Village Fabric Shoppe

Colorful Sale

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:45:57 +0000

Don’t miss our annual fabric lovers version of Mardi Gras, get out the beads and your mardi gras masks, wear them to the store on Fat Tuesday, Feb 21, and get all your pre cut fat quarters for one dollar each!! We will be having some great workshops over the next few months that use them, so stock up with the best price you will find !!

March is right around the corner, and that also means Spring. I get an extreme need for color this time of year. Maybe that is why we celebrate Mardi Gras, talk about colorful!! After a season of getting dark early, and grey weather ( although not so bad this year ) I find that I nearly always make at least one really bright project this time of year. If you are craving color too, pull out all those bright scraps and bits that scream to you from your fabric collection or your new fat quarters, and get ready!! We will be running a therapy piecing workshop in March. Yes there is such a thing a therapy piecing. The sheer joy of running bright colors ( whatever your favorite ones are ) through the machine while it buzzes along at top speed and turning that pile of leftovers into a unique fabric that you can use for so many types of quilts is nothing short of exhilarating. If that doesn’t make you feel better when it snows you need to step away from your machine and go get a hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream. Our project is called Buggin Out, and there is a description on the workshops page, but the dates haven’t been set yet. If you are interested and have a preference for timing let us know. I wouldn’t want anyone to miss this it’s too much fun.

One last reminder, Crazy Quilt Club is meeting on the 25th of February. Supplies and more project information are on the club page if you misplaced your email.

Beautiful Hearts

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:32 +0000

This week marks Valentine’s Day, The anniversary of the day my hubby proposed, and our first date- more years ago than I care to count, but he can still be a real romantic if he wants to. To help get you in the mood, the two pillow slips in this post were completed this Thursday at the final session of Heartstrings. You may be able to see the complicated quilting pattern that we learned. Our next piece in this series will be a summer ( Fourth of July ) inspired version, with a star motif, and a new quilting pattern, this one is a bit less technical, and looks like stars. It will be scheduled for the end of April.

We had a wonderful beginning of the Hand stitched Mandala workshop this morning. All participants got in the groove and created beautiful designs of their own. At the second meeting we will do some stitching and go over some ways to finish these for hanging, and maybe they will let me take a few photos. That will be on Friday the 17th, 10 am.

On Tuesday, our hand stitchers club will meet to work on finishing projects. I will have supply lists for our Mini Rhapsody projects that will begin in March. The design process for this is similar to the mandala process, so if you missed that and want to get the flavor, plan on attending the March Hand Stitchers Club.

One last thing to keep you inspired and excited, It is nearly Mardi Gras! Get out your beads and fancy masks!!! If you wear either to the shoppe on Fat Tuesday, you can purchase all the pre cut fat quarters you want for a dollar each!! This year Fat Tuesday is on February 21.

Re Do Groundhog day?

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:41:17 +0000

Yesterday was Groundhog Day. When my hubby made a joke about the Sonny and Cher song from the movie, Groundhog Day, we had to explain the plot to my daughter. Later I started thinking. If you had a day to do over again, what would you do differently? I’d love to take the high road and swear I would skip the cream pie dessert, but my constant wish is to spend more time creating. One of the reasons that I like to do handwork, and keep a sketchbook is that I can do both of these in stolen moments. They require little setup and cleanup, they can be done anywhere, and I find both practices to be stress reducers. If I could do over any day I would make just a few extra minutes for one or both of those activities. I am always happier when I am creating.

If you want to take some time out for creative activities we can help you get started, join our Art Play Day on Tuesday, or sign up for the hand stitched Mandala workshop that begins on Friday the tenth. We also have the Block of the Month Meeting tomorrow. Heart Strings will conclude this Thursday, I’ll post some photos next week. As usual check the workshops tab for more info and supply lists.

Stitch Happy- even in the rain

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:03:34 +0000

It is a grey rainy morning. It is the perfect kind of morning to sit with a nice soft piece of fabric and run colored threads through it. Add some nice music and a hot beverage and I would be as happy as a clam. The image to the right is my design for the Quilted mandala workshop now scheduled for FEB 10 & 17, 10-1. I am working on adding the filler patterns now, it is in the basket next to my favorite comfy chair calling to me. You will be shown how to create your own design in class ( no drawing needed!! ) and how to get it on fabric. Then of course is stitching – the most relaxing part. Join us for a calm and joyful stitching experience.

A couple of reminders, Crazy Quilt Club will meet tomorrow, Rail Fence will conclude on Tuesday, and Beautiful Valley, our 2012 BOM will meet on Feb 4. If there is weather, check this site for schedule alterations.

Unfinished Rhapsody

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:57:37 +0000

Doesn’t that sound poetic? But I am talking about the design for my version of the project our handstitchers will begin in March. The design is a Ricky Timms style Rhapsody, but drawn on fabric ( a fat quarter ) and colored with Inktense Pencils. Ricky does his in a much larger scale, in piecing and applique for bed sized quilts. The handstitchers club didn’t want to get into something that big right now so we are using those same design principles with a totally different set of techniques. Ours will be embroidered using a variety of stitches and threads that imitate the look of his applique designs. I promise to post more photos as this progresses. This has been fun so far, Coloring is good therapy, just like hand stitching!!! Join us for this one, details will be on the handstitchers club page.

The Crazy Quilt Club will be meeting on the 28th of January, and beginning a new project. If you are interested, this is a good place to join up. If you like embellishment and embroidery and want to play with lots of fun trims and techniques check this group out. I am certain that you will have a good time and get inspired.

Our February schedule is almost ready, you will love the new Hand Quilting Course!!, more on that next week. And lastly, I need to remind you that if Red Hook schools are closed or delayed workshops will be rescheduled. You can check here, I will post if I can, but the best way to be sure is to register for class with your phone number and email, so I can reach you easily. If weather is expected I will bring home the class list, and if your contact info is there I can let you know right away, even if I can’t get out the driveway to get to the shoppe - we have been lucky so far but you never know.

Lucky 13

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:57:17 +0000

Well, it is Friday the 13th, and despite the horror movies of that name, 13 is a lucky number in traditional chinese households. Since my hubby grew up in one, I prefer to think of it that way. So much better to think of things as positive. Yesterday, the ladies began their Heartstrings Pillows with some Therapy sewing to make the heart appliques. Free form sewing like that can be tricky to get started on if you are used to more structured block forms, but boy did they embrace it in the end. One of them even had some silks and fancy fabrics that really made it luxurious. Machine quilting at the next session, I think they will embrace the One Line at a Time Method too.

This Tuesday, we will begin the Rail Fence lap quilt. This pattern is a great one for guys, babies and college students. With not many colors to have to choose, simple construction, and a bold graphic look, every quilter should make at least one of these. Class is Jan, 17 & 31, from 10-1, more info and supply list is on the workshops page.

The Stitch Doctor is in

villagefabricshoppe — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:35:04 +0000

Yes, stitch can be therapy. This year we will have a series of projects beginning in February that concentrate on the meditative and stress reducing aspects of quiltmaking. Although I am not a therapist, much like your friendly bartender, a good quilt project can make all those troubles fade away. Better than the bartender, a quilting or stitching hangover just means you might need to pick stray threads from strange spots. Your livers wont suffer either.

Tomorrow will have the first meeting of our new Block of the Month, Beautiful Valley. This is going to be the best one yet, and yes, it can be a therapy quilt too, coloring and hand stitching certainly fit that model, and if you do the scrappy version, it could even be stash therapy. Can’t wait to get you all started on this project.

Tuesday, the Hand Stitchers Club will meet for finishing some projects, and Heartstrings will start on Thursday. Please read the supply list carefully and bring the items needed for the first session.

If you are new to us, please be sure to subscribe to the blog from the link on the sidebar. You can also friend Diana Louie on Facebook as our blog is networked there too. You can let us know what you think by leaving a comment, or sending us an email. Drop in for a ‘shot’ of creative therapy anytime!

Exciting Year on the Way

villagefabricshoppe — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:26:00 +0000

As we approach 2012, I look forward to it being the best year yet here at the Shoppe. There are tons of exciting things coming in the new year. The block of the month is my favorite of all of them we have done, and the first that is an original and exclusive design. You can still pay in full for a massive discount! We also have the bicentennial celebration in Red Hook. The commemorative quilt top is done, and will soon ship to the quilter. A pattern based on it, but done in Redwork will be available soon so you can make your own version. Also for the celebrations, we will be having a rotating exhibit of vintage quilts in our gallery, with facts from the historical society about what was happening in Red Hook at the time the quilt was made.

We have a series of four seasonal pillow covers that will have you machine quilting like a pro in no time, and this summer Art Camp will take you into exciting new quilt territory. Our clubs are going strong, and each continues to explore its particular theme.

I just know that 2012 is going to be great!!

Winter Fest Sale and Extended Hours

villagefabricshoppe — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:22:32 +0000

The annual Winterfest in town will be Friday, Dec 9. They are lighting a tree this year that is just across the street from the Shoppe, so we will be open till seven that evening. In addition, Books, DVDs and Kits will all be 25% off. They make great gifts for your friends and family, or even for yourself. I will also be doing a key tag drawing at seven, for a free book, your choice!!

You can also still sign up for the Block of the Month for Next year at a discount if you pay in full. Click the page for photos and more info.

Which blog do you like better? this one, or the one on blogger, if you have visited both let me know what you think.

New Garland needs your help!!

villagefabricshoppe — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:01:59 +0000

We are making a new garland to decorate for the holidays. I saw one on someone’s blog using decorated empty thread spools strung on sparkly tinsel and tulle. I thought it would be a fun way to recycle, clean out the remnant trims and give you a chance for a discount all at the same time. I have some done, and will add yours to the strand as you bring them in. Make them sparkly and fun, and use your imagination, and put your name and 2011 on one end. If you donate a decorated thread spool, anytime during the month of December to add to our garland, I will take one dollar off the price of any single cut of fabric or fat quarter. Please only one per customer per visit.

While you are here, check the workshop tab, new December Classes have been added. Please be sure to register ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.