For the love of gauze

After some hesitation toward working with what I assumed would be a fussy or delicate fabric, I have come to the conclusion that double gauze is absolutely amazing!
This stuff is just gorgeous. It is not a bit fussy. Light and airy, while not too shear, perfectly designed for wearing in warm weather. It's unbelievably soft and available in the dreamiest of prints, specifically those by Nani Iro, Heather Ross and Echino.
Yep, I've fallen in love! again.

Double gauze is, as it's name implies, two layers of gauze fabric. Created by the brilliant textile industry of Japan, this fabric is wonderfully breathable and made to be worn in the hot summer months. The two layers of gauze are held together by row upon row of teeny, evenly spaced stitches. These tiny connecting stitches are practically invisible on the right side of the fabric, but when you look closely at the reverse you can just barely see the continuous grid that they create.Though designed specifically for use in clothing, double gauze is also stunning and luxurious when used in quilts, simple blankets and other linens. Because, like I mentioned before, it is unbelievably soft!
I think that if I were expecting I'd make a dozen receiving blankets and burp cloths to pamper my baby in waiting.
Mmmmm... I can just imagine swaddling a brand new little one in this sweet speckled print and smelling that new baby smell...

But while I'm not expecting I'll just have to make stuff for myself and my awesome little toddler.
Dresses and skirts and bloomers oh my!!!
I'd even make sheets for my king size bed if my husband would approve of the splurge.
I'll be honest, double gauze is usually pricier then your typical cotton print due to the additional layer of fabric, the more time and labor intensive manufacturing process and of coarse the fact that it's an import.
However in my opinion, it is worth every penny...
...and if you have not yet touched the luxury that is double gauze, you'll have to come in and feel it for yourself! :)
'till next time,
April

Oh p.s. Take a look at this lovely dress in a double gauze print form Echino's newest line (made my beautiful mom, Anita).

Aelyn Says:

"hi"
"happy"and "Yuv you gammy"

In other words...
If you find yourself near the shoppe in the next few days be sure to stop in and say Happy Birthday to my Grammy!

Happy Birthday Anita

We yuv you!!!

Delivery

Yippy! The first boxful of Japanese fabrics arrived today. We oohhhed and awed while Mom quickly pulled them out. Each print was just as special as the next.
I always love being in the shoppe with mom but especially when we get deliveries like these!
I just LOVE Japanese!!!

And I think Aelyn might like it too.

Here she is taking her pick of the bunch :)

Ummmmm, wow!

The delicious fabrics were barely out of their plastic before being cut off their bolts. Emily Westenhouser, an awesome customer and talented creator of Umbrella Girl Productions, took the first few tastes.

And of course I couldn't go home without taking some of these new goodies for myself!
Oh man, I can't wait to sew them up. I must make a dress for AV with that adorable little deer print. And this blue beauty (the matryoshka dolls, above) needs be my new summer bag, with red and white polka dots on the inside.... smile.... sigh....

Okay yeah....
.......so I'm a little fabric happy.

What more can I say.

Happy Travels Megan

Lots of LOVE and best wishes to you, Megan!

Our wonderful Megan is leaving us for the summer. Her full time job as a teacher allows her the summer to travel, so travel she will.

We'll miss you lots Megan! but we're also very happy for you. So have fun exploring and we'll see you when ya get home!

I'll shut up about it (after this).

Okay, I know we have already written two other posts about Market but it was our very first time and obviously left quite an impression.
So anyhow, I need to post this one last post and then I'll shut up about it.




Oh... Seven Islands! My very favorite booth. Seven Islands is an amazing wholesale supplier. Provider of Kokka, Echino, Heather Ross, Trefle... and the entirely wonderful world of Japanese fabrics and trims.
Mom and I had a great buying session with our lovely rep, Lisa. That's her up there, the second photo from the top, quickly scribbling our fabric order. We love you Lisa!!!
I can't wait to see these beauties arrive. I think they should be in later this month :)


Sadly, we missed Heather Ross. She had left just a few minutes earlier after signing her new book and showing her precious new line for Kokka "Far Far Away". However, we had a wonderful surprise waiting for us when we got home. Her new prints where waiting to be unwrapped and given their rightful place on our shelves!

Brandon, You don't know us but we know you!

I just have to tell you that April is a "fabric designer stalker." She chased a group of designers from Westminster (Amy Butler, Valeri Wells, Jane Sassaman) up the escalator. Here she is seen as she finally catches up to Brandon Mably (he's sporting a shirt made out of "Fish Lips").

He was flattered and we had fun being goofs.
I am excited for our new fabric picks to arrive in the shoppe. They should be trickling in all summer. We did not get to see Amy Butler's new because it is not ready yet but she confirmed that it will be ready in August. She was inspired by her travels to Bali, England and India and we anticipate a lovely new collection along with Belle and Lotus favorites coming back next year in a "classics collection."

We had a great time at Quilt Market. I especially loved being with April for two whole days. Not only is she great at picking fabric, she is kind and loving and fun. I couldn't run the shoppe without her.

Posted by Anita Bowman

After Market

Well it's been over a week since mom and I got back from Quilt Market and it's about time I share at least some of the photos I took (I took a ton) and let you in on some of the things we ordered (and we ordered a TON).


First of I must say that the Convention Center in Pittsburgh was amazing! I had thought a lot about what the lighting might be like for the show and hoped desperately that their would be at least some natural light for photo taking. The space turned out to be phenomenal.
As we walked into the Convention we passed over a bridge that looked over the entire showroom and Wow! We were in awe.
And so here's just a taste of what we saw...

We finally met the lovely Amy.
And of course her booth was absolutely gorgeous.

Above mom chats with upcoming fabric designer, Laura Gunn.

Vicki Payne introduced her new line of home dec fabrics,
"For Your Home".

Kimberley Gladman (below) is a new and amazingly talented young designer for
Favorite Things patterns.
I can't wait to make her gorgeous coat.


We also got to meet the designer of our favorite children's clothing patterns,
Liesl Gibson of Oliver & S.

There is even more I'd like to share, but I think I'll break it up a bit and leave you hanging with anticipation.
Well... okay, I'll give you a clue... Japanese!

Quilt Market, here we come!

We are so excited!!

April and I get to attend Quilt Market in Pittsburgh this weekend. We will preview new fabric and patterns and meet some of our favorite designers!! I am overwhelmed just thinking of it. Imagine a huge convention center full of displays, items sewn up in our favorite collections and endless booths of inspiration.
This event is only open to retailers or we would invite you all to come with. However, April will surely be taking lots of pictures, so stay tuned for those.

Special thanks to Megan for working for me so I can attend. On Sunday Megan will have sewn items at the Craftacular (see below) along with Michelle Thomas, our Sewing 101 teacher.


If you are here in Columbus this weekend we hope you will attend the Eco Chic CRAFTACULAR at Whetstone Community Center. It promises to be fabulous.

see you soon, Anita