by Sherri Sylvester | May 28, 2014
Today we have a special treat! Alanna from Fridays Off Fabric Shop is here to tell us about a Toronto-based event that sounds really fun. I thought you’d all like to know about it, so I asked her if she would write up a little guest post and she has kindly agreed. If you can’t get there, make sure you check out her online shop. She’s got lots of fabric goodness for you to stash!
Got any plans for the weekend? If the answer is no, you might want to check out The Post Market in Toronto’s East end.
Hi! I am Alanna and I’m stoked to be guest posting here today. I own an online fabric shop called Fridays Off and I have have an event to share with y’all! 🙂
This weekend (May 31 & June 1) I will be crawling out from behind my laptop and setting up shop at The Post Market – a Toronto-based market featuring a curated group of talented vendors selling all things vintage, handmade and new.
I’ll be there (1075 Queen Street East in Toronto) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday cutting yardage from my beautiful inventory of premium quality modern fabrics. I will also be stocked with fat quarters and half metre bundles as well as a few handmade items 🙂
In addition to yours truly there will be many other amazing vendors such as vintage clothing finds from Violet Crown Vintage, super hot custom wood furniture by Camstruction, cheeky note cards from Write it Forward, textiles and housewares from Cambie Design and lots more.
If you have been eyeing something in my shop but have been reluctant to click the mouse come out on the weekend and see it (and touch it) for yourself. Be inspired!
I hope to see you there!
So – do you think you will make it out? (And a big thanks to Alanna for letting us know about the event!)
by Sherri Sylvester | May 27, 2014
Good Tuesday to you all. I’m excited to share Thread Riding Hood’s first ever Fabric Challenge with you today! Fabric Spot and I have teamed up to give away 4 delicious organic bundles. Yes, I said 4 of you can qualify for the challenge, Hooray!
Ever since I met Karen last year she has been a promoter of organic fabrics. They are better for the environment and for our bodies, because the plants used to make the fabric are grown without pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified seeds. Just think how much better you and your (grand) kids feel without all that next to your skin! She stocks the largest organic fabric collection available online in Canada, including lots of organic solids to go with your organic prints.
She has recently stocked the birch collection “Frolic” (organic of course!) in both the pink and blue colourways. Check it out! I love the “hidden” animals and the flying whale might just be my favorite. Perfect for some summer sewing!
Karen from Fabric Spot will be sending 4 challengers one fat quarter bundle of Frolic each. Two pink bundles and two blue bundles in total. The challengers will sew something using each fabric in the bundle, photograph it and then I will post the finished projects here at the end of the month. I’m so excited to see what everyone will come up with!
Here are the details: (due to shipping time, this contest is open to Canadian and US readers only)
- Comment on this post between today and Thursday night (May 29th) following the directions below.
- I will chose, email and post the winners on the blog this Friday. Karen will ship the bundles as soon as she receives everyone’s address.
- The challengers find the bundles in the mail (Yay!) and use only the fat quarter bundle fabric to sew their creation. They can add whatever other embellishments they wish to their project.
- Contestants post their project photos on their blog, Flickr site or (not-private) Facebook page by June 27th with links to Fabric Spot and Thread Riding Hood. Thankfully projects get finished more quickly with a deadline right?!
- Here’s the fun part for me – I get to post project photos here on June 30th with links to the challenger’s original posted photos! Maybe the challengers will even give us a little write-up on their process. (hint, hint?!)
To qualify for a chance to win (*entries closed), make one comment below that includes the following four things: 1)What city/town you live in. 2) Which bundle you would use – pink or blue. 3) What you would make with the fabric. 4) A link to a photographed previous project you have created. (By commenting you agree that if you are chosen, you will complete and photograph your project by June 27th so we can post them all in time, Thank you!)
Have fun! See you on Friday to find out who wins.
by Sherri Sylvester | May 20, 2014
I am so inspired to stitch up some summer clothes right now. My husband and I just went through our closet this past weekend and donated the things we haven’t worn in a while. I think I was in a generous mood and may have de-cluttered a bit too much! I am not upset though, because now I have room to hang a few new things I can sew for myself!
Since Daryl from Fabric Spark is providing us a discount this week (scroll down for the code) I thought it would be fun to pair a few summer patterns I’ve been eyeing with some of her fabrics. Of course, she’s got canvas weight fabric for totes and quilting cotton and patterns available too – so don’t limit yourself to clothing! (PS. I just found out that she sells some of the patterns on my to-do list as well! One-stop shopping, hooray!)
April Rhodes – the Staple Dress |
Art Gallery – Beekeeper Coral |
Kaffe Fassett – Belle Epoch Yellow |
I’ve been eyeing the popular April Rhodes Staple Dress for about a year now. I’m going to have to finally give in and buy it. Daryl had the same idea as I did and labeled both of these fabrics as possibilities for adult clothing. Great minds think alike!
imagine gnats – Alder Skirt |
AMH – Raindrops Pop in Candy |
Zen Chic – Wind Flower Dark Blue |
The Alder Skirt pattern from Imagine Gnats was released last week. The front pleat and pocket detail are perfect for some trendy pattern matching. I need more skirts in my wardrobe, now that my girls are old enough that I can wear one without fearing indecency!
Wiksten Tank |
Essex Yarn Dyed Linen/Cotton |
Alexander Henry – Rashida Skin |
I’ve had the Wiksten tank on my list for so long I don’t even remember when I added it. I suppose it is going to eventually be made?! I’d love one in the yarn dyed Essex, or a little bolder maybe in animal print with a colour-blocked back yoke.
Thanks to Daryl, we can all head on over to Fabric Spark to get $5 off any fabric order over $25.00! Use the code “Threadbucks” to get your discount until May 28th, 2014. Happy Summer sewing!
by Sherri Sylvester | May 19, 2014
Happy Victoria Day to all of you Canadians! We have had a great day with rain, sun, lots of garage cleaning and some ice cream all mixed together. It feels great to clean up and get rid of things we aren’t using anymore. And a day off is never a bad thing either.
I started attending the Creativ Festival last year. It’s a great place to find new fabric, and as a huge bonus – I get to meet some of my favorite Canadian Online Fabric store owners there as well. Hopefully you are ready for lots of fabric photos today! (And check out what I bought last year too. I should really use that stuff up!)
Left to Right: Alison Glass for Andover – Feathers, Erin Michael for Moda – Dots, Lizzy House for Andover – Red Letter Day Pearl Bracelet, Parson Gray for Free Spirit – 7 Wonders in Clouds, Black Stretch Denim, Suling Wang for Eugene Textiles – Flannel
I started my shopping at Len’s Mill Store booth. Since the Spring show is significantly smaller than the Fall one, this booth takes over the entire width of the far end of the show. Lots of shelves and lots of fabric! They have a mix of modern quilting cottons and less expensive prints as well. My only regret is spending half of my day’s budget, leaving very little to cover the cost of fabrics from my favorite online shops. I won’t be doing that again!
Top to Bottom: Kona Cotton Black, October Afternoon for Riley Blake: Seaside, Whistler Studios for Windham – Strawberry Picnic, Cosmo Textile Company (cosmo-tex.co.jp), SEI for Robert Kaufmann, Field Notes
Next up was Sew Sisters. They have a booth at the front entrance to the show each year I have been there. With lots of fat quarters and 1/2 metre cuts ready for sale, I found quite a few favorites.
I got to meet Alana from Friday’s Off again. She has stocked Lizzy House’s newest line Catnap and I have had my eye on some for a few months now. Here she’s cutting a Union Jack panel. Apparently they are selling fast!
Next on the list, I went over to say “hi” to Karen from Fabric Spot. Karen told me about Creativ Festival last year and I am so glad she did! I was looking for some Heather Ross Briar Rose prints at her shop and picked up the popular Strawberry in Pink. It’s on my cutting table right now, I’m making a dress for my oldest! I’m also proud to have Fabric Spot as the newest Thread Riding Hood sponsor – thanks so much Karen!
I am super excited to say that I met Sylvia at Creativ as well. She owns a new Canadian online fabric shop called Country Clothesline (pinned to the Canadian Online Fabric Store list). I was in floral heaven over at her booth. The prints are gorgeous, and she sells finished products as well! My oldest is so happy with the Martha Negley Dahlia print I bought for her. (The pink version is no longer on her website, but the lime version is here.)
Left to Right: Martha Negley for Rowan – Dahlia, Heather Ross for Windham – Briar Rose Strawberry in Pink, Lizzy House for Andover – Catnap in Cat Dream
I was very excited to meet Daryl from Fabric Spark. She was running her booth with her sisters, and I have to say that they are all a lot of fun to work with. I had such a hard time trying to decide which fabric to get from her booth. Especially after going through her entire online stock trying to decide what to choose for the Thread Riding Hood fat quarter bundle!
In the end I picked up some Art Gallery Honey House Sunflower I’ve had my eye on. I don’t know what it is intended for yet, but it’s so pretty! I also got a fat quarter of Beaded Colourband from Mark Hordyszynski. I think it might be destined for a little framed coin purse I’m hoping to make soon.
Left to Right: Thread Riding Hood Fat Quarter Bundle, Beaded Colourband from Mark Hordyszynski, Art Gallery Honey House Sunflower
Speaking of the framed coin purse – I found a shop called Quilt a Bag that specializes in bag hardware, straps, frames and patterns. There were so many amazing things in this store. A lot of it was zakka inspired and super-cute. If I am ever out their way I will be sure to stop by their location again. I have a feeling I’m going to need another frame once I finish the first coin purse!
And that’s it! It took two loads in my washer to pre-wash everything and I’ve already cut into quite a few of the fabrics. I’m going to have issues with the Catnap, though – because both girls like it and I’ve only got 1/2 metre! Got any fat quarter project ideas for me?
As a summary, the Creativ Festival is a feast more for the “traditional” fabric quilter than for the modern fabric lover. Though, I am pleased to say that there are a growing number of booths with modern fabric, even if most of their other stock is traditional. I think it is definitely worth going. It’s so much fun to browse the books and notions booths as well as the fabric. And it’s nice to be able to see it in person – instead of browsing online! What do you think?
This blog is proud to be sponsored by:
by Sherri Sylvester | May 14, 2014
Today I’m super excited to be working with Warp & Weft and Sew Mama Sew to create a new tutorial for you! Esmari from Warp & Weft has even come up with a giveaway to go along with it. Hooray for everyone!
I came up with the idea for a sturdy base fabric tray a few months ago. Since the fabric tray tutorials I was finding online seem to have fabric bases, they are hard to pick up without dropping everything on the tray. Which, of course is fine if you don’t want to move them around – but I thought it would be nice to make one that you could could carry. I love the shape of this tray is like a little wooden tray, right down to the contrasting handles – and they are really easy to sew in!
I count myself super fortunate to have been able to work with two collections, brand new to the Warp & Weft shop! First, Beyond the Backyard , features lovely springy flowers and (my favorite) tiny bees hidden throughout. These meld amazingly well when they are pieced together. The second collection, Petite Plume is based on peacocks and I am loving the bright colours in this one! The navy background on the “Floral” design sets off the others beautifully. Both of these collections are made by Canadian manufacturer Camelot Fabrics. Since Warp & Weft and I are both based in Canada that makes this post a truly Canadian experience – Enjoy!
So, you’d like some fabric of your own? Here’s your chance! Esmari from Warp & Weft is giving away one fat quarter bundle with each of the lovely Petite Plume fabrics in it. That’s 5 fat quarters just waiting for you to make something amazing! (And of course a fabric tray is on your list?!) The giveaway starts today and ends at midnight on Monday, May 19th. Enter on the Rafflecopter widget below – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email! (Keep reading, the tutorial is next!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The full tutorial is on Sew Mama Sew today – Click: Sew Mama Sew Fabric Tray Tutorial – to access it. The tray tutorial on Sew Mama Sew is for a 10″ x 6″ tray – the perfect little rectangular size for showing off your favorite fabric scraps in a pieced rectangular log cabin. This post will cover the materials needed and cutting sizes for the bonus 6″ x 6″ tray. A perfect square with my newly acquired skill – the wonky star quilt block – in the centre. (More on that in a later post!) I love this little tray for things like jewelry, paper supplies in your office, or even for holding your kids’ loom bands!
Materials:
- Quilting Cotton Inner – Fabric Scraps (sizes indicated in Prep & Cutting below)
- Quilting Cotton Outer – one piece 11”x11”
- Quilting Cotton Handle – one piece 9”x5”
- Batting – one piece 11”x11”
- Canvas – one piece 11”x11”
- Medium Weight Fusible Interfacing – one piece 11”x11”, one piece 9”x5”
- Hardboard (for base) – one piece 5.75” x 5.75”
- School Glue Stick OR Basting Spray OR Pins
- Embroidery Floss & Needle
- Ruler, Removable Fabric/Hera Marker, Your other usual sewing supplies
- Zipper foot and/or Walking Foot are helpful but not necessary
- 6″ x 6″ Fabric Tray Pattern Pieces
Printing the Pattern Pieces:
- Print the 2 page pattern pieces pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Make sure scaling is set to ”None” or “Actual Size” when printing. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size. Cut out the 3 pieces along their outer lines. Tape/glue the tray pattern pieces together, matching the letters in the gray half-circles. You will now have 1 tray pattern piece and 1 handle pattern piece.
Prep & Cutting:
- Prewash your fabric if desired and press well.
- Fuse the 11”x11” interfacing to the Outer Tray Fabric and the 9”x5” interfacing to the Handle fabric.
- Lay the interfaced Outer Tray fabric wrong side up and trace the Fabric Tray pattern piece onto it using your removable fabric marker. Also mark the back of the fabric with all dots and clipping lines. Cut out the Outer tray. Do not clip yet. (photo is of the larger tray)
- Fold the 9”x5” interfaced handle fabric in half so the short ends meet. Trace 2 handles using the pattern piece, being sure to line it up at the fold. Cut out both handles. (photo is of the larger tray)
- Cut fabric scraps for the Inner Tray following these sizes and the drawing below. You will need eight 2 1/2″ squares for the background and five 2 1/2″ squares for the wonky star. Also cut two pieces 6 1/2″ x 2 3/4″ and two pieces 2 3/4″ x 11″ for the inner tray sides.
I’d love to see your trays! Please share on the Thread Riding Hood Facebook page, or hashtag #alongforthreadride or #threadridinghood on Instagram or Twitter. And don’t forget to pick up your Beyond the Backyard and Petite Plume today!
** Please note: This is a sponsored post and the fabric was provided to me at no cost by Warp & Weft, through Sew Mama Sew. However, as always, all opinions are my own and I will not promote a business that I do not love myself!
by Sherri Sylvester | May 2, 2014
Welcome to an Online Fabric Store post with a discount just for you! Let me introduce you to the 8th Canadian Online Fabric Store in our series – Stay Home Fabrics, located in Edmonton, Alberta. Lindsay’s shop has fabulous fabrics, patterns and quilt batting – one stop shopping for your next project!
Lindsay Freistadt keeps shop from the home she shares with her husband and two children. She grew up attracted to anything creative and has now found her favorite – sewing! I’ll let her tell you more:
I have always been drawn to creativity in all its forms. I love the absolute freedom that comes from being able to make something yourself. From choosing the fabrics and design to picking out the final details. I feel like we all follow other peoples rules all day long but at the end of the day, when I go to my sewing studio, all rules disappear and it is all me.
I have been sewing casually for many years now inspired by a couple of good friends, one a co-worker and the other unlikely source, my boss. They both have taught me many things about how to improve my projects and skill level. Just this past year I began taking custom orders and doing a few shows for mostly home décor items, pillows, curtains, baby blankets, hand towels etc. I love letting the fabrics speak for themselves and giving them space to show their beauty. I never could cut the pieces up smaller because I loved how the entire pattern looked. Sounds funny I am sure.
I totally get the “cut the pattern up” comment, so glad I’m not the only one! I’m also happy to welcome Lindsay as a new Thread Riding Hood sponsor. You can find her ads on a few posts this month, so be sure to click over and see what new collections she’s ordered in. If you can’t decide, order her fabric swatch collection and get a piece of every fabric she stocks! Perfect for matching and oh-so-fun to play with.
Thread Riding Hood: What inspired you to start Stay Home Fabrics?
Lindsay: My love of fabric, pattern and design inspired me to start Stay Home Fabrics. I wanted to give Canadians a place where they could buy fabrics online and know the quality of the fabrics was always top notch, the shipping would be fast, and they would never have to pay duty or customs again. I work very closely with my good friend Sarah to pick the newest modern quilting fabrics to have in stock. So if I ever refer to Stay Home Fabrics team or say “we”, this is who I am referring to.
Thread Riding Hood: What is your favorite type of sewing project?
Lindsay: I absolutely love to make anything I can use in my home; Quilts, pillows, hand towels, baby blankets, and anything for my kiddos. My favorite project to date would have to be a set of French Print Curtains and matching Pillows for a girlfriend. They were very unique and added such flair to her room. Did I mention I also love interior design!!!!
Thread Riding Hood: What is something coming up in the near future that you are especially excited about?
Lindsay: I am very excited to be bring in new lines of fabric. We will be bringing on more and more Kona cotton basics this year as well as Robert Kaufman, and a few surprises. I am also excited to be working with more and more small artisans who are taking part in our small artisan program which gives them access to special ordering and 15% off all orders over $200. If someone wants to join this program they just need to email us at stayhomefabrics@hotmail.com for information on how to sign up.
Lindsay has been super-amazing and has provided a discount code for Thread Riding Hood readers until the end of May! Search her collection and stock up! Use the code: “threadridinghood” to save 10% off your entire order. Thanks Lindsay!
And, so I don’t leave you hanging… here are 6 of my favorites to get you started with your shopping! (Click any of them to get to her website.)
