Hats and More Hats

Remember our featured pincushion for April? We had those darling hats, one in bright red and mod grey and the other in fashionable brown and black. The pattern designers (The Quilted Fish) also came out with a quilt pattern- too cute to resist, right? Here is the full-size version done up in similar colors to the pattern. We used a solid white for the background, but you could choose a white-on-white fabric for a similar feel...or choose a different colorway entirely! The accents on the hats are made from gathered strips of fabric combined with funky buttons. It was fun to gather up a whole lot of bright fabrics to make a new display. The quilt just takes fat quarters plus some yardage for the background and borders. 

Now if we have a black and brown pincushion...don't you think we need a black and brown quilt? We downsized a bit, and mixed up the hat accents (did someone say feathers and velvet ribbon?). This one is hanging up behind the counter.

This new group comes from Moda, from the designer 3 Sisters. It's called Papillon- gorgeous color combination don't you think? We've got some layer cakes for this group as well.

Happy Stitching!

Mixing It Up

It's not exactly spring anymore...but it's never too late for some "Spring Cleaning", right? We've relocated our Jo's corner (or expanded depending on how you look at it!), created a few displays for some new projects, revamped some shelves...basically, moved each bolt once or twice or a few times! Just about everything has found a home and we're pretty happy with the end results. Hopefully you'll notice some changes next time you come in... 

A new home for Jo Morton fabrics

Christmas all year round, anyone?

A brand new quilt and gorgeous fabrics

Anniversary Doll Quilt 2012 Chocolate T Quilt

Brightening up the front of the shop with the Michael Miller Clubhouse Marseille quilt

A fun new kid's group called ABC Primer

Happy Stitching!

A Little Bit of History

One of the great things about working with fabric is discovering the historical connection to the material we use. Here at Two Thimbles, we've got a couple of new projects utilizing fabric designed with inspiration from John Hewson, an early-American textile printer.

John Hewson

According to Barbara Brackman's blog, Hewson was well known for panels which feature a central vase filled with flowers and accompanied by birds and butterflies. There is more information here - he has a really interesting history of rebellious acts against England during the American Revolutionary War period, through his textile printing activities.

Some of Hewson's work is featured at the Winterthur Museum, including a gorgeous original bedcover. A replica of this quilt was designed by Gail Kessler and featured on the Andover website as a free pattern. 

A replica of an original Hewson design from Gail Kessler

Andover also featured another quilt pattern which showcases their new line of Winterthur John Hewson fabrics. We made up a version and have it displayed in the classroom:

Another of the projects now hanging in the store was designed based on a quilt utilizing Hewson's designs and displayed at the American Folk Art Museum. The artist of the original quilt is unknown, but it's dated between 1790 and 1810. Here is our version (we have kit's and a pattern available), using one of the Andover Hewson panels:

If you are interested, Quilters Newsletter published a three-part historical fiction series about Hewson and his family in their 2010 fall issues. There are also additional patterns inspired by John Hewson's work in those publications.

Hewson-inspired fabrics at Two Thimbles

We've got another project in the works that will use this Hewson panel...and potentially lots of hexagons...so stay tuned for that!

Happy Stitching!

Pincushion in a Box

Here's our new pincushion...isn't it fabulous! Those little rulers are printed with the shop name and info,  and we turned them into these fantastic little boxes with the help of a favorite local craftsman. The little fabric pouf pin cushion is super easy to make, and the extra compartment is just perfect for a little pair of scissors, some thread, paper hexagons...you name it! We have a few different styles of individual boxes, as well, so you can deck out your sewing room 'Two Thimbles' style! 

Many of you asked about an anniversary doll quilt when we had our Anniversary Sale in May...we finally rolled out our latest creation. This darling turquoise and chocolate combo we're calling the Chocolate T quilt, features an appropriate T block done up in scrappy browns, with cocoa accents and a lovely aqua border. We have some kits available for this one...some include the gorgeous striped backing, or you can choose your own! Worth the wait, we're thinking...

We've made some pretty big changes to the layout of the store...this means one bolt of fabric may not go back in the same spot from one day to the next, but it also means opportunity for new inspiration. Pictures coming soon...or you can always come see for yourself!

Happy Stitching!

Prizes and Pudding

We're celebrating new blog subscribers this month! Throughout the month of May we offered a chance to enter a drawing for some fun prizes for new blog subscribers.  We drew three winners and are notifying them via personal emails!  That is a fun way to start out don't you think?  Thanks to everyone who signed up - we hope that subscribing to the Two Thimbles blog will keep you inspired and stitching!

Speaking of 'new' - here's something we haven't posted on our blog before- a recipe! This chocolate pudding was taste-tested during the Gwen Marston workshop a couple of weeks ago and got rave reviews, so we thought we'd share!

Dairy Free Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients:
·  3 T. cornstarch
·  1/3 cup and 2 T. organic sugar
·  ¼ cup cocoa powder
·  pinch of salt
·  2 cups plain unsweetened almond milk
·  1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
·  ½ t. vanilla
Preparation:
1. In a small cup or bowl, combine the cornstarch with 2 T. cold water, mixing to dissolve. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Over medium-low heat, gradually add the almond milk, about ¼ cup at a time, stirring constantly until smooth. Cook until a thin film develops on top of the liquid and steam rises from the surface, but do not let the mixture boil. Remove the pan from heat and add the chocolate chips, swirling the pan to keep the chips from resting on the bottom of the pan and burning. Allow the pan to sit off of the stove for about 3 minutes, then stir mixture with a wooden spoon to incorporate the melted chocolate.
3. Mix in the cornstarch mixture and vanilla until well incorporated, and return the pan to the stove over medium-low heat. Stirring constantly, cook until the mixture is thick but just slightly thinner than desired (the pudding will thicken as it cools). Transfer the pudding into individual heatproof dishes. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and set on a wire cooling rack to cool for about 20 minutes.
4. Once puddings have cooled slightly, place them in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours before enjoying.

Ok - ours were distributed to everyone in small jelly jars and they looked so cute, they disappeared and we neglected to snap a photo...

SUMMER HOURS:
As a reminder-beginning in June we will not be open on Sundays.  Hopefully this is a sign that summer is here and it will be sunny enough to spend those days outside enjoying the weather!  We'll reopen on Sundays after Labor Day!

Happy Stitching!