Patchwork Fabrics $20 and under

I have been gradually adding lots of wonderful fabrics for you that are NZ$20 per metre or less.
Check out these -

Chevrons are very 'in' and so are grey and black. These fabrics above are only NZ$20 per metre
Then this range has wonderful bright colours

This great range is only NZ$19 per metre.Add lots of plain or tone on tone fabrics in similar colours to make them pop.
I have this lovely range of self striped fabrics which are a great price, only NZ$15 per metre. The fabric is lovely, not what you might normally associate with that kind of price, I am happy to use these in my quilts.

These are very fine stripe, a lovely red and golden yellow and I also have this in an electric blue.
I will try to keep adding to this range of better priced fabrics, keep an eye out. Do call in and see these and other fabrics we have.
Dianne

New Patchwork Fabrics in over Christmas/New Year

Opening the boxes of fabric that arrive in is like having Christmas prezzies regularly. It is always a surprise to see what is in them because generally we are ordering up to 3 months in advance, and you do tend to forget what you have ordered. Here are some of the fabulous fabrics we have had in over the last month.

These 2 fabrics are from the new Tim Holtz range NZ$27.90 per metre. Tim is more well known for his stamp and mixed media supplies but has now branched out into patchwork fabrics. I love these 2 for the design and the colour - that grey is very popular at present.

This range is from the Country Caboodle and is called In Cahoots. Deep rich golden colours with black set them off nicely. NZ$29.10 per metre

Landscape fabrics are always popular. I really love the stone work which could be used for walls, paths, buildings. The top 3 are NZ$27.90 per metre and the Sea fabric is NZ$26.50 per metre.
Then something for the men in your life -

BBQ items, ideal to make a variety of things, including aprons, BBQ mits, placemats etc NZ$25 per metre
And for the kids (including big kids)

Spiderman fabrics. Both of these are NZ$27.50 per metre.Cushions, quilts, backpacks, notebook covers etc etc, so much you can make using this fabric range.

I really love the fresh colours in this range by Pat Sloan - Bobbins and Bits. NZ$27.20 per metre
Team them with watermelon reds, golden yellow, orange and lime green - wow what a combination.
Let me know if I can help you with any of the above fabrics either by mail order or call in and see them in the studio.Your drive in will now be much smoother.
Happy New Year everyone
Dianne

Driveway Finished

Thank you for your patience over the week of Christmas while our driveway was re-concreted. Here is a couple of before pictures

It had just gotten so bad with the water over winter sitting in the hollows. Now this is what the new driveway looks like -

So much better, smoother. Enjoy driving in.
Dianne

Christmas Hours

Today we are having our front driveway re-concreted. They dug up all the old concrete yesterday and are busy putting metal down and whacking it flat, then the concrete will be brought in. It will be so good to have a flat driveway rather than the broken bumpy concrete that has been there recently. So until Boxing Day anyone visiting us will have to park on the road and walk down a narrow path on the left side of the driveway. I am open Friday and Saturday but will then close until Friday 27th. We are still around if you need something, so just give us a call and we'll open up.
Thank you for your business over the last year, we appreciate it and seeing what you have done.
We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Dianne and Colin

Christmas Cracker Snaps

It is that time of year once again. Why not make your own christmas crackers this year - then you can choose what goes in them. You are sure to make much better ones than you can buy. Have the kids make their own party hats, find some small items to go in (you can even personalise them for the recipient) and then make the crackers. Once again the kids could decorate them or you can go to town and make really fancy ones for little cost. The cracker snaps just add that professional 'bang' you need.
Our cracker snaps are 10 for NZ$3. Call in and get them soon.
Dianne

Retro Clean and Lite Fusible Alternatives

I have just received in a new shipment of items which included some RetroClean. This product is wonderful for using with vintage fabrics such as doyleys and tables cloths to get them looking brand new again.

Just soak for 48 hours, preferably in the sunlight, and you will be surprised by how clean your fabrics become.Recommended by Cindy Needham when she taught here in Palmerston North back in May 2013. Comes in 1lb package for NZ$30 and 110gram packets for NZ$10. Why not try some?
Also in the parcel were some alternative lite fusibles since we cannot get the Steam-A-Seam Lite at this time due to production problems. Try this replacement for the 1/4" Steam-A-Seam tape - it has the same tacky quality, peel off the paper backing and fuse into place. NZ$11 for 40 yards

In the larger sized pieces we have Pellon Lite EZ Steam 11. These sheets are 12" x 9" for NZ$2.40 each. Peel one side of the paper backing off and press to your fabrics reverse side. Is tacky so will stay until you fuse. Cut out shape and peel off remaining paper backing and lay in place before ironing to fuse in place.

Pellon is a well known brand here. I have made up some samples so you can see what it does and how it feels.

Also available is some Soft Fuse Premium. Available in 8" x 9" sheets NZ$2.20 each

Come in and see the samples and check out what you might like to stitch with.

Dianne

Japanese Fabric & Panels

I haven't blogged the last few weeks as it has been busy with the Shop Hop which has now finished. Thank you to all who participated and especially thank you to those who bought my design and finishing kit. One of the shop hoppers brought her finished quilt from 2 years ago and it was beautiful with lots of machine quilting over it. She said she had done a lot more machine quilting since I inspired her after this quilt. Well done. It is really something special to know that I have helped someone else along the road to wonderful machine quilting. To me - quilting makes the quilt.
In the last week there have been some stunning Japanese fabrics and panels arrive in store.
Check out these gorgeous designs

This Marbella design is a 60cm wide panel NZ$28.20

This rich blue design with metallic gold goes with the panel above beautifully NZ$28.20pm

And this is the gorgeous border print to match NZ$28.20pm

This panel is Tadashi NZ$26.90. Again 60cm wide

With a beautiful allover pattern NZ$26.90pm

And this stunning large flower fabric - the flowers are around 20-25cm across. NZ$26.90pm

This fabric is a very black background with metallic gold shapes all over it. Ideal for blending with any of the above fabrics.

This panel is from a range called Kabuki NZ$28.20 60cm panel

The ladies in this all over Kabuki fabric are between 25-30cm tall. Stunning fabric NZ$28.20pm
It is interesting how a lot of the Japanese style fabrics we have can all blend and work together. Even though the ranges are from different companies the colours are similar enough to work well together.
See what you can make with these gorgeous fabrics.