Artsy Purse!

Artsy Purse is one of my favorite things to make. They make fast -- even if you are doing the strip pieced version with metallic thread embellishments. And I love sewing with metallic threads -- have I mentioned it is addictive! I guess it is somewhat the 'bling' effect that hooks me!

Artsy Purse, P204

Free motion metallic threads on plain front pocket panels.

Grey and strip piecing!

There are two straps, each about 40" long or the width of the fabric. Every technique in the purse is easy, easy. Lined but no pockets. The whole purse is 7" wide by 10" deep so you hardly need a pocket. You could put one in if you want -- wouldn't be that hard!! 
I also use polyester fusible interfacing - love the way it drapes inside a project.

Sew ImPressed - best seller! (P209)

Our Market guests loved the idea that you can carry your grid ruler protected in a pressing board. It is a really great combination.

This is a great collection in Heather Bailey fabric!

Cute sewing fabric looks good too!

This is our largest one -- 18" x 24".

Gift Mixes! [Make a mix -- in a bag]!!

These 'make-a-mix' projects (P205) were a huge hit at Market. Why not - you are combining fabric, goodies, and gifting all in one project. The pattern has three make-a-mixes with bag toppers and/or recipe cards, along with four bag styles. But there is an address inside for five more make-a-mixes (well, one is s'mores). The original three bag toppers/recipe cards are also on the download so you can have a digital version.

Use fabulous fabrics for specialized gift bags. Awesome!!

Butterscotch Chip Cookies

International Quilt Market, Pittsburgh, May 2014!

Yeah! Our six new patterns are finally released at International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, Pa on May 16-18. We had a great show! Lots of customers, lots of orders, lots of positive feedback. Thanks everyone for making the show great for us! Hope it was good for everyone involved! Here's  a few pics:

Booth 2621 - last row this time. It was okay but I think I like center of the show.

Kay Witt from Serendipity Designs! Just love her!

International Quilt Market 2014 in Pittsburgh, view from above! 

Jean Wells and her daughter, Valori Wells! Not only are they fellow Oregonians, they are two of my favorite people in the industry! Jean is truly an industry hallmark! And I love how she supports Valori! True talent on a family level!

We really like the flowers in this booth.

Sugar'n'Spice

You might ask why the name of Sugar'n'Spice? I had a beautiful doll (probably 18" but not an American Girl doll) when I was a kid. I thought she was so beautiful, with long auburn hair. I named her Spice! The name is in the memory of my own childhood doll!
So more pics of these cute doll outfits. 
I am picky about my fabric choices. I do like the juvenile prints for doll clothes -- sometimes! I also like to use more mature prints too. Just make sure the scale is small! Though as I mention that, the strip on the skirt is a rather large scale. But it works - infact, this outfit is the favorite of many. Though probably because of the colors -- citron and grey. Again, not often seen it doll clothes -- but doesn't it look great!

P208 -- Top and Skirt; Top and Leggings; and Tunic, Skirt and Leggings!

Binkie Bibs! Oh, my!

The last of our spring releases (probably!)  -- adorable Binkie Bibs! (P206).

The pattern has a fox, a doggie (some think it looks like a mouse), and the elephant! The cover photo is my gdau -- only took about 20 shots - and thankfully, one made it to the cover -- this isn't the cover shot but she sure is cute!

She never took a binkie before this photo shoot -- she now always wants her binkie -- thanks, gma!

Kimono Bibs!

Another very addictive project for a spring release pattern -- Kimono Bibs! 

As I have stated before, I do not always put juvenile print fabric on kids stuff. I think kids look great in sophisticated prints -- as long as the scale is right.  Try this Kimono Bib  (P207) version.

Sweet -- very sweet!

Not that we can't make juvenile prints look delicious!! This version of Kimono Bibs is for baby boys!

Sew Im-pressed!

For a long time, I have been using custom pressing boards in my sewing studio. A large pressing board sits next to my machine and I just reach over to iron something. I use smaller pressing boards when I make things like doll clothes or hem a pair of pants. They are indispensable. I like having them covered in pretty prints -- why not?!!
So our new pattern, "Sew Im-pressed" is based on this concept (P209). And I added a handle on the top so you can take the board to your sewing class, group, or even your cruise. So why not include a pocket on the back side also so you can carry your grid rulers also -- which are always so difficult to tote along, much less so breakable. It all works so perfect!!

This is Art Gallery's Bonnie Christine's spring line, "Sweet as Honey". Isn't it pretty?!!

I have already made 21 of these boards -- it's insane -- I can't quite! I need a pressing board addiction recovery group! I know you are thinking this is crazy -- but make one -- and see how easy it is to get hooked. Before you know it, you will be making one for everyone you know! in every size imaginable!

Artsy Purse - Very Addictive!

Patterns this spring are very addictive to make (at least five of the six -- I won't tell you which one I am not that interested in making over and over!) But truly, I love making the Artsy Purse (P204), especially metallic thread embellishment! I could do this all day -- trying all the different thread colors!

This is the brown batik version. The purses look exceptionally good in batiks and metallic threads. I chose brown batiks so I could use my gold metallics. Notice all the beading. 

I think I made about seven of these purses -- so far -- plan on making more. Stay tuned for the cover purse, which is in aqua/turquoise - yum!!

All of our new patterns will be available around the middle of May! 

Food, Fabric, and Gifting -- It Can't Get Better!

So what is better than Fabric and Food and Gifts! NOTHING! So mix them together and you have our new pattern called Gift Mixes (P205). 
I made tons of these little bags. So many options - so many recipes! Thousands of combinations - well, ultimately!

So here's the deal: make the fabric bag of your choice, decide what mix you want to use. There are three 'make-a-mix' recipes in the pattern with accompanied bag topper and/or card. And seven more 'make-a-mix' recipes with accompanied bag topper and/or card  -- you can find them online with the address that is in the pattern. (Even the mixes in the hard copy pattern have the bag topper and/or card online - so you can print them on card stock on a home printer!). The bag topper and/or card has the instructions for your recipient to make the mix into goodies!

These are the three 'make-a-mixes' that are in the pattern. Btw, it is my "Killer Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe. Really good!

Stay tuned for the other 'make-a-mix' titles. And another pic soon -- of some very cool fabric I found for chocolate chips cookies and ........ my favorite gift bag of all!

They are coming!

I haven't posted much lately because of the intense prep for Market releases. Well, after spending two days of photography, I can't wait to start posting some of the upcoming pattern projects. 

Let's start with Sugar'n'Spice, P208, doll clothes for the 18" doll (typically, the American Girl doll).
LOVE these outfits! I made a dozen outfits and could easily find my self making a dozen more. Easy, and fun, and they look fab! So here's three of the outfits. Next post, I will add some more, and finally we will get to the cover shots!

It is so much easier photography these babies instead of live ones! Especially, the blonde! She is always looking into the camera. I can't seem to ever get the brunette looking into the camera -- not sure where she is looking?

New patterns coming!

I am having a hard time writing posts lately because my new stuff is about to come out. So I have a lot of current stuff I want to share but it is not quite ready to release. A few more weeks and you begin to see all the great new patterns for Spring Market. I am excited. 
I currently have six new ones, with one late-comer, perhaps, if the fabric arrives in time. 
I will tell you that I have two bib patterns, one purse pattern, one sewing accessory pattern, one gift-making type pattern, and one 18-inch doll pattern. The later-comer will be a kitchen ensemble.
Stay tuned!!!

Passing the sewing gene on!

Sometimes I wonder how well I passed the sewing gene onto my daughters. And guess what? I did -- really well, too! The photo below is my youngest daughter's Halloween costume for her baby. Have to admit, and it might embarrass her, but she wasn't that great of a sewer in high school. But wow -- now she is fabulous! I really can't take credit for it all -- I think motherhood brings the best out in her!

There is a darling baby girl in there!

Stretching and Sewing Elastic!

Here's a few pics that might help understand the stretching of elastic and sewing it in at the same time. This technique is used in patterns like P162 T-shirt Transitions and P163 Onzie Conversions.

First, start out by center aligning the piece of elastic on the spot of the fabric you want the elastic. Put a pin in the center of the elastic.

Now place the fabric and elastic in your machine, with one end of the elastic at the feed dogs when stretched to most of its maximum stretch. Go ahead and anchor the end of the elastic with a few stitches.

 

 You can now let go of the 'stretch' for a moment. You can see how much gather the fabric is going to happen.

 

 

Arrange your hands again to stretch the elastic until the fabric is flat (no gathering). 

With the zig zag stitch, continue sewing the elastic until you get to the pin.

You can let go of that first half of the elastic. Pull the pin out.

From the center spot of the elastic to the end of the elastic, stretch the elastic again to most of its maximum stretch. Continue the zig zag sewing until you get to the end of the elastic. Then you can let go and your elastic should be sewn in proportionately.

Surviving winter in my VH studio!

So last week, we had a large snow storm. The Portland area was shut down -- I didn't leave the house for four days. But I did have this amaryllis plant given to me by a friend for Christmas that has made winter a little more palatable. Check out the progress of the bloom over the last few weeks.

First, here's our snow storm -- eight inches!

First the bulb -- a second one coming later!

Starting to open!

About five blossoms came out from the one  bud -- at least until Lowell knock the plant across the room and then there were four!

Not too bad of shape - considering its accident. Beautiful blooms that brought great cheer! And I still have another bud to bloom later! Great Winter Flower for the studio!