Going Green

Before:



After:

I had a turtle neck with a very scratchy neck. It was some nylon/wool/angora/cashmere (ha!) blend. And everytime I put it on, it drove me nuts. But I needed something green for St. Patrick's Day, right? So I cut off the neck and cut down the center front. I applied some knit scraps that I had. I cut two inch wide strips on the straight of grain (so it wouldn't stretch much and get all wavy). I folded the strips in half lengthwise and with the raw edge of the sweater lined up with the raw edges of the knit, sewed it on. I folded it to the back and stitched it down.

So during nap time, I got a new cardigan. Yay!

Wanty

Oooh, I want this bag to be mine. Found while trolling the internet, courtesy of Be*mused. Click the bag itself to see more like it. Navigating the website makes no sense to me. But think about the big stitches on that bag. For one who doesn't totally love handwork, I can totally imagine sitting (while perhaps watching the Olympics) and quilting those big and contrasting stitches!

New Classes!

The new class list is now available over at the bolt neighborhood blog!

I am teaching:

Belle Skirt 1/31 and 2/7 (full)
Zippers I 2/14
Uptown Coat 2/21, 2/28, 3/7 (full)
Zippers II (invisible zippers) 3/14
Learn To Sew: Farmer's Market Tote Bag 3/21, 3/28, 4/4

All my classes are on Sundays, 4:30-6:30pm.
See you in class!

Happy New Year

Welcome 2010, I am so excited to meet you and greet you. I feel your optimism and potential. I await the surprises you will bring.

I ushered in the New Year at a dear friend's wedding, standing next to another dear friend who flew all the way from Norway (with her 11 month old!) to be at the wedding! Such good friends and so much love, I can't imagine a better way to start the year.

May your 2010 be full of love and joy!

Quilt for a baby

A little man was born recently.

And he needed a quilt.

So I made him one.

Amy Butler Dorothy Clutch

I made this clutch for my mom for Christmas. It was something that she started a long time ago and gave me all the pieces, thinking I might finish it. Well I finally did and gave it back to her!

The inside is the gnome fabric by Heather Ross.

The rick-rack trim on the pocket is from our Stash.

My first doll (in a long, long time)

Having a baby niece is awesome!

Here Gretel is playing with the doll that I made her. I forgot to take a picture before the doll was wrapped, so I'll have to see if I can get another picture of her! She has a velour body, wool yarn for hair, an embroidered face, and a cotton and linen dress with ribbon sewn on the hem of the dress.

I think the last time I made a doll, it was for myself and I was about 10 years old. Making this doll for Gretel, I was working from memory of the doll patterns that I've been seeing popping up everywhere, especially Autumn's cute dolls. She sells the pattern at Bolt, but when I started the doll, it was late at night and there was no way for me to get it!

More of the jacket

edited to say:
I wrote a review of the jacket for the bolt neighborhood blog and you can find it here.

I heard that the class is already full, but please, put your name on the wait list, you NEVER KNOW what might happen!


So, I cut off all my hair!

And I got some pictures in my new jacket!
The double-breasted-ness of it makes it look a little odd when the top button is unbuttoned. I think I like it better with the collar up.

Here I am showing off the inside pocket that I added.

Christmas Sewing

I have been sewing up a storm, but except for the things I've sewn for the not-yet-reading crowd, I can't share them here. This jacket is an exception! I started it a few weeks ago with some vintage wool that was in my stash. It is a fabulous heathered tweed and I had three yards, which was perfect, because it gave me enough to cut around the moth holes I found in the yardage!
I also lucked out that I had the lining fabric in my stash (from my Gram Norma, along with the wool!).
I was willing to try out the pattern, knowing that I hadn't invested much in the materials, and as luck would have it, it turned out perfectly!

It is the Uptown Coat by Favorite Things


I only made a couple of modifications. Upon close inspection of the photos on the pattern cover, and wanting as slim-fitting a coat as possible, I chose to make a size slightly smaller than my bust size requirements. I figured that a) the wool + the poly lining would keep me pretty warm and b) I always have at least one small child with me, so it's not like I spend much time in severely cold weather.


I put cording in the buttonholes to make them nice and sturdy.

A nice shot of the lining fabric (and that's the pattern peeking from behind).

It took longer to decide on the buttons than any other part of the jacket! Finally I found some buttons to cover and gave it a try!
Be looking for a full review of the pattern soon!

elna for sale

Have you been very good?

Are you ready for a new machine?

Because this one is amazing.

Yes, you can sew on vinyl or leather or oilcloth with this awesome roller foot.

With the other feet, you'll be able to sew things that are beyond what you can currently imagine.

$300