Monthly Archive for June, 2010

CATHEDRAL WINDOWS PILLOW

Published on June 22, 2010 in patchwork and the workroom. 22 Comments Tags: cathedral windows, johanna masko.

I’ve been so curious about cathedral windows since I first heard of them from Jill. It seemed like a very complicated fabric origami process that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around. In situations like these, it’s best to call in an expert. Lucky for us, Johanna is not only a quilting whiz, but she also has an uncanny knack for cracking open complicated patchwork and devising a clever and simplified solution. (see – English Paper Piecing & Double Wedding Ring Quilt)

At the first Cathedral Windows class, an eager group of quilters gathered round the table to learn Johanna’s wonderful new method for this sculptural patchwork. It does not disappoint. This method is quick, easy and saves loads of fabric too. I wanted to make a cathedral windows pillow to go with the new quilt I’m working on. The quilt will have lots of greys and purples. I chose to use the Moda Crossweaves as my background fabric. It has more texture than a plain solid and I love the soft feel of it. I had a really hard time choosing my ‘feature fabrics’ to go in the middle of the windows. I wanted to make them all different, but in the end went with some Liberty of London scraps from a coat I made a few years ago and a plum tonal print. I left the squares in the outer perimeter without feature fabrics and I really like the way that looks.

For my next cathedral windows project, I’d like to add some to a piece of clothing!

STYLISH DRESS BOOK 3 : TOP "Y"

Published on June 21, 2010 in japanese dress/craft and stitchery. 10 Comments Tags: Stylish Dress Book.

Stylish Dress Book 3 (available at the workroom)
Top ‘Y’ : French General ‘Rouenneries’

I wore this new top to the Yard Sale Trunk Show for the first time. A few of you have already spotted me in photos and asked if the top was from Stylish Dress Book 3. Wow, you guys are REALLY good! I’m so impressed.

I wanted to make this one for a few reasons. Firstly, it wasn’t a dress. I need more tops in my wardrobe! I also liked the shoulder ruffles. I decided to use this pretty French General fabric. The ruffles feel a bit like wings, but I think they’ll soften up as I wash the fabric more. I think they would drape much nicer and softly with a cotton voile or tana lawn cotton. I used the rolled hem foot to create perfect tiny hems on edge of the ruffles. I’ve been using this foot more and more and really love it.

This is a fairly simple pattern – bias tape up and around the neckline and along the armholes with some gathering along the waist. I love the billowy look and the long side ties. I’m thinking about putting a little hook and eye at the neck to hold the top together. Otherwise, I need to make myself some cute tank tops to layer underneath.

p.s. Have you heard of New Dress a Day? Marisa is impressively remaking 365 thrifted dresses on a budget of $365. Wow!

365 : MAY

Published on June 20, 2010 in 365. 4 Comments Tags: 365, mosaic.

365 : 121| 365 : 122 | 365 : 123 | 365 : 124 | 365 : 125 | 365 : 126 | 365 : 127 | 365 : 128 | 365 : 129 | 365 : 130 | 365 : 131 | 365 : 132 | 365 : 133 | 365 : 134 | 365 : 135 | 365 : 136 | 365 : 137 | 365 : 138 | 365 : 139 | 365 : 140 | 365 : 141 | 365 : 142 | 365 : 143 | 365 : 144 | 365 : 145 | 365 : 146 | 365 : 147 | 365 : 148 | 365 : 149 | 365 : 150 | 365 : 151

It might seem like I’ve abandoned my 365 project, but I’m still taking a photo a day. I’ve just been a bit slack in posting them. I’m trying to get back into posting them up more regularly. I’ve added a button on the side of the blog to take you directly to the photo set if you’re wanting to take a peek at my photos there!

YARD SALE TRUNK SHOW PHOTOBOOTH

Published on June 17, 2010 in local, photography and the workroom. 8 Comments Tags: Celine Kim, photobooth, Yard Sale Trunk Show.

It didn’t rain on Sunday! The Yard Sale Trunk Show was so much fun. For the first time we had vendors out in the backyard, which made the show feel more spacious. Kessa brought along a tent, just in case of rain and it fit perfectly on the patio.

The highlight for me was Celine’s outdoor photobooth. I approached Celine a little while ago with the idea and wondered if it might be something she would like to try. Little did I know that she would take the idea and make more marvelous than I could have imagined. Celine worked with Rosalyn to create the sunny yellow backdrop. Now I’m in love with yellow! The night before the show, Celine & Jin arrived with a box of tools and worked to rig up the backdrop, a cute wooden ‘photos’ sign, and string to drop the lights and fabric bunting from. All their hard work totally paid off. For fun props, we used cute cardboard diamonds that Rosalyn made and super sour lemon candies that Celine brought.

All the photos have been posted here on flickr. They are all so wonderful, happy and funny. I have already spent hours looking through them all.

We asked for donations towards Sketch for the photobooth and we raised $155 dollars. the workroom will be matching the amount and sending a cheque for $300 to this great organization. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to have their photo taken and making it such a huge success.

Celine, you are amazing. Thank you for your sunny disposition and hard work. Best. Photobooth. Ever!

YARD SALE TRUNK SHOW

Published on June 11, 2010 in local and the workroom. 3 Comments Tags: Yard Sale Trunk Show.

We’ve been extra busy at the shop getting ready for the Yard Sale Trunk Show this Sunday. We seem to be actually a bit giddy over having some of our favourite people all in one space for this show. Also, the talented Celine Kim will be doing a photobooth that you won’t want to miss. We will be asking for a pwyc donation towards Sketch, an art studio for street youth. The photos will be available to you on flickr after the show. So awesome.

The show will be happening rain or shine, but I’m asking for everyone to collectively demand no rain on Sunday so we can hang out in the backyard with you underneath the cherry tree.

BUTTON DOWN VEST

Published on June 8, 2010 in stitchery and the workroom. 10 Comments Tags: button down vest, the finishing list.

This was another project from my finishing list that just need a few last details to get it done. I simply had to hand sew the lining closed on the inside and secure the slider at the back.

I was pretty excited to take this class. I don’t usually like vests, but the idea of a one that was tailored to my size was very appealing. We also learned how to ‘clean finish’ the vest, which means that the entire thing is lined, but there are no visible seams. This is one of those sewing mysteries that gives you that ‘aha!’ moment when you learn it. Very satisfying.

I had made a tailored pencil skirt a while back and had some leftover plaid wool from that. I decided to make the vest to match, so that I would have a little set. For the lining and the back, I used a pink floral Lecien fabric that seems to go perfectly with the plaid. Instead of buttons, I actually used pink pearl snaps. the workroom recently acquired an industrial snap press which I couldn’t resist using for this project.

I love the final result. The vest fits like a glove and goes perfectly with my pencil skirt. Now I’ve got a ‘business lady’ outfit for any future ‘serious’ meetings (about fabric? craft fairs?) I may need to attend.

STYLISH DRESS BOOK 3 : DRESS 'W'

Published on June 1, 2010 in japanese dress/craft, stitchery and textiles. 20 Comments Tags: anna maria horner, Good Folks, Stylish Dress Book.

The one textile that I picked up when we went to Brimfield a few weeks ago was a vintage swatch of navy lace. I specifically was looking for something to go with this navy Anna Maria Horner ‘Good Folks‘ fabric for the yoke of a dress. When I found this swatch, I couldn’t believe how perfect it was. I have never seen a ‘plaid’-looking lace like this, but it certainly echoes the diamond pattern of the fabric. This particular vendor had lots of lovely lace swatches, but they were a bit pricey and so I decided to just get this one.

The pattern is the first that I’ve made from Stylish Dress Book 3. It is a slight variation on Dress ‘W’. Rather than create a separate skirt, I simply extended the bodice to make a short shift. I’ve been wanting to try doing a lace yoke on a dress for a while, I was a bit worried about sewing it and whether it would hold properly since the holes are rather large in between the lacey bits. I serged all the edges of the lace when I serged the rest of the pieces for the dress. I thought this would help to give it a bit more stability. The sewing was easier than I thought it would be. I was extra careful when attaching the bias tape around the neck since you can see through the lace to the underside of the bias tape. I think it turned out really well. I really like the little gathered sleeves on this pattern.

My special pocket detail this time used the fuschia Heather Ross mermaid fabric. Surprisingly, I haven’t used any of this fabric before and now I’m a bit sad that I didn’t have the foresight to stash a bit more of it away for myself. Oh well. I did just order the ENTIRE new Heather Ross Far Far Away 2 collection for the shop and I won’t make that mistake again.

Navy is where it’s at right now. I have another navy dress that I’m trying to finish off. (that’s 3 navy dresses in a row!) It has a super cute detail that I’m excited to show you!