new pattern from Folkwear

Brand new pattern from Folkwear. Just in time for winter! Check out the Metropolitan hat.
Make it out of wool or corduroy for a casual look or doupioni or velvet for an evening out.
www.folkwear.com/269.html
Also watch for our Fall Fabric sale at the end of the month. Just before Halloween? Are we crazy or what!!

baby booties pattern

My sister found the cutest baby booties pattern on the internet. Keep those tender tootsies warm this winter by making them out of fleece, flannelette or wool. Even fabric scraps can be used. I'm going to try enlarging the pattern for toddler use. For walkers, try leather, suede side out or jiffy grip on the sole so the shoes are not slippery. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner and these take no time at all!

Pattern found on www.homespunthreads.blogspot.com under freebies- kimono baby shoes.

breast cancer pillow challenge

Apologies for the temporary communications blackout. Seems that computer gremlins were out and about. Systems crash!! But we are now back up and running. Don't forget our Ocotober breast cancer pillow challenge. Bring in a completed breast cancer pillow and pick up a free 100m spool of Guterman sew-all thread. Stock up for all your fall sewing projects - heck - your whole year's projects! One thread per pillow. No limit. How many can you make?

Breast Cancer Awareness month

For the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, Gala Fabrics will offer a free spool of 100m Guterman thread for every completed breast cancer pillow that you bring to either location. We have free kits available for you to sew up or if you have remnant cotton fabric, we can provide the pattern. Email for instructions. Sewing level - easy. These pillows provide protection and comfort to post-breast surgery patients. People who have had to use this pillow say it truly is a comfort!

exhibition at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

If you have a moment, check out the exhibition at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria running October 8, 2010 to January 30, 2011. The artist, Daniel Laskarin, has used some fabric from us in an unusual, non-garment fashion.
http://www.laskarin.ca/

highly recommended sewing books

Have you wondered about some of the suggested fabrics when reading the back of a pattern envelope? Here is a handy book for your reference library; Classic and Modern Fabrics: The Complete Illustrated Sourcebook by Janet Wilson. With colour photos and detailed descriptions of current tech fabrics, classics and even obsolete fabrics this book will become a well read reference book for any sewer or fabric lover!

Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Schaeffer is another recent addition to my reading list. Full of photos and illustrations with detailed descriptions, Schaeffer uncovers the secrets of haute couture sewing so that the simple home sewer, like me, can incoporate high fashion sewing details in my projects - just because or to show off to my fellow sewing enthusiasts!

congrats to Denise Williams

Congratulations to Denise Williams, one of Victoria's successful small designers, for the news story in the Vancouver Sun paper. Guess where she buys some of her fabric?
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/First+Nations+fashion+carves+niche/3490688/story.html