Something to Crow About

The Chinese New Year begins, and 2017 is the Year of the Rooster!

Time flies and another New Year, which means another new opportunity to jump start your sewing plans for 2017.  Are you having trouble channeling your quilting efforts?  You know - too many projects and not enough time?  Well...if you want to focus your energy and make Something to Crow About ~ we've got it all figured out!

It's time for a challenge!

You decide how to interpret the theme "Year of the Rooster", we will provide you with red fabric that must be incorporated on the front of your project and the rest is up to you! The cost to participate is $5.00, and you'll receive the challenge guidelines, a red fabric fat quarter, and a few Chinese New Year inspiration items to energize your creative process.  Stop by the shop to pick up your box - or order online!  

Entry Deadline: Saturday April 8th 2017

Just a reminder, we're open Tuesday through Saturday 10am -6pm and Sundays noon-4pm

(Closed on Mondays)

1876 in January 2017

We'll be talking 1876 on Monday January 30th - have you been thinking about this quilt?  Hopefully it hasn't been keeping you up nights...or at least not yet!  This project has been known to take on a life of it's own, and we're sharing a few comments from some of the current students, who are nearing completion of their versions of the 1876 quilt.

"This is the most amazing quilt - not only is it historic and gorgeous, but you will learn everything there is to know about quilting in the process.  I have so appreciated Anne's skill as a knowledgeable, friendly and fun teacher!"  Shiela B.

"Anne's 1876 quilt class has taught me so many quilting skills.  She used a variety of techniques with tips that challenged this 40 year quilter in new ways.  Anne's endless abilities are incredibly helpful and she is incredibly motivated to give personal assistance.  I highly recommend this challenge if you are interested in improving your piecing skills.  The camaraderie that has evolved from our cohort class experience has been treasured."  Laurie L.

"When I joined Anne and our original 1876 quilt group I barley knew how to sew, much less piece together a quilt.  I didn't even know what WOF meant!  Now, nearing completion of an incredible quilt top, I can say that I am a confident sewer, able to tackle most any quilting challenge.  Anne's guidance and support during this journey has been incredible.  The teaching materials and lessons she developed are superb; even as a novice, I have been able to understand and follow all cutting and piecing instructions with absolutely no difficulty.  I cannot recommend more highly the opportunity to work and study with Anne as she puts together another group who will learn how to recreate the spectacular 1876 quilt."  Carol S.

If you think this project is for you - please give us a call or email and we'll get you all the details for Monday's informational meeting!  Distance learning is an option so please consider joining the project even if you're not close enough to make the classes regularly.

What are you making?

We love new fabric and we love old quilts...new fabric that looks just like an old quilt?  Perfect! This group, Star of Bethlehem, from Washington Street Studios for P and B Textiles features some nice variety in pattern scale and the lovely serpentine stripes that provide a lot of added interest to your piecework - not to mention the clear and bright color options.    

Star of Bethlehem from Washington Studio Street

This is the original quilt, show above that was showcased at Quilt Market and on loan from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.  Pretty fabulous color combinations and a great setting for this quilt!  It's wonderful to see the prints as they were originally combined don't you think?  

Sew together bag

We have jumped into the process of making Sew Together bags...have you made one yet?  This is the original size, and since I have no shortage of sewing supplies, this works well for me.  I know the  new smaller size is pretty cute and a bit more compact for those that want to travel light!  You'll have plenty of chances to practice installing zippers - the end product is pretty fun with all the pockets to help keep yourself organized!  Here are the two versions I stitched up and even parted with one for a gift!

Are you thinking of something special for a favorite Valentine?   Of course a sew together bag could be the perfect gift if you have a special someone in mind.  An apron, pillow or placemat might be fun too - lots of gift ideas you can stitch up for you and your Valentines.  This large scale poppy print is playing into the right color palette for sure!

Poppy Mae by Robin Pickens for Moda

We have lots of fun wovens showing up with some subtle plaids and some bold and bright graphic checks too.  These are great to mix into your quilt stash, but they also make some fun home dec items and wearables so the options are wide open.  

Kaffe Artisan ikat

We haven't had a lot of plum colors to work with of late, and these shades combined with some lime and aqua offer a fresh variety.

Isabelle Dena Designs for Free Spirit

Rose Water by Tina Givens for Free Spirit

We hope you're getting inspired for some spring weather, brighter colors and some new sewing projects!

What to do but Quilt?!

What can we say...quilting and quilt shows are a great distraction and at the same time a great way to focus!  We have had the pleasure of hosting Gwen at a few different workshops over the past several years, and we enjoy seeing her art on display.  What a great talent and wonderful lady!  Do take the time to see this exhibit in La Conner!  There are several other exhibits showing at the museum as well -  including one showcasing pieces by local talent Sharon Tucker.  Great work!

Abstract Quilts in Solids

Gwen Marston

Additional Exhibits

First Floor Main Gallery

Sharon Tucker

Improv Inspiration

January 4th-February 26, 2017

It's Not Easy Being Green

High Fiber Diet

The Nature of Place

Charlotte Bird and Ree Nancarrow

head over to the museum website to see more events and workshops going on!

We are pretty much done with winter, cold, ice, snow...etc.  How about you?  We hope your winter travels have been easy to navigate as there certainly has been some variety depending on where you're at and which way the wind is blowing.  You can't go wrong with a winter quilt project (or 3) and if you've got some binding to accomplish, now is the time!  We have lots of new fabrics coming in with only a few weather related shipping delays - new books from Quiltmania should be arriving early next month too!  Can't wait...

Batiks from Moda

Clean Living by Henry Glass

Darling Little Dickens by Lydia Nelson for Moda

Pumpkin Pie Prints by Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda

Score! by Henry Glass

Lots of options for rounding out your stash, finalizing a project...or starting something new.  Happy stitching!

1876 Centennial Quilt Project

1876 Centennial Quilt Project

with Anne Dawson

We are so excited to be able to share this project with you in 2017 - This is a spectacular quilt that has been revealed for our study and Anne has diligently drafted the patterns so you can recreate these blocks in your chosen style.  This is a sampler quilt with 81 blocks and border combinations that cover a wide range of construction techniques and options for piecing methods with lots of learning possibilities!  The original quilt features some amazing fabrics with thoughtful use of stripes and bold patterns but there are some versions under construction with the current group of students featuring contemporary fabrics (Kaffe, batiks, taupes, etc.) so there are lots of ways to re-envision the past!

The project will start in March and run for 14 months with 6-8 block patterns distributed each month.  The monthly class will include instruction and analysis of the blocks as well as sewing time and individual consultations.  Multiple construction methods and detailed block instructions are included.  The class fee will be $50.00 per session, for 14 months.  Actual class dates to be determined at registration and Anne is well-prepared for distance learners with detailed pattern instructions, video tutorials and options for online participation.  So if you're not close by, but want to tackle this amazing quilt we can make it happen!  

There will be an informational meeting on January 30th, if you're interested in the project - give us a call or stop by to learn more about the quilt and get some details on the meeting!!  

The blocks shown below are a few from my WIP 1876 quilt featuring fabrics from the shop and my stash!   

Please stop by soon if you'd like to see a photo of the original quilt, or have any questions about the project.  If you are thinking this might be the significant quilt you've been looking for to enhance your skills and bring some focus to your quilting life please sign up to attend the informational meeting on January 30th!

New Year, New Fabric, New Project?

All of us at Two Thimbles would like to wish you a very healthy and prosperous 2017, added to our  standard wish we make every year....may you find more time for stitching and sewing and enjoying time with fabric and family and friends!

We are excited to present some new fabrics this year - new designers, new substrates, new fabric lines, they just keep coming.  We are working on a few class ideas with some of our favorite local teachers, anxiously awaiting the delivery of some great new books, and planning too many projects for the days in the year!  We hope you enjoy what's coming and can find time for a bit of stitching each day!

New Australian Fabrics

We are continuing to expand our offering of Australian prints, and here are some new prints or new color ways for 2017!

Laminate Squirrel 

Laminate Dog 

Some new options in laminate - great for a rainy day coat for a 4-legged friend, placemats or bibs for kiddo's...lots of possibilities.  We've got several new prints and basics from the Dear Stella division of Timeless Treasures - these would make some pretty sweet frocks for some little ones or a quilt or two?  What types of sewing goals and projects are on your list for 2017?    

Honey Bee by Stella

Foxtail by Stella

Flannel Foxtail

Scallop by Stella

And for no particular reason - we just add a few bolts for fun right?  What do you think of these basics for your stash?  

Nocturne

Domino 

Stay warm and bind a few quilts!

Whats New (fabric) and totes

We can't say we're keeping warm with these recent temperatures along with a bit of snow and ice, but we're happy to say that isn't slowing down the fabric deliveries!  We are starting to switch things up in anticipation of spring (it really will be here soon!), and sneaking in some sewing time to move a few projects along.  We are beginning to build our class offerings for the year and have a few great programs detailed and more in the works.

Rhapsody in Blue by Mary Koval for Windham Fabrics

These are a few pieces from the Maritime collection for Birch Fabrics.  The Charley Harper prints are unique and make inspired pillow cases and home dec projects.  We will be featuring more Charley Harper fabrics in late spring when the Western Birds line is released.

CH Organic Birch Fabrics

The totes pictured below are simple to construct with no lining or fusibles - just one layer of heavy weight cotton/linen blends combined with the kraft paper (faux leather) product for accents and stability.  It seems I'm always looking for another bag to transport a project, travel items or groceries!  

Bag Lady Pattern 

Thank you all for your business support in 2016, we hope that 2017 brings you good health and lots of sewing time!  Stop by and check out our latest items and help us greet the new year!