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.

Christmas Top 10 List!

Well we have 10 days until Christmas and many hubbies and other shoppers are wondering what to get their favourite quilter or knitter this Christmas. Here is our Top 10 List...

10. Pebbles

These are sleek and handy little containers filled with John James needles - for quilting, applique or embroidery --- grab one or grab them all!

9. Sashiko Supplies

Sashiko is a style of Japanese embroidery. For less than $20 you can grab a sampler kit, needles and thread and give your quilty-friend an easy to do project that really is something...a little bit different!

8. Bendable Bright Light

If you love to sew at night ... or if your room isn't as well-lit as you would like then the bendable bright life will make a tremendous difference to you! The light comes with a mounting kit to attach it to your sewing machine. It is a brilliant flexible light for detailed projects.

7. Inside Outside Scarf Kit

Grab two contrasting or co-ordinating balls of Rhythm yard and we will give you the pattern and a cute bag to turn it into a gift. Only 15.98 for the kit!

6. Gypsy Gripper and its little sister the

5. The Little Gypsy Gripper

Without a doubt this is the notion of the year! The Gypsy Gripper's suction cups will work with smooth surface rulers that are at least 4in wide, including most rectangle, square or triangle shapes. Need something smaller? Grab the Little Gypsy Gripper too!

4. Micro Stitch Kit

This handy tool includes the basting gun w/ needle and cap. 1080 fasteners - 5 white clips and 4 black clips - and instructions. This is the smallest tack basting gun on the market - you can remove them with your seam ripper! And it is still only $29.99!

3. Fat Quarter Bundles. Every quilter loves fat quarters ... why not grab a bundle or two and brighten up her Christmas morning with a splash of color...lots to choose from online and in the store!

2. Sock Yarn!

We have lots to choose from...engineered patterns, luxurious hand-dyes, solids, variegated come in and grab a ball or two or three to delight the knitter in your life. Who knows...she might turn them into a pair of socks for you.

And the number one gift for Christmas this year? Gift Certificates so your Crafter can choose exactly what she needs...available in many denominations!

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!

Not Quite A Block of the Month Program

We have a great new program running in the store that we call...Not Quite A Block of the Month.

Here's how it works... when you are in the store grab one of the baggies of fabric. Each one contains enough fabric to make 8 split nine patch blocks. The blocks can be made and used in a variety of ways (much like log cabin blocks). We have two colorways available ... Thimbleberries and 1930s reproductions. You can buy one this month, one next month, then skip three months and join in again. You can scoop up 3 at a time or 5 or 10 ... whatever you like. This program has no rules and no commitments so you can come and go from the program as you please!

1930s Reproductions!

Each month we will have new fabrics all ready for you to collect in each colorway!

Thimbleberries

The blocks are made using Thangles ... here's a little video to show you how easy they are to use!

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!

Inside Outside Scarf - Just in Time For Christmas!

There is a new book, Knit One Below by Elise Duvelot. XRX provided a free scarf pattern to introduce the knit one row below stitch. It is called the Inside Outside Scarf.

This is a simple and easy to learn stitch and a scarf can be easily completed in a day or two! It uses just two balls of Jojoland's exquisite Rhythm yarn. Even though it is simple, the fabric it produces is attractive on both the right and wrong sides.

It is fun, easy, and quick to finish ... just in time for Christmas gift making and giving! Hilma will be in Tuesday afternoons for drop-in knitting class if you have any questions ... I'm hoping to talk her into giving it a go tomorrow!

There's one more reason to give it a try: it is affordable even with the current economy ... 7.99 per ball ... two balls per scarf and the pattern is a free download!

Baby Panels + Kits

Well the snow and cold weather are settling in and we have a few cute flannel programs for your consideration!

First up are the Ethan Michael and Emma Louise Panels from Northcott...the panels by themselves are 8.99 but we have them kitted with the backing and binding for just 18.99! These are really lovely flannels for babies - sure to please all new mommies!

Ethan Michael Flannel Kit ...Buy It Now!

Emma Louise Kit...
Buy It Now!

Do you want a quick and easy project to make up for Christmas? How about the Here Comes Santa Panel...we have that made up as a kit (includes binding and backing) for only $14.99!

Here Comes Santa Kit...
Buy It Now!

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).

New Books ... And an Update on Pricing

As everyone is aware the dollar has been very volatile lately.

We are still going to offer at least 90% of our fabric for sale at 9.99/yard or less. We are committed to finding you top quality quilt shop fabric at discount prices. With the economy in flux there are lots of bargains to be had and I promise that I am hunting them out for all of you. This week we received 50 bolts from Marcus Brothers and they are all priced at 8.99/metre (8.09/yard). We also got a whole grouping of Northcott Flannels and they are also priced at $8.99/metre (8.09/yard).

New Flannel from Northcott ...
10 to choose from and only $8.99/metre!

Unfortunately we can no longer offer books at the US dollar price in Canada...what we are doing is guaranteeing that they will be priced at no more than the US dollar price converted into Canadian funds... what that means is that you will pay the same or less for your books from us then you would if you bought them from a US quilt shop! Here are a couple of the newest titles in stock!

Kaffe Fassett's Country Garden Quilts

Kaffe Fassett presents 20 magnificent quilts bursting with floral themes and his trademark color combinations - all luxuriously photographed against the stunning backdrop of lush English country gardens. Completely illustrated with instructions on how to make each quilt.

Stack-N-Whackipedia

Bethany Reynolds returns with 10 years of Stack-n-Whack under her rotary cutter, ready to share innovative designs and updated methods for her fabulous technique. Try one of a dozen projects for full-size quilts using a wide variety of shapes from simple squares & triangles to diamonds & wedges.

Trick Or Treat!

Cheryl and I were out today having some Hallowe'en fun! I got myself all dressed up as a Queen Batting - complete with crown, cape and of course by batting box!

Here is the "Royal Arrival" at Cador Textiles. Cador is a family-run business in the heart of little Portugal. They are Canadian distributors of Debbie Mumm, Princess Mirah, SSI, Art Gallery Quilts and more.

Here I am with Ricardo, the son and right hand man of Tony Rodriguez the owner of Cador - unfortunately Tony was out for the morning and missed our little visit! Cheryl and I got busy and chose the fabric for next year's Buck A Block program! I am very excited about the two colorways we will have to offer you next year one is a stunning array of batiks that we are calling "Carribbean Sunset" and the second program will be a Christmas Block of the Month!

After our trip to Cador we headed up to visit our good friends at Northcott Silk. Canadian quilters all have reason to be proud of Northcott -- a homegrown Canadian company that is considered one of the premier quilt fabric manufacturers in the world! This is Jack, Bill and I in the vast warehouse!

Finally this is my good buddy Sam who never fails to crack me up whenever I vist Northcott. I didn't leave there empty-handed either I came away with a whole stack of sumptuous flannels that I will have up for you by the end of the weekend!

It was a tremendous day!

O'Cool

In November there is a new magazine being launched called Irish Quilting ... if the cover is any indication than it is sure to be an interesting read. WE don't know the cover price yet but if you would like reserve a copy just let us know!

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!

Is it Really Snowing?

Well, I can't believe my eyes but it is snowing here in Toronto! I can't imagine a greater harbinger of winter and the long, cozy months of quilting and knitting ahead of us!

Things are in a mild state of disarray as we clean up from the Creativ Festival and prepare for our next show but we have lots of goodies coming in including a whole batch of Hoffman batiks that we have unpacked and loaded up on the shelves...they are absolutely exquisite and there are 50 new ones to choose from.

This weekend the Rouge Valley Quilter's Guild is hosting its Show and Sale at the Pickering Village United Church at 300 Church Street North in Ajax. The show runs on Friday October 24, from 10 am - 8 pm and on Saturday October 25 from 10 am to 5 pm .

There will be:

• Door prizes
• Viewers’ choice
• Raffle of members’ quilt
• Miniature quilt silent auction
• Guild members’ shop
• Vendors’ marketplace (don't forget to visit us!)
• Tea room

Hope to see you in the shop...or at the show!

Landscape Workshop

A few weeks ago we were fortunate enough to have Gordana Brelih teach a landscape quilt workshop at the store. It was a wonderful exploration into the world of "art quilting" and the results were tremendous! Here are a few pictures!

Cheryl, Gordana and Erica

I'm sure the magpie won't be happy about this picture but that wistful gaze is so characteristic of her that I find the picture very endearing! Gordana looks Mah-vellous!

Often times people are intimidated by art quilting and non-traditional techniques ... here are some of the students' landscapes ...I'm sure you will agree that they are all lovely. Even if art quilting isn't something you intend to persue I recommend a one day workshop just to explore your own creativity! These landscapes were all completed during class ... Enjoy!

Susan Branch Fabric and Getting Ready for the Creativ Festival

We have a lovely new grouping from Susan Branch in the store. It is called Tea Party and features small scale, whimsical designs that blend in well with 1930s groupings!

Tea Party - Fat Quarter Bundle

We are keeping busy getting ready for the Creativ Festival ... we have expanded the size of our booth to serve you better this year. The Festival is coming up next Friday, Saturday and Sunday and we do have tickets in the store!


We have 1000s ... that's right 1000s of fat quarters ready for the booth. Batiks, Orientals, Novelties and lots of blenders will all be priced at 4/$10.00! Our sale bins will be overflowing with treasures for $1.50/fat quarter. We have lots of bundles too!


We will also have tonnes of new books for your to choose from and they are all priced at US dollar price (or less)! With the Canadian dollar falling we don't know how long we will be able to keep the books at par so it might be a good time to pick up any titles you were considering!

We will have 100s of bolts of fabric for sale by the yard with prices as low as $4.99/metre. Once again we have brought in a huge grouping of batiks for the show and they will be 9.99 per yard once again.

This is the first time we will be offering yarn and knitting supplies at the booth ... we will have lots of value priced goodies for you to look at!

Hope to see you this week ... if you can't make it to the show please dop by the shop to see all that is new!

Meanwhile I'm back to folding fat quarters!

Winter Grouping and Buried in Batiks!

Today we received another order... this time 143 bolts of fabric ... including 75 new batiks. I'm working as fast as I can to get them online.

Here are two new groupings to look at...there are also new blenders and batiks up on the site!

There is an adorable winter line called Polar Opposites…lots of cute animal prints as well as must-have sky and snow landscape prints!

In case you aren’t ready to let go of summer…check out the Day at the Beach line!

New Books...New Fabric

We have added some new goodies to the store and website again today...here are a sampling!

Now in stock are the much anticipated (at least by me) Family Tree panels. They are well priced at only $8.99 per panel and would make a great family keepsake. My nine year old son and I are already working on one together!

Also this beautiful Oriental print came in that would be wonderful for a One Block Wonder!

Another couple of great new book titles: Not Your Grandmother's Log Cabin and Foolproof Machine Quilting .




The last item for today is Zakka Sewing ... a book that is right up my alley! In Japanese, Zakka means household goods. Referring specifically to hand-sewn items for Domestic use-tableware, kitchenware, Containers of various kinds, even simple clothing. This book contains many patterns from the simple to the simply beautiful to tempt you!