Getting To Know Us: Audrie

How did you start sewing / quilting? Who taught you? 

- I'd just moved to the States and out of sheer boredom, I started sewing little things with the sewing machine I asked for Christmas. One fine day, I got the great idea to make my mother-in-law a table runner for her birthday. I taught myself to quilt with books and the Internet, and read everything I could to improve my skills because I was immediately hooked! 

What advice would you give a beginner?

- Ask for help, try new things (even if they scare you) and just have fun! 

Aside from quilting, what other hobbies do you have?

- I have many! I love photography, knitting, baking, cooking... and recently, I took up tapestry weaving. There are not enough hours in the day for my hobbies! 

Tell us something about yourself that we might not know!

- I was born in Singapore, and have lived in Hong Kong, Australia and now the States. 

Why do you sew / quilt?

- If I didn't, I'd have gone a little crazy by now. I was new to the States so I didn't have a job or know anyone, so it allowed me to do something with my time and through that, I found a quilting community that I'm most grateful for. 

What 5 items must you have in your sewing box?

- Wonder clips, rotary cutter, Frixion pens, Clover seam ripper and silk pins.

How has quilting impacted your life?

- I'm on social media quite a bit, and I've met friends from all over the world who I wouldn't have met otherwise. Plus making quilts for people is very fulfilling and meaningful when you know they appreciate all your hard work. 

The Magic Pattern Book... And Trunk Show!

We are so excited about The Magic Pattern Book, the newest book by Amy Barickman, founder and owner of Indygo Junction.

The Magic Pattern Book features six magic patterns for clothing and accessories that can be transformed into a mind-boggling 216 different looks. The book shows you how to take the six patterns, turn each into six different looks, with six fabric suggestions for each look. You could make yourself an entirely new wardrobe!

For example, the Skirt pattern (Pattern B) yields a pleated hem skirt, a maxi skirt, an A-line skirt, a pencil wrap skirt, a flared bias skirt and a ruffled mini.

The patterns are beginner-friendly and can be made to fit sizes S to XXL. Overviews of fabric types and preparation, plus basic sewing, alteration and finishing techniques are also included, making The Magic Pattern Book a wonderful reference for readers.

Sew Inspired is proud to be the first quilt shop to host a trunk show in our studio for two weeks, from Wednesday Oct 1 to Wednesday Oct 15. For further information, please visit our website or call us at 860-651-8885. We hope to see you there!

What's New At Sew Inspired

Here's what's new at the shop this week!

Paint by Carrie Bloomston for Such Designs has arrived!!! It's more beautiful than we imagined, and we can't wait to start sewing with it!

The first 25 (of 50) new solids by American Made Brand, a division of Clothworks, has arrived! These fabrics are entirely produced in the USA, from farm to fabric!

The September palette for Color Inspirations is Evening Ballet. Build your solid stash with ten more Cotton Supreme solids in shades of rose, custard, emerald and more. We have fat quarter bundles, half-yard bundles, as well as project kits to make this month's quilt, Platforms (shown above), available in-store now!

And we're currently hosting the Indygo Junction (now until Sept 22nd) and CNT / Karen Nye (now until Sept 21st) Trunk Shows at the shop! There will also be a Fashion Show in the Studio on Friday, Sept 12th at 6:00PM. Tickets are still available and there'll be dozens of garments -- jackets, vests, dresses and more! -- from our favorite pattern designers.

And if you'd like to learn to make Karen Nye's fabulous and stylish Swing Fever Jacket, Deb is teaching a class this Sunday, Sept 14th, 12:00PM to 4:00PM. Its simple construction means your jacket will be close to completion, if not completed, in this afternoon class! If you'd like to reserve your spot, please call us at 860-651-8885! We hope to see you there!

Color Inspirations Club

New Color Inspirations every month... Build your solid stash with specially curated bundles of Cotton Supreme Classics! The August Palette, Yacht Club, includes shades of blues, tans and greens with a surprise pop of orange. You can purchase the palette in Fat Quarter bundles or half-yard cuts. Each Color Inspiration bundle includes ten pieces. Viv found two photos in her archives that captured the palette. First, a scene from an evening boat cruise off the coast of New England. And second, a picture of her friend Corey in Senegal, West Africa.

"The sailing picture seemed an obvious choice... but it's the patchwork in the child's shorts, his orange shirt and Corey's blue kaftan that reminded me of this month's palette." 

In addition to the bundles we'll have a featured project, and kit to make it, every month. 3rd Street Neighborhood is a wall hanging with rows of houses and landscape blocks to show off fun, free motion quilting. 

You can reserve a bundle or kit by calling the shop. There's no monthly commitment - simply select the months you want! We'll introduce the September palette and project soon.

Fashion Fabrics for Garments and Bags!

We've started to build our inventory of fashion fabrics for garments and bags. The Crossroads Denim from Indygo Junction is a pre-washed twill with a soft hand perfect for jackets and vests.
Amy Butler's Glow canvas is ideal for a bag or garment, too. 

The eyelet fabric from Michael Miller would make a sweet dress like the one in Sew Serendipity's line, Tara Tank Dress, seen here: http://blog.sewserendipity.com/2014/04/spring-2014-collection-meet-tara.html

The Michael Miller Clip Dot was used for the Wiksten Tova Tunic top you'll see in our upcoming fashion show on Sept. 12. This very light weight semi-sheer fabric features small woven spots of extra warp known as "clip" dots or Dotted Swiss Batiste. It's perfect for pretty dresses, blouses and skirts. Ditto with the Northcott fabric; it was used for the Juliet Dress tunic variation (http://blog.sewserendipity.com/2012/10/new-fall-collection-meet-juliet-nouveau.html) you'll see on the 12th.

And here's the new line of Avant cotton linen blend from Moda. Ask us to see the sample of pre-washed fabric. It's got a great hand for anywhere you need texture. And finally, the cotton linen blends and cotton lawns from the new Cotton & Steel line are in. For a peek at the Datura Blouse made from Homebody cotton lawn, visit our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sew-Inspired-Quilt-Shop/105337166981). Or, better yet, see it in person at the fashion show on September 12! Tickets are available now.

What's New At Sew Inspired

Christmas in July! Our Christmas section is bursting with beautiful kits and new prints, perfect for gifts, ornaments, setting the table... and of course, quilts!

Our Fall section is also looking bountiful and vibrant. The gorgeous colors and prints are perfect for table runners and placemats.

And the Halloween section has everything from the cute to the downright spooky!

We're also starting a series of Christmas classes taught by Susan Michaels in August, beginning with the Hex Ornaments class on August 14.

Susan will follow that up with the Pretty Package Placemat class on August 21.

And the last of the series is the Cookie and Gift Bags on August 28.

Each session takes place in the evening from 6:00PM to 8:30PM. It is $15.00 a class, or sign up for all three and pay $40.00. Call us at the shop at 860-651-8885 to reserve your spot today!

What's New At Sew Inspired

This beautiful winter-themed collection called Snowbird by Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda is a lovely mix of dots and florals that we're absolutely in love with! We also have some of the batiks in this collection in-store.

Draw Near by Janet Wecker Frisch is a steampunk-inspired collection with a creative, colorful twist, and revolves around painting and art. These great prints would make wonderful totes or zip bags.

An adorable collection called Herb Garden by Angela Anderson for Quilting Treasures, great for any gardening enthusiast. There's even a great stripe that would be perfect for making an Easy Stripe Table Runner with!

We just love this bicycle-themed collection called Life... Enjoy the Ride by Tina Higgins for Quilting Treasures. Again, it would make a wonderful tote!

If you love dots as much as we do, you'll need to get your hands on this layer cake of dots big and small and in so many different colors! Each layer cake consists of 42-10" squares.

And we have charm packs of Winterlude by 3 Sisters for Moda, as well as kits in the same fabric to make a very cute table runner.

A beautiful, rich red, green and metallic gold collection called Pear Tree Greetings by Hoffman. We also have precuts of 2.5" strips called Jingle Pops.