New! Bamboo Crochet Hook and Knitting Needle Box Sets!

Bamboo knitting needle and crochet hook box sets have arrived! They are smooth and lovely and they come in a beautiful bamboo box to keep them neat and organized. If you are one of the lucky folks who received one of our gift certificates this might be what you need to treat yourself with!

The bamboo crochet box includes 9 bamboo hooks in sizes from 4mm (G) to 11.5mm (P).


The bamboo knitting needle box includes 7 pairs of 9" straight needles, sizes US 6-11 (4-8mm).

Happy Holidays!

Much love from all of us at Fancy Tiger Crafts!

Holiday Project: Felted Acorn & Fabric Giftwrap!

These little felted acorn ornaments are a great way to adorn your holiday gifts! We wrapped our gifts in darling Hope Valley prints by Denyse Schmidt, but this project is a fabulous way to use up fabric scraps from sewing projects past. The eco-friendly wrapping is re-usable and oh so easy! It doesn't even matter what's inside because your gift will be the most adorable and coveted item under the tree.


Here is how we made our felted acorn ornaments:

1. Take a pinch of wool roving about 3" long (we have over 120 colors here at the shop to choose from).
2. Roll the roving in your hands first and then dip the loose, woolly ball into a bowl of hot, soapy water (we just use dish soap).
   
3. Now roll the wet ball over and over in your hands until it is nice and felted (this may take a few minutes so be patient.) You can alternate dipping your ball into cold water and the hot soapy water to speed up the felting process.
   
4. Once your ball looks nice, rinse it in cold water and set onto a towel to dry.
   
5. When your felted ball is dry, simply hot glue a real acorn top to it. You can collect all different types of acorn tops for different sized balls. We tied a piece of yarn around the top of the acorn to hang.
   

This project is great for kids ages 3 and up. No time to felt? We also sell felted wool balls already made up in our spinning and felting room!

Have fun and Happy Holidays!

New! Megumi Sakakibara Prints!

We are in love with Megumi Sakakibara's fabrics! Simple line drawings of adorable creatures of all kinds are printed in soft hues on linens and cottons.


This adorable little girl is printed on a very large scale, measuring 11.5" from head to toe.



Cute!

Better Know A Crafter: Jessica Storey

Jessica came into the store with the most adorable apron--and totally amazed us with the fact that she created her own pattern from a vintage apron. Nice work, Jessica!

Jessica Storey

What makes you want to be crafty?
I am a stay at home mom to my 3 little muses. I craft because I like to make things that are cute for my kids. I like to make things just to see if I can do it--mostly embroidery, needlefelting, quiet books and knitting.

Tell us about your apron.
My friend Heather and I were looking for cute aprons that didn't cost a fortune. She found one in an antique store that we completely tore apart to use for our pattern. We used material from Fancy Tiger and scrap bias tape and ric-rac from home.


How did you start sewing?
I began crafting after I had kids. When they were first born I was so bored, I just needed something to do. I just started doing stuff.

What is your favorite animal?
A dragonfly, but that is more of an insect, I guess.

Thanks Jessica! Happy crafting!

New! Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley Fabric

Our favorite modern quilter, Denyse Schmidt, has a new collection of fabrics out! We are in love with the palette and the adorable vintage-meets-modern prints. They will inspire you to make not only quilts--we see retro blouses, patchwork pillows and simple cloth napkins.


Click on the above image to see the fabrics!

Crafty Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers!

Welcome to the crafty gift guide, part 3--here are some stocking stuffer ideas for the crafty folks in your life!

Brand new in the store and exclusive to Fancy Tiger (because we make it right here!) is our Penguin Ornament Needlefelting Kit. Our needlefelting kits have everything you need to learn the craft of needlefelting and are a great way to keep kids and adults busy on Christmas morning.

Sashiko kits are a great way to learn the traditional Japanese sashiko embroidery known for it's simple and pretty geometric stitching. Make a pillow or an elegant table linen.


We are in love with handcrafted wooden buttons! We have them in all shapes and sizes. What a cute addition to a sewing or knitting project!

Sewers and embroiderers will love a colorful and functional Jelly thimble for protecting their nimble fingers. Pair them with super sharp Gingher thread snips, the epitome of German craftsmanship.


French General Layer Cakes and Charm Packs are pre-cut and ready for a patchwork project. They include 42 different prints--an entire collection--so each fabric piece is different. A great gift for sewers or quilters.

We love Handmade Nation. This documentary takes a look at the amazing craft movement and features some amazing and inspiring handcrafters. This DVD is the perfect gift for any modern crafter!

For the fiber enthusiast, Wild Fibers magazine will take you around the world on a journey of fiber fun. Spinners, weavers, felters, knitters and crocheters can learn all about different fiber animals, cottage industry production, and more!

Your stockings will be stuffed to the cuffs with inspiring and functional crafty-ness.

Crafty Gift Guide: For the Craft Sewer!

Welcome to the crafty gift guide, part 2--here are some great gift ideas for the special seamsters in your life!


Some new and irresistible sewing books are on the shelves! One Yard Wonders is a great book full of projects small enough to make with just a yard of fabric. With projects that are simple and quick, it's a great book for even beginner sewers. You've recently heard me gush here about Ruth Singer's The Sewing Bible. It is an amazing sewing reference book. We've been anxiously awaiting the new Sew Liberated book and it is finally here! This book has some super adorable projects in it that we can't wait to make.


Gingher Tailor Shears are truly a sewers best friend. Hand crafted from high carbon steel, cutting fabric with them is like a dream come true. We have tons of cute notions and supplies that are perfect stocking stuffers, like the classic tomato pincushion, fat quarter bundles in cute prints, pattern weights, mini sewing card patterns and lots more fun little things!


French General's Sewing Tote is ready for keeping sewing projects neat and organized. Inside you'll find little screenprinted pockets for your scissors, sewing thread and bits and bobs.


Sewing patterns galore! We have independent sewing patterns for everyone--patterns for garments, bags, kids, and home by your favorite designers like Amy Butler, Sew Liberated, Anna Maria Horner, Colette, Heather Bailey, Echino, Melly & Me, Portobellopixie, Oliver & S, Grand Revival, Valori Wells, Mod Kid and more!


More ideas to come!

Crafty Gift Guide: For the Crafty Knitter!

Welcome to the Fancy Tiger Crafts Holiday Gift Guide! It's time to get a little something special for the crafty folks in your life, so all week we will feature some of our favorite things--some of the coveted craft supplies in the store that we dream about every day.

Today is all about the knitters!


Fancy Tiger Project Bags are great for the knitter on the go. Made from some of the cute fabrics that we carry on the sewing side of the store, they are ready to keep a work in progress tidy and portable. Clip it to a belt loop and a very coordinated knitter can even work on their project while on their morning walk. Just make sure to look both ways before crossing the street.

Fancy Tiger Wool Wash is made in small batches right here in Denver by our favorite herbalist, Tonja Reichley of Moondance Botanicals. Our wool wash is made with all natural ingredients and essential oils and is gentle enough for the most delicate handknits. Fancy Blend is sweet and floral, with essential oils of lavender, sweet orange and tea tree. Tiger Blend is spicy and citrusy, with essential oils of coriander, ylang ylang, amyris and lemon.

Letterpress gift tags with sheep and yarn are an adorable addition to your gift!

The Addi Clicks interchangeable needle set is perhaps the knitter's most wanted item in the store. Smooth and reliable joins, flexible cords and the classic sleek Addi Turbo needles make this the hottest interchangeable set around.


Made exclusively for Fancy Tiger Crafts, these hand forged copper penannulars are made from reclaimed copper wire. It makes a simple and beautiful pin for a hand knit shawl. The penannular, also known as a cloak pin or kilt pin, is one of history's oldest fastening devices!

Wagtail Mohair is one of our most special yarns. The mohair comes from a single herd of angora goats on a family-run farm in Queensland, Australia. The mohair is sheared, washed, dyed, and spun into the most lustrous yarn we've ever seen by Kevin, Betty and Gaylene.

Check back soon for more gift ideas!

Holiday Handmade this Friday and Saturday!!

Fancy Tiger presents
Holiday Handmade Craft Fair
This Friday and Saturday!

Fancy Tiger is pleased present the 2nd Holiday Handmade alternative craft fair this weekend!

Friday, December 4th, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, December 5th, 10am-4pm

Holiday Handmade will feature 60 local crafters selling their wares. The perfect venue to support local crafters and buy handmade, you'll find everything from needlefelted ornaments, handbound journals, organic cat toys, handmade soaps, re-purposed skateboard jewelry, handspun yarn, felted scarves, and ceramics to name just a few of the amazing handmade products that will be offered.

Check out our website for a full list of vendors.
Holiday Handmade is located just one block east of Fancy Tiger Crafts at the South Broadway Church on the NW corner of Lincoln and Ellsworth.

The Denver Handmade Alliance is partnering with Fancy Tiger for this years Holiday Handmade. The first 50 lucky people through the door both Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th will receive a tote bag full of goodies from local designers brought to you by the Denver Handmade Alliance!

Better Know A Crafter: Katrina Marsh Sarlin

Katrina visited us recently from Virginia. She came to our Sewing Help Night and made this adorable tote bag. Nice work Katrina, come back and visit anytime!

Katrina Marsh Sarlin

What kinds of crafts do you do?
I'm a project/program manager and I've always enjoyed working with my hands. Knitting, crochet, baking, cake-decorating, cross-stitch, polymer clay, sewing and photography.

Tell us about your tote bag.
It's a simple tote made from fabric and Japanese bag handles from Fancy Tiger. I used a $1 pattern from Joann's. I looked at quite a few and then winged it with the fabric I bought. I used heavy thread for sewing through the laminated fabric in fun colors. I came to the Wednesday night Sewing Help Night to use the sewing machines as I am traveling.


How did you learn to sew?
When I was a little girl, my father's mom sewed--actually both of my grandmothers did. They made whatever they needed. My father's mom used to make us bookbags and silky pillowcases.

Thanks Katrina! Happy crafting!

New! Tons of Crafting Books for Everyone!

We have tons of great new books in right now--too many to count! Here are just a few of what's new on the Fancy Tiger bookshelf.

For Sewers The Sewing Bible is the reference book that every sewer, beginner or expert, will be asking Santa for this year. It is amazing, covering everything you need to know about machine sewing, handstitching, finishing techniques and embellishments, plus it includes 20 cute and modern projects.

We love the new Absolutely A-Line, with it's many variations on a classic a-line dress for girls. Simple enough for beginner sewers, these dresses can sew up in a flash!

Now, if you want to make your very own grown-up lady dress, this is the perfect book--Little Black Dress by dressmaker extraordinaire Simon Henry will guide you as you tailor-fit the perfect little black (or red or any color you choose, really) dress.

Carry Me is full of tons of sweet bag patterns. We love bags and we kind of want to make them all. And this book is full of good ones.


For Knitters The new book Fearless Knitting is the perfect book for moving beyond simple scarves and hats and for building confidence to take on more complicated patterns and projects.

Knitted Gifts is full of perfect little projects for giving to just about anyone. (That is anyone special enough to receive something handknit!)

For Crocheters Okay, I admit I like math nerds. And craft nerds. A lot. Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes is the perfect book for craft nerds who like math nerds, or math nerds who like craft nerds, or even better, craft nerds who are math nerds.

Amigurumi Book is full of a-absolutely-dorable crocheted toys. This is the real deal Japanese cuteness. And cute is where crochet really shines.

Better Know A Crafter: Nadia Bolz-Weber

Nadia is a super sweet lady. She sometimes brings us fresh eggs from her backyard hens. Also, she is a preacher. She just took our zippered pouch class and made us all giggle like teenagers when she made this totally awesome "man bag".

Nadia Bolz-Weber

1) What inspires you to be crafty?

Believe it or not, I'm an ordained Lutheran Pastor at House for All Sinners and Saints. I knit my way through seminary classes, that way if the lecture sucked, heck--at least I got part of a sock knit, so it wasn't a total loss.

2) Tell us about your project.
Fancy Tiger gals are doing their best to teach me to sew. This zippered tote was made in a Fancy Tiger class. I love the beefcake fabric. It's so...festive.


3) How did you learn to sew?
I'm still learning to sew. I swear this week I'm gonna try sewing at home without a helper. Pray for me.

4) What is your favorite animal?
I love gibbons, the small apes who sing duets every morning with their partners.

Thanks Nadia! Happy sewing!

Amber is Totally Handcrafted!

I came in to work today totally handcrafted from head to knee!

Handknit sweater? Check.
A-line skirt? Check.


I made my sweater from one of my favorite yarns, Peace Fleece Worsted Tweed, in the color Grass Roots. My a-line skirt is a Japanese print of scary/cute toys.

You, too, can sport this über-crafty look with our My Favorite Sweater class and A-line Skirt class!

Craftastic Weekend Project: Pony Pillows!

We thought we'd share this super simple weekend project--pillowcases! When this over-the-top unicorn/pony/pegasus fabric came in, we thought dreamy pillowcases would be the perfect project. Every 5 year old girl (and perhaps a few grown-up girls) will want these pillowcases in their soft pinks, purples and yellows.


If you need to make some for yourself or someone you know, here's how:
For each pillow you will need 5/8 yd each of two coordinating 44" wide fabrics.

1. Cut pieces: Leave fabric folded as you bought it and cut each piece from fold to selvedge so that they measure 20" by 44" (unfolded). Do this for both the main fabric and edge fabric. The edge fabric you will also cut along the fold so you have 2 squares, each 20" x 22".
2. Sew edging onto main pillow: Line one 20" side of edge fabric up with the selvedge of your main fabric right sides together and sew them together using a 1/2" seam allowance. Repeat with the other edge onto the other side of the pillow. Fold and press the opposite edge of the edge fabric in a 1/2" along the edge. Now fold your edge piece over so the folded edge lines up with the wrong side (inside) of the selvedge. Top stitch this on so that the edge piece of your pillow is folded over, thus making the final edge 20" long by 11" wide.
3. Seam pillow sides: Now turn your pillow inside out and line up the raw edges. Stitch these together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Serge or zigzag to finish. Repeat with other side.

Enjoy your adorable new pillowcases! Sweet dreams!

Better Know A Crafter: Angela Fortunato-Renstrom

Angela came to her very first Fancy Tiger Craft Night a few weeks ago and was working on a knitting project in Malabrigo Lace. It is so pretty and delicate knitted up in simple stockinette stitch! Angela is using my personal favorite color of Malabrigo, Frank Ochre, a dazzling acidic yellow. She came in a few days ago proudly wearing her newly finished Whisper cardigan. It's absolutely lovely!

Angela Fortunato-Renstrom

1) What makes you want to craft?

I moved to Denver with my husband from Boise, Idaho in September. I work in insurance so it's nice to have a knitting as a creative outlet after hours.

2) Tell us about your project.
I knitted my cardigan from Malabrigo Lace using the Whisper cardigan pattern from Interweave Knits.


3) How did you learn to knit?
I taught myself how to knit when I was a freshman in college.

4) What is your favorite animal?
Kittens!

Thanks Angela! Happy knitting!

New! An Abundance of Flannels and Laminated Fabrics!!

We are ready for cozy winter sewing! New adorable 100% cotton flannels by Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner have arrived--perfect for cuddly, warm pajamas. If you are new to sewing do not fear, we have you covered with our Pajama Pants class.



Also new and exciting are all the laminated fabrics just coming out--super cute winter scenes and delicate florals by Anna Maria Horner and bold, graphic florals and damasks by Amy Butler. Laminated fabrics are great for totes, aprons and upholstering projects.

Better Know A Craft: Naalbinding by Emily Platzer

If you are into lost crafts or historical re-enactments, especially of the ancient Nordic variety, you should learn naalbinding! Emily is here with her naalbinding scarf to tell you a little more about it...


This past summer at the Estes Park Wool Market, I took a class on naalbinding from Erika Thomenius. This technique predates knitting and crochet by thousands of years! The only tools you need is a needle and your thumb.


Each stitch in naalbinding is sewn using a short length of yarn pulled all the way through loops on your thumb. I used a bone naalbinding needle--much like a tapestry needle--for my scarf, which we carry at Fancy Tiger. The scarf was worked in the round in a very large circle, and then CUT into a length because naalbinding work does not unravel!


The yarn for the scarf I made is a silk/wool blend single worsted weight yarn. The new Malabrigo Silky Merino yarn would be perfect for this project!

Thanks Emily! Happy naalbinding!

New! Malabrigo Twist and Malabrigo Silky Merino!

Two new Malabrigo yarns have arrived!


Malabrigo Twist is a slightly chunky yarn--soft and luscious merino like our dear friend Malabrigo Worsted, but hard wearing with a high twist and many plies to keep pilling at bay. Great for sweaters!


Malabrigo Silky Merino is so soft and so lustrous! A DK weight yarn that is 50% silk, 50% soft merino, it comes in all our favorite hand-dyed colors. Could it be even softer than the original Malbrigo?

Better Know A Crafter: Rick Rainy

We had a lot of people shopping this past month for Halloween costume crafting supplies. Rick wins our award for best hand-crafted costume. He made up his Max pattern from scratch and hand-stitched the entire thing. Dang. That's pretty amazing.

Rick Rainy

1) Tell us about yourself--what makes you want to be crafty?

I am an engineer who just relocated to Denver last month. I loved the Where the Wild Things Are book as a kid and wanted to make the costume for Halloween. This is my first major sewing project.


2) Tell us about making your sweet Max costume.
It is just hand-sewn using about 5 yards of white bamboo felt. I just measured myself without using any real patterns--although patterns would have made it easier. So just a pencil, ruler, needle and quilting thread.

3) How did you learn to sew?
I taught myself for this project and learned as I went.

4) What is your favorite animal?
The wild things, duh.


Thanks Rick! Happy crafting and engineering!