Samples and Self Striping Yarn

Irene was in the store teaching hand quilting techniques today and dropped off this lovely little sample. She will be teaching a class...if you are interested just give us a call (416) 633-8800. It is made using a laser cut fusible applique so it is easy peasy to do. We have the appliques in the store for $10.99.
Ann's sewing machine is back from the shop so she brought in some samples too - here is Ann's super easy table runner made with Strawberry Cluster and Strawberry Toss fabrics... the class will be on June 16th.

This is the self-striping cotton yarn that I am using for Davey's socks ... it really is a dream to work with...92% cotton and a touch of acrylic for stability!

Cotton Joy 701 Blue/Brown/Cream
Cotton Joy 706 Blue/Aqua/Peach/Pink
Cotton Joy 707 Blue/Aqua/Storm

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

Last Minute Addition to the Class Schedule

Hilma will be teaching her Sewing Machine basics class on June 3rd and June 10th from 10:30 - 4:30. We have 2 spots available if you would like to join in. After this two day class you will have complete mastery of your machine and won't ever struggle with it again ... this class is a great confidence booster if you have a new sewing machine or are intimidated by your old one. The cost is just $75.00 + $25.00 materials fee.

Speaking of Hilma, she is teaching me how to knit socks! I am having a great time and it is much easier than I thought. I chose a gorgeous cotton/nylon blend from Needful Yarns that is self striping. The results are fabulous...all the chic of striped socks with none of the bother of changing yarns! It is reasonably priced at $6.80/ball and comes in three great colorways (blue/green; sunset, pink, green; and taupe, grey, cream and blue). Today I am working on the heels ... so there is a bit of wait until I can take a picture of the finished project.

Wednesday we have three classes running back to back...in the morning Irene will be teaching hand quilting basics (the cost is only $15); in the afternoon Ann is teaching needle turn applique (the cost is only $12.50) and in the evening Peggy will be starting another section of 3 - D flowers ... give us a call if you would like to join in any of them!

Charm Tote Bag and More Baby Kits

I'm happy to say that we have more Crazy Eights Baby Kits made up. These are so pretty for a new baby in pastel shades of purple, yellow, blue, green and pink. The kits include backing, binding, all fabric and the pattern and are only $34.99.

Monika Also finished up a Charm Party Tote using the Secret Garden Charm Squares ...it was quite easy to do and is just lovely!

More Yarn, A Few New Bolts, Another Class...All In All a Busy Day!

This has turned into a bit of a hectic week...mostly caused by the yarn chaos! I have started adding it online and I am very pleased to announce that most of it is 40% off the suggested retail price.

Today I added a great super-soft eyelash yarn called Amsterdam (pictured above) which comes in five sumptuous colors. There are also two lightweight yarns suitable for summer projects : Kikki which is an Aran Fiber and Skipper which is an Egyptian Cotton made in Italy and comes in 7 colors. My mom is busy making it into dischcloths so we might have a picture of one soon!After playing with yarn for half the morning I zipped out to Northcott and picked up some of their wonderful Papillon solids and found these two great In The Beginning Fabrics ... both are only $9.99/metre. Beige Butterfly Background

Pale Purple Butterflies

Northcott has lots and lots of wonderful new lines of fabric coming soon including Califon designed by Mark Lipinski!

Zipped back to the store in time for Ann to teach the first in her Summer School Series.

Every Wednesday Ann will be hosting a two hour techniques class. Each two hour session is only $12.50. This is a great chance for you to sharpen your skills in a small group setting. Each class will be offered once during the afternoon and once in the evening.
Coming up in the next few weeks are:

Needle Turn Appliqué
Date: May 28th 1 -3

Binding - Beyond the Basics
Dates: June 25th 1 – 3

Paper Piecing
Dates: June 4th 1 – 3

Rotary Cutting Skills
Dates: June 11th 1 - 3

Mitering Borders
Dates: June 18th 1 – 3 OR June 25th Time: 6:30 – 8:30

You can find the full roster of classes here: http://www.sew-sisters.com/classes.htm

New Kit and Yarn, Yarn and More Yarn!

Hilma finished up a new mini kit for us...this one features all sorts of trucks and tractors and would make a great little gift for a boy.

Here is the link to buy it online for only $7.99: Trucks Mini Kit

Did you know that all of our kits contain all the fabric including the backing and binding?

We had a fun day in the shop today with a group of ladies...including one all the way from Wales ... working on a puzzle quilt with Irene Dewar. They made tremendous progress and the quilts were absolutely adorable.

While they were working on the puzzle quilts I was busy trying to display all the yarn. We tried the shelves, baskets, even some modified sono tubes but in the end it was Fred (he's our Dad) to the rescue and he is going to build us a great set of cubby holes to house the yarn to its best advantage. While he works on that it will have to be yarn chaos for a bit longer!

In the meantime let me introduce Stomp from Lana Gatto!

Stomp is a classic superwash sock yarn that is made in Italy. It is soft enough for a baby's skin yet has the durability necessary to function as an everyday work sock. It has a broad and wonderful color range--and the best news? It is only $10.99 per skein (large enough to do a pair of socks). It is in stock and ready to ship ... I will get it (and the other yarn) up on the website ASAP.

And The Winners Are...

It is time to announce the Winners in our Ugly Fabric Challenge!

For those of you who are just "tuning in"....Back in February we decided that one of our bolts was having a baaad fabric day so we issued an Ugly Fabric Challenge . Everyone was invited to drop by the store and pick up one metre (discreetly wrapped in plain brown paper so as not to offend anyone) and to use their creativity to turn it into something unique.

Well ... you really lived up to the challenge! The response was outstanding and the projects that came in would just take your breath away! The creativity and workmanship were really something to behold. The quilts and other projects will be on display until May 23rd so if you haven't seen them yet please do come by and see them.

Without further ado (but with many thanks and congratulations) the prizes are ...

Viewer’s Choice!
Under the Sea by Kay Phillips

Best Quilt!
Ugly Purple Challenge (Kaleidoscope) by Janice Kawka

Best Project (Not a Quilt)!
Beauty is in the Eye of the Bagholder by Linda Kittmer

Prize to the person who used the most of their fabric
A tie! Two people manged to use every single scrip and scrap of their fabric!
Linda Kittmer and Peggi Warner Lalonde

Most Original Idea
Lined Hamper by Anita Elksmitis

6 prizes drawn randomly from the entries:
Sandy Green
Anne Smith
OJ Grolman
Peggy Kwan
Barbara Lichman
Suzanne MacLean

Congratulations to the winners - prizes can be picked up at any time and we would like to keep your projects until the 23rd for display! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Aliens Have Invaded ... and Eye Candy for Quilters

In the midst of the sale we have had boxes and boxes and boxes of new goodies come in! The book shelves are reloaded...with a whole slew of new titles and there are a few new lines of fabric as well!

Here is a gorgeous run of Hoffmann Bali Batiks...truly eye candy for quilters!

Also, we have the Alien Invasion Jelly Roll, Alien Invasion Charm Pack and a couple of co-ordinates to make something "out of this world" for your favourite kid!

Stock Up For Summer Sale!

The Sale is On!

May 12th -- May 13th -- May 14th

3 – Day Stock up for Summer Sale!25% off Everything in the Store

All fabric (including clearance fabric), all books, all patterns, all notions, all batting!

Even the Yarn is an additional 25% off the introductory price (which is 40% off)!

What do you think?

We are considering trying out something totally new at Sew Sisters...a knitting nook! Before we jump in we want to know what you think! We have brought in a gorgeous grouping of yarn -- all imported from Italy. The quality is outstanding ... and there is quite a lovely selection ranging from haute couture...to Marino Wool double knits...to Mohair/Marino/Angola blends and more. We are introducing the line at a very low price just to see if you are interested! All yarn is in the store now and priced at 40% off the suggested retail price. Visit us during the Stock up for Summer Sale (This Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and receive an additional 25% off! Please let us know by comment, phone call or in person whether yarn and knitting supplies are something you would like to see in the shop ... we really value your opinion!

Also, submissions for the Ugly Fabric Challenge are due in the store Friday ... but do pop in Saturday if you can't make it Friday. We will be hanging the entries on Friday and then everyone will have a chance to vote on their favourite. Next Thursday at 1 pm we will announce all the winners and award the prizes! We have a good number of entries already but we are hoping for even more... if you have the fabric try to get something finished! There are lots of goodies for participants so please do enter a submission. Haven't started yet? Why not whip up a quick quilt for Project Linus?

Finally, I want to thank all the women up at the Moraine Quilter's Guild for inviting us up to visit them today! It was lovely meeting you all and I really am very grateful for the opportunity! A special thank you to OJ - for all her hard work - so often we forget to thank the people who volunteer their time so I want to give a big hand to her! I hope to see you all again soon!

I'm off to work on my own Ugly Fabric Challenge! I've really got to hunker down and get to work so far all I have is a plan -- with only 2 days left! I'm not much of a procrastinator but with the Creativ Festival and a general frenzy of activity in the store and with the family --- time really got away from me! Gulp...wish me luck!

Stock Up For Summer Sale!

Stock Up For Summer Sale!

May 12th -- May 13th -- May 14th

3 – Day Stock up for Summer Sale!
25% off Everything in the StoreAll fabric (including clearance fabric), all books, all patterns, all notions, all batting!

More Pictures of the New Fabric

As promised...I am loading up the new fabrics as fast as I can...this is an adorable line from Avlyn called Fun in the Sun. Lots of great primary blenders to liven up kids quilts...some adorable novelties and a great run of dotted prints that would be terrific as backgrounds! They are all only 8.99! Click here to purchase them online... Fun in the Sun

If you are looking for a great kid's quilt project to use them in, Irene Dewar will be teaching a Puzzle Quilt in the shop on May 20, 2008 from10 - 4. The pattern is included in the cost which is only $35 for the day. Great for a confident Beginner to Intermediate quilter.

Irene promises that each puzzle piece is unique, and uniquely yours. The final reveal will show that no two quilts will be the same. Choose conversation prints and you will have the added bonus of an “I Spy” quilt for that special someone. Let the fun and games begin with this simply charming project.

Just a reminder that the deadline for submissions of the UGLY fabric challenge projects is getting closer and closer...submissions need to be in by May 9th - they will be hung and available for viewing and voting from May 9th - May 15th when prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. If you haven't done anything with your fabric yet...why not whip up a quick quilt for Project Linus ... the kids need the quilts and it would put the fabric to good use...they don't need to be fancy!

There will be 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