A new project . . .

I want to make this quilt.
It (and this photo) are from Anna Marie Horner, a fabric designer. I haven't picked the fabric yet. I'm looking at fabric.com, but I just can't decide. I could use her collections, but that seems like the easy way out. I'll keep you updated.

I'm sure this will take me FOREVER to finish, what with a small infant and going back to work in 3 weeks. Perhaps it will be done by next summer, along with that Winnataska t-shirt quilt I keep threatening to start.

So many projects, so little time. I guess I should go get the craft loft set up.

One for me and one for E.V.

So I did some sewing last Saturday. It was really fun. I used two patterns from a great new book by fabric designer, Heather Ross called Weekend Sewing. I made one thing for myself and one thing for the baby. (I'd love to tell you her name, but I'm afraid to jinx it, so we will go with her initials, E.V., for now.)

For myself, I made the Weekend-Away Travel Bag.

Purple make-up bag, approximate dimensions 9" x 7" x 3"

The outer fabric is by this Japanese designer. I ordered it from superbuzzy.com a while back and just got around to using it. For the lining I used some lavender fabric with purple dots from the Hancock that I had in my stash. I liked the pattern, but I'll probably make some adjustments next time I make this bag. I wasn't pleased with how it all went together in the last step, so I'll rethink that before I try it again. Overall, it is PERFECT for it's intended use: a make-up bag to take to the hospital.

For little E.V., I made Lucy's Kimono.

Kimono styled shirt with side ties in a super fun fabric with red Maltese crosses!!

The main fabric is by Amy Butler from her Belle line. The binding is by Sandi Henderson from her Farmers Market line. This was a super easy project. I'm going to make more of these. I'll probably have to adjust the pattern (currently newborn to three months) so that E.V. will have some longer-wearing jackets for the fall. The only problem with this pattern is that it calls for 1/2 yard of contrast bias tape for the binding and I used 1 and 1/2 yards. Most likely it was just a typo, and it wasn't that big of an issue since I made my own bias binding with one of these.

All in all, these were two fun projects that led to some nice "instant-gratification" sewing!

Another quilt...

A friend called me yesterday and commissioned a quilt for her cousin's yet to be born baby boy. It is SO much easier to find girl fabrics, but I love a challenge so I looked through what I had in the stash and found...
these two fabrics from the Ginger Blossom line by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller.

I took them to Hancock today to find something to go with them but struck out on finding stuff to match. Which was GREAT because I found these wonderful selections...
which I like even better. (Click for a larger view.) I have used the navy paisley on simple quilts before and I love it. I'm so pleased that I found three coordinating fabrics to work with it. I have realized that finding things to coordinate with designer fabric lines can be difficult, but that may be a mental thing, since they are introduced as a set. But it could be the matching of multiple colors across different fabrics.

Any way... I sketched three options for the top design...

Tried and True

Squared Away

Round Peg

I totally just make up those design names (and the designs) so there's no need to go googling for the patterns. I can't decide which I like the best, so I'll have to think about it. If you, dear blog readers, have any suggestions, just leave them in the comments.

I also bought myself this pattern. It uses 3 yards of knit, and I'm trying to stash-bust, so I might make two versions; one black and one in something else.Vogue 1027

One more picture, and then I'm going to concentrate fully on So You Think You Can Dance, which is my guilty pleasure, since Lost is on break.

Ginny on her perch.

A baby quilt

So my boss commissioned a baby quilt for her niece-to-be. The shower was today, so I think it is safe to post pictures now.


The highlighted fabric is Ginger Blossom by Sandi Henderson. You really should follow that second link and check out her blog where you can see her new line, Farmer's Market.
The light pink background and backing and the green binding are fabrics I picked up at Hancock. The quilt is about 30" x 42" and I used flannel instead of batting in the middle so that it would be nice and portable. The binding is hand sewn to the back, as shown in the picture below.
This was really fun to make and I can't wait to do some more. I think I might make a new quilt for the living room next.

I hope that it was a hit at the shower.

Don't be jealous...

but my sweet husband bought me some prizes at the Thrift Store today.

Just watch out. I'm so glad that I am now the proud owner of a Wheel of Fortune fanny pack. David suggested that I give it to my grandmother who is a HUGE Wheel fan. IS HE CRAZY!!! How could I let such a piece of Americana go. Fanny packs, while convenient, are ridiculous, as shown in the picture above.

If you are still using one, STOP. There is no need. Just stop NOW! Girls, carry a purse. Kavu make a nice one that is easy to carry across your body. Boys, I shouldn't even have to tell you to stop. I don't care how handy it is, STOP with the fanny pack. I'd rather see a man with so many tools on his belt that he looks like a poor imitation of Batman than a man with a tragically un-hip fanny pack. STOP!!

The only exception to this rule occurs at Camp Winnataska. For some reason, they are fine there, but only for the Comanches. Camp had fanny packs made for the asthma camp a few years ago and the Comanches still carry them. They look cute, and are the only people on the planet who look normal wearing them.

PS-I went to Hancock yesterday and bought Simplicity 3790 and 2971. Everyone working at the store was nice. And some were helpful as well. Perhaps things are looking up.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the quilt I made for my boss's future niece. It turned out really well.

Birmingham News article about Hancock...

I saw this article today while looking at al.com. It is about the renovation of the Hancock store in Hoover. I hope that it helps. Seeing that it is one of few fabric stores where I can conveniently feed my fabric addiction AND touch the merchandise, it won't change things much. I'll still shop there, but it would be nice not to be disappointed.

The rest of the article goes on to mention that "the prototype is to help customers and free staff to help with sewing projects." Um... I shop there about once a week, and there is only one friendly AND helpful employee. Some are friendly and some are helpful, but only one is both. Some are downright rude, not to me (most of the time) but to other people.

So there will be renovations and reorganizations and remodeling and sections... that's great. I hope they hire some helpful employees. Cut the bottom twenty, as my old employer used to say. I'd like some more people working there who know about fabric. I'd also like someone who works there to know about ordering some nicer fabrics. Like this, or this, or this, just to mention the quilting ones. I asked once if they had any Amy Butler fabrics. The two women at the cutting table said "WHO!?!?!?!?!" They then proceeded to tell me how no one would buy it and what they had is great. Shocking. Really shocking. Every once in a while you can find Alexander Henry prints in there, but it is rare. And most of the fashion fabric is poly blends. There is some lovely wool suiting on sale at 60% off right now.

And one more thing... quilting cotton does not have to equal scratchy 120 thread count grossness. It could be nice. And just because it is a printed woven cotton fabric doesn't mean it is destined for a split rail quilt... you can make a cute skirt or a top or a dress out of it. It is only "quilting" cotton if you make a quilt. Otherwise, it is woven cotton fabric.

I shouldn't be too hard on them. I have found a few really cute not too juvenile or geriatric cotton prints there, but that is the exception. I have bought some decent knits there, but most are scratchy polyester or no Lycra cotton.

Perhaps they are trying to play it safe and stay middle-of-the-road. Too bad that's where you get run over.

Geez. I should get off the soapbox.

If I get any more riled up, I won't be able to go to Hancock this afternoon.

Four Weeks And Two Days...

and she is using her leg about 25% of the time. Yahoo! She uses it when she isn't thinking about it. If she realizes what she is doing, she starts tripodding it again.

I'm off to get ready for work.

I'm doing a craft fair on March 1 and here's a few weekend goals:
-6 make up bags
-15 onsies
-cut out Burda 8087, the Janina pants (not for the craft fair, but fun none the less)

Off to get ready for work!

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Business and pleasure...

First, I'm sorry I've been away for a while. My mom, my friend Karen and I were directors at Camp Winnataska, the greatest place on earth. We had so much fun. When I got back, I hopped right into making my costume for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book release party. Normally I don't talk about business on my blog, but this is one of those times when they blissfully combine. I work at a fabulous library. We has a party from 10:00 to midnight so that people could come and pick up their reserved copies of the seventh Harry Potter book. There were games, costume contests, potion lessons, trivia, and so much fun! They asked me to dress up as the evil, vile, disgusting, mean Professor Umbridge. Here's my costume:

I had so much fun at the party. Scared some kids, gave some kids detention... it was a blast.

Here's another pic from the party of Professor Umbridge and Rita Skeeter:


A few details on the costume:

CAPE
Pattern: Simplicity 3959, View D & E hybrid
Fabric and Trim: The perfect purple and pink tweed from Hancock Fabric. The trim is a variegated chenille that was in the upholstery section.
Details: The cape pattern fastened in the middle (click for the line drawing) which wouldn't do. It wasn't too difficult to change. I cut the front piece on the fold instead of the selvages. The worst part of this plan was to redraw the pattern for the front and side front facings, but it wasn't that bad. The other major change was to omit the lining, which I didn't feel was necessary in Alabama in July. Four large fabric covered button holes, and that was that.

SKIRT
Pattern: Simplicity 4546, View A
Fabric: Linen, cotton, poly blend
Details: The only change to this was that I cut the skirt pieces on the bias.

Any other question... let me know.

Hem, hem
Elin "Professor-Umbridge" Glenn

A gift for my birthday buddy

So my friend Jennifer, has a beautiful daughter who was born on my birthday las year. Since I love my birthday, I find it cool that I know so many people who share it: (Mr. Carlson, Geoff, Eve, Dollie, and that's just the people I know), I thought I'd make Eve a new outfit. And since she is growing like a weed, I gave it too her a bit early so she might be able to wear it. The full pattern review is below the picture of the dress. I'll see if I can get some action shots.



My pattern review (from pattern review)
Hat and Panties
Back of dress

Pattern Description: infant dress, hat and panties

Pattern Sizing: s, m, l & xl, I made the xl (sized for 18-24 months).

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, but I lined the dress and the hat with a different fabric.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They we very easy to make. The pattern is listed as an "Easy Sew and Save." While it was easy, I expected this to be a quick project. It took me longer than expected, but was well worth the effort.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the hat and the dress. I think that there must be an easier way to construct the panties. If I make this again, I will do some experimenting to see what I can come up with.

Fabric Used: Outside: pale yellow with hot pink, green, and blue paisley. Inside: green and white small printed check. Trim: hot pink grossgrain ribbon

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I added pink ribbon to cover the side seams on the panties. I also lined the hat and the dress in a different fabric. I substituted the ribbon or the bias tape for the panty trim as well (which may have added to the difficulty in their construction.)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would make this again. It was a gift for a friends baby (who shares my birthday). It was an easy project with good results. I hope that it will be a quicker sew next time.

Conclusion I love this style of dress for baby girls. It looks so summery and comfortable. When I found this pattern on sale, I know that I had to buy it to make a gift for my friend's daughter/birthday buddy.

This shirt was a little sew and sew...

I made this knit shirt the other night and thought I'd let y'all see it. I got the fabric at the Eastwood Hancock for about $1.60 and had some left over. you can read the review below, but the short story is that printed stripes never line up correctly, and my stitch length was too short on the hems. I still like it and will wear it on weekends. I'm enjoying getting to know my new serger.

Pattern: Simplicity 4076

Pattern Description: Three knit tops with different sleve lenghts, often reviewed here on pattern review. Twist top, faux wrap top, scoop neck with gathers.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, but I shortened the sleeves of view c.

Were the instructions easy to follow? For the most part. I think that I will set the sleeves flat next time. Also, the directions for gathering the neck wasted the pattern piece, so I zig-zagged elastic to the front piece to created the gathers.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the versitility of the mix and match sleeve length. I might raise tthe neckline next time to make it a little more work friendly.

Fabric Used: Knit, 100% cotton,

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Shortened the sleeves and added one inch at the add mark one inch at the bottom. The neck gaps a bit, so next time I will rotate the back pattern piece to remove a bit at the top and shorten the neckband to accomodate that and the raising of the front neck line.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will sew this again, perhaps even the same view.

Conclusion I made this to test out my new serger, and as a muslin for some other tops I want to make. It looks fine, but I will most likely just wear it arond the house and on weekends. I think the stitch length I used for the hems was a little too short. I hate that the stripes are a bit off on the back, but oh well.