by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 26, 2013
*** The giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering! Find out who won here. ***
Today we are welcoming Karen from Fabric Spot. She left a comment on my Canadian Online Fabric Stores post and I was blown away when I visited her site. She has the most gorgeous shot of solid fabrics she stocks on her front page, a great selection of modern designer fabrics and (save the best for last) a large organic fabric selection! Karen’s shop is a family run business with, as she says, “three of us under the age of eight” (How she manages this I don’t know!)
Karen is a believer in organic fabrics and respecting our planet. Her fabric selection shows that and she has stocked the largest online selection of organic fabrics in Canada. You may think that all organics must be more expensive – think again. Hooray for all of us – Karen believes everyone should not have to choose between organic and non-organic fabrics by price, so she stocks her organic solids at the same price as her non-organic solids – amazing!
My Fabric Spot Purchase: Comma Intersecting Circles in Slate, Comma Asterisk in Chalk and Kona Cotton in Carrot
If you read through her FAQ’s you can see just how much she concentrates on customer service. I had an amazing experience when I ordered some fabric for an upcoming tutorial (this diaper bag (with Sew Much Ado), coming soon!). I love the Comma collection and emailed her to ask the best matching orange from her large stock of solids. She emailed me back within the hour and I was able to place my order the next day. Because I live fairly close to her Markham, Ontario shop, the fabric was in my mailbox a day and a half later!
Thread Riding Hood: What inspired you to start Fabric Spot?
Karen: “The biggest motivation for starting Fabric Spot was that I couldn’t find the fabrics that I wanted in my local quilt shops. The only places I saw cool, modern fabrics were on U.S. based fabric websites. But, I was turned off from buying from them because of the U.S dollar conversion, the shipping costs and the duties/customs charges. It seemed ridiculous to me that in Canada we couldn’t get these fabrics. Another reason for starting Fabric Spot was that not only could I not get modern fabrics here in Canada, but getting organic fabrics was even harder! My children were quite young (and still are!) and I wanted to sew things for them out of organic fabrics. When I went to the quilt shops asking about organic fabrics, they told me that there was no demand for it. This again, I couldn’t believe. I had debated about opening Fabric Spot for a couple of years until finally, I decided that I had to go for it. Life is short. I decided that I had to stop being afraid of the future and instead, embrace the adventure that the future could bring. I had to live according to Karen and not to what others expected of me. And so, Fabric Spot started!”
Thread Riding Hood: What are your favorite types of projects to sew?
Karen: “My favourite thing to sew are quilts. The idea that I’m making something that is wrapping my child in love is very comforting to me. As well, the idea that this object is not only beautiful to look at but practical too, is great! I’m also very sentimental. And so, I hope that one day, when my children look back in time, they can say that their mom made this quilt especially for them because she loved me. Now, if it’s made out of organic cotton, then that’s an extra bonus! ”
Thread Riding Hood: Which of your upcoming fabric lines are you most excited about right now?
Karen: “One of my problems is that there are too many fabric collections that I am excited about!! But, if I had to pick one, it would be Eiko by Jay-Cyn Designs. It’s organic and made by Birch Fabrics. I love love love Asian inspired fabrics (like the Tsuru Collection)! [Eiko is] due to be released in July or August.”
Karen has generously offered to give away an organic fat quarter set of (my current favorite) Tsuru! This Asian inspired fabric was designed by Rashida Coleman-Hale and is made of 100% OE certified cotton printed with low impact dyes. Okay – and it’s also gorgeous! Check out what Made By Rae did with them here. I’ve been dreaming of a set of those little dresses for my girls – but where to get the time to sew them?! Anyhow, I’m getting off track. Here’s a photo of what you could win.
This giveaway is open to all Thread Riding Hood readers from Canada and the US. The giveaway will be run from today, April 26th, until Friday May 17th, 2013 at 10pm Friday, May 24th, 2013 at 10pm (The contest has been extended!). Three weeks to enter!
Here’s how to win: (Make sure to leave one comment per entry on this post so we can count them all properly.)
- Leave a comment on this post – easy peasy!
- Optional Extra Entry: Like Fabric Spot on Facebook. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your Facebook name.
- Optional Extra Entry: Like Thread Riding Hood on Facebook. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your Facebook name. (If you have already liked Thread Riding Hood on Facebook this is a free entry for you – Leave a comment!)
- Optional Extra Entry: Comment about this giveaway on Facebook – be sure to link back to this post! Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your facebook name.
- Optional Extra Entry: Follow Fabric Spot on Twitter. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your Twitter name.
- Optional Extra Entry: Follow Thread Riding Hood on Twitter. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your Twitter name. (If you already followed Thread Riding Hood on Twitter this is a free entry for you – Leave a comment!)
- Optional Extra Entry: Tweet about this giveaway using the hashtags #TRHGiveaway and #fabricspot. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did. Include your twitter name or url.
- Optional Extra Entry: Check out Fabric Spot. Leave a comment on this post that includes your favorite fabric from Karen’s shop!
- Optional Extra Entry: Check out the Thread Riding Hood Tutorials page. Leave a comment on this post that includes the tutorial you’d like to try next!
- Optional Extra Entry: Pin the Official Giveaway Pic (directly below this list). Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your Pinterest name.
I suppose that’s enough ways to win for now! The
Random Number Generator will pick a winner on Saturday
May 18th May 25th in the morning and I will update this post then, so be sure to check back! Choose your favorite ways to win or just leave a comment below – you never know – you just might win!
And, just to add more excitement! Karen is letting me give you a discount code that runs the length of the giveaway. Thank you Karen! Shop at Fabric Spot throughout the giveaway (April 26 until May 17th) and get 10% off your order! Use the discount code: 10FABRICSPOT to get some of that organic goodness – or anything else for that matter!
Here are some of my favorites to get you going:
If you live near Toronto, you can visit Karen’s booth today and tomorrow at Creativ Festival. I’m going to be there – it should be amazing! Good luck to everyone that enters the giveaway, have a wonderful weekend.
by Sherri Sylvester | Mar 22, 2013
*** The giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering! Find out who won here. ***
Welcome to the second Canadian Online Fabric Store interview! This time we are talking to Dorienne Fairbanks from Double Decker Fabric.
Dorienne’s shop is located at her acreage near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. She loves the outdoors and even posted a photo of a moose walking through her backyard on Instagram the other day! She has just started her shop and has a lot of really great modern fabrics with matching solids. Word has it she might (ha!) be having a grand opening giveaway (Riley Blake Chevrons!) until the 25th – check out her blog this week!
Here are a few of my favorites from her site:
(1) Faux Bois (2) Retro Lunch Box (3) Gray Chevron
(4) Teal Diamond (5) Little Red Riding Hood (6) Star Pods
Now, let’s talk with Dorienne!
Thread Riding Hood: What inspired you to start Double Decker Fabric?
Dorienne: “I started Double Decker Fabric for a few reasons. I always wanted to start my own business. Something that would allow to me work from home and raise my four young children. I love to sew. Fabric inspires me, makes me happy. It’s the canvas, the brushes, and the paint of every project. Sewing is my art form! I just remembering feeling discouraged when I’d start the process of ordering something from the States and get to the shipping page only to learn that it just wasn’t worth the cost. And packages usually took 3 weeks to arrive. I started Double Decker Fabric so that I could provide Canadians with a variety of fun and fresh fabrics with all the benefit of buying in Canada; low shipping costs, no customs, and quicker shipping.”
Thread Riding Hood: What is your favorite sewing project you have worked on, recently or in the past?
Dorienne: “Recently, I’ve been sewing gifts for friends who have had babies. I love homemade gifts. I’ve been doing a lot of diaper clutches, bow ties and a quilt. But I think my favorite project I’ve made would be the quilts for my children and the one for my husband. They are my biggest fans and I love being able to make them something that they can hold onto for years and look back on with fond memories. I’m a bit sentimental that way.”
Thread Riding Hood: What is your favorite fabric right now?
Dorienne: “I have to pick one? I think any sewer would have a hard time just picking one. But right now I’m dying for my Geekly Chic by Riley Blake Designs to arrive {mar 2013}. I love retro, quirky fabric.”
Thread Riding Hood: Thanks Dorienne!
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I posted the fabric Dorienne sent me yesterday – now it’s your turn! Dorienne wants to give away 7 fat quarters of fabric to one lucky Thread Riding Hood reader!
The winner will get one fat quarter of each of the following:
- Multi Hexies – Textured Basics by Patty Young for Michael Miller
- Cool Dots – Textured Basics by Patty Young for Michael Miller
- Turks & Caicos – RJR Fabrics
- Multi Diamonds – Textured Basics by Patty Young for Michael Miller
- Lime Diamond – Textured Basics by Patty Young for Michael Miller
- Orange Solid – Riley Blake Designs
- Vintage Houndstooth – Textured Basics by Patty Young for Michael Miller
This amazing prize is open to all Thread Riding Hood readers worldwide. The giveaway will be open from today, March 22nd, until April 12th, 2013 at midnight. A full three weeks to get all of your entries in folks – no excuses!
Here’s how to enter! (Make sure to leave one comment per entry so we can count them all properly!)
- Leave a comment on this post. Let us know what you might sew with the bundle if you won!
- Extra Entry: Like Double Decker Fabric on Facebook. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your facebook name.
- Extra Entry: Check out the Double Decker Fabric Shop. Leave a comment on this post that includes your favorite fabric stocked by Dorienne!
- Extra Entry: Check out the Thread Riding Hood Tutorials page. Leave a comment on this post that includes the tutorial you’d like to try next!
- Extra Entry: Follow Thread Riding Hood on Twitter. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your twitter feed.
- Extra Entry: Tweet about the giveaway with a link to this post and the hashtag #TRHGiveaway. Leave a comment on this post to say that you did.
- Extra Entry: Pin the Official Giveaway Pic (directly below this list). Leave a comment on this post to say that you did, include your Pinterest name.
- Extra Entry: Blog about the giveaway. Include a link back to this post and the Official Giveaway Pic (directly below this list). Leave a comment on this post that includes your blog url.
That’s 8 ways to win everyone! Mr. Random will pick a winner on the morning of Saturday April the 13th. I will email the winner and update this post to include the winners name just as soon as they reply back.
But wait – there’s more!
Dorienne has generously given me a discount – just for you! Shop at Double Decker Fabric throughout the giveaway (March 22nd until April 12th) and get 10% off your order! Use the coupon code: SPRING10 when you are ordering.
Now that you are done entering the contest – go order some fabric! I know I’m drooling over those Riley Blake Gray Chevrons, and there are more of you out there that are too! Make sure you check out the Canadian Online Fabric Store Pinterest board for more Canadian fabric stores! Happy Friday everyone!
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Giveaway Rules: (1) This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide! (2) You must provide a valid comment and email address on this post for each giveaway entry. (3) Winners will be selected via random draw and will be notified by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. (4) The winner will have 72 hours to get back to me with a valid shipping address, otherwise a new winner will be selected. (5) This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.
by Sherri Sylvester | Mar 21, 2013
I love it when a package is in the mailbox – especially if the package is addressed to me! I got a super surprise yesterday when this showed up from Double Decker Fabric.
The Michael Miller fabric is so cute – and especially appropriate for this blog – check out another shot of the print below.
That’s right – Little Red Riding Hood (of course)! I’ve got the perfect project in mind for this, the red matches perfectly (and happens to be my favorite colour – hooray!) Double Decker Fabric’s owner Dorienne is our Canadian Online Fabric Shop interview for tomorrow, so come on back and meet her! She’s got a couple of surprises planned for you too!
by Sherri Sylvester | Mar 19, 2013
A quick update on the Canadian Online Fabric Stores Pinterest list. I’ve just added about 15-20 more shops and the list now stands at 35 Canadian stores! Now we Canadians have NO EXCUSE to shop across the border! Again I have had help from Jennifer who sent me another long list. Everyone say “Thank You Jennifer!”
Now – go browse, whatever you are doing can wait right? I mean – we are talking about shopping for fabric here… come on – that trumps everything!
While we are talking about Canadian fabric, another exciting event is happening here on Friday. I’m posting a second interview with a Canadian Online Fabric Store owner. She’s got a couple of surprises for you! Come on back, you don’t want to miss this one!
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 28, 2013
Tomorrow is the day, we are having a second gathering of the “People I know that Sew” club! The consensus last time was that we would work on the same project together this time. So we are sewing the Library Tote by Noodlehead. (I have posted my version of the bag here.) Exciting news also, we have grown by 2 people since last month! Now we will have to fit 7 sewing machines around my dining room table. What fun! I am also interested to see if we can all finish the bags between snacks and sewing talk! I am hoping to be able to get a photo of our work this time around.
In other news, my “Canadian Online Fabric Stores” pinterest board is growing, hooray! We now have 18 Canadian online shops listed for you to choose from. I have received amazing help from two readers, Jennifer from South Alberta and Lindsay. Both have given me links to the new stores. Can I remind you just how much duty and shipping we pay buying fabric from the US? Now – go and try them out! It will take me into next year to order from them all one-by-one, so if you try them let me know how it went. I will do my best to secure an interview with the owners and post it here.
On a completely different note (and in case you are wondering about the photos!) Last weekend my oldest daughter participated in her Awana Grand Prix and managed to win Third Place for Speed! We (being normal parents) are super excited and super proud of her. The making of her “Pig Car” that she named “Happy” was completely her idea – and of course it involved pink paint! We have had no experience (’till now) in making a derby car, so we didn’t expect much – what a great surprise. It’s really fun seeing your children when they are so proud of themselves for things they have worked hard on. It makes all of the hard work you put into being a parent worthwhile!
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 11, 2013
I was at Mad About Patchwork a few weeks ago searching for some Kona Cotton in Charcoal for my husband’s T-Shirt quilt and I got a bit lost… well… maybe a lot lost. I ended up with 3/4 of a yard of Octo Garden in Aqua. The Salt Water line by Tula Pink is really great. I wasn’t sure at first, it’s a bit strange – octopuses… really? The way they are incorporated into the fabric is really fun and unexpected – right up my alley! Looking at the Salt Water options again I also really like the Sea Strip in Aqua. Maybe some throw pillows for the couch?
I have had some trouble finding aqua coloured fabrics in the right shade for my living room, which has a red and blue colour scheme. It’s surprising how often they are too purple or too green. Anyhow – this shade of aqua is perfect, thank goodness! I can cross this project off my list, it has been too long in coming. Though the chair seat re-cover doesn’t have any sewing involved, it does have the gorgeous fabric. Also, it is graced with a Valentine’s project worthy pillow, so I’m good with it!
Octo Garden Chair
This chair used to be covered in this fabric, just for reference and so you can see how wildly my tastes have changed in the last 5 years. Don’t worry, I made the photo small so you aren’t blasted with the craziness!
The chair sits in the living room against a wall to provide a bit of extra interest along with the red couch and chair. I have been looking for something to recover it with since I changed the colour scheme over a year ago – has it been that long already?!
Here’s a better view of the octopus himself, or themselves, since there are many in the pattern. I really like how it doesn’t look like a sea creature from across the room until you walk closer. And the splash of pale blue is much better than the golden yellow/red that was there before.
Now all I have to do is finish painting light gray over the darkish taupe I have in most of the house. I think it will freshen up everything and maybe provide me with a few more photo walls, hooray!
The pillow was made following this tutorial by Noodlehead. I made it a bit smaller by printing the template about 1/2 size and then decreasing the seam allowance by the same percentage. I really like how it turned out and the contrast with the chair is fun too!
Speaking of Valentine’s, I am making some for my daughter’s class based on this idea and will post a printable for them by Wednesday morning – just in case you procrastinate as much as I do and want to make some too!
Along with the gorgeous fabric, I can’t forget to remind you about the interview with Pam from Mad About Patchwork I posted on Saturday – she even gave us a coupon code for her Canadian online fabric store – check it out! (And just in case you are wondering, I have not been paid to post her information. The opinions are all my own, she really does have a great store!)
