Nostalgia, Retro and Feedsack Fabrics

We have twenty new nostalgia, retro fabrics. These are fabrics reminscent of the 20's and 30's of America. These fabrics are sometimes called Feedsack fabrics and a recent article in Sew Hip magazine looked at a brief history of their origin in Depresssion era rural America. Originally used as cloth cotton sacking for dry goods such as grain and feed they were recycled by the women to make clothes. Although there was a certain stigma attached to their use, especially where the writing of the feedsack could still be seen, with increased use, and the marketing of the feed manufacturers themselves, the fabrics became quite desirable.

Nancy Halvorsen and Art to Heart

There is a now a dedicated page with Nancy Halvorsen fabrics from Benartex and I have added the new Garden Song range. As well as the fabrics which can be bought in quarter metres, there are two fat quarter packs and a panel. We also have two new project books by Nancy for Art to Heart, Sew Necessary has a number of projects for your craft accessories and tools whilst Garden Song has a number of projects such as quilts, table runners and mats.

Some ideas for Sewing storage in Sew Necessary

Garden Song Panel

Quilting Arts DVD's

We have four DVD's from Quilting Arts. The DVD's are filmed on the set of Quilting Arts TV and are Surface Design with Lyric Kinard (9963), Master Machine Quilting with Susan Brubaker Knapp (9965), Art Quilt Design with Carol Taylor (9966) and Making Faces with Maria Elkins (9967). Below you can see further details on Master Machine Quilting and a YouTube video of some of the content.

Susan teaches you the basics of free-motion machine stitching, including thread work to enhance the surface and quilting to hold the layers together beautifully. Find out what materials you’ll need and how to get started. Beginners and intermediates—and those who have been too terrified to try until now—will find inspiration and answers, as well as lots of tips, techniques, and practical information to improve their machine stitching. Stitchers of all levels will benefit from Susan’s thorough approach—from her careful consideration of materials and preparation (including advice on how to chill out), to the differentiation between thread sketching and machine quilting. Learn the benefits and purpose for each of these methods, and find plenty of inspiration through Susan’s artful examples.

Moda Jelly Rolls and Moda Fabrics

Rural Jardin Layer Cake from Moda

We have two new ranges from Moda. Rural Jardin is designed by French General who also designed the popular Rouenneries fabric range. We have a Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm Pack as well as a fat quarter pack and six fabrics by the metre.

Rural Jardin by French General

Hunky Dory designed by Chez Moi for Moda is a bright collection of fabrics, featuring lime greens, muted pinks and subtle blues. Again the fabrics are available in Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm pack formats. We also have a fat quarter pack and five fabrics by the metre.

Hunky Dory Moda Jelly Roll

Hunky Dory fabric by Chez Moi

Wash Away Applique Sheets from C&T

New from C&T these Wash Away Applique sheets allow you to Print, cut, fuse, stitch and wash away.

You can print your applique patterns directly onto sheets using your inkjet printer. The stack, staple, and cut up to 6 sheets at once. Fuse the shiny side of the patterns to the wrng side of your fabric for applique and cut out. Then turn under edges of the appliques and stitch to the background fabric. Wash in warm in water and wash away or you can leave in.

25 Sheets • 8 1/2” x 11” • Printable • Water Soluble • Single-Sided Fusible


Draw appliqué motifs or print them on these handy sheets with an ink-jet printer, fuse the paper to your appliqué fabric, sew on the motif, then just wash away the paper after stitching. Appliqués are soft and flexible without the need to cut your quilt or remove freezer paper.

Thimbleberries Fabrics

I always like the Thimbleberries fabrics designed by Lynette Jensen, their country style colours are highly evocative of traditional American quilting. We have nine new fabrics added to our current range. You can sample our Thimbeberries fabrics through our Thimbleberries Strip Roll.

Thimbleberries Jelly Beans, Ref 1662-4

Thimbleberries Strip Roll, J1662

Clover Black Gold Hand Sewing Needles

We now have in stock the new Clover Black Gold Hand Sewing Needles. These are specially designed to help you glide through your fabrics. The needle is 30% less friction-resistant than conventional hand-sewing needles. The needle is polished along the axis and coated with ultra-thin black plating for anti-rust resistance. Experience astonishing smoothness with each use. These needles are durable, superior and so smooth, wherever and whatever the application may be. The Black Gold Needles are available as Applique/Sharps, Quilting Betweens and Quilting Needles. There are six needles in each pack and there are three different sizes and a multipack.

Amy Butler Love Fabric from Rowan

The Amy Butler Love Fabric range from Rowan is now in stock. Amy describes the love fabrics as a marriage by design coming from a love affair of rich, soulful, organic florals and architectural prints passionately inspired by my recent trips to Indonesia and England. Rich tropical colors with ethnic imprints, and elegance found in over the top florals like full roses and exploding peony blossoms join together in an optimistic celebration of print and color.

The Love fabrics are available by the metre or we have three fat quarter packs. Love Heart Fabrics, Love Soul Fabrics or a combined Heart and Soul Fat Quarter Pack.
 

We also have a quilt kit of Amy's Sexy Hexy Love Quilt that includes patterns and instructions and all the fabrics to complete the quilt top and binding. The finished quilt measures 178 x 189cm - it's 3 hexes high by 3 hexes wide.

These Love fabrics really are bold, bright and breezy, and give a very different look to some of Amy Butler's Bag or Pillow Patterns that you may already have.

Creative Comfort - Support gloves for crafters

Crafter's Thumb Glove

The Creative Comfort range of support gloves, braces and relief bands from Prym are designed by an orthopedic surgeon to enable crafters to keep doing what they love - while supporting, warming and providing pain relief to their thumbs, hands, wrists, back and neck. We all pick up little niggles over time and this excellent range is designed to help you carry on longer with your craft activities. There is nothing worse then having to stop your quilting or other craft projects because your thumb or wrist is starting to hurt. Body and mind are pulling in different directions but these products will help you to craft longer. We have been using them in the office and they really are good.

Crafter's Comfort Gloves

So many supports are aimed at sports activities and are heavy and often made of neoprene that makes you sweat. These Creative Comfort supports have a totally different look and feel about them. Liz for example has been using the Crafter's Thumb Glove which helps with a thumb that she broke skiing a few years ago. Whilst I do a lot of work with the computer and have found the Soothing Wrist Rest very helpful.


Meanwhile the Crafter's Comfort Gloves are great at keeping your hands warm whilst maintaining maximum feel and grip through the open fingerstips. There is a large image of each product and explaination of  the key benefits and main problems that it is designed for e.g. 
 
 

 
Wrist Support Wrap - Creative Comfort. Ref: 10069, £9.95

Support for Active Hands
The Creative Comfort™ Wrist Support Wrap fi ts securely around the wrist, cushioning and protecting it during daily activities. The unique combination of stretchy cotton/Lycra® and comfort foam provides maximum support. All day wrist comfort at home, work or while crafting!
Key Benefits
• Provides adjustable support and compression
• Cushions and protects the wrist
• Made with soft cotton/Lycra® to ensure cool, dry comfort
• Lined with Comfort Foam
• Velcro® closure offers a custom fit
• One size fits left or right hand

Use for:
• Support during crafting
• Activities with extensive wrist motion
• Wrist sprains or strains
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Weak or injured wrist

Clover Oval Yo-yo maker

Clover Oval Yo yos embellishing a bag project

The latest addition to the Clover range of yo-yo makers is an Oval yo-yo maker, (10057). and provides opportunities for new quilting, sewing, and craft projects.