Market Photos: Set 2

Though this post feels long past due, it's truly right on time. 

Photo Set 2 includes all the wonderful Japanese distributors and the awesome Japanese fabrics that we saw at Market. 

Now why is it "right on time?" you might ask.

Because several of these fabrics arrived just TODAY! 

Excited?

I am!

Quilt Market Spring 2010

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Seven Islands

The newest from additions to Far Far Away by Heather Ross 

Gorgeous new prints on double gauze and linen blends, by Nani Iro.

A new fairy tale inspired designer who's name I failed to remember, printed on double gauze.

Fun new excursion inspired designs by Etsuko Furuya, Echino.

Lecien

Me in the Lecien booth, carelessly modeling an adorable sample and caught mid-arm movement! 

Hokkoh LTD 

I believe Hokkoh is a design group working for Lecien, though I am not 100% sure. We got a bit lost in translation?!?

Hoodie for Blank Quilting

Now just to be clear Blank is not a Japanese company but Hoodie is a Japanese designer (not to mention absolutely adorable, super sweet and one of my personal favorites!) So the following is just from Hoodie, none of Blank's other designers.

MoMo for Moda

The same can be said for MoMo as for Hoodie. 

MoMo is an amazingly talented Japanese designer working for an American company. And we just love her. These photo's are of her new line only and none of the other Moda designers.

Want to know what has arrived? Well you'll just have to come in and see ;)

Or you could also sign up/read your upcoming newsletter in which I'll be giving a run down of all Summers First Arrivals!

Happy sunny, summer days to you all!

♥

April

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).

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!

Party Preparations and New Goodies too!

Hello shoppe blog sewer friends,
It has been nearly a month since my last post. I haven't meant to be neglectful, I've just been busy busy busy. Between trying to help out around the shoppe while simultaneously chasing baby, sewing feverishly through nap time, enjoying time outdoors, and trying not to be too neglectful of my housework and sweet husband, the blog just slipped onto the back burner for a bit.
But now I'm here, excitedly typing, because there are such wonderful things to announce.

First PARTY time is less than four days away!
Our Birthday Celebration is this Saturday, March 14th, from 11-5! Stop in to put your name in the jar for our "every half hour" prize drawing. Your name will stay in the jar all day so you don't have to be present to win! The prizes are awesome and I must say I'm almost jealous because being the daughter of the shoppe owner renders me disqualified to win (but don't worry about me, I get my perks too:} ).

Second, yesterday we received a wonderful shipment of NEW goods.

Two beautiful New books, hot off the press...
Heather Ross' new book "Weekend Sewing". Gorgeous, fresh and inspirational with stunning photography. This book is filled with great projects including many lovely dresses! and comes with patterns!

Sewing Green by Betz White is all about inspiring us to reduce our waste and reuse what we have. Amazingly creative, with diverse projects, her book includes templets and patterns. This lady breathes new life into ideas that have been around for decades. She shares ways to save money while not sacrificing a bit of style.

Several fun New Japanese treasures. Fabric from Kokka as well as some beautifully made Japanese trims...

This kitty print has the sweetest salvage edge I've ever seen!

Japanese trims are in limited quantities so get them while they're here:)








and New Oliver&S patterns...

adorable spring looks for both boys and girls, more designs not pictured.

Also, we have some new Alexander Henry fabrics recently , a couple lovely new patterns for little girl attire by an awesome indie designer called Sugar City and tons of fun new shoppe samples as well as gift ideas for all ages.
So come party with us, bring your friends and your little ones, it's gonna be fun fun fun and the weather should be nice too... We can't wait to see all of you!
Until next time-
April.