Old World Eggs and Projects

Sunday Stitch with Suz Litzsinger: Old World Eggs

In the upcoming Sunday Stitch 3/20, yep that's March alright - you can learn how to make these beautiful stitched eggs, inspired by Ukrainian Pysanky and lacquer from Kashmir. The color choices can make these full of old world charm or bright spring energy. All from small bits of felt and embroidered motifs, you can add some sequins, beads, or other embellishments for even more detail!

Sunday, March 20th       Class Fee:  $25.00

Noon-2 pm (optional additional hour of stitching from 2-3 pm)

We do have a new stock of wool felts in, some spring colors and of course grape jelly - so there are some new options for eggs if you want to get started filling up your Easter basket.  The pattern is available separately - or you come join us on Sunday!
  

We've been working on a few other project samples - this fun fabric bag combines a charm back and some pre-made handles for a fun finish!  The bag is soft enough to roll up and pack for an extra travel bag or just tote along all the gear to your next retreat!  I was inspired from the tutorials and sample shown on Moda's website - the links are below the photo.  This is the Purebred line from Moda, and includes the great paint by number prints.  We have a few available by the yard, you can choose a great lining for your bag.   

Summer Bag
Free Tutorial at Tilda's World
Also inspired by Moda's Version

And when you need that quick finish - perfect one-size fits all gift?!  A phone charger pocket is just perfect.  The tutorial from Flamingo Toes shows a version that is gussied up with some ribbon and trim - super sweet, see the link below the photo.  I went for a more 'fun'ctional look, featuring martini's and the jail line up...like I said, versatile and useful, no tech skills required.  You may want to compare the project measurements depending on your phone, I took a bit larger seam allowance for my 2nd version.

Easy DIY Phone Charger Holder
Free Tutorial from Flamingo Toes 

And yes, although we won't be skipping over St. Patrick's day entirely - we really do need to get a jump on our Easter decorating.  HOW cute is this combination?  This is a tiny motif size, about 1/2inch - it would be great for gift bags, featured on a table topper or the easy pillowcase.

Bunny Bites by Michael Miller

Flames by Michael Miller

This flame fabric is pretty spectacular - a single border of flames on black.  If you're thinking fab-u-lous cape or more traditional bar-b-que apron, I'm with you.  And of course to round out the empty shelves, we added in some new batiks from Island Batiks - always amazed at the new color combinations and motifs.  

New Batiks

Classes and Samples

We have a few new classes coming up and I think the umbrella class might just be the perfect option for our recent rainy weather!  We hope you have some great sewing projects lined up that keep you occupied until the gardening season truly arrives.  And if you happen to be out of projects...you can get some blocks prepared and create a gypsy bag in no time.  These are versatile projects - you can mix up the fabric options and bag sizes to create some great variations.  

Gypsy Carry-All Bag with Suz Litzsinger

During this class, you will learn how to make your own Gypsy Carry-All Bag. There are several options to create this bag: you can use panels or pieced blocks, either quilted or not. This class focuses on the construction of the bag, so bring your blocks to class ready-made and spend the day stitching everything together! Pattern includes instructions for three different bag sizes.

Saturday, April 2nd

10:30 am-2:30 pm

Class Fee: $30 (includes bag instructions)

Umbrella Class with Joan Buse

During this unique class, you will get to create your own custom umbrella. The class fee includes the pattern and frame. You choose the fabric, batiks make a great rainbow of color - you can choose a traditional print and dress it up with some trim, ore even use laminated fabrics for a truly waterproof option.  Lots of ways to put your personal style into it. Make one for yourself or as a one-of-a-kind gift!

Saturday, April 9th

10:30 am-2:30 pm

Class Fee: $50 (includes pattern and frame)

Here is our latest shop sample that Sharon stitched up for us, the pattern is called Richmond and it is by Red Crinoline Quilts. The sample features lots of reproduction striped prints, and a great mitered stripe border.  We have layer cakes of the Historical Stripe fabrics so you can get alot of variety without alot of fabric.  There are also several great bold stripe border options available so come in and check out the fabulous color choices.  This project finishes at about 70 inches square so not too big and not too small to get on your project list.   

White Tag Sale

White Tag Sale: Buy 5 Yards of Fabric, Get 5 Yards Free!

Thursday Evening, February 18th (5-8 pm) *

AND

Friday, February 19th (10 am-6 pm)

A sale like this only comes around once in a decade, don't miss it! Show up during our extended hours on Thursday evening for best selection. 

*Closed from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm to prepare for the sale.

Bring your bags!
Help us make some room for fresh new fabrics, and get a great deal while you're at it! This is the perfect time to find a quilt back or two!  We are ready to do some serious spring cleaning and move some older inventory out the door.   There will be over 1000 bolts with white tags, so plenty to choose from!

Free fabrics can be earned in multiples of 5 AND they must be marked with a white tag to qualify.

Fine Print:
One yard cuts minimum.
Discount will be applied to fabrics of equal or lesser value.

Upcoming Class Sunday Stitch

Sunday Stitch with Suz Litzsinger: Featuring Hucksack Toweling

Sunday, February 28th
Noon-2 pm
(Optional stitching extended til 3 pm)

Beginning in February and continuing until the end of the year, each month of Sunday Stitch will have a different focus. February's focus will be on Hucksack Towel embroidery. Class time will include a demonstration and sharing with time for some hands-on work and practice to get your project sample well underway.  Please call to register or sign up on line if you're interested!  Cost is $25.00

And....drum roll please, they're back!  We've got another collection of bolt ends that we've bundled up into 1800's stash rolls.  These goodies are feature 12 different fabrics, in 6-inch strips.  A total of 2 yards.  Great for your scrap quilts and filling in gaps where you might want more variety.  You can order them on the website, or come in and pick our your favorites.

Carolyn Konig Workshop

We are starting to gear up for the Carolyn Konig workshops we will be fine-tuning the supply list and sourcing some materials in the coming days.  Thank-you so much for registering to those of you who jumped on board - we'll be touching base soon as we get the details nailed down.

Until the date arrives - here is some eye candy that Barbara Brackman posted on her blog Material Culture showcasing the recent exhibit of Carolyn's work held at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.  We are anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Waddington Charm quilt, to be shipped here from Colorado so we'll be able to feast our eyes on that soon!

We had a great time in our last tuffet class - each one has been different and they are a bit addictive as several customers have moved on to a second or third one!  We have one spot left in the class coming up on Friday the 26th.  After this, we'll have enough graduates that we may offer a class in the square shaped versions that are starting to appear so we have that to look forward to.  Here is a photo of some of the fabric variations from our earlier class - and below that is the set-up for the one Leslie shipped off to the other Washington for her daughter to enjoy.
 

What are you working on?

Do you make an effort to document, photograph or otherwise keep track of your creative efforts that get disbursed throughout the year?  It's easy to forget all the projects we've accomplished once they are out the door and on their way to new homes.
Several of our customers stay busy all year long contributing to several causes near and dear to their hearts as well as gifting quilts to family and friends.  A few of our customers are dedicated contributors to Linus Quilts, and we know of many who participate in providing quilts of all sizes and colors to various military, hospital and health care related purposes.  A big shout out goes to all of you who are so generous with your time and materials to contribute!  Quilts certainly make the world a better place.

Here is a quick recap of some of the community activities we supported in 2015 with some of our store projects and quilts...

The Blaine Fine Arts Association
Campfire Samish and Camp Kirby
Love INC of Whatcom County
The Firs
La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum
United We Dance
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

And sometimes...we just take time out to make other stuff too!  Here are some photos of recent activities at the shop and customer finishes.  Keep up the great work everyone!

We had a full house on Sunday for valentine stitching - the valentines and chocolate were flowing along with the creativity!

The following photos are from prior tuffet classes we've held, there are no two alike!  We have another class coming up this Saturday so we'll see what new color combinations come together.

We hope you're enjoying some sewing time with these rainy days!  Spring is around the corner, and we've got some fun activities planned so watch for more updates soon.