A Funny thing happened on the way to my sewing room...

I was painting the sewing room cement floor and had just finished, backing my way out of the sewing room when I looked up and realized both cats were still in the room.  I thought to myself, "surely they wouldn't jump down on the floor" (usually they jump on furniture to get out of the room- from freezer to sewing table to stairs etc.).  You can guess what happened next.  First Emma jumps down and starts taking a step, shaking her paw, taking a step shaking her paw.  Then she runs into the kitchen and on into the rest of the house leaving forest green foot prints every where.  While I clean up after her, Alice jumps down.  Then she jumps back up onto the sewing room table after running around it first.  I jump onto the sewing room table and try to clean up after her while holding her down so she can't make a bigger mess.  Paint rags fall onto the freshly painted floor.  In the end, we have 10 feet and a tail covered in forest green paint.  As I write this, they are still trying to get back in the sewing room!  Unfortunately I don't have pictures.

Seat Cushion Covers

So this is what I have been working on lately: 8 seat cushion covers!

My customer chose the fabric and sent me the measurements.

I think they turned out great!  The butterfly pillow, below, is a nice addition.

The cushions have a long zipper that wraps around 2 corners for easy on and off.

When applying the piping, be sure and clip the corners so it will bend around.  This shows the piping being attached to one top piece.  I used a regular foot here and then used a zipper foot for the final sewing so the stitches will be less likely to show.

To join the piping, I clipped the inside cord so it would just meet.  The tan fabric is longer so the raw edges of one side can be turned under for a neat finish.

 

Just in time to enjoy the beautiful weather!

 

A Real Orchid Lei from Hawaii!

Aloha Island Lei sent me this beautiful Butterfly Orchid Lei to try!  It arrived right before Mother's Day (lovely timing!).  It was packaged with a cold pack that was still cold even though it was 86 degrees outside that day.  I followed the directions for keeping it fresh (in a bag, in the fridge) and it stayed beautiful more than 10 days.  I had a lot of fun wearing it to a dance party.  Everyone was very interested in the lei.  It was surprisingly comfortable to wear and I felt very special!  I could see giving it to honor mothers, birthdays, graduations.  For a different look they offer a Kukui Nut Lei.

Receiving this lei was fun also because I have a sister living in Hawaii and my mother, aunt, and grandparents used to live there too.  It brought back fond memories for them.

I am inspired to sew my beautiful Hawaiian fabric now.

Thank you Aloha Island Lei!

Organized Sewing Tips from Red

Here are some great tips from Red Red Completely Red about getting a little sewing done in the time you have.  http://redredcompletelyred.blogspot.com/2013/05/planning-for-possibility-of-time.html
These tips work great for garment sewing as well as other crafts.

Flip Quilt- Easy, Easy, Easy

I had lots of similar floral upholstery scraps so I decided just to use them all together in a super easy Flip Quilt.  Here is the quilt before binding.

All finished, on my sofa.

Binding close-up.  I used fabric I already had.

Back of the quilt.  Did I say this is really quick and easy to sew?  Perfect for people who say they don't do quilts!

Take a FREE class- Help a good cause

On May 18th, Craftsy is hosting Free Class Day to benefit DonorsChoose. For one day only, new members can choose one free course from a selection of favorite Craftsy classes, up to a $39.99 value! If you haven't taken a Craftsy class yet, Saturday is your chance to sign up for your first by choosing from classes in quilting, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, and more.

If they meet their goal of giving away 10,000 classes, Craftsy will donate $5,000 to DonorsChoose to fund arts education in public schools across the US. Existing members are not eligible for the free course offer, but will still receive a special treat. Click here:  http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=484784&u=706178&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack= for your free class!

 

Recently Spotted on My Sewing Room Table

Stamping supplies, and a dictionary.  I always wanted to have a craft room available for my kids with lots of supplies.  Some days we are all in here together doing homework and artwork.  I am happy, even if there is no room to sew!

Here is a recent project I did for a customer.  She brings me the most interesting things to work on.  This pillow is from one of her many travels and she had a framed Indian embroidery that

she wanted sewn on top.  Why? you may ask. 

The pillow had an odd center- very plain, yet surrounded by beautiful gold and pearls. 

 The embroidery was on organza so I backed it with a lavendar wool scrap I had.   

Etsy now offers Instant Downloadable PDF Sewing Patterns

Great news- now my etsy customers can download my sewing patterns instantly!  No waiting!  Start sewing while you are inspired and in the mood. 

Minis on Craftsy

 Craftsy's mini-courses have the same great content as their full length classes, but feature student-led discussions and are shorter in length than regular courses. They are a perfect way to learn new skills and experience the Craftsy platform first-hand.

The next 2 free Craftsy mini-courses I'm going to take are:

1.Creative Quilt Backs: Make the back of your quilt just as interesting as the front! Oh, Fransson! blog author Elizabeth Hartman walks you through everything you need to know to make beautiful quilt backs.

2.QuiltCon Lecture Series 2013: As much as I would love to go, I'm not able to make it to Austin for the Modern Quilt Guild's inaugural QuiltCon. Watch some great  lectures from the event, given by Heather Jones, Angela Walters, David and Amy Butler, Jacquie Gering, and Mary Fons.

Check out all of the other free Craftsy mini-courses by clicking here.

http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=253536&u=706178&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=

Brighton Blouse Class

 

This blouse has fitting darts at the bust line, a flattering asymetrical neckline and hem,

by Great Copy Patterns

Class is May 18, 2013

Head over to Quilting Adventures to register!

Feline Friday- Yarn Bombing

I love the idea of random public works of fiber art!  My main thing is sewing, but I do dabble in knitting and crocheting.  I got really excited when I discovered these recent yarn bombings:

This one was along Monument Ave., Richmond, VA for the 10K in April each year.  There were pompoms hanging in the trees too.

I love this tree in Hampton,VA!  So fun and colorful. 

It is one street over from the Air and Space Museum.

Emma has not been yarn bombed, but she thought the picture would fit in!

(The afghan was a silent auction piece and I don't have the name of the maker).