Unfinished Projects

You may recall (or maybe not!) that back in June I went to the quilt show here in Columbus, and came home all motivated to make a quilt.  So I started one.

I found a set of twelve fat quarters in my stash (imagine that!) and decided that they would make a pretty quilt.

I got 12 blocks made, drew out a plan for the rest of the layout, bought a couple more fabrics to be able to finish up, then got busy making items for my summer craft shows.

I think it's time to finish this one up!

So that's my plan for today - along with some boring laundry....

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Hello? Anyone there?

I know, it's like I went missing.  It's not like I haven't been working on a lot of different things, but it's hard for me to sit down and write about it.

So here's what I haven't shared lately.

1. For my birthday last year (2011) I got this great Singer Steam Press.  The first time I used it, I had too many other things (mainly my regular iron) plugged in and I blew the breaker.  We had to have some electrical work done for something else, so they looked at the power into my sewing room, and told me 'deal with it'.  So I finally decided that I wanted to try it out.  I turned (most) everything else off and found that it was ok to use.  So I've been using it for fusing my interfacing and fusible fleece, AND I LOVE IT!

2. I've been making lots of box pouches - I make them in two sizes.  I think my most popular fabric is the cat faces, which is out of print, so once they are gone (and the one yard I have left), that's it.  I also sell several of the 'manly' fabrics - the houndstooth (available in several colors) - check out the new black and white - pretty cool, huh?  I made two sets this year for wedding parties.  I think they make pretty good groomsmen gifts.  I imagine they could be great for the bridesmaids too, but haven't had anyone request that.





3. I only had one show in August - it's usually such a hot month and miserable for shows - so of course this year, it was pretty pleasant since I didn't do any.  I have a pretty light schedule for the rest of this year - I have two in September and one in October and I'm done for the year.  I'm planning on concentrating on online sales during the fall and winter.

4. To that end, I've been working on pricing, shipping, description, tags, etc.  It's a lot of work when you have close to 400 listings.

So stay tuned and see what comes next!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Project Complete!

Yep, after about 8 years of prcrastination, I've completed the new valance and sheers for my dining room windows. 

The color in the photo isn't very good - how do you take pictures of a window with light coming in at you?  Maybe I'll try again once it's dark to see if that's any better.

The valance is three pieces - the pattern calls it 'scalloped swag with jabots'.  There is beading along the bottom of the center piece and inside and bottoms of the jabot pieces. 

The pieces are mounted on a board and the husband was nice enough to hang them up for me (I hate getting on a ladder or step-stool eve - two steps is my max).

The sheer I just slightly gathered widthwise, and then I folded the bottom up on either side to  make it as if it were a partially pulled up roman shade.

I think the procrastination was because of the sheer - horrible fabric to work with in my opinion.  The valance pieces were very easy to do.

Now I can feel ok about making new curtains and pillows for my great room to go with the new couch.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

At Last - Or Better Late Than Never?

We bought a new couch for our great room.  I didn't think there was anything wrong (really) with the one we had, but the husband wanted to get one - so I broke down and we ordered one at the end of December, and it finally was delivered yesterday.  If you follow me on Twitter you know that when it was delivered I wasn't too sure it was going to fit like we'd anticipated - it's a small sectional and wider than the couch we were replacing.  Shifting some other items around (mainly switching one of the end tables for a smaller one) got it all in and so we are adjusting to the change.

Of course, a new couch made me need to look for fabric for new curtains, new throw pillows, etc.  I didn't find anything that I liked (well, not enough to pay the price for it), but it reminded me that many years ago I bought fabric to replace the window treatments in the dining room.  The dining room is the only roon that I didn't make.  I've lived in this house about 13 1/2 years and I've made several variations for the master bedroom and bath, but not done the ones for the dining room.

As you can see from the photo (yes, that is Layla on the dining room table - bad kitty!) currently I have curtains with coordinating scarf swags across the top and down each side on a decorative rod.

I'd wash these again, but I think the curtain will fall apart if I do.

Stay tuned for the new look!

Happy Sewing,

Susan

Projects

I looked back at what I've written about and I see a trend. Mostly I write about things that I have in process, and that I don't seem to get done!

My last entry was about cleaning and re-organizing my sewing room. I did it - sort of. I discovered that I just don't have enough room available to organize it. So I shifted some piles around and called it done. Of course, I've bought more fabric since then (as if I needed any more).

I have my crazy patchwork jacket - it's still hanging on the door of the sewing room - I have beads that I want to put on it - but handsewing anything is not really my favorite thing to do - so it's still hanging there.

I could go on..... Instead I'll write about something that I did complete - a new bag for my mom and a new wallet style!

My mom uses a walker, and so I've made her a couple of bags, but she deserves a new one once in a while - so I dug out this beautiful green fabric and made her a new one. I (imagine!) had forgotten about this fabric - I think the varying shades of green are lovely - and the hearts just make it extra special.




I used the twin needle to quilt it - I really love the effect! I think she will like it too.


So along with the purse, I decided to make her a new wallet - she doesn't have a lot of stuff to put into one - the one she has now is huge - so I decided to try a new style and see how it works.

It's full sized wallet (about 7" wide) and folds in half, with a velcro tab to keep it closed. On the outside, I put a zipper section and a pocket section behind. Inside I did another zipper and pocket section on the bottom, and on the top, I did a row of credit card/id holders (5 pockets) with a pocket behind.

I think I'm pleased with the style - but I should have cut it about 1" longer for folding - and my velcro attachment was a little low on the wallet for the length that I made the tab. I think this is a style that you will see in my etsy shop in the coming weeks.


Here are some pictures!

Outside - foldover tab with velcro closure

Other side of the outside - zippered section with pocket behind.





Inside pictures - completely open - bottom section has zipper and pocket behind - top section has five card slots (credit cards/id, etc) with a pocket behind it also.

I'd love to have feedback on this configuration - feel free to leave me comments!

Hopefully my next post will also be accomplishments also, and not just my procrastination!


Have a good one!

Susan