New Job!
15 May 2012 Leave a Comment
Love is in the Air… Got a new gig!
I’m working a steady job now. Doing what I love, but on a more specific schedule. So humble. So excited. So much to do in so little time!
Funny thing about making your own schedule, you allot for all kinds of things without even thinking about it. Now I have to make plans, schedule out my calendar and let other people know about my intentions.
Thank you Dazian.
Strip Piecing… Notebook
29 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Strip Piecing Tags: pattern making, quilting, seamstress, sewing, teacher, teacher instructor
I have lots and lots of small “leftover” pieces of fabric that are so sweet, I just don’t want to toss them out. While searching the web for some ideas on what to make, I found this. The funny thing about making small quilts, notebooks and other machine pieced delights is the amount of time it takes to finish! It’s a small project, how long can it take? Must be me, but it takes hours!
Here’s a photo of a notebook I made.
Opened up inside.
Opened up from the outside.
I used a double-sided fusible stabilizer for the base of the notebook which I had, so no cost there. Fabric scraps, no cost there either. Heavy weight variegated thread and decorative stitching designs, had that too. Added a ribbon and button as an after thought for closure, although it wasn’t necessary. Three rounds of satin stitching at varied widths for a “kind of not so perfect look”. If it did cost anything, it was my time. Every time a use the notebook it brings a little smile to my face.
Canvas Tote Bag, fabric from Ikea.
29 Apr 2012 5 Comments
in Purses/totes Tags: fabrics, original, pattern making, purses, seamstress, sewing, teacher, teacher instructor, totes
I designed this tote bag from some canvas that I purchased from Ikea. Normally the fabric runs about $10.00 a yard, but found it on sale for $1.99 a yard, both colors! Combined the two fabrics and added an embossed leather tab, and whahla!
A great bag with lots of inside pockets and even a divider.
Front tab.
Inside of bag.
Padded shoulder strap, adjustable.
Another inside view.
Doors are closed at the Viking Sewing Gallery in Glendale.
28 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Saturday's Sewing Class Tags: alterations, purses, seamstress, sewing, teacher, teacher instructor
Well it happened, the Viking in Glendale is officially closed. With that said, I’m out of a job. After being with the company for over 12 years, something wonderful must be around the corner. I have a few things brewing… so I’ll keep you in the loop.
Opportunity awaits.
Business Card Holders
15 Apr 2012 2 Comments
in Business Card Holders Tags: fabric dyes, fabrics, Hand dyed, original, quilting, seamstress, sewing
$12.00 each. Will be posting on Etsy soon!
I dye all of my own fabrics! It’s a fun and crazy process that takes hours to make and you never really know exactly what you’re going to come out with, but I wouldn’t change it.
The outcome of dying your own fabrics…… you just have to see it for yourself! I use specific fabrics that are prepared for dying (PFD). Each piece is twisted, squished, tied or otherwise. Soaked, presoaked, wrung out and then washed afterwards in a special gentle laundry soap to insure that the color is secure and won’t bleed when and if needed. I use the same process on the fabrics I use for garments (more on that in a different post).
Beautifully hand-dyed fabric with carefully selected buttons to make this business card holder one-of-a-kind. Lots of varied colors available, this one’s mine.
Here’s a front and back view of a crazy quilted card holder. Leather strap for extra protection.
This one is hand-dyed. Piece of leather wraps around for extra protection with a 1.25” button.
Hand-dyed with very sweet 1.25” button. Back is the same value as the front. Leather strap for extra protection.
Hand Dyed Fabric Earing, made with Timtex!
15 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: earrings, fabric dyes, Hand dyed, Hand dyed earrings, original, pattern making, seamstress, sewing, teacher, teacher instructor
Hand Dyed Earrings
Torah Cover
20 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in Judaica Tags: alterations, embroidery, fabrics, original, pattern making, seamstress, sewing, teacher, teacher instructor
Made this Torah cover for my daughter’s class last year. Just received the pictures, thought you might like to see! I was asked to make the cover, include some names and a bit of Judaica! It’s a big order, but everything worked out beautifully.
Making a pattern, stabilizing stretch velvet and adding a lining… just another day in the sewing room, I wish!
It did take a couple of weeks, but once I was able to work out the kinks, things went quickly. One of fun things about doing custom work is the challenge of it all. One of the not so fun things, no screw up room. You generally get one shot to make it right.
Cable Hat Finished
03 Mar 2012 2 Comments
in Knitting, Uncategorized Tags: knitting, needles, pattern making
After several attempts, it’s all done. Started out with a pattern, thanks to Raverly.com. Just didn’t understand how to do the provisional cast on correctly, so I just went with what I had. Some knitting, some crocheting and back to knitting, and here’s what I came out with…
The hat is super warm and cozy. Everyone that has seen the hat on, loves it. I think the cable pops out nicely, without being to overstated. I’ve never made a hat that has a cable along the top edge before. The next time I try this type of hat, it will probably come out a little better, but I’m still really happy.
Things I learned… love the crocheted bottom edge, makes a great fit. Don’t make your cables too tight. Follow the directions, even if you think you already have the pattern down. Check your work from time to time to see how things are progressing. Used size 7 dpns for the cabled section and circulars for a bit, crochet hook, then back to dpns to finish off.
Using beautiful yarn that look good to the eye and gentle on the hands = a wonderful weekend that produced one of the many things I always wanted to accomplish. I’d say it’s a good day! Happy Knitting.
Yarn!
28 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Knitting, Uncategorized Tags: alterations, circulars, crochet, embroidery, fabric dyes, fabrics, free patterns, handmade toys, knitting, needles, pattern making, purses, quilting, recycling, seamstress, sewing, socks, teacher instructor, totes, tutorials, wool, yarn, yarns
I bought some beautiful varigated wool yarn, my favorite and a sock blocker.
Who knew, beautiful yarns downtown at Michael Levine’s. I’ve been there lots of times for fabrics and such, but now there is a corner of the store devoted just to yarns. Not only are the prices competitive, but they have a wonderful selection to boot. Since I’m relatively new to the whole knitting scene, going beyond the Joann’s and Michael’s for yarn, I was over whelmed. Loved all the samples with tags, included the stitch, how many skeins and the brand. The woman who was sitting and knitting there was the one, and I did say one, who made all the samples! So worth the drive if you’re not too far from LA. If there was one or two drawbacks, it would be that parking is a bear. Our country maybe in financial debt, but parking on the street at a meter…. get ready, 25 cents for every 5 minutes! I don’t know a lot about math, but that’s just stupid! Find yourself a parking lot and walk a couple of blocks, $5.00 all day.
Appliqued Pillows
28 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Home Dec Sewing Tags: alterations, fabrics, original, pattern making, quilting, seamstress, sewing, teacher, teacher instructor
Pillow time.
With lots of fabric taking up space, the right color mix and a bit of good fortune…
here are some of the pillows I’m currently making. Two so far, but more pillows and a small blanket to come.
I did a bit of “rough” applique to spell out Lily. I asked her to pick out a few key words that she wanted on the pillows and the rest is history as they say! Peace, friendship and other words on the way.
What I like best about applique? There are no real rules that apply for me. When I design my work, I can make up the “rules” as I go. I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted, so I just made it. You can do tradition needle turn, reverse applique or freezer paper… the list goes on as the different kinds of applique get varied results. My personal method, raw edge applique. I really like the way the frayed edge looks over time. I go for the fun, easy & relatively quick method of starting and stopping within a few hours and having a finished project or two in hand! If I don’t finished within a short amount of time, the pillows could end up where all the BAD pillows go, not good!
Shelby, making sure I don’t lose my fabric!
I put a concealed zipper in the back so that we could wash and dry as needed.
For the main fabric, I used a pre-quilted fabric that I bought at Joann’s. I didn’t really want the fabric, but I bought it. A super sale, combined with someone showing me an adorable bag they made, I bought the fabric there and then. There was a small intention of making/coping the bag, but obviously not that much as it’s sat around for two years or so in my stash!
Zipper is a #5, heavy weight. I buy yards and yards of varied colors at one time, so that way I can put in a zipper anytime. Remember too, it’s concealed under a flap, so the color of the zipper doesn’t really matter anyways.
Regular weight thread for putting the pillow together and heavyweight variegated thread for the applique that you see.
Bought the pillow forms downtown at Michael Livines for $3.25 each, 20 inch.
Wonder Under fusible web for the letters.
I used a walking foot for almost all the sewing.
There are a few tricky things to remember… remember to reverse the letters prior to ironing on the fabric, mirror image. You know that this didn’t happen to me! Take your time going around the letters, leaving the needle in the down position as you turn a curve. I don’t want my things to be too perfectly straight, so I intentionally go a bit short and beyond the lines. You do what you like.
Have fun and don’t let anyone restrict your creativity!
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