Friday, May 27, 2016

Everyday Hipster Bag

Recently my friend Mahriam from Three Owls Handmade asked me to pattern test her newest pattern, the Everyday Hipster Bag. Ok, let's be honest, she didn't ask. I begged. I fell in love with her adorable bag and pretty much snatched her rough pattern instructions out of her hand before she had even had a chance to make them pretty. And very quickly (seriously, this bag can be whipped together in about an hour) I had this gem and was wearing it everywhere...
 Peppered cotton and Cotton and Steel prints
And then I started making little piles of fabric and dreaming about having a whole wardrobe of these sweet bags. Suddenly the linen and Liberty Lawn I had bought at Purl Soho turned into this...


And then my sister mentioned that she'd like a black one...
black Moda Weave and Cotton and Steel prints
You could say I'm smitten with this adorable bag pattern. My favorite part is the gusset, which I totally love fussy cutting from prints
The bag is so lightweight you can wear it everywhere & not even notice you have it on. It's just the right size for some cash and your cards and the front pocket is perfect for your phone. M included measurements to adapt the strap length for your favorite kiddo too. 

The pattern is now available for sale here. You're going to want to make one of these. Or two. Or twelve. Trust me!




Wednesday, May 18, 2016

return to my small world

At the beginning of the year, I jumped head first into My Small World quilt along 2. I quickly completed the first 2 sections. On retreat, I finished up the rest of the sky sections. And then..... nothing. Finally, I've gotten back to work! Section three is finished...
My favorite thing is the rainstorm I added (see it up top?). Section four is well underway & should be finished soon. Meanwhile, here are the first three sections laying together...
I am so in love with this quilt! Seeing so many finished ones on Instagram has lit a fire under me. I really want to get this done soon. Back to work!

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Hattie's Dresden done!

The Hattie's Dresden quilt that I began in Lee Monroe's workshop last month is done and delivered to a soon-to-be mommy friend in New Jersey!
The quilt is all grunge and finishes at 40 inches square. My friend Lisa did a beautiful job quilting it for me in this girlie daisy print...
I found this pretty floral for the back at Joann's and added some grunge patchwork in the center...
And good news.... this is my second finish in the second quarter of the finish-along! Yay! I feel like I'm on track this quarter. Two more finishes to go...

#2016FAL Linking with A Quilter's Table


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Sit and Stitch Pincushion

Happy Birthday to my friend Annie! She was my very first sewing buddy, back when we were new moms stitching baby clothes for our firstborns. I always look for something new and fun to make for Annie on her birthday.

I found the pattern for Tailor Made Designs Sit and Stitch pincushion and decided it was just what I was looking for!
in fact it looked really cute on my living room chair. But I boxed it up and off it went! Might have to make myself one.

This is a great pattern, a fun make. A great gift for all your stitching buddies.

Happy Birthday Annie!

Monday, May 9, 2016

waffle weave towels

It's kind of funny (to me anyways) but the main thing I wanted to weave when I got my rigid heddle loom is dish towels. After experimenting with thinner 8/2 cotton yarn I decided to try a thicker 3/2 Valley yarn. I also wanted to try doing a waffle weave.  Several tutorials and you tube videos later (and another WEBS order for yarn and a pick up stick) I started weaving and loved the results!
After I took it off the loom and washed & dried it I was even happier. The waffle weave makes for nice, thick, useful dishtowels!
After I got these done, I still had enough warp to make 2 more towels but no more green for the weft. I decided to do the other two with inexpensive cotton yarn from Walmart that I had on hand. I also chose to finish the ends of these with bias binding instead of just hemming them on my sewing machine.
Although they are not as soft as the better quality yarn, they are still great towels! And I love the way the colors blended.
These have all been gifted (green ones for Mom's green kitchen for Mother's day, the others birthday gifts for friends)
And I've ordered more yarn from WEBS so there will be more towels to come!

Saturday, May 7, 2016

tote swap

Last night a group of us met at Stitched With Love to swap tote bags. I love these swaps. I had Elizabeth's name in the swap, and she was a new friend to me but I sure had fun sewing for her!

The tote bag is my variation on During Quiet Time's free pattern, the Indie Bag.  I made my bag bigger than the pattern called for to make it more a tote than a purse. Fabric is Blueberry Park. I also included my usual Lola zip pouch. And that sweet dolly for her little girl....

She's a free pattern too! The Josephine Doll by While She Naps. She was so much fun to make!
And check out the amazing Tessa Basket Alice made for me! I absolutely love it...
and the sweet little coin purse too. Alice did a beautiful job & made exactly what I asked for, a smallish tote to coordinate with jeans. She said she read my request over & over to make sure I didn't want aqua! LOL I wonder why?  The tote is full of goodies too. I'm so spoiled!

Here's a picture of all the totes swapped last night... this group has amazing talent!

Monday, May 2, 2016

Alder Dress for me!

I have been wanting to try out Grainline Studio's Alder Dress for a while now. I had heard great things about their patterns from friends. This weekend I made my first Alder dress & boy am I thrilled!
First of all IT FITS! I made it per my measurements, no adjustments at all, and it fits perfectly! I even wore it to church yesterday.

Look! there's my handsome photographer in the window! Hi honey. Anyways, about the pattern. This is not a beginner garment pattern. There are lots of great details, like a separate button hole placket, armhole binding and a collar stand. I left the front pockets off because of the busy print. The only thing I wish the dress had (and I'll add them myself next time) is side seam pockets.

I love the curved hem dropping down in the back. I love this dress & I'll be making more of them for sure!