Cathedral Window Pillow

I saw this tutorial over at Moda Bake Shop and immediately knew I wanted to make my own version. A traditional quilting technique that has been updated with machine sewing to make it quicker? Sign me up! I love tradition quilting design with a modern twist. 

The instructions in this tutorial are very good. They walk you through the process step-by-step with pictures along the way to make it easier. Notice: two of the adjectives I have used to describe this project are QUICKER and EASIER, but I wouldn't say this is a quick or easy project. It is very time consuming, and at one point I was tempted to give up and throw what I had done so far into the scrap bin.

But, I persevered, and I am very glad I did. I think the pillow turned out nice, and I love the bright colors. I used fat quarters I had picked up at Joann's on a February day when I was craving some spring color. I do have to say, I wouldn't use those Joann fat quarters for anything other than a small project like this. I was stunned at how thin and poor quality those fabrics were. I think you could read a newspaper through them they were so thin! The white fabric (also picked up at Joann's) is a Kona cotton, and was a dream to work with. Next time I am there and armed with a 50% off coupon, I think I will stock up on several yards of this. I am itching to make a quilt with a white background.

The fabric I used on the back of the pillow (also from Joann's) is a cathedral window print. Pretty clever, huh? I didn't even buy it specifically for this project- I had just picked it up because I liked the print and didn't have any black and white in my stash. I worked perfectly for this project.

Close up of the front:

Up next- I currently have another quilt project in the works. It is a twin sized quilt from a kit my mom has had in her stash for a few years. She told me I could have it because she has more fabric than she can use in her lifetime (don't we all?). So I am sewing it up for her, and will have it machine quilted, then I am going to surprise her by giving to her for her bed. I think it will brighten up her room.

Blessings-
Lisa

Spool Quilt and Nice Fabrics Now Available at WalMart (?!!?!?!)

I made this wall hanging for my sewing room. I thought the spool design was perfect for a sewing room. The fabrics are a couple of Moda charm packs, with a few other fabrics from my stash. I like the simple spool design, and the combo of colors- aqua, corally-red, and beiges. I also like the scrappyness of it. (i love me a scrappy quilt!). I can get away with the floral and pink because this will hang in my sewing room, a room that my boys and hubby don't spend time it. I think if I tried to hang this in another part of the house, I would get some resistance from the guys in the house. *sigh* That's what happens when you are outnumbered 4 to 1.

The pattern is called "Gentle Art" and it is from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.

I didn't have any fabric in my stash for the binding, so I was prepared to drive out of town to buy some (we don't have a quilt store here in Red Wing), when I remembered some pretty blue polka dot fabric I had seen at Walmart. YES, Walmart. While most Walmarts did away with their fabric departments (including ours) they have since started bringing them back. At first it was all the same low quality fabrics they used to carry, but lately they have been getting in some really nice quality quilting cottons. I would compare them to quilt-shop quality. They are in the $7.00-8.00 range, so a little more than their lower quality $3.95 ones. Don't get me wrong- I fully support shopping at local quilt shops, and do so every chance I can get. But when you are in a pinch, and have no fabric store in town, it is nice to know you may find what you need at the local Walmart.

It was a fun little quilt to make, and looks great in my sewing room! Some day, when my sewing room is neat and clean and organized (OK, quit laughing, it WILL happen someday) I will take you on a guided tour. I love my sewing room, and feel so fortunate to have a space all my own to do my creating.

Blessings-
Lisa

New Summer McCall's & a Walk Down Memory Lane

I usually don't get too excited about McCall's patterns, but the new summer collection has some great patterns. Easy-to-wear summer dresses and cute tops are on the top of my must-buy list. Here are the patterns I will be picking up at the next McCall's pattern sale:



M6551. I like the version in the orange and white print. I could see making a couple of these. It could be dressed up for work, or add some sandals and a denim jacket to dress it down for the weekend.



M6563. I like the version the model is wearing, and also the view in white, with the sleeve tabs. I can see these done up in light weight charmuse (silk or poly) or voile or lawn.



I love this pattern for cute tops. I really like the fact that this pattern (and the previous one) are not for knits. So many or the cute top patterns are for knits, and I struggle to get my knit garments to look professional. I much prefer working with wovens. These would be just as eady to wear as a t-shirt, but so much dressier.



M66564. I think this tie blouse looks so polished. I like wearing blouses for work, because they give me a pulled-together look with one piece. I think this would be nice in a rayon challis in a pretty print.



M6534. Another cute dress that can be dressed up or down.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if only I had the time/energy/money to make all the patterns I love, my wardrobe would be HUGE! But it is fun to dream and look at patterns anyway.

If you haven't been to the fabric store lately, and are looking for a little spring pick-me-up, you should go. I love browsing the aisles of spring fabrics- the seersuckers, the pretty, delicate cotton prints, all the spring colors.

It takes me back to my childhood, going to the fabric store with my mom to pick out pattern and fabric for my Easter dress every year. We would look at the new fabrics, then study every pattern book until we found just the right one. Then, back to the fabric to find the perfect fabric for the pattern. A stop at the notions department to buy matching thread, zipper, and lace or ribbon trim. Leaving the store with all these things in a bag, knowing that my mom would transform them into a beautiful dress just for me was such a great feeling. Not to mention the time my mom and I spent together.

My mom isn't able to fabric shop with me anymore, but if she could magically have a day in which she was physically able to go anywhere and do anything, I would love to go to the fabric store with her again, We would spend hours looking a fabric, sitting at the pattern table looking at patterns, and choosing new things to make for spring. Then as we walked out of the store we would say what we would always say when leaving the fabric store- "We better get home, and get sewing!"

Blessings-
Lisa

New Set of Crocheted Dishcloths

How many dishcloths does one person need? This is the question I am sure many of my friends and family ask themselves every time they see me making more of these. I can’t help it. Making these quick and easy projects is just so addicting. And the colors? The colors of the yarn are so fun, I want to buy a skein of each color!

Here is the latest set I made, in a springy, bright coral color, along with a matching variegated one, and one in white.  My next set is going to be in earth colors, brown and sage and ecru. It is a custom order for a customer.

Blessings-
Lisa

Simplicity 2942

Pattern Description: Juniors/Juniors Plus dress, mini dress, and tunic with sleeve variations. I made the tunic.
Pattern Sizing: Size AA (5/6-15/16)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very good.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like how the front facing and back facing were done. It gives a very finished look to the top.

Fabric Used: I think it is a cotton. I found it in the bargin bin at JoAnn's. It is a bright pink color, which I think fits in with the "bright colors" trend this spring. It has a silver thread running through the stripes.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: It called for a casing at the waist with a drawstring. I omitted this and just sewed some 1/4" elastic there instead.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew it again, but I would recommend it. It is a cute top.

I was able to spend some time in my sewing room this weekend, and last, and this top was easily completed in just a couple hours. It went together very easily. I was nervous about the fit because it is a juniors pattern, but it fits well, and doesn't have all the extra ease you find in most misses patterns from the Big 4.

I am also working on a cathedral window pillow like this one from Moda Bake Shop. I just need to add the borders and sew it to he backing.

Blessings,

Lisa

Simplicity 5813- Baptism Outfit for my Godson

Pattern Description: Baby christening outfits. I made the boys romper and matching jacket.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it did.

Pattern Envelope:



Were the instructions easy to follow? These instructions were very easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This pattern was very well drafted. It went together with no problems at all. I liked that the sleeves on the jacket easy to ease in. Usually pattern companies put too much ease in the sleeve cap. That was not the case with this pattern. I also liked that the jacket was lined. It made for a nice finish on the front edges, bottom, and neck. No turning under and stitching.

Fabric Used: Cotton sateen from JoAnn's.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I used a small pom-pom type trim instead of the middy braid the pattern called for. I think if I were to make this pattern again, I would line the bodice of the romper to give it a more finished look.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I highly recomend this pattern.

Conclusion: This outfit lokked adorable on my Godson. It is a very cute outfit for a baby boy's baptism day.



Were the instructions easy to follow? These instructions were very easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This pattern was very well drafted. It went together with no problems at all. I liked that the sleeves on the jacket easy to ease in. Usually pattern companies put too much ease in the sleeve cap. That was not the case with this pattern. I also liked that the jacket was lined. It made for a nice finish on the front edges, bottom, and neck. No turning under and stitching.

Fabric Used: Cotton sateen from JoAnn's.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I used a small pom-pom type trim instead of the middy braid the pattern called for. I think if I were to make this pattern again, I would line the bodice of the romper to give it a more finished look.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I highly recomend this pattern.

Conclusion: This outfit lokked adorable on my Godson. It is a very cute outfit for a baby boy's baptism day.
I love the pale blue trim and the cute little buttons!

New Look 6407 and Simplicity 2211


This is a white blouse to replace one in my closet that had seen better days. This pattern has an open neck, and three quarter length sleeves. It was just what I was looking for to replace my other blouse. I was quite happy with how it turned out, and the pattern was very well drafted. It went together like a dream. I am, however, a bit dissapointed with the fit. It seems to be too big from the bust up, but the waist fits fine. If I make this again, I think I will cut a size smaller through the bust and shoulders, tapering out at the waist and hip.

It does fit me better than it does my dressform, Lizzie. Excuse all the wrinkles. I wore it already, and washed it, and let's just say, ironing is not my forte`. Also, it fits Lizzie wierd, so lots of the wrinkling is because of that.

Also, on the dress form, the facings show through the blouse quite obviously. But when I am wearing it they don't show. All in all, this turned out to be a great white blouse. I would like to make view D in a lightweight catton lawn for summer. I am still looking for the right fabric for that.

Up next was Simplicity 2211. This is one of the patterns I blogged about last time from Simplicity's "Lissette" collection. The fabric is from Joanns, and is made from the same Lissette line, so you can literally make the designs to look just like the pattern envelope. I also bought fabric at Joanns to make the matching skirt, in a navy blue cotton stretch satteen:

Here is the finished blouse. This pattern had me nervous, because the neck is not very open at all. The placket in the front is a "mock" placket, so this shirt pulls over the head. There was no way this thing was going to fit over my head, and I don't have a big mellon at all! But, I kept the faith, and contimued with the pattern. Once the neck facing was sewn on and turned to the inside, I was able to get it over my head. So keep that in mind if you are going to try this pattern, and you have a bigger than average head!

This is a nice pattern, well drafted, and it went together very quickly. I can see myself making more of these. You could make it casual or dressy, depending on the fabric you use.

Up next, I was going to start on the skirt right away, but now am thinking about making pants instead. I have some fabric to make a muslin first, and if the pattern doesn't work for me, I will continue as planned with the skirt.

I am also working on some quilted items to list in my Etsy shop. I have some crocheted items listed currently, but would like to start selling quilted items instead, or in addition to, my crocheted items. I am excited about the prospect of making( and selling) quilts again. It has been a couple years since I have done a lot of quilting. There are so many great fabrics on the market, each prettier than the next. I am anxious to dive in and get to work!

Blessings-
Lisa