Easy Spring Skirt Class

Skirt Class at Quilting Adventures

Easy, beginner class on March 10,2013. We will sew a 31" long a-line skirt with an elastic waist and French seams. The a-line skirt is flattering on all figures and looks great in any season! Dress it up or down, it is a classic. Register at Quilting Adventures today!

Patchwork Pillows

I love using what I have on hand- its like getting it for free (almost).  So I already had these upholstery scraps and trim pieces.

I simply combined the odds and ends together.  The backs are all overlapping- no zippers, with removable 12"x16" forms.  I am slowly using up my stash (to make room for more fabric!).

Shhh- Don't Tell the Cat: Bird Appliqued Pillows

I recently finished these pillows- 16"x16".  They have an overlapped back, with a removable pillow form.  I received a lovely songbird datebook as a gift and it has been inspiring me to do something with birds.  I traced the outline of a Northern Mockingbird (the datebook has photos of birds each week).  Then used the tracing as a pattern for the raw edge applique. 

I free motion stitched around the birds.

Feline Friday- Hand Painted Platter

I would love to say I did this, but my very talented 13 year old did!  We went to All Fired Up recently and she was inspired.

Happy Friday!

Craftsy's Valentine's Sale

From 2/14-2/17, Craftsy is running a Valentine's Day Sale and classes are up to 75% off! This is a great time to try them out if you haven't already!

Collar Necklace Tutorial

Last night on Pretty Little Liars, Ashley Benson (who plays Hanna), was wearing the cutest collar necklace.  I was inspired to make my own!  On our TV it looked like pearls on black, although after looking online just now, it looks more like yellow on metal mesh. 
Here's my how to:

Place a towel, piece of paper and crew neck t-shirt on a table.  Use a pin to poke holes through the paper, in the shape of the neck.

If you look closely, you can see the pin holes.

Use a French Curve to draw a collar shape coming down from the pin marked neckline. 

Fold paper in half (so both sides will match) and trace the shape.  If you don't have a light box (I don't), just hold it on the window glass (in daylight) and trace.

I love using supplies I already own.  Here is pre-quilted navy silk velvet and gunmetal gray silk shantung.  Just enough for this project!  Trace the pattern onto the wrong side of the fabric.  Since this fabric can be slippery, I sewed before I cut the piece out.  Stitch only the lower edges 1/4" seam allowance.  Insert the ties (see below) and continue stitching

but be sure to leave an opening for turning.

You could use ribbon, but I used some silk shantung bias strips (2" folded in half).

Clip curves, turn right side out.  Hand stitch the opening shut, tucking in the raw edges.

I attached pearl beads.

Cute!

I think this old t-shirt could make a neat collar too, with a completely different look.

Feline Friday- Make Your Own Style Book!

My 13 year old daughter made me a magazine for my birthday!  She wrote 20 pages of articles tailored to me: Spotlight on Curly Hair, DIY Fashion, Accessorizing Like a Pro, Sensitive Skin Savers, Top Beauty Products and more!  She even put together looks out of my closet and photographed them.  One article has how to make your own look book.  I took her advice and put together 24 outfits.  Very quickly, I arranged them on my bed and took photos.  The point is to remind me of different looks (the pics don't have to be perfect-just recognizable).  We all have our favorites and when rushed to get dressed, we tend to grab those so I did not photograph everyday favorite items. I concentrated on pieces I love, but for some reason don't wear that often.  After loading the photos on the computer, I went in to edit, selected all the pictures, clicked print, contact sheet.  Easy!
Here are a few: 

I was working really fast, so this one came out blurry.  Also, technical difficulties- blogger really wants these to be sideways, because when I open them, they are right side up!

Just continue to tilt your head to the right...

It was a lot of fun.  I'm going to do a spring/summer Look Book too. 
And of course, Emma wasn't too far away-

Don't Forget to Sign Up!

Just a reminder that the Fresh Out of the Box Sewing Class is starting soon!  The registration deadline is February 12, 2013.  Hope to see you there!

Time to Start Planning your Spring/Summer Sewing

Now is the time to start planning your Spring and Summer sewing.  Even if you already know how to sew, I can coach you through the tough bits.   I offer individual private lessons all year.  Some students sign up for a weekly spot and others just need help every now and then.  I am flexible.  Plus, anything I can answer by phone or email is free!

Feline Friday- A Cat Shelf

I asked my husband to make a shelf so I could ride my exercise bike and be on the computer at the same time.  You can guess who quickly moved in!  The cats love the sunny window location.

It was a tricky design, because I wanted to be able to remove it to shut the curtains at night.

It simply slides off to remove, but it is very sturdy.  It hooks under the window and has a support underneath.

It actually works great for my laptop too!