Sunday, February 24, 2013

Scraptastic Ideas

We're having fun showcasing lots of different projects featuring scraps.  Leslie shared shared some traditional ideas and more modern takes featuring brights by color or from a selected palette ....leftovers from quilts and odds n' ends combined to make great donation projects, baby quilts, complementary gift ideas, etc.!  
Maybelle's Star in 1800's reproduction in process
We really like the versatility of this pattern by Common Threads - we have a work-in-progress using 1800's reproductions combined with shirtings shown above, and then we mixed up a bright quilt, using 1/4 of the pattern to create this baby quilt, approx. 40 x 40...lots of fun!!  This pattern features 3 inch finished half-square triangles by the way!

Maybelle's Star in contemporary - baby size (40x40)



Old time scrap quilt, new spools gone scrappy

If you missed our first round of lectures - we've added a couple of new dates....Saturday April 20th and Friday April 26th.  Both dates the lecture will be from 11:00 - 1:00pm.  Give us a call or an email if you're interested and we'll get a spot reserved.  

Brights - by color
More ideas with leftovers and themed scraps!



We are super excited to offer two upcoming workshops with Mary Elizabeth Kinch from Toronto.  We are still working out the details and will share the specifics with you soon here on the on the blog shortly - for now, save the dates...June 1st and 2nd.  More soon!





















Happy Stitching!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

What's new and on tap!

We're offering this gypsy carry-all class again this spring and we've set the date for Saturday April 27th, it requires a bit of prep work as you start with prepared blocks, but they can be as simple or embellished as you want.  You can choose the size for your bag, and the pattern is included as part of the class.   If you missed this class last time, sign-up now and get started on your blocks!

Gypsy carry-all
We have had some requests for stitchery techniques - so here is an opportunity to dabble with some hand stitching!  This will provide just the right amount of experience if you want to work toward embellished crazy quilt blocks for your gypsy bag.  Come spend a few hours exploring embroidery, learn a few stitches and how to combine them for beautiful results on a prepared sampler block that Suz will have all ready for you.  After the class you can finish up your block and turn it into a fun needle case like the ones shown below.  Saturday March 2nd, from 10:30 - 2:30 is the date for this project.  

embroidery sampler
On Saturday we rolled out the patterns from Primitive Patchworks, accompanied by a great selection of Nancy Friesen's quilts.  Nancy dropped off the quilts in person and held a great little introduction to applique class Saturday morning before heading back to Oregon.  What a fun chance to meet the designer, get a taste of hand applique, and see all the great quilts.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  We'll have these quilts and patterns on display for the next few weeks so stop by and admire the talent!  

Primitive Patchworks trunk show

Primitive Patchworks trunk show
Here is our latest addition to the reproduction side of the store - New Colonies from Windham Fabrics, designed by Nancy Gere.  We haven't seen some of these prints before and the colors are great - soft enough but also vibrant.  These will be great incorporated into some patchwork projects you may have in the works.
New Colonies by Nancy Gere
Stay on top of our class offerings and store events by checking the website periodically.  We're working on lots of fun ideas so we'll try to keep you updated here as well.

Happy Stitching!

Friday, February 1, 2013

February Happenings

This fabric group from Moda by Sweetwater, "Mama Said Sew", says it all...with a couple of other written word motifs these fabrics would make a pretty yummy valentine....and here's our version.  We cooked up a sweet treat for this month's pincushion - a cookie cutter base, a quilty fabric in black and white and red all over...add a bit of glue and you have it, no hot stove required!


We have a little introduction to applique class scheduled for next Saturday, and it will be an opportunity to meet the pattern designer from Primitive Patchworks as she plans to be in our area to deliver her quilts for the upcoming trunk show!  We featured pictures of her quilts in a post last month.

We are also busy working on some class ideas, and I am chatting with teachers and gathering samples and trying to nail down some dates so we'll have more things coming soon.  Until then, please take a look at our website - we've added some items to the classes and events pages as we are building in items one at a time.  If you think you'd like to join us on February 9th for a short applique lesson with Nancy Friesen, please give us a call or stop by as we only have a few spaces left.

And stay tuned....we've got a workshop in the planning stages with Mary Elizabeth Kinch http://www.maryelizabethkinch.com/ for early summer.  


Happy Stitching!