It’s nice to take a break from sewing wee tiny clothes every now and again, although I have to admid that I need a better model. Excuse the child’s dressform and instead enjoy the lovely Sun Surf Halters (an Amy Butler pattern) made recently.
Now, I would have modeled the Heather Bailey one I made for myself except … it looks awful on me. Seriously. It’s so unflattering, in fact, that I could not put it on for even a photo. Part of it’s the size — I think I need a Medium-and-a-half — and part of it’s the cut, which does nothing for my hourglass shape.
It’s not the pattern’s fault, by any means. Just a poor choice of style for my own self. Which is why I went on to make a second for my sister-in-law. I chose a pretty batik fabric, in her favorite color. I think it’s going to look amazing on Jenn and will likely end up making her more, if that’s the case.
Overall, I like the pattern. It’s got a nice range of sizes (children’s and women’s) and it’s easy to put together. I even had my 11-year-old sewing campers make them and they knocked ‘em right out. But it’s definitely a look you need to know is flattering for you before you sew it.
I’ve been working on a revamp of my sewing studio for a few months now. It’s unusual for me to not get down to business and finish a project before moving on to the next thing. I’ve been trying to take my time with this so that I have the things I way I want them instead of just settling for what I can get.
The latest part of this piecemeal approach has been new storage for my buttons. I replaced my one big jar of button with a June Tailor Button Bank back in December. It became obvious very quickly that the Button Bank was not the tool for me. I had to dump out all of the buttons in one channel to find the ones I wanted and the design of the jar often allowed other button colors to jump ship. It just made me nuts!
I knew I wanted individual jars for each color but struggled to find the right jars. I wanted something with personality but I also wanted enough matching jars because I can’t do the different styles and/or sizes thing. I sort of stumbled upon these jars at Hobby Lobby and knew they’d be perfect — especially because they were on sale for $1 each!
The lids were originally shiny metal but that was too boring. I primed them then spraypainted them red. I printed out labels and used a scalloped edge circle punch to add a little more interest. I love how they turned out! Definitley cooler than the Button Bank and I think they’re better suited to how I work, too.
There were a few projects from Weekend Sewing that made my must-sew list but after seeing Jona’s take, the tunic jumped to the top of my list.
I grabbed a few yards of this pretty floral from the clearance bin at the shop and went to work on a wearable muslin. I altered the sleeves and made them about three-quarter length with a ruffled cuff. I also added a little length because I like a bit more coverage in the mid section.
There are a few things I’ll change the next time I make this. The first: Sew a smaller size. I rarely err on the side of too large but this was one of those cases. In fact, even my older son told me it was too big and would look cuter if it were smaller.
I also made the gap in the yoke too wide so there was no stitching it closed without creating a goofy looking pucker in the front of the top. It’s OK on this one, which will be my to-the-pool-and-back top this summer, but I’ll be sure to actually measure and draw a line on the next one instead of eyeballing it.
The top came together pretty easily and I’m looking forward to sewing another and getting lots of use from it.
I’ve been missing sewing from my Ottobre Design magazines. When the latest issue arrived, I was bound and determined to sew at least one item from it and the Three-Way Dress seemed like a great place to start.
It’s essentially a sleeveless peasant dress or pillowcase dress but it’s Ottobre and thus cooler. LOL! It was a really quick project and I had fun picking out the fabrics.
Really my only complaint about the dress is the neck tie. It’s supposed to gather the front and back panels but it doesn’t actually keep them gathered and that just bugs me. Plus the ribbon is a bit too long and I’m concerned about it being a choking hazard. I’m thinking about doing a combo elastic-and-ribbon thing with some anchoring stitches to resolve both issues.
Miss L, of course, thinks it’s the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen. There was a small amount of bribery involved in getting this photo, hence the very obvious case of bedhead.
Overall, I think it’s a great summer dress and will be a wardrobe staple all through these hot, steamy days.
One day while driving down Main Street in the city where my kids attend school, I noticed a new shop’s sign on a long-empty storefront. An artists’ market. I was so excited, it took everything I had to not pull over and peer through the window. Of course, it was 6:30 a.m. and nothing was open, and I really needed to get home so my husband could get to work. I made a mental note to check back later.
It was about two weeks before I could stick my head in the door and scope things out at Leasa: Life’s Work. And what I saw made me a bit giddy. Cool handmade goods. Some other neat gift-y things. A cool workspace for classes. Best of all was Leasa, the owner, who’s been making and selling handmade cards forever. I loved hearing about her work and her vision for her new shop. I think it’s a great thing for our area and I can’t wait to support it and the craftsmen who are selling their wares there.
I’m also excited to be offering some of my things there. I’ve already taken three Miss Madeline dresses adn a couple of wristlet bags.
Miss L watched me take the dresses into the shop and was so sad to see them go. Of course, they’re all too small for her and it’s not like I can’t sew her others. (In fact, I’ve already made her a different dress with the Heather Bailey and Dena Designs fabrics, so I’m not sure what the deal is.) And I always love sewing with Paula’s Flights of Fancy. It always makes me smile!
The wristlets are my own design and feature embroidery from Urban Threads of two lovebirds. I thought it added some interest to the little bags and I especially love the repetition of the Park Slope fabric with all those cute little birds.
Can I brag on my campers one more time? They were such awesome girls and I had so much fun with them last week. They also were amazingly prolific during the course of camp. Clothes, bags, quilt blocks. You name it, I threw it at them and they knocked it out. Out of the park, even! LOL!
Friday was our last day and they came in that morning and whipped up their fourth A-line skirt before tackling the big final project: crazy log cabin blocks. Because I only had two girls in the camp, I could let them work on different projects so one girl chose to make a little bag and the other a pillow.
They used 7″x7″ pieces of muslin for the blocks and I had them foundation piece their log cabins. Why? Well, I think it’s easier to keep the shape — especially when using different sizes of strips — if there’s a little something to help guide the block formation.
The girls kept me busy cutting strips. One decided to use only the fabrics she’d sewn with all week for her blocks while the other was willing to dip into my stash for hers. Of course, she also wanted to use her favorite fabric — Paula’s Par Avion from Flights of Fancy — for the centers of all her blocks, so I spent some extra time fussy cutting them.
I could not be more proud of their finished projects and they were so happy with them, too. And they promised me they were going to wear and use everything they made (in fact that’s why one pair of PJ pants is missing – they were worn the night before at a sleepover!). Also missing from the photos are the gifts they made their moms as a thank-you for enrolling them in summer camp: another wristlet and a tote-style purse with pre-made handles (which I hear were much appreciated).
Pssst! Live in Atlanta? I’ve got a second week of sewing summer camp in August.
I’ve been teaching a sewing and quilting summer camp at the shop this week, so my days have been busier in a new and different way. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, since most of my teaching has been one-day or half-day kind of things. Would my students get along? Could they get through each of the projects in the amount of time allotted? Would it be fun for all of us?
It’s been an absolute blast.
I have two 11-year-old girls in my camp — lifelong friends of each other — and they are just the coolest kids. Love to sew, excited about every project, thrilled with everything they’re learning. And oh my gosh, are they fast! They would have finished Thursday’s big project before they left today if I’d had the right elastic with me. (They literally groaned when I told them the news; they were that bummed!) They just beam whenever they finish a project, so absolutely pleased with themselves and their work.
I’ve even been able to get a little sewing done myself this week which makes me happy: a baby quilt top, a new dress for Miss L, a wristlet, a halter top and two skirts for Sarah’s daughter.
I’ve made them promise to bring all of their projects on Friday so I can photograph all their work (which should be at least one tote bag, two wristlets, a pair of pajama pants, two key fobs, an Amy Butler Sun & Surf Halter and three skirts — plus whatever they make Friday). I’ll be sure to share pics so you can ooooh and aaaaah as much as I have!
Sorry. Sometimes I can’t resist a pun. 
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway (as well as the one on Facebook for the tee). And the winner of the autographed fish is …
Congratulations, Karen! Email me your mailing address (flourishes at gmail dot com) and I’ll get your prize out to you!
