JemJam

Cheetah Climber

I have gotten very involved with sewing for others lately (charity projects, classroom samples, bee projects, kid's clothes, etc.) and sometimes, damn it, I just need to make something for myself. I bought this linen last summer and finally talked myself into cutting out a skirt. It is a simple skirt from The Essential A-line by Jona Giammalva. I really love just the basic pattern, 2 darts, 1 invisible zipper, lined--all that I need. I received nice feedback on Facebook and Instagram when I showed my new piece. I made another a few days later, I'll share soon!

 

That dangling thread is probably in a bird's nest now.

Fabric is Anna Maria Horner Field Study linen and lined with a voile

4 Spring Tops

I finally finished all four of the tunics for the little, I cut them out in November thinking that I could work on them post wisdom teeth extraction--INCORRECT. After that week of inactivity, it was the holiday season and I had to put them aside. I buckled down and got to work on them at home and was determined to let her wear a size 7 while she still can, even though she just turned 7.

 

 

She has a pair of jeans to wear for about another month, but, I think that a straight skirt or shorts will look good with the tops, too. I love this pattern, I made a few dresses for her from the Geranium dress pattern last year, it's a hit! All four of these button in the back, one has flutter sleeves, 2 are pleated, the other 2 are ruffled at the skirt, I like pleating better because I can knock it out so fast!

 

Oh yeah, I HAVE A DOG. 

 

This guy was outside with us while taking pictures and he ate tree branches like they were chew toys, oh, that dog of mine!

 

Fabrics for tops:

Up, Up, and Away by Heather Moore 

Waterfront Park by Violet Craft for Michael Miller Fabrics

Bijoux by Bari J. (Art Gallery Fabrics)

Acacia by Tula Pink

You can find the pattern for the Geranium Dress at Made by Rae.

 

Sew OK-Teachers and Registration

We announced our teachers yesterday and Sew OK registration opens today!

 

 

Join us in July!  

Announcing Sew OK

I've been planning a sewing retreat with Susannah Kate Rodgers for a few months, we are excited to finally announce Sew OK!  

Please take a moment to read about Sew OK, we will be adding additional information over the next week, the event is July 17-19 and registration opens January 2, 2014. REGISTRATION IS OPEN.

Thank you all for your support, happy holidays!

A Dress for School Pictures

Well, here is another dress for the little.

Okay, I can tell she isn't so little anymore, but, she's six.

 

I made this dress with flutter sleeves (adorable as that face!), also, I added some of my own details to break up the print in this dress, the trim at the pockets and ruffle on the bodice also dress it up a bit.

I'm not sure which one of us loves that sweater more.

 

You can find the pattern for the Geranium Dress at Made by Rae.

Botanics Super Tote

I recently traveled to Houston for Quilt Market and I NEEDED A NEW BAG. I had the Super Tote pattern in my sewing queue for months, it was time to tackle it.

 

I made a patchwork pocket using the quilt-as-you-go method, now with the variety of color, it matches all of the clothes!  Maybe not.

The bag has a nice amount of pockets inside and held up nicely during my travel. I have plans to teach this bag at Je's Bend soon.

Fabrics: Botanics by Carolyn Friedlander (precuts available to ship immediately in my shop)
Linen by Yoshiko Jinzenji
Pattern by Noodlehead 

Shark Quilt

Our guild (OKC Modern Quilt Guild) meets at a place (Neighborhood Alliance) that has been very nice to us this year, we meet there monthly free of charge and since our guild is fairly new, we have been so thankful.  NA has an event each year where they honor a neighbor and they win awesome prizes, the OKCMQG donated this quilt that I made.  

 

Oh, I suspect you feel like I did when I tried to get pictures!  Bobbin loves fabric.  Anyhow, I wanted to use neutrals hoping anyone would love this lap quilt, I almost talked myself out of the lime backing and binding, but two guild members convinced me to go for it!  I'm glad that I did, I really like it!  I was pressed for time (as always!) and needed to make something quick, my original idea consisted of more work, but, I'll just save that for another project.

 

Good neighbor, I hope that you are enjoying your quilt!

 

Collage Birds

"Mommy, today in art, we made collage birds and I'm wearing collage birds!"  I love little coincidences like that!

I have tried to squeeze in a few little dresses in between teaching classes at Je's Bend and catching up on unfinished items, since late August, this is dress number 3 for Evangeline.

 

I sewed this dress using the Geranium Dress pattern by Rae Hoekstra, I have made it once before in a size 5, now, larger sizes are available, this is a size 7.  E is six years old and on the taller side, so, a 7 is more practical and will last longer.

 

 

This dress is very easy to sew, I would say a confident beginner, for sure could have this done in a few hours.  I have a serger, but Rae gives you instructions for finishing as if the maker does not own one. There are a few versions to try, I have one to show soon with a flutter sleeve and pockets.  

 

Fabric:  Bird Dot from Collage by Carrie Bloomston (available to purchase from my Etsy shop)

BadAss x 2

This week, I'm featured as the quilter of the week at BadAss Quilters Society!  I'm excited and honored!  Yes, there are pictures of things that I only sewed, but, hey, it was hard work, too!  Thank you, Maddie for featuring me!

 

Speaking of BAQS, Maddie Kertay and Nicole Riveria are hosting a networking gala called The Big Wing Ding, if you are in the Houston area on October 27 (Quilt Market time), the event is 7-9 p.m.  I am a speaker as well Sara Lawson, Megan Frock, Bari J, Ebony Love, and so many more talented ladies!  There is a lot to learn there, we are speaking on our particular interests/expertise, I will speak about building a local sewing community and a little about modern quilting (as an interest, not expertise).  Buy a ticket and come to see us, we could all use the support!

from The Big Wing Ding's event page:

"If your business centers around the rapidly growing and changing quilting market I really encourage you to find time to join us and hear what these industry visionaries have to say! I think we all can agree that a change is in the air and there is no better way to see which way the wind is blowing than to hear people like."

Tickets are for sale here:  The Big Wing Ding

Share with anyone in Houston--friends, guilds, etc.!

Thank you!

Ready for School 2013

First grade needs a backpack, a linen backpack. I bit the bullet and made the toddler backpack from Rae's pattern, I enlarged it by 2 inches and used a bigger zipper (all noted in the pattern). I didn't line the bag and I'm pleased with it. I did goof on enlarging the body, I forgot to add 2 inches to the length, so I cut down the bottom because I could not figure out what was wrong. It wasn't until the next morning, it clicked, oh well, her folders fit in there. I will make another just to make it correctly. As a quick pattern review, I like it, reccomend it, and will make another, it is a PDF only, and I'm a fan of that, no tracing and I just read the instructions from iBooks on the iPad.

Next, I crammed in dress making time on my birthday to make a first day of school dress. I originally wanted to make the Roller Skate dress from Oliver + S but didn't have time for that, I mean, it was my birthday, I needed to brunch on a patio, mimosas get in the way of sewing.

 

          first grade also needs Converse sneakers

I still used the body of the pattern pieces and did my own thing, I put an invisible zipper on the back (with 1 button at the top), binding at armholes, and partial facing at the neck. The dress looks like it has no shape to it because E wants to wear belts and this was a perfect way to "blouse out" the top and still have suitable length on the garment.

I wouldn't be myself if I didn't make another dress....

Tune in next week to see duplicates of items for Bobbin the Dog.

 

Fabric:

backpack:  Echino 2012 print

gray dress:  Koi by Rasida Coleman-Hale

yellow dress: Waterfront Park by Violet Craft