Block Central's BOM 2008

If your a quilting fool like me, you have to see the new Block Central's BOM . I have gathered my stash and here's what I am going to start with :
Focus fabric: These are the pretty players:Here is a test in EQ5:

I am not one to follow the rules, and you can see my colors and fabric styles are very different than the original.

Soon I will have my pants finished from the chocolate brown roma ponte and will post my adventure with the pants pattern.

My new sack of goodies for some sewing fun

Here's what I walked away Jo-Ann's with: 3 yards of deep red ponte roma knit (top or tank and a cardigan), 5 yards for chocolate brown ponte roma knit (pants, tank, cardigan, and maybe a strait skirt), 3 yards of a light brown twill (long skirt from Simplicity 3796 ), 1 yard of home-deck in a black and white check along with a yard of insul-bright (both for a cool Chanel'esk lunch bag).

I wanted Burda 7818, long jean skirt - but it was out a Jo-Ann's so I may have to order it from Pattern Review. So as you see I settled on the easy drawstring waist of Simplicity in the light brown twill I purchased. Very different skirts, I think the Burda has a better flow at the hem line and the Simplicity you could use lighter fabrics in the summer.

Now here is a test I am going to try and if you want to let me know what you think - please do! I want to take the jacket pattern from Butterick 4980 and use a knit (this style is sooo IN now). Maybe in the ponte roma.

Happy sewing!!

First Purse in 2008, with berries

I used the lovely pattern gifted to me by my favorite mother-in-law. I traced out the large size Prairie Girl bag. They do not give you finished measurements, which would have been helpful! This bag is a basic quilted piece of fabric and then stitched into a bag, no pockets or lining pieces to worry about. I used my hand dyed mixed berries fat quarters, I am so crazy about these colors!!!

Then I digitized a feather for the quilting and quilted in the hoop using my embroidery machine (Pfaff 2140).

you can't really see the feathers in this picture, but I promise- I got the effects I was after by using variegated thread. I did and did not use their instructions. I did the strips the way I wanted and threw caution to the wind on account of size and created my own inside lining pieces.

Using the pattern help to create the top curves, and after cutting I used the quilted outside to help create a facing for the inside of the purse. I interfaced the inside pieces and added a zipper pocket, the pattern does not.

I also made pockets to fit a cell phone and lipstick on the opposite inside piece.Then after sewing the outside and insides - sides , I did the bias strips as the instructions said, but used 3 inch bias folded in half (I found this size was much better for me to handle).

For the straps or handles I used my new favorite way - fabric covered cotton clothes line. In this picture you can see the grommets I used and the raw clothes line before covering with fabric. (safety tip!!!!! please be very careful when using a hammer to fit grommets - ask me why I know this)

For the straps I used a small (skinny) clothesline and cut two lengths the same size, ran these through the grommets and used painter tape to help hold the cut ends together (tip, put cut ends at different spots for stress) then wrapped with 1 inch strips (not bias!) I used clothes pins to hold the fabric and used a small zig-zag in the center to secure (I will do a tutorial soon on this) .

My finished size is 16 long, 12 high, 3 deep, but I am thinking that the actual finished size if you follow directions may be a bit taller, as I did not follow the directions exactly (that's me ;0) )

Will I make this again????? Maybe in the smaller size, this is a one of a kind !! A bit wide for my taste, but still a great bag. And all those Mommies out there - this would make a really GOOD mommy bag!!!!!

Looking great in '08

A new year deserves a new wardrobe!! And along with all the thoughts of ~ losing weight, getting healthy, living green and many others ~ I am going to work on a new wardrobe.

Here is a good starting point (or I think) OOP Simplicity 4503 , I've had this one in my stash for a while and made the tank, but added a bust dart. I am thinking of making the pants and cardigan.

I would like to pick up this Vogue 8462 love the jacket and it would be a good all around set for everyday this winter.

I have this cute sweatsuit pattern kicking around in my pattern stash. Butterick 3467, this goes from winter to spring sooo easy!

And a new purse of course!!! My dear sweet mother-in-law gifted me this lovely pattern. I am dreaming of purples and fuchsia for the Prairie Bag.

Now I need to get fabric shopping. Happy sewing!!