News Around the Shop

The Spring Quilt show wrapped up today and we have been here in Portland Oregon looking over the new offerings from all the fabric and pattern designers from all over the world.  The trend to fresh colours in innovative designs continues - a trend we have been pursuing over many years as our customers know.  It was great to see many new, fresh young designers being given their opportunity and to see still more new designs from old friends.

It was another thrill to see Australian designers doing well with lots of visitors to their stands.  We caught up with Nicole Mallalieu in a quiet moment - this was her first US show and her patterns seemed to be doing very well.  Here is a taste of just a few of the stands we visited.

We are delighted to announce that Kim Preston has agreed to present her one day softies workshop at Addicted To Fabric.  You can create one of these delightful Kimico designs on the day.  They would make great and individual gifts.  If you are interested click here to go straight to our workshops page.  

Also, there are still places in the new City Lights workshop with Stephanie Newman.  An ideal way to use up your stash while you learn new skills.  This is an ideal workshop if you are new to patchwork also a great quick quilt for special occasions.  Two short sessions so there is time to get the stitching finished.  Click here for class details

This is our favourite winter wrap pattern ever.  No Stitching!!!  Just cut and go - BRILLIANT!!  And ideal with our new collection of wools.

Our wonderful Thursday ladies have been in the news lately.  The Canberra Times has just covered their latest donation of hand-made quilts from the Group and other Canberra and Queanbeyan quilters to people effected by the recent Coonabarabran fires in north-west NSW.  52 quilts were collected up and taken up to Coonarbarabran last week.  The Thursday Group has made over 300 quilts for recipients ranging from those who lost their houses in the 2003 Canberra Bushfires, to sick children and to grandparents raising their grandchildren.  We know they do not seek publicity but we think they deserve every bit they get.   Well done again girls!

Nicole is returning from teaching in the USA a little earlier than we first thought.  We have snapped up an additional weekend of workshops in July and have posted them on our workshops page.  If you are interested we suggest you sign up quickly.  We always sell out Nicole's wonderful bag - making techniques workshops. 

We love this flexible wrap dress pattern.  The figure flattering wrap dress is perfect for most figure types and we have used it to make dresses from both woven and knitted fabrics in a wide range of styles.  It is simple enough to make in a day.  And of course, we have some of Valori Wells' own fabrics to team the pattern with if you wish.

After 11 years and hundreds of eager students, Wendy Saclier is hanging up her thimbles.  Here she is surrounded by some of the quilts from her last class.  We and her many beginner students thank her for her ability to get the best out of every student - hopefully we can coax her into coming back for some of her specialty classes.  

Nicole is back this weekend running two more of her very popular bag and purse making workshops.  There has been a real buzz in the store today and some wonderful purses have been finished.  Our range of Japanese fabrics are perfect to make these purses stand out from the crowd.  Nicole will be back later in the year so keep an eye out on our workshops page for details.

"CREATE" your very own stitchery project using the wonderful printed panels from the Sue Spargo range of fabrics.  You can stitch just one panel or a collection of panels - it's up to you.  Your stitching can be as simple or complex as you desire.  All you need is a needle and thread ( from our wonderful range of perle threads) and you are ready to "CREATE".

We are busy again with new quilt kits in the final stages of preparation and more on the drawing board.  In addition, we have a steady stream of new ranges arriving in store - more to be unpacked this week.  

We are excited that we have sourced some more of the Japanese Ise fabrics.  For a recap of the story behind these fabrics click here.  The first fabrics sold very well and many of our customers are delighting in simple tops made from this wonderful fabric.  We are offering a free pattern with a purchase of enough fabric to make a top so don't miss out.