“New Beginnings” is a cute new Noah’s ark stitchery kit that features some of your favourite Melly and Me characters along for the journey, as well as a couple of new friends as well.

This kit contains a pre-printed hanky linen and full skeins of embroidery thread colours that are used. Just open and start stitching!

Wonder Clips are great alternatives to pins, especially when working with heavy weight fabrics, piles, and vinyls. They can hold layered sections of sewing projects such as handle connectors to handbags and piping without distortion. Holds quilt binding while sewing and it’s easy to see and easy to find when dropped on the floor.

A customer who uses them recently sent me this photo and said:

Love these clips, they hold binding in place securely no tacking, and no stabbing myself with pins

Usher in sunny days with Interweave Stitch Magazine Summer 2012! With 34 fresh projects inspired by the outdoors, from gardening and flowers to the seashore and natural linen, you’ll find projects and accessories for outdoor living, wardrobe, and home décor−plus adorable gifts to make for your kids, friends, and family. Stitch Summer is alive with the ideas, techniques, and inspiration that will help you revel in the sunshine months.

Article highlights:

• Technique Spotlight: Sew Up Summer−Learn how to sew with every type of summer fabric, from pretty cottons to comfy knits and sheers to laminates.
• Material World: Smocking Tips and Techniques−Smocking has been enjoying a revival as new sewists apply this old technique in creative ways, especially in home décor accessories. Discover the basics of hand-smocking and begin to add this time-honored skill to your sewing toolbox. Bonus: Practice your newfound smocking skills in the Smocked-Band Shell Tote project.
• Artist profile−Alfred Shaheen: The Hawaiian Bombshell—Hawaiian designer Alfred Shaheen put the B in bombshell with his tropically inspired, curve-hugging dresses. Read the story behind this fascinating designer who put Hawaii on the map in the 1950s and ‘60s fashion world.

Project Themes:

• Fabulous Florals−From poppy brights to romantic roses, vintage-inspired to modern, flowers are the backdrop for ten beautiful projects.
• Beach Party−Nothing says summer like hanging out at the beach. These sunny projects will have you packing your bags for the shore pronto.
• Fresh Linen−Think warm breezes and natural fibers. Linen sewing projects will bring back summer all year long.
• Garden Glories−Create adorable and useful items for the garden—9 projects in all!

Little Rowan is a new book of baby and children’s knitting patterns for babies and toddlers. Containing bright, cheerful knits by Martin Storey, you’ll find simple to work stripes feature alongside cute cables, all using 4 ply wool.

Browse the website to see all the designs in this new book.

If you’re looking for baby and children’s knitting patterns then don’t forget Rowan’s other books, Rowan Miniature Classics and Rowan Summer Baby

Issue 6 of Leanne Beasley’s Vignette Magazine is now out.

In this issue you’ll get the pattern for blocks 10 and 11 of the mystery quilt, plus instructions for a simple quilt using Moda’s Panier de Fleurs fabric, stitchery templates for some napkins and cushions, a recipe for a tasty country chicken casserole and interviews with some Australian fabric store owners.

Debbie Bliss launched just one new yarn this Spring, Rialto Lace.  This is a 100% extra fine merino lace weight yarn, which at just £5.50 a ball, we think is a bargain considering you get 390m on a ball.

To accompany the yarn there is a dedicated pattern book called Rialto Lace which contains some feminine and delicate knits including cardigans, tops and shawls. I’m very tempted to try the cardigan on the front cover, which is knit sideways!

Visit the shop website to browse the other patterns in this book and be inspired to try a lace project.

Easy Lace Knitting Workshop

If you’ve never tried lace knitting but would like to have a go, why not attend our Easy Lace Knitting workshop on Friday 11th May, which is taught by Anniken Allis, renowned lace knitter and designer.

Lace knitting is extremely popular at the moment and is used in shawls, garments, socks and accessories. This workshop will teach you how to read charts, work the stitches and decreases required for lace knitting, add beads using a crochet hook and how to work shaping within a lace pattern. We’ll practice working several swatches from various lace charts.

Suitable for adventurous beginners and intermediate knitters.

To book your place call us on 01548 831911 or book online here.

All workshops are £40 including lunch and refreshments.

If you are coming from a distance and want to turn your trip into a mini-break, we can recommend places to stay near by.

Grow with Me is a gorgeous new fabric collection by Deb Strain, for Moda Fabrics.  Bright and fun colors set off these adorable prints and patterns. From monkeys to trucks, birds and chicks, this collection will surely make you feel warm and fuzzy inside just like the joy babies bring to their families.

We have some of the fabrics available in by the metre as well as jelly rolls, charm packs and layer cakes which contain a bit of everything!

This gorgeous baby quilt was whipped up in just a couple of days for a friend’s new baby boy. It used most of a charm pack, plus a bit of extra fabric for the borders and backing.

Visit the website now to browse this beautiful collection.

Remember The Knit Kit?  Well, it hasn’t been in stock for a while because the manufacturers sold out of the turquoise ones and were still waiting for the new pink version to arrive…. and it’s finally here!

Apart from this version being pink, it has all the same features of the old knit kits, but with the addition of a needle gauge integrated into the flap of the compartment on the back. A clever idea we think!

Mother’s Day is coming up soon… perhaps your Mum would like one as a present this year?  Visit our website to find out more.

A customer posted on our Facebook page, a picture of a quilt she’s made using Puttin’ on the Ritz charm squares, which she bought from us recently. Isn’t it pretty?

It is actually for sale via her Etsy shop if you are interested: http://www.etsy.com/listing/94223036/lullaby-of-broadway-patchwork-quilt-cot

If you are in the mood for a quick project in the run up to Easter, how about this cute wall hanging? It’s called Gosling Gaggle and designed by Natalie Bird of The Birdhouse. It measures 15″ x 12″ and doesn’t take long to do. My Mum made this one.