We've been slowly getting to know each other. Here's my first attempt at free motion sewing using the BSR foot. In case you're starting to think that I'm a natural at free motion sewing, the smaller letters were made using the built in alphabet stitches.
I still can't believe I own this beautiful machine. I'm very much looking forward to sewing with her and learning everything she can do.
The Bernina 1008. This mechanical machine is supposed to be a real workhorse. When I tested it out in the store, it sewed so smoothly. But, will I miss all the bells and whistles of a computerized sewing machine?
Another option I've looked at is the Activa 230 PE. It's at the top of my price range but has everything I want/need. Though, I'm not sure I could quilt a full size quilt on this easily.
Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays. But, I just don't feel the magic of the holidays quite like I used to. Is it still possible to get all fluttery with holiday joy? What do you do to get yourself in the holiday spirit? Is there a special decoration you like to make, a certain holiday soundtrack you listen to, a favorite hot chocolate recipe you sip? Any and all suggestions are welcome!
It's a good thing I had over two yards because the long sleeve version of this top really requires it! As you can see, I sewed the ties as the pattern calls for by just hemming the strips. Several sewing.patternreview.com reviewers recommended cutting two extra ties and just sewing them together so the wrong side doesn't show. Unfortunately I didn't have enough fabric so I made do with what I had. I actually don't mind the wrong side showing on this knit since it's not too much of a contrast with the right side. The front middle, right below my bust line, is sagging a bit too much. I'm not sure if this is a pattern flaw or if I sewed something incorrectly. It's nothing that a little hand sewing can't fix.
Simplicity 4076 in a black, yellow and white knit,
New Look 6729 in a pink multi-stripe knit,
New Look 6807 in a black and grey knit,
and finally Vogue 8420 in a purple cotton knit. 
Download the Pet Bed Tutorial!
Flair by Knit and Tonic
Remember my patchwork obsession from a few weeks ago? I finally satiated it, for the time being that is. This is my first log cabin using scraps from my brick path quilt. This project was very fast and easy and so satisfying! 
My quilt is slightly larger than the stacked coins quilt in Last Minute Patchwork. I added an additional row of "stacked coins" and added some length so the total size is about 60 inches by 71 inches. 
I completely winged the back with leftover fabric from the front. I'm finding that making a quilt back is just as exciting as making the quilt top. I love throwing the fabrics together and making up the design as I go along. It also gives my math skills a review lesson. Peter said the back looked very organic. I like that description. (Do you see his flip flops at the bottom of the quilt?)
This quilt is a much belated wedding present for a good friend who got married last June. I'm hoping she'll love it so much she forgets how late it is.
I had some Bleeker Street (Marcus Brothers) fabric in my stash for a while, but not enough to make a quilt. Kathy, mom and I visited Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Va a few weeks ago where I found some more fabric from this line as well as some coordinating fabrics from the Full Moon forest line. By the way, if you're in the Richmond area, go visit that store. They had such great fabrics and they were so friendly!
On Saturday I started cutting out the fabrics. On Sunday, I started sewing. I didn't stop until I was done.
Whoa! I bet you weren't expecting that! I definitely wasn't. I mean, a quilt top in one day!?! Yes, friends. It's true. The pattern, Stacked Coins Quilt from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts
, was so easy and quick to put together. I love it! I highly recommend this book for this pattern and all the other great projects it has. We'll just see how long it takes for me to complete the back and quilting. I won't make any promises, though I do need to finish it before the end of the month. 
If you've been paying attention to my mini wardrobe challenge, then you might be confused by this outfit. You'd be confused for good reason. 'Cause I'm cheating. Sort of. I should be wearing the white shirt I made with this skirt. Originally I wanted a relaxed challenge in that there would be not strict deadline. Then, when I realized that a full shirt does not go well with a full skirt after I sewed everything, I decided to relax the rules even more. The white shirt only goes with the khaki skirt...but the brown shirt goes with not one, not two, but three skirts! That has to count for something, right? I'm very tempted to make another white shirt, but at this point in the summer I'm thinking about fall sewing and moving and my trip and so it's very low on my priority list. It might happen before the summer is over, but until then, this will have to do. Oh it's fun to make up the rules!
Now let me rave about the top: Simplicity 4076. Why I haven't tried this pattern until now I cannot say. I don't think I really liked the twist look, until I happened to flip on the Food Network one day and there was Rachel Ray wearing the cutest green twist top. Yes, inspiration comes from the funniest places sometimes. I added two inches to the pattern and I'm glad I did. It's the perfect length on me. I used a rayon/lycra jersey from Fashion Fabrics Club this time around. It was easy to work with and is incredibly soft. Thank you, Christina, for the suggestion to use this material! The only drawback is that it's hand wash only, but I can live with that.
I originally just made the pillow on the inside with no walls. I should have known that he wouldn't like it. I even tried stuffing it with catnip but he still wouldn't sit on it. Peter made the suggestion that I add walls to the pillow. He loves sitting in boxes, even if they're too small for him. So back to the drawing board I went. I had an idea, but I wasn't sure I could make it work.
Luckily it worked. And he likes it. I didn't even have to tempt him with catnip.
It was really simple to put together. This would be great for small dogs too. Anyone care for a tutorial?
1. doll quilt, 2. Big circles pillow cover, 3. patchwork pocket, 4. Patchwork Pillows 2, 5. cora's second quilt, 67/365, 6. Aug. Doll Quilt Challenge, 7. my version, 8. Nate Pillow , 9. log cabin pillow by Ashley
I whipped up this dress just in time to wear to Fourth of July festivities. I bought one of those pre-shirred knit fabric pieces at Joann on sale a few weeks ago. After sewing up the side seam (the only seam really required for this dress - cay you say EASY!), it was way too long for my liking. I cut off at least a foot of fabric. I used the extra fabric to make a ruffle at the bottom to match the ruffle at the top. I also added some halter ties so I wouldn't have to worry about slippage. Joann still had some on sale for less than $7 this past weekend, in case you want one of your own. I bought another one in pink to whip up later. I'm going on vacation at the end of the summer and these will be perfect to throw in the suitcase.
I present to you the bad-gaping-back-neckline shot. This was 100% my fault. The pattern has a back seam, but how many RTW garments do you know of that have back seams? Unfortunately I forgot (embarrassed laugh) to take out the seam allowance. What was it Homer Simpson was always saying?
Next I present to you the bad-gaping-neckline shot. And yes, that mirror is actually clean. It's just old, and impossible to make look clean no matter how much I try. However, the mirror hides the flaws in the shirt. That neckline is all wiggly crazy, and no I'm not just being hard on myself. Trust me here. I used clear elastic and everything. Apparently I don't know how to use clear elastic in necklines.
