New Year Special

Hello and Happy New Year (well it is nearly here).
I have received in a selection of fabrics that are a great price - only NZ$15 per metre. Be in quick they will not last at this price. Limited quantities available.

These are my New Year special to you. Hopefully you will find something that suits you here.
Wishing everyone all the best for a Happy New Year and please take care if you are on the roads.
Dianne

Christmas Opening Hours

Over Christmas we will be closed for statutory days and open most of the other days.
Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 24th - 26th December
Open Wednesday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm
Closed Sunday 31 Dec, Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd January then open normal hours from Wednesday 3rd Jan.
We look forward to seeing you over this holiday period and helping you with your craftwork.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, a safe one for all.
I hope you get done what you want prior to Christmas and that you can relax and enjoy what you want to do after Christmas. I know I will have fun sewing some new quilts and thinking up ideas for new classes. If there is anything in particular you want to learn that is fabric related please let me know.
Dianne

The Latest Fabrics in Store

Greetings - these are some of the latest fabrics in store.

Full Bloom from Northcott Fabrics is $31.80 per metre. A beautiful range of Poppies - featuring blocks, stripes, allover florals and spots. Beautiful warm colours.

Two new digital prints from P&B Textiles, beautiful colours, $37.90 per metre

New William Morris prints, lovely $30.20 per metre

This cute but funky design arrived in store today. A 60cm panel $18.30. A Hatters Tea Party. Quite a fun design, something you could hang in your sewing room. Embellish with lots of sewing related things.

Two new fabrics with metallic gold that look lovely. A large floral and a stripe in bright pastels on black.

And then there are these gorgeous "cork like" effect fabrics called "Uncorked" from Windham Fabrics. Really nice texture and colourings with metallic gold for highlights.All 100% standard cotton fabrics.

If any of these interest you then do call in and see them or contact me for orders or samples.

Dianne

Gorgeous new fabrics in store

Today I opened a parcel of new fabrics .... gorgeous, check these out.

This 90cm panel is a digital print, exquisite jungle scene, very rich looking animals.

And a lovely animal print to go with the panel.

Another 90cm panel, this time of an ocean scene, the dolphin and the water look fabulous.

Bohemian Manor II from Jason Yenter, a lovely new range of fabrics to come and check out.

Four new text fabrics arrived in - a black, pale blue, charcoal grey and a navy background. All slightly different but very interesting,

Do come and see these fabrics in store or if you cannot call in I can send you close up pics to show you the details. 

Dianne

Birthday Sale

In October 1987 I added to the bookshop and became a handcrafts and patchwork supplier.
30 years later I am still doing this and loving it.
To celebrate being in business for 30 years we are having a sale for the rest of this week 24th - 28th October 2017, take 30% off all fabric sales (excluding sale fabrics).
As my thank you to all my customers you can get 30% off your fabric.
SALE              SALE
30% OFF FABRIC PURCHASES
We'd love to see ( or hear from) you.
Happy sewing
Dianne

Craft Classes Sept-Nov 2017

Below are the craft classes we are running from September through to November. If you are interested in attending any please contact me for more details.
Take 1 Block Quilt
Sunday 17 September 10am - 4pm
This quilt uses only one block but it can be put together in so many different ways and then the layouts for the quilt have many options as well. So effective, can be scrap or choose your colourways.

Table Runner
Tuesday 5th Sep & 12 Sept 7-9pm
I will show you how to make the blocks and then complete the table runner over a 2 night class. You can also use this as a skinny wall hanging, or make more blocks and make a bigger quilt.

Ratty Rat - A Jill Maas doll class
Sat 30 Sept/Sun 1 October 9:30am - 4pm $110 + $10 pattern fee
Jill Maas creates the most wonderful and unusual cloth dolls. Ratty Rat is her latest. This lovely character is in his underwear and has a hot water bottle ready for bed.

Jelly Roll Applique Quilt
 

Sunday 29 October 10am - 4pm
Dianne will show you how to make a quick and easy jelly roll quilt background over which you can add any applique patterns you want. I chose to use a large flower but you could use a cat/dog, bird, butterfly etc. I will help you create a quilt unique to you.

Honeycomb Spin with Anna Hicks
Saturday 11 November 9:30am - 4pm
The ever popular hexagon has had a contemporary spin, instead of hand piecing learn an easy glue basting method and spiral machine quilting. Learn to play with colour, how to prepare and apply hexagons, spiral quilting and how to finish them with a hidden facing. Below are 3 different variations.

Hopefully something here interests you - so please contact me regarding coming to the classes.
Dianne

Unicorn fabric

Just arrived in store is this new Unicorn fabric. A few months ago someone was asking for this, well finally arrived in. Very pink and girly ...

And there is a new NZ fabric as well, lovely hedgehogs...

Dianne

Shop Hop

The Shop Hop started last Saturday and we have had quite a few ladies through already. Lovely to see everyone.
This weekend (12/13) we will be open both Saturday and Sunday as we have the wonderful Jill Maas in store teaching her lovely Daphne Duck. Whereas we are not normally open on a Sunday, this weekend we will be.
There is a pic of Daphne Duck in the post below.

Jill Maas class space available

I have had a couple of people pull out of the Jill Maas class on Daphne Duck, 12/13 August 9:30am - 4pm each day. If you are interested in this class, then please contact me as soon as possible. These spaces usually fill up fast. The class was full but a couple have had to pull out so here is your chance to come along and have some fun making this wonderful character doll - Daphne Duck, of the Pink Cardigan variety.

Isn't she gorgeous

Dianne

Craft Classes for July/August

Craft classes for this month are as follows - if you are interested please contact me for more info.

Painted Cat - Thursday 13 July 7-9pm
I designed this cat and made it from fabric which I painted after stuffing. If you'd like to learn how, this is the class for you.Still more detail to go on my one.

Nine Patch Floral Quilt - Tuesdays 18 & 25 July & 1 August 7-9pm
I designed this quilt using mainly nine patch blocks and a "brodertie perse" style applique in alternate blocks. See the techniques for making the nine patch and the applique.
The first night will be nine patch, the second applique and the third will be borders (which aren't on my quilt yet)

Midwinter Mystery Quilt Class
Saturday 22 July 2pm - 8pm (includes a meal)
Would you like to make a lovely quilt - sorry as it is a mystery you can't see it yet. It can be Christmas or general, the pattern suits both. Come along and have a fun afternoon and evening in winter time.

                                    ?

Painted Fabric - Thursday 27 July 7-9pm
Would you like to know how to create your own unique fabric using nature and paint. Dianne will show you how easy it is.

Star Book with Lynette Collis Saturday 29 July 10- 4pm
Lynette is a great teacher who will show you lots of different techniques that you can apply to making this delightful star book. You can add textile related pages as well as the paper/stamp style. Theme it to whatever you want.

Do check the samples for these out in store and let me know if you are interested in attending any of these classes.
Dianne

Class List June 2017

Oops, didn't realise it had be a month since I last posted, will try and keep more up to date.
Here is the latest list of classes for June 2017.
Binding Class - Thursday 15 June 7-9pm $15
I will show you a variety of ways you can bind your quilts, how to achieve a nice mitred corner, how to machine and hand sew, how to use a mixed fabric binding, a faced binding and a magic binding. A technique class.
Birds In Flight Quilt - Sunday 18 June 10am - 3pm $30
A lovely quilt that looks good in many fabric styles and can be made using scraps.

Circles Quilt Class - Monday 19 June 10am - 3pm $30
Learn a variety of methods to sew circles onto fabric, hand and machine applique and set in sewn circles. I'll show you the varieties and you choose which method you want to use to create your project. Doesn't have to be the same as mine. Use the circles in any way you would like.

Sheer Applique Class - Wednesday 21 June 6:30pm - 9:30pm $22
I recently created a quilt for a challenge using layers of Organza which were stitched and then cut back using a soldering iron, then appliqued to a cotton base before quilting (whew). If you would like to learn how to create something using organza sheers of your own design this is the class for you.

Lutradur & Quilting - Sunday 25 June 10am - 3pm $30
Explore playing with Lutradur, paint, heat gun and quilting to create your own unique piece of textile art.See what you can create with Lutradur, many samples to share.

If any of these classes appeal to you, then please contact me re being a part of them or do call in to the shop and see the samples.
Dianne

Classes 2nd Term 2017

Here is a list of classes from April - June 2017
Flint & Rodger Rabbit - Jill Maas doll class Sat/Sun 22/33 April 9:30am - 4pm $110 + $10 pattern fee
Jill's dolls have such wonderful attitudes and the class is lots of fun, only 2 spaces left. There is also an option to make Danika and Rocco if you'd prefer at the same class.

Zippered Pouch - Tuesday 9th May 7-9pm $15
A quick project designed by Dianne, have fun with your fabric choices. Also can be made larger easily.

Origami Kimono Quilt - Wednesday 17th May 7-9pm  $15
Dianne designed this quilt several years ago but always has people asking how to do it. Using similar techniques to paper origami you fold fabric and attach it to a quilt.

Hexagon Quilt - Sunday 21 May 10am - 3pm $30
This quilt uses a jelly roll or you can cut your own. Very easy to sew in rows.
Have fun with fabrics - what you choose for the background affects the look of the whole quilt

Spray Painted Fabrics - Tuesday 23 May 7-9pm $15 plus materials fee for use of paints
Learn how you can achieve many paint effects with spray paint - Marabu Fashion Shimmer works on both light and dark fabrics, ready made clothing or fabric for quilting etc. Have fun creating loads of designs using this technique. Here is one sample using a stencil

Birds in Flight Quilt - Sunday 18 June 10am - 3pm $30
A lovely and easy block to sew, make as many as you want the size of the quilt, can be scrappy or pick a range and use that.

Lutradur and Quilting - Either Sunday 25 June 10 - 3pm or 2x Wednesdays 7 & 14 June 7-9pm $30
Explore what you can do with Lutradur, paint, heat gun and quilting to create your own unique piece of textile art. I put mine on a canvas.

If you have any queries about any of these classes, or to book in,  please contact me either by email or phone or call in to the studio and see that actual samples.
Dianne

Classes First Term 2017

I have just put out my class list for the first term of 2017. Here are the classes.
Easter Egg Hunt Quilt  3 Wednesday 15th & 22nd Feb & 1 Mar 7-9pm OR Sunday 9th February 9:30am - 4pm $45
I created this cute quilt over the anniversary weekend and am very pleased with it. You can vary the design to suit, you don't have to include the words. It is raw edge fusible and machine quilted and appliqued. Children can have fun counting the number of easter eggs they can find.

Project Workcase  Friday 24 February 10am - 12 noon  $15
Create a project workcase to carry your work around in. Using sewable vinyl makes it easy to see what is in the bag. You can use scraps or a feature fabric.

Ice Dyeing  Tuesday February 28th 7-9pm  $15 + materials fee
I will show you how easy it is to create fantastic fabric using ice dyeing as your technique. Because the dye powder works its way down through the melting ice you never know what sort of pattern you will get. I shall show you a variety of folding techniques to create extra patterns.

Circles in Patchwork  Sunday 12 March 9:30am - 4pm  OR  3 Tuesdays 7,14, 21 March 7pm - 9pm  $45
Dianne will show you how to sew circles in patchwork - this will include a variety of hand and machine applique methods plus set in sewing. Trying to take some of the difficulty out of it for you, by showing you these methods and helping improve your skills.

Summer Dresses   Thursday 23 March 7-9pm  $15
Create these lovely yet so easy to sew dresses. You can add borders, trims, appliques to make them all look different. Fun and quick to make. Sewing machine required.

Red & Black Quilt  Sunday 26 March 10am - 4pm  $45

I created this quilt using a pack of 8" squares that had been sitting around for a while. I cut them into random width strips and used them with the red background fabrics for a bit of a zing. Very happy with the way the turned out. You can use scraps or choose a colourway to use with this pattern. Various other layouts as well, I just liked this one best with these fabrics.

Jill Maas Doll Class   Sat & Sun April 22 & 23  9:30am - 4pm each day  $110 plus $10 pattern fee
Jill Maas is with us once again teaching her fabulous cloth dolls - you have a choice of either Flint and Rodger Rabbit or Danika & Roco. Always a fun weekend class.

If any of these classes interest you please contact me for further information or to book into the class.
Looking forward to seeing you at class.
Dianne