Why wait till Christmas?

I think Christmas should be celebrated year round when it comes to sewing. My kids and husband are always asking me what I want for Christmas, and then they append that with "It can't be sewing related, you need something different".






So I decided this year to get my own sewing gifts for Christmas, and since I'm doing it myself; I don't have to wait to Christmas.


So what did I get:

• A fabulous fit dressform,

As you can tell I'm still in the process of padding to my size. My instructor with my sewing group is going to help me with the padding to get it to more to my size in the hip area. (I'll have to post the pics once we get it customized, and tell you about my amazing sewing group!).

• A Singer 500A! Yes I needed this like I need 6 inch stilleto heels (if you didn't know I'm 6 feet tall).

I just fell in love with this machine earlier this year! It just looked so "space-agey". And me being a tech-geek, and sci-fi groupie, I just couldn't resist it.

1. I'm so excited! I also have a 401A that I found at a thrift store for $20. Both work excellent. I love the older ones for topstitching, and sewing heavy fabrics.

I've learned to keep one setup with topstitch thread at all times. (It's so great not to have to re-thread my machine just to topstitch).



My story to my husband will be that I rescued a machine from winding up on the streets. His take is "doesn't your other machine do everything that one does". But I feel I'm doing my little bit to make sure all the sewing machines in the world feel loved and wanted (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).

• I got a Koala Treasure Chest Sewing studio with the extended height (YEA!). Its a dream come true for someone 6 feet tall. No more back ache from bending over. My sewing shop offered a very good discount, as they are replacing all of their Koala tables, and I didn't have to deal with the shipping fee they charge. It's made my sewing space look so much bigger.



• My best gift was that after attending the quilt show, my sister has now taken sewing lessons, and has joined the American Sewing Guild. Woo Hoo!!! Now me, my mom, and my sister are addicted to sewing. She's even set up her own sewing room! I told her now she can play with the "big dogs".

I'm working on a couple of projects and will post pictures over the next week.



Happy sewing everyone!

And what else did you do at the Quilt Festival

Glad you asked :)
We went back on Sunday after church for part 2. My mom found several fabrics with scriptures printed on it to use in her quilts.

I found the most amazing booth with vintage fabrics and even patterns. So of course I couldn't leave without getting a couple of them (BTW my sister also got a couple! - she's now determined to learn to sew.)



I also found these really neat fabric mini-bolts to help me organize my fabric stash (Yes, a seamstress can dream of organization; even though it may only be a dream). These are from a company called Polar Notions. It is designed for the quilter, but I've just done some of my other fabrics, and it freed up considerable space. I bought 20 each of the standard size (11" tall) and fat-quarter (5" tall) . The larger ones can hold up to 15 yds of quilt fabric. I hate to admit it, but my stash is to big, so I'll be ordering more
:

Oh and I met the author of the Fashionista Doll book. (I was star-struck again :) ). Needless to say my sister convinced me that she needed another doll to replace the one I made her many years ago. So I purchased the fabric to make one. I'm such a sucker when it comes to my sister!

We've decided to go again next year. Not only was the quilt conference fun, but it was great for just us girls to hang out.

International Quilt Festival!

All I can say is OH MY GOODNESS! This is more than I could have imagined! Myself, my mom, and sister just did our first day, and it was totally amazing. We didn't get to see all of the quilts because it was just overwhelming. I'll get to see the remainder on tomorrow.

I saw a quilt called "My Wyoming Valley" made by a quilter in Laramie, Wyoming. I had to take a picture to send to my daughter, because she's a U of Wyo cowgirl, and I know she is going to love it! BTW, I met Eleanor Burns! I love her books. I've been working on a quilt from her Underground Railroad Sampler book, and am starting a Sunbonnet Sue quilt in honor of my grandmother from one of her books. My mom and sister were just laughing at me, they called me a "quilt-star" groupie :)

Oh by the way, I didn't come to Houston alone. My former friend "Louise" came with me:

I say my former friend, because my sister has decided to learn to sew, so I bought her with me to meet my sister and see her new home! BTW, while I was here I convinced my sister to join the Houston Sewing Guild!

Oh well, gotta go get my rest, we're up early to see the remainder of the Quilt show on tomorrow.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's off to the Houston Quilt Festival I Go!!

Well, guess what, my sister and I decided we'd take my Mom to the International Quilt Festival in Houston this year! I'm excited.

My mom makes a lot of quilts that she gives to family, and sales at craft shows, etc. She calls it her "funny" money. I thought it would be great to take her to the quilt show, so she can see the artwork that can be done by quilting. I'm hoping we will be able to get into a class (don't know though since I waited late to decide to go).

I'm taking a dressform to give to my sister, and will be bringing back plenty of fabric I'm sure (so I'm taking a empty suit case ! :)

My mom and I tend to "enable" each other when it comes to sewing. My sister is just learning to sew, hopefully she will act as a "neutralizer", but who knows.

So off to the quilt show I go.

Fabric + Pattern = Dress

 

 

 

 

So this is the completed dress. The belting was found in  my stash, I just had to put a little gold buckle on it. The dress fabric is Liberty Cotton, and lined in swiss batiste. The skirt has a hang loose lining, and instead of hemming the lining, I sewed lace on the bottom (this is one of the techniques used in heirloom sewing – see picture).

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dress is really comfortable to wear.  I love how it looks and feels when I wear it.

 

Happy Sewing everyone!

Next project

This is my next sewing project, the fitted version.  I am in the process of re-sizing it.  I have the correct bust 36 size, but evidently since the pattern is sized for teen, the fit thru the chest is snugger than I like.  I’ve used this method of alteration:  http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/resizepattern.htm, with success.

I’m trying to decide if I want to use a brocade or a light weight denim.  I’ve got time, because I’ve got to get the fit done first.

The Patrons dress

So here is the white outfit I made of the Patrones issue 292, pattern #32.  I love the fit of it.  I just recently subscribed to the magazine, and can’t wait for the next issue.

Happy Sewing!