off the cutting room table

Here I am! It's been a busy, but very exciting year. I started Morning Pages again which has really helped me focus and get back to work doing the things I love like sewing.

Here are a few things I've made over the past few months.

Reversible Stella Apron 

Satchel For Two by Fig Tree & Co. in Blue Camo

Spice Market Tote in August Fields Dew Drops

A Second Satchel For Two in a Black Floral Print 

Messenger Bag by Valori Wells

New Leaf Folding Tote in August Fields Dew Drops

I'm working on what I'm calling a Cargo Bag because of all the pockets inside and out. It's a small messenger type bag and I'm using a Valori Wells fabric, some bold roses in reds and browns, that's been in my stash for a while.

And I've a couple of things I've not yet taken photos of. When I do I'll share them here as well.

I've missed writing and hope to spend a little more time here this year. What have you been up to? Add a link to your comment, should you care to do so,  that I may visit!

the iris swing. a bag swap

i don't even really know where to start.

first, i may have misled some of you when i posted here into believing i had used all these fabrics in one project. my apologies! this was actually a patchwork card which i made to accompany a bag...in swap...and an apron for my wonderfully artistic virtual friend (virtual friends have quickly become my happiest and nicest friends!) and fellow blogger, Iris, of Creative Endeavors in a Busy Life.


remember my mail love? iris left me a comment, asking if i'd consider doing a bag swap with her. she's making these delicious buttercups (see here and here). of course i said yes! i remember it was a sunday morning when i responded in an e-mail. and then i began on my adventure.

i had to find the right fabric. she's always left me the nicest comments about my bold & bright choices in color and design.

lucky me jane sassaman had just the thing. i used prairie gothic (of which i had enough fabric leftover to make a "hip hugger goth cafe apron" to include) for my swing, a pattern iris told me she liked...my thinking, exactly. but ms. sassaman also has two lines called magic forest and hothouse garden that are perfect together and my latest favorite obsessions. that's what was in this pretty purple package.


i decided on the orchid tessellation for the exterior and the lime green starry night symbols for the interior (sorry you can't see it in this picture...i tried several shots...this was the best). i just loved it. i loved working on it. i loved it when i was finished. it's bright and bold, but not loud. it's magic for the eyes. and i'm so pleased to have made my friend a bag, a little something of me to share with her.

as she has done for me. my package shall arrive soon. and i just can't wait to see what i know is the beauty of her person, her hands.

i just really, really enjoyed my first swap. it's not something i do a lot of because i still get freaky nervous about sewing for others (although that's what i prefer!). but, one on one, i can totally function that way, for now. hopefully more some day! i admire all of you out there that share your craft in virtual quilting bees, in charitable sewing, on etsy. you've my admiration and awe!

today...be delighted. in moments. let it grow big if it's important and happy. big like the after effects that is this little project today for me.

and much thanks to iris. now, go visit her wonderful blog!

halter apron

pattern: daily spice halter apron by heather bailey
fabric: alexander henry. jewel mobile
other materials/notions: lining. white lightweight cotton; interfacing. pellon fusible stacy shape flex
modifications: n/a
date completed: 7April2009

totally cute & easy to read pattern. it was my first time doing any kind of gathers & i'm pleased with my results. that this apron actually fits me (as you can see here on Clotilde who is set to my measurements) pretty well just tickles me! i love how you finish the skirt and then attach to the waistband after the bodice is on. i think that's why it works if you're a little hippy...and, no, i don't mean 60s cool this time...like me. :)

of course i love the retro groovy fabric. glad i bought it when i did because i believe it is now discontinued.

go ahead. make yourself a halter apron today!

bits & pieces

yep, it's the daily spice apron by heather bailey in jewel mentioned in my previous post. lovin' it so far and the pattern appears to be very well written. if i can steal a few more quiet moments from the business of life, i'll start to sew!

and i hope you guys don't mind something not sewing related.


it's the first tulip to open that i planted late fall and i'm sooooooo excited! sadly i didn't make note of the variety. oh well. i'm happy to have something pretty to look at regardless of name. there are at least a half dozen more in bud. can't wait!

boy things

pattern: main panel - McCall's M5551; ties - Simplicity 2824
fabric: six color desert camo twill & moose country - designed & produced for jo-ann's
other materials/notions: none
date completed: 24February2009
a gift for: robert. 9 year old nephew

a reversible little chef's apron!

i had a pattern piece cut out on my own, but decided i wanted a designed pattern to compare sizes as i've no children with whom to work with in person. i was pretty darn close in what i thought should be the measurements, mine just a bit more narrow. wow!

i intended the camo to be the "front" but like the novelty print, moose country & wildlife trek, a whole lot. it's nice that he can use either. robert likes to help when you're cooking, frying and flipping the pancakes or waffles, always has since he was a wee one and had to stand on a chair. i made a messenger bag & apron for his sister. thankfully my sib finally sent me the measurements (yes, i asked over a year ago, but we won't fuss about that!) so i can now send him his own special package of homemade goodness. i'm a bit more comfortable with girl things as that's what i know best, being all sisters in my family. but, this was fun & i hope he'll like it. he's sweet & sentimental that way.

there's also to be a pair of pj pants for him...


...from this soft & warm wolf themed flannel. i'll start on these next to have things in the mail asap.

and the pieces are all cut out, including the canvas & peltex 70, for the large betty shopper by amy butler i've mentioned before for my other sib.


balance. i'm having to learn balance for what are now life's circumstances. making time for my sewing is super important. maybe i can sneak up here in the darkness of night when i can't sleep? if i close the door, no one will hear the machine chirp, chirping? :D

a black ties affair. apron

groovy gold café apron by apa
fabric: robert kaufman imperial collection 4: asian-inspired. aqua & m. e. hordyszynski for michael miller fabrics. fairy frost.
date completed: 20December2008

here it is! the christmas apron. i had this fabric in mind, remnants from the parisian purse by indygo junction i made for one of my sisters & an everyday bag by favorite things i made for my mom, because it's the closest to silver & gold that is the holidays in your ornaments, tinsel & garland and the only remotely holiday fabric in my stash. some green, but not a stitch of red in my possession. wow. i just realized that.

anyway, the combination...a little offbeat color? :D i think it's kinda "sexy" since it's cafe style...shorter...yet demure (me?) for the scallops.

and consider this. use the front, which is the aqua & fairy frost while cooking, turn it around and use the reverse for serving.


a formal affair indeed. well, as close to formal as it gets in this house. you know. jeans & bare feet.

a joyous holiday, everyone, to you & yours. be safe. know health & prosperity in the love and beauty that is family, friends, your truth, passion & creativity! may we all live our art in 2009.

log cabin apron. done

pattern & fabric: see post immediately proceeding plus amy butler daisy chain. clematis. green for the reverse lining
date completed: 16December2008

i guess i shouldn't have been in such a hurry to post earlier today. but, it's ok to share the process. maybe it can be of use & interest to another "patchwork" newbie like myself.

yep, i think this baby is going to be for cooking on 1January2009. for some reason i'm feeling something different, a festive pattern, for christmas day, something to go with the menu i've already planned of stuffed romaine hearts, broccoli soup, pork tenderloin saltimbocca & glazed carrots (in wine, not anything sweet). check tee & me's foodie blog in the coming weeks should you be interested!

wip. scrappy apron. for the new year

pattern: scrappy log cabin apron by apa
fabric: numerous designers including amy butler, kaffe fassett, tina givens, alexander henry & michael miller seen in many of my previous completed work

inspired by the work of quite talented women participating in a virtual quilting bee (see turkey cookies december log cabin block here), i decided this morning to do my version of a log cabin panel for a new year apron. what you see laid out in the picture will be the top left corner of the front panel. once the finished piece reaches about 22" w x 20" l, i'll fashion a waist band, apron ties & choose a lining. i'm excited! i forgot how much fun it is to plan, cut & piece, a time consuming project, but perfect for the imagination and a delicious way to run through what remnants are yet in your stash.

to andy jane. apron love

pattern: flirty skirty by the apron lady designs
fabric: hand-dyed batik. star flower. tan; robert kaufman kitchy kitchen. happy blossoms. lime.
a gift for: niece. andy jane
date completed: 4December2008

i love making bags. i love making aprons even more. total apron love. fun, easy & each one a little piece of domestic art. i want to make more, of my own design. and those i keep, i want to hang them on a beautiful board of pegs in my kitchen.

i love the batik. that goes without saying. love to sew with it. these colors are so warm, deeply rich & the tie-dye, well, groovy, of course.

the robert kaufman was probably the first "designer" fabric i ordered online from an independent vendor, purl, just about a year ago on 7December2007. it's been sitting quietly in my stash until here & now. for andy jane. it's a happy little apron, color coordinated yet different. i've noticed i have the tendency to stick with the same designer, choosing coordinating prints from the same collection. good to mix it up a little. be free.

so i'm slightly obsessed with decorative stitching, much like others are with rick rack or bias trim. :D



p.s., if it seems i'm a bit off the wall this post (ha!), clueless from one point to the next, i blame the music jammin'. no, not christmas tunes. a little ne-yo, maroon 5 & rihanna, you know, "shake your groove thing." i've even gotten up to dance here and there.

it's the holidays. live a little tra la la la in each of your days!

my holiday apron

pattern: hip hugger groovy café wrap by apa
fabrics:
hand-dyed batik. circles. azalea pink
batik. totally tropical. apricot
date completed: 21November2008

edit: oops! it's reversible, too.

with a fabulous thanksgiving menu planned, i had to have an apron for cooking in. and so this festive café wrap. you didn't really think i'd go turkeys & pumpkins, did you? :D you haven't seen the menu!

i avoid hand stitching as much as i can. so to hem this apron, i topstitched & embroidered for embellishment with one of the decorative stitches on my sewing machine.


i love it! and i did the same on the waistband. super cute.


can't wait for next thursday. and to all a good weekend!

p.s., i promise i wiped that mirror down before i took the picture. darn flash!

simple apron - a little bit too big for me

pattern: reversible apron - simple sewing by lotta jansdotter
modifications: sectioned full pocket on center panel, front & reverse
fabrics:
front: kaffe fassett millefiore. brown.
pocket: kaffe fassett aboriginal dot. chocolate.
reverse: kaffe fassett aboriginal dot. chocolate.
pocket: kaffe fassett millefiore. brown.
ties: combination of above
fit issues: chest, waist, bodice length.
date completed: 4November2008
a gift for: uhm. i must know someone. m. goretti?

one pattern does NOT fit all, especially someone short, like, this someone 5'1" with a small chest, short torso, but a bit wider hips. adjust accordingly during cutting.

a full reversible apron - for mom

pattern: flirty skirty by the apron lady designs
fabrics:
front: amy butler midwest modern. trailing cherry. brown.
pocket/ties: amy butler midwest modern. floating buds. ivory.
reverse: amy butler midwest modern. floating buds. ivory.
pocket: amy butler midwest modern. trailing cherry. brown.
date completed: 28october2008
a gift for: ernestina

the stella - reversible

pattern: stella apron by grand revival
fabrics:
half apron: kaffe fassett lotus leaf. jade.
apron skirt/ties: kaffe fassett roman glass. dusty pink.
reverse:
half apron: kaffe fassett roman glass. dusty pink.
apron skirt: kaffe fassett lotus leaf. jade.
date completed: 21october2008

a reversible half-apron

pattern: flirty skirty by the apron lady designs
size: medium - women's 8-10
fabrics:
main: tina givens butterfly. cabbage rose in lilac.
pocket/ties: tina givens sweet poppies. sunshine in lilac.
lining: tina givens sweet poppies. pear tree - aqua, lilac and chocolate.
date completed: 13october2008
a gift for: maria da conceição