Better Know A Fancy Tigress: Nathalie Hall

You might recognize Nathalie as one of the tigers of Fancy Tiger Crafts. She is a real crafty lady who makes all kinds of things--she sews, knits, embroiders, quilts--and she just whipped up this cute Clara Dress from Sew Liberated. Nice work Nathalie!

Nathalie Hall

Tell us about why you are crafty?

I am a social worker who crafts for my sanity. In the past I have done a lot of papercrafts and jewelry-making, but I'm currently mostly knitting because it's so portable.

Tell us about your dress. 
This is the Clara dress pattern from Sew Liberated. I really wanted to make a retro-feel dress and this fabric seemed perfect. The geometric buttons are fun, too!

How did you learn to sew?

My parents and my grandma are very creative people who love making things from scratch. My mom taught me to sew when I was really young, and then gave me a knitting book when I was 8. I never looked back.

What is your favorite animal?

Elephants--they are both strong and gentle, and they have really strong family groups.

Thanks Nathalie! Happy crafting!

Jaime's Esme Top

 

There are so many new sewing patterns being released right now, we are in a sewing frenzy over here in Fancyland. The new Sew Liberated patterns are all adorable, but you know how I feel about tops to wear with jeans. Irresistible. I made this top in 3 hours - it was so quick!

My friend Caitlin recently came in with a Tova top made out of this Anna Maria Horner voile and I loved it so much I decided to make my own shirt out of it. The weight and drape of the voile and rayon challis fabrics are perfect for this top. The Esme has an easy fit and the buttoned yoke adds an adorable touch. If you love the Schoolhouse Tunic or Tova top, try out the Esme - it will be your new go-to top pattern!

New Patterns from Sew Liberated!

Four new patterns are here from the darling Meg McElwee of Sew Liberated! We want to make them all--in fact we've already found some perfect fabrics from which to make these lovely frocks.

The Esme Top, oh, I want to make this right away! This cute feminine and classic top is so versatile, I think I could wear one every day...

Finally, jeans! Everyone needs jeans!

The Clara Dress, with its delicate collar and sleeve details is a perfect prairie-style dress for lovely ladies. We love the Nani Iro floral for this pretty dress! 

You would look smashing serving up anything from a pot roast to a pie in a sweet and classic Gathering Apron.

We hope you are inspired to sew with so many cute things to choose from. We sure are!

Better Know A Crafter: Calarri Cox

Calarri dropped by the store and was looking quite snazzy in a totally handmade ensemble! We are inspired by her Aurelia Cardigan which she made with soft organic jersey and a Joel Dewberry print--we will certainly be adding this Sew Liberated pattern to our must-sew for spring list.

Calarri Cox

 
Tell us about your crafty self.
I am a high school teacher. I love to be creative and make beautiful and fun things for my family. I like to make clothing for my daughter and myself.

Tell us about the handmade-ness you are wearing.
I made the Barcelona Skirt by Amy Butler with a few embellishments and the Aurelia Cardigan by Sew Liberated. I sew on my Bernina and I love it. I used an embroidery pattern from the book, Sublime Stitching: Embroidered Effects for the peacocks.

How did you learn to sew?
My grandmothers both sew (one professionally) and I learned what I know from my mother.

What is your favorite animal?
Dogs who like to cuddle.

Thanks Calarri! Happy stitchin'!

New Spring 2011 Books! Craft your heart out!

Spring means rain, gardening, radishes and new books! We have tons of new books in the store to teach and inspire you. Here are some of our favorites this Spring...

There are two amazing quilt books that make me so excited for quilting! My favorite is The Modern Quilting Bee Block Party by Alissa Haight Carlton and Kristen Lejnieks. Alissa Haight Carlton is a founding member of the Modern Quilt Guild and this new book is a perfect example of what the Modern Quilt Guild is all about - stunning modern designs. I want to make every single quilt in here...

Also new and exciting is the Modern Log Cabin Quilting by Susan Beal. This book has lots of amazing projects using the easy and versatile log cabin design. You will love it!

We love Meg McElwee! She is the woman behind the Sew Liberated patterns and her first book Sew Liberated contains tons of awesome patterns. Meg's newest book, Growing Up Sew Liberated is one of the most adorable kids sewing books of all time. This book has everything from tee-pees to toys to clothes to baby slings. My favorite though, is the Reversible Hooded Play Cape - it's sure to make all magical dreams come true!

Harvesting Color is a new natural dyeing book that we love! It is awesome because it teaches you how to harvest your own natural dye plants and materials so you don't have to rely on purchasing natural dyes that are often coming from far away places. Now you can dye yarns with plants from your backyard using this colorful and environmentally conscious book. Author Rebecca Burgess even teaches you how to make your own mordant from rusty objects.

Vintage Modern Knits is a new book from Interweave that features vintage inspired patterns, updated for modern fit and yarns. We love that it includes a pattern for a traditional and olde-fashioned Gansey!

Just in case you missed it - Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A is hands down the most exciting sock book to be released in many months. It still has us knitting and dreaming of socks all day long!

Spud and Chloe at the Farm is an adorable picture book style story featuring patterns by designer Susan B. Anderson for all your favorite farm dwellers.

So...we don't really have supplies for terrariums (check out our new neighbor Ironwood for that!), but we couldn't resist this beautiful and informative new book on building your own terrarium. This includes information about different plants and habitats and crafting terrariums from found household objects!

Better Know A Crafter: Karen Sobel

Karen is a multi-talented crafter. An amazing seamstress and knitter, she came in recently wearing two of our very favorite patterns--the Schoolhouse Tunic by Sew Liberated and the Daybreak Shawl by Stephen West. We, of course, love them both and thinks she looks adorable sporting them together!

Karen Sobel

1) Tell us about your crafty self.

I'm a librarian for CU-Denver. I started knitting for stress releif during grad school and fell in love. My favorite thing about knitting is giving gifts and seeing people enjoy them. I am learning to sew.

2) Tell us about your outfit.
This is the Schoolhouse Tunic; I loved the big print fabric. They just seemed to fit together. You can also see my first Daybreak shawl, which turned out a little funky but is so soft.

3) How did you learn your skills?
My grandmother taught me knitting and crocheting skills and my mom taught me some sewing skills when I was a teenager. They've both passed away, but I feel they'd both be happy that I picked up their crafts. It makes me feel close to them.

4) What is your favorite animal?
Giraffes! Long story.

Thanks Karen! Happy crafting!

Tunic Time!

Or should we say Tunic Thyme! Jaime and I just went to Moondance Botanicals to photograph some of the cute tunic tops we've been sewing up lately. Our favorite herbalist, Tonja, runs this cute little apothecary. She served us some delicious herbal elixirs while we browsed the fragrant herbs and her handcrafted skincare products.

Here is our new Springtime Tunic, one of the classes on our Spring schedule. It is so quick and easy to sew--a really great first top for the beginner sewer!


And here are Jaime and I showing off our Schoolhouse Tunics. This is a quick and easy pattern by Sew Liberated. I love this 3/4 length sleeve top for cool spring days. I got crazy with mine and used two different fabrics and added some contrasting buttons and button loops. Different lengths can make it a dress, tunic or shirt.

With all the cute fabrics we have in stock right now, its time to get sewing and make yourself a tunic! We have lots of cute patterns and classes so there can be tunics for all!

First Friday! Sew Liberated Trunk Show & Fabric Sale!

Come by Fancy Tiger Crafts tomorrow night, Friday, February 5th from 7 - 9pm, to see samples from the Meg McElwee's new Sew Liberated book!

We will be displaying many cute projects from the book, serving up treats and libations and opening the new Fancy Tiger Sewing Annex for all to see.


Also, take advantage of 10% off ALL our cute fabrics! See you soon!

Better Know A Crafter: Joan Walker

Joan came in to the store and was inspired by our cute new Megumi Sakakibara fabric. Can it get any more adorable than hand-drawn kittens playing in the garden? We loved Joan's idea of sewing up a Schoolhouse Tunic in this lovely linen fabric. She's a mighty speedy seamstress--she came in a short time later wearing her adorable tunic!

Joan Walker

What types of crafts do you do?

I am a seamstress, quilter, potter, living the dream, textile lover.

Tell us about your tunic.
I used a Japanese fabric and the Schoolhouse Tunic sewing pattern by Sew Liberated. I used my Bernina 1230 sewing machine that I love.

How did you learn to sew?
Granny Hornby from England taught me to sew. I still have her handmade cutting table.

What is your favorite animal?
My Welsh Corgi, O.D.

Thanks Joan! Happy sewing!