Great New Fabrics!

We have some great new reds and blues if you're feeling patriotic with flag day tomorrow and 4th of July here in just a couple of weeks!  Summer is happening and that is a great time for hand stitching or for staying cool in the sewing room.  We've got a little bit of fun with a variety of new collections filling the shelves!

 

Paisley Persuasion by Molly B's Studio for Marcus Bros. 

Let Freedom Ring by Nancy Gere for Windham
Bottom Bolt: Denim Patches 108" Quilt Back 

Union Blues by Barbara Brackman for Moda

New Australian Prints!

New 1800's Stash Rolls!

Get them while you can!
Sold Out!  Thank-you for shopping ~ We'll offer up  new variations in the future so watch for a post here and on the website.

Take this opportunity to delve into our scrap stash ~ and grab one (or a few!!) of 2T's stash rolls.  Each roll contains 12 different 6-inch strips (WOF), a total of 2 yards of fabric.  Fabrics in each roll will vary and be different than the picture shown, but rest assured that each fabric selected is from our extensive 1800's collection of reproduction prints.  Rolls will feature some old loves and new favorites, each roll has a distinct flavor that is sure to benefit your latest project.  These are available on the website or you can stop by and hand-pick your favorite roll.  

Available while supplies last. Help us clean house!  Each roll contains 2 yards of fabric !!

Guest Blog

Doesn't this sound familiar...to receive a bag of odds and ends from someone who doesn't sew, but thought you would be thrilled to have yet another unfinished project?  But wow...this turned into an amazing finished project!!  Great job Linda!

From Linda:  At a family picnic in 2009, my husband's cousin gave me a bag of fabric and some finished quilt blocks that they had found when they were clearing up his Aunt's estate. His cousin had taken the blocks home and had forgotten about them until she came across them when she was cleaning out her  sewing room. I left them sitting in the bag for a long time until I closely examined the contents. I found 25 hand embroidered blocks that depicted the history of the United States up to the Indian Wars. The blocks included 12 American eagle blocks as well. 

The blocks were stained and not square and I looked at them for several years with some trepidation. I mentioned them in passing to Lee, and she suggested that I use a product called Restoration on the blocks. They cleaned up in spectacular fashion. They looked fabulous, but there was still the size problem, and not much of a margin to work with...what to do? 

In January, after much prodding by my husband's family to produce something from these blocks, I finally took on the project. Lee helped me select fabrics from Jo Morton's traditional prints with a bit of americana flavor. I was lucky enough to find the original patterns in the bag with the finished blocks so I had some idea of how the finished quilt was meant to be laid out. From then on, it was a matter of attempting to square up each block and cut the frame for each block individually, since the size isn't uniform and I didn't want to cut into any of the stitched designs. All in all, I couldn't be happier with the end result. 

And now for a little background, I have no idea when these blocks were made. I am guessing that the pattern came from the Kansas City Star and that they came via mail through the newspaper. Everyone who might have known when Aunt Alberta sewed these blocks has passed, so it will remain a mystery. If anyone has a clue of the origin of the pattern, please share it with us! I still have the patterns, and they  are still useable after all these years.

Special thanks to Two Thimbles and Nikki Crisp for the all the design help and the special quilting. I loved working on this project, and I hope to do another project soon from a different group of old blocks that I have lying around. Happy Quilting!

New fabric speaks for itself?

Too many choices, not enough time?  Something like that anyway....we have a new little doll quilt that features a few of the Old Sturbridge fabrics and a bit of wool - we'll show it off soon, or stop by and check it out!

Circa 1825 by Sharon and Jason Yenter for In the Beginning

Le Bouquet Francais by French General for Moda

Summerland from Clothworks

Hullabaloo by Clothworks

Catnap

Close up Old Sturbridge

More Old Sturbridge

Toile Challenge Projects

Please don't get too excited - we don't actually have any purple toile in stock!  These shades are all created from the white and black toile that we DO have in stock.  What a difference a packet of dye can make?  This fabulous round quilt was a top vote recipient in the categories of most innovative design and most creative use of the toile fabric....Thank-you Suz - I might just have to make a dahlia quilt of my own now that you've shown us another take on color and design.    

Wow - what a difference a change in shape makes.  I can't say I've ever seen an oval center before and it really turns this small quilt into more of a portrait don't you think?  Kind of like an old photo and beautiful chocolate brown shades!!  Great job Louise!

And Judy shipped her little quilt to us from California to enjoy - beautiful soft colors, a nice border stripe and a great use for this larger scale subtle colored toile print.  This quilt won viewer's choice!  Great job Judy and thanks so much for sharing long distance!

These two pillows were the most vibrant - starting with the shades of blue toile - very innovative designs and a great step towards modern and crisp with the white contrast.  These are well executed Lynn and interesting to look at, a great way to take toile fabric beyond traditional!

And yes...if you look closely, Sharon did use some of the toile in the light position in this little quilt.  It is a beautiful quilt, and the fun pops of color, and bit of toile all combine to make a work of art.  I really appreciated that although this was about toile, Sharon was able to create a project that was on her terms and still participate in our challenge.  We love that!  

Thank-you to everyone that participated, by entering, voting and/or admiring we hope you found some inspiration one way or another!

Happy Stitching and Congratulations to our winners!!

Wrapping things up...

We have some loose ends we need to post about, so this is a bunch of mixed up topics and now you can't say we don't save the best for last?  We are working hard on getting caught up...not sure just what on, but always something right?   Here are two gorgeous examples of the Lincoln's Sampler challenge project - we didn't have a strong finish for this challenge, but perhaps these two examples will prompt those of you who are stalled out to get 'er done!!  The layout change on this first one really changes up the quilt we think!  Thank-you Judy and Evelyn for jobs well done and sharing your quilts!!

We have a couple of overdue winner's to talk about....from the Tri-County quilt tour event, Nancy Peck  got a whole handful of gift certificates - who hooo!!   And (drum roll here please....) our Two Thimbles gift certificate winner is Louise Murphy and we'll sneak a picture of her soon shopping for something she really needs!  Congratulations and thank you for attending the Quilt Tour event...we've got a great theme planned for next year, so creative ideas are starting to be tossed around for our project.  

We have a couple of photo updates from the workshop in March with Mary Elizabeth Kinch - one little completed project and some big progress with some little pieces.  What fun projects!

Evelyn Outside Her Box

We think that Laurie is well on her way to joining the SPA (that is Small Pieces Aficionado) Society!  Check out some other great completed small pieces work here.  

Laurie's Peel 1/4 done!

 And the most requested recipe from the workshop...Bob makes these for me, I mean our workshops, and although the recipe works just fine, I found that having a cook deliver them works pretty well and they taste great too....Can't beat that!  We'll have to make these a staple at any of our future events so that may just be reason enough to sign up for classes and sew-ins!  If you click at the bottom of the photo, the receipe will enlarge and you'll be all set to head to the kitchen.  

Bob's molasses cookies

And last in our round of housekeeping items, we finally have a completed Thimble SIX quilt pattern from our anniversary sew along last year.  Which means we are also close to rolling out a new anniversary quilt, and this time, you won't have to wait for a pattern - I found the perfect one waiting on the shelf!  So watch for a new little quilt soon.

Thimble 6 pattern cover

Hope you are enjoying our moments of sunshine!  And just a reminder, we are closed on Sundays for the rest of the summer ~ Enjoy some sewing time!

New Fabrics and then some

We are getting some fresh quilt samples hung in the shop...and lots of new fabrics for new summer projects.  And of course the anticipated spring issue of Quilt Sampler has arrived...just in case you need some ideas for where to go on your next outing!  We have a few copies left if you want to grab a little eye candy to keep you company with your morning coffee...or help put you to sleep at night lots of good inspiration to help you dream in quilts.

Bloom from Clothworks

It doesn't get any better than a princess in pink with a unicorn to call her own...or so I've been told. 

Bloom from Clothworks

We still have a couple of charm packs left from the Ladies Album collection but they have really disappeared quickly so don't wait if you are looking for some civil war style pre-cuts.

Ladies Album by Barbara Brackman for Moda

M is for Mystery from Marcus Brothers

We have toile challenge projects hung in the classroom for the rest of the month - they are amazing works of art and no two are remotely similar!  Come and see what creative ideas came about as a result of our toile fabric challenge!  Thank-you so much for participating and ...finishing your projects everyone that shared something.  We'll start a shout-out soon so watch for your name in the headlines.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Packing the shelves!

We are loading the shelves with lots of variety!  Fun and unique prints with a bit of a twist.  We have more to show off soon, and a really cute sample made from the Story Book collection - our charm packs for this group are flying out the door.  

Animal Flannel from Timeless Treasures

Oh my - what little monkey wouldn't look cute wrapped up in these prints?  Or, a shoe bag for travel, or PJ's for late night carousing?

Collections Circa 1852 by Howard Marcus for Moda

This is a gorgeous focal print, and some great carmel tans and browns.  For this group we just have a few key pieces and jelly rolls.

Farm to Fork from Windham Fabrics

Deviled eggs for Easter anyone?  I'm doing a few pot holders for grown up Easter baskets out of this egg print and a fun carrot print that we have...of course, there will be some Easter candy in the pocket of the potholder to make things right!

55/56" Paris Canvas

We had a similar print a while back - it was larger scale than this one, so if you missed out before, or want a print for a sophisticated book bag, this could be the one!

Brushed Cottons from Story Book by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. from Moda

Story Book 

We have some charm packs left - a clothesline of decorated onesies, and a simple star quilt like the one featured on Moda Bakeshop from this group.

Story Book

Farm Stand 

Perfect for a farmer's market tote, apron or picnic tablecloth!

Xanadu Digitally Printed Fabrics from P &B textiles

New Projects and Fabrics

Yes...we are Downton Abbey fans too, but didn't get too carried away with the line of fabric and chose a couple of the colors to focus on.  The era of 1920's is a bit 'modern' for us....

Downton

But then again, sometimes modern is just the way we like it.  This grey and buttery yellow is so nice, I'm ready for spring!

Joel Dewberry 

Judie Rothermel miniatures

More Judie R

As always, we love working with Judie's prints - we even included the toile print as an option in the toile challenge project!  Solids are modern...AND...remember, before the term modern quilting was coined...solids were used in traditional quilts - the amish influence is a timeless quilting style and we appreciate the loan of this little hand quilted treasure.  Thanks Laura!!

Working in Solids

Stacks Quilt ~ Tula Pink inspiration

A modern quilt with amazing quilting - thank-you Nikki....we love the way the quilting added a new dimension to this project.

Hope the snow outside is keeping you inside stitching!!

New Fabric and Fresh Project Ideas

We sold the machine, but we have a couple of versatile feet available if you are interested!

Specialty Feet for Bernina Available

Bernina Ruffler Foot- $25.00

Bernina Needle Punch Set-$145.00

in original Packaging

Set includes:

     -Needle Holder

     -Presser Foot

     -2 Extra Needles

     -instruction CD

If interested Please Contact:

Two Thimbles Quilt Shop

info@twothimbles.com

360-715-1629

Kelly created these great work aprons for gifts, and we had a little trouble parting with them - not only useful but great looking too - lots of pockets!

Amanda Jane Work Apron from Villa Rosa Designs

Some progress on our blocks...these will be set with some colorful reproductions on point so watch for more updates soon we hope.  This is currently a block of the month project for some of our customers, and we will be offering complete kits soon once we have our sample a bit further along.

Wish...Upon a Star completed Blocks

Some new additions to our basic collections, golds, greens and a bit o' cheddar.

Floral Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings from Moda

This quilt shows better in person I think - we downsized the project pattern from Marcus Brothers for a nice throw size quilt  - and the gorgeous red, black and tan border stripe takes the cake...would be a gorgeous addition to a strippy quilt or border for a dramatic finish.  

Summit Rose

We hope you are making headway on all those quilts and unfinished projects that have surfaced....we've heard about all kinds of goals and challenges and must finish lists!

Happy Stitching!