Classroom Cutie: Custom Kid Gift

These fleece stockings were delivered to students filled with candies from teacher. 

T-Shirt Quilt: Christmas Kid

Seasonally Appropriate: Neighbor Gifts

This year I took to some hand-embroidered napkins to accompany mugs and cocoa for the neighbor gifts.

Run Run Rudolph Table Runner

Right now it feels like we're all over Christmas. But when I was stitching the finishing touches on this gift I was still filled with sugar plum fuel and happy thoughts. When the no-retail rule came to reside in our family gift exchanges I was in a panic. But turned out a small-ish quilt to be used on the table for Christmas feasting. Actually could be hung on the wall for decoration is you were so inclined.

For the label I embroidered right into the back piece, as I tend to do for all my quilt signatures. But this time I used metallic thread. It was actual metal. Imagine embroidering with a guitar string. Lesson learned.

Every time I finish a quilt remember how much I love hand sewing a binding.

Over the Shoulder: Campus Carryall for Tweens

There comes a time when you've worked with a fabric in so many ways and so many times that you know exactly how to cut it, how to lay a pattern to it, how to use it. I think I'm there with my Laurie Smith stash. It's at the tail end. Honestly, not sure it has another piece in it. So it was the natural go-to material for a recent pair of totes I was making.

The annual making and distributing of the babysitters' gifts. Last year I went with something you could put a loaf of bread in, and not much else. This year I took inspiration from the styles I was seeing in NYC and whipped these up. There are mismatched fabrics because I don't have much left. But I love the effect, and I knew I would because I have loved everything I've made with these fabrics. Perfect weight, great prints, nice quality. I'm sad they are almost gone.

These are gifts, but a custom version is going in the shop. So if you want one, go order one in the colors you like.

Wild Stockings, II

Finished two more of those fun stockings in fresh colors and whimsical details.

Wedding Gift of The Year

Some folks think that cutiepetutieoriginals.com is just for babies. Wrong! Sophisticated, stylish, and so so so so soft.

Look at these amazing blankets designed for a couple to snuggle under at 60"x60". They truly are the perfect wedding gift or housewarming gift for a young couple. And don't forget your college kids, this is perfect for warming up those dorm rooms!

More mature patterns, but still fun and whimsical. Get yours now!

See You Next Year

I appreciate the fact that most of you have taken down your Christmas decorations. But I took the gracious words, "finish at your leisure" quite literally on my last custom order. Thankfully the client knew I needed to spend some time with my family during the holiday rush and let me finish the stocking for the pets in their family when I could get to it.


Lucky for her, that meant I scored some velvet and Christmas prints at rock-bottom prices. And with the spare time I always seem to have on Christmas day -- when all the house is playing with its new toys -- I chose to adorn this last stocking with hand beading. See, good things DO come to those who wait.


PS -- The Pièce de résistance of this project is the lining. It is little cat angels adorned in Christmas gowns. What good hunting dog wouldn't want that in their stocking?!?!?!

Over the Shoulder: Little Quilted Bag, Amy Butler with Modifications

I salivate every time I see an Amy Butler fabric. Even when I'm feeling like breaking up with her fabrics, I'm drawn to them. It's like that bad boyfriend you know you shouldn't talk to anymore, but you do. So... When I needed a gift for the babysitter I decided to turn to my stash of Amy Butler fabrics and a pattern in In Stitches -- her best pattern book for adults.

I've always wanted to try the quilted bag, but knew the size was a little awkward. I also knew the process of pieces a quilted bag was not interesting to me -- time sucker. But then I decided to make it without piecing. This wasn't pretty easy to do. But I struggled with the corners and I strayed from the pattern to make a lining.

Here's how it turned out. Hopefully the Vera Bradley fan who is our babysitter will be satisfied with it.


I think next time I'll use piping around the side panels. It would help stiffen the edges.

Custom Order: Ambiguous Superhero

It feels like Santa's workshop around here. I'm putting the finishing touches on quite a few gifts for my own family and friends. And I've had a few orders. One in particular was fun for me because I have boys... and it is for a smart little boy. The request -- a superhero cape, not any one in particular, but in his favorite color: blue. Now that, I can do.

It's reversible and has a simple tie at the neck. The gathering is pretty tight to allow a full wingspan effect. It's just longer than fingertip length. Could double as a magician's cape.

I predict the superhero this cape will adorn will wear it 13 years from now as he is crowned Mr. Skyline. (Inside joke for those of us that graduated from Skyline High School.)

Seasonally Appropriate: Christmas Stockings

I just finished a custom order for Christmas stockings. They'll be heading to Texas tomorrow. But I think I'm going to miss them. This unique project required that I use existing needlepoint stockings -- much like you might buy from Land's End or Horchow. They were rather small, so I needed to extend them while still making the needlepoint look like a natural part of the stockings. Or rather, make the addition look like part of the original stocking.

I also knew the client wanted to class up her stockings. Needlepoint stockings are classic, but I knew she wanted something with pow. Hope these are what she had in mind...







Notable notions:
vintage buckle
interior design trim that was priced $8/yard. (that's much more expensive, higher-quality than I am accustomed working with)
handmade button "believe"
stretch velvet -- to accommodate big stocking stuffers
microfiber suede, leather look

Overlock Project: 2 Aprons

I know what you're thinking... does she even sew anymore. Well, I have been slowing down because I've taken a break to get acquainted with my new Bernina Overlock/Coverstitch Server. (It's wonderful.)

I took a few mastery classes and I've been trying to practice everything we learned in class. Now I'm really starting to understand where I can use it to improve my sewing projects. I just finished two aprons and to attach the ruffle I used an overlock stitch (but no cutting edge). I also put my ruffler foot to use. Those are useful, but I'm still learning how to judge how gathered to make pieces and still work with a pattern.

The fabrics are pretty old, not sure what some of them are. The red is a moda (I think) and I think it's called Little Christmas. I have no idea where the cowboy fabric came from, but it was about $1 a yard (I kept the tag). The Christmas print is an Alexander Henry and it was $1 a yard at Hancock Fabric in Idaho Falls. I'm telling you those small towns clearance fabrics that are absolutely gobbled up around here.

These are headed to an area art market. I've got to sew at least one thing a day to get ready for it. I've never done anything like this -- actually sold anything -- so it will be a learning experience. If nothing else I will bash my stash.