Inspiration for Spring and Summer

Here's a little more inspiration from Anthropologie:

This is the Khasia silk shell.  I like the patchwork effect of this top.  What a great way to use up smallish pieces of fabric.  At $198.00, this would be an instance where it would certainly be fun to duplicate the look for far less money.  Other features are the embroidery at the neckline and the binding around the neck.    Here's a link to a youtube video for applying the bias binding
How to Bind a Neckline.   Here's a link on how to make your own bias binding - How to Make Bias Binding.

This is the Frangipani Peasant Top.  Isn't this a lovely top?  Such a feminine look with the florals and lace.  At $395.00, this would certainly be a top to duplicate.  Here's some tips on sewing lace and fabric Sewing with Lace Tips and Tricks. 

This is the Buttoned Lace Midi Blouse.  This blouse has a lot of features - beading at the neckline or it could be tiny pompoms, lace, folded wave tucks, hidden button placket, and beaded insertions.  At $198.00,  this is another blouse that would be fun to duplicate.  Here's a link for how to do the tucks - How To Make Wave Tucks.

I would love to hear if you decided to do any of these techniques.

Happy Sewing!

Update your decor with pillows!

Pillows are an easy way to change your décor in a flash. Here are a few ideas pulled from Anthropolgie for an easy Valentine’s update:

 

First is the Heart Collector pillow.  How cute is this?  At $198, it is very easy to duplicate.  How easy you ask?  Well, to make a 24” pillow you would need one 24” square of a neutral background fabric  and 2 pieces of fabric that will equal a 24” square when you have added a zipper (or two 24” squares if you’re not interested in the zipper or if you’re added a zipper to the seam).  This will give you a well stuffed pillow when using a 24” pillow form.  You can also make it a 25” square with ½” seams.  Draw heart shapes in various sizes to cover the area inside the seams.  Sew the hearts on leaving room for the fraying to occur.  Then sew the two squares together, if you included the zipper in the back or seam.  If not using a zipper, leave an opening large enough to put the pillow form in and close using your favorite hand stitch.

 

Here's a little tutorial on adding a zipper to a pillow back - Pillow back zipper .

 

 

Second is the Sentalimentalist Pillows.  At $148, again this would be an easy pillow to duplicate.  Use the basic instructions above except create the “X”  or “O” instead of the hearts. 

 

Third is the Tassel Trace Pillow.  At $58, this is a very cute pillow.  It is one that you would want to zoom in on the picture and see how it’s made.  Again, this would be easy to create.  Using the basic instructions above, choose the size that you would want to make.  The pillow shown is 18”.  Decide how much trim you’re going to need.  Calculation would be basic the number of distinct rows x the number of rows of pompoms x the width of the pillows.  Example:  18” x 4 rows x 3 rows of pompom = 18 x 4 x 3 = 216 inches.  Convert this to yards.  Purchase pompom trim in your choice of color.  Personally, I think the dark color background with the light color pompoms looks very good. 

I do have a fabric that would be a good neutral background for the first three pillows.  It is Linen Vintage Linen (30291L-12).  It is an 80% cotton/20% linen blend. 

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I did. I actually visited family for the holidays this year.

HAPPY 2014! What are your sewing goals for this year?

Here's a couple of new patterns in the store:

The first is the Round Folded Star Hot Pad pattern by Plum Easy. This is a fun pattern to work on.  You can use stash, scraps, or you can purchase fabric.  I tried out this pattern before Christmas and really enjoyed the process.  Picture is on my personal blog, Sewing Daily.

The second is the Square Folded Star Hot Pad pattern by Plum Easy.  Again, this is a great pattern to use up stash, scraps, or you can purchase fabric. 

There is a printed interfacing that makes this quick and easy.  Be aware that this is a lot of pressing involved and starch is highly recommended.

I also tried out a new-to-me tool called a prairie point presser.  This worked fairly well but got hot really fast.  Here's a picture:

See the little hole in the bottom of the tool?  If you tie a piece of ribbon through it, you don't burn your fingers when removing it from the prairie point.  This is available via special order with a price of $12.00.

Currently, I do have the 12 pack interfacing available.  It isn't on the website yet but should be in the next day or so.   Also, I'm planning on offering fabric kits to make the hot pads.  If you're interested in a kit, feel free to contact me with color suggestions.

Happy Stitching!

The Skirts have it....

Of all my sewing, skirts are my favorite thing to sew. For me, fitting isn't much of an issue. It was so much fun to look at all of the skirt silhouettes for fall yesterday. Here's a few skirts to think about:

 

 

 

The first skirt pattern is the Ginger skirt pattern by Colette. This A-line skirt pattern has three variations. Medium weight fabrics will work well with this pattern.

This is the Vera's skirt pattern by Silhouettes This lovely button-front skirt can be made in medium to heavy weight fabrics. 

This is the Proper Attire skirt pattern by Anna Maria Horner. This pattern has two versions.

Here's a knit pattern.  This is the Magic Pencil skirt pattern by Pamela's Patterns. The skirt has two variations.

Another knit pattern.  This is the Bordeaux Skirt pattern by Brensan Studios. The skirt has two variations.

Additional skirt patterns can be found at the eBay store.

Happy Stitching!

Skirt inspiration for fall....

Fall has arrived. For me, I like to wear skirts and tights. Here’s a few inspirational pictures:

This is the Leather Flannel-Back Skirt by Brunello Cucinelli.  It is a flannel back leather.  This skirt has a little bit of seaming detail near the waist.  Price tag:  $1375.00

This is the Prism Print Shirt and Hildy Metropolitan Stretch Skirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Although the blue skirt doesn’t shout fall, the alternate color of black does.  However, you can really see the details in blue.  This one is a must for zooming in on.  The seaming on the front/back is wonderful.  The exposed zipper is interesting also. Check it out at neimanmarcus.com. Price tag:  on sale $104.00

This is the ponte knit pencil skirt by Eileen Fisher.  This is a simple pull-on skirt.  Doesn’t get easier than this.   Price tag:  $188.00

There are many variations for the skirt the fall.  The short and flirty which seem to be mostly very full and gathered.  The long maxi or midi skirt which seems to mostly very straight although I did see one that was very full.  The pencil skirt is still going strong so you can’t go wrong with those in your wardrobe.

Happy Creating!

Decorating Patterns

Here's a few patterns to think about:

This is Jawbreaker pillow pattern by Jaybird Quilts. If you love hexies, here's certainly a way to get them in.  You could have lots of fun with the color choices. May one for every season. Finished size is 20" square.

This is the Perfect Pillows pattern by Paradiso Designs.  Let the fabric doing the talking with this pattern. Two sizes:  16" and 18".

This is the Autumn Sparkle table runner pattern by Shabby Fabrics. Finished size:  23" x 50".   

This is the  I Love Pie Runner pattern by Amelie Scott Designs.  This is machine embroidery and there are 10 different designs included.  Finished size is 16" x 47".

Hope your inspired to create.

Happy Sewing!

Table Runners Inspiration…

Table runners are easy to use to decorate. They can change the mood of the room quickly. Here’s some inspiration:

This is the Pumpkin Table Runner from Pier One. This table runner is a combination of applique and embroidery. It is dry-clean only. Size is 13” x 44”. Price tag: $39.95.

This table runner makes me smile. This is Turkey Table Runner from Pier One. This table runner is appliqued and embellished. It is machine washable. Size is 13” x 72”. Price tag: $24.95.

This is Blowing Leaves Table Runner from Kim Seybert. This is made using wood, glass beads, and raffia. Size is 18” x 46”. Price tag: $450.00. To see a close up of the Blowing Leaves table runner, to to Neiman Marcus and search for “Blowing Leaves Table Runner”.

This is the Leaves table runner. Size is 14” x 6’. Price is $20.00. This was found at hometone. Hope you’re inspired to make your own fall table runners.

Happy Stitching!