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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

End of April Sewing Classes


Meghan and her sports shorts


     The after school sewing classes are starting to wind down.  A couple of the girls are going to stop at the end of the month as end of school activities start to pick up.

     Julia is working on finishing her layered skirt.  The waistband is on, now time for the elastic and the channels for it.  Bella started a nightshirt using a cute cat print flannel.  Meghan just finished her sport shorts.  She is trying to decide on her next project.  And Katie finally finished her tote.  It took her months but she kept at it and wound up with a great handbag for summer.

Katie and her purse

     Izzy is working on some sport shorts is a striped jersey knit.  After using some Best Press on the fabric to tame the curling issue the sewing is going quite well.  Next week she will do the buttonholes for the twill tape cord.  Lauren finished her black and orange plaid pants.  After sewing them up she decided they were too small for her and gave them to a friend.  Her friend couldn't believe she made them herself.  She is now working on the back slit denim skirt.  Next week she will sew on the buttons and add her label.  Christine made great progress on her bird print nightshirt.  She will probably finish it next week and be ready for a new project also.

     Cara finished her square neck blouse and will be starting a new project this week.  Hayley is almost done with her hot pink shorts.  Ellen and Greta are both working on the ruffle skirt.  Ellen missed class last week because of play practice so Greta is ahead of her and will most likely finish it this afternoon.  The skirts are turning out so cute.

     I'm off to Nashville tomorrow to run my second marathon.  I had been hoping to beat my time from October but I have been having some hip and muscle issues that have slowed me down.  I hope I can run the whole thing on Saturday.

     I am going to close this out with a cute photo of my grandson from Easter.  He made such a cute bunny.



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Pillows

Assorted pillows


     I have spent the last few weeks making pillows for a designer client.  They are all reversible so the customer will have lots of options for displaying them in her home.

Oriental design with a ribbon fringe

     This ribbon fringe is so lush and lovely but definitely not the easiest trim to work with.  It didn't want to lay flat so I was constantly having to smooth it down so it wouldn't get caught in the sewing.  It did turn out quite lovely though.

Reverse of above pillow

     The reverse of the pillows using the Oriental design fabric was this stripe.  I lined it with a piece of napped sateen to give the fabric a bit more body.  There is a matching rectangular pillow.

Brush fringe trim pillow

     This graphic print will add some contrast to the Oriental/stripe pillows.  These use a wonderful multicolor brush trim.

Back of brush trimmed pillow

     The back of the graphic print pillows features this cozy chenille fabric.  The pillows look like just the thing to cozy up to on a cold winter day.

Round pillows with buttons

Round pillows showing reverse side on one

     The last set of pillows for the same room were these round ones with twist cord trim.  We used fabric covered buttons with the striped fabric from the first set of pillows.  Again I lined the floral fabric with napped sateen to give it more body.  The customer decided that the same flower should be featured on both pillows.  We could have chosen another flower that also had a round center to make them just a little different.  

4 more pillows

     These large pillows are for a different customer.  The designer chose to have all four fronts feature the same motif of the fabric.  Once again these have a lush multicolor brush fringe.

Brush fringe trimmed pillow

Back of above pillow

     Next up for this designer is a London shade valance.  I learned some great tips while in NC at CHF Academy for making these.  

     Time to stop writing and start sewing.  See you next week.




























Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Quilt Retreat 2013 and CHF Academy

Colton's pillow case to match quilt

     I had two wonderful sewing trips.  The first was a quilt retreat that I have been doing with some friends for the past few years.  It is located in Hillpoint WI and called Homestead.  The place is part old log cabin and part new building with lots of windows.

     There are tables set up with two cutting stations, a couple of ironing stations and some design walls. All very conducive to sewing quilts.  I put the binding on a quilt for my grandson on the first day.  Then I worked on a quilt kit that I had bought several years ago in Sisters Oregon.  I had done the main cutting at home.  I also got the binding machine stitched onto another quilt so I will have that ready now for when I want to do some hand work.

     It really is fun and inspiring to see what everyone is working on.  Kris and I also stopped at Millhouse Quilts.  It is our favorite store in the area and we always are sure to allow ourselves enough time to stop and shop.  This year I bought a great fat quarter bundle of batik fabrics.

Close up of embroidery


     Last week I was in Charlotte NC taking classes at CHF Academy.  I took a week long class, Professional Window Treatment Fabrication I.  I made four different window treatments and learned so much.  It was also great to use industrial machines and a real work table.  I really need to figure out how to redo my work space.

     There were seven students in the class from all over including Cameron from England.  We had a great time, I have never laughed so much.  But we also all learned and helped each other.  I have included some photos of the sample window treatments that they have hanging on the walls.  What inspiration!  I can't wait to go back to learn more.

Sample of valance some of the others made on our last day

Love the trim on the valance



     Now time for me to sew some for my clients.  I am also going to make a couple of treatments for myself to practice what I have learned.