Holiday Hours

The Hobby Horse will be closed at 3:00 pm on Dec. 24th, and we will re-open on Saturday Dec. 27th for our Christmas Sale which will continue until Dec. 31st at 3:00 pm.
We are offering 20% off everything in the store (classes excluded).

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hope to see you during the sale.

Kelly

$10 Quilt Class

Our $10 Quilt class has become extremely popular and this year will be no exception. There are two designs to choose from. The first quilt is from Australia and is done in vertical rows. Good mix of piecing and applique and some great country motifs. The second quilt is Christmas themed and is set in horizontal rows. To make it even more exciting , we are going to assemble "quilt as you go" style (not mandatory) so you can have a christmas quilt done in time for next christmas.

Classes are held the 4th Saturday of every month (not July and August) and the big reveal will be held in November. Sign up spots are going quickly. Don't be left out of this year long class. Join up today by calling the store at 905-877-9292.

Kelly

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

If you are the one responsible for filling up the stocking of a crafter, sewer or quilter, we've put together a list of items that are just perfect as stocking stuffers.

1. Replacement blades for Rotary cutters (make sure you know the size)
2. Clover Flowerhead Pins ( a great treat)
3. Thread Box by Collins (include a couple of spools of thread)
4. Help! I Married a Quilter ( a humorous look at life with a quilter in the house)
5. Pin Cushion ( a variety of fabric pin cushions are availble from Fons & Porter)
6. Thread Tin - (another Fons & Porter item... it keeps your thread inside and has a magnetic top for needles)
7. Marking Pencils (so many to choose from)
8. SOAK wash
9. Seam Ripper ( you can never have enough!)
10. Applique Pressing Sheet (always a necessity for fusing)

Happy Shopping,

Kelly

The Perfect Gift

Sometimes finding that perfect gift for a quilter, sewer or crafter is difficult. But we've come across a lovely boxed set of scissors by Clauss. This Gift Pack is presented in a Beautiful Cherrywood Case and includes 3 Gold Line Embroidery Scissors including 3½" Stork, 3½" Lions Head and 4" Detail Scissors. The ideal gift for sewers, needleworkers, jewellers, beadworkers and crafters!

With a Canadian retail of $59.99 you can not go wrong. Don't wait...availability is limited!

Kelly

UFO's in the Sewing Room

Although the Bobbin Saver looks like a spaceship from outerspace, it is one of the must have notions for your sewing room. With it's special shape, you will no longer have to search for bobbins for your sewing machine. Just pop them into the curve and they'll stay put until you need them. Why not hang the bobbin saver on a peg board so it is out of the way but still visible. The bobbins won't fall out!

Available in red, blue and light purple.

Get organized,

Kelly

Our Pattern Pick of the Week

This week's choice for pattern on the week is "Simply Christmas" by Lydia Quigley of The Rabbit Factory. Finished size of this project is 65" x 74". Simple block piecing and simple applique shapes are key to making this a good gift for Christmas. Use rich warm tones of reds, tans and greens to bring this quilt alive.

Start sewing,
Kelly

P.S. Did I mention that The Rabbit Factory is a Canadian pattern company?

A Puppy's Love

For all the dog-lovers out there, how about this cute raw-edge applique quilt? Sorry, it's on it's side, but I wanted to show you how cute this puppy is. Measuring just 21" x 17", it is a very easy project. Simple piecing just adds a touch of class.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!!

Pine Needles has done it again! An absolutely beautiful Christmas quilt that you will enjoy creating. Penguins, polar bears, seals and puffins all gather to celebrate the Festive Season.

Whether you make only one of the eight art quilts or create the large quilt(56 1/2" x 63"), we are pretty sure that this will become a family heirloom.

Although these patterns are not available until mid-November, we were to excited to keep it under wraps.

If you would like to pre-order this, let us know so we can call you when it arrives!

Until next time,

Kelly

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun !

We're suckers for fun aprons. With Christmas just around the corner, start thinking about sewing some great aprons as Christmas gifts.

Cindy Taylor Oates has 3 books on aprons that should cover just about every style imagined. So have fun choosing fabrics and get sewing.

TMD166 - Little Retro Aprons for Kids

TMD164 - Retro Aprons

TMD167 - More Retro Aprons

P.S. We do have some funky and cool fabric at the store just perfect for these projects!

Enjoy,

Kelly

Look Who Just Flew In!

Gail arrived home safe and sound from her trip with Angie to Houston Quilt Market. After 4 long days, Gail is home with lots of new great products and ideas. We'll be showcasing many of them on the blog over the next few weeks.

Until next time,

Kelly

P.S. Gail had her priorities straight and got a couple of cute pairs of shoes!

Sitting Pretty

What is more adorable than a cat(kitten) at play? Laundry Basket Quilts has created a 16" x 21" raw edge applique quilt that will delight any cat-lover. You can almost see the mischief in this kittens eyes!

With fusible web as your friend, this project will be a breeze! Grab your batiks and start creating.

Have fun,

Kelly

What Next For Stack-n-Wack?

It's hard to believe it's been ten years since Bethany Reynold's introduced us to her fabulous Stack-n-Wack technique. Her original book Magic Stack-n-Wack book still appears as one on the best selling titles of all times.

Bethany has created a 10th anniversary celebration with brand new designs and volumes of information. A dozen projects and 13 mini workshops are included in this book.

As an added bonus, Bethany has included Lesson plans for teachers and shopowners.

What a great book!

Have fun,

Kelly

Eco-Friendly and Classy too!!!

These days everyone is concerned with all the plastic that invades our lives on a daily basis. Why not eliminate some of the plastic by making yourself one or many of these great eco-friendly bags. Three sizes of bags are included. Fully lined, this bag folds right down to almost nothing. With a handy button closure you can pop this bag into your purse. When you need it just undo the button and your bag is ready to go!

Why not "wrap" Christmas gifts with this bag. Saves on paper!!!

Enjoy,

Kelly

Crazy Quilting Returns...

Crazy Quilting is back in style. And there are great new tools to have on hand to walk you through the steps. The Queen of Crazy Quilting is still Judith Baker Montano. A number of her books are still available by C&T Publishing.

Judith has two new tools to help you on your journey into Crazy Quilting.


First, a DVD appropriately titled Judith Baker Montano Teaches You Crazy Quilting(CT10666). Learn all about crazy quilting - supplies, fabrics, stitches and embellishments.

Second, a reference guide titled Judith Baker Montano's Embroidery & Crazy Quilt Stitch Tool (CT10644). ference guide is designed to stand and flip through 180 stitches and stitch combinations for hand embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery and crazy quilting.

Go Crazy,

Kelly

Gail's Away...

Gail is on her way to Houston for a three day trade-show with Angie. We expect her to come home with lots of great new products and ideas and as usually at least a couple of pairs of new shoes!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks! It's going to be like Christmas for us at the store as new patterns and products arrive...

Until tomorrow,

Kelly

Taking the 30's into 2008

For some reason, 30's fabrics are always in style. I think it is a fast trip down memory lane when we see these patterns. It reminds us of trips to our grandmother's houses. It's comfort, it's home.

Tracey Brookshier has created a cute and easy quilt for beginners. All blocks are strip-pieced which increases the accuravy and speed of finishing this quilt. So find a great background and pull out those 30's prints that you have been collecting.

Includes two sizes - baby and twin.

Enjoy,

Kelly

The Scoop on Machine Quilting

Every time we run a class of machine quilting it's always full. More quilters are bravely entering the world of machine quilting everyday. With great products out there to help, it's making machine quilting easier and easier.

Along with the tools, comes some great books filled with good instructions and great pictures. In this book, Mary Mashuta teaches you how to design and stitch beautiful machine quilting with the walking foot on your home sewing machine.

You will also learn how to combine the right needles, threads and batting to create the look you want.

So say good-bye to "stitching in the ditch" and hello to a brand new world!

Have fun,

Kelly

Other Books to Consider

Machine Quiltng with Alex Anderson (C&T Publishing)

Machine Quilting Solutions by Christine Maraccini (C&T Publishing)

Our Book Pick of the Week

Opening this book, is like taking a trip down memory lane. Old-time classic patterns are given new twists. There are over 20 projects (bed, lap & wall quilts) included. Easy patchwork anbd fusible machine applique make this a great addition to any quilter's library.

Great pictures and great directions are given Different colour options are showcased for many of the projects. If you like this book, look for other patterns and booklets by Anka's Treasures.

Enjoy,

Kelly

The New Gadget on the Block

A must have sewing aid. This wonderful template "clings" to acrylic sewing tables. Perfect 1/4" and 5/8" seam guides. Use this great product when making triangle squares, flying geese or snowball corners.

Canadian Suggested Retail - $11.00

Happy Sewing,

Kelly

If you have men (any age) in your life, you know that sometimes it is difficult to find suitable projects/patterns to make. That's why this book is a must have for your library of books. With 13 projects in total, it should have something for every age of man in your life. Great crib quilts, great dorm quilts and great den quilts.

Have fun,

Kelly

The Basics of the Quilter's Pantry

Every single cooking magazine always seems to have a listing of what you should stock in your pantry. Well we've decided to put together our version of a Basic Pantry for the Quilter.



These are items that you should never be without in your sewing room.






1. Thread - 100% cotton for sewing - keep on hand some good basic colours. Our thread brand of choice is Metler.





2. Seam Ripper - sorry but we're not perfect! Look for a seam ripper that has a nice sharp point and is easy on the hands. Our seam ripper of choice - White Handle Seam Ripper by Clover.




3. Fabric Scissors - only use for fabric. Look for a comfortable handle and good blades. Our scissor of choice is the Fons & Porter Quilter's Scissor (available 5 1/2", 61/2" & 8 1/2"). They are resonably priced and with the red handles easy to find.


4. Pins - You can never have enough pins. Look for flathead pins. They may cost a bit more that the traditional pins, but you can lay rulers on top of them without the worry of wobbling. Our pin of choice is the Flowerhead pin by Clover.



5. Make sure to include a good ruler in your kit. You cannot go wrong with an Omnigrid 6" x 24" ruler. With bright yellow markings, your measuring lines can be seen on almost all fabrics. This size is the most versatile.



6. Rotary Cutter - There are so many different choice available. Just remember you get what you pay for! Cutters come in a variety of sizes. A good versatile size is the 45 mm size. Easy on the hands. Make sure that it has a safety guard on it. Our cutter of choice is the 45 mm Rotary Cutter by Olfa (regular or deluxe handle).

7. Now that you have a ruler and a cutter, you need the proper mat to cut on. Again there are a variety of choices. Look for an 18" x 24" mat. This is the perfect size to travel with or to move room to room. We like both the Olfa and Omnimat brands of mats. The only difference is the brightness of the mat.

8. Glue - Always a necessity especially if you are dabbling in applique. Glues of choice - Fons & Porter Glue Pen and the Glue-Dab-A-Roo.

9. Hand Sewing Needles - Always a necessity. Look for a good quality needle that has a big eye. Remember the larger the size number the smaller the eye of the needle. Our most favorite needles are the Sharps # 10 by Clover.

10. No matter what type of needle you are working with a good needle threader eases the frustration factor. The best threader around is the Double Ended Needle Threader by Clover. It has two ends. The very finest end actually allows you to thread a size # 12 needle.

11. Marking pencils are an absolute must for any sew or quilter. Just like other notions, you get what you pay for. Invest in an Ultimate Marking Pencil or a Fons & Porter Mechanical pencil. Both come with the traditional grey colour lead. You will still want to have other pencils but we pretty well guarentee that you will be reaching for one of these pencils for all of your needs. As with any marking pencil you need to test any pencil on the fabric you are marking before marking a whole project.

12. And finally, we highly suggest a Tailor's Awl be included in your list of must haves. It's great for helping to guide the final bit of your seam through your sewing machine where fingers do not fit. Our choice is the White-Handle Tailor's Awl by Clover.

Searching for the Perfect Gift

With less than 3 months to Christmas, it's time to start working on wish lists. Starting this month, we will have wish-lists available for you to fill out and we'll keep them on file. Let your loved ones know where to find your perfect gift. Sometimes it is very difficult for our loved ones to know what the perfect gift is for the quilter and sewer in their life. We're just trying to help them along.

On Christmas morning, everyone will be happy!!!

Kelly

Perfectly Dressed for the Winter Season

How cute! Nine projects in total are included in this booklet by Jan Kornfeind of Country Appliques. Four wallhanings, three pillows, a Christmas tree skirt and a stocking all incorporate snowmen and playful images of nature.

Dressed to Chill - $13.95

Sometimes Simple Is Best

Everyone at some point wants to wrap up, cuddle in and snuggle under a quilt.

Kim Diehl has created a fantastic book - "Simple Blessings" that brings together 14 quilts that are perfect for wrapping up, cuddling in or snuggling under. With a mix of patchwork and applique, we are sure you will find a project just right for you.

Simple Blessings - $27.95 retail

Enjoy,

Kelly

Other books by Kim Diehl include:

Simple Seasons (13 projects)- $29.95

Simple Traditions(14 projects) - $27.95

Simple Seasons Recipe Cards( 36 blank recipe cards) - $19.95

Warm and Toasty Snowmen

We just love snowmen around The Hobby Horse. The great thing about snowmen projects is that you can leave them out on display at least until March!

Four snowmen peek out of from under a patchwork quilt. Every snowman has it's own whimsical look.


Pattern - $9.50 retail
Fabric Kit - available

Until next time,

Kelly

Another Great Project from Bee Creative Studio

Sunflowers are one of the most beautiful flowers around. Shades of yellow and gold glow in the early morning sun.

Bring that glow into your house with this 37" x 20" wallhanging.

retail - $7.00

Happy Gardening,

Kelly

More Great Gift Ideas...

Looking for a great gift project? How about a gorgeous set of placemats and napkins. Simple and elegant. Just choose your fabrics and start sewing! Every fabric combination will look great!

retail - $9.00

Happy Sewing,

Kelly

Great Gift Ideas

We have wonderful Art to Heart towels ready for embellishment. The four that are show here are used in Art to Heart's Twelve Days of Christmas.

Perfect hostess gifts or teacher gifts.

Other patterns available in store.

Check us out!

Kelly

Celebrating Family Time

The Hobby Horse will be closed Monday October 13th for Thanksgiving. We will be open our regular hours Saturday October 11th & Sunday October 12th.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Gail

From McCall's Quilting

Sixteen projects have been chosen from the pages of
McCall's Quilting, America's best loved quilting magazine.
Use any technique - hand or machine, fusible or needle-turn applique. Includes a 16 page pullout with 100+ full-size applique template patterns and 9 piecing template patterns.

retail - $26.95

Until next time,

Kelly

Bamboo Batting Now Available

Did you know that Bamboo/Cotton Batting is now available at The Hobby Horse? Available in both 96" and 120" wide. Absolutely beautiful to use!

Also available is Soy/Cotton Batting.

Come and have see!

Kelly

Bias or Straight Binding...That is the Question

Well the answer is they both have a place in the world of binding. Bias binding is normally used when you are working with curves or striped fabric (it looks cool when it spirals).

A great tool that has been around for years is the Strip Ticket from Q-Snap Corpotation. It walks you through the Bias Tube Construction steps. As an added bonus, it helps you with yardage requirements for a variety of width strips.

It's laminiated and bright so it won't get lost in your sewing room.

retail - $5.50

Until next time,

Kelly

What Do I Do Now?

You've done the piecing, you've done the applique, you've done the layering and quilting. Now the question is how do you finish the project.

Binding a quilt has always been a mysterious subject. Everyone has their own way of binding. At the Hobby Horse we like to do the "Liz's Lumpless Finish". This great binding tool will make you wonder why you dreaded the mysterious world of binding.

Great instructions and pictures make it a breeze.

Retail - $8.80

Happy Binding,

Kelly

The Smell of Christmas Baking

We could almost smell the gingerbread baking when we saw this pattern for the very first time.

Another great pattern by Patrick Lose! Perfect for plaids. Just 3 fabrics to mix.

The table runner is 14" x 44" long and the placemats measure 14" x 18".

If you have Christmas gift sewing on your list, why not mix-up a batch of placemats and tablerunner for that special gift. You might want to include a batch of cookies too if you are so inclined.

Happy Baking,

Kelly

Hallow'een Will Never Be the Same

How cute!

Make either one of these Poster Quilts to invite Hallow'een into your home.

Quick-fuse applique makes this a "do-able" project.

Our favourite one is "Frank & Drac". Perfect for Batiks!!!

$9.00 retail

Enjoy,

Kelly

Getting Ready for the Holiday Season

When Mother Nature gives you snow(in about 6 to 8 weeks), you make the best of it and celebrate!

Designed by Tricia Cribbs of Turning Twenty fame, the 40" x 48" SnowFolks quilt will allow you to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Gather up your favourite fabrics and start assemblying. Fusible applique makes the project quick and easy.

$10.00 retail

Enjoy,

Kelly

One Stop Shop Hop

Be sure to join us Sept. 12th - 14th for our 3rd annual One Stop Shop Hop. We will be open until 8:30 pm on Friday Sept. 12th. We will be offering 10% off class sign-ups on these 3 days only.
Class samples will be on display.
On Saturday Sept. 13th at 1:00 pm we will be having free demos on New Products, Cutting and Piecing and Pressing.
We are offering great prizes
1st prize - Reliance Long Board Ironing Board valued at $250.00
2nd prize - Reliance Velocity Iron valued at $129.00
10 draws daily for $5.00 Hobby Horse Gift Certificates

COME AND JOIN IN ON THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

SEE YOU THEN

Kelly

Fall Classes

The fall newsletter has been mailed. Some great classes are scheduled for the coming months.
If you have not received a newsletter give us a call and I can mail you one or you can download it off our website www.thehobbyhorse.on.ca . Be sure to check out the classes. There is something for everyone.

Hope to see you soon

Kelly

Come Spend The Day With Us

School has started again!!!! Mother's everywhere have mixed emotions I am sure.
Why not come spend a day with us and sew. Gail is offering open house on Thursdays.
Come and bring your projects and have a day of uninterrupted sewing. A day just for you.
Call ahead and let us know you are coming.

Look forward to seeing you soon
Kelly

Closed for Labor Day

The Hobby Horse will be closed Monday Sept. 1st for Labor Day.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. We will re-open Tuesday Sept. 2nd at 9:30 a.m.

Kelly

Thinking Ahead to Stormy Days

Please accept our apologies, but we would like to point out that the Christmas season is only a mere four months away. If you are thinking of making some handmade gifts for the holiday gift list, we highly suggest you start with these cute wallhangings by Patchabilities.

Whether you make up all three patterns to create the trio or just pick your favorite snowman, we are sure that these will be the hit. Ackfeld Manufacturing has created a 3 tier snowflake hanger to showcase your snowmen.

If you like this presentation, check out the Hallow'een, Thanksgiving and the Birdhouse series also created by Patchabilities. Special hangers are available for all.

Merry Christmas,
Kelly

Closed for Civic Holiday Monday

The Hobby Horse Quilt Shoppe will be closed on Civic Holiday Monday for family time. We will be open Sunday August 3rd - Noon to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday August 5th - 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Thank You,

Kelly

Your Cutting Is Only As Good As Your Blade

With all of the fast piecing techniques taking the spotlight in the project category these days, you need to make sure that you have the best tools in your hands. A rotary cutter should always have a sharp blade.

Avoid running over pins or dropping on the floor. If you have done either of these two things to your rotary cutter, replace the blade as soon as possible. If your blade is dull due to too much cutting, you can sharpen your blade using a rotary blade sharpener. Many of the blades are available in multi-paks. It's a big savings if you can purchase them in bulk.

Remember ...A successful project begins and ends with the right tools.

Happy Cutting,

Kelly

P.S. If you have Clover rotary cutter, only use Clover replacement blades. These blades have been especially designed for the Clover cutter.

Taking Care of Rotary Cutting Mats

There are many different kinds of rotary mats on the market these days. At The Hobby Horse we regularly stock Omngrid, Olfa and Clover Rotary cutting mats. Not matter what your favorite mat is, a few simple care instructions will keep your mat in great condition.

When your mat is not in use, store it flat. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat as these two items may cause some warping. Also keep it away from extreme cold.

So treat your mat with love and tenderness and you will extend it's life.

Happy cutting,

Kelly

Our #1 Selling Pattern

If we put all the Yellow Brick Road quilts that have been made using this wonderful pattern, Dorothy and Toto would never make it home to Kansas!

The versatility of the pattern is unbelievable. It includes sizes right up to king size. Change the fabrics, change the look. It's great in novelty, flannels, batiks and florals. No matter what fabrics you choose, it will always be a breeze to sew.

Pattern - $7.02

How many have you made?

Kelly

A Hobby Horse Favorite!

One of our most favorite books is "Spring Cleaning" by Atkinson Designs. With 11 projects included who has time to spring clean? We are positive that you will use this book over and over again.

With a Canadian Suggested retail of $17.96 that works out to under $2.00 per project. How's that for your money's worth?

Happy sewing,

Kelly

We Interupt Our Regularly Scheduled Blog!

Metler Thread Has Arrived!!!

To all of our customers, thank you for your patience while we were changing our thread company. We are very excited to tell you that our Metler Thread display for Silk-Finish 100% mercerized cotton has arrived.


Available in two sizes - 150 m spools and 500 m spools and retailing for $2.85 & 6.65 respectively.



It's an absolute dream to sew with.

Until next time,

Kelly

Save Your Patterns!

Before you cut into your master pattern, grab a roll of Golden Threads paper! Trace your pattern pieces on this great product. By using the Golden Thread paper you will save your master pattern but will also be able to "alter" your pattern pieces(especially clothing) to suit your body type.

Available in three sizes

12" - $7.50

18" - $10.95

24" - $12.95

Until next time,

Kelly

A Purse for Fall

Take a look at this wonderful pattern from Canadian designer Brenda Miller. Whether you choose to make it co-ordinated or scrappy, it's eye-catching.

Look for the wonderful Black & White Batiks(Fabrics that Care) on our fabric wall to make this bag.

The Out and About Bag - $9.95

Black and White Batiks - $13.50 per metre

Happy Sewing,

Kelly

A Bobbin Here, A Bobbin There...

How many times have you thrown you bobbins into a cup or a container and they get all tangled up? Consider using a Bobbin Saver as a way of keeping track of your bobbins. Available in 3 colours (blue,red & lavender) you can even organize your different types of thread.

Canadian Suggested Retail - $6.95

Why We Make Kits

If you have been a visitor to our store either in person or by the internet, you will notice that we love to do kits. Kits are a great way for our customers to find projects. Normally our kits will include the top fabrics and binding. You'll be able to see a sample of what the project will look like. Kits take the guessing work out of choosing fabrics. Use your saved time to sew.

Happy Sewing,

Kelly

Your Back Will Thank You!!

If you do classes or vacation and take your sewing machine with you, give some thought to treating yourself to a Tutto Bag. Carry your sewing machine and your project materials all together.

Special Summer Price - $99.98

Limited Stock available of Large Blue Tutto, Medium Blue Tutto and Medium Maroon Tutto

Medium Tuttos are 19" L x 12 1/4" H x 10" W

Large Tuttos are 21" L x 13 1/4" H x 12" w

Until next time,

Kelly

Start Your Christmas Sewing in July

The time has come to honour that New Year's Resolution! Start your Christmas sewing in July. We're making it easy with some great lap size flannel quilt kits (51" x 63"). Available in three colour ways - natural, green & burgundy.

Quilt Top Kit (including binding) - $65.98

Backing fabric - $46.17

Pattern - "Just Can't Cut It" - $8.98

Happy Sewing,

Kelly

Calling All Explorers!

What a great way for youngsters to explore the Jungles of the World! Adorable baby jungle animals are ready to cuddle and snuggle. This project measures 39" x 50". Fast and easy piecing. Fabrics are included for the quilt top and binding.

Baby Jungle Animal Quilt Top Kit - $42.95

Happy Exploring,

Kelly