We are so excited for the month of May that we wanted to celebrate with a SALE. Beginning today, 5/20 through Thursday, 5/31 we will be offering 15% off on all the fabric in the store and on-line – yes, all the fabric!

Make sure to stop by the shop or visit us on-line to take advantage of all the savings. When shopping on-line please us MAY2013.

* Sale not applicable to already marked down fabric.

Last Saturday was a baby shower for a good friend of mine, Josie and of course I had to add a bit of DIY to the festivities…I mean what is a celebration without a little crafting!

We had blank onesies, bibs and burp clothes that the guests could decorate with playful appliques.

The appliques ranged from a bow tie to a musical note (Josie happens to be a singer so I made sure I included something music related) and your classic little boy animals – a whale, dinasaour, octopus and giraffe.

Before the shower I cut out all the appliques in a variety of fabrics and backed each with some Steam-A-Seam.

There was a colorful supply of fabric markers that the guests used to personalize them and they sure got creative!

Check out some of the finished products…I love how creative everyone got and this was definitely not a crafty crowd so they were extra proud of their finished product and Josie is definitely stocked with onesies and bibs for when the baby arrives.

For anyone out there planning a baby shower this is always a great addition!

Happy Monday – it is Lauren and I am back with my monthly DIY…recently I have become the resident “Garland Maker” at P&N – making different kinds of garlands to use as signs throughout the shop. I have been having so much fun that I was inspired to put together some DIY Garland Kits to offer to our clients. Garland, also known as a bunting or pennant banner, is a very classic and simple way to decorate – they are great for parties, as home decor, or even as a thoughtful gift. I have been seeing them used everywhere and even better they are a quick and easy craft project to do on your own, with family and of course friends.

There are many different styles and techniques that you can do from what material you use, what shape you choose and how you hang it. Of course you can use fabric and felt like I did, but I have seen them made with paper, pages from books, pom-poms, maps and more. It is not only fun to get creative with the materials you can also experiement with the different shapes you make.

We decided to create kits with some sayings that have been popular with our students…“I (heart) CAMP”, “I (heart) MOM”, “SMILE”, “LOVE”, & “PEACE”!  Our Garland DIY Kits are now available at the shop and include all of the materials to make your very own. All you need are some basic sewing and crafting tools. If you have a special occasion and there is something that you’d like to say with garland we are available to help you determine how much fabric, felt, and ribbon you will need. All that would be left is to make your own stencils or download some from the internet.

See how I made the “I (heart) CAMP” one…perfect for any kids out there heading off to sleepaway camp this summer to decorate their bunk.

Tools:  scissors, Elmers glue or hot glue gun, a hole puncher, fabric marking tool (we love the Frixion Pens), pinking sheers (these are optional)

Step 1: Cut out all of your stencils.

Step 2: Pin, trace and cut the letters and the other stencils that are labeled ‘felt’ on the felt piece included in the kit.

*For the triangles, cut the amount listed on the stencil included.

Step 3: Pin, trace and cut your stencils that are labeled ‘fabric’ using the fabric piece included in the kit. I’ve used pinking sheers here to make things really pop – this is optional!

*For your triangles, cut the amount listed on the stencil included.

Step 4: Once everything is cut, it’s time to glue – you can also sew everything together if you prefer. You will notice that your fabric pieces are a bit smaller than your felt pieces. Place and glue the fabric onto the matching felt piecs – make sure to center them. Glue the felt letters on top of the fabric which is already on top of the felt! Let everything dry.

Step 5: With the hole puncher, punch holes in the two top corners of each of your pieces; not too close to the edges.

Step 6: Feed your ribbon through the holes.

You’re done!! Your garland is ready to hang!!

Make sure to stop by the shop to check out these new DIY Kits and we would love to see any garlands you make – we welcome you to share your creations on our Facebook.

Here are some photos of a few…

Of course Molly had to be in the photo with two of our favorite students Sam and Stella – now she needs a raincoat also…

Playful polka dots with a neon orange lining…

What a pair, zebra and neon pink with matching pink snaps…

Perfect for a rainy day in Paris…

We loved how this student paired the swirly geometric print with a yellow and white chevron…

It is hard to choose a favorite as we think they are all fabulous!

We are back again with our monthly post, “In Your Stylish Craft Kit” and we are excited to share the faces behind Seattle’s Assemble Shop & Studio. You might ask, why profile a team of passionate crafters and creators from across the country. Well for good reason, this talented duo is responisble for designing the craft kits (needle-felting & bookbinding) that we have recently started to carry at P&N and have become a big HIT with our clients and many of our students!

Not only have Emily and Andie introduced these fun, engaging and of course super creative kits they continue to offer a selection of hand-made and design inspired gifts on-line along with video tutorials and other products and services all supporting their mission “to honor craft as modern art, while teaching both traditional and avant-garde crafting techniques to a broader, internet audience.” What a great mission!

So now let’s learn more about Emily and Andie and what their essential craft tools are…we think you will surely be inspired after hearing from them…

Where do you get new creative project ideas from?

Andie and I have no shortage of inspirations, that’s for sure! Our line of kits came directly from workshops we used to teach, and those concepts came from crafting we personally loved and learned over the years. The creative projects on our blog are a mix of things we know, experiments in a new media, or even seeing other craft blogs and wondering if we could try our hands at that!

How did you get started in your craft?

Andie and I met while managing Paper Source together in Seattle. We both always loved craft and design, and dreamed that one day we could open our own shop. In 2009, we did! Assemble began as a brick-and-mortar shop that was part retail, part workshop studio, and part art gallery, all focused on traditional crafting as modern art. The business gave us infinite opportunities to explore and share anything we found inspirational. As of 2013, we closed the storefront and moved the business exclusively online — so we could design and manufacture our own line of crafting kits.

How do you go about choosing your materials for your projects or products you design?

When Andie and I began designing our own products, we knew that quality and aesthetic were the two most important factors. We wanted to be sure that our craft kits were well-designed, user-friendly, and could strike a balance between high quality yarn or paper, for example, and cost effectiveness. We have so much fun picking out each bit and piece of the kits — from the outer kraft box to the washi-taped test tubes as needle holders. Our goal was for customers to enjoy the process of crafting, and also feel like they were getting something really special and thoughtful.

How do you like to organize or carry your sewing and craft materials?

When we had our storefront, we kept our fabrics folded in a vintage red suitcase, and our sewing machines were lined up on a shelf like trusty old friends waiting to be used for workshops! Our notions were kept in mason jars with typewritten labels. That was all part of our Assemble vibe. Now that our business model is based online, our studio is more of an assembly line of cardboard and canvas boxes, filled to the brim with yarn and wool roving.

Is there one craft or skill that you have been wanting to learn?

I’m a great “general” crafter — I can do a little bit of all sorts of things. But I wish I were a more advanced knitter, and could do some kind of cable or fair-isle patterning. I can sew decently, but making a pair of well-fitting jeans would be a dream.

What is the one thing you must have in your kit?

I think crafters of all sorts need one pair of good quality shears and one pair of embroidery or detail scissors. My office/studio is not complete without a papercutter, a large bamboo glue brush, balls of chunky yarn, and post-it notes. I know that seems random, but like I said, I’m a crafter of all kinds!

Do you have a favorite crafter, designer or maker that inspires you?

I’m obsessed with Lotta Jansdotter’s simple way of designing. She can turn a plain old triangle into magic. I have taught so many craft classes based on her projects – carving linoleum stamps, designing your own fabric, sewing pillow covers, etc… You can’t go wrong with her “less is more” principal.

Do you have a favorite sewing or craft tip?

My sewing advice is to read your user manual and reference it often.

For crochet, be patient, and the key to success is correct tension which takes practice.

For needlefelting, use a toothpick to help shape your wool. It’s more precise and your fingers won’t get in the way.

What is your favorite place to work?

Anywhere Andie is (usually a coffee shop!) Having a business partner has been the best part of our Assemble adventure!

What are your sewing and crafting essentials that you must have with you at all time?

I used to always travel with a small bamboo crochet hook and a ball of yarn. But with two small kids now, downtime to crochet is minimal. These days, it is a simple Scout pocket notebook and a pen — perfect for jotting random thoughts for Assemble, brainstorming new kit ideas, or giving my two year old something to scribble on in the car!

A big THANK YOU to Emily and Andie…it was great fun to hear about what goes on “behind the scenes” at Assemble and what are your crafting essentials. We hope you will come and see us when you come to New York.

Make sure to check out their website and blog here and stop by the shop to pick up your own Assemble Kit – although we love all the needle-felting kits the breakfast kit seems to be a favorite!

Mother’s Day is always a bittersweet holiday for me – - my mom is no longer around, but of course with me everyday in my heart. She also was one of the biggest inspirations to open Pins & Needles. She was incredibly creative and taught me how to sew and do all the other crafts I have been so passionate about all my life!

I got to thinking about  a special DIY Mother’s Day Gift idea I wanted to put together with her in mind…she collected pretty vintage tea cups – it is a pretty big collection which I have filling up shelves in my closet.

I took one of my favorite ones and made a pin cushion out of it – it is such a simple project and now I have a token to remind me of her sitting on my desk at the shop and of course it is always handy to have a pin cushion around at P&N as we are constantly mixing work and stitching.

So mom – I am sending you lots of HUGS & KISSES on this Mother’s Day and everyday in between. Thank you for all your creative inspiration and support to make Pins & Needles what it is today!

Here are the simple steps how to make one…

MATERIALS:

1 Vintage Tea Cup (you could also use a new tea cup that you like)

A handful of stuffing

Fabrics Scrap

1 Peice of Card Stock to make a pattern – I like to use an old file folder

Pencil or Marker

Fabric Marking Pen

Packing Tape (or any tape that is pretty strong)

Scissor

Hand Sewing Needle and Thread

Step 1:

Trace the saucer of your tea cup set on a peice of card stock or I like to use an old file folder. Add approximately 1 – 1.5″ around the diameter of the circle. Cut out pattern. Pin and trace onto your fabric scrap and then cut out.

Step 2:

Along the edge of the circle stitch around about a 1/4″ in – this should be a large running stitch so that you are gathering the circle together – leave about an 1″ – 1.5″ gap.

Step 3:

Fill with stuffing where you left the opening – stuff it so that is a pretty tight ball. When you feel you have enough stuffing continue to stitch it closed pulling tightly. Finish with a knot or two so that the stuffing is secured inside.

Step 4:

Put a few peices of packaging tape along the bottom and sides of the tea cup. You can also use glue if you are ok with not re-using the cup. Place your ball inside securing it to the tape/glue – make sure to push down so that you just have a mini dome about an 1″ high sticking out beyond the edge of the tea cup. Also stick a bit of tape or glue to the bottom of the tea cup and secure to the saucer.

Add some pins and you are finished!

Not only are these great Mother’s Day gifts, they are also perfect for the stitcher or crafter in your life or as a sweet addition to your own sewing kit.

What’s is your favorite Mother’s Day DIY? Share your creations on our Facebook.

Happy Mother’s Day!

The team at Pins & Needles is so grateful for all the support and love that we get from our community and of course you! So it is especially exciting for us to share some recent press we have received…

Back in March we were so LUCKY to have been chosen as Best Sewing Shop for New York Magazine’s Best Of Issue in the kids section.

Then we appeared on QNN TV’s “Quilt Out Loud” hosted by the dynamic duo Mark Lipinksi and Jodie Davis where Rachel talks about how to build a creative community. You can see it here. Log-on with username: pinsandneedles and password: Jett1105.

This month New York Family wrote a feature on the shop and our kids classes for their “Quality Time” column. It really captured what we love to do at Pins & Needles. Read the full article here.

As a new and growing business these opportunities are so exciting for us especially as we continue to work hard to build our local creative community and of course the community at large. So we are sending out big THANK YOU’s to everyone who helped to make this coverage possible.

We look forward to sharing more in the future!

Today we are back again to share Rachel’s latest DIY for Project Nursery…and this one we are sure you will love!

Rachel based it on the shop’s inspiration board which we shared with you a few weeks back – “Fabrica” – our giant map of the US all made in fabrics. She made a mini version as a giant playmat for kids using some felt, fabric, glue, velcro and basic sewing supplies Make learning the 50 states fun! Not only is it a puzzle it’s a game you can play as a family and have everyone take turns marking where all your friends and family live, historical landmarks, state capitals or your favorite places to visit!

If you are not a stitcher Rachel even shares how you can make it out of some cardboard and colored paper!

You can find the full tutorial here.

What is your favorite state?

Many of you have probably heard us rave about Colette Patterns and today we are back to rave about them again, but also share our excitement about a recent visitor we had at the shop – the maker behind Colette Patterns, Sarai Mitnick!

Sarai was visiting the Big Apple for some workshops she was hosting around the city and Brooklyn and she made a quick stop to see us!

We pulled out all of our Colette samples we have stitched over the past two years for the shop and classes and of course had to have something new to wear for her visit so the P&N team spent the few days befoew quickly sewing up a Laurel Dress (her latest pattern edition), Peony Dress and Sencha top.

It was so much fun to show her how we showcase all her patterns and share all the positive feedback we get from our clients about her patterns, blog and more.

She came with her sweet husband and business partner, Kenn and as they were leaving they were greeted by some of our younger sewers arriving for their weekly class and when we told them who she they all responded WOW!! So Sarai keep creating your patterns as there is a new generation of sewers ready in the wings to start stitching!

Check out Sarai’s recap of her trip to NYC on her blog here – we were so thrilled to be included!

On a sewing note – here are a few photos of samples we made up of the Colette Laurel dress…

Check out how Alexa stitched up the Peony dress without sleeves (in one night) in Michael Miller’s Ta Dot…

And the classic Sencha top which Lauren wore so chicly layered over a white t-shirt and a pair of cropped cords…

The Ginger Skirt we teach in our P&N Skirt Class…

We welcome you to share your Colette creations on our Facebook - it is always so inspiring to see what you are stitching!

The right broach can completely change & brighten up any outfit – as seen here with an othewise boring denim top. As I am sure you saw from my first DIY I am crazy about “accessories” and love adding that perfect accessory to any outfit and now of course love to make them! I was really inspired when huge flowers, bows and broaches became fashion statements and when my grandmother had given me some old crocheted doilies she had I came up with the idea to use them as a background to create my own one of kind vintage broach pin – my version of a the a styish and bold broach!

MATERIALS:

1 flat back safety pin

1  3-5 inch lace or crocheted doily (if you can’t steal any from your grandmother, you can most likely find one at a thrift shop)

2-3  pieces of scrap fabric (these don’t need to match, and it’s actually more fun if they don’t)

2-3 old random buttons

scissors or pinking sheers

glue gun

a piece of interfacing or posterboard cut a bit smaller than your doily to make a stiff backing

Step 1: Cut out your interfacing or posterboard to match your doily but leaving a bit of a border on the doily so the back can’t be seen from the front.

Step 2: Glue the backing to the doily. And glue the safety pin to the backing towards the top center.

Step 3: Glue your scraps to the front of the doily. But first cut them into cool shapes or layer and ripple them. Be creative, you can’t go wrong here. There were so many scraps and fun buttons to choose from at the shop, but I went with some Liberty scraps to make it extra special and cut them using pinking shears.

Step 4: Glue on your buttons in random spots and let everything dry.

Now you’re done and your broach is ready to wear. Don’t be surprised if you get lots of complements and questions where you got your fabulous pin.

Have fun. The best part of this project is that no two are ever going to be the same. And you don’t always have to use doilies.

On a personal note, before my wedding my grandmother had given me her wedding dress to cut and use for anything I wanted. It went a long way, my bouquet stem, my handbag, I even made bags for my 13 other girl cousins to use when they get married, she isn’t just my gram after all. But my favorite thing that I made with it was the broach that my grandfather wore on my wedding day! I used her dress as the backing and red silk flowers to compliment their outfits. You see…the possiblities are endless!

This DIY is dedicated to my grandfather who always supported my crafty endevors!  He would have been so proud of the work I’m doing at PINS & NEEDLES!  He passed away this year in January, just 2 months after my wedding. He and my beautiful grandmother would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this month!