Getting To Know Us: VIvian

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

- I started quilting about 28 years ago. My first formal class was in 1987 but I'm mostly self-taught. My mother and grandmother both quilted. It appears to be skipping a generation in my house.

What advice would you give a beginner?

- Don't let anyone tell you there's only one way to do something ... find the way that works for you.

Aside from quilting, what other hobbies do you have?

- I knit. I read - a lot. Sometimes I do both at once. Audio books were the best invention for multitaskers like me. And contrary to popular belief, I do cook. Well, not a lot. (Does looking at recipes on Pinterest count?)

Tell us something about yourself that we might not know!

- I married the guy I took to my high school senior prom. (And yes, after 31 years we're still married.)

Do you have a favorite tool / pattern / technique you find yourself using a lot or can't live without?

- My Quick Trim ruler. I cannot retire until all my customers have purchased one.

Why do you sew / quilt?

- Besides the fact that it's my job? I like to make stuff! (And we've already established I don't cook.)

What's your favorite thing about working / teaching at SIQS?

- Relationships. Fabric.

What's your favorite / most memorable quilt(s) you've ever made, and why?

- There are two. One is my Biblical Blocks sampler. I hand quilted it for a year - queen size - during a very difficult time in my life. And second, the African Coins quilt I made my oldest son for his 21st birthday right after I left my corporate career to open a quilt shop. I still have it; he's 30. If my house was on fire and I could grab two quilts, I'd grab these.

What 5 items must you have in your sewing box?

- See Favorite Tool above. Tan or Grey Aurifil for piecing. My Fiskars thread snips. Definitely not Universal Needles.

How has quilting impacted your life?

- It's not so much that it's impacted my life but that I've been able to impact so many other lives. Especially my family's. I'd like to think it's a way to leave a legacy.

What's New At Sew Inspired!

Here's what's new at the shop! 

Valentine's Day is only a few days away and there's still time for a quick project! Among the many projects you can choose from, is the Double Flap Pillow. This pillow would be an adorable addition to any bed or chair, but best of all, the pattern includes a very interesting method of binding! And the Peppermint Table Runner is also quick and fun to make with your 60° ruler. Both patterns are by Cut Loose Press. Make a quick 3-D valentine with your scraps and the Makin It Cute templates!

We've just received many, many new bolts of gorgeous batiks that will greet you as soon as you enter our doors!

Denyse Schmidt's new collection called Franklin is finally in! This beautiful line features calicos, stripes and geometrics, and is inspired by Denyse's time spent during her childhood in small-town libraries in her native New England.

We have several bolts of Root & Fly, a digitally printed fabric collection by Flora Bowley for Red Rooster. Inspired by nature in the Northwest where she lives, Bowley named the collection after one of her paintings of trees and birds.

What's New At Sew Inspired

Here's what's new at the shop!

Cori Dantini's newest collection for Blend Fabrics, The Makers, is in store and it's absolutely gorgeous! The collection features light-hearted depictions of sewing, knitting, painting and other favorite pasttimes in fabulous floral and novel blenders in a palette of pink, blue, green and yellow. We also have a lap-sized quilt kitted up!

Sentimental Studios has released their third Summer Breeze collection with Moda. The beautiful line of fabrics features lovely florals in blues and yellows that make you wish for summer!

Gatsby's Flora by Gerri Robinson for Red Rooster is a romantic floral collection with a soft, lovely vintage feel. It features roses, stripes and paisley in soft blues, beiges and creams that would be perfect for home decor, apparel and purses.

Last but definitely not least, we have some new bolts of Cotton + Steel in stock! The new fabrics are from their Fall collection and feature 100% cottons, double gauze and cotton / linen canvas for quilts, totes, apparel and so much more!

10th Annual Fat Tuesday Quarter Frenzy

We're excited to hold our 10th Annual Fat Tuesday Fat Quarter Frenzy from February 17th through 21st!

This is our final frenzy... we're 'retiring' this event after ten years, but we have thousands of fat quarters to clear out! We're filling out back room with bins for five days and pricing them to go!

Special 10th anniversary pricing:
10-50 FQs @ $1.50 each
51-100 FQs @ $1.00 each
101 FQs and more @ $0.80 each! (That's $3.25 a yard!)

Come in to the shop to get your beads, and we'll see you at the frenzy - wear your beads for a free gift!