Pacific Fabrics Blog

Great gifties for new humans (and one for anyone!)

noreply@blogger.com (Pacific Fabrics) — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:59:00 +0000

As some of you who know me or read our newsletter may know, I am expecting my first child later this month. (I am so excited - a little apprehensive, but still really thrilled to meet this little person who's been kicking me for the last few months.) Steve and I have been taking a seven week birth and childcare class which has three other couples in it, and I've been wanting to make the whole class some little gifts, but as usual, I am low on time and cash, and the last class is this Tuesday, so I came up with three quick, inexpensive little projects - and they came out so cute, I thought it would be lovely to offer them up to you. I did all three this weekend, and still had time for a slumber party, three loads of laundry, an easy hike and shopping trip with my mom, and lots of zoning out and watching my belly shift from side to side, just to give you a sense of how really quick these are.

Project 1: The Fabulous Flannel Burpcloth.
This is so very simple, and as anyone who has ever been around a newborn will tell you - you cannot have too many burpcloths.

You'll need:
2 fat quarters of flannel in coordinating prints or solids - a half yard of each will give you enough for 2.
Thread
All the usual sewing gear - rotary cutter, mat, scissors, sewing machine, etc.

1. Iron your two flannel FQs and place them right sides together - trim them up so all edges match - I trimmed mine down to 20" by 17".
2. Stitch them together, using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving an opening of about 3" on one side for turning them right sides out.

3. Clip away the corners - this will make getting neat square corners really easy. Turn them right sides out, run a point turner or even a chopstick along all the edges and into the corners, and press nice and flat.

4. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, topstitch all the way around.

5. Have some ice cream. (That's what I like to do, and since you've finished your burpcloth already, you might as well join me. Pickles, as side dish, not as topping, are totally optional.)

Project 2: The Microwaveable Heating Pillow -
While I am giving these to help with labor back pains, they are great little quick gifts for almost anyone. I have family friends who order a few of these every holiday from me, for aching muscles, chills, or even taking with them out to the car on snowy days to ward off the shivers while they wait for the heater to kick in.

You'll need:
Two 10" by 13" pieces of coordinating flannel. ( I picked up two 3/8 yd pieces, which is enough to make four)
Thread
A few pounds of uncooked rice
All that sewing paraphernalia again

1. Place your flannels right sides together, and trim up the edgs so they match nicely.
2. Stitch them together, using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving an opening of about 3" on one side for turning them right sides out.
3. Clip away the corners - this will make getting neat square corners really easy. Turn them right sides out, run a point turner or even a chopstick along all the edges and into the corners, and press nice and flat.
4. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, topstitch around the three edges that are completely stitched.
5. Fill your bag about 2/3 of the way with rice - using a funnel makes this nice and neat. Pin the open edges closed.
6. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, topstitch along that last open edge.
7. Stick it in the microwave and test to see about how long it takes to heat, so you can give directions. Mine heated up in about 3 minutes, 30 seconds, and that was snuggly warm. Make a little label for the bag to pin on, letting them know approximately how long it will take to heat.
8. Go take a nap with the toasty warm pillow - you deserve it, after being so sweet as to make everyone presents, and you're done sewing, so what else is there to do? Unless you like to knit, in which case, its time to get started on:

Project 3: Cozy Quick Baby Socks
These are simple, sweet little socks - if you are a knitter, you could easily make up a half dozen pairs in different colors and put them in a candy box for a shower gift that will be memorable and appreciated. If you have not attempted socks before, this gives you a chance to try out the basic techniques without starting a major new project - just dip your toes in!

You'll need:
DK weight yarn - I'm not sure of exact yardage - I used Debbie Bliss's Rialto, which is a wonderful soft 100% Merino and is superwash, which means it can be machine washed without worrying about it, and after three pairs, I still had about a third of a 196 yd ball left - so probably about 50 yards per pair.
Size 3 double pointed needles
A smallish yarn needle to close up the toe and work in ends.

Cast on 24 stitches onto 3 needles.
Ribbing: Knit 2, Purl 2 - 6 rows
Leg: Knit all the way around, 9 rows
Next row - knit 12 stitches onto one needle, then turn.
Heel flap -
Row 1: Slip one, then purl to the end of row, turn.
Row 2 - Slip one, then knit to the end of row, turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 till you have 12 rows on heel flap, finishing with a knit row.
Turning the heel:
Row 1: Slip 1, purl 6, purl next two stitches together, purl one stitch, and turn, leaving last 2 stitches unworked.
Row 2: Sl 1, knit 3, knit next two stitches together, knit one stitch, then turn, leaving last two stitches unworked.
Row 3: Sl 1, Purl 4, purl next two stitches together, purl 1, and turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, Knit 5, knit next two stitches together, knit one, and pick up and knit 7 stitches along the slipped stitch edge. Knit the next 12 stitches onto one needle, then, with another needle, pick up and knit 7 stitches along the other slipped stitch edge, continuing on to knit the first four stitches off of your first needle. You should now have 11 stitches on your first needle, 12 on your second, and another 11 on the third. All future rows begin at the first stitch on the first needle.
Decreasing the heel:
Row 1 - Knit to the last three stitches on needle 1, knit next two stitches together, knit last stitch. Knit all stitches on needle 2. Knit first stitch on needle 3, then slip next two stitches, then knit slipped stitches together. Knit all remaining stitches.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have only 6 stitches on needle 1 and 3 (24 stitches total).
Instep: Knit for 6 rows.
Closing the toe:
Row 1: knit to last three stitches on needle 1, knit two stitches together, then knit last stitch on needle 1. Knit first stitch on needle 2, slip next two stitches, then knit slipped stitches together, knit to the last three stitches on needle 2, knit two together, knit last stitch on needle 2. Knit first stitch on needle 3, slip next two stitches, then knit slipped stitches together, knit to end of row.
Row 2 - Knit all stitches.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 16 stitches altogether. Knit Row 1 one more time, (12 stitches remain) then do final row: Needle 1: Knit 2 together, knit one. Needle 2: Knit one, slip next two then knit slipped stitches together, knit two stitches together, knit one. Needle 3: Knit one, slip two stitches and knit two slipped stitches together. (8 stitches remain.)
Finish closing toe with kitchener stitch, or just do what I call a bellybutton closure - leaving all stitches on needles, run tail of yarn though all stitches twice, remove needles, and pull tight, making a neat little bellybutton at the toe.
Now start over from cast-on instructions, as the vast majority of babies are born with two feet.

As a new mommy-to-be, I can testify that I would love any or all of these three gifts - try making them for someone you love (or just work with) today!

- Anna-Beth

New & Fabulous Fabrics in Our Stores - NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (Pacific Fabrics) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:48:00 +0000

A VERY excited Anna-Beth called me from one of our stores yesterday. Before I could even answer, she was bubbling with enthusiasm about our gorgeous new fabric arrivals. So, I must tell you about them, show you pictures and not keep you too long . . because you're going to want to grab your coat and run right over to your nearest store. Have fun!

The Dolly Dresses II & III collections from Lakehouse Dry Goods have arrived at all our stores (except Bremerton & Outlet on 4th). Darling panels and great coordinates that will go with other collections, too. You'll want to stock up!

Marvelous Moda sent us Freebird and Martinique:

Freebird is flying off the shelves already (pun intended) and you'll love the fresh colors, cool prints and the fabulous round quilt you can make from the free pattern on Moda's web site. Don't miss the wonderful coated fabrics (jackets, totes, tablecloths) and the home decor weight twills in the collection, too! Available at all our stores (except Outlet on 4th) and arriving soon at Puyallup.

Martinique is a lovely, old world collection of stunningly beautiful prints, chenilles, coated fabrics, cottons and twills. You'll find charming florals (some with a upbeat modern look) and tonal coordinates in very pretty shades of beige, brown, green and red. To pull it all together, Moda created a terrific Patchwork coordinate, too. Available at all our stores (except Outlet on 4th).

Two remarkably different collections just arrived from Andover/Makower:

For the young ones, pick up some Jolly Jungle animals, leaf and skin prints in delighful perky colors. There's a great jungle friend panel and a crib size quilt panel (not shown) to go along with the fun coordinates. Available at all our stores (except Bremerton and Outlet on 4th).

Then wander over to Viviana and enjoy this warm collection of circles, dahlias, tiles, stripes and tonals in green, black and red. There's a yummy European feel to this collection and you'll enjoy the free pattern for the Tuscana Quilt that Andover has provided on their web site. Available at all our stores (except Bremerton and Outlet on 4th).

Okay, rev up your creative engines and head out the door to the store. There's some amazing shopping out there for you and I don't want you to miss out!

~ Annette

8 Reasons Why I LOVE This Year's Block of the Month Club

noreply@blogger.com (Pacific Fabrics) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:08:00 +0000

So I’ve been working on this year’s Block of the Month quilt at home (one of the fabulous perks of my job!) and I am just so into it! It is so pretty, and the whole program is so great this year, and I was just thinking about how awesome it all is over my morning coffee, and I thought I would share with you all what is making me so happy:
8 Reasons I LOVE this year’s Block of the Month (and you will too!)
1. It’s gorgeous. The warm tones of burgundy, crimson, olive, browns and ambers all interact with the neutral backgrounds in a warm, autumn palette that feels immediately homey and steeped in tradition. One of the appeals for me of quilting is the memories I have of Laura Ingalls Wilder books, and the sense that I am connected to and continuing one of the joys and creative outlets of generations of women.

2. The fabric quality is wonderful. Moda is the maker of ALL of the fabrics being used for all components of our kits, and they just make such nice fabric – they use high quality base cloth and then print it beautifully.

3. The directions are so clear! Each month there are full-color instructions for making the blocks, tested by Moda, complete with great little tricks for getting your blocks perfect – I love the flying geese block technique that appears in the first month so much – I will never make them any other way again.

4. It’s designed to be flexible. The monthly pieced blocks are alternated with “snowball blocks.” They were designed by Moda to allow you to leave them as is, for a clean, spare, modern quilt, or to fill in with your choice of embellishments. We are offering optional wool or cotton appliqué packs, complete with templates and fabrics, if you like appliqué (I love wool appliqué; it has such a warm, dimensional look to it, and it is so easy – no fraying edges!) or if you are a hand or machine embroidery lover, there are free embroidery files available as part of your membership fee. But you wouldn’t need to stop there – you could also design your own appliqués or embroideries for each of those blocks, or, for an amazing family heirloom, replace the neutral tonal that is the center for each one with family photos, printed onto quilting fabrics, and maybe put your family tree on the branches and leaves of the center square tree!

5. Simplicity. This quilt is amazingly easy – as I mentioned, the instructions are written to ensure success and they are not particularly difficult to start out with. I think even a rank beginner could do this quilt, and intermediate and expert quilters will enjoy having a simple project to take on each month that allows them the rest of the month to experiment with other quilting techniques.

6. The meetings are manageable and a great place to meet people – only once a month, and I believe every store has at least two options for your schedule. The other members will be doing the same project as you, so you will always have a conversation starter, and there’s always a shopping discount on the day of your meeting for BOM members- it’s like having your own sale scheduled every month.

7. We have the greatest BOM leaders! I personally know every single one of our BOM teachers this year, and would happily have any one of them over to my house for a dinner or even a quilting retreat. No matter what store you sign up at, you are guaranteed a wonderful experience with women like these as your leaders.

Ellen in Everett is a wonder – warm, supportive, and infinitely knowledgeable about all sorts of quilting.

Sweet Nancy in Bellevue is an experienced quilter and designer of quilts – she did the most amazing interpretation of last year’s quilt, I liked it even better than the original!

Lynn in Bremerton is one of the sweetest, wittiest women I have ever met – she is so smart, and an expert at all sorts of sewing techniques.

Kat, who will be teaching in Puyallup, has a great smile and is the resident quilting expert down there – she knows everything about quilting and is always willing to share her expertise with her students.

Kay, who assisted Alice in Northgate for the last few years and runs their Project Linus Quilting Bee, is going to be the new BOM leader. Kay is kind, patient, and a great quilter – and she has a fascinating counterpart this year in Willa – Willa is the fearless leader of our Galleria, and an expert in bridal and fashion couture. She is taking on this BOM as her first ever quilting project, and will be offering her beginner perspective at each meeting!

Finally, we have a new leader at the Outlet on 4th Ave, although she’s not a new face to regulars at the store – jolly, kind Mary, who always has a laugh and a great sense of fabric design, is bringing her wonderful energy to the Block of the Month this year.
8. It’s really an incredible value – for your $99 membership fee, you get all of the top quality quilting cotton to complete the generous (76” square) quilt top, plus you will get the patterns, tips, a monthly meeting with your leader, and a shopping discount! All you have to do is show up and do your easy fun blocks! This same quilt is being offered at stores all over the country, including a few in our area, and I have not found a store that is offering so much value for the price we are charging – there are quilters in our area right now paying MONTHLY fees of $15-$25 to do this quilt – and at Pacific Fabrics, it is less than $100 for the whole program!
Meetings start in May, and while we will take sign-ups for the first month afterwards, there are only a limited number of spots – Moda will only print so much fabric, you see, so if you want to enjoy this year’s BOM, sign up as soon as you possibly can. I look forward to seeing you there!

- Anna-Beth

A Blissful Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Pacific Fabrics) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:25:00 +0000

GREAT news for yarnies!!! Knitters and stitchers of all sorts, mark your calendars! Knitting and yarn designer Debbie Bliss will be our special guest at the 6th Annual Seattle Mariners Stitch 'n Pitch Night on Thursday, August 5th at Safeco Field in Seattle. Debbie is flying in from London just to throw out the First Pitch and appear in our game night booth for book signing and chatting. We plan to have her visit a couple of our stores while she's here, too. Stay tuned for details as we get closer to August. We are soooooo excited that Debbie is coming! Watch our email newsletter, our Facebook page and right here to find out when tickets will be available in our stores.
~ Annette