I have done the unthinkable:
I have installed Windows XP on my MacBook.
Back in the fall when I bought my embroidery machine, I figured that I’d take over Honey’s PC laptop when he got his new netbook for Christmas. What I did not expect at that time was the loose connection that would make turning on his laptop — and keeping it on — some special type of AC adapter acrobatics.
I scoured Ebay and Craigslist for a cheap laptop but couldn’t find anything in my admittedly low price range. I had all but decided to suck it up and buy a netbook for myself when I decided to look into PC emulator software for my MacBook.
Jackpot!
I picked up a secondhand copy of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac for a whopping $20, then installed it and our unused copy of Windows XP. In short order, I had my embroidery software (Embird and Monogram Wizard Plus) up and running on my little Mac. OK, it actually took a couple of hours to get everything installed and running, and included having to reboot my computer because the Windows installer CD managed to get stuck in the drive. But once that was done, I was in business, putting together monograms and saving files to my heart’s content.
If you’re in the metro Atlanta area, you won’t want to miss the amazing Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop, which continues through Sunday. Nine shops have gotten together to organize some fun activities and demos throughout the weekend. Plus, you can get your “passport” stamped at each of the participating shops, then enter your completed passport in a drawing for some great prizes.
This year’s theme is “The Magic of Childhood” and each shop has chosen a different childhood memory to focus on, like bedtime stories, birthday parties and summer camp. I know it’s raining but it really is worth it to hop in the car and go.
You know that saying, “be careful what you wish for”? Back at the Sewing Expo, I mentioned to Sarah that I’d love to have pre-cut fabrics — strips and squares — in the fabrics I love so it’d be easier to piece quilts. Because I’m lazy like that.
I was reminded of these words when I stopped into the store one day and Sarah and Clare were planning the quilts to hang during this weekend’s Shop Hop. Before I knew it, I was volunteering to make a quilt out of the new Bubblegum Basics line of fabric for Henry Glass.
The pattern — Wallflower by Thimbleblossoms — was already in my collection; I’d just been waiting for the perfect fabrics to inspire me. I think these worked out rather well:
Let me tell you, it’s a bit nervewracking to sew a quilt that I know is going to be on display for quilters to check out. This is only my fourth quilt and the first with appliqués. Fortunately, it was basically just sewing together a lot of strips. I’m still not sure if I’m ready for more challenging piecing (although I’ve just signed up for a block of the month pattern that’s a lot more involved).
The colors are really what make this quilt for me. The pictures just don’t do it justice. They’re so much more vibrant and fun in real life! You’ll just have to trust me on it. Or see it for yourself at the shop.
My week of pattern testing comes to a close with my version of Patty’s Emma top and skirt (plus a cute little coordinating purse).
This actually was the toughest set for me to sew — not the actual sewing but the fabric selection. I really wanted to sew from my stash but nothing seemed quite right. Or I didn’t have enough fabric to make it work.
Sigh.
In the end, I decided to use opposite polka dots, picked up some yardage and knocked it out. Looking at the finished product, I think I cn honestly say I’ve made it “me.”
The most time consuming part of sewing this pattern is finishing the hem on the petals (there are 12 between the top and skirt). My serger made fairly quick work out of the rolled hem and I’m grateful for that. Of course, I’m envisioning a pretty lace edge to the petals on a future project, which I’m sure I’ll be cussing about after I get started. LOL!
I threw a T-shirt on Miss L before we left the house today and it’s just as cute as without (but a bit more comfortable for this hot-and-cold Spring weather we’re having). The colors are so pretty and I think the outfit may be just the thing for the annual Easter egg hunt we attend.
I’ve got to ‘fess up: Patty’s Kyoko pattern is the one of hers I was most looking forward to getting my hands on. I just love Asian-inspired clothing and the cross-over bodice combined with stripwork skirt made this pattern a must-have-NOW sort of thing.
I knew right away what fabric I was going to use (Robert Kaufman’s Kawaii Asian). What I did not know until Patty sent me an email after she dropped everything in the mail was that the pattern called for five yards of binding.
Say what?
Yeah, not huge on sewing on binding. I think my response to Patty was something along the lines of “I hope you know how much I must like you to be willing to sew on five yards of binding.” As you can see, it was totally worth the effort.
And, honestly, sewing on all that binding was really not that bad (I used some of the Michael Miller red pindot and it sews like a dream). Patty’s pattern has you do it a certain way that actually made it easier than I’ve done it in the past and the final product is just so pretty that I really do think it’s worth the (minimal) effort. That’s not to say I may not try to do it without some time, but I’m not in a huge hurry to try.
I think this pattern will work with a lot of fabrics but I really like how these came together. I think you can tell from looking at my past sewing that I really enjoy working with vibrant colors and prints and you really can’t get much more vibrant than these. I’m itching to make another one and am already toying with a few fabric combos in my head (like Sugar Snap!).
The dress pulls over the head and is nice and loose without the obi but I really like how the sash just cinches it so nicely and changes the profile. L prefers it without the obi so it’s nice and twirly (big surprise there).
I probably could have sized down on the dress and cut a longer length for a slimmer fit but I’m also hoping she’ll get lots of wear out of this in the next few months, so I don’t mind it being a bit roomy. Patty shows a shorter tunic version on the pattern cover with her Sophie Three-Way Pants, so I’m already planning ahead and thinking how cute a fall version would be with a long-sleeved top and pants.
Now if I could just talk Patty into designing a grown-up version of this for me women …
Days Two-Four of this week’s pattern-testing binge is all about the new Mod Kid Sewing Patterns by Patty Young. Of course, I’ve only sewn two out of three things and have been laid up today with the rotten cold Miss L shared with me, so Day Four may be Friday. Or Saturday.
Anyway …
I broke my personal fabric-buying rules when I picked up the Sprites of Tillbrook: I had no idea what I was going to make with it, but I bought it anyway. When I started looking through my stash for fabrics to use when pattern testing Frida, I just knew the Tillbrook would be awesome. And I think I was right!
Do you know how it is when you get an idea for something and then make it, and it’s even better than you’d imagined? Well, that’s kind of how I feel about this dress. I am so happy with how it turned out! I’m working on the headscarf (it’s about half done) but I used the same floral fabric from the bodice for it and I think I’m using the mushrooms for the ties.
I like how easily the pattern comes together and I’m happy with the fit. I sized up a tad bit so Liesl could wear this all summer. I think I might make the next dress a little longer, just because she’s so tall in proportion to her girth.
I’m already plotting what fabrics to use for the next one of these I sew. I think I’m going to do the tunic with a pair of shorts. And definitely more pockets — the little miss loves her some pockets and these are a nice size for holding all of her treasures.
I’ve been pattern testing again for some friends, so the next few days are going to highlight those creations. I’ll start the week out with the first dress I finished: Miss Lily for Samantha of The Handmade Dress.
I previously have tested for Sam, so I sort of knew what to expect. And I was not disappointed. She aims to design patterns that can be finished during a nap time, and I think this one will come pretty close.* It’s a really sweet bubble dress with peasant-style bodice and sleeves.
Miss L had picked out this fabric from Joann’s from the newest juvenile apparel section fabrics. The vivid pink offsest the red cherries and strawberries nicely, so I agreed to use it when she asked if I’d make the Miss Lily from it. I think it’s a great spring/summer fabric, so I suspect she’ll get a lot of wear from it in the coming months.
I love how quickly the dress came together and the bubble skirt is a cinch to sew. I think I’ll make the skirt of the next one a little bit longer so Liesl has some growing room, but the fit otherwise is spot on.
The pattern directions call for using a ribbon as the sash but I decided to sew one out of coordinating polka dot fabric. I love how the finished garment looks and wish we could wear it now — but of course the temperature dropped 30 degrees again so we’re back in coats and sweaters. LOL!
I think the dress could be as casual or as dressy as you want to make it. I’m itching to try it with some pretty eyelet or embroidered cotton and a sweet satin ribbon!
*It takes me about three times as long to sew a garment when I pattern test because I’m constantly making notes and checking that I’m following the pattern exactly as it’s written, instead of winging it.
When the Crafty Chica — aka Kathy Cano-Murillo — asked for bloggers interested in reviewing her latest book, I could not reply fast enough. Seriously. It was the Internet equivalent of yelling “pick me! pick me!” while raising your hand up in the air and jumping up and down.
Yeah, I’m not known for my subtlety. But I really dig Kathy’s work; it’s this uninhibited artful fun that I aspire to create but am too chicken to venture “outside the lines” to do myself.
Her latest book, “Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing,” features 30 projects, everything from purses to wearables to home decor items. The book’s subtitle — “Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter” — should clue you in to the fact that many of the projects start with ready-made items like canvas tote bags, towels or curtains. I am itching to make the “My Life is an Adventure” Pocket Bag, which uses slide protector pages cut and sewn together to make a see-through tote with tons of tiny pockets to dress up with paper, vintage photos or ephemera.
If you’re the kind of crafter who needs step-by-step photos or illustrations of the assembly process, this may not be the book for you. Many of the projects include only written instructions. Personally, I’m having a tough time visualizing how to sew the Chop Top Frock, which turns a man’s dress shirt into a cute halter top (the directions never tell you what to do with the sleeves). This may be in keeping with Kathy’s “kamikaze style” approach to sewing but it’s a challenge to my ADHD brain. LOL!
The book is a visual delight and features lots of personal anecdotes and fun stories that bring a little bit of Kathy into your craft room. And the photography is colorful and fun, echoing the artsy feel of the projects. It’s definitely an inspiring read for anyone who’s interested in trying a less rules-oriented approach to sewing or who wants the freedom to embellish her heart — and more — on her sleeve.
Expo was a blast! I worked all day Saturday and had so much fun meeting people and helping them pick out patterns and fabric. A big “hi” to blog reader Leslie, who came by to meet me. Loved getting to chat you up and I’m sure we’ll be running into each other again!
I stopped by Friday to take some pics and do a little shopping since I figured (quite right) that I’d be too busy to shop on Saturday. Surprisingly, I practiced rather amazing restraint but I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fabric buying binge I’d been on the previous week. Or that I’m saving myself for Shop Hop at the end of the month.
My feet felt double their normal size by the time I got home that Saturday. Needless to say, Sunday was a big loafing day for me.
More pics on my Flickr, if you want to check ‘em out.
