Everyone has their New Year's Day tradition. For some it involves a sofa, a pile of potato chips, and a marathon of college football bowl games. For others, it might be ample servings of pork roast and sauerkraut to ward off bad luck for the coming year. For us fine folks at The Sewing Studio, it's selling fabric, notions, trims and sewing machines at ridiculously low prices.
That's right, it's time for another great New Year's Day sale where your entire purchase, with a few notable exceptions*, will be 40% off the entire day, and that day only.
Been eyeing some silk for a project but couldn't quite make the budget work? Now's the time to pull the trigger. Getting married this year and your Dad's freaking out about the price of materials? Cut the bill down to size by taking advantage of the sale. Are you a quilter that wants to stock up on the latest cottons from Kaufman, Hoffman, Amy Butler, and Michael Miller? Think of the creations you can tackle with all of those designers' work at deep discounts.
What's that? You didn't get that snazzy new sewing machine for Christmas that you dropped about a dozen hints for, but you still have all of the cash your parents and aunts dropped on you? Guess what? You can get a new machine at a discount, maybe even as deep as 50% off. Need a serger to finish off your garments cleanly and neatly? Now's the time to take the plunge (lots of seamstresses forgo sergers, but once you use one you'll never work without it again).
But most importantly, come down to commiserate with hundreds of like minded people as they spend the day sharing their love of creative needlecrafts, whether they be quilters, smockers, costumers, garment makers, or home decorators. It's a big ol' party just waiting for you to be the life of it!
* Yeah, it's time for the legal mumbo jumbo buried at the bottom of the post. To prevent us from losing our shirts and shuttering the store on January 2nd, the 40% sale excludes sewing machines, cabinets, Ott-Lites, pleaters, special orders, items on hold, previous purchases, and internet purchases.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Itty Bitty Baby Dress
Sewing Studio employee Jennifer, recently created this outfit for her newborn daughter using fabric and ribbon from our store. She shared pics of little Lane modeling the ensemble along with some information about how she created it. She began with the adorable cotton turtle fabric from Robert Kaufman's Urban Zoologie collection. She created the dress using the free Itty-Bitty Baby dress pattern by Rae, which features cute tie straps for easy newborn dressing.
Jennifer chose to personalize the dress a bit by accenting it with coordinating lime mini pom-pom trim at the waistline, and lime ric-rac at the hem for a bit of whimsy. The hem ruffle was added to the soft batiste underlining, and was created with a fat quarter of the lime stripe from the Dr. Seuss Christmas collection (also from Robert Kaufman.)
No dress is complete without accessories, so she also sewed a cute diaper cover (download the free pattern from MADE) and made a tiny pair of coordinating shoes using the Bon-Bon Baby shoe pattern (available for purchase at The Sewing Studio, online and in-store).
Lastly, Jennifer used an array of grosgrain ribbons from the store to create a whimsical and adorable Turtle hairbow to match the dress, and attached it to a stretch baby headband she also purchased at The Sewing Studio. ( **CRAFT TIP: Trying using a lighter to lightly melt the ends of cut ribbon to melt them and prevent fraying. )
***** If you have pictures of garments, crafts or quilts you've created with fabric from Sewing Studio, we would love to see them! Please email them to us at: sewing@sewing.net
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Halloween Fun with Machine Embroidery
These Ghouly Ghost and Spooky Bat earrings were created using machine embroidery by etsy seller SharpMtnCreations. Unfortunately, they are currently out of stock to purchase ready made, but they are a wonderful jumping off point for inspiration this Halloween season. A variety of holiday themed embroidery designs can be stitched out and made into fun and whimsical jewelry designs. Perfect to accent your costume or give as treats at your fall party.
The size is approx. 1.5 inches and the eye accents are sequin and swarvoski crystals. Experiment with a variety of threads to vary your designs and have fun making your own one-of-a-kind creations!
What better way is there to add some safety to your Halloween costume than with fabulously fun Glow in the Dark thread? This 100% polyester thread is soft and flexible for smooth stitching and works great for machine embroidery. It 'charges' quickly with natural or artificial light and is a wonderful way to give parents peace of mind while kids are out trick-or-treating on Halloween night!
Check out this amazing tutorial from Urban Threads on how to make a machine embroidered Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween treat bag!
Thanks to A Girl in Paradise, here's a great quickie tutorial on how to machine embroider a t-shirt for a fun and easy Cookie Monster costume for your little one. She doesn't include instructions for the hat, but it's easy to replicate with a couple bright blue marabou boas and a pair of ping pong balls for eyes. Great for a variety of Sesame Street characters for sibling costumes!
Lastly, we found this fun costume idea for the 'Super Mom' in all of us. This simple cape and tiara are embellished with a machine embroidered super symbol by designs by cuties, and was easily modified from the original Super Baby design. Perfect to wear along with your lil Superhero on Halloween night!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Get to Know the Store: Machine Repairs
Anyone who walks into our store will immediately see our Machine Department. The ladies that work in that department are an invaluable source of machine knowledge and can help you find whatever bobbins, feet or software you may need for your particular brand of machine. But we'll highlight those lovely ladies another time. Today, we wanted to point out a facet of our store that many people don't know about: that we have an extremely busy and expert repair department.
And by department, we mean Andy.
Andy has been repairing machines for the Sewing Studio for years, which makes him the most knowledgeable person we know about the innards of sewing machines. He can, and has, repaired machines from half a century ago as well as the latest in computer controlled machines.
In fact, his eyes will light up if you bring in an old metal machine, as he claims that if you keep you mom's old workhorse in top condition it will continue to serve your grandchildren's quilting and sewing needs.
As with any machine with moving parts, yearly maintenance is recommended to keep it in great shape. But, be aware that due to his technical prowess Andy is often running two weeks from the day you drop off your machine until it's ready for you to pick up. He's just that popular!
So be sure that you can take a short vacation from your sewing projects while your machine is in the shop. But don't worry, when you have it back it will probably be running better than the day you originally unboxed it.
And by department, we mean Andy.
Andy has been repairing machines for the Sewing Studio for years, which makes him the most knowledgeable person we know about the innards of sewing machines. He can, and has, repaired machines from half a century ago as well as the latest in computer controlled machines.
In fact, his eyes will light up if you bring in an old metal machine, as he claims that if you keep you mom's old workhorse in top condition it will continue to serve your grandchildren's quilting and sewing needs.
As with any machine with moving parts, yearly maintenance is recommended to keep it in great shape. But, be aware that due to his technical prowess Andy is often running two weeks from the day you drop off your machine until it's ready for you to pick up. He's just that popular!
So be sure that you can take a short vacation from your sewing projects while your machine is in the shop. But don't worry, when you have it back it will probably be running better than the day you originally unboxed it.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
I'm a Fabricoholic
Sometimes, when walking through the store, rubbing fabrics between my fingers, I feel the need to confess my addiction of fabrics to a room full of strangers with the same disease who simply won't judge me for it. When I see commercials for the TV show "Hoarders", I'm often reminded of my 'stash'. Although my collection is only one or two storage tubs, and nowhere near as bad as the people on that show, I feel guilty all the same.
I just can't help myself sometimes, you see. Some fabrics are just too beautiful, too luxurious, to allow to sit unpurchased on the racks. Yes, I may not have a project in mind for this particular piece, but on the day I do I can't guarantee that it will still be there, so I most certainly should buy it now.
Coupons are a dangerous thing in my hands. It gives me an excuse to buy one of my coveted prints or soft velvets at a discount so I don't feel so guilty about adding it to the stash. It just makes sense to me that I'll save money in the long run by buying it now, for a discount, than in the future when I really need it and will be forced to buy it at full price. After all, coupons expire. You have to use them while they're good or it's like throwing money away. Right?
And then I remember that night - that late night - I was working on a project that needed a little something extra; a velvet sash to tie around the waist. There were no stores open, but I did have my stash...
The creative muse had seized me, and there was no going to bed unless I wanted to lay there wide awake while the specter of that dress danced before my eyes, taunting me in its half-finished form. Creative projects are like brain viruses that you can only expel when you complete it, otherwise it will gnaw at your consciousness until you do.
So I dug into the stash, and sure enough, there was the perfect piece of velvet that I had purchased years ago that absolutely finished the dress. I was not only able to go to sleep peacefully, but I knew my random purchases of beautiful fabrics were completely justified in that moment.
Yes, I may be a fabricoholic, but that's not a bad thing. In fact, I consider it to be one of my more attractive qualities. And on nights when I need to dive into a storage tub or two for that beautiful piece I bought previously, it's actually a life saver.
BlogCatalog
I just can't help myself sometimes, you see. Some fabrics are just too beautiful, too luxurious, to allow to sit unpurchased on the racks. Yes, I may not have a project in mind for this particular piece, but on the day I do I can't guarantee that it will still be there, so I most certainly should buy it now.
Coupons are a dangerous thing in my hands. It gives me an excuse to buy one of my coveted prints or soft velvets at a discount so I don't feel so guilty about adding it to the stash. It just makes sense to me that I'll save money in the long run by buying it now, for a discount, than in the future when I really need it and will be forced to buy it at full price. After all, coupons expire. You have to use them while they're good or it's like throwing money away. Right?
And then I remember that night - that late night - I was working on a project that needed a little something extra; a velvet sash to tie around the waist. There were no stores open, but I did have my stash...
The creative muse had seized me, and there was no going to bed unless I wanted to lay there wide awake while the specter of that dress danced before my eyes, taunting me in its half-finished form. Creative projects are like brain viruses that you can only expel when you complete it, otherwise it will gnaw at your consciousness until you do.
So I dug into the stash, and sure enough, there was the perfect piece of velvet that I had purchased years ago that absolutely finished the dress. I was not only able to go to sleep peacefully, but I knew my random purchases of beautiful fabrics were completely justified in that moment.
Yes, I may be a fabricoholic, but that's not a bad thing. In fact, I consider it to be one of my more attractive qualities. And on nights when I need to dive into a storage tub or two for that beautiful piece I bought previously, it's actually a life saver.
BlogCatalog
Monday, September 12, 2011
Get to Know the Store: The Bridal Department
A destination of dressmaker for several decades, the bridal department showcases some of our most luxurious fabrics. Although called Bridal because all of the fine silks and velvets make you think of a wonderful wedding day, anyone interested in fashioning an evening gown or prom dress should make it a point to spend a few hours perusing the racks in Bridal.
To get to the bridal department, simply enter the store and walk straight back down the center aisle until you find heaven. Once there, you'll most likely be helped by Ms. Tina. She'll be able to direct you in whichever direction your plans dictate, and if you need advice she'll be glad to offer it with a great deal of honesty honed by a solid upbringing in the South. Her knowledge of fabrics and her good-natured ribbing will both set you at ease and get your project off on the right foot. She's a true gem and a wonderful resource for any level seamstress.
But, what kind of fabrics do we have in Bridal, you ask? Whatever you could possibly imagine, is our answer. We have it all. So the real question is, what's your project?
Obviously, if you are in the market to complete your perfect wedding vision with a custom dress design of your own, we have beautiful peau de soie, which is a medium to heavy, drapeable fabric with a satin weave and de-lustered finish that comes in many shades of the traditional white. This fabric can also be used for bridesmaids dresses, evening gowns, saris, or homecoming or prom dresses and is available in many colors.
You'll also find silks of all varieties. Silk is such a wonderful fabric for any fine dress, really, and can also be incorporated into a home dec project as well. Which is not to say that you shouldn't also run some satins through your fingers for a dose of luxury as well.
If you can think of a wonderful fabric you want to use in your dress, chances are that we have it in any variety of color -- and if we don't we can more than likely order it for you.
But we know that it takes more than just fabric to complete a wondrous creation. We carry all of the extras such as decadent trims, tiaras, veils, gloves, and silk flowers that finish off your dress like a cherry does a sundae.
The only issue you might have is the overwhelming choices our Bridal department offers you. If you're the type of person who thrives on possibilities, Bridal should be your destination of choice.
To get to the bridal department, simply enter the store and walk straight back down the center aisle until you find heaven. Once there, you'll most likely be helped by Ms. Tina. She'll be able to direct you in whichever direction your plans dictate, and if you need advice she'll be glad to offer it with a great deal of honesty honed by a solid upbringing in the South. Her knowledge of fabrics and her good-natured ribbing will both set you at ease and get your project off on the right foot. She's a true gem and a wonderful resource for any level seamstress.
But, what kind of fabrics do we have in Bridal, you ask? Whatever you could possibly imagine, is our answer. We have it all. So the real question is, what's your project?
Obviously, if you are in the market to complete your perfect wedding vision with a custom dress design of your own, we have beautiful peau de soie, which is a medium to heavy, drapeable fabric with a satin weave and de-lustered finish that comes in many shades of the traditional white. This fabric can also be used for bridesmaids dresses, evening gowns, saris, or homecoming or prom dresses and is available in many colors.
You'll also find silks of all varieties. Silk is such a wonderful fabric for any fine dress, really, and can also be incorporated into a home dec project as well. Which is not to say that you shouldn't also run some satins through your fingers for a dose of luxury as well.
If you can think of a wonderful fabric you want to use in your dress, chances are that we have it in any variety of color -- and if we don't we can more than likely order it for you.
But we know that it takes more than just fabric to complete a wondrous creation. We carry all of the extras such as decadent trims, tiaras, veils, gloves, and silk flowers that finish off your dress like a cherry does a sundae.
The only issue you might have is the overwhelming choices our Bridal department offers you. If you're the type of person who thrives on possibilities, Bridal should be your destination of choice.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Quality Fabrics: Good Cottons
It may come as a surprise to some of you (but not all) that there are different quality fabrics. Not just that silk is obviously finer than cotton, but even within the realm of cottons all fabrics are not created equal. One distinguishing factor is the thread count.
Thread count is the number of fibers both horizontally and vertically in a square inch of the fabric. Obviously, the higher the count the stronger the fabric. But what does that mean to a quilter?
Primarily, it means your quilt will stand a better chance of withstanding time. Lower thread count fabrics will fray easier and stitches will lose their integrity rather quickly. Imagine spending all that time on a quilt, hoping to turn it into an heirloom for your new baby granddaughter, and it pulls apart before she's out of diapers. But that's only if the thread count is horrifically low.
Higher thread count cottons are just softer. And when you imagine that newborn skin, don't you want the softest materials rubbing up against it? That's why it's important to ensure higher quality cottons go into your quilt.
Another element to your cottons you want to look for is that the pattern is woven into the fabric and not simply stamped on in ink. If it's just a pattern stamped in ink, it runs the risk of smearing or washing away too easily.
There are many fine cottons that are imported, and are always an excellent place to start, especially for an heirloom quilt.
When quilting, it's important to take the time to choose quality fabrics lest you want all of your hard work and creativity lost before it really has the chance to be appreciated.
Thread count is the number of fibers both horizontally and vertically in a square inch of the fabric. Obviously, the higher the count the stronger the fabric. But what does that mean to a quilter?
Primarily, it means your quilt will stand a better chance of withstanding time. Lower thread count fabrics will fray easier and stitches will lose their integrity rather quickly. Imagine spending all that time on a quilt, hoping to turn it into an heirloom for your new baby granddaughter, and it pulls apart before she's out of diapers. But that's only if the thread count is horrifically low.
Higher thread count cottons are just softer. And when you imagine that newborn skin, don't you want the softest materials rubbing up against it? That's why it's important to ensure higher quality cottons go into your quilt.
Another element to your cottons you want to look for is that the pattern is woven into the fabric and not simply stamped on in ink. If it's just a pattern stamped in ink, it runs the risk of smearing or washing away too easily.
There are many fine cottons that are imported, and are always an excellent place to start, especially for an heirloom quilt.
When quilting, it's important to take the time to choose quality fabrics lest you want all of your hard work and creativity lost before it really has the chance to be appreciated.
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