Get in Touch with your Inner Diva

Sarah's friend made her a Diva Wallet this past winter and we all went crazy for it! We decided to carry the pattern and frames, and they have been super popular. It's a quick and stylish beginner-friendly frame wallet that you can whip up in an afternoon!

The Diva Wallet is a great accessory that you can coordinate with your bag, or use by itself as a clutch. Frames come in silver, gunmental, and rose gold, and it just takes 2 fat quarters or some scraps to make one wallet. Sarah loves her because it holds her necessities AND her phone!

Inside each Diva Wallet is a zippered coin pocket, 2 open pockets for cash & receipts, and 6 individual card pockets. The metal frame closure gives it a polished, professional look.  The finished size is 8" wide x 4.5" long when closed and 8" wide x 8" long when open.

We regularly offer classes to make the Diva Wallet. We have one coming up on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 1 pm. See all the class details and sign up here! If you're reading this post beyond that date you can check our schedule online or give us a call at (561) 447-4147 to see if there is another one soon!

Embroidered Tea Towels

Tea Towels are a great gift - they're beautiful AND functional!

Personalize your tea towel with a design the recipient will love. There are so many fantastic embroidery designs available for every style and season. A strip of ribbon or fabric gives the towel a lovely finishing touch. (By the way, there is literally a design for everything! I just stitched this llama from Anita Goodesign's Como Se Llama? collection coming out in August 2016.)

We carry embroidery designs from Anita Goodesign and Floriani at StitchCraft, as well as all the accessories you need - Floriani and Madeira thread, stabilizers, tea towels and fabrics for embroidering, etc. Of course your machine does (almost) all the work, so having the right embroidery machine in good working order helps! We're an exclusive Baby Lock dealer, and I can say from personal experience that they are so easy to use and do a beautiful job embroidering! This gingerbread house was my first machine embroidery project, and I had the pleasure of stitching it out on a Baby Lock Destiny. The machine showed me exactly where it was going to stitch and told me when to change threads and what colors to use.

Don't have an embroidery machine? You can embroider tea towels by hand!

Not sure how to wrap your gift? Roll the towel in tissue paper and twist the edges like a Christmas cracker; put it in a small gift bag; or wrap some baked goodies in it. Even if you hand it to its recipient without any wrapping, your handmade gift is sure to be appreciated!

 

Christmas Tree Napkin Tutorial

Christmas Tree Circular Napkins are so quick and easy that we thought we'd share a tutorial for making them! Whip some up to decorate for the holidays, for a special dinner party, as a hostess gift, or just because!

You need 2 coordinating fabrics - 1 yard of each will give you 4 nicely sized napkins.

It's not necessary, but I pre-washed my fabric just in case there was any shrinking or red ink running.

Draw a 16-18" circle on the wrong side of one of your fabrics I scouted around the house to find something to use as a circular template; a serving tray, placemat, large planter, mixing bowl would work. I have a lazy Susan that is perfect! Make sure that you have at least 1/4" extra fabric around your circle for the seam allowance.

Place your fabric right sides together and stitch along the line you just drew, leaving a few inches open for turning. I like to use an open toe foot so I can see exactly where I am going. 

Trim the fabric from the outside of your circle, leaving 1/4" to 1/2" seam. You can use scissors or go slowly around using a rotary cutter.

Turn your napkin through the opening so it is right-side out, and press well. Take your time pressing at this point! Use a chopstick or turning tool to get your edges as crisp as possible without poking your stick through.

Stitch the opening closed and/or top-stitch around the edge of the entire napkin to secure.

Repeat for the other 3 napkins (or however many you are making). 

Now fold your napkins! This is seriously the most difficult part - you can play for hours trying to choose the best way to fold it! Here are two ways that I like to fold.

If you would like, you could add ric rac (pom pom ric rac looks great!), lace, or ribbon. If you have a serger you could cut out your circles and serge the edges.

We'd love for you to share any pictures of your napkins with us at the shop or on our Facebook page! 

Quilt an Heirloom - French Braid Tree Skirt

There are some projects that we like to whip up quickly and give to others.  It is always a good feeling to give something that we made, even if it didn't take us much time (although the recipient doesn't need to know that!).  On the other hand, there are some pieces that are worth more time and effort so they will last for generations. An heirloom.

Raine has been teaching the French Braid Tree Skirt class for many years and each student has created a beautiful quilted heirloom.  No two are alike and each one is beautiful.  The pattern comes from Jane Hardy Miller's French Braid Obsession.

This pattern works well for so many styles. Jane's samples in her book are super colorful! Raine has made several tree skirts in traditional fabrics as well as bright Laurel Birch Christmas Dogs.  Lori's tropical tree skirt (in the photograph above) is in shades of watery blues and features sea turtles. Lime green batik skirts have been stitched alongside soothing creams and golds.  One student used French country blues and yellows...she chose to close the circle and keep it as a table topper to use year round! Of course, once you make one...you might find yourself making more for family and friends! (That was the case for Debbie pictured below!)

Raine likes teaching this class because the French Braid technique produces results that look much harder than they are! Plus, she loves how exciting it is for the students to see their sets of braids coming together. She knows that each project is going to be cherished for years to come.

If you would like to take a class to create your holiday family heirloom, the next scheduled classes are Tuesdays starting 8/2/16 and Thursday evenings starting 8/4/16. (You can always check out our currently available classes here.) Find the pattern in French Braid Obsession by Jane Hardy Miller, available to purchase here. We are happy to assist you with choosing fabrics in any palette and combination that pleases you!

Textile Pottery --- Fabric-Wrapped Bowls

If you visit our StitchCraft in person you'll notice lots of baskets and bowls made using fabric-wrapped clothesline. They're super handy and can be made in any number of sizes and shapes to hold everything from trinkets and notions to fruits or magazines (or whatever you'd like - as long as you make yours large enough!).

These coiled bowls and trays are as functional as they are decorative. Whip up a bowl to celebrate the season or make one to help keep an area of your desk organized. Of course you could leave it empty and display it as a work of art! Embellish with felt balls, feet, buttons, beads, etc.

It just takes a few hours to make a bowl. Need a hostess or teacher gift? Make a bowl and fill it with chocolates! Quilting bee swap? Fill a bowl with small notions or a few fat quarters.

We regularly offer our class on fabric-wrapped bowls (click here to check our website for current classes; we call it "Textile Pottery.") Tammie teaches a great alternative method to wrapping the fabric that is easier and neater than other techniques.

Once you know the technique you can use it to make bags or other shapes, too! The possibilities are endless!

Charming Coasters

Need a quick hostess gift? Charming Coasters are perfect!

Everyone needs coasters, so why not whip up a personalized stack as a gift? Four coasters tied with a ribbon make a nice hostess or teacher gift - or a nice gift for anyone that you would like to show some appreciation for!

Why do we like this pattern, designed by our very own Tammie Clarke, so much? Charming Coasters are made with 5" squares (and who doesn't have plenty of those around?!). Use pre-cut squares or cut from yardage to make a matching set.

Use different fabric combinations to make unique coasters that can do double duty as drink identifiers for stemware!  Open the intersection of the coaster and slip in the foot of a glass. Party-goers drinks won't get mixed up AND the coasters soak up any condensation at the same time!

Check out the pattern here or at StitchCraft!

Fold'n Stitch Wreaths, Blooms, & Leaf Toppers

I must say it was a bit odd setting up some of our sparkly Christmas trees this past week! The car thermometer was being modest at 92 degrees here in south Florida!  True to the schedule of the sewing and quilting industry, the holiday fabrics have arrived in the shop, signaling a start to the holiday crafting. Throughout this month (and maybe beyond) we will be sharing some of our favorite projects for gifts and decorating.  We hope to share ideas at all levels (and not just for Christmas and Hanukkah).  We will have links for patterns and other necessities for your convenience.

One of the hottest patterns this year is the Fold'n Stitch Wreath!  Sarah, Tammie, and Johanna have been making the wreath in many different fabric combinations, as it is a wonderful and festive decoration for any season and reason.  Sarah had her grandkids' home decorated with Easter and 4th of July wreaths!  Tammie whipped up this beautiful sample using our newest fabrics from Northcott's Home for the Holidays collection.

Sarah is teaching this fun project as a class, too, if you'd prefer some great instruction AND fun. Get more information and sign up here!

The wreaths are not just for hanging on doors and walls; they make wonderful table decor! Place a candle, vase of flowers, or bowl of candy in the center for an eye catching center piece.

         

There are two more patterns for Fold'n Stitch Wreaths using different shapes - the Fold'n Stitch Leaf Topper and Fold'n Stitch Blooms.  Each one is pretty, simple to create, and addictive!

Do you have a favorite handmade gift you like to create and give (or receive?)

Spoolin' Around - June 30, 2016 Newsletter

This was the newsletter that was emailed on June 16, 2016. Links and information may not be current by the time you read this! Thank you for reading our newsletter!

Happy 4th of July! Make this 4th of July memorable by counting your blessings and truly appreciating your freedom. We hope you have a fun, safe, and happy holiday!! We'll be closed Monday, July 4, 2016 in celebration of Independence Day. George has agreed to come in on Saturday (July 2) to work on machines and sharpen scissors if necessary, so bring in your machine or call on Friday.

July Celebration Sale! For the entire month of July:   ALL Green Dot merchandise/fabric 50% OFF Buy 1 get 1 50% off Pre-Cuts: Timeless Treasures pre-cuts - Color Play & Tonga Treats Northcott Artisan Spirit pre-cuts Moda pre-cuts Robert Kaufman pre-cuts   Plus, throughout July, for every $50 you spend, receive an entry to win a $50 Gift Certificate! (Winner will be drawn August 1, 2016.) ***Notice a trend? I'm not naming names, but our sale correlates to someone's big birthday this month!***

Holidays are HOT at StitchCraft! We are all HOT - It's July! :)You know what else is hot? Getting a head start on your holiday gifts! Keep an eye on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and our blog throughout July as we post great ideas for gifts and decorating! Here are two upcoming classes you may enjoy! Fold'n Stitch Wreath & Table Topper July 12, 2016  11 AM - 2 PM French Braid Tree Skirt Tuesdays beginning 8/2/16 or Thursday evenings beginning 8/4/16

Love Wins! What an extraordinary response by the quilting community in the wake of the tragedy at Pulse nightclub earlier this month. Read about the Quilts for Pulse drive by the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild here and how our local South Florida Modern Quilt Guild is helping out here. StitchCraft is a collection point for donations of quilt blocks, fabric for backing, binding, batting, etc., and we'll be delivering those to SFMQG. Tammie has shared a free pattern for a 6" paper-pieced heart that you can use to make donation blocks! Find the pattern by clicking here.

What else is going on at StitchCraft?  You can still sign up for the StitchCraft Challenge! Entries due 9/1/16! The Row by Row Experience continues through 9/6/16! Mon July 4 CLOSED - Independence Day Holiday Thur July 7 Folk Art Floral BOM 10 AM Friday July 8 Charity Sewing - Ryan's Case for Smiles 11 AM - 3 PM Sat July 9 Ten Buck BOM 10 AM or 1 PM Tue July 12 Fold'n Stitch Wreath & Table Topper 11 AM - 2 PM Wed July 13 Buzz Saw Quilt 11 AM - 3 PM Fri July 15 Glorious Hexagons 10 AM - 12 PM Fri July 22 Simple Whatnots Club 5 STARTS 10 AM - 12 PM Friday July 29 UFO Day $5 All Day! Sat July 30 Textile Pottery 11 AM - 3 PM Tue Aug 2+ French Braid Tree Skirt AM  10:30 - 3:30 PM (2 weeks) Thur Aug 4+ French Braid Tree Skirt PM 5:30 - 8:30 PM (3 weeks) Thur Sept 8+ Beginning Quilting AM 10 AM - 1 PM (4 weeks) Thur Sept 8+ Beginning Quilting PM 5:30 - 8:30 PM (4 weeks) Sat Sept 17 Celebration Tea for Challenge participants Machines serviced and scissors sharpened every Monday.     Grab 3 or more of your friends and let us customize a class just for you!Contact Johanna at (561) 447-4147 if you have an idea to discuss. Minimum 4 participants. We're flexible on times and topics!     Give us a call at (561) 447-4147, come by in person, or visit our website to sign up! Please note, we reserve the right to cancel a class or event should there be too few participants.