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!