I know that there is still 2 feet of snow on the ground outside the shop, but I am looking forward to Spring in a big way! The recent completion of these Simple Tanks are a big part of the reason! I made a one using Kwik Sew 2498 last summer, and it quickly became a wardrobe staple. I am not a big fan of stretchy, clingy tanks in the warm weather, and I love that with one yard of cool cotton you can make a breezy top in different styles.

Elizabeth sewed up these versions in a rosy pink Shot Cotton, and one in Kaffe Fassett’s Serape Stripe. I thought the rosy one needed a little something extra, and since we recently got some gorgeous embroidery floss in at the shop, I decided to embellish! I carefully stitched a row of little french knots along the neckline. They were easier to make than I thought, and I love the shine of the mercerized thread. Sparkly!

If you’d like to get a little dose of Spring this weekend, we will be having a Simple Tank class. Here’s the details:

Saturday, February 20: 10AM -2PM
$45 plus materials

Materials: Pattern, thread, .75- 1.5 yards of fabric depending on size. 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 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!

Still stuck on that one last giftee on your holiday list? Give something handmade…by us! How about a super cute purse, a lovely butterfly skirt, adorable child’s PJs, or an amazing colorful quilt? These are just some of the pretty pieces still available at our first sample sale in our bricks & mortar shop.

We have children’s items priced at $10-$25, women’s clothing starting at $25, zipper pouches & handbags from $8-$35, and a variety of quilts starting at $30 and ranging to $200, depending on size. Stop in to see our full selection! Happy Shopping!

A-line Skirts and Beginning Quilting are always our most popular classes. We’ve just added a new session for each class just as Fall is getting into full swing. Classes are a great way to improve your skills and meet other like minded crafters. Join us!

A-line Skirts $60 plus materials
Thursdays, Oct.15, 22 & 29: 6-8PM

Spruce up your wardrobe with your own handmade, one of a kind skirt! Learn to use a pattern and take good measurements to ensure a proper fit. We will be using Amy Butler’s Barcelona Skirts pattern. Use this pattern again and again to create a unique skirt for every day of the week!

Beginning Quilting $100 plus materials
Wednesdays, October 21, 28, November 4, 11 & 18

Make your very first quilt top! In the first class we will select our fabrics, and then go on to learn to use a rotary cutter & ruler, piece 3 different blocks, and construct a crib sized quilt top with borders. In the final class we will baste the quilt and discuss quilting options. You should be familiar with sewing basics to take this class. There will be homework for this class.

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

I guess all the good weather we’ve been having here in Philly has me a little giddy. That, or Craig makes me laugh every time he takes my picture! Really, though, I think I am just thrilled at how my new tank top turned out.

I set aside a yard of Jay McCarroll’s strawberry fabric when it first came in: it was love at first sight. I folded it up and put it away for a future project. You all know how that is! Recently, my order of Kwik Sew patterns arrived and as soon as I saw #2498, I went foraging for those strawberries.

This took one yard of fabric and about 1.5 hours. Quick, indeed. Kwik Sew patterns have clear instructions and minimal pattern pieces. I like that, although they are simple, there are nice details like bust darts and curve of the bodice from the center front down under the arm. Plus, there are 4 different styles to mix and match. I made view C, but without the buttoned up back.

I see many more of these in my future. Cool & cute. Super summer sewing!

It’s wonderful seeing so many women wearing dresses this season. A cotton dress is just the thing for summer. Cool, not clingy, and all you have to think about coordinating is a purse and shoes. Simple and pretty. Keeping that in mind, I made up Kwik Sew Pattern 3521 with Erin McMorris’s Wildwood fabric. I love it! The fitted bodice has an option for 2 necklines: scoop, as shown, and boat neck. The full skirt gently gathers at your natural waist for a flattering fit. Ahhh, the perfect Party Dress. Sweep your hair into an up-do, add heels and this look would be perfect for a summer wedding; pair it with flip flops and a sunhat and head to a backyard BBQ!

Want to make your own dress for all your summer soirees? Join us for Party Dress class starting this Thursday, July from 6-8 PM, and continuing on July 16, 23, & 30. This is a great class for people who have made simple clothing from a pattern before, but are looking to take the next step in garment sewing. You will learn to fit both the top and bottom to your specifications, make darts, and a lining. Please call the shop to reserve your space. See you soon!

Gaea is the winner of this week’s pattern contest for her Anna Tunic. How cute is she in her pretty dress?! I love the contrast yoke, and the bold floral print. She looks so stylish, relaxed, and ready for summer!

Gaea writes, “I made the tunic last year out of one of Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern prints, and I just finished the dress last week–I used a Kokka cotton-linen blend and a contrasting yoke. I found the armholes to be a little tight so I added some extra ease when I made the dress–much better! ” It looks lovely, Gaea! A yard of Amy Butler’s fabric is on it’s way to you this week!

Thanks to all of our Anna Tunic seamstresses! You ladies are so talented. Check out all the photos and detail shots here. Nice work!

I’m going to be mixing it up a little for the last week of our contest, so check back in Monday for all the details!

The winner of the Barcelona Skirts pattern contest is Julie! Doesn’t she look so happy wearing her cute pink skirt? The random number generator really had it’s work cut out for it this week, as everyone’s skirts were so pretty. This week’s drawing is especially fun, because I know Julie in real life. In fact, she made this in our Aline Skirts class!

Julie says, ” I love the Barcelona skirt! I wear them to work dressed up and on the weekends with flip flops. I especially like to wear the simple skirts with bold, graphic tees. I made 2 of them in class at Spool (thanks, Alana!). The other one I made in just a few hours because I needed something to wear to work the next day!” How’s that for ingenuity! A yard of Amy Butler fabric will be making it’s way to you this week. Great job, Julie!

Thank you so much to everyone that participated this week. All of your skirts are beautiful. Please visit our flickr photoset to see all the pretty pictures of skirts galore! I am incredibly impressed with everyone’s creativity. I love it that so many women are choosing to make their own unique garments, and expressing themselves with color and style. Keep up the good work, ladies!

I did manage to make my new skirt this week! Erin McMorris’s new Wildwood fabric has been calling me, and told me this sunny floral had to become a Barcelona Skirt. I listened and am so pleased with the result. I cut out the medium size and used a lightweight muslin for the lining, to avoid wearing a slip. The less layers in a Philadelphia summer the better! I adjusted a bit at the waist, and serged the seam allowances. I normally go for a knee length hemline, but I like the longer lengths I’ve been seeing around town. Easy as pie- I think laundering the fabric may have been the most time consuming part!

As a total bonus, my new flip flops arrived in the mail today. Summer, here I come!

Our Barcelona Skirts contest ends tonight at midnight, so be sure to email me photos of any of the versions you have made. The winner will be announced tomorrow and I’ll post pictures of all the fantastic entries. See you soon!

The Barcelona Skirts Apron Overlay is just cute as punch! Our version was made for the holidays, with a combination of Amy Butler fabric for the sashing and Erin McMorris for the skirt. It makes for a great event apron, whether the holiday is Thanksgiving or Summer Solstice. You can make the simple A-line Skirt to wear under it for a complete party look, or make one to give as a special hostess gift.

I have always loved the styling in the photos on the back of the pattern. If you woke up one morning and felt like your jeans and t-shirt uniform weren’t cutting it, you could throw on your cute unconventional AND handmade apron to dress it up! How do you wear your Apron Overlay? For a chance to win a free yard of Amy Butler fabric, email us a photo of your apron and you’ll be entered in our contest. Can’t wait to see them!