Christmas News 2022!

Remember when you were a child and a year seemed to last an eternity? Now it goes in fast forward! So here we are, nearly at Christmas - and it’s been another strange year. Things have slowed down in the shop, with fewer customers and fewer sales, especially since mid-year. Higher prices for most consumer items, including our stock, are obviously biting. And now we’re heading for a recession!

There’s a theory that craft shops do well in recessions as people cut back on holidays and big purchases so have more time on their hands, and some spare money, to spend on hobbies.

Here’s hoping that’s true!

New Stock!

The place is jam-packed with goodies! Latest additions include:

• 4 ply cotton (DMC Natura) and some lovely women’s tank top/tee shirt/ cardi patterns to go with them.
• blanket binding ribbon – in silver and cream (pre-folded) and I will get other colours if it seems like they will be popular,
• gold fringe (ideal for lampshades) and longer black fringe (ideal for ‘20s costumes –that’s 1920’s! )
• mega chunky 50/50 wool/acrylic Husky, 100gms, 64 metres, $12
• Pattern Fantastique patterns, displayed beautifully in their own folder on our pattern table
• New linens, linen/viscoses, rayons, viscoses, corded ribs and double muslins – ideal for summer garments – and we have lighter-weight ribbed t shirting (95/5% cotton /spandex) on its way
• knitted cord (a flat tube ) in many colours, ideal for keeping kids’ (or anyone’s) pants on!
• muti-coloured striped elastics in 32 and 45mm widths.

Christmas Gifts

We have good quality smaller items that are ideal Christmas presents : yarn bowls, knitting bags, sewing baskets, sewing machine carry bags, overlocker carry bags, scissors, folding LED desk lights, the latest Yarnologie magazine, the lovely new NZ hat knitting pattern book Invasive Hats and, of course, gift vouchers for whatever value you choose.

Do you own a Janome MC10000 or MC11000? Have I got a deal for you?!

Being less busy, we’ve had time to tidy up some loose ends here. One task has been to identify and catalogue the new machine parts and accessories that have not moved in the nearly 7 years since I bought the business.

Of the Janome accessories, there are several embroidery CD Roms suitable for the MC 10000 and MC11000 sewing/embroidery machines. On the current Janome price lists, their RRPs are way above what I can sell them for. I’d love to move these things so please get in touch if you think you could use any of them. Among them are:

Embroidery CD Roms –

• Christmas Collection, Oriental Collection, White Lily Collection – current RRPs $139. Our price $75
• White Embroidery Collection. Current RRP $109. Our price $55
• Peacock Collection 1. Current RRP $269. Our price $100
• 1835 Embroidery Design Gallery. Current RRP $359. Our price $180

And also

• Embroidery hat hoop insert, for use with RE20B Hoop’s outer hoop. Current RRP $539. Our price $220,

Sewing Machines at Sale Prices!

If you’re in the market for a new sewing machine, there are some models I can give a discount on because, since machine sales have slowed down, I’ve been caught with more than I like to have in stock.

The best is the Janome 9450QCP, a truly fantastic machine for the serious sewist/quilter. Its regular price is $5499 but I’ll accept $4999, which is a real bargain.

More for the beginner sewist, I have too many mechanical Janome FD216 machines, normally $499. I’ll accept $449 until Christmas as long as my stocks last.

In the middle are the digital Janome Sewists 740 and 780, which I’ve reduced to $999 (740) and $1249 (780). These are very good machines for intermediate level sewists and others who aspire to be that.

We have demo models of all our machines so come in and we’ll put the ones you’re interested in through their paces!

Remember that when you buy a machine from us, we’ll give you a free 30 minute lesson, at a time that suits us both, so you can bring your questions and we’ll answer them and pass on tips for getting the best from your machine. We also have ready access to any extra accessories you may want for your machine. Plus we have regular classes to take sewists and overlockerists (!) from zero to hero. Add to all that our excellent selection of dressmaking fabrics and haberdashery items and we are truly a comprehensive sewing haven!

Quilting/craft Cotton Sale Continues

Almost all of our 400 or so 100% quilting cottons are on sale with a 20% discount. Each of our quilting cottons has been chosen for its prettiness, ‘blendy-ness’ or suitability for clothing. The result is a (relatively) small but extremely tasteful range! We want to free up space for more dressmaking fabrics and more yarn. Please help!

Christmas Window Display

To coincide with the 4 December Kilbirnie Santa parade (which was a big success) we dismantled our lovely spring window and installed an equally amazing Christmas window.

On one side is the white Christmas tree adorned with many knitted and crocheted gnomes and other creatures made by the Yarn Yakkers, to whom I’m very grateful yet again!

On the other side is an amazing outfit made by our Jess Robbie when she was studying costume construction at Toi Whakaari (NZ Drama School). It’s in Christmas colours and gleams with sequins and pearls and you’ll barely notice that it also has snakes on it!

And in the middle is a beautiful red sleigh pulled by a reindeer and driven by 2 elves – all made by the Yarn Yakkers. Behind that stands a dressform in a santa apron – a slightly more traditional element and definitely the least spectacular.

We hope you enjoy our slightly wacky interpretation of Christmas!

2023 Class timetable coming soon!

The new adult class schedule for February to April/May will be out soon! But then we have to wave goodbye to Robyn Hambleton, who has organised our classes for several years now and has been a terrific helper in the shop. She’s off to spend more time in the Wairarapa enjoying her new sewing room!

Happily, Vincent Konrad, who works part-time in the shop, is prepared to take on the class organising role, so the transition should be seamless and from now on you’ll get all your class info and reminder emails signed by Vincent. Vincent studied fashion design in Christchurch and will teach a basic skirt pattern drafting course in the new year.

I’d just like to add that I’m proud to have a great group of talented staff and tutors – all experts in their crafts and very nice people who genuinely want to help our customers achieve their best results.

Holiday Hours

We’ll be having a break from midday Saturday 24 December till 9.30am Friday 6 January. Jo will check emails during that time and may be able you to help in a crafting emergency but it’d be best if you stock up before Christmas!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Jo, Jess, Robyn, Annie, Vincent and Toni