Stitch 'n Pitch Update - Let's Play Ball!

Just a few more days until the best baseball game of the year - the 6th Annual Seattle Mariners Stitch 'n Pitch Night at Safeco Field! This year it's the Mariners vs the Rangers on Thursday, August 6th at 7:10pm. Here's a few updates:

• We have just a few Stitch 'n Pitch tickets ($15) and 'purchase with purchase' Goodie Totes ($4.99 + tax) available at our Everett and Outlet on 4th stores. Hurry - this is really your last chance to get tickets and totes from us. You can get tickets at the same price from the Mariners, too, but the opportunity to purchase a Goodie Tote is only available to those who purchase tickets from a Pacific Fabrics store and they will not be available at the game.

• But, once you have your tote, you can collect a cool prize from me when you come to our game night booth and bring me your completed or still on the needles project made from one or more of the items you found in your Goodie Tote. We call it the Tote Bag Challenge and it's very popular every year. I really look forward to seeing your creativity! The prize this year? A ball of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and a pattern to go with it. Donated of course by Knitting Fever Inc., distributors of Debbie Bliss Yarns. And, if your project is actually done, I'll have an extra gift for you, too!

• Debbie Bliss is VERY excited about coming to the game, signing your books and meeting you! She's bringing about 50 models with her and you'll see some of them at the booth. To see all of Debbie's amazing work and have a chance to hear about how Debbie began, how she designs and ask questions, come to Tea With Debbie Bliss on Friday, August 6th. You can still purchase tickets for our Bellevue or Everett stores online, by phone or in person at the stores.

• The newest Debbie Bliss book, The Knitter's Year will be available at our Stitch 'n Pitch booth and at both of the Teas. We pulled a few 'yarns' to get it here - it's not actually available in the US until September!

• Are you feeling Lucky? On game night, listen for the Mariners Lucky Row announcements and you could win a Pacific Fabrics tote full of cool stuff donated by Martingale Publishers, Debbie Bliss, Lantern Moon, Pagewood Farm, Lion Brand Yarn and more. I just love the generosity of our suppliers. It's great to know we're working with such good people and they really deserve your support!

• The Moose! I've checked with the Mariners and they will be ready to hand out that cool Knitting Moose Bobblehead at a table near our booth when the gates open at 5:10pm. Hurray! The Moose is available only for those who have tickets in the Knitter's Section so be ready to show your ticket and get there early. This is a WHILE SUPPLIES LAST ONLY giveaway.

That's the latest! I.ll keep you posted if more info comes in - see you there!!!

~ Annette

Be Sew Kind!

Our bi-annual Fabric Drive starts Sunday, August 1st and we invite you to be Sew Kind! Through August 31st at any of our stores, you can donate clean, reusable 1/2 yard or larger pieces of fabric in good condition and we'll reward you with a discount on your next purchase. Every yard of fabric you donate gains you a 5% discount and you can total these up to 20%! Start piling and bring it all in.

Where does the fabric go? In September, we'll hold our Sew Kind Quilting Bee to benefit charitable quilters who gift children in need with cozy handmade quilts. Plan to come and join us! It's a lot of fun and your time and donations added to The Warm Company's generous donation of batting will make the Bee a grreat success.

At our Bellevue, Everett, Northgate and Outlet on 4th stores, donations will benefit Project Linus. At our Puyallup store, From Our Heart will make great use of your donations and our Bremerton store will be working to benefit children in need at facilities such as the Kitsap YWCA A.L.I.V.E. Shelter and Harrison Hospital. Please help! You'll love the cleaned out sewing space and your heart will be warmed by knowing you've made a difference.

Destinations & Fulham Road - New This Week

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Destinations from Studio E is SOooo pretty! I just love it and it makes me want to travel, sew for my travels, then stitch up my memories so I can remember every moment. Wouldn't this be a fun collection to make a bon voyage gift from? And I think the map could be centered on a quilt top and then surrounded by scenes from a trip. What do you think? I'm sure there's a whole summer full of ideas out there! Available at our Bellevue, Everett, Northgate and Puyallup stores.

Sew Lovely! Alexander Henry's Fulham Road Lawn is fresh as a summer breeze and as delighful as a budding bloom. So soft, cool and luxurious you'll think you're handling silk, but it's really a fabulous 100 threads per inch cotton. Create your fashionable runway dreams, quilt a soft, silky summer throw or stitch up a sweet dress for your favorite baby girl! Available only at our Bellevue or Northgate stores.

Head for your nearest store and SEW!!!

~ Annette

Royalty, Hootin' and Paper Dolls - new fabrics in this week!

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Let's start by dealing ourselves a hand of Royal Family from Cranston. I love the sharp, classic, but playful images on these prints! A marvelous quilt for a card loving friend, jammies to take to Vegas or a great wall hanging for the game room? You'll enjoy putting together your own winning hand with this fun collection! Available at our Everett, Bellevue, Northgate and Puyallup stores.

Lovers of Owls - come on in! Life's a Hoot from Adornit is a joyous collection of owl-ful prints and charming coordinates. From the perky sayings on the panel to the bright owl dot go-withs, you'll find lots of ways to wisely use these fun fabrics. Available at our Everett, Bellevue, Northgate and Puyallup stores.

Paper Dolls Christmas from Baum Textiles has arrived! A holiday rendition of one of the fastest selling fabric collections we've ever seen, you'll love this group of traditional holiday motifs and sweet, vintage Christmas paper dolls. Perfect for doll enthusiasts of all ages and brimming with possibilities. Get started now - this won't last long! Available at all our stores except Outlet on 4th.

Have fun!

~ Annette

Oceanica - Here at Last!

We knew this collection was going to be a hit because you've been asking for it for months! I am thrilled to announce that Oceanica from In the Beginning has arrived (or will soon arrive) at all our stores (except Outlet on 4th). Exceptionally brilliant colors and swimmingly delightful designs will lend themselves beautifully to quilting and home decor. Start with the sensational panel, then add in the gorgeous coordinates for waves of creative inspiration! Hurry, this won't last long. (Click on the picture to see a larger image.)

Stitch 'n Pitch Tickets & Totes Are Here!

Hurry into one of our stores this weekend to get your tickets for the 6th Anual Seattle Mariners Stitch 'n Pitch Night ($15 each) and 'purchase with purchase' Goodie Totes ($4.99 each)! They're going fast, so don't delay! What's Stitch 'n Pitch? The biggest, best and most fun event of it's kind in the whole country! Invented by the Seattle Mariners and sponsored by Pacific Fabrics & Crafts, it's a night for knitters, quitlers and stitchers of all kinds right at Safeco Field. You'll love sitting in the Knitter's Section stitching with fellow enthusiasts and shopping the fabulous booths from local yarn shops on the Third Concourse. At the Pacific Fabrics booth (can't miss it, it's the largest one there), you'll find Debbie Bliss ready to greet you and sign your book purchases after she throws out  the First Pitch. Don't miss it, baseball and stitching are a great mix!

When you purchase your ticket at a Pacific Fabrics & Crafts store, you'll have a chance to purchase a tote full of great yarn related tools, books and patterns from our wonderfully generous supporting partners for just the regular price of the tote. Your tote this year contains a Debbie Bliss magazine and Debbie's book Simply Home donated by Knitting Fever Inc, distributors of Debbie Bliss Yarns, Dreamweaver Designs book by Elsebeth Lavold donated by Euro Yarns distributor of Elsebeth Lavold Yarns, a collectible pair of circular Addi Needles donated by Skacel Yarns, a pair of Bamboo Knittting Needles donated by Clover Needlecrafts, a great yarnie tool donated by Boye, a cool Handi-Tool for stitching repairs donated by Susan Bates and a lovely Mariner-y colored skein of Fun Fur donated by Lion Brand Yarn. Pretty cool! Want to say thank you? Look for these brands when you're shopping for your next project and at our game night booth.

You'll also find a great retro Stitch 'n Pitch T-Shirt given to us by the Seattle Mariners and info about our Annual Tote Bag Challenge. Make (or at least start) a project using one or more of the items in your goodie tote, bring it to the booth to show to me and I'll give you another lovely gift from Debbie Bliss. I'll have more info on this for you next week - but I can tell you that you'll love it! And as a gift from Pacific Fabrics - if you're project is actually done, I'll have another gift for you, too. I'll look forward to seeing you at the game!

Don't you just love this adorable Knitting Moose Bobblehead? While supplies last, you can show your Knitter's Section Ticket at the Mariners table near our booth and take this yarn loving guy home with you! Gates open at 5:00 pm and remember the Moose will be available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

~ Annette

You're Invited to Tea With Debbie Bliss

We are excited to host internationally known knitter, Debbie Bliss, at our Everett and Bellevue stores on Friday, August 6th. Join Debbie for tea and blissful treats as she presents a Trunk Show from her books, chats with you about how she started, what she does and how she designs, answers your questions, then signs your books! The menu at Everett will include Iced Tea, Mini-Scones with Devonshire Cream and Raspberry Jam, Fresh Fruit and Nutella Cheesecake and along with your Tea at Bellevue, you'll enjoy Fresh Fruit, Cucumber Sandwiches and Blissful Cookies. Yum! I can hardly wait.

Best of all, you'll have an exclusive chance to purchase Debbie's newest book, The Knitter's Year and have Debbie autograph it for you. I've seen the book, it's amazing and it will not be available anywhere else in the USA until September. But ... through a special arrangement with Knitting Fever Inc. Debbie's wonderful yarn company, we will have it for you at the Tea!

Pre-registration of $10 per person is required and you'll be able to enjoy a 10% discount on your purchases on the day of the tea. You can click here to purchase a ticket online for the Everett Tea from 1 - 3pm or click here for the Bellevue Tea from 6 - 8pm and get your ticket today. Tickets are also available at the stores or by phone. Click here for store location information. See you there!

~ Annette

It's All About the Kids This Week

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This week I found yummy new fabric for kids in our stores including one that everyone will be glad to see!

Let's start with our fabulous new Pure Organics collection from Robert Kaufman. Just when you thought fabric couldn't get any better, now we can offer you solid quilting cottons in 100% Organic Cotton! I picked a few summery shades and some basics to show here. You'll find over 12 different colors at our Northgate and Puyallup stores right now and you can expect them to arrive soon at Everett and Bellevue, too. Deliciously lovely for you, your quilts and espeicially nice for babies and children!

So cute!!! Playdate from Michael Miller Fabrics is whimsical, fun and bright - everything you want when you're sewing for children. Chinese Lanterns, Pixie Sticks and Paper Dolls you can really cut out combine to make a fresh, perky collection of prints ready to stitch into something the kids in your life will treasure! Available at Bellevue, Northgate and Puyallup and arriving soon at Everett.

Our Christmas in July events (do you have your tickets?) are beginning this week and Christmas fabrics have been pouring in the doors. This week's addition is Colorful Christmas Flannel from Alpine Fabrics. Cozy-soft and festive, the fun scattered mitten and kids prints coordinate perfectly with the stripes, flakes and dots we chose. It's a great time to start on that Christmas sewing! Available at Bellevue, Everett, Northgate and Puyallup.

There's still time to sign up for our super inspiring Christmas in July Cafe! You'll get to shop with a 20% discount after viewing a trunk show of models from the latest books and patterns, enjoy treats, make a fun project to take home, learn lots of tips, tricks and techniques from our own Mrs. Chris Claus and take a free gift home with you!

Click on the store names below to read all about it and you can purchase your tickets right online:

Bellevue

Bremerton

Everett

Northgate

Puyallup (Hurry! The Puyallup 'Cafes' are on July 8th & 9th, but there's still room for you!)

~ Annette

Hey Quilters! We've Got New Fabrics & a Great New Tool

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Comfy Flannel from AE Nathan is just wonderful stuff! It comes in great colors and fun designs and sells for an extremely reasonable price of $5.99 per yard. Loads of new prints just arrived in our stores and since flannel is a year round fabric here in the Pacific Northwest, I thought I'd show you a few. I put the top group together with younger children in mind, but feel free to make yourself something fun, too! For the lower group, I picked a few prints for your more sophisticated adult side. And this is just a taste! Available at all our stores - come on in while the selection is at it's best!

We were thrilled to find this stunning Asian collection in black and white as well as red and white! I can see this coordinating with all the Asian lovelies in your collection and, of course, they look amazing used together, too. Isn't the Geisha fabric gorgeous?! Looks like it's time to get the fabric paints out for this one. Oh, my, that could be cool on any of the black and whites. Are you inspired now? You'll find Silhouettes from Northcott Fabrics right now at our Bremerton, Everett, Northgate and Puyallup stores (coming soon to Bellevue).

Stroll down the avenue with me - Park Avenue that is - our latest collection from Moda! I love the traditional floral feel of this group and the coordinates are so universally appealing. We chose three colorways, Blues, Reds and Browns that should easily blend with everyone's favorite color palettes. You'll find Park Avenue at our Bellevue, Everett, Northgate and Puyallup stores.

I know it's Summer, but this fabulous Fall themed collection is just too gorgeous to resist! And if you start sewing now, you'll have something ready for Fall, right? All About Autumn from Northcott is a leafy delight of gentle hues in beige, black and brown. It's such a nice change from the traditional Fall colors, that I'm sure you'll be bursting with ideas for a new Autumn look in your home! Available at our Everett, Northgate and Puyallup stores and coming soon to Bellevue.

I promised you a new tool, so get ready to twist and shout! Twister from Country Schoolhouse opens up so many possibilities for easy pinwheel quilting. Michelle from our office used the smaller size to make the sweet table topper below from charm squares and you'll find lots of ideas in the Let's Twist book (placemats, runners, toppers, quilts, pillows and a mantle topper).  Both the book and the tools are available at all our stores.

The Twister tool comes in two sizes. You'll find a table topper pattern in the Lil' Twister package (like Michelle's shown at the right) and a quiilt pattern in the instructions that come with the large Twister tool. So how does it work? Piece squares and borders together, then line up your tool according to the easy to follow instructions, re-cut, re-sew and suddenly you have twisty, turny pinwheels and instant satisfaction. Tons of fun for quilters of all levels! 

That should keep you busy for the week! Have fun and enjoy our 4th of July Fabric Sale on July 4th & 5th, too!  ~ Annette