Here in Melbourne it’s great to have had some glimpses of warmer sunshine at last, with the promise that Winter really is on the way out, and Spring is in the air. It’s such a fabulous feeling to be able to have some optimism and hope at last as we seem to be winning our current battle with Covid numbers. What a year it’s been for all of us!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who so thoughtfully sent cards and emails with such beautiful messages after my mother passed away last month. Your support was a huge comfort to me, and truly was an enormous help given that we are so restricted in being able to support each other in person at the moment. I haven’t been able to reply to all of your hundreds of messages, but I promise that each and every one of them has been read. What an amazing and supportive community we are all part of.
Our shop by necessity is still closed to walk in customers and classes for now, and we wait eagerly to see how the easing of restrictions unfolds. But in the meantime we are of course still here for mail and phone orders, and contactless pick up for local people.
Through all of this we continue to fill our shelves with new fabrics and products to tempt you, so check those out below. Plus “Thread Facts” is something new you’ll be seeing in our newsletters for a while, and we are starting this time with Aurifil 80wt thread. There is so much to learn about thread!
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Jen's Block Wrap is your perfect 'Port-a-Piece' and a perfect solution to a design wall on the go. It has 6 pages large enough to contain a 14" block, each page is made of brushed felt for superior stick with a non-stick underside to ensure your designs stay put. Super light-weight and portable, it rolls up for easy transport. Watch a video of Jen explaining how her Block Wrap works by clicking here.
Clover Amour Crochet Hook Set Clover Amour Crochet Hooks are conveniently colour coded according to their sizes. Their elastomer rubber handles are designed for comfortable, stress free manipulation and reduced fatigue. The set includes 9 hooks in sizes from 2mm to 6mm
Floss Flower Thread Bobbins Keep your floss neat and tidy on these Floss Flowers! Wind individual skeins on a flower, then record the thread color on a label and simply stick it on. Keep them locked together with a simple binder ring or key chain. There are 6 floss flowers per set.
Quiltmania 2021 Diaries Due to arrive in late October, pre-order yours now. Contact us at the shop or email sales@sewnandquilted.com.au to reserve a copy.
Aurifil’s 100% Cotton 80wt thread is the newest member of the Aurifil family. Introduced in 2016, it is available in 88 vibrant, luxurious colors showcased on beautiful cherry wooden spools. Such a fine thread is perfect for a variety of techniques, including English Paper Piecing, Hand Applique, Machine Embroidery, Machine Applique, Free Motion Quilting, Free Motion Couching, and more.
Hand Appliqué: This is the perfect thread to use for hand applique tohelp your stitches simply ‘disappear’ and sink into your applique fabric, giving you a beautiful result. A 50wt thread has often previously been used for applique, and while this still is very popular, we recommend you try Aurifil 80wt thread for an even better result.
Needle Recommendations:
70/10 or 80/12 Microtex/Sharp or Embroidery Needle (80wt in the bobbin)
#10 hand sewing needle – Tulip #10 Applique Big Eye Needles are a popular choice
Tips:
For hand sewing, use a short length of thread, around 12”-18” to reduce tangling and breaking.
This is a beautifully fine thread and isvery strong when used properly. If using for applique, there is no need to tug and pull the thread really tight with each stitch, as eventually you will break the thread. Instead simply stitch and let the thread sink nicely into your applique.
80wt thread club:
Love these threads as much as we do? We have an 80wt thread club available for you to collect a beautiful selection of these threads. Click here for further details.
Don’t miss out on any magazine copies. Join our “regulars” list and have your copy reserved or mailed to you each edition. Simply contact us to arrange for this to happen. Did you know we can get in any Quiltmania magazine or book that is currently in print? If you’ve seen a book you’d like or are missing an issue of a magazine, let us know the title details and we’ll order it in especially. We can also set aside any of the above magazines on a regular basis for you – just call the shop with your details.
Strata Top Another addition to our range of Sew Liberated patterns. The Strata top is suitable for beginners.
Books
Quilts in Burano Kaffe Fassett uses the colourful Venetian island of Burano to form the backdrop of another stunning collection of new quilt designs.
Fabrics
Kaffe Bundles We have put together some bundles of our newest Kaffe Fasset fabrics. 8 x 30cm cuts for $69.50 or 8 x Fat 1/4's for $55.50 These fabrics would be the perfect accompaniment to Kaffe's newest book Quilts in Burano
New Yuwa Fabrics These new checks and stripes have just arrived.
Quiltmania Children's Special 2020 Quiltmania presents 16 projects of quilts, pillows and decor perfect for children. Kids will love the animal quilt projects.
BOM Update
The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey and Me.SHIPPING NOW Featuring all the Christmas with a little whimsy in true Anni style, this quilt features stunning hand dyed wools appliqued on a linen background and embroidery. It runs over 7 months and also includes optional Aurifil thread packs. Full details can be found here
The Cockerel and the Honeybee. 1st MAILOUT LATE SEPTEMBER Designed by Lisa Mattock of Forage SLow Stitching, this quilt draws inspiration from Paris and the French Countryside. Run over 12 months it features liberty fabrics, and beatiful hand dyed wools and threads from A Cottage Garden. Full details can be found here
Secret Garden This stunning quilt features a striking center mandala surrounded by a garden of folk fantasy, and overflowing with secret, hidden delights! Featuring artisan dyed wool felt applique and woven textured fabrics, also available in month 1 is a thread pack containing 13 Valdani threads and 1 Holoshimmer Thread. Full details can be found here
Getting to Know Hue Make a showstopper in a vibrant rainbow of colors. Each month, for 12 months, you’ll receive piecing and applique directions by Nancy Rink, and quilting fabrics from her Getting to Know Hue collection for a section of the quilt top, including precut fusible-backed applique shapes. This quilt can be done as a Block of the Month or we can issue more parts per month. Full details can be found here
That’s it for now – thanks for reading to the end! Until next time Carol “Patchwork Made Possible” Website: www.sewnandquilted.com.au Phone: (03) 9877 1664 Email: carol@sewnandquilted.com.au
