New Fabrics and Patterns

Just received a new line of Northcott Stonehenge fabric called Woodland.  Love the rich colors and especially like the one brown fabric that looks like the rings in a tree. 

Along with this line I purchased the sassy tote bag pattern pictured here and also a bed runner pattern that should arrive this week. 

Around a dozen additional bolts of fabrics were moved to the sale room this week so if you have not been in in awhile come in and check it out. 

More Projects

This was another customer project, made out of a pattern at the shop.  Beverlee's grandbaby is really going to be decked out in these cute little bibs.

Kids Summer Sewing/Quilting Programs

The last few weeks have flown by, hard to believe that all the kids are back in school (my own daughter off to her first year of college) and the weather is finally starting to cool off a bit. 

We had two weeks in a row of kids quilting/sewing camps at the shop this month.  It was so fun to see the girls so interested in sewing and trying so hard to do it correctly.  Seeing how much they enjoy it I am doubly sorry that the school systems have decided awhile back not to teach basic sewing anymore. 

Here is our last class very intense on their projects...

and here they are after completion of their tote bags.... didn't they turn out cute?

We have no further young peoples classes scheduled at this time but I am sure that Miss Jane  could be convinced to have a class sometime this winter if there was enough interest.

Customer Show and Tell

Cris came by with her finished table runner from the Easy Elegance class. Didn't it turn out beautiful? The most interesting part of this is that the gold fabric is only one fabric.  She used a gold stonehenge fabric and fussy cut the various parts to make it look like two different fabrics, what a unique idea.

This class is still being offered so if you are interested please check out our class schedule on www.oldetownestitchery.com for dates and times. 

Coupons

For those of you with smart phones (I still have a stone age cell phone) when we send out coupons via our emails you have the choice of either printing them and presenting them at the time of purchase, or showing it to us on your smart phone).  We will still know that you are opening our emails and hopefully reading them.

My daughter keeps telling me I need to get a better, faster, smarter phone but somehow she seems to use up all the family phone upgrades herself because she literally wears out a phone in less than two years!!!

Over the last two days we have added four additional classes to our class schedule so be sure and check out our website often for new items.

Class Schedules

Instead of posting a whole new class schedule in a month or so for fall we are going to be gradually adding new classes to the listing over the next several weeks so be sure to check out a hard copy of the classes next time you are in the shop or check for updates on our website www.oldetownestitchery.com. 

Several classes have been recently added including some basic classes including paper and hand piecing. 

In the next day will be adding information about an upcoming quilted jacket class that is going to be taught September 13th by Julia Gaff. 

Also in the next couple of weeks we will adding information on these classes:

 Fused Fall or Christmas wreath

 The biscuit basket

 Twister Wreath

and the YoYo Christmas Tree

With the kids going back to school very soon it will be time before we know it to start on all those fall and holiday projects for our own homes and for family gifts.What could be a greater gift than something you took your time and talents to make.

Kids Camp

Yesterday afternoon completed the week long intermediate kids quilting and sewing camp.   We only had two girls for this camp but they had a great time. Here are their quilt as you go table runners in process.  They had a wonderful time picking out all the bright colors and learning all the different techniques involved.  Just a few minutes before parents arrived for show and tell they finished the last few stitches in the bindings.

They made several other small projects during the week and here they are with their cute little bears!

They increased their skills, had agreat time and were a pleasure to have in the shop all week.

New Classes

JoAnne is going to be guest teaching a few of her standard classes and a couple of new ones over the next couple of months.  They have just been added to the class listing so if you are interested check out our website at www.oldetownestitchery.com or come by the shop. 

One class she is offering is these mesh bags that are great for the beach, the gym or as a book bag for back to school.

In addition several people have asked about the round folded star pot holder so that will be offered as well.

Updated Look

Putting up with all the construction all week did make for a nice updated look to the shop with the new roof and paved road.  I love the way it looks now.

We did a little updating in the shop also by hanging up a couple of quilts just finished .   This table topper shows an interesting use for a striped fabric that we have had for awhile.

Cool Waters  is the name of this quilt that was made out of Northcott Cayuga fabrics that were just recently received.  Extremely easy quilt to make. 

Charity Quilt

The blocks in this quilt top were made by customers and staff during the July 1st friday sewing event.  I finally got the last of the blocks put together yesterday so put it up to show first friday attendees that it had progressed in the last month.

Eventually this will be quilted and donated to the Charlotte Hall Veteran's Home but probably not for a month or so.  The rest of August will be very busy with two kids quilting/sewing camps being held at the shop and also my daughter going off to college so finishing this will probably have to wait until September.

New in the shop this week is the complete Stonehenge Christmas line that includes several Red, Greens, Prints and even a fun panel.  Several new patterns were added to the pattern rack and many bolts of fabrics, fat quarters and even some patterns have been moved into the discount area to make room for more new stock. 

Interesting Week

I will say it has been an interesting week.  Monday through wednesday they had the main road to the shop blocked as they repaved the road.  It looks nice now but sure created a lot of noise etc. for those three days. 

If that wasn't bad enough when I pulled up at the shop tuesday morning, coming in the back way, it was to the sight of half of the roof of the building off and a construction crew at the back of the shop with half of the parking spots blocked off for their work and wires, hoses etc. hanging everywhere.  I had been informed a couple of months ago that the roof was going to be done at sometime but no date was provided.  Imagine my surprise to come up on that.

Needless to say we didn't have many customer the last few days as it was a challenge to get to the shop and parking.  Glad to say that the roof is also now completed and looks great. 

Reminder that today is first friday in Leonardtown with shops staying open until 8:00 p.m., a band on the square and many specials around town.  Olde Towne Stitchery has pre-cuts (charms, jelly rolls, layer cakes and already cute fat quarters) on sale today and tomorrow for 20% off.  Come in and enjoy the savings on your next project and join us for light refreshments and this evening a make and take scissor case.

We will also have the Quilter's by the Bay quilt guild raffle quilt on display.  It is a beautiful blue and white quilt that was quilted by the local Amish.  Be sure to buy a couple of tickets if you stop by for a chance on this wonderful quilt. 

Tips and Techniques

I thought from time to time I would share tips and techniques of ways I have found to do a technique, or ideas from other ladies in the shop. 

I mentioned having to make some hanging sleeves for shop samples.  Years ago the one guild had a speaker and she happened to mention when she makes hanging sleeves she makes a really really long tube at once.  Then when she needs a sleeve, especially in a hurry for a quilt show she just cuts off what she needs and stitches it on.  I thought this was a wonderful idea and intended on doing that until Barbara mentioned that you can use the cuff end of old sheets as a hanging sleeve.  What a great idea!!  I just happened to have a couple of pillow cases I was getting ready to toss out and the top of one was the perfect length for my wall hanging. 

You can't ask for a quicker hanging sleeve than that as the tube is already made for you.  Give it a try.