rough draft

I've been playing around with fabric, sketches, and embroidery floss while continuing to spiff up my sewing room. Although, when I go into experimental mode my room tends to get a wee bit (i.e. extremely) messy. Alas.

 

I tried ironing a laser printout onto the fabric and only about half of the design transferred onto the linen, so she's a bit wobbly in the lower part where I had to wing it. I may have to keep experimenting with it, though--this hand embroidery stuff is pretty fun!

And a little something else I've been toying with, so to speak. I debated whether to show the doll at this stage as the pattern still has a couple of kinks to work out (and obviously I haven't even closed up her stuffing holes yet!), but perhaps my sewing/crafty friends can tell me if I'm on the right track.

Happy Stitching!

my muses

Just pondering and daydreaming about fabric and sewing and sunny summer days....

What will your next sewing project be?

Mini sewing room project #1: the skirtain

Earlier this year, I finally got myself a tall work table. It's a lovely, big table with a great space underneath, perfect for storing my huge bins of fabric and felt scraps. However, I don't like looking at the bins of felt and fabric from the other side, so I decided to spruce it up a bit by giving her a skirt. (The table now wears a "skirt," so table = she)

I hemmed and hawed about what fabric to use (quilting cotton? vintage?) and finally settled on cutting into one of my prized vintage bedsheets, which turned out to be a good choice in more ways than one.

First, there was already a pocket at the top of the sheet, just right for putting in a curtain rod. And as luck would have it, it wasn't hemmed on the sides, so the pocket was already open (this is not true of all sheets, I know this because upon that discovery I immediately ran to check all my other bed linens). Second, the twin-sized sheet was the right width for the table, I didn't need to alter it at all. And third, the pink floral goes beautifully with a favorite yellow Denyse Schmidt geometric print, which I used to bind the bottom of the skirt (curtain? skirtain?). I did add an additional 5/8" seam along the pocket so there would be a little ruffle along the top, and then the 3/4" binding at the bottom. Put in the tension rod, and voila!

Ahhh...much more homey and cozy now. You can just see a glimpse of one of the bins behind the skirt. I did make it a tad on the long side because it's my dream/plan to get rid of the carpet at some point and I know it will seem like too much work to lengthen the skirt when the table sits a little higher off the floor.

Have you stitched up any little projects lately to brighten up your sewing space?

Happy Stitching,

Spring...?

I do believe that Spring has arrived here in Indiana. I know many of you in the Midwest and Northeast are still buried in snow (my condolences) but we are finally, finally starting to see some sunshine here, and thank goodness. I'm hopeful that after one (or two?) last frosts we will eventually get to start planting our garden!

But fortunately, even in the recent dreary weather, I have been lucky enough to sew with some gorgeous, colorful fabrics that went a long way in brightening my days.

I made these elephants with Maude Asbury's cute circus-y Bailey line, and matching felt bunting

And a couple of matryoshka dolls with Anna Griffin's Mirabelle prints. I just love how they look once I've finished their sweet smiling faces and before they've been stuffed

Here they are on my favorite shelf (I would love to show you an update on my sewing room but it is absolutely stuffed to the gills with felt, and I am back to rearranging everything again, see: The Story of My Life)

And speaking of Spring, all of these cuties will be on display at Market next month, so a big hug and thanks to Blend and Anna Griffin for sending all these great fabrics for me to play with!

What are you looking forward to when the weather gets warmer? Me? I can't wait to start planting vegetables and to be able to open up the house for some fresh air and spring cleaning.

Happy Stitching!

Chinoiserie

I wanted to let you know about a new collaboration I have with the lovely folks at Anna Griffin!

My pear and apple pincushion patterns are bundled with some gorgeous prints from Anna's Chinoiserie fabric line, available as a kit through HSN. In the kit everything you need to make 4 pincushions (including full color instructions, fabric, fusible web, embroidery floss, felt, and stuffing), and you can use the patterns afterward to make more pears and apples with your own fabric scraps! HSN only ships within the US, but you can also find Chinoiserie at your favorite online (and hopefully local) fabric shops.

Special thanks to Anna and Tracey and everyone else involved in this project, and I hope that at least a few of my readers will be able to take advantage of this great deal!

Happy Stitching,

Spring Cleaning

Popping in after a crazy Spring Break (not crazy in the traditional sense of beaches, parties, and fun, but having spent a week mostly indoors with 30 degree weather, one boy with cabin fever, and the other with an actual cold) to share a few Spring Cleaning goodies with you. 

 

I've listed several felt scrap packs in my shop--most for just $5.00 plus shipping--carefully curated for maximum softie-making. You can find all the bundles here. There is a limited supply of scrap packs, so grab them now while you can!  I'll be adding some fabric bundles in the next few days as well, keep an eye out!

Happy Stitching,

petite pachyderm

I've received a lot of questions lately about whether it is possible to reduce my elephant sewing pattern in size. A clever stitcher had posted a photo of a mini elephant on my Facebook page some time ago, which, of course now I cannot find (if that was you, please let me know so I can link to you!). Then more recently, Connie, from the lovely Modern Textiles, let me know that printing the pattern at 75% worked perfectly. So I just had to try it out for myself.

I set my photocopier to print the pattern pieces at 75%, and while sewing, I used a seam allowance of just under 1/4". The result is this adorable elephant, measuring about 6" tall. I also made the tail a little longer, so it would be easier to tie the knot. I've been asked if it is possible to set Adobe Reader to print smaller, and to my knowledge it is not, sorry!

 
If anyone has tried reducing any of my other patterns, I'd love to hear your results! Pocket sized bunnies or owls, anyone?

Happy Stitching!

Mod for Matryoshka

Are you "mad" for matryoshka dolls? Well now you can be "mod" for matryoshka with my latest sewing pattern! These cute and modern gals are just the thing to brighten up your day, perched on a bookshelf, holding your straight pins, or as a friendly doorstop.

This sewing pattern is perfect for beginners: there are photos for each step and lots of tips for sewing and stuffing. The pattern includes 3 sizes, small: 5-3/4”H, medium: 7-1/4”H, and large: 8”H. 

As always, if you ever have questions while stitching, please send them my way, and you are always invited to share your Retro Mama project photos at my Facebook page and flickr group. I can't wait to see your new matrioshkas, babushkas, and Russian dolls! 

Happy Stitching,

winsome winners

Thanks to all who entered the pattern giveaway! Three entries have been randomly selected by random.org:

And the winners are...

Congratulations! I will contact the winners shortly!

shop update and giveaway reminder

Three new colors are available in the shop: Cheesecake (a lovely pale creamy yellow), Honey (a gorgeous light blonde), and vanilla (a smooth off white).  Enjoy!

Also, my best-selling wool blend felt colors are now available by the yard!

 

And lastly, don't forget to enter the giveaway for the chance to win my brand new Matryoshka sewing pattern!  The winner will be announced Tuesday (Jan. 29).

Happy stitching!