Sew Pretty Dresses

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T09:19:00.000-06:00

I hope you have a wonderful day of flowers and chocolates and all those fun Valentiney things. Valentine's Day is one of my favorites, namely because it's SO GIRLY!(of course it's for guys too but the guys in my house definitely do not feel it's a guy thing for them. Ha!) It is isn't it? Pink and red and hearts and flowers and chocolate and love. I love it.

So of course that means I had to make a dress for my daughter when I saw this knit at Banberry Place. Pink, hearts, girly twirly dress pattern for a little girl, I just had to make it! The knit is light and does not have a lot of stretch to it which is really nice if you are apprehensive about sewing with knits. You won't have to worry about too much stretching with this fabric, it's pretty much like sewing with quilter's cotton. The pattern is Abacadabra 75. You can make it with or without godets, I chose the godets. A Valentine's Day dress must twirl after all!

Hop over and check out the knits Corie has been stocking. Seriously she just told me she has more boxes to open. You don't want to miss anything. Some bolts she posts and they sell within the DAY. That's some kind of fabric love! The kind I totally get!
Have a beautiful day today!

pssst... you didn't hear it from me but you know all those gorgeous heart boxes of chocolates go on sale tomorrow. Did I ever say someone else had to buy them for me or you? Oh I think NOT! Go indulge yourself with flowers and chocolate today, tomorrow, and the next. Do it until they run out of flowers and chocolates. =D Life only comes one time around. Live it! See ya tomorrow in the chocolate aisle.

Oh to be a little girl again.

2012-02-11T00:42:00.001-06:00

First corsage from first true love(Daddy of course) Forgive the picture quality, I had to zoom in and crop the shot.

First art piece installed at a local museum for children.

One of the first, of many, outfits slated for spring.

Melissa P. from 100 Billion Stars shared the darling Valorie Wells Wrenly with me and of course the hem band is from Jennifer Paganelli's Pretty Please line.

We cannot forget the stretch lace leggings that I made. Great fabric find at Hancock's last spring!

I love seeing my little girl's life unfold. Parenting is a difficult but beautiful journey. I am so thankful for the time I have with my children. Peace to you and yours.

Devon!

2012-01-28T22:50:00.000-06:00

You asked for it and Jennifer Paganelli and Carla Hegeman Crim heard and delivered! Remember the cute little girls Leighanna Pom Pom dress they came out with in December? Now YOU can have a matching tunic or dress too!

Introducing the Devon! In Girl's World Vibe Carrie no doubt. Loving this tangerine color. Leave me some when you go stock up. It's hoard worthy. Just sayin'.

The Devon is like the Leighanna in that you can have plain or trimmed sleeves, plain or trimmed hem and you have the option to add or leave off the pom poms. Seriously though, leave off the pom poms??? Well, okay, so I have seen some cute pictures of it without pom poms but still, I am Texas girl, I love cute adornments. Anyway, you can make it a tunic or a dress, it's an incredibly versatile pattern. Oh and since this is the adult version, Carla made it to be pretty trim fitting so keep that in mind when you are cutting it out. I still went with my usual Scientific Seamstress pattern size(you know how that goes with patterns! One size here and another size there.) and it worked out perfect.

As I was making the dress I had planned to make my daughter an Agnes tunic from Girl's World or an new Marissa in Girl's World Vibe but I couldn't wait that long to take the picture and share the Devon with you. So here she is with me in her Marissa I made last year in Honey Child. I love how Jennifer's fabrics coordinate in unexpected ways from line to line. Still planning that Agnes so stay tuned. It will be cute.

I am not sure on the release date on the Devon. I forgot to ask Carla! So sorry! I suspect it will be within a couple of weeks. It will be on Jennifer's website at www.sisboom.com.

More posts to come! I have more catching up to do on blogging so stay tuned! I am on a roll baby! Haha!

Knitastic!

2012-01-28T10:29:00.001-06:00

I live dangerously close to Corie from Banberry Place. It's crazy how close we live to each other! I found her through ordering fabric from her online. I cannot remember how we figured it out, all I remember is she hand delivered that first order to my door on her way to run errands or something. Soon after that I went to her house. I don't think I ever saw Corie's face on that first visit. Actually over the years of visiting her home it has taken me all that time to actually SEE Corie. I go over there and the first thing I am greeted with is racks of fabric. I know Corie and her sweet kids are standing there smiling at me and maybe a cute dog or two are wagging their tails. I hope at some point I smile back at them, but I all can do is think about and stare at her fabrics! It's crazy I know but all that European and domestic goodness. I cannot take my eyes off the beauty!

'Well over time I have watch her fabric collections come and go and I am pretty fortunate because I often see what she has ordered before she puts it on her website. Well I have to say her latest buying trend has been interesting and I think pretty smart. I think when Patty Young and Michael Miller came out with knits it brought in a whole new audience of knit sewists. There were plenty of you knit sewists before but it seems, based on patterns, books and blog posts I have seen and read that perhaps more sewists were giving knits a go round. Well what is nice is that Corie has been building a collection of reasonably priced domestic knits. A potpourri of prints, stripes and geometrics, there's a little something for everyone. The best part is it doesn't cost anymore than domestic quilter's cotton to give sewing with knits a try. Here are a few of my latest favorites from her shop:

I had to buy this one! Hearts are year round as far as I am concerned. Just darling!

These bows make me think of Eloise and Madeline. So girly! I want to make capri leggings out of it.

I just finished a Farbenmix Zoe top out of this one. It's super cute. I just need to make something for bottoms so I can blog it. She's getting low on this print I think so you had better move fast. It comes in pink too.

These clouds are adorable. I can see cute little summer tops in this one. She completely sold out of her first bolt of them so I suggest you get over there and buy it if you like it.

So hows that for enabling you! You need to go to her website to get a clearer view of the pictures, for some reason they are not copying over very clear, just trust me on the cuteness and hop over to see them for yourself.

Something you need to know is you need to read her description of each knit so you know what you are buying. They are all different weights and content, that's just the nature of knits. If you have questions about a knit you are interested in, email Corie and ask your questions. She will be happy to help you. Oh I almost forgot, here's the link to the knit section of her website. You will find both domestic and European knits in the link. Happy shopping! Don't forget to leave me some!

Patty Young had me at Sunny!

2012-01-27T18:19:00.000-06:00

Patty Young has the cutest spring fabric line, have you seen it? Lush!!! She has two colorways Sunny and Sweet and they are both gorgeous and girly but I will have to say, I can't get past Sunny! Oh the pinks and oranges, gaaah! Love!

When I went to Fall Quilt Market I helped Patty out with her Schoolhouse. As a thank you she gave me her new pins, a darling pillow pattern and, you won't believe it, a fabric pack of half yard cuts of select Lush fabrics from the SUNNY colorway! It's like she was in my brain! Well I kinda always think she is anyway. Always coming out with darling girly things. She kills me. If you have followed my blog for long you know how much I love her patterns and fabric. She has got the cool mommy makes cool patterns and fabrics for her cool daughters thing going on. She is amazing and her girls are precious.

Check out a few of my Lush favorites:

This one just cries KYOKO to me. Can't you see it in Patty's Kyoko pattern?

I have some Bloomas cut out from the Farbenmix Unella Blooma pattern in this fabric. I want one of every color in this running stitch print!!! Just too cute.

Aren't these flower pots adorable!? Little borders on dresses and skirts or APRONS on those dresses and skirts. Oh the possibilities go on.

I could go on and on with the swatches. Check out www.fabric.com for these fabrics and the rest of Lush. They always have a coupon code floating around AND free shipping with orders over $35.

In addition to cute fabric she also came out with these ADORABLE sewing pins! Check them out here and here! I will try to take a picture of them and post but really you need to go check them out. GREAT gift idea. Go tell your honey!

Finally girls and guys, she's coming out with a book.

A book with cute KNIT patterns in it! Let's all breath a collective sigh of relief. Sighhhh. She is such a good pattern writer, I cannot wait to read about her ideas on how to sew knits. I have questions about knits, you know I do! Hopefully I will have some of those questions answered with the book. Based on her history I expect her ideas to be thoroughly researched and concisely written. More on her book to come from me! I have been anticipating it since she announced it quite a while back. In the meanwhile you can pre-order it from Amazon.com here.

Alrighty! I am backed up on blogging again! I have been fiddling with ModPodge and I just tested the latest Sis Boom pattern. Sitting here in my Girl's World Vibe Devon writing to you! So stay tuned! More to come!

Tanya's got your back!

2012-01-08T16:01:00.001-06:00

Are you looking for sweet spring fabric? Light and beautiful prints, oh if you are like me, you might have to shake things up and throw in some bright to have that airy print pop. Well look no further, Tanya's latest line, Sugar Hill is for you.

Look at those sweet birds! That bird house is just over the top darling.

I love Tanya's roses. She is queen of the pretty roses in my book. I am a dots girl to so I am over the moon with this fabric!

I am thinking cute spring travel bag, right? Looovve.

Love these lanterns. I would probably choose the red for my pop color though.

Or this gorgeous green floral.

And if it's not enough with these beautiful fabrics, Tanya has a beautiful book out too! if you follow her on Facebook, you can see sneak peak of the projects. The clutch alone will send you over the moon!

To top it all off....Marie Madeline Studio has all the fabrics on sale here! Whoa! If that is not enough...they are giving away a copy of the book and Sugar Hill fat quarters on their blog! Click here for details and to enter yourself to win by January 13th!

I have so much more I am looking forward to in 2012! Gonna let this one soak first.

So many things to look forward to in 2012!

2012-01-04T10:05:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe another year has passed. It's true what they say, the older you get the faster time flies. Not that I am getting older...cough cough.

So I DID sew some additional things over the holiday break but I have not had a chance to photograph them. We have been in the throws of applying for a scholarship for one of my children and that has taken a good bit of our time. Well that and the holidays and birthdays and traveling. We are in the home stretch now for the scholarship and I am SO ready to have everything collected, filled out and off to the school. Phew!

So I thought I would post about a few things that have recently come out or are about to come out that I am super excited about.

First of all, have you seen Girl's World Vibe by Jennifer Paganelli yet? Fabric.com has it and here are some prints I am DYING to get my hands on.

The green and the gold Paula make me think of the Casey Scroll prints she used in Girl's World.

Very similar print, the green may not be exact, but it's wonderful to have something like these prints out again. The other really nice thing about this line is the colors work really well with West Indies. So essentially you get one giant line of complementary fabrics if you combine West Indies and Girl's World Vibe. That zig zag is just too cute. I think it would make some really cute little dresses and skirts if you used it horizontally. All these prints would make great summer and early fall dresses.

Did you know Jennifer has a new book coming out? So exciting! This time it's for the home. The Happy Home that is! Woot woot! I am very excited about this book. No doubt there will be some darling projects in it. Do you see how close the Vibe blue Paula print looks to the fabric on the bench? I wonder how close in color they really are. They certainly have the same feel.You can pre-order the book on Amazon here. April 4th cannot get here soon enough!

I just about sucked ALL the air out of the atmosphere when I saw the virtual swatches for Crazy Love.

Gasp do you see all the pink and red!? My favorite colors hands down. THESE are two of my favorite prints from the line, but in no way does that mean I don't like some of the others! Oh and message Jennifer if you want these tops, they are for sale. Here's the link to her post with the details.

And if you purchase the Leighanna Peasant Pattern (learn more about Judy from Hickity Pickity and her gorgeous creations here) apparently you get a sneak peak of a fabric line of Jennifer's that is not out yet...it's like a Where's Waldo...you gotta get the pattern to see, that's all I am saying!

Oh my word this turned out to be a long post. Okay here's what I am going to do, I am going to wait and post the rest of the new things I am excited about later and let this sink in. There's just so much to look forward to this year!!! Blessings to you and your family!

Gasp! I was editing my post here and jumped over to the Sis Boom sight to grab one more picture and Jennifer just posted this teaser! Looks like more gorgeous fabrics coming our way in October! Yay!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T11:36:00.003-06:00

It's Christmas Eve but of course we will be all caught up in the morning with the frantic unwrapping of gifts and squeals of delight. So Merry Christmas to you!

You know I have to talk sewing for a moment!

The pattern for the shorts is Unella-Blomma and the pattern for the leggings are from Sewing Clothes Kids Love. The fabrics for the shorts can be found at Marie Madeline Studio here, here, and here the pattern for the shorts here, and the fabric for the leggings can be found here at Banberry Place.

The pattern is in German but I just used the online picture tutorial on Farbenmix's website. It too is written in German but if you bring it up in Google Chrome you can translated the pattern to your language there. It's not a perfect translation and will likely give you the giggles but it's helpful. And really there's not much to the construction so you should be able to follow the pictures easily.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

When Corie recommends a pattern...

2011-12-11T22:49:00.001-06:00

Buy it. Seriously, I didn't have this pattern at the top of my list, it was on my radar but I have quite an um er long list of patterns I would like and this was on there somewhere down in the middle.

Corie pulled it out when I was at her house and told me in like two sentences how to assemble the skirt so I decided to give it a go. Oh gosh I love it! It looks so complicated in the picture with the partially gathered middle of the skirt but seriously it's NO BIG DEAL! Just one little extra step on both ends of the skirt pieces and the pocket is optional. I did quite a lot to the pocket that the pattern didn't require. I added the bells, the pleat in the front of the pocket and the ruffle trim. You don't have to do any of those and it will still be darling. Put the Farbenmix Uljana on your list! Better yet just buy it! They have it in the women's version too if you want to give it a whirl for yourself! I think you will really enjoy this pattern.

The leggings are from Sewing Clothes Kids Love. Really any legging pattern will do. I bought the knit from Corie as well but it looks as if she is out of it. If you have been looking for some reasonably priced knits, Corie has been stocking her racks with domestic knits. You should check out what she has going on there, lots of stripes and prints. Probably the fullest collection pf knit I have seen online from an indie shop. I keep finding things I cannot live without! Gosh she needs to move farther away! Haha! (We live very close to each other. I am so blessed!)

The main skirt fabric is something I bought years ago, I think before I had kids! Wow! The trim fabrics are from Riley Blake's Christmas Candy collection. Cute cute collection. I have something else in store from that collection I hope to get to very soon!

As for the t-shirt, I just embellished a tee from Old Navy.

Okay this week is the home stretch with class parties and such. Then a nice break. I cannot wait to hang out with my kids and turn off that alarm clock!

Leighanna, meet Angie! Watch out Betty!

2011-12-03T22:00:00.001-06:00

Alrighty! Here's the second pattern reveal for women! The Angie Dress! Modeled after Mary's Fancy Sash dress for girls in the Girl's World book, this dress is quick and easy to assemble and fashionably retro and comfortable. Getting into that 50's retro vibe that is found on all the hip women's online clothing websites, this dress gives you a great starting point in attaining that Betty Draper look. So before Don gets home download this pattern and whip up a darling dress that is sure to wow him!

Pattern features include optional sash and pockets. You choose your length and neckline and whether you wish for your binding to show or not. Great as a tunic or as a jumper you have a lot of options to choose from with this pattern. Get busy girls! He's boarded the train home!

It's like trying to put a lid on a pot that is boiling over!

2011-12-03T00:16:00.001-06:00

Oh gosh! I have sneak peaked it here and there trying to not put ants in everybody's pants and make Carla crazy, but now it's OUT! OUT OUT OUT! You have gotta get the Leighanna Pom Pom Dress pattern! Named after the daughter of Sis Boom tester, sample maker and friend Tom Jordan this dress is sure to please.

Seriously if you can make a peasant(you totally can you know!)you can make this darling little pom pom dress. I know I have raved about many patterns I just feel like this little dress is a breath of fresh air. It's so simple and quick to make, comes with so many options and the design is fresh. I love it. I recently put out my shingle at a teeeeeeeny show at my son's school and I put the Leighanna Pom Pom Dress out with the dresses I make that get the most complements and by far this dress stole the show.

So whaddaya waiting for!?

I have one more to bubble about so hang tight! I need to have someone take a picture of it and that's all I am sayin'!

Should this be coming up for air part 2?

2011-11-29T23:16:00.001-06:00

I wonder how many parts there will be of this theme during the holiday season!? =D

Okay so here is my big reveal. Sorry about the blues clues paw and blot out blobs, I don't have my photo editor uploaded so I just pulled one up quickly online and did few necessary changes.

My daughter and I are working on decorating her play room. It's a very open room that is seen by all who visit so it was way past time to make the room presentable. We are not finished yet, I would like some shelves in there as well but it's a start. I cut out and she sewed and finished the cushions. I made the table cloth and she picked out the paper and letters for the banner. I LOVE the letters and paper she chose! Here's a closer look.

LOVE! We will not always have a Happy Birthday banner in this room but right now is our family birthday 'season' so it's appropriate.

I used Jennifer Paganelli's Banner pattern from Girl's World. Super simple and easy to make.
To make the scalloped paper circles I used this(ignore the sparkly wrapping paper that's for paper plate chargers. No kidding! I will take pictures and post):

I was tempted to go over to Corie's(Banberry Place) and use her Cricut but we have too much fun talking and I really didn't have a ton of time as we just got back from our big Thanksgiving minivan trip across the US. So I bought one of these giant hole puncher thingies and went to town with the cool paper my daughter picked out.
So now party favor bags are filled cake just needs to be picked up tomorrow. We are good to go for celebrating! In the meanwhile... get out your scraps and start cutting! Don't have a birthday to celebrate? Make one for the holiday you celebrate this season! For me that would be a Christmas one and that's likely to happen before the season is up. This was so fun to make!

I am testing two patterns for Carla so stay tuned! One for you and one for that special little girl in your life!

Coming up for air!

2011-11-12T17:45:00.001-06:00

Okay so Quilt Market was amazing and so cool and now I blink and Thanksgiving is barreling toward us. Gosh the time is flying! At some point I will post my Market pictures, I figure you have already seen them by this point though. We are in the midst of upgrading my computer so the files have not been loaded yet for me to grab and share. So sorry.

So I just have one project left for my last teaser post and then I can reveal all we have been working on. I cannot wait for you to see it! I just hope the pictures do the projects justice. My daughter worked so hard on her projects. So sorry to leave you hanging.

In addition to the surprise project, right before Quilt Market, I decided to make myself and Melissa P. a set of Rosetta Bags out of West Indies.

I really love how the fabric combinations work together. Melissa brought a teeny piece of luggage to Quilt Market and she was concerned the ruffles would get smushed so I am going to send her purse to her. Good thing anyway because in my late nights of sewing, I didn't catch the ruffles on the sides well. Grrrr. I was beyond annoyed with myself.

So right now I am sewing some christmasy gifty things. Here's the guinea pig of one. I do not profess to be the expert on cutting or sewing oil cloth so go easy on me. This oil cloth is a lot slicker than laminate so it tends to slide more under the machine and in my scissors. Curves are a challenge for me anyway so these scallops gave me a run for my money. I like the wonky look of it for our personal use. I don't think I would sell it this way though! Unless there are other wonky loving gals out there like me.

I need to go fix dinner(aka call the pizza guy)so go check out Melissa's blog posts on market. Your jaw will drop over the projects she sewed for Quilt Market. Not only was she prolific but also her projects were so cool.

We Are Up To Something

2011-10-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

I hope to finish it before I go to market! It has nothing to do with market it's just in a couple of days all my energy is going to be focused on packing and sorting everything out for my family before I head out.

I wish my kids weren't in school, I would bring them! I have lots of family in Houston so they would have a ball hanging with the fam while I am hanging with my peeps. But that's not going to work so they stay, I go.

Why does inspiration hit us at bedtime?

I am not one to say no when she says she wants to sew because she doesn't say it often! And yes I frequently destroy my bedroom and 'studio/study' with patterns and fabrics. =D

"Mommy I love sewing! Can I make my own pillow after this?" My heart soared!

I made the dress she is wearing from gorgeous affordable knit you can find a Banberry Place. It's called Summer Roses and comes in blue and pink. Well I didn't account for the stretch in the knit when choosing the pattern size so it came out wide in the chest and as you can see that causes wardrobe malfunctions. So right now its a nightgown! Until it is cool enough to wear a shirt underneath. She loves it and that's what counts.

She did everything but make the ruffle and pin it all together. Had she piped up sooner I would have let her do that too. Still she feels like she owns this and I think she did enough that she does own it. So stay tuned, in the next week or so I will reveal what we have been working on behind the scenes. Woo hoo! I think you will like it!

West Indieeeessss...

2011-10-16T18:23:00.002-05:00

How I love this Chandler print! I think the Sis Boom Meghan pattern is perfect for featuring this fabric so that you can see the full print. Love it. And this dress looks way better in person. I think my background is making me look like I don't have a waist. I do! I promise! I actually think this is a very flattering pattern. I am so very hard to fit and it is just perfect at the top and hips. Love it.

The necklace is driving me crazy that it's crooked. I don't dare ask my photographer for another shot. He's watching the Cowboys and I was doing good to get him out to take the first shot. Don't come between a man and his American Football! =D

One more Sisboom pretty coming!

Jennifer's Pink!

2011-10-15T19:05:00.002-05:00

How we love her pinks! So soft yet vibrant. So gorgeous. I almost ran out for another shot without the glare on the laminate but really I think this helps to show it's the laminate version of this gorgeous Jennifer Paganelli fabric. Love, love, love! This is the same tote pattern I used before, a Country Living pattern by Amy Butler from a very long time ago. It's suppose to be a back pack and tote all in one but I have a bag that I made with the back pack straps and I never use them. They are cute! But I just don't use them. I don't think the pattern is in print anymore.

The dress I made last year or something like that. My absolute all time favorite of Jennifer's fabrics. I changed the sash to be a cummerbund and shorten the skirt to my knees but it's essentially the same look, just more tailored.

I have a couple more creations to blog, but I need to take pictures of them. So you know how it goes...Stay tuned! =D

Happy Birthday Melissa P.!

2011-09-28T20:31:00.000-05:00

Okay so her birthday was yesterday, September 27, but I am one to keep gifts a surprise and she didn't get this on her big day but instead the day after so now I can let the cat out of the bag.

Melissa P reach out to me over a year ago via email, and we hit it off right away(there were of course some comments on blog posts and such before that). I am not kidding, we have not missed a single day emailing. Not ONE. Even if I go places off the grid, I always find a hotspot at some point in the day to shoot her an email to let her know I am thinking about her and she of course often has an email already waiting for me to read.

She is a smart, funny, wise woman and you want to talk about thoughtful and giving. She is just super duper kind. She has made so many cool things not only for me, but also my kids. We really love Melissa. I cannot keep up with her creative energy. Talk about somebody that lives out of the box and thrives quite well there. She is just amazing.

So even though it's a day after her birthday, or maybe even two or three days by the time you read this, hop over and tell her Happy Birthday. She is one of the creative peeps that keeps the online community of sewists and crafters going. She is someone you want to get to know.

Happy Birthday Melissa! Love you girl!

Trim it up!

2011-09-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

Pink Fig, Flower Sugar, Simply Sweet and Stenzo come together in great harmony I think. I really love to embellish and mix color. So I was right in my element with these pieces. It all started with that stenzo knit dot. I bought it a good while back from Banberry Place. After browsing patterns and considering what my daughter likes to wear, I decided to make some leggings.

I actually cut them out at Corie's place. She showed me the Farbenmix Nala pattern, which is one of her favorite flounce leggings pattern, and I loved it. So I had already cut out my leggings from Sewing Clothes Kids Love before she pulled out the Nala but I found the flounces were a perfect fit.

After making the leggings I just couldn't pull together what I wanted to put with it. We both agreed she needed something to cover her backside so for a while she wore them around the house or with a dress that didn't really coordinate. Then I saw the Pink Fig fabric and it all started coming together. A cute all over print with happy colors that worked well with so many of my stash pieces but yet wasn't so matchy, matchy with all the fabric I had that the skirt would lose it's sparkle.

I used the Pink Fig Tea Party apron skirt and top pattern. I left the bottom tier off because my daughter wanted to be able to see her leggings underneath. Cracks me up, she gauges by bending down and looking at her leggings, which of course LOWERS THE HEM! Had to show her the length in a mirror. Even still she was absolutely adamant about it, so no bottom tier, I think it was a good call.

I could have made the skirt without the pattern but I really liked the look and I don't know if you have discovered this, but often Chelsea's patterns have cute embellishing ideas. In this case it was the flowers on the apron and top. I don't think I got it quite like she intended, I couldn't get the cut of fabric detailed in the pattern to work for me. I also didn't want raw edges fraying over time, not that I really have a problem with that, but for this skirt I really wanted finished edges. So I cut longer strips, about 30 inches long, rolled the edges on my serger, and then I sort of winged it with the flower assembly. I think it's close and I like how they turned out.

The crochet trim I found at Things in Room in Fredericksburg, Texas.Cute shop but you cannot order from them online. Well you CAN call and describe what you want and they will sell it to you over the phone. So there is that option.I showed the trim to Corie at Banberry Place and she really liked it, maybe she will order some! Tell her if you would like to see it in her shop. She already has my favorite selection of ribbons and trims. Love her shop! Okay back to the outfit. My daughter felt it worked well with the skirt and wanted it on there, so after mulling it over and asking a couple of friends to look at it, I used it.She was right again!

So finally when I got to the tee I just wasn't feeling it on the tee flower coordinating with the apron flowers. I really like it in the picture but I just don't know, it wasn't working for me. Part of it is I think my flowers turned out bigger and also I couldn't decide on which fabric to use that would bring it all together. Furthermore my daughter was playing in the shirt for a little while yesterday evening before I embellished and oh I don't know, I really don't usually feel this way, but maybe because the tank was white, I felt she looked as if she needed a can of near beer in her hand. So I HAD to get that image out of my mind! I think also it's the cut of the tank. It's the Gap one from this summer and the straps are skinnier than the one the little girl is wearing in the pattern picture. So on went the ruffles on the neck. Oh so much better!

Okay I am still mulling over a maxi Sisboom Meghan peasant for me. I am paralyzed by fabric selection. So stay tuned! I am just going to go for it at some point here!

Mommy I want to wear it tomorrow!

2011-09-02T21:00:00.000-05:00

Can I wear your necklace and bracelet too?? We rushed over to the golf coarse again. Forgive the orange pony holders. This was literally right off the machine and the sun was going down fast and well you know once they wear it, it's never quite the same again! So more West Indies in Velentina. Am I right about Jennifer's yellows??? Not only does she add beautiful yellows to her fabric lines, they usually end up being one of my favorites! Just so gorgeous!

I took a lot of pictures but the light just was not cooperating. I added the second one to give you a better view of the front, well the puppy ears and necklace are still in the way and the color isn't quite right, but you get the idea! I thought this represented it well though. This is the Sisboom Molly Peasant and I added the ruffle to it because Jennifer had posted the prettiest maxi peasant a while back on her blog post and I loved it. I am actually planning one for me too but I cannot decide which fabric! So I made this one for my daughter first. If you decide to order you might actually want to buy it from The Scientific Seamstress on Etsy since Jennifer is still out of power. Surely it will be restored soon but you know once it's purchased someone has to email it to you, not sure if Cathy is mailing the ones on her website or not. BUT I know she is sending it from The Scientific Seamstress's shop because that's where I bought my Meghan last night! Thank you Cathy for your help!

Have a fun weekend! Happy sewing!

Go West Young Lady!

2011-08-31T22:31:00.000-05:00

West Indies! What was that about me saying I am not an autumn colors girl??

Well you know only Jennifer can get me to embrace the other side! Since Honey Child she has had me swooning over yellow too! Oh I know yellow, cringe! Oh but not Jennifer's yellows! I want all of them! Wait till you see this print in yellow. Swoon! Have plans for that too! Wow the colors in this line are so beautiful. They do look autumnal but they definitely have the brighter Sisboom touch. Really beautiful jewel tones. I love them all. Oh and the zebra print is Sis Boom but is not from West Indies, but it works beautifully!

The skirt is Patty Young's Julia. You know I kept passing that pattern in my stash thinking, "Later later I will will make one later", and gosh what was I waiting for?? There's a LOT of fabric in this little skirt. I didn't measure exactly but it has to be something close to 1.5 yards or so of fabric used. That's a lot for a skirt! So worth it. I like the little drawstring effect too. Just a fun design all around. Oh something to note. To make the trim visible on the bottom tier of the skirt, I had to add about 3 inches to the length of the bottom tier skirt. So if you want to make something similar, keep that in mind when you are cutting.

The shirt is Pink Fig's Olivia in swiss dot fabric. I was hesitant about this pattern only because I didn't think it would fit my daughter right. Loved the picture and the design but didn't see it on my daughter. Well I love a peasant top, love Chelsea's peasant patterns in particular because of the rolled hems and shirring, and by this point I have made a LOT of peasant. Wanting something fresh and different I thought "Well why not." Another "What was I thinking? Why didn't I do this sooner?!". I like how it fits my daughter and I like how it fits at the top of the waistband so that the skirt is seen wtihout having to tuck in the shirt. It also gives the outfit more interest and I like that too. So glad I made it! I will be making more like it!

The trim is Hobby Lobby. Sparkly brown velvet ribbon(like the ribbon on the glitter apron in Girl's World) and that rosette trim you can buy by the yard. I bought 2 yards but could have used maybe 8 inches more. I just modified the skirt width instead.

I often get questions about her shoes, we shop everywhere but I ALWAYS start with Target and Payless(sometimes Walmart) and if they don't have something that fits(skinny foot) then we go on to Nordstrom's. These shoes are Nordstrom's brand. Oh and the Neckace is from the magnifique le junque(read junk) costume jewelry chic store Charming Charlie's. Oh how I love that store! I really do! Inexpensive, great for the occasion, not for forever jewelry. Love it!

Oh and while I am sourcing everything, we are in a horrible drought here. Horrible! And hot for even this native Texan. HOT! Every green thing is dead, everything. Finding a decent backdrop is challenging to say the least! So I finally got my act together and went and found green grass. Why the golf club of course! What really cracks me up about this place is they keep a longhorn there. I am not kidding a LIVE longhorn, at the GOLF CLUB! Don't ask me why, I don't play golf but I do think that is a hoot. My daughter saw it tonight and got all excited. Guess we should have gone an stood closer to the pen...yes the one in the background...

Okay I am nodding off so forgive my typos. I know there have to be more than what I have caught!

Josie from Girl's World

2011-08-21T15:39:00.005-05:00

This is the first Josie I ever cut out and it was not for my daughter but for my friend's daughter. I was worried that it would be too small for her and didn't have a sense for fitting yet since it was the first one, so I went ahead and cut out another one size bigger thinking either way, we would keep one and give the other to my friend's daughter. So, voila! The Josie in Nicey Jane!

With Portabellopixie Farmer's Market for the sash. Something to note about the sash is in the pattern it is intended to be sewn into the sides with the bottom band of the bodice being a curved band cut the same width as the sash. But I wanted to try the sash to look like the dress pictured in the book so I experimented. This sash cut to the width of the sash for this dress with a middle piece added in. The sash that I think works better with the curved band in the front of the bodice is the sash for the Mary's Fancy Dress. It's wider than this sash which makes it perfect for covering the curve. You can just straighten out the curve on the band and just be done with it already! I just had a mental block cutting on the bodice like that.

My daughter wanted her hem to be all the way to the ground. Her wish was my command! She was so princess like walking in it this morning lifting the skirt to step up on curbs and stairs and such. To top it off, they made Esther's crown today in Sunday School. She even had a crown! Very fun indeed.

My friend's daughter apparently lives in her dress. I had a hard time getting her to take it off when she came for her fitting! "Just take the pins out and leave it like this. I don't want to take it off!" As she ran to hide in my daughter's room. You know what a wonderful feeling it is when a little girl loves something you make. Made my day! Still makes me smile! I need to get a picture of her in hers. The day I delivered it we were going out of town and there wasn't time for pictures. Hopefully soon!

Oh the weather outside is frightful....

2011-08-20T20:36:00.000-05:00

Frightfully HOT! I honestly believe it will be 100 degrees plus in the late afternoons still when my son starts school next week! My daughter has a couple more weeks before school starts, but I am not anticipating a snowstorm then either!

So what's a girl to do starting up school in hot HOT weather? Wear summer clothes of course! Or summer weighted clothes anyway.

So leggings. Where does one start with leggings in this heat? Well you don't wear too many for starters! But my daughter loves to wear them with skirts, crazy in the heat I know. So here's a couple I made out of gorgeous knits I found at Banberry Place.

I think Corie still has the pink and white but the pink and red is long gone. I don't have skirts for them yet, hence her favorite eyelet dress from Target(last year), but my daughter did find this skirt in her closet that I think works pretty well! Actually she pulled the whole thing together. Not too bad! Summery but hey, who's gonna be picky in this heat? Not me! She had to add the ribbon sash, that very one, she wasn't taking suggestions from the peanut gallery this time. I will say it picks the roses out of the skirt very well.

I have a lot of half completed things to finish up here. I hope to get them done so I can blog them soon.

Sugar! Sugar!

2011-08-15T14:21:00.000-05:00

Ohhhh the Spring 2011 Flower Sugar is cheery, happy and not to mention pretty! I have really been enjoying working with it. Here is my latest creation, Pink Fig Rosie Posie pants in capri length.

We decided to pair the pants with the Ottobre shirt I made last year. Thank goodness I made it extra long! After putting it all together it still needed something so I made a sash. I think I probably need to shorten it but you know we are not girls who shy away from a little drama in the wardrobe. Glitter, Glow and Bows baby! =D

We had the bow in front at first but once I moved it to the back we both agreed it we liked it much better.

I purchased the fabric at Marie Madeline Studio, the ADORABLE Sweeny and Wolfi Farbenmix at Banberry Place and the pattern at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops.

Josie in Knit!

2011-08-14T19:06:00.001-05:00

My second Girl's World dress to make in knit and I love it! I bought the knit from Banberry Place a great while back, Euro goodness soft and light with lycra and it has a great bounce to it. It is a very high quality fabric.

The construction went together smoothly. If I were to do it again I might modify the bodice just a little bit to reduce the amount of gathering because it tends to pull the neck down a little, it's not super noticeable but that is something I would want someone to tell me if I were about to embark on this project with knits. I could probably adjust the straps to fix it but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

The dress waist is a little different than what you see in the pictures in the book. The tie is integrated into the waist. If you want a tie like the picture, use the Mary's Fancy Sash tie in the book and that will cover the curved waistband really well. It's a little wider than the picture but it looks great. That's what my student made for her sash in the previous post.

My daughter loves to wear knits and now this is the dress she is reaching for. I love it when she loves what I make her! You know that's just not always the case. She has developed opinions so I am dancing around the fabric and patterns to keep up! It's really fun to see her tastes developing.

Okay that's enough of me for now. Time for dinner. I have a few more things to post and then I will be all caught up! Woo hoo!

Miss Jenny, I want to make the Josie.

2011-08-14T18:29:00.000-05:00

Okay so she has never made a dress in her life and she wants to start with the Josie. I LOVE her spirit! LOVE IT! So we went for it!

Here she is hard at work...

And here is her finished product! Doesn't she look amazing!? I had to redraft the bodice because she had outgrown the sizes in the book and it came together pretty well! It was a little high on one side and I don't know if that was from construction or just my drafting or maybe both.

I am so proud of her! She wore it to church that Sunday and she was so proud of herself. Such a darling dress pattern on a darling bright ambitious girl. Love her!

Thank you Judy of Hickity Pickity for sending the box of fabrics for these girls to work with! Such a sweet thing to do for them and they have really appreciated it!

People in Tennessee are so NIIIIIIICE!

2011-08-14T18:13:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the quiet coming from my end. My hubby and I took a road trip to Tennessee last week and we had the BEST time! Such nice nice people in Tennessee! Great service, helpful, friendly, cute accents and always wearing a smile. Seriously what are you folks putting in your sweet tea over there?! Hahaha! Kidding on that last one. A great beautiful state, Tennessee is a place to put on your list to visit. Oh and I know this is a picture of my by myself, my husband is not really a fan of having his picture posted so you are just getting a shot of me!
If you do plan to go may I suggest you visit Fall Creek Falls on the Cumberland Plateau? Gorgeous state park with beautiful trails and of course gorgeous falls. If you go there, try staying at Cumberland Plateau Retreat. Privately owned little cabins in the woods 10 minutes from the park. Super friendly owner and DARLING accommodations. They are newly built cabins but rustic and a great value. We hope to take our kids back there one day just so they can stay in the little lofts in the Twin Oaks cabin. I would have LOVED to stay in those little lofts when I was a kid. Great retreat spot for the family.
If you motor in to Gatlinburg I highly recommend staying at Black Bear Falls Log Cabin Community. I think I said "Oh so cute" every time we drove in to the little neighborhood and the VIEWS from the cabins! I gasped every time I opened my bedroom door in the morning. The wall across from our bedroom was solid windows. Stunning scenery. They also were running specials on the cabins so it is definitely worth your while to check them out.

Okay so this is a sewing blog and I am blibber blabbering about Tennessee! Well before I left I made the Casey Scroll skirt I am wearing above and this Honey Child skirt. The Casey skirt is a skirt I copied in my closet. It is pleated in the front and back at the waist and has a zipper on the side. Sweet Jennifer sent me this fabric a good while back and I just HAD to have a skirt out of it. I used every inch of that fabric and it came out just above my knees if I wear it below my natural waist line. I love it. Jennifer posted a picture of me in it on facebook and it is in my flickr as well.

This is my absolute FAVORITE Honey Child print. HANDS DOWN! My favorite. I just love the intensity and depth of the colors. This is the same New Look 6843 that I have sewn from many times. Love that pattern! I did change it up this time though. Instead of having the zipper in the back, I moved it to the side because the zipper tends to not lay flat in the back. Much better!

Thank you Jennifer for your generosity! You color our world with your beautiful fabrics and prints!

Okay I am on a blogging roll I think. Well until the kids come in saying they are hungry. Josie dresses from Girls World and back to school creations coming up!

West Indies!

2011-07-25T11:30:00.001-05:00

Go West! West Indies that is! Now I am at heart a spring and summer fabric girl, but if anybody is going to pull me out of my comfort zone it's Jennifer Paganelli! Oh gosh I cannot begin to tell you how gorgeous this collection is. My friend Melissa Peda, from 100 Billion Stars, creative mind extraordinaire, received a bit of West Indies before it's release and was so sweet to send me 1/8 yard cuts of all of it. ALL OF IT! Oh gosh YOU really need ALL OF IT! Putting it all together the colors and patterns are just so SWOON! The skirt I made was just an experiment and it's a lot better in person than in a photo because with the movement of the skirt the colors and patterns ebb and flow with vibrancy and richness.

So I really mean it when I say you need a cut of each. It's works so well mish mashed together. I still have 1/8 yard cuts of the greens, yellows, browns and blues to go so check back. I am going to play with those some more this week. Well after I finish up some other projects first. Back in a bit with some knits!

Onion and Flowers

2011-07-22T14:40:00.002-05:00

My daughter has been begging me for a crossover top and/or dress for quite some time but I couldn't find the exact pattern that either of us had in mind until I came across this Onion pattern* at Banberry Place. Actually I found 4 Onion patterns that I liked very much that had the crossover element. THEN I bought this gorgeous Flower Sugar from Marie Madeline Studio. Throw in that darling Farbenmix ribbon, also from Banberry Place, and some Michael Miller Dumb Dots for a sash, rounded it out with a flower badge and you have a fun dress. I want to make a hundred of these!

*Email Corie if you want the pattern. She is running low but I am pretty sure she can still order it.

The pattern is not in English but if you are like me and you have made at least 157* Kyoko's by Patty Young, you don't need instructions! Hahahaha! Well I didn't sit and read the instructions for the Kyoko while I sewed this but the assembly method that I used for the Kyoko was almost identical. Not quite since the dress does not have an obi sash or gathered skirt, but everything else was essentially the same. If you haven't made a Kyoko, you really need to buy Patty Young's Kyoko patterns too(also at Banberry Place). You need all sizes of them because they are by far one of the cayootest Kimono's going and I am not kidding, every female you encounter is going to be tell you she want's one just like 'that one' in her size. Trust me, buy all the Kyokos. Anyway, I digress. My daughter wanted something a little more fitted with a streamlined skirt this time around so hence the Onion adventure. I mean you know after having 157** Kyoko's to pick from, sometimes a girl likes a change. Even if she still likes her Kyokos. =D

**Number may be slightly exaggerate. Okay so overly exaggerated!

She is getting older and I am finding she is gaining the attention span and fine motor skills required to help me assemble her outfits. Here she is covering and sewing on the buttons. I helped her when she got stuck but she was determined to do as much as she could.

Voila! The finished buttons.

She is also developing an opinion so she is starting to contribute more to the design process. "This fabric with this ribbon and this pattern". I coordinated the elements for this dress but behind the scenes she has been playing around with my fabrics a lot and pulling out my notions. Sometimes the combinations are like 'ummmmmm' and sometimes it's really good. She still changes her mind a good bit but I can see her opinions forming. It's such a neat thing to see her blossom.

This is my favorite Flower Sugar line yet. It's the Spring 2011. The reds are so cherry red and the blues are vibrant and rich. I even found some greens that are just perfect. So you will see some of those posted soon as I sew up some more fall clothes for her. Fall here is quite warm and even warm for some of winter. You never really know what you are going to get but rest assured, heavy jackets, wool sweaters and turtlenecks are typically not needed until very late November or even December. Bright cheery fabrics are something I just love year round and I really like bright happy colors on kids. So bring on the Flower Sugar and Sisboom! And all the other brights on my shelf!

I just cut out some Pink Fig Rosie Posie pants. Sewing machine is about to whir! Woo hoo!

Everybody needs a matching skirt with their BFF! Especially in Delilah!

2011-07-21T11:50:00.000-05:00

I love sewing for these two.

They are the same pattern size even though they are not the exact same measurements and they are so easy to please. Happily matching. Her friend didn't have a white tee so her pink tee was a good second best choice from what was available in her closet.

No matter how many times I said 1,2,3 twirl, I couldn't get them to twirl at the same time. They got close though. I think it was too early. =D

They were on their way to VBS. They get a lot of, "Are they sisters?" No doubt I didn't help that any today! Hahaha!

Isn't Tanya Whelan's Delilah wonderful? I think I have most of the prints in pink, blue and red. It was so good for me to cut into it. I have hyperventilated every time such a thought crossed my mind. Gasp! Now the ice is broken, I can move forward with some of the other projects I have planned.

I bought the Delilah from Marie Madeline Studio. While you are there check out their latest Flower Sugar I think they call it Spring 2011. The reds and blues are SO beautiful! Think candy red and beautifully saturated blues. I have a dress in Flower Sugar Spring 2011 that I made yesterday waiting for my daughter to cover the buttons so I can finish it up and take pictures for you. You are gonna love the fabric and pattern! Okay so that's all I am saying for now. I won't keep you hanging too long. Scout's honor.

Fancy Pants Part 2!

2011-07-08T23:12:00.007-05:00

Well me the "I'm not big on pants', found several more "Fancy Pants' pants patterns that I love so you will be seeing a few more posts like this one in the near future as I sew for back to school and the like. This is the Farbenmix Yelena pattern that comes in German only. No I don't speak or read German. I wish I did! Girly and sweet, but functional, I like how these are neither babyish but not too growny either. Just girly and for any girl! Love it! Okay so functional is a bit questionable with the trims and all, but really she can run and play without me having that panicked thought now and again "Did she put on her bloomers!?" Well that's my thought anyway. She still pulls the skirts and dresses the most from her closet. Okay so like almost EVERY time that's what she pulls but you know there are occasions when I prefer her to wear pants and these will do the trick. The fabrics came from Marie Madeline Studio they are from the Flower Sugar and American Retro fabric lines. The trims are from JoAnn's and some shop on Etsy that sells a lot of crochet flowers. The name escapes me but it's not hard to look up on Etsy. I started these pants a while back and recently decided I had better finish them before she outgrows them! More UFOs and WIPs and the like along with more 'Fancy Pants' will be posted the next few weeks so stay tuned!

A picture says a thousand words....

2011-06-26T23:29:00.000-05:00

Well gosh, all kinds of 'words' come to mind when I see this picture! Hahahahaha! Have a happy week! More sewing classes in the Fish household! Woo hoo!

So adorable and fun!

2011-06-24T00:33:00.012-05:00

Have you taught a class yet? We are having so much FUN here in the Fish household.

Girls coming in with big smiles on their faces and great attitudes toting their sewing supplies, machines and Girl's World books ready to sew. OH and when they finish their flowers, pillows, bags and puppies the satisfaction and pride in their words and attitude over their accomplishments makes my heart soar. It is such an honor to have these young ladies in my home teaching them a skill that they will carry for a lifetime.

Look at my FIRST Girl's World student's accomplishments!

Mom's are more than welcome to stay!

Well you know you can only make so many flowers before you get super creative and start making bunnies!

I had a Girl's World class yesterday and didn't get a chance to take a picture of the girls with their finished products. ACK! But they are coming back in July so it should all be good. I have another Girl's World class tomorrow and next week so there will definitely be more pictures to come! Woo hoo!

Hickity Pickity

2011-06-18T12:02:00.001-05:00

Buttercup how many fingers do I have up? Okay so that's what I used to always think when I first saw Judy's flickr id. It was a song I learned with my daughter in Kindermusik. But after seeing several pictures of her work when I saw that name in flickr I began to think "Oh what has Judy been up to now!? It's gonna be so cute!"

A few months ago she was so very sweet and sent my daughter a pair of cute blue leggings with tulle and Queen Street Madeline trim. Oh my word they are Caaayoot! My daughter lives in them! The best thing about it is Judy has her legging fabric custom dyed to match Jennifer Paganelli's pink and blue fabrics. Well not all of Jennifer's different blues and pinks but you cannot help but look at the ones she sells and instantly connect those colors to Jennifer's fabrics. And then she came up with these Queen Street owls. Oh my word I knew I wanted to get that for my daughter. It was fun to order the shirt for my daughter with matching leggings and see the surprise and delight in her face. She of course had to put it all on right away and find a skirt to go with it all. I ultimately plan to make a Queen Street skirt to match,but this zebra skirt will certainly do. Or I just may order the matching skirt from Judy. Which ever comes first! When my daughter is moving around you see the leggings very well, I just couldn't get a good angle for the picture with the skirt down. So I asked my daughter to lift her skirt just a little.

Okay so we need to work on just a little! If you do decide to order the leggings just know they look so teeny when you pull them out but they are not too small to wear it's just the design. They are a GREAT thin knit that is perfect for under summer skirts and dresses.

I highly recommend Judy's creations. Her workwomanship is second to none. You will receive a high quality handmade item that is sure to please you and the little girl who has the honor of wearing it.

If all that isn't enough, Judy is sending remnants for my sewing students to work with. Love that Judy! She is so thoughtful and so sweet! So go check out her shop here .

Shhh class in session.

2011-06-16T18:02:00.000-05:00

Girl's World classes are in session! Sewing, sushi, jalepeno bread, giggles and chatter. Does it get any better than that?

Shhh sneaky peaky!

2011-06-09T13:32:00.002-05:00

The dream team Jennifer Paganelli and Carla Hegeman Crim are at it again! Sewing machines are whirring, notes are being taken as testers put the patterns through the wringer. Okay so Carla is such a good pattern writer hardly a note is even taken in testing. But we are doing our best to help her out regardless. This little shift will come in children's and women's sizes. It goes together lickity split and you will be all proud of yourself when you install that zipper Carla style. She will alleviate your zipper fears. So keep your eyes peeled! It's coming! Woo hoo!

Summaaah!!

2011-06-03T11:46:00.001-05:00

Nothing like summer for dressing up and playing endless hours with your bestie! LOOOOK at the teeny Gigi pillow Melissa Peda sent me! Isn't it adorable!? I just about DIED when my daughter put this puppy on it. It looks just like Jennifer's George! Throne fit for a puppy king!

Melissa is such a sweet friend and so talented! Look at these clips, tags and FABRIC BASKET! GASP! My daughter ran off with some of the tags too...

I cannot get a shot that does this basket justice. It's SO CUTE! The pillow was suppose to be a pin cushion but I saw my daughters wheels spinning last night so I held off on putting pins in it, sure enough I saw it walking out of my studio this morning. But there's gonna be a big stink if this basket disappears too! I can share but well I love this basket so much! Can you believe she wove that together!? Okay yeah I can believe it too. So creative!

My son lamented yesterday, "Why don't I have a friend that sends me handmade gifts in the mail?" Of course I had to remind him she has sent him things before but it really illustrated how wonderful it feels to receive handmade gifts in the mail. Thank you sooo much Melissa!!

Schoolhouse Fish

2011-06-01T10:41:00.000-05:00

School may be winding down but sewing classes are cranking up at Schoolhouse Fish! Anybody for fabric flower hand sewing classes? I am teaching these classes out of my home. The girls have really enjoyed learning to make the fabric flowers and embellish their own garments and pieces. The sweet girl above made stacks of them!

She made two different styles of them, embellishing with buttons in the center.

I have so many more pictures but I need to get permission from the moms to blog them. More classes today! Woo hoo!

Have a good day!

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

For those of you who live in the U.S. I hope you had a beautiful day with your family and for those of you who have served or are serving our country, thank you very much.

This is the Mary Fancy Sash Dress from Jennifer Paganelli's Girl's World book. I participated in the Rick Rack Therapy online class with Dolin and Jennifer and it was so so well done. I learned a couple of new techniques that I will be using in my sewing process. It was well worth my time.

The dress is a very simple design it does not have a zipper but instead has elastic at the waist in the back and a wide neck opening. Because of the loose nature in the bodice you will want to check the measurements of the dress, particularly the bodice, and of your daughter and maybe even make a muslin to double check the fit before diving into cutting and assembling the dress. My daughter has broad shoulders and is tall enough to fit into the medium dress size but she is still narrow in the torso so I went with the size small dress and lengthened it to be long enough and it worked well. The bodice is still loose but not too loose or too tight.

I also made the Sophie Glittered Apron. I bought all the elements for the original design at Hobby Lobby but then came across this really cute glitter polka dot tulle at Hancock's Fabrics. It does not photograph well but let me tell you if you find it at your local Hancock's Fabrics you will be squealing and so will your daughter(mine flipped!). It's super cute. Take my word for it. Here's a closer shot.

I tried the strips of glitter ribbon at the bottom like the pattern required, but it took away from the glitter dots so I left them off. Also the glitter ribbon that I found at Hobby Lobby did not come in the largest size required for the sash but this worked pretty well I think. The glitter ribbon at Hobby Lobby was made for Jennifer's fabrics. Not literally but the colors blend so well with her fabrics. So nice!

I cannot finish this blog post without showing you the namesake fancy sash.

I just love it's size! So girlie!

I gotta ask ,are you all impressed with me blogging two days in a row? I am! I have soooo much sewing catching up to do. If I get it blogged like I plan, your head is going to be spinning.

If you are having problems leaving a comment shoot me an email. I heard from one friend she was having difficulty. I just want to be sure my blog is functioning correctly. Thank you and God bless you!

It's about the girl in all of us.

2011-05-29T21:16:00.001-05:00

I finally received my copy of Girl's World a few weeks ago during the height of school events, celebrations and farewells. Amidst the beautiful chaos of my life I would find time to seek quiet refuge to pour over the stunning photos and darling projects dreaming of time to craft and sew from this book.

For me personally this book embodies the girlie girl in me and my daughter. I know I am not alone in this assessment. If you read the amazon reviews you will find this sentiment resonated in many different ways.

Sweet girls summer dresses, rose covered lamps, darling pillows, Jennifer's gorgeously elegant but playfully colored fabrics, and I cannot forget tulle, tulle, tulle and more tulle.

Well as things with my children's schools and extracurricular activities came to a close, I finally had a bit of time to work through some of the patterns. My daughter finished preschool a week before her brother finished school so she took a special trip to my parents for a few days. While she was at my parent's house I was able to spend quality time with my son, sew a bit and teach a couple of sewing classes(more about that in a bit).

Projects featured are: Tallulah Dress, Penelope Bag, Annabelle Apron with Frilly Pocket, and George the puppy(brown pillow is from a long time ago). The Tallulah Dress is made from Jennifer's Poodle fabric line and from a pink zebra knit I found at Hobby Lobby.

I would not use a super stretchy knit but the knit like the one featured was just fine.

It looks like I sewed a lot but I have to say not as much as you might think. The projects in this book are simple to slightly thought provoking but none are hard at all. I was so pleased with how much I was able to accomplish in a short period of time because the patterns were so simple and well written. It is by far my favorite sewing book to date. I find inspiration in it for myself and for my daughter. My daughter picks it up often and flips through the pages asking me to make this or that, pulling out the fabrics she wants me to use. This is a great book for dreaming and making those dreams come true. You can find the book here at amazon.com.

Pink Fig just keeps on delivering cuteness!

2011-05-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

This is Pink Fig's Miss Kitty pattern from last year. Gosh I love this design! The drawstring sides that give it that fancy drape and the nod of an apron and elastic gathered sleeves, neck, and waist add up to a really darling dress pattern. I think I like this as much as the Farbenmix Feliz because there are so many options for embellishing and fussying it up.And it's different than the Feliz so it gives something fresh for me to play with. I tried to upload pictures of the details but the files keep getting corrupted so go to my flickr badge and click there to see the details. I am in LOVE with the trim on the skirt you have to go look at it in my pictures. I found it at JoAnn's and it just so wonderful.I like it because it gives the rick rack feel but in a more refined manner.Perfect for the princess! I want to make a hundred of these. You should see all the Sisboom fabric I have pulled out! Well it's out for another one of these and Girl's World patterns. My book is coming in the mail any day now and I cannot wait! Okay but I am getting side tracked here. So this pattern can be found at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops and they have some of Jennifer's beautiful Honey Child there, the top skirt and bodice- you know the fabric that is making you swoon =D, but if you cannot find what you need you can try Marie Madeline Studio as well. The underskirt is Matt's Tux but you could use other fabrics from Honey Child underneath to get the same effect.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day! I spent the day with my family today tomorrow I get to SEW! Yay! God bless and have a wonderful day! CALL YOUR MOTHER!

Whirly Twirly Girly Girly!

2011-05-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

That's my life these days! Something about the spring and all the events that go with it around here. Good grief! My world is spinning and I need it to stop! At least long enough to post what I have been sewing! So I posted this in flickr a while back and never got around to blogging it. It's the Farbenmix Redondo in happy Jennifer Paganelli So. St. Croix. I bought the pattern from Banberry Place and the fabric can be found at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops. I really love this pattern. It's best feature is it's twirling potential. Putting a bias trim on the edges accentuates the wave of the skirt. The So St. Croix was by far my favorite choice because the repeat in the pattern is difficult to see so you don't have your eye following the direction change in the fabric on the curved seams. There's nothing wrong with having a directional fabric, I just prefer to not see that. Now watch I will make a whole bunch of these with directional fabric and glow about loving that you can see the direction change in the fabric!

Have you been over to Hickity Pickity's blog or ETSY shop? She has the cutest, no THE CUTEST creations!! She sells her beauties and let me tell you they are gorgeous! I want one of each of everything that gal makes! Well needless to say she inspires me. She has been doing so much with little fabric flowers I just couldn't resist I had to do one for this outfit to jazz up my daughter shirt.

So I made this little flower and can I say it was LATE at night and I was past the point of making sure stitches were not seen so go easy on me. Yes I know you can see them in the picture but trust me you don't see them in person. They aren't that obvious if you step away and just look at her from a normal distance. So go check out Judy's blog and see her pretties. She is a super sweet talented gal. I am honored to call her my friend.

Happy Sewing!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T20:24:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe it. I finished her dress this afternoon before the sun went down! I even had time to take a few quick shots!Woo hoo! This is my daughter's Easter dress. The fabric is Dena Tea Garden and the pattern is Petite Poche's Penny.

I have never sewn with an heirloom pattern so this was a first for me. True to my nature I of course strayed from the pattern when it came to construction but as far as the design goes I stuck to it by the letter. I highly recommend this pattern if you are curious about heirloom sewing. You can try it out with the fabrics you already have but just know it will not turn out so perfectly heirloomish, or you can buy some of those gorgeous batistes, and lawn and whatever other fluffy cottons are available out there and go whole hog. The pattern can be found at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops. Those sweet gals have a serious pattern selection going on over there! It's worth a visit to their website to check it all out.

Happy Easter!

Pretty Please With Sisboom Stripes on Top!

2011-04-15T11:20:00.001-05:00

More fun with stripes. This time I used the same New Look 6908 pattern I used on the best friends Sisboom dresses. I took the pattern pieces and angled them on the stripe fabric and made sure I matched up the stripes before cutting. I didn't cut on the fold but instead cut all the way around the pattern piece making sure I added 5/8 seam allowance where the fold would normally be. It makes me think of Tommy Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren summer dresses. Not sure which of those or if it's another designer all together but it has that feel to me. And you know we have had quite a few 90 degree days already so it couldn't be any more timely. Okay I am going to put that pattern down for a while and move on to a few other things. It's so hard to do that.The simple patterns really give so much room for play! Stay tuned I have another blog post coming soon. Have a fun day!

A great learning opportunity

2011-03-31T14:44:00.000-05:00

If you ever needed a learn how to sew a dress class and would jump at the chance to do it in the comfort of your home here's your opportunity. Jennifer and Dolin are going to have a downloadable class available through Rick Rack on May 15th. Think of it, no packing up your sewing supplies, forgetting x,y, or z and having to buy MORE in class, no babysitter fees, or bewildered husband left behind to fill in your giant shoes and potential frustrated phone calls in the middle of class. NOT that I would know anything about that. Uh uh, nope, never happened. You can even stay in your mismatched holey pj's if you want! Not that I know anything about that either... You can order your fabric from Fabric.com at a discount, have it delivered to your front door along with your AUTOGRAPHED copy of Girls World and do this on your own time. Now here is why I want to take this class. I have become a somewhat experienced sewist, I have a loooog way to go but I am not a beginner anymore either, but it has not been because I have been some island pulling techniques out of thin air. I have read and read and practiced and practiced other peoples techniques incorporating some as my own and deciding others were not for me. So I am going to sign up. I might learn something and then I might not but I won't know unless I try. Well really hubby is going to do it for me because it's what I want for Mother's Day but either way, I will be on this class roster. So join me in the great download May 15th. It will be fun! More details on signing up are here. Oh and you will love this. Doesn't that dress look like it would have a zipper? Jennifer says it has ELASTIC! No zipper! Wooo hooo! Perfect beginners project or for those of us who are um er allergic to zippers. So now my curiosity is completely up as to how that dress is designed. I am anxious to find out. So go check out Jennifer's blog www.sisboom.com and find out more.

Fancy Pants

2011-03-29T12:58:00.000-05:00

I had a lot of fun putting these pants together. I thought of the Brady Bunch when I cut the stripe, my friend Melissa thought of Pippi Longstockings. Either way the are very cheery and sunshiney.

All those pieces brought out the quilter in me and I just had to mix it up with the fabrics. All the fabrics are Flower Sugar 2 and 3 by Lecien. The appliques are Riley Blake and the pattern is Sina by Farbenmix. The pattern you have to order directly from Farbenmix and it is written in German. But it's pretty easy to figure out. They have an online picture tutorial(in german) that helps and will no doubt entertain if you bring it up in Google Chrome and translate it to English (OH the gutters and caterpillars!!! Hysterical!)but if you have put other Farbenmix pants together with or without a zipper you won't have any problems with these. The fabrics I bought from Marie Madeline Studio and the appliques I bought at market but I know Above All Fabric was carrying them for a while. More to come so check back. I love spring and summer sewing!

Best Friends

2011-03-27T18:33:00.001-05:00

Do you remember your very first best friend when you were little?

I had a neighbor that was about 1.5 years older than me and we were inseparable. It just about killed me when she went to school. I would watch the street for her mom's car to come home so we could play. Well my daughter has a best friend like that. They were friends in their preschool years and when her friend went to school I would find my daughter peering out the front window to see if her friend's parent's car was home yet. The parallel is uncanny. I love when her friend comes over the giggling and laughter that comes out of my daughter's room is infectious. Squeals and peals of laughter of best friends. Doesn't get any better than that. Does this bring back memories for you? I hope it does because I know your heart will soar from the memories. Best friends are such a blessing.

The dresses are made from Sisboom Poodle and Flower Power the pattern is...ACK I cannot find the pattern! I have a mess of them out and it's not in the stack. I will post it as soon as I find it. At first I thought it was a New Look but now I am not sure. It could be a Simplicity or McCalls. Found the pattern! It's New Look 6908.

I wanted to make the striped dress last year and it got too late in the season so I decided to wait. Stripes are so fun to play with. The blue in the Poodle floral is so vibrant but soft at the same time. I love it. My bedroom and 'studio' are covered in fabric, patterns, ideas, works in progress and completed ones too. So stay tuned!

Comfort Quilt

2011-03-26T19:44:00.000-05:00

This is for someone very close to me going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. I thought she could take it with her for her chemotherapy. She LOVES the Sisboom blues and I love her.

Welcome Jamie and Marissa!

2011-03-18T09:32:00.000-05:00

I see these dresses popping up on flickr and facebook already. Don't miss out on the fun! You can find the patterns here at Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops. One stop shopping at GREAT prices. Seriously good prices in her shop and the last time I ordered the shipping was next to nothing. Check to be sure that's still the case, I don't think it was a special promotion but it was so good, it was almost too good to be true! Love that Terri! Make sure you post your pretty dresses in Jennifer's Sisboom Sightings and Scientific Seamstress Showcase in flickr! Can't wait to see your creations!

Honey Child!

2011-03-12T11:17:00.000-06:00

I have been swooning and swooning over Jennifer Paganelli's latest fabric. The colors are so intense and the pattern is just stunning I cannot get enough of it.

The dresses featured are Jennifer and Carla's new dress patterns coming out soon. I will have to say this is my favorite pattern to date. So feminine and they have a retro 50's vibe. We are loving it! I cannot wait to wear these out together! Carla provides clear zipper installation directions and you are not going to BELIEVE how simple it is to construct. So stay tuned and I will let you know when it comes out. Thank you to my sweet neighbor Judy for taking the pictures! You are a blessing!!!

Giveaway!

2011-03-07T15:10:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Jennifer Paganelli's new book that is coming out in May?? Doesn't it look promising!? I WANT one!

If I don't win this copy in the giveaway,seriously what are my odds, I am asking for a signed copy for Mother's Day. Wouldn't this be a GREAT gift!? So hop over to Jennifer's blog and enter yourself in the drawing by leaving a comment and cover your bases by putting it on your birthday, Mother's Day, or just because day wish list. If the book is purchased from Jennifer here you will receive a signed copy. Woo hoo!

Oh HONEY!

2011-03-07T09:21:00.000-06:00

I am swooning over this Honey Child line. Look at this laminate!

I have bought quality laminate from a different fabric company that we know and love and it was very nice but this is so much nicer. It's not thick and stiff feeling, it's very soft, pliable, easy to work with and the color of the fabric is not softened by the laminate coating at least from what I can tell. For the most part it was not any different than working with standard quilter's cotton because other than topstitching I was always working with the right sides together and the wrong side of the laminate is not coated it's just the regular fabric. When I started topstitching my machine was not wanting to feed the fabric through but when I lengthened the stitch that helped quite a bit. I also helped the laminate along by keeping constant tension on the fabric behind my presser foot by gently pulling the fabric through as I was sewing. That way when the presser foot lifted the fabric pulled through for the next stitch for sure. But really lengthening the stitch did wonders. Your machine may have a special foot for working with laminates. I know my Pfaff dealer carries one for my machine. It's a much longer foot and has a smooth bottom. I have heard of people putting masking tape on the bottom of the foot they were using to help the fabric feed through he machine. Really though the adjustments I made I think were more than adequate. Thank you Jennifer for such inspiring fabric! Your designs are amazing!
I have more Sisboom projects in the works so stay tuned. Carla and Jennifer have another new pattern coming out. You are gonna love it!

Poodlelicious!

2011-02-24T08:55:00.001-06:00

I have been wanting to make these pj's since last fall. I had this fabric in my stash all summer and when I looked at it I always thought of wonderful bedding that you want to curl up on with a good book. Then I decided why not just curl up IN this fabric in the form of pjs.

My daughter has worn these 3 times already this week. Many books have been read and scores of sheep counted. She cannot get enough of them. The pattern is New Look 6746. I love the sweet skirted top and the trimmed cuff and collar design elements. The fabric can be found at Marie Madeline Studio it is from Jennifer Paganelli's Poodle fabric line.

Abacadabra 64 tutorial

2011-02-23T21:38:00.001-06:00

Finally! I'm posting the tutorial! I think you will really enjoy this pattern. It is SO girly and springy and summery. Love it! If you have not purchased your supplies you can still hop over to Banberry Place and buy the pattern and fabric. I think what I like best about this pattern and the fabric is I feel like I made my daughter a dress you could easily find at Nordstrom's for almost half the price. Okay on to the tutorial. It's a bit of a novel so hold on to your hats! .

Supplies

First make sure you have all of your basic sewing supplies. In addition to those supplies you will need 2 pencils, a rubber band and tracing paper. I use freezer paper for the tracing paper because its always available at my grocery store and its fairly cheap. As for the dress you will need the yardage of fabric indicated on the pattern, matching thread, an invisible zipper and elastic. I used 1/4 inch wide elastic.

Tracing and Cutting

For the straps and dangling strips of fabric you will need to cut 3-4 long strips of 1.5 inch wide fabric. For accuracy I used my rotary cutter, mat and ruler.

Trace all the pattern pieces. I used two pencils rubber-banded together to trace all my pieces because as you trace the pattern with one pencil you are also adding the seam allowance with the other. It's approximately a 3/8 inch seam allowance. With that said I highly recommend you trace the bodice with some extra seam allowance. The bodice is fitted and you will be totally annoyed if you find it is smaller than you anticipated and you have to chunk your work. I would recommend making a muslin of just the 8 bodice pieces to check for sizing on your little one. I didn't do that and traced the 3/8 inch seam allowance with my two pencils and had a close call. Phew glad it worked out! So trace the pattern pieces with extra seam allowance, 5/8 inch or so instead of 3/8 inch, and make a muslin for the 8 bodice pieces after you complete all your cutting.

Once all your tracing is completed cut out all your pieces. You might notice some funny names or phrasings on the pieces where translation didn't quite work. The bodice pieces are straightforward enough, just a couple of them have the names switched around. The skirt tier pieces are called flounces but that conjures up images of gentle ruffles to me. The flounces on this dress ARE ruffles technically and I kept them named as flounces on my pattern pieces pictured above for tracing continuity, but I think the word tier might be more familiar so that will be the name I use for the flounces in my written description. I traced the skirt tiers on freezer paper but actually used my rotary cutter and mat with ruler over the pattern pieces for the skirt to have cleaner edges on the skirt tier pieces. It's not necessary but I find it nice to work with clean cut edges. I am not a straight cutter or tracer for that matter! For the bottom tier, you may want to add an extra 1/4 or 3/8 inch seam allowance if you plan to turn it under 2 times to finish the edge. I rolled my hem so I did not add seam allowance. So finish cutting all your pieces and ***transfer all the markings*** from the pattern pieces to your cut fabric pieces and get ready to sew! Yay!

Finish the Edges of the Fabric Strips

For the 3 strips finish the edges all the way around, then cut one in half and finish the ends. If you want them to be longer you will need to sew four strips together and cut into 3 strips and finish the edges all the way around, cut one of them in half, then finish the ends. I rolled the hems on my serger. You can also use your rolled hem foot on your sewing machine. If you do not have those two options you can cut the strips wider and turn the edges twice to cover up the raw edges. You will now have 4 strips of fabric with finished edges - 2 long and two short. Set aside.

Assemble the Bodice

Starting with your muslin assemble the 4 bodice pieces in the front and the 4 bodice pieces in the back. Be sure to use your markings to line up the pieces and pin in place. Your pieces for the front once assembled should be ordered: side front, center front, center front, side front. Your pieces for the back once assembled should be ordered: side back, center back, center back, side back. Use your facing pieces to compare the bodice front and back to be sure you assembled them in the right order. Attach the bodice piece front to the bodice piece back on one side. It really doesn't matter which side. Leave the other side open for the zipper you are going to assemble. Stop hyperventilating -- it's not that hard to install a zipper. I promise. Check for accuracy on your little model. If all is well, cut and sew the bodice pieces of your actual dress fabric. Complete the front and back bodice. Make the tie straps by folding the tie fabric in half with right sides together. Sew 2 long and one short edge on each tie. Clip the corners at an angle on the short sewn ends and turn the ties right side out. Attach the ties to the front of the bodice using the marked spots on the front of the bodice. Attach front and back bodice on one side. Set aside. Assemble the facing pieces along the same side you assembled the front and bodice pieces. Attach the facing to the bodice at the top, trim the seam allowance along the peaks and clip the seam allowance toward the seam in the valleys. Flip the facing to the inside of the bodice, iron and top stitch.

Zipper Installment and Tier Assembly

Assemble the first tier of the skirt by sewing it together on one side of the short ends, sewing a gathering stitch (the pattern calls this wrinkling) and gathering the strip. Attach it to the bodice and sew in place. Sew the tier starting from the bottom edge up 3 inches or so toward the bodice but do not sew all the way to the bodice. Use your zipper to gauge if you have sewn far enough. Close enough is really okay. Now being 2 inches away from the zipper is not okay -- you need to get closer than that but if you are off a quarter inch or so it's really okay.

Now I have tried several instruction sets on installing zippers and I really just had to come up with my own method of installing a zipper. If this does not make sense by all means use the instructions in your sewing machine's sewing manual, the instructions on the zipper packet, or whatever source you can find that makes better sense. I am a novice at sewing clothing so I do not have perfect methodology or all the answers. I am just sharing what works for me.

Before sewing your zipper in place on the bodice you need to iron the zipper open. You goal in ironing the zipper is to get the teeth not to curl in toward the attached fabric it comes on. You want to flatten it out as much as possible without melting it, ruining your iron, or your ironing board cover. Just get it to not lie down so tightly and your zipper foot should be able to do the rest. Don't do this on your highest heat setting -- turn it down quite a bit and play with increasing the heat from there. Okay so that's my non scientific method anyway! After preparing your zipper, lay the zipper right side up next to the right side up bodice edge. Do this only to orient yourself with the zipper. Now look at your zipper and consider that side the 'right side' just like you would fabric. You want those touching edges to be the first side of the zipper you install. You want to flip the zipper over the bodice edge 'right sides' together. Pin the zipper in place, making sure you using the top of the zipper teeth as your matching top edge, not the top edge of the fabric on the zipper. In other words, the zipper comes with a tail -- don't use the tail as your matching edge for the bodice. Locate the top of the zipper teeth and use that as your guide. You can take care of the tail later. My picture shows the pins running more or less parallel to the zipper teeth -- you really should pin the pins perpendicular to the zipper teeth. You will have an easier time sewing. Now some like to hand-baste the zipper in place. I have never done that, but you are welcome to do that as well. Using your zipper foot, sew down the side of the zipper. I press the zipper foot against the zipper to open up whatever I could not get opened with my iron and I try to get the needle as close as possible to the zipper teeth. Be careful not to sew over the zipper teeth or you will have to rip out stitches. Once you get to the end, tie down your stitch and remove the bodice from the machine. Pin the zipper to the other side of you bodice and really take care to have the teeth match up or you will have to rip out your zipper on the second side. Sew down your zipper on the second side. Once finished sew across your zipper perpendicularly at the very end of the zipper opening to tie down the zipper tail. You can trim off the excess zipper if you want, then trim or tack or sew down the zipper tail at the top of the bodice. I tend to sew it down a few stitches to keep the point where the bodice lining and seam allowance and zipper all come together. The stitches are not noticeable and it keeps that intersection of fabrics lying down flat.

Assemble the remaining 3 tiers. Each tier should be assembled by attaching them at the short ends to form a circle and then gathering them on the top edge. The final tier is really a ruffle because it is gathered tighter than the other tiers and of course because it is only attached on one side, not both. Finish the bottom edge of the ruffle before gathering it by turning it under 2 times or by rolling the hem on your serger or sewing machine. I rolled the hem on my sewing machine using my rolled hem foot. Attach the tiers in order to the dress. Almost done!

Attach and Gather the Straps and Strips of Fabric

Before you get started, a note about the dangling fabric strips. These fabric strips can get caught and pull and rip off your dress and rip your dress fabric. Two sewists who have sewn up this pattern let me know this had happened on their little girls' dresses. One suggested putting clear elastic all the way down the fabric strips and I think that is a great idea. I could not find clear elastic in my local stores though so I went ahead and followed the pattern's instructions. My daughter has only worn it a couple of times and so far so good. I just wanted you to be aware of their experiences. Another option you could consider is just completely sew down the strips to the dress all together. It would look very cute and be less precarious. I will give you the original design instructions in case you want to go for it like I did. Just don't say I didn't warn you! =D Now pull out the ruffle strips.The two long ruffled strips are going to be gathered with elastic to serve as the straps and the dangling strips on left and right sides of the bodice center on the front and back. The two short strips will be the strips down the center of the front and back of the dress. Fold the long strips in half and find the center. Cut two pieces of elastic about 4 inches long. Find the center of the elastic pieces. Take one long strip and one piece of elastic and pin the centers together. Then take one end of the elastic, stretch it as far as it will go (they suggest 20 cm but my elastic would not stretch that far) and pin to the straightened fabric strip. Repeat for the other end of elastic. Repeat for the other strap. With the elastic stretched, sew the elastic to each fabric strip. Gather the remaining ends of the strips as well as the short strips with a gathering stitch. Attach the long gather strips to the bodice taking care to measure on your model how long the should straps straps need to be. I attached my strips to the bodice right at the elastic ends. Sew down your gathered strips along the seams of the bodice. It's really up to you how far you want to sew them down -- I stopped at the bottom of the bodice.

Your dress is now finished and ready for your undoubtedly very excited little girl who has been watching your progress. Enjoy!

This tutorial can also be found on Banberry Place's blog as well in a link in my sidebar.
Jenny Fish
www.sewprettydresses.blogspot.com
.

Love potion # 64

2011-02-13T18:51:00.002-06:00

Okay so maybe Abacadabra #64. OH how I love this pattern and this fabric! It is not hard at all and I am going to write you a tutorial this week so any questions you may have will likely be answered. The pattern is a written in translated English and really is, for the most part, easy to decipher but a tutorial is always nice. Something you may not notice about the pattern because of the ruffles is the bodice is pieced. Four pieces in the front and four in the back. It also has a small tie in the back too. You can make it dangle a little I just wanted to try something different. But the pattern does not have you cut a very long tie in case you are wanting something longer. The skirt is a standard tiered skirt.

So go get your pattern and fabric and lets make this together this week! Woo hoo!

Pigs Fly

2011-02-04T08:32:00.000-06:00

I said it would snow here when pigs fly and guess what, we had flying pigs overnight! Now those of you up north that are in multiple feet of snow may find our excitement a little humorous you have to remember we live in South Texas so snow is hard to come by. We will take what we can get! YES we are making snow angels in the street because the grass is just too warm for the snow. Giggling. So by noon this snow will be a distant memory but it sure was fun to wake up and see.

Love is in the air for Reversible Rompers!

2011-02-03T17:20:00.001-06:00

Carla C The Scientific Seamstress has done it again!

Cute simple easy to follow Reversible Romper pattern for BOYS! Oh but you know, boys don't get to have all the fun. Well okay so they don't get a lot of fun when it comes to pattern choices, and this is definitely filling in that void, but this can be for girls too! Add your own ruffle here, your own pocket or motif there, and with the right fabrics you have a girly romper that is sure to get a lot of use in the spring or summer. You know I had to use my favorite Sisboom Dance With Me fabric.

Carla even has a great ruffle and DOLLY pattern supplement for this pattern. I would have used her ruffle but my fabrics weren't working for me like I wanted them to so I had to improvise. You can see on her blog how cute her ruffle option is. You can buy the pattern here

Love Fest 2011

2011-01-30T19:38:00.001-06:00

I am joining Jennifer in celebrating love for rhe month of February. Pink, red, hearts, flowers, chocolate, oh make me swoon! Now you may be wondering where I got these gorgeous fabrics, these are the fabrics I am using for the Abacadabra tutorial I am working on.

If you want to join me you can get the fabric here and here and the Abacadabra pattern number 64 here.
Corie at Banberry Place can help you with the fabric amount that you need. You will also need two pencils rubber banded together, basic sewing supplies and tracing paper. I use freezer paper for tracing paper because it's cheap and easy to pick up more if I run out since I go to the grocery store more than I go to the fabric store. OH and just in case you are looking at the light pink floral thinking it's ribbon or something, I had taken scraps of her pink tiny floral fabric so I went ahead and cleaned up the edges by serging with a rolled hem since we will be doing that anyway. Makes for a prettier fabric heart don't you think? So go get your supplies. In the meanwhile I will put together the tutorial AND blog a romper I made with Carla C. NEW romper pattern. Woo hoo! It's good to be sewing again!

How about $6.66 a yard for fabric?

2011-01-29T00:04:00.000-06:00

Marie Madeline Studio is having a 30% off sale on all of Jennifer Paganelli fabrics right now. It just started but I have no idea how long it will go. And they have ALL of Queen Street. ALL of it! So you need to go check it out. They also have really good pieces from almost all her other lines. They don't have ALL of the selections but they have a nice representation of most of Jennifer's earlier lines. So check out the link. I went ahead and did the Jennifer Paganelli search for you so all her fabrics will come up.

Okay I have been crazy busy around here celebrating my son's birthday and getting sick and getting better and nurturing a friend who has been hurting falling apart with her and and and... but I am TRYING to get my sewing act together. I have an Abracadabra pattern from Banberry Place I am planning to write a tutorial on and it's such a cute design. It looks super easy and I cannot wait to share it with you! Woo hoo! Oh but even better, I am making it with some of Corie's direct European fabric. So stay tuned. It's gonna be good. And then with all this Queen Street coming in the mail, gosh I am gonna have to get busy and do some serious sewing. OHHH but I almost forgot! I have 2 knit dresses to blog. I have been playing around with knits some more trying to figure them out, improve my finished product etc. So stay tuned. I will try to get those up this weekend. I had issues with the neck due to my lack of reading directions so it's not fine sewing but still they turned out cute and my daughter loves them. And that's what really matter, her opinion. If you are curious about the pattern you can check it out at Banberry Place. It's the Amelie by Farbenmix. I made summer dresses so they will look different that fall winter renderings but you can at least see the lines.okay if I am going to do any kind of sewing I need to get off this computer! Have a great weekend and happy sewing! OH and go get your Abracadabra pattern if you think you are interested in following the tutorial. It will be fun!

Sanctuary

2011-01-15T19:26:00.001-06:00

It's so lovely! I just made a Kyoko sample for sweet Melanie at Above All Fabric out of Patty's new Sanctuary knit and quilter's weight fabric. I love the patterns and the colors, blue greens and gray. A fresh combination.

The knit is slightly lighter in weight than her previous knits but it's still a very substantial knit that is cuddly and soft. I really like it a lot. Go check it out in Melanie's shop! OH and I just checked she has some of the denim knit by Michael Miller. I have a bit of it from when I won the scraps from Patty's blog giveaway. It's really nice!

Here are the iPad and Kindle holders I made from 100 Billion Stars Notepad Holder pattern.

I modified the pattern to make it fit the iPad, the original Notepad Holder size fits the Kindle perfectly without it's case. I love making these things. They go together so quickly and make great gifts.

TWO Giveaways!

2011-01-13T14:54:00.000-06:00

Don't be left sleeping on this one or you will be so disappointed in yourself. Ms. Jennifer is having a giveaway over on her blog. She is giving away TEN yards of fabric. Count them 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10! Go go check it out here and enter to win.

Now if that is not enough.... My dear sweet friend Melissa P. is hosting a fabulous giveaway herself. If you win, you get to pick one these four gorgeous notepad holders.

I have one made by her and I love it. I carry it with me every week. But you know, I have a lovely Sisboom So St. Croix one but she is giving away a Sisboom Queen Street one. I am thinking I need some variety here! =D If you like the notepad holder and would like to make a few of your own(think teachers' gifts) she has the pattern for a super reasonable price in her shop. I bought my pattern a good while back and FINALLY got around to making them. They are so easy to make, once you make one you will be making stacks of them. That's what I did! I just need to get the pictures up and posted.
So go put your entry in here.

Sisboom Zebra lurrrrve!!!

2010-12-31T11:35:00.000-06:00

You know how much I lurrrve Sisboom Fabrics. Well Jennifer knows classics, it doesn't get any better than zebra with a little knit corsage sewn up in a Portabellopixie Gracie with Cath Kidston tights to boot. The vote is out on the tights with this side of the dress so here it is without the tights. I don't know...I kinda like both ways.

The dress is reversible so I put denim on the other side.

She actually had a denim dress like this from Gap last year but she outgrew it, so I had to turn to my patterns to make the next size up.

The buttons came from Quilt Market.

I don't have the name of the shop in front of me but I can look it up if you want to know the source. So I am visiting my sister today so I will have a...GASP...short sewing hiatus. Of course we will be going to a fabric store near her house....
Happy New Year!!!

Olivia+Campan+Chez Ami=LOVE!

2010-12-29T00:40:00.001-06:00

Okay back to my knit endeavors. You know knit really isn't that scary to work with. Ball point needle, polyester thread(or something else knit friendly), zig zag stitch some prewashing and you are well on your way to some cute clothes! Well of course there are other caveats but those are your basics to get you through something like this little dress.

Isn't this fun!? The red fabric is Chez Ami, the blue fabric is Campan from Banberry Place(and it's on sale right now) and the pattern is the underdress for the Farbenmix Olivia also found at Banberry Place. It's hard to tell from the pattern pictures but this is the dress that has the cute little knotted hoodie you see here and there on various dresses and shirts etc.

Did you know that you can interchange the hoodies on Farbenmix patterns? Apparently you can. I have not tried it, but I have seen it so it must be possible. Cool huh!? So this little dress pattern is so fun, it has a large flare at the bottom so the twirling option is there, also, as my daughter discovered today, the hoodie has enough room and stretch to share with you bitty twin girl, should it be cold outside... The fabric is lighter than the Michael Miller knits. The campan being even slightly lighter than the Chez Ami I have pictured above. These would not be the 'keep you warm knits' but for us it's perfect because we have large temperature swings that require layering of lighter weight clothing. So this really is ideal. Although, it's not like the Michael Miller knits have the 'parka effect', they are just a little better able to keep you a bit warmer in 40 degree weather than the campan and Chez Ami I have pictured above. Of course that is all subject to the person wearing it. Anyway, the only suggestion I would have is to make sure you serge or zigzag stitch the raw edges of the campan before washing(this is Corie's genius discovery, not mine). Both of these knits tend to roll, but the Chez Ami doesn't roll too tightly, the campan does. If you stitch the edges before washing, the rolling will not be as tight and will make it much easier for you to unroll when prepping the fabric to cut. The campan has too many good qualities to let this be a deterrent from buying but it is something you should know and consider when determining how much to buy. It only rolls in an inch or slightly less.
Okay I have some buttons to sew on another dress, this time think denim and SISBOOM meets Cath Kidston...Woo hoo! So stay tuned!

Sprechen Sie German?

2010-12-28T23:55:00.001-06:00

Yeah well me either. But I sure wish I did! This little hoodie is the Farbenmix Bea hoodie.(Can you see the Jule peeking out? She loves her Jule hoodie! I love when she and I connect over fabric and design! Believe it or not, that is not always the case. But that's another post.) The only language translation they have right now for the Bea is in German. But really there is nothing to this pattern. If you have pieced together a basic shirt you would do the same with this hoodie with only two exceptions, first you have to piece the sleeves together which was easy peasy and then you have to add the hoodie at the end. For adding the hoodie at the end you completely make the shirt, completely make the hoodie and then just attach it at the neckline with a zig zag stitch then topstitch with a zig zag stitch. Done! If you need me to write a tutorial, I can. Just speak up! Or maybe I will just do it! But not today, I am a woman on a mission trying to complete a bunch of things I wanted to get done before Thanksgiving. A little late for that I know but I there's lots of long sleeve weather left so it's all good. Okay back to the hoodie. My favorite part of this pattern is the little ball on the end of the hoodie and the flared sleeves.

I just love their whimsical designs! I used fleece I bought from Chez Ami and it is so very lovely. There are a couple of pocket options but I wanted to piece together the basic top first then play around with embellishing. I am thinking it might be easier to embellish a pocket if it's not sewn on! Call me crazy... The pattern can be found at Banberry Place. She has the best Farbenmix selection that I have found online in the US. If there is another equal or better, I am just not aware. There may be others that carry some Farbenmix patterns but she carries every single one she can get her hands on. She is also having a great fabric sale right now. If you like Olilily and Cath Kidston look or the Studio Tantrum, Farbenmix, Sabine Pollehn, Luzia Pimpinella designs, you need to be shopping her shop. She has A LOT of the same type and look in fabrics and even some of the exact same fabrics(not Cath but some look identical to Olilily-check the Oli ones and then Farbenmix, Sabine and Luzia use some of the same fabrics.) Identical or not you can definitely start in her shop on getting their look. Okay I have another one coming up for you!!! I am NOT kiddiing I have been on a mission to get some things done! =D So stay tuned!

Are you up for the challenge?

2010-12-25T20:16:00.000-06:00

Jennifer Paganelli of Sisboom has a challenge going on her new blog! Create something with Queen Street that wows her judging panel and YOU and 2 others will be featured on her blog. Need fabric? Marie Madeline Studio has the ENTIRE LINE! So what are you waiting for? Go go! The deadline is January 5th.

OH and about the dress featured above(yes I entered it!), the fabric is Queen Street Ellen and the pattern is New Look 6309. We are not having Christmas Dinner until tomorrow so I got it done JUST in the nick of time! =D

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T00:17:00.001-06:00

I pray that you will be touched by the love of Jesus this Christmas. He is the Prince of Peace, hope of all nations, love's pure light, sent here to reconcile us to God. God bless you this Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

2010-12-23T13:47:00.000-06:00

I thought about the kids in A Christmas Story the whole time I was piecing the hoodie. You know how some of the stinkers um er I mean spirited boys had those looooong knit caps? Well my daughter has her spirited ways but not quite that bad so other than the hoodie, there aren't any other parallels here.

So this is the Farbenmix Jule in Patty Young's knits. It's overcast here today so the pink isn't pictured as bright and cheery as it it really is, but how I love this knit. It's a heavier knit and so so soft. I am going to get around to making myself something with it one of these days.

You can get these fabrics and patterns at Banberry Place. You know Corie lives really close to me. I have been over to her house several times this week taking in and taking home all that European goodness she's got going on. As soon as the light is better around here I am going to take some pics so you can see and oogle. OH and shhh...you are the first to know...her Bizz Kids patterns are buy one get one free. The Summer 09 is the BEST. The covers are so hard to tell but really it has a ton of cute things to sew up. I am going to be sewing some of the clothes in there with my friend Courtney from Sweeter Than Cupcakes. She and I just sat there in front of Corie's pattern cabinets flipping through the Summer 09' issue saying "Oh look, that's cute, and look a that..." I chose the Sue and Blu Summer 2008 as my get one free. It looks a little more complicated as far as design but there were some really cute pieces in there as well.The Sue and Blu is not in English but the Summer 09' is in some version of an English translation. Nothing looks too complicated to figure out so I think it will be fine. I am actually thinking of doing an online tutorial on a couple of them. So go grab up a Bizz Kid pattern book get a second one free(the winter issues looked great too, we just don't have enough winter for me to invest in a bunch of winter patterns) and stay tuned! We can sew together!

Carla and Jennifer just keep outdoing themselves!

2010-12-14T18:00:00.001-06:00

Carla C. and Jennifer P. are up to their creative selves again. Now I don't know about you but I have seen a ton of cute apron patterns out there but the bow on the back of this sends me OVER THE MOON! So sassy! So fun! So fresh! I just love it. And it goes together really quickly you just need a few yard of fabric and if you are in a real time crunch, some premade bias binding and you are good to go. Think QUICK Christmas gift for those of you who celebrate Christmas.It really does go together quickly. So go to YCMT for the pattern and for the Sisboom Queen Street fabric(swoon!!!) fabric you can find it at Marie Madeline Studio and Above All Fabric. So what are you waiting for!? Fill up Jennifer's Sisboom Sighting's Flickr! Woo hoo for cute fun apron's made by YOU!
Okay I have been rivaling China in my sewing 'studio' again. So more to come from me in a few days.

Parrrrrrtaaaayyyyyy!!!!

2010-12-03T23:11:00.000-06:00

Party Party Party! It's our season to party in this house. From Thanksgiving to just a little after Valentine's Day, we are Birthday Central. And we have BIG birthdays this year. It must be the type A nature in me and my husband, all our birthday's this season are multiples of 5. No we didn't plan to marry someone the same age and then go and have kids close to our 30th and 35th birthday's. It just happened that way. So fun fun fun! We have big birthday's this year! Everybody is a milestone of some sort. Mine and hubby's being, THE BIG FOUR OH! OH OH OHHHHH NOOOO!!!! No really it's okay. I have my moments where I am a bit, oh I don't know what the word is, exasperated maybe? Exasperated that time has gone by so quickly, exasperated that I don't feel any different than I did in my post college 20's nor do I see my self any differently in many ways, exasperated that my babies are not babies and not likely to have anymore tiny diapers in the house to change, okay so maybe I don't mind the diaper part but I could take more baby giggles for sure, exasperated that I blinked and bam I am looking at 40 and those darn mamograms! Seriously, why didn't that test evolve into something a little more simple like a blood test??? Oh well, maybe by the time my baby is 40 there will be a complete cure and she won't have to worry about it. So birthday brou ha ha it is in the Fish Household. My daughter kicked it off this week. We had a family party at my parents house, at her school and then after school at a jumpie place. PARTAAAYY!! Do you ever get stumped over what to give for party favors? I do. I really try to resist the whole Oriental Trading company route, although I have been know to give out baggies of those cheap toys. But I try to get creative most years. Well this year, I came up with it the idea of making skirts for the girls that attended Kelsey's party. So I dug through my stash, pulled out a bunch of orphans and came up with these. OHHH and I MUST say right now, my direct inspiration for these skirts was Kristen Gocker of Gocks Frocks. She is ALWAYS inspiring me with her cute creations. Do you see the MADELINE fabric? I didn't have the coordinating Sisboom dots on hand so I used some of my Ta Dots.

This was such a fun project. I really kind of have a bug to make a kauillion of theses. So freeing to just play with fabric combinations. Fun times. Well I am falling asleep YET AGAIN as I sit her typing, so off to bed I go. Please forgive any mistakes I might have! Thanks so much for stopping by!
J

Sisboom's new blog home and a giveaway!

2010-11-16T08:38:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Jennifer's new blog home?

It is SO GORGEOUS! She has been posting the best posts lately too. Things you need to see(and no I don't mean my stuff, I mean all the other pretties!)You can find here blog here at /http://www.sisboom.com/blog/. Go check it out and don't forget to remove the typepad address from you blogger,wordpress or typepad or whatever you use for your follow list and update it to the above web address. Oh and make sure you browse the whole Sisboom site. It has been reorganized and updated and you will find lots of inspiration there. And I could be wrong but I am thinking she has a SNEAK PEAK of a new fabric line coming out. It's labeled Sneak Peak, The New Honey Child collection. But I am going to be a stinker and not tell you where it is! You gotta go find it on her website.

And CHECK OUT what she is giving away!!! Not one, not two, but THREE people will win any one of Carla's patterns! THREE! The Rosetta Bag is included in your choices! Aren't they generous!? I think so. So go check it out!

Sisboom in Autumn

2010-11-15T00:19:00.000-06:00

I just love that Casey Scroll.. I have oodles of it. After cutting out some of the Casey Scroll for a different project I had a bit left that I didn't want to cut up into anything else yet. So I thought it would make a great autumn table cloth and the Flower Power fabric is just gorgeous and complements it well. So I serged the edges of the Casey and made place mats out of the Flower Power. You know by making it a tablecloth I was allowing myself to set aside fabric that I just cannot bring myself to cut but still enjoy it and not have it eating up my stash storage space. I mean think about it. If you don't eat off of it, you can look at it every day and when the newness has worn off, you can cut it up then! Or never cut it...Anyway this was so fun hopefully it inspired you to look at your stash in a new way. Especially those fabrics you don't want to cut...

Presenting the lovely Rosetta Bag by Carla C. and Jennifer P.

2010-11-14T00:34:00.001-06:00

How I love this pattern! It's Carla C./Jennifer P.'s latest sewing collaboration and it couldn't be any cuter! I love the ruffles! Looooove them! I made the tote option for this pattern and let me tell you, I can get EVERYTHING in there. Everything! It is large and roomy and Carla included optional pocket pattern pieces so I opted for pockets. I am all organized now. Oh, can you hear my husband cracking up over that thought? He read's my mind you know. Sort of a comic relief for him. Well you know we have to talk fabric. I bought the jade Michal fabric over the summer at Fabric.com for a GREAT deal. They had a big sale and some of Jennifer's fabrics were included in the sale. So I kinda bought, ahem, a LOT Of fabric! But you will love this. I need to get more of the Michal now, I accidentally used too much of it. I plan to use it to make myself a dress or something of that nature. So off I go in search of fabric! I will let you in on a little secret. Fabric.com is having an even bigger sale on a few of Jennifer's fabrics right now. Like your really need to go check it out asap. Now as for the dot fabric, that is none other than, QUEEN STREET! Oh Yeah, Uh Huh. It's my birthday, it's my birthday! Well not quite but it sure does feel like a big ole celebration working with Queen Street. I cannot wait to get more! The greens are a near perfect match and the dots play off the design in the Michal.
I am literally falling asleep at the keyboard here. So go purchase the pattern at YCMT. Christmas is around the corner and this bag would make a very good Christmas gift. If you can give it away that is...

Oh LOVE!

2010-11-08T00:53:00.001-06:00

Before I beginI want to mention I have two other posts I just posted so make sure you check them out. One is Giving Back, a charitable opportunity you don't want to miss and the other is my last Market installment. Okay back to your regularly scheduled program.

I must say I missed working with Jennifer's fabrics these last several projects. She is the master of beautiful vibrant fabrics in great classic designs. Sigh...So with out further ado Here is my latest Pink Fig Lily top in JP Bell Bottoms, complete with accessories, paired with Portabellopixie triple ruffle pants in chambray.

The accent flowers are Riley Blake's NEW Crochet flowers that you can find at Above All Fabrics(squeal!!! Do you see her Queen Street in the link!?!). I bought mine at Sampler Spree at Market.

There is a third flower on the other end of the tie. It was twisted and didn't show up in the picture.

Here are the Portabellopixie pant bottoms.

Sorry about the picture quality. I enlarged and cropped one of the full body pictures I took so it's kind of beyond perfect resolution here. I have grown accustom to using my rolled hem attachment for my sewing machine. If you have an option to buy one for your machine, I highly recommend it. It makes a prettier rolled hem than a serger. Well in my humble opinion anyway! Now it has taken me a lot of practice in using mine to get a good rolled edge, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't turn out perfectly the first few times, it just takes fiddling to get used to the right angle to feed your fabric. I have found it to be so worth while.
Okay don't forget to check out my Giving Back and Supah Stah's posts. I am catching up a bit and have posted back to back to back. But I am done for the night. More in the next couple of days no doubt!
Have a blessed night or day, depending on where you are!

Giving back...

2010-11-08T00:12:00.002-06:00

because I have been blessed so abundantly. I have my faith, health, shelter, family and friends. What more could one ask for? Blessed indeed. I am sewing along with A Dozen Quilter's this year making something new every month for a charitable group. This month was my month to pick the project and charity. I chose St. PJ's Children's Home in San Antonio. The project is to make a stocking and fill it with something from their wish list. Here is the stocking I made, I still need to fill it. And because I know you are going to ask, I will go ahead and give you the fabric specifics before I go on. We sewists like to know about our fabrics! The fabric is Essential Dots(maybe Moda?) and Dolly Dresses Itty Bitty Ticking. Both from Marie Madeline Studio. Of course! I think they are out of the ticking I used but they have the newer version of it. It's the same scale and just as cute. It's called Tiny Ticking. Okay back to the topic at hand.

As our group is from all over the country I suggested those not in my area, which is everyone, could opt to give St. PJ's a gift card to Walmart or Target if they like. Would you like to play along? You can send everything straight to St. PJ's if you like, just make sure you label it A Dozen Quilters or refer to me, Jenny Fish, on a note somewhere in the box. Otherwise they might not know it's associated with A Dozen Quilter's or me. Here is the link to my initial post. The link contains background on St. PJ's as well as the link to their organization's website and wish list As for stocking ideas, you can just use a stocking you already have for a template or if you do not sew just go buy one. Make sure you check their wish list as they have a lot of practical needs. It is fine to send a toy but they really need the boring stuff. Diapers, wipes etc. If you make a stocking for this project let me know. I will either post it here or start a flickr group or something.If you don't play along I hope this got your wheels a turning on how you can give back to those in need around you.
Bless you my friend!

Supah Stahs!!

2010-11-07T22:44:00.000-06:00

Okay, sorry I left you hanging! The week just got away from me. This is my final Market report. Before I start posting my last pictures, I just want to say that if you had a booth there or are going places with your design business you are already a supah stah. This post is really about the names that stand out in my mind mostly because I heard of them before I started sewing clothing(I wasa a bonafide quilter before) and they have had a bigger presence in my fabric and pattern stash than the others. They are essential the designers that got me started sewing little clothes for my daughter.
Now the first Supah Stah(do you even know what I am trying to say???? Super Star. 'Kay? Now we are on the same page) I did not get a picture of her mostly because she did not have a booth, but I was able to at least talk with her for a moment. Sandy Henderson. I would say that her Farmer's Market fabrics were close to some of the first fabrics I bought with the sole purpose of making clothing. And that was driven by buying her patterns for little girls. So I wish I had a picture but alas I don't. But she was very sweet to talk with. I was so glad I met her.
The second Supah Stah is probably the one I hold closest to my heart and she WASN'T THERE! I of course already knew she wasn't going to be there but it really would have made for the nearly perfect market experience. That of course is Jennifer Paganelli. I discovered her blog after I found her in Country Living magazine and I was HOOK! Her fabrics are oh so lovely. She does color like no other and her fabrics make my heart sing. THEN I actually met her via her blog. I entered a chance to win fabric on her blog and then went out of town. While out of town I was not able to check my home email so I emailed her via her blog to give her an alternate way of contacting me just in case I won(Yes I know crazy. But I REALLY wanted to win! It was Dance With Me fabric for goodness sakes!) She emailed me back and told me I did not win but to give her my address, she wanted to send me some fabric anyway. OH my word did she send me fabric!? From that point on she has been such an inspiration to me. She encouraged me to get a flickr account, start a blog, and even encouraged me to go to market to see where I could fit in this whole creative world. I so appreciate and adore Jennifer Paganelli. Her heart is as beautiful as her fabrics. Love her!

Okay so I think you wanted to see pictures! Well I could not do this Supah Stah post without mention the above women, it just wouldn't be complete with out them.

Recognize this gal's work?

Oh my word. Where would I be without Patty and her expertise? After Sandy's patterns I gave Patty's patterns a whirl. I have learned quite a bit about garment construction from her patterns and online tutorials. She is very thorough and the girl know's what she is talking about! I think I have said this a hundred times but I will say it once more, her Kyoko is my absolute favorite of all her patterns. So DARLING! Seriously every little girl size 7 and under should be sporting a cutie little Kyoko with an obi sash! Gasp! WHERE did the idea for that pattern come from? I don't know but thank you to whoever inspired Patty. I got to meet her and she is just as adorable as her patterns and fabrics. She really is. And as you can see she has new fabrics, including knits,I want the knit Patty is wearing, and some cute new patterns as well. Love you Patty!

You know this booth before I even have to tell you who it belongs to. Well besides the fact that her name is on it. She just has a definite Amy Butler look that is unmistakable. So beautiful.

The colors make me swoon! Amy was one of the pioneers, remember this is just in my mind based on what my local shops were buying, of transitional quilting fabric. I am not sure transitional is quite the right word but what I mean is fabric that could be be used in either a quilt or a home dec piece, clothing or bag. I did buy some of her fabrics at the time and made several bags. So she was in a sense my first break away from quilts.

Now here is one of many peoples fave. Anna Maria Horner.

Her style is so unique and fresh. I actually pause and study the fabric/color play whenever I see something sewing up in her beauties. And her VOILES!! I am SO glad she is coming out with more. I have yet to work with them but ohhhh I have felt them many times and they really are so luxurious. And now she is coming out with velveteens! I got to touch and feel them and they will be worth every penny you pay for them. I guarantee it. Probably what has me most excited is she is coming out with new patterns. I want EVERY pillow pattern she has coming out. Every one! I have several of her patterns in my stash already, including Seams to Me, but I have not gotten to them yet. There is just only so much time in a day! But I love her patterns just the same. Oh wait I take that back I have made one thing from Seams To Me. The big round pin cushion caddy. I will just have to save that for another blog post. It was fun venture. It was so nice to meet Anna Maria Horner. Between her blog, patterns and fabrics, she has carried me along in this sewing venture. She is one talented inspirational gal.

Well the next is more of a Supah Stah company than person. These folks just know how to have fun. Check out their booth.

Do you see the nod to Carol Burnett's Gone With the Wind spoof? I am on the cusp of being too young to remember it but I have older siblings so I do remember Carol Burnett. In case you missed this iconic show here is the clip from Went With the Wind.(Bob Mackie was her costume designer.) Michael Miller folks, you know how to have fun!

New Supah Stah on the block that just may excite you.

Cutie's got fabric. Gracious he was at the show for 1.5 hours and stood for pictures the ENTIRE time. One drooling woman after another! Haha! I started on the opposite end of the convention center so I missed seeing him.

Well that wraps up my Market report. I hope you feel like you have been there now! Well of course there was waaaayyy more than what I took pictures of, but these were definitely many of the highlights.

Next is the beginning of posting the backlog of sewn goodies I have been needing to post. Brace yourselves I have been busy!

Bringing Market to YOU! Part 2

2010-11-01T10:19:00.000-05:00

So now I am well rested. Well sort of, is a mother ever well rested??? So lets do pattern designers next. Lots of new fun patterns coming out. I am thinking you want more pictures and perhaps less words. I will try to do my best but am making no promises! So here goes.
Pink Fig has some darling new patterns coming out. Here is Chelsea busy in her booth.

I am LOVING her little apron jumper dress. And that skirt! Oh gasp! So cute! You may not recognize the fabric because....it's her new fabric line Miss Modd that is coming out soon. It's really cute and has a funky vintagey feel to it. Here is a link to get a better look at the fabric. Miss Modd link. I don't think the swatches even begin to do it justice. Here is a link to see her samples up close Super cute for sure.

Here is one of the three designers of Izzy and Ivy standing in her darling booth.

Don't you love how I had these girls smile for the camera? Anyway they have several cute designs coming out of which they have blogged here.

Oh the darling Oliver and S booth. Just so well polished and while I have yet to sew up one of her patterns, they are quite darling and of course on my list! The space was tight so I couldn't get a good full picture but you still get the idea.

She has a few new designs coming out in the spring but I could not find them on her blog but you can see them on her banner. In addition to new patterns she also has a book and fabric line coming out. The girl has been busy! You can read more about her new fabric, City Weekend, on her blog here.

Kay Whitt with Sew Serendipity has several new patterns coming out. Do you have her Sew Serendipity book? She has some super cute skirts in it and jackets. I have copy but have yet to sew from it.

Her new patterns won't disappoint. She has a skirt pattern with several options(I wish I would have take a better picture of the skirts!) and NO PATTERN PIECES! I think that is great for the crowd that has yet to switch from quilts but want to give it a go with clothing construction. And the skirts are very cute. I will try to sew one up soon so you can see. Yes that is right I bought the pattern! It came in a pack with two other patterns the black and white tunic that you see on the right is from one of the patterns and a media bag pattern, chock full of options, is the other.
Okay I must rush off yet again. I have spent my entire morning writing this blog post and it's already time to go pick up my girlie girl from school. So not time to comb through for errors, NO DOUBT there are errors! I have one more post for you featuring many of your favorite Supah stahs! Can't wait!

Bringing Market to YOU! Part 1

2010-11-01T00:08:00.000-05:00

I am back from Quilt Market in Houston and I must say I had a hard time REMEMBERING to take pictures for you! But I did and hopefully it will help satiate your curiosity. I have so much to say I am going to have to do this in separate posts. Before I get started I want to say I finally met two of the Long Ladies from Marie Madeline Studio and their sweet Nana. They are just the most precious girls ever. I wish you could have been there with me to meet them. You would have seen two very well raised beautiful inside and out young women with the sweetest most pleasant and fun personalities ever. They are just so precious. Kristie is one amazing mom, she has and is still doing such a beautiful job raising sweet, loving, well adjusted young women and men. I don't know when it is the last time I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. Fun gals for sure! It was such an honor to spend time with them. I am thankful.Would you believe the whole time we were there, we did not get pictures together? Well we finally did but with THEIR camera so I will have to blog that picture when I get it from them.

I arrived in Houston Friday the 29th, the day before Market began. On Friday they had Schoolhouse and Sampler Spree(I think I have the names right, they are close anyway.) Schoolhouse is where designers and experts in the industry give a 20ish minute talk on some aspect of the field they are in. So like Amy Butler showed her new fabric coming out(Gasp! Gorgeous!) and she gave some tips on marketing(I came into the room late so I am not 100% that was all her talk was about). Anna Maria Horner passed around her samples of her new patterns and fabrics and talked about how easy or difficult it was to do handwork on the different substrates she is offering and just generally gave you a background on her entire new line of Innocent Crush. Which is stunning by the way. Make sure you buy some of her velveteen. It will cost more than her cottons but worth every penny. Beautiful. She has some SUPER cute patterns coming out too. I cannot wait to make her new skirts and her DARLING pillows. So exciting! Those were the only two designers Schoolhouse classes I attended. But there were TONS of other ones. Pretty neat experience.

After Schoolhouse there was a two hour break and then Sample Spree. Sample Spree is where vendors have an opportunity to sell their NEWEST latest and greatest products at a fraction of the cost and you don't have to buy in bulk. You can just buy one of everything..If you find something you really like, it really is a good deal. And there were enough vendors, you were likely to find plenty that you liked. It was neat. The tickets for Sample Spree had already sold out(a whopping $5 ticket) so we were not able to get in for the first hour but were able to attend the second hour. The admission restriction for Sample Spree was because of a fire code standard. It was just as well to me as I have heard of other sprees being out of control with pushing and shoving. The hour we went in was very subdued and people were well behaved. No craziness.
Here is a shot of sample spree. The Moda table is on the right.

It's small compared to market but when you consider every table has the latest and greatest from each company its a REALLY neat opportunity. And as you can see no craziness at this moment. That being said, remember we were not in the first group that went in. I have no idea how their story would compare.
Okay I am literally falling asleep writing this so I am going to stop here and post MORE tomorrow, so stay tuned!

To Market To Market!

2010-10-28T19:13:00.000-05:00

I am off to Houston Quilt Market tomorrow. I am so excited! It has been touch and go all week on whether I would go and how it was going to happen and would all my ducks be in a row in time. I am so glad it worked out.I have always wanted to go to market. Maybe I will find my place in this whole industry. I sure hope so! I really love sewing and creating with my hands, it would be nice to be a part of the whole creative craze in a formal way. So we will see what comes of this venture to Houston.

Here are the final two samples I made for Quilt Haus/Creative Sewlutions. These will be at market along with the other samples I made fore Quilt Haus recently. The supplies will be available for purchase so keep your eyes peeled for her booth!

This is the Sydney Tunic by Patty Young made up in Anna Marie Horner Innocent Crush. It's a size too big for my daughter but I think it looks pretty good anyway!

Okay so you are going to crack up over this next photo staging. I have no idea WHAT I was thinking but I was trying to do something better than my blinds in my bedroom.Ummm I think I need to go back to the drawing board. This is Pink Fig's Lily Top with Sandi Henderson's ruffled pants. All the fabric is Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet except the lavender bicycle fabric is from Erin McMorris's Weekends line. I think this is my favorite of all the samples.

So that's it for now. I have 4 Sisboom and one best friends project to photograph and blog but it will have to wait until next week when I get back from Market. Have a great weekend! I will bring my camera and take tons of pictures for you! Oh I cannot WAIT!

SQUEALLLL!!!!! IT'S IN!!!!

2010-10-27T21:56:00.002-05:00

Marie Madeline Studio has QUEEN STREET! I am NOT KIDDING! They are not going to be able to get it up online until after market because their um er tech crew will be otherwise occupied but, now I am going out on a limb on this part, they will be there to receive your emails about orders! I don't know what their process will be or if they will have you wait, I just don't know but if you are like ME, you will be filling up their inbox with what you want! Oh and what pieces do they have you ask? ALLL of it! Oh my WORD I cannot tell you how excited I am! I am wanting to start with Madeline, Ellen and Siobahn! What color? Oh all colors! So exciting!! Okay so to recap the Long Ladies are there sitting next to all those bolts of Queen Street beauty, the fabrics are just not on their site. So give them a holler! Tell them I sent you. They get a kick out of it. Woo hoo! Update: YES YOU CAN ORDER VIA EMAIL! They are taking orders for sure! Yay!

Oh if only to go back for a day.

2010-10-19T18:16:00.000-05:00

I don't want to go back and do EVERYTHING over again, but just to have a day when they were this little...

or when he was little

but you know, she was always a bit of a handful...

and a mess

Do you see the mischief??? Gracious! I could not have even FATHOMED sewing for her at these ages. So I will take them both as they are today and just be thankful for the memories.

Macy Giggles...

2010-10-13T14:18:00.003-05:00

..and so do I! This is such a cute quick little pattern! I like that it is a simple design but with some fresh ideas like the straps that can be worn to look more like a shrug or just worn as gathered strappy straps and the cute fabric covered buttons that fasten the bodice in the back(remember those from the Marie Madeline Studio Ana Claire Jumper pattern?) One thing that I really appreciate about this pattern is if there is a rectangle to cut, you are given measurements instead of a giant pattern sheet to trace off pattern pieces. I don't like tracing if I don't have to and I have a rotary cutter, mat and rulers, so give me the measurements please and save me some time! I did have some problems with the instructions not being clear one a couple of steps, so I sat back and just looked at the pieces and did what I thought would work. So if you have problems with the pattern, no it's not you, there are a couple of muddled steps. It's okay though, if you like the way this dress looks don't let it keep you from buying the pattern, just be aware that its not perfect. Then again, neither am I.... Now I have their Princess Bella dress pattern in my stash, I am thinking I want to give it a whirl! Oh and I cannot forget the Tina Givens fabric. This is also from the Opal Owl collection. I think it is so fun with the whimsical characters frolicking across the dress. The color palette is definitely out of my comfort zone, but it most certainly works and I really like how it turned out. The blues, browns and orange play so well together and say Autumn for sure! I just tend to gravitate toward spring, summer, and bright colors.
Okay so one more sample and I am done unless Deanne at Quilt Haus/Creative Sewlutions had some more ideas. She did mention me trading these out for more projects. So I better snap to it already! Time is a wasting, Erin McMorris, Sandi Henderson and Pink Fig coming up! Already have the pants cut...

I want one!

2010-10-08T13:23:00.001-05:00

If you love this tablecloth, hop over to Jennifer Paganelli's blog and give her a shout out. Peking is on the fence as to whether or not they want to make these tablecloths(see Jennifer's blog for other colors). Seriously? I just wish I had access to the last round of linens she had come out much less new ones! So if you love it and think they need to be released as table linens give Jen a shout out here. I want her pink dishes! I want those little pinafores too!

So much to say!

2010-10-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

First of all I want to tell you about the giveaway Marie Madeline Studio is having. Can you guess why I love this quilt so much???

Jennifer's fabrics are allll over it! Oh so gorgeous! Love it. So go check it out over at Marie Madeline Studio and get the details on how to win this beauty! There is a little link in my side bar or just click here.

Second is anyone counting down to the roll out of Queen Street??

I am! November is quickly approaching, can you believe time is going so fast? Marie Madeline studio had to be one of the first to order since I made sure and gave the the heads up the MINUTE Jennifer blogged it was available for shops to order. I am thinking that means they have the potential to be one of the first to get it. I am hoping anyway!

Did you see this pattern sneak peak for next summer coming from Jennifer P and Carla C?

I am thinking I will be making one of these! I will have to fiddle with the top for a good fit, but really this dress is very much my taste, classic, feminine and pretty! Already have fabric in mind...

Okay samples, samples, samples. That is what is on my sewing table right now. I FINALLY finished this little outfit and I love it!

I made it a little extra big because it will be hanging in Quilt Haus/Creative Sewlutions for a while so my daughter SWIMS in it right now. So no pic with her modeling it, maybe I will remember to do so in the spring. The pattern company is new to me, Olive Ann Designs. She has a few patterns out and they are all cute! I thought this pattern was well thought out and very well written. And well it's a really cute design! I did have the option to put little draw string ties on the sides at the bottom but I was thinking that would make it too summery. What do you think about the ties? The only problem I had with assembling was getting the ruffles to be straight. My ruffles were curling up and twisting when I gathered them so it was difficult to pin them perfectly straight. They turned out fine but I would love any tips on how to improve my accuracy.

Sorry about the picture quality but, aren't these little owls cute!? The fabrics are from Tina Given's new line called Opal Owls. They just make me giggle looking all perplexed. I thought owls were wise??? Hmmm.....Love em! And of course the leggings are made from Patty Young's knit fabric. I had trouble with the waist getting a little stretched out when I sewed it. Any suggestions on how to fix that?

Remember the Feliz? Here are a couple of shots of my daughter wearing it a the wedding.

She had to wear a little sweater with it, so the ruffles were a little bit confined. She felt like a princess though! I had to add the last shot, its so HER! I just wish I had sent my good camera! Okay off to take a dolly for a walk in her stroller with her mommy. Hopefully I will get to my next dress, Macy Giggles!

Lunadaaaaaahhhhh!!!!

2010-10-01T07:25:00.001-05:00

They are off and I am so, so, so, so sad. I will be okay later when I am sewing up a storm with this very rare break from my little side kick but it's so hard right when she or my son or both leave! They visit family some without us so I should be used to it by now but I am not. Sniff. So lets talk sewing so I will stop feeling so sad. Here are the denim Lunadas I said I was going to make. I was worried the fabric would be too heavy to ruffle up when the trim was applied, well as you can see I was so wrong! They REALLY wave! I imagine as these get washed they won't ruffle so much but right now they stand out on their own more so than the eyelet pair I made. I plan to make the top that matches these pants but for now the Kyoko will have to do. I just LOVE Patty Young's Kyoko pattern. LOVE IT! One of my favorites hands down. This one is getting a little small, gasp(!), sniff(!), but for now it will work as a shirt. At least until the sleeves become painfully, obviously too short. I had only a moment to take a picture so no retakes going on this morning. Just click, click, hug and bye. Boo hoo hoo hoo! Okay I need to think about sewing! And of course the fun time I am going to have with my son this weekend. He is REALLY excited to have me all to himself. REALLY excited. I am of course excited as well.

She is so sleepy! Poor thing having a flash going off in her eyes so early!

Here you can see that I used the same denim just the wrong side to give the pants a contrast with out adding color so the pants could be worn with anything.

The faux fly on the pants crack me up! I don't know why but it does. Here you can see the contrasting band of fabric a little better.

Instead of using a strip of denim as binding I added it as faux piping instead. That way there wasn't as much bulk in the hem. Whoops! Missed a dot of thread there!

Oh man they just called me from the airport. My husband fed her a DONUT! Giggling, cackling, and singing going on in the background. Well I am glad I am not the one getting on the plane with a sugared up girl! Okay her antithesis in personality is up. I heard some grumpy mumbling that I think is a request for breakfast.After I get him squared away I think I am going to go back to bed here in a bit! I stayed up waaaay too late making these pants, but it was worth it! Then it's SEWING! Woo hoo!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

2010-09-30T00:34:00.001-05:00

Well I am not but my husband and daughter are going to a wedding this weekend. We didn't want to take our son out of school so we decided just the two of them would go. So of course if she is taking a trip that means she needs a dress to wear for the occasion! Of course! So here is my newest version of the Feliz.

And of course the best part of the Feliz is the back...

Here I can tell you a little more of the fabrics as you look at the picture. (I feel like I am giving you a museum tour! Hahaha!) The brown fabric is Heather Bailey's Pop Garden, the yellow is Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane, The pink fabrics are Free Spirit Solids, Nashville Cottons, Dolly Dresses, and Simply Sweet. You can find all the fabrics, except the brown Pop Garden, at Marie Madeline Studio. I bought the Pop Garden from Tennessee Quilts a while back.

I like close ups of details. I am always squinting at everybody's photos online. I will save your eyes, here are a couple of close ups.

And this is what the ruffles look like with out everything squishing it all together. This is a great twirling dress.

You can find this pattern in the book Sewing Clothes Kids Love. I have a link to purchase it in my sidebar. I highly recommend this book. So many innovative fresh designs to try out. I will have to warn you, this pattern is dangerously addictive! There are a kajillion ways to embellish the Feliz which makes construction really fun.At a certain point you just have to stop playing and sew it all together which is hard if you get in that mode and just keep going and going with new ideas. I was in a time crunch so had my friends Melissa P and The Long Ladies give me their thoughts on my ideas. They were so helpful. Thank you ladies!!! So now back to those denim pants....OH and I am making a whole bunch of new samples for Quilt Haus to hang in the booth at the Houston International Quilt Show. Yay! So more will be coming up hopefully soon! If my life can just get normal! Normal? Normal? What is that? I have forgotten. Hahaha!

Oh Patty Oh!!!!

2010-09-13T02:33:00.002-05:00

I finished the other two samples for Seventh Heaven Quilt Shop in San Antonio. I am loving Patty Young's knits! They are so easy to work with! And seriously, I want a pair of pants like that!!! The patterns are both Portabellopixie. The top is the same as my last post, the peasant top with my Carla C/Jennifer P construction changes. Hmmm I wonder if my daughter is going to be upset when we drop these off tomorrow. Well she will have something to look forward to in the spring. I forgot to include where you can get these knits! Of course in San Antonio Seventh Heaven Quilt Shop, in New Braunfels Quilt Haus, Online Banberry Place, Marie Madeline Studio and Above All Fabric. Great shops! Great sweet ladies!
So now I have a ***GASP***blank sewing slate! What to do what to do???
I was thinking of these pants....

....in denim. I am wondering if the bottoms will sway like that. I know back in the day everybody wore denim bell bottoms.And from the pictures it sure look like the bottoms were 'ringing'! I wonder if that would work with this pattern. Hmmmm.... May have to just go for it and see! Oh and the pattern is the Lunada pants that I bought from Banberry Place a while back. Love em!

Make sure you check out Marie Madeline Studio's sale this week. Forty five percent off select fabric lines! Like a lot of lines! Find the details here. The sale has already started so hurry over and buy early. They expect to sell out of whatever they put on sale. Go, go, go!!!.

Who's afraid of knits????

2010-09-07T17:55:00.002-05:00

Well I was the queen chicken before Patty Young's knits came along. I loved her knits so much I had to give them a try. Well, and it helped that I was asked to make samples for Seventh Heaven Quilt Shop in San Antonio. But that wouldn't have mattered, I had already decided I wanted to give her darling fabrics a try. So my next few posts will be dedicated to my sewing endeavor into knits! And seriously, WHAT was I afraid of???? I can see Corie at Banberry Place shaking her head tsking me saying "SEEE I told you so!!!" Well actually she is too nice to do that but no doubt she should give me a hard time!! So the first things I have learned about knits are as follows.

1. Prewash!!! These knits come with a prewashing recommendation. Do it! And wash them like you are going to wash them after wearing. I washed the knits in warm water and dried on a warm dryer(not hot) and I lost 5 inches in length and 5 inches in width. For those of you that like to only buy what you absolutely have too, you have to buy extra. And I can say with confidence that this is not just Michael Miller fabrics. I bought some Campan last year and it also shrank(Been so chicken, I never sewed it up!). I didn't measure how much but I did lose a bit to shrinkage. The good thing is if you are using patterns you already have in your stash, it is likely the yardage required is for 42-45 inch wide fabric, you will need less for the knit as it is a wider. So for the top that I made, it was made from Sandi Henderson's peasant top pattern size 5. I bought 1 and 1/3 of a yard but used less than 1 yard of it. I find her patterns recommend too much fabric because she is giving you yardage for each element of the garment you are making. in case you want to mix it up on the fabrics. It's great if you are mixing it up but too much fabric if you are using only one or two fabrics. I forgot to add that I used the Portabellopixie peasant top pattern but I didn't want to attempt shirring on my first try with knits so I used all of Carla C's./Jennifer P.s peasant top instructions for the neck, sleeves and waist assembly.
Okay but I am getting off topic a bit here, but that can lead into my next point.

2. You don't need special patterns! I thought maybe you did but then I got to looking at my daughter's of the rack clothing and I noticed she had lots of knit jumpers, wide legged pants, knit dresses that were not particularly clingy, knit that was gathered, smocked, pleated etc. You can use patterns you already have which is wonderful. Although I am eying some of these patterns Patty has coming out!

3. You don't need a serger! Huh?? You don't. My serger is in the shop and I made this top completely without serging the edges. Now sergers are wonderful to use in sewing and I personally love the little ruffled knit rolled edges you can make with them, but they are not a requirement. In fact, knit is a great fabric to sew with if you don't have a serger because generally they don't ravel. I say generally because I have not seen a knit that ravels, but I am not an expert on knits and of course there are always exceptions to anything.

4. You need a ball point needle. Other needles can clip your fabric producing holes. At least that's the word on the street.

5. You need a thread that has give to it. I used polyester but I keep hearing nylon is good. The reason for this is you need it to be forgiving when you are stretching the garment over your head, feet or hands. You want a thread that stretches instead of breaks.

6. Read your user manual for your machine. I found that my machine had several stitches that were meant just for knits. I know that would not be the case for every one but at the very least I bet you have a zig zag stitch. You only need a zig zag type stitch for areas where the garment seams are going to be stretched, like at the neck, wrists, and ankles.

7. Check out Patty's blog post hemming tutorial videos. PRICELESS help! I have so much respect for Patty and her expertise. If you have followed my blog for a while you know how much I love her patterns because she teaches different techniques and does such a great job explaining what you need to do. Her video tutorials are great. I cannot get her individual posts to come up but click here to go to her blog and scroll down several posts for the tutorials.

8. I am NOT an expert on knits, these are just my first observations from the research and sewing I did for this top.

9. Where can you find her knits? A lot of places! In the Texas Hill Country you can go touch feel and oogle them at Quilt Haus, Seventh Heaven and when she has her doors open, Banberry Place. YES! Corie has open house here and there, email her to find out when she is having her next one! What is nice is each of these places offer different elements of the knit collection so if you cannot find it at one, you can find it at another. Where can you find it online? A lot of places including Banberry Place and Marie Madeline Studio.

10. As I was working on this top, I won scraps from Patty's studio! Her husband used a random number generator and my comment number came up! Go figure! I see scraps in this pile that I don't see in her knit collection, hmmm.....Patty must have secret! I couldn't find it on her blog. Exciting!

Maddie plus Queen Street equals.... squeal!!!!

2010-08-30T18:44:00.000-05:00

We were in the throws of first week of school, first gymanstic class, first meeting with the teacher, first, first, first last week so I am a bit late in getting the word out. The Dana and Maddie Top patterns by the Jennifer Paganelli/Carla Hegman Crim are available and are on SALE right now with all the rest of their patterns at YCMT. 20% off! Yay! I love my Dana. Comfy and flowy in Sisboom blues...sigh... And this pic of the sleeveless Maddie is so exciting because not only is it a darling top on a cutie little girl, it is the first BIG piece of Queen Street to see all sewn up. So beautiful! I think the entire line is my favorite of Jennifer's to date. I just cannot wait! So go grab your Dana or Maddie here and get sewing! Clean out that stash, lots of pretty fabrics coming in November! Think Christmas sewing! Gift away the 'old', make room for new. Everybody will be excited! Get sewing!

Time for Tea!

2010-08-28T18:20:00.000-05:00

My dear sweet mother-in-law's birthday is next week. I thought I would make her these lovely Sisboom placemats for her birthday. Elizabeth Rose from Flower Power is my favorite print I have a feeling it's going to be hers too. Something so neat about her, you see my little teacup and saucer and spoon I have there? We have the same place settings. SAME ONES! And its completely coincidence. To top it off, many years later, my sister in law married, she bought the same dishes. They are hard to pass up frilly and girly, who could resist? So needless to say, birthday and Christmas presents are so easy to pick out for her. I cannot wait to hear what she thinks!

If my nose were running money...

2010-08-21T00:15:00.000-05:00

I'd blow it all on you!

We went to pick up my son at camp last night and that was a "country music' song sung by mostly international counselors* at closing ceremonies. Obviously it was a spoof song only made better by all the different non-country star sounding singers with the words snot, boogers and bugger thrown in for kicks. Boys!! My son just had the best 12 days of his life at camp. He did get scrapes bruises and bug bites, he did get a little homesick at night but oh the stories. THE STORIES! From getting thrown from a horse, to playing with a snake and baby toads, getting launched off the blob(think overblown air mattress floating on water)by his counselor, eating the best country gourmet food there is(we ate it, it really is amazing!) and spotting a mountain lion on a hike he has a treasure trove of experiences he will never forget. I know he doesn't realize how precious those memories are gonna be to him one day, but they are already precious to me. He starts school next week and I am so SO sad the summer is over. We have all had the best summer together exploring new places and visiting old haunts. It's gonna be hard to say goodbye to summer 2010.

*Probably 2/3's of Camp Stewart's counselors are from another country which makes for a culturally enriching experience for the campers.

Queen Street!!!!!

2010-08-18T11:53:00.000-05:00

Have you seen Jennifer Paganelli's new line?? OH MY GOODNESS!!! I am so SO excited about this one! I think this WHOLE line is absolutely gorgeous!!! Can't you see pretty little dresses for my daughter and your special little girl(s) in your life? Oh my GOODNESS!! I think that is the second time I have said that. And skirts for myself. OH MY GOODNESS!!! Okay that was three times.And all of it would make beautiful bedding and quilts don't you think? I can see all ages of girls wanting their room in Queen Street. I won't say oh my goodness again, but you know I am thinking it! I have been coming back to my computer to look, look and look again all morning. I think this line is going to be huge and a quick seller. I almost ran to the tax office to get my tax id! But I don't have room to sell fabric. I want my hubby to stick around and I am almost wall to wall fabric here in my sewing space as it is, bolts of fabric no matter how beautiful would probably send him over the edge! Oogle in the goodness of these gorgeous prints and colors, just leave my page up all day if you want. That's what I will be doing!

My Poodle skirt!

2010-08-13T01:25:00.001-05:00

Well my version of a poodle skirt anyway! No puppies on a leash on this one. I had so much fun making this skirt today! I used the same New Look 6843 skirt pattern I used for my other a-line skirts I posted last month. Except I made the straight skirt, View C, instead of the a-line skirt from View E or D. I just added some trim and a ruffle to the bottom. I have not ironed the ruffle because I did not want it to be all flattened but it will lay down with about oooohhh say 5 minutes in the Texas heat! I looooooooooooooove this Poodle Tanya fabric! Such a great transition to fall fabric.You can find it here ON SALE at Marie Madeline Studio RIGHT NOW!! Don't dilly dally. The sale is until Saturday. Check out the other prints in the line too. Lots of pretties! I have some more poodle in my stash that has been assigned to a pattern. Which means I will be cutting it next! Woo hoo! So check back! In the meanwhile I am going to bed!

Boys love their Mama-mades too!

2010-08-10T11:45:00.001-05:00

I wanted to make something for my son to send to him while he is away having the time of his life. Somehow I didn't think a dress or a skirt would be very pleasing, so I came up with some things for one of his favorite stuffed animals.

I thought it only appropriate that a little lion have a zebra print(Sisboom) pup tent and of course his sleeping bag needed to be flannel for the ahem bitter cold Texas summer nights. Hahaha! RIGHT! I love how darling the Claire blocks(Sisboom) in brown looked as a tiny pillow. And he could not go with out a backpack! As for the pup tent I used little bendable straws for the tent poles. The main long part of the straw went into the side sleeves of the tent and the short end of the straw went in to the sleeves on the floor fabric of the tent. So I am off to send these in the mail. I know he will be excited about his package. Have a good day! More sewing going on here so check back!

Isn't this cool???

2010-08-09T12:25:00.000-05:00

This is a scrap project from my friend Melissa P. at A Hundred Billion Stars. I am agog! She is one talented and sweet gal. Proud to call her my friend.

More projects coming from me this week! Not as impressive as Melissa's mosaic but I have some things in the works nonetheless.

And now Poodle is on sale!

2010-08-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

It's 25% off at Marie Madeline Studio!

I am tinkering with drafting some patterns so no pics to share just yet. I am slow to get anything done around here so it may be a while before you hear more about it, if I decide this is what I should be doing at all of course! = D. In the meanwhile we will be making my way over to Schlitterbahn this afternoon. Fun in the sun! Like 99 degrees warm fun in the sun! The humidity has finally moved out, which is why the temps have shot up, but 99 and no humidity is really not as bad as it sounds. 93 and humidity, now THAT'S oppressive and uncomfortable! I will sew up some things for you to see after I draft a few more pieces. Have a good day!

Poodlemania

2010-07-31T12:49:00.000-05:00

It has been a Poodlelicious week. If I wasn't sewing with it, my daughter was playing with it, the Long Ladies were blogging it, or I was seeing it in kits at my favorite quilt shop in New Braunfels. So check it out.
This week I tested a BRAND NEW pattern from the Carla C/Jennifer P duo. The Dana top!

I emailed Jennifer a while back and asked her to pattern a shirt that I oogled often in her shop. Lo and behold it was already in the works. And then I got to test it! Does it get any better than that??? No, it doesn't. The pattern comes with options, its not out yet so I will wait to spill ALL the beans, but as you can see you can make it into a dress. So cool and comfy. I took it with me to the pool yesterday. Perfect to wear after a swim when you want to sit a while and read.

This was super exciting to me! She saw the scraps of Poodle from the Dana and asked if she could design a dress for her dolly. Well gee umm I don't know... YES YES OF COURSE! Oh my heart was singing watching her play with the fabric. Her friend came over before she finished so we did not get to sew them together but they are sitting on my sewing table waiting for her to get the sewing bug again. Stay tuned!(BTW This is the true color of the fabric, the sun came out JUST as we went outside to take the pic of the Dana, so the color in that pic is a bit washed.)

Marie Madeline Studio blogged these cutie Emerson skirts.

It made me want to click buy now! I love the length of the skirts and look at how beautiful they look in Poodle. Look at that green with the pink, gorgeous! Aren't these girls precious?? Go check out more pics of these skirts in action here. You don't want to miss them. Darling! Make sure you pick up the pattern and fabrics while you are there, but save some for me of course!

And then to top it all off, I went to my favorite local quilt shop, Quilt Haus aka Creative Sewlutions, to buy a pattern and a little fabric. Wow! Look what I found hanging on the wall! Words like, so fresh, beautiful, pretty, vibrant were coming from the shop keepers as they gazed at the Poodle fabric with me. My favorite words were, we really need to order some more of this! Yes yes please do because you sold out of some of it that I came in for!! Golly do I wish I had had my Nikon to get a better shot.

If you are loving this quilt as much as me you will be happy to hear it comes in a kit!

Everything but the batting and backing for $68. Pretty good deal if you ask me!! Here is their number if you are interested in purchasing this kit 830-620-1382. Tell them I sent you. They get a kick out of hearing they have been blogged.
For you Texans save the date, August 19-21, and be ready to trek over to Quilt Haus. It really is going to be BIG, BIG, BIG event!!! Make sure you bring a friend. They will thank you!

Sisboom. Don't leave home with out it.

2010-07-23T19:22:00.000-05:00

You didn't think I went on vacation with out fabric do you? I didn't bring my sewing machine, although I WILL be coming back here and I won't leave the machine behind then, but I did bring fabric and patterns to do some tracing and cutting. I have two projects planned for these pieces. One is a pattern test that I don't think I can talk about yet, and the other is just something I wanted to make, both projects are women's patterns. I LOVE how Jennifer's fabric lines play so nicely together! The house we are staying in is decorated in lots of browns so the Sisboom colors are such a welcomed sight. So before I cut all this up, I have GOT to take the kids swimming in the river ONE last time and then they are off to bed. I am off to jump in the river, and if you hear rumor of a mother standing on her inner tube in the river trying to teach her son to do the same.. shhhh don't don't tell them it was me!

Be a great boy!

2010-07-23T15:06:00.000-05:00

We went and toured Camp Stewart today. This camp is owned by the brother of the owner of Heart O' the Hills. Jane Ragsdale owns the Heart, all girls camp, and Jeeper Ragsdale owns Stewart, all boys camp. My son goes to Camp Stewart and I cannot say enough good things about it. Where else can a boy go and cut loose and be a boy. I mean a BOY. They are completely unplugged here and they have every activity under the sun, from riflery to horse back riding, to canoeing, to archery, swimming, team sports, golfing, shuffle board, hiking, camping, rock climbing, I could go on and on. Basically if the activity exists they have it. If you are looking for a great camp for your child I highly recommend these camps, I can say from personal experience as a camper, and as a mother, they work hard to create a safe and fun environment for you child.

I understand my router is out at home. So if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, it's because we are waiting for a new router to arrive in the mail. Guess I will be unplugged at home! Or my computer guru husband will have it all figured out by then.

The Ultimate Day in the Texas Hill Country

2010-07-22T21:31:00.001-05:00

We went to Fredericksburg today. As you can see from my kids totally cracking up we had a great time. I have been many times before but today has to be the ultimate trip ever. First we had lunch at The Fredericksburg Herb Farm. That is the number one place I would recommend for lunch in Fredericksburg.
It is off the main street but not too far off and the food is really, really good. I think they have had a few James Beard awards. The grounds are absolutely stunning.

They were once featured in Country Living magazine. But if you plan to go soon it is under renovations so it's not so stunning at the moment but what they are doing is going to make it amazing.

After we ate lunch we took the kids to the park on Main street behind the fire station.

Look at this gorgeous garden next to the playground equipment. Great photo spot, especially in the spring.

Then we went on down Main street to Rather Sweet Bakery.

Ohm mfm ohmf mfh mfh. Pardon me as I eat the last bite of my Mexican Chocolate cake. Ohhhh so good! The portions are HUGE even for me so plan on taking some home.

THEN, here comes the part that makes this the ULTIMATE trip to Fredericksburg. Look what I found just a few stores down from Rather Sweet at a place called Things in a Room!!!

SISBOOM!!!! Oh wow was I ever excited!! I don't know WHAT they thought of me taking all the pics(there are quite a bit more but I just wanted to give you an idea), I did ask permission, but I am SURE they thought I was a crazy lady. I don't care. It was just SO COOL to see more of Jennifer's fabrics in the Hill Country. And you know allll this is only an hour away from my house... SCARY!

I spy something....Sisboom!

2010-07-20T19:20:00.001-05:00

Check it out! Creations in Kerrville, Texas is dabbling in some Sisboom goodness! Of course I had to talk with the shop ladies about Jennifer, and her fabrics, and how much I love her fabrics, and how much I adore Jennifer, and Carla C's patterns, well you get the idea. It was so exciting to see her fabric there on the bolt. IN PERSON! And it was her LAMINATE!!!! I am coming back in a few weeks. Some of this WILL be coming home with me for sure! If you are in the Texas Hill Country, check out Creations. It really is one AMAZING fabric shop. Room upon room of fabrics, patterns, notions. It is worth the trip out here just to have a look. You will not be able to leave empty handed!
We also visited my old camp, Heart o' the Hills, today. It's right down the road from where we are staying.

Check out this view from the little ones' cabins.

Stunning isn't it! My daughter may go here someday. So last night I asked if she wanted to go down there to check it out(its close to where we are staying). She dropped everything and bolted for the door and said "Come on, let's go see the camp I am going to go to one day!" On the way there she said "Now mommy, I am not ready to go to camp so don't leave me there, okay?" I had to giggle at that one! Then at the end of our tour she said, "Can I stay? Please??? Um, no, mommy is not quite read for that! Then today we went back for an official tour and we saw a lot of the same things but one thing that was new was we saw a couple of the cabins. Now to understand what we saw, the camp does a great job of teaching personal responsibility, including keeping up your cabin and personal belongings yourself. You even have to CLEAN it yourself. (I remember the first time my cabin cleaned our room, we used the ENTIRE bottle of Pine Sol without diluting it to mop, we had to air out the room and re-mop it a few times!) They really are not there to be your mother but they do offer guidelines and training then leave it up to you to execute. So with that, the do not nag you or even prod you along but you do get checked. Some rooms do a better job than others, it's just the dynamics of the cabin I think. So all that to say, the first room she showed us was a DISASTER. My daughter looked at it and said "OOhh mommy I don't think I want to go here." The next one she showed us was very tidy and she said with great relief "Ohhh this is much better mommy." It was funny! Because you know her room is a magazine cover all the time! What good memories I had going back to visit today! Maybe someday my daughter and I will be able to compare notes.

AnaClaire darlingness!

2010-07-18T23:54:00.000-05:00

It's done! I LOVE this pattern. It's the Marie Madeline Studio AnaClaire Jumper pattern. It is loose fitting and sweetie peetie darling. This is the first pattern in my stash, that I can think of, that offers sooooo many options for you to play around with when planning how you want to construct it. You can cut it long at the ankle, like I did, or at the knee(like I am gonna make and show you!) and pair it with leggings. You can mix up how you close it up in the back. Instructions for attaching ties or buttons with loop closure are included. There is a pattern for the back skirt tie or you can do what I did and use ribbon.

There are also ruffle and band pattern pieces you can use at the bottom of the dress. And then the apron leaves all kinds of space to embellish and play with.

I added a band, an applique flower and rick rack. It was so fun to play with all the options I could think of! The options just go on and on. But more important than all that, it got my daughter's seal of approval. Which you know how important that is!!! If you are looking for a one stop, cutie cute, well written jumper pattern, THIS is the one!

You may notice my photo venue has changed.

We have been on the Guadalupe River all weekend. Check out this view from our porch(rental property, not OUR porch. If only!).

At the risk of sounding like an obnoxious Texan, I know how we can sound, I LOVE TEXAS!!!! I cannot help myself. It is just so beautiful in this part of the state. I am thankful to be so close to such a retreat spot. Oh and final photo I promise!

As she was running down to the river front, the theme to Little House on The Prairie popped into my head. Of course I was BEHIND her and not in front so the perspective was different but still the same idea as the intro to the show. Then my husband made a reference to Little House as well. We both LOVE Little House so it was a nice memory recall and so cool that we had the same thought.

Oh wait did I say last photo? This is outside the bedroom where I am staying.

I cannot tell you how odd it is to have this outside my bedroom! It really makes me giggle! And it looks like it is standing over a prized javelina skull perhaps? Or just may be a wild boar. I don't know! I have seen many mounted deer heads in my lifetime, but the WHOLE deer??? Especially when there were a whole bunch of live ones next door tonight....