We are pleased to introduce the newest designs by Betsy Ross Patterns. Aimee, our staff member and proprietress of Betsy Ross, has been working hard on these and the end result is so cute! Since we have an “in” with the designer, we are the first shop to be carrying these great summer styles. Aimee will also be teaching two new classes based on these patterns.

The first is the Raglan Top. This a simple pattern construction, with easy to sew raglan style sleeves. It lends itself perfectly to our lightweight cottons. You can make it in all one print, or contrast the body and sleeves like Leya (model and seamstress) did. Summery, breezy, and easy to sew, what more can you ask?

The second is the It’s a Cinch Sundress. The name says it all! I love this pattern, and had the pleasure of giving it a test drive before publication. I plan on making a few more and I can see it becoming a summer wardrobe staple. This project is perfect for beginniners, as there is no zipper to put in or buttonholes to make. The simple A-line style is flattering to all shapes and sizes, and you get to choose where the waistline cinch tie goes. Aimee’s (pictured) looks great and you can see photos of mine here.

Please visit our class page for details on these new sessions. Congratulations Aimee!

It’s baby shower season, everyone! Are you ready? Consider making the newest arrival to your circle a handmade gift. Babies need lots of blankets and you can create this one in under two hours. I chose one yard each of 2 fabrics: Ginger Blossom for the front, which to me could be for a boy or girl, and Organic Fleece for the backing. Beware, this fleece is so soft you may find yourself wanting to keep this blanket for yourself!

After trimming down the fabrics to the same size, about 36″ x 42″, I used the Inside Out Rectangle Method to make the blankie. Then, I marked diagonal lines across the quilt about 4″ apart. Using a simple embroidery stitch on my machine, I followed the lines and quilted the peices together. Done! If your machine doesn’t have embroidery stitches, a straight stitch in a coordinating color thread will be just as pretty. Or, if you have more time, you can hand quilt or embroider the layers together.

New moms will love this gift and it’s quite likely to become baby’s favorite blankie!

Tina Givens new line Zazu ( so fun to say!) is a unique mix of rich colors and whimsical hand drawn lines. Watercolor painted roses grow over pen & ink chandeliers to create an imaginary world full of creativity. Perfect for the fresh start of a new season!

I asked Aimee to take one of my favorite fabrics from this line, a pretty yellow chandelier print, and make the Pleated Beauty Handbag from Bend the Rules Sewing. I have long admired the romantic style of this bag, and thought it would complement the vintage feel of the fabric. Aimee chose the turquoise rose fabric to peek out from beneath the pleats, and it works beautifully. I can just see putting on a pretty dress, popping all your essentials into this purse and heading out for a gorgeous sunny day in the park.

This project is great for beginners, as are all the ideas in Bend the Rules Sewing. Simple patterns are wonderful for highlighting exciting designs like Zazu’s. Get creative and have fun!

It’s so nice to have bright, cheerful fabric be a part of daily life. We have been coming up with new projects that you can use everyday. Many of them get their start with a simple inside out rectangle! What is this, you ask? This is how we create the two sided piece of fabric that is the basis for so many home projects.

You are going to want to cut two pieces of fabric the same size (of course what size exactly depends on what you’re making!). Place them together with their cute little prints face to face. Seam all the way around the perimeter of your rectangle, but be sure to leave a small opening, at least 2″ wide. It’s like a little fabric pocket!

Now comes the magic part; reach inside the pocket and pull the inside out! Your rectangle will now have the wrong sides facing and be all stitched together. Make sure the corners are poked out- chopsticks and knitting needles work beautifully for this- and press. Make sure you press under the edges of the little opening too!

Now, topstitch all the way around the rectangle again and you have a nice flat two sided peice of fabric. We have used this to make placemats, cocktail napkins and even baby blankets! Now that you have the know-how, you can start making things pretty!

We have added new sessions of our favorite classes and a little something new. Check your calendars and see what fits your schedule!

Learn to Sew

This class has been filling up so fast, we added a Thursday evening session in addition to our regular Sunday mornings. Thursday class is 6 to 8 PM: May 1 & 8 or May 15 & 22. Spaces are still available on Sundays, 10-12 PM on May 18 & 25, or June 1 & 8.

A-line Skirts

This popular class has added a new session that starts this Tuesday, April 22nd. Now that it’s warmed up, it’s perfect breezy skirt weather!

Beginning Quilting

Saturday, May 10th marks the beginning of our new quilting session. Learn the basics of machine piecing and hand quilting. You will leave with a lap sized quilt or wall hanging.

Anna Tunic

Amy Butler has done it again with this stylish tunic. You can make this top a tunic, mini dress, or knee length dress, depending on which length you pick. This new class is perfect for beginning sewers ready to take the next step. Sign up for Sundays, 1-4 on May 18 & 25 or June 15 & 22.

Classes are a great way to learn new skills and meet other crafters. Come join us!

We are so taken with the cohesiveness of Amy Butler’s collections that we put together some pretty fat quarter packs. Each one samples from the Midwest Modern, Lotus, and Belle fabric lines. It’s amazing how they can be so different and still look so well together. To show them off, Michael picked 12 fat quarters and stitched up the Brick Path quilt. This pattern is a free download from Amy’s website. It is coming along beautifully!

One of our customers chose this as her first quilt project and had pieced the whole top in just three nights! To finish the quilt, Amy recommends machine quilting by “stitching in ditch”. Michael loves to hand quilt and is using Valdani’s hand dyed thread to outline each block. Either of these methods would be a great way for a beginner to practice their quilting.

With this simple pattern and well coordinating fabrics, your quilt will be enjoyable to make and look lovely. Have fun!

Rebecca is a knitter who has been thinking about sewing for a while. She was participating in Secret Pal Swap and needed a gift. The first time she visited our shop she came up with a plan to make Peanut, the Wee Elephant from Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts for her Pal. She picked fabrics and was on her way.

Then she had a sewing machine malfunction, and came to use our machines. It was so fun to see this project come together right before our eyes. There were some difficult seams to sew, but she got through it beautifully. He was all stitched up, but a little deflated without his stuffing. I asked Rebecca to send me a photo when he was all done, and she did! He is SO CUTE! This little guy was gifted this past weekend and I hear that he was the hit of the party.

Now, not only is she a talented knitter but a great seamstress too. Well done, Rebecca!

Sarah has been sewing just a few days longer than we’ve been open! We met during Spool’s first days when she stopped in and told us she had just bought a machine and was starting to sew. One of the first things she wanted to make was a project bag for her grandmother, a life long knitter. What a sweetheart!

Sarah designed this herself - kudos! The fabrics are so cheerful and there lots of pockets to keep needles and notions. Just what every knitter needs. Obviously, the crafty gene runs in the family! I have a feeling that Sarah’s grandmother is going to be overjoyed to receive such a perfect gift.

I am so impressed that Sarah just jumped in and got started sewing. I can’t wait to see what she creates next!

We think handmade baby gifts are the best! So, we have put together a Baby Basics class using one of our favorite books Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol. This book has great patterns, and among them are these fantastic baby projects.

We have chosen the bib, soft turtle buddy (so cute!) and smock for our 4 week class. Learn new sewing skills, including making and applying bias binding and hand stitching. Class starts Tuesday, April 22, so call to reserve your space today. I hope you’ll join us!

Oliver + S is a new pattern company that specializes in children’s clothing. We love that each piece is simple and wearable with a charming, vintage feel. This is a four pattern collection, but there are several variations within each one to allow for many adorable wardrobe combinations.

Aimee made the Party Sundress and Playsuit (my favorite!). She used Michael Miller Organics for the bodices and little gingham pants and Denise Schmidt’s Katie Jump Rope for the flowery skirt. The oranges pop against the calm neutrals of the Organics and keep with the retro look. So sweet!

Baby clothes are fun because they go quickly, and you can try new sewing techniques on a smaller garment. This would be a perfect project for a beginner ready to expand their skills. Really, the cuteness factor alone is enough to give it a try!