Tomorrow’s February! That means it’s time to start thinking about our next Practical Guide to Patchwork project, Snapshots. This quilt may seem daunting with all of those tiny squares, but by using the tricksy strip piecing method you will learn that many strips make light work!

We have made this design multiple times here in the shop. Last winter, we made one in Jay McCarroll’s Habitat fabric (shown above), although on a much bigger scale; ours measures 80″ x 80″! For the contrast fabric, we used my favorite Freespirit Solid, Citrine, to match the mid-value in Jay’s collection. This way all the darks and lights really pop and I get to see plenty of my favorite yellowy-green!

This version was made with a 45 fabric design-roll of Joel Dewberry’s Deer Valley collection nearly 2 years ago! I chose to go with a classic cream for the contrast fabric, as the Deer Valley prints are so formal. I really didn’t think I would be able to incorporate all 3 colorways into one final quilt, but the combination of the neutral cream color and a totally random strip selection really mixed it up & smoothed it out! This quilt is one of my most favorite projects we’ve completed at Spool- so much so that I see it every morning on my bed when I wake up!

Our February Snapshots workshop will start with fabric selection and move into rotary cutting practice, and give you tips on matching up those corners! Then, take the opportunity to work at your own pace and get some dedicated sewing time for your new gorgeous quilt project!

If you’d like to join us, please call the shop to register! You will need a copy of The Practical Guide to Patchwork, and when you sign up for the class you’ll receive 20% off the book! Check out some photos of author Elizabeth Hartman’s variations here.

Here’s the details:

Snapshots
$45 plus materials
Sundays, February 12, 19 & 26: 11:30AM-1:30PM

Quilt Top Materials: The Practical Guide to Patchwork, ¼ yard each of 18 different prints (or any combination adding up to 4.5 yards), 2.75 yards of solid for contrast, thread. Finished size: 48” x 60”.

Our latest arrival is Impressions by Ty Pennington! You may know Ty as the host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition or, like I do, as the hardworking carpenter from Trading Spaces, my all time favorite TLC program. I’m so glad he took some time out from his busy TV schedule to make this fabric, ’cause I love it!

Impressions looks like a woodblock carving that has been hand stamped right on to the fabric. I love that handmade look with the texture of the paint right in the printing! Both colorways are lovely – the indigo is deep and saturated while the greens and browns are light and earthy. These sophisticated prints with their subtle coloring are ready to become a part of your home! Pillows, throws, and curtains are the order of the day with these beauties!

Fat quarter bundles are in the shop and yardage is available in our South St. shop!

The spring issue of Stitch Magazine has landed! Start dreaming of the warm days ahead with 36 new projects! This special issue focuses on 5 themes: bird motifs for baby & home decor, al fresco projects for the great outdoors, combining dots & stripes, working with tiny prints, and hand sewing. Read about the Scandinavian design influence with articles about Marimekko & Lotta Jansdottir, learn tips and tricks for proper pressing, and an interview with designer Joel Dewberry! Awesome!

This issue is especially exciting because one of the designs belongs to Spool sewing instructor, Heather Holiday! Congratulations, lady! Her adorable Lola Clutch is looking like THE perfect accessory for spring- so much so that Heather will be teaching a special class on her pretty project in February! Many of you have learned to sew with Heather and know what an enthusiastic instructor she is. Learn how to make pleats, use interfacing and install a magnetic snap from the Lola Clutch expert!

If you’d like to join us, please call the shop to register. Here are the details:

Lola Clutch
$40 plus materials
Saturday February 11: 12-3PM

Materials: Stitch Magazine, 1/2 yard of 2 fabrics, 1/4 yard interfacing, thread, magnetic snap.

Bespoken is the latest lovely collection from Art Gallery Fabrics! These fresh lime, turquoise and lilac shades are really warming up the shelves at Spool! The vintage inspired florals look amazing with the graphic stripe-within-a-stripe print and formal damask designs. I’m definitely thinking about mixing these up with some Shot Cottons for next month’s Small Plates quilt class. I’ll let you know how it works out!

Fat quarter bundles in two colorways are available in both our online and South St. shops!

Our first project of 2012 is all cut out and ready to sew! This year we will be working our way through the quilts from The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman. We’re starting at the beginning and holding a class each month for each quilt. This month it’s Fenced In, a contemporary take on the traditional Rail Fence block.

Here’s Elizabeth’s photo of her original quilt from the book. I love a complementary color story, and orange and blue are my favorite opposites!

I asked Olan to pick out 9 prints to be used for the main blocks. I have a feeling that the recent cold snap increased his longing for his native southern climate and inspired this warm, summery color palette! I think we can all relate!

Once the blocks are pieced, we’ll decide on a color for the sashing (the blue fabric in Elizabeth’s quilt). I’m thinking maybe a bright royal blue or perhaps a violet to stay in keeping with the original complementary color scheme. No matter which fabric we choose, trying out all the options is my favorite part!

If this quilt looks like fun to you too, join us for the first class in our series! This is a great way to start a new project for the new year!

Fenced In
$45 plus materials
Sundays, January 15, 22 & 29: 11:30AM-1:30PM

The first session of each class will be devoted to fabric selection and learning how to create the chosen block. From there, you will work at your own pace while creating your quilt top.

You will need a copy of The Practical Guide to Patchwork so when you sign up for any class in this series, take 20% off the cost of your book! Please call the shop at 215-545-0755 to register.

It’s been a busy week, but now it’s finally time to kick back with some egg nog and spritz cookies! All that’s left to do is wrap up all the handmade gifts we’ve been lovingly creating- or at least ones that are all finished!

It’s been such a pleasure helping all of you select fabric and patterns for your projects this season. Thanks for sharing it with us! All of us at Spool wish you a wonderful holiday weekend with family and friends!

Holiday Hours

We will be closed December 24th-26th and January 1st. Otherwise, we will be open our regular hours of 11AM-6PM. Come visit us next week!

Do you have a jack-of-all-crafts at home? These types love to have lots of small projects on hand from which to pick and choose! Here’s some gift ideas she’ll enjoy when the creative mood strikes. Be sure to check out our guides for quilters and seamstresses too, since she probably dabbles in those arenas as well!

Spool Bird Kits

Our Spool birds continue to delight crafters year after year. Pretty and whimsical, these little softies can be sewn by hand or machine. Our kits contain the bird pattern and enough precut fabric to create a flock of 10 birds! These make sweet ornaments and gift toppers or can be used all at once to create our beautiful mobile. $18/kit. 8oz. bag of stuffing $2.50.

Embroidery Floss Set

Start your crafter off in the world of embroidery with a palette of lovely variegated floss. We have 3 colorways available and each set includes 12 colors and 10 embroidery designs. Perfect for friendship bracelet afficionados as well! $18. Add in a needle set for $3!

Wool Felt

Our wool blend felt is soft and supple and comes in 22 glorious colors! Your crafter can make projects ranging from ornaments to softies to laptop sleeves- just to name a few ! $4/sheet.

Gingher Embroidery Scissors

These super cute and super sharp 4″ scissors are the avid crafter’s go-to tool! Use them for snipping thread, yarn and cutting precise shapes from fabrics and felts!

Gingher has been the premier brand of scissors for over 50 years. The blades are forged from high carbon cutlery steel, and are then ground and polished by hand. The points, blades and tension are also hand tuned to ensure the best quality in each pair. $18.

Gift Certificates

Not sure what craft is her favorite? I know it can be hard to tell! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and can be used for sewing supplies and classes. Our staff is happy to help you determine the right amount for upcoming classes and supplies!

They can be purchased in the shop or by phone at 215-545-0755. We can mail them to you or to the gift recipient!

Is someone in your life planning on creating her own wardrobe additions in 2012? Here’s some gift ideas to help her on her way to custom couture!

The Colette Sewing Handbook

This user friendly volume is exactly what a budding seamstress needs at her side while she explores the world of garment sewing. Author Sarai Mitnick uses 5 basic principles for garment sewing projects: a thoughtful plan, a precise pattern, a fantastic fit, a beautiful fabric, and a fine finish. To illustrate these fundamentals, she helps you work through 5 gorgeous patterns including a scalloped-hem skirt, flutter-sleeve blouse, sweetheart neck sheath dress, asymmetrical flounce dress, and a lined dress with gathered sleeves. $29.99.

Art Gallery Fabrics

Art Gallery Fabrics feel amazing! That must be why they have “Feel the Difference” printed on their selvedge! With a finer weave than most quilting cottons and small to medium scale prints, they lend themselves beautifully to garment sewing!

Modernology is their latest collection of pretty, feminine prints. 3 yards will allow your seamstress to try any number of projects in the Colette book or pattern series. $11/yd.

Gingher Shears

The first step to a well-fitting garment is properly cut out pattern pieces. Gingher’s 8″ dressmaker’s shears are a garment sewer’s best friend!

Gingher has been the premier brand of scissors for over 50 years. The blades are forged from high carbon cutlery steel, and are then ground and polished by hand. The points, blades and tension are also hand tuned to ensure the best quality in each pair. Should the blades dull, which is bound to happen after years of use, you can send the scissors back to them for sharpening. Each pair comes in a brushed metal gift box, with a point protecting sheath. $52.00

Gift Certificates

Not sure you can pick out the right skirt fabric for your seamstress? I understand! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and can be used for sewing supplies and classes. Our staff is happy to help you determine the right amount for upcoming classes and supplies!

They can be purchased in the shop or by phone at 215-545-0755. We can mail them to you or to the gift recipient!

What gifts can you give the budding quilter in your life (or ask for in your letter to Santa!)? I have a few ideas!

If your quilter doesn’t already have her rotary cutter, grid ruler & cutting mat- definitely start there! These are the tools of our trade and will make her quilting life so much better!

If she already has these things, try:

The Practical Guide to Patchwork

My favorite beginning quilting book! This book has twelve gorgeous quilt patterns and an amazing educational section that shows exactly how to create a quilt from start to finish. We are running a series of classes based on the book this year, so your quilter will be ready to jump into our workshops! $24.95

Fat Quarters

Every quilter loves fat quarters! A fat quarter is an 18″ x 22″ piece of fabric that is used in most quilt patterns. Collecting these is the way to build your color stash and create your quilting palette! Bundle of 6 $18.00.

Best Press

Fabric does tend to move around a bit when you’re cutting and sewing, and Best Press is a clear starch alternative that stabilizes the fabric when you spray and press it. This keeps the fabric in shape as you work with it, making the whole process much more enjoyable! $7.50.

Striped Magic Quilt Kit

The Striped Magic Quilt is a favorite among our customers! The finished quilt looks intricate, but the pattern is nice and simple. This is an ideal gift for a confident beginner quilter, and even if she doesn’t make this particular quilt the beautiful stack of shot cotton will make a welcome addition to her stash! $70.00

A Full Set of Lark Fat Quarters

Amy Butler is the queen of modern fabric design, and with her latest collection, Lark, you can see why! These fabrics are bright, feminine and have a wide appeal for all types of fabric tastes. This 30 piece set looks beautiful together and offers so many creative quilt possibilities! $96.00.

Gift Certificates

Think it might be better to leave the decision making up to her? I hear you! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and can be used for sewing supplies and classes. Our staff is happy to help you determine the right amount for upcoming classes and supplies!.

They can be purchased in the shop or by phone at 215-545-0755. We can mail them to you or to the gift recipient.

Putting up the Christmas tree was a big deal in my house growing up and a tradition that the whole family loved! Hmmm, maybe I should say that trimming the tree was a beloved activity, as I remember getting the thing in the house and standing upright was quite the production for my parents! As a result, I love a good Christmas tree ornament and decorating for the holiday is one of the best parts of the season.

At Spool, we always decorate the tree with our signature birds, but I also like to add something new. This year, I got a ton of cute little 3″ embroidery hoops for our ornament inspiration. We collected a variety of red and green fabrics and set them in the hoops. I love how they look like little 2-D versions of traditional glass ball ornaments!

The prints looked so sweet on their own, but the solids needed something more. We embroidered a variety of stars using a simple chain stitch. Olan even created this awesome menorah- just perfect for the multi-faith family!

I think our tree looks smashing- especially at night outside our window! If you need a little last minute ornament inspiration, we have the tiny hoops & embroidery floss in stock. There is so much stitching possibility with these- you can embroider names, holiday greetings, or even little santas! Enjoy!