#StitchMyHartOut Contest: Win a Sewing Party!!

I'm so excited to announce our newest contest because it gives you a discount on your next Sip & Sew Party with us AND a chance to win a Private Sewing Party just in time for the holidays!

How to Enter:
1. Post a photo on Facebook or Instagram of something you made in one of our classes or parties. Tag it with @hartfordstitch and #StitchMyHartOut. If your account is private, take a screen shot of it and email it to us at hartfordstitch@gmail.com for an entry. Do this and you'll get $5 off your next Sip & Sew Event!

2.  Of course, you don't have to purchase anything--- shoot us an email with the subject line: Contest Entry and we'll throw your hat in the running for the Grand Prize.

Deadline:
The contest starts October 29th 12amEDT and runs until November 30th 11:59pm EST.

Winner:
1 winner will be randomly selected from all entries after the close of deadline.

The Prize:
The winner will receive a Private Sewing Party at winner's residence (party at a partner venue may be available; winner will be required to pay upgrade fee) for up to 4 people (ages 8+) PLUS a $10 project allowance per person!! Party must be scheduled between December 1, 2015 and February 28, 2016. *Please see official rules for all the details!

We can't wait to see you using what you've sewn with us and to see you again soon!

Happy Stitching!

Infinite fall fun and a scarf to boot!

Is there anything better than autumn? Between the amazing scent of 'fall' in the air, the crunching of leaves beneath your feet, hot cider with extra cinnamon sticks, and pumpkin/apple baked goods... what's not to love? I could go on and on about this time of the year (don't even get me started on the fact that it's catalog season!) forever, but we at Hartford Stitch like to talk the talk AND walk the walk!
(And yes, in this case 'the walk' is sewing up a cozy infinity scarf to welcome the autumnal chill in the air.)

Check out that fall-themed manicure! 

Last week, Laura and I had the privilege of spending an evening with 6 wonderful ladies at the Imagine Studio in West Hartford to sew up some gorgeous infinity scarves. Each sewist selected her own 4 coordinating prints from our Art Gallery Fabrics and although no two were the same combination, every scarf came out beautifully.

Here are some pictures we snapped during the festivities - between the hum of the machines, the pumpkin bread, and laughs shared by all - I think it's safe to say this party was a success!

Our sewists ranged from novice (second time ever sewing!) to experienced quilter - our parties are for everyone into 'making' fun!   

All hands on deck - Laura giving Kelly a quick pointer at the machine. 

Not only did Jessica pick a gorgeous fabric combination, she even wore an outfit to match her scarf... our kind of maker, for sure! 

Everyone did a marvelous job - we had such a blast sewing with all of you! 

Thank you 'sew' much to everyone who joined us last week, we hope to see you again at our next party! Until then... keep on stitching your hart out! xx S

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

We have now been open 3 months and we can't thank you all enough for the warm welcome we have received! We've been tweaking our offerings based on your feedback and can't wait to roll out our fall classes.

But first, here's a little peek back at our summer parties! We had the best sewists at these parties, from the "Are you sure you can teach ANYONE to sew? Because I'm not artistic." to the "I worked as an upholsterer for years." and everyone in between. All of our participants came willing to learn, or fine tune their skills or just have a good time.

Our first party, a beach tote party in a private home...

To our first public party at Imagine Studio...

 

 I'm a former wedding planner and can't pass up an opportunity to put together a little tablescape. Pink yard flamingos, peach iced tea and some vintage linens set the summer theme. And Eileen rocked her sewing!

Then we wrapped up the summer with a twist on the beach tote at Blaze and Bloom (part of 485 New Park)...

I was downright giddy setting up in here. When Tracey of Blaze and Bloom told me I could use the existing table and chairs I did a little happy dance!

In keeping with the Blaze and Bloom spirit we used some vintage fabrics that Sara and I rescued from an estate sale a couple of years ago. I was sad to see them go but loved how they paired up with the rope handles and our Art Gallery Fabric selections.

And the best part? We have a whole roster of fall parties and classes on the schedule and in the works! Click on the links below each banner to go to the Facebook event and follow the directions to register. Remember to register early, space is limited! We're always adding more, so subscribe to our Facebook Event Feed to be the first to know!

Click here for "Get to Know Your Machine"!

Click here for "Infinity Scarf Party"!

Click here for "Tween Sewing Class"!

Click here for "Kid Sewing Class"!

 

Click here for "Adult Sewing Class"!

Summer Party Project: Beach Tote Bag

At Stitch we want to bring you projects that you LOVE. That's one of the best parts of sewing: everything can be your own style, functional and become a favorite piece of your wardrobe or home. Each of our projects was carefully selected but I felt like something was missing. I wanted something that screamed SUMMER!!!!! Then I came across this fabulous beach tote pattern from A Radiant Home. Sara (A Radiant Home Sara, not our Sara!) so graciously made this pattern free and then gave us permission to teach you how to make it! So for a limited time we are offering a Summer Beach Tote Party! We'll only teach this until Labor Day (and then move on to something a little chai latte and rustling leave like) so BOOK NOW!!

I played with a couple of ways to make this and any way you do it-- it's awesome. I'd like to think that I'll use it for a day lounging at the beach reading my vintage needlecraft book, but more likely I'm hauling it to the splash pad with my kiddos. It fits towels, change of clothes, snacks, water bottles, and then some. Perfection.

Now's a perfect time to give you a run down of how our parties work! First, get together a group of your crafty (or craft-wannabe) friends and let's find a good date and time. Parties run about two hours which is perfect for some eats, some drinks and lots of sewing!

Next you pick a project (may I suggest this beach tote, hint hint). We bring everything to you! A selection of fabrics pre-cut, all the notions and hardware, our sewing machines and all our tools. All you have to do is give us some room to set up (we'll discuss exactly what we need in our first phone call) and be ready to have fun!

We have tons of gorgeous fabrics in our shop (the pattern calls for canvas and our shop is quilting cotton, but we have a trick to make that work!). We also have a really fun selection of vintage heavyweights not yet listed. It took everything in my being to not cut into that coral floral below and save it for you.

Or if lake lounging is more your style...

And if you're feeling a little crazy we have this gem.... In fact, we have enough of it to make a complete luggage set! Eek.

Let's get stitching! Summers go by so fast so make some time for you and your girlfriends and have some fun! If you have an idea for a project let us know below!

To learn more about our parties check out our website.