Postcard Party Swap

From the organizers of this year's wildly successful Row by Row comes the Postcard Party!! It's a quilted postcard swap! This is a great way to try a new technique on a small project, or just have a quickie project that you can have fun with.

Want to play along? Pick up a template (or more!) at StitchCraft and make a quilted postcard. Bring us your completed postcard(s) by January 15, and we'll coordinate having them swapped with other postcards from all over the country. See more about the Postcard Party by clicking here!

On December 30 and January 3 we'll be having Postcard Parties at StitchCraft - join us any time from 1 - 4 pm to work on your postcard. We'll be set up to make some postcards and have a great time!

Each postcard template is $5. Quantities are limited, and the deadline to return your completed card to StitchCraft is 1/15/15.

We are CRAZY for WOOL!!

We have been bitten by the hand stitching bug - we love hand embroidery, cross stitch, hand piecing  - even hand quilting.  We have brought in wool stitchery kits for classes but now we have committed to our wool relationship.  Charms, chunks, rolls and large pieces of luscious hand dyed wool has started to arrive in our shop.  We have all been stitching up projects to show (and keep), ranging from scissor sheaths and needle keeps to adorable owls and pillows. 

We will have everything you need to stitch with wool - a perfect 'on the go' project.  Classes will be scheduled for after the new year so we can ALL fall in love with wool.

Modern Plaids

Many of you have come in to StitchCraft asking for more plaids - especially in brighter colors.  There would be plaids that were part of a collection but we were lacking a collection - until now.

Andover has introduced Modern Plaids - yard dyed fabrics in a brighter, more modern palette.  They can be mixed in with your favorite printed cottons or created into a rag quilt, as the homespun yarn dyed fabrics created the best fray on the exposed edges when cut and washed.

Available with yardage on the bolt or in a fabulous fat quarter bundle. See the collection online here!

NEWvember Batiks - Tonga Pacifica

We received the most Florida-perfect collection of batiks from Timeless Treasures  - turtles, crabs, whales and other iconic symbols of the coast.  Some additional watery blenders rounded out these beautiful new fabrics. Check out the collection HERE!

NEWvember - Blocks of the Month

Chickadee Window was one of the Block of the Month projects that we chose at Quilt Market in Houston last month.  [Actually, it is a BORDER of the Month - doesn't that sound like fun?!  Something different!]  The Benartex fabrics in the quilt are simply stunning. The quilt was hanging in their booth and stopped me in my tracks. 

Garden Tea Party was the other Block of the Month that called out to us at the market.  It is a combination of piecing and appliqué (fused and machined or hand stitched).  The details, such as a needle and spool on a teapot handle, are too adorable to resist.  

Both Blocks of the Month will be start in mid to late Spring 2015 (at this writing, according to the fabric companies from which I ordered the fabric.)  If you would like to be on the participant list, please give us a call or email.  Pricing and sign ups will be available soon. 

Row by Row Pattern - Free Download!

We had a blast with the Row by Row Experience this summer! It brought so many folks into our shop; we made tons of new friends and are still working on catching up with cutting kits for everyone!

Now that the official Row by Row shop hop period is over, we can share our row's pattern with everyone who couldn't make it in person to StitchCraft. The 2014 theme for designing a row was "Sew A Season," and we thought it would be appropriate to celebrate Turtle Nesting Season! We decided to donate $1 of every kit sold of our row to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a great resource here in Boca Raton.

You can download the pattern HERE as a PDF file 

We hope you enjoy our pattern and would love if you use it to share any pictures with us on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks!

In case you missed it, our official Row by Row winner was Susan. We love seeing all the different rows from shops all over Florida. Congratulations to Susan!

StitchCraft Challenge 2014 - Amazing Entries

Congratulations to the 124 creative individuals who participated in our 4th annual StitchCraft challenge.  The photos don't do that actual pieces justice, as each and every one is detailed, colorful and hand created.

Best of Show:  Charlotte Noll   - Quilty Stacked Cups Mixed Media Piece

Best Quilt:  Judy Shelton - Keurig Eruptus

Best Wearable:  Pat Cunningham

Viewers Choice - it's up to you!! Voting through September.

Enjoy the photos!!

This free slideshow design customized with Smilebox

Kaffe Fassett Lecture & Workshop

We're so excited to welcome Kaffe Fassett and
Brandon Mably to StitchCraft!

If you get our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, you've probably seen that Kaffe Fassett is coming to StitchCraft on October 2 and 3, 2014! Kaffe will be giving his inspiring lecture on Glorious Color on Thursday afternoon, and holding an all-day workshop on Friday based on his Mediterranean Hexagons quilt. We hope you can join us for one (or both!) of these very special events with one of the most celebrated artists around today!

Photo courtesy of www.kaffefasset.com

Glorious Color Lecture

Kaffe will start his south Florida visit with his "Glorious Color" lecture, which include a Q&A session and book signing.

The Kaffe Fassett lecture is designed to inspire and motivate. The presentation highlights works from his latest projects, including his patchwork quilt, fabric, needlepoint, mosaic, painting and knitting designs. A tremendous amount of Kaffe's inspiration comes from his continual travels and his lecture is designed not so much to instruct but to empower and inspire the audience to create and develop their "mind's eye." Audiences leave invigorated - entranced by Kaffe's sense and use of color; they are ready to try it themselves and are encouraged to do so.

When: Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 2 PM
Where: Via Mizner Country Club, Boca Raton
Cost: $25. Light refreshments will be served.

Mediterranean Hexagons Workshop

Featured in Kaffe's brand new book, Mediterranean Hexagons is a study of using mostly a single color. Pick any color you prefer and when choosing your fabrics don't stray too far from that color. For example if your color theme is RED, bring reds, oranges, reddish purples. The original version is a study in blues and includes purples and greens.

"Mediterranean Hexagons" from Quilts in Morocco

This is a rare opportunity to spend the day with world famous textile and color gurus Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. The class will focus on selecting, cutting and designing your quilt.  You will be arranging your fabric pieces on a design flannel that you'll just fold up at the end of the workshop, ready to take home and sew. (There will not be sewing in this workshop).  A Kaffe Fassett "shop" will be set up at the classroom to purchase any fabrics you may want to add to your design throughout the day.

When: Friday, October 3, 2014 from 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Boca Raton Community Center
Cost: $200, plus supplies. You must purchase a copy of Quilts in Morocco*. Lunch, refreshments, and design wall are included.

Quilts in Morocco

 

Kaffe's brand new book, Quilts in Morocco, is available for purchase at StitchCraft. We're offering 10% off the book when you purchase it with your lecture or workshop ticket before Oct 1. *Books paid in advance may be picked up and personally autographed at the events if desired.

Ready to Sign Up?

You may register for the Kaffe Fassett events via phone at (561) 447-4147 or in person at StitchCraft starting Monday, August 25, at 10 AM. Payment must be made at time of registration.  There will be no refunds for these events, however they may be transferred. Thank you for your understanding.

New and Exciting this Summer

What?  It's July 20th?  Where did the first half of the summer go?  By the looks of the shop you would not be able to tell that we are 'off season'.  We have been so pleasantly busy with lots of great classes and events, plus amazing new fabrics coming in several times each week.

We have had both the Annual StitchCraft Challenge and the Florida Row by Row Experience going on  and we are so excited with the results of both!  We have met such amazing quilters from all over who have come to pick up our shop's unique bock.   We have had over 200 people sign up to participate in our challenge.  Wowza!!  We are getting all of our prizes and celebration in order for the September 2 deadline and September 6 participants' event.  It's not too late to participate!!

We have received some amazing fabrics - they continue to arrive several times a week.






They have included batiks (the pre-cuts from Timeless Treasures are delicious!), the remainder of the American Made Solids from Clothworks (we now have the entire collection), adorable childrens fabrics and panels and of course lots and lots of fabrics for the holidays - Christmas, Hanukkah and Halloween!!  

I especially adore these winter gnomes that arrived this week.  I am trying to decide if I should make a bag (the Fiji Tote is perfect to showcase a novelty print!) or a mini quilt.  Thoughts?

School will be starting in a month, as will Baby Lock's annual convention (new and amazing machines in our Destiny).  Lots and lots of classes being added to our calendar, including our ever popular classes for the holidays, and a special visit from Kaffe Fassett in October.  (this was just confirmed last week so the details are in the works).  

This is what is on my design wall (or actually my dining room table because I don't have a design wall at home that is useful).

Look familiar?  It's the quilt from Quilt Sampler magazine.  I am doing it in grays for a 50 Shades of Gray challenge.  Inner border on; now the piano keys.  My dilemma is how to quilt it.  I keep staring…
Thanks for visiting!  
Creatively,

Johanna

2014 Row by Row Experience

This summer we're so excited to be participating in the Row by Row Experience - a fun new statewide shop hop! (It kicked off yesterday, July 1, 2014, and goes until September 2, 2014.)

How does it work?? Visit any of the 38 participating FL shops in person (find out which ones on the Row by Row website or the Florida Row by Row Experience Facebook page) and receive a free pattern for a row. Create a quilt using at least 8 different rows and be the first to bring it into a participating shop to win a stack of 25 fat quarters (6-1/4 yards of fabric!). It must be quilted, bound, and labeled to be "finished!" You'll have a finished quilt to remind you of your fun summer traveling to quilt shops!

Each participating shop designed their own row. Since it is sea turtle nesting season now and we have Gumbo Limbo Nature Center here in Boca Raton, we thought a sea turtle themed row would be perfect! Our row is made by machine appliqueing the turtles, and we used some of our favorite batiks. The pattern is free, and we also have kits made up for $12 ($1 of the kit goes to Gumbo Limbo!).

We also have a custom license plate patch ($4.50 each). What a fun souvenir!

We hope to see you soon!

Ten Buck BOM 2014 - Sign up!

It is hard to believe that the 2013 Ten Buck BOM has come to a close.  We displayed our finished quilts in the Chocolate and Jelly Bean color ways this past Saturday as inspiration to our participants to finish their quilts.  (Last year everyone got so creative finishing with their blocks - we can't wait to see what the quilters do with the candy-themed ones!)  We will be sure to post photos when we can.

Missed out on the fun last BOM or had so much fun you can't wait to do it again?  Now is your opportunity to sign up for the 2014 program - which will begin on Saturday, March 8th.  You have your choice of two different color ways and two times for our super fun and entertaining Saturday Programs.  The times are 10 am or 1:00 pm.  Your color choices are:

French General

or

Black, White and Red

Here is how the Ten Buck Bom (also sometimes referred to as Second Saturday Sampler - which is what some of the great shops that used to be in the area called it)  works:

• Sign up by paying a $10 registration fee and choose your color choice.
• Come to StitchCraft on the Second Saturday of March to pick up your first block - the pattern and the fabric.  Stay and be entertained by Johanna and Raine and receive any explanation of the block.  Sessions are at 10 and 1:00.
• Complete your block at home before the next second Saturday. 
• Visit StitchCraft on the Second Saturday with your finished blocks.  YOU must come with YOUR block FINISHED.  You will receive the next block pattern and fabric for FREE!  
• Repeat the above every month!

some FAQ:  

MUST you attend each session?  You do not have to stay for each session but you must come in on the second Saturday.

Can I send someone in with my finished block?  No, someone cannot pick up your free block for you.  

What if I miss a month?  If you miss a month, you can pay $10 for the block that was missed and continue from there :)  You may also send someone in with $10 to pick up your block so you have it in time to finish it?  

What if I need help on a block?  Just ask us for help!!

How many blocks will there be?  This year we will have 10 blocks so that we may get back to beginning in January the following years.

Did we mention a theme?  Oh, yes, we will have a fun one!  Costumes and props and snacks and lots of entertainment!  

Sign up asap so we can make sure we have a block for you in March!!

Simple Sewing

Easy Upcycled T-shirt Pillows

(a super project for young sewists)

Do you have a pile of oh-so-adorable t-shirts from when you/your kids/your grandkids were small? (Before they had opinions about what they would or would not wear - when we could pick them up cute mementos or dress them in 'future lawyer' or 'grandmas rock') Being in a house of boys and dogs I am not willing to buy nice pillows for decoration on beds and sofas.  Not willing to toss some of the cute tees in boxes, I did a bit of crafting and ended up with upcycled cute pillows for nothing!

• Carefully cut the ribbed neck, sleeve and bottom bands off
• turn the t-shirt inside out
• sew or serge the open edges of the one sleeve, the bottom and neck.  I left one sleeve open for turning and stuffing.( you could also leave a 3 inches opening for turning along the bottom if you prefer stitching both sleeves
• Turn right side out
• Top stitch the sewn sleeve and neck  
• Stuff the t-shirt to your liking with your favorite stuffing, such as Polyfil or even scraps
• Turn a seem inside the open sleeve and top stitch closed  
• Enjoy your pillow - Steve enjoys his

Above is the reason for no nice throw pillows.  Now if someone could only post a tutorial on easy and permanent fur repellant on upholstery everything would be perfect!!