Friday, July 30, 2010

My First Quilt Ever

I made this probably when I was 6 years old.  Just tall enough to reach the foot pedal!
My first "quilt" is really applique.  I hemmed the bottom piece and then sewed each square on top.  I keep it on my bulletin board in my sewing room.  About 5" x 6", it looked great in my dollhouse!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Book Review: Koos Couture Collage

It is so hard to sew during the summer with my kids home, so I was rooting around in my closet and found this vest I made a few years ago.
I was inspired by "Koos Couture Collage" by Linda Chang Teufel.  Published in 2002, 107 pages of beautiful examples of clothes by Koos van der Akker. 
He does a lot of applique and bias binding, both of which can be tricky.  The leather leaf wanted to stretch while I was sewing it and going around circles with bias requires patience.


I free hand cut the leaves.  I like the challenge of using what is already in my sewing room.  Can you believe I didn't buy anything for this project?
 
This is the back view.  Originally, I thought I would make it reversible, but I changed my mind.  The lining is striped.


Then, a year later, I was in a thrift store and saw this Koos sweater jacket!  He sells on QVC. 

It was neat to see an original Koos in person after drooling over the pictures in the book!


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Pattern Review: Wallet & Grommet

I love this fun bag by Maple Island Quilts www.mapleislandquilts.com   The large grommets add a different, modern look to it.  It took me 1 hour and 40 min. to make (and another 25 min. for the wallet).  It is padded, lined and easy to sew.  The grommets are easy to attach- they snap on.  I was a little nervous cutting the holes in it.  Just take a deep breath and make sure you've got the placement just right!

I'm teaching a class at Quilting Adventures August 3,4.  www.quiltingadventures.com    

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Christmas in July sale on Etsy (CIJ)

Free shipping (to the continental US) on lots of items in my shop during July!

Be sure and check it out!

http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com/  

Friday, July 9, 2010

Rats enjoy Some Water Play

                                               The rats are enjoying a little swim in the pool. 
Stripe likes the sprinkler on a hot day.

Stripe and Cloud dance in the water.
Stay cool everyone. 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Kids' Crafts- Baby in a Basket and Dinner Plate

I just finished up Vacation Bible School at our church (it was great fun!).  Here are 2 projects that are incredibly easy to do at home or in a group.  Plus they don't need to have a religious aspect to them, if that doesn't suit your needs (such as a secular playgroup or birthday party).  The kids were 5-10, boys and girls, they all enjoyed making them.  Allow about 30 min.
This first one is Baby (Moses) in a Basket.
This is my example. 
With the kids, we cut the top half off a lunch bag, and rolled the sides down to form a basket.

Then roll up the handle and trim to the right size.  Staple to the basket bottom. 

The baby and blanket is a 9"x9" square of fabric.  Place several cotton balls in one corner for the head.  Wrap a pipe cleaner around the neck.

Add a face.

Decorate the baskets and "blankets" as time allows.
Everybody loved their babies and each one is delightfully different!

The Dinner Plate was about loaves and fishes, but you could really make whatever the kids wanted to.  We used newspaper for the fish, cut 2 out, staple together and stuff with bits of paper.  The bread is the same.  The greens are just flat.  They got to decorate them anyway they wanted.

Easy projects, no glue or paint that needs drying.  Plus, the kids can express themselves by how they decorate the projects!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

More Fabric Inspired Cakes

These are amazing- fabric inspired cakes!  Almost too beautiful to eat.  My favorite is the calico cake, but the crewel cake and lace ones are gorgeous too!  http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/fabric-cakes