Pieces

Market - Part 2

The quilt market is not just about quilts anymore.  These days there are numerous displays of bags, clothes and anything else you can make out of cotton fabric.  The booths themselves are a sight to behold.  In fact, there is a competition within the market for best booth displays.  It's a bunch of fun. 

I may just have to take up garment sewing again after seeing these...

... And for kids...

There were several displays that featured chair seats covered in fabulous fabrics.  The Alexander Henry booth went all out with that theme.

There is nothing like a pillow to display your colleciton of fabrics.

As for the booths, looky here.  Do you recognize her?  This is Eugene's own Sheila Sinclair Snyder doing a demonstration and book signing. 

 

 

Twice during the market, I heard the words decoupage and Mod Podge.  In fact, there is a new book out about using the 10 different kinds of Mod Podge to create decoupage creations.  I remeber (yes, I am that old) getting together with friends in my early teens and using this stuff  with pictures from magazines.  I have to say though that nothing like what you see here ever came from our little craft sessions.  This decoupaged jaguar from the Anna Maria Horner booth won a prize.  It was pretty awesome.

 

 

Summer Quilts

It sounds like we are heading into some nice weather, perfect for... a picnic, a nap, a book or an IPad out in the sun on a fun summer quilt.  This pattern is called Surrounded and as you can see using lots of different bright fabrics makes it one happy quilt.  Oh - and can you see the binding?  I am proud and embarrassed at the same time to say that this is the first time in my decades of quilting that I have used bias binding.  Normally, I'm not a bias binding type of girl but the big check was just screaming to be cut that way and it is perfect.

We finished the other summer quilt we were working on in the shop too.  This one makes me think of popsicles....

This pattern is Gimme Diamonds and if you are in the shop take a look at it in person.  The striped sashing really adds a lively touch that I'm not sure comes through in the photo.

We received a bunch of really great new fabrics.  First up is a re-release of Amy Butler's first collection, Gypsy Caravan.  I usually don't look too hard at re-releases but the shop wasn't even open yet when this was first out and I've always liked it.

In the same delivery was this stunning fabric from Valori Wells, and some friends from he cocoon line.

It's all about London right now with the upcoming Olympics and Dear Stella sent some pretty fun prints to celebrate.

And a more Town and Country look in gorgeous autumn colors...  (love the squirrels!)

 

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there.  I hope you have a wonderful day!  My mom is going to get these snack napkins made by her favorite daughter (sorry to break the news to you, sister dear). Mom, if you see this before you get these, you will still be surprised by what comes with them...(my mom loves suspense)

 

Newest of the New

There have been quite a few new fabrics to the shop lately - a little of this and a little of that. There are a few new collections that you simply have to see. I apologize in advance for what might be inappropriate timing to show this first one. It is associated with that holiday that is nowhere in our thoughts at the moment, but it is too interesting to wait for. Take a look at the latest "Ghastlies" from Alexander Henry

 

I agree that it is way too early to be thinking about Halloween-ish fabric but I can't help it. Also new is another yellow-gray-black collection from Dear Stella. So lovely...

For a fresh playful fun in the sun type feel, you'll have to check out Summersville from Moda...

Disclaimer here! I am trying out blogging from my IPad for the first time. You would think it would work the same as from a laptop but not so. I have my fingers crossed...

 

Solid

We love our solids.  At any given time we have about 115 different colors in our solids department, and we will continue to add more.  Mostly we carry the Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons but we have started to add Moda's Bella solids when we find colors that we just must have.  In June, Kaufman is adding 28 new colors to their collection which will then total 243 - wow!  Of course, I have my eye on some of the new colors so watch for them this summer.  FYI - We have started bundling fat quarters in color groups so you can have a nice range of options in your stash at home.  As an aside - does anyone besides me think of Linc and Pete from Mod Squad when they hear the word "solid"?  (Yes, I was a BIG fan of the show.)

Spring Apron

Yes - those are rubber boots on the apron, yes they are in duck colors and yes, there is a companion print that will tickle you...

Check out this new one called Velocity.

I do like the motor scooter/bike print but I love the buildings.  I think they would be an interesting addition to a "scrappy" quilt. 

Progress Update....  the "summer" quilts are coming along.  This one is being quilted at the shop right now

and the second one is mostly pieced (thanks to my obsession with this season's The Voice, which turns out to be a great show to sew by) and some of the ladies working on the Lollypop applique block of the month are making amazing progress...

A Few Random Bits...

• Please don't forget about our auction.  This is an opportunity for you to purchase some really nice quilts and bags at a great price and contribute to FOOD for Lane County at the same time.  You can see all the quilts and bags in person at the shop.

• The Safari starts this Friday 4/27 and runs through May 5th.  Load up the car with your buddies and visit some unique shops up and down our valley.

• The Eugene Marathon is this Sunday.  I know that has nothing to do with fabric and such but I am a fan and it is good for Eugene.

• Notice the tulips?  They amaze me.  My mother-in-law lives in Holland and sends me bulbs every year for my fall birthday.  It just blows me away that those funny looking lumps of matter grow into such vibrant flowers.  But, they don't last long so you have to keep your eye on them.  The first picture below was taken on Sunday, the second picture on Monday.  (PS - I am having a good time learning all about my first "grown-up" camera....)

 

 

Color Burst and Auction

The new releases from the Kaffe Fasset group arrived today - well, most of them that is.  We still have a half dozen or more to come soon but for now...

we can enjoy this explosion of color and print.  So yummy.

 

It's time for another auction of shop samples.  If you missed it before, you'll want to check this out.  There are seven quilts and five bags in the auction this year.  Half of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to FOOD for Lane County.   You can get a really great gift for a birthday, graduation, mother's day or yourself and at the same time help fill the shelves at emergecy food banks and shelters. The items for sale are on display at the shop and on the auction page our website.  You can send an email with your name, phone number and bid or you can submit a bid in person at the shop.  The auction starts friday and ends on Sunday May 6. 

Last week a couple of customers brought their bags in to show.  I know I've said it many times, but we really love to see what people are making.  So - thank you, bag ladies, for sharing. 

A fresh little feel of spring here...

thrive, new plants - thrive!

 

 

Happy Meals

A while back I posted some pictures of a collection from Moda that I was particularly smitten with called A Stitch in Color.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it but then Kelly showed me how to make double sided napkins and that was it.  The perfect opportunity to use lots of different prints - 20 to be exact.  And why stop at napkins, wouldn't double sided placemats be a good idea too? I think that this...

will make some pretty happy meals.  Hmmm, maybe I need to have a dinner party...

PS - Kelly will be teaching the napkin class this spring.

 

I was reading in the paper about the solar storm that we was predicted for today.  Apparently there was potential for the magnetic fields to disrupt utility grids, airline flights, satellite grids and GPS services.  When I read that I thought AHA!  That's what is responsible for everything arriving at the shop all at once.  Deliveries that were expected to occur over several weeks all came at once and there is new fabric stacked up everywhere waiting for us to get it put away.  Here are some of the highlights...

I love Anna Griffin's designs.  They are exquisitely designed with great attention to detail.  The elegant Asian-inspired collection called Honoka is a perfect example.

You have to see the fish close up - exquisite.  Also from Anna Griffen is the Palmer group - classic Hawaii.  (I predict a certain gentlemen customer we know will be making one of his shirts from one of these.)

From Dear Stella came some lovely color collections.  Whether you like it warm or cool, it's all good.

Lizzy House has a new group called Hello Pilgrim.  I don't get the connection with the name but I really like the colors.  There are some great basics and colors to go with each of the main prints.

We also have a great quick pick up project using Moda's Hello Luscious line.  You can get a jelly roll, this project sheet

and add some yardage for borders, etc. and you can whip up this quilt - it is luscious isn't it?

Stay tuned for pictures of the rest...

 

 

Love this Trash

Thanks, thanks and thanks again for making this leap year day a memorable event.  Our rotary cutters were smokin' - Kelly and Kesch were cutting machines.  You saved some money and we made lots of room for new stuff, like this...

Just in are these great fabrics from the Parsons Gray collection.  In case you didn't know, Amy Butler is nolt the only talented designer in her household.  These were designed by her husband, David. Several options for these are roaming around in my head.  I can see quilts, bags, and skirts.  Oh - and that one with the plus signs would make a pretty cool pillow for "HIS" chair....

Random thoughts occupying my brain keeping me from being very productive today....

Some of you have heard me talk about the adventures (misadventures?) of my adult-like sons.  Even though they seem to think it is ok to live on the other side of the continent from me I am happy that they like to get together way over there and do stuff together. I see that they found the more significant sites of Boston to visit....

 

OK - is anyone else besides me willing to reveal a little something about your age and also what a silly love-struck girl you once were and admit you are singing "I'm a Believer" inside your head today?  Davey Jones' passing makes me feel old.  I never missed an episode of the Monkees... 

Extra Wide

Regularly people ask why Piece by Piece doesn't have extra wide fabrics that can be used for backs of quilts.  The reason is that I don't find many that I think work well with the contemporary colors and designs of the fabrics in the shop. But, maybe that is changing.

These lovely dots arrived today and I'm hoping it is a sign of things to come, that we will see more extra wide fabrics we can love.  These are 108" wide so that means no seams (yeah) for most quilts and it is more econimical than buying the yardage needed for a large back from regular fabrics (yeah, again). 

We finished a new shop sample this week.  The pattern is Boardwalk from Fun Quilts and the fabric comes from Dear Stella's Palladium collection. 

I really like this soft yellow and gray pallette, it is soothing.  We have more of this fabric on the way and will have some kits put together to grab and make your own.

Fly Away....

Hey folks, it is no joke.  Rotary cutters are sharp, really sharp. They cut fabric beautifully and without them our craft would be much more difficult  - but don't ever take them for granted.

OUCH!

Even experienced sewists can have an accident and it hurts. I'm so sorry Tracy that things were off for you today for that brief second.  I'm glad it wasn't more serious and that you will be using your pointer finger again soon. In the meantime, I'm pretty sure you can't cook, clean, grocery shop, wash clothes or vacuum or pay bills.  Let this be a lesson to all of us....

Generousity

Today was donation day sewing at the shop and I was struck by this image.  There was something about her red sweater and the really lovely black featherweight with the gold embellishment that caught my eye.  What they were sewing was also really impressive. They finished this top...

 

 

 

 

And made great progress on another.  These quilts will go to kids who graduate from the independent living program.  When they graduate they will move from being cared for by a loving foster family to starting their lives as independent young adults. If you would like to help, call the shop or check the calendar for the next donation day.  Big, big thanks to Kelly for organizing and leading this effort!

So Many New Things

So many new fabrics have arrived in the last few weeks while I was focused elsewhere that it is going to take a little bit to catch up.  And may I say (once again) that we are so lucky to have as much variety as we do in our fabric choices today. 

 

While I was checking in the new batch that arrived Tuesday I contemplated what pattern I would chose for each group.  If only I could actually get all these done.  The fabrics above is called Caimen and comes from the house designers at Westminster.  I think it is just screaming to be used in one of our favorite patterns - Sidelights.  I'm leaning towards the purples,...

 

The next box revealed Cosmos by Dan Bennett also from Westminster.  I find this reall interesting and think that the border print would look great in the pattern TV Dinners.  Really, we may have to make this.

As if that wasn't enough goodness for one day in the last box we found Verona from Riley Blake.

So, so pretty, but I couldn't choose between these two patterns to feature this collection.  What would you do?

FYI - The next class schedule is in the chaos stage....

but I'm confident I will pull it all together!  A sneak peek...

Making things easier...

We finally got a few Sewline Needle Threaders in to test drive and all of us at the shop agree - we need one.  Of course, it really threads a needle, and it is a needle case with a magnet and thread cutter.  And if that wasn't enough it is really sleek looking (love the color)and very portable. If you are threading challenged, this might just be the cool new toy that makes your life a little easier. 

 

Just in - Good Fortune by Kate Spain!  Beautiful colors and mix of small and large prints.

A spectacular quilt made by Ann...