A-Z of Heirloom Sewing

We just found out that Country Bumpkin will soon be releasing its 20th book in the highlyl acclained A-Z series of books. This one will be A-Z of Heirloom Sewing. We've already pre-ordered several copies and have been told to expect it in February. If you are interested, let us know, so we can be sure to have enough.

Here's what they are saying about it:

Add an extra special touch to christening gowns, children’s clothes, wedding dresses and delicate garments with this comprehensive book, suitable for all skill levels.

Over 840 step-by-step photographs and detailed instructions will help you...
Discover machine and hand sewing techniques, from basic to advanced

Choose the right fabrics, laces and trims

Learn more about the correct tools and equipment

Achieve a perfect finish with handy hints and tips

Australian Smocking & Embroidery #89

AS&E issue #89 just arrived minutes ago.

In this issue you'll find.........

two damask dresses

a baby girl's dress made of batiste

a journal cover with beaded flowers

an older girl's dress in broderie anglaise

a square yoke dress

a voile gown and petticoat

a knit top with smocked yoke

a dress with smocked bodice

This issue will be on our website shortly. In the meantime, contact us directly if you want one.

Make Your Own Blanket Binding

Years ago I drafted a pattern, i.e. directions, on how to make your own blanket binding out of fabric. The idea is to coordinate the blanket with the room decor or a theme. Store bought blanket bindings don't offer many options.

Now I've decided to make them available to everyone. They'll be included in my monthly newsletter, but I thought I'd start right here. All you need is wool blanket fabric or an old wool blanket that needs refurbishing, make your own binding and you've got a blanket ready to use.

If you'd like the instructions, just let me and I'll send them to you.

Inspirations #64

Inspirations magazine issue #64 just arrived. Subscriber copies will be in the mail tomorrow.

The cover also reads: "Grannies, Babies, and afternoon tea!"

Some of the projects in this issue are:

Special Occasions: a small teddy bear tea cosy

Snug as a Bug: sleeping suits for baby

Beaded Beauty: a classical silk bag

Sweet Treat: a cupcake blanket

some Irish lace

a sailor cap

and lots more.........

New Ottobre Design magazine - Winter 2009

We just got the cover picture and details about the soon-to-be-released children's winter issue.

The new OTTOBRE design® kids fashion Winter issue 6/2009 will be published on October 23, 2009.

This issue includes thirtynine (39) patterns for kids in sizes 56-170 cm.

The themes are:

WINTER ADVENTURE: A cute collection for babies’ winter adventure. Lined pants, a furry-knit vest, a warm jacket, a winter bodysuit, T-shirts and a retro romper. Sizes 56/62-92 cm

HAPPY SNOW: Children have great fun playing out of doors after a snowfall. Three tunics, a skirt and two different pairs of pants plus various coats for girls. A quilted bodywarmer, outdoor pants and a warm sweat jacket for boys. Sizes 86-158 cm

NIGHT OWLS: Pajamas and nightdresses for very young and slightly older night owls. The little children’s striped jersey pajamas are pepped up with appliqués. Schoolchildren will be delighted by pajamas with a reindeer appliqué, a feminine nightdress and a camisole and pants set. Sizes 92-128 cm and 134-170 cm

SPECIAL DAYS: A fabulous collection for festive occasions in the holiday season. A dress, a skirt, a pinafore dress, a blazer, a wool-knit jacket and a jersey blouse for girls. Dress shirts, dress pants and a jacket for young gentlemen. Sizes 92-128 cm and 128-170 cm

The Big Move

In just 2 days the movers arrive and we move everything in our house 150 miles southeast of here. Hopefully, you Wooly Thread aficionados won't even notice. The moving van pulls out of here on Tuesday afternoon and delivers to our new house on Wednesday morning. If all goes as smoothly as planned, you'll never know the difference. However, life does have a way of interrupting the best laid plans, so we shall see how it goes.

Inspirations magazine is on its way to us and should be arriving just a few days after we move to our new environs. Hopefully, there will be no problems with the new address. We'll post pictures as soon as we get them.

Also, the children's winter issue of Ottobre Design magazine will be released later this month. I should be getting pictures and info about this issue very shortly, so check back next week for more updates.

For those of you who are reading our blog, here's an early news release and you're the very first to know. I won't put this in the newsletter until the time gets closer, but here it is for you blog followers..................

For many reasons, we have decided not to participate in the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup this coming year. We've been there every year for about 7 years, but it just seems that it is time to let that go - at least for this coming year.

That's it for now.......check back soon.

Ottobre Woman

Ottobre Woman magazine arrived last week. What a great issue this is! See our recent post for more info on this issue.
Has anyone made anything from this issue? When you do, let us know. We'd love to see pictures of your creations from the Ottobre designs.

Australian Smocking & Embroidery magazine #88

AS&E issue #87 has just arrived. Subscriber copies will be in the mail tomorrow morning.

Here's what you'll find in this issue:

Sandpiper - a ruffled sundress - sizes 3, 4, 5 years

Cherry Sunday - classic square yoke dress - sizes 3, 4, 5 years

Angel - exquisite dress for first communion or confirmation - sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 years

Red Birds - cotton dress with picture smocked birds - sizes, 2, 3, 4, 5 years

Bebe Bleu - baby boy's romper with embroidered collar - sizzes. 3, 6,12 months

Blush - party dress with tatted lace and embroidery - sizes 5, 6, 7 years

Peek-a-Boo - baby girl's dress in micro check - sizes 6, 12, 18, 24 months

Reflections - beaded evening purse and matching silk wrap

Ottobre Woman - Fall/Winter 2009

Here's an early look at the newest Ottobre Woman magazine. It will be sent out later this month.

This issue includes twenty (20) patterns for women (European sizes 34-52) - wool coats, tunics, skirts, pants, tops, dresses, a classic shirt blouse, a cardigan and a wool scarf. Also beautiful jacket, skirt and a top for special occasions. To top it all, we also included much requested patterns for underwear as well as outdoor outfit for active women.

FABULOUS FALL:

Our warm autumn and winter collection includes wonderful wool coats, tunics, tops, pants and a skirt – all items that are perfect for layering. Earthy tones, tweed, wool jersey and boiled wool. Sizes 34–52

OLD-SCHOOL GLAMOURT:

The festive season is full of sparkling luster, swinging hemlines and lovely details. A special-occasion top, a ballooned satin skirt and a beautiful jacket. Sizes 34–46

WONDERFUL WOOL:

Whether purple or grey, fantastic wool knits are equally charming. Every woman’s favorite cardigans, dresses, pinafore dresses, a classic shirt blouse and a gorgeous wool scarf. Sizes 34–52

INTIMATES AND SPORTY BASICS:

Beautiful underwear for women of all sizes: a camisole in retro-print knit and panties in two basic styles. A soft-shell jacket and casual outdoor pants for active women. Sizes 34–52

Newsletter Time

On the first of every month we send out an email newsletter to anyone who signs up to receive it. We've been doing this since September, 2000. If you'd like a look at the current issue, here's the link: http://www.woolythread.com/newsletter.pdf

If you'd like to receive an e-copy of our newsletter regularly, on the first of every month, just contact us at: info@woolythread.com

Inspirations Magazine #63 has arrived!

The newest Inspirations magazines just arrived this morning. Subscriber and pre-order copies will be in the mail this afternoon.

Here is what you'll find in this issue -more pictures of contents below on our June 29th posting.

• Everyone's favourite fruits and
vegetables captured in stitch
• A dazzling hot water bottle cover
• A pretty beaded tape measure cover
• A unique and stylish evening bag
• A stunning embroidered red cardinal
box top
• An elegant cushion with an
enchanting bird embroidery
• A pair of delightful stumpwork pictures
• A decorative scissor fob
• Two 'pocket projects' introducing
exotic techniques

More Sold Out Ottobre Issues

We just got word that several more issues of Ottobre are totally sold out. Here is the list:

spring, summer and fall issues from 2000
summer and fall issues from 2001
spring issue 2002
spring issue 2008

There are also some English edition magazines that are sold out, but still available in other languages. They are.........

winter 2003 - only available in Dutch with English instructions inserted
summer 2008 - only available in Dutch with English instructions inserted

Inspirations Magazine #63 - coming soon

Here are some pictures of projects in the upcoming issue of Inspirations magazine - issue #63.
Enjoy...............................

Early Release

We just got word from Ottobre that the newest magazine will be released a little early. I'll be looking for mine late next week.

Ottobre's Autumn Issue

The cover picture for the newest issue - 4/2009 -has just been released. It will be sent out in early July. Here is what you'll find in this issue:

This issue includes forty (40) patterns for kids in sizes 50-170 cm.

The themes are:

RUSSIAN PEASANT

You'll find rich Slavic colors and voluminous styles. Delicious clothing items for layering – both for boys and girls. Tunics, pinafore dresses, pants, a bodywarmer and three fabulous coats. A pinafore dress and a girl’s T-shirt also in plus sizes.

Sizes 86–158 cm

BABY DREAMS -A delicate vintage-style linen outfit and a soft, first outdoor coverall for a very young baby. Sweet hooded jackets, a little skirt and com-fortable overalls for toddlers.

Sizes 50-74 cm and 62–92 cm

ENJOYABLE AUTUMN -Showy appliquéd and embroidered motifs appeal to schoolkids. Straightforward, practical outfits for daily wear: pinafore dresses plus T-shirts, knit jackets and pants for boys and girls.

Sizes 104–170 cm

Looks like another winner to me!

If you want to see more pictures, so to Ottobre's own blog at http://www.ottobredesign.blogspot.com/

Sold Out!

We had just been notified that Ottobre Design magazine issue 1/2008 (spring, 2008) is totally sold out. Not only are we sold out, but so is Ottobre - even the foreign language editions of this super popular issue are gone. I don't recall such a recent issue ever being completely sold out this quickly. It's been removed from our ebay store and when our web designer gets back from summer vacation, it will be removed from our regular website, as well, but wanted you blog readers to be first to know. If there is a back issue you want, don't delay!

What a Deal on A-Z Books!

We've had a chance to get a really great deal on some of Country Bumpkin's renowned A-Z books. The regular retail price is about $30 - $33, but we are offering the following A-Z books for just $15.

A-Z of Stumpwork
A-Z of Wool Embroidery
A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2
A-Z of Threadpainting
A-Z of Embroidered Flowers

In paperback we are offering A-Z of Knitting for $18.

These books are available on our website - or just contact us via this blog if you want one.

Wool Soap??

You may remember our wool rocks (see post on Dec 16th) that we introduced last year. Well now we have found some wool soap. This is actually soap that has felted wool surrounding it. Here is what our information says about it:

These handmade bars are wrapped in wool to create a soap and washcloth all in one. Wool has natural antifungal properties and will retain its freshness. The wool acts as a wicking agent, soaking in the lather of the soap, making the encased soap last longer. The wool felt shrinks along with the soap as you use it.
The wool used in this product is locally sourced from friendly farm sheep. The cold process soap is made in small batches from 100% natural vegetable oil base with real essential oils and botanical ingredients. No synthetics, chemicals or animal ingredients are used in our soap. These make great travel gifts and may also be used to add wonderful fragrances to your car or linen closet.
Made in California, USA

This soap sounded intriguing, so I had to give it a try and sure enough, it really does work. Once the bar is thoroughly soaked, the lather from the soap emerges from the wool. It dries out just as nicely as it was originally.

As it says above, it can also be used in a closet or drawer to add a subtle fragrance. We have several of these wool soap bars in either lavender or verbena. The picture shows only one, but they come in various colors. If you want one, let us know. - Price: $14/each

A-Z of Sewing Has Arrived!

The long awaited and much anticipated 19th book in the highly acclaimed A-Z series of books from Country Bumpkin has arrived. It is entitled: A-Z of Sewing. It is a hard-cover, spiral bound book which is 156 pages long and full of color photographs. Pre-ordered books will be sent out tomorrow. We have extras, so let us know if you want one. Price $3o.

Australian Smocking & Embroidery magazine #87

AS&E magazine issue 87 has just arrived this afternoon. Subscriber copies will go out tomorrow.

Here is what you will find in this issue:

Hearts and Roses - floral dress smocked from shoulder to waist (sizes: 3, 4, 5)

Little Wonder -bishop dress with ribbon embellishment (sizes: 6, 12, 18 months)

Eloise - classic Sunday dress with lace collar (sizes: 4, 6, 8)

Poppy - poppy print dress with black smocking (sizes: 4, 6, 8)

Luminesce - bewitching silk party dress for little girls (sizes: 2, 3, 4)

Summer Blooms - daisy print dress with embroidery (size: 3, 4, 5, 6)

High Five - smocked denim jacket (sizes: 2, 4, 6)

Serious Fun - sleeveless wrap front dress with matching cardigan (sizes:12, 18, 24 months)