Puget Sound Sewing & Craft

"French Roses" Quilt Will Make You Say "Ooh La La!"

Shown at left:  "French Roses" quilt (pattern envelope at right of photo), along with items from "Sew Pretty Homestyle".

If you haven't been to the Puyallup Pacific Fabrics lately, you owe it to yourself to drop by and see the display of this incredibly charming quilt project.  Designed and created by Heather French, "French Roses" makes the most of "soft edge" applique and free-motion stitching to create a shabby-chic quilt that is so darn endearing to see and touch that even I, a professed non-quilter, might be tempted to make one!

This quilt is appropriate for either using up lots of oddly shaped scraps or purchasing fabrics.  I think it would be super-cute with flannel roses.  Precision is not necessary to form the appliqued roses as they are intended to have raw edges, and in fact irregular stitching only adds to their rough charm.  A border made from strips of basic squares of the fabrics used ties the fabric colors together and makes a simple, but effective frame for the unique "artwork" of the quilt top.

Imagine this scaled down as a baby quilt - infants would love the soft textures of the frayed roses - or as a beginner project for learning free-motion and applique. 

Take a peek and you'll see why I just had to give a shout and share this fun project!

--Katrina

Showcase Your Sewing and Crafting Talent at the Fair

Fair time is here!  Did you know that our county and regional fairs are looking for YOUR entries?   That's right - anyone can enter their work in the open class divisions of a fair.

Why enter?  There are many good reasons but here are two:  First of all, it's a great way to showcase your work for all to see your hard work and talent.  Secondly, it's a wonderful opportunity to have your work critiqued by a judge.  Fair judges work hard not only to determine ribbon placings, but also to give helpful feedback on areas of improvement and suggestions for fixing tricky problem areas.

So how do you enter your exhibits?  Each fair has a premium book, or books which list the rules and requirements for exhibiting in their open class divisions.

1.  Find out what day/time entries are accepted for exhibition.  This is prior to the fair by at least a few days, sometimes a week or more.
2.  Read the premium book rules and instructions carefully to determine what Division/Class/Lot your item should be entered into.  Often fairs will have people available to help you when you enter your items, in case you are unsure.
3.  Prior to the fair, check your entry items carefully for loose threads, soil and/or stains, or any other damage.  Carefully prepare your items for exhibition by making sure they are clean and pressed, if appropriate.  Fair staff will not make alterations to your items, such as pressing them.  They will be judged in the condition in which they arrived.
4.  Bring your items in to the designated location on time on the designated date.  Fairs generally will not accept late entries. 
5.  Fill out any applicable paperwork and make sure to note carefully the time and date to pick up your items after the Fair.

Here are links to the Open Class premium books for some of our upcoming local fairs (the King County Fair was last week), organized by date:

Pierce County Fair, Graham, WA - August 6 - 9, 2009
(Home Ec information begins on page 9)

Skagit County Fair, Mount Vernon, WA - August 12 - 15, 2009
Warning: large file

Southwest Washington Fair (Lewis County), Chehalis, WA - August 18 - 23, 2009

Kitsap County Fair, Bremerton, WA - August 26 - 30, 2009

Evergreen State Fair (Snohomish County), Monroe, WA - August 27 - September 7, 2009

The Puyallup Fair, Puyallup, WA - September 11 - 27, 2009

See you at the Fair!

Are You Ready to Stitch and Pitch?

Seattle Mariners 5th Annual Stitch 'n Pitch Night
Royals vs. Mariners, Thursday, August 27th - 7:10pm at Safeco Field
Featuring Special Guest First Pitcher, Deborah Norville

Pacific Fabrics is very proud to once again be the presenting sponsor for this fabulous annual event that began right here in Seattle! Originally it was a night to honor knitters, but all stitching enthusiasts are welcome and will enjoy this super fun event. This year's gift is a cool Stitch 'n Pitch Roll-up Project Tote for the first 3,000 people who purchase "knitter's section" tickets for the game. Our special guest, Deborah Norville, the host of Inside Edition, is an enthusiastic knitter! After the First Pitch, you'll find Deborah in our booth autographing her book and her new yarn collection from Premier Yarns for about an hour.

(SORRY! AS OF AUGUST 23RD, SOLD OUT ALL OF OUR TICKETS. TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FROM THE MARINERS, THOUGH, SO YOU CAN STILL PLAN TO COME!)

Would you like to buy seats in the "knitter's section" for just $11.00? We still have a few tickets left at all Pacific Fabrics & Crafts stores at this great discounted rate! As the presenting sponsor, we are excited to pass this savings on to you. Each ticket purchased from us (reg. $13.00 each) will include the ultra cool and useful Mariners Stitch 'n Pitch Roll-Up Project Tote. 

We have sold out of our amazing "Goodie Totes" filled with yummy yarn related goodies from our most generous suppliers. If you purchased one, be sure to read about our "Tote Bag Challenge" when you get your tote - it's one more chance to get a free goodie from Clover Needlecrafts, one of our supportive suppliers! Be sure to show your support by looking for these brands when you shop at our stores and our HUGE game night booth at Safeco Field. Thanks to Bernat Yarns, Cascade Yarns, Clover Needlecrafts, Debbie Bliss Magazine, Deborah Norville's Serenity Yarns, Lion Brand Yarns, Patons Yarns and Skacel (supplier of our tote challenge yarn and special patterns) for making this year's goodie tote the best ever!

What will you find at Stitch 'n Pitch? Fun, fun, FUN! Lots of booths for shopping, a chance to meet Deborah Norville at our booth and if you're sitting in one of the "Lucky Rows" announced during the game, you'll win another tote of yarn related goodies from our wonderful supportive suppliers. In the "Lucky Row" totes, you'll find cool stuff from Cascade Yarns, Debbie Bliss and SWTC - just to name a few. It's stitching bliss night at the ball field and you might even find the M's Moose knitting in the seat right next to you!

*Tickets that include the Stitch 'n Pitch Roll-Up Project Tote (for the first 3,000 ticket holders) will also be available for purchase at selected local yarn stores and from the Seattle Mariners. The additional "purchase with purchase" goodie tote mentioned above was only available to those who purchased the first 600 tickets at Pacific Fabrics & Crafts stores. For more information about the game, visit the Seattle Mariners web site at http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com

Beat The Heat With Polymer Gel Neckbands

It's hot out there...and even hotter in some of our sewing rooms!  Polymer gel-filled neckbands can be a very effective way to make hot days much more comfortable. 

There are so many cute cotton prints out there - these can be a fashion statement as well as a survival tool!  One container of gel crystals (available at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. in the gardening section) will make many neckbands - make a few extra for friends and family.

This project comes from Washington's very own Joy Polk, a Clothing and Textile Advisor from Benton/Franklin Counties, and Kay Hendrickson, Area Extension Agent for Washington State University.

MATERIALS:

• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Sewing machine
• Fabric: 4" strip wide and 45" long (You can adjust the length to your personal preferences)
• Matching or contrasting thread
• One Tbsp. of polymer granules.
  NOTE: Do not use more than 2 Tbsp. or the band may ooze out a gel-like substance.

You can find at any home or garden store. Polymer granules are used in soil for moisture retention. One brand name to look for is "Soil Moist."

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut one strip of fabric 4" wide from a fabric that is at least 45" wide. If you want to have a bow to tie use a 60" wide fabric.
    
2. Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise (the piece should be 4" by 22 1/2"). Mark the fold. This is the center back of the neck band. Open up the fabric and measure and mark 7" on each side of the center back.
   
   
   
   Fold the fabric right sides together the width of the strip (the piece should now be 2" by 45".) Using a 5/8" seam, stitch between the marks. (There should be 14" stitched--7" on either side of center back.)
   
   
    
3. The tail ends may be rounded or slanted to give a more finished look. Finish the edges and ends of the rest of the band by turning and stitching. Press.
   
   
    
4. Turn tube right side out and press. At one end of the tube, stitch to close, then double stitch for strength. At this point you should have one end of the tube open.
   
   
    
5. Carefully pour the polymer granules into the tube (about two tablespoons). Stitch the tube closed. Reinforce with another row of stitching.
   
   
    
6. To use the cool neck band, soak in cold water for a few seconds. As the polymer granules soak up the water "mush" them around so the jelly spreads out equally along the tube. Tie around your neck for a "Cool Band."

Wet band before use, soaking for 5-15 minutes. For more cooling place in refrigerator or freezer first.

[Thanks to:  Joy Polk, Benton/Franklin Clothing and Textile Advisor, and Kay Hendrickson, Area Extension Agent, Washington State University Cooperative Extension.]