Big Sale Starts Monday!

Entire stock of fabrics on sale from March 15-31, 2010.
Discounts from 20% to 60% off

So, this is the big one... you simply MUST get down to the store and see all the beautiful fabrics. And they are at the best price you will find this season.

So, come early for best selection. And come often, since more fabric arrives each week. If you couldn't make it to the Sewing Expo last month, here's your chance to pick up the very best wool yardage for all your upcoming projects.

And don't forget: Closeout pricing on all zippers & buttons!
Phone orders welcome.

A Virtual Mill Tour

Watch the first part of our mill tour. Thanks to the crew from National Geographic.

Crochet Rug

Here are directions for the crochet rug we taught at the Sewing Expo.

Materials
Five pounds of selvages makes one 2’x3’ rug
Size S crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle

Gauge
Loose. Very loose. If you work tighter the rug will be firmer, however it can become very difficult to work through the stitches if you are too tight.

Getting Started
Find the end of the selvage, or cut a section to make a starting point. Wind the selvage into balls, splicing the ends together if you come to an end. If it gets too tangled, you can cut it and splice the ends together.

Splicing
Pull the weft yarns out of the warps for the 2 inches at the end of each selvage strand. Place all 4 ends together and tie an overhand knot. Trim ends even with selvage fringe.

Technique: Single Crochet
Start:
Chain 10-24 Stitches. The number of stitches in your chain will determine the shape of your rug. Starting with just a few will give you a rounder shape; more will create a longer oval.
Row 1:
Single crochet in second chain from hook and each chain across to last chain.
Do not turn the work, instead chain 1* and work the other side of your beginning chain.
This is the first round or row.
*Adjustments: If you are using thick selvage, or think you need a little more room on the end, chain 2-3 stitches off the end of row 1.

Shaping:
Continue: Repeat around chain, increasing at ends of rug until reaching desired size.
Note: Sometimes you will need to adjust your increases to shape your rug.
If rug begins to ruffle you are increasing too much.
If rug begins to bowl you are not increasing enough.

Ending:
Taper the wool by dropping one of the two selvage strands, and crochet two more stitches. Cut the selvage and pull through. Use a yarn needle to weave in the ends.

Care:
Dry clean or hand wash. For hand washing, soak in mild soap and tepid water in tub. Drain tub, refill with cool water to rinse soap. When soap is rinsed out, run through the spin cycle of washing machine to remove most of water then lay flat to dry in ventilated area.