I can’t thank all of you enough for celebrating our 2 year anniversary. Sunday was fantastic and all the well wishes I received that day and from those of you who couldn’t make it in, thank you. When I said Sunday that the best thing I get from Stitch House is the invaluable friendships I have made, I do mean it. You are a wonderful group of women and men and kids! And your support and friendship over the last 2 years has been the surprise I never counted on. And for the years to come, I hope that friendship grows.
As usual we have a lot of the agenda for the next few weeks and heading into the real Fall season (hello Summer - finally!?) First, tomorrow night (Friday, September 25 from 7-10pm) is our Duct Tape Dress Form Workshop with Casey. For $25 - all going to charity - plus a $5 materials fee, you’ll make a dress for using your body! Everyone will leave with a body double… We’ll also provide instruction on how to mount this dress form so you can use it! Join us and have fun for a good cause.

Second we have a few classes starting this week and next. Check these ones out before they’re gone:

Beaded Spiral Hat: This close-fitting knit cap adds a bit of sparkle with elegant glass seed beads worked into the spiral design using the crochet hook method of beading. This 2-session class will teach a modified version of the popular “Odessa” pattern by Grumperina (a free download at www.ravelry.com). This is a great project for beginners who want to learn knitting in the round, or for experienced needle crafters looking to jazz up their hat-making skills. Come in to Stitch House to see the shop model! This Class will run two Sundays 12-2pm on September 27 & October 4. The cost is $30,not including materials, and is due at the time of registration.

Pre-Teens Sewing for Kids Ages 10-12 will make a simple pajama pants in fabrics of their choice. After this class they’ll have the skills to make great gifts for all their friends. Participants will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns, and use basic machine stitches and hand sewing techniques. The first class will introduce the participants to the shop machines. This class runs 4 Sunday mornings September 27, October 4, 11 & 18 from 10am-12noon and costs $75. This class includes materials and will be taught by Julianne.

Home Décor - Window Treatments This four-week class will provide you with the skills and confidence to construct a custom lined, window treatment. Students can select a treatment such as a Roman Shade or pleated drape. Students can meet a week earlier for an additional fee to shop with Julie to purchase materials. A class materials list and directions on measuring will be provided the week prior to class. Learn the correct way to measure your window(s) to assure a proper and custom fit. At the completion of this course you will have a functioning shade and instructions on how to mount and install your beautiful Roman Shade at home. Wednesdays starting September 23, 30, October 7 and 14 from 6-8pm ($100, not inclusive of materials) Room to add class at $75 for remaining 3 weeks.

Introduction to Sewing: Butler Bags - Amy Butler is the designer of beautiful fabrics and patterns. Using her patterns and fabrics in just two sessions you’ll have a great new tote or bag to show off to all your friends! This class will give you experience in the basics of sewing so that you will have the knowledge and confidence to undertake projects on your own. You will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions. All materials for this class are available at Stitch House. This class will be held 3 Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20 from 6-8pm for three weeks for $60. Katy is our Butler Bag specialist - you’ll have fun learning to sew with her!

And last but not least, Nora Bellows of Noni Designs will be here November 7th and 8th for a weekend workshop. All participants will be invited to attend free classes before hand to start their bag and then spend a weekend perfecting it with Nora!  We have started accepting student registrations - so get on board!

I hope to see you soon!

Annissa

Hi All! I can’t believe I’m hitting the two year mark. It feels great to be young! I hope you can make it THIS Sunday for our 2 year birthday bash! It will be fun - I have a ton of giveaways and we’ll have food, and live entertainment (yes!) and great trunk show items on show and great items on sale. We’ll have goodie bags and great discounts on so many yarns and products. I hope you can join us.

We also have a few classes starting up this coming week and our FUN Dress Form Workshop this Friday!

Here are the classes:

Beaded Spiral Hat: This close-fitting knit cap adds a bit of sparkle with elegant glass seed beads worked into the spiral design using the crochet hook method of beading. This 2-session class will teach a modified version of the popular “Odessa” pattern by Grumperina (a free download at www.ravelry.com). This is a great project for beginners who want to learn knitting in the round, or for experienced needle crafters looking to jazz up their hat-making skills. Come in to Stitch House to see the shop model! This Class will run two Sundays 12-2pm on September 27 & October 4. The cost is $30,
not including materials, and is due at the time of registration.

Home Décor - Window Treatments: This four-week class will provide you with the skills and confidence to construct a custom lined, window treatment. Students can select a treatment such as a Roman Shade or pleated drape. Students can meet a week earlier for an additional fee to shop with Julie to purchase materials. A class materials list and directions on measuring will be provided the week prior to class. Learn the correct way to measure your window(s) to assure a proper and custom fit. At the completion of this course you will have a functioning shade and instructions on how to mount and install your beautiful Roman Shade at home. Wednesdays starting September 23, 30, October 7 and 14 from 6-8pm ($100, not inclusive of materials)

Pre-Teens Sewing for Kids Ages 10-12: will make a simple pajama pants in fabrics of their choice. After this class they’ll have the skills to make great gifts for all their friends. Participants will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns, and use basic machine stitches and hand sewing techniques. The first class will introduce the participants to the shop machines. This class runs 4 Sunday mornings September 27, October 4, 11 & 18 from 10am-12noon and costs $75. This class includes materials and will be taught by Julianne.

***Noni Felted Bag Workshop join Nora Bellows, creator of Noni Designs, as she presents her innovative ideas for creating and embellishing a unique felted bag. Beginners welcome! Participants will prepare for her arrival by selecting and beginning the bag project at free knitting nights. Two days: Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8, 10am-4pm. $150 includes morning refreshment and light lunch. Materials not included.

I got a great response from Claire’s Haiku - here’s what a few of you came up with… consider yourselves published!

     ~Juliette

Knitting is my goal
Ferrets steal my balls of yarn
Take a class to learn
~Courtney

I do I hope I see you Sunday! Next time we’ll talk via email it will officially be Fall!

Annissa

Have you always wanted to have a dress form made specifically to you???

September 25 ● 7-10pm

Stitch House hosts an evening of fun & stickiness as Casey DiCiccio and Mae Polson show you how to make a dress form fit exactly to your proportions.  Bring a friend along…this project is a two person process!

$30 includes donation and materials
Light snack provided ● BYOB
Sign Up Soon!

This event is a fundraiser to help Casey & Mae (aka Runaway Minnies) raise money for The Walt Disney World Half Marathon for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Check out their webpage: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/wdw10/TeamRunawayMinnies

On a recent restless night Claire rediscovered her love of the Haiku. This is the result:

days are growing shorter
my knitting needles are empty
time to buy more yarn

Try one better and we’ll make a mini Haiku collection for the Stitch House. I’d love to see what creative brains we have out there in Stitch House email land….

Now that we are back into the groove of Fall (I’m back at the high school, my kids are starting kindergarten Monday and the nights require a sweater) we have a ton of stuff up and going here at Stitch House. Tonight is Quick Sew from 6-8pm - We still have room! Tomorrow in day 1 of a 2 week Sew Intensive for Beginners (one spot left) and the Thursday night Intro to Sew has a few extra seats (you can join late for a reduced fee of $60). Intro to Knit Saturdays is on for tomorrow from 11-1 with Katie and Sunday is the first meeting of Crochet Club from 12-2 with Nicole. Irish Knit/Cabling starts Tuesday night.

Next Week Bill is hosting his first Bill’s Booties Class! Bill’s Bootie Workshop Bill is our in-house baby bootie expert. We’ve designed three 2-week workshops, each session increasing the difficulty of the booty design. Participants should expect to complete the bootie pair in each session. Each session is $30 and includes the pattern and a ball of yarn for the booties (needles are not included) and runs for 2 consecutive Thursdays from 6-8pm. Session 1: September 17 & 24, Session 2: October 22 & 29, Session 3: November 5 & 12.

We’re adding a Pre-Teen Sew class too - here’s the details: Pre-Teens Sewing for Kids Ages 10-12 will make a simple pajama pants in fabrics of their choice. After this class they’ll have the skills to make great gifts for all their friends. Participants will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns, and use basic machine stitches and hand sewing techniques. The first class will introduce the participants to the shop machines. This class runs 4 Sunday mornings September 27, October 4, 11 & 18 from 10am-12noon and costs $75. This class includes materials and will be taught by Julianne.

We having our first Knitting Contest for the Fall Season - October is Baby Booties or Socks, November is Adult or Child Hat and December is Mittens and Gloves! Here’s the deal: Buy your yarn from Stitch House the month prior to the Contest and turn your finished project in for display the next month. Every visitor is allowed one vote per visit and the most votes wins! Winner receives a book prize and gift certificate to Stitch House. All participants get a prize - so everyone wins!

Casey is hosting a Duct Tape Dress Form Workshop. She’ll be using the class fee to raise money for The Walt Disney World Half Marathon for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check out their webpage: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/wdw10/TeamRunawayMinnies.

I hope you will join us on the 20th for our 2 year Birthday Bash! We have great door prizes and will have fantastic food and fun! And then save the date for ***Noni Felted Bag Workshop***. Join Nora Bellows, creator of Noni Designs, as she presents her innovative ideas for creating and embellishing a unique felted bag. Beginners welcome! Participants will prepare for her arrival by selecting and beginning the bag project at free knitting nights. Two days: Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8, 10am-4pm. $150 includes morning refreshment and light lunch. Materials not included.

So - that’s a lot for this week. I hope to see you soon!

Annissa

p.s. I’m looking for thoughts on developing a better PR initiative for the shop. Do you have any ideas on what I can do better to get the word out? Do you have any contacts in the the wide world of publishing that you would mind sharing? I want to tell EVERYONE about Stitch House - but I need help. Thanks!

So here we are in September! Can you believe the summer is basically gone? A few more days before everyone is back into the rhythm of the Fall and school and work. Sorry that wasn’t supposed to be depressing - let me try again… Fall is here!! Yeah! That sounded better.

So here’s what is going on…. Sunday, September 20 from 11-2 is our 2 year birthday party. I can’t believe it has been two years since Stitch House opened. I guess that means I still enjoy it - time flies when you’re having fun! Speaking of fun - Nora Bellows of Noni Designs is coming in November - join us the weekend of November 7 & 8 for a great 2 day, all day, workshop designed around her patterns. See the blog post with all the knitty (get it?) gritty details.

Clubs are meeting and a few starting this month. Although this weekend’s holiday mean many of you will be traveling, the Sweater Club will be here tomorrow night starting at 6pm. We have Quick Sew next week and then Sock Coffee, Crochet Workshop and Kids Club.

Casey, one of our sewing instructors is currently in training for a race in January. Help her raise some funds by particpating in a Duct Tape Dress Form Workshop. On Friday, September 25 from 7-10pm come (with a friend) and make a dress form. No need to buy an expensive mannequin - make one! For $25 (donated all to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and a $5 materials fee you’ll leave with a dress form and after having lots of fun! This is great for anyone who is interested in sewing their own clothes.

This week we completed an inventory of most of our yarns and now all 100% cottons are on clearance for 50% OFF!! This is a great deal on Rowan Glace, Queensland Pima Fresca, Bliss Pure Cotton, Clssic Elite Sprout. We arent discountinuing these yarns - I just need more room!

You can also check out what’s happening at Stitch House by following us on Twitter. Sign up to receive our Tweets (see how good I’m getting at the techie stuff?!) - we’re @StitchHouse and would love to get some followers… I know that was not the right way to say it but if you are on Twitter you know what to do!

Classes starting in the next few days include:

Please note that the Intro to Sewing that was starting tonight has been pushed to NEXT Thursday, September 10th due to low enrollment (that means there is still room!).

Knitting 101/ Intro to Knitting - If you have no knitting experience, or have tried a few times but quit because that scarf was just taking too darn long and you got bored, then this is the class for you! This class will teach you the basics, and together we will create something small, manageable and fabulous. Not only will you leave with a finished project, but you’ll have the motivation and the tools to keep knitting! Offered Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22 29 from 6-8 OR Saturdays 11am-1pm (ongoing start, not offered Aug 8). Classes are $75 (not including materials) for 4 weeks. Join Claire or Katie for this great class!

Cables Untangled! This 4 week series will help you do more with your talents. You know you can do it - now accept this challenge. Using the book “Cables Untangled” you will select and knit a beautiful project involving as many cables as you would like. Participants should be confident in their ability to knit and read complex patterns. Learn the best way to cast on or rib based on your project, or even how to get away with the least amount of seaming when finishing. Starts Tuesday, September 15 for 4 weeks from 6-8pm and costs $75 not inclusive of materials.

Introduction to Sewing - “Learn to Dress Yourself” This four week class will give you experience in the basics of sewing so that you will have the knowledge and confidence to undertake projects on your own. You will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns and make minor pattern alterations for a better fit. In addition you will learn clothing construction fundamentals such as seams, darts, waistbands, zippers, buttonholes and hem techniques. Students are also welcome to sew a Butler bag or garment or simple patchwork quilt in this series. This class will be offered on Thursdays, Sept 10, 17, 22, 29. (Tuesday start is FULL) 6-8 pm and cost $75, not inclusive of materials.

Saturday Sew Intensive for Beginners and New Sewers - So you want to learn to sew or continue developing your skills? Pick your own project and get started. You will learn how to read and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns and make minor pattern alterations for a better fit. We start sewing the first week so come with a pattern and fabric ready to go. This class costs $75 (does not include materials) and will be taught by Casey 2 Saturdays September 12 & 19 from 10:30-2:30 (light lunch provided).

Last but not least, for this week anyway, sign up for your birthday or girls night outs NOW. We starting to get requests to save dates and if you want to celebrate with us - call or email to reserve!

Phew! Make a not of all that’s going on at Stitch House and forward it to your friends!

Thank you,

Annissa

Pick a Noni Bag Design Workshop!

Join Nora Bellows at Stitch House for a weekend of knitting, felting & embellishing!
Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8 2009 10-4pm

In the weeks leading up to this Weekend Workshop, participants will be welcome to attend free knit nights to select their Noni Design and begin their project.

Beginners are welcome to learn to knit! This Weekend Workshop costs $150 and includes morning refreshments and light lunch.
Materials are not included.

Nora Bellows was taught to knit by her mom when she was 12 but did not discover the world of felted bags until 2000. Her first bag was made from a simple pattern, but she immediately began to innovate. Soon, her unusual creations attracted the attention of customers in the Baltimore knit shop where she worked to support her knitting habit. She began making bags exclusively for sale in a very few small boutiques around the East Coast.  In 2004, she moved (for love!) to Texas, where interest in her bags came more from other knitters than those seeking to purchase them. During the Fall/Winter 2005 season she founded Noni Designs and launched a line of eight fashionable, innovative bag and embellishment patterns that are as beautiful as the designs they feature. Since that time, Noni Designs has gown into a fabulous brand known to knitters throughout the United States. Join her for her first visit to Boston and Dorchester’s Stitch House! For more information check out her site www.nonipatterns.com

Sign up soon – Space is Limited to 15 participants.

Can you believe will be 2 years? We’re celebrating on Sunday, September 20, 11AM - 2PM. Please view our official invitation.

Hope to see you then!