by Gina.

 
Those regular visitors out there may have noticed a bit of a slow down over here at Bolt Neighborhood.  We're sorry about that.  Between taking care of ailing little ones and preparing for the store's big mega-sale (this weekend, scroll down to see details), we haven't had much time.  We'll be back in action more next week.  So enjoy the little break, take some pictures of your latest projects, post them to the Flickr page, come by the sale and eat some waffles?  Yep.  This Saturday is the grand opening of the Solar Waffle Works cart on NE Alberta and 23rd, just one block east of Bolt.  It's a great project--solar powered food cart--created by the folks at Soltrekker.  Check it out and we'll see you soon.

by Gina.

Usually twice a year we hold big, store-wide sales as a way to say a heartfelt thanks for keeping us around.  The sales have always been in April and October (and we tossed one in in August this year just for fun).  So, it's that time once again to mark your calendars, swing by and plan out your shopping strategy, do whatever you do before our sales, because one's on the way.  This Friday, October 23rd, we’ll kick off our 4 year anniversary sale, with all fabric marked down, some marked down to $2 / yard! (That isn’t a typo.)  Help us clear out some space and find great deals. Marimekko will be 50% off, and even the new things that just arrived last week will be on sale.  Stock up for all those gifts you told yourself you were going to be making this year.

The sale will be all day Friday (10-6), Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (11-4). In addition to the amazing markdowns on fabric, we’ll have all patterns 25% off on Friday, all books 20% off on Saturday and all notions 25% off on Sunday. This is for all in stock items. So, bring a friend, have some good jokes to share while you’re in line and enjoy!

by Lupine.

Halloween this year brings not one but two flower fairies. One will be pink and one will be yellow. There was much motherly research put into the style of "flower" costume that would make the fairies more than just tutus and wings.  I thought of the headband flower, neck style petals, all sorts of things, then I saw this pattern.

Easy, I thought, I will just go home, get a bodice pattern from an exiting dress, add some petals over the skirt, and wing it. I have made many dresses for the girls, but I couldn't find the right style bodice.  That was where I began to think again about the wisdom of passing up that pattern.

I am working with some slippery stuff, and I do want these costumes to stand the test of time. The fairy costumes will go from Halloween night to the dress up hooks on the wall so they won't be quickie felt numbers this year.  I want them to be fairly comfortable and made well enough that they can be worn over and over again.

I love the making things up part of sewing, adding pockets to a favorite skirt pattern, changing the shape of a sleeve or neckline. But this time I just couldn't do it. I had to go back for the pattern. I needed these costumes to be quick and didn't want to think too much about them.  

Now I am done with one bodice and glad that I got a pattern to guide me through. The second one will be super fast. I have made a few changes to the first version, no extra lining of tulle on the bodice for example, but I didn't have to figure out much, just cut and sew.

I will be sewing some petals this afternoon and turning this bodice into a beautiful flower dress, with out much guess work at all.  Having this pattern is contributing to my ability to get excited for the upcoming holiday, which for me is money well spent.