Sorry for the poor quality of the next two photos as they were taken with a camera phone.  The third picture is much better (we have a great scanner!) and you can see the fabric detail much better.

The top part of the quilt is completely pieced together. In these pictures, you can see that I still need to press it for a nice, smooth look. You can also see that the seams do not match. What you can't see is that I really don't care. This is my first quilt after all, and I'm enjoying it. I already have plans for another quilt, and I plan to do some more practicing to get my seams in check. But overall, I'm enjoying this.

Notice that the outer strips use darker, more vibrant colors and the inner strips user lighter, muted colors. This is because there were unequal amounts of different colors in the pack, so I tried to make some sort of composition of the colors I had, with a gradual lightening of color towards the center. The center will eventually get darker once my cat claims it and covers it in his hair.

Next steps: ironing the seams, blocking the top, laying it out with the batting and backing fabric, quilting them together, binding the edges, then wash and enjoy in all its crooked glory.

All sorts of dressing up fabrics - cobwebs, bats, witches etc.

So far,  she is doing o.k.  Only time will tell.  I pray that we don't end up at the hospital.  She is coping so well with it all.  She still is happy/well enough to chat loudly and giggle and play.  She is just super wheezy and has quite a full on cough.  Needless to say that particular visitor who brought this upon us isn't welcome around our home at the moment.  I am super upset with them.  (that's putting it soooo mildly!)

Onto fabric.....I have just received my last package of fabric.  I have managed to get my hands on some 'Folklore' fabric by Lecien.  Quite a bit of it.  It's lovely stuff.  I am not sure what I will make with it yet,  but I had to add some to my collection.  Most of my new stash is FQ's.  Which is the perfect size for making clutches and lots of other crafty things.  I also added a few sewing books to my collection.  Anyways,  for those ladies out there that love fabric,  I am going to post a few pictures at a time (per blog post)  for you to enjoy (AND ME!!!)

Here is my first ever clutch that I made up last week using a pattern from TallPoppy.  I am thinking that I may make a lot more of these with all the fabric's I have gotten over the last few weeks.  They would make absolutely gorgeous gifts.  I also will be trying out a similar clutch pattern from NicoleMDesign.  And I will see which I prefer to follow.

Granted,  the fabric is upside down.  But other than that,  it's not a bad first attempt!  There are only about 2 other things I have to tweak and I will have the pattern down!

yeah. so. among other things i am both an ex smoker and hypertensive, so i have a lot of throat problems as well as being unable to take anything that uses any form of psuedoephedrine-- which means that any time i get anything sinus or chest related i have to suffer through it until it clears up or turns into an infection so i can get something for that is prescription and screened for high blood pressure (yeah, lucky me, i'm also allergic to the hypertensive friendly stuff on the market). this is what i personally use, and as one of my student managers told me it tastes like shit, but the shit actually works.

*i'm not a doctor, don't start messing with stuff unless you're sure it's safe for you

**it's also a really effective diuretic so make sure that you can use diuretics and that you don't over do it- make sure you're getting enough other fluids

-Hot water- as hot as you can stand but make sure that it's not too hot to drink

- lemon juice- as much as you can stand. it's supposed to be strong but you have to be able to get it down

-honey- again, as much as you can stand and still be able to stomach it

-cinnamon to taste.

Use once a day, as needed. Don't use more than twice a day, unless you're drinking a lot of extra water to compensate for the water that it pulls from your system, which can be especially detrimental if you're already sick. Hot water will feel good and the lemon provides a hit of vitamin C. Honey provides several health benefits as well as being a 'good' sugar (well better than white sugar anyway) which can help with electrolytes in a marginal way, and cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar and helps it taste better. if nothing else, water is still water and this will help you get at least some fluid into your system.

so i think i have finally figured out my tax status. i was debating if i needed to get a full tax id number, but after many hours tooling around the internets and seeking some legal advice under the table,  i have determined that i may not actually need it. the state of new york does want your tax money, don't get me wrong. but- all of my sales have been online and they have been to people who do not actually live in New york, which is a grey area that currently does not require an ID number. because i am a hobbiest, and not a business, i also can file a casual tax remit form, IF and WHEN i make more than four sales a year in the state of new york (the first three are freebies) and i make more than $600, whichever comes first. I was going to just file for the ID until i realized that it's already halfway through the month of October and i have yet to have a sale that would actually require me to register with the the state, since the federal government considers hobby money to be misc. income and filed as such on their forms.  so that got me out of that mess, at least until they figure out what to do about online shopping.

i put this site on three different webrings, and i got approved to all three, which makes me happy. so i will be getting readers at least.

it's time for me to start thinking about using christmas prints instead of halloween. i'll make halloween until the end of the month, then move onto my turkey prints until they're gone in november and then switch over to christmas and winter prints. i want to start working on a stash for a freegan wish for holiday wishes (there's a post floating around where i talk about that- i want to give pads away as one of my wishes for holiday wishes this year, to women who want them and especially women who don't have access to them already). obviously i'm going to have to limit how many i have to what i have on hand because i don't want to spend all winter break sewing if i don't have to but still. i think it would be nice.

So much has come unraveled in the last month. I can't help but want to write a post about all the things I've let fall by the wayside, for no other reason than writing those items down. Then, I could have a list to check on when I start to lose focus (yet again). But, I'm not even feeling focused enough to write a list. The thoughts and ideas are fleeting. Dinner has devolved into cheese crackers and water. And the only one maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the Habitual Household is Lottie.

But lo! The three day weekend allowed me to battle back! A few small steps back into my life-as-I-previously-understood-it happened and I'm starting to slightly in control of things again. Perhaps it's the change in weather; crisp, clear fall days spent outdoors. Or maybe it's just the mountain of what isn't being done started crushing me and left me no choice. Either way, I spent the weekend sewing! I was able to use fabrics purchased eons ago, and I feel very good about this pattern (it will be a while before you see it though....so this is just a teaser).

my personal favorites are the sweater dress, tunic and/or cardigan.  i have bought two sweater type tunics and they are so comfortable and hide all my trouble spots! however, i have noticed that the size has to be right. a bit too small and an unsightly silhouette appears; a bit too big and one can easily look pregnant!  being short, the 3/4 sleeve looks best on me t-shirt and long sleeves tend to emphasize it. sleeveless also works on me well. if you are thin, the thicker sweater knits will look great on you but for someone a bit more curvy, i recommend the thinner knits.

besides comfort, one of my favorite things about tunics is that they can be so easily layered; perfect for the changing weather here in houston. i love to pair them with leggings, tights and even jeans. a smooth pant works best so as to avoid zipper and/or button closure bumps .they are also great with skirts but i think you need to be tall or at least  of average height to pull that off.

here are a few that really like. there are so many that i just added the first few that caught my eye.

You can search by designer, collection or narrow it down to the Fat Quarter or Charm pattern that you'd like.

Share your favorite FREE pattern links!

Thanks very much, everyone, for all your printing tips and suggestions! I've ordered the books Kirsty recommended, as a sort of modern supplement to my Dryad Handicrafts Leaflets, which I immersed myself in again last night. Any of you who have encountered the Dryad leaflets will know that there is a particular joy in reading them, which comes from the way their authors combine a seriousness of approach with a genuine pleasure in their craft. The prose is also just wonderful. Last night I particularly enjoyed the account of potato printing in leaflet no. 57 which begins: "Select a crisp and closely grained potato . . ." and concludes: "the slight irregularities which come from the softer nature of the potato are by no means unpleasant." But my favourite read was leaflet no.146, "Wood Engraving," written by the aptly-named Douglas P Bliss. Here is a man who quite simply adores wood engraving, and wants the beginner-engraver to adore it too. He waxes lyrical about the history and practice of engraving, and the "quite remarkable pleasure of working with well-ground tools and a fine box-wood block." He is also keen to assure the reader of his craft's ease and portability: "You can put all your tackle into a small box, clear off to the country, if you so desire, and get on with your engraving snugly there. This writer has engraved blocks in the public room of a hotel in the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides." How can you argue with a man who takes his craft down the pub? Seriously, I HEART Douglas P. Bliss.

Another great thing about the Dryad leaflets, as Jeanette pointed out yesterday, is their suggestions for simple pattern repeats for the novice block cutter and printer. Their designs are all bold lines and primary colours and are very pleasing indeed. Heres another one

and . . .

oops, how did that ram get in there?

more printing experiments next weekend, I hope.

I got this idea from Kristi Porter's domesticsphere. She's my favorite knitting designer and does lots of other crafty things, too. I love the way her mind works.

So I've been looking for some brown patterned fabric for a sewing project. But I had some nice solid brown fabric lying around from another project, so I thought, why not pattern it myself?

So here's the basic premise: paint or stamp dishwasher detergent with bleach onto the solid fabric. Wait a minute or two for the bleach to work, bringing out a lighter color, then rinse the detergent out. Make sure, of course, to wear something you don't mind getting bleach on.

I used these Creative Playthings stamps of mine from the 70s. I was expecting the bleach to create white images, but instead, they are this lovely apricot color. I love the developing-photograph-type effect especialy on the squares. I'm not sure if this is exactly what I want for my project, but I love the result, and I'm sure I'll use the fabric for something.

This print was a bit of a challenge to match but I'm happy with how it turned out.

I used the border for the collar, cuffs and neckline binding (which you can't see here).

No matching here, this one went together in a few hours.

I used Palmer/Pletsch Sheer to interface the collars on both dresses.

I also made another version of New Look 6648 (fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics, of course!). I absolutely adore the sleeves on this version. And, yes, it is positively x-rated without a cami underneath. ;-) I did discover that this is just perfect over a bikini when you want to cover up just a bit - much better than a big baggy t-shirt.

hey peeps.

Here are Azief's Collection new items.

Brand new fabrics collection

have a nice day browsing it people.

Fabric1

Fabric2

Fabric3

Fabric4

each of these beautiful fabrics -

RM50

interested? please emel me at noor.azyyati@gmail.com

There is, of course, a story behind it.  This print is such a boy print. It's hard to find boy fabric.  That is for sure!  So when Kyle saw these bolts arrive, even he was excited and requested that I make a blanket for him out of it.

Well, in case you didn't know this, we live in southern Arizona.  Um....we don't need more blankets.  Ever.  Ever again.  Seriously.  I'm sure that I will make more blankets and quilts - but it's just for pleasure because we certainly have all we'll ever need.  I didn't want to make a blanket with it.  What should I make?

A tradition in our family is for the kids to get new PJ's on Christmas Eve.  I already decided that I am making my kids PJs this year.  It's one of the many things on my list to finish before Christmas. (Which is something like 10 weeks away!!!!)

I hadn't planned on making Kyle 2 pair of jammmies - but my first attempt ended poorly, I decided it would be best to make another pair - a "trail pair" per se, so that I would be sure to get the fit and everything correct on his Christmas pair.  So this is actually the trial pair of PJ's and he LOVES them!  The first attempt is being re-cut into PJs for Taylor.

I opted to use the pattern from Olive & S.  I have made PJ bottoms for the kids before, but I really just wanted to test out the pattern.  Only the pants from Kyle's set is from the Bedtime Story Pajamas.

I messed up my first pair.  I didn't reverse the pattern piece when cutting out the second leg - so the back and front didn't line up (duh!  Why I didn't think of that when I cut it out?  I don't know.)  I have no plans to make the kimono shirt.  If my son was still 6 or 9 months - it would be different....I might even be able to pull it off with my 2 year old, but my 6 year old just wants a regular shirt....thus the appliqued red shirt.  I also opted to do a rolled hem on my serger for the pant legs - mostly because I am lazy and it is faster than making a binding.  :-)

I suppose I'll mention that all the patterns are all on sale on my website. (But all of you knew that already since you get my newsletter, right? he he ;-) )  If you use the code PATTERN when you checkout, you'll get 10% off.  What Christmas gifts do you want to make this year?

PS. Yes, the Portabellopixie Patterns from Sandi Henderson have arrived and are in my shop.  THEY ARE AMAZING!  And yes, the 10% off works for them too.  :-)

Everybody does it. If for some strange reason they don't, it's only because they don't know you can!

I brought home a big pile of thread from Superior (So-Fine and King Tut, yum!), pantograph patterns from the Pattern Man and Cindy Roth, and a few odds and ends, including a Megan Best ruler, and a wonderful leaf quilting pattern book by Kim Stotsenberg. Also I signed up for Sew Batik's Longarm Associate program, which means that in about three weeks I'll have some terrific samples on hand for my customers to choose from when ordering from Sew Batik.

Sew Batik makes the largest collection of 108" wide batik fabrics that I've seen anywhere, and I love the way they've coordinated their 45" wide batiks to go with them. Plus there's flannel batiks, silk batiks, color graduated batiks, pattern graduated batiks... you get the picture. They have great kits -- I've seen them all made up -- and are small, personable company. Their fabrics are available through longarm machine quilters and online, but not in fabric stores.

I'm excited about having that much choice when it comes to quilt backings. Don't get me wrong -- I love pieced quilt backings, too -- but when you don't have a lot of time it's great to be able to cut one huge piece to use for the back.

This is a favorite in our house. This hemp silk blend fabric is luxuriously soft and quite substantial. Pure and simple. It is undyed, unbleached and goes with everything. The textured cream and earthy beige herringbone weave is sophisticated, yet neutral and friendly. It is warm and touchable. Very rarely do you find a fabric of such fine quality.

We think it's perfect for winter, so we thought we would re-introduce you : )

Available in the shop. Expect to see it come forth in new forms, very soon.

It's disappointing to invest all that time and creativity into designing something amazing for a client, only to not be able to see it through.  But I've decided to turn tanks into tulips!  Just because the projects didn't make it to the end product doesn't mean I can't share the designs I created for them!  So here we go!

Bachelor #1 (ooo...sounds like a dating show!) was entirely uninspired by his space.  He had the basics with regards to furniture, so this project was all about adding treatments to make it cozy, romantic, and inspiring for him to be in.  He likes earth tones and a minimalist/slightly asian approach.

Since this project tanked, I decided to go all out and embellish the design from scratch.  If we were to go forward with the project, I'd leave the furniture choices out, as he already has a bed and nightstands.

I chose the majority of products from Viva Terra* online.  They have a very nice selection of quality, eco-friendly lifestyle products.  It wasn't quite the 1-stop shop for this project, but close!

*HINT:  You can shop at Viva Terra through my site and I get paid too!  Visit the Shopping! section on the right side!

Furniture::
Substitute the reclaimed douglas fir plank vintage bed from Viva Terra for the padded one.  Fabric headboards tend to get dirty and have to be professionally cleaned.  Reclaimed douglas fir Gustavian nightstands are also from Viva Terra.

Bed Linens::
10,000 foot organic cotton bedding set from Viva Terra.  For a guy, I might forego the fluffy tassled throw at the foot of the bed.  White, high maintenance products tend to not be good choices for most guys, though there are some guys that lend exception to that rule!

Walls::
The sustainable monkey pod wood buddha panel from Viva Terra would hang on the wall opposite the bed, flanked by floor candle sticks, for a peaceful view as one slumbers off to sleep.  When the candles are lit, they provide a soft glow on the art work, as well as romantic ambiance!

Curtains would be custom-made in the Tyee bio linen fabric by OEco Textiles.  Recycled wrought iron custom drapery hardware by Antique Drapery Rod Co. comes in a bronze tone to match the hanging lamps.

I envision a warm tan or something with soft gold or camel tones for wall color.

Floor::
Cocoa-colored 100% New Zealand wool Flokati rugs by Helenic Rug Imports, Inc. would lay underfoot on each side of the bed so one has something extra soft to step on when getting in and out of bed.

Lighting::
These ornate recycled metal globes by Viva Terra provide another source of ambient and romantic lighting.  They can be hung together or separately and come in different sizes.  For this design, hang the large one in the corner, to the left of the window, and the 2 small ones on each side of the bed.

There.  Tank officially turned tulip!  What do you think?

[caption id="attachment_831" align="aligncenter" width="800" caption="Vogue 1073 - Chado Ralph Rucci"][/caption]

So here's what this one will be: two Gorgeous Fabrics selections; an extra wide olive grey wool jersey and a bright guava stretch silk charmeuse for a bold lining.  Vogue had a two-day on-line sale this week and pattern was marked down 75%, hopefully everything will arrive soon.   It will be interesting to see how the pin tucks are done on this dress;  I assume a wide double needle and a walking foot would be used, but I'll just have to see what the instructions say.  I think I'll make oak tag stencils for the marking the pin tucks with chalk or a sewing marker.  Another thing to think about is whether a stabilizer might be needed under the pin tucks.  And then there is the lining - are those pieces pin tucked as well?  So many questions!

Molly • Emily 5020F ~ Dress with Peplum

See more Molly and Emily doll clothes on The Dollies' Dressmaker website!

I have really enjoyed seeing the wonderful printed fabrics Jesse exchanged and received in her swatch swap (flickr group here), and I really wanted to participate. But I've never printed fabric before, let alone cut out a lino block (eek), so I thought I'd approach things from a rather basic level first, using a rubber stamp. I bought some fabric paint and plain, medium weight calico, and had a go yesterday with a stamp I acquired in a set of stationery.

It took me a while to discover the right proportion of paint to block, and a little longer to think through the block spacing, but soon I was printing away very happily. I found the look and colour of the final printed fabric very pleasing: I like blue on white generally, but indigo on calico is a winning combination. It recalls, for me, the very particular look of American nineteenth-century household linens. When I see an indigo printed fabric, in fact, I tend to think of Deborah Norris Logan (notable for many things, including her design of a wonderful indigo print that I had the pleasure of seeing here)

After drying and fixing the print overnight, I made a few kitchen things with the fabric this morning: above, a place mat; below, a tea towel.

I made a few napkins too.
Much as I like these indigo butterflies (and I do) I really want to try cutting and printing my own design. There are good instructions for this sort of thing in my trusty collection of Dryad Handicraft Leaflets, but, as I am such a novice, I wondered if you had any suggestions for me (particularly as regards materials). Should I just start with a homely potato and work my way up from there?