I Am Embarrassed To Admit...

...that although I have been an avid and eager (read: addicted) collector (hoarder?) of printed cotton fabrics for many years, I somehow missed two wonderful fabric shops within easy driving distance of where I live. The first is about a 6 minute drive. How could I not know they were there??

Quilters Common, at 364 Main Street in Wakefield, MA, offers a HUGE selection of gorgeous, colorful fabrics: designer, traditional, batiks, kids, etc., lots of tools and supplies, as well as patterns and books. The owners Collette Emelian and Antoinette Evans, who are sisters, are friendly and fun, and if you want to take your coat off and poke around, they are happy to let you. Pull around back -- the entrance is near the parking lot. Visit today and prepare to be inspired!

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The other great shop I found is Quilter's Way, at 75 Commonwealth Ave. in Concord, MA. Owner Jane Barnett offers colorful, designer fabrics, notions, patterns, pre-cuts and more. Their innovative, online "Kit Designer" allows quilters to pair patterns with their own fabric choices for creative, one-of-a-kind projects. Classes and studio time are available so you can hang out with other like-minded souls who understand the appeal of great fabric. :) Visit them in person or online -- you won't be disappointed! 

How I missed these two gems is beyond me. I guess I'll have to chalk it up to my head being filled with "so many projects and so little time".

You Can Make This!

I am so happy to have my patterns available now through YouCanMakeThis.com!! Sisters Kim Christopherson & Kris Thurgood of the DIY Dish offer designers/patternmakers a bright and cheerful showcase to highlight fun and creative patterns.

More patterns to come!!

Show & Share

It's so much fun to see customer's creations!! Bonnie N. sent me a picture of her "Button Basket" project. I love her fabric choices and the fabric flower punctuates it perfectly! There are so many uses for these little baskets. They're great for organizing any little stash that needs controlling. They're quick and easy to make, requiring only basic sewing skills. Stitch up a whole bunch!

Thanks for sharing, Bonnie!

Oregon Patch Works

I've been a commercial embroiderer for 13 years now. I started out by embroidering and making Irish step dancing competition dresses. Through that, I found out how much I love designing for embroiderers and with the help of Oregon Patch Works Embroidery Designs Mall, I've been able to get my work out there and connect with others that share my passion for embroidery. Jackie, OPW's developer and owner, makes sure that customers are 100% satisfied. Over 100 designers offer creative and exciting designs including fonts, applique, in-the-hoop and free-standing-lace designs, quilt blocks and much, much more. There's something new everyday so visit often.

Button Basket Pattern Ready!!

Seedlings Sewing Patterns newest pattern -- Button Basket -- is ready!! This little charmer keeps all your teeny tiny things together in one spot. They are quick and easy to make, so you can make a bunch. Great as gifts, too!! The pattern also includes the "Happy Puffy Flowers" pattern so you can embellish the basket -- or anything you like!!

Ruffle Skirt Tutorial

This is a quick-and-easy skirt to make. It is sized for a 9-month-old with a 17" waist. You can customize it to the size you need by determing the waist measurement you need and the length you want and adjusting the main rectangle accordingly. This one is paired with a dollar-store snap-crotch t-shirt with a machine embroidered lady bug applique and neckline bow added to it. A quick and cheap outfit that doesn't look it at all!!

Ruffle Skirt:

Materials:

One 7.75” X 35” rectangle of printed cotton for skirt

Two 3” X 35” strips of coordinating printed cotton for ruffle

1/2 yard of 1/2" elastic

• 1: Edge finish all edges of rectangle by serging, pinking, or zig-zag edge-stitching.
• 2: With right sides together, stitch short ends of rectangle together using a ½” seam allowance.
• 3: Press down 1” around top edge and press up ¾” around bottom edge.
• 4: Topstitch bottom edge in place ½” from fold.
• 5: Topstitch around top edge 1/8” from fold. Topstitch again ¾” from fold, forming the casing. Leave 2” unstitched for elastic insertion.
• 6: With right sides together, stitch the ruffle strips together at the short ends, using a ¼” seam allowance.
• 7: Edge-finish both long edges of the ruffle by serging, using a narrow, rolled hem foot on a conventional sewing machine or serger or by pressing the edges into a narrow hem and topstitching.
• 8: Run 2 rows of gathering stitches around the ruffle ¾” from edge. Gather ruffle to same width as hem edge of skirt. Distribute ruffle evenly. 
• 9: Place gathering stitches of ruffle on top of topstitching at hem edge of skirt and topstitch ruffle in place, using a zig-zag stitch.
• 10: Insert elastic in casing. Overlap the end 1” and stitch together. Topstitch casing closed.

Lady Bug machine embroidery applique design is available at

Garden of Daisies Embroidery.

http://www.oregonpatchworks.com/items.php?did=63544&pid=136711

Some Fabric Favorites

Fabric is the medium I work in. To say I'm like a kid in a candy store when I'm fabric shopping is an understatement. Shopping in person is best -- the sight, smell and feel of fabric are heady and intoxicating. But shopping online has its place, too. I live in New England and when the weather isn't cooperating, browsing on my laptop is a worthy alternative.

What are appealing to me right now are rose-y, spring-y prints. Some of these may have been out for a while, but they deserve a mention for their happy, cheerful demeanor.



Pam Kitty Morning by Lake House Dry Goods

 

Flower Sugar by Lecien

 

Rose Parade by Moda

  

Sugar Hill by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit

 

Sweet Shoppe by Michelle D"Amore for Benartex

I love sweet florals like these and had fun using Sweet Shoppe (above) to create this little "Button Basket".

Sweet Valentines Sale at OPW

Garden of Daisies is part of OPW's 3-Day Sweet Valentine's Sale.
Over 70 vendors are each offering one set at 75% Off!!

3 Days Only -- 2/3, 2/4 & 2/5

Garden of Daisies is offering "Heart Banner" just in time for Valentine's Day. This in-the-hoop project makes a quick-and-easy holiday decoration or gift.

You have to shop from the special "sale" page for great savings:
http://www.oregonpatchworks.com/items.php?did=137311&pid=137561

See all vendors' specials here:
http://www.oregonpatchworks.com/collections.php?id=OPWV

Happy stitching!!
JoAnn  :)

Seedlings Sewing Patterns are at Craftsy!!

Seedlings Sewing Patterns are now available through Craftsy!! Craftsy also offers lots of great online classes and workshops and a showcase for you to "show and share" your projects. Check it out!!