New Reversible Bags!

New messenger and tote bags!

Check out these fantastic messenger and tote bags made by local designer, Amina!



They've each got a zippered pocket under the front flap and a button closure for extra security. And as an added bonus, most of them are made using a water proof fabric!



And how cool are the big owl tote bags!?!

More new goodies at Sew Dandee!

Today I got in some awesome comic book and vintage catalogue laminated wallets! How cool are these? And only $12!

Stuffie Central!

Check out the latest locally stuffed creatures at Sew Dandee!

Time to get cookin'!

This is only a small selection of the aprons I've been making so you'll have to come down to check them all out.

A perfect holiday gift for the foodie in your life or just someone who likes to look the part in the kitchen.

No cooking skills required!

Just to get you inspired, Home Economist, Getty Stewart of my favorite local gardening blog, Veggie Delight and Fruit Share has contributed some of her best recipes that you'll find in each pocket of every Dandee apron.


I've got a bunch more ready to assemble so there will be even more for you to choose from in the next week!

Warm wear galore!

Today I got in a TON of fantastic mitts and hats! All made locally with love and extra warmth.


Come get your winter wear at Sew Dandee today! It's going fast!

Monsters!!

Check out the great monsters made in last night's workshop!

Stay tuned for the next Make Your Own Monster Workshop here at Sew Dandee!

New Bags!

I can't pick which one is my new favorite! The bike heart one is pretty awesome. But so is the tree one! And there's a TON more to come just sitting on my cutting table ready to be assembled! Stay tuned for more pics!

Go Green!

Next weekend, October 22nd and 23rd is the Green Lifestyle & Organic Living Show at the Convention Centre and I highly recommend checking it out! Mac and I went last year and it was really great, not to mention educational. This year is sure to be even better. And once again, Sew Dandee will be representing in the fashion shows that will take place twice each day along with some other eco friendly fashions.

Learn all about greener modes of transportation with the bike, scooter and car show, check out the Kid Zone and the Food Zone, take part in the 10 for 10 yoga and fitness pass and much more! See you guy there!

Oh and if you want a sweet deal on the entry free, check out this Wag Jag deal today!

NEW at Sew Dandee this week!

I just got in a bunch of new, brightly colored organic cotton onesies from B.C. and have been busy silk screening and heat pressing them up!



I'd love some feedback on these silk screened wall hangings! They're made using super heavy weight card stock with a rikrak trim for hanging. They look like a little house when they're hung up, too!



Here are some new switch plates featuring some lovely ladies.



I also got some organic kid's tops in the most fantastic colors to silk screen!

What's all this Hoopla? It's a giveaway, my crafty friends!

I was delighted to get an email from Cynara Geissler, marketing manager at Arsenal Pulp Press in Vancouver, BC asking me to run a giveaway on my blog! Turns out Vancouver author Leanne Prain is going to be in Winnipeg this Sunday, Oct 2 to promote her new book Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery. You might already know her from her other super awesomely inspirational book, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Grafitti.

The event will be at McNally Robinson at 2pm this Sunday October 2nd and will also feature Winnipeg's own fibre artist (and book contributor) Takashi Iwasaki. After the book signing you can stick around for the stitch and bitch with them, too!

In an effort to spread the word of this great event and even greater book, Cynara asked if I would like to run a giveaway where the winner gets a copy of Leanne's new book. Of course my response was, 'HECK YES!'

So post a comment here for your chance to win a copy of Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery. You have until Saturday at midnight to post your comment and please only enter once. Open to North American residents only. Sorry, our international friends! The winner will be picked at random and announced on Monday, October 3rd. Good luck and happy crafting!

It's time to cozy up at Sew Dandee!

I know that the calendar says it's officially fall, but you'd hardly know it by the forecast for the next week! But us Winnipeggers know, fall (and sadly, winter) is still going to make an appearance. And I'm here to let you know you don't have to be cold for one minute of it!



I discovered yet another talented knitter in our fair city, the lovely Rosemary Shamess. She uses the most beautiful wools and alpaca to make her unique mitts, hats, scarves, head/neck bands, slipper sox and more. The technique she uses is called 'thrumming'.



Click here to find out exactly how it's done and why it's so awesome.



She even made a point of making some Winnipeg Jets color scheme ones for you hardcore fans out there! And I know there's a few of you.

In addition to all of Rosemary's fine work I've got all the legwarmers, hooded scarves, cowls and much more cozy wear on the floor so come down and load up for the cool days to come, people.

The Stitchery is ready for you!

Below is a letter I just got from the lovely and talented Miss Melanie Wesley, the seamstress/designer/teacher I've been raving about. She's got a schedule set up for the fall/winter season featuring some great sewing projects! I'm pretty pumped to be taking the 'Skirt Drafting Mega Course'.

First things first. A new name...Melanie Wesley Sewing Studio is now The Stitchery, short, sweet and to the point (not unlike yours truly). New hours...we are no longer open to the public on Monday. We are open Wed.Fri.& Sat. from noon till six and starting in October we will add Thursday to the line up. Before we get to the "calender" I want to let you know about an exciting project I have planned for the spring...Me Made March. Some of you watched as I participated in this online challenge last march. Well, I had sew much fun I want to do it again...but I want you to join me! You have 5 months to prepare...take some workshops, come for some private lessons or stop by the studio for moral support and inspiration. On with the calender.

OCTOBER 2011

Join us October 1st as we celebrate Culture Days with Wolseley Wool...We are hosting an Open House together so join us for coffee and treats from 10 am till 6 p.m.

"Kids Beginner Class" - (Tuesday October 4,11,18 & 25, from 7-9p.m) - In this 4 week intro to sewing for kids your child will learn the basics of using a sewing machine, cutting and marking skills as well as following a pattern to make a simple project. We will also spend some time talking about safety in the sewing room. The instructor is Alesha Frederickson and the cost is $120.

"Skirt Drafting Mega Course" -(Wednesday October 5- December 7 from 7-9 p.m ) - In the first half of this 10 week course you will learn how to measure for and draft a custom sloper which you will then use to create a custom fitted muslin. In the second half of the course you will learn about using your sloper to design and draft an endless variety of skirt options.We will also cover waistbands, zippers, pockets and hems...this is a serious amount of information here.Don't worry if you don't know the lingo...you will know all by the end of this course.The instructors are Melanie Wesley & Alesha Frederickson and the cost is $250.

"Paper bag Princess" mini workshop-( October 8 from 7-9 p.m) - In this one day workshop you will learn to measure and cut your fabric to create a simple, elastic waist skirt. The instructor is Alesha Frederickson and the cost is $30.
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"Circle Skirt" - workshop (October 13 & 20 from 1 -3 p.m) - In this 2 day workshop you will learn to draft and sew a basic full circle skirt with waistband and zipper. Some prior sewing experience is required. The instructors are Melanie Wesley & Alesha Frederickson and the cost is $60.

Private Lessons are booked on Mondays & Tuesdays depending on the availability of instructors..

To register for any classes or for more information please call Melanie @ 999 9983 Or better yet stop by in person at the studio 962 Westminster Ave. Wednesday Friday or Saturday 12 -6.--
Melanie Wesley

Be sure to follow her Facebook page to stay up to date on Sew Free Classes and everything else going on at The Stitchery!

More back to school supplies!

Emily of Emms Gems just dropped off her latest project! Reusable, food safe, washable sandwich/snack bags! They're great for.... well... sandwiches AND much more. Any fruit or veggie you want to snack on, treats for the kids and whatever else you can think of.
Say GOODBYE to plastic ziploc bags and HELLO to fun fabric bags that can just be chucked in the wash and used over and over. She's got more sizes to come with velcro closures perfect for Cheerios and other smaller snacks.



And she's also brought us a new batch of her beautiful jewelry!


Check out the new man friendly adjustable bracelets!

Back to School Supplies!

In addition to all this great stuff for making back to school a little cooler, I've got kick ass pencil cases and all kinds of pouches to carry your goodies plus many more bags to carry all your books and laptops and other stuff. Come see me if you need something custom made to make your school days RULE!

New aprons on the racks!

WIN a Jelly Monster!

Come on down to Sew Dandee over the next couple weeks and enter to win one of Marathon 1981's super cool Jelly Monsters!

Each entry is $2 and 100% of the money raised goes to Kami (aka Marathon 1981) to help her get to Plush You in Seattle this fall.


Her plush work was chosen from creators of stuffies from all over the world to be showcased in the Plush You exhibit. Look at our girl go!

New Bags!