Hello Dahlia & Other Fabrics

There have been some lovely fabrics in over the last 2 weeks -
The Hello Dahlia range is fresh and yummy!

Aren't they gorgeous. Red accents the black and white designs beautifully.
Then Suzybee has done it again with this beautiful childrens panel. There is also a growth chart but for some reason it keeps cutting out when I try to download that picture so will try again tomorrow for that one. 

A new New Zealand Tui fabric

I love the colours and design in this one.
Debbie Mumm has done it again. This gorgeous Santa border stripe is so lovely you can use it for a row by row quilt, borders or you can cut squares/rectangles from the stripes and use those with other toning fabrics to make blocks. So versatile

And the last one for today - a rich and gorgeous looking music fabric -

Very elegant and rich looking. I am sure you could make something with this.
If you see anything you like email me or call and see them 'in the flesh' so to speak.
Dianne

Birthday Sale

Hi everyone,
I realised over the weekend that we have been in our College Street premises for 6 years now. Wow, has time flown by. So it is time for a SALE - you get the benefits of our sale.
25% off almost everything in store from Tuesday 25th - Saturday 29th June.
Exclusions are gift vouchers, items already on sale and magazines which are 10% off.
 Special -  Beads, Buttons and Ribbons all 50% off. Laces 75% off (not may left now).
Do call in and see what we have that you can get 25% off or more.
Email me for those of you who are out of town and cannot get here to let me know what you might like sent to you.
Dianne

New Patchwork Books & Magazines June 2013

I just love patchwork books and magazines. And some lovely ones have arrived in store just recently -
Radiant Landscapes by Gloria Loughman  NZ$52

Get stunning results with Gloria's mosaic tile process for capturing the essence of natural light with your fabric selection. Add dramatic depth to your landscape applique quilt by reviewing basic design principles and exploring a variety of stitch, dyeing and painting techniques.

Sherrill Kahn's new book Mixed Media Master Class NZ$52.40
Learn exciting new ways to use paints, stamps, inks, resists, markers and much more with step-by-step visual guides showing you how to get great results. Add colour and texture to collages, art quilts and many other creative projects.

The Best of Fons & Porter, Tips and Techniques NZ$ 43.20
A collection of great tips to make patchwork easier or more accurate. Includes ideas for organisation of fabric and tools, safety tips and ways to use everyday items to help your quilting. A section of  'Sew Easy" lessons guide you with step-by-step photos through a variety of special techniques to help you achieve more accurate patchwork plus a selection of patterns to use the techniques you have just learnt.
New magazines just in -

The Spring/Summer issue of Quilt Sampler magazine has just arrived in store. I love this magazine as it is good reading and a pattern from each featured shop tempts you. NZ$19.50

BHG American Patchwork and Quilting is another interesting read with great patterns in it.

Down Under Quilts have revamped their look. Check out what happens in Australia quilting circles.
Dianne

Craft Classes June/July 2013

I am holding the following craft classes in June and July 2013.
If you are interested you can email me, phone me or call into the studio and check out the actual samples.

A Painted Quilt 2 x Tuesdays 11th & 25th June 7-9pm $28  
Would you like to learn how to create a quilt like Dianne did for her Tote & Gloat challenge entry. Quilt a design and then ‘paint’ the applique in. The first Tuesday you will quilt your design, the 2nd Tuesday you will ‘paint’ the applique shape. Make a small piece in class to get it finished and see how easy it can be yet how complicated it looks. Machine quilting experience recommended.

Modern Squares Patchwork Quilt Sunday 16th June 10am—3pm $35
Sew these easy squares into blocks with a narrow sashing strip and then add wider sashing strips between blocks. You can make this quilt look modern by using a plain fabric for the sashing. A couple of different settings available.

Purse Needlebook Tuesday 18th June 7-9pm $15 + $5 pattern (special price)
Dianne has created this fun little needlebook in the shape of a purse. There are 3 different purse designs. They will all look different depending on the fabric you choose to make it from. Be wild, modern, floral etc. A lovely little gift for friends. This shows the purse open with the needles in place.

Naturescapes Wallhanging Sunday 23 June 10am –3pm $35
Dianne will show you how you can incorporate photos printed on cotton fabric into pieces that are little shots of nature stitched. Add a variety of materials to create and embellish your scene—lace, buttons, wood, ribbon, yarn etc.

Machine Narrow Curve Strip Piecing Thursday 27 June 7-9pm $15
Dianne will show you how easy it can be to machine sew in a narrow curved strip of fabric into your work. Can be strips made into blocks or larger pieces.

Machine Quilting Fillers Wednesday 12th June &/or 3rd July $15 each night
Would you like to improve your machine quilting skills? You have the basics but need practice, come along to one or both nights and Dianne will guide you along the way. You can make a little sampler like her strippy piece if you want to try lots of narrow fillers, just let Dianne know and she will give you the pattern to make prior to class.

Project Case Tuesday 9th July 7-9pm $15
Dianne has designed a simple fabric project case that has a clear vinyl front so you can see what is in the case with a fabric back and sides. Zip across the top to hold the work neatly inside. Keep all the bits of fabric, patterns, threads etc in a nice little package all together so that you can see what’s inside at a glance. Why not make several, one for each project you are working on.

Beginners Felting
Would you like to learn wet felting? Dianne is trying to arrange a class for you, probably sometime in August. If you could be interested please contact me for more details.

I hope some of these classes may tempt you so do call in and see my samples or call me. I'd be happy to book you into a class.
Dianne

New Christmas Fabrics

Some beautiful new Christmas Fabrics have just arrived in. I love these!!
Check out these 2 Chistmas Tree designs

Panel size is 60cm by fabric width (112cm) NZ$17.05 each. I just love these and can see them with lots of quilting and 'bling' added. Why not add some hot fix crystals to add that bling? You can make the bigger quilts/wall hangings by adding pieced blocks along each side or adding borders.
And this Advent Calendar is one of the easiest I have ever seen to put together

You fold up each row, as marked, then sew down in a line on each side to create the pockets. So simple!! NZ$17.80 each 60cm panel.
Now is the time to get these Christmas items made so you have more time closer to Christmas. And if we run out we cannot guarantee getting more in, so be in quick.
Dianne

Decorator Weight Cotton Fabrics

I now have in store some of the new decorator weight cottons. These are still 100% cotton but they are slightly heavier in weight and can be used for placemats, cushions, bags etc.
I made a tote bag using one of the fabrics which has 4 different prints across the width -

These photos show both sides of the tote bag. I used 50cm of the fabric (but could have made it less as the bag is a little floppy being that wide, probably 40-45cm would have been better). I cut the basic bag rectangle out of 3 designs across the fabric and the handles from the 4th design. I did line this with plain red homespun. This fabric is NZ$31.45 per metre

I love the design of this one, very abstract yet could be likened to an onion. Black and cream heavier weight cotton. NZ$34 per metre

These birds (oops sorry I got it upside down) are very cute, they are NZ$29.70 per metre
and last, but not least, this NZ design

These Pohutukawa flowers are NZ$25.70 per metre.
Why not try some fabric that has a little more body to it? Would make great cushions for outdoors as well.
Dianne

Shop Hop Quilt 2013

It will soon be time for this years Shop Hop to take place (Oct). I have been hard at work designing my quilt as I wanted to show it at Tote & Gloat this year. There are only 5 shops this year since Clare sold her shop. There will be 5 blocks, you collect 10 blocks, 2 versions of each block and you can make your own quilt or you can choose to purchase the kit to complete the quilt that you prefer. Each of the 5 shops has their own colourway and design based on a medallion style quilt setting. It took me a while to make as I was designing as I went.
Here it is -

In the centre of the design it is a square shape which has been tilted by adding triangles to each side. This is so easy to do, no hard sewing, even though these are pieced triangle portions. I used 6 of the blocks in the centre portion of the medallion. They appear to be on point because of the tilting of the centre square.
Then I used the remaining 4 in the border - these are easier to set in than you think as all you need to do is add triangle to each side to make them a rectangle (so they are on point as in the centre) then sew the borders on either side. I have used some of my die cut shapes to fill in the background are a spaces, these will be included in the finishing kit. A very Autumn coloured quilt using a mixture of batiks and prints. Soon I hope to start the quilting on this. Call in to view it if you are thinking of doing the Shop Hop this year.
Dianne