NEW FABRIC!!!

We have fabric coming out of our ears!  Last week our UPS driver, Theo, walked through the door...well, walked might be a stretch, pushed his giant cart while trying to keep it all upright might be a better description.  He toted in over 10 boxes for delivery and announced that he would be able to go home because our stuff had filled his entire truck!

Are you ready for this?  25 bolts from Michael Miller, 25 bolts from Robert Kaufman, and 15 bolts from Moda!  That doesn't include all of the notions, jelly rolls, layer cakes, and various accoutrements.  Come an' get it while it's hot hot hot!

Classes this week at the Nest

What's up at the Nest this week?

Barcelona Skirt: Sew Amy Butler’s famous Barcelona skirt!
Thursdays, 2/4, 2/11, and 2/18 from 5:30-7:30pm
$110 per student, includes Amy Butler’s Barcelona Skirt pattern, ages 16+.  Skills: Adventurous seamster!
Are you ready to make a garment?  Good for you!  Skirts are a really easy way to start and the Barcelona skirt is a great pattern to learn: pattern layout, sewing symbols, and pattern reading.  We will be making the A-line (non-layered) skirt in this 3-part class.   *Additional items not included in the  class price: please consult the pattern for sizing for amounts of washed, dried, and ironed fabric, muslin, zipper, and matching thread.  If you would like to trace your pattern so that you may make multiple sizes then bring tracing paper and a marker.  You may use our sewing machine or bring your own.   

Crochet 101: Learn to crochet!
Saturday, 2/6 from 11am-1pm
$40, ages 12+. No experience required.
Let’s crochet! This 2-hour course will teach you the basics: chain stitch, single and double crochet.  *Additional items not included in the course price: light-colored worsted weight yarn and appropriately sized crochet hook.

Oil Cloth Tote: Cute and stylish tote bag!
Saturday, 2/6 from 1-4pm
$45, ages 16+. Beginner/ intermediate sewing skills.
Love the idea of a reusable bag for shopping?  Make one that reflects who you really are!  Simple, clean lines make this the perfect bag for all of your toting needs.  *Additional items not included in the class price: 1/2 yd oil cloth, 1/2 yd coordinating cotton fabric, 1/8 yd interfacing.  You may use our sewing machine or bring your own.

Ishbel Shawl:  Advance your lace skills!
Sundays, 2/7, 2/21, and 3/7 from 11am-1pm
$90 per student, ages 16+. Adventurous lace knitter looking to push the envelope.
See what the fuss is all about!  Shawls are great for layering in the unpredictable Bay Area weather, or just for making a statement.  In this 3- part class we will be making Ysolda Teague’s versatile shawl, “Ishbel”.  With instructions both written and charted, this shawl is a great introduction to shawl knitting, but is busy enough to the keep the experienced knitter interested. *Additional items not included in the class price: “Ishbel” pattern (available in Whimsical Little Knits book or for purchase on Ravelry), yarn and needles specified in pattern. 

Continental Knitting for English Knitters: 
Transition from throwing to picking your yarn.
Saturday, 2/7 from 2-4pm
$30 per student, ages 12+. Must be proficient in knitting English style.
Do you know how to throw your yarn, but want to transition to knitting Continental?  Some say Continental is a much faster way to knit, and may help those that are struggling with repetitive stress injuries.  In this 2-hour course, you will transition to knitting and purling in the Continental method!   Sign-up early as these is a teeny bit of homework needed before you come to class! *Additional items not included in the class price: Light-colored worsted weight yarn and appropriately sized needles.

PR7-The Highs and Lows of Fashion

I mentioned him before and it wasn't because of his design sense, but Anthony is my favorite personality on Project Runway for sure!  Golly!  He's cute!  What's not to like about this charming Southern boy?  He takes criticism like a pro every week and actually turns it around and makes it humorous.  This week he and Seth Aaron were paired to create a signature look worthy of the Met collection (which Michael Kors said made him feel like he was "at the cotillion party in the South from Hell"). Then, in the most dramatic rose ceremony ever...oh wait, wrong show...the designers were told to design a second look inspired by another teams signature look (which Tim Gunn called their "Georgia Peach" look).  Here's why I love Anthony...he just rolls with it, there's not tears, no drama, and he actually jokes right along with the judges.  They didn't win, but they managed to keep their noses clean and stay in the competition.  For the record, I do think that Seth Aaron is a pretty good designer and a contender for my favorite spot. 

Who went home?  Ping!  No not, ping as in you're right or ping you just got a text message, Ping the designer bit the dust!  I said last week that it was just a matter of time.  When you send a gal down the runway with her tucchus exposed or you drape some fabric around a model call it fashion, the judges don't take too kindly to it.  She was paired with Jesse this week who spent most of his time trying to teach her to sew and generally complaining and because I disliked Ping, I cut him a lot of slack. Bye bye Ping!        

Now proudly serving...Boog Bites

You asked for it and we found it!  Sometimes you just want to buy something that is already made and we have a nice selection of consignment artists that sell their wares at the store, but Boog Bites purses, clutches and wallets are different then anything else we have!  We now proudly carry her entire line at the shop. You can check out her website for the range of products- everything from wallets to coffee "green sleeves".

February/ March Class Schedule is up!

Check your email or click here...the class schedule is hot off the presses!  We'll have it all on the calendar and the website by tomorrow!  Enjoy!

Sweater 911- Embellishing with Bias Tape

This week Dolin shows you how to rescue another sweater with bias tape! Above is the before and after glamour shots of one of my old Banana Republic sweaters converted from a pullover to a cardigan. I will love it and wear it a whole lot more now that it's not nearly as plain and boring.

Embellishing with ribbon/ bias tape: Thursday, 1/28 from 5:30-7:30pm
$30 per student, ages 16+. Skills: Beginning felter
Gussy up a basic sweater with bias tape. Have a sweater that is a bit blah? Then lets embellish it was some custom made bias tape trim. Depending on your style you can refashion your sweater into a chic cardigan or a playful v-neck. Bring sweater(s) of your choice, 1/2 yard of washed, dried and pressed, and coordinating mid weight cotton fabric.

Hunting for accoutrements

Finally! A company that I love, Oliver + S, took the liberty to sell little packets of the necessary hardware for their patterns! We now sell (separately from the patterns) the hardware for the "Day in the Park Backpack" and the "School Days Jacket + Coat"!

We held a class for the backpack a few months ago and hunted all over town for the hardware. What a pain! But, yay, now it comes in antique gold or silver! (This picture is long overdue, but congrats to Suzanne W. and Norine for not only completing this backpack, but matching the pattern exactly. It took a lot of patience and time, but it was well worth it!)