by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 5, 2015
I’m so happy to feature another sponsored fabric discount for you today! Fabric Spot is by far regarded as “the Canadian online shop that has everything“ – solids, loads of organics, tons of “whole collections”. You are going to find whatever it is that you need here! And, P.S. They ship internationally. (This discount is on for 4 days only! Scroll down to get the details.)
I was talking to their owner, Karen, and she let me know that Fabric Spot is now carrying the entire organic Cirrus Solids collection – all 21 of them – from Cloud9 Fabrics. I was fortunate to work with these solids last fall and I can tell you from experience they are beautiful. (There’s a free project coming soon, but I can’t say anything yet… hee hee!) I wish I could hand you a piece of this fabric, describing it doesn’t do it justice – I guess you’ll have to take my word for it.
This organic collection is super soft, a cross weave with yard-dyed goodness. It’s lighter, chambray-weight, makes it perfect for so many projects. As far as I can tell Fabric Spot is the only online shop in Canada that is selling them right now, and I would highly recommend getting some! Cloud9 Fabrics has provided two free quilt projects using this line – the Parcel Quilt, and my favorite the Digital Hearts Quilt. I’ve got to make that one, even a little part of it as a table runner or throw pillow!
It wouldn’t be fair not to mention that she’s also stocked the Bespoke Double Gauze from Cotton + Steel – plus lots more from their new collections! Eeeeeeek!
I’ve picked a few of my favorite Fabric Spot collections to feature below – they are all clickable, so link yourself over and enjoy some stashing. (With the discount of course!)
Save 10% on your purchase at Fabric Spot by using the code “LOVEFSPOT10”. Discount available from Feb 5-8, 2015 – 4 Days Only!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jan 26, 2015
The title says it all… literally! I’ve made and photographed a dress with a gorgeous chevron pattern through the skirt (re: the ups and downs) – but more about that on Friday!
On a less literal note, last week was CRAZY on the sewing front. Everything I tried to make went haywire. Seam ripped threads were flying everywhere. I think I inserted the zipper on something 3 times. Note to self – don’t make a zip-up hoodie without sorting out the construction method first! On Friday I just gave up and cleaned my house.
Thankfully this week has been so much better. I took a bit of a brain break over the weekend and I’m happy to say that I am back! Today was much better and I was able to have one of the best photo shoots I’ve ever had with my oldest. I’ve yet to look at the photos properly, but it was all smiles and fun. SO Great!
I picked up and did a bit of quilt making again a few weeks ago. These photos have been patiently waiting to be published since then. I’m still working on my hourglass quilt since I received my blogger bundle from current sponsor Fabric Spark, last April. (edit: thought it was out of stock, but there are a couple still available here!) As you likely know by now, I am not a quilter. But I seem to have acquired about 7 fat quarter bundles that I have put together for future quilts, and I’m working my way through them. At this rate I will be done in 2024 or so. And by which time I will have stocked up on at least 35 more bundles. I may have to re-think my strategy!
Once I cut the “required amount” of squares, I was left with more uncut fabric than I was expecting. So, after I square up my blocks and calculate how big they will be once they are sewn together. I plan to decide if I should save the uncut pieces for the back, or if I add to the front. I’m trying to leave one night a week open to work on my quilts, I’d so love to see this finished!
We recently closed the giveaway for the book “Just for You” by Caroline from Sew Can She. This time the random generator chose Lori M. from Ohio as the winner. She will be receiving a copy of the book in the mail soon!
Hope your week has had a great start. Be back soon!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jan 20, 2015
“So…it is very wintery here in Ontario; freezing cold, bitter winds, icy sidewalks…did I mention the cold? But instead of longing for spring let’s embrace this winter weather with a fabulous fabric giveaway: The Winter Blues – a bundle of pretty blue fabric to help us sew through this winter! Still secretly looking forward to spring though!”
~ Sylvia, Country Clothesline
What a great intro to our post today. Country Clothesline is giving away this pretty bundle and they are also providing a discount so you can get more of your pre-spring fabric fix! They have recently signed up to be a blog sponsor and I am really excited to feature Sylvia’s shop. Ever since I discovered her online store last spring I have been watching this gorgeously curated shop. (Find out more in their interview post.)
Country Clothesline has the most amazing collection of florals, dots and vintage prints. Think spring, summer and watermelon picnics. You can’t find this mix in any other online shops I know of (and they ship internationally!). Think about making a fresh country quilt, a little girl’s pinafore (for an Easter dress perhaps?!), pretty floral throw pillows or those trendy floral projects you’ve seen on Pinterest.
Country Clothesline is generously giving away a “The Winter Blues” 7 Fat Quarter Bundle. (photo above!)
This giveaway is open to everyone, internationally from today (Jan 21st) until midnight on Tuesday evening, January 27, 2015. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter” no social media login entry too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Use the discount code “threadridinghood” to get 15% off your purchase between now and January 31, 2015!
Now… Get out of your parka and think spring! Hold on, it’s almost here.
Disclosure and Privacy Policy: Country Clothesline sponsors this blog and received this post free of charge as part of their sponsorship (And because I love sharing giveaways and discounts with you!). I will not recommend or highlight a shop that I do not love, and my opinions will and have always been my own. Thanks so much for reading!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jan 7, 2015
And we’re back with another giveaway and discount code AND the 12th post in the Canadian Online Fabric Store series! Today I’m interviewing Judy from Sew Sisters – an Ontario-based brick and mortar shop with international online shipping. She and her sister Karen started Sew Sisters together in 2000. I’ve visited their booth at the Creativ Festival and I always find something new and fun to purchase!
I am super excited about their monthly fabric clubs – they have 3 of them! A Kona Club, a Bargain Lover’s Club and a Batik Lover’s Club. As if the cute graphics were not enough – you can get fabric shipped to your door every month, hooray! I’ve been meaning to sign up for the 1/2 yard Kona Club for a while now and I have finally done it. I don’t stash enough solids to go with my projects and now I’ll have them. I love the surprise factor too – it’s lots of fun checking out which colours came in the mail!
Before we get too far – here’s a little preview of a few of my favorites from their shop:
Want to know more about Sew Sisters in 3 sentences? Carol has written up a tidy summary for you:
Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is A Canadian Source for Top Quality Quilt Fabric at Fair prices. Whether shopping online or in person at 3961 Chesswood Drive in North Toronto our goal is to provide you with great service and offer top quality products at the lowest possible price. Sew-Sisters have a large selection of quilting fabric and classes, patterns, books and notions – everything you need to complete your unique quilts!
Thread Riding Hood: Why did you decide to start Sew Sisters?
Judy: In 2000, I made an “I spy” quilt for my son that required almost 500 different pieces of fabric. I had to do a lot of shopping, trading and searching to amass the collection and when it was finished, I had both a lovely quilt and a massive amount of leftovers!
Figuring that other people making I Spy quilts would have the same problems I had finding enough fabric, I decided to sell packets of my leftover fabric online. The fabric square kits did very well, so much so that I began to think about continuing to make and sell them. I did so, and as the square packets became more popular, my sister joined me. Karen took over the shipping end of the business and soon we were able to expand the number of products we carried.
After many successful sales, we realized that our hobby had grown into a business! We registered a name, got a tax number and hired someone to do our books – our Dad, a retired accountant. Local quilt shops became interested in our square packets so we started supplying them as well. Soon we started selling at local guild shows and larger craft shows such as the Creativ Festival. Each year we continued to dramatically expand our product line until eventually we outgrew our house.
In September 2007, we opened a retail store at 3961 Chesswood Drive in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Our shop is loaded with fabric, notions, patterns and books that inspire quilters to create quilts to treasure. We are constantly growing and stretching to provide our customers with a larger selection, more projects and greater service. My passion for quilting and serving the public know no bounds and we aspire to provide the best customer service and the best prices possible in the market place!
Thread Riding Hood: What are a few favorite sewing projects you can share with us?
Judy: We had a week long Sew-a-thon a few months ago and made some great projects with Tim Holtz’s Eclectic Elements, Jenny Pedigo’s Quick Curve Ruler and Northcott’s Stonehenge Oh Canada fabric. It was such fun! (You can see the projects here!)
Thread Riding Hood: What is something coming up in the near future that you are especially excited about?
Judy: We’re having a 3 day Free Shipping in Canada event this week! This is always fun for our online customers.
Thread Riding Hood: Thanks Judy! I really like how your quilts took you from a hobby to a brick and mortar shop. Such a unique beginning!
Sew Sisters has decided to give away an amazing 10 fat quarter bundle of Tim Holtz’s Eclectic Elements! WOW!
This giveaway is open to everyone, internationally from today (Jan 7th) until midnight on Tuesday evening, January 13, 2015. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter” no social media login entry too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
All ready to get some fabric? Sew Sisters has generously offered you a discount! Use the code “THREAD1015” to get 10% off your purchase from January 7-13th, 2015! Here are a few more fabrics to get you started. And don’t forget about the free shipping (within Canada) offer from the 9th-11th this weekend!
Disclosure and Privacy Policy: I asked Sew Sisters Quilt Shop to be a part of this series. I will never recommend or highlight a shop that I do not love, and my opinions will and have always been my own. Thanks for reading!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jan 5, 2015
Here’s to another great year last year! This year especially there have been many, many times I felt amazed because of a project opportunity or a relationship that was built. I feel fortunate to be a part of the online sewing community.
Thanks for hanging out and sticking around! You are so appreciated!
As I was working on this post I moved all of my 2014 post files away in their own folder – that makes 3 sections now – 2012, 2013 and 2014! It’s fun to think of how much this blog has been through. I was inspired by the Sewing Rabbit to create an infographic of sorts to summarize what happened last year. Lots different from my usual wordy posts – so I hope you don’t mind the numbers. I had lots of fun going through my stats finding out which posts were the most read, and I was excited to see that most of my favorite projects were your favorites too!
Below the analytics in the graphic, I’ve listed the top 10 posts created in 2014 and the top 5 posts of all time. (I linked each section – so you can click on them if you want to find out more.)
Happy New Year and I hope you and yours have a wonderful memorable year!
To talk bloggy – SO many moments stand out over the year! The day I got 11 938 page views because The Quilt Show linked to my Fabric Tray. The day I met Elizabeth Olwen and started planning the Warp & Weft Weekend Event. Designing the Forest Glen Satchel. The day I taught my very first workshop. Releasing the Satchel pattern! Sewing my youngest her Red Riding Hood costume and making my first Alder Skirt. I still LOVE the girls’ Easter dresses the most of all. Winning the Crafting Con Avenger’s month challenge was pretty cool too!
Looking ahead? More purposeful posting. I’m also excited to start quilting a bit more in 2015. And more clothing! Now that I have a serger for finishing seams the thought of stitching something up seems that much more simple and quick. I’ve got quite a few pieces waiting to be photographed and posted too… I could think of more – but I’ve got to run shower before going out in the (feels like) -22C weather to pick the kids up from school. See you again soon!
The Fat Quarter Skirt PDF Pattern is Now Available!
Purchasing this fully tested skirt pattern gives you access to 5 sizes, child’s 2-6, to create a skirt that is 9-11 1/2″ (23-30cm) long. Expect lots of tips and tricks throughout, a glossary of terms, recommended best practices and instructions geared towards an absolute beginner. This pattern is truly a quick sew – allow yourself just 1-3 hours to finish, including your fabric cutting time. It’s also a great stash-buster, requiring only 2 fat quarters and a length of elastic… things you probably already have in your stash! To find out more about the pattern, click here.
Purchase the Fat Quarter Skirt PDF Pattern – $8.50 CDN
Thank you for your support!
by Sherri Sylvester | Dec 17, 2014
We’ve got a treat for you today – the 11th post in the Canadian Online Fabric Store series. I’m interviewing L’Oiseau – an Alberta-based shop with international shipping (and they are giving away fabric to one lucky winner!). I’ve known about L’Oiseau for a while now, but I did not know about their amazing collection of apparel fabrics!
(Before we get too far – L’Oiseau asked me to mention that they are having a HUGE Winter Clearance sale right now. Click over to take advantage of some amazing prices! – Ends Dec 21, 2014)
Here is a run-down of just some types of fabric they offer: Cotton Poplin, Jersey Knit, Sweatshirt, Denim, Corduroy, Organics (Hemp, Bamboo), Velour & French Terry. Not to forget the ribbon, iron on transfers, labels and patterns. They also have a Knitting Shoppe – in case you knit or crochet. How’s that for an introduction?
I happen to know about a little something that is under our Christmas tree (ahem*cough*hint*serger!*cough) so I was especially excited about owner Michelle’s collection of knit fabrics. I’m hoping to make good use of my stash and then start ordering from her!
I’ve included a few favorite fabrics here – but you have to know that I have spent more time browsing this shop than I have for any other interview post to date. There is just so much goodness! Every page on her site has something I’d like to sew with and there is a great variety, lots of solids and some stripes too.
Here’s a little bit more about L’Oiseau via a little bio Michelle wrote up for me:
We started our shop April, 2013 and as a result of my endless search for great fabric. We focused on Euro fabrics and products because I had been personally so inspired by their fun, playful attitude toward sewing. And their quality, colour saturation, and functionality is unparalleled. We wanted to offer these great fabrics to Canadians and beyond!
Thread Riding Hood: Why did you decide to start L’Oiseau Fabrics?
Michelle: I wanted the Euro fabrics for myself! I loved their quality and the certifications that came along with them and I spend so much of my time and resources scoping out the fabrics that one day my husband implied maybe I should just open a store. He may have been joking but I thought, “What a great idea!” And here we are.
Thread Riding Hood: What is your favorite type of sewing project?
Michelle: Kids clothing; hands down. Colour, texture, applique, ribbons; you can do it all and really your only limitation is your imagination. And they love it…what’s more rewarding than that?
Thread Riding Hood: What is something coming up in the near future that you are especially excited about?
Michelle: We are simplifying and I am excited about that. We are going to focus on more of the great quality, basic apparel fabrics because they always work and are a sort of launching pad for amazing things.
Thanks Michelle! I love what she says about sewing clothing for kids. It’s so true!
Michelle has generously given us a “Choose Your Own Adventure” giveaway today! One very fortunate winner will get to choose 1 metre of any fabric from the L’Oiseau Fabric Shoppe!
This giveaway is open to everyone, internationally from today until midnight on Tuesday evening, December 23, 2014. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter” no social media login entry too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure and Privacy Policy: Please note, this is a sponsored post. I asked L’Oiseau to be a part of this series, and as a result they have decided to become a sponsor of Thread Riding Hood, making this a #sponsoredpost. I will never recommend or highlight a shop that I do not love, and my opinions will and have always been my own. Thanks for reading!
