Modern Country and more!

Do you remember the workshops we hosted in 2014 with Mary Elizabeth Kinch?  Well...we're working on plans to have her back in 2016 so stay tuned for a Save the Date notice (first weekend in June maybe!).

Eveyln's class project

Until then - we have some of her first collection of fabric available!  Clean and bright - it will add some crispness to your reproduction fabric collection OR give you some print variation on the contemporary side of the world.  Perfect for today's modern farmhouse decor!

Modern Country for Windham Fabrics

Here are a couple of the projects from Windham Fabrics featuring the collection.  What do you think of this color palette?!

And I thought I'd try it mixed with a grey chambray - kind of a crisp dress shirt meets grey flannel suit.  I'm experimenting with a few improv bowtie blocks and think I'm going to have fun making a small quilt or wallhanging.

Check out this tutorial from Molly Flanders blog for the improv method I'm using.  Enjoy the change in the weather!!  Fall is in the air and we are ready for some rain!

Wrapping things up...

We have some loose ends we need to post about, so this is a bunch of mixed up topics and now you can't say we don't save the best for last?  We are working hard on getting caught up...not sure just what on, but always something right?   Here are two gorgeous examples of the Lincoln's Sampler challenge project - we didn't have a strong finish for this challenge, but perhaps these two examples will prompt those of you who are stalled out to get 'er done!!  The layout change on this first one really changes up the quilt we think!  Thank-you Judy and Evelyn for jobs well done and sharing your quilts!!

We have a couple of overdue winner's to talk about....from the Tri-County quilt tour event, Nancy Peck  got a whole handful of gift certificates - who hooo!!   And (drum roll here please....) our Two Thimbles gift certificate winner is Louise Murphy and we'll sneak a picture of her soon shopping for something she really needs!  Congratulations and thank you for attending the Quilt Tour event...we've got a great theme planned for next year, so creative ideas are starting to be tossed around for our project.  

We have a couple of photo updates from the workshop in March with Mary Elizabeth Kinch - one little completed project and some big progress with some little pieces.  What fun projects!

Evelyn Outside Her Box

We think that Laurie is well on her way to joining the SPA (that is Small Pieces Aficionado) Society!  Check out some other great completed small pieces work here.  

Laurie's Peel 1/4 done!

 And the most requested recipe from the workshop...Bob makes these for me, I mean our workshops, and although the recipe works just fine, I found that having a cook deliver them works pretty well and they taste great too....Can't beat that!  We'll have to make these a staple at any of our future events so that may just be reason enough to sign up for classes and sew-ins!  If you click at the bottom of the photo, the receipe will enlarge and you'll be all set to head to the kitchen.  

Bob's molasses cookies

And last in our round of housekeeping items, we finally have a completed Thimble SIX quilt pattern from our anniversary sew along last year.  Which means we are also close to rolling out a new anniversary quilt, and this time, you won't have to wait for a pattern - I found the perfect one waiting on the shelf!  So watch for a new little quilt soon.

Thimble 6 pattern cover

Hope you are enjoying our moments of sunshine!  And just a reminder, we are closed on Sundays for the rest of the summer ~ Enjoy some sewing time!

Workshop wrap up

We had a great time with Mary Elizabeth last month, and from the feedback I am hearing, the lecture at the guild was great too.  Mary Elizabeth was willing to travel with two LARGE suitcases, packed with large and small quilts so we enjoyed a great trunk show with a good variety of projects.  I didn't snap too many pictures of her projects - it was amazing to see the quilts from her books in person - pictures never do the fabric colors and textures justice I think.  

Mary Elizabeth trunk show

scrap frenzy in progress

There was alot of fabric involved in the two workshops - and a few scraps changed hands a few times...here is a picture of one work-in-progress from the pumpkin peel - it was fun to see the variety of styles, colors and even strip width variations - all the factors combine to alter the results.  

Pumpkin peel in progress

We took some time to enjoy those days of early spring - the tulips were just hitting their peak and Mary Elizabeth had a chance to see the patchwork fields in all their wonderful color!

Skagit Valley Tulip Fields

We are starting a new program with reproduction fabric this month, and plan to feature a carefully selected group of six fabrics each month.  We will bundle up a limited quantity of these fat quarter bundles, priced at $17.45, and we think these gems will be a great addition to your stash.  Build up your fabric collection and include some unexpected and interesting fabrics - and before you know it you'll have just the perfect combination for a spectacular scrap quilt!

curated swatches

Our first collection - was inspired from some of the fabrics hand-selected by Mary Elizabeth Kinch during her visit to Two Thimbles.  This is your chance for your stash to start to resemble hers -  (well...in a small way that is, but you have to start somewhere)!  We'll feature these bundles each month on our website while supplies last.

Happy Stitching!

More New Classes

We are excited to introduce a few new classes to our lineup!

The notions jar class is a two part class that will be offered in two different sessions in November. This class will teach you step by step how to take an old mason jar and turn it into a functional sewing caddy, with pockets for your scissors and notions--complete with a pincushion on top!
The first set of classes will be held on Saturday November 2nd and Saturday November 9th from 1:00-3:30.  If weekdays are more your speed, we will be holding the classes on Wednesday November 6th and November 13th as well from 10:00 - 12:30. Cost is $45.00 for the 2 part class and includes the pattern.  Call or stop in to reserve your seat in the class!  If those dates don't work for you, we also have the pattern available for sale.

Two Thimbles version

Photo from the pattern maker Heart to Hand

Jumping a bit ahead in the year, we will be hosting two workshops with Mary Elizabeth Kinch in April of 2014.

The first workshop is "Small Quilts, Small Pieces." This workshop will teach you the beauty of small quilts; exciting color combinations, seam allowances, and the "chaos theory" of small quilting. This class is perfect for quilters of all experience levels, a place to learn new tricks, and add to your repertoire of abilities. The "Small Quilts, Small Pieces" workshop will take place Saturday April 12th, from 10:00-4:30. Space is limited, make sure to block out your calendar and reserve your spot early! Cost is $85.00.

Sunday April 13th is "Pumpkin Peel" day with Mary Elizabeth Kinch. Break out your scraps, and prepare to foundation paper piece a beautiful, unique quilt. The Pumpkin Peel is shown on the cover of Mary Elizabeth's book Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts. Class will be held on April 13th, 2014 from 10:00-4:30, cost is $85.00. As with the other workshop, space is limited, so don't wait to call or stop by and reserve your spot early.

March Wrap-up

Make This Year Count - Tri-County Quilt Tour 2013

We are done playing hopscotch, the quilt tour is over for this year, and we hope that everyone enjoyed the event.  Our weather is certainly improving so if you didn't venture out last week due to snow, sleet, hail, torrential rain...you name it, now is the time - looks like dry weather for a few more days!  

We have made progress on the Hallowe'en  1904 quilt - and we still have a few kits left if you are interested.  Leslie Hnosko quilted it  beautifully and we love it!!  Here are a couple of pictures of individual blocks and a full quilt below.  

The project is from a Blackbird Designs pattern and the quilt finishes up at 90 inches square - so not a small project, but fairly large blocks to assemble - we offer it allocated into 5 monthly kits so that helps distribute the work over a bit of time....it's never too late to be thinking of fall!

Hallowe'en 1904 finished quilt!

 

We've added another date for the scrap lecture - Thursday April 25th - same time, 11:00-1:00.  Please let us know if that fits your schedule and you'd like to sign up!  

The picture on the left features a strip quilt, the pattern is from one of the books we've been promoting for using up scraps - More Layer Cake, Jelly Roll & Charm Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott. We have found several versatile patterns in this book so recommend it for your collection!  This quilt was made from leftover strips - just odds n' ends from various projects - sure makes a nice bonus project!

We are taking sign-ups for the June 1st and 2nd workshops with Mary Elizabeth Kinch - both projects are included in the book below - Sunday will focus on foundation piecing the pumpkin peel shown on the cover of this book!  Fun with scraps, any style of fabric you like and a great time!  Our website should have details posted soon and you can always stop in or give us a call!  

Upcoming June Workshops

Happy Spring!