Spool staffer, Elizabeth, is a fashion student in the midst of her senior collection. Needless to say, she is a very busy girl; designing and sewing constantly. When this new dress pattern fabric arrived from Alexander Henry, she just had to have it!

During a particularly hectic school week, she stopped and took a little time for herself to stitch up this adorable tote. She used Robert Kaufman’s Fusions for the lining, and did the contrast stitching in a pretty fuchsia to match. It is so cute, and she says it was a great pick me up. She has something fun to cheer her up wherever she goes!

I think this a great reminder of how simple crafting, even for an hour or two, can make us feel accomplished and happy. Now Elizabeth can get back to high fashion with clear head! Great job, lady!

Amy Butler’s Nappy Bag pattern is a favorite among moms. It has plenty of pockets for toys, bottles, and of course nappies. Everyone’s favorite feature is the cute cell phone pocket on the shoulder strap!

We’ve made ours using Amy’s Laminated Cotton fabric for the exterior and her Home Dec Solids for the interior. Using the heavier fabrics eliminates the need for interfacing, making this bag come together more quickly. Moms know that inevitably their bags end up on the floor or in the grass. The laminated fabric makes it easier to keep your bag looking fresh and clean. Of course, Amy’s gorgeous print makes it stylish and fun!

Plan ahead for Valentine’s Day and give your sweetie a playful, handmade gift – one of a kind boxers! I love an opportunity to use wild fabrics, and this simple pattern fits the bill perfectly. We used Kwik Sew 1672, and 1 yard each of Alexander Henry’s Dot, Art Gallery Fabrics Living Elements, and Jay McCarroll’s Ivy League Bees. So fun!

If you’d like to give these a try, we’re having a class next weekend. Here’s the details:

Boxer Shorts
$45 plus materials

Sundays, Jan 31 & Feb 7: 12:30-2:30PM

Materials: pattern, thread, 1- 1.25 yards fabric depending on size, 1.25″ elastic. All materials are available for purchase at Spool. Use of our sewing machines, rotary cutters, scissors, mats, and rulers are included for class sessions.

Please call the shop to reserve your space. See you soon!

We had a great day on Saturday during Jay McCarroll’s Mystery Bag Class! Just look at those smiling faces! Everyone was very excited to get know Jay, and hear what he had to say about color, design, and the creative process.

Last week, Jay and I made up Top Secret Mystery Bags filled with beautiful fabrics from Spool’s stash and Jay’s Woodland Wonderland and Germania lines. The ladies opened up their bags, and got their assignment: Create a one of a kind patchwork fabric to make into a versatile tote bag.

We set up design walls for each student to arrange their fabric pallets. Jay did demonstrations on using fusible web for applique, and rotary cutting fabric quickly and efficiently. Liz loved it ( as you can see above!) and says it will totally change her sewing process!

With Jay’s help, the students got to work collaging and stitching their fabrics. They worked hard and created gorgeous patchwork tapestries! Great job, ladies!

By the end of class, everyone was well on their way to finishing their unique totes. Here’s Rachael posing with Jay and her new bag. So cute!

After class, Jay gave each student a gift bag with adorable items from his web store. Pictures were taken and autographs signed. Jay told me he loved meeting this group of talented women, and is looking forward to teaching more classes at Spool – so stay tuned for upcoming dates!

Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks to Jay for making it so much fun!

The Farmer’s Almanac has predicted a very cold winter this year, and judging by the temperatures in Philly, I’d say it’s on the money! My eyes keep turning towards the super soft, warm bolts of flannel we’ve received recently. On a cold winter’s night, you can’t beat flannel PJ’s and a cup of cocoa. If you agree, perhaps you’ll want to sew some of your very own in our Pajama Pants class this weekend!

Class starts this Sunday! Please call the shop to reserve your space.

The details:

Sunday, Jan 17 & 24: 12:30-2:30PM
$45 plus materials

Materials: pattern, 2.75 yards fabric,thread, 1 pkg. 1″ elastic. All materials are available for purchase at Spool. Use of our sewing machines, rotary cutters, scissors, mats, and rulers are included for class sessions.

You should be familiar with sewing machine basics to take this class. Please stop by the shop prior to class to pick up your pattern and select your fabric. Fabric should be laundered, and the paper pattern pieces cut out for the first class.

See you soon!

New designs from Alexander Henry have arrived! I have long been a fan of this fabric company, and I am so excited to have them in the shop. I chose prints that I thought would be great for kids, but not so child-like that grownups with a whimsical nature couldn’t use them as well!

I’d love to see some Bedtime Story Pajamas, for a boy or girl, in the little elephant print. Crib bedding using the alphabet & car fabrics would be just darling! Any of these would be so much fun to use in our Quick Start Quilting class, where we make a small quilt suitable for a child’s playmat.

Personally, I would make a skirt from that lovely giant polka dot, and make a hem facing of little elephants. What would you make?

We are in Love with Amy Butler’s Frenchy Bag! Since our Frenchy Bag models sold out in our sample sale, I thought it was time for some new ones in new fabrics! When Amy’s new line arrived, Elizabeth was especially taken with this lacy, paisley print. Aubergine and pale chartreuse is one of her current favorite color pairings! Seeing them together, I think they may become one of mine too!

Elizabeth got work stitching up the Shoulder Bag and Handbag versions, both of which are included in the pattern. I think they turned out beautifully, and she did an amazing job of centering the patterns. The contrast between the wild paisley and the more traditional medallion is just lovely!

If you’d like to try your hand at making your very own Frenchy Bag, we are having a workshop on March 7 & 14th. This is great class for getting more confident with sewing patterns. Plus, you know you’ll be dying for a new handbag when Spring rolls around, so why not make your own? Please call the shop to reserve your space. See you soon!

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Although I thoroughly enjoyed all the festivities, I have missed my sewing machine! I am ready to reset, renew, and reinvent, and this new fabric line, Revive, is just the thing to get me started.

Art Gallery Fabrics is a new-to-Spool company, and I couldn’t be happier to have them in the shop. Revive’s prints are soft, light, and full of movement. An exceptionally fine cotton hand makes this lovely for skirts and blouses, as well as quilts. Feminine prints coordinate beautifully together, and look amazing with my favorite Shot Cottons. Aquas and blues make for a refreshing start to the new year, don’t you think?

I have one thing on the brain for this year – quilts! I want to make so many! I have already started cutting out a new quilt using Revive, and I’ll be sure to show you how it turns out. What will you be sewing this year?