Cloth Shop Blog

A blanket for Charlize

2011-07-20T19:14:00.004+12:00

This is a blanket that Katherine's daughter Anna recently made for a christening present.

Although it's not made from a Cloth Shop pattern she bought most of the fabric from the Cloth Shop.

Great class - great bags!!

2010-05-23T21:59:00.007+12:00

This weekend Jacqui Karl was at The Cloth Shop teaching "Bags" Yesterday was the first day and they painted, stamped, embroidered and couched on different threads to their "plain" fabrics. Today they sewed their bags together - Trish is trimming batting for ther gusset.

Sharon and Trish sewing around the trickey corners. It is fun at a class to see the different colours and combinations everyone chooses, and how they are just "right" for the person who does the choosing!

Trish chose paua colours and for her stamps she chose koru hearts complemented her feature fabric perfectly!

Janice and Robyn chose pretty florals

they thought they were the slowest in the class - but they were wrong.

Mary chose a very sophisticated colour combination of grey and gold. It was a very successful weekend and everyone went home with their bags almost finished!

A busy weekend and a winner!

2010-05-07T11:48:00.005+12:00

It was a fun weekend with The Rose City Quilters holding their Tote and Gloat Annual show here in Palmerston North.
Not only did we pack up our shop and set up for the show, but we were giving away a fabulous brand new Husqvarna Emerald 183 to one lucky ticket holder.

Marjorie Dawson was the lucky recipient of the sewing machine, (pictured above with Katherine checking out her prize). She was overwhelmed by winning the new machine, she has had a very stressful few months health wise and was delighted at being able to retire her very old machine and have a brand new one to use. She thought it was just the thing to get her back to quilting classes!
It was lovely to be able to give you this lovely machine Marjorie, and we hope to see many beautiful quilts as a result.

Here are a couple of photos of our booth at Tote and Gloat.

2010-04-26T14:10:00.001+12:00

Katherine went up to Turangi to check out the beautiful venue for our stitching retreat in July with Leanne Beasley and Rosalie Quinlan. It will be held at Oreti Village.

What's the verdict Katherine?

PERFECT!!!

Can't wait to see you all there!

Stitching Friday

2010-04-23T13:46:00.004+12:00

Friday is an open day in our sewing room. Friday afternoons are for the embroidery girls, it was a fun afternoon, there were girls working on their quilting projects, and girls working on their embroidery projects. There were lots of ideas and lots of new things to learn!

At one stage the embroidery girls were all out in the kitchen dying calico and testing different types of tea bags for colours, mmmmmm, there were lovely smells coming from the kitchen!

Three very cute visitors arrive

2010-04-15T09:08:00.002+12:00

We had a special treat today, we had a visit from Sally and her granddaughter and they had bought in 3 of the cutest puppies for us to see, Hunter, Arnie and Sooty. They were only 6 weeks old and we got to give each of them a cuddle. Sally was trying to find loving families to adopt them, we could have quite easily taken all 3!!

All in a days work for us Cloth Shop girls!

Visitors to The Cloth Shop

2010-04-14T09:01:00.000+12:00

It was lovely to meet up with Raewyn from South Australia, (on right). Raewyn was visiting her friend Donna (left), who lives here in Palmerston North. They were busy looking at Block of the Month projects.

We have quite a few exciting new BOM projects if you are looking to work on something new over the Winter months. Come in and see us or check our website.

A very pretty quilt is finished

2010-04-13T15:24:00.005+12:00

A very clever crafty quilting girl bought in her finished quilt for us to see.

Isn't it gorgeous?

Above is Frances with her Shoes, shoes, shoes quilt which was one of our Block of the Month projects, but she has added her own setting.

We love to see your quilts when you finish them!

A very special stitching retreat is coming!!

2010-04-06T22:07:00.005+12:00

Isn't this the best news ever?

The fabulous and talented Australian designers, Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley are coming to New Zealand.

Both girls are known world-wide for their embroidery, their beautiful patterns, and their fun classes.

We have decided to bring them to Taupo to the fabulous Oreti Village Resort where we shall spend two days enjoying great friendships, food, stitching, and scenery.

The price is $350.00 which will include meals, twin-share accommodation and classes.

Click on the poster above to enlarge the details, and contact us to register your interest or to book your seat at this wonderful retreat!

Hope to see you there!

The Cloth Shop Girls

Carrots and chickens arrive

2010-03-26T16:32:00.004+13:00

Aren't these just the cutest carrots? Liz has been busy stitching up storm here at The Cloth Shop making pages for a childs activity book which will be a sample for a brand new Block of the Month (details are on the website on the Really New page).

All the pages are interactive, and little fingers will spend hours playing and exploring.
This little chicken is nesting in the top of the barn. If you'd like to have a look at the finished sample it is in our shop now.

Being a Friday, the Cloth Shop is always open for anyone who would like to come and sew. Here Katherine and Kath were caught discussing the design, and the technicalities of ruling 101 lines on calico for one of the textured cushions Kath is making. Sometimes it is harder than it seems!

Yummy reading!

2010-03-20T13:24:00.000+13:00

Just what you need when the forecast is for showers!!

Colour at The Cloth Shop

2010-03-19T13:27:00.007+13:00

Cloth Shop sample being made

Anne's quilt

Wendy's quilt

and placemats

Don't you love it when a UFO comes together?

2010-03-06T09:00:00.001+13:00

Norma was working at The Cloth Shop yesterday getting the quilt top, backing and batting all put together with a little help from some basting spray. Norma started this quilt top for her niece when she turned 1, and aims to get it quilted and finished in time to give it to her for her 17th birthday shortly!
It's a beautiful quilt, well worth the wait we think! We're sure it will be treasured!

A new bag and a finished quilt

2010-03-05T14:45:00.004+13:00

Glenys had a productive day at The Cloth Shop recently and proudly displays her new bag. If you like the look of her bag, it's called, 'It's a Great Bag', contact us if you'd like more information or if you'd like to purchase a pattern. Although we don't have any of this particular fabric left, we do stock lots of gromets which you will need. You can check out our website for more information as well.

She also had her finshed quilt to show us, she had made it for her grandson, and we think he's going to love it to bits!

Wow, look at this impressive quilt label!

2010-03-05T14:36:00.001+13:00

A lovely embroidered label made by Ivy.

Does this look familiar?

2010-02-26T15:34:00.003+13:00

I showed you a small peek of this earlier. The Cloth Shop girls have been working on this over the last few weeks. It's an exciting new Block of the Month project which will start in March. A quilt designed by Lynette Anderson and combines piecing with embroidery. The very best of both worlds!

Check out our website for more information. Contact us if you'd like to add your name to the list.

"Making It" at The Cloth Shop

2010-02-15T21:48:00.000+13:00

Arlene is visting us from Canada - her husband is working in Palmerston North for a month and she is spending her days "Making" at The Cloth Shop. This is a great set of place mats she has made in New Zealand fabrics - at the moment she is making a Fairy quilt to take home to her little baby granddaughter Emily.

Rosemary has discovered a new passion! Quilting! She made her first quilt at Summer School in January and this week she made her bag (Lauren's bag pattern from the Cloth Shop) her skirt (Amy Butler's Barcelona Skirt pattern from The Cloth Shop) and brought a new strippy ruler for her birthday - in September!! She left The Cloth Shop smiling!!

We are so glad to see you back at The Cloth Shop!

2010-02-14T21:16:00.006+13:00

Saturday was the first day of Saturday Sampler 2010! - this is the tenth year we have run Saturday Sampler - some people - like Judith - ahve done it every year(sometimes two or three a year) and others like Liz have had a few years off. Her first words when she came into The Cloth Shop on Satirday was "I'm Back!!!"

Gillian in the centre of this picture has done Saturday Sampler every year since 2000, Rae on the right has done it since 2002 and this is their friend who is doing it for the very first time. They come from Hawkes Bay every and yestrday was Gillian's birthday and their other friend Lynley baked a dleicious carrot cake which we had for morning tea! Love the bags!

Nancy comes from Masterton and she has been doing Saturday Sampler for a number of years too. This is not a Saturday Sampler quilt - it is one of the patterns that we made for Saturday Strippers and she made it in these gorgeous soft colours for her sister. We just had to take a photo of her with her quilt - doesn't she co-ordinate with it beautifully!

Beautiful Bride - Happy Groom!

2010-02-14T20:53:00.003+13:00

I love this photo!! This is Richard and Anne who were married yesterday - Anne worked for us for five years before she went down to Wellington to do a degree in Graphic and Design. Anne looked very beautiful and as this photo shows Richard looks very very happy!!

We were at the wedding in the Central Baptist Church in Palmerston North - Amiee and Katherine with Anne. Liz joined us later for the "Cutting of the Cake!"

Napier girls spend a day sewing with us

2010-02-11T09:00:00.001+13:00

On Tuesday this week, Jill (left) and Trish, got up early and drove from Napier down to Palmerston North for a day of free motion sewing at The Cloth Shop. They are both making our free motion calico cushions, and were having lots of fun.
It was lovely to have you visit for the day!

The Cloth Shop hosts a Hens night!

2010-02-10T09:00:00.000+13:00

Last night was our monthly Husqui night. (it's the 2nd Monday of each month, during the day and in the evening).
There wasn't too much sewing going on. The girls were all in a bit of a party mood.
One of the Husqui girls, Lois, is getting married at the end of March! What lovely news! The Husqui girls all thought so too and there was a lovely surprise supper and Lois had to wear a striking bridal hat made from old net curtains, a very teeny tiny g-string and a garter, and to complete the whole bridal look, a fabulous bouquet made from calico roses and lollies!

Here's Lois fully dressed. Don't you think she looks well prepared for her big day? We wish you every happiness Lois, and hope you have a very special day on the 27th.

Lynne and Christine show us their finished quilts

2010-02-09T10:45:00.009+13:00

Well, what do you think of these two quilts? Aren't they incredible? They are so very different, but if you look closely, they are both made from the same pattern. The pattern is an original Cloth Shop Tall Poppies pattern - Spectra dela rosa. (email us for more details if you'd like to purchase this pattern and make your very own).

Above is Lynne who is a regular quilter here at The Cloth Shop. She has been working on this quilt for several months now, you may remember a photo on this blog not long ago of Lynne working on it. Well it was finally ready to give to her sister. Stunning work Lynne!

And below is a photo of Wanganui quilter, Christine, a whole different take on the roses and just as lovely. Great to see another lovely quilt finished!

We have also had a visit from this wee sweetie. Her name is Emily and she popped into The Cloth Shop with her Gran. We thought she was a perfect age to introduce to the quilting world and thought perhaps we should start with a lesson on quilting fabrics.
Here she is with her very first piece of quilting cotton.

......Now Emily, what do you think we could do with this?

.....mmmmmmmm.......

We could test it for quality and flavour!

Well, maybe we might wait until her next visit before we start on the beginners blocks!

Something exciting is in the air....

2010-02-04T13:13:00.000+13:00

The Cloth Shop girls are busy at work,

there's a brand new project coming......

we are all very excited!

What do you think it could be?

Sue's fabulous new quilt

2010-02-02T12:54:00.003+13:00

Sue popped into The Cloth Shop, and look what she bought in for us to look at!

This is her latest quilt, and WOW pretty impressive! Don't you agree?

Dogs, cats and roses on the last day of Summer School

2010-01-23T21:54:00.005+13:00

Nigel has been very popular this week at Summer School. He is part of a series called There is no such thing as an Innocent Cat. The cats are fun to make and when the faces are done, they- all of a sudden - have a personality! Yvonne is sewing the eyes in this photo - Nigel has a fish skeleton in his tummy and rather an evil grin - hope it wasn't a gold fish!

This is Jasper - he came in to see his Mum who was at summer school today making Nigel! He had been for a swim in the river and as it was pouring with rain in Palmerston North today he was rather wet - he looks very happy to be around the fabrics and quilts.

This is Rosie who came in later in the day to see her Mum Elana.

This is Elana with the bag she has made for her Mum who lives in South Africa. During the day she told us that her son went over to Masterton with a friend to buy a gun and on the way home he called into a fabric shop, saw the pink rose fabric and knew that she would love so brought it home for her. Guns and roses!

Today was the last day of Summer School for 2010 -we've loved every moment of it - and we really enjoyed seeing the pleasure everyone who participated in the week had when they made, cushions, labels,quilts,bags and chickens.

Summer School successes

2010-01-23T21:33:00.005+13:00

Rosemary came to the first day of Summer School to make a Quilt in a Day and she came back today to start the quilting. She thought she was coming to sew on the binding and was amazed to find out that is actually last thing she has to do - there's the quilting to do first

Leonie came to make the Miss Benson Bag - and try out lots of decorative stitches on her Husqvarna.

Yesterday Ali came to make Shattered Nine patch in Japanese Indigo fabrics. There are some of the blocks she has made hanging on the wall behind her and some that she has yet to sew on her "map" beside her. Her goal for the day was to finish the centre of the quilt, but she didn't quite make it.................

Today she came back to show us that she has finished the centre, and to cut out the inner border and the borders. It's looking great Ali - looks like stained glass!

Blues, Bags and Cats at Summer School

2010-01-21T22:25:00.005+13:00

Yvonne chose ti make a Black and White bag with Grommets at thge top for handles today at Summer School. Liz is helping her to put them in place.

Liz came from New Plymouth and Christine came from Wanganui and with their friend Dorothy they made Aloyisius - part of There is not such thing as an Innocent Cat pattern. They were thrilled with the faces they made, Christine think her cat is saying "Why haven't you fed me??"

Judith and Jenny came to Summer School again today! Jenny is making the Flea Market bag for her daughter and Judith is making her second cushion. She has gone from "I don't know how to do free motion quilting" on Monday to " I'll do some Free motion quilting around the borders" said very con fidently - on Thursday. Yvonne was sitting at the same table as her today and said she thinks she is inspitational!.

Heather is making a quilt in a day for her daughter who loves blue. She has chosen Japanese Indigo fabrics with a touch of red. Sher didn't finish the quilt today - she will finish it she comes to "Wednesdays are for Quilting" It's looking great Heather!
Ali wa also at Summer School today - she is making Shattered nine patch in Japanese Indigo Blues
We will show you a photo of that tomorrow when she hopes to finish it!

Summer School Classes and visitors

2010-01-21T09:50:00.006+13:00

Today during Summer School classes Jackie called into visit us, and just look what she bought with her to show us all!! She made this huge quilt, (102" square) in just 4 months, for her son who's leaving home and heading off to university. What a fabulous gift, we don't think he'll be forgetting Mum in a hurry!
We love seeing your finished quilts and projects!

Here are Lois and Anna who were busy making beautiful fabric roses in their Summer School class.

Ivy was here yesterday for the day, she is a regular Wednesday girl. Our workroom is always open during Wednesdays (day and night), for anyone to come in and sew. Her quilt is nearing completion and is starting to look very exciting. Watch this space for a photo of it finished.

A very special visitor popped into see us yesterday - Carolyn, and she had bought wee 18 day-old Josiah Toby in, to introduce him to quilting. However, unfortunately he wasn't too interested and perferred to sleep, and was totally oblivious to us all oohing and ahhing over him!

A day of fun at Summer School

2010-01-21T09:29:00.005+13:00

The Cloth Shop has been a hive of creative goodness with classes for lots of different things this week. Everybody has been immersed in sewing projects, learning new techniques and having fun.
Above are Judith using the light box and Glenys (middle) and Joyce with their cat cushions. They made a fabulous job of them don't you think?

And here is Judith who has been a hive of activity this week! What do you think of her quilt? This was done in her 'quilt in a day' class. It's ready for quilting.

And Jenny, who has been here for several classes. She has been head down working on her 'quilt in a day' in pretty pastel florals. Don't you think it's gorgeous?

Summer School continues............

2010-01-19T19:59:00.007+13:00

Jane came to Summer School today to learn how to make labels on the computer. She also brought some of the baby quilts she has made lately to show us - this year she has made 11 baby quilts for her work colleagues and special friends. These two we are made from a beautiful "baby boy " range of fabric that we have in stock at the moment - she has quilted them beautifully - she also gave a little lesson on how she goes does her all over qjuilting pattern ...............and ..... she made a great label

Judith and jenny and Summer School groupies - they have both booked in for four days of Summer School classes this week. Yesterday they learned the art of Free Motion Quilting and made gorgeous cushions. today they did Quilt in a Day - we will have more photos of them as the week - and their projects - progress.

Yvonne is also a Summer School Group - today she made a label for grandaughter's quilt. It's really good to personalise your quilt labels and Yvonne put a photo of her and Elleanor with the quilt she made for her on the label. Yesterday she also worked on the Free Motion Cushion and tomorrow she is coming back to make a bag

Judy made Jelly Roses yesterday!

Today was Helen came to Summer School to make a bag - she is here with Jane - who is holding our bag. Later in the day Helen finished her bag and she coming later in the week for a half day class to make a bantam pincushion

Summer School at The Cloth Shop

2010-01-18T21:45:00.007+13:00

It was very hot in Palmerston North today and it was the first day of Summer School 2010 We had a great day - Judy did a half day class and made Jelly Roses.

" Where is #18?" These were Louise's words as I took this photo. She was making one of McKenna Ryan's All Cooped Up Blocks called Daisy Days.

Margaret and Nigel! She was thrilled with the cushion she made - here she is cutting the borders.

At Summer School today three people made Free Motion Cushion (they are fabulous) and one person made a Quiltn in A Day.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are full but ther are still spaces on Friday and Saturday - we would love to see you here.

Life is good!!

2010-01-18T21:16:00.004+13:00

This time last year Sue had just ben told that she had cancer and that things weren't good!She knows now that her oncologist thought she would not be here for christmas and she knew she had a fight on her hands. She said she had fantastic care and after chemotherapy and a major operation and then more chemotherapy she has had an excellent report - the oncologist even smiled at her!! During the year she lost all her thick luxurious hair but now she has a very glamorous short hair style of silver grey and today she came to The Cloth Shop to chose some fabric to make baby quilts for her twin grandaughters due to be born in March. Life! it's good!

Friday Dramas!!

2010-01-15T21:39:00.003+13:00

Today was Open Day Friday at The Cloth Shop. Anyone is welcome to come - it is $2.00 for the day and you can work on your own project. Today we had a delicious morning tea - Pam brought Spinach and feta muffins - they are green and delicious and Francie brought banana and bran muffins equally delicious. We had a couple of dramas today - Dawn accidently knocked over Pam's cup of coffee which went all over her cotton trousers! After a very quick trip to the kitchen and copious amounts of water she was soaked to the skin and her pants were very very wet - but most of the coffee stain was gone!
Not long after this drama Lynne put the sewing machine right through her finger - she got such a shock and was so desperate to avoid getting blood on her quilt that she pulled her finger out of the machine and made it bleed even more!! This time we had a quick dash to the first aid kit and the sticking plasters - and - there wasn't a drop of blood on the quilt!

The photo is of Pam - she made these gorgeous Jelly Roses using a Bunny Tales Pattern today - she is on her way home to wash the rest of the coffee out of her very cool pants!

2010-01-14T19:04:00.004+13:00

These three quilts have been designed by Griet Lombard. They are made using Griet's method of template free piecing - she taught this class at Symposium in Wellington so some of you may have seen them already - (The class was very popular and Griet has had a lot of very positive feedback) There are actually two more quilts in this series - boats and stars. Starting in April we are having a class with Griet once a month - on the second Sunday of the month - which she has called "Every Block is an Experience" and we have subtitled "Let your creative spirit free - with a security blanket - in the form of Griet" In this class she will show you how to make each of the different blocks in the series and then work with each of you individually as you create your own masterpiece. I was talking about this class today with someone who wants to make a little boys quilt and is was great to see that creative glint in her eye as she realised that she could create him and his siblings useing the faces, their house and his nana's house with the house block the cat and the dog and..................... Check on our website class page for more details

Girls' Day Out!

2010-01-13T20:41:00.004+13:00

Today we had a visit from Griet Lombard and here she is looking at our There is no such thing as an Innocent Cat. She drew the cats we used in this quilt and we tried to keep our quilt as close to her as possible to her original design. Today she brought some more of her quilts to show us and we are planning a great class called "Every Block is an Experience" It will be starting in April and will feature template free designs.

W We also had a visit from Bronwyn and her friends from Hawkes Bay! They told us they enjoy looking at the blog and catching up with news at The Cloth Shop - and now THEY are the news!

Great to see you girls!

Lynne starts to disappear at The Cloth Shop!

2010-01-13T08:02:00.000+13:00

Each time Lynne comes to The Cloth Shop to work on her quilt we see less and less of her! Her beautiful quilt is so huge, (108" x 115"). She has been working on it for almost 18 months, and it is nearly finished. It will be a gift for her sister. We are all waiting eagerly to see it complete!

Jennifer Pudney comes to The Cloth Shop!

2010-01-12T07:59:00.000+13:00

Well, actually her brand new fabric range came to The Cloth Shop! Katherine was busy unpacking and finding homes for some of the new fabrics. Check out our website to see the range and prices.

Jane amazes us with her creative flair!

2010-01-11T08:12:00.000+13:00

Jane came into sew with us on Friday, and she bought with her this stunning quilt she had made during the holidays for her daughter. Jane made it using lots of different textured fabrics in purples, blacks and silver.
She also looked fabulous in her 'recycled' skirt! Get those old doilies out girls, and make your skirt a fashion item! What a neat way of dressing up a plain skirt.

Summer classes up on our website now.

2010-01-08T14:02:00.002+13:00

Summer Classes are starting
at The Cloth Shop on the 18th January!

Check out all the classes on offer over
at
our website (under the classes menu).
Guaranteed to be a week of fabric and fun!

See you there!

The Cloth Shop Girls get together for Christmas

2010-01-08T08:19:00.002+13:00

It was a lovely warm pre-Christmas evening when the The Cloth Shop girls got together at Bellas on the Square to celebrate -

---The end of 2009

---The engagement of Anne to Richard

---And the exciting new sewing and quilting ideas which will be born in 2010!

From left to right: Dawn, Liz, Amiee, Anne, Katherine, Carole

We wish you all the best for 2010!

Alison finishes her quilt, and chickens come home to roost!

2010-01-07T08:58:00.001+13:00

Alison made this lovely New Zealand themed quilt for her son for Christmas and had it quilted by Jacqui Karl. She was thrilled with it and we are sure her son will be too! It looked gorgeous!

These little chickens are very much favourites at The Cloth Shop lately. They make the cutest little pin cushions, and are the perfect gift for a friend who sews.

Congratulations Anne!

2009-12-22T12:01:00.002+13:00

Anne has got engaged to Richard! You may remember Anne who started working for us here at The Cloth Shop way back when she was in Form 3 (or Year 9 as it is now known). Two years ago she left us to start her university study at Massey in Wellington.
Our very best wishes to you Anne, we all wish you well in your new life with Richard!

Making quilts....... with love!

2009-12-21T20:24:00.004+13:00

Today Kathy came into the shop to buy some thread so she can finish the quilt she is making for her little friend called Lily - Lily comes from Germany and will be staying with Kathy over New Year. She made the quilt using The Cloth Shop "Quilt in a Day" pattern and Kiwiana fabrics from Nutex. Christine, who is our Nutex rep was in the shop at the same time as Kathy and was thrilled to see what Kathy had done with "her" fabric. "But it is not even finished" - were Kathuy's words when w took the photo but in a few days it will be - and it will be ready and waiting for Lily when she arrives!

"Help!" This is what Jenny said when she came to The Cloth Shop this morning - she is making "Pacific Petals" for her daughter and ran into trouble with the machine quilting. Jenny has done a marvellous job with this quilt, it is large - about 80" x 80" and the only thing she had made before she started it three months ago was a Quilt in the Day quilt - it has lots of applique and piecing. Her machine does not do a blanket stitch so when she came to "Wednesdays are for Quilting" she used one of our lovely Husqvarna's (which do fabulous blanket stitch) She has now moved on to quilting her masterpiece, and today we showed her how to do free motion quilting around her flowers - so much easier than doing it with her walking foot! When she went home this afternoon she had quilted around all the flowers in the centre and the first border - she was thrilled!

This is what we have been making!

2009-12-20T19:42:00.008+13:00

This is Margaret - she called in today to show us the bag she made after seeing our demo at SaturdayStrippers. Doesn't it look great! (Pssssst Someone is going to be very happy when they receive this bag on Christmas Day!) Margaret was a real star when she came to Saturday Strippers - she brought along some retro oven cloths that she has made using her mother's pattern- they were such a hit that she went home and drew us out a diagram so that we could share - and her quilt and patterns are featured in the New Zealand quilter that came out this week - it is called Will's Quilt - take a look.

This is the bag we made at Saturday Strippers - It is called "The Miss Benson" - Amiee sew part of it during out demo and finished it later in the day. We made the gorgeous tassle from Madiera Rayon thread and it is luscious!

And this is the bag we made before the demo - this is the one that we say - "I made this earlier" This one also has a luscious tassel and each of the strips has been stitched with a decorative stitch on the machine using a variagated thread.

This is another bag we have made - Liz sewed this using a pattern called. It's a big roomy bag

We made some flowers at Saturday Strippers - the Colour of the Month is Orange so of course we had to make a bunch of hot orange flowers. Each of the centres has a vintage button on a springy wire.

A Close up of the flowers and the buttons!

Isn't this a fabulous Wedding Present. Gillian called in to show us the quilt she made for her friends who got married yesterday - in the Rose Garden - so of course the quilt features - roses!! It is hard to see in the photo - she has done koru quilting in the border. koru - the symbol for strength and new beginnings - a great way to start a marriage.

Flowers from fabric!!

2009-12-18T07:14:00.004+13:00

At The Cloth Shop we have been making flowers using the new pattern from BunnyTales called Jelly Roses. We have adapted the pattern to our taste by extending the wire we use for the stem, curling it so it looks soft and springy and adding a vintage button on top. Sometimes we decorate the button with a crystal which we attach with the bejeweler. This is Debbie with her rose.

Lois and Ruby with their gorgeous roses!

At Saturday Strippers we did a demo on how to make the roses and then we did a lucky draw. Everyone's name went in to a basket -Rae was the lucky winner - here she is with her bunch!

Fabulous!!

2009-12-17T09:33:00.007+13:00

It is a beautiful, clear sunny morning in Palmerston North -the birds are singing in the trees - I just love the sound of the tuis -I am surrounded by swatches of Kaffe Fasset and Keri Beyer Fabric - Fabulous!

It has been a sewing frenzy at "Wednesdays are for Quilting" the last couple of weeks as gifts are being made for Christmas - Dot is making an apron and we just love the co - ordinating glasses and fabric! Yesterday she was making Oven mits and she was wearing blue glasses to match the fabric she was using - we are wondering what she will be wearing next week!

Molly the Matriach! and our role model!! Molly has just turned 80 and has just bought ther fabric to make another "This is a Great Bag"

Sonja went to Sheryl Anicich's class and made this quilt. She has used lots of sparly threads and fabric to make the flowers which are appliqued to the quilt after the background has been quilted.

" At last - I've got something finished!!" Helen's words when we hung this on the wall after Jacqui's Landscape class . The class was in November and Jacqui held a finishing day recently at The Cloth Shop.

A close up of Helen's rocks and sea foam - the rocks are made using xpanda paint and sand and the foam is made with stitching metallic thread on washaway fabric. The background was a piece of calico which has been painted with several sheades of blue paint and dashes a expanda paint.

Fabulous!

Maggies........and a Bag!

2009-12-17T09:11:00.006+13:00

Rachel and Jill and Maggie - she is wondering what on earth they are going to do to her next

This is the first doll that Nicki has made and she looked amazing - she dressed in her dark purple and black and she had black spiky hair - Agnes dressed hers in soft pretty pink with blonde curly hair

This is Gillian's first doll too - she looks so proud of her new baby, doesn't she.

Rhonda made this doll for her daughter who loves blue - she knows that Laura will be so happy when she see her.

Today some of the girls who made dolls are having a lunch where there will be a show and tell of their dolls - Robyn comes to "Wednesdays are for Quilting" and she is going to amaze them all when she shows them the bag she finished last night!! Good Job, Robyn - the hot pink grommets look great after you plucked up courage to cut big holes into your lovely bag!

Maggies.......and a Mouse!

2009-12-15T21:38:00.011+13:00

We have had three classes with Jill Maas at The Cloth Shop over the last week - this time she was teaching Maggie. Jill's classes are a lot of fun and the really good thing is that everyone goes home with a doll! finished! Jill is a generous tutor -she adds a tweak and a stitch there and potential problems are very quickly sorted -and this time she gave everyone who attended the classes a free pattern for this smart little mouse. This is her little Maggie who thinks he is rather gorgeous............

and Anne's Maggie looks a little worried to see a mouse so close......

This is Shirley's Maggie in her little black body suit - Jill said we were welcome to enlarge the pattern and make a body suit for ourselves, but no one took up the offer(so far!)

and here she is finished ,wearing a beautiful lace dress

Anne had a problem with the little socks, so Jill sorted it............

"Now if you want her to fly this is the way you do" - Jill showing Sue how it's done

Like this

Another stunning little body suit! On Monday and Tuesday I attended the class

and this my finished Maggie! She is a little Christmas Angel and I will be posting to her my sister in Rangiora tomorrow

This is what happens when you get home and think "I loved the class - I think I will make another one before I forget how to make the face..................."

A fantastic new class coming!!

2009-12-04T13:57:00.003+13:00

Shimmering Nights Bag

Make a Shimmering Nights Bag

with Robin Alexander from Colour Streams in Australia.

This talented tutor will be at The Cloth Shop on 6th - 7th March 2010 to take this amazing class.

Robin is an embroiderer and designer of many years experience and has her own range of hand-dyed threads and ribbons. She believes in using a wide range of hand-dyed threads in her work and her philosophy is "let the colour do the work!"

This wee bag is a free motion embroidery class.

McKenna Ryan visits The Cloth Shop!

2009-11-27T15:33:00.018+13:00

This week we had a special visit from a very popular quilt artist, McKenna Ryan! And wasn't she fabulous!! Three quilt shops in New Zealand got together to bring her out from Australia, where she was doing a series of talks, and we were lucky to have her in store for a brilliant talk on Tuesday night, and then on Wednesday for a class. We had as many students as space allowed, and it was a very busy and fun packed couple of days!
For those of you who aren't familiar with McKenna, she is well known for her beautiful appliqued blocks and quilts. Many of which we stock patterns for, right here in our shop. Don't you love McKenna's appliqued apron? What a great idea for some of those block patterns you've made up into a quilt and now have sitting idle!
On Tuesday night McKenna gave us all a run down on her background and told us about her beginnings in the quilting business, and how it all started. She also answered lots of questions.

She bought lots of quilts with her for show and tell, explaining where she got her inspiration from for each one. Slowly each one got hung on the walls in the workroom at The Cloth Shop, until the room was alive with colour from all the stunning animals and flowers and scenes.

McKenna was kind enough to sign quilts for anyone who wanted theirs signed, and she posed for lots of photos with her fans!

During the evening our guest of honour made 2 draws for prizes of some of her own range of fabrics, the lucky winners were.....

...... Jo from Taupo

..... and Vicki from Wellington
Well done ladies, we'll be waiting to see what project you've used these gorgeous fabrics in!

On Tuesday McKenna took a class and the project was a small 8"x8" block called Daisy Daze. You can see the finished block on the table below. Here are some of the students concentrating on their projects.

Pam

Lynette

Lynne

Pam

McKenna took over a sewing machine to give a demonstration on free-motion stitching which was very interesting. When she is making her quilts she often doesn't have time to put a great deal of detail into the applique and the quilting of them. She puts the quilt top, the batting and the backing together and appliques block by block. She was very impressed by some of the quilts that had been bought along, and made by New Zealand quilters.

At the end of the day we all had lots of fun, learned lots, saw new patterns and remembered favourite old ones.

Thanks Liz for keeping the jug boiling, and the mugs clean!

Girls having fun at The Cloth Shop

2009-11-20T10:19:00.005+13:00

Katherine and Pam are not admiring the fabulous ironing board cover! :) They have been admiring Pam's finished landscape she bought in to show everyone. This was a class taken by Jacqui Karl recently. Don't you think she's made a lovely job of it?

Meet Heather. She was having so much fun at The Cloth Shop that when she went to pour her coffee, she poured it into the milk jug instead of her mug!!

A Cloth Shop girl hard at work!

2009-11-20T09:53:00.002+13:00

Here's Aimee hard at work. She's been cutting, sorting and putting together kitsets for the Starlit pattern.

Lyn visits with her finished quilt

2009-11-20T09:34:00.003+13:00

The quilt above is one of our tall poppies patterns called Oriental Circles. (38" x 38") The quilt is made up using 5 inch squares and iron on tearaway. Intrigued?
Lyn was, but she decided to push the pattern to the limits and turned it into this fabulous quilt!

We were all amazed to see such a large version of Oriental Circles! What a stunning quilt Lyn!

OH MY! more fairies!

2009-11-20T09:22:00.004+13:00

Aren't these the sweetest wee fairies?

These cuties can be found on a new range of Michael Miller fabric just arrived at the shop.

Much too nice for Christmas only! These fairies would make the loviest quilts for your daughter, granddaughter, or be indulgent and make a quilt for yourself!

A very special Rooster arrives at The Cloth Shop!

2009-11-17T16:40:00.005+13:00

Meet Red! In fact we have kitsets here so you can make your very own Romancing Red. Isn't he adorable?
Complete with bunch of flowers, and sashings, this wall hanging designed by Debi Hubbs is 23" x 27". Cost of kitset is $75.00.
Order yours today!

More Fairies visit The Cloth Shop!

2009-11-17T16:28:00.010+13:00

We have been busy here at The Cloth Shop unpacking lots of yummy fabrics, and what makes them so exciting? There are lots and lots of the cutest fairies you will have ever seen! There are large panels, and small panels...

...there are cheeky fairies and caring fairies...

...little fairies, big fairies...

...there are flowers fairies all over the shop!

The Fuschia Fairy

...there are sparkly fairies, and there are fairies hiding in Christmas trees!

We have lots of coordinating fabrics and we will be happy to share some fairies with you!

Visit us today and pick out your very own fairies to take home!

The Christmas fairies have arrived at The Cloth Shop!!

2009-11-17T15:56:00.005+13:00

And what may this be, I know you're asking?

Well, Meet Maggie! She is a very special Christmas fairy, and she likes to wear the trendiest head gear.

Jill Maas will be visiting The Cloth Shop to help anyone who would love to create their very own version of Maggie.
Classes will be on 5 & 6th Dec, 7 & 8 Dec and 12 & 13 Dec. Give us a ring or check out our web site for more information.
Wouldn't you like to have your very own Maggie at home?

Back soon :)

Some photos from Jacqui's class

2009-11-13T15:58:00.005+13:00

The end of October Jacqui Karl visited The Cloth Shop to take a landscape class. Here are some of her students busy creating. Above Pam works on her landscape.

Above: Joan paints xpandapaint onto her fabric which she will then add the sand to. Then if you use a heat gun the paint expands and gives a puffed effect. Makes really cool rocks and gives your art extra texture.

Angela sprinkles sand on to her xpandapaint to create rocks. If anyone wants to try xpandapaint, we still have some pots here, send us an email and we can pop some in the post to you.

Back soon,

The Cloth Shop Girls

We've been out and about again!

2009-11-13T15:30:00.007+13:00

It's amazing isn't it? To be able to create a stunning display of all our yummy patterns, completed quilts, bags and kitsets from this tangle! Katherine and Liz took The Cloth Shop up to Calico Christmas in Auckland, and the great upack took place, and then look what they created!

It was a fantastic weekend and it was really lovely to meet all of you who dropped in and said hello. Both Cloth Shop girls were kept busy answering questions.

Here is our Katherine with the talented Ansa Breytenbach and her quilt 'Gate's to Renaissance'. Her quilt won the prize sponsored by The Cloth Shop. Congratulations Ansa.

We won't show you the packing up photos!

A man of many talents!!

2009-10-25T19:29:00.003+13:00

Colin makes fabulous lunches when we have classes at The Cloth Shop. At a recent class this is one of the fruit platter plates he brought down to the shop at lunch time - kiwi fuit, pineapple embellished with rosemary and pansies from the garden. But wait.....he has other talents.......

On Friday he got a Hole in One!! The ball on the green belongs to his golfing partner - the ball is taking from the hole is his!!!

Pumpkins everywhere!

2009-10-17T19:15:00.009+13:00

This morning in Houston we went to a garden centre to buy pumpkin seeds!

It was a gorgeous sunny morning and these pumpkins looked so beautiful I just had to take a photo. It is almost Halloween here so there are lots of pumpkins and decorations in the shops and houses. We are staying in the West University area and our hotel is surrounded by very beautiful homes in a very lush and leafy suburb. We are also very close to the Houston Cancer Hospital - it is famous throughtout the world for cancer treatments and every morning we share the share the shuttle bus that takes us to the George Brown Convention centre with people who are going to the hospital for the day. Everything in Texas is BIG and the hospital is no exception -it has covers an enormous area-nearly every morning we go to a different part of the hospital and if our driver goes to the wrong entrance it takes ages to drive around the various roads so find the right one. To night we walked around the streets and took photos of some of the houses that are decorated for Halloween.

I thought this look pretty.

Pumpkins feature a lot in the decorations - the lawns around these houses are immaculate - there is not a blade of grass out of place.

Justine with the horse and carts which is being driven by a skeleton. There is a huge pumpkin in the back of the cart.

This is the only photo I have posted of this houses, it was large and these spiders and cobwebs are over many parts of the house. Little ghosts are all through the garden and of course pumpkins are up the front steps and porchway.

The monsters!! It is hot inside those masks!! This is our last night in Houston - We didn't go to the Festival today but we will go again in the morning.

Beauties and a Beast!!

2009-10-16T18:31:00.012+13:00

It was a hot, humid day in Houston today.There is a beautiful park opposite George Brown Convention Centre where the Quilt Festival is being held and it was great to see Alison (who is living in Charlotte, North Carolina now) and her friend Alison (who is visting from Hawkes Bay)

We chose to have lunch outside when we went to the Dining room and saw this crowd!!

I loved these patterns. The original paintings are from Debi Hubbs and this is Traci Marvel - who does marketing for her. She is thrilled her patterns will be coming to New Zealand.

This Best of Show at Houston for 2009. This quilt has been designed and made by Carol Bryer Fallert and is called Adelpho. It is a self portrait - can you see the large white bird quilted over her body

This quilt wasn't one of the prize winners but we thought it was so cute

This quilt is wholly made from metallic thread!! It is amazing. The winning quilts are hung in the front of the quilt exhibition in a very prominent position. Each quilt has it's own bay - there is a large rosette hung beside it and a massive floral arrangement to one side. The rosettes and flowers are done in colours that compliment the quilt. Made by Sue McCarty and is called Tribute to Tolkein - inspired by Lord of the Rings

This quilt is made for a little grand daughgter's bed. It is hand appliqued and embellished.
Santa Claus has come to Kirara's Home town - made by Ayako Kawakami from Japan

This quilt is made by Karen Stone and is made in large clam shells. The prize winning quilt win $5000 each and the Best of Show wins $10000 - it is called Clam Shell Session

Justine with Ellen Lumpin Brown who designed and made all the dolls in the photo, and wrote the book she is holding.

We went to Kruger's supermarket to buy Peanut Butter and Justine couldn't resist buying the Halloween mask!

Hi from Houston!!

2009-10-14T17:28:00.010+13:00

It was pouring with rain outside, so we decided to have a cup of Starbucks coffee before we went outside - we were joined by Jay and Michelle from Nutex wholesalers.

The Quilt Show is amazing!! This quilt, made by Camilla Watson from New Zealand won The Cloth Shop prize at Symposium earlier in the year. Looks wonderful, Camilla! The quilt show hasn't been judged yet so wouldn't it be great to see a ribbon on it later in the week,

We just loved this one!! It is an Advent Calender - amazing detail all over the quilt. There were 25 little doors that opened up to the 25th of December, but we couldn't get close enough to open them!!

This quilt looks like a painting - I think it will be winning a prize at judging time

Michael Miller Fabric booth - Camp Michael Miller - their theme was gnomes! You can see the gnome quilt on the back wall.

This is Jill's favourite booth and quilt designed by Blackbird. We are now calling this the BirdBrain quilt because I sent Jill a text saying "where are u "and she replied "Moda Isle at Bird Brain!"

This is the Moda Booth. All the chairs are covered in a new fabric range that will be coming out soon called French General - it's gorgeous!

Hello from America!!!

2009-10-12T16:30:00.015+13:00

Ngaire- from Apple Basket, me, Jill - from Cottage Flair with Amy Butler at her booth on the first day at the market

Kaffe Fassett and me at his School House

Luella Doss and me at her School House - she was so funny -and yes she made the hat!!

Heather Bailey at her Booth with Clara the pig!! A lot of designers have a toy that goes with their new range of fabrics and they all have gorgeous Sofa's covered in one of their latest range.

Today they announced the winners of the Best B ooth Competition. Jo Bailey was first and Amy Butler was second

Another view of Jo Bailey's booth

Anna Marie Horner at her booth. The baby is her son, Rueben - he is at the show too.

Part of her booth - great Sofa

We took this photo at the Moda stand. The handsome young man in the cowboy hat is Andrew Dunlop - our Moda Distributor in NewZealand.

Ngaire, Jill and me with McKenna Ryan - we were at her booth talking about her visit to New Zealand next month.

Hello from America!! I wanted to update this page every day whilke we are in Houston at the Quilt Market but I had to wait until today for the internet connection box for our room. We have one day of School House - a day of lots of small lectures from different designers and two days of market at the moment we are in our apartment surrounded by lots and lots of pamphlets - everyone hands you their information - and now we are trying to make sense of it all!!

I'll bring the bubbles ...................

2009-10-02T20:46:00.005+13:00

Last year Shona was at Erehwon Station when she fell over a tussock and smashed her ankle -

it took most of the year for it to heal and for her to walk again. While she was in hospital she gave her friends some fabric and told them to embroider something on it for her. Most of them have come back and now she has combined them with some of her favourite fabrics and made a memory quilt she loves. "I'll bring the bubbles".......when you are better!!

Quilt, Quilters and Wool Batting on the hoof!!

2009-09-30T22:37:00.012+13:00

Wool batting on the hoof!! Today at "Wednesdays are for Quilting" Justine brought in her pet lamb "Baabie" to visit. Very cute!! until she wee-ed on the floor!

"I'm just loving it!! "Jennifer had a great day - she is sewing Oliver

after finishing Priscilla who is now ready to be made into a cushion

Caroline had a great day too - she is sewing on her brand new sewing Husqvarna Emerald 203 sewing machine!

Heather finished making the background for the Hollyhocks class with Jenny Allan this weekend.

Before she started her cats Jenny showed us her finished Geraniums - Well done Jenny - they are Gorgeous!!

Donna is sewing Pacific Tribute which she started in Hazel Foot's class

Debbie is working on her Harry Potter Quilt - this is an Anglia Car. She and her daughter are designing this together.

Dot and her friend the quik un pick!!

Brand new range of fabric arrives!

2009-09-21T13:42:00.005+12:00

This fantastic range of fabric arrived today!

This collection of fabric is a new range from Tara Reed.

A lovely range of delightful musically themed fabrics, with panels and a border.....

Would be great for that special musician in your life, or a fabulous range to

make a quilt for a man.

Check our website to order now!

Look what happens on Fridays!

2009-09-19T20:59:00.008+12:00

Friday is Open Day! Pam is making Christmas Trees in black and white and silver. Those of you who visited us at the Hamilton Show saw Pam's quilt hanging in our stand. Thanks, Pam. Our love and thoughts are with you.

and here is the finished quilt

Marion is making this quilt using her new Husqvarna Viking Mega Quilter - she loves it!

Here is the finished quilt - it is so big we couldn't hold it for the photo. Today it is going on the bed! It looks fabulous Marion - well done!!

Happiness is....................

2009-09-19T20:34:00.002+12:00

Happiness is........................
Making a Quilt with someone you love! This quilt was inspired by people who told us how much pleasure they have creating and making with a child or grandchild. The two of them trace, draw and cut out the shapes, choose the fabrics and then build up the picture. They share the sewing skills and have a really happy time together.
The pictures in this quilt were drawn by Grace Dawson when she was eleven - (now she is sixteen and sitting her Drivers Licence on Friday!) They tell of the happy times she has had during the year.....eating an Easter Egg, visiting the mountain, playing netball, making a snowman.. The blocks are easy to make - we kept them as close to Grace's drawings as we could and they can be embellished with words and buttons.
The good thing about making a quilt like this with someone you love is that you both have fun when you are working together and the finished block or quilt is something you will treasure for a long time.

Last day of the show

2009-09-15T22:47:00.011+12:00

The last day of the show - my little granddaughter Lane came to visit - we went shopping and she chose this butterfly necklace for herself - it is pink and shiny - perfect!!

LastLast day of the show is our chance to visit the quilt show at the fair - it is always a great exhibition and this year was no exception. Rosemary Rush won Best of Show and a Husqvarna sewing machine with this quilt inspired by Elevator doors

The Cloth Shop sponsored the Best Hand Quilting Prize - it was won by Carol Lindale Congratulations Carol!!

Beach Boys made by Maree Schroder - my choice. I loved this one - it was charming and very beautifully done

Fantasy was the name of the exhibition sponsored by Expertise events - this Book called When the Sun goes down by Denise Sargo won first prize and it was amazing. There were faces everywhere, in the trees, behind bushes and in the greenery.

Some faces were obvious

And some were ceverly hidden!

Can't wait to come again next year!

Tomorrow we will do it all again!!

2009-09-11T22:37:00.002+12:00

Today was the second day of the show in Hamilton. We met people from all over the country who were visting the show. During the day we work..................

and then we relax...................

We are at the Hamilton Craft Show!

2009-09-11T08:26:00.003+12:00

We are at the Craft Fair in Hamilton!! This is part of our show stand - we are A16 and would love to see you if you are coming to this show. We had a great day yesterday - it was busy, buzzy and great fun!!

Another part of our stand at the show!

Inspirational!!

2009-08-31T08:09:00.002+12:00

This is Mackenzie! In March she came to Jill Maas class and made a City Girl - (then she went home and made another one - and at the moment she is making one for her Grandmother)

She wanted to use her dolls in some way to put an exhibit in the Science Fair which was held in Palmerston North this weekend. She did lots of research on different fabrics that could be used to make the dolls and put together a fantastci exhibit. The judges were very impressed with her entry - they said it was the first soft textile enty they had ever had - and she won the the prize for best resdearched and most well prestented exhibit and also the youth prize - chosen by last year's winners! Congratulations Mankenzie!

Anna Williams visits The Cloth Shop for the day

2009-08-28T15:32:00.003+12:00

Today the very talented Anna Williams spent the day with us at The Cloth Shop for our Artisans Day. Anna is well known for the fabulous faces she creates from photographs. She bought with her a photo which she worked on, and shared lots of tips for creating the right looks and shades to the faces.
She was extremely generous with sharing techniques and answering questions.
Anna who has won awards with her faces and has had them accepted into traveling exhibitions, will hold her own exhibition of her print magic quilted poppies at the NZ Quilter Gallery in Cuba Street, Wellington in October.
Anna will also be holding another Shaded Faces 2 at The Cloth Shop some time in the future, for those interested in learning this technique.
Thanks Anna for inspiring us all!

2009-08-23T19:10:00.002+12:00

This is Jane - she came to our Open Day Friday to baste her quilt together ready for the second day of Sheryl Anicich's - Floral Beauty class on Saturday where she will start the quilting. On the third day of this class in Septemebr she (and the rest of the class) will applique flowers on to their quilts. She is using Fusible Cotton and polyester batting - it's our favourite batting - quick, clean and washes like a dream - it can even go in the drier.

We love you sharing your quilts with us!!

2009-08-23T19:06:00.002+12:00

This is Mary - she brought her very pretty yellow and white quilt ( which had been beautifully quilted by Sue Burnett) in to show us - just a few moments after Justine brought in a beautiful bunch of daffodils she had picked from her garden. Helen Hanton's Christmas Tree quilt is hanging behind her. She has offered to bring her quilt back so we can have it in the shop on Daffodil Day on Friday. Friday is also Anna Williams's artisan's day - it will be a great chance to see Anna at work - like an all day demonstration - there is no charge to come and you can stay as long as you like.

Make a New York Beauty Quilt with Hazel Foot

2009-08-21T16:20:00.003+12:00

Make this gorgeous quilt at a class with us at The Quilt Shop! We have Hazel Foot visiting to tutor the class on the 26th - 27th September. Learn how to foundation piece from the best!
This quilt will look fabulous make in batiks like Hazel's sample quilt, or make it in pastels. If you are passing call into the shop and take a look at the sample, or email us for more details.

Girls enjoying our quilting days at the shop

2009-08-21T16:11:00.001+12:00

Nikki and Joy

Marion

A Special Day!!

2009-08-16T21:47:00.004+12:00

Sue's doll is finished!

This is Judith and her daughter Vanessa - they are visting New Zealand from Bundaberg in Queesnsland. They are here for three weeks -travelling from Auckland to Queentown, visting all the tourist spots, and because of their tight schedule Judith will have a chance to visit only one quilt shop in New Zealand -and she chose The Cloth Shop. She told me she enjoys looking at our website and blog page and as she loves quilting and doll making she had a great time looking at all the dolls in Jill'c class as well as all the quilts, fabrics patterns etc that are in the shop. Vanessa is holding Maggie - she is the next doll that Jill Maas is teaching at The Cloth Shop in December.

Look what we saw in the classroom tonight!

2009-08-15T21:09:00.003+12:00

Today we had a class at The Cloth Shop with Jill Maas - she is teaching Mother of the Bride and Jolene. This is what we saw as we walked into the classroom after everyone had gone home - Sue's Jolene sitting on her little Husqvarna sewing machine waiting for her head and clothes! Doesn't she look great!

Tomorrow she will look a little like these old girls! At the moment they can't belive their eyes!

Comfy Ones!!

2009-08-14T20:01:00.004+12:00

Earlier this year Katherine was invited to be a mentor for a Young Enterprise Group from Palmerston North Girls High School. The name of the group is "Comfy Ones" and their plan is to make and sell Onsies - all in one pyjamas with a hood. During the holidays they had a work day at The Cloth Shop to make some sets ready for their launch at the end of July. Nadia and Sarah-Kate cutting out.

Abbey is CEO of the group - she was also the Overlocker Queen at the work day

Here they are at their launch in the first sets of Onsies!

Friday girls goings on!!

2009-08-14T16:22:00.008+12:00

This is Helan Chen - she came to The Cloth Shop two and half months ago to learn to quilt. This photo is taken on her last day with us - two of the quilts she has made are on the wall behind her. She loved every moment she was here - so did we!

Pam Smith is our Featured Quilter for August. We have a selection of her quilts hanging on the walls - this is a photo of her and Helan with some of her quilts before we hung them .It is a little like her quilting journey -on one end of the display we have a selection of quilts that are hand appliqued and hand quilted and on the other end we have some gorgeous quilts that are machine appliqued and quilted. The large quilt and the dolls on the wall were made by Helan while she was in Palmerston North.This is a photo of some of the Friday Girls on Helan's last Friday at The Cloth Shop. She has spent the last two and half months in Palmerston North making quilts. On her last day she showed us how to make slippers - they were a great hit!

This is a selection of the slippers.

2009-07-06T03:49:00.006+12:00

Don't these dolls look as though they are enjoying watching what's happening at The Cloth Shop. Jill Maas has been teaching a class over the weekend called "Fleur" We have another class starting Monday Morning

Michelle decorated her doll's coat with Big French Knot Flowers. She did a square of knitting and then made the leg warmers, hat and woolly sleeves. She is working on the cuddly cat!

We had an excellent day with Dianne Fussell and Husqvarna Sapphire 870 sewing machines last Saturday -she designed a bag that used lots of different stitches, and functions of the machine. She is showing Helan how to get the most from her new machine

Wendy O'Neill and Wendy Day compare notes

Looking good Wendy!!

Don't worry we will work something out!!!

2009-06-18T20:36:00.010+12:00

Behind every quilt there is a story!! Frances and Dot are both making our Block of the Month Quilt"Once upon a Star" Last Week at "Wednesdays are for Quilting" Frances gave Dot her finished Penguin Block to take home so she could see what threads and stitches she used for the applique. When she gave it to to her she said - jokingly - "if anything happens to it you're in serious trouble" but guess what - it fell on to the heater and when Dot saw it - it looked like this.
She was distraught - she brought it into us and after we commiserated with her and then laughed with her, she decided she would make up a new one before she confessed to Frances what had happened! We told her if she traced out all the pieces, fused them and cut them out we would put it together and stitch it for her. This is Dot beginning the tracing ......again......

Dawn helped her put it together. Katherine did the stitching and.....

This Wednesday Dot gave Frances her burnt penguin block! Her frst reaction when she saw it was "Don't worry we will work something out! " and then "Dot - you poor thing -that's the kind of thing that usually happens to me!"

This is Frances with her finished new block!

Family!!

2009-05-30T11:00:00.008+12:00

This is a photo of Ollie, Simon and Mitchell taken at Simon's birthday on Wednesday. Simon is Mitchell's dad and Ollie's uncle. He is a chef - and he cooked us his birthday lunch - it was superb. Mitchell gave his dad the red T shirt for his birthday - it says "I Rock" It is Ollie's birthday on Sunday - he will be 10.

Duncan and Katherine. Duncan is Megan's partner and his birthday was on Friday- it's been a week of family birthdays!

We had an Excellent Class with Griet Lombard - here are samples of what we did!!

2009-05-30T03:46:00.003+12:00

Quilting Friends!!

2009-05-23T23:13:00.006+12:00

This little quilt says "To Katherine from China" and has been signed by the girls that I taught in a quilting class in China in 2007. There were twelve in the class and they continue to meet every week to quilt - the quilt is designed by Li Ping who is part of the group. He-lan has now come to The Cloth Shop to learn more..............

He-lan making leaves at the Layered Leaves class.

Jacqui was the tutor of the Layered Leaves classes at The Cloth Shop last weekend and Monday and Tuesday. Here she is with Lynette - one of the class participants.

See you on Wednesday!!

2009-05-15T20:17:00.007+12:00

Wednesdays are for Quilting!! but we still need to eat. Frances brought us home made scones, homemade strawberry jam and cream for morning tea. Delicious!!

A Quilt Shop Essential person!! Christine travels for one of our fabric wholesalers - she called in to see us last Wednesday afternoon.

Eileen finishing off her New Zealand Book.

After every successful Wednesday there are Threads!! Colin and his trusty vacuum cleaner.

We would love to see YOU on Wednesday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg

Take a look at this - we looked at this last Wednesday and loved it!!

We are so glad you are back!!

2009-05-15T19:42:00.002+12:00

This is Jan and she is a Survivor!! Every Friday since we opened eleven years ago we have Open Day Friday - you can come along to The Cloth Shop and work on whatever you like. Jan came every Friday for five years - we called her "Queen of Fridays" Every Friday she baked us morning tea and for Fridays at least The Cloth Shop was her world. Last year she had a huge fight on her hands as she had treatment for Breast Cancer and she didn't come to Open Day Friday for eighteen months, but now she is back!! She has her own hair again and is back stitching her beautiful Baltimore Quilt (which you would have seen if I had been a bit quicker taking this photo.) It's great to have you here again, Jan.

A perfect end to a perfect day!!

2009-05-03T19:57:00.003+12:00

Congratulations Amiee and Liz from The Cloth Shop!
On Saturday Amiee entered her quilt "Crown of the Pacific" into Tote and Gloat's "Go Green" Challenge. The quilts were judged by Sandra Meech and she won first prize for her quilt in the Novice Section.
But Wait -there's more......
She also won Viewers Choice for the same quilt!!
Here she is with her quilt - and rosettes
But Wait - there's more........
She also entered this quilt which is called "Harekeke in Green" and she won second prize!!
Here she is with her quilt and another rosette!
But wait! there is even more...........
Liz won the sponsors prize for her quilt called - "Recycle, reuse......."
Here she is with her quilt and her rosette

Sheryl's Floral Mosaic - same pattern

2009-04-27T22:59:00.012+12:00

Sheryl's Floral Mosaic is a joint venture between Sheryl Anicich who designed the original quilt and The Cloth Shop who wrote and produced the pattern.We made this quilt using a panel designed by Lonni Rossi as the feature and it appears in various places in the quilt. We finished it off with large and small flowers appliqued with gold and red metallic threads.

This quilt is made using the same pattern "Sheryl's Floral Mosaic" but this time we used Fabulous Florals designed by Pilip Jacobs and left out the applique!

It's amazing to think these two quilts are the same!What a difference the fabrics make!

We were just blown away!!

2009-04-24T12:30:00.004+12:00

There are so many photos we would like to put on this blog about QuiltWellington2009!
Here are some of our favourites - we loved the quilts that won The Cloth Shop sponsored prizes - Congratulations Margaret and Camilla - your quilts were exquisite!
We loved meeting all our friends from around NewZealand and from overseas.
"We are just blown away" were Jenny and Frances's words - they visited their fist Symposium for just one day - they went to all the exhibitions ands visted the Merchant Mall. Jenny goes to bed every night reading the quilting book she bought - or so she says!! The photo shows them in front of Jenny Bowker's quilt - they were "Just blown away!!"

A Great Day of Quilting

2009-04-03T01:58:00.005+13:00

At the end of March we held a Quilt in a Day at The Cloth Shop Here are photos of some of the quilts that were made - and the people making them! We have several quilts to choose from -you choose the one you would like to make, then you choose your fabric from are great selection of fabrics - and leave the rest to us. We will cut it out and have it ready for you to sew on the day. The designs are easy to make and we have kept them to a single bed size so that you can easikly finish them in one day - of course there is always someone who wants to make it bigger, make two lor even make a bag.......... but it's all good - we all go home tired but happy at the end of the day. The next Quilt in a Day will be held at The Cloth Shop in June.

The Story of the White Gloves

2009-04-01T08:39:00.005+13:00

I feel like the queen wearing these gloves - but if it keeps them happy..............

Mmmmm - they are actually working quite well - the gloves have little rubber dimples on the fingers which make it much easier to move the quilt

Everything is going so well! I'm thrilled!!

This is Jenny Walker - she has made a quilt using a Jelly Roll from Moda called Swanky. She loved sewing it together and in the end had a really big quilt - 74" x 100". She really wanted to free motion quilt it - her first free motion experience - but was finding it hard to push the quilt through the machine. so we sold her some white cotton quilting gloves. She thought we were mad!! and only gave them a trial to keep us happy - in the end though, she thought they were wonderful. The best part was when we were trimming off the batting after she had finished the quilt one of our customers asked her if it had been professionally quilted!

Oh you beautiful Dolls!!

2009-04-01T07:36:00.001+13:00

Over the last four days we have had two different classes for City Girls with Jill Maas. Here are some of the fabulous dolls that were made.

These are only some of the dolls - at the end of the class we usually take a photo of all the dolls together but this time, as each class member made two dolls each, there were too many for a photo shoot

These two think it is time to go home - or maybe they are just a little bored by it all!!
We have two more doll classes with Jill Maas this year - one in July to make Fleur - the weekend class is full but we still have spaces in the Monday and Tuesday class, and one in December to make Maggie - the flying Christmas Angel!

A quilter's Essential!!

2009-02-27T21:57:00.000+13:00

Last week we showed you a photo of Pam at The Cloth Shop staring the Quilters Essential Bag -today it's finished!! It really is a super bag - pocket for the cutting board, and quilting table, pocket for 6" x 24" ruler, pockets for threads, pocket for the notes folder, pocket for the cutter and spare pockets for what ever your hearts desires. We will be writing the patterns for the bag this week and we already have a class starting on the 30 April. You can see the inside of the bag on our Classes page on our website.

Today was a good day - Pam got her new glasses - at Last!!

2009-02-25T22:59:00.000+13:00

Isn't this a fabulous bag!! Margaret comes from Auckland and in the weekend she brought her daughter down to Massey University. She decided to stay down for a couple of days and thought it would be a great chance to make the Claudie Jo bag at The Cloth Shop - her friend bought the pattern from us at Calico Christmas in November and gave it to her as part of her Christmas present. She bought a Husqvarna sewing machine recently so it was a good chance to get to grips with that as well. We have called the first photo "Happiness is Making a Bag" and the bottom one "At last it's finished" but we'll let you into a secret - the handles are only pinned on!!

Aiming for perfection!!

2009-02-25T22:32:00.000+13:00

This week we started the first Beginners Patchwork and Quilting class for 2009 - the photos are of Roz - in the top one she is cutting her 3 1/2" strips and the bottom one shows her looking very critically at her first block - this is actually a practice block that we give them on the first day so they can practice cutting and sewing -at the beginning of the class we talk about choosing fabrics and colourways, so for their homework they need to buy their fabric and make this block again in their colour choice. The first day they feel very nervous about cutting - particularly after we give them the "Lecture" about never leaving the blade exposed and the dire consequences if they do - the ruler seems extrememly awkward, they have to start thinking in 1/2 inches and 1/4 inches and get their heads around strange terms like fat quarters and fat eighths but at the end of 9 weeks they will have made a quilt and really enjoyed the process!!

Magnificent Blooming Baskets!!

2009-02-22T22:25:00.000+13:00

Looks at these spendid floral baskets!! Today we held the first Baltimore class for 2009 - the top two photos are of Jo's blocks - the one she is currently working on is at the top and one of her finished ones below. She has already made a large centre panel - on point - which we will be surrounded by four different floral baskets - she has chosen a colour pallete of terracotta, orange, blue and green on a muddy grey backgound - it looks wonderful!
The bottom basket is one of the blocks of Jennie's quilt - she has chosen a mix of magenta,purples, hot pinks, greens on a creamy white background - she has made sixteen blocks, sewn them together into a large quilt and has now started the quilting. You might think a hand applique embroidery class would be a quiet, sedate one - it is certainly not the case with this class. It's loud, noisy with lots of laughter and chat but as you can see there is some magnificent work produced - Rose comes from Wellington once a month to teach the Baltimore class - she said she just looks forward to coming and can't wait to seeing what the girls have done since she saw them last.

We thought it would be so easy!!

2009-02-19T22:36:00.000+13:00

Today we started making a fabulous new bag. We have been asked lots of times if we could make a bag that would hold a cutting board, quilting table for the machine, rulers, square rulers, cutter, scissors and current projects - a bag that you could keep things in when you are at home and then when it's time for a class you can pick up what you need for the day and carry it all in one go.
Pam Smith has a bag that we are using as a starting point and she is going to teach the class for us - we are holding it on three consecutive Thursday evenings starting at the end of April. She spent the day at The Cloth Shop so we could make the sample and before she came we thought we would whip it up in no time. - it is actually a series of small quilts - one forms the main body of the bag and a series of different size quilts form various pockets and flaps. At the beginning of the day it was going to be Black and White with the Gypsy Chique girls on the some of the pockets, mid morning it changed to the paisley fabric - that is already quilted - in rusts and acid greens - a few dramas while we sorted out the Gyspy Chiques and by 2.00 we had one small pocket almost finished! We decided we needed a lunch break in the sun and after that it was all go! go! go! Pam has taken the bag home to finish it - we will show you how fabulous it is soon.