Last minute project

My friend Cecily came over, needing to make a quick project, as in, get-it-in-the-mail-tomorrow quick. Out came the trusty Farmer's Market Tote Bag Pattern and we zipped to the local fabric/craft store for materials. Sadly, they didn't have the webbing that the pattern calls for. So with small adjustments, we made the pattern work with just a yard each of the main fabric and the lining fabric. She had some fusible fleece on hand, so she used that to interface the main body of the bag, using regular interfacing for the bottom (so it wasn't too thick).
And how cute is the small ribbon she added on the side seam?

I love that her bag matches my hallway!

This photo was without the flash and shows the color better. It's the newest Amy Butler, I think.

Back in the saddle

For those of you who have been patiently waiting, I'm baaaaack!

I am resuming my private lesson teaching schedule and can book lessons starting November 15th. So call or email now to get the date(s) you want!

Maybe you are stuck on a project and need help getting over the bump? Maybe you have ideas of hand-crafted holiday gifts? Maybe you got a sewing machine LAST year at the holidays and haven't mastered it yet?

Whatever the reason, I'd love to lend a hand!

A labor of love

Some folks asked about my labor sewing project, so here it is. The green cape was the only one that was unfinished when I went into labor. All the capes are for Orion's preschool and I had been asked to make them a few weeks before Soleo was born.
(By the way, his name is pronounced Soul-eee-oh.)

They are a great project and I'm thinking of putting together a tutorial because I finished the neck in a way that makes it easy for a 3-4 year old to put the cape on unassisted. This comes in pretty handy when your hands are full and your superhero needs to get dressed!

The capes have been in use at the school for three weeks now and are getting good reviews from the kids and teachers alike. Orion has announced that he'd sure like to have a red one and a light blue one of his own at home (he only has a dark blue one at home).

Little house for sale

Casey and Liesl are selling their darling little North Portland house!
2 bedrooms
1 bath
over-sized attached garage
beautiful organic garden
large covered deck
$223,500

Details here:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/reo/858527111.html

Growing boy

These aren't the best ever photos of Soleo, but they show off the gorgeous, fantastic, most wonderful hand-knit sweater that my friend Katy knit! Many of you know Katy as the friend with whom I traveled (to many, many countries). She lives in Norway now, with a beautiful growing family and she sent this to us right before Soleo was born.

The yarn even has a story, as Katy and I were together in Munich when she bought it, more than 10 years ago! It has traveled across the Atlantic twice, and back and forth across the United States before finally getting to be this sweater! I am so honored to have such a great friend who made such a wonderful gift! (Never mind her comment that the sweater can last through "many more children, at least enough to fill the minivan"...)

And while I was taking pictures of Soleo, Orion asked that I capture this moment as well:
He is propped on a birdhouse that he and Papa made at the Corn Roast on Sunday.



I think he misses his gymnastics class, eh?...
Check out those little ribs sticking out!

He's here!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of

Soleo Hess

He was born at home on Saturday the 30th,
9 lbs 12 oz, and 22 inches long!

no baby yet

Folks have started asking, so I put a little widget up in the sidebar with my countdown. Although I'm hoping the little one comes earlier rather than later, we're prepared to wait until the 21st of September to meet him (that's 2 weeks past his due date, at which point action will.be.taken if he has not yet arrived!)

Once he arrives, I'll post his picture and the details!

And if you haven't yet offered up any good boy names, we're still taking suggestions! :)

There went the summer!

Time flies!
I'm about to wrap up the last of my bolt classes until December! This Sunday will be my last day teaching until the little bambino is about 3 months old. Right now I have 24 days to go until my due date!

I'll post again after the baby is born, and I'll keep everyone updated on my return to teaching. There will be a class in December and then we'll take a break for the holidays (which will allow me more time for private lessons, for those who have been asking!) and then the regular class schedule will likely resume in late January.

Enjoy the last of summer! School starts in just three weeks for our preschooler!

New Classes at Bolt

I just updated my sidebar with the classes that I'm teaching this summer at Bolt.

There is still space available in the Learn To Sew class, and the other classes are wait list only.

Please, please, please consider being on the wait list for classes that interest you! In the Invisible Zipper class that I just taught, we had three people have to cancel at the last minute. The SIXTH person on the wait list was able to get in! So even if there are a lot of people already on the wait list, I really recommend giving it a try!

Have a great summer and hopefully I'll see you in class!

Did you know?

... that Jo-Ann Fabrics is now carrying organic cotton quilting fabric?! On the whole I think the quality of their fabrics is disappointingly low, but I'm willing to give the organics a shot! Especially with my 40% coupon...

Also - if you haven't gotten the bolt newsletter, there are a few classes on the books for July.
Amy Butler Birdy Sling, Jenna Lou's Fiona Handbag, and the Learn to Sew: Farmer's Market Tote. Right now the first two of those classes are full, but there is still some space available in the Learn To Sew class - it is Tuesday nights, July 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 7pm-9pm, $60. Call 503-287-BOLT (2658) to sign up!

Coming in August will be a Jalie t-shirt class and another Cute Skirts class. And then I'll be done with classes until after the bambino is born. Time flies!!! The August classes aren't set in stone, so be watching for the bolt newsletter in your inbox to learn the dates and times.

See you in class!