Brighter days!

Are you taking advantage of the added daylight?!  More importantly for us, the opportunity to dry out after some serious wind and rain this past week is making everything a bit lighter and brighter - kind of like this Kona Highlight - the 2016 color of the year.   You may just want to take a moment and check your stash, this color hasn't been seen before in too many fabrics!

Kona Cotton Solids 2016 Color of the Year- Highlight
Learn more at Robert Kaufman Fabrics

We've got alot of spring florals collected at the front of the shop - a bit of a brighter feeling with some fresh window displays and our front area gussied up with a fabric chandelier we created with fused fabric....and a few gazillion circles!  Great for a fresh look and easy to do if you are planning a special event and need a splash of color.  

The work-in-progress has come back from a fabulous quilting finish by Nikki - we love to have quilts come back all fresh and gorgeous!  We still have a few customers working on this Block of the Month project - and we still have a couple of kits left if you have been on the fence about it.  Paper foundation piecing guarantees you'll get some perfect points on this New York Beauty variation from the pattern Almond Country by Sewn into the Fabric.  

This fun animal print coordinates with the "Super Panel" - it's a larger panel than you'll typically see and you can add a border or two and end up with a twin or toddler size bed quilt in no time. The panel measures 47 x 70, and Windham Fabrics has several free project patterns to work from for inspiration.  

Animal ABC's by Whistler Studios

And we have more fun prints arriving almost daily it seems - this one features animals we don't see too often and would a great feature fabric or addition to an eye spy project.

Serengeti Beasties by Clothworks

And of course - some basics for the 1800's fabric collection.  We have several fabrics mixing into the shelves - but here are a few from the recent Sampler collection.

Sampler by Julie Hendricksen

New Skills, New Fabric

Are you staring at a blank canvas trying to channel some free-motion quilting skills?  How about trying out this great black & white large scale print from Alison Glass print from the Abacus line - you can quilt inside the shapes, outline stitch or focus on the background.  A great way to get your quilting mojo back on track without the intimidation of a blank canvas staring you in the face!  

We have some great new collections - in lots of spring colors to combat the rainy days we've been having.  Here are just a few of our latest and greatest fabrics.  Do you have any projects that come to mind for these collections?   

Fibs and Fables by Anna Maria Horner

Nature Walk by Michael Miller

Michael Miller Prints

Flying Colors by Momo for Moda

The photo below is the display from quilt market last October - featuring the Mostly Manor collection by Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  Lots of different pattern scale and colors to choose from, a few with metallic elements to add some pizzazz too.  

Mostly Manor by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Spring is sprung with all these soft florals and brighter colors - daylight savings is on the calendar for next Sunday - and we'll have some variable hours on Saturday the 12th.  The annual Saint Patrick's parade will be queuing up in the parking lot so give us a call to check our hours if you plan to stop by.

Spring fever

Tomorrow is another First Friday Finish sewing day here at Two Thimbles - join Sharon for some quality sewing time, consultation and hands-on help if you need it.  Call or reserve a spot online if you need some dedicated sewing time away from distractions and obligations at home.  And if you needed some distraction...

We can't decide whether to focus on all things Green for St. Patrick's, or go straight to the chocolate and easter eggs?  Is there time to decorate and do some special baking for both?!

We have two kits left of the eggroll table runner we created that is like the one featured on the cover of Quilts and More from a couple of years ago - we made our chicks out of wool for added texture.  If you want a fun and bright spring project - this would be a fun finish - these last 2 kits are available at 20% off!  

And if you wanted a bit more spring time inspiration - the latest Quiltmania book, Feathering the Nest 2 by Brigitte Giblin has arrived and we have a few copies available still!  It is pretty spectacular showcasing a variety of projects and great color palettes.

Old World Eggs and Projects

Sunday Stitch with Suz Litzsinger: Old World Eggs

In the upcoming Sunday Stitch 3/20, yep that's March alright - you can learn how to make these beautiful stitched eggs, inspired by Ukrainian Pysanky and lacquer from Kashmir. The color choices can make these full of old world charm or bright spring energy. All from small bits of felt and embroidered motifs, you can add some sequins, beads, or other embellishments for even more detail!

Sunday, March 20th       Class Fee:  $25.00

Noon-2 pm (optional additional hour of stitching from 2-3 pm)

We do have a new stock of wool felts in, some spring colors and of course grape jelly - so there are some new options for eggs if you want to get started filling up your Easter basket.  The pattern is available separately - or you come join us on Sunday!
  

We've been working on a few other project samples - this fun fabric bag combines a charm back and some pre-made handles for a fun finish!  The bag is soft enough to roll up and pack for an extra travel bag or just tote along all the gear to your next retreat!  I was inspired from the tutorials and sample shown on Moda's website - the links are below the photo.  This is the Purebred line from Moda, and includes the great paint by number prints.  We have a few available by the yard, you can choose a great lining for your bag.   

Summer Bag
Free Tutorial at Tilda's World
Also inspired by Moda's Version

And when you need that quick finish - perfect one-size fits all gift?!  A phone charger pocket is just perfect.  The tutorial from Flamingo Toes shows a version that is gussied up with some ribbon and trim - super sweet, see the link below the photo.  I went for a more 'fun'ctional look, featuring martini's and the jail line up...like I said, versatile and useful, no tech skills required.  You may want to compare the project measurements depending on your phone, I took a bit larger seam allowance for my 2nd version.

Easy DIY Phone Charger Holder
Free Tutorial from Flamingo Toes 

And yes, although we won't be skipping over St. Patrick's day entirely - we really do need to get a jump on our Easter decorating.  HOW cute is this combination?  This is a tiny motif size, about 1/2inch - it would be great for gift bags, featured on a table topper or the easy pillowcase.

Bunny Bites by Michael Miller

Flames by Michael Miller

This flame fabric is pretty spectacular - a single border of flames on black.  If you're thinking fab-u-lous cape or more traditional bar-b-que apron, I'm with you.  And of course to round out the empty shelves, we added in some new batiks from Island Batiks - always amazed at the new color combinations and motifs.  

New Batiks

Classes and Samples

We have a few new classes coming up and I think the umbrella class might just be the perfect option for our recent rainy weather!  We hope you have some great sewing projects lined up that keep you occupied until the gardening season truly arrives.  And if you happen to be out of projects...you can get some blocks prepared and create a gypsy bag in no time.  These are versatile projects - you can mix up the fabric options and bag sizes to create some great variations.  

Gypsy Carry-All Bag with Suz Litzsinger

During this class, you will learn how to make your own Gypsy Carry-All Bag. There are several options to create this bag: you can use panels or pieced blocks, either quilted or not. This class focuses on the construction of the bag, so bring your blocks to class ready-made and spend the day stitching everything together! Pattern includes instructions for three different bag sizes.

Saturday, April 2nd

10:30 am-2:30 pm

Class Fee: $30 (includes bag instructions)

Umbrella Class with Joan Buse

During this unique class, you will get to create your own custom umbrella. The class fee includes the pattern and frame. You choose the fabric, batiks make a great rainbow of color - you can choose a traditional print and dress it up with some trim, ore even use laminated fabrics for a truly waterproof option.  Lots of ways to put your personal style into it. Make one for yourself or as a one-of-a-kind gift!

Saturday, April 9th

10:30 am-2:30 pm

Class Fee: $50 (includes pattern and frame)

Here is our latest shop sample that Sharon stitched up for us, the pattern is called Richmond and it is by Red Crinoline Quilts. The sample features lots of reproduction striped prints, and a great mitered stripe border.  We have layer cakes of the Historical Stripe fabrics so you can get alot of variety without alot of fabric.  There are also several great bold stripe border options available so come in and check out the fabulous color choices.  This project finishes at about 70 inches square so not too big and not too small to get on your project list.   

White Tag Sale

White Tag Sale: Buy 5 Yards of Fabric, Get 5 Yards Free!

Thursday Evening, February 18th (5-8 pm) *

AND

Friday, February 19th (10 am-6 pm)

A sale like this only comes around once in a decade, don't miss it! Show up during our extended hours on Thursday evening for best selection. 

*Closed from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm to prepare for the sale.

Bring your bags!
Help us make some room for fresh new fabrics, and get a great deal while you're at it! This is the perfect time to find a quilt back or two!  We are ready to do some serious spring cleaning and move some older inventory out the door.   There will be over 1000 bolts with white tags, so plenty to choose from!

Free fabrics can be earned in multiples of 5 AND they must be marked with a white tag to qualify.

Fine Print:
One yard cuts minimum.
Discount will be applied to fabrics of equal or lesser value.

Upcoming Class Sunday Stitch

Sunday Stitch with Suz Litzsinger: Featuring Hucksack Toweling

Sunday, February 28th
Noon-2 pm
(Optional stitching extended til 3 pm)

Beginning in February and continuing until the end of the year, each month of Sunday Stitch will have a different focus. February's focus will be on Hucksack Towel embroidery. Class time will include a demonstration and sharing with time for some hands-on work and practice to get your project sample well underway.  Please call to register or sign up on line if you're interested!  Cost is $25.00

And....drum roll please, they're back!  We've got another collection of bolt ends that we've bundled up into 1800's stash rolls.  These goodies are feature 12 different fabrics, in 6-inch strips.  A total of 2 yards.  Great for your scrap quilts and filling in gaps where you might want more variety.  You can order them on the website, or come in and pick our your favorites.