The Warm Company

Since its inception, The Warm Company has been dedicated to manufacturing innovative products that make sewing and quilting easier and more enjoyable.  Some of their well-known products are Warm & Natural, Insul-Bright as well as Steam-a-Seam and Steam-a-Seam 2, just to name a few.

I love innovative produce!  Gadgets and tools can save you from untold frustration.  Steam-a-Seam adds an extra element of flexibility when you are creating, which allows you to change your mind at any time.  Nothing is permanent until pressed with an iron.  If you change your mind about the applique fabric you are using, you can simply peel off the Steam-a-Seam and stick it to new fabric!

There are two types of Steam-a-Seam products available: the original and 2, which brings up with question: "sticky back" or "double stick".  The bond is the same, but depending on your project, you may prefer one over the other.

The original Steam-a-Steam ("sticky back") has the pressure sensitive adhesive on one side only, which allows for a temporary hold to the applique material.  It moves freely on the second material, which allows you to reposition your pieces until pressed with an iron for a permanent bond.  Once fused, the bond is the same as Steam-a-Seam 2.

Steam-a-Seam 2 ("double stick") has the pressure sensitive adhesive on both sides which allows for a temporary hold on both the applique material and the background material.  This gives you the ability to hold your project vertically and have the pieces stay in place, which still being repositionable, until fused with an iron.  Before fusing, tack your project to a wall or, if it is a garment, try it on.  You'll be able to make sure the pieces are exactly where you want them to be... or make any adjustments you want.  

There's nothing like it! 

Canadian Thanksgiving

Did you know?

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to Martin Frobisher, the explorer, who had been searching for the northern passage to the Pacific Ocean.  Frobisher had safely returned from an expedition and in 1578, to commemorate this safe homecoming, he held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving the long journey.  This feast was one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations by Europeans in North America.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Canada with Samuel de Champlain in 1604, also held feasts of thanks.  They formed The Order of Good Cheer. 

After the Seven Years' War ended in 1763 and New France became part of British North America, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.  In 1799, Thanksgiving was observed, but it was still not yet held annually.  After the American Revolution, American Loyalists came to Canada and brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving with them.  The first Thanksgiving observed after the Canadian Confederation was established was on April 5,  1872 to celebrate the recovery of the Princes of Wales (later King Edward VII) from a serious illness.

Starting in 1879, Thanksgiving Day was observed yearly, but the date was flexible.  The theme of Thanksgiving also changed annually to reflect an important event to be thankful for.  In its early years, Thanksgiving was often celebrated for an abundant harvest, which is the tradition that we are familiar with today. 

After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday in the week of November 11th.  In 1931, the two days were separated as holidays and Armistice Day was formally renamed Remembrance Day.

There you have it!  The quick Canadian version of how Thanksgiving came to be.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend!!