Latest fabrics to arrive

I just love opening the parcels that arrive in store - you never know what it might be as we order a lot of fabrics 3 months in advance. It is like Christmas.
Here are some of the latest fabrics to arrive -

 Kaffe Fasset - love the bold colours in this design NZ$28.70pm

 These 2 stripes are from Brandon Mably NZ$28.70pm

This next range is a lovely print range called Marianna from Gray Sky Studios for In The Beginning NZ$27.60pm

This design is a metallic silver on gray/brown, really subtle and interesting NZ$28.20pm

And this one is grey and white guitar picks. NZ$26.50pm

Call in and check them out or order online
Dianne

new books

I ordered some books that I hoped would arrive in time to take down to Kapiti Coast Quilt Show at Southwards last weekend but , of course, they arrived that Monday after. Oh well - these things happen.

 Adventures in Fabric is a very different book as it features more novelty type items. I found it very interesting and there were several designs I thought I would like to try - a large size star cushion (more like an ottoman) was one.

 First Steps to Free Motion Quilting - a lovely book with lots of information to guide you along the path to free motion quilting.

Make It Modern Quilts - a small leaflet style book with some lovely quilt designs in it.

 Making Quilts with Kathy Doughty - lovely designs and ideas in this book, fresh style.

 Modern One Block Quilts - this has some lovely modern style quilts. Lots of interesting designs and loads of quilting in the negative spaces

New Ideas for Fusing Fabrics - I've had this book in before and I love it. If you are interested in mixed media style and using soldering irons and heat guns then why not check out this book. Loads of ideas and samples to tempt you.

 Playful Petals is a lovely book with some fresh ideas for using the petal shape. Love the quilt on the front cover. Good info on how to applique using a variety of stitches.

 Textile Art - I've had this book before and thought it was very good for giving you lots of ideas for anything related to textiles - painting, stamping, dyeing, bleaching, scrunching, texturing etc etc. Lots of colour photos and how to instructions.

The Natural World - Another one I've had in before. This one is more a coffee table style book with lots of quilt photos for inspiration and enjoyment.
If any of these appeal, let me know.
Dianne

Decovil and Terial Magic

I have had a couple of new products arrive in store that I need to let you  know about.
Decovil - this is a stabiliser that has a fusible side and a leather like appearance which is ideal for hats, bags, wallets, vases etc. It resists tears and creases, doesn't fray and is suitable to use with all fabrics.
I made a vase with it to test out the stability - it is great, no problem

Kim Thittichai has a video about it where she paints a light wash of colour over the fusible side and then fuses torn strips of newspaper or magazine pages, then stamps and makes a book cover with it. I saw several bags made with it when I googled Decovil. Why not give it a try.
The other fun item I have been playing with is Terial Magic. This stuff is wonderful. It is like a starch but has no food additives which would attract beetles etc. You spray the fabric, hang it to dry for 10-15 minutes and then iron it and it becomes much firmer. Ideal for putting fabrics through and electronic cutter (like the Brother Scan N Cut, which I have tried) and excellent for using with machine embroideries. My friend Judy brought her embroidery machine into the shop and tried it. After spraying, hanging and ironing she hooped up the fabric and set her embroidery to work,. Was fabulous, no more picking out stabiliser for her any more. This washes out when you place it in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes. Also ideal if you want to embroider on knit materials - stops the stretching and ideal for tee shirt quilts - then the squares stay where they are supposed to be, no stretch. It was developed to make fabric firm so you can make fabric flowers with it - check out www.terialarts.com to see what Terri has made with this product she developed. The petals/leaves are cut out and hot glued together,they don't fray and stay in shape. Do come in and see my samples and why not try some for your next project.

I will have some of these products with me at Tote & Gloat (Saturday 9th May) and then following week (16/17 May) at Kapiti Coast Quilters Exhibition at Southwards Car Museum in Paraparaumu where I am a merchant also.
Dianne