I love to learn new things! I figured I'd post about a few of the things I learned this week: - After getting an oil change and having them tell me that I needed new air filters in my car, for a "great" price of $70 I declined and figured I'd do it myself. (They were pretty dirty so I figured that was a legitimate thing that needed to be done.) The parts were a little under $30. 15-20 minutes later, with a bit of help from Google and YouTube I had two new filters! (Most annoying thing was that they tried to convince me I needed new windshield wipers. What they didn't know was that I'd just switched them out two weeks prior.) Oil … [Read more...]
Quilt Market 2012 Recap
Whew! Finally back from my trip to Houston! I was hoping that things might slow down just a tad but it's not looking like it will! But... that's a good thing! We've had such a good response to the projects I designed for the Windham Fabrics booth to showcase the Hello Gorgeous line designed by Melissa Ybarra/Iza Pearl Design that I'll be working on getting the patterns ready for mass production! (The beautiful quilt I showed you will be released, just not right away. A magazine has expressed an interest in publishing it. :) I'll pass along information when I get it!) Market was super fun! I met lots of fabulous people, saw inspiring … [Read more...]
Hello Gorgeous is at Quilt Market
Wow, Wow, Wow! I feel so lucky to have been working with Melissa (Iza Pearl Design) and Windham Fabrics to design and make some projects for Quilt Market! I got to work with her new line, Hello Gorgeous which will be available at your local quilt shop in February 2013! I leave in just a couple of days for market but I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful projects that I, and several other talented ladies whipped up! Seen above (on the ground) is the Garden Party Clutch and The Laura Tote. (Cluch designed by me, Tote was a collaboration between Melissa and I. Visit her blog to get the full story on Ms. Laura, I guarantee … [Read more...]
Hello Gorgeous Sneak Peek
I can't show you the finished project yet but here's a little sneak peek! I am in love with the fun chartreuse, pink, and aqua in the Hello Gorgeous collection from Windham Fabrics! All the B&W blenders pair fantastically with the rest of the fabrics in the series! I promise I'll show you the finished quilt top once it's finished! … [Read more...]
Sewing Up A Storm
I'm been emptying bobbins left and right around here! Why, you ask? I'm getting ready for Quilt Market at the end of the month! I've had the pleasure of working with Melissa at Iza Pearl Design, one of Windham Fabrics newest fabric designers, to design and sew some of her samples for market! It's been so much fun working with the fabrics! Would you like to see a sneak peek? This little gal is the Garden Party Clutch! Isn't she fun?!? … [Read more...]
Grocery Tote Pattern
I was asked to teach a beginning sewing class at a local store. I knew I wanted to design a project for the students so that I would have 100% control over what techniques they learned in the class. I also wanted something practical that they could use everyday. I decided on a reversible and reusable grocery tote. So far the students have loved the class! I'm loving all my fun grocery totes to take to the store with me! I made some that are more my style on one side, and more of my husbands' style on the inside. That way we can both use the same ones, we just flip it whichever way we prefer! I definitely see more of these in my future! … [Read more...]
Pattern Preview: Sewing Machine Apron
I've made a few of these fun sewing machine aprons as gifts and I'm so excited that I finally made one for myself! Only problem is that it's to be used as a class sample so I can't use it right away! Since I've perfected the techniques and pattern (finally!) I'll be ready to release it soon as a pattern! What I love about this project is that it's got plenty of pockets to hold all your little sewing tools like scissors, seam ripper, fabric marking pins, rulers, and more. I even designed it with a detachable thread catcher. (There's a little pocket just inside to hold your thread snippers too!) On the back is non-skid fabric so your … [Read more...]
Summer Sewing
Well, we've settled in from the move and I've already found stuff to keep me busy! There's a local fabric store (no surprise that I found the nearest fabric store within a week of arriving!) that I've been helping design and sew some displays for. Here's a little portion of a couple summer themed projects I did: An Amy Butler Gum Drop Pillow cover, made to look like a beach ball. (This is one of my favorite simple sewing patterns if you're just getting started sewing!) Once you've mastered it, it's easy to add a zipper along the bottom and make lots of different covers! Also is a simple tote I designed. I played around with the … [Read more...]
Tutorial Tuesday: Patriotic Foiled Napkins
Today we're getting ready for July 4th by foiling some fabric napkins! It's sooo easy! I promise! I made my own napkins for this project. Pre-made ones from the store will work just fine too! Here's what you'll need: Heat'n Bond Ultra Hold (Any double sided fabric adhesive will work, just make sure it's washable!) Silver Foil designed specifically for fabric Iron Napkins to foil (I made mine by cutting some squares and using my serger to make a rolled hem on the edges. Next time I think I'll use red and navy thread instead of the white thread though!) Let's get going! Cut out some star shapes from the Heat'n Bond. … [Read more...]
Tutorial…Saturday: Suit Dust Jackets
So, a little while ago my husband and I were walking through The Container Store (which I LOVE) and we saw these little shoulder protectors for suits. They are designed to slip over the hanger and keep dust from collecting on your nice suits. I thought they were a great idea, but just looked blah. (Not to mention they were $10 a piece for some plastic!) Then the light bulb went off! I could make my own and choose whatever fabric I'd like to use! Then I could guarantee that they wouldn't look blah! Here's what you need to make yours: 1/3 yard fabric Template (Download here, making sure the 1" boxes print at 1".) Cut out and piece the … [Read more...]
