Thursday 18 May 2017

See you On LIne!



Welcome to our final blog post !  What fun we’ve had bringing you news from Threadbear, showing you all our latest fabrics and sharing hundreds of show and tell quilts from our talented customers and group members.  Of course, we’ve always known that Sammy is the real star of the blog thanks to so many of you who have told us how much you enjoy the weekly photos of him. We know of more than one quilting husband who checks the blog every week to see what Sam’s been up to! But it’s not goodbye because Threadbear will continue on Instagram and on Facebook and doubtless Sam will make an appearance there. 

On a personal note, I want to thank Corliss for the opportunities, guidance, support and friendship she has given me. I have been so blessed to come to work each day to the most supportive, inclusive, and inspiring workplace I have ever known.  There have been more wonderful customers than not, some really special and lasting friendships formed, and so many fabulous memories. It’s been a tonne of hard work, an absolute joy, and a whole lot of laughs! 

So for this last blog post, we thought we’d share with you what we fondly call “The List”The List came about only a couple of years ago as a way of capturing  some of the more unusual, strange, amusing, and outright hilarious requests or comments we have heard across Threadbear’s counter over the years. To fully appreciate The List, you need to visualize those photos we’ve shared on the blog of the shop with shelves and shelves of fabric, the walls lined with quilts, quilt patterns and books and bundles of fabric all around. Please also bear in mind the following:
  1.  Threadbear is a patchwork and quilting shop
  2.   We sell fabric
  3. The List is a true and factual document
  4. We sell fabric
Without further ado…we give you  The List ….. first, some of the unusual requests from customers;
“hello..I’d like to buy some puppet strings”
“Do you sell hand made bellows”
“do you have any of that decorative trim sort of stuff”
“where do you keep the light globes”?
“do you have any beading wire?”
“do you sell the material to make steel knives”
“Do you sell leather strapping / leather needles/ cow hides?”
“hi..where are your musical instruments?”
“I’d like some fabric with cow pats on it”
“I’ve come to buy an apron”
“I need 2 metres of shade cloth”
“hello…I’m looking for small pottery emulsion bottles”
“ do you sell furniture wax I for my bow and arrow?”
 
..seriously?
We’ve also heard some funny descriptions of fabric;
"I want xmas fabric with silver for my longitudinal hexacons"
“I love reproductive fabric”
“Can you show me the persie broderie fabrics.”
“I need some genuine frog fabric” ( what’s a genuine frog, we ask) “It’s a genuine frog, not a mickey mouse frog”
“I want a pink that would be raspberry if it wasn’t pink”

no really... seriously?
Then there have been some amusing descriptions of our quilts…
Customer looking at the Civil War Bride quilt says “hmmm, yes, that civil war bride. No wonder she never married, she’s so ugly.”
"We’re making Civil War Bride. Next we’re going to make that other one..that carpet thingamy” (aka Caswell Quilt)
Customer looking at the Caswell Quilt tells husband “ it’s one of those quilt as you go, williamy morrisy, panel thingys”  
Customer looking at Letters from Belton Grange, “ oh it’s so dull and drab and boring and the swan looks funny and the tree is weird. Nice quilt though”

what's a spoodle to do....
Then there have been the completely random requests….
A man came into the shop carrying 4 autumn leaves, walked straight up to the counter and  said ”could I have a rubber band to put around my autumn leaves please”, we obliged and he left!
A woman rushed up to the counter asking “do you have the clips that attach your fascinator to your head?”
And finally, my personal favourite - A man comes in the door, walks past rows and rows of fabric, comes to the counter and states “I’m here for my dental appointment”……..TRUE STORY!
Yes folks, it’s all true. We couldn’t make it up if we tried. 

Thanks for checking in with us each week for so many years.  Don't forget to continue to follow Threadbear on Instagram and Facebook and of course our Website with the on-line shop for all our patterns and selected fabrics.  Have a great weekend everyone!


Friday 12 May 2017

We're here for ONE MORE WEEK - then find us on-line!

Primarily Quilts II~ It's all about the Fabric,  by Di Ford Hall, is every bit as beautiful as anticipated and has been flying out the door as fast as we can get it on our shelves.  With the last of our pre-orders now filled, we have copies available to sell.  With 14 gorgeous new designs created for the book, Di will again inspire you to make a beautiful quilt to treasure for life. You'll find a great mix of simple piecing (either hand or machine) as well as applique and broderie perse in her new designs.  Plus, Di explains how she chooses fabrics to build her stash, what prints she looks for, and shares lots of ideas on how to use her own ranges of fabrics in unexpected ways.  This is one of those books you'll come back to again and again ~ great value at only $69.95  Click here to order your copy...





We are certainly looking forward to having more available time to sew after the doors close for the final time on 20 May.  Both Corliss and Megan have new projects in the making which will soon be offered as new patterns on Threadbear's website.  Watch this space.  Here's a preview of some of the piecing and applique that we are working on at night.


 Remember, there are SIX more shopping days left before Threadbear closes it's shopfront after 25 fabulous years!  So make the most of our closing down Sale 40% off store-wide (discount does not apply to patterns, starter packs and Primarily Quilts II). We'd love to see you before next Saturday! 




Thursday 4 May 2017

End of an Era - almost

By now we're sure you will have heard the news that after 25 years in business, Corliss and Kurt have decided it's time to retire and enjoy a whole new future together.  So with a mix of excitement and great sadness, Threadbear is closing the doors on 20th May for the last time.  But, the great news is that Corliss will continue Threadbear Online- where you will still be able to get all of our original designs, favorite haberdashery, and a selection of Corliss' favorite fabrics.
Meantime, to clear the decks we are still having our Closing Down Sale with 40% off all stock (excluding patterns by Corliss & Megan, starter packs for those quilts, and Primarily Quilts II book).  While the shop is a shadow of its former self, we do still have one and a half rooms of great reproduction fabrics.  So if you are still thinking of making a trip to Castlemaine to see us, don't delay as every day we remove more shelving units as the fabric walks out the doors.
only 16 days left!!!.....
grab yourself a bargain - 40% off....

40% off Di Ford-Hall's fabrics

...and all our haby and books...
.
and DMC cotton at 40% off...


spots, dots, and stripes....

and great reproduction fabrics...
we still have a few background fabrics....

and Yuwa florals,
 Of course we will all miss seeing so many of our lovely customers, and no more so than Sammy, who is thoroughly unimpressed with the idea of not getting the attention and adoration to which he has become accustomed, but very excited at the prospect of more trips to the beach!

Thursday 23 March 2017

Primarily Quilts..2 is almost here!

Our first shipment of Di Ford's new book Primarily Quilts..2 ~ It's all about the fabric is due to arrive at Threadbear next week!!  Congratulations Di, we can't wait to see it!   From the preview pages it looks every bit as gorgeous, perhaps even more so, than the first Primarily Quilts book.  So for all of you who made a start on one of Di's fabulous new quilts in class with her last year, we know you'll be keen to get your hands on a  copy of Primarily Quilts..2.  If you have already pre-ordered the book with us, we'll be in contact with you just as soon as it arrives. In the meantime, take a look at some of the treats in store!

photo from QuiltMania

photo from QuiltMania

photo from QuiltMania
With Corliss' English Basket Quilt pattern made by Heleni van Til In the current QuiltMania magazine issue 118, we've had a surge of new interest in the the pattern and fabric starter packs.  Some of our lovely New Zealand customers should be receiving theirs this week, but we did take the opportunity to cut extra packs for the shop.  The pack comprises 50 fat sixteenths in the colours and style of prints Corliss used when she made the quilt in 2010.  The starter pack will get you a good way into the applique and piecing  and makes it easy to add in other fabrics as you go.

English Basket Quilt starter pack available here

English Basket Quilt starter pack available here
detail from Corliss' English Basket Quilt


The Autumn  weather is finally showing signs of cooling down a little here in Castlemaine, and our thoughts can turn to cosy evenings sewing by the fire, and snuggling under quilts for a lazy Sunday afternoon nap.  With Auntie Tess now completed, Corliss is writing up the pattern and hatching new ideas for her next big project. Meanwhile, Megan is finally sewing again after 12 months of doing not much at all in the evenings after work! Speaking of which, Sam has been flat out this week doing not much at all.. before, during, and after work!  Here's hoping you don't have too much that you have to do this weekend and find plenty of time to rest and stitch. Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday 17 March 2017

New patterns and a new QuiltMania magazine to enjoy!

Thank you to all our lovely customers for the many birthday cards and wishes for Threadbear's 25th Birthday last week.  What a great week we all had during our birthday sale and with the Passionate Piecers Group meeting on Saturday as well!  Special thanks to Patti for the birthday cake enjoyed by everyone!
With just a few more stitches to do and a couple of finishing touches remaining, Corliss' newest quilt, Auntie Tess, will soon be off to the quilter and work can start writing the pattern.  This beautiful applique and hand pieced quilt is an original design, inspired by a vintage enamelled compact which belonged to Virginia Enright's Auntie Tess.  Corliss' applique centre and border is finely detailed with subtle accents of embroidery, whimsical dragonflies and butterflies, and some stunning fussy cutting to add depth and interest. The pattern and a fabric starter pack will be available early April.

detail from Autie Tess by Corliss Searcey ~ available April

detail from Autie Tess by Corliss Searcey ~ available April

detail from Autie Tess by Corliss Searcey ~ available April
We were so delighted to see Jo's finished, quilted and bound 19th Century Sampler quilt which she did as our Block of the Month last year.  Thanks Jo for bringing your finished quilt to show us. You've done a fantastic job and it looks amazing!  The complete pattern for the 19th Century Sampler will be available through Threadbear in the first week of April.
19th Century Sampler ~ available April
QuiltMania Issue 118 arrived this week and after sending it out to all our subscribers yesterday, we have 12 copies available for the shop.  It's a beautiful cheery spring issue (northern hemisphere spring) with some great projects and features.  You'll enjoy highlights from the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival, a Marie Webster Quilts exhibition and a study of Turkey Red quilts from the International Quilt Study Centre.  Look out for Part 2 of Michelle Yeo's brilliant block of the month Torrington Place, and Part 2 of Yoko Sato's Imaginary Garden, as well as 6 other projects! Phone or email us to order your copy now.








Sam needs no excuse to snooze at the best of times. But this week we have to give him his dues...he did a sterling job meeting and greeting people throughout the busy 4 days of our birthday sale.  So both he and Corliss were happy to have some down time at the end of the day for some stitching.  We hope you all enjoy some stitching time too with someone special. Have a great weekend everyone!