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

Tote & Gloat

Tote and Gloat is the annual event that Rose City Quilters hold in May. This year it is Saturday 9th May. The day starts at 8:30am and you can enjoy shopping with the merchants or looking at the Guest Exhibitions. At 10am everyone takes a seat and the huge Show and Tell starts, everyone attending is encouraged to bring quilts to share at this show and tell and if quilts are finished and have a velcro sleeve they are hung to view again. Over the lunchtime you get to go up close and have another look at the quilts hung and , of course, check out the merchants again as well as have lunch. After lunch the guest speaker is Kay Haerland from Australia. She will be bringing lots of quilts to show us and talking about her quilting life. Check out her website and see how interesting she is. Then it is the drawing of raffles and awarding of prizes for Rose City Quilter members who entered the challenges and the day finishes at 4pm.  What a fabulous day, immersed in quilting and sharing with likeminded people. There are still tickets available - either from me or from Rose City Quilters, P O Box 892, Palmerston North 4443 enclosing $15 per ticket and an SAE for returning them to you.
I will be there as a merchant and look forward to seeing you and your quilts.
Dianne

Now on Facebook

I am now on Facebook - you can visit and follow me (like me) on www.facebook.com/pages/Village-Books-Crafts/640113096132250 . I will post often as things arrive in store or happen.
We recently had the Brother Scan N Cut demo from Rachel - thank you, it was a lovely day and lots came to visit.
Now looking at the possibility of having a regular group meet for Scan N Cut users. We can share info and I'll show you something new each time. What do you think about monthly - during the day or evening? Love to hear your views.
Dianne

Scan n Cut Demonstration

Come and see the Brother Scan n Cut machine being demonstrated on Wednesday 8th April between 10am - 3pm. Have a cuppa and a muffin while you watch Rachel demonstrate this fabulous machine.
I have had lots of fun over the last 3 weeks playing with my machine and seeing what I can create with it.
I tried with paper first and made lots of fiddly shapes that would have been a pain to cut with scissors and found how easy it was to create them with the push of a button.

Here are some of my cuts. I played with the words and snowflake shapes already in the machine's programme and learnt how to cut them. I can make them any size I want up to 12" across by 24" long which is wonderful. I have made a little notebook to remind myself how I did these things so now I can refer to it for lots of new ideas.

Here is the heart stencil I made. My first attempt wasn't so good as I didn't make them interlock and all the hearts fell apart but my second attempt turned out pretty good, don't you think?
Then I had some fun playing with fused fabric and created some shapes

Wow, is it easy to cut circles, way better than trying to do this with scissors.
Anyway, call in and see me sometime if you want to see these machines in action and if you can, call in when Rachel, the demonstrator from Brother is here and see what we can share with you.
Do check out the fabulous Rhinestone Kits which are available as well.
Dianne

Craft Classes for May/June

Term 1 is finishing shortly so I have decided what my new classes for this term are going to be. A couple of these are new classes and some are quilts I made a few years ago but thought maybe needed to be brought back again.

This Thursday night 26th March 6:30- 9:30pm NZ$22.50
Applique Garden Quilt
I created a design that uses a variety of flower shapes which you can set out in any way you like. I have made this a tall garden across a piece that is approximately 70cm x 115cm. You can make a wall hanging or a bed quilt - your choice, also how many flowers you have etc are all your choice. This is your garden to design.

 Vinyl Mesh Handbag Tuesday 31 March 7-9pm NZ$25 + NZ$15 pattern
I have taught this class a couple of times and the ladies have loved making these easy handbags using the vinyl mesh. It comes in so many different colours and is very easy to sew.

Small Quilts Tuesday 21 April 7-9pm NZ$15 per night
Then every 3rd Tuesday of the month through to November.
Learn how to make small sized quilts that show you lots of different techniques. Each quilt will be made in the night and you may even quilt it. See how easy it is to machine quilt something this size, great practice for your machine quilting. If you like the design then you can sew a bigger version. Also great for using up your scraps
The quilt we are making in April is -

 And the one in May is this strippy version

Luke's Bookcase Thursday 7 & 21 May 7-9pm NZ$25 + $10 pattern
This is a quilt I designed a few years ago. It has no books but you can add some, but I liked the jars full of things for boys and it has an aquarium and a terrarium complete with escaped critters. Learn to make a few blocks on the first night and then make more in your own time and bring the top back to learn how to quilt or if you haven't had time, continue with your blocks.

Strata Quilt Wednesday 13th & 27th May 7-9pm NZ$25
Learn how to cut and sew gentle curves in this strata quilt, then how to applique circles over the top. A variety of methods for the applique will be shown. Learn how to cut and piece the background at the first lesson and continue making these at home. Then in the second lesson learn how to sew on the appliques (and the borders if you haven't already done those)

I Spy Quilt Thursday 11 June 7-9pm NZ$15
This is an easy Snowball block which Dianne will show you how to make, then you can complete all the blocks you require at home. Good big size blocks for the children to play I Spy with.

Text On Quilts Thursday 25th June 7-9pm NZ$15
I love adding text to my quilts and fabrics. Bring a finished quilt along and/or some fabric and I'll show you how to add your text to either. Bring along the words and see what we can create for you.
Here are 2 examples of what I have made -

Give me a call or come in and see me if you would like to join in any of these classes.
Dianne