New Year Resolutions and Classes

Make a plan to accomplish your New Year's resolutions, or if you're not that formal and instead choose to outline a few goals or set aside time for some calendar planning - either way you approach it, hopefully you're like us and somehow intend to fit in just a bit more sewing time this year?!  We have some great ideas coming and we'll be adding more options in the next few weeks as we finalize our plans.  Here are the details about a couple of upcoming activities.  

For those of you who have been thinking about or have already joined some of the UFO and Finish-a-long (FAL) programs, or perhaps the stash-busting challenge is more your style - there are so many online groups and local groups to participate with it's hard to find the time to get from participation to completion right?! We've included a few links to get the ball rolling if you're still unsure of what your plans are for 2016.

Pat Sloan- UFO Busting Plan 2016
All People Quilt- 2016 UFO Challenge
QuiltWorks- UFO Challenge Returns

Regardless of how you approach it, we're here to help with the challenging part - the follow-through!  Each month there will be the opportunity for some quality sewing time, and we'll have staff available to coach you to the finish line (more information below).

Friday Finishes with Sharon

First Friday of the month (Beginning February through June)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Class Fee: $15.00

Join Sharon on the First Friday of the month for some quality sewing time.  Use our space, away from the distractions and obligations waiting at home to help you meet your New Year's goals, get those UFO's off your back and bust some stash!  You can finish it up, or catch up or just enjoy some dedicated sewing time.  You'll have access to design wall space, irons, and a cutting table along with hands-on help if you need it.  We'll be available for company and motivation as well as ideas and inspiration.  

Valentine Playtime with Suz Litzsinger

These aren't just for Valentines! They can go just about anywhere - as decorations on a tote, notebook, or pillow are all possibilities. How about a set of sachets or a cute needle case? These will also make perfect additions to the Gypsy Bag as shown above on the left (class coming in April).   Made on a base of wool blend felts you can also work in some fun woven fabrics as accents. Embellish with embroidery and the new favorite... sequins! Beads and buttons could really make them shine! The options are endless - Come join us for a creative session and learn a few new tricks along the way. We'll also show how to wrap an artist's canvas for a special piece of wall art!

Sunday, January 31st, 2016
12 noon to 4pm
Cost: $35.00 includes pattern; optional embellishment kit fee $10.00

Tuffet Class with Krista Moser

Create a one-of-a-kind tuffet for your home or as a gift for someone special! A great addition to a sewing room or dorm room... The tuffet measures 18 inches in diameter, with lots of options to personalize your project - you select the leg style and trims to fit your taste. Kits for the tuffet base (foam and plywood) are available for pre-order if desired ($40.00). Prep work and finishing touches will need to be completed at home before and after class but you'll be well on your way to completing your first tuffet by the end of class! Completion instructions will be provided during class.

Saturday, February 6th, 2016 10:00 am-4:00 pm 

OR

Friday, February 26th, 2016 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Class Fee: $45.00

In case you need a little inspiration, below here are just a couple of the beautiful finished tuffets from previous class participants!

Finished Tuffet by Barbara and John Schuster

Finished Tuffet by Leslie Hnosko

Hope you're getting organized and revving up your sewing machine for a great 2016!

2016

We are closed tomorrow, New Years Day and will be back to normal hours on Saturday!  Enjoy your celebrations and start dreaming of a few new projects!

Cloverdale House by Di Ford-Hall for Andover

Hyde Park by Blackbird Designs for Moda

Coryn et al for Windham Fabrics

Windermere by Brenda Riddle Acorn Quilts for Moda

Wrapping up 2015

The last gift has been wrapped and cookies are baking, time to close up shop!  Hope you  have a great holiday with family and friends and lots of great cooking and some time for relaxing and maybe just maybe some stitching.  Thank-you all for a great year!

We look forward to what 2016 holds for us and we're busy working on new ideas to share with all of you!  We'll be open again for regular shop hours December 26th.

Holiday fabric and Sample SALE

Stop by soon to stock up for next year or finish up those last minute Christmas gifts!  All Christmas panels and yardage on SALE!  We also have some selected store samples on sale  - so if you're running out of time to finish one more apron or a small quilt, we might be able to set you up with the perfect handmade item!  

And it's not too late to start AND finish some quick gifts you can slip under the tree for yourself or share with a quilty friend!   These great portable design boards are perfect for laying out blocks and taking on the go, and there is no point in making just one for sure!  A great use for extra binding strips and batting scraps.

Mini Design Boards
Tutorial by Lori Holt at Bee in My Bonnet

And this little folded star potholder turned out pretty festive I think.  It is a fat quarter friendly pattern and I finished this one with binding rather than a bulky turned edge...a quick finish at seven inches - the perfect one size fits all!

Folded Star Potholder
Free pattern at Sharon Holland Designs

And yes - we have moved into Seahawks territory with this folded star.  These folded stars are traditionally from paper, but we have more fun batik fabric choices so after a treatment in the sink with some 'stiffy stuff' the fabric is just as good paper and a pretty good look to add to your tree or the final touch on your gift-wrapping.  

Folded Fabric Ornaments
Folding Technique Tutorial Here

And yes - this little fox is cuter in person than on the pattern cover -  more fun ideas for wool felt!

Fox Ornament
Pattern by 14 Days a Week
(Available for Purchase)

Happy Stitching!

New Fabrics AND GIFTING ideas

We are in full swing crafting up fun gifts - we got some great new ribbons and had to play!  We have some of the 'old' project ideas like key fobs, bookmarks and wallets or you could whip up a lavender sachet with the lovely embroidered lavender ribbon or this fun triangle pouch - it is the perfect size for those electronic cords, and earbuds.  Super fun!

Vintage Triangle Coin Pouch
Tutorial by Sew4Home
Coin Pouch Tutorial

We also have clear vinyl in stock - it makes great pockets for wallets and zipper bags - or you can use it for one side of an envelope project bag like the one we've shown earlier - a perfect way to keep track of small pieces or gather all your project items when traveling.  

Project Bag
Tutorial by May Chappell
Project Bags

And of course - these felt ornaments would make great additions to your tree or take your gift wrapping to the next level!  Lots of fun ideas to fit those last minute gifting needs and if you're all caught up you can whip one up for yourself!  

And of course...a little fabric gifting wouldn't hurt right?

Heads Up by Quilting Treasures

Abacus by Alison Glass

Sunprints and Handcrafted by Alison Glass

Assorted Prints from Cotton+Steel

Happy Stitching!

Mixing it up!

We are getting into the swing of handmade gifts...of course these are projects you'll want to start for next year - or get them on your wish list for this year!  We are also busy crafting ornaments from fabric and wool felt, design display boards, ribbon treasures and all kinds of fun project bags and stuff - so if you need some inspiration stop by soon!

Applesauce in Brights

Applesauce with vintage linens

The above photos are from the same pattern - who knew!  Suz just finished her pattern for these and we have it available now - it includes lots of ideas for a combination of applique, pieced blocks, hand-stitchery and fun embellishing options.  We have the quilts ready to hang in the classroom for show and tell and wow factor!

Customer Pies n' Tarts

Here is a variation in the setting for the pies and tarts project - this version set on point is pretty interesting and provides alot more space with squares cut just a bit bigger than our shop version.  Thanks for sharing Andree!

And where would the fun be if we didn't have some new great fabrics to share?!  Did I mention how interesting the lecture was that I attended at Quilt Market with Margo Krager?  I've been a longtime fan of hers and so glad she is getting crazy with the fabric lines for Andover - you can expect more great stuff for sure!

Dargate Polychromes by Andover

Purebred by Erin Michael

We have charm packs for this purebred collection - and some other new contemporary lines of fabric showing up.  Need a new sewing project to look forward to in 2016?

 Cycle of Life by Maywood Studios

Some new flannels for the kiddos - great for pj's or new winter babies!

It's a Jungle in Here by Henry Glass and Co.

We have some great new gift ideas for all the quilter's in your life - have you seen the new foundation papers sized just for charm packs from Laundry Basket Quilts?  Or the latest book from Gwen Marston?  We've got some Sue Spargo calendars and coffee table books, and some glorious new ribbons.  It's not too late to start something wonderful for someone special on your list!

Happy Handmade Holidays!

Alice Challenge

Remember when we put out the call for entries in the Alice in Wonderland fabric challenge this fall?  Well check out these amazing projects!  We didn't get alot of responses but we did learn about how much the Alice in Wonderland story is near and dear to several quilter's out there!   We received some amazing project - what a great variety of thought and care that went into the execution of these and we are so thankful to those ladies that joined this challenge!  We've heard from a few of the participants that they enjoyed the process, liked their end result and feel good about participating.  That is what it's supposed to be - FUN right?! 

Thank-you Marianne, Florence, Suz, Anne and Kathleen - great talents ladies!!   We'll be offering up a bit of a thank-you and recognition to these ladies  - and if you happen to know any one of these artists, please give them a shout out.  Better yet, come by and visit the projects in person - there is alot of detail that we just don't reveal in the photos.    

Marianne Adler

Some great creativity and some nice hand quilting to make this a one-of-a-kind tea cozy!  Fun and functional, what a great idea.

Of course part of the challenge for us is to find where the word fabric was used - some were subtle and used a tiny amount or just the images from the fabric, and no the words and some camouflaged theirs up a bit.

Florence DiJulio

We love the modified rabbit Florence created - she based hers on a pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.

We're lining these projects up in no particular order - just based on the sequence that we received them here at the shop.  Which one is your favorite?

Kathleen Rathvon

Kathleen really went all out on this one - a collection of vintage hankies are really showcased here - and some additional embellishing in a modified crazy quilt style.  Really fun...I expect this may make an appearance at a future tea party with a special grandchild.  

Suz Litzsinger

I still can't believe the stitchery that Suz can whip out - this one really has some beautiful stitching around that neck ruffle and additional details to look at closely - really a fun one.

Anne Bargetz

I know Anne had a master plan on this one and each element reveals her familiarity with the Alice story.  I don't see a flamingo - but apparently that would have been the icing on the cake?!  

And we have one other new sample up that pretty much covers the rainbow.

Watercolor Palette

Sample made by Florence DiJulio

Free Pattern at Hoffman Fabrics

Have you seen the latest digital prints from Hoffman - this is the paint palette all sewn up - using a free pattern from the Hoffman website Watercolor Palette Pattern.  We haven't quilted our sample yet, but it looks pretty cool as is don't you think?