Stash Contest @ Pattern Review

The stash contest at Pattern Review starts tomorrow and runs throughout June and July. This year the contest has a twist. All fabric must have been purchased by December 31, 2007 and the age of the fabric is being factored. This will be fun. Although, I have very little fabric that is more than 20 years old and I have a bit in the stash that is 10 years old. I have no hope of winning the contest but I will be a winner just for sewing. I have planned several projects - some needed (like summer PJs for the kido), some just for fun (like the stash find and the Amy Butler pattern that I searched high and low for), and some items that will be useful later in the year, if I have time. So, join in the fun at Pattern Review.

Designer Lookalike?

I found this Michael Kors bag the other day and decided to attempt a duplication using the Amy Butler's Covington Bag pattern and the faux black and grey snake stash find. Unfortunately, the pattern has been discontinued but I finally found an online store that still had it in stock.

Shoptalk - Eileen Fisher tank look alike

While cruising around looking for interesting garment details, I found this very simple Eileen Fisher tank top. It's made from a organic cotton /lycra blend and sells for ~$70.00. It seems like it would be very easy to duplicate this look using Loes Hinse Design - Tank Group Pattern. Here's the line drawing:








Doesn't View D look very similar to the Eileen Fisher tank? This tank only takes between 7/8 - 1 5/8 yards to make the tank top depending on fabric width. If the fabric was $10 per yard, you could easily get 4 - 6 tops for the same cost as Fisher tank. Plus the pattern has other views of tanks and dresses. View B looks a lot like some of the tank dresses by Eileen Fisher that are made out of a rayon/linen blend. Interested? Here's the link to the Tank Dress Group pattern at The Pattern Loft: click here

If the pattern is sold out and your still interested, let me know. I can set-up a pre-order auction and order the pattern for you.

Stash Find

While digging through the stash, I found this interesting faux snake in grey and black. I think the fabric is pleather but I'm not sure because it's not marked and I'm not even sure how much is there. However, now I'm intrigued by this mystery fabric. I've never sewn with this type fabric before and it would be interesting to try it. Now, what to make.

McCall 3136 may be an interesting option. It's a small bag and wouldn't use a lot of yardage but it would be a quick and hopefully, an easy project. A trench coat like Indygo Junction Trench coat would be interesting too but it may be too hot of a fabric. Not sure what I'm going to do but whatever it is it will be interesting.

Did you know that Sewing with Nancy is online?

Today, I discovered that you can watch the Sewing with Nancy sewing shows online. Isn't that great? I haven't watched her shows in a very long time because they are not on at a convenient time. Now, you can watch the shows when it's convenient. Here's the link: http://www.sewingwithnancytv.com/index.html?bcpid=1155399719&bclid=1379193827&bctid=1393808388

Enjoy!

Getting Started

I started this blog for my webstore. As I figure things out, I will post shop talk along with my sewing adventures.

Today, I received a new Inspirations. If you like hand embroidery, this is the magazine to get. As usually, it is packed full of projects - ipod case (actually knitting with embroidery), a richelieu needlecase, a little blanket with elephants and ruffles, three pillows with beautiful embroidered flowers, Victorian lace pillow, a handbag with Jacobean embroidery, a needlecase with embroidery and beads, and a very elegant makeup bag. Each section has colored photos of how to do the stitches and the patterns are attached to the magazine or you can order from the Country Bumpkin website.