Aneela Hoey : A Walk in the Woods

This mornings delivery had me positively skipping with excitement. Aneela Hoey's new 'A Walk in the Woods' is the first of a number of long anticipated ranges we are expecting in and, oh my, it does not disappoint. 

I struggled to narrow the collection down, but in the end settled on eleven of the fantastic prints.  Foxlets is my favourite, but those dashes and circle are lovely too, and let's not forget the teeny mushrooms or Little Miss Red herself.  I've made up a fat quarter bundle of the eleven prints for those of you who are committed.



Foxlets for Boys

The other thing that I realised when this fabric arrived this morning was that it is actually a really good one for the basis of a boy quilt.  Look at that selection above, all those greys, reds and blues scream boy!  I reckon you could even sneak in the blue mushroom print without it becoming too girly.

Anyway, if Aneela's last range is anything to go by, this one will sell quick, so don't miss out!

Did somebody say SALE?!

Hello Folks!  We're having a little de-clutter... clearing out some old in anticipation of the new.

  

Firstly we have this most delicious Oliver+S interlock knit fabric.  Available in six heavenly colours this luxurious, wide width fabric is a really lovely stable knit to work with.

Trust me, I made some cute Madeline Bloomers from the green and it was a doddle (the pattern of which is free by the way, here).  This fabric is down 30% from £18.00 to £12.60 per metre.

You could try it for yourself with the Renfrew Top, Miz Mozelle or one of Megan's Maternity patterns.  Or if you want to make something for your little one then what about the Tee for Two or Sleepover Pajamas?

We're also putting into sale a whole lot of our Oliver+S patterns as we are eagerly awaiting our shipment of the new seasons offerings from Liesl.  Some patterns are over 20% off!

The Calm Before The Storm...



Sunsplash Bundle



It's like the calm before the storm here at Backstitch HQ.  I can feel the tension building.  I had to take a break in ordering new fabric lines when I knew we were moving house, and then of course on the other side there is always a little bit of a lag.



Beachcomber Bundle

However, I am waiting on a stock EXPLOSION!!  Honestly, I've gone a bit bonkers and I can't wait.  We're going to be stocking some exciting things like Aneela Hoey 'A Walk in the Woods', Cloud 9 'Alegria', Denyse Schmidt 'Flea Market Fancy Legacy 2012', Lizzy House 'Hello Pilgrim', Ellen Luckett Baker 'Quilt Blocks' and Lucie Summers 'Summersville'... and much more!  We're also getting in 15 of the most delicious colourways of the Moda Crossweaves.



Fine and Dandy Bundle

So, a small apology that I have let things run out rather, but just you wait!!  Eeek!!

In the mean time, I've put a couple of new bundles together: Fine and Dandy for tones of blue and green; Sunsplash for the killer blue and yellow combo; and, Beachcomber for the yellows.

Introducing Megan Nielsen Sewing Patterns

Back in November I rather failed to tell you about our new pattern designer Megan Nielsen.   Shocking and criminal, I know.  Well, we have just received in her new (and drop dead fantastic) Banksia Top pattern.

Banksia Top

Megan Nielsen is an Australian fashion designer living in the US. She designs the most sweet and feminine clothes.  Just in October last year, after seeing a gap in the market, she released a collection of seven maternity sewing patterns that she had perfected through her own pregnancies.  This has been swiftly followed by two non-maternity patterns which have been taken from her Fall 2010 clothing collection.

Megan Nielsen Maternity Patterns

The Darling Ranges dress is a button front v-neck dress with elbow length sleeves and gathered waistline. Includes large pockets (in my book a dress has got to have pockets) and ties at the back to allow it to be worn in a fitted or loose style.



Darling Ranges Dress

Both dressy & casual the Banksia Top is a great wardrobe addition. Semi fitted with button up placket front, and large Peter Pan collar it also features elbow length sleeves and shaping darts at the bust line.

Swoon!



Sewaholic Renfrew Top - The Perfect Tee

We've had this new pattern from the fantastic Tasia at Sewaholic for a week or so now, and it's set to be a favourite.  Tasia is busy designing a full wardrobe of patterns, and what wardrobe would be complete without your basic tee?

The Renfrew Top has three sleeve options and three neck options which are all mix and match giving a whopping nine different styles of t-shirt.  I didn't even know that was possible!

This top is destined to take the fear out of sewing with knits too, billed as 'the knit top pattern for people who dislike sewing with knits'. Instead of standard machine-stitched hems, the sleeve and body hems are finished with bands. These banded hems are easy to sew and finish the edge in a professional-looking way.

Not sold yet?  Well, go and take a look at the Sewaholic Flickr Pool... they're starting to pop up in there!

Clever Charlotte Sewing Patterns

We have a new pattern design house in the shop!  Clever Charlotte patterns are the creation of Carla and Erin, a dressmaking duo from Ohio.  The patterns are made for girls in sizes 2T-8, and there are currently eight fantastic modern sets to choose from.

Finch Shorts

Kestral Coat - collar unbuttoned

I'm not sure if my favourite is the Raven Hoodie and Pants, the Finch Shorts, or the Kestral Coat.  What do you think?  You can take a look at the full collection here.

Hoarding and Scrap Packs

I've got a crime to admit to.  I've rather been hoarding end of line scraps.  See this big pile here?  This contributes to nearly two years worth of bolt ends.  Yes, I know, something has to be done about it.  All these beautiful fabrics, just sitting there... Criminal.

So, I'm going to let them go in the form of the Backstitch 'Lucky Dip Scrap Pack'.  For the measly sum of £6 you get 100g of delightful fabric scraps from this stack.  100g is somewhere between 0.75m and 1m of fabric.  All pieces are of a useful size - no piece will be smaller than 4 inches wide or 4 inches tall.  You will get between 5 & 15 different prints (depending on their size).  As an example I have taken a photo of the contents of one of the packs.

There's a lot you could do with this bundle of goodness!

And... they all come prettily wrapped, so perfect as a gift too.

A Valentine Card

My husband was working late last night, so I seized the moment and made my valentine card.  I always go for the 'quick and simple, but effective' route and what could be simpler than a couple of hearts embroidered onto a card.  I also embroidered a little heart onto the  envelope... just as a little sneak preview!

I left the tails long and just tied them in a bow at the back.

Have you done yours yet?

Backstitch HQ on the move!

A quick notice to say that Backstitch HQ is on the move.  We are moving house tomorrow (eek) and so stock will be in boxes for a few days.

We will still be taking orders, but anything ordered after 10:00 this morning (Wednesday 11th January) will be dispatched on Monday 16th January when normal service will resume.

Wish us luck!

Coats, Coats, Coats (because it's cold out there)

We've got a new coat pattern in!  The very delicious Abbey Coat pattern from Jamie Christina.  This coat is semi-fitted and fully-lined.  It can be made with or without a flounce, features princess seams, 3/4 sleeves, and a peter pan collar... oh, and boy, is it cute!

It struck me as this pattern came in, that we have a number of coat patterns in the shop now.

We've recently had Sewaholics Minoru Jacket come in which is a great everyday coat.  Then there is the class that is Colettes Lady Grey.  Lisette also has a smart jacket in with the Passport dress pattern.

Then for the kids there is a whole selection.  These are those pictured:
Figgy's Patterns Nituna Jacket, Patterns by Figgy's Vien and Rue Jackets, The Mr B Rock Band Jacket, Reversible Girls Jacket and Reversible Baby Jacket all from Bettsy Kingston.

Is that enough jackets for you to be getting on with?!