Monday, September 30, 2019

Upcoming classes

Classes in session! We have a few more classes coming up this fall. Come learn some new skills or advance the ones you already have! 


Walking Foot with Tonya Alexander

Come and take a walk on the wild side - of machine quilting!  We'll explore all the ins and outs of quilting with a walking foot on your domestic machine and go beyond the 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 sticky, wavy echo, big spiral, and others.  Learn more details here. ONE spot left!  Call the shop to enroll. 




Better Binding 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. 



Monday, September 23, 2019

Arlo Quilt Project WIP



Are you a fan of Carolyn Friedlander's work?  We are...and we love the color palette of this latest collection "Instead"!  It's a perfect combination of vibrant tones and a mixture of textures with the addition of Essex cotton and linen blends.  Kami's work-in-progress is coming along quickly - she opted for machine piecing this project.  

We've got fat quarter bundles and patterns in stock.  You can also choose english paper piecing or hand piecing construction methods - Carolyn has templates available to support multiple construction methods too - this pattern design is versatile!    



Thursday, September 19, 2019

Latest Additions

We've always got new fabric rolling in.  Sometimes it's basics and neutrals sometimes it's restocking the color-wall, and sometimes, it's just lovely colors and textures!  We like it all so a mixture of styles and fabric types are what makes for a great day at Two Thimbles.  

Batiks by Hoffman 
Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics
Braveheart by Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics
Evergreen by Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics

Shelbyville by Jo Morton for Moda
Sometimes the color palette feels spot on with our current weather and season - like these Evergreen and Shelybville groups.  We hope you're ready for some fall sewing!

Monday, September 16, 2019

Little Projects

As fall approaches we're updating our go-to project lists. In addition to our quilting we've been looking at small projects we can work on when we need a break from our long-term projects or need a quick gift item for a special event. Take a look at some of our favorite little projects! 

Keychain Wallets 
Never again leave your home without your wallet! This little project is awesome for those who like fussy cutting or quick sewing! Fabric Mutt provides a free tutorial, click here to access it. 
Mitered Napkins
The hard part is choosing only one fabric, so mix and match napkins is one way to go!  These make great housewarming gifts and are prefect for the hostess that has everything!  These mitered napkins are an easy rainy-day project and satisfying to stack up for gifting.  Any of our fabrics will work wonderfully for these and we've got some fun and funky choices to personalize your options!   


Project Bags
A fabulous gift for the quilters in your life, or yourself! These project bags help to organize your project components and set you up for on-the-go stitching!  The front is vinyl making it easy to view the contents on the project bag. We used a variety of our favorite French General fabrics for these bags shown above.  

Waxed Canvas Go Green Bag
The Waxed Canvas Go Bag is a modified version of the Go Green Bag we've used for years - the addition of waxed canvas makes it more durable and perfect for fall weather.  It also features longer handles we find more versatile.  It's a great way to stay eco-friendly and satisfy every stitcher's project list.

Easy Folded Hotpad
Whether for seasonal or everyday use, these hotpads only take 3 fabrics, 1/4 yd each. The pattern features hotpads, coasters or ornaments!  A fabulous Christmas gift for those gift exchanges and extended family members you never know what to get?

Happy Stitching!

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Fabulous and Bright fabrics!

We've got a fun variety of new fabrics hitting the shelves this month.  Lots of options for all kinds of sewing - kids quilts, wearables, some home dec projects - what creative ideas do these fabrics spark for you?!
Safari Life by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda

Grove by Makower UK Fabrics

Wild Berry by Alexander Henry Fabircs 

Frida's Garden by Alexander Henry Fabrics

Second Nature by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit Fabrics

Vibrant Blooms by Shannon Newlin for Free Spirit Fabrics

Happy Stitching!


Thursday, September 12, 2019

Upcoming Classes


Quilting season is upon us! All of us at Two Thimbles are gearing up and getting ready to get to stitching on those rainy days that are headed our way. If you're looking for new projects or to learn some new skills we have some fabulous classes coming up. Learn some embellishing stitches or embrace hand piecing ...or learn new machine piecing techniques.

Woolie Birds with Cathy Callan 



In this 3-part series you will learn some new stitches and experiment with different and unique base/foundation fabrics.  This class is quite suitable for beginners and will help take more experienced stitchers to the next level!  For more details, visit our website.

Curvy Log Cabin with Tonya Alexander

Whether  you've made a Log Cabin block or not, this table runner class provides something new for everyone!  This table runner features a curved rendition of the classic block without any curved piecing, just the fun and easy optical illusion of curves!  For more details, visit our website.

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Hand Piecing Basics with Sharon Tucker
Looking to expand your sewing techniques?  Join Sharon Tucker of Grass Roots Quilting to learn about hand piecing!  This is a hands-on, technique-based class where you can learn a new skill or refine you hand sewing technique.  She will give you plenty of time to practice your stitches and guide you on the basics of hand stitching. It's a great skill to learn that you can take with you anywhere! Hand piecing is a portable and travel-friendly option to keep you stitching on the go.

You will also learn about preparing templates, marking your fabric, and starting and stopping your seams.  This class will also cover some more advanced tips and tricks for curved piecing, inset seams and how to manage bulky points.  This is a two-session class and a starter kit for the first session is included in the class fee.  A great way to add to your quilting bag of tricks! Learn more here.











Monday, September 9, 2019

Handwork and wool applique

Fall weather is sneaking up on us, and with it getting dark earlier and it just seems right to spend a bit more time stitching by hand and adding a bit of wool to the mix.  Here are some of our latest wool and hand stitching projects. 
Winter Bushel pattern by Tracy Souza from Plum Cute Designs
Winter Bushel is a beautiful stitching pattern created by Tracy Souza. Her work was recently featured on Martingale's Shop Talk Blog. They shared a video with tips on how to eliminate knots in the back of your embroidery. Take a look here!  Thank you Karla for helping get our sample made...this makes a fun bag to hang on the porch or door, filled with greens fresh or faux! 




Wool Barn, pattern by Sew Cherished

Sew Cherished has created several patterns combing wool and stitching - these metal trays are fun to display these oval mats, of course on the wall or a table surface works too.  Adventuring into wool appliqué is always a great project to work on in the fall and perfect as a travel project you can prep in advance. We stock patterns and a selection of wool and brushed cotton for this project style.  Thanks Deana for the fine craftsmanship on this sample! 

Stacy Nash's Primitive Designs 
We've added a few cross-stitch patterns to our collection.  These are from Stacy Nash's Primitive Design - some special designs for those who love cross-stitch.  Nash is a self-taught stitcher who makes her own designs, based out of Indianapolis.  We couldn't pass up these lovely pure beeswax "waxers".  Beeswax is a great way to keep thread from tangling up and ends from fraying during your stitching. 
Stacy Nash's Pure Beeswax
Stop by soon and see what's new!


Friday, September 6, 2019

We Love this! Storing Quilts

Image owned by Krista Moser


Krista Moser, fellow Washingtonian and super quilter, has a blog filled with interesting tips, ideas and tutorials - not to mention a packed teaching schedule!  We've been fortunate and had a few classes here at Two Thimbles with Krista - now she teaches on cruise ships!  We really appreciated the great ideas she recently shared on one of her posts - all about the best ways to store quilts. 

A few take aways:   
  • Wrap your quilt around a pool noodle to avoid permanent creases for long-term storage
  • Quilt ladder: using a wooden ladder to drape quilts on optimizes storage space and allows for your quilts to still be appreciated
  • Hang them! Let everyone view and appreciate the hard work that quilt took to make
  • Put that guest bed to work!   It's not just for company anymore...
To read all her tips you can read her full blog post here.