winter is here

Welcome to the second newsletter for 2011. It is amazing to realise that we are halfway through the year already!! If you have not visited the shop recently, you will be in for a surprise. We have a wonderful array of beautiful fabrics in stock at the moment. These include vintage fabrics and kimono fabrics. We also have some beautiful items on loan which we are proudly displaying. Read on for more details. We are also pleased to announce that we will have a stall at the Sheep and Wool Show, which is very exciting. I hope you enjoy this newsletter.

vol. 2, issue 2
shop 5, 11 retreat rd bendigo 3550 03 5443 6400 www.houseofcloth.com.au

website, facebook, twitter and mailing list

After a period of downtime, our website www.houseofcloth.com.au is up and running again. We have extended information on a number of the products we stock, and update it on a regular basis with new stock arrivals (including photos) and other news. We will be adding more product information in the near future. The platform we use for our website (Posterous.com) enables any user to subscribe via email to our site and receive updates as they are posted meaning you wont have to wait until we publish our newsletter. Visit www.houseofcloth.com.au/pages/subscribe for more information. facebook & twitter If you are one of the millions of users on Facebook or Twitter, you can now stay in touch with what House of Cloth is up to. Updates to our site are automatically published to both of these platforms and provides another way to create great communities. For those who were not aware, Facebook now has the functionality of tagging pages in Photos. If you have uploaded photos of your creations, or wish to, you can now tag House of Cloth so others can share in these creations. Our Facebook page is: facebook.com/houseofcloth Twitter is another of our online forays. We may not have been too active to date, but this will change. You can follow us @houseofcloth. mailing list As most of you are aware, we changed our electronic newsletter provider some time back. This enables us to provide a better, more efficient, service. At the bottom of each newsletter there are options to update your profile, including changing your email address and the information you wish to receive from us. If you have any issues with the our online presence, email coel@houseofcloth.com.au and I will endeavour to assist you as soon as possible.

in brief
Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show We are pleased to announce that we will be trading at the show this year, for the first time. The show runs from 1517 July. If you are attending this event, do come and say hellowe will be in the Osborne shed. Sale Our mid year sale starts on Tuesday 12th July and will finish on Saturday 23rd July. You will get 20% off everything except vintage and kimono fabrics, as well as half price Simplicity and Burda patterns. Organic Cotton We are now stocking a range of organic extra-fine Egyptian cotton thread. This cotton is suitable for machine and hand stitching, and is available in over 30 colours. reference material We have a range of resources available for your information and inspiration. These include Frankie and Slow magazines, as well as fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harpers Bazaar. There are also a few books, the most recent of which is called Chic on a Shoestring, and provides a number of vintage inspired projects. You are welcome to take time to sit and browse through these books and magazines. We are also happy to receive suggestions for other reference material which you might like to see here.

new in stock
Kimono fabrics We have been very fortunate to purchase the kimono stock from a local online business which recently closed. There is a range of different colours and patterns. These fabrics can be used for a variety of purposes, including clothing, homewares, scarves, or even hung on the wall as decoration. The fabrics are mostly silk, although there are some wools and cottons, including some very cute childerns patterns. You can view some of the range on our website. Knit fabricsst. moritz The fabric that so many of our customers have been waiting for is now available, a heavier weight luxurious matte black jersey. Suitable for all types of pants from leggings to wide leg styles, dresses, tunics and even tailored garments. The composition of this fabric offers comfort in all climates, has superb fit with 2 way stretch and the ultimate in durability...no pilling and easy care. Garments in St. Moritz add luxurious classic pieces to any wardrobe. Bamboo single jersey Our long awaited bamboo jersey is in stock. If you havent as yet felt this newest fibre in the textile market, now is your chance. You will be amazed at how beautiful this feels. It is breathable, absorbent and cooler than cotton in warm weather. This jersey offers luxurious drape and has been likened to cashmere in softness! With the addition of a few % spandex this fabric makes wonderful tops, tee shirts, tights and is perfect for underwear. Bamboo also has natural deodorising properties, is antistatic, antibacterial and is a sustainable resource. We have 3 colours available, Classic Black, Splash Blue and Innocence, a great skin tone for under and outer wear. Vintage/Retro We have an amazing range of vintage fabric in stock at the moment, and it keeps on coming! Beautiful wool challis, viyella, woolens, floral cottons, striped and checked cottons, are just some of the fabric types currently available. These are high quality fabrics, many of which are not available any more. We also have an extensive range of vintage/retro patterns to select from. red stretch cotton twill For those who saw Sues fabulous red trench coat at our first birthday celebrations, here is your chance to recreate it!. We have only recently been able to source this fabric and its only available in red, dont miss this opportunity!

classes
classes scheduled for august/september: Zipper insertion classes. There are still a few spaces left in both the Fly Front and the Invisible zipper insertion classes in August. Vera can guide you expertly step by step through these classes so that you can achieve professional results every time. Dont let a poorly inserted zipper spoil your otherwise perfect garment and choose some of those great patterns with zippers! Invisible zippers are one of the best improvements in the sewing industry in the last half century and applied correctly can only enhance your workmanship. Dont miss out. Zipper class 1Inserting an invisible zipper with lining; Saturday 20 August 10am1.30pm; cost $50. Zipper class 2Inserting a fly front zipper; Saturday 27th August, 10am 1.30pm; cost $50. Simple BagI have sourced a pattern for a satchel bag, which can be dressed up or down depending on your whims. This workshop is tentatively scheduled for Sunday 21st August, 12.304pm. Cost will be $40. Domestic goddess apronthis will be a fun workshop where you will make a vintage inspired apron, whilst enjoying a scrumptious afternoon tea. This informal workshop is open to everyone from beginners to seasoned sewers with an emphasis on the camaraderie of sewing in an inspirational setting. there are only 8 places available and this would make a great gift suggestion. we already have one customer who is buying 2 places for her daughters as birthday gifts, or treat yourself and bring a friend! Everything is provided except the sewing machine (and we do have a couple of those to lend out!) Included: fabulous 1950s style apron pattern; great vintage fabric; vintage bias binding; matching thread; interfacing; great sewing tips and techniques from wendy; delicious afternoon tea and great company! Saturday 10th September from 12 midday until 4pm, or whenever you finish. Cost will be $55 including supplies. Undercover Secretsthis will be a free 30 minute demonstration on types and application and uses of Interfacing. This area of sewing is often overlooked and often seen as superfluous to the finished project, but behind most great looking garments /projects you will find its hidden structure. Learn how to transform a fabric and make it suitable for a wide variety of applications. There will be two sessions: Friday 2nd September at 1pm, and Saturday 24th September at 2pm. Please bring a pen and paper. Please contact the shop for bookings for all these classes.

knitting yarn
There is a small range of handspun and hand-dyed yarn sourced from ZTwist, an independent artisan in Melbourne. Hopefully we will be able to add to this stock, ideally from local artisans. If you have handspun you would like to sell, or know of someone who has handspun yarn, come and talk to us. We will also begin to stock a small range of commercial yarns, and are pleased to announce that a limited range of Noro yarn will be available at the Sheep and wool show, and thereafter in our store.

social sewing
You may have heard or read about the recent advent of sewing lounges. These are groups of people who get together to sew in an informal yet supportive environment. We would like to start something like this, albeit in a small way. If you have a couple of friends you like to sew and chat with, why not use House of Cloth as your venue. You would need to book ahead, so we know you are coming. The only limitations would be that you could not come on a day we have a class.

displays
We are very pleased to currently have on loan a magnificent display of the work of the Bendigo branch of the Embroiderers Guild. A tri-fold screen is adorned with hand embroidered tiles, which were made as part of the 50th birthday celebrations of the Embroiderers Guild. They were done with a theme of Gold, and it is quite interesting to see the many different interpretations of this. We are also pleased to have a book created by Donna Brown, a textile artisit who is part of the Bendigo Textile Artists group. This handcrafted and bound book is filled with all manner of sewing paraphenalia from bygone days, and is a truly amazing piece of work. I hope that you find the time to come and look at these displays, as they are quite inspirational.

inspirations
Our 1950s inspired apron made from our fabulous collection of vintage fabrics and bindings.

A lovely weight stretch wool and our wool mix check ...a perfect combination for pants and trench inspired coat from Simplicity.

knotty ladies
We are pleased to be hosting a group called Knotty Ladies, which is a social group making time for chatting over hand stitching projects, complemented by drinks and nibbles. Sharing and learn new skills, ideas and projects. Working towards making a unique textile art work or functional item from sustainable or reclaimed materials to exhibit and sell as a fundraiser for women based charity. This group is associated with the Bendigo Sustainability Group. Knotty Ladies meet on the last Tuesday of the month from 7.309.30pm. If you are interested in being part of this, contact Tamara Marwood on 0407574836 or info@tamaramarwood. com or visit their blog http://knotty-ladies.blogspot. com/.

A stunning silk pile sheer with one of our shot silk smooth dupions, scattered with vintage jet buttons from our recent collection.