Pippablue - Design, Craft, Interiors, Living

Wonky Circle of Stars Quilt

I made this little quilt using my leftover fabric from the Japanese Fabric Swap. It was quick to make and, I think, a great project for beginners.

I followed the  VeryKerryBerry quilt-a-long , and I must say the directions were really clear, with loads of tips and links. Her blog is really inspirational too!

The block centre is a bit of Japanese Fabric by Cosmo. The Star points are Kaffe Fassett Spots and the Backing is Tanya Whelan.

I think you can tell I love dots and Toadstools!

By the way, if you are wondering about the doll in the top photo, she is made locally by the talented Marta. You can stop by the shop to see the full range of her amazing hand sewn and crochet dolls.

Pippablue

Japanese Fabric Swap!

Just a quick note to let you know about a cool new Fabric Swap hosted by Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting. The Swap is a charm swap of Japanese Imports and it is all explained on Cindy's blog, so just click the link below and check it out!

Pippablue

Summer Sewing...

I don't know why it is, but I always feel more inspired to sew in the summer. Colours seem brighter, the light is at it's best and the long evenings seem to give us that bit of extra time.  It also helps when we have lovely new fabric in, just begging to be made into something.

Here's a quick and easy skirt I whipped up for my daughter using some Amy Butler Peacock Feathers, and Kaffe Fasset Spots. (For a tutorial on making a similar skirt visit Andrea at Lushstuff). I added  a side pocket and trimmed with some teal bias.

I love the bright tones and the contrast. These types of colours just scream summer to me and I can't wait for the promised heat wave to hit us!

And if you are looking for another way to stay motivated, why not join the new flickr group Sew Irish:Modern Quilting  and Sewing. This group has just been set up by the talented Sarah from FairyFaceDesigns and is open to sewers of all skills and levels. To view Sarah's original post about the group click here. It's a great way to meet  like-minded people and also to show your work and admire that of others!

                                                    

 

Happy Sewing!

Pippablue

Sewing and Knitting Workshops for March and April

Just a quick post with the dates for our upcoming workshop for March and April.  All classes take place at the shop on Sunday afternoons starting at 2 o'clock.  You can book on-line, in the shop or by phone 091 566972.

Sunday 13th March - Beginners Sewing - Learn to make a little girl's skirt.

Andrea from Lushstuff is back to teach this popular class. This class is suitable for the beginner where you will become more confident on your machine while making a little girl's skirt using 2 fat quarters. In this class you will  be cutting your fabric, learning how to gather, put in an elastic waistband, decorate with trim,  etc.  Class runs from 2 to 5pm, but may sometimes run over a bit longer.

BYO sewing machine, as well as any attachments and a manual if you have one. All other materials provided in class. Class size limited to 6 people.

Cost: 45 Euro / 40 Euro concession

 

Sunday 20th March - Sewing for the Home - Applique Cushion Cover (Advanced Beginner/Intermediate)

In this class we will be making a cover for a cushion using machine applique techniques. You will be learning how to use bondaweb and layer fabric to make a funky cushion cover for your home. More details on this class will follow over the coming weeks. All materials will be provided in class and you will leave with a beautiful accessory for your home. Class runs from 2 to 5 pm, but may run over if extra time is needed!

BYO sewing machine.

Cost: 50 Euro / 45 Euro concession

 

Sunday 27th March - Knitting with Colour (Instarsia, Fair Isle, Block Colour)

This 2 and a half hour workshop with Caroline from Learn to Knit Galway will introduce knitters to the techniques needed to work with colour when knitting, be it fair isle, instarsia or block work. A basic knowledge of knitting is needed (casting on, plain, purl) but is suitable for advanced begginers/intermediate.

Bring your own needles (or purchase in shop on the day), wool will be available at the shop to practice with.

Cost: 20 Euro 

 

Sunday 3rd April - A-line Skirt Workshop (Advanced Beginner/Intermediate)

Another great class form Andrea Parry. You will be taken through the steps necessary to make a custom fit A-line skirt for yourself. You will learn how to take measurements, draft your own custom fit pattern, and piece together a basic A-lline skirt, which you could them customize to suit your needs. This is a class jam packed with useful tips and information, and you will leave with your skirt completed! Bring your own fabric or purchase it from the shop at a discount on the day. Class runs from 2 to 5:30, but may run over if more time is needed.

BYO sewing machine. Class sizes limited to 6 people.

Cost: 50 Euro / 45 Euro concession

 

Sunday 10th April - Introduction to Working with Cables

This workshop will run for 2 and a half hours, and will cover the basic techniques needed to tackle patterns involving cable work. Once again, only a basic knowledge of knitting is needed (casting on, plain, purl) and should give you the confidence to understand and work cables into your knitting. This class is taught by Caroline from Learn to Knit Galway.

Bring your own needles and cable needles if you have them, if not they are available to purchase on the day. Wool will be provided in class.

Cost: 20 Euro

 

Sunday 17th April - Getting to Know your Sewing machine

This is a class for people who have sewing machines but don't know how to use them! We will go over everything from, threading your machine, tension, different stitches etc, while completing a small project. This class runs from 2 to 4 pm but can sometimes run over,  so it would be best to allow yourself an extra half hour just in case...

BYO Sewing machine with all attachments as well as the manual if you have it. All other materials will be provided. Class limited to 6 people.

Cost: 30 Euro / 25 Euro concession

 

Get Crafty!

Pippablue

 

Make a little girl's skirt - workshop

Some photos from our recent sewing workshop.  We will be posting details for upcoming classes very soon, so be sure to check our website for Sewing Classes in Galway.

 
 
 
 
And at the end of the afternoon, everyone took home a georgeous little girl's skirt! 

 
 

 

Moo Cards and Roisin Coyle

 

People often ask us about our business cards and the cute illustrations  on our web site. When the time came to change our name to Pippablue, we really wanted to have a signature look for our business and contacted local artist and illustrator Roisin Coyle as we believed that her style could really work for our shop, and we are so glad that we did! Roisin completely captured what our business is about and you can check out more of her work here.

We get our cards printed by Moo. They offer a great service that is easy to use and well priced. When printing your cards you can have as many different designs as you want, both back and front. This means you can really play around with design and it's a great tool for artists and small businesses to showcase a variety of products on different cards!

We use Mini Moo cards for our business and if you would like to try them out, Moo are offering 30% off before January 31st. by quoting this code: N7CFHG.

 Pippablue

Rowan Magazine No. 49

The new Rowan Magazine is in store now, and it does not dissapoint!  Featuring designs from Marie Wallin, Kaffe Fassett, Martin Storey, Erika Knight, Sarah Dallas, Brandon Mably, Grace Melville, Lisa Richardson, Amanda Crawford, Jennie Atkinson and Sarah Hatton, there is definitely something for everyone.

Here is a little sneak peak...

...Illusion

 

...summer essentials

 

...homespun

Pippablue

Obsessed with Pinterest!

About a week ago while reading a blog that I follow I came across a reference to Pinterest. I duly checked it out and let me tell you, it was love at first sight!  Pinterest is a web site that provides you with a virtual pinboard, or in fact as many pinboards as you need.  When your surfing the web, or feeding your blog addiction (or is that just me?)  and you come across something you like, just pin it to your boards and there it is saved and accessible.

You can also follow people with similar tastes, leave comments, etc. and just generally marvel at everyone's brilliant taste. It is very much an eye candy thing, so I urge you to go check it out:)

I was trying to copy one of my pinboards to show you , but I can't seem to get it up, so instead I will leave you with my three favourite images that I pinned to my boards this week!

Board: To good to Eat

source

Board: Kiddy Stuff

 

source

Board: Creative Spaces

source

Happy Pinning!

Pippablue

Sewing Classes

A reminder that our new Sewing Classes for 2011 start on Sunday 16th Jan.  For details, see Pippablue's Sewing Class Schedule.  Bookings can be made online, in person at the shop or by calling us on (091)566972.

Getting Crafty for 2011

    

First and foremost a Big Thankyou and Happy New Year to all our wonderful customers, readers, and friends. We hope 2011 brings you all health, happiness, friendship, love and ,of course, lots and lots of creativity and inspiration!

And to start you off on the right foot we are posting up our schedule of upcoming Sunday Workshops. Our first round of classes leading into February are for sewing ( we will be expanding into knitting and other crafty activities after February). There is something for all levels here but we are always open to suggestions and we would love to hear if there is anything you would like us to organize, teach etc. Also,  we can cater for groups wanting to block book a class.

Remember, class sizes are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!! You can book online, by phone @ 091 566 972 or at the shop.

So here we go:

Sunday 16th January -  Getting to know your Sewing Machine 

This is a class for people who have sewing machines but don't know how to use them! We will go over everything from, threading your machine, tension, different stitches etc, while completing a small project. This class runs from 2 to 4 pm but can sometimes run over,  so it would be best to allow yourself an extra half hour just in case...

BYO Sewing machine with all attachments as well as the manual if you have it. All other materials will be provided. Class limited to 6 people.

Cost: 30 Euro / 25 Euro concession

Sunday 23rd January - Dress Making Techniques (Intermediate/ Advanced Beginner Level)

We are delighted to have Andrea from Lushstuff back to teach this  Dress Making Techniques class. You will be learning how to measure yourself, read patterns, and the different techniques needed to complete dress making projects, as well as practicing some of these techniques in the class. Andrea's classes are always a wealth of information and will leave you feeling confident to tackle new projects at home. This class runs from 2 to 5pm, but may run longer if needed. Please allow yourself an extra half an hour just in case!

BYO Sewing machine, as well as any extra foots or attachments! Class limited to 6 people.

Cost: 45 Euro / 40 Euro concession

Sunday 30th January - Patchwork with Ester Kiely: Hand Techniques Applique (Hand Sewing - All levels welcome)

Ester continues her popular hand sewing classes and will be teaching how to sew applique by hand in your patchwork projects. Esters classes' are very relaxed and fun, and as a member of the Irish Patchwork Society, and working textile artist, she has a wealth of knowledge to share. Class runs from 2 to 4:30 pm.

Cost 30 Euro / 25 Euro concession

Sunday 6th February - Beginners Sewing:  Little Girl's Skirt

Another fun class from Andrea at Lushstuff. This class is suitable for the beginner where you will become more confident on your machine while making a little girl's skirt using 2 fat quarters. In this class you will  be cutting your fabric, learning how to gather, put in an elastic waistband, decorate with trim,  etc.  Class runs from 2 to 5pm, but may sometimes run over a bit longer.

BYO sewing machine, as well as any attachments and a manual if you have one. All other materials provided in class. Class size limited to 6 people.

Cost: 45 Euro / 40 Euro concession

Sunday 13th February - Sewing for the Home: Appliqued Cushion Cover (Advanced Beginner/ Intermediate)

In this class we will be making a cover for a cushion using machine applique techniques. You will be learning how to use bondaweb and layer fabric to make a funky cushion cover for your home. More details on this class will follow over the coming weeks. All materials will be provided in class and you will leave with a beautiful accessory for your home. Class runs from 2 to 5 pm, but may run over if extra time is needed!

BYO sewing machine.

Cost: 50 Euro / 45 Euro concession

Sunday 20th February - A-line Skirt Workshop (Intermediate/ advanced beginner)

Another great class form Andrea Parry. You will be taken through the steps necessary to make a custom fit A-line skirt for yourself. You will learn how to take measurements, draft your own custom fit pattern, and piece together a basic A-lline skirt, which you could them customize to suit your needs. This is a class jam packed with useful tips and information, and you will leave with your skirt completed! Bring your own fabric or purchase it from the shop at a discount on the day. Class runs from 2 to 5:30, but may run over if more time is needed.

BYO sewing machine. Class sizes limited to 6 people.

Cost: 50 Euro / 45 Euro concession

Looking forward to seeing you!

Pippablue