Happy Holidays from StitchCraft!!

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Opus Tweet

Opus Tweet

Our next Block of the Month

We have had a lot of success with our Block of the Month programs, especially our applique projects.  The last few quilts have turned out so magnificent that we searched far and wide for something new and exciting.  From Australia comes Opus Tweet, an adorable design from Helen Stubbings at Hugs and Kisses. 

Dotty will once again coordinate this block of the month,  and the colors shown will be different (however if there are some who like the color combination shown we may make it available as well.)  Opus Tweet is an applique project - but one that can be done in any method of applique that you choose.  While Dotty teaches needle turn, Sarah teaches classes in machine applique and I am going to try using the special applique paper from hugs and kisses.   A little bit of hand embroidery finishes the blocks.

We are taking names for those interested in this BOM and official sign ups (with prices that we need to convert to American dollars) will be available by next week, along with any other details to share.

Stop in, call or email to reserve a spot in this brand new Block of the Month that will start in February!   

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Quilt Market Recap

We had a wonderful, productive time in Houston at the annual International Quilt Market.  Just about everyone involved in the quilting industry is there - fabric designers and manufacturers, pattern makers, distributors, notions companies, authors, publishers, press and of course shop owners.  We have a day of all day demos and previews at the annual Schoolhouse.  The following three days find the market floor open for us to see everything, connect with people and order for the coming months (or year).

We were treated to wonderful show and tells from our favorite quilters, such as Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

Eleanor Burns had some exciting new things to share with us.  (What, you ask?)

Pam Vieira-McGinnis, aka Pam Kitty Morning, showed of the cutest bag she made out of her newest fabric collection Pam Kitty Picnic.  This new line is wonderful and due in to StitchCraft in November!

Do you recognize this talented quilter?  Find out who she is and why I am smiling and hanging around her booth this Saturday, at our Quilt Market Recap at 1:00 pm.    We will show you all of the exciting trends and tips that we saw at market, along with a preview of what fabrics, notions, tools, patterns and clubs are coming to StitchCraft.  We will have refreshments and some giveaways to some lucky guests. See you Saturday!

Hard to keep up with the online shop, there is so much that is new!

Our wonderful delivery guys have been bringing us boxes of wonderfulness every day these past few weeks! Each afternoon we gather around the big cartons with anticipation to see what will temp everyone next. We haven't been able to get everything on the online shop yet, but we thought we'd give you a visual so you can stop in and shop or call if you are not in South Florida.

The Giggles line from Me and My Sisters Designs for Moda.  We have the ENTIRE collection, along with precuts (although those are going quickly).  As always, these designs are all vibrant colors and prints in all scales, which make for use in so many of our favorite quilt and project patterns.

These are amazing new fabrics from Tim Holtz.  If you have ever done scrapbooking or mixed media then you certainly know Tim Holtz and his cool design style.  This is his first collection, and hopefully not his last!  Yardage and precuts available.

New fabric from Marisa at Creative Thursday.  She is one of our favorites for many reasons.  Her illustrations are adorable and she is one savvy and creative lady!

A large modified Hocus Focus with new Blooms fabric.

Another Hocus Focus with our favorite woodland creatures (those are hedgehogs in the border!!)

Batiks, batiks and a few more batiks have come in - one more vibrant and delicious than the next.  And they will keep coming!  Come visit again to see what's new, stop by the shop, click on the website, or call us.  Whatever you do, stay creative!!

StitchCraft's Annual Challenge 2013

This free slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

It's been quite a while since we posted a blog post - and of course it has always been a goal to write fun, informative and witty posts on a very regular basis.  We'll get there!

In the meantime if you have been in touch with StitchCraft at all in the last few weeks you may be familiar with all of the good things going on.  We had the arrival of the Quilt Sampler magazine - and how exciting was it to be on the cover!!

The deadline for entries in our annual StitchCraft Challenge was September 3rd and at last count we had 74 people turn in finished projects - all using the challenge fabric in unique and different ways.  Wait until you see what was created - we will be creating and posting a slide show soon!

(This was the challenge fabric - Brandon Mably's St. Clements)

We will celebrate the challenge tomorrow at 2:30 - 6:00 with a display of all entries and some tea!

We have been adding to the calendar and planning a fun 4th quarter!  Beginning quilting classes are filling up quickly - no surprise to those of us who just LOVE it!   Beginning Hand Applique is back on the schedule by popular demand.  A great technique to learn - portable for holiday travels (and for me when I am entertaining company and can't sneak off to my sewing room I can sit with a project on my lap and keep my hands busy.) 

We will have a Pillow Case Sewing Party to benefit the wonderful ConKerr Cancer organization.  They bring pillow cases to children in the hospital.  It's a wildly popular program and is one that can benefit kids in our own backyard.  Many of the pediatric centers in the area welcome the pillowcases for their young patients, including West Boca Medical Center.   On Friday, October 18th in our classroom we will have an all-day event.  We will have some kits ready to sew - and will need people to help in all areas - cutting, pinning, pressing, sewing.  If you have some happy, extra fabric suitable for kids please bring it along.  If not, we will have some donated from the shop.   More info will be up on our website.  If you can't join us in October, we are an official drop off location for finished pillow cases, so you can make some up on your own and drop them off.  Need a free pattern for the pillow cases?  Visit the ConKerr Cancer website for a pattern and info on their organization.

  Are you still reading?  I could go on and on with all that is coming in and being planned but I'll save it for another post.  You'll definitely want to come back and visit here again, as I have lot's more to share!

Be creative!!

All Bobbins are NOT Created Equal

We learn new things all of the time - especially in a hobby industry that is always growing and expanding in creativity and technology.  And sometimes it is the simple things that we never knew about that gives us that 'ah, ha' moment and a simple new bit of knowledge makes our crafty lives a little better!

I am talking about bobbins.  

They are not all created equal. 

A very creative customer came into the shop with her high end machine to see the repair man about poor stitching and 'birds nesting'.  I checked it out (and no, I am not the repair person), opened up the bobbin cover, and pulled out an old metal bobbin.  There was the issue - a simple fix - but one that so many sewers and quilters face, not knowing that just because a bobbin fits in your bobbin case, it may not be the optimum fit and most efficient for your type of machine. (Do not always believe the packages of generic bobbins at the big box retailers that say they are universal or fit most machines.

Know your machines' recommended bobbin - it will save you save you the possibility of machine problems, messy projects and creative frustration.  We all love the many gadgets and accessories available for our machines - many are very expensive.  A couple of bobbins for your machine may cost you less than a package of gum and it will be a dollar well spent!

Happy sewing and quilting!

July 31st - $1 off all Christmas Fabrics (1 yd min)

Time flies! The last day of the month brings our final Christmas in July special.

Today we're giving you $1 off all Christmas fabrics (1 yard minimum cut).

We hope you've enjoyed Christmas in July! Hopefully you've been inspired to start working on your holiday gifts and decorations!

July 30 - 40% off all Green Dot fabrics!

Today's Christmas in July Special ~

40% off all Green Dot Fabrics (no minimum cut)!

See you soon!

July 29 - $1 off all Kaffe Shot Cottons and Stripes

Today's Christmas in July special is $1 off all Kaffe Fassett Shot Cottons and Stripes (minimum 1 yard cuts).

Have a great day!

July 26 - $1 off all Moda Fabrics (1+ yard cuts)!

Today's Christmas in July special ~

$1 off all Moda fabrics (minimum 1 yard cuts)!

Have a great day!

Job Opening Post

Retail sales - Enjoy going to work every day! (Boca Raton)

We are a happy, creative shop looking for the right person to join our retail sales team.

If you have:
* retail sales experience
* exceptional people and customer service skills
* creativity
* comfort with POS and technology
* motivation to learn our products and industry
(sewing knowledge is a plus!!)
we may have an opportunity for you in our specialty shop.

Job requires staff members to be on their feet and some occasional heavy lifting (at least 30 pounds).
35-40 hours per week - no evenings - some Saturdays

If you think you are the outgoing, friendly and creative person we are looking for, please respond via email (no calls, please!!) (serious, qualified applicants only, please.)

July 25 - Christmas in July Special

Today's Christmas in July Deal - 20% off all NOTIONS!

July 24 - $1 off Aurifil, King Tut, and Floriani Threads!

Christmas in July continues! Come in or call us at StitchCraft today and we'll give you $1 off each spool of Aurifil, King Tut (Superior) or Floriani thread!

July 11 - Christmas in July - 25% off All Books

Today's Christmas in July special is 25% off all books!

 

Remember, we're happy to take orders over the phone at (561) 447-4147!

July 10 - Christmas in July Special - Floriani Embroidery Thread

Today's special:

Buy 3 Floriani Embroidery Threads, get 1 FREE!

Floriani is a fantastic thread for machine embroidery - it comes in a huge array of colors, is very strong, has a wonderful sheen, and is colorfast! We even have some customers who love to use this thread for their quilting.

Today's Deal - 20% off Creative Grids Rulers

Today's Christmas in July sale features some of our favorite rulers. We're giving you 20% off all Creative Grids rulers all day on July 9, 2013!

This is a great time to try out something new - maybe a Hex N More, Lazy Angle, Circle Savvy, or Pineapple Trim Tool!

Buy 5 Fat Quarters, Get one Free

Happy Monday!

Today's daily StitchCraft Christmas in July Countdown sale is on FAT QUARTERS!

Buy 5 Fat Quarters Get one free*

(already cut/pre cut fat quarters only)

Buttons! Save 20% Today at StitchCraft!

We LOVE Buttons!!

Besides being necessary for closure, the perfect button is jewelry for that great bag pattern.  With the colorful and crafty line of Dill buttons, you can stack them and embellish anything, make jewelry and hair accessories, even monogram them!

Today, during our Christmas in July countdown sale, you can save 20% off all buttons.

Get out of the heat and the rain and get creative with us!

Christmas in July Daily Sale

Hope you had a happy 4th of July!  
Did you get some sewing or quilting or other crafting project worked on?  

Today's Christmas in July countdown sale is

40% off all Green Dot fabric and merchandise!

That's extra savings, no limits.  

Today's Christmas in July Special!

It's July 3rd, our 3rd day of our Christmas in July advent countdown (that would be a month long series of specials for you - a new one each day!)

Save $1.00 of each yard of Moda fabrics today!

(one yard minimum cut - no limits)

(and yes, that can include green dot Moda fabrics!)

We will be closed on Thursday, July 4th and will re-open Friday the 5th with another Christmas in July special and Sit and Sew!

Day 2 - Christmas in July Special

July 2 - Today's Special

Save 15% off all batting

(today only - phone and email orders welcome)

Christmas in July - Day 1

July 1st - today's special

Save $1.00 off Aurifil thread

We opened our first day of our StitchCraft advent calendar for today's Christmas in July special.  Stop in, call or email  - this special is for today only.  Check back tomorrow for a new special (and every day in July!)

Countdown to the Holidays

It's June.  It's hot in Florida.  The schools in Boston just finished this week.  Let's countdown to the holidays!  

Not really, but it is quite tempting at StitchCraft to be thinking about the holidays.  The front of the shop (and the website) is chock full of Halloween, Harvest, Christmas, and Hannukah fabric and they are all AMAZING!  As always, we have quite a few new panels that make up some great quilts and projects.  A big trend we saw this year were advent calendars (or countdown calendars, as the above panel is for Halloween!)   How adorable is this?

This advent calendar, from Danish fabric company Stof, is simple to sew - the background, pockets and directions are on the panel.  Just add backing and batting.  We have come up with some really cute ideas for goodies to put in the pockets.

Finally we have this sweet advent calendar, also inclusive of panel, pockets and directions.  We added the buttons and hanger (buttons in stock, Believe hanger expected soon.)  

If you are not ready to start your countdown, you can start making gifts for those on your holiday list.  Why not take one of our many classes this summer to get a jump - and have fun while you are doing it?  

Do you create decorations for your home at the holidays?

3rd Annual StitchCraft Challenge

Our Challenge has begun!

Each summer we issue a challenge to our creative friends (you!) to make something with a fabric of our choosing. This is how it works:

• We give you 1/2 yard of the Challenge Fabric (for free!)
• You make something with it. Anything!
• Bring your project back to StitchCraft by September 3, 2013.
• We keep your project on display for one month.
• We have a big party to celebrate everyone's creativity and give away PRIZES!
• You get to keep your project.

This year's Grand Prize is a Baby Lock Sofia 2! Other prizes include great prize baskets of goodies from our sponsors. We will be awarding Best in Show, Runner Up, Viewer's Choice, and a Junior entry (under 16 years old).

You can do anything you want with the fabric - please get creative! The only rule is that we must be able to see the Challenge Fabric in your finished project (do NOT hide it in a bag lining or quilt back).

Ready to participate?!?  Come by StitchCraft to sign up and receive your Challenge Fabric! (Yes, you have to come and get it, and no, we won't post a picture of it - it's a surprise!) We have plenty, but once we run out we won't allow any more entries.  

Need some inspiration? HERE is a slideshow with last year's entries.

Good luck!!

Why I Attend Quilt Market

It has been a discussion on quilt shop owners' forums and other industry gatherings - whether or not shop owners should attend market and what they get out of it.  It is an interesting topic with many ideas and beliefs.  For me, however, it has never been an if - never been a question.  I go to quilt market for you.  And of course I love (almost) every minute of it.

Attending the quilt markets in Fall and Spring is an opportunity to pick up on trends, ideas, techniques, new products, etc.. and take them back my customers.  I am not shopping for me, I am shopping for what I can best off to my customers in the shop.  It's not only about the new rulers, patterns and fabrics. It is the ability to take the ideas back to everyone and share - pillows made with stripes, embellishments on quilts, storage solutions - it's endless and ever changing!!  The manufacturers, designers, distributors, shops and quilters are constantly growing, learning and evolving in tastes, skills and interests.  

Market begins with Schoolhouse, mini seminars and workshops where industry representatives, designers, quilters, business advisors, marketing professionals, and many more offer ideas and information for our shops.  It is information overload and all so very useful!  It often is a good preview of some of the vendors we may want to visit when the market floor is open.

Market is a giant burst of energy!  I go with some semblance of organization and focus as to not be totally overwhelmed and distracted.  That would be so easy!  My name badge holder also holds my market cheat sheets - lists of booths I want to visit and what I am definitely looking for and needing to order.  It can be very daunting to be sitting in front of a table full of deliciously tempting fabric offerings and forget that I need to order more red, white and blue blenders.    

Market is filled with many ah-ha moments, when we find the coolest pattern or technique for the rulers we had on our shelf and weren't quite sure how to use them or tool to remove stitches.  Many oohs and ahhs when we see spectacular quilts and stunning prints.  Okay, I could go on and on.

Less obvious and most important are the connection made at all levels.  Big and small, they all add up to hopeful continued success for the independent quilt shop.  I meet and socialize with other shop owners, designer and vendors and each person I meet adds to my quilt market experience by sharing ideas or even just validation of a hunch we each had about a certain supplier.  Time spending in line turns into a discussion among 3 shop owner from opposite corners of the US all sharing the same laments about billing companies.  We all return back to our respective shops feeling a little better about running our businesses,  part of a greater industry and that we are not alone in our retail journeys.  

We make friends and connections within the industry and know that we will see each other again at least twice a year.  We can follow each others' business via social media.  Most of us in this industry understand that we all work together.  While it is not perfect, the system often works very well.  The manufacturers, sales reps, designers, teacher, shops and many more aim to have you get the most out of hobby of quilting and sewing and enjoy every minute of it.  I hope that I am playing my part in this!  

I return from my market trips and present a market recap.  We had a full classroom last week for my most recent presentation and I can't thank everyone enough.  I created display boards to highlight what is coming in, what is hot and trending, what is staying tried and true.  If you came to my post-Portland gathering or viewed my photo slide show, you can see the many things that excited and inspired me.  Yes, I ordered a lot of wonderful fabric, patterns, floss, rulers, books and more!  My goal is to make StitchCraft the BEST quilt shop and it is with the support of you (the best customers ever) along with fabulously talented and friendly staff, supportive reps and the many acquaintances I have made so far that I think WE are on our way.  Thank you!  Four and a half months until Houston Fall Market.  Can't wait!!