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Lovely Laminates

November 20, 2012 by 7 Comments

garment bag laminateWondering what to do with all the gorgeous laminates that keep coming out? Stumped for something besides a diaper bag or tablecloth? Wishing there was something both fun and practical to make that doesn’t require as much patience as a raincoat? I’ve got something for you. You probably guessed that already, smart readers that you are.

This incredibly easy garment bag is just the thing. I’ve left off topstitching and edgestitching but you could certainly add those if you chose. (Just remember that the more times the fabric gets punctured by needles, or pins, it loses some of the water resistance. Because liquids can seep through those little holes quite easily.) You could also add trim such as crocheted lace or rick rack around the horizontal seam lines. Or even add trim along the sides of the zipper.

You can carry this garment bag folded as well because there’s an elastic loop at the bottom to put over the hanger. Handy, isn’t it?garment bag laminate foldedI hope you’ll be inspired to make some of these. I think they’d make a great gift for the holidays. Or a great way to take clothes with you as you head out for Thanksgiving travels.  Click here for the free pattern. Or visit the Freebies section.

Filed Under: clothing, color, embellishments, fabric, freebie, laminate, pattern, sis boom, tutorials

Minute by Minute

September 9, 2012 by 3 Comments

They’re ticking away so quickly, those pesky little minutes. Blink and they’re gone forever.Coffee sleeve at machineThis is what keeps me from missing too many of those minutes. Lots and lots of iced coffee.  It’s excellent for keeping me focused on things like this applique.closeup of stitchingThis piece will be going with me to Quilt Market next month. Think retro Mod with a folksy twist.  I’ll be hard to miss in the crowd, if nothing else. 

I’ve recently signed up with Audible.com and have been listening to books while doing handwork and sewing. I started with two books, part of a series–A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness. At first, I had a problem getting my brain in the right place. Listening is slower than reading for me. A lot slower. My mind wanders all over the place while the story plays out. I had to work at paying attention in the beginning. But I think I’ve figured out how to do it.  (If you’re familiar with Journey to the West, think of the magic cap Kuan Yin provides for Monkey. It’s a bit like that–quieting the monkey mind.)

Which means, I’m going to need more audible books. Preferably books with complicated plots, lots of twists and turns, engaging characters and hours and hours of listening. Any recommendations? 

Filed Under: books, clothing, color, embroidery, fabric

Something For The Boys

March 15, 2012 by 7 Comments

 It’s not always easy to keep the boys supplied with handmade goodies. Not that they mind, of course. Technology and toys make them just as happy. However, there are times when you just want to supplement the “cool” stuff with the “made with love” stuff.

One of my nephews turns six very soon. He does appreciate Aunt Melissa’s homemade presents just as much as the “cool” stuff.  Yesterday, I remembered Jennifer and Carla’s Bosco Bow Tie. A quick pass through the scraps, an hour of time and three bow ties later, I’m satisfied.

I think he will be too.  I’ve used Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane and Jenean Morrison’s Power Pop for these cute but not too cute bow ties. I think a little Kaffe would be awesome too.  Or maybe Parson Gray’s Curious Nature.

Filed Under: blog buddies, clothing, fabric, Heather Bailey, sis boom

Far Away Friends

February 25, 2012 by 3 Comments

One thing I didn’t expect when I started blogging was making friends all over the world. I should have. The internet provides so many opportunities to explore this planet and the people on it. Blogging in the quilting/crafting/sewing community means encountering many of the best kinds of people–creative, positive and lively.

 Jessie is one of those people–the creative, positive kind.  Her blog is full of happy adventures in sewing,  crafting and thrifting.  It’s always a delight to see her posts pop up in my Reader and her emails in my Inbox.

I’m so happy to have her as a blog friend. Not because she sent me a package all the way from the UK–although packages from friends always bring a smile. (She sent me this darling apron. I love the gingham detail on the pockets. And the crocheted lace trim is very special.)

No, I’m happy because given all the ugly things going on in the world right now, Jessie is spreading joy and happiness, one blog post at a time.  And everyone needs friends like that in their life.  Thank you, Jessie, for being you!

Filed Under: blog buddies, clothing, crochet, embellishments, fabrics, house and home

Guilted Into It

February 4, 2012 by 9 Comments

Where should I begin?  I think it’s best to start with the guilt trip I’ve been on lately. You see, Carolina posted some amazing lemony posts recently.  ”It’s citrus season in California.”  That first line is enough to get the guilt fired up. We have a dwarf Improved Meyer lemon tree.  And a Mexican lime tree.  And a navel orange tree.  And a mandarin orange tree.  My small kumquat tree didn’t like container living, otherwise we would have one of those as well.

I decided to work on this guilt thing by juicing some of my lemons and making candied lemon peel following Carolina’s example. Oh….my….word!  Is it ever tasty.  I froze some lemon juice and reserved just enough to make crustless lemon meringue pies in individual ramekins.  It’s a very good thing I halved the recipe. Mr. P and I do NOT need to gorge on lemon meringue.

I always think of my maternal grandparents when I eat Lemon Meringue. My grandfather loved the meringue piled high and done just a bit crispy. He called them Calf Slobbers and didn’t think there was any other way to enjoy it.

Now, on to other things. I had hoped to get Mr. P to take some photos of me in the hats.  Unfortunately, it just isn’t going to happen any time soon.  And I know some of you are looking for pictures of the finished hats. You’ll just have to put up with the weird angles and the blurry pictures as it’s the best I could do trying to play photographer and model at the same time. At least you can see how fun and functional they turned out.

This purple polka dot is the one I made my sister.  The fabric is Jane Sassaman’s Early Birds.

A small bow on the back adds a little sass.  As if you need any when you’re wearing one of these!

And then there’s the one I made for myself using the zebra print by Jennifer Paganelli. They’re very boho chic. I fully intend to wear mine with long tiered peasant skirts or rolled up jeans and heeled sandals.

What have you done this weekend so far?  After hours in the kitchen, I’m ready to sit down and read all about it.

Filed Under: clothing, creativity, fabric, house and home, sassaman, sewing, sis boom

Market Sewing – Fleece

November 3, 2011 by 3 Comments

Let’s move on to those sewing projects that took up so much time last month, shall we?  First up, the dog bed with toy.  Stinka had two jobs–modeling and quality control. Striking a pose and attacking the toy seemed to come naturally for her.  Although I think she was really just making sure that cat hairs made the trip to Market.  Or else sending a message to whatever dog might end up on this bed in the future.

The fleece is printed with Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane designs and it sews up beautifully.

Two child size ponchos (McCalls 6431) went together quickly.  I kept thinking about a flannel lined fleece robe.  Sounds perfect for winter, doesn’t it?

Filed Under: cat, cats, clothing, fabric, Heather Bailey, Market, sewing

Stunning Sassaman Booth

November 1, 2011 by 7 Comments

The last five days have been a blur.  Market has come and gone. I’ve been halfway across the country and back again.  New friends, new ideas and a new appreciation for the work it takes to make huge events like Market happen.  It’s going to take a few posts to share it all with you.

Friday morning was Jane‘s Schoolhouse lecture followed by booth set up.  Quite a dramatic difference in the before and after photos, don’t you think?  Boxes and suitcases filled with beautiful fabric treasure transformed a small, dull space into a colorful corner of optimistic beauty.

The show stopper, fondly called “Doris”, was the mannequin on center stage dressed in Sassaman style.  Susan, Jane’s assistant, made the dress using Vintage Vogue 1094.  She sewed sequins to the center of each daisy on the skirt for an eye catching sparkle that delighted passerby.  

The 100 Billion Stars contribution graced this side of the booth.  I’ll show more of those up close in another post.  Picture taking at Market is an iffy proposition with a point and shoot camera.  I did manage to get pictures of most items before shipping them ahead.

There’s more to tell but I need that second cup of coffee in the worst way.  Have a great day, everyone!  I’m looking forward to more Market posts, so stay tuned!

Filed Under: clothing, color, embellishments, fabric, Market, quilting, quilts, sassaman, sewing

Warm Weather Wishing

March 27, 2011 by 10 Comments

The weather is warming up.  Perhaps enough to get by without layers.  I’m hoping for the kind of weather that allows for tunics and jeans.  In anticipation yesterday, I took a few hours to make McCalls 5556.  Thanks to Jennifer, I had Honey Child on hand just waiting for an opportunity to show off.  

I used Mikaela in periwinkle and Nelly in blue to create this lively tunic.  I substituted soutache braid for the fabric loops the pattern called for.  The resulting closures are slightly more delicate and allow the fussy cut front bands to do their thing without competition.

It took some persuading but I submitted to a photo–with me in it.  It helped that I love this tunic.  Comfy and bright.  What’s not to like?  Thank you, sweet Jennifer, for such gorgeous fabric!  Drama is effortless with Sis Boom.

It’s going to be a busy week around here. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to get out to enjoy warmer temps and sunshine. And wear my latest wardrobe addition. Have a great week, everyone!

Filed Under: clothing, fabric, sewing, sis boom