Who Is Responsible for This?

Who can I thank for this wonderful pattern? I know I thanked you when you first brought it to the shoppe but I want to thank you again because it is sooooo good! And simple! Your gift of the blanket pattern was written to be used with flannel. I think your name is Sally but it could have been Barb. You gave it to me along with showing me your sweet sample. I have given the pattern to countless people and I wanted to share it again. It's free but it's not my work so I didn't want to put it out to the world. Just stop in if you want a printed copy. And if you are the wonderful customer who gave it to me... "much obliged."

This one is made from a Japanese print and Moda Quilted Texture.

My friends Sonia and Jason are having there first baby, a girl. A group of women and men (yay for men at baby showers) at our church put on a lovely baby shower. I love that my church does bridal showers and baby showers. It takes the pressure off those of us who are in homes that need work (me). They send out the invitation to all the congregation, no exclusions. Jim didn't really want to go to the shower but I promised him they were serving lunch and that got him there.

This project started with a pot holder that Sonia spied in my kitchen. It had a matryoshka on it. April made it for me for a Christmas gift. She actually made me a set, 2 pot holders and an oven mitt but I burned the oven mitt on my electric stove (hey, I am used to gas. You can see when gas is on. I burned up many so things with those darn coils that we dc'd the smoke alarm). Anyway, Sonia saw the pot holder and loved the matryoshka doll on it. We had just gotten a re-order on our Japanese matryoshkas and I knew then I was going to make something out of it.

This little blanket is made from two pieces of fabric one 30" and one 40". The pattern says use two coordinating 2 yard pieces of flannel and you get two blankets with the pattern reversed on each. I chose the Moda Quilted Texture because of the obvious; texture and a quilted look without quilting. It is an amazing fabric. It is often over looked in the shoppe because before washing and drying it looks virtually flat and out of the dryer it poofs and scrunches and turns into a luscious fake quilt plus it is 100% cotton!

You can see the before and after effects of washing and drying. It comes in natural and white .

What baby gift would be complete without a Target gift card?

Sonia opened my gift first. There were some "Ahs" in the room and the look on her face was pretty sweet. She seemed to like it a lot. Her husband, Jason was sitting next to her and said, "Wow. This sets the bar pretty high." I don't know about that. I see fabulous quilts that you guys make all the time. And I know our friend, Savannah did something fabulous for them too... Jim and I ducked out of the shower early so I didn't get to see much else.

So really, this was an hour project that goes together beautifully. I love it for that and I was happy with how it turned out. I will make it again soon, probably with linen!! And one with the white Moda.

I think this combo of Japanese prints and leather colored linen would be sweet. Know anyone having a boy?

So if you are responsible for getting this pattern to me... Let me know. And anyone who wants the pattern... I'll make you a copy because the lady who gave it to me said I could share it. If you live out of Columbus and don't make it in the shoppe but want the pattern... send me a self addressed envelop stamped and I will mail it to you. Anita at Sew To Speak 4610 N. High St. Columbus 43214. Share the baby love!!

August arrivals and a visit from designer RAE HOEKSTRA!!

Sewing Garments with MADE BY RAE!! Wednesday Aug. 28, 6 - 9PM Come and meet Rae Hoekstra: designer, pattern maker, world famous sewing blogger, and all around lovely lady. Rae will begin the evening with a meet and greet, followed by a presentation and Washi Dress trunk show. A wardrobe full of handmade clothing is possible! Rae will walk you through how she conceives and alters a basic pattern to make many different variations using her many samples of the popular Washi Dress as illustration. She'll also share some of the things she's learned along the way about choosing fabrics, taking measurements, using patterns (both printed and digital PDFs), and more. You'll be inspired to sew up a closet full of handmade clothing of your own! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You can also sign up for Rae's Washi Dress Techniques Workshop. Thursday, Aug 29, 9AM - Noon. This workshop is designed to offer time to work on the Washi Dress with Rae's assistance. Rae will also cover many of the sewing techniques needed to complete the Washi Dress. Possible topics are: sewing a smooth dart, shirring with elastic thread, adding facings, seam and armhole finishing, and hemming. These techniques are commonly used in many other women's (and even children's) clothing patterns as well! Please note that due to time limitations, we will not be able to sew an entire dress from start to finish; however, Rae will be available to assist you and answer questions specific to your dress. Workshop space is limited so call or come in to sign up. In addition to this, Rae has offered some time on Wednesday for those of you who would like a private fitting. Call us at the shop to find out more and to schedule appointments. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We have lots of smart prints for those returning to school! [Collage is shown above.] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It is hard to believe we are already more than a week into August and soon school will be starting once again. Fall is close and new sewing projects are piling up! This mid-season shift is a great time for fabric as we recieve Summer's last arrivals and Fall's firsts.... We are very well-stocked in the shop! Here is a peek at
what's NEW:
Briar Rose!! by Heather Ross, Lush Uptown by Erin Michaels for Moda, Ziggy (and zaggy) prints form Windham,		numbers, masks and other novelties from AH, Nordika by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery, Collage by Carrie Bloomston and lots more....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fall classes have been scheduled!!! View our listings here. Call or come in to sign up. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Happy August Sewing, Anita, April and the Sew To Speak Team

May - Months End.. Skinny Bolt SALE, Designer Meet and Greet + more!!

Skinny Bolt SALE Starting tomorrow, Wed. May 29 through Mon. June 3rd. take 30% OFF all SKINNY BOLTS Of course many of you know we just returned from Market where we often order lots of gorgeous fabrics for the coming months. These will surely start to arrive very soon, so to make room we're having another SKINNY BOLT SALE! How it works: Any bolt with 3 yards or less (the skinny bolts) will be 30% off.. but you have to take it all. We'll measure it out and whatever is there, if you want it, you take it for 30% OFF! It will be fun to see what good deals you will find! They could be anything from a cool cotton that you've been eyeing for awhile to a brand new arrival that's already been whittled away. New "skinny bolts" will come along every day! Sale in store only.
Showcase: Local Designer, Andie Hanna! This Saturday, June 1st, 10AM - 1PM come out for a meet and greet/trunkshow and GIVEAWAY! Last summer Andie won the Spoon Flower/Robert Kaufman fabric contest and now has a gorgeous fabric line with Robert Kaufman. She grew up in Columbus but has been a fashion and surface designer from east coast to west coast. We are so lucky to have another local fabric designer. Andie is the cousin of our beloved Michelle Thomas and they have put together a lovely trunk show for your enjoyment along with fabric to give away!!! NEW Fabrics
New home decor pony dots and other prints Andie Hanna's Modern Bliss for Robert Kaufman Our first professional grade outdoor fabrics from  Premier Prints		Victoria and Albert prints from Westminster Ride by Julia Rothman for Windham Fabrics more choices of designer laminated cottons and other fabrics arriving weekly!!
In Other News... We have decided to change the direction of our online store. For now, we will not be adding any new inventory to the web site. Due to that, no fabrics in this email are linked. To see more items from these featured lines you can visit us on Facebook, Instagram or simply come in to the shoppe. If you are not local and you wish to buy something not listed online we gladly except phone orders. Call us at 614-267-3011. Thanks for your understanding, as we continue to seek out our niche in the online sewing community.

Mid sale..

Hello Friends!

Happy Friday. We sent out a little newsletter this week. Hope you are all connected to us there, because  I forgot to announce it here as well...

Here's what we have going on (better late than never):

Gossamer feathers... from Blend
Anniversary SALE!! A little belated, but then so seems Spring... now, both are HERE!! OUR ANNUAL SALE starts this Wednesday, April 3rd thru Wednesday, April 10th! Sale includes: select quilting weight cotton 20-50% off, including Denyse Schmidt, Alexander Henry, Moda, Lecien, Joel Dewberry and more. Rayons 30% off Many Home Decs 20-30% off Knits 30% off Wool 30-50% off Select organics 20-40% off and more!! For online shopping, enjoy 15% OFF you entire order (plus our always FREE domestic shipping) when you type "ANNIVERSARY" in the coupon code box, at checkout. Wednesday thru Wednesday. Fresh Spring Fabrics
Simple new Moda mixers by Basic Grey, 2wenty Thr3e's Cameras by Cosmo Cricket and pretty little Posy by Aneela Hoey for Moda, Architextures by Carolyn Friedlander,		Many new Alexander Henry arrivals Several other fun, new, novelties, including Locally Grown by Creative Thursday, INKWELL and other black & White prints from Lecien, Moda and more...
OTHER EVENTS: >>----> THE STAPLE DRESS <---- span=""> PATTERN RELEASE PARTY! On Saturday, April 6th, from 10AM - 3 PM, we will be celebrating the release of April's first sewing pattern, The Staple Dress. April will be in the shoppe, sharing her pattern, talking about the dress, the process of printing and using PDF patterns and giving glimpses of her other upcoming designs! The Staple Dress pattern is currently a PDF, available only on her blog, HERE. However, she will be bringing limited addition printed patterns that day... for sale while they last! photography by Suzanne Gipson Happy SPRING Sewing!!!

Thanks Everyone for making this anniversary our very best!

It was a wonderful, wonderful day!

Full of

giant balloons,

happy, crafty shoppers...

TONS of fabric,

flowers..

cookies...  and friends.

We are so blessed to have such an amazing crew of kind, creative people and a community that embraces and supports us! 

Thank you for 5 great years!!

♥

oh.. and one last photo.. from our friend Katie Lewis at The Red Kitchen

I just loved the shadow of our flags on the big balloon... so I asked her if I could share it ;)

We're 5!!!! LET"S PARTY!!

Join us for our annual celebration,

Saturday, March 9th from 10AM - 5PM.

This year we are making merry with a White Wedding theme. Inspired by the good days of Downton Abbey, spring beauty, lace dresses, linen suits and white pennants strung throughout the town.

We will be GIVING AWAY amazing amounts of delightful fabric as well as other door prizes for sewers! Prize winners will be drawn all day long. No purchase necessary. Just stop in for a chance to win!

For the LOVE of LEOPARD!

The fact that I love my children, husband, my whole family and friends is a given. So I am here to profess an un-expected love...
Never would I have anticipated sewing so much leopard print, but upon the release of Anna Maria's Field Study I have fallen in love... true fabric love..

It started with just a few little wallets for myself and our friend Lindsey. Then I began playing with a little kitty rain cape creation, next I stitch Aelyn a Storybook Dress with the fantastic spotted cotton... I used it in a mini-quilt I made my mother (shown above before it's completion)... Then, finally I made myself a little carpet bag with the luscious velveteen! Now I'm dreaming of what I should make next...

Sharing in my infatuation is my dear friend and fellow blogger Emily. She made her rockin' Art Student Tote with Essex and Spotted in the Crowd and then stitched up this beautiful Star Quilt top using leopard as the base.. yes Leopard is now a neutral to us! How do you feel about that?

Show your spots!

Need some still? Shoppe here!

>>------}>
          April