Tie One On Day

Did you know the 4th Wednesday of every November (also known as Thanksgiving Eve) is Tie One On Day?

Tie One On Day, is a day to celebrate aprons, and the spirit of women of earlier generations who wore aprons as part of their daily wardrobe.

This day recognizes aprons as a symbol of family, home and mothering and recognizes that the women (and men) who wore aprons helped make America great.

But what makes Tie One On Day so fabulous is how it is celebrated.

On this day, one should wrap a loaf of bread in an apron, tuck a prayer or note of hope in the pocket and, while wearing your own apron, deliver the bundle to someone in spiritual or physical need.

According to EllynAnne, a founder of Tie One On Day, “no matter which way you turn out of your own front door, someone who is deserving of a hug is very close by.”

So, in preparation of Tie One On Day, I encourage all of you to make an apron, bake a loaf of bread (or any other tasty treat) and spread some joy.

 To help inspire you I am offering apron classes all month long!

Drop by to come make one of these fabulous aprons!

Happy Tie One On Day

~Melisa & Cordelia

Furniture Redesign

As a new store owner I found myself in desperate need of new furniture, but zero budget to purchase that furniture. Instead of furnishing the store with shiny new items, I dug through my parents’ storage shed and barn and assembled a collection of cast off or neglected furniture, most of which belonged to a grandparent at some time. Most of the furniture was in good shape, but a few of the pieces were in need of a little work. Take this stand for example.

It’s cute, but it was heavily scratched and missing peaces.

So, I took a little bit of Old English Scratch Remover and rubbed it into the wood. Like magic the piece looked instantly new and exciting!

Then I decided I wanted to brighten the piece up a little bit so it would be a better fit in the space. So I found some scraps of fabric, cause this is a fabric store after all, and filled in the doors. Instant pop!

Finally, I found some cute knobs and threw them on.

And Voila, I’ve got a beautiful new piece of furniture.

But then I had to figure out what the heck to do with it…….

It could work as a display for my Christmas fabric, but not really loving it…..

So I moved it around a bit and decided it would look great by my front door and it makes the perfect information station. Now I have a convenient place to stack my class schedules and info about upcoming events! Yay!

Happy redesigning!

Melisa & Cordelia

Open for Business!

Today, November 1st, 2011 is a very important date.

It is the first day that Stitchology is officially open for business!

About 5 years ago I decided I wanted to start my very own sewing lounge and fabric store, but there were several things standing in my way. For example I was still in school. And I had no cash. Or experience. Or direction. And I was so darn young. So I spent the next 5 years saving, and dreaming of what I wanted my store to be like.

Then, about 4 months ago I decided it was time to start the store! I had spent 3 years teaching in town, working on the Fiber Arts Council and serving as Vice President of the American Sewing Guild Board and running a very small fashion design business so I felt I was better prepared.

So I dove head first into this little project of mine, and after 4 jam packed, thrilling, and delightful months I had created Stitchology and it was ready to debut.

So here I am and I have had made 4 sales and I’ve already had one student sign up for several private lessons. That’s more than I expected for my first day!

Here are a few photos of the store. Enjoy!

 

Happy Shopping!

~Melisa & Cordelia

Dust Off That Old Sewing Machine

Hello Folks.

It has finally happened! I have returned from the land of no-sewing abyss! Let me tell ya, I’m so glad to be reacquainted with my trusty Bernina and I have sew many projects to work on!

 I have been busy moving into my new store and decided I needed a comfy place for my customers to hang out and browse through my books or just to sit and admire my fabric wall. So I stole this beautiful little love seat from my bestie Rosie. Cause I have like zero furniture budget.

Thanks Rosie!

The loveseat is perfect because it was free and because it’s vintagy which fits right in with the rest of the store.

 However, the color was just a little bit off.

The walls and most of the fabric in my store are light, bright and colorful and the dark green velvet on the couch was just a bit on the dark side.

First I tried covering it with a slipcover, but that took away all the charm and looked a little frumpy.

I would love to reupholster it in a funky cool fabric, but that is not in my budget at the time, so instead I decided to dress it up with a few bright pillows.

I dug through my stash and found these two fabrics that I just love together for some reason. They were perfectly bright, so after a little stitch here and a snip there I had new pillows!

Amazing! It dresses the loveseat right up!

I had to add rick rack because rick rack makes my skirt fly up. Plus I carry it in about a billion colors so I need to give my customers reasons to buy the stuff.

Happy Sewing

Melisa & Cordelia



You Are Invited!

It’s getting close!

 The day I finally open the doors to Stitchology!

Come help me celebrate at my Grand Opening. You can enjoy the store wide sale, enter a daily door prize, play a card of Sewing Bingo, create a quick project or just say hello.

I can’t wait to see you there!

Signage

Before:

 A little work:

Half way there!

A bit more work:

After:

I sure am pleased!

October in NM

I wish I had some cool sewing project or technique to share with you, but I have been up to my eyeballs in busy and have been doing everything except sewing.

 Instead, I will shear with you a few images from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta which happens every October.

Enjoy.