We just finished swapping out our New Look patterns for a whole slew of new (and old favorite) patterns!  Things are changing fast around here.  We are waiting to receive Grand Revival and Folkwear patterns.  Check with us in a week or so about those.

We now have Ottobre Design Magazine, full of great kids’ and women’s clothing patterns.  We currently have five different issues (5/2008, and 1-4 of 2009).  They come with full size patterns that you can trace.  (Yes, we carry tracing cloth.)

Also in the magazine world, we’ve received Stitch and will continue to get that as the issues roll off the presses.  On their way to us still are Burda magazine (also comes with full size patterns), and Threads / Sew Stylish.  Whew!  How exciting. 

Other exciting news is that Bolt now has a blog.  Yep, we’ve entered the crazy world of blogging.  We will post throughout the week, so be sure to visit it often to hear the latest.  This is where I’ll post about new arrivals and other various bits of info that I think may be of interest.  Also posting regularly will be Lupine Swanson who is a teacher here at Bolt and neighborhood sewing maven.  The goal of the blog is to provide a space to share more from the neighborhood part of Bolt Neighborhood Fabric Boutique.  Teachers will be able to put up posts about their upcoming classes, we will be having all sorts of guest bloggers, tutorials, general creative musings….So, take a look.  There are links to it on our About and Contact Us pages too.

Last week we unpacked a group of Robert Kaufman Radiance–silk / cotton blend.  Gorgeous, rich colors, and a lovely hand.  This fabric is great for a little dressier look, but without the expense of silk, and not as challenging to sew.  I was in a wedding last summer and we used this fabric for the bridesmaids’ dresses.  It sewed up beautifully, was comfortable on a warm September day and looked great after hours of wear.  Remember, we can often order full bolts of fabric if you too need to whip up some bridesmaids dresses!

Also new to the store is a selection of sari silk bundles.  They are put together by Melinda of Sari Safari here in Portland, and are incredible.  The bundles consist of 8 half yard pieces measuring 18″ x 48″ and one more “bonus” piece that is a bit larger.  What a fun gift for someone who likes to add a little something different to their projects.  It would be perfect for adding trim or edging to a bag, skirt, top, or coat.  The pieces could also be pieced together to make a gorgeous throw.  Let your imagination run wild.

There are new Liberty of London prints in as well.  A city map design that is so cool, houses, bikes, and more elegant florals.  Perfect for simple, light summer tops and skirts. 

We received our latest order of Sublime Stitching embroidery transfers earlier this week.  Included in their artist series is a transfer by Portlander Carson Ellis.  Check it out–it’s included on the newly created “Locals Table” at the store where you can find an amazing array of other products created in whole or part by your Portland area neighbors (one project is from Washington).  There are a number of great new patterns from Jenny over at Sublime, get your hoop and start stitchin’!

Speaking of embroidery, you may notice a change in our embroidery floss display.  We now have these nifty little sets of drawers for the floss that will help us keep the selection neat and tidy and help with keeping a bigger, more consistent selection available for you.  We have our soon-to-be regular colors on their way to us.  Be sure to let us know if there’s a specific color you’re looking for–we have a DMC color card and can always order a color for you.

Check out the classes page for the latest list of classes.  Students now receive not only 10% off their class supplies, but 10% off all of their purchases made during the week or two of the class they are in!  So, from the Tuesday before your class starts to the Sunday after your class wraps up, you’ll receive the discount.  Be sure to tell us who you are and what class you’re in and please plan on doing your shopping during regular store hours (not in the few minutes before class).  Other answers to questions you may have about classes at Bolt are on the classes Q and A page.  

Students now receive not only 10% off their class supplies, but 10% off all of their purchases made during the week or two of the class they are in!  So, from the Tuesday before your class starts to the Sunday after your class wraps up, you’ll receive the discount.  Be sure to tell us who you are and what class you’re in and please plan on doing your shopping during regular store hours (not in the few minutes before class).  Other answers to questions you may have about classes at Bolt are on the classes Q and A page.