unique colors used each of our quilt descriptions. To find a color you need, simply enter it in the search box and a list of all quilts containing that color will be displayed. It is also possible to find various quilts by different details, such as those with embroidery or appliqué.

Patchwork Quilts - The Perfect Bedroom Decor

2007-10-26T07:15:00.000-04:00

Why should you consider quilts for your bedroom decor? There are lots of reasons!

Timeless Style

First, quilts always evoke warm feeling and fond memories in almost everyone. We are reminded of our grandmothers, and the carefree times of our childhood. Quilts have stood the test of time against changing fads in bedding and bedroom decor.

Bedroom Focal Point

Your bed is always the focal point of your bedroom room. You can shift the design focus by using a dominant print for curtains, chair seats or table cloths and putting unobtrusive solid colors on the bed. Because of the relative size of your bed, minimizing focus on your bed will create a spacial imbalance with the other design elements in your room. Before investing in expensive curtains made with a distinctive patterned fabric, recognize that your options for change and variety in the future will be limited.
By using your bedding as the design focal point, your design statement immediately creates interest on entering the room. Using solid fabrics for curtains, walls and accents gives you a lot more choices in the color palette you want. The smaller design elements in your room will complement your focal point instead of competing with it. And you can change your curtains without sacrificing your investment because solid colors are easier to incorporate in another room's design.

Flexibility

Because quilts are typically made with multi-colored fabrics with different patterns, they offer tremendous flexibility in coordinating bedroom design elements, like wall color, curtains and rugs. You can pick one of colors in the quilt as the primary color scheme, or pick two or three for more interest and variety. When you want to redecorate, or make subtle changes in the color scheme, simply pick another color in the quilt! For example, our Spring Bloom quilt can be complemented with lavender, blue, green, pale pink, or neutral beige. Consider periwinkle curtains against pale green walls. Or bright white curtains against rich lavendar walls. The possibilities are endless.

One Quilt, Two Designs

Getting a reversible quilt can really extend your design options. Simply flip it over to quickly change the look of your room. Using both sides of the quilt also lengthens the time between washings, extending the life of your quilt.

Future Heirlooms

Because quilts last for years, they can be future heirlooms for your children or grandchildren. They will remember the quilt on your bed with special memories, and will carry that memory in their hearts forever. They can pass your quilt down through the generations with memories of you embedding in the very fabric.

More about me

2007-10-26T05:39:00.000-04:00

I am a female baby boomer coming to the end of a long career in the computer industry, and ready to enjoy my "retirement". I just had to figure out what I wanted to do! I decided to let my passions guide me so whatever path I followed, I would be energized by pleasurable work.

While I enjoy unraveling the mysteries of computers and how they work, my true pleasure comes from restoring and decorating historic homes. I enjoy going back in time and imagining a life lead by the women that came before me.

I love to sew, cook and maintain a comfortable home. I am often amazed by how women did these tasks without the modern conveniences we have today. Can you image doing laundry without a washer and dryer? And thank goodness for permanent press clothing! I love to cook, but all day every day in a hot kitchen on a wood stove, making everything from scratch?

So I continued exploring my options, and suddenly it came to me! Decorating my home to create a comfortable environment always gives me pleasure - I love to shop, I love fine furniture and I always indulge in wonderful bed linens and thick luxurious bath towels (with matching hand towels and wash cloths, of course!).

But how could I compete with the large bedding and bath stores? Then it dawned on me that few of the big guys sell quilts, and those that do only offer a few styles. Given my love of historical treasures, combined with my enjoyment of sewing, topped by my passion for beautiful quality bedding, and adding my computer and internet skills to the mix, my next career became crystal clear. And here I am today.

Because you are reading this, I know you share my love of quilts for their timeless beauty. I hope you find a treasure for yourself in my quilt shop.