A Must Have for 2014!

Can there be anything more glamorous than classic Hollywood? Radio Days has brought your favorite stars to fabric with these stunning panels from Robert Kaufman. If you're a fan or know somebody who is - you must get this!

Click here to purchase: Hollywood Icons Panels for only $8.99/panel.

New Book and Fabric Arrivals

We have been blessed with unseasonably warm temperatures here in South Western Ontario - the snow is melting and we are all running around outside enjoying our good fortune. We have been getting new goodies in nearly daily and I am working hard to get them up as they come in.

Without further ado:
We are very proud to offerSmall Blocks, Stunning Quilts by local quilters Mary Elizabeth Kinch and Biz Storms. Antique quilt lovers, join Mary Elizabeth and Biz in a celebration of traditional quilts! With inspiring photos of quilts from private collections, this book gives you a peek at masterpieces that have not been widely seen. Indulge your passion for nineteenth-century reproduction fabrics as you create gorgeous large quilts with small blocks.

Quilts From the Heart II has arrived! With a bright color palette and traditional, easy-to-piece designs, this 18 project collection will inspire creativity and generosity that will bring joy to all.

Next up is the book and updated technique that I am itching to try: Lynne Edward's updated Cathedral Window Quilts. We have the book and Cathedral Window Companion Ruler in stock now.

We have a few cute new 1930s reproductions on the shelves too!

How to Make a Memory Quilt out of T-Shirts...

As we near the end of the school year why not make a memory quilt for your favourite student. Collect all their beloved t-shirts and assemble them into a quilt top they will cherish for a long time!



Penny Heron wrote in her great blog post on t-shirt quilts...

As a rule of thumb, twenty T-Shirts are needed for a twin sized quilt; thirty will make a double or a queen. But, remember, you may want to use the front AND back of some shirts. You may even want to incorporate small designs on pockets and sleeves into your finished quilt. These often work well as corner posts in the borders and sashings or as quilt labels.

This is not the time to turn into Martha Stewart! The shirts that are the most worn and stained are their favorite shirts and HAVE to be included in the quilt top. If they are in pristine condition, they never liked them - and there are no memories attached to them. When the shirts are stabilized, even a hole or two won’t matter!

Once you have all the well-loved shirts collected all you really need to do is stabalize the stretch in the t-shirt using a fusible stabilizer such as Easy-Knit and assemble the top.


Eleanor Burns, that old pro, has an easy to follow pattern to use if you would like it we have it in the shop...click here

Want to see some samples...try these sites:

http://www.tshirtquilt.com/tshirtquiltsamples.htm

http://www.campusquilt.com/ideas/index.html

http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/teequilts.html

Sewing Day...And A Creative Muse

Today was a statutory holiday and I had the chance to sew all day! I can't remember the last time that happened. I finished up my Fuschia Fishies Quilt that I started in a class with Irene Dewar using her Hunter's Star Pattern. This quilt is really a lesson in value. I chose two very dramatic prints but in the end they weren't contrasty enough to really work well together...as you can see the star pattern is all but lost. Oh well...live and learn!

The picture is a bit wonky but if you look on the left side you will see one of Cheryl Smith's wonderful dolls looking down over it. Cheryl will be teaching a doll workshop here coming up next week...



Cheryl is a renowned artisan who's work has been featured at the Moose Show as well as the One of a Kind Show. It is well worth a visit to her website to examine her Gallery of Work.

In the creative Dollmaking workshop you will be invited to come and explore the fantasy world of doll making. Learn simple yet effective ways to needle sculpt and paint the face, make the body and bring her to life. Stitch her and adorn her with baubles, beads and trinkets. Lots of handwork!

We still have a couple of spots left in class!

Dates: Saturday, March 29 and April 12
Time: 10:00 - 4:00 Fee: $85

Attention All Chocoholics

We just got in the most adorable panel! Hard to see online but each of the little squares has a hilarious little chocoholics saying...

"Warning Chocolholic in Residence"

"Chocolate Comes with a Price...Control Top Panty Hose"

"If you have melted chocolate on your hands you are eating it too slowly".

Here is the link to buy it online...Make Mine Chocolate Panel

Here is the co-ordinate with all sorts of bonbons on a pink background!

Also new this week is double sided minkee - it is so thick and soft you won't believe it ...just add binding and you will have a baby blankie that is sure to become a favorite!

Pebbles - The Coolest New Notion Since the Sidewinder

Notion junkies take note! We just got in the new John James Pebbles! What are pebbles you must be asking?

Pebbles are designed to store the finest quality hand sewing needles safely, making them instantly visible and easily accessible in sewing box, craft bag, top drawer and even handbag. Each needle style is offered in its own elegant and distinctive color Pebble for quick identification.

We have the sharps and betweens in stock and ready for you to scoop up:

Needles - John James Pebbles Sharps





Needles - John James Pebbles Betweens

Spring Fever - Sew Sisters are Paying Your Tax all Week!

I checked the weather forecast this morning and I couldn't believe my eyes - 7 degrees on Wednesday? Is spring finally on its way? I might have a touch of spring fever but I have decided to pay the tax for you all week. Just print out this blog entry and bring it in the store - or order anything online and type Spring Fever in the message line when you check out and I will pay your PST and GST/. This offer is valid until Saturday at 5 pm.

We have an adorable new book in the store called Copy Cat Quilts. First published in the 1980's, this award-winning pattern has been updated with contemporary quilting techniques. Feature kitties in a bed quilt, a wall hanging, and pillows, and cuddle up with a furry feline doll. Find tips on working with textured fabrics like Minkee and chenille.

Quilt As You Go - Bust that Stash!

Since pioneer times string quilting AND quilt as you go techniques have been used to make quick and easy quilts from scraps. Irene Dewar will be teaching these unbelievably easy techniques to produce a stunning quilts. Plan your colours or do some stash busting and make it completely scrappy the choice is up to you! This project is easy enough to be your very first quilt but it is very popular with experienced quilters because it is such a quick and easy way to use scraps and make a gorgeous quilt!

Class Dates: Sunday April 6th and Sunday April 27th (10 - 4)

Cost: $65.00

Project Linus Day

Yesterday we had our first community service day and made quilts for Project Linus. We had a lot of fun and were very productive! Here is Sandy holding up one of our finished popcorn quilts... We have 5 quilts to donate and quite a few blocks made up as well.

Sea Turtles Kit

Our all time best selling kit...Riding the Waves is back in Stock. The kit contains all fabric including backing and binding as well as the pattern and it is only $24.99.

Japanese Taupes & Sashiko

We have been receiving new merchandise all week .. infact hundreds of new bolts of fabric! I will try to do some extra posting this week to show you all the new goodies!



Perhaps most exciting are all the new items coming in from Japan. We have a beautiful range of taupes - the prints are ethereal and the fabric is gorgeous quality. You can click on the pictures to purchase them...

We have also brought in some Japanese language pattern books such as this outstanding book by Yoko Saito...We are also now stocking Quilts Japan!Here are some of our wide range of sashiko supplies that include, thread, patterns, needles, books and preprinted panels...and fabric of course!
Are you looking for an interesting Japanese themed project to try this spring? Why not join us for Japanese flower pounding on Saturday May 10th or Japanese folded flowers on June 4th?

Project Linus Community Service Day

On March 6, 2008 from 10:00 to 7:00 Sew Sisters Quilt Shop will be having a Community Service Day. Bring your sewing machine and thread if you can, and join us to make quilts for Project Linus! We will provide all the fabric as well as the instructions to make quilts for charitable donation. This will be a day of friendship, fun and accomplishment -- we hope you will join us



Project Linus is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization. Its mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need, through the gifts of ne, homemade, washable quilts, blankets, and afghans, lovingly crafted by volunteer blanketeers. Sew Sisters collects your handmade items and sends them on to Project Linus where they are distribute to children in need. You can drop off your contributions at any time. Visit the Project Linus website to learn more about this wonderful organization and for free patterns to use in making your quilt, blanket, or afghan.

Ugly Fabric Challenge

One of our bolts is having a b-a-d fabric day. Drop by the store and pick up one metre (discreetly wrapped in plain brown paper so as not to offend anyone) and use your creativity to turn it into something unique.

Prizes Galore!
· Viewer’s Choice!
· Best Quilt!
· Best Project (Not a Quilt)!
· Prize to the person who used the most of their fabric
· Most Original Idea
· 5 prizes to be drawn randomly from the entries

The Nitty Gritty…
All projects due in the store by May 9th. Prizes to be awarded on May 15th. To be eligible for the prize for using the most of your fabric please bring the scraps in a baggy when you submit your entry. Please attach your name, phone number and address to the back of your entry.

Not sure what to do? Why not make a small quilt to be donated to Project Linus - we would be happy to tell you all about it!

The Best News...
It is free to participate!

Due to the phenomenal success of the first Buck a Block program we are running a second round. This time it is all in earth tone batiks. You can pre-regsiter by dropping by or calling the store and then starting March 1st the first month's blocks will be available for pick up. Any walk-in customer who would like to participate is welcome and the cost is only $1 per month. Here is a sneak preview of the quilt

New Samples and Class Photos

On Saturday Peggy Kwan was back in the shop teaching embellished landscapes. In that class the quilters started with a commercial panel and embellished and altered it to make it a one of a kind work of art! I missed out on all the fun since I was out skiing but if the pictures are any indication it looks like a great time was had by all - I'm looking forward to seeing all the work in the next class.

Hilma has been hard at work this winter making all sorts of interesting treasures - here is a super soft and snuggly flannel throw made for one of her grandsons (we have it on loan until his birthday!).

Hilma has also been busy playing with all the new embroidery threads and made us two pillows to show them off....

Toy Sewing Machine...talk about Machine Envy

At the shop Hilma is always talking about machine envy...well I have a terrible case of it today. I found a beautiful little toy sewing machine on eBay...but it is already bid up to $500.00 -- can you believe it? The seller bunkstepp was kind enough to let me post a picture...

Here's the link if you want to read all about it...

http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-Toy-Childs-Singer-Sewing-Machine-Early-50s_W0QQitemZ220199147077QQihZ012QQcategoryZ605QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I decided to bid on this one instead ... it is currently only $16 (and I'm the high bidder) ... I'll keep my fingers crossed...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200197797693

Class Updates

Just a quick reminder that Peggy Kwan will be teaching Embellished Landscapes starting this Saturday. If you have a favourite panel that you don't know what to do with ... or if you want to replicate Peggy's fantastic Oriental sample why not join in? This is a fantastic project for developing your arsenal of techniques. Peggy will introduce you to three-dimensional flower making, machine applique, thread painting, beading and so much more. The class still has spots left in it so give us a call at the shop 416 633-8800 or drop by to register!

Embellished Landscape with Peggy Kwan.

Dates: Saturday, February 16, 2008 Time: 10 - 4
Saturday, March 1, 2008 Time: 10 - 2
Fee: $75 (includes one panel)

Also we have rescheduled Irene Dewar's class "Hunter's Star" It is now running on February 24th, 2008. No scraps are needed for this beauty!! Irene will help you choose your favourite fabic, add a coordinate and begin...your stars will shine in no time. This one makes a great special occasion quilt as it only requires two highly contrasting fabrics.


Dates: Sunday, February 24th, 2008
Time: 10 -2
Fee: $35 + Pattern

February Flowers, Trolleys and Other Goodies!

It looks like another snow day here in Toronto!

We have lots of new goodies in stock. First are the February Flowers of the month from Northcott. There are three prints that feature violets. If you have a quilting friend with a birthday this month the fat quarter bundle (which is 8.99) makes a wonderful gift. You could also use the fabric to make an apron, tablerunner or thread catcher for the February birthday girl.


We are also now carrying a range of sewing machine trolleys. We have a three piece set that includes the sewing machine case, Cutting board case and fat quarter tote bag or you can purchase the sewing machine tote on its own!

All the snowy weather has given me the chance to watch some of the video rentals that we now have. I have really enjoyed the American Quilter Series. For $5 you can rent the video for a week and it features 3 episodes of the wonderful show. Each one features a famous American Quilter interview, a demonstarion and one great quilt of the week and a road trip to visit a quilting event. Great for keeping you company as you sew!

Thread, Thread and More Thread

We have added three new threads to our inventory. First we have a terrific assortment of embroidery thread made by YLI. The big boxed set contains 50 different 600 yard spools and sells for $99.99. Individual colors are only $2.49. You can purchase them in person or online: Iris Polyester Embroidery Thread 50 color Sampler by YLI

We are also now Toronto distributors of Gamut embroidery threads. These gorgeous threads have 1000 yards on each snap spool and sell for $2.99 each. We have a 48 color assortment that is only $119.00!

Finally we now carry 100% silk thread from Gutermann. There are 24 colors available and they are only $3.89 per spool (100 yards).

http://www.sew-sisters.com/

It's A Snow Day!

The weather is horrendous out there today so we are closing the store. I hope everyone stays in and finds time for a little extra sewing - I know that's what I will be doing!

Buck a Block - Time to Pick Up February and New Colorway!

It is time to come in and pick up the February Buck a Block - they are all ready for you when you come in!


In March we will be offering our second Buck a Block program this time is luscious earth toned batiks. Here is a sneak preview of the colorway ... drop by or call the store (416) 633-8800 if you want to put your name down in advance to make sure you don't miss out - the first set sold out very quickly!