Here is the final block in our Mystery Block Quilting Contest. If you are just getting started, there are still a few weeks before the deadline so check out the last few posts and get started! We are super excited to see what all of you are making so don’t be shy about sharing on Facebook and Twitter.
We are looking forward to hosting Denyse Schmidt’s Improvisational Patchwork Workshop at Brooklyn General on May 5th. Students be able to learn Denyse’s intuitive design techniques while building a foundation for bringing your own individual style to quilts or projects from her book, or your own creations. You will create exciting, rut-breaking work that will change the way you think about color, patchwork, and your own creativity. Here is a photo of one of her student’s work using the skills learned in her workshop.
You can read more about Denyse Schmidt here. If you would like to attend the workshop, you can sign up here.
Join us!
Welcome Back. We hope you are having fun with the mystery quilt project. We can’t wait to see what you are up to so please share photos and comments with us on Facebook and Twitter. If you are just joining us, there are still a few weeks left so check out our last few posts for all the details. Here is Mystery Block 3.
Spring Quilting Contest: Week Two.
For those of you that have already started, click on the image below to download the second block for our Spring Mystery Block Quilting Contest. If you are just joining us and want to get in on the fun, there is still plenty of time. Check out our last post for all the details and don’t forget to share your progress with us on Facebook or Twitter
Spring is on it’s way! Celebrate the change of season with our Mystery Block Quilting Contest. Throughout the month of April, Brooklyn General Store will post a new “Mystery” quilt block to the blog each week. Your challenge will be to incorporate all four blocks into a beautiful quilt that reflects the season. The quilter with the most fun and creative interpretation will win a Brooklyn General Store gift certificate that can be used to stock up on sewing supplies and the winning quilt will be displayed in the shop window for all to admire.
A note about patterns:
Patterns use are formatted to “paper piecing” assembly. This means that they do not include seam allowances. Contestants are not required to use paper piecing techniques but should be sure to add a consistent seam allowance to the pieces before cutting for accuracy in assembly.
Rules and Requirements for Consideration:
KNOW THY SELF
Whenever I teach a sewing class at Brooklyn General Store I always make my students take their measurements and the reaction is always a series of groans followed by the words, “I don’t have to say them out loud, right?” But when I ask the same people why they want to learn how to sew the answer is almost always because they want to make clothes that fit them.
It’s a sad fact that we have such an aversion to our own shapes. When I was a senior in high school I lost 30 pounds (almost exclusively from above my hips, darn it!) About the same time I bought my first vintage dress – a purple cotton lawn with translucent purple buttons up the front. It came in at the waist and had a full skirt. It was my first glimpse of what having something the right fit and shape can do for a girl and I was hooked. Today my closet is full of dresses that fit similarly – both vintage and handmade.
After I graduated from college I worked for the designer Mary Adams. Here I saw women of all shapes and sizes come to the store and walk out with the most beautiful wedding dresses that fit them perfectly. It was a lesson in taking the time to make something right that I will never forget. Each dress began with a fitting and was followed by a series of muslins before the final dress was even cut. Making something fit is not usually something you can do on your first try (in fact, the bicycle dress above had to be taken apart at one point because I needed to take the waist in and up) but the first step is always to know your shape.
My measurements haven’t changed much in the years since high school. Since I will probably always have an extra large backside I make things that highlight the things I like about myself like my waist and flatter things, like my bum and thighs that I’m not so crazy about. I’ve even grown to accept (and, gasp, even like) my knobby knees.
I always use my measurements as the example in my classes, I consider it a sign of trust.
So here we go – 32-27-42. A perfect pear.
Well, I have been working on these for almost 3 years. I started them around the time of our squirrel contest, during my squirrel obsessed phase that has never really subsided. I started by designing them in my little graph paper sketch book. I made the left hand first, then changed the design a little for the right hand. Finally, I created the pattern with Stitch Painter, flipped the oak leaves and came up with my favorite pattern after I had finished the right hand. As you can see, I am not one for making swatches. Good thing my right hand is so much longer than my left. I used Canopy from The Fibre Company with a little trim of Raumagarn. I am happy to share my pattern charts for anyone wanting to make these. Just send me a note or come in to the shop.
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Seems like everything I made last year was some shade of brown. This Spring, inspired by Blossom, our resident cherry tree fairy, everything is coming out pink. A pink dress in French General’s Petite Ecole, a pink shawl in morehouse lace, a pink short sleeved lacy sweater in Tosh Light, and finally, the easiest quickest project start to finish ever – a pink tie.
The dress and the tie were sort of made up with some vintage patterns providing some building blocks. This tie was so easy to make, really. Two hours is all you need. You are welcome to use our sewing studio for free this week to make one in honor of Father’s day.
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Madeline Tosh
Back in full force! Un-earthly colors in Merino Lightand Prarie. Both yarns are perfect for summer knitting. They are yearning to be knit up as light and airy cardigans for all those beach walks or Promenade strolls. |
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Imperial Stock Ranch
Batten down the hatches, you will be blown away by these new yarns from my favorite new friend. Anna is a hand-dyed cotton wool blended and plied beauty. Erin is a hand-dyed wool, a bit lighter than it’s worsted weight sister. |
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Cascade Ultra Pima
Eight new summer colors in this fabulous silky smooth cotton. |
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New Summer Plaids
I haven’t made a shirt for my Dad since I was in high school. My Dad is 6 foot 5 and always sports a big plaid shirt. He definitely needs a new one out of one of these fabrics. |
Kona is back
As always, an inspiring rainbow of colors. |
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Oil Cloth Now fully stocked and ready for all your decks, kitchen tables, and picnics. A good Oilcloth makes the whole family happy. |
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New Patterns from Colette
Check out our newest patterns from Colette. Dresses, shirts, skirts and even lingerie. |
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75 Birds, Butterflies and Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet
A small book packed with garden creatures. We are building a garden in our window. Any creatures that would like to inhabit it are welcome. |
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Teeny Tiny Toy Knits with Anna from Mochimochiland
June 19th 1-3 pm
Take knitting to the extreme by learning to make miniature toys no bigger than a peanut! In this class, Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land will show you the basic techniques and minimalist details needed to knit an adorable Tiny Panda or one of her other toy patterns. Knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, making an I-cord, and simple embroidery are some of the techniques explored. These miniature objects make cute trinkets, embellishments, or accessories. Sign up here |
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Toy Design with Anna from Mochimochiland
June 26th 1-4 pm
Design and make your own huggable doll, animal or other character that is all your own! Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land will guide you in starting with a sketch and turning it into a plan for a knitted toy design by using some simple geometry and math along with lots of tips and tricks from her years of experience exclusively designing toys. Sign up here. |
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Crocheted flower Workshop with Cal Patch
Friday June 24th 6:30-8:30
May flowers may come and go, but you can whip up some colorful spring cheer with your bits of leftover yarn and a crochet hook. Learn how to make a variety of styles of flowers to adorn any kind of handwork! We will explore several methods of construction, and you’ll leave with a bouquet of new skills. Sign up here. |
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Zippered Pouch Workshop with Cal Patch
June 25th 10 am-12 pm
Here’s a quick project that can be adapted for all kinds of uses: the classic zippered pouch. Whether you need a business-card holder, laptop protector, camera case, or crochet hook carrier, here’s the solution! We will learn how to insert a zipper and sew a pouch to suit your style. Sign up here |
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Check us out at Groupon!
Coming soon.
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BUNNY LOVE
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Meet Pollo, my Slick Back Angora bunny. He is the cutest bunny on the block. I don’t think he sneaks around hiding eggs but he reminds me that the little ones and the big ones need holding and stroking and even though they seem independent, they always appreciate unconditional bunny love. In my world, Easter is an excuse to get some more bunnies in our midst whether they be stuffed, wooden, edible or alive.
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Schulana Angora
100% Angora yarn. in a worsted weight. Perfect for baby booties or any accessory far away from the nose. |
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Jamie Harmon Yarns
Merino Wool and Angora blend 2-ply and single ply yarn. Hand spun and dyed in Vermont. |
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Wooden Bunnies
Hand carved and painted woodenbunnies from Germany |
Felt Bunnies
All natural wool felt bunnies from Germany |
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Vintage laundry bag
Appliqued with a bunny and a bird
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Pewter Bunny Frame
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 Bunny Cups
Hand made in Brooklyn, these cups are perfect for drinking or holding your tools and notions. |
