Remnant Rush this Friday & Saturday!

Hello Everyone!

It's been positively delightful to see some of your faces in the shop over the first full week that A Fashionable Stitch has been in business. Thank you so much for your continued support. It means the world to us! Many of you have asked what changes are in store for A Fashionable Stitch (formally Yellow Bird Fabrics) and while many things will remain the same, we have a few exciting new ideas and such in store for you. One of the first is Remnant Rush. I made mention of this in my last post. We're going to try this out as a monthly event, but it may evolve over time to something a little different. So bear with us as we try out new things with you!

This Friday and Saturday we're going to hold Remnant Rush - December 13 & 14. The idea behind Remnant Rush is that we're excited to get fabrics moving through A Fashionable Stitch so that the turnover is high and when you come into the shop each month, we've got new fabrics and supplies and more in season items too. To facilitate this, Remnant Rush is all about giving you a great deal on fabrics that we've picked to get moved out of the shop. There are several this time around. Additionally, these aren't just 1/2 yard pieces. No, these are good sized remnants. Each are at least 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 yards long. Smaller remnants are bundled up into a bite sized packages just in case you're hungry for some trimmed up little somethings. The remnants include a selection of wools, silks and cottons. Add to this that your entire purchase for the day - full-priced items included, special orders excluded - will be 10% off and I think you'll agree that this is a sale not to be missed! Yay!

And....we've got a few small specials to tell you about too! We have some pretty lovely Holiday Wrapping Ribbons in stock right now. We've packaged them up for you in coordinating colors and styles and each package comes with 9 yards of ribbon (3 yards of each color and style). These are going fast, so definitely hurry in for yours! New notions are here! Don't you need a little daisy beeswax round? Silk pins anyone? Buttonhole cutters? Clappers or Tailoring Boards? They're here and ready to fill some Christmas stockings too. Gift Certificates are here too! Who wouldn't want to receive one of these lovelies this season?

So again, hop on into the shop for Remnant Rush - this Friday and Saturday, December 13 & 14.

New Beginnings

Hello Everybody! I'm so excited to be taking over at what was formally Yellow Bird Fabrics. Again, if you missed the last two posts about the shop change, you can read about them here. Just as people are different, I will also be implementing some new changes at A Fashionable Stitch. So let's dive right in shall we?

First of all, there's a name change. We are now A Fashionable Stitch. We still carry the same great quality fabric, just a different name and new ownership.

Secondly, we are going to be making the transition to A Fashionable Stitch blog. What does this mean for you? It means that you might need to update your feed reader or email subscription to reflect the new change. Don't want to miss a post? Definitely subscribe to the Fashionable Stitch blog. For those of you signed up for the newsletter - no worries. You'll still be getting newsletters from us, we're just under a new name.

What if you've got a gift certificate from Yellow Bird Fabrics? Its still good at A Fashionable Stitch. Come in and do a little holiday shopping! And now we have our own gift certificates too. Hip Hip Hooray!

As of December 1st 2013, A Fashionable Stitch no longer accepts personal checks. However, we now accept American Express, where we didn't before. So you can now pay by either cash or credit card.

We have new shop hours. We are now open from 10am - 5pm, Monday thru Saturday. Closed Sundays.

There are no more ongoing discounts for local dressmakers, alterers, businesses, schools, friends, family, etc. College students, who show their student ID at the time of purchase, can receive a 20% discount off of full-priced items in the store. Discounted and sale items excluded.

To make up for this new/latest policy, we're going to be implementing a new system at the shop. Every month, we'll be having a Remnant Rush event where we'll be going through all the fabrics in the shop and filtering large remnant pieces into the sale area. Some bolts of fabric where we have 2 or less yards of fabric remaining will be filtered into the sale area and reduced to 40% off. This will happen on the last Friday and Saturday of every month, unless otherwise stated (just in case these days fall on holidays or for any other reason). We'll always carry a remnant/sale section in the shop, but on these particular days we'll be moving much more into that section than any other time of the month. This will be a great time to come in and also receive 10% off your total sale for those two days. It will be sensational, so make sure you come in early on the last Friday of the month and snag yourself some fabric treats. Please note that this offer is only good on merchandise in the shop. Special orders excluded. Remnant Rush sale can not be combined with any other discount. Want to stay updated on the sales? Definitely subscribe to the newsletter where all local fabric shop groupies are in the know.

You can now shop for a few things online. Everything that is online is also in store (though everything in the store is not all online). We've got a pretty amazing line-up of notions, supplies and tools in the online shop. This way, you can shop from the comfort of your pj's. Spiffy eh?

Now, I'm sure that I've forgotten a lot of stuff here, but we'll keep you updated as things come up. We have many many things planned! Make sure you join in on the excitement at A Fashionable Stitch! Stop into the shop too where we've made several changes and well, we even have new fabrics and notions. Yay!

Changing Hands

Amy Royer started Yellow Bird Fabrics almost 5 years ago. She has seen it grow and flourish into a dream come true. Her vision is shared by all of us, I think. She wanted to continue on with Fashion Affair's legacy and bring fine apparel fabrics to Salt Lake City. She's done that and so much more. She's created a marvelous environment in which a fashion sewer can truly come and be inspired. Not only inspired but can also purchase fabrics that are hard to find elsewhere. As many customers have stated, time and time again, there is nothing like being able to purchase fine fabric in person. Getting a feel for the fabric, the exact color and texture and the hand are all important details of purchasing the right textile for the right garment and Amy's kept these in abundance.

I remember the very first time I stepped foot into Yellow Bird Fabrics. It was in their old location, 2828 E. 3300 S. Sure it was tiny, but it was jam packed with the most glorious fabrics. I had seen nothing like it! Beautiful wools, silks and cottons. So much color, so much variety and choice. It was marvelous. I spotted hair canvas on my first trip there and nearly fainted. For me, it was heaven to actually be able to buy the fabrics locally that I needed. I remember popping into the shop nearly every week to see what was new and was never disappointed and rarely left empty handed. I loved it. And I still do.

Amy's legacy and footsteps will be a hard act to follow. She's a wonderful friend, sewing advocate and instructor. She's moving on to fulfill new roles in life and as luck would have it, she has generously bequeathed her legacy onto me. So here goes:

I'm Sunni Standing. I've been teaching the classes here at Yellow Bird for a little over a year now and I love it, what can I say. I own my own small business where I sell specialty dressmaking and tailoring notions and supplies online. I am the writer behind the blog A Fashionable Stitch and that, friends, is where we're headed. A Fashionable Stitch is now officially open for business in the brick and mortar that was formally Yellow Bird Fabrics. I can't tell you how excited I am. I can't even begin to elaborate on how I'm just a little bit nervous and jittery, but the excitement outweighs these feelings by a landslide. I hope you'll join me in continuing on Amy's vision. Let's stash the world in natural fibers! Yay!

Closed for the Holiday!

Hi Everyone! Sorry to be posting this at such a late date, but it's been a little crazy around here! Yellow Bird Fabrics will be closed for Thanksgiving. Also, as we transition ownership, we will remain closed for November 29 & 30. Thanks so much for your patience!

Come visit us Monday December 2, when we'll officially be opening our doors as A Fashionable Stitch. Happy Thanksgiving all!

A Season of Change and Thanksgiving

I am grateful for the last 4 1/2 years of my life and the opportunity to have owned Yellow Bird Fabrics.

I am grateful to all of my customers. Many of you have become great friends. You have inspired me and supported me and for that I cannot thank you enough.

To all of my co-workers throughout the years, Leena, Amber, Sunni, Elizabeth, Sheridan and Melia, you have all become my best friends. I have relied on you and you have never let me down. You have made this little fabric store dream a reality and I am forever in your debt.

I am thankful for a supportive family, parents and a husband that have helped me through it all. I am grateful for my son and a new baby that is on its way.

With all of this gratitude, I will admit, there is a little sadness. I have to leave this shop that we have built and grown to love so much behind.

But don't worry, you will not be losing a fabric store. You will be gaining a great friend. Sunni Standing, is taking over the business. You probably already know her, she has been teaching classes and working at the shop for a couple of years now. She is an incredibly talented seamstress and one of the kindest people I know. I feel very comfortable leaving the shop in her hands. I know she will continually grow the business in ways that I never could.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for loving Yellow Bird almost as much as I do. I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

New Bridal Lace

Corded lace 54' wide $49.95

 Corded lace 54' wide $49.95

 Corded lace 54' wide $39.95

Holiday Arrivals

Velvet 45" wide $18.95

 Silk dupioni 45" wide $19.95

Bazaar Recap

Everyone who came out to the Bazaar, Thank You so much! We had a great time! There was fabric, sewing patterns, notions, fabric scraps, a rice crispie treat here and there, music! Yay! For those of you who didn't come, you missed a great time. But don't fret, because we will definitely be having another one. This was the sort of thing that we'll be doing again and again.

 

 

 

Many of you that came - and several of you that were unable to - gave some great suggestions for our next Bazaar. Thank you! We'll definitely do a few things differently for next time and we'll post suggestions and ideas for how to use up the stash or get rid of it and we'll also give you good and proper forewarning of the next Bazaar. Thanks a bunch ladies!

I for one came home with some fabric - bad Sunni, BAD! Funny thing is, I took some purple fabric to donate to the Bazaar and look, I came home with two pieces of purple. I must have a thing for purple right now. Ha. What did you all score?

New Silk Dupioni and Shantung

Perfect colors for the fall! 

54" wide $24.95-$29.95 per yard

Tomorrow!! Please come!

Hey everyone! It's here! Tomorrow is the day for our Bazaar! Please come - we really really want everyone to come, socialize, have a good time and swap some sewing stuff.

Where: Yellow Bird Fabrics basement

When: Saturday November 2, 11am - 1pm

What: bring your overflowing sewing patterns, fabric and notions to swap or donate to swap

Why: because its time to clean it all out, dontcha think? And why not give it to someone who will use it?

Who: Anyone can come! All are invited!

November Class Schedule

The Pencil Skirt Workshop – this class entails 4 sessions, $200
Dates & Times: November 5, 12, 19 & 26 @ 5pm - 7pm
Skill Level: Intermediate
This is a series of four classes in which we’ll go from drafting a pencil skirt sloper made to your measurements, to drafting a stylish pencil skirt pattern, and finally constructing a truly fabulous skirt to last you for years to come.  This series will give you the skills required to make endless pencil skirts at home! Please note that these classes are fashioned for intermediate sewists.

Materials to purchase or bring from your stash: 2 yards muslin, 1 - 1.5 yards 60” wide fashion fabric or 2 yards 45” wide fashion fabric prewashed and ready to cut; matching thread; 2 yards lining; matching 14 “– 16”invisible or traditional zipper. It’s highly recommended that you bring your own sewing machine for this class. Rare materials will be on hand to purchase if needed.

 How to Fit Sewing Patterns – this class entails 3 sessions, $150 

Class Dates & Times: November 6, 13 & 20 @ 5pm – 7pm

Skill Level:Advanced Beginner – Intermediate

This class is an extension of the popular Demystifying Fit class! In this class we'll cover a big discussion about fitting and how to go about doing it. We'll cover the entire process from measuring your body to picking your pattern size. We'll be mocking up muslins and determine what is good fit and what is bad fit. In addition, we'll cover how to make fitting alterations to your pattern, what works and what doesn't and how to go about getting the best information on fitting. We will not be sewing the finished garment in this class.

Materials to bring: Vogue 8766 - please note that this is the pattern that will be used in the class, exceptions will be made for those who don't fit the size range, but prior approval is required. Keep in mind that you will be slashing and cutting up your pattern, so if you want to preserve sizes, you will need to come with the pattern traced off beforehand. Muslin will be available to purchase from Yellow Bird Fabrics. Additional materials will be available for use.

Copy Your Favorite Garment – 1 class session, $50
Class Dates & Times: November 7 @ 5pm – 7pm (note this class is being offered twice this month)

Skill Level:Intermediate

Do you have clothing in your closet that fits you perfectly? Are you dying to have 20 of that same garment because you love the fit or style? This class is all about how to do what’s referred to as a “rub-off” – taking a pre-existing garment and creating a paper pattern from it, all without harming the original garment. In this lecture style class you’ll learn techniques for how to create a paper pattern from your favorite garment.  We’ll discuss construction order, how to add in elements like darts and gathers and ideas for creating different garments from one pattern. Please note that this class is geared towards intermediate sewists and is not for beginners!

Materials to bring:A notebook for taking notes.

Get to Know Your Serger - 1 class session, $50

Class Dates & Times: November 21 @ 5pm - 7pm

Skill Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Has your serger come unthreaded and you're terrified to try to rethread it? This class is all about sewing with your serger. We'll cover how to thread your serger, how and when to use it to finish your seams, the types of needles you need and how to change them, threads, differential feed and serger tension. Take the fear out of your serging!

Materials to bring: Your serger and if possible, your serger machine manual, your own serger cone threads. Please note that this class will not cover the capabilities of a coverstitch combo machine, but will cover your serger capabilities.

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Interested in taking any of these classes? Be sure to contact any of us at Yellow Bird Fabrics. We are available by phone, email or pop into the shop. Please note that all students receive a 20% discount off total purchase for anything in the shop the day of the class. Class fee excluded.

Yellow Bird Fabrics Bazaar!

Hello, Hello Everyone! We here at Yellow Bird Fabrics have decided to host a Bazaar or Swap, if you will (doesn't Bazaar have much more penchant to it?). Here's the skinny on how its going to work.

Where: Yellow Bird Fabrics basement

When: Saturday November 2, 11am - 1pm

What: bring your overflowing sewing patterns, fabric and notions to swap or donate to swap

Why: because its time to clean it all out, dontcha think? And why not give it to someone who will use it?

Who: Anyone can come! All are invited!

The Bazaar will be held in conjunction with store hours so that, not only can you come, drop sewing stuff off that you don't want anymore and pick up a few swapped items that you do want, but you can also shop for fabric for that new (to you) sewing pattern you might have just scored. You can also meet people, which is always fun! Yay! Light refreshments will be served! Hip Hip Hooray!

Additionally, the items that you bring to the Bazaar, if not snatched up by another, will be donated for you (isn't that nice???) to the Assistance League Thrift on 33rd. Please come! Even if you don't have anything to swap, come anyway and you might find some new jewels to add to your queue of sewing projects. No cover charge, just free swapping or should we say bazaaring! Note that this event will be free swapping between fellow sewer's destash - we are not swapping merchandise from the shop. And again, free swapping! We are not going to charge to have you come and swap, you don't need to bring anything to swap if you don't have anything but if you do, Yay! Additionally, all swap sewing destash will be free - just know that beforehand.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Bring friends! Let's do this!

Maxi Skirt Love

Many ladies have come into the shop and asked about how to go about making a maxi skirt - the on trend knit maxi's of the moment - so I thought I would do a few posts and tutorials on this subject. A maxi skirt, just to set the record straight, is basically any full-length skirt. These were quite popular in the 70s when they would be seen sported with some wicked platforms. A maxi can be made out of any fabric, not just knit. I'll be focusing on tutorials for knitwear, but I may consider doing some for wovens too (we'll see what you think). Today I thought I would just share some ideas and inspiration with you to get you thinking about and pining for a maxi. This is such an easy garment to make, wear and manipulate that its a suitable project even for a beginner. In fact, wonderfully suitable for a beginner. Still a satisfying sew for an intermediate or advanced sewer too. Alright, here we go!

I usually start with vintage sewing patterns via Etsy when I'm in the mood for inspiration. I have a soft spot for the 70s and since this is what I think of when I think of maxi skirts I thought it only appropriate to share some fun ones here. I'm loving the one on the right with the yoke - pretty cute right?

I'm loving the swirly/70s boho chic look here on the left and being a hick from the sticks myself, I have a love for all things country, so the one on the right totally fits with something I could see myself wearing. I love that check!!!

When thinking about maxi's, I especially love the floaty, flowy aspect and these two skirts definitely fit that idea. So pretty. Kind of ethereal.

These knit maxi's are also lovely. The one on the left looks incredibly comfortable and the one on the right makes use of the bias with those pretty fab stripes. Easy, fall, cosy.

You can find all the links to these photos on my pinterest board, especially for maxi's. What do you think about maxi skirts? Have you thought about making one this fall?

 This week was full of fun goings on at the shop! Thanks so to everyone who came out to get their scissors sharpened. Also a big thank you to everyone who came to the free class! I really really hope that you enjoyed yourself and that you learned some new things and approaches to fitting. We're going to try and start doing some favorite link round-ups every week or so. This just keeps you abreast of things in the online community as well as tying back into things that are talked about in the classes here at Yellow Bird.


For those of you interested, I (Sunni) am running a Fitting Series on my blog. You can find all the posts so far here.

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A wonderful post on Blanket Stitches! Aren't these glorious? What a wonderful idea for sitting down on a cold evening and doing some handwork.

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This post by Sallieoh is simply a revelation to those interested in getting their hands into dying fabric. Not to mention we have wonderful fabrics with which to dye in the shop.

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An oldie but a goodie, my favorite, absolute favorite method for putting in a fly front zipper.

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In Wednesday's free class, I talked about becoming a member Pattern Review. If you're not familiar with this site, know that its free to become a member and there is tons and tons of useful reviews of thousands of sewing patterns from sewers like you and me. Not to mention you can start adding your own. Plus there's online classes you can sign up for and they have lots of sewing patterns and several sales too.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Closed for Construction

Some of you may have noticed that there has been a lot of construction on 3300 South, right out side of our shop. To add to the chaos, there will be construction to the west of our building and possibly in our building tomorrow so I have decided to close the shop tomorrow, 10/10/13. We will re-open on Friday with our regular business hours, 11am-5pm. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for your patience.

Fall Shipment has arrived

Silk crepe de chine 54" wide $29.95

 Silk crepe de chine 54" wide $29.95

 Silk suiting 60" wide $32.95

 Wool coating 60" wide $24.95

 Wool crepe 60" wide $24.95

 Cotton/poly ikat reversable double cloth 54" wide $17.95

 Cotton/lycra border print 60" wide $11.95

 Cotton/lycra sateen 54" wide $9.95

 Cotton florals 45" wide $9.95

 Cotton dots 45" wide $9.95

 Heirloom cottons; Batiste 45" wide $14.95, Embroidered dot 45" wide $14.95, Swiss dot 60" wide $12.95

 Striped cotton shirtings 45" wide $9.95

 Solid cotton shirtings 60" wide $9.95

 Pinpoint oxford shirtings 60" wide $11.95

 Ponte de Roma knits 60" wide $9.95