Blog | Stitchin' Post

The 2017 Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England

What an amazing show this was!

I was invited as a guest artist to this show last month, and had a 10 x 20 foot booth with hard walls. My quilts looked so pretty set up that way. So many people visited the booth, and many had been to Sisters or heard about our quilt show. There was a wide variety of work and styles of quilts, workshops and lectures.

Penny, one of my students from two years ago, brought the quilt she made in my Intuitive Color and Design workshop for me to see. She also took a few photos and sent them to me.

Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably were at the show signing books, and we were able to get a nice visit in. I enjoyed being able to share my work with them when they visited the exhibit. We will meet again in the fall at quilt market.

It was so inspiring for me to see so much work that was new and done by artists that I admire in Europe.

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Alchemy of Fabric

As a little girl, and still today, the cabin my grandmother built in 1938 on the Metolius is my favorite place in the whole world. I remember as a little girl learning to fish with a pole my dad made for me from a stick, fish leader, and a hook on the end. I would catch a caddis fly and put it on the hook and wish off the little bridge in front of the cabin. The water is so clear that you can see the fish in the water. It is still that way today. The Metolius is a spring fed river that runs fast down to the Deschutes river. It just doesn’t change that much.

Jean as a little girl with a fish she caught at the Metolius

For years I have had a picture in my mind of the fish I could see in the river and the beautiful colors. A few years ago I created my vision of the river and the fish. I made them 24” long. Don’t all fishermen want to hook a 24” rainbow trout?

This is a different example of how fabric can be used to create water.  Notice how the colors change because of how light travels through water.  How can the June Alchemy of Fabric pack be used to create this effect?

Happy Creating!

~Jean

Our intention for creating the "Alchemy of Fabric" club is to provide the spark... the catalyst... the inspiration... for a project that your color palette is built upon. We have a monthly tutorial of insights on each fabric chosen. We have also included 10 other recommended fabrics to expand from the core fabrics and further guide your choices.

We are excited to share this educational opportunity as a study in color and fabric as well as build your artist palette of fabrics. As you practice designing your project from many different designers and collections our hope is to facilitate greater confidence and empowerment in your creative pursuits..

At the Stitchin' Post were are committed to creativity and inspiration and we are now embarking on a journey opening to new options together as the "Alchemy of Fabric" unfolds each month. Please share with us what the spark has ignited in you using the hashtag "#AlchemyofFabric" on your preferred social media platform, so others can be inspired by your work! You can also search #AlchemyofFabric to see what others have done, and to gain your own inspiration.

 

 

Fancy the Studio Cat - Gets Gussied Up

Hi, Mittens here, One of the Studio Cats in the Wild, I want to introduce you to one of my good
friends, fellow Studio Cat, Fancy, made by Paige.

             
Fancy has a Very Big Weekend planned soon and she wanted some fashion advice......So I booked her a fitting with my Personal Seamstress, Jill.  After a fitting and design consultation....

 

Jill got to work, on a skirt basically like mine,

The skirt fabric is 9" (1/4 yd) x 36" wide,  (I cut a 9" square of fabric to make Fancy's Bandana).
Turn under 1/4" along the top edge and bottom edge of width fabric, press.
Then turn under the bottom hem another inch and press again.

 

 
Jill used the tulle on the roll, she cut 3 lengths, 1 yard each.  Layer the 3 yards of tulle on top of each other and sew together along the 36" edge.

Fold over again, and attach to the bottom of the skirt edge.

 
    
Sew a guide to follow for the placement of the Ric-Rack trim,
position trim, and sew over the guide line.

Trying on the for length, Fancy wanted her skirt SHORT, so Jill turned down the top edge another
inch and that made Fancy smile.

Fold over the 2 side edges of the skirt and stitch.

 

To gather the waist of Fancy's skirt, Jill used old fashioned string. Cut to the length of the waist edge,
tie knot in both ends so the string does not unravel.

                                           

Set your Stitch to Zig Zag, as wide as it will go.(Jill used 5) - Stitch length Jill set at 2 on her Bernina. Pin the string at the beginning to start.

 

Zig Zag over the string carefully (you do not want to catch the sting with your needle and thread).
Follow the thread all the way to the end of the skirt.
Don't forget to backstitch at both the beginning and the end of the Zig Zag.

 

                         

 Pull the string to gather up your skirt, pull from both ends to get it as tight as possible.

Position your skirt on your kitty, tie the string off with a square knot, then tie into a bow.
Trim the ends, and re-knot, to keep the string from unraveling.

Fancy is very happy with her look, what do you think?

Stay tuned for Fancy's adventures in the week to come!

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 To make your own Studio Cat, purchase here

You can see our Studio Cat Adventures on our Facebook Page

Share your Kitty's Adventures by using #studiocatsinthewild

 

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The Anatomy of Nature

Jean recently traveled down to San Diego for the opening of her newest exhibit, The Anatomy of Nature, in Visions Art Museum.  This exhibit will be up until July 2nd, 2017 (just before the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show on July 8th).

She had quite the entourage of people to support her!  Everyone here at the store were there in spirit.

Elizabeth and her new husband, Rich, were there.  

Of course her work was stunning in the space.  Jean was sure to take some photos before the reception, to capture the grace of her show.

What a talented group of artists!

 

If you will be in the area, be sure to stop by and see her work before July 2nd!

Happy Creating!

~ Katie

 

Violette's First Quilt

This is a special blog from Jean Wells sharing her granddaughter's first quilt she ever pieced, and quilted herself! 

 

When my granddaughters turn eight then I help them to design and make a quilt. Violette had her birthday in July right after quilt show and we started her quilt in the fall. 

She wanted to have a "diamond" shape for her quilt. (Working on Meme's messy table.) 

Choosing fabric---she made the comment that "she needed to find another friend for the darker magenta". I think she knows the lingo for selecting fabric! 

 She loves her "Hello Kitty" sewing machine and operates it quite well. 

I set up a design wall for her to use and she informed me that she needed a name tag for her wall like my students have in class so she made this one. Here she is designing her quilt. 

Taking a look to see how it is going. 

Several months later after many sewing sessions at Meme's---a pieced top. So off to The Stitchin' Post to choose a backing and get batting. 

Annette suggested she long arm quilt it and she was excited. (I have never tried long arm quilting myself.) Annette set up a box on the floor for her to stand on and they loaded it on the machine. (She sent ViVi home to practice drawing designs for her quilt.) She was so excited to run this machine.   

Finished and bound and sharing it at the employee dinner right before the show. 

 

We are so proud of Violette! Its not easy to piece your first quilt, but to even quilt it herself is amazing!

Here is to future quilters all over!

Happy Sewing!  

Welcome in 2016 with a Few Favorite Party Recipes

 With the New Year upon us, Jean is sharing a few of her favorite festive recipes.

Parmesan Artichoke Dip
Jean Wells

Wonderful party food!

 

14 oz. Can of artichoke hearts, drained and diced.

¼ Cup - Green onions, finely chopped

1 Cup - Mayonnaise

1 Cup - Fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

Dash of garlic powder

 

Combine all ingredients and spoon into a casserole dish or pie plate. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Serve with thinly sliced French Bread, Crackers, or Vegetables.

 

24 - Hour Fruit Salad
Meda Butler

Jean’s Grandmother, Meda Butler, was an amazing cook
and this is one of her favorites.

Dressing:

4 - Eggs

4 - Tablespoons sugar

4 - Tablespoons vinegar

Cook in top of a double boiler until thick, Add 2 - Tablespoons butter.

 When it cools add 1 Cup of whipping cream (that has been whipped).

1 - Large can of pineapple tidbits

1 - Can of pitted white cherries

1 - Can of mandarin oranges

2 - Cups of miniature marshmallows

Optional: Slivered almonds to garnish the top

 

Drain the juice from the canned fruit. Toss in a bowl with the marshmallows.

Fold in the whip cream mixture and put into an 8” x 8” pan. Decorate with slivered almonds. Chill.

 If you re-create these holiday favorites, be sure to share them with us at:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Stitchin-Post-115644758478546/

 
Have a Safe and Enjoyable New Years Eve!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Hartman Day - Books, Patterns, and her new fabric line, Rhoda Ruth!

Today is our 9th day of Christmas in our 12 day countdown, and it just happens to be Elizabeth Hartman's day. All things Elizabeth are 20% of for 24 hours. Stop by the shop or check out the website, http://www.stitchinpost.com/12-days-2015.html   It is the perfect time to stock up for her workshops which are coming up this March.

Elizabeth Hartman Workshops:

Fox & Hedgehog
Thursday, March 17, 2016
9-4 pm
1-day workshop (includes lunch)
$100
    

Patchwork City
Friday - Sunday, March 18 – 20, 2016
9-4 pm
3-day workshop (includes lunches)
$300

Choose from all things
Elizabeth Hartman:

Patterns and Books: Link here

Rhoda Ruth Fabric: Link Here

Watch for Elizabeth's new line, Pacific,  coming soon to our website.

Class-Studio Block Printing with Valori Wells

Friday and Saturday's class with Valori at the Stitchin Post was a Huge Success!!

Here a a few photos to show you how much fun they had and all they accomplished! 
She has promised to have another class here at the Stitchin Post in the Spring 2016.












(You can find our printing supplies here.)

      
Guess Who this belongs to...Jean is putting together a new monthly blog beginning in January 2016, Mixology, Stay tuned!

  gg

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

 

Mr. Warburton's 4th grade class from Sisters Elementary School painting the Stitchin Post windows for the Holidays.  They are doing a wonderful job, stop by and check it out!

40th Anniversary Birthday Sale and Memorabilia

Join us in person and at StitchinPost.com for our 40th Anniversary Birthday Sale! Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24, 2015.

 

 

Memorabilia...

Who would of thought that in 1975 we would still be in business in 2015? It has been a wonderful journey that is not ending anytime soon! Thinking back, what stands out the most is all of the people that I have met through the years, and all of the wonderful creativity I have gotten to experience because of sewing and quilting. As we went through old memorabilia, I thought we would share some of our favorite photos.

 

Jean in front of the Stitchin' Post - Opening Day in 1975

 

From a September 1976 article in Fabricnews titled, "Smaller is Better."
The caption reads - Stitchin' Post's Jean Wells: "It looks like fun and it is, but it's been hard work too."

 

Our very first logo...

 

...and our very first shop/class Flyer.

We hope to see many of you this weekend and during the year
as we celebrate our 40th birthday!
-- Jean and Val