Celebrate Earth Day at Hancocks!

Starting today through April 25 at Hancock Fabrics --
99 cent McCalls patterns
50% off Blumenthal buttons
50% off Bamboo fiber, pillow forms and batting

McCalls 4 for $5 Pattern Sale at Hancock

February 25-28 - 4 for $5 McCalls patterns

The in-store Hancock Spring Savings Sale also has 50% off buttons and notions this weekend.

Their email I received today has a link to a printable, barcoded 40% off regular priced fabric coupon, good February 25-March 7. You need to sign up on their webpage to get the coupon, if not this one, for the future ones!

90 Yards!!!

...of Stay Tape! I've been going through my roll rather quickly making Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1101 over and over. Hancock Fabrics is the only place locally I can find Stay
Tape. (surprised Jo-Ann's doesn't sell it) I was a litle taken aback this morning when I saw the price - $5.29 for ten yards, made by Dritz. A little shock there, I didn't remember it being that much or by Dritz. Dritz is good though, and instead of stocking up on two rolls at that price, I decided to wait for their next 50% off notions sale and get only one for now.

BUT--Hancock's is having a big sale and since I had a bit ot time, decided to roam the aisles. Good thing! I found a separate notions sale rack...and -- Stay Tape! The familiar pretty flowery blue package by Collins Notions I had at home. Same ten yards, but only $1.55! I put the other one back and grabbed nine packages. Apparently Hancocks is going to carry the Dritz line and clearancing out the Collins brand. Check your Hancock's store and see if they are doing the same thing. (I left some packages behind to keep good sewing Karma!)

Latest from Hancock - Project Runway Fabric

Some of the Sunsational Savings Sale items starting today through Sunday, June 15 --

99 cent McCall's patterns
50% off buttons and sewing machine needles
$1.77 Maxi-Lock serger cone thread



And also on sale through June 18 per the circular, I didn't see the rounder in the store, 30% off Project Runway prints by Robert Kaufman, regular price $8.99 (!) sale $6.29. Shades of brown, turquoise, paprika, salmon done in zippers, safety pins, pins, "Make It Work", notions and models. I have no idea what you would do with them. . .

Memorial Day Pattern Sales - updated

May 24/26 Simplicity patterns at Jo-Ann's, 5 for $5

May 23/26 Hancock's will have 88 cent McCalls, 88 cent Butterick and $3.88 Vogue

Where's the Love?

At Hancock Fabrics! For four days only, April 24/27, they are having their "I Love Mom" sale which includes Vogue patterns for $3.99 and McCall's patterns for 99c. (Butterick goes on sale for 99 cents May 1/4). Another thing to note, Hancock's changed their ASG discount policy. You can still get 10% off, only now on non-sale items only. (Thirty-nine cents was nothing to quibble about when I got the $27.50 new Issey Miyake 1052 (I love the pants for summer, the jacket is making me sweat just looking at it) for only $3.99; and the clerk was so apologetic. I guess others must have been giving her grief. Truly, everyone needs to work retail at one point to see what life is like on the other side of the counter.) I also got two of the new Sandra Betzina Today's Fit patterns -- 1045 and 1049. Her new 1050 pants must be a big hit, the slot was empty.

Hancock's Holiday Ideas Magazine

I forgot to mention, I also picked up the free Winter 2007 issue of Holiday Ideas magazine from Hancock's. Cute projects, but not all photos have corresponding instructions -- the cute doggie vest and comfy travel sack are Kwik Sew 3517, the pocket scarf Kwik Sew 3092, Zoozie Onsie is Kwik Sew 2995, McCalls 9638 robe. But if you plan to buy or already have the patterns, it's nice to see other versions. Perhaps these pattern companies helped sponsor the issue? However, it is still filled with lots of neat free ideas and patterns. What caught my eye was the Gingerbread Folk. The pipecleaners sandwiched between the layers help make them bendy to hold onto the tree, candy canes, etc. Clever!

New Today's Fit Sandra Betzina Vogue Patterns!

Three new Sandra Betzina patterns! Hancock's is having a 75% off Vogue patterns Veteran's Day sale this weekend. At a regular price of $25 (!!!), this brings it down to $5.63 by the time you use your ASG discount. Yesterday, only 1017, the blouse, was still in stock (there is one more left). The coat, 1024, is featured in the December issue of Vogue Patterns magazine, which explains why that one is missing. The 1018 skirt I can see for fun holiday parties. Sandra does have a neat collection of skirts with such interesting details. So I bought the blouse, hoping in real life it will look better. I would love to see Sandra's versions.

Hancock's 75% off Vogue Pattern Sale

Even though I signed up for Jo-Ann's and Hancock's sales fliers, we are on a PO training route and sometimes they don't arrive in my mailbox. I'm always grateful when I find out via the blogs and Internet when the sales are, so I'm passing the news along. Sale is August 24-26.

Night-Nightlife

Still smarting after those Sandra Betzina clunkers, best to go another round with TNT Kwik Sew 2811 PJ's. L and I just happened to be in the neighborhood of a remaining Hancock's. Gotta do our part to keep them around. She pulled together this fun combo, and on sale, too. Another one of their marked down/take another 20% off/now toss in the 10% ASG discount. I think the "sophisticated 60's ladies" ended up less than $1.50/yard, from an original $5.99/yard. The peachy pink, "Tea Time by Phyllis Hoffman" (wasn't she once the editor of Crafts or Country Cross Stitch magazine back in the early 80's?) will be the shirt, and the ladies are "KerryBeary" for the pants-both fabrics are Hancock exclusives. I plan to have some trim and contrast fun combining the two fabrics--embellishing the champagne with a few bead "bubbles" and their ensembles with either more beads or embroidery touches for the shirt pocket.

Hancock's 89 cent Vogue Pattern Sale

Started today, through August 5. In the national ad circular, they are advertised on sale for $3.99; but inside the store I went to - 99 cents! With the ASG 10% discount, mine rang up at 89 cents! I stopped her and said I thought the Vogues are $3.99. The best I could understand, this particular Hancock's (or maybe all of them?!) printed and posted two separate 99 cent sale McCalls and Vogue fliers posted just inside the door. She said it was supposed to be just McCalls, but they are honoring the Vogue flier. At least that was my take, and I took the three new Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogues at that price.

If you were waiting for Jo-Ann's $3.99 Vogue sale August 7, you may want to head over to your Hancock's now, before they come to their senses and take the flier down.

Repeatable Winner - McCalls 2205

I'm trying to remember how many times I've made this shirt. It could be 7 or 8, or even more over the years... These shirts get worn and worn out. Here's the link to my review on Patternreview.com from a couple of years ago.

Aren't the JHB palm tree buttons perfect? Click the photo to enlarge and see them better.
L found them and approved the fabric choice at Hancock's a couple years ago. This was the fabric which surfaced during the Big Dig in my sewing room the other day.

Other fabric versions have included the famous Father-Daughter pink fish fabric (with silver fish buttons), chili peppers, hot sauce bottles, fern fronds, Hawaiian postcards and flame-torch holding surfers! T's comment about this one - "it's very green!"

On the 7th day. . .

Only seven more days until our Hancock's closes. All patterns are now $1.99. . .

Well, all you can find, and what you are willing to go through to get them (out-of-order, missing in action, plopping yourself down on the floor, going through each drawer - wondering will the cabinet fall over onto me if two drawers are open with another person searching the top row at the same time? Thankfully, no. But flipping (physically, not mentally) quickly because DD just called and finished one of her finals early -should have known, it was English-duh! - and you must now time travel 25 minutes and encounter a toad-strangling thunderstorm cell on the way/ let's put the wipers on fast, oh, they are! - that kind of rain. . .) But ultimately arriving safely and sew worth it!

Back again!

I wanted to see if Hancock's had the new Kwik Sew 3461, featured in the current Threads Magazine (#131, page 24) pattern review, and they did! 70% off ($2.85). Then I started looking to see if they might have something suitable for the DKNY Vogue 2970 skirt - it called for 3 3/8 yard of 60" wide, and for a funky skirt, I really didn't want to invest too much $$. I found the dark green lightweight woven with lighter green/khaki cross threads 60% off ($4.72 total at $1.18/yard) I got 4 yards because it looked to be like a "mystery" fabric and didn't know if it would shrink. Then 2 spools of matching thread ($1.20) and a 9" zipper because I couldn't remember if it needed one, they didn't have the current Vogue Pattern Book, and at 80% off (43 cents), better to be safe and stash if necessary. While I was at the cutting table, someone had abandoned this pretty wine trim. Took that home, too ($1.68).

So, the current deals as of this week -- Patterns 70% off, zippers 70% off, all buttons are 80% off, the good $$ trims 70%, fabric discount up to 60%. If you are looking for the name brand quilting fabrics, there's lots of bolts of - Alexander Henry, St. Jude's, etc., included at the 60% off.

And still clutching my 40% off coupon, I went to Jo-Ann's, and their magazines are still on sale, though this time their sign had the small print at the bottom - "Effective 5-6/5-19" Guess where I'll be on the 20th? :-) Probably looking at another sale sighn (sic). . .

Kwik Sew 2811 PJ's (again!)

Is this the fourth or fifth time I've made these Kwik Sew PJ's?! I've lost track. Newest version - short sleeved top with the long pants in 100% woven cotton with lace trim in the retro Pepsi print from the Jo-Ann's markdown shelves. I added my 10 cents/yard Hancock's lace to the collar, sleeve, top hem and to the tie/bow of the pants, after which I was left with only 6 inches. Oops! Sew first, then measure? Sew on the wild side -- it's just PJ's! I thought the print needed a little something and the lace was just the right touch. The buttons were also a Hancock bargain. If your local Hancock's is closing, run and grab this pattern at 70% off. It may even be 80% off this week. If not, 2811 is well worth the full price - you'll love and sew it over and over again, too.

Must be gravitational pull

Another stop at Hancock's but this was legit, really! -- I had an idea while treadmilling this morning and was looking for lace to trim my upcoming Pepsi girl Kwik Sew PJ's. I had just left Jo-Ann's empty-handed and actually (ugh) going to go to Wal-Mart to fullfill this cardiovascular inspiration cheaply, or just skip the idea entirely. Hancock's was on my route. I needed 4 yards and found a spool with...4 yards! For 40 cents total! Yay! Then two Simplicity patterns Threads' Sew Stylish 3867 --it includes that cute aqua purse she's holding-- and In K Designs 4022 - (all patterns are now 70% off. Gosh knows when Jo-Ann's will have another cheapo sale; watch, next week! But I had to have them now ! Too delicicious to wait --thank you, Erica B for scouting them out!), two spools of Mettler thread ($2.87), and 2 cards of buttons ($1.44). And a pair of cheap scissors to replace my decoy pair, which have gotten all gummy and funky (good thing decoys work, eh?) for only 59 cents.

Like a moth to a flame...

...I went back in to Hancock's this morning! The current discount savings ranged from 40% to 100%.

Here's my latest round of treasures -- Clockwise from the top, 5 yards 1/4" elastic, since I'm sure going to be making more of Sandra Betzina's 8151 View A! I liked it because it was 76% cotton, 24% rubber and had way more stretch/better recovery than the polyester version (84 cents)...8 yards of 4 1-1/2' wide 2-yard ribbon remnants($4.46) ...the 2005 Hancock Fabrics Quilt of Dreams for St. Jude's commemorative pin (free). Since that was the year I made the quilts for them, I'm glad I was able to find the pin to stick on my sewing room bulletin board...the Spring issue of Cutting Edge ($1)...eyelet tool and two packages of 100 multi colored and brass eyelets ($3.93). Now that I have them, maybe I'll work them into some projects...4 Vintage (circa 1890-1910) La Mode black faceted buttons, they are so pretty and sparkly, the photo doesn't do them justice ($2.39)...stick-on graduation year numbers and package of 81 peel and stick felt letters/numbers, for I'll probably end up using them for another school project! ($4.57)...2 packages of assorted Blue Moon beads -"Autumn Glow" and "Spring Fling" ($2.99)...4 size 10 big bubba snaps ($1.49).

Yet still, I didn't buy any fabric -- not from lack of looking and trying, but lack of desirability and current fashion. Therein probably the main reason of Hancock's fiscal problemas!

Things that make you go, "hmmm"

Random thoughts bouncing inside my head today --
1) Ann Taylor Loft $25 off purchase cards. They expire today. But have you noticed when you racked up those cards with earlier purchases a month ago, there was lots of good stuff to chose from...and the cards piled up in eager anticipation of redemption...fattening up the wallet because they are attached to the receipts...because ATL is afraid you will sell them on eBay?! Yet, when it's time to redeem, they seem to have "junque" in the stores. Black, beige, gray, maybe a little blue, that's it! And some in lesser quality fabrics, especially the knit tops already starting to pill and fuzz just from the racks. Where's the color? Where's the love? I have 2 cards which will just go in the trash tonight. Not from lack of trying or shopping. Watch by the end of this week and next, there will be the better quality items back in the store. Probably along with another $25 card promotion...
2) L and I stopped by Hancock's today. That store is off our stop-by list now. Still stingy with the markdowns. And we both think they have repriced the remaining fabric! I was going to get an USMC print to make my hubby our traditional Father's Day shirt when I saw they raised the markdown percentage to 30% off, but ... it looked like they re-stickered the price to $7.99! Huh? We both could have sworn that last week it was $6.99 and 20% off. Yes, that equals the same price, but still that's a little hoodwinky, isn't it? In fact, there were lots of new bright yellow stickers on the bolt ends. And they restocked their Hot Patterns display. I wonder if they are pulling merchandise from other stores?

Closing Hancocks and ASG discount

Your mileage may vary, but depending upon who is ringing at the registers, you may or may not get your 10% ASG discount. Even though last week I was able to flash the card, yesterday a clerk said they are no longer Hancock's but a liquidation store and they don't have to follow Hancock's policies for discounts. When she asked the other clerks nearby, they didn't know anything about that. Grudgingly she gave it to me, as if she was doing me a wonderful favor. Sorry but, your pre-closing fabric sale prices were better than the 20% off what I bought. That extra 10% at least put it in the same ballpark.

At least give it a try!

Considerable Restraint!

Some of our local Hancock's are closing -- I don't know why; there were always cars and shoppers there. Others are staying open, so I'll be able to get my Kwik Sew fixes prn. To be honest, lately I've only been shopping there for patterns and notions. I haven't found any fashion fabric I liked for a couple of years. Sad!

This is the first week of the inventory liquidation, so the selection is good, and the discounts OK...20%-30% off. But add in the ASG 10% discount, which they are still accepting, you can get some pretty good deals.

These three Kwik Sews came home with me. One of our ASG'rs made a pair of the slippers (3323) and they turned out really cute. And you never know when you may need a pattern for a tie (3183) or gloves (3397)!

This book had some really cute and creative ideas, 24 in fact! "Stitch & Sizzle Accessories"

I liked the amulet purse made out of a tie and the butterfly eyeglass case is perfect to make for Mother's Day. Check their website - http://www.creativepub.com ISBN is 1-58923-207-0

Bead and embellishment goodies. I can't explain the adhesive iron-on green"2" other than it must have been stuck to the underside of one of the packages and I wasn't paying attention during checkout when it rang up. (No returns/no refunds). And the scatological humor afterwards.

A closeup of the Blue Moon charms - the top is a heart with a keyhole (key to my heart?) saying "made with love" and the ones below are embossed with "love"

50 cent bargains! The red/gold and black/gold wooly nylon was originally $6.29!