Back 2 School {A Coupon for Free Shipping!}

Free Domestic Shipping when you spend $25 or more, use coupon BACK2SCHOOL at checkout in the SoChick Fabric Shoppe.

So, you're either dreading the "end" of summer, or doing a little happy dance that the kiddos are headed back to school, but either way, it's happening... the new School year... time to get back into the "groove"!

Naturally, I looked at the calendar and thought... "I need to make/buy/sew this or that for the girls before school starts!".  So, if you're like me, you'll be happy with today's coupon for Free Shipping on Domestic Orders of $25 or more with coupon code BACK2SCHOOL at checkout!

You can either:

A. Stock up on fabric for Back to School sewing projects for the kids.

or

B. Stock up on fabric for Back to School = more-time-for-Mom projects. *wink*

Either way. hurry while it lasts... this coupon will expire next Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Happy Shopping!

XxOo~ Melissa

SoChick Fabric Shoppe Re-Opens!

The SoChick Fabric Shoppe is now OPEN and shipping fabric again; this time it's from the mountains of Western North Carolina!

Finally, the time has come; my new studio space is ready, and I hope you are, too!  

Making room...
  As you browse the SoChick Fabric Shoppe, you'll find that premium quilting cottons and laminates have been reduced in price to not only bring you a great deal, but to also help to make room for new Fall Inventory of fresh fabric!

Also coming for Fall 2013, two new SoChick Sewing Patterns and a selection of fun handmade goodies from the new studio space... stay tuned!


XxOo~ Melissa

♥ Happy Valentines Day ♥ {A Coupon For You!}

Treat yourself to some yummy fabric for Valentines day!  Visit the SoChick Fabric Shoppe on Etsy and use this coupon code to save 20%:

Simply enter the coupon code "LOVE2SEW" at checkout to save 20% on your total purchase.  And, because I heart each and every one of you, this coupon doesn't expire until 7:00am EST on Monday, Feb 18th! *Happy Dance*  Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

XxOo~ Melissa

Let's Talk About Shipping {USPS Rate Increases, Shop Delays, etc}

It's become an annual occurrence, the USPS with their rate hikes and all... why not keep everyone on their toes and jack up prices?!

I guess I get it, to an extent, but I'm going to tell you right now that I am not at all happy with the major rip-off the new rates are for international shipments!  Seriously, up to 100% increases!? Gah!  I'm not going to rant about how the US outsources labor and such to save money, but heaven forbid someone from outside the US try to make a purchase from a US based business...  hypocrisy at it's finest.  Moving on...

I try my best to stay fair on shipping charges, being sure to cover only my actual cost and to use flat rate priority shipping as often as I can.  Here is a look at the new rate chart as shown in this Etsy Blog post, which also breaks down other changes from the USPS.

via Etsy Blog

 For most of December and January I have been shipping to Australia at least once a week... (lots of love to my friends Down Under, and thank you for your business! XxOo!) But, WOW... $24 freaking bucks to ship a Flat Rate Envelope?! I am promising that I am going to do everything I can to find some way to alleviate this madness, I mean, there has to be a way to make this a bit more affordable... right?!

In the meantime, I will be updating shipping profiles in the Fabric Shoppe.  These changes take effect on January 27th, 2013.

Also, I will have a Delayed shipping notice up in my shop for next week.  All fabric orders received Monday Jan 28th through Saturday Feb 2nd, will ship on Monday February 4th.  We are going hunting... for a house; I appreciate your understanding as I do everything I can to keep things running as smoothly as possible through all of the craziness!

Thanks for being awesome!
XxOo~ Melissa

{SoChick Fabric Shoppe} Introducing: Pick Your Bundle

A new year means fresh starts... and new fabric for your stash! 

Stop by my shoppe today, to make your own little bundle of Fat Quarters!   Remember, a fat quarter is a quarter of a yard of fabric which is cut 18 x 22 inches. (Read more about Fat Quarters in my Guide to Fabric)

Brand new in the SoChick Fabric Shoppe you will find two Pick Your Bundle options:

Option 1:


Easy, pick five fat prints, from the available Quilting Cottons, to complete your Fat Quarter bundle.



Option 2:


Pick twelve prints, from the available Quilting cottons, to complete your FQ bundle!

I always say that buying many smaller cuts of fabric is an economical way to familiarize yourself with several designers/prints, but it's also super great for building up your stash and Fat Quarters are sew perfect for little projects that you just can't justify cutting into yardage for!

You can choose from ANY available Quilting Cottons in the Shoppe for your bundles. Want some of Tula Pink's Salt Water mixed with Jennifer Paganelli's Happy Home and a sprinkle of Joel Dewberry's Aviary2?  You've got it!  


{Shop Now}

Happy Sewing!
XxOo~ Melissa

My Thoughts on 2012 {Reaching Goals and Building a Dream}

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I love what I do.

When I started SoChick! in 2010 I was sewing bags and accessories, all the while growing this passion for fabric, sewing and handmade loveliness.  I knew it then, but began to realize it more and more, that my passion wasn't in manufacturing bags, as much as it was in creating, designing and sharing my passion for fabric and sewing in general.  I get so excited to look at and share beautiful fabric, inspiration and... what was that? you have a question about sewing??... I'm all about encouraging and sharing my knowledge!  I love learning new techniques as much as I love sharing ones I know.

I have a growing love for ALL things sewing related: bag making, quilting, and yes, even garment sewing (although its a newer adventure that I'm learning more about).

My passion for pretty fabric may have come from the extreme lack thereof in my local area.  While there are a few shops, none carry the fabric that I ♥.  So, I learned about and developed my taste for fabric by ordering online.  By purchasing small quantities of fabric online, I became familiar with designers and colors.  Also, annual visits to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Atlanta, Ga, allowed me to touch/feel all kinds of fabrics, and I'm like a sponge when it comes to learning techniques!

Lets not forget to mention how much I ♥ getting my fabric delivered by Mr. UPS, and Mr/Ms USPS.  I know they think I'm some crazy fabric-sewing chick... that's okay.

In the beginning of 2012 I knew I wanted big things for my little business, every year has been a year of growth and goal reaching... this year, many of the little dreams, on the path to my big dream, came true. 

I released a Sewing Pattern for sale and have had major success on a free Sewing Tutorial (in my humble opinion). I taught a few sewing lessons to friends, one of whom is getting her first sewing machine in the very near future (Success!!).  And, my little sewing studio is bursting with bolts of beautiful fabric from my favorite designers, as I am now selling fabric by the yard in my online Fabric Shoppe.  Sitting down with my fabric rep and looking through fabric samples was a big dream-come-true... Yay! 

In 2013 I hope to add more fabric to my shoppe, complete an Epic Quilt Project, release more PDF Patterns for sale, and build my Blog's Virtual Shoppe community.

I can not give enough thanks to each and every one of my customers, blog readers, twitter/facebook followers, online friends and real-life friends (and family) for the support you have shown me and my growing business.  While SoChick! is still very much a small business, it has come so, so far... and wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for all of you!

I hope 2013 brings many awesome things to each of you, health, happiness, love, and perhaps some needle and thread... and of course, fabric!  

XxOo~ Melissa

Virtually SoChick! {The Blog, The Shoppe}

Imagine walking through a quaint little town full of pretty windowed store fronts.  The shoppes aren't big, but they are inviting.  The store window that catches your creative eye is filled with lovely sewn accessories: pillows, cushions, fabric bunting, a pretty handbag or two, and a few children's garments.  Behind the window display is a cozy slipcovered loveseat with a gorgeous quilt draped across the back, flanked by a few comfy chairs and a small table filled with sewing magazines.  Beyond that, in this cute little shoppe, bookcases filled with beautifully colored bolts of fabric catch your eye; you notice the shelves are sprinkled with a collection of small vintage sewing machines and apothecary jars filled with raw cotton and vintage sewing notions; this view is pleasing, not overwhelming; you decide you need to take a closer look...

{Vintage Sewing Notions via}
{make do and mend. via}
{cotton jars via}

Welcome to my "Sewing Shoppe"... from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be, this is how I want you to feel when you come to SoChick!, the blog and the fabric shoppe.  Grab a cup of coffee, or tea, whichever you please, and take a look around.

My blog is becoming my virtual Sewing Boutique, where I share my love for creating: sewing of all kinds, quilting, funky machine embroidery, and fabric.  Here you can browse tutorials, find inspiration and tips/tricks for sewing; read my Guide to Fabric, ask questions and get answers; learn about featured small businesses, whose items I'd gladly display in a real shoppe; join a quilt-along or sew-along, and find new SoChick! Sewing Patterns.  And, most importantly, browse a selection of fresh, modern quilting and lifestyle fabrics in my online Fabric Shoppe. 

I'm looking forward to your visits, and will be here at the sewing machine or cutting table, ready to greet you!

XxOo~ Melissa

{SALE Announcement} SoChick Fabric Shoppe

Happy Friday!  If you are signed up for the SoChick! Newsletter, you know that I need to make room in my studio for new fabric... to help with that I'm having a SALE in my Fabric Shoppe on Etsy!!

Through Thursday, November 15th, save 30% at checkout with coupon code ETSY30.  That means you can score Amy Butler prints for as low as $6.30/yard and cotton laminate for less than $12/yd!

It's a great time to grab up fabric and try any of these free projects that Amy shares on her website.  

Source: amybutlerdesign.com via Melissa on Pinterest

You can make beautiful gifts for giving over the Holidays or save it for stitching on a cold winter day, nothing beats the winter blues quite like beautiful fabric!


Enjoy and have a great weekend!


XxOo~ Melissa