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

Just a taste.

Fabrics ala Moda.

Moda is the newest addition to our ever expanding group of fabric suppliers. It was only a few weeks ago that we met with their charming salesman, Mark, placed our first order and Wow! several of the items are already here.

Most of the prints we've received so far are wonderfully classic with a bit of retro kitchen fun. Many of the fabrics from this grouping are 54" wide and perfectly suited for funky table linens or other home decor.
Though its a bit too late for Cinco de Mayo now... these Mexican cowboys and fun fiesta print would make great tablecloths for a summery gathering. Mmmm... I'm suddenly craving homemade tacos, fresh tomatoes and my dad's amazing salsa, loaded with cilantro picked straight for his back yard.













Oh and of course mom and I could not resist these adorably packaged "Learn to Sew" kits. Within their precious tin boxes the two kits include coordinating, quality fabric and supplies for your young sewer to embark on their first simple project.

And last but definitely not least, something for the pups! These perfectly paired prints would make up a super cute doggy bed, don't you think?


I have to admit that I'm more of a cat person (please don't hate) though I seriously cannot resist Scottish Terriers and miniature Schnauzers, honestly who couldn't? their cuteness is ridiculous!!

Off to NY

Final WARNING!!!!

Sew to Speak will be closed for the first part of next week. So if you need anything, tomorrow (11am-5pm) is the time to stop in.

We'll be closed Tuesday, April 28th through Thursday, April 30th.
We will reopen Friday, May 1st at 11am.
However, all classes will continue through the week as scheduled.

Call if you forget - 267-3011

Have a great week!
See you when we return :)
Sincerely,
Sew To Speak

A Gray and Rainy Monday

Perhaps these springy prints will bring a little brightness.

Though the forecast may be cloudy and damp, there is plenty of sunshine in the shoppe. And because our doors are closed on Mondays I thought we might share our sunshine with you through some photos today.


Wishing you all a wonderful week,
with happy sewing,
and many sun filled days ahead.
See you soon,
April
on behalf of Sew to Speak.

Oh p.s. ----> Take warning...
Sew To Speak will be CLOSED Tuesday, April 28 through Thursday, April 30. We will re-open Friday, May 1st at 11 AM. Call if you forget.... 614-267-3011.

Stoked

Not a word I often use, but an excellent way to describe how these recently received threads make me feel.
We were very happy to find out we could get these super awesome Echino Scooters back into the Shoppe. Often with the Japanese fabrics we order there is a very limited availability and many times we can't reorder them. But this Etsuko Furuya lady is in high demand and seamsters must have raved enough to get 'em to give us* some more!
*by "us" I mean the sewing world at large, not just us, we're not that special... at least not yet anyway. :)
In addition to getting the Scooters back we also ordered in this beautiful airplane block print. The retro color combos and cheater cloth style of this print had me instantly falling in love....

ohhh so yummy... what will we make from you?...

Also we should have another one or two Echino prints coming. One of which is an amazing retro, stenciled car, stamp type print that I cant wait to play with. I'll be sure and share that one too.

But getting back to the topic of whats in the shoppe right now... our Mr. UPS man dropped off several more Alexander Henry prints, some lovely Denyse Schmidt fabric, Anna Maria fabrics and some other goodies that you'll just have to come in to see!

Oh but wait!!! I can't believe I almost forgot! .... Anna Maria Horner's new patterns are here! Four total - a skirt, a dress and two bags. The designs are exquisite, the pattern photos are drool worthy and even the shipping had charm as the whole stack was safely wrapped in a tissue paper dress pattern and sealed with her signature sticker. I didn't take any pictures of these but perhaps I'll share some in the near future, as well as photos of the dress that Mom has nearly completed.