I was lucky enough to see an advance PDF of this book – and I am so glad I did! It is exquisite in every way! The photography, the instructions and the details make every project in this book a work of art!
From Zakka Workshop: Introducing beloved Japanese embroidery artist Yumiko Higuchi’s newest collection of motifs, showcased on a variety of purses, wallets, and bags. Inside, you’ll find an assortment of the simple, folk-inspired floral and animal designs stitched in Yumiko’s signature style, as well as nine lovely bag patterns inspired by the motifs. Beautiful step-by-step photos clearly explain Yumiko Higuchi’s favorite techniques for sewing bags, installing metal purse clasps, and making pompom and tassel embellishments. A helpful embroidery stitch guide outlines the eight basic stitches used to create the designs in this book. Full-size templates are included for all 20 embroidery motifs and nine bag patterns. Use these lovely embroidery motifs to make stunning, one-of-a-kind bags, or be inspired to design your own unique projects.
Just look what awaits you inside….
It is one thing to see this design, and a whole new experience when you see the stunning results when it is showcased in a purse!
Look how the dark background makes the design pop!
Yumiko recommends linen for all of her foundations. We have a wide variety of colors: essex linen. She recommends washing it before beginning your project.
And, all of the purse clasps are listed as companions to the book so you will be able to get everything you need to start making heirloom projects next month when the book arrives!
Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studios has designed six new patterns that will be shipping next month. Meg does such an incredible job of describing her patterns that I am going to bow to her:
Let me introduce you to the owner of Bitterbottom Herbs, a very well known and respected nursery in Lower Sneegleshire. She spends long hours in the garden and preserving rooms always accompanied by her faithful and loving cat Mr. Teedles. They take long breaks together in the garden, basking in the same sunshine that makes her glorious herbs grow. The pattern is for hand embroidery with colored pencil tinting, and simple piecing, and her Scherenschnitte style border is easy to stitch.
Let me introduce you to our prize winning Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin grower! You can always find her in Spellcaster’s Garden carefully tending her special plants. They always produce absolutely the BEST shapes and sizes for Jack o’ Lanterns! Every step of her day she is accompanied by her faithful sidekick, ICK. Yes, his name is ICK. But he IS a big, black garden spider after all! The pattern is for hand embroidery with colored pencil tinting, and simple piecing, and her Scherenschnitte style border is easy to stitch.
High on a hill in the center of Spellcaster’s Garden, is the Stitching Tree. Witches come from far and near to sit under the tree and embroidery together. It’s said that it has magical powers that greatly improve things like Bullion stitches… but the truth is, it’s just fun to sit in its shade together and visit while we stitch! This pattern was designed to match the tree print in the Spellcaster’s Garden fabric line, and it mimics Scherenschnitte. The pattern is for hand embroidery with colored pencil tinting, and simple piecing.
Your spell book, scrolls, magic needles and pins… All perched on your favorite broom! Ready for your favorite stitching “spell”? The pattern is for hand embroidery with colored pencil tinting, and simple piecing.
Vintage style Halloween Cats center the wonky pieced star blocks on this quick and easy quilt. They’re just SO MUCH fun! The pattern is for hand embroidery with colored pencil tinting.
A fun Halloween row quilt for only the most MODERN witches! Herbs, Jack o’Lantern Vines, and Herb Plant Markers are planted on some of the rows, while appliqued borders could easily be done traditionally, or by machine. The piecing is easy, easy, easy! Because of the simple row piecing, it would be really easy to make this quilt larger or smaller! The pattern is for hand embroidery with colored pencil tinting, some simple applique, and easy piecing.
Whether you choose to frame them or incorporate them into a quilt, her Halloween designs are always the highlight of the show!
In their own words: Kokeshi dolls are a traditional wooden doll, originating in the north-eastern region of Japan, and are the main source of inspiration for Megumi Mizuno’s book published with Quiltmania Editions. Alongside the well-known Daruma, another traditional Japanese figure representing a Buddhist monk, and a symbol of good luck and perseverance, Megumi has crafted an entire series of projects around these two iconic figures. A spectacular quilt plays the key role while a variety of smaller quilts and projects embellish an already magnificent centerpiece.
I immediately thought this was in a similar style as Yoko Saito – and there is a reason for that. Megumi Mizuno has been a student of Yoko Saito for over 20 years. She loves appliqué and the traditional Japanese universe that she interprets in her own, never-before-seen style. Megumi’s love of handwork can be seen throughout her work, not only through her detailed appliqué work, but through her embroidery and quilting, all of which are notable for their refinement.
This book is simply stunning! The quality of the paper and photography are reminiscent of a coffee table book. But, please make some of the projects! They are all translated into English as well – and give measurements in inches as well as metric.
Her eye for detail will have you looking at every pattern in a whole different way! She takes individual elements of a pattern and showcases it as an embellishment on a smaller project so the possibilities are endless. Even the zipper pulls are exquisite!
All of you who follow Yoko Saito will love and want this book!
Defined as: Boro (Japanese: ??) are a class of Japanese textiles that have been mended or patched together. The term is derived from Japanese boroboro, meaning something tattered or repaired. Boro textiles could be stitched or re-woven together, with many layers often added for warmth.
I had never heard the term Boro but it is the perfect description of this technique! Combined with Sashiko, “mending” has become its own art form! The book is due to be released by C & T in December. Wouldn’t it be a great gift???
Doesn’t it remind you of crazy quilting – but the shapes are squares and rectangles? What a great way to learn traditional sashiko stitches! I remember my grandmother having patches in her sewing kit to repair the knees in our jeans. Keep a supply of these on hand to not only mend but to add a decorative touch to your next purse; clothing project; or quilt. Wouldn’t these be great borders on a quilt label???
The Handy Pocket Guide to Sashiko is the perfect companion to this book. It is selling so fast that it is hard to keep in stock but don’t worry – more are on order.
We also carry a wide variety of thread, flosses, kits and needles. Your customers who love redwork, will love this!
What a great series of classes! In her own words: “Let the adventure begin” with The Snuggle is Real collection! Sweetly designed for babies and toddlers, each of the 14 patterns include a variety of techniques such as Vinyl, Embroidery Leather, Applique Glitter, decorative stitching, and more.
Who wouldn’t love to have a collection of these on hand for last minute gifts – and learn knew techniques along the way! She has even designed body suits in three sizes: 3-6 month; 6-9 month; and 9-12 month and two colors: Koala Grey and Blushing Peach! They come two to a pack.
Made from soft and snuggly 100% cotton, each bodysuit is completely open on one side, making the garment easy to hoop. After adding your embroidered design, sew up the side with a simple straight stitch.
Everything is scheduled to be in stock the middle of July so order them now. We need to stockpile them for all of those Corona babies!!!
Honeybee’s Garden combines exquisite embroidery with stunning pieced borders and English paper-pieced flower garden blocks. Meg, of Crabapple Hill says: Buzzing bees are the heartbeat of every garden. These happy little bees have the perfect home, lots of beautiful flowers, and messages that show them the love every day.
Quilt finishes 38 1/2″ x 38 1/2″
A summery little dish towel is just what the doctor ordered right now! The perfect little project to fill a summer afternoon, it’s great for beginners and just plain juicy!! There’s also a great little recipe for the yummiest Strawberry Shortcake imaginable!
Embroidered block measures 7″ x 7″
Sweet, fragrant flowers adorn this 8″ x 5″ needlebook, with a little reminder of what it’s used for stitched right on the front too. The embroidered charm closure adds just a little bit more floral charm!
Don’t you just love handwork in summer? The patterns are due to arrive in the warehouse the first week in July so place your orders now.
But, here is a sneak peak at what is coming this Fall! Meg has written a book with Martingale!
You can order it now – because you know you are going to love it! I can’t wait to see all of the projects hidden inside…..
I LOVE this new round the year series by Sew Cherished! All of her designs have that awe factor that you just can’t resist! These 10″ wool circles are the perfect handwork project and would be a great wool Round of the Month!
We already have pics on the website for the first three. The next three are entered – but we don’t have the pics yet! Don’t you love a surprise – especially when they are this cute???
I love the stand because it is 22″ high so it adds height to any display. Smaller things can be showcased around the base to create a charming vignette! The designer used sew-in magnets to attach the wool design!
The patterns and stand are all due to arrive later this month.
I do not have an embroidery machine YET so I have deferred to an expert for this post. Nichole Schneider is a Checker buyer and knows everything there is to know about the subject!
Hoop Easy Cotton Batting from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
Do you ever have a need for just a little bit of batting? This easy to use roll of 100% natural cotton batting is perfect for all your quilt-as-you-go or in-the-hoop projects. I love it for small projects or for use in limited spaces. The convenient roll is super easy to use and space-saving to store. The 10 or 12-inch roll is a great thing to have on hand for small projects!
When combined with 100% cotton thread and fabric, batting is microwave safe for up to 6 minutes- in 2-minute intervals.
Pro tip: Hoop your preferred stabilizer and float batting in the hoop. Use this batting to give a little extra loft to in the hoop projects- especially the arms and legs of stuffed animals.
Hoop Easy Embroidery Batting – Cotton Poly Batting with Scrim from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
Finally! Batting that supports your stitches WITHOUT additional stabilizer. Hoop the embroidery batting and off you go! Supports up to 8,000 stitches per layer. 11% Scrim for added strength and stability, this batting will not shift.
I love this batting for
fully enclosed in the hoop projects. The batting IS the stabilizer! Nothing to
remove. Simply trim when finished. This is a GREAT stabilizer
to use for stuffed animals, pouches and more.
Your project is soft after embroidery and has a really nice loft to it
as well.
Pro tip: if you need more stitch count support, simply float a piece of tear away under the hooped batting.
Hoop Easy Stick & Wash Away from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
Perfect for hard to hoop items -simply hoop with release paper side up. Once hooped, score release paper with a T-pin and gently peel the paper up. Stick your hard to hoop fabric or item to the adhesive side and embroider. When finished, un-hoop and remove the stabilizer with water. Wash Away stabilizer is great for sheer fabrics and those with an open weave, also excellent for applique. Supports 8,000 stitches per layer.
Pro tip: For easy removal- spray backside of the project with water from a mist bottle. Then gently peel off the stabilizer. You can also immerse in water, and the stabilizer will dissolve completely.
Hoop Easy Stick and Tear Away from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
Perfect for hard to hoop items. Simply hoop with release paper side up. Once hooped, score release paper with a T-pin and gently peel the paper up. Stick your hard to hoop fabric or item to the adhesive side and embroider. When finished, un-hoop and tear away stabilizer from the project. Supports 8,000 stitches per layer.
Pro tip: After embroidering, gently tear off the stabilizer.
Hoop Easy Sew-In Mesh from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
Sew-in Mesh adds stability while retaining the softness of the fabric. This product works great with knits, loose weave fabric, and fleece. It supports up to 8,000 stitches per layer.
Pro tip: Leave this stabilizer in after embroidering. If you need more stabilization- float tear away stabilizer under the hoop.
Hoop Easy Tear Away from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
This is the cleanest tear away you’ve ever used. The stabilizer is perforated for a precise tear and easy removal. This works best with woven fabrics and other fabrics that do not stretch. Supports 8,000 stitches per layer.
Pro tip: If you need more stability, layer up the stabilizer.
Hoop Easy Topper from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series
Use this topper to prevent stitches from sinking into your fabric. After embroidering, tear topper away, then remove any excess with water.
Pro tip: use topper when embroidering toweling or “furry” fabrics- and the stitching will sit nicely on top!
Roam the streets of this sweetly stitched village with Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet Company! Twelve quaint, colorful cottages have plenty of room for you to play with palettes and shades to create your dream dwellings. Mind the rows of churn dashes while strolling the paths, while a simple border fences in these abodes. Prim Village Cross Stitch pattern comes with full-color instructions, diagrams and supply list, including suggested DMC and AuriFloss colors. It is printed on durable 11″ x 17″ cardstock. The cross stitch pattern includes charts for the Large Prim Village and Small Village and is designed for 25ct Oatmeal Lugana. Large Prim Village finishes at 11.75″ x 12″ and Small Prim Village finishes at 3″ x 5″. Large Prim Village is designed to fit a 14″ x 14″ frame and Small Prim Village is designed to fit a 4″ x 6″ frame. The pattern is available now!
A cute Prim Village enamel charm is included also. This adorable charm is exclusive to the Prim Village pattern. #ISE-412 From It’s Sew Emma
Lori Holt, our favorite Farm Girl designer, loves turning her favorite quilt designs into cross stitch. These sweet, simple designs make cross stitch fun again.
And, now she has packaged eighteen inch squares of the 10 count fabric that she uses in her designs. Whether you choose Heritage; Farmhouse; Buttermilk; American Blue or Blackboard, your designs are sure to pop!
The patterns are in stock now, the vintage cloth will be available next month.
