In The Store
What's in store at Esther's Fabrics
We've got what you're looking for:
- inspiration!
- advice and guidance for most any sewing project.
- fabric for quilting, apparel, and home decorating.
- notions, ribbons, trims, buttons, books.
- Kwik-Sew and Burda patterns and more.
- DMC embroidery floss, perle cotton, and needlework supplies.
- supplies for crafts and felting.
- classes for kids and adults.
Come on in and join the fun.
Scissor / Knife Sharpening
John Grinter of Island Edge will sharpen your scissors, knives, clippers, pruners. Drop them off at Esther’s with a turn-around of 3-4 days.
Sewing Machine Repair
Drop off your portable sewing machine at Esther’s and Brian Jackson will pick it up and return it a few days later all tuned up. Brian can handle repairs/tune up on practically any machine, with special expertise on older, non-electronic machines. He does not service sergers or machine embroidery machines.
Creative Customers: Sew and Tell
Our customers have to be the best in the world, at least judging from the finished projects they bring in to share with us. Many of these have been featured in our monthly newsletters, too. We love to see the projects you have created, so don't be shy about bringing them in to share with us.
July 2012
Fashion Design at Esther’s A talented group of young designers assembled in June (2012) at Esther’s for an in-house workshop culminating in a fabulous runway show. Under the mentorship of Jeanette Schanilec, the five future designers created apparel ranging from sportswear to evening gowns. Young designers with their models from left to right are:
Aiyana Brumley, Ellie Nash, Maggie Faye, Ella Zachariah, and Lucas Massa.
Hit the floor: Meaghan Sledge shows off floor cushions she and Aunt Margaret Jones of Bainbridge Island stitched while Meaghan visited. The two used thick foam which Margaret had on hand plus home dec and cotton fabrics to create these stylish seats for Meaghan’s apartment.
June 2012
Take a look at this wonderful “t-shirt” quilt Gerry Worley made for her daughter, Kristi Worley, as she graduates from high school! Thank you, Gerry, for sharing it with us. What a lot of memories are stitched together in this quilt!
Here’s another quilt for a daughter from a proud mom: Lisa Mutty stitched this for her daughter Nina to take with her to college.
Madi Bolejack shows off the first skirt she has sewn, and it is so cute! I think I heard her say she plans to make more, maybe for all her friends, those lucky girls.
This lively orange stripe jersey has been popular recently. Here’s Elizabeth Davidson, who took a width of the fabric and threw it stylishly around her neck, no sewing required.
The same fabric is featured topping a print skirt in the store and on Dawn Weber, our newest Esther’s staff member, who sewed up a comfy top in the same stripes.
May 2012
In the Japanese vein, take a look at the beautiful wall hanging done by Rachel Bauch. It features sashiko stitching (a traditional Japanese-style stitch) highlighted by slim sashing in lime green.
Molly Dunn (on the right) shows off the quilt she is finishing for her son, Bobby, to fulfill his dream of a castle/dragon/knights-in-shining-armor bedroom. Molly enjoyed the challenge of finding just the right fabric for each part of her masterpiece.
March 2012
In the BAG
Patricia Hennessy, Hannah Ard, and Sarah and Dawn McGarvey from Sarah Fulford’s Beginning Sewing class show off their completed tote bags. Congratulations on some great-looking projects!
Two additional bag sewers show off their work below:
Rachel Cohen (left) and Naomi Davick (right) hold up their handiwork.
February 2012
Susan Boone’s delightful red, white, and blue quilt in a design called “American Pastimes” was quilted by Marybeth O’Halloran. Susan is a prolific quilter who donates her work to several causes close to her heart. She has donated this one to the American Hero Quilt project. Thank you so much, Susan, for sharing your work with us and for your gift to AHQ.
January 2012
Penny Lamping, Esther’s granddaughter, brightened our spirits with a bold red wool felt coat to keep herself toasty this season. Thanks for sharing, Penny!
John Keppeler is happily modeling the robe he had made by Esther’s Sarah Fulford. John had Sarah make a copy of his dad’s favorite robe as a special surprise.
December 2011
Rachel Lister shows off a charming embellished seasonal wool felt hat crafted by Sarah Fulford. (She’s a handy lady!) We are trying to keep the book with the pattern in stock as well as the wool felt squares from which the hat is made!
Customer Renae Matson considers a fabric to back the quilt top she sewed that morning. Renae is teaching herself to piece and machine quilt and loves to use fabric with beautiful large patterns.
Wanda Stanley is showing off the dramatic necklace she designed and made out of black and white fabrics from Esther’s. Wanda embellished each rosette with a floral bead to add extra interest to her piece. Beautiful!
A regular of the “Sewing for Men” class, Mr. Esther (aka Jim Kirk) models the carpenter’s vest he completed recently. He points out that it is lined, has baffle pockets, and features special cell phone and key pockets on the inside.
Heidi Watson is smiling because she got an “A” in the “Quickstart Learn to Sew” class at Esther’s during which she made her first apron!
Kai Kilcher is ready to light up any gathering in the plaid silk skirt she made for the season. She’ll complete the look with a ruffled sleeveless top and wide black belt.
November 2011
Heather shows off her new fall coat which was custom-made by Allison Garrison.
Helen Ross shows off one side of her reversible apron.
Karen Keller is allowing us to show off the Ferry Boat Quilt she made for her soon-to-be grandson. Using Margret Darrah’s pattern, Karen designed her quilt to show rows of ferries at different hours of the day, including ferries at night on the back. Beautiful and cleverly done!
October 2011
Meilynn Smith designed and made this ingenious reversible vest, inspired by the Japanese indigo “strip” quilt top in the store.
Carmen Bullard shared a photo of a gift she made for her granddaughter - the best pink princess dress a little girl could ever dream of!
Although Joel Bombardier has sewn many shoulder bags and tote bags, this is his first backpack. Looks great, Joel, thanks for sharing!
September 2011
Debbie Hollyer created this floor cloth after attending the last Floor Cloth Demo. She’s on to her next one, which will feature vegetables instead of flowers.
Audrey Marcum, a Woodward student, sewed the quilt top for this American Hero Quilt. She fulfilled community service hours for her sewing time. Gladys Schulz quilted it and it is now ready to be given to a wounded serviceman at Madigan Army Hospital. Way to go, Audrey, and thank you!
Maria Bischof modeled a dress she designed and made, a talent she plans to use by opening a business designing children’s clothing.
Ellen Miyasato took apart a favorite apron to use as a pattern for this new one she made out of linen. Note the bias cut ruffle that adds the right touch to the hem. Beautiful job, Ellen.
Karen Keller, Kindergarten teacher at Blakely, got tons of compliments when she lent us her quilt to feature on the bed.
