Mostly Red and Blue

We've got a bunch of new stars, stripes and florals in all shades of blue and red!  They're all great choices for adding a pop of color or a splash of bright...fussy cutting florals or soft denim shades of background blue prints.  Of course it has us thinking of summer picnics and patriotic bunting too...

These fabrics shown are mostly from Moda Fabrics and combination of different collections designed by Minick and Simpson, French General and Primitive Gatherings - all playing well together!

We've got some great toweling from Moda too - and that makes great table runners and napkins either for dining on the deck or the picnic basket on the go.  Hope these fabrics get you inspired for some summer sewing!

Wheelhouse Medallion BOM coming up!

We have been a fan of Anna Maria Horner all of her fabric designing life, and with this 15 year Anniversary celebration collection coming out this year we can't wait to get our hands on some of it!!  The gorgeous florals, fabulous color combinations and bold graphics all make playing with fabric a whole lot more exciting.

The Wheelhouse Medallion quilt project is a 6 month program that includes lots of fabric to fussy cut and play as you create the large 80x80 quilt!  There will be some bonus project options that will focus on using some of the leftovers as well as some great live video tutorials and tips and techniques for embellishing, applique and fussy cutting.  There will be an introduction to the project by Anna Maria herself, and an exclusive facebook group and as well as giveways!  There's alot of reasons to join besides the fabulous fabrics!

Kits will be available starting in June, for six months, $60.00 / month - there will be over 20 yards of fabric to play with for this glorious quilt!  If you'd like to reserve a kit - now is the time, give the shop a call (360 715-1629) or stop by soon as we have a limited number available.

Bold and Bright New Fabric

It's been a bit of a gray and rainy month to date and these bold and bright fabrics are spot on!  Remember to wear your sunglasses next time you visit...it's bright inside!

Night Life Panel

Bold Kokka prints

Rain or Shine by Windham

These vibrant prints are perfect for all kinds of things - a punch of color for couch cushions, a fun addition to a colorful quilt or the perfect market bag or zip pouch just for fun!  Sometimes a small finish in between other bigger and slower projects provides just the sense of accomplishment needed to move forward on all the things!

Pencil Club by Windham Fabrics 

Pop Dots by Windham Fabrics

Happy Stitching!

Hand stitching classes coming soon!

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 your 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!

Two-Session Class

Wednesday, February 26th & March 11th, 2020

10am -1pm

Class Fee:  $65

Hand Quilting

with

Sharon Tucker

Feeling the need to slow things down just a bit?!  Back before the term "Slo-stitching" was coined...there was hand quilting!  Come spend the afternoon learning the tips and tricks of hand quilting with NO hoop required.  Sharon Tucker from Grass Roots Quilting will show you how to baste your quilt top and hand quilt in your lap.  Learn to master the gentle rhythm of "rocking the needle" to create your own hand quilted pieces.  We will cover traditional quilting ideas, tools used, marking methods and products.  We'll also discuss some of the trending ideas of big stitch quilting that are currently happening in the quilt world.

Tuesday, March 24th, 2020

1pm - 4pm

Class Fee:  $40

You can register online or stop by the shop and view our sample projects and sign up today!

Sew Powerful

Sewing enthusiasts-- does anyone else have a larger stash of fabric than they have projects to use it for..? We recently learned of an organization asking sewers to create these donations.  Have you heard about it? 

Photo courtesy of Sew Powerful Instagram

Sew Powerful, created by Jason and Cinnamon Miles, supports mothers and children in developing countries. They have a program called The Sew Powerful Purse program where they ask sewers to download their free purse pattern and create a purse. It's intention is to pack the purses with reusable feminine hygiene projects for young girls in Zambia.

According to their website, this program also supports seamstresses in Lusaka Zambia with jobs as they make the reusable products for the girls as well as school uniforms, soap and farm fresh food, all intended to keep kids in school.

To learn more visit their website here.

Workshop with Leah Zieber of Zieber Quilts

We're so pleased to be hosting Leah Zieber in June ~ We hope you've already got the dates set aside on your calendar!

Friday June 12th 

Tiny Treasures Trunk Show, Lecture and Doll Quilt Workshop

10:00am- 4:00pm

$135.00

Zieber Quilts 

  Spend the day and step into the secret world of children and their quilts!  Through antique and vintage quilts, trade advertising and images you will learn the important role children held in the American household and the significance their toy treasures still hold today.  The afternoon portion of the day will be spent creating a truly historic looking treasure - a unique American Doll Quilt!  A doll quilt pattern designed by Zieber will be provided.  

Zieber Quilts

Saturday June 13th

Antebellum in America Lecture and Trunk Show

10:00am - 4:00pm

$125.00

A fabulous opportunity to spend the day with Leah and an amazing collection of antique textiles...up close and in detail.  The focus for this event "Those Fabulous Fifties:  Quilts in Antebellum America".  Together we will explore the textiles, history and relevance of quilts during the 19th century years leading up to the Civil War.  This presentation will include up close quilt and textile viewing and discussion. Participants are encouraged to bring along any quilts, tops, blocks or other historical information/ephemera that they feel is relevant to the topic of "Pre-Civil War America." 

Registration is now open for these events and space is limited!  Please call the shop or stop by during regular business hours to sign up and for more details!   360 715 1629

New Fabric Additions

We are keeping the shelves stocked and can't keep up with all the ideas coming in - the weather is cooperating and we've certainly had some fine sewing weather lately (for those of us with power and still above water right?)!

Marcus Fabrics mixed reproductions

Marcus Fabrics New Circa stripes 

Mood in Blue by Paula Barnes

Far Far Away

Enjoy your sewing time and stop by soon to see what's new!

Local Activity - Barn Quilt Blocks

Local Quilters - have you wanted to make one of the fabulous Barn Quilt Blocks that you have seen displayed on various barns, outbuildings, and fences around the country?  One of our local quilting groups:  Running With Scissors is sponsoring a workshop with Sheila Sinclair Snyder!

You can check out Sheila's work on her website and get some inspiration for the perfect block design!  The workshop is Tuesday March 3rd so check your calendar!

Give the shop a call 360 7151629 during regular business hours and we'll provide the contact information for the workshop coordinator!

licensetoquilt.com photo

Pin Cushion Redux

We recently decided to revisit this 8-pointed civil war star pincushion - it's a heavyweight contender for top marks as one of our all time favorite featured pincushions!  Do you remember this version from way back in 2011?  

Well our new option features a scrappy look and showcases a group of shirting prints from Marcus fabrics.  We saw a version Pam Buda (Heartspun Quilts) had created and decided we'd stitch one up in a similar fashion - we've added some trim and a vintage shell button to the top.  

We weighted this one down with the buckshot...and have a few kits ready to go.  The buckshot is much heavier than our typical crushed walnut pincushion filling and a bit of an effort to source but also makes this project unique!  If you want to make your own version the project pattern can be found on the Marcus Fabrics website here:  pincushion

Sewing & Stitchery Expo & Spring Inspiration

Do you make the annual trek to Puyallup for the Sewing and Stitchery Expo?  It will be here before we know it, the end of February.  The event is packed with all kinds of lectures, classes and vendor booths - and the variety of what you'll find is immense!  It's not too late to register for something interesting and fun or plan a day trip with a sewing partner and enjoy all the action!

The Expo is a bit of a mix - quilting, sewing and other related fiber crafts - don't say you weren't warned - if you're not careful, you may end up with a new hobby!

Check out all the offerings here:  https://sewexpo.com/documents/2019/12/sewing-2020-catalog.pdf/

Anna Maria Horner

It's always good to take a day away from the shop and spend some time stitching - I recently attended a lecture and workshop with Anna Maria Horner, one of my favorite fabric designers for Free Spirt and enjoyed the chance to absorb some creativity and inspiration!  The view from the shop had been a bit bleak earlier this month and all the joyful color and floral fabrics Anna Maria designs were the perfect distraction!

Mid-January View

Hope you have some great stitching projects lined up for 2020!  Stop by soon and share your inspiration with us!