A Little Zippered Bag

For some reason I'm not able to fix the current problem with printing A Little Zippered Bag directly from my blog.  If you would like to receive the free PDF pattern please email me at stobisch@dccnet.com  along with your email address and I'll send it directly to you.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Technology is great when it all goes well.   

Happy Sewing,
: ) Shelley

The TopStitchers Club

Wow, did we ever get a lot of snow here in Ladner yesterday.

I recently sent out an email regarding The TopStitchers Club to people who were already in my database.  If you didn't receive an email it means one of two things...your email address wasn't in the file or the email address bounced back.  The TopStitchers Club is now open to all sewing machines.  If you're interested in joining us or just want more formation please email me at stobisch@dccnet.com I'm really excited about this new club.  I look forward to hearing from you, seeing those of you who have been with us in previous classes and meeting those of you who will be joining us for the first time.   

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:  What times are the Clubs running?

A:  11:00am - 1:00pm, 3:00pm  - 5:00pm and 6:30pm - 8:30pm in all three locations.

Q:  Where is The Cloth Shop located?

A:  4415 West 10th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6R 2H8

Q:  Where is The Creative Edge located?

A:  2055 Old Dollarton Rd, North Vancouver, BC, V7H1A6

Q:  Where is Wineberry Fabrics located?

A:  202-6355 152 Street Surrey, BC V3S 3K8

Q:  How do I reserve a spot?

A:  The stores that we are holding The TopStitchers Club in won't be taking registration.  You need to contact me directly at by phone (604)506-0241 or email stobisch@dccnet.com

Happy Stitching,

Shelley

PS. Did you know that the word for fear of long words is Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia?

A Little Zippered Bag

It's a beautiful day here in Ladner.  The sun is shining and Spring is in the air. 
 
Here are the links to A Little Zippered Bag pattern.  Due to the size of the document I had to load it in two parts.  If you would like this pattern simply click on the links below and the pattern will open in Google Docs.  I hope you enjoy creating this bag as much as I did.  If you have any questions or need some help please post your email address in the comment section and I'll get back to you.
 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lgI3Ozg7rryiagIyXVvwzpM0ONsekAsCDJn2eRvlkL4/edit?hl=en

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13X0KqVepqcCFE7QJ2fQJq4rLipOeyd7aMfH72GkkueE/edit?hl=en&authkey=CKT3u8cM

I'm going outside to enjoy this lovely, sunshiny day.

Happy Sewing

Quilt Stores

I had a fun week that included visits to some of my favourite quilt stores in the Lower Mainland. 

Quilt Essential Fabrics:  You can follow them at www.notyourrunofthemill.typepad.com

I taught class five of Sylvia's Bridal Sampler to a very talented group of ladies at Quilt Essential Fabrics located in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. 

 

Window Shopping...

 

Just one of many cozy nooks found inside.

 An explosion of color.


Wineberry Fabrics:  You can find them here www.wineberryfabrics.com

I also had the opportunity to visit Wineberry Fabrics located in Surrey.  I saw Brenda Brayfield, Donna Mercer, Mariann Thompson and my favourite technician Bernie Tobisch.

The Creative Edge:  You can phone them at (604)982-0088

Bernie and I taught Basics in Machine Quilting at The Creative Edge in North Vancouver.  What a lovely group of ladies.  We all had a lot of fun.

 

Bernie explaining the importance of using the right needle and thread combination for the best results when piecing and quilting.

After lunch Sabrina Perfitt from www.sugarmommapastries.com treated us with the yummiest chocolate pastry...divine.

Adair was there, she runs the sewing machine center inside The Creative edge.

Lauren Tolhurst was there too.  If you ever need a quilt quilted she's your gal.

Happy Valentines day.  Eat chocolate : )

Lessons

I bought a new camera a few months ago and I'm just learning how to use it.  I spent the better part of yesterday trying to understand aperture, shutter speed, depth of field and more.


When I was 23 I took up quilting.  I struggled on my own with rotary equipment and attempting to sew a straight seam. I soon realized I needed to take a quilting class. I lucked out as one of my first classes was with the very talented Marsha McCloskey.  I bought her book Stars and Stepping Stones.  My first quilt was called "Star Matrix".  After piecing the top I took a class on hand quilting.  That quilt took me 225 hours to quilt. I gave most of my first quilting projects to Mom, Aunt Doris and Grandma.  I recently went home for Mom's 70th birthday and was shown all the projects that I've given them over the years.  Let's just say it was a quite a humbling experience.  I forgot how challenging it was for me to learn how to quilt.

I do remember how difficult it was for me to learn how to knit being that I started knitting only a few years ago. I took several knitting classes and thought I'd never be able to create beautiful, even stitches like those of my very skilled teacher, Brenda Brayfield. She encouraged me to keep practicing and after more classes and more practicing, I'm happy to say I've achieved even tension.  I still struggle with cables and have yet to finish my first sweater but I do knit a pretty fabulous sock. 

Lesson learned...I have a new camera. I want to take nice pictures.  I know there are people out there that I can learn from.  I'm going to enrol in a photography class or 10. Wish me luck.

This little bag is a wonderful project to create while learning machine quilting and how to insert a zipper.  Free pattern available here in a few days.

Happy Sewing