Panels for fun and play...

This is the new panel "Let's Play".

It features six vintage scenes of children playing, and is gender inclusive - perfect to make a quilt before the baby is born.

The vintage sewing machines panel is from the range "Mrs Sew and Sew". Which vintage machine do you have?

Make sewing machine covers with these fun prints or, cushions for your sewing environment, or maybe a carryall for your sewing machine accessories!!

Find these online with many more panels... and even more in store!! (I need to take some photos!!).

More Kaffe Fasset arrivals...

Oh! (Did you hear my sharp intake of breath? New Kaffe Fasset arrivals in store.... click here to view them on the web.

Makes me want to sing...

Kim brought along one of her favourite creations to Sit and Sew sessions last week.

She made this goat from a magazine pattern a few years ago. Do you know which one? We would all like to know!

It is the friendliest, cuddliest little thing. We just love it. It makes me want to sing: my highland goaty goaty oaty oaty oat.....

I promise I won't sing during the sit and sew sessions: every Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Bookings essential. Cost $2.

Jenny's butterflies

Jenny came along to our Friday morning UFO (UnFinished Object) class to learn how to make these 3-dimensional butterflies.

Jenny learned how to use fusible web, free-motion embroidery and how to make the most of rayon embroidery threads.

This is her show and tell. Thank you Jenny! I am sure you will be making many more!

NB. Lorraine teaches UFO sessions every Friday morning and fortnightly evenings. See our class schedule on the right sidebar. What would you like to learn?

Fast French Braid Frenzy!!

In only another 2 1/2 hours of "work" (i.e. uninterrupted sewing) these ladies will have finished their French Braid quilt tops!

I absolutely love the individual effects obtained from each of the different fabric choices!!

We enjoyed a happy day together in a one day workshop. You can see more of our term 3 classlist by clicking the sidebar on the right.

We will run this class again in term 4 - it may be a good time for you to whip up a Christmas gift!!

Heather's flowers

After undertaking Carol's Applique Sampler class, Heather had the confidence to try this project from a magazine. Heather used fabrics from Mezzanines, Cherish Nature and Farmer's Market to give these appliques real bling.

Check out the fussy-cutting!

If you would like to learn 8, 9 or 10 different types of hand-applique read our class list on the right sidebar.

Thanks for sharing with us Heather.

Strip quilt

Jenni bought a strip pack (similar to a Jelly Roll TM) in Japanese indigo fabrics in our store. Actually, she used 2 packs and joined them to make this stunning quilt.

Jenni quilted it herself - the first very big quilt she quilted on her domestic machine.

We are proud of you Jenni. (Look at the back too!!)

Thanks for sharing with us.

A sneak preview

This is a sneak preview of Carol's Stained Glass Applique class sample.

As you can see, it's not quite finished. I am sooo excited! All fabrics in the class sample are available in store.

Click on the classlist on the right sidebar for more details. Join us for Christmas in August!!

French Quarter fabrics

Taken from antique French prints, Paula Barnes' French Quarter is reminiscent of the genteel times when the European trade lines were flourishing in the South.

Everything from furniture, wallpaper, metalwork, porcelain, china and fabric from France was popular in the states during the 1800's.I have already started to design a quilt from these fabrics (okay, only in my head)....

What will you make with these 1800s reproduction fabrics?Also available in fat quarter and fat eighth packs.

Annette's beginner sampler

This is Annette's beginner sampler quilt.

It's wonderfully large, and uses all the blocks she made during the 12 week course.

Annette has gained confidence after taking the machine piecing class, and has since completed a few other projects.

Would you like to consolidate your quilt-making skills? Perhaps you would like to start at the beginning of quilt-making? Carol has been teaching beginners for 12 years. Click the link on the sidebar to see our latest class schedule including beginners classes by machine.

Arrivals lounge

It's been like an airport arrivals lounge here the last few days!! Boxes and boxes of exciting fabrics have arrived, and I get to play with all of them!! Lucky me!!

Here is the first installment in our collection of Kaffe Fasset fabrics.

Fat quarter and fat eighth packs are available.

You can expect to see more arrivals each month!!I've made a couple of quilts with these before - they are in store if you would like to see how to use the prints. We are expecting Kaffe's new book in stock this week for more inspiration.

Term Three Classes YAY!!

Click here for details of our latest scheduled classes!!

OR, you can click on the link at the right of the screen with the title class schedule.

We look forward to seeing you in store soon!

And... new arrivals....

Lumiere De Noel by French General. Only $21 per metre. These will see out very quickly.

I plan to use some of the tone on tones for applique backgrounds with a difference.

Available by the metre or in fat quarter and fat eighth packs.

Quilting - hand or machine

What do you want to know about quilting? Check out these books:

Alex Anderson's book will show you her tried and tested method of hand quilting.

Would you like to practise (and use) some continuous-line quilting designs with your free-motion quilting foot? Mindful Meandering contains 132 original designs. You don't need to worry about marking your quilt first - just mark dots in a grid and free-motion the rest!!

How about geometric designs with very little marking? It's easy! One Line At A Time shows you how to make easy geometric designs - you won't believe how these just come together by stitching one line at a time. The book includes "inchie tape" - sticker grids so you don't need to mark the quilting lines!! VBG.

Sit and Sew show and tell

Did you know that every Wednesday and Friday afternoon we hold sit and sew sessions? Bring your sewing (machine or handwork) and use our space for only $2. The kettle will be boiling, and new friends will be there to chat with and inspire you.

This is Kim with the reindeer she wanted to make from a magazine for a couple of years!! He has jingly bells for feet, and is embellished with lots of Christmas buttons.

What will you bring for sew and tell? Bookings essential for all sit and sew sessions.

Miniatures Club update

Here is a smattering of show and tell from our evening Miniatures Club group. This is Fiona's latest creation.I have taken a photo of all her completed miniatures so far. Almost half way!! She has another 5 to finish.This is Linda's latest miniature quilt. I just love the way all four little quilts look when they are together.This is Rosie's previous month's homework. Won't you bring them all to show us next time please Rosie?
Wait until you see this month's little quilt finished!!

Glass Mosaic Quilts

This is Glenda with her stack and slash quilt. Glenda made this quilt to learn the quilt-as-you-go technique during UFO sessions with Carol.

Jenny also made one at the same time -this motivated the ladies to progress with their projects quickly.

I hereby name these quilts "Glass Mosaic Quilts".

I'm sure you will agree, they are both stunning - and so very different. I love to see similar quilts in different fabrics displayed at the same time. What a difference fabric choices can make!!

Sienna's mermaids

What's this? Linda only bought this Mermaids panel a week ago!! She's already put it together with batiks and added borders and binding.

I love the batiks with the mermaid fabrics.

This quilt is for Linda's grandaughter Sienna.

Garden Song

We expect the "Garden Song" book by Nancy Halvorsen of Art To Heart to arrive in store by the end of this week.


As you can see projects include quilts, pillows, tea towels, aprons, a hot pad, mug cosies, a table runner and garden stake banners.
I always find the sweetest sentiments in Nancy's books and patterns.

This last picture gives some great ways to use the Garden Song panel (currently in stock). THe book includes patterns for the projects pictured.
I always find new arrivals so exciting! Don't you?