Brrrr… it’s chilly out there! You need a warm and cozy cowl to keep those icy winds at bay! Caitlin and Emily are back with a brand new knit-along sure to fit the bill. The Fair Enough Cowl is the perfect introduction to stranded colourwork knitting for those looking to challenge themselves, and a great casual knit for those who’ve been around the Fair Isle block a time or two. Short pattern repeats means this project will fly through your fingers and you’ll warm up in no time!
As stranded knitting is often thought of as a more advanced skill, we recommend that you already feel comfortable knitting in the round on circular needles before tackling this project.
In addition to sharing our own personal knitting tips, tricks, and quirks, we’ll learn all about:
You will need:
When: 7:00 pm EST starting Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 (rescheduled from February 20th)
Where: YouTube
Price: FREE!
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Grab a cup of your favourite seasonal beverage, and sit down to peruse the pages. Our gift guide is stuffed full of ideas for everyone on your list - including the crafter that has it all!
Shop online from the comfort of home, or come on by the store for some help choosing the perfect gift!
View Our Holiday Gift Guide
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Ferris is the perfect bag to throw on for a quick run to the park - or the fabric store! Continue your skill-building journey with Michelle during this sew along. The Ferris Fanny Pack features a zipper pocket, zipper top closure, adjustable strap, and fully lined interior. It comes in three different sizes – make one for every member of the family!
During the sew along, you’ll learn:
Watch the videos LIVE on YouTube, starting May 16, 23, 30 at 8PM
Week 1:
- Pattern features and sizes
- Appropriate fabric choices
- Notions you'll need
- Tools to help with sewing
- Cutting out exterior and lining fabrics and fusible fleece
Week 2:
- Applying fusible fleece to exterior pieces
- Preparing zippers
- Sewing the front zipper pocket
- Attaching the sides
Week 3:
-sewing the zipper to upper pieces and attaching it to the body
-sewing lining to front piece
Week 4:
-Finishing up the Ferris Fanny Pack!
Week 1:
- helpful tools to have on hand
- how to "stack and whack" (cutting multiple layers of fabric at once)
- planning your piecing layout
- pattern adjustments to prevent your fabric from being too small after quilting
Week 2:
- how to make a "quilt sandwich" with your top pieces, batting and backing
- spray basting versus pin basting
- how to quilt the top: marking your pattern, tools to use, and ideal stitch length
Week 3:
- how bind the edges
- creating the fabric casing for the strapping and inserting the strapping
- how to attach the strapping to the bag
Week 4:
- how to attached zipper pulls to zipper by the yard
- how to glue baste the zipper into place and sew it to the bag
- how to attach the zipper end tabs
- how to attach the end panels.
Week 5:
- how to sew bias binding from a fat quarter (following this tutorial)
- how to bind the end panels
Week 1:
-yarn choice
-choosing size and preferred ease
-gauge swatch
-types of cast on
-neckline options
-knit through the back loop (ktbl), right lifted increase (RLI), German Short Rows (gsr)
*we are working towards building a series of standalone technique videos so stay tuned!
If you are casting on the larger neckline, try this tutorial on the Double Twisted Loop cast-on: https://youtu.be/iEwXLq_qbh4
The smaller neckline uses a tubular cast-on, which starts with a provisional cast-on. You can see it demonstrated here: https://youtu.be/DFFGcAeaLJI
The other one we use is called the long-tail cast-on.
Homework: knit sections 1-2
Week 2:
Highlights from this week:
-making sure you read through the pattern instructions for the textured stitches
-construction of yoke (round, then raglan)
-demo for the "elongated" stitches, wyif SL1,
Homework: knit to row 3-4
Week 3:
This week we discuss:
-differences between round yoke construction to raglan
-long and short sleeves
-knit front and back (KFB) vs. knit back and front (KBF)
Homework: Knit sections 4-5
Week 4:
This week we will cover:
-binding off
-sleeve options
-i-cord demo
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Join Caitlin and Emily on YouTube every Tuesday in February as we knit A Girl's Best Friend shawl! Videos will be streamed live and saved to our YouTube channel for your reference.
Week Two:
Follow along as Katy finishes sewing up the Flipping Out zippered case by Sew Annie.
You can download the pattern for FREE here - https://modafabrics.com/inspiration-resources/free-patterns/search/favorite%20sweater
Week 1:
-how and why to use starch spray (like Best Press or Flatter)
-how to square up fabric
-how to cut multiple layers
-how to keep track of multiple size pieces
Week 2:
- how to chain piece
- how to assemble the sweater blocks
- how to use a 1/4" foot
We will also discuss the basics of piecing a quilt, and give you some handy tips and tools for piecing any quilt project.
Week 3:
- how to square up blocks
- what to do if your blocks are not the size indicated in the pattern
- how to adjust the pattern to accommodate blocks smaller or larger than indicated
- how to assemble the quilt top
Week 4:
- how to make a quilt sandwich (with batting and backing)
- how to mark your lines for quilting
- how to quilt your quilt top
- how to bind your quilt
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To take the stress out of your Christmas crafting, we've made up three fat quarter bundles that you can use to make a throw-sized quilt from a variety of patterns (with some added background fabric).
Some of our favourite fat quarter friendly quilt patterns are:
To sweeten the deal, we're running a contest! Post your completed quilt top made from one of our bundles (it doesn't have to be quilted or bound) in the album on Facebook by December 1st to win a $100 gift card. Don't have Facebook? Email a picture to us at hello@fabricationsottawa.com and we'll include you name in the draw!
]]>Click here to download the FREE pattern.
Knit these socks using one of our Amble Sock Kits to be entered to win a prize! Add your photo to the album on Facebook, or email it to hello@fabricationsottawa.com. A winner will be chosen November 1st, 2022.
We have two coordinating colour options for you to choose from, either white or grey:
We are also running a Socktober event! Click here for more details!
]]>Hi folks - my name is Malgosia (Magosha). Nice to meet you!
I've been sewing for most of my life, but in 2015 I got introduced to quilting and it has been an obsession ever since.
2021 was a big year for me; I sold my house in downtown Ottawa and moved to Lanark County in the hopes of pursuing my dreams and finding more balance in my life.
I used to work full-time as a clinical veterinarian, but burned out. I still work part-time as a veterinarian, but now I'm focussed on running my non-profit animal rescue (The Kind Barn) and launching Potty Mouth Quilting!
I have a small but cozy studio located between Carleton Place and Smiths Falls and am looking forward to meeting other quilters and helping you bring your projects to life!
Please feel free to reach out to me at pottymouthquilting@yahoo.com if you have any questions or would like to discuss an upcoming project. I'd love to hear from you!
How to Prepare your Quilt for Longarm Quilting: 6 Tips
When I got into quilting, the part of the process I absolutely hated was basting and quilting on my domestic machine. Once I'm finished piecing the top... I'm done until it's time to do the binding. Now I know some people love hand quilting, and I wish I were one of those people, but there is just something so satisfying about dropping off some some fabric and batting and getting back a beautifully quilted piece. That being said, there are some things you can do at home to make sure you end up with the best results.
Iron and Trim: Iron your quilt top and backing in order to minimize creases and ensure the fabric is flat. Do your best to trim any stray threads as they can sometimes show through the lighter fabrics in the quilt top.
Label the Top: Don't forget to label the top of the backing and quilt top. This is especially important if you have directional fabric or have chosen a pantograph that has a clear top and bottom.
Stay Stitches: If you have a quilt top that has piecing all the way to the outer edge (i.e. you don't have a border), then take a look at the seams around the edge and make sure they're not coming apart. If they are, it may be a good idea to sew some stay stiches (or even basting stitches) around the perimeter of the quilt just to make sure it stays intact.
Talk to your Longarm Quilter: Chances are your longarm quilter loves talking about quilts and quilting, so communicate with them about any preferences or questions you have. The goal is for everyone to be on the same page so there are no surprises!
]]>Week 1:
We discuss:
-gauge and swatching
-cast on recommendations
-choosing your size/fit
-ease, upper bust measurement
Week 2:
This week our format is a little different, in a tutorial format. Caitlin covers short row shaping and raglan increases, to create the yoke of this sweater. Next week we hope to return live, for the next section.
Week 3:
This week we are discussing
-installing a lifeline
-dividing the body and sleeves
-casting on in the middle of a round
-bust shaping with German Short Rows
Week 4:
We are getting close to finishing a whole sweater! Our video this week covers:
-waist shaping
-hem options
-chit chat about sleeves (more to follow in next week's video)
Week 5:
Welcome to the last week of the Felix KAL! This week we talk more about picking up the sleeves and blocking your finished piece. Be sure to send us a photo or stop by the shop wearing your beautiful new sweater!
Here are two blog posts that we found helpful in learning about waist shaping:
https://amyherzogdesigns.com/
https://www.andrearangel.com/
We know that many of you like to plan your quilting and crafty projects in advance- and we all love a show and tell! Find modern quilting fabrics, rainbow blenders and more in the coming months. Stay in the loop on dates and times by signing up for our newsletter.
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Week 1:
-how to centre an image on the front of your bag
-completing steps 1, 2 and 9 (a, b).
Week 2:
This week, we'll be sewing the inner pocket and lining together.
Week 3:
This week, we'll be sewing the exterior of the bag. We'll discuss how to use zipper tape (also called zipper by the yard). Homework is to have a fully assembled exterior (complete step 9) for next week.
Week 4:
This week, we'll complete sewing our bags! Ta-dah! You made it!
Week 1
We will be cutting out our pieces, with tricks on maximizing yardage, and cutting pieces quickly and efficiently!
Week 2:
This week, we are sewing together the Quarter Circle Units (for the flowers) and the Orange Peel Units (for the petals).
Week 3:
This week, we are assembling the quilt blocks for the flowers and leaves.
Week 4:
This week, we are sewing the quilt blocks together to complete our quilt top.
Week 1:
-Helpful tools for bag sewing and sewing with oilskin
-How to read the pattern (and choose a size)
-Cutting your pieces
-Slip pocket and lining construction
Week 2:
-sewing the front zipper pocket and the drawstring lining.
For homework:
- make sure you've got your exterior pieces cut out, and if you're sewing with oilskin have a denim needle loaded in your machine.
Week 3:
This week we will be sewing the exterior of the tote.
Week 4:
This week, we finish assembling the Firefly Tote bag. Ta-da! You made something!
Week 5:
Bonus video! Use your scrap pieces from the Firefly Tote to sew an Open-Wide Zippered Pouch! Free pattern found here!
You don't need a lot of tools to start your quilting journey but like many crafts, certain tools can make your finished project just a little nicer. Start with the basic tools and add to your toolbox as your skills expand and your projects require more specific tools.
A Beginner Quilter's Toolbox
Here are a few basic things you need to start quilting:
1. An iron. A good iron is a must for a quilter as your seams need to be pressed nice and flat when quilting. I think it goes without saying that you will also need an ironing board to go with your iron.
2. Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat. To get the precise and straight cuts you need for quilting, a rotary cutter and cutting mat are the way to go. You don't need a huge mat, 12" x 18" is perfectly adequate and a 45mm rotary cutter is the standard for quilting.
4. Quilting Ruler. To go along with your rotary cutter and cutting mat, you need a quilting ruler to measure your fabric cuts. A 6.5" x 24.5" ruler works great as it will cut the width of the fabric when folded off the bolt. Perfect for cutting binding strips. It can also be used for making smaller cuts.
5. Spray Baste or Basting Pins. Once your quilt top is finished, you need to make your quilt sandwich of quilt top, batting and backing and baste the layers together so that you can quilt it. You can use spray baste which is a spray glue that holds the layers together. Basting pins are safety pins that have a bent arm that allow you to easily pin layers of fabric together.
6. Seam Guide or 1/4" foot. Consistent 1/4" seams are key to a successful quilt top and to get these you can use a specialized foot for your sewing machine or a magnetic seam guide that sticks to your sewing machine to guide the fabric so that you can achieve 1/4" seams.
Want to up your quilting game? Here are a few things that can help create that beautiful quilt top:
1. Quilter's Clapper. When you are piecing your quilt top, you want your seams to press as flat as possible and this wooden tool can help as it traps the heat in the fabric after you press to make your seams lay flat.
2. Marking Tools. When you are piecing and quilting you sometimes need to mark stitching lines and a Hera Marker can be a great tool. It creases your fabric to show you where to stitch and with a wash or a little rub the crease comes right out. You can also use water soluble markers and pencils or air erasable marking pens but make sure you do a test first.
3. Aurifil Cotton Thread. Many quilters only use cotton thread and Aurifil thread is one of the best cotton threads on the market. Made in Italy of Egyptian cotton, it sinks into your fabric to help create perfect piecing.
4. Stripology Ruler. The Stripology Ruler by Creative Grids, comes in three sizes and is a slotted ruler that allows you to cut strips from up to half a metre of fabric without having to move the ruler. It helps cut down on the time it takes to cut your fabric strips and ensures accurate cutting.
5. Wool Pressing Mat. These felted wool mats are another tool to help press those seams as flat as possible. The mat keeps the heat in the fabric longer after pressing to help create those flat seams every quilter wants. They come in various sizes and you simply place your fabric or pieced work on the mat and press as required and voila! Flat seams.
6. Diagonal Seam Tape. This washi tape has 1/4" seams allowances marked on it and you place is on the bed of your sewing machine to help you stitch those HSTs and stitch and flip pieces. The fantastic thing about this tape is that you don't have to mark your pieces as you just follow the markings on the tape.
You've tackled a lot of quilting skills and are ready to go even further. Here are a few more things that advanced quilters use:
1. Quilting Rulers. These rulers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can help you cut pieces and create blocks that go beyond the basic square.
2. Foundation Paper. This foundation paper makes foundation paper piecing easy. It is semi-transparent, feeds easily through your printer, and is easily tearable ensuring you have no problems tearing it off the back of your work when you have finished piecing.
3. Seam Roller. A seam roller can help press open those seams after paper piecing to help get those flat seams.
4. Thread Gloss. Give hand quilting a try to up your quilting game. Thread gloss helps keep your hand quilting thread from tangling and knotting and keeps it static free.
All of these tools can help make your quilting experience more enjoyable. It helps to have the right tools to get the job done right. If you click a link and any of these products are out of stock, please sign up for an email or text notification for when they come back in stock.
]]>Week 1
We will be discussing:
Week 2
We will be sewing up the split front of the bodice, and the button loop from Version #2. If there is time we will also discuss french seaming the bodice together.
Week 3
Today we will sew up the French seams! It's much easier than it looks, and it really produces a nice finish. We highly recommend using a tailors ham or seam roll for this week, as it will make your life much easier when pressing.
Week 4
Today we focus on the Bias Neck Facing step. We highly recommend using clips for this stage, but pins can also be useful!
Week 5
Today we focus on the Hemming & the Gathered sleeves in the free expansion! We hope you have enjoyed this Sew Along, please come show off your Remy in person, we'd love to see it!
If you've been with us for any length of time, you know that we don't shy away from discussions of social justice. The unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia must be condemned.
Aside from a monetary donation to a reputable charitable organization such as the Red Cross or the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, purchasing from Ukrainian sources means that your dollars will go directly to help those that are in need.
As we are a fabric store, we've found nine craft-related makers on Etsy that sell digital patterns to share with you. If you are able, we encourage you to make a purchase from one of these vendors.
PDF cross stitch patterns - for the advanced stitcher! Lots of different themes, including landscapes, movies and more.
Foundation paper piecing patterns for intermediate to advanced sewists, with several different animals to choose from.
Folk and fairy tale cross stitch patterns. These are perfect for sampler-style pieces.
Knitting and crochet patterns for hats, shawls and baby garments.
Aside from these amazing knitted dog hat patterns, there are lots of adult patterns for knitting and crochet.
Easy knitting patterns for adorable soft toys. A soft and sweet aesthetic.
Sewing patterns for adorable animal toys. Many, many different ones to choose from!
Easy sewing and crochet patterns for toy food.
Supplies you will need:
-water
-clean sink or basin
-Soak or Eucalan
-towel
-foam tiles (available at Canadian Tire, etc.)
-blocking-specific accessories (depending on your project):
t-pins
blocking wires
blocking combs
sock blockers or mitten blockers
A few tips on blocking:
Some yarns (such as super-wash or alpaca) will grow quite a bit after blocking. If you are knitting a sweater or garment that needs to fit properly, we recommend that you knit a swatch, wash it the same way you will wash the finished piece, and block it. Make sure you measure your stitches per inch before and after blocking your swatch, in case the number changes! Your pattern will tell you how many stitches per inch you will need to get correct gauge.
For washing we recommend Soak or Eucalan, which are soaps designed to gently clean your knits. Detergents used for regular laundry (cottons and synthetics) can break down wool and other animal fibres over time.
When washing your knits, it's best to use room temperature water, and gentle handling. Hot water and agitation can cause felting or shrinking. Soak and Eucalan do not require rinsing, so you can gently squeeze the water out and use the towel to dry it as much as possible.
Let us know if you have any blocking questions! We would love to see your finished projects, so be sure to tag us on Instagram!
]]>From splurges to stocking stuffers, we have curated all of our favourite finds into one neat little package. We have gifts for every crafter on your list, from seasoned sewists, novice knitters, curious cross-stitchers, and even those sweet children (who will need something to keep them busy over the holiday break).
So pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy leafing (virtually) through our catalog. Feel free to shop online from the comfort of home, or come on by for some help choosing the perfect gift!
View Our Holiday Gift Catalog
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Date & Time: December 17th, 7:00 pm EST via Facebook Live
Join Katy as she demonstrates how to make a reusable cloth wrap, inspired by furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. With a focus on aesthetics and sustainability, these cloths are perfect for wrapping Christmas presents, and you'll be able to gift them or use them again and again. You'll learn how to sew a simple mitered corner, which is useful for making napkins and table cloths. The cloths can be sewn in multiple sizes, and you'll need 0.5 - 1 metre of quilting weight cotton. For extra festiveness, choose from our Seasonal Fabrics!
]]>Date & Time: December 3rd, 7:00 pm EST via Instagram Live
Join Emily as she takes you through knitting a basic garter-stitch mug cozie. For those that are looking for a slightly more advanced project, she'll also demonstrate how to make the 2 Hour Mug Hug which has a beautiful cable detail. You'll need approximately 25 grams of DK weight or Worsted weight yarn, and needles in size 3.75-4.5 mm. For the cable knit project, you'll need a double pointed needle in the same size as your main needles, and both projects will need a darning needle to weave in the ends. It's the perfect little project to introduce you to knitting, and you can make a stocking stuffer for all your favourite people!
]]>Join Lindsay as she demonstrates making a cute and simple felt ornament. Turn on the fireplace (channel or real!) and enjoy the meditative process of handsewing. Pick up all of the items you need with our Snowman Felt Ornament kits. This project is simple enough for an older child to sew with assistance. Pop over to our Fabrications Instagram to join the event.
Date & Time: December 10 7:00-8:00 pm EST via Instagram Live
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