"Miss Porter" Comes To Visit.

We are lucky to have Di Ford's beautiful quilt "Miss Porter" on display in the shop at the moment..this gorgeous quilt is making a guest appearance at Threadbear in preparation for Di's class, held over two days, on September 14th and November 23rd.

If you would like to spend some time with Di making your very own version of this special quilt, and learning all the tips and skills for piecing and applique from Di herself, we have a just few spots left in this class....can you imagine anything nicer than spending time with Di as you sit and sew "Miss Porters" Quilt...details are on our website or you can call us at the shop if you would like to join us.

Absolutely, positively, cant get anymore..well that is what we said, and we meant it at the time...except for the 2.5mts that we have just found.  It won't be on the website but if you missed out last time and would like some of this gorgeous fabric just call us at the shop or email us and we can send some to you.

If you like shirtings you will love this collection,"Vintage Shirtings" Circa 1870-1925.

This is a really great collection of shirtings with lots of small, medium and larger scale prints, all in rich deep colours on warm antique backgrounds...just lovely!

And just a single bolt from Judy Rothermel's "Scarlet Evening"...This fabric is a true scarlet, everyone loves a good red, right, and we all love a really great border print, this fabric is even good for a bit of fussy cutting too...what's not to love.

Sammy would like to send a big hello to Dennis. Narelle and Dennis came into Threadbear this week, all the way from Cooma in NSW.  Dennis was hoping to have a chat with Sammy while Narelle shopped for supplies, but Sammy was having a day out with Kurt.
And, so no one misses out on a hello from Sammy, Megan and Sammy send greeting to all....Have a great weekend everyone.

,

Keep Calm, Sammys In Charge.

We would like to say a big thank you to the girls from"Seachange" Quilters who chose our class room for their "Sit and Sew" over the weekend. Girls, you were great fun and it was lovely to have your company....Sammy loved having you at Threadbear too and it seems he has decided to join your sewing group.  

"Seachange"Quilters with their newest member.

And thank you to June for sharing her quilt top for show and tell...good grief....June, your clam shells are beautiful...Most certainly a family heirloom.

June's clamshells...Wow.

We also had a fabulous time on Sunday afternoon at our Sunday School, held each month in our class room. It was great afternoon of sewing, chit chat and chocolate...so, just perfect really.

Sunday School

Look at this gorgeous fabric just delivered..another collection of pretties...

"Rendezvous" from Kensington Studios is a collection of small to medium prints in the prettiest colours, diagonal checks, spots and even a really great stripe thrown in...

a few, or all of these would be such a handy addition to the stash, for blenders and little pops of colour....or just because.

If you love coming to the shop and looking through our shelves, but have ever had a problem choosing for your stash, well fear not, Sammy is now on hand to help you choose, or have a chat about your fabric and haby needs...always happy to serve.

"Carrie's Madders" as recommended by Sammy

New fabric for Friday

What better way to head into the weekend than with a delivery of gorgeous new fabric..Carrie's Madders 1860 to 1880 has arrived to tempt us all.

We had been waiting for this range to arrive and it certainly doesn't disappoint.

There are 21 fabrics in all and each one is fantastic..there are rusty madders, beautiful smokey teals and some soft purples

...and then to top it all off there are two great stripes, perfect for borders and sashings.

We have visitors to the shop today, a happy group of stitchers are using our classroom for a weekend  get together and a Sit and Sew.

We always love having visitors to the classroom, it is great to see what everyone is sewing...but this group has won a special place in our hearts because of the amazing passion fruit slice they brought to share with us...yum..hope they come to visit again soon.

It is cold and rainy in castlemaine today, just perfect for fabric folding, we are making 1/8 packs of our new fabrics and Sammy is on hand to help...but we think his mind might be on the passion fruit slice.

Have a great weekend everybody.  It is perfect weather to be indoors with some sewing...and maybe some yummy passion fruit slice.

News Flash...Book Your Date NOW !!!

We have exciting news to share today..Threadbear's Appliqué School is back...three dates for you to choose from..February 15th, 16th, or March 15th  2014.
Another fabulous day of stitching with Di Ford Hall and Margaret McDonald.  Together Di and Margaret have designed a quilt just for you.  They have collaborated to offer you a variety of techniques in appliqué, Broderie Perse, fussy cutting and hand piecing.  Margaret and Di are both passionate stitchers...so prepare to be infected by their enthusiasm!
Spend the day in great company learning new skills as you make a start on a beautiful quilt.  Be spoiled with lunch and morning and afternoon tea laid on.  Take home your goody bag plus pattern and starter pack.  Fee for the day is $125.00 so book now so you don't miss out...bookings are by email: info@threadbear.com.au
Can you imagine what fantastic days these will be!
Our class list for second semester classes is now on our website with details on our Applique School days, our October Applique Meeting and all the wonderful classes being offered over the next few months.

Just a quick show and tell today thanks to Rachel and Patty who are regulars at our Friday night sewing group...wow, do the ladies in your sewing group bring desserts like this to share..that looks so

delicious we thought it worthy of a photo.

Thanks also to Rachel for letting us snap her Friday night sewing project...Rachel is hand piecing Megan Carroll's pattern, "My Little Jane", and once again, wow Rachel, it is absolutely beautiful.

We have mentioned before how much we are looking forward to our next CAG(Castlemaine Appliqué Group) meeting, with our special guests, Petra Prins, Nel Kooiman and An Moonen.  Petra and An will be speaking to us about their book, "Promenade in a Dutch Garden", and we are now glad to also have  An Moonen's book, "A History of Dutch Quilts" back in stock in time for her visit to Castlemaine.

 

If you have not already seen this book you will fall in love with it the minute you catch a glimpse of it.

If you love quilt history it is a great read and it is packed full of the most beautiful full colour pictures of gorgeous Dutch quilts..an inspiration to be sure.

It is another fabulous Quiltmania publication, so as always, another beautifully printed treat for the eyes.

Quiltmania publications...recommended by Sammy

Hooray, Hooray..Spring Is On The Way.

The sun is shining, the jonquils are out and we are in a spring mood in the shop today...

Is it because we still have little Lamby baaahhhing at us from next door, or maybe because our deliveries this week have all been so pretty.

If you want celebrate the countdown to spring with us well take a look at this fabric.

 It is soft and floral, and oh so pretty.

Antique Rose, Floral Collection is from Lecien, so it is beautiful quality fabric with soft backgrounds and a beautiful depth of colour that you always find in Lecien fabrics.

We also have new patterns from Robyn Falloon of Bon Bon Designs, and they will surely put you in the mood for some spring sewing...they are all absolutely gorgeous.

These four new patterns include some applique and some piecing so there is something for everyone, and they will all be on our website next week..but we couldnt resist a sneak peak.

Maybe Lamby is baahhhing so much because he has lost his playmate...the escape route through the fence has been blocked and  Sammy is back in the shop, chatting to customers and helping us. 

Someone has blocked the hole in my fence

Have a wonderful weekend...hope everyone gets lots and lots of lovely sewing done.

What a Lovely Day.

We all had a wonderful day on Saturday at our Castlemaine Appliqué Group meeting..thank you so much to everyone that came and helped to make the day such fun...lots of happy people together always makes for a great day, and we were treated to the most the most sensational Show & Tell..wow CAG members are so talented, and so generous to share their amazing work with everyone so we can all enjoy these beautiful quilts and go home full of inspiration and renewed enthusiasm to work on our own projects.  CAG's first exhibition will be fabulous!  Mark your diary: March 15 & 16, 2014.

Joan's Quilt

Alita's "Georgetown Circles" pattern by Michelle Yeo

Felicity's "Abbeyville County" pattern by Michelle Yeo

Dorothy's "English Baskets" pattern by Corliss Searcey

Ellen's "Phebe" pattern by Di Ford

Merri's "Civil War Bride" pattern by Corliss Searcey

We are already eagerly looking forward to our next CAG meeting planned for October 5th. It promises to be a huge day. Not only will we have the pleasure of getting together with all our regular members but we are also to be joined by Petra Prins, An Moonen, and Nel Kooiman from Holland...Petra and An will be talking to us about their latest book, " Promenade in a Dutch Garden" and Petra and Nel will have their brand new fabric range of Dutch Chintz to show us...everyone has agreed to bring something special for Show & Tell to share with our visitors, as well as our usual sit & sew, so it looks like being a fantastic day from start to finish...if you are not already on our CAG list and would like to join us for this fantastic day just email us and let us know that you would like to attend and we will contact you with all the details.

We are always saying how beautiful the Quiltmania books are so we are happy to have this title back in stock.

Scrappy quilts(mania) by Linda McIntyre Koenig sold out quickly last time we had it in stock..

It is another lovely Quiltmania publication, beautifully photographed and it has lots of great projects for scrappy quilts, great for using up all the leftovers.

Sammy also had a fantastic day on Saturday, we don't think he was as inspired by the Show & Tell as we all were, but he had a great day in the shop, he got to catch up with so many of his friends and got more pats than he could count on all his paws.  He also got to spend some quality time with his friend Di Ford and was happy to help her with her book signing...even had some advise on what she should write. {or was it a big secret!}