Soho Baby Bibs

I would be remiss if I never mentioned my favorite fabric shop on my quilty/crafty blog.  My one weekly “spam” email that I always look forward to reading comes not only with the latest and greatest must have fabrics and kits, but also with style, grace, and at least one project that immediately sends me daydreaming of me at my sewing machine, far far away from the computer holding the email, surrounded by work and cubicles.   Purl Soho is this little girl’s New York City dream!  One day, I’ll make it there, and shop my heart out!  …Until then, I’ll just have to shop online.

Now, You can only imagine my excitement when I returned home from work on Friday to find a package on my front porch sporting the words “Purl Soho!”  I dove right into the first project I pulled out of the box, and promised myself something to be proud of by the end of the night.

 

When I first saw the project for Liberty Baby Bibs on Purl’s blog, the Purl Bee,they looked too cute; then, when I went to check out the price of their kits, they already were sold out!!  If they were that popular, I had to have one.  I patiently waited for them to come back in stock. (FYI, I just got my kit yesterday and they’re already sold out of the “yellow” colorway.)  The kit comes with every thing you need to make four sweet little baby bibs, and if you’re not A.D.D. like me, it will take you no time at all to finish some adorable baby gifts.

Here’s the scoop:  I love this project.  Liberty of London’s Tana Lawn line of fabric is the silkiest cotton I have ever felt, and the colors are beautiful.  Purl provided an easy pattern to follow, and for those of you that don’t want to purchase a kit, you can download it online!    I’m thinking about creating my own pattern, and selling a customizable version in my shop.  Wouldn’t that be fun!? 

Now here’s my tip:  Use a heavy duty thread when sewing on the snap.  I used hand quilting thread.  It’s a large, sew-on snap, and the cotton thread that came with my kit broke on me while sewing the first half of the snap on. 

Junk Drawer No More

With summer over, Indian Summer wanes on, and I spent most of September fully well knowing where my rotary cutter has been: in the drawer unused.  Today, I’m back faithful bleaders!  (Short for “blog readers.”  I’m halfway through Julie & Julia and couldn’t resist the reference.)  I just finished another project from One-Yard Wonders and it’s already been put to good use!

My kitchen drawer this morning.	My kitchen drawer now!

Yet another project I started *mumble mumble* months ago, I am more proud that I’m finished and organized then I am annoyed at the pattern. 

The first step in the Origami Organizer pattern requires a lot of measuring and marking on a 30”x30” square of interfacing.  Unable to purchase a wide enough piece, I opted to overlap two pieces and pin them together.  So this afternoon, I sprawled out on my living room floor and measured and marked a piece of interfacing that was resistant to being measuring and marked.  I originally abandoned the project on this step, but determination to organize my junk drawer prevailed.

Once I got past the initial disgust of the interfacing, my first fabric origami project started to take shape.

The too quick folding and sewing steps were fun and gratifying, but soon, a slower paced hand stitch lead me to a grumpy finish.  The bottom piece, described in the book as “slightly smaller than the box,” was (big surprise) not quite big enough.  For the benefit of my junk drawer, I stitched it on anyway.  I suppose this project wouldn’t have made the book if you needed a “yard of fabric plus and inch.” 

 

In the end, it may not fit this perfectionist’s high standards, but boy does it organize junk!

Watch out Barcelona!

 

Barcelona, Spain

Because I finally finished my Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt!  Naturally, I should take to the streets of Barcelona, and show those Spaniards the glory of my stitches!

Okay, so I’m a little overly excited that I actually finished this project.  My next, not to mention first, trip to Barcelona is not in the forecast-able future, so I’ll just have to show off this sweet summer skirt in the suburbs of Philly for the remaining, and altogether waning, days of summer.

This is the first article of clothing I’ve ever made for myself, and I am beaming with pride!  I think it turned out very well, and I don’t want to give all the credit to Amy’s well written pattern; after all, I am the one who sewed it together. 

I was really impressed with my seams matching up and the  invisible zipper skills that I didn’t even know I had.  This skirt came out much better than any of my quilts have recently.  I can’t wait to run it through the wash a few times for the unfinished edges to get their frayed texture…then I’ll really be ready to take it to the streets. 

Don’t worry, I’ve since hemmed the bottom.  I’m off now to find my next project…or maybe I should could finish an old one…

Zip Zip

How can too much of a thing be bad, especially when it come to zippers, right?

I’ve finally got a kick start on my Barcelona Skirt!  Yay!  Unfortunately, when I went to put on the zipper, I realized that I purchased one that didn’t match.   Here’s a tip: bring a fabric swatch when you’re picking up the zipper. 

So, I sent MrBeans off to correct my blunder.

While I was out for the evening, I sent him off with a scrap of fabric, the old zipper and instruction to “exchange it for one that matched the fabric, blue or grey.”  Not wanting to make a mistake, MrBeans exchanged one zipper for several in different colors and sizes.  At least one of that had to be right, right?  Jackpot! 

Pins on the Prairie

Ah hah!  You’re back, and I bet you didn’t  believe I would also be here with a finished project tonight, did you?  Okay, actually, I was very doubtful myself…but here it is!!

One Prairie Flower Pincushion from Moda’s free online sewing patterns. 

The pattern went together very well, as I am always pleasantly surprised when circles and circumferences match.  (As far as I’m concerned, there’s only p-i-e.)  I used two sets of charm squares, and pulled some extra matching squares from my stash to equal enough points for the top and bottom. When I got to the end, I was lucky enough to have my favorite fillings on hand: play sand and polyfill.  It gave a the pincushion a nice weight and fullness, without being too heavy.

I’m so excited about getting a project completed and off the to-do list!  That probably means it’s time to head back to the beach!  …or get back to some of those unfinished projects…

Prairie Points and Hexagons

This was a Sunday of firsts!  The first time I used transparent poly thread, the first time I made hexagons and the first time I made prairie points!  Very excited about all three, I’ve been anxiously plowing through my Prairie Flower Pincushion pattern and kit I got on my trip to Olde City Quilts, and by the looks of my stitches, I’ve probably been moving a little too quickly.

The kit came with two charm packs of Moda’s Verna, 1” hexagon templates, batting and the printed pattern.   After pawing over a couple of the samples in the shop and enjoying the summery colors of Verna, I decided that maybe I really did need another pincushion.  (And, my 93-year-old Pop has a girlfriend named Verna, so I figured it was more the coincidence!)

At this point in the evening, I’m a little too tired to  finish, but stay tuned…do you think I’ll have a new pincushion tomorrow??

Eco “Beach” Tote

It’s mid-July, and I hope everyone has made it to the beach, or at  least the pool, once this summer!  I personally can’t wait for my next trip to those sandy shores, and to make my trips to the beach a little more crafty, I put a beach twist on Favorite Thing’s Eco Market Tote!

Every year for my birthday, my mother-in-law and I go on a little shopping trip.  This year, we ended up smitten with the fabric selection and wall of bag/purse/tote patterns at Olde City Quilts in Burlington, New Jersey.  Inspired by an upcoming vacation and a sample of the Eco Market Tote in the shop, my mother-in-law and I picked up the pattern and some bright, beachy fabrics to make it out of.  This large tote seemed perfect for a couple big beach towels, and an optional front pocket was a necessity for lotion and a good book.

One evening last month, we had a “girl’s night in” sewing our hearts out and into these awesome bags!  We didn’t initially intend on making matching bags, but we both agreed that the rainbow stripe fabric was screaming, “I want to be a beach tote!”  (Mine’s the one with the blue handles.)

The pattern was simple to follow, and everything went together smoothly.  We used a fusible interfacing on the main bag to make them more sturdy; however, I wish I had done the same for the front pocket.  The magnetic snap that holds it shut is a little too strong between a single piece of fabric.   Luckily, there’s no worries at the beach, and if that bag’s packed and ready to go, there are more important things than worrying about a snap!

Goodbye to June

My favorite month is nearing the end.  June is the best for many reasons.  It’s the beginning of Summer (this beach girl’s favorite season,) birthdays, anniversaries, and it’s flanked by two three day weekends, Memorial Day and July 4th…What’s not to love??  It’s sad to see another June ending.  At least there’s still two more months left of summery weather!

 

Speaking of summery weather, for Christmas last year, I received Amy Butler’s Barcelona Skirt pattern, and while exploring some quilt shops on my birthday, I picked up this damask fabric (from the House collection by Annette Tatum for Westminster) to make one out of.  I’m very excited...I just hope I can find the time to make it this summer while I still have a chance to wear it!

A Dog-gone Good Sleeve

I am loving my new book, One-Yard Wonders!  Although, I've decided to affectionately rename it One-Night Wonders, because with the simplicity of a project only needing one yard of fabric, it doesn't take long to make!

Tonight I did another switcher-oo, using a pattern from the book for a different purpose than intended.  With some inspiration from the Laptop Sleeve pattern I made a convenient sleeve to keep my new digital photo frame safe while taking it and storing it at work!  I followed the pattern instruction precisely, measuring for my photo frame instead of a laptop.   I even decided that the little dog on this sleeve was too cute to not include...I just have to be careful not to let the cats see it!

This pattern gets Four Spools of Thread!  It was easy to understand and follow, and I actually made it without any adaptation to the plans.  I may even think about doing this again for the next electronic device that needs a safe way to travel!

5 Spools of Thread

A new year means new rules!  Where is my rotary cutter? moves into the next decade, and it's important to set standards.  I love to sew, and with all the beautiful patterns and books on the subject, I end up following a lot of them.  (Of course, it's easier to purchase fabric and follow someone's design than come up with your own!)

So, I want to introduce my new rating system, a way to track and compare all of the projects I've made from patterns. After rating the last movie I watched from Netflicks, I decided that the Netflick's star rating system would be perfect! Though, instead of stars, I thought it would be more appropriate to rate with spools of thread!
So here it is: 5 Spools of Thread, SewBean's rating system.

One Spool 
Hated It: The pattern maker should fire their editor for letting them publish this botched mess.  I started making a dress but ended up with a quilt?  Where did I go wrong?  (I hope I don't have to ever use this rating!)

Two Spools

Didn't Like It:  Did someone bother to check this pattern?  I didn't want to be the one to do it, but at least it looks the way it should.

Three Spools

Liked It: A decent pattern, and everything came out the way it should.  I was even able to make improvements.

Four Spools

Really Liked It:  This was a fun project! I'll keep it around in case I have a reason to make another one.

Five Spools

Loved It:  I'm not putting this pattern away; I'm making another one tomorrow!

It's December and I Can't Wait to Decorate!

When it rains, it pours!  I'm still running my marathon from last week. I won't go into all details and drama, but let's just say, I'm still trying to catch my breath!  (In other words, I still haven't done any sewing yet...)

I hope my schedule will clear up soon, because I'm really excited about finding time to decorate my house for Christmas!  Last year, my sweetie and I threw a big Christmas Open House party and decked our halls with as much tinsel and holly as we could stand!  So I'm looking forward to opening up the boxes of decorations again and donning them all over the house!

One of my favorite decorations that I created last year was this "Merry Christmas" Garland.  I chose some holiday fabrics that I loved, then followed the Name Garland pattern in Winsome Baby by Art to Heart.  I bought the book a while ago, hoping to make the same garland as a baby gift, but everyone seems to completely decorate their nurseries before they name their babies.  Doesn't make much room for this cute garland!   (So make sure you name the baby first, so I can finally make this cute garland for him/her.)  I love the way this turned out!  The "merry" and "Christmas" hung in the shape of a tree, so I had to add the star at the top!

A Storybook Ending with Rumpled Quilt Skins

As a creature of habit, I travel familiar roads.  And so, as one of the many things I've done this busy week, I made my way back to Pennington Quilt Works!  Enduring the traverse through New Jersey proved well worth it for a little bit of pre-Black Friday shopping!

I just love this shop!  Surrounded by a great selection ranging from modern to batik to reproduction, you'll find PQW's shelves stocked with fresh fabrics, not stuff you know has been hanging around for years...and years...  Even the "bargain bin" is filled with good picks!

After probaby an hour's worth of debating and considering between what I could afford and what I could manage to make before Christmas, I chose a few items. I did some Christmas shopping, but I also picked up something fun for me!  (to make eventually...)  They're truly adorable, quilted stuffed animals called Rumpled Quilt Skins by Kathy Barbaro.  (She's on Etsy!!)  Made with batiks, these have a charm that you don't find in an everyday child's toy.  I only purchased the giraffe, but I can't wait to add to my collection!

If you decide you've got to have these too, the sales associate informed me that their pattern maker recommends adding an extra 1/8th yard to the fabric requirements.  Better to be safe than sorry! 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
A little side note, I stopped at a small Italian restaurant just south of the quilt store for lunch, on the opposide side of Royute 31 from the shop...don't go there.  Among other restaurant faux pas, I was served the exact same salad before my panini as was served beside my panini...weird.

Plush and not so Plush-o-Rama

I have returned from the mall as a happy shopper!  I bought a pair of jeans two sizes smaller than the last pair I bought!  The saleslady did say that they changed the styles since last year, but it's still a good ego boost!  In the spirit of feeling a little thin for the day, I'm sharing something a little more plush than I.

When I first started sewing, I received this campy pattern book of "curious creatures for immature adults" for Christmas.  (A thoughtful gift from someone who knows me very well.)   Plush-o-Rama by Linda Kopp offers a collection of stuffed animals that clearly belong on the Island of Misfit Toys!  Their goofy smiles and fuzzy fur will making you wanting to create every last one of them.

The first opportunity I got, I scoured the remnants bin at Joann Fabric and bought enough fur and fabric to make an army of quirky creatures!  Unfortunately, I didn't make an army, but I did manage to finish "Plucky" (from the front cover) and "Grégoire" who proceeded to stick out his tongue when I told him to pose for his blog depute.  He clearly needs an attitude adjustment.

I give this book 5 spools of thread!   It's got colorful graphics, great projects and thoughtful biographies of the designers.  The patterns are easy (I made these I was just being to sew) and the directions are clear.  My only complaint is that I can't claim these goofy designs as my own!

Cupcakes!

It's been a busy Saturday! It's time to take a quick break and enjoy some cupcakes!

On a weekend quilt retreat at the beach with my mom and a couple friends, we pieced together these cute and simple cupcake pincushions.

The pattern was designed by Cindy Taylor Oates, and my local quilt store had some kits cut and ready to go. They're very simple to make and only take two small pieces of fabric and some interfacing. My favorite part was, that once we finished piecing them together, we went down to the beach with funnels and measuring cups in hand, and filled them with beach sand! They were great mementos of the weekend!

Cupcake break is over! Back to work!