One of my online groups posted this fabric quiz...
http://quilting.about.com/library/fabricquiz/bl_fabric_quiz.htm
I got 13/15 ... I don't want to give away what I didn't know ... but now do because it would spoil it for you!
Let me know your results in the comments sections please!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Flannels are Arriving and an Ode to Miss Kitty Cucumber
Flannel season is coming upon us and we are starting to get our new flannels in the store. Today we put up Doodle Bugs which comes to us from Northcott...to my way of thinking Northcott makes absolutely the finest quality flannel on the market. This grouping is in terrific bright pastels and are suitable for girls of all ages ... tonnes of co-ordinates and they are only $9.99/metre (8.99 per yard).
Oh how I love Miss Kitty Cucumber. As far as I know, the first run of Kitty Cucumber fabric came out about 10 years ago and I was immediately smitten by her charm. In the Beginning fabrics has brought her back along with a whole host of charming co-ordinates! We have a large selection of them in stock now and the best part they are only $9.99/metre ($8.99/yd).
According to the Smithsonian:Kitty Cucumber (a cat character) first appeared in 1985, in a die-cut booklet produced by B. Shackman & Company, Inc. This firm has sold toys and printed materials since 1898. The Victorian-style Kitty's name was invented by the daughter of the president of the company for a favorite doll. Her mother designed the Kitty Cucumber now used on a variety of products, such as books, paper dolls, and art work.
This lovely pattern is available to download free of charge from In The Beginning!
If kiddie fabric isn't your thing ... we also have some new blenders and tone on tones as well as a few metallic prints that are absolutely killer! We hope you will check them out!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Leading the Charge...It's Time for a Tying Resurgance
We have prepareing some wonderful stitchery projects in the shop (I'll write more about those at a later date). This week we received all these exquisite skeins of floss and perle cotton from Week's Dye Works. They are scrumptious overdyed fibres that are very tempting to all the senses.
Playing with all the floss and perle cotton got me to thinking about tying quilts. Many people have quilt tops that need to be finished into quilts but they either don't have the skill, time, or inclination to quilt them so they sit around as UFOs. If the budget permits it is wonderful to have a long arm quilter do the job for you but that isn't always the right solution. I really advocate tying quilts!
Tying is and age old method of finishing a quilt that is quick, economical, simple and effective. Unfortunately it has been out of favour for quite awhile...but I think that is poppycock! If you have a top that has been sitting around gathering dust why not take an afternoon and convert it into a finished quilt by tying it! Finally, if you do decide you want to quilt the quilt after you have tied it you can. Just treat the ties as your basting stitches as quilt as you normally would -- but I'll bet you won't -- the charm of the tied quilt will grow on you as it has on me. Here's a little video showing how to tie the knots!
Playing with all the floss and perle cotton got me to thinking about tying quilts. Many people have quilt tops that need to be finished into quilts but they either don't have the skill, time, or inclination to quilt them so they sit around as UFOs. If the budget permits it is wonderful to have a long arm quilter do the job for you but that isn't always the right solution. I really advocate tying quilts!Tying is and age old method of finishing a quilt that is quick, economical, simple and effective. Unfortunately it has been out of favour for quite awhile...but I think that is poppycock! If you have a top that has been sitting around gathering dust why not take an afternoon and convert it into a finished quilt by tying it! Finally, if you do decide you want to quilt the quilt after you have tied it you can. Just treat the ties as your basting stitches as quilt as you normally would -- but I'll bet you won't -- the charm of the tied quilt will grow on you as it has on me. Here's a little video showing how to tie the knots!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Taupes from Japan and The Work of Yoko Saito
Right now I am very interested in Japanese quilting. While there are several trends in Japan the most dominant is working in a limited palette...usually indigo or taupe. The new Quilt Mania magazine features several articles on Japanese exhibits and quilting.
My favourite quilter at the moment is Yoko Saito. Saito is a Japanese quilter who works almost exclusively in taupes...her attention to minutae is astonishing!
When you drop by the store be sure to browse through one of her books...we always have some in stock! Pictured are the cover of one of Saito's books: Scandinavian Quilts as well as one of the quilts featured within it. 
The larger quilt is from "Small Quilts" and close examination reveals the exquisite detail and layers of handwork that went into its execution.
Our front section is stocked full of new Taupes from Japan. These prints are both subtle and ethereal. We will be exploring their use both in classes and samples in the coming months. We have a wide range available online both by the metre and by the Fat Quarter: Taupes.
Here are a few of the lovely prints:
My favourite quilter at the moment is Yoko Saito. Saito is a Japanese quilter who works almost exclusively in taupes...her attention to minutae is astonishing!
When you drop by the store be sure to browse through one of her books...we always have some in stock! Pictured are the cover of one of Saito's books: Scandinavian Quilts as well as one of the quilts featured within it. 
The larger quilt is from "Small Quilts" and close examination reveals the exquisite detail and layers of handwork that went into its execution.
Our front section is stocked full of new Taupes from Japan. These prints are both subtle and ethereal. We will be exploring their use both in classes and samples in the coming months. We have a wide range available online both by the metre and by the Fat Quarter: Taupes.
Here are a few of the lovely prints:
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
How To Tie A Quilter's Knot!
A lot of people struggle with knotting their thread. Have you seen someone do that most amazing miracle...the Quilter's Knot (that's the one where you wrap the thread around the needle) and wondered how they do it? Here's a great video I found on youtube that shows you how!
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