Is it Halloween yet?

We do love fall colors, pumpkins, chocolate.... And great sewing projects!

Center block Which Witch's Boot

Which Witch's Boot created by Cathy Callan, quilted by Krista Moser

Look at this treat!! We get to enjoy and display this awesome quilt...and we've been stitching up some wooly pumpkins that feature wood spool stems, leather buttons and fiber garnishes.   Who knows what your stash of treats might hold to create the perfect pumpkins!  We have the pattern for these and you can turn out a new fall centerpiece for your table or decoration for the mantle in no time!

The posh pumpkin line has beautiful fall colors, and a festive pumpkin panel that turned into some pretty simple placemats...a fun banner or table topper would also be a quick project to enjoy with some pumpkin pie perhaps?  

posh pumpkin placemat

Hope you have some great fall sewing projects lined up....
Happy Stitching! 

Clothes-Pincushion and New Fabric!

Vintage Seeds

We have some great new fabrics to take your mind of the wet and windy weather!  Some of these will even make you think about gardening again!  We've got vintage seeds and garden tools, spring green frogs at play, bright birds and polka dots....you name it!

We've even got charm packs of S'more love - all ready for a camping trip, or maybe just a makeover for your camper in preparation for next summer!

Briar Rose

Collage

S'more Love

And more in keeping with holiday planning - don't you love the Jan Brett books - well...it comes in fabric now!  This would be a fun addition for any little one to find under the tree!

The mitten fabric book

And...no, we didn't forget our pincushion this month - this little cutie will clip on to your project, your sewing basket...or your shirt.  You can have pins at the ready and on the go!  No sewing machine required!  Our photo doesn't show these well, but the 'pouf' is only about 1 1/2 inches in diameter - so this is a dainty one.  And yes, those are little monsters on the purple fabric....we are preparing for halloween and fall with some festive projects!  Stay tuned for some new fall treasures.

Clothes-pincushion

Happy Stitching!

More New Classes

We are excited to introduce a few new classes to our lineup!

The notions jar class is a two part class that will be offered in two different sessions in November. This class will teach you step by step how to take an old mason jar and turn it into a functional sewing caddy, with pockets for your scissors and notions--complete with a pincushion on top!
The first set of classes will be held on Saturday November 2nd and Saturday November 9th from 1:00-3:30.  If weekdays are more your speed, we will be holding the classes on Wednesday November 6th and November 13th as well from 10:00 - 12:30. Cost is $45.00 for the 2 part class and includes the pattern.  Call or stop in to reserve your seat in the class!  If those dates don't work for you, we also have the pattern available for sale.

Two Thimbles version

Photo from the pattern maker Heart to Hand

Jumping a bit ahead in the year, we will be hosting two workshops with Mary Elizabeth Kinch in April of 2014.

The first workshop is "Small Quilts, Small Pieces." This workshop will teach you the beauty of small quilts; exciting color combinations, seam allowances, and the "chaos theory" of small quilting. This class is perfect for quilters of all experience levels, a place to learn new tricks, and add to your repertoire of abilities. The "Small Quilts, Small Pieces" workshop will take place Saturday April 12th, from 10:00-4:30. Space is limited, make sure to block out your calendar and reserve your spot early! Cost is $85.00.

Sunday April 13th is "Pumpkin Peel" day with Mary Elizabeth Kinch. Break out your scraps, and prepare to foundation paper piece a beautiful, unique quilt. The Pumpkin Peel is shown on the cover of Mary Elizabeth's book Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts. Class will be held on April 13th, 2014 from 10:00-4:30, cost is $85.00. As with the other workshop, space is limited, so don't wait to call or stop by and reserve your spot early.

New Little Samples

This is a pattern from Red Button Quilt Co...appropriate name, right? This sweet little project takes just bits of fabric, plus a background, some sashing, and a striking border. It's hard to tell in the photo but the buds on those little flowers in the centers of the blocks are actually tiny, tiny buttons...included in the pattern! We have 'little red bundles' ready to go for this one...enough red fabrics to make blocks for  project combined with a background of your choice!

Here's another from the same company, pretty cute, right? This one we added a bit of wool felt for the carrot noses and of course, some little button eyes. We have one other pattern from this designer, little log cabin blocks with snowmen dancing in the corner. Time for some warm and wintery projects...?

Here's a darling little 'pig on a blanket' pincushion...stuffed with sawdust, no less! It's designed by Blackberry Primitives, and features their lovely hand dyed velvet and wool. You'll have to come in to see the colors in person...they're gorgeous. And this pig is just too cute! We've got a few kits all ready to go for this one that include the special hand dyed fabrics...or you can grab a pattern and see what your stash holds. 

Happy Stitching!

Stitching Society

We're really excited to offer a new monthly club...this one is a stitchery group starting in October (Monday the 21st). The program is designed by Under the Garden Moon, and it has a ton of awesome features!

The group will meet for two hours (from 10 am to noon) on the third Monday of every month for a year.  Each meeting will include: demonstrations and tips on project construction and decorative stitches, a stitching-related history lesson, and of course, great social time and maybe even some treats of the edible variety!


As part of the 12-month class fee of $160, every month you'll receive: 15 wool applique motifs, embellishing stitch guides, a yummy recipe, and a small project pattern featuring a hexagon applique. You'll also receive two acrylic hexagon templates during the program.
The program offers lots of flexibility to utilize motifs of your choice...make one of each or pick your favorites! Work throughout the month creating hexagons to combine into a larger quilt, in addition to the monthly small projects.  Or, pick and choose which projects/quilt size you want to make.  Work on a background fabric of your choice: wool, our new hand dyed flannel, or even cotton...choose whatever suits your taste and stitching style.   Motifs are best stitched in wool due to their size...but that depends on your expertise and vision too! There is a big range of motif styles – something for everyone and embellishing the appliques with stitches, trim and buttons is a great way to personalize the designs even more.   

A sample motif

The saltbox house

2T versions 

If you haven't been in lately, you should come visit...we've moved a few things around to make room for all sorts of wool related goodies (fat quarters, wool pennies, even wool charms!) - not to mention lovely new hand dyed flannel! There's even more fun stuff coming up soon...so it'll be even more fun to select your favorites for these projects.

Please contact us if you have questions or would like to sign up! We are considering an alternate day/time for those who prefer evenings or weekends, so please let us know if that is your preference!

Happy Stitching!

Wish...Upon a Star BOM

It's just about time for another block of the month program, don't you think? This pattern is from ThimbleCreek Quilts, and it's a lovely throw size (finishes at 54"x62"), an added border would work well too for a bit larger quilt.... It features fairly traditional six inch blocks set in a surprising, colorful way which creates a striking striped design down the center of your quilt.  The program will run for 12 months at $9.95 per month (and you'll pre-pay the last month), plus shipping if you choose to participate through the mail. Program includes the pattern and material for the quilt top and binding - except for the light block background fabric, which you'll provide (and we can help you choose!).  The colorful fabrics are all from our collection of 1800's reproductions, with a focus on the brighter palette of cheddar, double pink and poison green with a limited amount of darker browns and blacks.  We also have the pattern available separately, or we'll have complete kits if you're in a rush to get this one completed.  This way, you can choose the option that fits your budget and your timeline the best.

The ThimbleCreek Quilts version

Some of our blocks

Setting fabrics

The program will be available after next week, and we'll have it available on our website if you'd like to register online.  If you would like to participate by mail, shipping will be an additional cost, and you can sign up by calling the store or through our website. Please let us know if you have questions or would like to sign up!

Happy Stitching!

It's a Hoot!!

September ....whooo knew fall was right around the corner?  We are running late with our pincushion this month, but here is what you can expect by the end of the week!  These little guys are pretty small, cute and easy to create!  Narrowing down the fabric choices is the hardest part!  

It's a Hoot!

We are open on Sunday's again, from 12-4pm so you can expand your weekend sewing options - stop by soon and see our latest creations in the works!  And it's not too soon to be planning your route for the upcoming 91-mile yard sale....that's happening on September 27th and 28th this year, so be sure to block out some travel time.

We've just added some gorgeous new hand dyed wool pieces and bundles, some fun bright colors of osnaburg, and odds n' ends to add to your art quilting fun!  More new fabric is coming in almost daily and we are working like crazy to get some fresh store samples on the walls too!

Happy Stitching!