Newsletter
September 2012
Hello, friends, and happy September. Good news! Margret is back from sabbatical, so stop in to say hi, if you haven’t already.
We salute the back-to-school season on our chalkcloth banner. Dawn Weber made the banner and a roll-up portable drawing mat, just two of many options for projects with this handy product.
The Ghastlies: the deadline for submitting blocks is very soon: September 15. It’s not too late make one! We’ll make a quilt out of the blocks, auction it, and proceeds will go to PAWS. The Ghastlie quilt will be on the bed during October to put us in the Halloween mood. Come in or call for all details. To give you a couple of ideas, the blocks below were pieced by Margret Darrah and Margaret Jones.
Stash Dash Oct. 5 - 7: put this on your calendar. The Kitsap County area shop hop is coming up Ocober 5 – 7. Visit all eight shops during that time, collect a free fat quarter from each, and become eligible for prizes, including a Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine. You can pick up a passport at the first shop you visit that weekend, including Esther’s, of course.
First Meeting: Modern Quilt Guild, October 4, Thursday, 7 – 9 pm
We are excited about the possibility of launching a local (island) chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild. Please join us for the first/organizing meeting (more information on the national guild is at modernquiltguild.com). Bring your ideas, comments, and questions, and we’ll see if we can put together a schedule of activities. Any and all sewers/quilters are invited. P.S. We’ll serve drinks and snacks.
September In the Fox Gallery
Stop in to gaze at the wonderful display of vintage quilts made by Margaret Jones’ great-grandmother who lived and quilted in small-town Arkansas. We are fortunate to see this collection of quilts which gives us a peek into the life and times, and artistic eye, of Margaret’s relative. Thank you, Margaret, for sharing this part of your family history with us, not to mention the yummy cheese straws and jam cakes you served at the opening reception!
On the bed
Here’s a bright and easy quilt pieced by Tami Puu and quilted by Gladys Shulz, in a pattern called Super Zig. Helen Ross turned us on to the free download pattern from the Lecien Fabric website.
Fall Fashion Features Corduroy: here’s a duo of softest corduroy skirts with ruffly tops from Denyse Schmidt fabric, all sewn by Sarah Fulford.
Look forward to the wet stuff with a custom umbrella made by you. Below is a sample made by Sarah from laminated cotton. Find the pattern and “skeleton” at Esther’s (we also have a kid-size pattern and hardware), or sign up for one of two umbrella classes offered this fall.
And yet another fun project: Amy Butler’s Gum Drop Pillow Pattern which makes into a small or large pouf stuffed with poly fiberfill. Brighten up a corner of your home with a set made in bright cottons, or, perhaps, a more subdued upholstery fabric.
Happy sewing from the Barbara and the gang at Esther's!
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August 2012
Hello friends of Esther’s:
We hope you’re enjoying the long-awaited summer weather. If it gets too hot, come on down to Esther’s and enjoy the cool: temperature and fabric!
A blast from the past – If you missed the BI 4th of July parade in person, fortunately we’re providing photos of our “Quilt Cart Drill Team” entry which featured American Hero Quilts. The quilts were stitched and quilted by volunteers and will go to injured troops at Madigan Army Hospital. To date we have completed about two dozen quilts; working on them continues to be a rewarding group effort. Everyone with basic sewing skills is welcome to join us on the third Thursday of the month at Esther’s from 7 – 9 p.m.
In the Fox Gallery
Tracy Lang is this month’s artist; she’s showing an intriguing interactive exhibit of photographic images on acetate called Mix or Match. Tracy invites viewers to see what interesting artistic effects they can make by layering the images. The exhibit stays up throughout August.
Road Trip Report
Mr. Esther and I took a road trip to Sisters, Oregon, to see the famous outdoor quilt show on July 18. Now in its 37th year, the show featured 1,600 quilts (that is one thousand six hundred) exhibited outdoors throughout the town. Wow! I loved it because the event celebrates not only quilting of all kinds, but also the town spirit of Sisters. It’s obvious that the entire population works together to make the show a success. What about it? Think we could do this on BI?
What’s New in the Store
Take a look at the night gown and robe made by Sarah from Amy Butler’s newest fabrics.
And the tunic, also sewn by Sarah, from Tula Pink fabric (see the squirrels?)
And the “Victory Garden Quilt” – in honor of the Summer Olympics - sewn and quilted by Gladys Schulz.
And new Echino fabrics from Japan (guess who made the bag?) and Kona Bay Fabrics: they’re beautiful!
And, last but not least, Royce, the bear, with his new summer pants. By the way, here’s a look at Uncle Royce in whose honor Royce the bear was named! I’m told the beard was temporary to coincide with Uncle Royce’s role as Pirate Captain in The Pirates of Penzance staged by Ovation in July. I wonder if Bear Royce has inherited Uncle Royce’s musical or theatrical talents?
And, we also have chalkcloth in stock, “Swatch Buddies” to keep track of your stash, and, Superior’s King Tut variegated quilting thread, to name a few of our newer products in the store. Come in for a visit and you’re sure to find even more new stuff.
Wednesday Night Special Report
Just wanted you to know that we’ve had a grand time with our Wednesday night specials. Below are a couple of pendants made in Button Jewelry class, and several Kanzashi flowers that were completed tonight –about two hours ago when I was still in the store.
See what you missed! We’ll be doing them again in the fall, so watch for the schedule. (Note to self: make these for holiday gifts.)
The Ghastlies: they’re baaack
Remember the Ghastlies? That charmingly gruesome (or is it gruesomely charming?) family that has been showing up on Alexander Henry fabric? Well, happily, they’re back again. To celebrate, we are announcing a contest for all Ghastlie fans.
- Make a quilt block 15 1/2” square. This allows for ¼” seam on each side so we can sew the blocks together into a quilt top.
- Use a recognizable piece of Ghastlies fabric, plus whatever other fabrics you want as long as they coordinate in color with the Ghastlie palate (moldy green, dusky pink, raven black, ashen gray, ghostly white). Ghastlie fabric is available at Esther’s in fat quarters or yardage. Get yours now!
- Deadline: Submit your square to Esther’s by 6:00 p.m., September 15.
- Your square won’t be returned to you; it will become part of our Ghastlies quilt which will be shown at Esther’s in October and then will be auctioned; proceeds will be donated to PAWS.
- The winner will be announced before October 1 and will receive a special Ghastlie gift.
We hope to see you soon. Happy sewing!
Barbara and the Gang at Esther’s
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June 2012
Hello sewing pals!
First things first: the latest “Mollie Makes” and “Marie Claire Idées” are here. Both are great reads, one in English (from the UK) and the other in French (language is not a barrier in the world of fabric).
Also, the latest issue of “Stitch” magazine is in the store, and includes a pattern for a cute cap designed by Jenn Rhoads. Way to go, Jenn.
Spring Quilt Market
Since last I wrote I had the pleasure of a trip to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Spring Quilt Market. It is always inspiring to see the newest fabrics, patterns, books, and everything else…and to bring home news of the quilting fabric world.
In the quilting realm, there were lots of modern takes on quilts, in both patterns and fabrics. Many solids were featured, in new colors, and hexagons were a common detail. There were more garments and accessories shown than ever before all sewn from fabrics from our favorite quilt cotton suppliers. There were many knits, many more laminates, as well as voile and lawn, and linens, to suit apparel sewers. And, Alexander Henry’s booth featured home dec. weight fabric in a big way. In a nutshell, great stuff for all.
Our cute little shop bear now named Royce (after a husband who wears identical pj pants), had a great time frolicking at Quilt Market and getting his photo snapped with fabric celebrities!
After getting his picture taken with Denyse Schmidt, Tula Pink, and Anna Maria Horner, he took a rest on a pile of poufs in Amy Butler’s booth and hung out in a tote bag at the Echino fabric display.
Watch for fabrics from all of the above to arrive during the summer.
Modern Quilt Guild
At Market there was more visibility of the Modern Quilt Guild movement whose membership is increasing across the country. I have been talking to a variety of “MQG movers and shakers” in the northwest about how best we (on the Island) can get ourselves involved. Thank you to those of you who have let me know you are interested in finding out more; I hope to get something together within the next two months. I’ll keep you posted. For more information: www.modernquiltguild.com.
News flash: Fabric of the Day! In the store we have been taking turns picking out a “fabric of the day” which sits up front near the cash register. A fabric chosen for this honor is 15% off on that day, so don’t forget to check it out each time you come into the store.
In the Fox Gallery
This month’s exhibit is of quilted works with a modern perspective from Carol Latham who is showing works she has pieced and quilted in primarily solid colors. Come take a look if you didn’t stop by during ArtWalk. Her show makes an inspiring background for sewing (or looking at patterns) in the shop.
On the Bed
This month Margaret Jones is lending us a cabin-y quilt she pieced from a pattern called “Plaid Obsession” in the book “Strips and Strings” by Evelyn Sloppy. I believe the book is out of print, unfortunately. To evoke a summer-at-the-lake feeling, we are also showing a throw made from four “fishing vacation” tea towels. This would make a great hostess gift, or picnic blanket, or throw for a lazy nap in the afternoon.
Western Washington Shop Hop takes place June 20-24, for any of you quilters who can’t resist the challenge of collecting blocks from each quilting shop in Western Washington. We’ll show a photo of our block on our website, or come see it in the store. Pick up a brochure so you can plan your itinerary.
Sew and Tell
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.
Kids Summer Sewing
Jeanette Schanilec has planned some extra fun sewing activities for youngsters and teens. Here are samples from Sew Small, Design a Doll, and Fashion Week for Dolls. Click here for a list of classes.
Adult Classes: I’ll be sending a complete list shortly, so watch for it!
Until then, enjoy the nice weather and stop in to say hello if you can tear yourselves away from enjoying the sun!
Happy sewing,
Barbara and the gang at Esther’s
P.S. Esther’s Facebook page is waking up from a long slumber.
