Fall is just around the corner and we are gearing up for it. Our Class List is out and on our website. There are some very exciting new classes. Check them out. Most samples are up in the store too.

Are you thinking about the new JANOME HORIZON?? Now is your chance to try it out - on Thursday Sept. 9, Darren from Janome will be here conducting a "Test Drive". You can actually have a hands on demo. This is an amazing machine. Call to book your spot. Space is limited.

Don't forget about our OPEN HOUSE & SIGN UP on Saturday Sept. 11. If you sign up for 2 or more classes on or before that date you will get 10% off most registrations.

Breezy Summer Fabrics and a New Bag!

So many new things have come in to the store in the past couple of weeks!

Art to Heart towels are here in several styles and colours - they are perfect for making gift bags, pot holders, aprons and oven mitts. (They are also perfect for drying dishes!)

Almost every book by Nancy Halvorsen features at least one project with these towels and at $3.99 each they are flying out of the store...

Mini quilt from the book Garden Song, a towel and some of the wire hangers we have in stock.

More towels, a rack of Art to Heart fabric and several books...

Click on the picture above to see the stunning colours in this new collection by Jason Yenter from In the Beginning...

Charm Packs and Jelly Rolls of Fig Tree's "Fresh Cottons" line and the latest 30's line called "1933". Below you can see some of the yardage we received of "Fresh Cottons" - it's as fresh as a summer breeze!

And below is a display of fabric packs and patterns for all those who love those charming 30's fabrics!

And here's Jan with her latest bag design! It features one of those gorgeous oriental fabrics and the main bag is constructed of mesh, combining beauty and practicality.The kit will be available in the store this week and you must see this bag to appreciate how stunning it is!

This is a terrific bag for all your shopping needs from groceries to fabric and would even make a fantastic beach bag.

Summer may have finally arrived here in the Shuswap but don't forget to come in and say hello - we have lots of fabulous things to show you!

New and News!

Lots in store for you today! (pardon the pun by the way)

The Anniversary Sale continues through to May 31st with the following Specials:

Charm Squares, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes

Buy ONE, get ONE FREE

Patterns

25% off

Cotton Prints/Florals/Plaids/Tone-on-Tones

30% off 1/2 metre or more

35% off if you FINISH the bolt

Fat Quarter Frenzy

Cotton Print Fat Quarters - 10 for $25.00

Batik Fat Quarters - 8 for $25.00

Brand new coffee-themed fabrics including an apron panel! (And yes, it's on sale too!)

Wonderfil thread in a rainbow of colours, specially priced!

All patterns are 25% off!

If you haven't any flowers in your garden come check out our latest range of bright, sunny flower prints and colourful co-ordinates!

And of course we've saved the best for last...

Janome's brand new sewing machine!

Kathie and Lucille spent Friday in Kelowna at a Janome seminar learning all the tips and tricks this machine has going for it and we are so excited to hear all about it from them. And Jan has some ideas about how you can hear all about it too. We'll be announcing the details just as soon as the plans are finalized - you won't want to miss it!

Sale, Sale, Sale!

If you were at our last Demo, you will remember we were over run by fairies...

But before I continue with my fairy tale I have important business to attend to...

Jill here again. I think I promised this post for last Friday and I am late, late, late - but then what's a Friday between friends? Especially when I have such a great announcement....

The 27th Anniversary Sale has begun!

And - for the next week - Flannels, Batiks and Christmas prints are on sale! And for more than 25% off! (You'll just have to come in and see for yourself what discount Jan has come up with but I can guarantee you won't be disappointed)

And if that isn't enough, books are on for "Buy One and Get Another at Half Price".

And that isn't all - and this is unheard of (at least as long as I have been there) Kits are on sale for 20% off. Now that is a steal of a deal! Never mind the savings on fabric, what about the savings on your time? We have put together some fabulous kits and you can be assured of a lovely quilt that is a joy to put together. Perfect for when you want that special handmade gift but don't have a lot of time...

And for those of you who think you can't fit a stitch more of fabric on your shelves, you don't have to miss out on the deal of the week... thread is on sale "Buy One, Get One Free". (And let me just say from personal experience, you can always fit more fabric on your shelf.)

And now to other important business...

We have a special gift for all those who brought in their completed fairy project - a matching fairy heart!

We really appreciate it when you play along with us and wanted to give a special, keepsake "thank-you", so when you come in to pick up your fairy project don't forget to pick up your heart as well.

And for those who missed out, - as Jan and Lucille would say, "You must remember, you never know what we'll come up with next ."

So please, keep in touch and don't be a stranger - there is always something happening at the Sewing Basket!

Fairy Quilts

What a Friday Demo we had today!

At the last Demo Jill threw out the idea for a mini Fairy Challenge - and look what we got back!

Lucille's - mini quilt

Marj's - mini quilt

Jill's - Fairy- oops- Flower Press

Margaret's - mini quilt

Mary's - mini quilt

Debbie's - mini quilt

Sharon's - Gardener's Diary

Everyone agreed to let us keep them at the store for a while for all to see and they are now happily residing in the window, peering out at the world. And they are so, so charming - you just have to come and see them. Rumour has it there may even be a few more to come...

We are so appreciative of the participation we received and a very big and special thank you to all of the ladies that took part. There will be a gift for all the participants from Jill for joining in her fun (addiction, really, if the truth be known) so check back here next Friday for details.

The regularly scheduled Demos are finished for now but we may surprise you with one or two over the course of the summer - you never know what Jan has up her sleeve, or in her head, so please stay tuned.

And don't forget about the 27th Anniversary Celebration throughout May. We'll be posting all about on here and the website and as usual there will be a surprise or two for our blog Followers.

Thank you so much for support and kind words over the Demo season - we work hard to make it fun for you!

Sneak-A-Peek

At the last demo, ten people took on the Fairy Challenge - pay $1.00, choose a fairy block and come back in two weeks with your creation. Ten people! I must say we weren't expecting such a great response, considering it was such an impromptu challenge. And, I have heard of two people at least that have theirs finished! (I am not one of them either...)

But here's a sneak peek of something I am doing with a fairy I cut out of an all-over fairy print we have at the store. She is the Queen of the Meadow Fairy and her domain is where the wet grasses grow.

There is a lovely little poem about her which might be found in here someday...

And then of course, I am still working on my fairy panel!

And finishing many other things: two wall hangings, three table runners, two pincushions, one Dresden wreath, plus the above two...

How many do you think I will actually have done for Friday?

Leave your guess and we'll see who knows me best!

As Promised

As promised here are some pictures to give a few clues about what you might see during our sojourn in England.

Remember, this is the land of gardens...

And the home of large floral chintz combined with plaid...

and fairies...

Flower Fairies and Woodland Fairies and Christmas Fairies

And so much more!

Leave a comment about what comes to your mind when you think of what you might look for if you were on a quilting holiday in England.

We'll do the usual draw at the Demo but if you have signed up as a Follower of the Sewing Basket blog you will get an extra entry and our Demo Special will have an extra boost for Followers as well.

So come join the fun!

Jolly Old England

Just a quick post this morning and I'll be back tonight with pictures to tempt you with.

For tomorrow's demo we are off to England, a country full of quilting inspiration. From their beautiful gardens to their imaginative story tellers they have provided us with endless design ideas.

We'll have all sorts of interesting ideas and new twists on old favourites, plus the usual Special Deal for attendees. And this week, a special bonus but you must sign up as a Follower of our blog for that. Tomorrow at noon we'll be making a list - checking it twice - oops! Too early in the year for that!!!

But get signed up and check back later tonight or early tomorrow for more.

And see you Friday!

The Travel Demo

The right answer to "Where's the Demo?" was France and congratulations to Sharon for guessing right! Her prize was a lovely handcrafted flower pin that can be worn as a brooch or pinned on to just about anything.

We also had one metre lengths of beautiful wired ribbon in a rainbow of colours for the other "guessers" to thank them for participating.

Below is a picture of a toile print and that is the subject of the first question for this week's Demo give-away: "What is the proper name for toile fabric from France?"

Leave the answer in a comment and we'll pick a random winner from all the right answers - and of course, you must attend the Demo to receive a prize!

Below is another picture with a different toile and just the corner of a Layer Cake featuring a line of reproduction French fabrics. Leave the name of that fabric line in your comment for another chance to win a prize at Friday's Demo.

We have so many "French" quilting items in the store we are going to stay in France for this week's Demo as well.

So make sure you come in and take a look at all the lovely patterns and fabrics that speak "Ooh la la" in any language!

Demo Fun

Mark your calendar and save the date!

Friday, March 12 is our next Demo and do we have some fun planned for you....

People all over the world are quilting and we thought we would take you on a little discovery tour. We picked a country and have found an array of patterns, fabrics and notions to share with you!

We'll be "travelling the world" over the next few Demos and would love for you to join us. There will be some fabulous give-aways and idea sheets to share, plus specials just for attending - you don't want to miss the fun!

And to start things off - see if you can guess where we're going first. Leave a comment with your guess and we'll do a draw at the Demo from all the correct answers.

So good luck and see you Friday March 12 at 1:30!

Ciao, A Bientot, G'Day, Adios, Arrivederci, Jolly Good!

Quilt Retreat

We have our bi-annual Quilt Retreat coming soon and there are still a few spaces open.
It is Thurs. - Sun. April 8-11 at Gardom Lake Bible Camp. It's a great opportunity to get some projects done. No meals to prepare, no housework, no phone interuptions!! Wow what a lot you can accomplish. Friendship & sharing is the theme. If you'd like to join us - please call asap. (250) 832-3937. The cost is $175 + gst.

Congratulations to Carol Bold - the winner of the Janome Sewing Machine. We hope you enjoy your machine Carol.

Our Open House & Show & Tell was a wonderful success. We couldn't believe how many people came. It was standing room only!! Thank you all for your support.

The Show & Tell was great. We have some very talented quilters in our midst. Your projects were beautiful. Thank you all for sharing.

With all this mild weather it's time to think about spring. We have new fabrics arriving daily. Also a huge new order of wool has come in for all you knitters. The colours are beautiful.

We've also received lots of wool roving for needlepunch.

So drop in and see all the new things.

Happy New Year!

Now that the holidays are over we are raring to go with our

New Class Schedule.

If you haven't received one in the mail - drop in & pick one up or view the list on our website. There are lots of new exciting classes - something for everyone!

Our Pick Your Discount Sale continues to Sat. Jan. 16 -

don't miss out this great opportunity to get some good deals.

Also on Sat. Jan. 16 we are having our

OPEN HOUSE & SHOW & TELL.

There will be lots of draws -

if the Janome Machine lucky number isn't claimed by then

we will also draw for that. Also for the rest of the week -

you can enter again for the draws with a purchase over $25.