AvantGarde by Katarina Roccella

A simultaneous explosion of color & geometric shapes. Katarina continues to show us her painterly background with a homage to the Avant Garde art movement. This collection threads the simplicity of the basic geometrical shapes with the beauty of a simple flower & a handmade stitch to create a balance that satisfies the colorful and the bold. 
AvantGarde is by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics

Click here to purchase: AvantGarde by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics

Leaf Dance by Jane Sassaman

Jane Sassaman's latest FreeSpirit collection, Leaf Dance, is clean and contemporary. The color palette is fresh and clear. The motifs are crisp and refined... just think Scandinavian style. Straightforward stripes and clear-cut geometrics support the breezy leaves for unlimited success in your modern fabric stash. 

Please note the prints in this collection are large in scale.

Click here to purchase: Leaf Dance by Jane Sassaman

Moda Scrap Bags

We have Moda Scrap Bags back in stock! The availability of the scrap bags is always limited and we haven't had them in ages so we were thrilled when they came back in.
Each Moda Scrap Bag is made from remnants of Moda precut squares such as Layer Cakes.
Scrap bags have approximately 40 color coordinated 32" long selvage strips of cotton.
There is aproximately 1/2 - 3/4 pound of fabric in each scrap bag.
By way of comparison A jelly roll is just shy of a pound of fabric so they really are a bargain at $18.99. Click here to purchase them online: Moda Scrap Bag

Nifty New Gizmo

A nifty new gizmo came in the store today...a lighted magnetic pin picker upper! The handle telescopes out to 28". It can pick up to 8 lbs (!) and it has a cushioned grip. Turn the head to turn on the light. Just think you can entertain your kitty with the light while you are retrieving all the pins from the floor. It's also very handy for the quilter's husband who can use it in his workroom!

Itty Bitty Stitchery Kit-ty

I just finished this Little Stitchy project from Bareroots. I came across Bareroots at Quilt Market this spring and was absolutely enamored by the adorable designs that combine, applique, a wee bit of piecing and stitchery. I did this one in flannel to enhance the "homey feel". We have it all kitted up and the Itty Bitty Stitchery Kit-ty is only 9.99. The kit contains all the fabric, the batting and the pattern. We put in some fusible web for the applique but the pieces are so tiny I recommend just cutting them freehand to save a tonne of aggravation (learned that the hard way!). Oh and there are floss kits available seperately if you don't have a floss collection at home!

Here is the link to purchase it online: Itty Bitty Stitchery Kit-ty

Fun Projects

Summer time and the living is easy ... that's the way the old song goes and it is the truth! I love this time of year because I have time to relax and work on tonnes of projects...some quick and fun and some nice peaceful handwork. Today I'm going to tell you about a couple quickies.

A little while back we got in Sheri Berry's Christmas fabric. I grabbed one of the panels and did a quick punch needle on it. Irene Dewar gave me the idea of just using a panel or fabric as a pattern so I have been looking for something to use to try it out. This panel was just the ticket! All you have to do is load it in your embroidery hoop with the right side of the fabric facing you. Punch out the whole design...flip it over and voila ... a quick and easy Christmas decoration. I spray mounted it on some co-ordinating fabric and put it in an inexpensive frame to give it a finished look.

In the store today we were busy making personalized beach towels. Last year I put up the quick and easy instructions and it is a great time of year to make up a few for your favourite beach combers or campers! Here's Margaret smiling and holding up her towel ... totally finished in under 3 hours! We love ya Margie!

Have a Sheri Berry Holiday

I can hardly believe that I am telling you about a Christmas line in May but it is too cute to keep under "wraps". We have received the Sheri Berry Holiday line from Northcott and it is an absolute delight. With a retro vibe and unconventional colours you will have trouble resisting. There is a terrific panel and 13 gorgeous co-ordinates to choose from.

To tempt you even further Northcott has some free patterns available including a great table runner and tree skirt!

Serendipity Charm Packs and A Beach Party

We have a great new charm pack on special...Serendipity Butterfly by Northcott. This is a huge pack containing 64 charms and is available in two gorgeous colorways: melon and blueberry. I found a great free tutorial to make a Pinwheel Baby Quilt that takes only 24 charms and some background fabric!

Also new in this week is Beach Party from Northcott ... the focus fabric features kitties frolicking in the sun. There are 5 co-ordinates including fishies and a ditsy novelty. The 3 tone on tones are absolutely delicious and very versatile in blue and yellow. The fabric is only 9.99/metre.

A Bit of Local History on Display

Yesterday we had a visit from one of the Historians at the Pickering Museum Villlage. The museum recreates a pioneer village and we are very honored that they come to Sew Sisters to acquire some of their 19th Century reproduction fabrics. It is always such a pleasure and education when the museum folks drop by! I wonder if we looked carefully if we could see any dresses made from them in this picture?

Also of interest to quilters is a display of Quilt Treasures from the Collection of the Wellington County Museum & Archives which will be running all spring

Quilt Treasures from the WCMA Collection
March 7- June 7, 2009

For more information please check their website at http://www.wcm.on.ca/ or phone 519-846-0916. Wellington County Museum & Archives is opened weekdays - 9:30am to 4:30pm and weekends & holidays - 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Happy New Year!

From All of Us at Sew Sisters Quilt Shop we wish you a very happy New Year filled with Joy and Laughter!

We are Closed January 1st but will be back in the store on January 2nd and 3rd. We have 500 bolts of fabric for sale for $5/yard - as you can imagine they are selling quickly so come early for the best selection. Finally please don't forget next week is the New Year's Sale!

Not A Creature Was Stirring...Except We Three Mice

Well one things for sure...when it is too quiet in the store or on the blog it means I have been up to something! Karen, Freddie and I have been cooking up a huge Boxing Week Surprise for all of you! We are clearing 500 bolts of fabric...that's right...500 for $5/yard!


Here is just a peek at some of the goodies on sale!

There are blenders, novelties, Kaffe Fassett, orientals, florals, landscape prints … you will even find some surprises for 1.99 and 2.99! You can shop online or in the store. There's something for everyone and if you need backing fabrics this is a great opportunity. All fabric is from top manufacturers such as Moda, Hofmann, Robert Kaufman, RJR, P&B and so on.

The store is open regular hours ... except for New Year's Day when we will be closed. Online shopping is of course open all the time and we will do everything we can to get your orders out within one business day.

2008 Christmas Contest Results

2008 Christmas Contest Results*
With many thanks to all our participants we are pleased to announce the following prizewinners!

Best Quilt -- Doll Quilt by Lorna Prowse
Best Small Entry -- Christmas Wish List by Lorna Morochove
Freddy’s Choice - Snowpail by Anita Elksnitis
Judy’s Choice - Christmas Storybook by Shirley Dawson
Most Original Idea - Snowglobe by Claire McKiernan




* Due to the fragile nature of some of the entries we decided to award two additional prizes (Best Quilt and Best Small Entry) instead of Viewer’s choice. Our apologies for this change.

In a Bind...Over Binding

Do you ever get yourself in a bind over binding? A quick inventory of samples at the store indicated that we had 5 projects totally finished ...except for the binding...how could that happen? Ann took matters firmly into hand and has sewn on all the bindings. Now we just have the hand finishing to do. I'm 3/4 of the way through the first one ... let's see if we can do them all this week!

RSS Feed and a bit of a Teaser...

Hey Y'all - I hope you are enjoying the blustery weather. We are hunkered down in the store getting all sorts of new goodies ready for you!

I have been writing the newsletter and am really excited about our new class schedule! I should have it ready and published by Monday!

Ann has been busy cutting kits and making samples and we should have more about our new "Not Quite a Block Of the Month" Program tomorrow.

The real purpose of this post is to let you know that you can now subscribe to this blog using the RSS subscribe to buttons located up in the left hand corner of your screen! Many thanks to Dawn for dropping by the store today and helping me get that set up. I love learning new little tricks like that - muchas gracias Dawn!

Dollar Days!

This Friday and Saturday only we will be having Dollar Days at the Store. I have ruthlessly cleaned and sorted through the fat quarter bins and we have 5 giant tubs of fat quarters that will be on sale for $1 each.



In addition all fabric on the clearance wall will be buy one metre get the second for $1 (one metre increments only please).



For our online customers you can start ordering now ... all orders filled first come first served. Here is the link for the $1 fat quarters and all clearance fabric from the specials pages qualify for buy one metre get one for $1 (price adjustments will be made when we ship the goods).

Christmas Contest!

Christmas Contest

Sew-Sisters are hosting a special contest to help you get ready for the holiday season!
Year after year one of our best selling fabrics are the terrific British made 3" squares.
People use them to make coasters, ornaments, as the center of quilt blocks, in scrapbooking and in cards....amongst other things. Now it's your turn to use your imagination and skills to make something special!

Here's how the contest works...

1. Drop by the store and for a cost of $0.50 we will give you 2 3" Christmas panels. If you would like the panels mailed to you the cost is $1.50.



2. You make up something using one or both of your squares and deliver it to the store with your name, address and phone number attached to it.



3. We will award prizes in the following categories:
   Most original idea
   Viewer's Choice
   Judy's Choice
   Freddy's Choice
   


4. Submissions are due by November 29th.



5. Prizes will be awarded December 6th.

Have fun ladies and gents! If you have any questions just leave a comment on this blog and I will answer them!

New This Week II

It's back in stock! The Gypsy Gripper is one of the most popular gizmos on the market. It looks like an old-time telephone receiver but it is really a tool to help you with your rotary cutting!

The Gypsy Gripper has a comfortable grip handle, and two large roundsuction cups with handy lock & release levers. Just press the suctioncups to any plastic ruler with a smooth solid surface, and then flip thelevers to lock The Gypsy Gripper in place. Now you can move the ruler quickly, and easily hold it on the exact position with gentle downwardpressure. Your ruler hand will be up and away from the fabric, and outof harm's way if you slip with the cutter. When you need to switch to another ruler, just flip the locking levers to release The Gypsy Gripper.


I am such a fan of the designers at Brandwine. The Critter Caboodle book has so many adorable animal patterns in it ...you will have trouble deciding where to start! To flip through this book is to fall in love with all the critters Linda has created!

Next up is Time for a Chain II from Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. These girls can always be counted on to write creative and useful patterns! Time for A Chain Includes 2 Block sizes for single, double, and triple Irish Chain. 6 charts with 3-4 quilt sizes each. 3 gallery quilts for inspiration. 9 color combos. Easy-to-follow cutting and stitching diagrams plus border and binding instructions. What more could you ask?



What could be more Canadian than a Hockey Themed pattern for your favourite kid's room We think this one is adorable!



Finally the new book from Atkinson Designs has arrived : Time Out Quilts. It has 7 quilts in multiple sizes.

This book promises to show you how to make traditional quilts in less time. If you can take the calories out of cheesecake by using low fat ingredients, why not take some of the time out of traditional quilts with a few shortcuts?

Phew ... that's quite a collection...see you in the shop or online this week!

A Resolution ... Broken Down Already

Well on Sunday I promised to finish a project everyday this week...it didn't last at all!

I Have just finished Monday's project which is the baseball pillowcases.

Lest you think I have been totally shirking ... I have advanced several things closer to completion so I believe I will still do seven things this week...if not one everyday!

Meanwhile we have some gorgeous Lantern Moon Needles...the Sock Stix on sale for 15.60 -- these luxury needles retail for 26.00 per set!

They are 5" double points made specifically for socks. They come in a bright plaid organza bag! They are a luxurious gift and they knit like a dream!

Now, I'm off to finish yesterday's project!

"The Quilting Bee" and Many Thanks!

I'm back from a fantastic (if steamy) weekend at the Hamilton Quilters Guild Show: Quilts in Bloom. Many thanks to Leigh Forrest and her legion of volunteers for organizing a fantastic show that was inspiring and a whole lot of fun. I met all sorts of warm, friendly folks and came home brimming with ideas and inspiration.

One of the highlights of the weekend was when Mayor Fred Eisenberger made a presentation to the Guild's founding members for years of community service!

We also came home with armloads of goodies made by Carole and Gary of Just Plane Knotty including some terrific ruler racks for your cutting tables!

One more thing...I was trolling around the internet today and found the funniest quilting bee on the EE Schenck website:

Woven Quilts and Jelly Roll Quilts + Cute New Cat Fabric

Lots of new goodies came in yesterday...we have a good run of Bamboo Takumi needles from Clover all at reasonable prices.


Also in are some great books including the best Jelly Roll book I have seen yet...it has 17 projects...including a cool bag to carry quilts in!

Jelly Roll Quilts

Also new is Simply Stunning Woven Quilts by Anna Faustino...if you love new, interesting techniques this is well-worth checking out!

Simply Stunning Woven Quilts

Eleanor Burns also has a new book that celebrates World War two Era Quilts...

Victory Quilts

Garden Cat Labels (12")

Finally we also received a really cute new grouping of cat fabrics from British manufacturer Makower! Makower makes the most exquisite realistic animal prints on the market!

Garden Cats -- Paws
Garden Cats -- Cat Collage