Bolt Neighborhood

Filling in some space

by Gina.

We've been unpacking boxes and happily filling in some of the empty spaces left over from the sale.  Here's the latest.

I love the red and red stripe.  These are from the French General line from Moda.  They include some linen cotton blends and a couple of dish toweling by the yard not shown.  Lovely.

More silk-cotton "Radiance" from Robert Kaufman, along with 100% cotton sateen in plum, gold and white.

Cute, cute.  The owls are on corduroy.  There were a few more things to open when I left, so they didn't make it into the photos.

Don't forget we've got Amy Karol's book signing tonight!

No-Sew Napkins

by Lupine.

This was the original inspiration for this project; simply beautiful fabric and some need for a little black stripe. I hemmed and hawed for a while and thought about all the options for a lovely new set of napkins for the table in time for the holiday. 

I couldn't bring myself to use black bias tape, it just seemed to clunky for this fabric. The idea of turning all those hems was fine, and nearly happened, but then I just couldn't really seem to do it. So, I started to pull. I remember reading about something like this years ago in a Martha mag, but after a bit of snooping, could find nothing. 

I decided to fray the edges by pulling threads on all sides of the napkins except the selvedge. This helped get these suckers square too, as the wide weave and slippery texture created some crooked cuts. I did have to trim up the frayed edge to get it even again once the threads were pulled, but that was a snap.

This would work well with any linen or wider weave cotton, something with a natural tendency to fray and easy to see and pull threads. I would give instructions, but really, there are none. Just pull threads. If you don't pull enough, you will know after some washing. Your napkins will take shape before your very eyes.

They washed up nicely, and may still loose a thread or two as they settle in to their raw, un-fussy selves, but I don't mind. They are fairly casual, and can be used day in and day out. We are dedicated to the cloth napkin around this house, and have been for years. These will really add a nice little touch to the turkey, don't you think?  I am totally pleased with the results.  

Amy Karol Book Signing this Thursday!

Amy Karol, local author and so much more, will be holding a book signing and all in all fun time at the store on Thursday, the 5th.  Check it out!

 

 

hey you all!

I really really hope you guys can come to my book singing for Bend the Rules with Fabric at Bolt! I will have some stories, examples from the book to show, answers for your questions, some donut holes (I'm serious) and little iron-on transfers to give away if you bring a book for me to sign (or you can buy one at Bolt!). 

AND, when you come, you will get a chance to win a lovely tote bag filled with a copy of my newest book, Bend the Rules with Fabric, a box of Bend the Rules Gift Labels, chocolate, and some supplies to make a few projects in my book, how lovely!!

Please come, I'd love to see you all. I will be having a little talk starting at 7:00, and then it's just a party after that. Sweet!

So, it's 7:00 pm, Thursday November 5th at Bolt.

See you Thursday,

Amy (angry chicken)

Handmade for Everyone? Really?

by Lupine.

Is it really possible to whip out all (or almost all) handmade gifts this year for your Holiday of choice? It is such an overwhelming thought, and only gets more so as time marches nearer and nearer to the actual season and the gifts still aren't made.

If you are like me, you start with big intentions, then, if you are lucky, settle on a few choice gifts for the people who will really appreciate your hard work. But in these times, economy is ever more important, keeping it simple really keeps that at the forefront of your handmade holiday adventures.

There are great holiday gift resources on line. Look around at Sew Mama Sew, and peruse the pages of the Pearl Bee, you will be full up with ideas for everyone on your list.  

My best hint of all is this: Choose one or maybe two things and give them to everyone. This is much easier if your list is short. Encourage swaps and exchanges instead of gifting for each member of your husbands entire extended family. Then you can make it with love, and make a few instead of too many.

So, now for a few tips on producing something in multiple:

1.  Sew one first. This way you know if it is a pain or a joy. Plus you can make any changes you might want to make to the pattern, project, plan...  you get it.

2.  Sew the rest together. As in cut all at once, sew a seam, sew the next one, same seam, and sew on.

3.  Get your friends involved. This year my craft night lady friends intend to do this with PJ's for our kids. We will all meet up over a couple nights and do it assembly line style.

4.  Start early. Goes with out saying right? 

5.  Keep it simple. Something utilitarian is always nice:  felt boards, quilted pot holders, hooded bath towels, PJ pants...

Hope those tips help. I find that when I am really wanting to make something special and one of a kind for my recipient, I shoot for the birthday gift. That way I can pour all the time and creativity into one lovely thing. For the holidays, I like to keep it simple, fun, and still lovingly handmade.

This year it is The Year of the Pajama around my house. So if you are my child, husband, mother, sister-in-law, you may just be a little less surprised (I don't think they read here often, thankfully), but I am all ready having fun with this project.  If you would like to join me, a class on PJ's is coming Nov 12th and 19th, and there is still room and time enough for you to make some jammie pants for all those on your list.

Oh yeah, the new things

by Gina.

I was so busy saying thanks for a great sale and how empty our shelves were, I forgot to mention the new things that have arrived.  Here's a quick list.  Some adorable prints from Kokka above, I love those Russian buildings.  Also, some bright ones from Alexander Henry (below), beautiful, light weight linen in natural and a rich red, and soft velveteen in chocolate and burgundy.  There's a new coated cotton from Echino.

 
For the non-fabric portion of the store, we received new curtain hardware!  Yep, we finally brought in those little rings with the clips that we have for our in-store curtain and for which many of you have asked.  Exciting.  And we've started our shift from packaged bias tape to bulk bias tape, so you can get the amount you need, not what is in the package.  We're restocked on twill tape in various colors and have some great new ribbons.  There was another box of ribbon being opened up yesterday.  Finally, we unpacked Amy Butler's newest patterns post-sale and they are available!  Both great looking--a bag and a tailored, button front shirt / dress.  

 
 Boxes continue to arrive every week, and there are fantastic new lines of fabric on their way before the end of the year.  I'll keep you posted!

Happy Halloween.

From all of us at Bolt and Bolt Neighborhood.

As you can see, both costumes have been completed. These were delightful to make and the wearers seem to really enjoy them. I hope they will continue to do so throughout the years to come.  

I did make some changes with the second costume (above). I fully lined the bodice. I am not a very big fan of facing. I don't really get it, especially with children's clothes. It is just awkward and usually more difficult than fully lining the project. To do it for these bodices, I just simply cut out an extra bodice, constructed it as usual, and then attached it around the arm seams and the neck and back. It happens to be exactly the same as attaching the facing. I also decided that hook and eye's are not very kid friendly. To me, buttons are easier and more fun, so I added them.  

And I pretty much ignored the instructions after the bodice and the petals part. I used my own layer plan and just gathered and gathered and basted one to the next until I had enough. Then attached the petal layer to the bodice and then the skirt layers over. Sewed around the skirt-bodice pile and there you go. Done. 

I find that sewing one project after the next is worth while for me (instead of making them both at the same time). I can decide on the changes to make in the pattern or project and often save a bit of time on the second one. If doing more then two, I would do all the rest the second time. Does that make sense?  Sew one, make changes, sew the rest.  

Now, for the candy, jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, parties, and rest of the rainy halloween fun! Enjoy.

Wow, thank you!

 
by Gina.

That was one huge sale!  Thank you very much for coming out for it.  The lines were often long and you all were so lovely and gracious as we worked as quickly as we could.  Thanks for your patience, and thanks to Melissa for having such amazing timing to show up just when we needed some help getting those bolts back out on the floor.  Our crew was a bit small due to illness and travel, but Amy and Hannah worked so hard all three days, and we were all pretty worn out toward the end.  Thanks again!

We actually have some empty shelves in the store now.  Crazy.  For those of you still looking for a great deal, we are loaded with remnants and the two cabinets below the window are full of fabric marked down 40%. 

This sale marked our fourth birthday.  I feel so grateful to be able to say that.  Thank you all so much for the ongoing support.  I am well aware that we are only here because you keep us here.  Thank you. Hope to see you soon.  Gina

Trench Coat Fun.

Autumn shares some thoughts about her recent discovery of making this trench reversible and her inspirations for this pattern's future possibilities. She is teaching this class coming up, but of course due to the loveliness of this project, it is full. Maybe, if enough of you leave comments and questions, Autumn can follow this post up with simple instructions on how to make this pattern into the lined two sided beauty you see here.

 

Every once in a while I come across a pattern that really inspires me. A simple pattern with loads of different possibilities. Something that has a classic shape but is very easy to customize. I love the Favorite Things Child's Hooded Jacket. There are so many possibilities with that jacket. I have made it several times and each time I change it up a bit. I have made a sweatshirt out of the pattern, a warm batted winter coat, and right now I'm working on a jacket without the panels and ribbing around the cuffs and bottom of the jacket. The pattern is simple enough that adding these different details has been fun and easy, and each time I am challenged to come up with new ones for the next go around.

My most recent inspiring pattern is the Trench pattern in the Chic and Simple book. The simplicity of this pattern is a perfect base for so many possibilities. I love the raglan sleeves and the way the sleeves bell out. I also love the large pockets on the front.

 

The first trench I made was a class sample for Bolt. The pattern is simple and well written. I changed the original pattern slightly by lining the trench. I thought a lining would make the trench so much more wearable and add a fun design element. 

The lining fabric could be almost any fabric you have your eye on. I loved the fall colors of the fabric I chose for the lining.  The inside of this trench makes a great place to show off a large scale pattern or a geometric print. When you line your coat in this way your coat will also be reversible, giving this simple and chic trench even more possibilities.

The outside of the coat worked nicely in a heavier weight fabric. A corduroy, upholstery weight, or medium weight canvas all would look great. I chose the organic cotton canvas for the outside of the coat. I love the array of colors that this canvas comes in but they are all so lovely it does make it difficult to choose.  

I have so many dreams and thoughts about future jackets from this same pattern: coated cotton is water-proof and comes in great designs, I can see adding a hood and a belt to this jacket, or a button panel to the front, and maybe even a collar on another coat. I also think a zipper could be a great modern addition to an ordinary trench coat.

Lucky me, now I have two favorite jacket patterns, one for the kids and one for me. Both with endless possibilities. 

Life is happening, eat some waffles

by Gina.

 
Those regular visitors out there may have noticed a bit of a slow down over here at Bolt Neighborhood.  We're sorry about that.  Between taking care of ailing little ones and preparing for the store's big mega-sale (this weekend, scroll down to see details), we haven't had much time.  We'll be back in action more next week.  So enjoy the little break, take some pictures of your latest projects, post them to the Flickr page, come by the sale and eat some waffles?  Yep.  This Saturday is the grand opening of the Solar Waffle Works cart on NE Alberta and 23rd, just one block east of Bolt.  It's a great project--solar powered food cart--created by the folks at Soltrekker.  Check it out and we'll see you soon.

Our 4 year Anniversary Sale

by Gina.

Usually twice a year we hold big, store-wide sales as a way to say a heartfelt thanks for keeping us around.  The sales have always been in April and October (and we tossed one in in August this year just for fun).  So, it's that time once again to mark your calendars, swing by and plan out your shopping strategy, do whatever you do before our sales, because one's on the way.  This Friday, October 23rd, we’ll kick off our 4 year anniversary sale, with all fabric marked down, some marked down to $2 / yard! (That isn’t a typo.)  Help us clear out some space and find great deals. Marimekko will be 50% off, and even the new things that just arrived last week will be on sale.  Stock up for all those gifts you told yourself you were going to be making this year.

The sale will be all day Friday (10-6), Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (11-4). In addition to the amazing markdowns on fabric, we’ll have all patterns 25% off on Friday, all books 20% off on Saturday and all notions 25% off on Sunday. This is for all in stock items. So, bring a friend, have some good jokes to share while you’re in line and enjoy!