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Fabric Sale 2024

🌟 Get ready to stitch, sew, and save at our Fabric and Notions Extravaganza! Dive into a trove of fabulous fabrics, essential notions, and tools - Explore our curated collection of vintage finds, and conscious quality sustainable fabrics including knits and organic cottons – there’s no limit to what you can create! Don’t miss out, swing by our studio on April 26 & 27 to stock up on inspiration. See you there! 🧵🌿

 

We will accept credit, cash, and e-transfer.

Please bring a bag to tote your treasures home.

 

Filter or no Filter?

Just a little more info for those of you ordering masks with me, or wondering in general about mask filters, what they are made of, and perhaps, what alternatives there are.

I will firstly state that I am neither a hepa filter expert, or mask expert, or a scientist in any terms. I did research and will talk briefly about what I have learned and list below some of the sites I referenced. I am, however, a quality designer and maker, and, to the best of my ability, I have been building the best masks that I can with some exceptional professional sewers.

***

In the past weeks, there have been a few articles and a youtube video reporting that Hepa filters contain fibreglass, so they are not suitable to be used so close nex the mouth and nose. This makes sense, as small fiberglass fibres that are in air filters could potentially be breathed in and be damaging to lunds over time. Air filters do contain fibreglass, so I will not be using the air filters. However, there has also been evidence and statements from manufacturers, and vacuum cleaner specialists that speak about vacuum cleaner bags efficacy, what they are made of and how they are made. They are not made with fibreglass. Theya re made from meltblown polypropelene, which is not fibreglass. It is a plastic derivative that does not contain fibreglass. They have also been deemed as alternatives to N95, and surgical masks through academic mask filtration efficacy studies done in 2006 to 2013.


 Here are some of the links that I looked through for info:

 Alternate filter efficacy studies and charts:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7108646/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258525804_Testing_the_Efficacy_of_

Homemade_Masks_Would_They_Protect_in_an_Influenza_Pandemic

Tests and info from Vacuum Cleaner specialists and manufacturers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYt_wtaLCk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnN6IHtq5gc
 
Alternate Mask materials and care:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Filtration-Efficiency-and-Pressure-Drop-Across-Materials-Tested-with-Aerosols-of-Bacillus_tbl1_258525804

https://diymask.site/

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/22/840146830/adding-a-nylon-stocking-layer-could-boost-protection-from-cloth-masks-study-finds

The Travel Diaries | Haida Gwaii

Hi Everyone, 

We hope you have been enjoying the beauty of summer wherever you are. At the tail end of this wonderful season, we wanted to share our latest installment of the Travel Diaries where we caught up with our friend Carla. Carla recently spent a month in Haida Gwaii. Take a peek below to see what she was up to and how her fave Riyoko piece saw her through her travels! 

Let' start with a quick rundown: 
1. Who are you - Carla!
2. What were you doing - WWOOF'ing for a month

3. Where were you going - Haida Gwaii

4. When did you go - May-June 2015

5. Why were you there - To help on an organic farm and get out of the city
6. How did you get there - Bus, plane, ferry and bicycle

I went WWOOF'ing on an organic farm for a month on Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands), an archipelago off the Northwest coast of British Columbia, Canada. WWOOF stands for Willing Workers On Organic Farms and is a great way to travel on a budget and integrate yourself with the local community. I also got to learn a lot of organic gardening, the Haida culture and life on a more isolated island.

Haida Gwaii - WWOOfing

I packed up my bicycle and flew into Sandspit from Vancouver. After putting it back together and spending the night at a local hostel, I biked to the ferry to Queen Charlotte City and then headed up the coast to Tlell. It was about 45-55km in total. I packed light with only my bicycle box for checked luggage. One pannier, a small backpack and a purse were my carry-ons. I had to take versatile clothes that would be able to do double duty, so I took my Classic Riyoko Tights in black. They were perfect for the cooler, rainy days as they were quick to dry even in the damp ocean air.

Haida Gwaii is known for its wildlife and unspoiled beaches and islands. The southern half of the islands are all a National Park joint managed by the Haida First Nation. There is also a huge Provincial Park, Naikoon, which covers the Northeast corner of the main island.

Carla's pics - Beach

One of the best bike adventures I had on the Island was a trip from Tlell to Meyer Lake. We loaded up my bike with paddles and headed off for the 20km ride. We then canoed across the lake, had a fire and lunch, then did the whole thing in reverse.

Thanks for sharing Carla! WWOOF'ing sounds like a great way to travel and a really cool experience. We are also always so intrigued to hear about all the unique places that British Colombia has to offer! 

As always, if you have a great story to share about your travels and how your favourite Riyoko pieces saw you through your adventure -- let us know! 

Until next time, 

Britt 

June & July Sister Cyclist, Carla Hills

June & July Sister Cyclist is Carla Hills. Carla is a steering committee member for Cyclepalooza, a ten day d.i.y bike festival that happens every summer in Calgary. It's in year five now, and we couldn't be happier. Carla started riding only in summer, was not excited about traffic, and now she rides everywhere, all year round! She even took her bike on a trip to Haida Gwaii last year...that is another story we'll talk to her about soon. Oh, and she also co-hosts Bike Town, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories about how cycling has transformed people's every day lives. Cheers, Carla, for just being plain awesome.

Tell us a little about yourself.

At the moment I'm a university student. I live downtown and have for the past decade. I've been riding a bike for four years or so, and it has become a huge part of my life. 

Tell us a little about your bike.

My main ride whenever there is no ice is a Simcoe 7-speed step-thru with internal gearing. She’s an upright city bike which I use for commuting as well as errands and fun. She’s taken me on camping trips, midnight rides, canoeing, grocery shopping and antiquing. Quite versatile!

I also have a dedicated winter bike with studded tires, it’s nice to be able to switch off depending on the weather here.

What started you cycling?

I don’t have a drivers license, and I lived downtown for four years before I really thought of getting a bike. I was always able to walk around my neighbourhood, but it was a bit far to even get to the next neighbourhood. I remember riding as a teenager and being able to go wherever I wanted, but I had hated my last bike and had bad memories of handlebar brakes and gears. I must have seen Dutch style bikes online somewhere (coaster brakes, few gears) and realized I could have my childhood bike as an adult after all. So, I got a 3-speed Gazelle and I haven’t stopped since! I’m totally good with gears and handlebar brakes now too.

What do you like best about travelling in your city?

I love the pathways which connected so many green-spaces within the city. It’s great to be able to ride away from the roads and experience some nature at the same time.

What is your favourite riyoko piece (and what do you wear with it)?

I love the Refleks leg warmers for cooler wet days or snow. They work great over skinny pants to keep my shins from freezing and my pants from getting dirty before I arrive at school or work.

Tips/Tricks for Cycling?

Just get out there and do it!

 

The Travel Diaries | The Penedès
Hello again!  This month for the Travel Diaries I caught up with Thea to find out more about her trip to Spain. 
Keep reading to find out how Thea came up with just the right cocktail of cycling, sightseeing and sipping on the best wine The Penedès has to offer! 
              
WHO: Thea Wingert, public servant, frequent cyclist and traveller, and part-time blogger with Zen Travellers
Thea and some future cava
WHAT: My fiancé Philip and I spent 6 days cycling through the Penedès wine region in Catalonia, Spain and then another few days touring around Barcelona.
WHERE: From Barcelona where we picked up the bikes, GPS, maps and panniers from Terra Diversions Bike Tours. We put the bikes on the train and got off at Sant Sadurni Di Anoia which is the cava capital of Calatonia and home to the Simon Coll chocolate factory. Once there, we toured the chocolate factory, Freixenet facilities, and enjoyed some amazing cuisine and hospitality. From Sant Sadurni Di Anoia, we stopped briefly at the Cordoniu cava vinyard before cycling about 45km to a beautiful rural eco-hotel called Cal Ruget. The following day we cycled 38km up Mont Rubi, toured the Bodegas Torres near Vilafranca del Penedès and headed back to enjoy the calm of Cal Ruget.
descending down from Mont Rubi
Freixenet, Cordoniu and Torres wines and cavas can all be found in Calgary in either the Spanish or Sparkling Wine sections of most liquor stores, and I strongly recommend you give them a try! Next, we had an easy day descending through the gorgeous Parc Del Foix and cycling over the cobblestone streets of Castellet before arriving at a peaceful seaside town called Comarruga where we enjoyed delicious fresh seafood and local wine. The following day, we cycled about15 flat km along the beautiful mediterranean coast and enjoyed a cava lunch before starting the climb to the biggest city in the Penedès region, Vilafranca del Penedès. Once there, we learned about the history of the region by touring the wine museum and walking through the old town square. For our last day of cycling, we descended to the famous coastal city Sitges where we enjoyed delicious paella on the beach and took in the lively night life. We had no cycle routes scheduled the following day, so we switched things up by going for a swim in the Mediterranean and touring the city on foot. After we tired of that, we reluctantly loaded our bikes onto the train and headed back to Barcelona. A short ride brought us back to Terra Diversions, where we dropped off the bikes and thanked them for setting up a wonderful tour.
WHEN: We went the first week of September which was great for the weather and lack of crowds, but seemed to be the week that a lot of places were closed since for them it was the end of the busy season. I would recommend going the second or third week of September instead.
WHY: We were there to travel by bike through one of the world's lesser known but still incredible wine regions and to visit an old friend in Barcelona. It was our first multi-day cycle tour and it was the perfect destination for us to learn to love travelling by two wheels.
HOW: We flew using points from Air Canada to Barcelona. We spent a few days touring Barcelona's incredible neighbourhoods and Gaudi architecture before getting equipped for our cycle tour through the Penedès wine region.

What was the best part of the journey? The food and wine in Catalonia is simply incredible and the best part was that since we spent the day cycling through beautiful scenery, we could enjoy all the treats guilt free!
What Riyoko piece did you take with you? I brought the Riyoko Sweater Love Dress with me.
                                   
The Sweater Love Dress is a classic Riyoko piece that is still available via the shop, or special order via email

Why did you choose that piece? As anyone who has ever done a cycle tour knows, packing light is essential. The Sweater Love dress was versatile enough to be worn as a technical piece while cycling during cool mornings and as a style piece once I had arrived at my destination in the evenings. I loved that I could have something in my pannier that could so seamlessly take me from riding to out on the town.
How did you style it? I wore it as an outer layer for cooler mornings on the bike and then styled it with leggings and a light scarf for late Spanish dinners once we arrived at our destination. I thought I would exclusively want it to be my going out at night piece, but I loved how it took the bite out of the cooler morning temperatures too.

Sounds like a lovely adventure, thank you for sharing Thea! I love the that the Love Sweater Dress was super practical and came through as a style piece for nights out as well as multitasking. Versatility in each piece is key when packing light and the Love Sweater Dress definitely fit that bill!
Make sure you reach out if you have taken any of your favourite Riyoko pieces on vacation with you! I'm off to look for flights to Spain...
BrittÂ