A Modern Sewing Blog.

Monday, April 28, 2014

New Fabrics New Beginnings

The craft show is over and I'm moving on to sewing for summer! YEAH!! I've been looking forward to these new projects for a while now and I'm more then ready to get ready for summer. I bought two new patterns one for knit skirts and one for knit dresses, I'm imagining a closet full of light, airy knit dresses for summer (whether or not that actually comes to fruition is yet to be seen). I cleaned and organized my sewing room, it's ready and waiting for me to mess it up again.

Just in time for all my new sewing endeavors, we got a bunch of new fabric. I have no idea where we'll put it all, but it's better to have store shelves filled with luscious fabrics, then empty shelves.

From Moda and Laundry Basket quilts are the Jelly Bean batiks. They are so lightweight and summery. My family is going to Florida in June and I was thinking it would be so cheesy awesome to make coordinating pajamas out of the ocean blue. What do you think? Shop HERE.

We got in two Cotton Lawns. When I felt these I almost died. Is there anything more luscious then lawn? Perfect for a summer blouse. Shop HERE.



New precuts HERE.
For those of you who are good at planning ahead we also got in some really nice 100% cotton flannels and this wonderful, retro Halloween fabric. I was so smitten with the cute witch that I immediately bought one of the Stackers. Shop HERE, HERE, and HERE


Happy sewing friends,
Love,
Jessie and Sue.




Thursday, April 24, 2014

Headbands

Sweet Sewists let me begin by saying how happy and honored I am to be coming here and sharing things with you all. I know that I can ramble, and that there is a lot of growth to be had in my sewing and writing and I'm so blessed to be on that journey with all of you. Thank you.

The headache of Monday has worn off and spring is here, finally! This left me with a desire to create something summery and fun, but it had to be a fast project. I've got no time to commit to a big project right now (The Blooms of Spring Craft Show is this Saturday, however, and once that's over it's on to making new summer clothes).  Amy Butler's Ribbon Creative Suite was just the thing. This pattern includes 7 wonderful things to make all of them fast, easy and great to give as gifts (You can get a lot out of this pattern).  I made two headbands in less then an hour! I was also going to make a bookmark but forgot to grab the peltex from the shop. That just gives me something fast to make Monday.  Click HERE to view the pattern

I followed her directions and it worked great. I might add half an inch to the elastic next time (I come from a long line of big heads) as it is it fits fine, just a scosh tight after prolonged wearing.

Because we're so happy that spring has finally sprung we're giving away both headbands. Leave a comment here telling us your favorite quick sewing project, or your favorite thing to wear in warmer weather. Really just leave a comment along with your name to be entered to win.






Happy Sewing,
Love
Jessie and Sue.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Hello

I just wanted to pop in and quickly say "hello." You lovely sewists make this job so much fun. Unfortunately Sue and I are both feeling under the weather so there's not much to post today. Later this week, however, we'll be featuring a new project.

I hope all is well and you find spring right on your door step.
Love,
Jessie and Sue.

Monday, April 14, 2014

A Bit of Silence on the Blog...

A bit of silence on the blog usually means a crazy life full from morning to night from day to day. Indeed I feel like March and April have been but a breath. I (Jessie) was gone last weekend (which is why there wasn't a Thursday post). My sister and I go this biannual writer's conference in Grand Rapids and it's the most amazing time. If you are a writer or a reader this event will rock you're mind. I heard so many amazing authors speak on so many great topics (the new Ms. Marvel anyone). My brain was so full when I got home I took a nap.
Photos from around the shop.
As I write this our wonderful Sue is away at a three day sewing class. I've been receiving texts from her about how excited she is to come back and teach a class on this new technique (are you as curious as I am)?

For a gloomy day
Needless to say we've been busy. Today I've had the pleasure of shop sitting while Sue is away. It's been so relaxing and rejuvenating to be around the fabric and wonderful customers. Everyone who comes into a fabric shop has a smile on their face, it's lovely.

Our long, long arm.
Not much new to talk about. Except we're joining the world of Instagram, sort of. If you're an Instagram or Facebook user use the hashtag #sewuniquethreads. If you click on that hashtag any picture with that tag will come up. What a fantastic way for us to share photos of things we've sewn. Right now no one else is using the tag, it's all ours so share your sewing pics!


This picture is an example of a photo in the #sewuniquethreads hashtag. Tag away!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Is spring finally here? I'm hesitant to say that it is but there are sixty degree days in store for us this week and I'm just so excited. I'm trying to grow my vegetable plants from seed this year so I've got trays of dirt on all available indoor surfaces, I'm not sure it will work. It seems crazy impossible to me that burying something so small in the dirt will result in food in a few months.

Almost seemingly impossible, all the colors and shades of grunge fabric. We've just received a huge shipment of new Moda Grunges, so beautiful. Click Here to see all that we carry.
So many new pretty colors!

The Calhoun County Quilt guild meets Monday the 14th and we've got a special guest speaker. Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilts is coming. Click HERE to see Jenny's website. She'll be showcasing some of her beautiful creations and we're so excited to hear this talented woman speak. To celebrate we're offering 20% off all our precuts and bundles in the shop, for the entire month of April. You don't have to be a member of the calco quilt guild to come enjoy Jenny's presentation. It's open to the public for a $5 donation. April 14th, social hour begins at 6:00pm and the presentation is at 7:00.

We meet at: Westlake Presbyterian Church
                     415 South 28th Street
                     Battle Creek, MI  49015

We sincerely hope to see you there!
Happy Sewing,
Love,
Jessie and Sue.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

New Projects

I'm itching to get started on some new projects. I'm so busy, though (I'm sure you all know the feeling) something going on every weekend until the end of April! But then, that's it. After April is over I'm diving head long into a new skirt and blouse. I love sewing all kinds of things, but the projects that bring me the most pleasure (and frustration) are sewing clothes. I just love wearing something I've made, and I hope that someday (soon) my clothes will fit better then the store bought kind. Here are a couple of pins for the skirt I'm dreaming of:

Click HERE to see the pins.

And after I finish the skirt and blouse, I'm going to splurge on those stockings with the seams up the back. For now, it's more baby bibs and change purses and messenger bags, I am making headway though. 

Lastly, but surely not least, we're getting the entire RJR Jinny Beyer Batik collection in store and online. The fabrics are perfectly color coordinated so you'll notice it starts at 001 and progresses with each new fabric going up a shade. It's really beautiful and, while I know batiks are used for all sorts of things I can't help but imagine them as beautiful tropical sun dresses and bathing suit wraps! We've already received the Lagoon collection and will be receiving the rest soon. Click HERE to view online.
Just a sampling of all the lovely Batiks by designer Jinny Beyer.
Happy sewing friends,
Love,
Jessie and Sue.