the juggling act

the shop has been open for 5 weeks now and it has been an amazing experience so far.  I have really missed sewing in my pajamas though ~ I knew this was going to happen.....and since I really don't seem to get any quality sewing completed at the shop, I just packed up my Berninas yesterday and brought them home.  I think this is best. I did manage to make 2 new dog beds for Forest & Jenny.  They seemed pretty happy with the results. 

I am really trying to make my small & fabulous space in the shop conducive for sewing classes.  I will be meeting with an expert space planner next weekend to help me make this possible.  It's going to be tricky, yet cozy.  Fabric folks are a close bunch, so I think this will definitely happen.  I was originally planning to host demonstrations of projects - and I still might, but so many have requested classes.  Which brings me to the next topic - "kits"  I am working on putting together some rockin' project kits - again, by request - is this of interest to you?   Stay tuned on that front.

I feel a giveaway is in order, don't you?  I have been away from my blog for too long in attempt to get my shop life & home life in routine order.  I'm not quite there yet, but settling in...

Leave me a comment regarding kits - whether you buy them or not, are interested in the idea of a kit, or better yet, an idea for a cool ready-to-make kit.  I will randomly select a winner on Friday, May 8th who will receive 12 fat quarters from Jay McCarroll's imaginative Woodland Wonderland Collection.

have a wonderful week.

love,

karen

ox..

Comments

[Nancy]

Of the two LQS I frequent one carries no kits and the other does oodles of them. Two of my friends buy kits all the time. I have never purchased a kit as I like to mix and match fabrics myself. Sometimes it works and well, sometimes not...lol

[Anelle]

I'm sad you took your machines home! Does that mean that business is booming, if you're too busy to sew? I hope you can get more work done from home.

I haven't ever bought sewing kits, but if reasonably priced, it might be something I am interested in. I think they are great things for beginners, but not necessarily for more advanced sewers. They're also great for those that don't want to spend time creating ideas, etc, but just looking for a quick project to get in to.

[Michelle]

I've never actually bought a kit...but I've certainly bought a lot of coordinating fabric packs to use without a specific pattern in mind. Doesn't mean I wouldn't like a kit - I like the order and structure (and general lack of thinking) that a pattern provides...

[nettie]

i haven't ever bought a kit, but i know that many people do. I think it depends on the state of your stash. If you have a lot of fabric, you are less likely to purchase a kit, but if you are a beginner or not much of a stasher, you like kits!

[Karen]

I've bought a few kits - wall hangings, totes, quilts. A pillow kit would be cute too - something to take along on a road trip or a visit to the beach (some hand work would be great)

[Barbara]

I think kits would be fun to give as gifts for sewing friends (or non-sewing friends that might give it a try if they had all the necessary "ingredients" in one place). I would love to come to some classes or maybe just a frequent gathering of locals to talk about patterns, work on projects, and see what others are making!I need to come back in soon!!

[MichelleB]

I have to say, I don't usually buy kits. I have, but that's a rare occasion.

I'm glad that your shop is doing so well! I'll be very interested to see how your space planner sets up your space for classes.

[Melissa]

Kits: pre-cut-out bag kits, including the lining stuff. I HATE cutting out bags. Esp. large things like diaper bags that have a lot of pockets and things.

I'm trying to find a time to come back this week or next to re-up the stash. I can't wait to see how it's going over there!

[Gretchen]

I haven't bought kits in the past, but I do buy fat quarter packs and then have trouble deciding what to do with them. So a kit would probably be a good idea for me! I often am turned off by the fabric in kits; but I don't see that being a problem with anything you would create!

[jacquie]

i don't buy kits, but i know a lot of folks who do...really like that quick, i can do this project. sure wish i was closer and could visit your shop. sure would like a little bit of this fabric to play with too.

[Tanya]

I've never bought a kit and I don't know why. I suppose I like to torture myself trying to match up fabrics --- which I am BAD at.

[Renee G]

I actually love kits. I'm a beginning quilter and it just means I can concentrate more on the sewing aspects. Plus the kits match better than the fabrics I pick out.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Gina Allen]

I think that kits are great. Sometimes it is hard to pick out fabrics and kits make it so much easier.

[Linda]

I've never purchased a kit either, probably because the colour scheme in the kit isn't my taste. I prefer to choose my own fabrics, but I think they are a great idea for beginner quilters.

[Cass Ward]

I'm not really a kit person or a pattern person for that matter so I probably wouldn't buy them

[katelyn reeves]

Kits are a great idea, but I not very good at following through with them. I always have some sort of inspiration in the middle of one and it turns out different than it's supposed to look. Same thing with quilt patterns.

[Isa]

Hi
I think I'm more to coordinated bundles, than kits. It leaves me bbeeing more creative.

[thedottyone]

I've never bought a kit but I am just starting out in guilting and I think it might be a good idea!
Thanks for the fab giveaway :)

[Kay]

I have bought a sewing kit once. It was for a very cute little purse, with a metallic frame. Using a frame was a first for me and I had a lot of fun with it.
But I'm not sure if I'll buy one again. Of course it depends a lot on the price of the kit, but also if the project is an interesting one and lets me acquire new skills.

[SparklyGreenKnickers]

I always look at kits, but have yet to buy one. Maybe I'm waiting for the right combination? I don't know...

[trashalou]

just yesterday I dug out a kit I was given at Christmas. I am the kind of sew-er who needs direction so kits are good for me :-)

[Beth]

I haven't bought a kit before, but I love to look at them and daydream about buying them!

[Suzanne]

I love kits...especially when the backing is offered at a discount when you buy the kit. good luck with the shop! It's such hard work to operate a retail space. I'm sure things will settle down as the months go by and you'll want to bring your Berninas (at least one of them) back to the shop for yourself. :)

[Kathy Oja]

I love to buy kits! Although I usually end up embellishing them or changing them up a bit just to give them my own touch.

[Lil]

sometimes I buy kits, it's the easiest way to get the right amount for the original fabrics