Join the Ice Cream Social SewAlong!

How fun is this? The Ice Cream Social SewAlong is co-hosted by (Fabric Shoppers Unite sponsor) Oliver + S and Australian independent retailer BadSkirt. The concept is simple: you sign up to take part in a  sew-along during the last two weeks in July in which you stitch, step-by-step, Oliver + S’ Ice Cream Social dress. Over 200 sewers have already sighed up to take part! There’s also a fabulous Flickr group, where you can see other sewers fabric selections and progress.

What are you waiting for? Head over to your favorite independent fabric or quilt shop, pick up the Ice Cream Social dress pattern and your fabric & get ready for the SewAlong!

Welcome New Sponsor – Mid-Michigan Mitten Company

Project 95: Fabric Shoppers Unite–Shop Independents is thrilled to announce the addition of a new sponsor! The Mid-Michigan Mitten Company was established in 2010 by Peggy Chiarenzelli in Riverdale, Michigan after her felted wool mittens became explosively popular. The wholesale company specializes in making the felted wool mitten kits and sells to local retail stores.

Mid-Michigan Mitten Company produces a unique product that crafters are sure to love:

Our mittens are cut from 100% recycled, felted wool knit and come with a fleece lining. Kits are cut out and ready for you to sew and embellish and com in three sizes: small (for children) medium (for women and teens) and large (designed especially for men). If you would like to embroider or customize your mittens, look for kits marked “especially made for embroidery machines”. The top of these mittens are made with felted wool fabric and are cut to fit embroidery machine hoops. Because our mitten kits are made from recycled fibers, you can get them in an array of colors and heft. Some will be very classy while others will have a more woodsy or country theme. Others will be just plain cute! Because of the huge variety of colors and weight, you can choose a kit to specifically fit your personality. One thing all of our mittens have in common is their unsurpassed warmth! Snowball maker approved, these mittens will keep your hands toasty warm even on the coldest days of winter.

Thank you, Peggy, and welcome to Project 95: Fabric Shoppers Unite–Shop Independents!

Welcome New Sponsor – AccuQuilt!

We are incredibly excited to announce that AccuQuilt has joined Project 95: Fabric Shoppers Unite–Shop Independents as our newest sponsor!

AccuQuilt has a great line of products that make your quilting faster and easier with their innovative hand-operated fabric cutting machines, individual dies and die sets. They introduced the AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter this past spring and it has been a real hit–it’s small enough for the home user and reduces your cutting time by 90% from a traditional rotary cutter. The AccuQuilt Studio fabric Cutter is  becoming popular with quilt shops, who rent out time for customers to cut their projects on the larger cutter, so look for one in your favorite independent quilt shop, if you want to take one for a test drive!

Thank you, AccuQuilt!

Welcome New Sponsor, Quilters’ Travel Companion!

We are very excited to announce that Project 96: Fabric Shoppers Unite–Shop Independents has a new sponsor, Quilters’ Travel Companion! Quilters’ Travel Companion is the printed guide to quilt shops in the United States & Canada, so teaming up with Project 95 was a perfect fit! If you travel, and love to quilt and sew, this is your guide to finding shops along the way. The book is packed with information, and also comes in a handy CD version. Take some time to explore the Quilters’ Travel Companion website–you’ll discover a treasure-trove information about everything from quilt shows to shop hops.

Thank you, Quilters’ Travel Companion!

Welcome New Sponsor – Oliver + S

Project 95 is excited to announce that sewing pattern company Oliver + S has joined Project 95 as a sponsor!

Oliver+ S designer Liesl Gibson creates sewing patterns for children’s clothing–and they certainly are something special. Oliver + S designs are  kid-friendly, designed to be both comfortable and attractive. Each adorable pattern comes beautifully packaged, including a five-inch paper doll with an outfit.

You can find Oliver + S patterns in many of your favorite independent quilt and fabric shops (you can easily find your nearest shop stocking Oliver + S patterns using this search tool), as well as through the Oliver + S web site.

Thank you, Oliver + S!

Welcome New Project 95 Sponsor – Creative Grids USA

We are thrilled to announce that Creative Grids USA has joined Project 95 as a sponsor. Creative Grids designs and distributes clever, handy rulers for quilters. These rulers are not only set apart because of the many, many shapes in which they are available, they are also non-slip to ensure measuring and cutting accuracy. Creative Grids products are distributed in the United States by Checker–the first sponsor of Project 95.

You will only find Creative Grids in independent quilt and fabric shops–never chains. Creative Grids USA offers a handy “Where to Buy” search function on their website which guides you to your nearest independent shop offering these fantastic rulers.

Thank you, Creative Grids USA!