Cloth & Bobbin

I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and have always thought that Narberth is the most charming town on the Main Line. So, it is not surprising at all that in Narberth you will find the most wonderful "small but mighty" fabric shop for crafters, quilters, and seamstresses alike. From the sunny yellow storefront to the owner's cheerful hello when you walk in the door, visiting Cloth & Bobbin (http://clothandbobbin.com/) always, without exception, makes my day better.

The owner, Johanna Hertz, often posts pictures of new fabric lines she has just received on the store's Facebook. I commented on one of the most recent pictures with....

Holly Z. Perry This is not good....they are so beautiful. Somebody stop me :)

Yesterday at 2:58pm · 

These gorgeous fabrics are part of the Benedictus Collection designed by the Victoria and Albert Museum for Westminster Fabrics. 

"Benedictus is a beautiful collection of Art Deco textile designs. These designs have been recreated from Edouard Benedictus` beautiful albums of textile and wallpaper designs held at the V&A. Benedictus was a talented man, not only an artist and textile designer but he was a writer, bookbinder and the chemist who discovered safety glass in 1903."

So, as I drool, my mind is churning with ideas for this fabric. It is only a matter of time.

The second line, also from Westminster Fabrics, is a collection of abstract geometric florals by UK designer, Dan Bennett, called Cosmos.

Without question, the most difficult part of visiting Cloth & Bobbin is leaving without spending all of your money :) It is simply eye-candy! Johanna has a remarkable knack for filling her modest space with a wonderful variety of fabrics and notions. The store also offers classes for the beginner, such as "Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine," classes for seamstresses who want to make skirts or pajama pants, and classes for quilters, including instruction in paper-piecing and applique. These are only a few!

If you are local, come and visit. If you are out-of-town and ever plan to visit Southeast Pennsylvania, find time to add a stop at Cloth & Bobbin. You will NOT regret it.

The Year of Unfinished Projects

On December 31rst, 2001, I ushered in the new year sewing until the wee hours of the morning. I completed a cute little wall hanging, refusing to go to bed until it was done. At some point in 2002, I starting hand-quilting it but never finished. That year was a year of tremendous changes for me. Most likely, that little quilt is in a box in my basement along with many other unfinished projects. Then there are the multitude of unfinished things in my studio: quilts, canvases, and sewing projects...not to mention the pile of mending tucked in the corner of my closet.

What's the deal with unfinished projects? Don't we all have them? Am I the only one who tends to be a great starter but lacks the follow-thru? I doubt it. Why else do all the local craft and fabric shops have "Unfinished Projects Nights." Believe me, I've attended my fair share. The problem is that for every project I complete, I tend to start several more.

Two days ago, I posted this on my Facebook:

"I declare the year of 2012 the year to complete all my unfinished projects. hahaha Who am I kidding?"

Since that post, I have been deliberating. Would blogging about my progress this year help keep me motivated? Well, I guess I'll find out, won't I?

So here is my plan. Each month, I'm going to look over my calendar and see what I absolutely must do. Then I'll look at the one or more projects that I have not completed, work on them, and post my progress with fun pictures along the way. A friend said to me today, "Maybe you don't want to finish them!" Maybe that is true. If I come across one that I have absolutely no interest in completing, I will have to decide what to do with it.

Feel free, please, to encourage me along the way, and, by all means, dig into your boxes and finish one of your own projects.