Snowy Blow Out Fabric Sale Saturday February 1

It's that time of year. Time for the new to come in.Time for the old to leave.
So we're having a blow out sale of all our fabric in spite of the snow.
We'll have our lowest prices on every bolt.
30 % off on all fabrics
40% if you finish the bolt.

Plan that new quilt! Fill in the holes in your color stash. Buy the fabric you've been lusting after. Have what you need to make your New Year's Quilt resolutions happen. Now isn't that worth going out in the cold?

 Even our demo long arm is on sale.
Come brave the snow and stash up!

The Art of Aging Fabric:Why We Need a Stash

Every so often someone stumbles into my sewing room and asks,"Do you need all this fabric? You can't possibly use it all"
I always think," Do you need your head? You're obviously not using that."


If we are artists (and I would argue that everyone alive has an artist soul within) and if we are quilters, our fabric is our paint. It's what we make our art out of.

This sounds like a sensible idea, that you plan a project, work on a project, finish the project and start another project. Enjoy it when it works that way.

But, that theory ignores the fire within. Inspiration happens when it happens. 
There is a moment where 

• You know suddenly how that pattern went together.
• You have to try those colors together
• You sew because your intensely happy.
• You sew because the rest of the day has been wretched.
• You sew because it's your best comfort and companion.

None of this happens on command. It's just how sewing and quilting run through our lives. It is the stuff of our lives.

What happens if you don't have the fabric you need at the time?
Well if its 3 pm, you're just out of luck. You can use the thing that doesn't quite work, or stop what you're doing as the energy fritters away.

Aging fabric is a cure for this. If you love a fabric, you'll probably love it 3 months later, 6 months later, 12 years later. Fabric taste changes, but people's color choices usually stay constant. The fabric we have in our stashes is a promise for tomorrow that we'll give ourselves what we need for our joy.

And fabric changes so fast. If you love it now, buy it now because you never may see it again.

Can you make a mistake? I hope you make more than one or two. If you don't, you're not trying.

No one ever told Van Gogh, "No more cadmium yellow for you until you use up all the yellow ocher."

If you ever feel overwhelmed buying fabric, Henry is standing by to help. He is a highly trained fabric assistance dog. He'll help you pick out something lovely. Not necessarily for your next project. Maybe as a promise to yourself.

Henry's Picks: Dreaming of Days at the Park

Mom keeps dreaming about the beach. I keep dreaming about the dog park. You know. That great sunny warm day when you and your person go to the park and she has a pocket full of dog cookies and a tennis ball. I don't think we're going to do that for a while. At least not the warm part.

But that's the great thing about fabric. You can go anywhere with your fabric.

We got in this great collection that just said, "Sunny day, your park" to me.

Warm periwinkle blues and those great lime accents!

Here's the line up!

  

  

I feel better just thinking about it. My day at the park quilt will be coming soon and then it will be time for warm days at the park. 

It's Her Bag!

One of the great things about Threadbenders is that some of  the best quilters work there, ready to help you. And they're busy making their own quilting happen.

Wanda showed us her  favorite bag. Its big enough for everything you need for quilt class, ruler, mat, fabric and all. And has a great little bag for your cutter, markers and scissors. 

Of course it doesn't hurt to have a great line of fabric that's all ready to go together

You'll find both great patterns in Sew on the Go. And you'll be completely organized for your class, bee or sewing room. And you'll find Wanda, ready to help you pick out great bag fabric for you at Threadbenders.

Henry Goes Shopping!

Hi! Introducing myself! 

I'm Henry. I work at Threadbenders as a shopping assistance dog. In case you've thoughtlessly left your dog at home, I can assist you while you pick out your fabric and help relieve shopping stress by being shamelessly cute.

Fall is on its way. They made me a really darling dog bed. 

But now of course it needs a quilt to go with it. 

Thankfully we have fabulous dog fabric here.

My favorite quotes

My best friends

Bones!

My Favorite Things

Will you cut these for me?

So it's that time. Start a great quilt for your favorite fur person. Or maybe one you can share together. We've got the fabric right here.

Great Strip Quilts from Painted Panels

We love this new kind of print. They're not really panels, but they do feel like a panel. They're a yard long repeat of a painted image. But how do you make them into a quilt?

Here's a great idea.

If you cut them into strips and separate them with another fabric it looks like light shimmering through.  

Simple. Stunning.
This quilt was made with different width strips, but you could use the same width for a realistic look. The changes in size make a more contemporary feel.
There are all kinds of these painted panel quilts available. Imagine what you could do with these?

And, it's the easiest quilt you'll ever piece. Come into Threadbenders and see the great painted panels that could be your next masterpiece.