Posted in tutorials, Visual Stimulation, tagged free pattern, owl pattern, owl pincushion on July 31, 2009 | 11 Comments »
Now I love owls but I don’t love them enough to tattoo one on my own arm. But you have to admit it’s a pretty cute owl and owls seem to be everywhere these days. Here are some of my favorites.
If you need a little owl action in your life you could make these
Using this pattern. It’s in Japanese but the photos are self explanatory.
Posted in fabric shop reviews on July 30, 2009 | 12 Comments »
I thought I would add a new feature to my blog since many of us buy our fabric online. From here on out I will be reviewing the online fabric shops that I purchase from. These are not sponsored posts and I’m not receiving any sort of discount or “kickback” for doing this.
The first shop that I happened to purchase from after making this decision was Fabricworm. You can purchase from her on Etsy or her own website.
Selection:
I don’t often purchase from here but when I do it’s because she has a fabric that very few other people carry but also offers enough other fabrics to make the purchase and combined shipping worthwhile. In this case it was the Alexander Henry “Home Sewing is Easy.”
The other thing I love about Fabricworm on Etsy is the yard and half yard bundles she creates (like the one above) that combine prints from various designers. One of the hardest things about buying fabric online is figuring out which prints can be combined and which will clash when they arrive on your doorstep. Since colors appear differently on different monitors its impossible to know for sure unless you see the prints placed side by side (or in person if your lucky).
It’s also worth noting that she offers a small selection of Japanese prints.
But the selection is also what frustrates me about Fabricworm. The selection is different between her Etsy and website and I often find myself wanting some fabrics from each site. To be fair I’ve never tried contacting her to see if I could purchase from each and still combine shipping.
Price by Yard:
Quilter’s Cotton- $8.00
Home Decorator Weight- $14.00
Japenese- $14.00- $24.00
Oilcloth- $17.00
These prices are average for Etsy and a little lower than most independent websites.
Shipping:
From Fabricworm Etsy
“Shipping Methods and Rates to US/Canada/Everywhere Else
Up to 2 Yards of quilt weight cotton ship via USPS First Class Mail
3 to 8 yards of quilt weight, ship via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope-$5/$10.75/$13
9-30 yards of quilt weight cotton ship via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box- $10.50/$26/$41
29-40 yards of quilt weight cotton ship via USPS Priority Mail XL Flat Rate Box-$14/$33/$53
*****Significant over charges in shipping will be refunded upon shipment, friendly reminders are always appreciated”
The prices are different on her independent site, there prices are based on weight.
I bought 7 yards of fabric so I paid $5 in shipping and got a cardboard shipping envelope stuffed with fabric. The fabric came wrapped in a plastic bag which I appreciate because you never know if a package will get wet in shipping. The fabric arrived a couple days after ordering so she must have shipped it the same day I ordered.
The cost and packaging are pretty standard for Etsy fabric shops.
Fat Quarter:
Not everyone cares about this option but I’m a quilter so I like to purchase a large variety of smaller cuts of fabric.
The smallest cut of fabric you can get from Fabricworm is 1/2 yard.
What matters most to you when deciding where to buy your fabric?
Posted in worktable wednesday, tagged alexander henry fabric, home sewing is easy on July 29, 2009 | 4 Comments »
canonjuly09 234, originally uploaded by Indie House.
Why am I showing you fabric when I should be showing you my work table? Because my work table pretty much looks exactly like it did last week… The fabric arrived today and was laid out across my work table as soon as it arrived- I love it!
My mom called this past Friday to tell me she was driving up on Saturday and staying through Monday, needless to say furious cleaning ensued. I rarely get to see my mother and brother so we spent the weekend hanging out and my dress sat in pieces abandoned. Now I’ve given up on finishing it by this coming Saturday which means it will probably sit in pieces for awhile.
Instead I’m going to switch gears and finish this quilt.
The fabric if you were wondering is by Alexander Henry and is called “Home Sewing is Easy.” Like many of the AH prints you really need to buy at least a yard to appreciate the design.
What’s on your worktable?
Posted in tutorials, tagged alphabet magnets, felt alphabet, felt letters, letter magnets on July 28, 2009 | 27 Comments »
., originally uploaded by Rebecca….
Do you remember those plastic alphabet magnets? They adorned just about every fridge in the neighborhood when I grew up but I don’t see them around anymore.
I could probably find them on Ebay but I decided I’d rather make my own. Made from recycled felt they are technically still plastic but at least I’m helping keep some water bottles out of a landfill.
You will need:
Step 1: Print out letters. I used the font Calibri size 350 but you could freehand the letters for a less uniform look.
Step 2: Cut the paper letters out.
Step 3: Pin the paper pieces to the felt and cut the letters out. You will need to cut two of each letter out.
Step 4: Using the blanket stitch sew the two pieces together stuffing as you go.
Step 5: Using a hot glue gun or fabric glue attach the magnets to the back of the letters so the magnet won’t be seen from the front.
Step 6: Wait for the glue to dry and set then have fun combining letters!
These would be a great gift for a child learning their ABCs or to spell. The letters are too large to be swallowed but the magnets, if pried loose, could be. You could make the letters without magnets or find very small but strong magnets and stitch them inside. Otherwise just use them with your kids so you can make sure nothing happens.
Posted in sunday stash, tagged fabric collection, fabric stash, japanese robots, sunday stash on July 26, 2009 | 4 Comments »
I’m in love with these small japanese prints! I got these in a swap and I have to say I got the better end of the deal.
Check out more Sunday Stash here.
Posted in quilting bee on July 25, 2009 | 16 Comments »
August is Zoonah’s month for Snip, Sew, Send and she asked us to create 7.5 in by 7.5 in blocks featuring circles and curves. I’ve made a quilt using circles before but it was much too simple to repeat for the bee. Instead I decided to try using freezer paper to draft and create a block that I’d design.
Theoretically you can create whatever you want, cut the pieces apart, iron them onto fabric, add a 1/4 in seam allowance, cut the pieces out and sew them back together and they will look exactly as you drew them. The reality I found was a bit different. I’m sure part of that has to do with using curves but no compass. I was forced to eyeball the seam allowance on the curves so the pieces didn’t quite fit together… My other mistake was attempting this first on a small block with small pieces.
I started with this drawing on the paper side of the freezer paper.
Before cutting it apart I numbered the pieces and labeled them with the fabric they would be cut from.
This way I didn’t forget and I could reassemble the design out of fabric exactly as I had drawn it.
I ironed the pieces waxy side down on the right side of the fabric.
I drew the seam allowance around the pieces.
And then cut them out.
I started to assemble the larger circle first.
It went together like a dream!
The idea of trying to sew in the tiny red circle was overwhelming so instead I appliqued it over the center.
All that was left was the corner pieces which required more than their fair share of pins.
When it was all put together it was 7.75 in instead of 7.5 in. Do you already know why? I added the seam allowance to the outside of the four corner pieces but I shouldn’t have since they weren’t being sewn to anything else in the block. Keep that in mind when you draw out your own!
I simply trimmed it back to size and viola
Posted in tutorials, tagged drawstring bag, how to, instructions, produce bag, tutorial on July 23, 2009 | 9 Comments »
canonjuly09 202, originally uploaded by Indie House.
I’ve noticed more and more people bringing their own bags to the grocery store which is awesome except those same people can also be found in the produce section using a separate plastic bag for each fruit or vegetable they are purchasing. Tomatoes don’t have cooties I promise! And when you go through the check out line just take the various items out of the bag to weigh them. You are going to wash them later anyway so its okay if they touch the register scale.
An easy alternative is to whip up some of these produce bags and kick the plastic bag habit entirely. You can certainly use organic cotton but all I had on hand was unbleached muslin and while not quite as “green” it still works. I’ve also seen this done with mesh or tulle but I think the cotton is more durable, less likely to rip or tear and I can decorate it 
You will need:
Step 1- Cut out your fabric pieces
Step 2- Applique
I freehanded my design but you could find something online if you prefer.
Cut the design out of your fabric.
And my favorite part, play around with the placement of the applique.
Once you’ve decided how you want them positioned pin in place and then sew in place. I used a zig zag stitch all the way around but you could fuse it as well.
Step 3- Sew your bag together.
You are going to sew it almost all the way around three sides. You want to stop short 1 1/4 in on one long side.
This leaves an opeaning for your string to come out. (This will be clearer in the next step)
Step 4- Create the casing for your string.
With the bag inside out fold the raw edges down 1/4 inch and in 1/4 in on the two open ends like this
Press and then fold down again this time 1 inch and press.
Edge stitch along the fold to sew in place.
This edge won’t be raw but now is a good time to serge or zig zag over the raw edges on the inside of your bag so they don’t fray. The bag will last longer, annoy you less, and look more professional this way.
Step 5- Insert your drawstring.
Attach a saftey pin to one side of your string/ribbon/etc and feed it through the casing until it comes out the other end like so.
Step 6- Place somewhere you will remember it when you go to the store.
Honestly isn’t remembering to bring the bag the hardest part? I try to keep bags in all the cars so I never forget. The nice thing about this bag is folded up it could fit in a large purse and you could use it as a grocery bag in a pinch.
Posted in worktable wednesday, tagged alexander henry, butterick 5319, sewing women's clothes, worktable wednesday on July 22, 2009 | 7 Comments »
You can see a part of my next tutorial on the table but most of it is covered with the pieces for Butterick 5319.
I’m making the short sleeve version using a navy blue linen as the main color and the Alexander Henry print for the sash. I need to get working on this so I can wear it to my family reunion on the 1st of August.
Its hard to motivate myself to leave the couch when this one is feeling cuddly but I should have a new tutorial for you all tomorrow!
What’s on your work table right now? Leave a link so everyone can check it out!
Posted in tips and tricks, tagged bird mobile, fabric bird wreath, fabric birds, free pattern for bird, spool sewing, uses for fabric bird on July 20, 2009 | 8 Comments »
final nesting spot, originally uploaded by annaleahart.
You know these birds right? They’ve been floating around blogland for over a year now and the pattern can be found for free here.
And while they are cute you may be asking yourself what you would do with them after you’ve made your own flock (because really could you make just one?) So here are ten creative ways to make those birds earn their keep.
1. Holiday Ornament. Probably the most common use of the birds they don’t have to be restricted to the Christmas tree they can also be used to celebrate Easter or Valentine’s Day.
2. Mobile. This is probably the second most common use for these birds and you can see quite a few examples here.
3. Wall Art aka a more grown up version of a mobile. I really like this idea and would like to make one for my own dining room.
4. Centerpiece or mantle decoration. Is your vase of bare branches looking a little bare dress it up with some birds.
5. Cat Toy. When stuffing add a little catnip and you will be your cats new best friend. It’s best to use a more durable fabric and double stitch so your cat doesn’t tear its new toy apart.
6. Lavender Sachet. Along the same lines add lavender and let your bird sweeten up your drawers.
7. Wreath. Spruce up your door everyday of the year with this cute fabric wreath.
8. Cake Topper. How cute would these two look on top of a wedding cake and you can customize them for any color or style!
9. Paper weight. Add some rice to your bird and he can hold down your important documents.
10. Pincushion. How cute would one of these guys look sewn to a wristband?
Can you think of anything I missed?
Posted in sunday stash, tagged fabric stash, heather ross, munk munki, sunday stash on July 19, 2009 | 3 Comments »
I guess it was over a month ago now that a rumor started to circulate on the internet that Munki Munki prints could be found (in pajama form) at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I searched all the stores near me and came up with nothing and despite the people who claimed success I began to suspect it was a bit of an urban legend. I even drug my husband to these stores while on vacation hoping that if Munki Munki wasn’t in Pennsylvania that it could be in found in Virginia or North Carolina. We still came up empty handed and I kind of gave up hope.
But last week I won a contest at Sew, Mama, Sew and I thought perhaps my luck had changed. So when I came across another Marshalls while traveling for work I knew I had to go in. Imagine my suprise when I actually did find Munki, Munki! I didn’t find the coveted Martians but I did find these cats in a pair of size large PJs on clearance for only $10.00. There is roughly a yard of fabric in them so this makes them reasonably priced all things considered. I plan on keeping one leg and swapping the other. The front half of one leg is gone but I still have one half of one leg to swap if anyone is interested.
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