Pieces

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....)

 

 

While We Wait...

...for the skies to clear and the air to warm, why not get in the mood?  We started a new quilt project today that I hope says "summer".  So far, it looks like this

I couldn't make up my mind between what is happening in the picture above and doing something with the bundle below - so I think we will just have to do both.  What do you think, are you feeling a summer vibe from these?

There are two more shop samples to catch up on.  The first involves a really uniqe border print and a pattern from the ladies at Modern Quilt Relish.  The border print has an edge in orange on one side and teal on the other.  We also have the same print in a purple,aqua,blue colorway.  This photo does not do it justice - come see in person.

And there is the onion bag...

If you've been in the shop lately you may have noticed that we added guards to the rulers we use at the counter.  A few weeks ago I posted a picture of Tracy's unfortunate encounter with the blade of the rotary cutter while cutting.  Truth is, she isn't the first one of us to have a close encounter at the counter.  I did it a couple of years ago too.  So, seemed like it was a good idea to add these guards. 

I was resistant to the idea at first because I thought they would visually interfere with accurate cutting - they don't. And it turns out there is a surprise advantage to the guards - they are really handy to grab, making the rulers easier to move around. We have them in stock if you want to give yourself a little extra protection.

Reminder - we will be closed on Easter Sunday.  Enjoy your day.

 

"Spring" Break

They call this week "spring" break,  but we know better - it is not very spring like around here. There are some signs though, like the tough little daffodils that made it through last week's snow crazy.  Is anyone else enjoying the birdsong?  I've started to hear lovely bird noise in the morning and in the evening and it makes me pause and anticipate the rest of spring coming - sooner or later.

We have a new bird-inspired collection at the shop this week that is absolutely charming. 

 

New Rolls!  Surprisingly, they didn't come with a catchy name like jelly roll, or charm pack.  They are just called Six Inch Designer Rolls.  Yes - they are 6 inches wide so there are all kinds of ways to use them - including applique.  And - they are all Kaffe Fassett prints, grouped into 3 different bundles:  fire, water and earth.  Yum!

 

It seems as if lots of us have been spending these rainy days at our sewing machines.  There are many projects to see...

We've been inspired to update some shop favorite patterns with new fabric.  We made a new Tahoe tote and Birdie Sling as well as a new pattern called the Lucille bag.

A customer brought in her "Mondo" bags and I fell for them.  I have ordered the pattern and soon will have to make one.

It was also time for some updated cuteness around the shop.  First, a new patchwork twirly skirt...

...and then we needed a new sundress for the small (headless) girl that lives in the shop, Natasha.  The dress is made from one of the reversible patterns from Olive Ann Designs, and includes a pattern for a matching doll dress.

Of course, of course - there are new quilts too.

First, that shop favorite pattern, Sidelights, in some pretty unique fabric.  We used this fishy print for the panel piece...

and finished it off.

Wendy madethe quilt below for her daughter's wedding.  It will not be a wedding present but rather it will be used for the bride and groom to wrap themselves in between outdoor photos this coming weekend at their wedding.  I bet it makes it into one of the pictures...

Jessica finished her "web"  quilt - such a happy, scrappy sight.

That's it for now.  Sew on!

What are you reading?

Do you follow a lot of blogs or have just a few favorites?  I plan to update my list of blogs and would love to know what fabric related blogs are your favorites.  Comment to this post or send me an email about your favorites and I'll check them out and update the blog list here.  

 

Petal power! Mrs. P created this beauty.  It is so fresh and springy and would really cheer up a room.  Wouldn't it be lovely to sleep under this bed of petals especially during this season of pouring rain.   It will stop raining someday, but in the meantime there is some sewing going on. Here's a look at some of the projects that have been keeping people busy lately.

Nice bag, Betty. 

Paula has been working hard on this scrappy improvised sampler quilt.
  Some very lucky person is going to receive this as a gift.  I really like the feel of this quilt.

Speaking of gifts, Sarah made these for baby shower gifts.  SO cute.

At the shop, we finished this baby quilt made from the Leftovers pattern from Modern Quilt Relish.

What are you sewing during these rainy rainy days?  Bring it in and show us...  We love to see what is going on.

 

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...

 

 

 

Thanks to the Volunteers

Thanks to the ladies who ventured out on this wet wet day to help make quilts for the first "donation day" of 2012.  They got an impressive amount of work done.

We are making quilts for teens in the Looking Glass Independent Living program that they will receive when they graduate from the program in the spring.  These young adults will then be transitioning from living in foster care to living on their own.  The quilts donated last year were much appreciated as these kids went off to school or set up in their first apartment.  Next month we'll be sewing on Feb 16, maybe we will see you then?

Do you need some animals to fill that ark you are building because you think it just might rain like this forever? 

These pictures of David Walker's critters do not do them justice. They are even more fun in person.

There is no denying it now.  We are IN it.  We have hit the gray, dark and rainy days the Willamette Valleys is known for.  BUT - there is relief. 

This collection from Moda and Malka Dubrawsky is so vibrant that we put it right in the window so that it will brighten the view (from both sides).  If you are not familiar with her work, check out her blog.

Another bright addition to the shop this week is Stockholm from Kaufman.

Looks like the cover of the latest issue of Stitch magazine was designed for this collection.

Finally, once again I am impressed with what you all do with your treasures from thhe shop.  Dawn - this is an awesome bag...

 

New Year News

Here's hoping your 2012 is off to a good start. We went to the coast last weekend where I started getting to know my new "grown-up" camera.  It was fun to play with the settings for action shots.  This is the first picture I've taken of my dog running amok on the beach that wasn't completely blurry. 

At the shop the new year is also off to a good start.  We received the first line from a brand new fabric company, Dear Stella. 

I don't know if it is a phase but I am more attracted to neutrals than I have ever been.  Maybe it is because the prints are so interesting but as soon as this collection arrived we decided to see what would happen with the fabrics above and this new pattern from the Modern Quilt Workshop

It's cut and the piecing has begun.  Stay tuned...

And if you are looking for creamy soft cuteness, then this one from Alexander Henry is one you may want to take a look at.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who is feeling inspired by neutrals lately. Susan brought in her latest project to show, and it is just lovely.

 Cheers!

Holiday Joy to You

All of us at Piece by Piece hope you have a happy holiday weekend filled  with joy and appreciation for all the good things in your life.

We will be closed on the 24th and 25th.  We will be open until 3:00 on the 31st and closed on the 1st of January.  Other than that we will be open as usual. We've been doing some housecleaning which means new fabrics, books and patterns have been added to the clearance area.  We're not finished yet so more will be added as 2011 draws to an end. 

 

I don't think we are the favorite stop of our UPS and FEDEX delivery people right now.  In addition to their heavier than usual load with the holidays, we have received some weighty boxes of fabric in the last week, including some new canvas weights...

...the very interesting Primativa collection...

... domestic bliss...

... joyful garden...

and fantasia.

The little elves have also been busy sewing this last week or two.  We tried out two new patterns.  The first is a clutch/cosmetic bag from Pink Sand Beach and the 2nd is the Cash on Hand pattern by Susie Shore Designs.  This is another "little wallet" with a detachable handle and a zippered pocket for coins and such.

OK - I think it is close enough now that we can let the traditional holiday eating begin!  At my house it includes cookies, cookies and more cookies, crab cakes and soup, gingerbread waffles with whip cream and applesauce, an herb crusted roast with garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes - yum!