Free Pattern Day!

Hello Ladies and Gents,

Hope you had a wicked good Labor Day.

Myself, I had the "quintissential" Labor Day in Maine experience: meaning lobsters with the family, a visit to the ocean, a visit to the lake and GORGEOUS weather. The store was open, too, and I had a lovely weekend as far as that goes. I am so (I repeat: SO) happy that August is over. Now is my favorite time of year, from September straight on through until Christmas. I literally feel 10 pounds lighter.

In fact, I am in such a good mood as of two days ago that I have a present for you all...

How about a FREE vinyl grocery tote pattern? Would you like that?

My New Year's Resolution was to use fewer plastic bags, and now that it's September I thought I should get right on that. We had this iron-on vinyl at the store that kept calling to me. I thought, geez, I should really DO something with that, and one night at sewing lounge I started messing around and the vinyl grocery tote was born. I wrote up the pattern, took a few pictures, and voila! Instant free pattern for you.

Now, I CANNOT STAND the expression "Go Green," so I'll refrain from using it here. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the environment and the idea behind the expression, I just think the expression itself is probably the most over-used saying of the last few years. If I hear someone say "Go Green!" one more time... but I digress. I need hardly point out that a vinyl grocery tote is an EXCELLENT way to use fewer plastic bags in STYLE. All you need are two coordinating fabrics, 2 1/2 yards of twill tape for the handles and 2 1/2 yards of iron-on vinyl, ALL of which we carry at the store.

Iron-on vinyl is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. We carry some Moda fabric at the store that already has the vinyl adhered to it and it always sells out really fast, so it's totally neat to be able to "vinyl-ize" ANY fabric you want. I made the example totes out of Heather Bailey's new "Pop Garden" fabrics.

To get your free pattern just drop by the store. And don't feel like you have to limit their use to JUST grocery toting. They would also make great diaper bags, toy bags, book totes, beach bags, fabric bags (wink, wink...) Puh-lenty of uses. I'm going to make up a smaller verison in Halloween fabrics for a Trick-or-Treat bag, too. And there are big plans to give these away for Christmas presents.

Also, there is a HUGE choice to make concerning these bags: A decision of such monumental proportions that it could alter the course of your life forever, so for Heaven's sake choose wisely. You must choose between "Matte" vinyl and "Glossy" vinyl.

I think there is great potential for a personality analysis based on whether people choose matte or glossy. For me, it depends on the fabric I'm using and the mood I'm in, but I mostly prefer the matte (This is definitely consistent with my no-nonsense, managerial personality). But Rina, she HAD to have the glossy (being French, she likes every little bit of bling-bling that she can get her hands on). So far, the matte and glossy vinyl have been neck and neck in terms of popularity. Just when I think one is going to edge the other out, there is a come-back. It is forever cracking me up.

What more could you possibly want in a fabric store? Gorgeous fabrics, free pattern AND personality analysis to boot...

So, come on in and get analyzed and I'll see you there.

Happy September!

XOXO

Rhea