Time to Play Catch-Up

Finally catching our breath and catching up after the Quilt Tour...what fun! It sounded like many of you had a good time collecting patterns and charms, and we certainly had gorgeous driving weather for a few days, didn't we?

Now it's back to business as usual...and as usual, we've got new fun stuff to show off!

First, this line from Lotta Jansdotter, for Windham Fabrics, features mod designs and bold color choices. It'd be great in a quilt featuring big blocks- you may see one hanging in the shop one of these days, so stay tuned for inspiration! So many projects, so little time...

On a more subdued but just as striking note...this line is called Morris & Company, designed by Barbara Brackman for Moda. It features a William Morris style, and we have two colorways- one has bolder chocolate brown and rust mixed in, while the other is more blended in tones of green and blue. They would certainly play well together in a quilt, and we've put together a sample featuring the bolder colorway.

This is a new line from Andover, called IQSC-Delectable Mountains (short for International Quilt Study Center). There are some great reds, browns, and blues mixed in- the picture doesn't really do the colors justice, so you'll have to come see for yourself!

Remember ruffle fabric? We got some new prints in! One is a light pink with white polka dots, one is a yellow floral, and the third is a muted aqua. Too fun! We are still waiting on some super-cute samples, so pictured below are our previous colors, to give you an idea of what you can do with ruffle fabric. Scarves have been very popular, and are sooo easy to put together. We're thinking a little yellow floral spring skirt, or ruffle pants out of pink polka dot. Lots of ideas! You really have to see ruffle fabric in person to get an idea of how much fun it could be made up into something cute!

Here's hoping this rain will stop long enough for spring to begin- I think it's time, don't you? Spring always means bright colors and fun new projects...

Happy Stitching!

Time to Tour!

So hopefully everyone has their quilting buddies assembled and a full tank of gas ... tomorrow is the first day of the Tri-County Quilt Tour 2012, "Sew Northwest"! All the shops have had their quilts hung for almost a week, and maybe you've gotten a chance to preview a few. The participating shops cover 91 miles from Bothell to Lynden. Here at Two Thimbles, we went with a Crops of the Northwest theme for our quilt "Harvest What You Sew". Did you get that from our hint last week? We've even got some educational handouts if you are interested in finding out more!

The event will run through Saturday, and each shop will have a free pattern for you to pick up as well as a unique charm with a $10 purchase! There will be a few items on sale as well, so this is definitely an event you won't want to miss. It's worth your time to see all the creative ways that each store took the theme and blocks and made a gorgeous quilt. So hopefully we'll see you this week!

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Tour 2012

It's almost that time again...time for the 2012 Tri-County Quilt Tour! This year, 13 shops are participating. Each designed a block interpreting the theme "Sew Northwest", then all shops used all the blocks to make a unique quilt, using any style or fabric choice. Quilts will be hung March 15th, so you can even take a sneak peek if you want!

The actual event will take place March 21-24 from 9 am to 6 pm. Each shopper will receive a free block pattern from each shop they visit... and this year we've added an additional charm giveaway with a minimum purchase. Plan a day with your friends and make that weekend a 'fabric' weekend, because you won't want to miss this event!

Hmm...What is red and green and purple all over? Hint: We're 'sow' excited for you to see this quilt! Find out on the 21st...

Happy Stitching!

Strawberry Fields

Time for a new pincushion! These scrumptious little strawberries are made from hand-dyed silk velvet and silk ribbon 'leaves', dotted with shimmery beads. Each kit makes 4, so you can make one for yourself and a few for gifts! There are a couple of different color options to choose from, ranging from deep purple to bright pink. We've carried these kits before, as well as a few products from this company, including some of the silk ribbon you'll find in the kits- it makes great embellishment for little art projects.

It's also time for another Civil War Half Square Triangle Exchange! We did one of these back in November, and it was a lot of fun ... lots of trading of little bits of fabric and good ideas! This exchange is based off of Edyta Sitar's ideas in her book Friendship Triangles. The concept is to use Edyta's special half-square triangle foundation paper to make half-square triangle units from Civil War fabrics - we're offering 'cinnamon sticks' which include paper and fabric for one set, and an additional paper to coordinate with fabrics from your stash. Drop completed units here at the store sometime before the exchange. On the big day, come in and collect as many units as you made, and go home with the makings of a scrappy new project! We can even do the trading for you if you aren't able to come to the exchange.

Here is a picture of our setup last November- it took a little concentration to pick only a few units from each cup, but it was worth in the amount of variation that this process created.

This exchange will take place on Monday, March 12th from 11 am to 1 pm. Please call or stop by if you have any questions!

Happy Stitching!

Clubs and More Clubs

The Michael Miller Clubhouse wrapped up last Saturday- hard to believe it's been one year since this club started! As you can see, our customers made some serious progress on their quilts, and seemed to have fun with it! Club members have been earning 'Club Cash' throughout the program, and on Saturday we had lots of fun 'stuff' for them to purchase. Of course, treats and coffee were an important part of the party. What a great way to end up with a finished quilt!

Our clubhouse teacher, Jyl, finished up the sample quilt in time to hang on the day of the party. Didn't it turn out gorgeous? Jyl did a great job. Although the club meetings are over, we still have kits available for this project- either as a whole quilt or in monthly installments. Let us know if you are interested- remember, each month includes bonus patterns for throws, pillows and other projects that would be great to outfit a whole room in your house!

As promised, here are a few pictures from the second meeting of the Prairie Women Sewing Circle group that met on Tuesday. As you can see from the second photo, there was plenty of show and tell. There was definitely lots of room for creativity in this project - some chose to follow the applique route while others chose to piece a Sawtooth Star block instead. There was also a new history lesson, and an unveiling of the Month 2 project- you'll have to come in or watch the blog to see that one! Although our morning session is full, there is still room in the afternoon session, so if this just looks like too much fun and you want to join in, please let us know and we'll get you caught up!

Happy Stitching!

Sneak Preview

It's always fun to be surprised by new fabric that arrives in the store every week. This is a combination of a couple new lines from Marcia Derse- one is called Line 5 and the other is Modern Textures. We've JUST put these out, and this is only a couple of the 8 new bolts - you'll have to come see the rest! There are a variety of prints from circles to crosshatch, and the colors range from raspberry to chocolate brown to mossy green.

The group below is from a new line from Quilting Treasures, called Animal Magic. There is a darling panel and fun coordinates, in deep indigos and bright oranges with some teal thrown in - could be great for that baby quilt that you've been putting off making, waiting for the perfect fabrics?

About a week ago we held an English Paper Piecing demonstration class that was a lot of fun! There was a little movie-watching and lots of hands-on experimenting. Keep watching our blog if you missed out, we may hold this one again in the future!

Suz Litzsinger taught a Crazy Quilt class here a few days ago, and although we missed out on picture taking opportunities, I can tell you that there were some crazy designs going on! Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Happy Stitching!

So Excited for Gwen Marston!

Drumroll please...we've got our class offerings chosen for the Gwen Marston workshops in May! For those who don't know, Gwen is a well known artist who has taught both nationally and internationally, and we hosted her last May for two very popular workshops.

This will be a great opportunity for those of you who missed Gwen the last time she was at Two Thimbles, and for those who have taken classes from her before...there's always more to enjoy! The Saturday workshop will focus on small studies based in traditional pieced block designs, and Gwen will have a number of her small quilts with her as inspiration and example. The two day class will be based on Gwen's take on a Medallion quilt. She'll have some samples for this workshop too, and there will be a lot of room for personal viewpoints and inspirations!

Pictured below is a take on the Liberated Medallion. She will be drawing concepts from her not-yet-published book, so we're incredibly excited that she's agreed to teach it for us!

Here is a quilt from a customer who took Gwen's Liberated Log Cabin class here last May - she's combined concepts and blocks from that class with other ideas and inspirations... it's turning out pretty great, isn't it?

If you'd like more information on Gwen, please visit her website. For more info on class details at Two Thimbles, don't hesitate to give us a call or email. Class will run from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Monday. Each day includes catered lunch. Space is limited so don't wait too long!

Happy Stitching!