by Gina

Oh yeah, start shopping Supportlanders!  Starting midnight tonight, your Supportland points magically double for 24 short hours.  We just changed our reward to a free pattern of your choice for 95 points.   And, to show off some of the choices…

Just two of the many women’s dress patterns we stock.  The Diane Kimono Dress on the right is a new sample the talented April made up during our retreat.  It looks beautiful in our cotton voile.

Two great kids’ clothing patterns to enjoy.  The Anna Maria Horner one, All Set, is a great deal with five different items included!  And, the Juliette, by Violette Field Threads is a new pattern for us.  We picked up a number of girls’ designs from this designer, so be sure to flip through the kids’ pattern bin to see the others!

If it’s quilt making you desire, we’ve got you covered there too! New to the store, Lunden Designs’ Northern Exposure, features a basic block, looking fabulously woodsy done up with the line mentioned here.  And, well, how can you resist big, bright flowers in the middle of February in Oregon?

And, a couple of bag patterns to round out the choices.  We’ve carried other great designs by Jen Giddens and have been quite happy with them.  In fact, April made up one of her other bags on the retreat as well, you can see it in the store.  And, Miss Hannah made up the modern, chic Daily News Bag a little bit ago and it’s currently in the store too.  Come check ‘em out and pick out your next project!

by Gina

We’ve just welcomed into the store some gorgeous new home decor weight cotton sateen from Free Spirit.  Bold designs, bright red, classic navy, soft grey and mustard gold, and soft grey and pink.  This fabric is great for recovering chairs, pillow covers, bags of all sorts and even apparel that needs a little more structure, like an a-line skirt!

Wanting something a little warmer?  We have a fantastic wool selection at the moment.  And, it just grew larger this week!  A couple of solid, 100% wool pieces along with a black/white wool blend and a super cozy navy cotton blend sweater knit (top bolt) got unpacked earlier this week.  Lovely!

And, who wouldn’t be into some great new Japanese prints?  I’m particularly fond of the one with the warrior gear….Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!  We’ll see you Saturday (remember, we take a break on Thursday and Friday) for triple Supportland point joy!

by Gina

We just opened a box of some wonderful books!  Some are new to the store, some are ol’ favs.  Either way, there’s something you’re bound to fall for and want on your holiday list.  Here’s a run-down:

Melody Miller’s  and Allison Tannery’s new book, Ruby Star Wrapping has all sorts of clever decorative ideas for wrapping goodies, making gift giving a whole lot nicer for the recipient and the Earth.  We will be participating in a “wrap-a-long” along with a collection of other great folks out there.  Here are more details on that.  Like what you see?  Swing by and pick up a book and wrap-a-long with us!  It’s getting started this week!  The other fun book on the right is The Cuter Book, by Aranzi Aronzo.  This is an adorable and terribly amusing little creature book.  This would be a perfect book for the younger sewist in your world to either do on their own or with a helping hand.

These two titles we’ve carried in the past and have really enjoyed them. The Party Dress is a delight for the eyes and imagination.  There are stunning designs in it, sure to get your ready for holiday parties!  The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook is choke full of great ideas on alterations.  They start with a few select designs of a top, a dress, a coat and a skirt.  But, it definitely doesn’t end there.  There are loads of variations presented from members of the BurdaStyle community. 

Want to create your own look entirely?  We currently have two titles on pattern making and custom clothing design.  Many of you have voiced your desire to learn to draft patterns, your woe of not finding clothing that fits just right, or knowing exactly how to alter a pattern to get it the way you want it.  Here’s a good place to start.  If you’re one to learn better in a class check out the class lists at Modern Domestic and Portland Sewing.  They both offer great pattern drafting courses.

These final two titles include a variety of projects.  A lot of times when customers ask for advice on a good book, part of my suggestion includes the idea that the style of the projects should speak to them so they’re motivated to do the projects.  Simple Sewing with a French Twist is one of those books for me.  I love the romantic, somewhat urban, European style of the designs and the way they’re presented.  Not all of the projects are sewing ones, for example, one is a button covered chair back.  For the novice out there, Simple Sewing in a Straight Line is a great book with a variety of projects, including apparel and accessories.  Again, if you find you’re one to do better with a class—Modern Domestic has been using this book for some of their beginner oriented courses.

Our shelves are stocked with a slew of titles to help you in whatever way you want—instruction, inspiration, reference.  And, when you spend $30 or more on books, you receive 30 Supportland points from us!  How fantastic is that?!  Happy Sewing!