February 24, 2014
DIY Magazine Inspiration From Living Etc
My magazine obsession has almost completely reversed itself over the past few years.READ MORE
January 8, 2014
Museum of International Folk Art
While we were in New Mexico, we visited the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. What an amazing museum! I had heard lots about it and was so excited to finally be able to go. I was told that when he entered the front door, Peter said “Geez, I think Blair could live here”.READ MORE
November 5, 2013
Laurel Dress by Colette Patterns
Hey! I made something I can wear!
But wait, let me back up a bit. You know that I make a lot of things, but sewing a garment has never been something I’ve excelled in. After begging for a remake on the garment sewing assignment in college, even though I chose a simple Calvin Klein straight skirt pattern and spent way too much precious college money on the cashmere wool fabric I had to have, I shamefully, yet thoroughly, erased garment making off my list.
This cautionary tale is being told to you by the same girl whose college major was Apparel Design (called Human Environmental Sciences at the time). The same girl who worked in the fashion industry for many years. I even wrote tech packs!
Yet I managed to avert any need to actually sew a garment.
But really, what is the mental block? Wouldn’t it be great to make clothes that really fit me? In fabric that I love? Wouldn’t it be great to add beautiful finishing details? After many thwarted attempts I realized that I should probably take a class.
When I saw that Drygoods Design was teaching a Laurel Dress class, I decided to sign up, and I’m so glad I did. Colette patterns are very well written, geared toward someone like me. During our first class, our lovely teacher Julia helped guide us to create a perfectly-fit Laurel muslin out of something wonderful and amazing called Swedish tracing paper, which we then used to create our actual garment. I learned how to make necessary tweaks here and there to create a proper fit, and how to take my fear out of adding a lining (the very part that screwed up my college skirt). I chose a beautiful black cotton lawn for my Laurel (always have to pick nice fabric!). I had the chance to put the finishing touches on it over the weekend, and guess what? It really does fit me! I cut mine to a tunic length, and although I didn’t add any of the customizeable variations it has, I’m thinking the bell sleeves on the next one.
See? I’m thinking about the next one.
Meanwhile I have an urge to arrange flowers and look out the window.
July 23, 2013
Rope Basket
When Erin posted the rope basket she sewed, I loved it! But I had some questions. Was it as easy as she claimed? Does sewing the rope tough for the machine? Yes and no, she assured me, and I had soon secured 100 ft of cotton rope and was ready to sew. I’m going to play with the shape on the next one.
Guys, it is SO easy and fun! This is my first basket and it was less than an hour, more like 45 minutes. I definitely have more of these to make. You can find this project at Creativebug, available as single workshop.
July 19, 2013
Friday Favorites: Deconstructed Piecing and Round Robin Quilt
I am inspired by so many things, I decided that every Friday, I will highlight a favorite person, thing, or idea. Maybe you will be inspired too! See all past Friday Favorites here.
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On this lovely Friday, let’s enter a world where paper piecing sharp angles, exact 1/4″ seams, and precise cuts in our quilts don’t exist. A world where you compose as you work, best laid plans (or any plans!) aren’t welcome.
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July 16, 2013
Crocheted Doilies for Lisa
I am so honored to contribute crocheted doilies to Lisa’s SEN project, for her show at Fouladi Projects this November. I just can’t wait to see all the doilies gathered together, its going to be gorgeous! Lisa talked a little about this show (question 6) in my recent interview with her for my Friday Favorites series.
Crocheting this tiny is so challenging, but very satisfying!
January 29, 2013
Carving Stamps
When I turned in the first draft of the manuscript for my book a few weeks ago, the first thing I did was treat myself to a few new craft books. While busy writing, I had avoided purchasing new books that would distract me. But now I was in the mood for someone to tell me how to make something. I happily flipped and got inspired for a couple of days, and one of my favorites is Geninne Zlatkis’s book Making An Impression. I have been inspired by Geninne online for years, and it was just as inspiring to read about her process of hand carving stamps. And, as luck (and a stocked craft room) would have it, I happened to have some easy carve blocks and the needed carving tool on hand. (I love it when I can immediately jump in!).
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