Inspiration....

All shades of white are on-trend for spring.  Here's a skirt to think about:

This cute little skirt is by Adam Lippes.  This is a A-Line skirt with snaps.  This skirt has a high-waisted, welt pockets, and snap closure.  It is made from a wool/acetate/viscose material with a cotton lining.  Price tag:  $850.00.  To see this skirt, got to neimanmarcus.com and search for "A-line skirt with snaps".  Looks like a very nice wearable skirt.  Wouldn't it look nice in a light weight denim?

Here are a couple of pattern options for the skirt:

The Beignet Skirt pattern has the high waist and the button front.  The shaping is a little bit different than the inspiration skirt but would certainly work.  How about the welt pockets?  Here's an easy tutorial on making welt pockets at Silhouette Patterns.  You'll need to determine placement.

The Ginger Skirt pattern is a high-waisted, A-line skirt.  It has the correct shape for the inspiration but needs the button-front and welt pockets. You can use the same tutorial for the welt pockets that is in the first skirt.  Adding the button front is a fairly easy.  Here's a tutorial on moving the zipper opening in the back of a dress to a button opening in the front - Button Front.

So as you can see, with a little work, you can make a fantastic skirt for far less than the designer version.

Happy Stitching!

It's sale time!...

I'm taking a vacation week but the eBay store is open.  If you can wait for delivery after January 1, 2015, there are some fabulous deals.  Go check out the deals over at The Pattern Loft eBay store (this is a link).

Happy Sewing!

Happy Holidays!....

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays!  Enjoy your family and friends. Make some wonderful memories.

Happy Sewing!

Shipping Dates....

An FYI to my customers.

The last shipping day of the year will December 23, 2014.  All orders that are paid and cleared by 9am on December 23, 2014 will ship.  Shipping will resume on January 2, 2015.  The shops will be as follows:

Bonanza on vacation and closed from December 23 through December 31, 2014.
Etsy on vacation and closed from December 23 through December 31, 2014.
eBay on vacation and open from December 23 through December 31, 2014. 

You will be able to purchase from the eBay store but the shipping will not occur until January 2, 2015.

Happy Holidays!

USPS Holiday Ship-by Dates....

It's that time of year again.  USPS has shipping dates for items to arrive by Christmas.  Here's the all important information:

Domestic Dates:

• Standard Post - December 15, 2014
• 1st Class Mail and Priority Mail - December 20, 2014
• Priority Mail Express - December 23, 2014

International Dates.   Folks this varies by country and you will need to look it on the USPS website.

Military Dates:

• Standard Post - November 8, 2014
• Space Available Mail - November 26, 2014
• Parcel Air Lift - December 3, 2014
• 1st Class Mail and Priority Mail - December 10, 2014
• Priority Mail Express Military Service - December 17, 2014

As you can see, some dates have already passed.  I hope this is usually for scheduling and finishing up projects.

Happy Sewing!

Christmas is .....

68 days away.  Where has the time gone?  How are your projects coming along?  Mine are moving along very slowly.  I actually have about 45 days left for any creations.

Here's some little gift ideas:

How about these Adorable Autos?  This pattern is from Sweetbriar.  Make one or all three.  Keep those imaginations going?

How about this cute pillow pattern from Country Appliques?  For the older child, the Goodnight Cars Pillow pattern.  Cars fit in the garage and there is an additional storage pocket on the back.

How about a sleeping bag for the doll(s)?  This is the Slumber Party sleeping bag pattern by Atkinson Designs.  With 4 sizes to choose from, you should be able to find the right one.

This one takes a little more effort to create.  Dolls On The Go pattern by Sisters' Common Thread is create for the little person who likes to take their doll with them.  There is storage for the doll and accessories.


Happy Stitching!

Fall Decorating Inspiration...

I love to decorate for fall.  I haven't really started yet at my house.  My living room is almost completely bare waiting on new furniture to arrive.  However, I can ideas as the furniture is suppose to arrive this week.  Here's a few interesting ideas:

Let's start with our indoor pumpkins.  Aren't these Hot Skwash Velvet Pumpkins cute? You can find these at neimanmarcus.com  and searching for the name.  The prices are between $20 and $45.00 each depending on the size.  This could be fun to create yourself.  Go check them out.

Aren't these hurricanes wonderful?  I think that you might be able to use these for more than just fall decorating.  Search neimanmarcus.com for Golden Twig Hurricanes if you're interested in looking at them a little closer.  The pricing is between $130 and $180 for each hurricane.  I really like them and may look to see if I can find some interesting twigs to kinda duplicate this look without spending a lot of money.  I'm sure the dollar store has inexpensive clear hurricanes.

Although this picture is really showcasing the garland, I think the runner under it is more interesting.  How easy would that be to duplicate?  Just decide the length and width, then find the burlap, and spend a little bit of time making the fringe.  You can get a closer look at both the runner and the garland by going to neimanmarcus.com and searching for Bountiful Harvest 6' Garland.

Here's a quick and easy way to change the seasonal décor.  Just change the pillow covers.  Pillows are fairly easy to make.  I always pick the pillow size and then cut the cover the same size.  For the pillow back you will want to add a closure of some type.  I prefer zippers.  Here's a Pillow Zipper tutorial that explains how I do the back (click on the name).  To see this particular pillow, go to potterybarn.com and search for Hunter Plaid Pillow Covers.

How about this fun little pillow?  Again, this would be easy to do.  If you wanted to the embroidery, it could be a take along item or you could make it even easier and use fabric markers to make the word on the cover front.  This pillow is also found at potterybarn.com.
 
Hope your inspired to create something wonderful!

Happy Stitching!