Butterfly Medallion

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you to all those who have already had a look at the previous news from Sawmillers about the classes we shall be running, but as with all things the descriptions weren’t perfect, so I shall amend them so that non of you will be disappointed when you enroll.

The first ‘glitch’ was that I spelt Diannes’ name incorrectly, my apologies Dianne, it should be Barnden and to add insult to injury I had her living in the wrong place, she is actually from Ascot Park, Porirua.

The other important mistake is that the Butterfly Medallion class is more about using large scale prints and free motion embroidery than applique, nevertheless the finished product is stunning, if you require more details you can always phone Sawmillers or email us at enquiries@sawmillersquiltery.co.nz

One other point I have to make is that the Square Strips is a table runner. 

The above picture shows a small selection of fabrics that may be used for all the classes we are holding, but there are plenty more to select from.

Happy Quilting,and we hope you all have a wonderful weekend and look forward to catching up with you when you come and visit Barney and me.

Classes.

 

Hello Everyone,

I think quilting weather has well and truly arrived, the rain here at Sawmillers this morning was torrential, but fairly short lived, although Kevin has issues with his telephone at the teahouse,faults are phoning back in 2 hours!!

As promised the long awaited details for our first set of classes can now be announced, the tutors have been very patient with us and I feel we have a truly diverse choice for all levels.

This quilt is called Stars Galore and pictured as a scrappy quilt, but Pauline Cave our very experienced tutor has suggested it be made in class in fabrics with light and dark values, perhaps creams and blues. You will learn a variety of techniques including Foundation Piecing, this sample is on display in Sawmillers along with a display of other fabric suggestions, the first lesson commences on Thursday 24th July at 7.00pm – 9.00pm and is a 6 lesson course held monthly and is suitable for Intermediate to Experienced quilters.

This quilted wall hanging is called Butterfly Medallion, and is an introduction to Applique, butterflies are so popular at the moment, so this is an ideal way to learn a new skill, the tutor is Dianne Barndon who has kindly offered to travel over from Titahi Bay to teach this class, she says it is an ideal project to showcase large floral fabrics, which we have a lovely selection of here at Sawmillers, the course consists of 2 classes, the first one being Thursday 28th August 7.00pm – 9.00pm and the final one is Thursday 18th September at the same time.

This would appeal to Advanced Beginners and above.

The Square Strips Wallhanging is another class taught by Dianne Barndon, this is ideal for using Sawmillers Strips and has proved a very popular class, there is a surprise element in the construction and is also taught over 2 lessons, the first lesson is on Thursday 4th September at 7.00pm – 9.00pm and the final lesson is on Thursday 2nd October at 7.00p – 9.00pm, this would interest Advanced Beginners upwards also.

Another course being held is our Sawmillers Beginners class, the table runner for this class is pictured at the beginning of this update, which we made up in our new Christmas fabric and is relevant to Sawmillers as we have used the sawtooth block, which is our logo, this is a very beginner class or for those that have very little knowledge of piecing or quilting, it will cover all the relevant points when starting this lovely pastime, it is envisaged this will be a 4 Lesson course, the first one being on Thursday 31st July at 7.00pm, and will be held weekly.

We have all the samples for these courses on display in Sawmillers along with another display of fabric suggestions, this includes our first shipment of Christmas fabric, come in, have a look and register for your favourite course or courses!!

The Suitcase Special this week are fabrics in Blue and Whites, they are all reduced by $2.00 per metre and there is no minimum apart the usual .20cm.

I can’t finish this weeks post without saying a big thank you to Julz, she has become a regular visitor here at Sawmillers and we are always very thrilled when she mentions us on her lovely blog, Thank You, Julz

We hope you all have a great weekend, don’t forget that Stonestead Devonshire Teas is open at the same time as Sawmillers, and the scones are made to order and are served with very scrummy home made jam.

Until our next update, Happy Quilting.

Jelly Rolls, Charm Squares, Layer Cakes.

Hi Everyone

Sawmillers has been full of excitement this past week, with deliveries of patterns, another shipment of Supreme Sliders as well as Thread Snips, these are great as you can hold them whilst trimming all your threads.

The most excitement has been generated from now being able to offer Sawmillers Strips or you may know them as Jelly Rolls, ours are made from our in store fabric, the selection we have at the moment is an entire range of 32 designs in Heart of Garden by Andover and Orientals by John Kaufmann in 2.50″ strips, we also have the patterns and books to go with them, another new product are Charm Squares, I expect you have heard of these, they are 5″ squares and come in a range of Brights as well as Heart of Garden too, but there is more, as we also have Layer Cakes, these were the latest trend at Houston Quilt Market, measuring 10″ by 10″ and available in the Heart of Garden range too.

The prices for these new products are very reasonable in comparison and the fabric used, is all top of the range.

The accuracy of this new innovative product to Sawmillers is due to the new cutting machine that we have imported from the States.

As you can see we still have a range of Beatrix Potter greeting cards, our range of Beatrix Potter fabrics is still going very well, but don’t leave it too long to stock up on fabric for a quilt, as restocking this range may prove difficult.

The Butterfly Kisses BOM is another popular addition to Sawmillers, if you are interested in signing up for this, come in and see the shop sample, the photograph really doesn’t do it justice as the colours are really lovely and all the blocks are cut out ready to sew, the instructions are very detailed, so construction of the blocks are not complicated.

Don’t forget we always have our Suitcase Special on display, this contains an assortment of our top of the range fabrics, with a reduction of usually $2.00 per metre, these are changed every two weeks.

The classes which we intend to hold are in the final throes of organising and we shall be informing everyone of what they will be, there will be a combination of beginner and intermediate to advanced classes available.

The Sawmillers Stitchers met for the first time last week and had a great time, we look forward to seeing more stitchers next week, when they meet on Thursday 26th June at 11.00am.

Stonestead Tea House continues to welcome visitors for Devonshire Teas, it is becoming very well known for the home made scones as well as the home made jam that accompanies the teas, if you want to enjoy the jams at home these can be purchased at the tea house for a very reasonable price.

We shall look forward to seeing you when you call in, as does No 2 Assistant and Official greeter Barney the Bichon.

Happy Quilting to you all.

More New Arrivals

Hi Everyone,

Firstly we would like to thank all the ladies that attended the first get together of the Sawmillers Stitchers, it was great to see you all and we hope you had a good time and enjoyable Devonshire Tea over at Stonestead, by attending the stitchers you receive a discount on the day in the quiltery, all the details are outlined on the information sheet, we issue when you arrive.

The general opinion was that the stitchers would meet fortnightly so the next get together will be Thursday 26th June at 11.00am, so come and join our friendly and inspiring group.

We have just received our latest shipment of patterns, these designs are by Terry Atkinson from the States, there is a great variety for all levels, including some books too.

We also have some beautiful Beatrix Potter greetings cards, these are handmade using some of the fabric we have in the quiltery, they would be ideal to accompany a Beatrix Potter gift, perhaps a cot quilt for baby?

We shall look forward to seeing you when you call at Sawmillers or Stonestead Devonshire Teas, until then Happy Quilting.

Suitcase Special and New Haircut

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are enjoying your weekend, it is certainly conducive to stitching, with the wind blowing and occasional rain showers, I have to say we are lovely and warm here at Sawmillers and Stonestead Devonshire Teas, the heaters are on in both premises and the scones smell delicious!

We are looking forward to our first Sawmillers Stitchers get together this Thursday June 12th at 11.00am and to meeting those who are able to attend.

Our Suitcase Special this week is Bloom Blossoms, these are green and black combinations with a touch of gold thread running through, we have also put some Black and Whites in too, so come and have a look, there is $2.00 off a metre, with just the usual 20cm minimum cut.

The Indigo and Gold range (pictured above) is also lovely for all types of piecing, it is designed by Nancy Gere for Windham, a well renowned fabric manufacturer, there are about 25 designs in the range and can be used in traditional or contemporary quilts. 

Dreamland by Henry Glass is a lovely nursery print with a matching panel too, this can be used as the centre panel of a cot quilt, we are currently running a draw with this fabric, purchase Dreamland fabric and you gain entry for the draw, which this time is a beautiful bedtime story book.

As you can see by the picture Barney my 2nd Assistant and Official Greeter, has finally had his hair cut and blow dried, and is looking every inch the Bichon, although there is degree of concern regarding his rather portly appearance so he may have to go on a doggie diet.

Until the next post,

Happy Quilting.

 

Beatrix Potter Draw and Sawmillers Stitchers

Hi Everyone,

We hope you have all recovered from the long weekend and managed to either relax and stitch or accomplish all the tasks you had to do.

We have now drawn the winner of the Beatrix Potter draw, this was done by our first two customers, Elena drew the winning ticket and Fiona acted as witness, so the winner is Diane Marriott of Upper Hutt, we have contacted Diane and she was very pleased and really surprised.

We shall be running another draw for our next nursery fabric display, this will be Dreamland by Henry Glass, we have a panel and co-ordinating fabrics, but we do still have some Beatrix Potter fabric in stock too.

The Sawmillers Stitchers will meet for its’ first get together at the Stonestead Teahouse adjacent to Sawmillers on Thursday 12th June at 11.00am not 11.00pm as stated in the printed newsletter, Oops !!! the meeting will go through until 2.00pm, Kevin will have the heaters on, so it will be lovely and warm, there will be Devonshire Teas available to purchase for lunch, we have decided there will be no charge for these get togethers, but we ask that participants don’t bring their own food or drink to consume at Stonestead, if you would like to book a place or require more details you can phone Yvonne at Sawmillers 04 526 2517 on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

As you can see by the photo, Barney is now a most handsome No 2 Assistant and Official Greeter, having had his hair appointment etc. and is very keen to show off the new hair do, so if you are passing Sawmillers call in and say hello.

Until our next post, Happy Quilting.

The Empty Box

Hi Everyone

Just a quick post today, we hope you all had a great long weekend, we enjoyed having visitors at Sawmillers and Stonestead too.

As you can see our latest innovation is our chalk board, keeps everyone informed of what we have in the shop, the box is now empty and has revealed its contents which are on display now, these include Yo Yo Makers in 3 sizes, Extra Large, Large and Small this is such an easy way to make Yo Yo’s or what in times past were called Suffolk Puffs. We have new stock of the Supreme Slider, this great idea helps prevent fabric snagging when you are machine quilting or doing machine applique, we saw these demonstrated at Houston Quilt Market and were very well received.

We also have Pincushions, Magnetic Pin Reachers and Thread Snips to name just a small selection of what was in the box, but we shall tell you more of the contents next time.

We have made these kits up for those customers who don’t want to think about colours, values etc. they are available in Beatrix Potter, Simplicity & Botannical Brilliants, come in and have a look and perhaps consider giving one to a fellow stitcher as a gift, they are gift wrapped in cellophane and bound in a pretty bow, while you are here browse through the new pattern books just received from the States too.

Well, this is the end of the post for now, next time you visit us, we shall have a new and improved Barney 2nd Assistant and Official Greeter as he will have had his hair appointment, until then Happy Quilting.