Sew Cute, Sew Not Working

Right before I'm about to gear up to start another labor-intensive work project, I tend to go on a mad, personal crafting spree--frivolously, making things that have nothing to do withneither  deadline nor conceptualization (Qas that too many negatives in one sentence? I never know.)   I love delving into other designers' patterns, to see how they write--and a lot of times, learn new tips & tricks.  So, before Adrienne and I start knitting & crocheting for our Eco-Stitch book, I spent a little B/F/F bonding time with my Magnolia 7330!

I currently have a huge crafter's crush on Denyse Schmidt.  As soon as I can fit it into the ol' schedule, I'm going to make a black & white version of her Hop, Skip, & A Jump quilt for our bedroom.  In the meantime though, I scored her adorable "Quilt It Kit" and made the pillow from the pattern & fabric that was included in the box.  It matches perfectly with my walls & the geisha painting in the living room.  Yay!

Back to Square One Pillow

My buddy, web-gal Jenny Medford just had a birthday, so I whipped up these cozy little cuties for her (ok, and I made a pair for myself, too).  These are also from a DS pattern, only this time from her book, "Quilts".  The fabric's from Craft-O-Rama in Austin, but I think they also sell it on their Etsy page.

Jenny's Slippers

Another great book I just invested in is "Sew Everything Workshop" by Diane Rupp of New York's Make Workshop. It's jam-packed with how-to information, includes instructions for 20 sewing projects plus 10 paper patterns.  My friend Jaime and I met for a sewing session one night while our husbands had band practice, and made the tank tops from it for ourselves.  I have a serious lack of torso, so I made mine 2" shorter than the pattern calls for and am still going to have to wear a belt with it, but I really like how it turned out and may end up making a couple more in different fabrics.  Speaking of fabric, this print is one of Amy Bulter's.

Flouncy Tank Top

Lastly, we've been needing a little decor for the larger window in our kitchen, so I pieced together the remains of a kimono that I love and have used to make a bunch of projects (including a curtain for the smaller kitchen window & a pillow for an old article for the defunct Budget Living magazine), with scraps from the above, aforementioned tank (a la Sound of Music) and leftovers from altered Ikea curtains that are now hanging in the living room.

Kitchen Valance

And now, back to my regularly scheduled crafting!

xo, Vickie

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