New, New and New!

We are excited to be offering some new classes this summer and fall and we're busy working out the details.  We're getting the word out early for this one so you can put it on your fall sewing calendar.  Yep, that's right, the rain will be back one of these days!  Check out this new class (we're working on more so check our website for updates), and our latest new projects...and new fabrics too!

Structural Improv with Krista Hennebury

Do you quilt under the influence of traditional methods and rules?  Do you thrive on pointy points and perfectly square corners but secretly wish you could embrace the creative freedom of this wonky, improvisational business? If your answer is yes, then this class is for you!  Starting with 5” charm squares, Krista will teach you her fun and fast piecing method that utilizes your traditional piecing and rotary cutting skills to create wonky strip units.  There’s no pre-cutting of random strips, no stack ‘n whack, no free-cutting with scissors; she provides a relaxed, fun and encouraging environment where students explore ideas and design their own original quilt.   Krista will bring several examples of quilts made with this piecing technique. Follow one of her samples (pattern included), or create your own design.

Saturday, October 1st

AND

Sunday, October 2nd

10 am to 4:30 pm

Class Fee: $125 for two-day workshop

Stop by the shop and register or sign-up online here

Our latest quilt for the little ones combines brights and soft shades with some animals from the Serengeti - the usual antelope, elephant, etc. A great pattern from Villa Rosa designs that works well for this stripe feature fabric.  The projects features a few prints from the Serengeti Beasties fabric line from Clothworks.   

And no day is complete without some new fabrics don't you agree?  Here are some 1800's reproduction basics - in all the best colors - cheddar is the new black I'm thinking.  

Sampler 2 by Julie Hendricksen for Windham Fabrics

Hope your summer plans are shaping up with time for a few sewing projects! 

What are you making?

We are still getting re-organized after the Carolyn Konig workshops, and missing the great quilt we've had on display in the classroom for a few months.  We do have a few of the bundles left of fat-eighths that Carolyn selected with the Waddington Charm quilt in mind - of course they would work for any scrappy project that you had in mind, with a great mix of motif styles and soft colors.    

We have one more paper foundation class coming up on the 21st with Leslie - the color combinations are endless and it is a great way to try your hand and build your skills at paper piecing and scrap quilting!  These are the modern mini's featuring patterns from Sassafras Lane.

Check out the variation Mary stitched up from one of the earlier classes - we think it's pretty fun!

Here is a snap of the quilt market booth from Art Gallery Fabrics featuring the collection of Forest Floor fabrics which has just arrived - we have some projects underway so we'll have samples soon.  A unique color palette and fun motif's that work for both quilts and wearables.  

Forest Floor by Bonnie Christine for Art Gallery Fabrics

The latest edition of the Quilt Sampler magazine has arrived - and it's not too late to put on your creative hat and join the stitch panel challenge.  The deadline for projects is May 23rd, and you only have to use one portion of the panel in your project so you really have some great options!  We've seen a hint or two of fabric combinations but no big unveilings just yet!

  

Color Club/Leaves and Vine

We have this fun and bright quilt hanging up behind the counter, it is a project from the Sunday Morning Quilts book which we have used for various store projects and scrap control planning!  This one includes some old and new fabrics combining fabric right off the shelves with others from our scrap bin!  A lot of fun to create and we mixed it with some bright leaves done up in wool with a bit of extra stitching for fun.  This project could work in a lot of different color palettes, and you can certainly have a great time playing!  We have some inspiration fat quarter fabric bundles and kits ready to go if you are looking for a new project.

Leaves and Vine 2T version from Sunday Morning Quilts Book

And since we are leaning to the bright side - check out this Aqua bundle of fun!

Just in time for Mother's Day gift-giving, we are introducing our first Color Club Bundle! Individual fabrics may vary, but the photos above should give you an idea of the beautiful fabric combinations you can expect. Each month, we will create bundles within a unique color theme...this month it is Aqua! Each bundle comes with 8 fat quarters, and we even packaged up a few in festive gift boxes. Pick them up individually, or we can sign you up to receive a new bundle each month!

And - there is nothing better than seeing your name in print right?  Two Thimbles is listed on the Sweetwater fabric that has perhaps just a few of your favorite shops listed?  Surely to be a fabric collectors staple.  

Volume II by Sweetwater for Moda

A few new Australian prints have been added to the mix, we've restocked a few of the favorites too!

New Australian Prints

Carolyn is in the House!

We are almost ready for our weekend workshop with Carolyn Konig  - and there's nothing like having an audience to speed the process along.  Carolyn will be in the shop this week!  If you happen to drop by, chances are you might see Carolyn sitting and stitching in our classroom - with of course the gorgeous backdrop quilt of Waddington Charm which we have had the pleasure of showcasing in the classroom for a bit now.  She is coming straight from Paducah, and has a great perspective to share with us on handstitching and Creating Heirlooms.  This is your chance to get an autographed copy of her book too... 

Thank you Carolyn for joining us and sharing your talents so generously!

We have a few spots left in the evening lecture on Friday the 29th, give us a call or stop by if you think you'd like to join us.  The fee is $10.00 and we know there will be some quilts for show and tell!

Books and aprons and tools and more!

We have a couple of the latest Quiltmania books in stock - these are great reads, beautiful photographs and lots of inspiration.  And of course we have a few copies of Creating Heirlooms and Fethering the Nest 2 back in stock!   If you don't make it in before they're gone, let us know and we can put you down for our next shipment if you've been waiting to get ahold of one of these.  

And  - the Crossback Apron pattern by Indygo Junction is our new favorite - the pattern combines kids and adult sizes and is GREAT for border prints!  It's reversible too, so you really don't have to limit yourself to just one favorite!

And life is too short not to have more fabric fun right?  Here are some of the cool tones from the latest Tula Pink collection Chipper.

Chipper by Tula Pink

We use this seam roller for flattening seams and in lieu of ironing in between piecing blocks - they are back in stock and make a great gift item.  Mother's Day or maybe Father's Day... definitely a tool so I think it counts as a one size fits all gift.

Enjoy the spring flowers and sunshine! 

Beading and Spring fabrics

Have you wanted to dabble with embellishing your projects, adding a bit of glitz or just some 3-D effects?  Beads are a great start and Suz is teaching a basics class on Sunday the 24th if you think you're ready to jump into it!  You can stop by the store and see some samples of the types of things you can do with beads - or sign up online, it is featured as our upcoming Sunday Stitch topic.

Double Gauze and Bubble Gauze from Michael Miller
Additional information and inspiration at Michael Miller Fabrics

We have some fun new fabric types - double gauze and bubble gauze as well as lots of florals and fun nautical themed prints - seahorses, sea turtles and jelly fish are just a few of our latest treasures!  

Life Aquatic by Dear Stella

Into the Deep by Michael Miller

Sommer by Michael Miller

Not too early to be thinking about some picnic table cloths or fun summer blankets for outdoor barbeques!

Old Glory by Stonehenge

Seedheads by Clothworks

We have been enjoying the allergy season with lots of floral prints...great for some studio sewing time whether the sun is shining or not!  The photo above is not our best shot  - these are vibrant purple and orange and green...

Classic 1800s Shirtings by Sara Morgan for Washington Street Studio

Stop by and see our latest projects and new fabrics we are getting spring fever!

English Paper Piecing Classes and New Fabrics

Upcoming English Paper Piecing Classes

English Paper Piecing 101 with Jane Buys

Learn English paper piecing techniques in this introductory class! We will review a variety of methods and products that can be used to create all kinds of hand-pieced projects (tote bags, wall-hangings, quilts, etc.). Other topics to be covered include fabric considerations, various methods of basting papers, and finishing techniques. 

You'll have a chance try these methods and sample a variety of product options- plus get some construction tips from an expert! We'll provide 1 inch hexagons to get you started OR if you have a particular project or paper piecing shape that you want to work with, please bring it and you can get some personalized instruction too.

Friday, May 20th

10 am-Noon

Class Fee: $25.00

English Paper Piecing Re-Imagined with Jane Buys

Design and create an English Paper Pieced (EPP) one-of-a-kind quilt inspired by a vintage or other unique choice in this six month class. Prerequisite for this session is the EPP 101 or waiver based on EPP prior experience. Find a picture or inspiration source and prepare to create your version with help throughout the course on fabric selections, including color and value discussions while enhancing your EPP skills. Build your creative skills and enjoy some company at the same time!

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month for six months (October 2016-April 2017, skipping December)

12:30 pm-2:30 pm

Class Fee: $60.00

We are enjoying the extra daylight, and thinking how many more sewing projects can we fit into that  bonus of daylight that deceptively makes me think the day is much longer than it really is!  And to go with extra free time, we have some fabulous spring wearable fabrics showing up along with some new quilting cottons.  For example, the Art Gallery chambray denim and this new double gauze from Cotton + Steel.  We have a couple of other new gauze prints - perfect for swaddling a new baby or cute summer outfits!   We'll be adding more pictures soon...but you'll want to come in and check these out in person, as always, the feel of the fabric and the colors in person are always better! 

Cozy Cowl
Tutorial at Purl Soho

Cotton and Steel Cat Lady Double Gauze

The Denim Studio by AGF

You may have been seeing items from the denim on social media - it really isn't heavy weight denim at all, but a great soft denim that is the weight of a cotton yarn woven chambray.  Great for pillows, totes and of course some great shirts and dresses!  We'd love to see some Sue Spargo stitchery in these too, which feature her free log cabin variation block.

Woodland by Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Studio Stash Yarn Dyes by Robert Kaufman Fabrics

Hungry Animal by Quilting Treasures

Gardening by Dinara Mirtalipova

Our National Parks by Quilting Treasures

We have alot of great new fabrics, so if you're out of ideas and need some fresh choices, stop in and gather up a few fabrics for spring!