For the Love of Sewing...

One of my highlights is Kids Class. It has been hit and miss this year. I was sick on week. The girls had camp or didn't like the project I had planned. It was getting down to the couple of days so I let them pick anything they wanted to sew. Two picked pillowcases and one picked an ugly doll. So we set out to create. She picked a wild print with a big flower and wanted it to be on her stomach. Then we had to pick another print for the back side. Sewed and stuffed her. Then put on black button eyes and crazy hair. All that was lacking were clothes. With a band of knit at the top we made a simple dress with contrasting fabric. The best part of the whole project were the giggles and the smiles that I heard and saw. I was helping this little girl learn to love to sew and create. It didn't matter that the seams were not perfect or if the fabric didn't just match exactly. She made the doll and I bet she will be back again to create something again.

I think she was very proud of herself. What do you think?

Play in the Sand

download additional instructions

Well I did actually get this panel in about a month ago. It has been bothering me ever since. Sometimes you are just not into sewing. (even if you own the store) There have been lots and lots of things to do this summer. Vacation Bible School! I helped at one and then a few weeks later was in charge at another. Praise God that we made it through all of them and still have our sanity. At one of them we built an ark out of real wood boards. It was super cool. God even let it rain a little. The kids were going wild.
Back to the fabric...
I could not wait to sew up this back and head to the beach. I love the beach and live only about an hour and half away for the coast. So I cut out the parts of the panel. Moved them around on the cutting table for about two weeks and never sewed them. This week on Tuesday we had a quilt class at the store on One Block Wonders. I didn't quite know about it but the class filled up right away and here we go. After an hour into the class, I was hooked. It was the coolest thing. So I made up my mind to finish all of the UFO's laying around and called my mother for her to come the next week to help me make one of these One Block Wonder quilts.
So in the past two days this is one thing I have accomplished...

Keep posted for other projects

108" Backing

All I can say is wow!! If you have not tried 108" backing for your quilt, you should try it today!!!!

I almost feel sorry for the customer who comes in a needs 8 yards of fabric for the back of a quilt. That hurts the pocketbook really bad. Today I sold the first of my 108" backing. The customer was making a quilt inbetween full and queen so she needed just 2.5 yards. It only cost her around $32.00 for backing. And it will look gorgeous on the back of her quilt. Try it today!

I uploaded the cream color because you could not see the white on white at all. You can order yours at http://www.alittlefabricstore.com/

 or the direct link to108" Backing

Business of the Month

So last week the Chamber of Commerce called me to make sure that I would be a the store for a little while. They then sent a very sweet little guy over with this sign!
Yorktown Chamber of Commerce
Business of the MONTH!!!

Yeah!!!

Reuseable Shopping Bags - Cool Idea

 

So I have been seeing lots of people using these shopping bags. If I didn't have three little kids to get into the store and keep track of it might be eaiser to rememeber to bring my own bags. When I get a chance I will defintely make this cute little bag to match my personality. Hey! This would be great for Christmas gifts to someone you want to give just a little something to. I found this pattern at the Olfa website.

Go Green Bags


by Sheila Reinke

All the grocery stores have them, but you'll love how easy it is to make your

own coordinating pair of 'green' bags. This bag makes up quickly, and you

can use your own choice of fabrics making it uniquely yours. A bag like this

also makes a great alternative to a paper gift bag that will eventually be thrown

away.

Do your part to reduce waste, and do it in style - make your own 'green'

shopping bag!

Materials -

· 1 yard decorator fabric

· 1 yard contrasting or coordinating decorating fabric

· 1 yard nylon strapping (per bag)

Suggested Tools

(beyond standard sewing supplies)

· OLFA rotary cutter

· OLFA self healing mat

Project Level: Beginner

Construction –

· Main fabric: cut 2 pieces 12½" x 18", 2 pieces 12½" x 9", 2 pieces 7" x 43"

· Coordinating fabric: cut 2 pieces 12½" x 4"

· Use a 1/4" seam allowance for the entire project

· Reference the diagram for your cutting layout and instructions.

· Cut nylon strapping into two pieces (18” each)

· Sew together pieces "A" and "B", inserting ends of strapping in a U-shape in the seam. Sew piece "C"

to the bottom of piece "B"

· You now have a 30" x 12½" panel - repeat to create a second panel.

· Fold each of the panels in half, now measuring 15” x 12½” and press with an iron.

· Sew one "D" piece to the END (the 7" measurement) of the other "D" piece. Creating one piece, 7" x

86". Sew the free ends together - creating a large circle.

· Place the seams of your circle together, and fold with these seams in the middle of the folded circle -

press folds with an iron - this ironed strip measures 7" x 42", this is the "gusset" or side band of your

bag.

· Sew the gusset to each of the panels created in the earlier steps - starting with one fold of the gusset at

the fold of your panel, and working around to the other side. Then add the second panel and sew it in

place.

· Make sure that your bag handles and coordinating fabric strip are on the OUTSIDE of your bag as you

sew.

· Complete the bag by covering the seams with bias tape.

Pattern designed by Sheila Reinke

Pattern can be reproduced for personal (not for sale) use.

For more patterns by Sheila, see her blog at: http://sheilareinke.wordpress.com/

Kids Class

I have loads of fun this year already with the Kids Class.  We have made pillows, rag bags, towel bags, and today applique on t-shirts. I encourage anyone to sit down and try to sew something. It might not be perfect but you should have fun doing it and relax...

Check out the project we have made...

We still have a few more weeks of classes. Come and join the fun!!!

One Block Wonders

Super Excited about this. We will be having a class on July 20th from 10:00 until probally 3:00. All of these blocks are made out of the same fabric. Really Really Really cool. The class fee is $20.00 plus supplies. You will need the book, fabric with a large repeat, and a 60 degree ruler. Let me know if you want me to save you a spot.