Nordstrom Rack Bag Embellishment

Like a good sale?  Always on the prowl for another sewing project, I found an adorable bronze textured leather shoulder bag last fall at the Nordstrom Rack.  This $20 bag called for my new mission . . . embellish the front flap.  With lightly gathered leather on the flap and a fully lined interior, my challenge was how.  Here's the finished project.  Let me show you what I did.

Last week Bob in the warehouse was wondering what to do with these newly found wonderful glass bead tassels.  I said "I will take them!"  This 3 berry tassel on a satin ribbon inspired me to finish the bag.

The previous week I had embroidered several medallions - experimenting with different stitches, threads, dimensions and stabilizers.  Finally I settled on stitching the medallions on black tulle stabilized with Sulky Solvy Medium Weight Water Soluable Stabilizer.

It was fun using Sulky's Water Soluable Stabilizers.  Here are a couple medallions soaking in water.  You can easily see the black tulle.

After drying my next question was how to apply the medallion to the bag.  Bob's timing was perfect when he found those cute little berry tassels.  Using heavy upholstery thread and a hand needle I threaded the satin ribbon through the center of the medallion, then through a hole in the leather bag and lining created by my trusty brass stiletto.  The hole in the bag and lining was not too large, so effort - rather a struggle - finally pulled the satin ribbon through both layers.  The ribbon was cut in half, then run through two eyes of the button and knotted for security. 

The embroidered medallion and glass berry tassel add a whole new and exciting personality to the bag.  Someone asked "Why use tulle?"  The embroidery stitches need support.  The black tulle provided stitch support while also disappearing on the textured leather bag. 

I still have a handful of the glass bead tassels.  No doubt somewhere along the sewing journey those little tassels will show up.

Summer is almost over.  Do you still have sewing projects to finish?  I do!  :)

www:Sulky.com
http://www.creative-drawings.com/

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Two Finished Sewing Projects

With this intense summer heat I have been inside sewing in preparation for fall SCHMETZ classes.  Recently I dedicated a weekend to just cutting out garments.  Projects were lined up in the guest room with their respective patterns, thread and any special notions.    Here are the first 2 finished sewing projects that I will be wearing at sewing shows this fall.

I was curious about this Connie Crawford pattern.  The suggested fabrication was wool, fleece, lightweight wovens and sheers.  What about an open knit fabric ... that just happened to be waiting in my stash? 

At first I was afraid that this loosely fit jacket may look too much like a tablecloth, but after trying it on a few times I'm going to have fun with it.  This pattern was very easy to cut out - although a huge cutting table or floor is needed.  It was also easy to sew thanks to my serger, although a sewing machine could easily get a similar effect.  All edges were serged, so my challenge was how to finish the edges.  The thought crossed my mind to just leave the serged edges alone which is frequently seen in the stores, but really I like a finished edge.

So I used my trusty SCHMETZ twin needles.  The neckline facing was secured with a Universal 4.0/80 twin.  The serged hem edge was turned up 1" then stitched with Universal 2.5/80.  Since the fabric had a decorative open pattern, I was a bit concerned that the twin needles would push the fabric into the throat plate.  After stitching a few samples, my suspicions were unfounded.  Both twin needles stitched beautifully and gave a nice finished edge to the jacket.

Jan Bones' V-Neck Camisole pattern was used for this cheerful top cut on the bias.  There is a small bit of topstitching along the neckline.  I used a Microtex 80/12 for precision stitching.

I have been playing around with my serger, learning different stitches and overall experimenting.  So all raw edges on this little top were serged.  What I really like is the serged hem - this gentle and flirty lettuce hem. 

Although I didn't plan to wear these two items together, they certain look terrific.  With a pair of white slacks I have the perfect outfit for Janome Institute - a wholesale dealer show - next month in Orlando.  Plus I have a cheery Swarovski daisy pendant that will be perfect bling. 

 ....... just 10 more sewing projects to go!

See my teaching schedule at consumer sewing shows at www.SCHMETZneedles.com.

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Dancing Digital Quilts

Spinning pinwheels. . .  Waltzing fans. . . .  Dancing log cabins. . . .  Here's a wonderful 6 minute film presented by the National Film Board of Canada.  You are sure to dance a jig on the way to your sewing machine.

http://www.nfb.ca/film/quilt/?ec=20110209
QUILT Directed by Gayle Thomas, Music by Normand Roger


Thanks Linda for sharing this delightful video!
If only I could quilt and sew as quickly as this QUILT film!

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Sizzling Summer Sewing

When it's too hot to garden, what's a gal or guy to do?  My solution is sew, sew, sew.  Summer sewing is ingrained into my being.  It first started with summer 4-H sewing projects.  Lugging my Mom's sewing machine to the county fair grounds to sew in the 4-H building - a hot, raw quonset.  This structure certainly served its purpose as a gathering place for teens and their projects, but wow, the summer heat of that building still sears my memory.  Even when living in NYC I spent many summer weekends shopping in the fabric district and sewing on weekends.  Two weeks ago I posted summer sewing projects of a few friends, so now I'll show you a few things in my stitching que:

Connie Crawford for Butterick #5047

Well actually I can cross this project off my list.  It's finished, has been professional pressed and I have already worn it twice.  This wool blend two piece dress is a Butterick pattern designed by Connie Crawford.  I love the princess seams and 3/4 length sleeves.  For a little bling Swarovski buttons were used.  The pinwheel skirt with 8 panels was fun to sew.  I love the flair and ease of this pattern, in fact I plan to make it again in a fuchsia wool gabardine.  I am still trying to master fit, and did a very good job of fitting the jacket front - the princess seams were so easy to tweak for my curves.  Next time I'll have to concentrate more on fitting my back jacket, but I just cannot coordinate my hands and pins with my back in a mirror - you know what I mean?  Perhaps it really is time to get a dress form!



Fashion Patterns by Connie #CS1001 Spiral Wrap

Here's another Connie Crawford pattern that I love.  In fact when I saw Connie last month in Chicago I tried on her Spiral Wrap sample - see my June 3rd post - I'm modeling her wrap and wearing my gray wool two piece dress.  Wool is my all time favorite fabric.  While at the 2011 Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA I found this beautiful Pendleton wool plaid in tones of pink.  I cut the wrap out a couple days ago and now just need to serge the edges.  A fast and fun fashion accessory to punch up my wardrobe!

Fashion in Harmony #803 Magic Bias Dress

My favorite dress to wear while teaching and promoting SCHMETZ at consumer sewing shows is my Magic Bias Dress by Fashion in Harmony.  My current dress is made of polyester knit in two-tone blue, black and white circles, then has a black and cream stripe bias insert.  It's an unusal looking dress that travels well, looks great and is comfortable.  I just cut out this same pattern in a luxurious black Italian wool crepe.  The entire dress is cut on the bias.  I can only imagine how wonderful this bias dress will drape and feel.  Magical, I'm sure!

Jan Bones Lingerie Secrets V Neck Camisole

Jan Bones is a master at lingerie design and construction - I would love to take one of her classes.  In March at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo I picked up a few of her patterns.  This wonderful little V-Neck Camisole is already cut out of a bright yellow print rayon.  I was hoping to have enough fabric to make a matching skirt, but will have to opt for a coordinating skirt - maybe, we will see.  Although this is a lingerie pattern, it translates nicely into a casual summer top that will be worn with a little skirt or jeans.

14 Sizzling Summer Sewing Projects

A few days ago on the guest room bed I lined up my summer sewing projects - 14 in waiting!  I will be showing them or wearing them at upcoming sewing shows.  When it's too hot to garden, I'll be inside stitching away with the comfort of air conditioning and enjoying the garden view from my sewing room. 

What are your summer sewing projects?

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Quilting, Stitches & Craft Expo, Reno 2011

Reno - The Biggest Little City in the World, - was host to the Quilting, Stitches and Crafts Expo at the Grand Sierra Resort.  The Midwest Ya Ya Sisters performed a hilarious gig with Midwest practicality, sewing know-how and lots of laughs.  Rita is the master of the t-shirt make-over especially with zebra stripes while Mary cleverly repurposes shrunken wool sweaters. 

Rita and Mary each taught separate classes earlier in the day.  Rita, author of Life is Not a Dress Size, talked about "feeling like Cher and looking like Rosanne", in other words, living in the fat lane with a positive outlook regardless of body type.  Rita says, "Be comfortable with your body and let your love of sewing dress you well."

Find comfort and confidence in great looking jackets.
Rita and an enthusiast student.

Mary, the Sweatshirt and Applique Goddess inspired students with her latest clever ideas for fashionable cooks, nontraditional zipper uses and sew green makeovers. 

Mary teaching from her books and patterns.

Don't miss a chance to see the dueling Midwest Ya Ya Sisters.  Laughter will keep you rolling in the aisle, while wit will sneak up with useful "a ha" moments.

Mary and Rita with a Midwest Ya Ya fan!

One of the pleasures of doing a consumer show is seeing creative outfits.  This is one of my favorites.

Love the black and white floral pin which...

relates to the black and white dots on the back.  Great use of color blocking to show off quilt motifs!

Another delight was meeting Cindy Walter, author of Snippet Sensations.  Cindy is a master at pictorial quilts.  She taught a class Pictorial Snippet Sensations using her fusible technique that makes complex landscape quilts not only accessible, but a snap.  Cindy's favorite needle is SCHMETZ Topstitch size 90.

Cindy and Snippet Sensations

Cindy has a new book coming out soon on fabric painting and I got to see the cover quilt.  Colorful and ...... I look forward to seeing this new book.

Cindy with the cover quilt of her new book, Fabric Painting 

 Check dates for more upcoming QSC Expos this fall in Cincinnati, Lincoln and Oklahoma City.  http://www.qscexpos.com/

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Shipshewana Quilt Festival 2011

Last week was the Shipshewana Quilt Festival in beautiful northern Indiana.  Bucolic hills among the Amish back roads of LaGrange County, friendly residents and wonderful comfort foods contributed to a memorable shop hop weekend for quilt lovers. 

Kaye England was the feature speaker.  Her "Memoirs of a Quilter" was a light-hearted conversation about quilt making with lots of beautiful quilts.  Kaye is a staunch 1/4" seam user, not a scant 1/4", but a 1/4" with the needle in the middle position of the machine foot.  I really appreciated her take on a scant 1/4" since it never made sense to me especially when a ruler with exact measurements is used.  Kaye has an extensive quilt collection of antique, civil war, 1800's era quilts.  Kaye's "Threads of Time" quilt collection - about 40 quilts - were magnificently displayed at the Hostetier's Hudson Auto Museum in the Shipshewana Town Center on impeccably restored 1900's Hudson cars.  Oh, I wanted to take pics soooo bad, but photos were not allowed. 

Besides authoring and publishing books, Kaye designs fabrics for Wilmington Prints.  Her Bread & Butter collection was unveiled at Yoder Shopping Center. 

This was my third year to teach SCHMETZ Needle Education at the Shipshewana Quilt Festival.  I always love talking with quilters and sewing enthusiasts in this delightful venue.  And to take quilting a step further along 90 miles of scenic roads are 18 quilt gardens in full bloom among 90,000 flowers.  Colorful!!! 

It's shop hop season and quilters are gleefully adding to their fabric stashes.  The Cotton Corner was not only part of the hop, but also celebrating their s.p.a.c.i.o.u.s new location.  Linda and her staff took a few minutes between sales for a couple pics. 

Imagine my delight when I saw their SCHMETZ needle display on their checkout counter. It's an easy reminder to start projects with a new needle or at least to pick up a couple needle packs rather than find yourself at 2AM without the appropriate needle.

Plan to attend the 2012 Shipshewana Quilt Festival - June 20 - 23, 2012.
http://www.shipshewanaquiltfest.com/

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Summer Projects

It's officially summer.  What summer projects are on your list?  Let's see what a few friends are stitching up:

4-H projects will soon be due. 
Bailiee models her newly sewn purple pansy skirt.  In a few days she will finish sewing a black top. 

Mary created this wonderful Irish Chain which is . . .

now the summer hand quilting project of The Piecemakers.
Garneta and I share a few good laughs while stitching. 

Mom studied these blocks purchased last summer at a family auction.
With them she is creating a small quilt to auction again at the next family reunion.

Rita loves zebra print.
How will she incorporate these felt squares into her sewing projects?

Yes, it is summer time.  Time for sewing machines to sing.

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