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The Bobbin's February Newsletter

The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge February Newsletter 2011    Wintertime Greetings,    Holy Thundersnow, Batman! What a wild and wooly Winter we are having here in Burlington, Vermont. From thunderstorms in the middle of blizzards, to snow banks five-feet-high-and-rising; it has been quite an adventure just getting through the day. The weather, however, has not kept folks from learning to sew. The Bobbin's calendar has been filling up with classes and private lessons as eager seamsters are learning about winding bobbins, stitching pillows, drafting patterns and upcycling their own unique wardrobes. The February + March class calendars are online.  Beginning students can practice their new sew skills learning to make love monsters, gauntlets, mittens, or potholders. Intermediate students can practice upcycling dresses, inserting zippers or designing memory quilts. Call 802-862-7417 or email info@thebobbin.com to register for any classes, workshops, private lessons, alterations, or custom design services.       Wednesday, February 9th The Bobbin will be closed all morning and opening up at 2:30pm.  The shop is closed so that Gyllian can participate in the Green Business Panel for the annual Winter Business Fair at City Hall in downtown Burlington. Come on down and meet with Federal, State and local organizations to learn more about doing business in Vermont                 Free Workshops: Lorraine B. Good Room (2nd floor), BCA Center 10:00 Greening Up Your Business 10:00 Mystery Money 11:00 Green Business Panel 11:00 Commercial Credit 12:00 Dream to Reality  1:00 Business of Health Ins.  2:00 Listening 2 your business Learn more about this event: CEDO's Website    Photo: Kristin LaMonde Baby it's Cold outside, but the bright and sunny Sew Bar is always warm and toasty. Call ahead and reserve your favorite vintage machine for an hour long private lesson; or an afternoon of Open Sewing. 802-862-7417 for more information. Photo: Kirsten LaMonde Bobbin sez... the most sustainable textiles, are already existing textiles. Spotlight on local Vermont Designer: Kelly Johnston Kelly Johnston is a native Vermonter and textile artist. She is the owner of Brooktrout Originials.   Kelly Johnston is a native Vermonter who spent 15 years on the west coast and has returned home to raise her family.  Her Mother taught her how to sew when she was little and she has been at it ever since.  Kelly's patchwork baby quilts have been the hit of many baby showers and she has expanded her line to included "recycled chic" hand and yoga bags. Read more about Kelly and Brooktrout Originals: CLICK HERE  The Bobbin on Vermont Public Radio! 2011 has been declared "The year of Making" and that certainly is true for us Vermonters! Recently, I had the privilege of talking with Jane Lindholm of Vermont Edition and Emily Blistein, who owns Clementine Store in Middlebury, Vermont about the joys of DIY. If you missed the show, you can still listen online: CLICK HERE Vintage Puppet Restoration Custom design orders and vintage restorations are some of my very favorite sewing projects. Last month I restored and constructed these hand and finger puppets for a local father-son duo. Learn more about this restoration:  CLICK HERE Keep cozy in the Sew Bar this Winter learning: Intro2Sew, Memory Quilts, potholders + sew much more! To learn more about The Bobbin, check out our Blog: The Bobbin Blogs On Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on the Facebook join our Fan Page Or, just stop on by the shop, next time you are in the Old North End! Sustainably Yours, Gyllian Rae Svensson The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge, LLC 299 North Winooski Ave @ Archibald Street Old North End - Burlington - Vermont 802-862-7417 gyllian@thebobbin.com thebobbin.com gyllian.com All Bobbin products in our Etsy or Artfire stores are available with FREE SHIPPING. Enjoy Bobbin Handmade Happiness wherever you live! Save $5.00 For the month of February: Save $5.00 off any Bobbin class, workshop, or product valued $25.00 and above                   Buy Local! Eat Local! Dress Local! Offer Expires: 2/28/11

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The Bobbin's November Newsletter

The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge November Newsletter 2010 November Greetings, These last two months have brought familiar color changing leaves and fluctuating temperatures to our little Old North End neighborhood. For many of us this year's seasonal change has been especially turbulent, reflective and transformative. In October, Rachel Hooper decided to part ways with The Bobbin. This change was unexpected and the transition has been quick. I am fully committed to The Bobbin's mission and have spent the last few weeks remodeling the shop, updating social sites and refocusing all efforts on sustainable textiles and slow fashion. The Bobbin will no longer offer knitting, crochet or crafting classes. Instead, we will expand upon our popular beginning sew classes and will be able to offer more advanced classes in sustainable textiles, upcycling, drawing, green design and slow fashion. In addition we will offer more opportunities for private lessons, sewing parties, custom designs and fiber restorations. The November + December class calendars are online. Focused on skill building and sustainable gift giving, students can make mittens, hats, eco-bags, or memory quilts. In December you can create sustainable stockings, potholders, aprons and sew much more! We keep our class sizes small, so be sure to pre-register and save your spot early. Call 802-862-7417 or email info@thebobbin.com to register for classes, workshops, private lessons, alterations, or custom design services. The Bobbin is entering into its fourth year of business on the corner of Archibald and North Winooski, in the Old North End of Burlington. As a bit of a birthday present, the store was closed for a few days of "beauty treatments". The windows were cleared of clutter. Cobalt blue curtains were stitched up from donated polar fleece, generously given to The Bobbin from our local mountain lovin' gurus, Burton. The Sew Bar was restructured for maximum work space and decoupaged with vintage pattern pieces. The Craft Lounge was re-painted and fresh "new" bench cushions were stitched and stuffed from locally sustainable textiles. The racks were re-arranged for maximum browsing and additional space was created to showcase local designers and their one-of-a-kind Slow Fashion Designs. Fall in love with local handmade fashions + accessories this holiday season! Mama sez... Eat Local! Dress Local! Upcycle Fashion Show ECHO + The Bobbin join forces to bring you an evening of Sustainable Textiles + Slow Fashion! Mark your Calendars! I am thrilled to announce the Upcycle Fashion Show Thursday, December 9th 6:30-9:30pm Presented by: ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Museum 1 College Ave Burlington, Vermont 05401 This grown-up evening of Slow Fashion overlooking Lake Champlain will be beautiful and educational. A traditional runway show combined with a presentation and Q & A with our sustainable designers. Presenting their Slow Fashion lines will be: Sarah O'Green of Mountain Ash Design http://www.mountainashdesign.blogspot.com/ Rebecca Mack of Flying Hen Studio http://flyinghenstudio.blogspot.com/ Gyllian Rae Svensson of The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge http://thebobbin.com http://echovermont.org Make your own gifts for this holiday season: Memory Quilts, Sweater Berets, potholders + sew much more! Thank you so much for your continued support of The Bobbin. I believe that The Bobbin's mission of sustainability, skill building and slow fashion is only beginning to reach our collective consciousness. As we Vermonters have embraced the slow food/local food movement; we are now thinking more about where our food comes from and under what conditions it is produced. It is now time to think about where our clothing comes from and what practices we are supporting when we dress ourselves in the morning. To learn more about The Bobbin, check out our Blog: The Bobbin Blogs On Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on the Facebook join our Fan Page Or, just stop on by the shop, next time you are in the Old North End! Sustainably Yours, Gyllian Rae Svensson The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge, LLC 299 North Winooski Ave @ Archibald Street Old North End - Burlington - Vermont 802-862-7417 gyllian@thebobbin.com thebobbin.com gyllian.com All Bobbin products in our Etsy or Artfire stores are available with FREE SHIPPING. Enjoy Bobbin Handmade Happiness wherever you live!

Save $5.00 For the month of November save $5 off any one Sewing class or workshop at The Bobbin. Intro2Sew, Magic Mittens, potholders, legwarmers- U choose! Sustainable Sewing: it's not a hobby, it's a life skill! Offer Expires: 11/30/10

The Bobbin gets a Make Over!

    The Bobbin is entering into its fourth year of business on the corner of Archibald and North Winooski, in the Old North End of Burlington. As a bit of a birthday present, the store was closed for a few days of "beauty treatments". The windows were cleared of clutter. Cobalt blue curtains were stitched up from donated polar fleece, generously given to The Bobbin from our local mountain lovin' gurus, Burton.  The Sew Bar was restructured for maximum work space and decoupaged with vintage pattern pieces.

The Craft Lounge was re-painted and fresh "new" bench cushions were stitched and stuffed from locally sustainable textiles. Black denim rementants that were landfill bound, combined with teal & white polka-dot fabric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The racks were re-arranged for maximum browsing and additional space was created to showcase local designers and their one-of-a-kind Slow Fashion Designs.  Caps from Flying Hen Studio, Sock Monkeys from Wee Silly Beastie, Unique puffed sleeved little girl dresses hand sewn by Pius Sinzohagera, Upcycled knit skirts from Nicole's Threads and of course, ARt Jackets, UpDresses, gauntlets, mittens, critter skirts, love bunnies and sew much more...all designed and created in our very own Sew Bar!

Be inspired by our variety of vintage fabrics + notions!  The Bobbin has a unique selection of sustainable green fabrics, needles, zippers, buttons, snaps, rick-rack, bias tape, sewing kits, etc... for sale.

The shop is open 11am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday

Call ahead with your specific fabric desires and we can organize a personal fabric trunk show.  802-862-7417

Mayor Bob Kiss Visits Old North End Businesses

The Bobbin Mamas visit w/Mayor Bob Kiss

Last week, our very own Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Bob Kiss, participated in a tour of North Winooski Ave in the Old North End. Our neighbors & friends at Local Access Television Channel 17 CCTV created a video all about that day. 

Description

Mayor Bob Kiss will head back to Burlington’s Old North End as part of the Mayor’s: "Business Call" Program. Having visited a number of North Street establishments in July, this time Mayor Kiss will focus on the Old North End’s other commercial artery, North Winooski Avenue. The Business Calls are done in collaboration with the City’s Community & Economic Development Office. As with past visits, Mayor Kiss will be accompanied by Bruce Seifer, Assistant Director for Economic Development with CEDO, and Jon Adams-Kollitz, Economic Development Specialist. For more information, please contact Joe Reinert at 865-7275 or jreinert@ci.burlington.vt.us

 

Related Issues

• Neighborhoods
• Economy & Business

Airtimes (Oh, Yeah...Mamas R gonna be on TV!)

1 Wednesday October 6, 2010 at 10:50 PM
2 Thursday October 7, 2010 at 3:50 AM
3 Thursday October 7, 2010 at 9:50 AM
4 Thursday October 7, 2010 at 1:00 PM
5 Saturday October 9, 2010 at 4:05 PM
6 Sunday October 10, 2010 at 6:00 PM

 

Smitty's Sewing Machine Service

Spotlight on Local Business: Smitty's Sewing Machine Service
Robert "Smitty" Smith of Essex Junction, Vermont

We Mamas have known Smitty since The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge was in it's infancy. 

Always there to greet you with a smile and a helpful story, Smitty is the perfect picture of high quality New England customer service.

Smitty learned to sew and repair machines while working for The House of Sewing in Essex, Vermont for 25 years.  When The House of Sewing closed their doors, five years ago, Smitty's entrepreneurial spirit took over. With the help of his wife, Penny, the couple opened shop at 3 Maple Street (Suite 1) in the 5 corners of Essex Junction, Vermont.

Smitty's nimble fingers and vast knowledge of vintage sewing machine repair has been god-send for the Mamas.  Not only have we purchased vintage and refabricated machines from Smitty, we also rely on him exclusively to keep all the ladies at our Sew Bar tuned up and running happy

In addition to selling vintage machines, Smitty also sells a wide variety of "high performance, high quality" NECCHI sewing machines and is home to the incredible NECCHI 4825!

"Come visit the shop for a one-on-one demo!" -Bob "Smitty" Smith

Learn more about Smitty's Sewing Machine Service on their Facebook Fan Page.

Stop by the shop!

Smitty's Sewing Machine Service

Location:

3 Maple Street Suite 1

Essex Junction, VT, 05452

Phone:

802-878-4545

Hours:

Mon:

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wed:

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thurs - Fri:

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sat:

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge May Newsletter 2010

The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge May Newsletter 2010 Happy May Crafty Friends, Whooo hooo! What a month! We've got not 1, but 2 CRAFT w/the Band events, Prom-dress workshop, bean-filled Juggle Balls, vintage fabric EcoNapkins + sew much more! Check out our May calendar and register today. There is something sustainably fun for everyone! Call 802-862-7417 or email info@thebobbin.com to register.       May is a wonderful month to shop local and buy handmade first! Make your Mama an eco-friendly craft to celebrate her day, or purchase local Mama-made handmade goods! (celebrating the creativity of multiple Mamas simultaneously) The day before Mother's Day brings us a local tradition: The Queen City Craft Bazaar- Vermont's indie craft fair featuring some of VT's finest handmade artists. Mama sez... Don't miss it! The first meeting to establish an American Sewing Guild Chapter here in Burlington went quite well last month.  While we decided against forming our own chapter, at this time, there was a lot of interest in creating an Greater Burlington Neighborhood Sew Club. The group will meet the first Thursday evening of every month from 7-9pm The goals of the group are to talk about sewing, show our sewing and encourage more sewing! If this sounds like you, or someone you love, mark your calendar and come on down! Our next meeting is -TOMORROW- Thursday, May 6th at: The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge, LLC 299 North Winooski Ave @ Archibald Street Old North End - Burlington - Vermont 802-862-7417 http://thebobbin.com   Spotlight on Local O.N.E. Designer Derek Smith of "Wyrd Wheel" The Bobbin is committed to highlighting the unique and diverse population of our Old North End neighborhood. This month we are turning out spotlight to a new resident of our beloved 'hood Derek Smith -a gifted yarn spinner who recently arrived here from Northern California. Derek's Yarns are spun chunky in rich hand dyed earthy hues. The Bobbin Mamas, not unlike most VT knitters, are always super excited to get their hands on some fresh new yarns.    You can learn more about Derek and his passion for knitting with authentic eco-friendly fibers on our blog: The Bobbin Mamas Adventures in Eco Craft. (Click Here)              The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge is pleased to offer a wide variety of green, vintage, upcycled and eco-friendly sewing, knitting + crafting supplies. Now including Derek Smith's handwoven, hand-dyed skeins of yarn at our local shop.  Stop on by Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm Derek Smith + his Yarn @ The Bobbin CRAFT w/the BAND! Prizzy Prizzy Please + The Smittens! CRAFT w/the Band! Psst! Guess what! it's that time again...time 2 CRAFT w/the Band! The Mamas are thrilled to announce not 1, but 2 Band-Crafts in the month of May. Prizzy Prizzy Please on Wednesday, May 19th 2-5pm and local favorites The Smittens on Saturday, May 29th 2-5pm Tickets ONLY $10.00 (Limited number available-only 20-closed VIP event) ONLY THE 20 TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE ADMITTED!!!! Get yours at: The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge 299 North Winooski Ave @ Archibald St. Old North End - Burlington - Vermont 802-862-7417 Busy Mamas Announcing: New Hours for Spring + Summer!!! The shop is now closed on Sundays (but still available 4 Private Parties) and is open on Mondays (by appointment only) for Custom Design + Consultations. We are always open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm 802-862-7417 to schedule an appointment with a crafty Mama! Thank you so much for supporting our little Mama-owned, local green business.  By taking our classes, purchasing products from our local handmade designers and having your clothing altered on our vintage machines; you are keeping textiles out of the landfills and "...saving the planet, one stitch at a time!" Learn more about The Bobbin on our Blog: The Bobbin Mamas Adventures in Eco-Craft Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on the Facebook join our Fan Page Or, just stop on by the shop, next time your in the Old North End! Yours in Craft,   Gyllian & Rachel The Bobbin Mamas The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge, LLC 299 North Winooski Ave @ Archibald Street Old North End - Burlington - Vermont 802-862-7417 thebobbin.com

Save $5 For the month of May save $5 off ($25 or more) on any one Bobbin made product.  Always wanted a critter skirt or love bunny? Now is the time!                  Shop Local! + Buy Handmade! Offer Expires: 5/32/10

OMG! Project Runway called The Bobbin Mamas!

     Today has been a VERY good day. Dark & Stormy turned to sunshine, blue skies, and springtime weather.  Custom orders were finalized, new products priced, straggling alterations finally finished, with the next phase ready to begin. Hooray for Spring! The day began with a surprising message waiting for the Mamas at the shop.  Project Runway had called. Yes, the show, Project Runway had somehow learned about our little Old North End - Burlington - Vermont shop. Not only did someone(s) know about our Mamas-on-a-Mission, sustainable neighborhood textile studio... but they had actually gone so far as to call us right up and leave a message on our voice mail. Can we say Wonder-ment?!!? Awe?!!? Disbelief? What a treat!

It turns out that Project Runway is very eager to attract contestants from Vermont to apply for Season 8.  They had learned about The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge from our facebook fan page. (Oh yes they did... says Gyllian -sticking-out-her-tongue- at all those social media nay sayers) They thought we would be great at getting the word out about their casting call for the next season.  So here goes, in our loudest Mama voices:

ATTENTION VERMONTER DESIGNERS:  PROJECT RUNWAY WANTS YOU!!!

Let's see the great talents of local Vermont fashion designers on the runway!

Let's take our unique fashion sense displayed on Church Street, Farmer's Market's & Town Hall Meetings and take it to the big apple!

When the kiddos are a little older and the bobbin is a little older...The Mamas are totally applying for Project Runway. Season 10, here we come!

Click on the following link to apply:

   

ASG Neighborhood Sew Club

The first meeting to establish an American Sewing Guild Chapter here in Burlington went quite well last month.  While we decided against forming our own chapter, at this time, there was a lot of interest in creating an ASG Greater Burlington Neighborhood Sew Club. The group will meet the first Thursday evening of every month from 7-9pm

The goals of the group are to talk about sewing, show our sewing and encourage more sewing! If this sounds like you, or someone you love, mark your calendar and come on down!

We discussed the group's desire for inclusion (welcoming all sewing levels and encouraging the younger generations), organizing group sewing challenges, and an interest in establishing community sewing projects for local charities. 

Our next meeting is - Thursday, May 6th at:

The Bobbin Sew Bar + Craft Lounge, LLC
299 North Winooski Ave @ Archibald Street
Old North End - Burlington - Vermont
802-862-7417

http://thebobbin.com

Our agenda for the April meeting is:

-Brainstorm about a name + logo for the group (contest?)

-Show + Tell: Bring along a project for showing and questions

-Contemplate community action through sewing

 

Discount Duds - WCAX

Burlington, VT - June 22, 2009

Save money-- learn to mend.

"The savings really add up when you have the basic skills in place," says Gyllian Rae Svensson, of the Bobbin Sew Bar and Craft Lounge.

The owners of the Bobbin say people can save a bundle by learning to sew. You can do your own alterations instead of paying someone else to do them.

Svensson says, "Let's say you are a petite person and get a lot of hems done. You can come in here and at eight dollars an hour at our sew bar, whip through a bunch of them and be all done, or pay 20 dollars per pair for someone else to do it."

You can also update your old wardrobe by giving it a new look.

"Taking an existing item in your closet that's outdated, or fits a little funny in the waist, or the hem is off; you can take that, spend an hour and customize it yourself," Svensson says. "It comes out of your closet and is back on your body."

Learning the trade doesn't cost much; you can find affordable classes. Now sewing equipment isn't cheap, but again, some places like the Bobbin rent all you need to get you going.

"It's not the type of thing where you can just sit down at a machine and start sewing," Svensson explains. "You will find that learning those skills are in your hands and you can save a lot of money that way."

A recent Consumer Expenditure Survey found that on average people spend about $1,750 a year on clothing, shoes and their upkeep. The Bobbin says you can cut that number in half by learning to sew.

Another way to cut it in half, according to experts-- buy used!

At consignment shops, like Dirt Chic in Burlington, shoppers will find deep discounts on previously owned clothing.

But keep in mind since they are used the life of the goods may be less than buying new. To account for that, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the annual savings could be 25 to 50 percent. And these days, most consignment shops only take clothes that are still cool.

Saving money on clothes seems to be in fashion.

Darren Perron - WCAX News

The Bobbin -Stuck in Vermont 108

By Eva Sollberger [12.10.08]

TAGS: art, artist interview, burlington, business profile, crafting, culture, economy, quirky, stuck in vermont, video

Mommy-owned and operated The Bobbin Sew Bar & Craft Lounge welcomes nursing moms, kids, crafters, novices and community members to take part in the fun.

Whether you are knitting, crocheting, sewing, shopping, hanging out or just observing, The Bobbin will keep you entertained.

So why should you pledge to buy locally-produced handmade goods this holiday season? Meet some of the artists like Happy Fantastic and Urban Farm Girl to help make up your mind.

Music:The Smittens, "Baby, Don't You Know," The Coolest Thing About Love

Watch this video on YouTube here.