Ahoy Maties!

Today, I set the alarm for 5:30 a.m. so I could have a bit of time to sew before I started in on the usual homeschooling-housecleaning-parenting daily cycle. It was soooo warm even at that early hour that I just couldn't bring myself to sew on the red sweater knit, as lovely as it is. I decided to work on the tropical outfit below. I just love navy and white together! I don't think there's anything crisper. I still haven't made up my mind on the straps on this outfit. I kind of like them on the outside for a change. Sort of gives a suspender effect. And the buttons will not make the final cut. They're just placeholders while I contemplate the design. I am waffling back and forth between traditional silver crested buttons with sculpted anchors or some navy and white striped buttons for a crisper, more modern rendition. Decisions, decisions.



Charity

Thread Painting

I didn't get much time at my machines today. I actually had to do life instead. Dr. appointments. Errands. Bathroom scrubbing. Homeschool lessons. However, I did spend about 30 minutes working on the appliques for my "Alaska" dress (see post below). The appliques for this garment have so many small runs that I didn't think it would be conducive to do the usual satin stitch edging technique. I had been wanting to try thread painting (free motion embroidery) and thought this might be an appropriate design for such. I started with some simple straight line runs on the sunflower stems and that went so well that I free-motioned in some veins on the leaves. From there I secured the sunflowers in a petal design that ended up reminding me of my childhood spirograph set. Tommorrow I will begin tackling the vegies. Here are some links for those interested in thread painting...

Thread Painting at HGTV
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_instructions/article/0,1789,HGTV_3302_3251168,00.html

Free Motion Embroidery
http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/C-213.html

Sew Long!

Charity

Clang! Clang! Clang went the Trolley

I'm spending the evening doing one of my favorite things...scissoring away to the music of vintage MGM. Meet Me In St. Louis is on the DVD and I am sitting straddle-legged on the floor contentedly cutting out a dress from plaid homespun. My youngest is nearby on the computer punctuating my reverie with occasional snide remarks about my taste in movies.

This design will be for the North American Boutique Tour launch in late June. It promises to be a fun event. Two Ebay children's designers from each state will create design inspired by their respective states. Representing Alaska along with Rachel of Googoo*a*gogo Designs, I have decided to showcase the Alaska State Fair's world-famous giant vegetables in a country dress appliqued in a harvest theme. Pumpkins, carrots, tomatos, sunflowers, squash, crows and other staples of country life will create a bountiful textile still-life on the full skirt (see pic of roughed out applique placement below)

Search by the keyword NABT from June 30th to July 7th to see all the launch offerings!



Sew long for now!

Charity

Fabric Pantry

I'm a little late getting this promised pic of my Fabric Pantry up. I had to do some straightening in there before I was brave enough to get out a camera and actually record things for posterity. As you can see my Sewing Room is under construction. It is such a joy to have my own space to create after years of sewing on the Dining Room table. I can't wait until it's completely finished and I can put my own personal style stamp on it!



Happy Thread Tails to you...

Charity