Pieces

Extra Wide

Regularly people ask why Piece by Piece doesn't have extra wide fabrics that can be used for backs of quilts.  The reason is that I don't find many that I think work well with the contemporary colors and designs of the fabrics in the shop. But, maybe that is changing.

These lovely dots arrived today and I'm hoping it is a sign of things to come, that we will see more extra wide fabrics we can love.  These are 108" wide so that means no seams (yeah) for most quilts and it is more econimical than buying the yardage needed for a large back from regular fabrics (yeah, again). 

We finished a new shop sample this week.  The pattern is Boardwalk from Fun Quilts and the fabric comes from Dear Stella's Palladium collection. 

I really like this soft yellow and gray pallette, it is soothing.  We have more of this fabric on the way and will have some kits put together to grab and make your own.

Fly Away....

Hey folks, it is no joke.  Rotary cutters are sharp, really sharp. They cut fabric beautifully and without them our craft would be much more difficult  - but don't ever take them for granted.

OUCH!

Even experienced sewists can have an accident and it hurts. I'm so sorry Tracy that things were off for you today for that brief second.  I'm glad it wasn't more serious and that you will be using your pointer finger again soon. In the meantime, I'm pretty sure you can't cook, clean, grocery shop, wash clothes or vacuum or pay bills.  Let this be a lesson to all of us....

The Two Ems

Our two favorite M companies; Michael Miller and Moda delivered big this last week also.  A feast for the eyes is the latest from Laura Gunn.  Her prints are always special.

Also from Michael Miller is the much anticipated Backyard Baby and Bella Butterfly.  In case you missed it, MM had a contest for new fabric designers to submit a baby boy print.  The public was invited to vote for the favorite design and the winner's fabric design was printed by Michael Miller along with companion prints.  We have quite a large collection from these lines - the highlights are...

You HAVE to feel these, they have a lovely hand.

From Moda came Reunion which features the return of the color Navy to the scene.  For whatever reason it was absent for a while, but it is back.

We also received some jelly rolls and charm packs from Moda but the accompanying yardage has not arrived yet so I will wait for them.

And last but absolutely not least, take a look at this "shop project".  I think everyone had their hand in this at some point or another and I think it came out really well.  Nice job, ladies - who knew Kesch was a paper piecing machine.

We made up some jelly rolls of the strips used in this quilt so you could grab one, pick the background color of your choice and make one of your own.

Speaking of paper-piecing, Tracy made this beauty. (pardon the tacky hang job)

I think I am caught up with the highlights of the last few weeks for the moment - oh wait.  What about the super bowl surprise class?  Did they have a good time or what?

I wasn't able to be here that day, but they reportedly kept the end-zone dance in check, there were no "excessive celebration" violations.

BTW - I apologize for my spelling impairment in the last post... proffreedding was never my strong.suit.

 

 

Generousity

Today was donation day sewing at the shop and I was struck by this image.  There was something about her red sweater and the really lovely black featherweight with the gold embellishment that caught my eye.  What they were sewing was also really impressive. They finished this top...

 

 

 

 

And made great progress on another.  These quilts will go to kids who graduate from the independent living program.  When they graduate they will move from being cared for by a loving foster family to starting their lives as independent young adults. If you would like to help, call the shop or check the calendar for the next donation day.  Big, big thanks to Kelly for organizing and leading this effort!

So Many New Things

So many new fabrics have arrived in the last few weeks while I was focused elsewhere that it is going to take a little bit to catch up.  And may I say (once again) that we are so lucky to have as much variety as we do in our fabric choices today. 

 

While I was checking in the new batch that arrived Tuesday I contemplated what pattern I would chose for each group.  If only I could actually get all these done.  The fabrics above is called Caimen and comes from the house designers at Westminster.  I think it is just screaming to be used in one of our favorite patterns - Sidelights.  I'm leaning towards the purples,...

 

The next box revealed Cosmos by Dan Bennett also from Westminster.  I find this reall interesting and think that the border print would look great in the pattern TV Dinners.  Really, we may have to make this.

As if that wasn't enough goodness for one day in the last box we found Verona from Riley Blake.

So, so pretty, but I couldn't choose between these two patterns to feature this collection.  What would you do?

FYI - The next class schedule is in the chaos stage....

but I'm confident I will pull it all together!  A sneak peek...

A Little Break

It has been a little while since I posted here, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything going on.  Lots of new fabrics have been delivered in the last couple of weeks and several projects have been completed but I've been preoccupied.

In one week

Two friends

Two memorial services

Too sad...

I'll regain focus soon and get the camera out again. 

Making things easier...

We finally got a few Sewline Needle Threaders in to test drive and all of us at the shop agree - we need one.  Of course, it really threads a needle, and it is a needle case with a magnet and thread cutter.  And if that wasn't enough it is really sleek looking (love the color)and very portable. If you are threading challenged, this might just be the cool new toy that makes your life a little easier. 

 

Just in - Good Fortune by Kate Spain!  Beautiful colors and mix of small and large prints.

A spectacular quilt made by Ann...

 

 

 

Thanks to the Volunteers

Thanks to the ladies who ventured out on this wet wet day to help make quilts for the first "donation day" of 2012.  They got an impressive amount of work done.

We are making quilts for teens in the Looking Glass Independent Living program that they will receive when they graduate from the program in the spring.  These young adults will then be transitioning from living in foster care to living on their own.  The quilts donated last year were much appreciated as these kids went off to school or set up in their first apartment.  Next month we'll be sewing on Feb 16, maybe we will see you then?

Do you need some animals to fill that ark you are building because you think it just might rain like this forever? 

These pictures of David Walker's critters do not do them justice. They are even more fun in person.

There is no denying it now.  We are IN it.  We have hit the gray, dark and rainy days the Willamette Valleys is known for.  BUT - there is relief. 

This collection from Moda and Malka Dubrawsky is so vibrant that we put it right in the window so that it will brighten the view (from both sides).  If you are not familiar with her work, check out her blog.

Another bright addition to the shop this week is Stockholm from Kaufman.

Looks like the cover of the latest issue of Stitch magazine was designed for this collection.

Finally, once again I am impressed with what you all do with your treasures from thhe shop.  Dawn - this is an awesome bag...

 

New Year News

Here's hoping your 2012 is off to a good start. We went to the coast last weekend where I started getting to know my new "grown-up" camera.  It was fun to play with the settings for action shots.  This is the first picture I've taken of my dog running amok on the beach that wasn't completely blurry. 

At the shop the new year is also off to a good start.  We received the first line from a brand new fabric company, Dear Stella. 

I don't know if it is a phase but I am more attracted to neutrals than I have ever been.  Maybe it is because the prints are so interesting but as soon as this collection arrived we decided to see what would happen with the fabrics above and this new pattern from the Modern Quilt Workshop

It's cut and the piecing has begun.  Stay tuned...

And if you are looking for creamy soft cuteness, then this one from Alexander Henry is one you may want to take a look at.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who is feeling inspired by neutrals lately. Susan brought in her latest project to show, and it is just lovely.

 Cheers!

Goodbye 2011

As we near the end of 2011 may I just say... Thank You for such a great year! 

You are the best customers in the world.  We have had great fun tracking down fabrics for you to sew with and then seeing what you do with them.  This week Ann shared a special "friendship" quilt she made with her quilting group.  

It is stunning.  I think it is fun to see such a traditional style pattern combined with the colorful Kaffe Fassett prints.  It makes for a very unique quilt.  

I think Jeanne must have sewn night and day over the holiday weekend.  She came in on Friday before the weekend to get fabric for these two quilts and was back in on Monday with them pieced.  Now - that is my kind of holiday...

And take a look at the present that little Nora's mommy made for her.  Oh so cute...

To get ready for all the beauties that will be arriving next month, we've moved quite a bit of fabric to the clearance area, all at 40% off.   You should check it out.....  

We will close early on New Year's Eve (3:00) and be closed on New Year's Day so all of us at PBP can ring in the new year with our families and friends.  I am headed to the coast for the weekend where I want to spend time learning how to use my new "grown-up" camera.  Maybe I'll master action shots and get a picture of crazy Howie the dog running at top speed on the beach. 

Thank you for all of your support during 2011 and cheers to 2012!

 

 

Holiday Joy to You

All of us at Piece by Piece hope you have a happy holiday weekend filled  with joy and appreciation for all the good things in your life.

We will be closed on the 24th and 25th.  We will be open until 3:00 on the 31st and closed on the 1st of January.  Other than that we will be open as usual. We've been doing some housecleaning which means new fabrics, books and patterns have been added to the clearance area.  We're not finished yet so more will be added as 2011 draws to an end. 

 

I don't think we are the favorite stop of our UPS and FEDEX delivery people right now.  In addition to their heavier than usual load with the holidays, we have received some weighty boxes of fabric in the last week, including some new canvas weights...

...the very interesting Primativa collection...

... domestic bliss...

... joyful garden...

and fantasia.

The little elves have also been busy sewing this last week or two.  We tried out two new patterns.  The first is a clutch/cosmetic bag from Pink Sand Beach and the 2nd is the Cash on Hand pattern by Susie Shore Designs.  This is another "little wallet" with a detachable handle and a zippered pocket for coins and such.

OK - I think it is close enough now that we can let the traditional holiday eating begin!  At my house it includes cookies, cookies and more cookies, crab cakes and soup, gingerbread waffles with whip cream and applesauce, an herb crusted roast with garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes - yum!

 

Stress Break

I don't know about you but I hear a lot of people talking about being stressed by too much to do right now, what with the holidays just around the corner.  I confess being a bit overwhelmed myself but then this (Half Moon Modern by Moda)arrived today...

...and it made be stop, take a break and ponder the possibilites and the distraction made me forget about the "to do" list for a minute.  Yesterday, we took a break from the regular duties around here and started a new shop project that involves this...

...and one of these new patterns.

It's going to be good....  These patterns are by Caroly Friedlander and I want to make them all.  She was one of the new pattern makers at the market and I hope she keeps up the good work.  Other new pattern makers are the Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr duo.  You may already be familiar with their books.  In addition to another new book due out any day they are venturing into patterns...

...and a "magazine", although it works a little differently than a magazine.  The back issues will be available indefinitely instead of off the shelves when the new issue comes out.   In addition to 3 new patterns each issue will feature The Cutting Table, where the authors will present their thoughts on basic design and mixing fabric lines, and Palette Chasing, where you will be guided to find color inspiration.  The first issue is here...

There are a couple of other new lines to the shop - Echo by Lotta Jansdotter...

and "Spring Rain" from Clothworks.

Last weekend, instead of baking holiday cookies I entertained myself by making a bag from a pattern I've been wanting to try out for a long time.  The pattern, Sausilito, uses 6 fat quarters and goes together easily.  I used some Amy Butler and Alexander Henry to make this...

Did I ever show you the completed quilt from Tina Givens line?  This ought to speak to the "boho chic" amongst us.

On a side note, I learned a lesson the other day.  I've been very bah humbug about the holidays (I think because neither of the boys can come home this year) and almost didn't go to the annual holiday get together of all the ladies I see at the gym everyday.  I went and boy am I glad I did.  These ladies who I exercise with at 6:00 am all have the kinds of jobs you have to wear skirts or slacks and grown up shoes to, you know - managers, nurses, administrators, doctors, caseworkers, teachers, etc. What do you think such a bunch of early rising hard working ladies do when they get together in the evening - discuss politics? social problems and solutions?  Oh #%*@ no!  They eat and drink and steal each other's gifts and.... cuss.  We sounded like...  well, I don't know what we sounded like but it wasn't pretty -  and I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  I am so glad I didn't stay home and wallow.