By Gina

I’m a big, big fan of Laura Gunn’s artwork.  I think Michael Miller Fabrics have done a great job of transferring her paintings onto cloth too.  We recently received her Garden Wall line and I think it’s lovely.  I’m also a big fan of hounds tooth and am really appreciating the combination of what is typically a crisp, clean pattern done in a soft, painterly way.  Super fun colors too!

I was feeling the need for a little switch up with some of the store decor the other day and asked April to do some magic with some new stretched prints.  She did two different groups of fabrics and they look fantastic!  Such a great, fast spruce up!  Super easy too.  You can check out her post on stretching fabric and get some tips to do some of your own.

Want to sew something with these beauties, but aren’t sure how or what?  There’s a Learn to Sew: Envelope Pillow class starting at Modern Domestic on February 23rd.  This is a great project for beginner sewists and these prints could spruce up any room!

We’ve been busy snapping some shots around the store to change up our website.  April took this one of the jelly thimbles and I had to share.  See you soon!

--Meredith

I found out at the beginning of October that dear friends of ours from NYC had adopted a darling baby girl. My joy on this kind of news is two fold--happy for them because of this sweet new addition and happy for me because it's time to start quilting! It's kind of meant to be because I started piecing a quilt top back in...March. For no reason other than I was totally inspired. Susan Beal had just released Modern Log Cabin Quilting and we were offering her hand-selected limited edition fat quarter packs that I totally loved because it included cross-hatch prints, Tammis Keefe crocodiles, and Lizzy House. AND Elizabeth Hartman had just made available her Mod Sampler Quilt as a pdf. I looked at the two, knew it was love at first sight, and started immediately.

Fast forward, uh-hum, 7 months later. The top has been done for quite awhile and in reality it was sitting pin-basted in my work room waiting for the day I would be inspired enough to quilt. That day FINALLY arrived. Olivia needed an awesome quilt and I was already ahead of the game. I busted out my walking foot, decided to go simple and angular and marked my top in an diamond pattern with echo lines 2" apart.

My preferred binding is a totally scrappy one. So after that is pieced, pressed, and sewn to the quilt comes my (secrectly) favorite part--hand sewing the binding to the back. This means my journey is almost done and a savor the task with a good, bad, or cheesy movie and Thread Heaven. Thread Heaven is a thread conditioner, similar to wax but different and better! You only have to have your thread tangle oh, say for YEARS, before you realize what a revelation this stuff is. Any amount of hand sewing--buttons, hems, quilt bindings--can benefit from a pass through this magical stuffs. 

And I was taught to always label a quilt, for posterity and for just the last lovely little stamp before it goes off to be enjoyed. I go really simple--Micron pen on muslin. Hand-sewn on of course, with a little magic Thread Heaven.

If you're interested in exploring the art of piecing and quilting, Elizabeth Hartman has several classes on the schedule down at Modern Domestic. She is supremely talented and a wonderful teacher. I always enjoy being there on days she teaches, to chat and be inspired. And she's got big news!

--Meredith

Erica, my friend and fellow co-worker and teacher at MD, has been whipping up versions of Colette's new pattern, Peony. With the flattering boatneck and classic line (plus--gotta love pockets!), it's not hard to see why. Erica was kind enough to answer some questions so we could get to know the pattern a little better.

What can someone learn from making this pattern?

There are so many great skill-building opportunities in this pattern for a beginning sewist. You can learn how to put in an invisible zipper, how to sew side-seam pockets, how to do fancy-sounding things like understitching, and if you're feeling brave, you could embellish the neckline with some piping!

Thanks Erica! For those who would like a little help with the pattern, zipper installation, or fit, Erica is offering Peony as a class at MD Wednesdays in November. The expansion will be done so be one of the first to take a class in the new space! And now until Monday October 14th is the time to take advantage of the Expansion Sale! 10% off all BERNINA and bernette machines, plus special pricing on models like the classroom 440s and a sewing and embroidery machine--the 640!