Treasures from The Hunt

February 10th, 2016
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This batik would make a great (and inexpensive) backing

This month, New Pieces is having a sale we’re calling Treasure Hunt.  It’s a hunt because the sale is based on the date written on the bolt end.  We are wanting our older fabrics to go find new homes.

 

For example:  A 2011 fabric will be on sale for $11.00 per yard (unless the price listed is already lower than that).

 

Well, I happen to know we have dozens of bolts that are older than 2010!  Less than $10 a yard–can you imagine?

Bright print from the Kaffe & friends wall

Bright print from the Kaffe & friends wall

So I took a spin around the store and pulled out just a few fabrics.  Can we tempt you to come in and search for those bargains?

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The things you learn in class

November 4th, 2015

Why do you take classes?P1080419

Very often, I take a class to be social–I sign up with my sister or a friend, and we go together to get our stitch on.  I’m all about the community nature of quilting.  It’s the reason I joined a guild as well.

Sometimes I take a class because of the teacher.  *Sigh* there are some teachers out there who I would pay to go listen to them read the phone book.  They just have a way about them, you know?

But mostly, I take a class to learn new things.  Yep, I’m all about learning; knowledge is sexy.  I can take those individual skills I have learned in a class (paper-piecing, bias bindings, machine quilting, and on and on) and use them in so many other projects, going forward into the future.  I may have taken that class to make Miss Rosie’s Circle of Friends pattern (or the Sew Together Bag, to mention a more recent class)–but that doesn’t mean those skills don’t translate into every other quilting or sewing project.  All that knowledge just builds and builds.

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Best part: you sometimes never know what tidbit you will learn in a class!  I’m serious–I learned how to use a seam-ripper in a class. (You know that wasn’t in the class description, but there you go.)

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And very recently, a studP1080482ent in a class taught the teacher (and the rest of the class) a bit more about Wonder Clips.  Did you know they have markings along the flat side that correspond to measurements?

Who knew?

Apparently, this information is included in the packaging material for Wonder Clips.  Hidden, I tell you!  I never saw such information.

But there you go: one line is exactly 1/4″ from the edge of the clip; the other line is 3/16″.

Take a class!  You never know what you might learn.

 

Selvage love

October 24th, 2015
Selvages need love, too!

Selvages need love, too!

Have you made a project with selvages yet?  Are you saving up your fabric selvages?

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Kathy Ritter has two selvage projects in the works, and they are inspiring!

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Unfinished, but I’m liking it so far!

Even better, some manufacturers have caught on, and are making selvages that want to be on view.

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I had some fun the other day in the store hunting down a sample of selvage cuteness.  It seems like Robert Kaufman has the most consistent use of thematic selvages.

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Well, what are you waiting for?  A quick Pinterest search reveals that there are plenty of ways to use this bounty of fabric cast-offs.  Come show us your projects!

 

Why No Patterns?

October 20th, 2015
Dapper skeleton panel

Dapper skeleton panel

I have been sad sometimes that New Pieces doesn’t really carry patterns. We tell customers that there are plenty of patterns available in our books and magazines–which is true.  I think magazines can be a great source of inspiration, and often a wider variety of patterns for your $$ than books.

But the other reason we don’t carry patterns is that there are so many FREE patterns out there on the Internet, that it seems like overkill for us to ask you to purchase patterns.

Evidence: just the other day I found a blog post on Quilt Inspiration that gave a roundup of free Halloween patterns.

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And for your Halloween viewing pleasure, we have lots of thematic fabrics in the store: panels and yardage.

Skeletons and Skulls!

Skeletons and Skulls!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our skull/skeleton selection of fabrics is available year-round, due to Sharona’s not-so-secret love of them.  (Quilt on display in the store currently uses them in a very subtle way.)

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Have you looked for free patterns?  Where have you found them?

Cutest. Fabric. Everrr.

August 31st, 2015

Okay, you already know I am biased, but I am in love with our Sushi Roll fabric packs!

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Aren’t they adorable?!  I could just eat them up.  Sizeable chunks of our lovely, textured Asian fabrics (approx. fat eighth size each), thoughtfully curated and color-coordinated into 5-pack or 6-pack bundles.  All ready for you to take home and get to sewin’.

P1080218The process of selecting and bundling these fabrics takes time: sharp eyes look for good coordination of color, scale, and even theme to ensure you have an amazing array of Asian wonders to add to your fabric diet.

I think they are the perfect tidbit to get your feet wet with sewing true, treasured Asian fabrics.

 

Wondering what you could sew with these?  Well, one of our employees took home a pack and stitched up a pillow, using simple Seminole piecing.

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Delightful!

Another employee has her eye on the Sew Together Bag (a class coming up on September 26th) as a way to play with these Asian beauties.

For yet more inspiration, look no further than the classic Bento Box pattern.  Colorful Sushi Roll scraps might be just the flavor you need for the centers of this traditional pattern; you could pair this treasure trove of loveliness with muted fabrics from your stash.  There is a wonderful Bento Box quilt on display in the shop right now–more food for your quilting imagination!

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The Sewing Room Beckons

July 24th, 2015

New Pieces is hosting drop-in sew times on the last Friday of each month this summer.  Here is the view last month

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Notice how sad and lonely that one little project looks.  It needs some company.  Won’t you come out and sew?

Check the New Pieces class calendar: Final Friday Finish-it-Up, 1:00 to 5:00; a trained sewist will be on hand to help with any little bits that have kept you from finishing a project (or two).

P1080229The finished product:  It’s amazing what can get done when there is space, and a design wall, and some sewing expertise all thrown into the mix.

Summer Fun, Just Around the Corner

June 17th, 2015

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Are you ready for the Row by Row Experience?  It’s kind of like a nationwide shop hop, and New Pieces is a participating shop.

 

From June 21 thru September 8, shops will be giving out a free pattern for a single row.  The theme this year is H2O; since we are all about the fabric here, our sample row is very minimalist

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We have lots of fabrics that would look amazing in this row.  Plus, our row can be oriented vertically–a big plus if you are putting together many rows into a quilt.

Come into the shop to see lots of samples of our row: scrappy, coordinated, Asian fabrics, even ombres.

Row by Row Experience shops have other goodies to tempt shoppers.  We will have a customized license plate for sale, and are eagerly awaiting its arrival in fabric form.

NEVER2HOT2QUILT license plate

Make your summer plans to include some fabulous quilt shops!  Click here for a list of the California shops that are participating.

Excitement is Brewing

May 23rd, 2015

New employees at New Pieces are bringing in new energy, new ideas, and a fresh perspective.  Add to that a dash of the anticipation of summer (June is just around the corner folks), and it’s a heady atmosphere here in the shop.

Of note:

  • Christmas fabrics are starting to arrive.  (I know, I can’t believe it either)
  • Row by Row Experience starts June 21st, and New Pieces is pleased to be a participating shop.
  • The blog will be updated on a more regular basis.

Stay tuned.

New Fabrics, New Classes, New Quilts…

October 10th, 2014

There is always something new to inspire you when you come into our shop. If you have questions about your quilt, bring it in and our highly trained employees, with years of experience of sewing and quilting, will be glad to help you. Our newest staff, April Shoemaker is just learning about quilting, but has been sewing her own clothes for years. And if she can’t personally help you, she will make sure you get your answers.

We have the best customers and they will often help you out with color selections, feedback on your choices, on notions, and other great ideas. Feel free to ask anyone in the store for feedback!

When you bring in your quilt to be machine quilted we will gather everyone around and ooh and ahh! We love to stop and enjoy the beauty of your quilt. We are inspired by your work!

If you come to shop with a non-quilter, husband, or other (possibly) disinterested soul, come before 3 pm and let them eat at Gilman Grill. We are in the parking lot on 4th and Gilman (despite what your GPS says), right behind the Gilman Grill.

If you are looking for some part-time work, and like to work with great co-workers and customers, this is the place to be. When April came in the store she felt she was surrounded by everything her mother loved, and in her honor, hung one of her mother’s favorite batik quilts in the classroom.

We have a saying here: “If you are feeling down, come hug a bolt of fabric.”

Wow! New Asian Fabric Just In!

December 11th, 2013

asian waves fabric     shimmery tiny squares fabric

 

Treasures from Kona Bay.  No need to say more. mmmmmmmmm.