Surface Design Inspiration from Shirley Adams

Shirley Adams is unfortunately retiring, but I managed to catch one of her last workshops.  She had so many  wonderful examples to show us!  These 3 photos are purse flaps.  The top picture is a print fabric with fringed squares on top to look like flowers.  She used 2 squares for each flower.  The middle picture is squares folded up twice and sewn through the middle with 2 bartacks.

This last picture shows two spirals made by a long bias strip sewn through the middle.  A fancy button goes right in the middle.  I love these techniques and hope to use them in the future!

Nice Detail by Mossimo

I always have this dilemma, sew it or buy it?  Clothes are so cheap these days that if I find something and I like everything about it- color, fit, fabric- I go ahead and buy it.  These shorts were on sale recently at Target for $12.99 each.  Picture shows inside view.  They are nice fitting, well made (2 rear welt pockets, fly front and 2 front pockets, bound seams) and I could barely make them myself for that price.  Plus they have that great pocket fabric inside (a fun way to use up scraps)!  This really annoys me because A) I feel like I should sew everything myself, B) I should be able to sew it cheaper than buying it, and C) If I'm going to buy it, it should at least be made in my country.  Oh well, I bought 3 pairs for knock around shorts.  And I love them.  Now I need to go sew something to make myself feel better.

Appliqued Coat by Shirley Adams

This is a beautiful coat by Shirley Adams.  She showed it at a recent workshop and I think it is so simple and elegant!  The leaves are all scraps, cut freehand and sewn down the middle.  What a striking effect!  

Pattern Review: Vogue 7693 Wrap Dress

This pattern is a few years old, but the design is universally flattering.  I have yet to see someone look bad in a wrap style dress.  This vogue pattern has a built up neck and mock wrap front with a center back zipper.  Of course, I can't leave anything alone, so I changed it to a front zipper and a real wrap!  It looks great on.  I underlined the skirt since it is a white print (rayon twill).  I sewed this to wear to my 25th high school reunion-eeek!  Sometimes I have found Vogue patterns are more difficult than they really need to be, but this pattern was clearly written.  I also wanted a small bag to carry a camera and essentials in, so I just happened to have this fabric (I love it when this happens) that goes great with the shoes and dress!

I lined the bag in a purple quilted fabric for body.

I am really pleased with how it all came together.  Unbelievably, I only bought the shoes, the rest was made from fabrics, pattern and supplies I already had in my sewing room!

Welcome New Rats!

I love cats, but I also love rats!  My son wanted his own for his birthday, so here are Stripe and Cloud riding on Alice's back.  There are about 2 months old.  They are boys, like my son, even though girl rats keep a tidier cage.  We are thrilled to have rats again.