Over the Shoulder: Versatile Carryall

Gigantic. Everyone needs at least one bag that they can fit everything in. This is it. Simple construction allows you to dump everything from school supplies to overnight needs. I had a few depression-era reproductions that I wanted to tie together for a nice carryall that was sturdy enough to stand up on its own. Perfect accompaniment for a road trip or a shopping spree.

The closure is a length of twill tape and wraps around a large self-covered, shank button.

Quilt: Black and White and Girl All Over

I finished another quilt. This one is a little baby blanket. I kinda made up the pattern after seeing something in a magazine. If you want to know how I made it, just leave a comment and I can send you specifics. I tried mixing fabrics that were both traditional and modern. So there are some midcentry modern and some depression area (reproduction). Also, gotta have the good 'ol polka dots. The label on the back is a combination of satin stitch on the machine and hand embroidery.

This one is for another one of those fabulous nieces. Only 8 more quilts to go -- unless of course we get more babies in the family. Who should I make one for, next?

Strippers are Good

I've had strippers on the brain lately after a funny misunderstanding during Donk's Denver Adventure. She wanted to go toFancy Tiger, but I thought that the place she meant to see was called Paper Tiger and insisted that she "check it out." Turns out Paper Tiger is a local "private entertainment" club. Yeah. I was proud of that moment. So I thought I'd find a way to put a stripper to good use.

Strippers -- as in the strips of border left over on a fabric panel. This particular panel was a set of 6 hankies and included a fancy floral border on either selvage edge. Once stripped of its hankies the little border needed a good home. So, I sewed them on a length of huck towel. (I love huck because it's not linty and it's perfect for drying hands and dishes. Also it's not as stiff as flour sack toweling)



I didn't put a big finished seam on the non-selvage edges, but did a rolled-hem with my serger and used contrasting thread so that it would be decorative. I like 'em.

A Little Preview: April 4

The rumors are true, I'm having a little show with a few of my artist friends on April 4. Here is a preview of some of the items I'm showing...

A Little Comfort from the Past

When I was a little kid... like about 3 or 4... my mother made all us kids huge towels with hoods. Much like you might see at Pottery Barn or Costco today. But her pattern was much bigger. When each of my kids were born she made towels for each of them. I liked the measurements so much that I replicated them in a blanket. Now I've made them in a few materials, colors, textures. I love them and they only take a few minutes to whip up. If I get my act together I'll write a tutorial for them.

Save the Quilts

I was at my grandmother and grandfather's cabin a mere 4 minutes when I picked up my camera and started taking pictures of stuff. Stuff that was discarded from their primary home, their vacation home, and anyone else's home in the family that had cast offs they didn't want to use anymore. Assembled in this jumbled way the cabin has always had a decor that we've teased and laughed about. But this trip I realized there were some true family treasures up there. Because I'd read about someone's obsession with vintage sheets recently I pulled back the blankets on every bed and took a peek. Sure enough vin-tage! But threadbare, as well. What caught my attention were the quilts I found.
Anyway, here are the pictures.... and a vase to boot.
There were four precious ones that I couldn't stop thinking about. Partly because the conditions of the cabin are far from archival and partly because I knew my great-grandmother had pieced or quilted them. Now that I myself have pieced and quilted a few quilts I know the time that went into the planning, piecing, quilting, binding, etc. I felt very strongly the quilts must be saved.

Presumably each quilt/blanket belongs to members of our family (none of them to me or my mother). I didn't know if they knew there were up there and the way they were being used. So of course I campaigned to my grandmother to save them. In long discussions -- most of which I think we misunderstood each other -- I think I succeeded in convincing her that the quilts needed to be restored and saved in another way than at the cabin. One is actually covered and then -- it kills me to say this -- tied together to make a newer blanket. When I brought this up to my grandma, wanting to know the full story, she told me it was her wedding quilt that was inside! O.M.G.

Inspired, Naturally

A few more pictures to remember and provide inspirate for future projects. These are from the cabin, too. But these are the scene I went gaga over in nature. Well, except for that fantastic mid-century chair and table. Oh and the tablecloth that is hiding a cable reel (as table). I love the fabric in the tablecloth. I have a close-up of that vase. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Some Vintage Inspiration

My grandparents have a cabin in the woods of Island Park, Idaho. It's remote by my standards and is dreamy. I had a sewing deadline to fulfill while I was on family vacation, so I was able to sit on the front porch of the cabin and sew. Simply great! As I looked around the cabin -- which has been their's for about 40 years -- I found many little vintage items that inspired me for future projects. (I'll be posting these little treasures all week, so check back.)

1. The quaint canisters that have been in this cabin for as long as I can remember. I heart birds.

2. The plates we use when we're there. According to my grandmother, she purchased them with S&H green tickets or something.

3. Milk Glass. All over the place and perfect. Oh yummy. I'll post a few pictures over the next couple of days. Even the light fixtures up there feature it. It's wonderful, and precious.



5. The doll. This doll is so cute. Just flip it over to find a new girl under the skirts. I love it. I especially love the green plaid. It's great and I suspect it was used for something really cool before it became the scraps used for the doll's dress. Bottom's up!

PS -- I also learned while I was on vacation that I had been picked as a winner in the Finny and Donk's Sew Along. I was so flattered. So, go check out my winning skirt! (My prize arrived today -- an Amy Butler pattern for a tunic/dress/cami!!!)

Book Review: Romantic Home Sewing, Cottage-Style Projects to Stitch for the Home, by Christina Strutt

Beautiful book. But it is the exact opposite of my style. I like the projects, but just can't see myself taking on any of them. The patterns are simple to follow and the projects are geared for a beginner. I actually have a friend who would love this book. Her entire home has that country-cottage flair. There is a gardener's apron pattern that could be adapted to any style that makes this book worth checking out. If you have a passion for linen, florals, floofy, and vintage french-y whimsy, you'll love this book.

Crazy for Eye Pillows

Zipped up a few more of the lavender filled eye pillows (Amy Butler pattern). I used more moda reproduction fabric. But I played around with the closure -- shown with a button home and with velcro. I like the buttonhole the best.

Lavender Eye Pillow: Amy Butler Pattern, Moda Reproduction Fabric

I gave to my friend Odette -- who is under some serious stress -- a little relaxation in a bag. This is the itty, bitty eye pillow pattern from Amy Butler. The pattern is easy to follow and it takes about 1/2 yard of fabric total. I used plain pale pink broadcloth for the actual pillow and slip cover. Shown is the carrying case (with pillow inside) sewn from a moda reproduction fabric (some of my favorite). I also stitched a bit of silk flower to the front for fanciness.



PS -- shown wrapped, as well, because I love wrapping presents

To Do List

I have a whiteboard in my sewing dungeon that I have made a list of projects that I would like to sew. Then on a shelf directly below it is a big 3-ring binder filled with sewing projects. Deciding the order of things usually has a lot to do with upcoming events likes birthdays, Christmas, and other fun seasonal things.

Tonight I finished one more! It's a Christmas gift -- and this person reads my blogs -- so I won't be posting a picture until after Dec. 25.

Then it was on to another project. I'm making the Amy Butler lavender eye pillow for another friend -- who I know does not read my blogs. As soon as I finish that one I'll post pictures. So far it takes very little fabric. I'm not using Amy Butler fabrics because they are very hard to find in stores in my area. I've got to take the plunge and just start ordering online. But I am using some of my hipper 40s reproduction prints.

May this holiday season bring many "dones" on your "to do" list.

Split Rail: June's Quilt

I think this is called a split rail pattern. But could be totally wrong.


moda reproduction fabrics