Sunday, December 29, 2019

Holiday Hours

Cheers to 2020!  

We're wrapping up the decade early and closing at 1:00pm on New Year's Eve.  
We'll be closed on New Year's Day.  

(as usual, we are closed on Mondays)




We hope you're feeling good about your sewing activities of this past year and are gearing up for even more great projects in 2020.  Thank you for being part of our sewing community and we look forward to sharing many new and fabulous projects that we've been working on!  We are excited to be bringing new classes and events to the shop in addition to even more wonderful new fabric!

  Here are some of the latest additions to our Charley Harper collection.  

Cardinal Stagger 

Winter Wonderland Good World

Cats and Races 

Organic 58in Knit

Makes great wearables! 
Happy New Year and all the best in 2020!

Thursday, December 26, 2019

End of Year Sale



20% Off Fabric on the bolt plus additional year-end clearance specials!  

Friday December 27th and Saturday December 28th
10:00am - 6:00pm

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Holiday Hours


Happy Holidays!

Please note we will be closing at 1:00 pm on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.  Wishing you good health, peace and joy this Holiday Season!  We hope you'll be spending the holiday with your friends and family and enjoying your favorite activities.


Charley Harper Winter Wonderland

Festive Delivery from Lynn

And thank you for sharing this lovely batch of goodies with us Lynn!  We appreciate all of our customers and hope you enjoy some quality stitching over this winter break!

We will also be closing early New Years Eve and closed on New Years Day.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Gift Wrapping?


In an industry that isn't always eco-friendly, it's always nice to hear of different ways to reduce, reuse and recycle! Hoffman Fabrics has shared new ways to be eco-friendly during this holiday season.

I'm not sure about you, but I never have all of my holiday wrapping finished till just before the deadline... so this year there's still time to give these tips a try.

We're passing along this tutorial on using fabric as gift wrap that Hoffman shared and tips on staying green!

Fabric as gift wrap


This video is a long one, but it goes over different styles of wrapping with fabric for different sizes of boxes. And the great part is you can re-use it again next year!

The creators of the video, Quilt Addicts Anonymous, also has numerous videos of tutorials and tips & tricks. A great resource!

Eco-Friendly Tips

From an article by the Associated Press, they share trends the wrapping-paper industry has seen over the past few years and they also suggest wrapping with fabric! They even write that a company selling fabric wraps for presents has seen a 20% increase in sales since 2018....hmmm something to think about there!

A short list of their tips:
  • Choose recyclable gift wrap
  • Go with gift bags
  • Wrap with fabric!
  • Recycle it all
Read the article here to learn more!

Saturday, December 21, 2019

New Fabric Groups


We've just stocked our shelves with some beautiful unique collections which draw from timeless William Morris designs and historical fabric archives. Treat yourself this holiday season with some fabulous bold and dynamic inspiration fabrics. 

Standen for Freespirit Fabrics 
Standen (William Morris designs) for Freespirit 

Standen for Freespirit Fabrics

Chesapeake by Di Ford Hall for Andover

Chesapeake by Di Ford Hall for Andover
Hat Box for Andover Fabrics




Thursday, December 19, 2019

Block in Time Club

We plan to start the new year out right with a bit of fabric history and a bit of stitching - seems like the perfect combination for a whole lot of fun!  Our Block in Time Club will meet each month for a lesson on quilt piecing and a discussion on fabric history.  This series will run for 6 months starting in January 2020 and we'll see how far in time we travel!


Susan Standley will lead a monthly discussion on quilt designs and fabric types from the late 1800's.  Topics will include fabric styles, fabric dyes and historical colors and women's history relevant to the time period.  We'll go in-depth with two blocks, touching on the block history and construction techniques and also focus on typical fabric styles and colors for that time period.  We'll include a curated fabric pack each month and Susan has gathered lots of additional items of interest that will make this class special and the time fly!!




















We hope you'll join us, for this six month series.  Class will meet on Fridays (generally the 4th Friday) at 10:30am.  This would make a perfect gift from Santa don't you think?  Please give us a call for more information or stop by the shop to register.  We'll have this added to the website for online registration in a few more days....





Monday, December 16, 2019

2020 Classes



2020 Classes

We've got some dates to put on your calendar..this is phase one of our class list and we're working with more teachers and adding additional dates for some basics as well as unique project workshops.  Watch for another class update later this month!

Walking Foot Class 
with
Tonya Alexander

We have added a new date!  If you missed the chance or had a scheduling conflict during our last Walking Foot class with Tonya Alexander of Stash Lab Quilts - now is your chance to join us!  Grab a sewing partner to join you and add to the fun - this is a great skill-building opportunity packed with great tips and inspiration.


Come and take a walk on the wild side - of machine quilting!  We'll explore the ins and outs of quilting with the walking foot on your domestic machine and go way beyond tried and true stitch-in-the-ditch.  Topics include basting, set-up and design decisions as well as several techniques to use walking foot quilting in your projects.  We'll sample match-stick, wavy echo, big spiral and many more!  You can register online, call or stop by the shop!

More from Tonya Alexander of Stash Lab Quilts....

Flora Table Runner



Tonya's fresh out of the Stash Lab with a new book, String Theory 2.0, new patterns and some new classes!  This one is filling up fast so grab your spot stat!  This is a fun project and requires only a small amount of scraps to make a lovely addition o your table.  Lean towards Fall colors (like our sample) or maybe Spring colors to make it your own!  In this class Tonya will demonstrate a fun technique used for fusible appliqué that can be hand stitched or done by machine.  Finished project size is 18.5" x 42.5".

Petal Pusher Quilt


Petal Pusher Quilt





Also from Tonya's new book, String Theory 2.0, is the swoon-worthy Petal Pusher!  Mix some of your favorite scrap strips with a fast and fun fusible appliqué technique to make this lovely.  In this project, Tonya will help you to combine your beautiful scrap strips into jumbo-sized orange peel blocks.  Two different size options to choose from...  A large throw 60.5" x 60.5" or a baby size of 40.5" x 40.5".


Beginning Piecing Class
with 
Jo Baner



I think the only thing better than receiving a lovingly, handmade quilt is giving one!  If you like to sew but have yet to try your hand at quilt making, now is the time!  Learn accurate and safe rotary cutting, color value, pressing vs ironing, accurate 1/4" seam allowance and other quilt-piecing-basics in this two-part class with local artist and instructor, Jo Baner.  This two-part introduction to quilt piecing will have you well on your way to a completed quilt top and ready for more quilting activities!  

Better Binding Class
with 
Jo Baner


You selected the most fabulous fabrics, pieced to perfection your quilt top and quilted a masterpiece! Now what?! You gotta bind your baby...that's what!  Jo's going to be back in the 2T classroom to not only help you put the finishing touches on your project but she will also share her tips, tricks and techniques for better binding.  Learn double fold, bias and machine binding in this 3 hour session.

Visit our website for more information and enrollment details on all of our upcoming 2020 classes!  We hope to see you there!! 

Saturday, December 14, 2019

New batiks by Patience Griffin Kilts & Quilts


Patience Griffin, the author of the Kilts and Quilts series, has come out with her own line of fabric to accompany her novels! The fabric collection by the same name, is described as "a unique, Scottish-themed collection, complete with colorful plaids and just the cutest black-faced sheep!" 

With pinks, greens and blues, this collection is a beautiful collection of unique batiks. 



To date, Patience Griffin has nine novels in her series. Primarily the novels take place in a fictional small town of Gandiegow, Scotland.  and have themes of sewing and quilting along with romance and community.  Are you familiar with these stories?  To learn more, visit her website here




Though, we haven't read any of these novels, now we're inspired by fabric we just might have too!  

Thursday, December 12, 2019

New Fabric ~ Windham Fantasy

New fabric alert! We recently stocked a few of the pieces from the new collection by Sally Kelly called Fantasy. This fabric is not only gorgeous, but also includes a few pieces in lightweight and versatile lawn. 


Because of its versatility, this fabric is vibrant and beautiful in your next quilt project, or even great for new wearables. Take a peak at an entire Windham Fabrics catalog of possibilities for this colorful line of fabric by clicking here

Nature Study by Tamara Kate

Monday, December 9, 2019

Did you know?!


Did you know that we carry dies for the Crafter's Edge Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting System? We have a selection of octagon, hexagon and circle dies in stock.  If you need a particular shape or size we've got the catalog on hand and can order what you need!  



Do you have an Accuquilt GO! machine but wish that you could use the Crossover dies?  Well you can!  We have a 3-piece Conversion Platform Set for GO! Fabric Cutting Machines.  This conversion set will allow you to use any of the Crossover dies in your current die cutting system.  



Die cutting machines make it so easy to get accurate and fast cuts and shapes for quilters, cut out applique shapes or English paper pieces (the paper and the fabric!) and these dies are perfect for cutting out wool shapes too!!  Check out the video below to see how the Crossover II can bring precision, convenience and fun to your crafts!


Thursday, December 5, 2019

2020 Cherry Lemonade Block of the Month

It's just around the corner - that 2020...are you looking for a fresh project to start the new year out in the best way possible?  We've got a fun project lined up!  

The Cherry Lemonade Quilt Block of the Month project - pattern designed by Jason Yenter with Cherry Lemonade fabrics for In the Beginning.  



This is a six month project so you'll be done in time to enjoy it this year!  Each month you'll receive a fabric packet and block assignment and sprinkled in will be some of the setting block sewing so you won't be stuck with alot of repetitious sewing at the end.   The quilt finishes at 80 x 101!  You could easily modify this and make a matched set of throw size quilts too  - so if you love these fabrics don't let the size of the quilt slow you down!  The pattern and fabrics for the quilt top and binding are included in the project.  

Pay $30 per month January through June, with a one-time $50 registration fee. Pick up your monthly kit at the shop, or let us know if you would like it shipped. 

You can reserve your spot now! Or put it on your Christmas list!   









Monday, December 2, 2019

New Fabric


We have new inventory for you! Take a look at some of our new fabrics and stop by soon to see what else has been added to our shelves.  We have plenty of new items besides these fabrics shown here - perfect for your next project, or the finishing touch for a current one! 

New Australians! 
Memoranda: Cabinet Makers for Eclectic Elements

Breeze by Zen Chic for Moda
Delfina by Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover
Strawberry Thief 108in quilt backs by Free Spirit 
Owltercation Charley Harpber design for Birch Fabrics 
This last one is a fabulous barkcloth, and we've added more wide-backs as shown as well as a few new linen & cotton blends and lovely floral lawns.  Lots of variety and fun to work with!  Hope to see you soon.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Holiday Sewing



Are you ready for holiday decorating and gift-making...are you ahead of schedule or woefully behind?  We know there are many ways to get through this hectic season and a bit of sewing therapy is a popular method that we fully embrace!  





We've got some quick gifts, and fun additions that will make gift giving and gift-wrapping that much more fun!  We love reusable fabric gift bags, and the addition of an iron snowflake applique makes these simple ones extra special.