JemJam

My New Skirt

Last year, I found out that Jona Giammalva was writing a book, I didn't know what the subject was but I knew that I would own it, I love her patterns for children, her blog, and I still miss her online shop.  Finally, it was released earlier this year and I could not wait to get my hands on it.  An adult skirt book!  Yes!

 

I did not have time to make anything immediately when I received the book, I was headed to Quilt Market in Portland, OR soon and had other things to do like make silly kitty bags, ahh, fun times...

 

I sat in on Jona's schoolhouse to show support, here she is telling us how fabulous she is.  Sadly, I didn't get the teary-eyed picture of her while she read a letter from a lady who wrote her and said that she was so happy to install an invisible zipper without any problems, it was sweet.  

 

 

 

All of those skirts in the picture above are versions from The Essential A-Line.  She explained that an a-line skirt is flattering on most everyone, she probably said "everyone" but, I don't want to hear it if you don't like it on yourself.  Most of the skirts on the wall are made with quilting cottons, which is perfect for spring and summer, the skirts are lined, they are finished nicely.  There's one skirt in the book for pregnant ladies!

 

Jona signed my book while we took a small break.

 

Well, the next week, I came home and whipped up a skirt in no time!  My skirt is the basic version, I used a linen (by Anna Maria Horner) for the main fabric, it has batiste lining and a red invisible zipper, I love it.  I have washed fabric to make more skirts, but I am not able to sew much right now with prepping the studio for operation and summer with aforementioned six year old.

                                                                                   6 year old photographer

 

Well, in that schoolhouse, I WON A BOOK, how about that?  I asked Jona to sign that one, too so I could share with a lucky reader that is interested in making one of her skirts.  So, here's your chance, five people that read this blog!  Leave a reply in the comments telling me if you have made clothes for yourself before (what's your favorite pattern?) or if you want to take the plunge soon.  You can tell me anything else that you want.  Because of outrageous postage prices, this giveaway is for the United States only, please.  I will pick a winner on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.  

If you don't want to wait to get your book, Sew, Mama, Sew has them.  Support that little shop!

Moving On

I'm in the process of opening my studio space to the public, I'll have sewing classes for adults and kids 8+, along with that, I'll offer 4 workspaces, each equipped with Bernina 350, basic notions, and a community cutting and ironing station. It has been fun (and draining) to get everything together. That's for another time...

I have unpacked everything and realized that I HAVE SO MUCH STUFF. I've basically filled everything with fabric, I don't want to put more storage in here because I do not want to cramp this small space.

I'm going to sell a lot of fabric, which kind of kills me, but before I commit, I want to know--do you use wide backings for quilts? Also, do you use solids often for backs? A lot of my bigger pieces are intended for quilt backs, but it takes up a lot of room.

I want to hear from my quilting friends! Thanks in advance!