tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36814624653605745592024-03-18T18:28:12.676-05:00form*workAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-64411320692100874062015-11-16T09:13:00.000-06:002015-11-16T10:23:21.348-06:00American Patchwork & Quilting RadioHi everyone! I'm looking forward to being a guest on American Patchwork and Quilting radio later today. Host Pat Sloan and I will discuss my new book, <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2015/07/introducing-bit-of-applique.html" target="_blank">A Bit of Appliqué: Easy Projects with Modern Flair</a>, as well as other quilty and sew-y things.<br />
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The show will broadcast live from 4 pm – 5pm Eastern time. You can listen live by visiting <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast" target="_blank">All People Quilt’s link</a>. And I'll be sure to link up the podcast when we're done, in case you'd like to listen later.<br />
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You can subscribe to all the previous American Patchwork & Quilting talks in iTunes and listen anytime. If you need help, Pat has links and instructions for listening to the podcasts on the <a href="http://www.creativetalknetwork.com/" target="_blank">radio show page</a> of her website.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-74056831846085372822015-11-12T23:34:00.002-06:002015-11-12T23:34:28.287-06:00Mushroom Pocket Apron *free* pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrtZCqoXMJaf8ElfhsjoLYwOkt1Oj6p8NwMEvJPW6rlKXogEkM3uzCFdsxyiuvgFHwqGHPzy-JJ3Cju2VdVTDRoi_U7yc_sn9209PrV-RBPa8tDz8TG5zbYbtAxZBnVqWBKl8V0yep3A/s1600/20151112_Apron04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrtZCqoXMJaf8ElfhsjoLYwOkt1Oj6p8NwMEvJPW6rlKXogEkM3uzCFdsxyiuvgFHwqGHPzy-JJ3Cju2VdVTDRoi_U7yc_sn9209PrV-RBPa8tDz8TG5zbYbtAxZBnVqWBKl8V0yep3A/s1600/20151112_Apron04.jpg" /></a></div>
I originally designed this whimsical and flattering apron for my book, <a href="http://www.formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2015/07/introducing-bit-of-applique.html" target="_blank">A Bit of Applique</a>. It didn't make it into the book due to space constraints, and since I'd already done most of the work, I'm making it available as a free pattern here!<br />
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The Mushroom Pocket Apron is reversible, has a very flattering, swingy a-line shape, and, best of all, is adorned with a completely adorable mushroom applique... which is also a functional pocket! (Thus the very ingenious name.) So start gathering your giant ric rac and some happy fabrics.<br />
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The Mushroom Pocket Apron pattern is available in PDF format <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61LIcvDmxK9N2gxbV9Fei1hbnc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>. It includes full instructions and illustrations, as well as all the pattern pieces you will need.<br />
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I think you'll enjoy both making <i>and</i> wearing this delightful project. If you do, please post a pic on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/formwork/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and tag me (@formwork). I'd love to see what you make!!<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-58443240043110507592015-07-10T14:00:00.000-05:002015-07-10T14:00:00.460-05:00Introducing... A Bit of Appliqué!Yippee!! The release date for my book (Yes, I wrote a book!!) is only a few days away!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bit-Applique-Projects-Modern-Flair/dp/1604685530/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436549894&sr=1-1&keywords=a+bit+of+applique&pebp=1436549898085&perid=0DA0379R59PTJNAJ8BRH" target="_blank">A Bit of Appliqué: Easy Projects with Modern Flair</a> starts shipping next week, on July 14. It seems so long ago (yet it was only last summer) when I sent the manuscript and projects off to <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/" target="_blank">Martingale</a>. For all that time, and even longer, I had to keep almost all of it secret. It's hard to describe how excited I am to finally reveal this! I have much more to say about writing the book and what it contains, but for now I'll keep this short and sweet... and simply show you a few sneak peaks.<br />
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Transform everyday projects -- quilts, pillows, bags, and wearable items -- into one-of-a-kind objects with a variety of hand- and machine-stitched appliqué techniques. Learn bias tape appliqué with the Sound Waves Quilt.<br />
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Or reverse appliqué with the Petals Pot Holder and Trivet.<br />
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Practice raw edge appliqué with the Circles Baby Quilt or Polly the Penguin Softie.<br />
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A Bit of Appliqué contains full size templates and clear instructions with plenty of helpful illustrations. Here's a sample page from the Garden Skirt section.<br />
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If you've been wanting to try appliqué, or feel inspried to further your appliqué skills with one or more of these quick projects, I hope you'll check it out!<br />
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Learn more, and see all the projects in the book, in <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/a-bit-of-applique.html" target="_blank">Martingale's shop</a>. Or find it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bit-Applique-Projects-Modern-Flair/dp/1604685530/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436549894&sr=1-1&keywords=a+bit+of+applique&pebp=1436549898085&perid=0DA0379R59PTJNAJ8BRH" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Cheers and happy sewing!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-50336776366837612082015-05-20T10:00:00.001-05:002015-06-29T21:19:04.493-05:00Deconstructed Lonestar - Blogger's Quilt FestivalIf you're visiting from the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/" target="_blank">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a>, hello... and thanks for stopping by!<br />
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This is my <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-quilt-for-quiltcon.html" target="_blank">Deconstructed Lonestar</a> quilt. I'm not going to say much about it here, because you can read all about the process and inspiration behind it in <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-quilt-for-quiltcon.html" target="_blank">this previous post</a>. I will say that I'm very proud of this quilt and immensly flattered that it won a second place award at this year's <a href="http://quiltconwest.com/about/" target="_blank">QuiltCon</a> show in the Modern Traditionalism category. I completed the quilt in November of 2014, just in time to enter it in the QuiltCon show.<br />
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Here's a detail view of the spiral quilting. You might also notice that many of the gray background fabrics have been overdyed. Do you recognize any of them as originally black-on-white prints?! Dyeing quilting fabrics was a first for me, and something I really enjoyed experimenting with.<br />
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Be sure to check out all the quilts in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2015/05/15/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2015/" target="_blank">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a> over at <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/" target="_blank">Amy's Creative Side</a>. I'm entering this one in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2015/05/15/spring-2015-bloggers-quilt-festival-small-quilts/" target="_blank">Small Quilts</a> category.<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com94tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-71665276211371015342015-05-20T09:55:00.001-05:002015-06-29T10:10:56.558-05:00Bright Lights - Bloggers Quilt Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're visiting from the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/" target="_blank">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a>, hello... and thanks for stopping by!<br />
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I'm entering my Bright Lights quilt in the festival, and realized I hadn't yet shared it here on the blog. This is the second quilt I've made. Ever. That's right. I made a quilted table runner in 2012-13 (It took a while!), and then this one, so it was very much a learning process for me. Which, really, every quilt is!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CpwL9w5a-RwEZ7D8bwIfsjSQE3bBNfGr6u7YlFC-iFY-OlXDvBssUAJGEyH1nmjmhqgMzFcjb94eJ5jMF0EF9ndde-OnMPkQ7Mu2t5kuRDroFkRLV5RR0JNpkwlg-SZRTitXu-ind9c/s1600/citystreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CpwL9w5a-RwEZ7D8bwIfsjSQE3bBNfGr6u7YlFC-iFY-OlXDvBssUAJGEyH1nmjmhqgMzFcjb94eJ5jMF0EF9ndde-OnMPkQ7Mu2t5kuRDroFkRLV5RR0JNpkwlg-SZRTitXu-ind9c/s320/citystreet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© leiyagami</td></tr>
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The design was inspired and made for a<a href="http://thechicagomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2014/04/modern-in-city-quilt-challenge.html" target="_blank"> 'Modern in the City' challenge</a> organized for the International Quilt Festival show in Chicago last year. It's loosely based on this photo I found through a Google image search: a blurry image of a city street at night. (Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything more to credit the artist/photographer, other than the copyright info above.) I blocked out some general shapes/sections based on the one-point perspective of the photo, then improvised the piecing using different width strips.<br />
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I pieced the top while at a retreat with the the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild in March 2014, just a few days before the deadline. Then I quilted it to emphasize the perspective lines. The fabrics were all from my stash. I didn't really know what I was doing, which made it a fun challenge. I just put it together without thinking about it too much; it felt a little like painting! This was also the first time I needed to bury threads, since my only other quilt was a narrow table runner that I quilted so all the stitching ended at the binding edges. And I attached the binding by machine because I worried I wouldn't finish it in time otherwise. Since then, I've come to love binding by hand, and wouldn't dream of doing it otherwise!<br />
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It was fun to see it in the IQF show, along with other quilts created by members of both the Chicago and Naperville Modern Quilt Guilds. I hope you enjoy seeing it (and all the other quilts!) in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2015/05/15/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2015/"><span id="goog_1486447236"></span>Blogger's Quilt Festival<span id="goog_1486447237"></span></a> over at <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/" target="_blank">Amy's Creative Side</a>. I'm entering it in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2015/05/15/spring-2015-bloggers-quilt-festival-original-designs-quilts/" target="_blank">Original Designs</a> category.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com322tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-60127893923101632772015-05-06T11:40:00.001-05:002015-06-29T10:12:52.317-05:00Giveaway Day!Today (and the rest of this week) is <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/giveaway-day-sewing-craft-supplies-fabric-patterns-etc-2/" target="_blank">SewMamaSew's Giveaway Day</a>. Lucky you. And me. ;) You have a chance to win fabulous sewing-related prizes, and learn about blogs or Instagram feeds you might be missing out on... and I get to meet some of you!<br />
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I'm giving away the current issue of Modern Patchwork magazine, plus a kit (fabric and batting) to make the Arrow Sketchbook Cover featured inside. All you'll need to provide is a bit of sewing time and a sketchbook!<br />
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Here's what you could win:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The Spring 2015 issue of Modern Patchwork</li>
<li>One (almost) half yard of Comma News Print fabric by Zen Chic in Slate Gray (This is not the same fabric shown in the finished sketchbook, but will look just as fabulous -- if not more!)</li>
<li>Three different solid fabrics for piecing the arrows (Kona colors: Pomegranite, Cactus, and Peacock)</li>
<li>One fat quarter of Kona Turquoise for the lining</li>
<li>One fat quarter of cotton flannel batting</li>
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This issue of Modern Patchwork includes my full instructions for making the Arrow Sketchbook Cover and I hope you'll enjoy making your own! **The actual sketchbook cover pictured here will not be included in the package.**<br />
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Plus, look at all the other fabulous projects you could make from the magazine!!<br />
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<b>To enter, please leave a comment letting me know what your favorite thing to sew is. Do you like quilting, or sewing garments, bags, soft toys... or something else?? I'd love to know!</b><br />
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<b>You have from now until Sunday, May 10, at 5:00 pm PST to enter. After that, I'll randomly choose one winner. </b><br />
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<i><b>Please be sure I have a way to contact you if you're a winner! If your email is not connected to your blogger profile, please include it in your comment.</b></i><br />
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I'm not requiring any extra hoops to enter, but I'd be absolutely flattered if you choose to follow me through <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/formwork-4428185" target="_blank">Bloglovin'</a> or on <a href="https://instagram.com/formwork/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Thanks, and good luck!!<br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com214tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-48168418834300421052015-02-27T13:02:00.001-06:002015-06-29T10:14:29.601-05:00A Quilt for QuiltConI created Deconstructed Lonestar specifically for <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/" target="_blank">QuiltCon</a> 2015, the international conference and show by and for <a href="http://www.themodernquiltguild.com/" target="_blank">The Modern Quilt Guild</a>.<br />
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I was inspired by a traditional lone star quilt my mom made for me when I was in my twenties, long before I was interested in quilting myself. I was looking at it recently and thinking about how striking the pattern is and how it might look with a more modern spin. I was also inspired by <a href="http://quiltbarn.blogspot.com/2012/03/star-light-star-bright-quilt.html" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://cortneyheimerl.com/quilts/gw29zcwygfnvvjtf8dy2f7aaytgil8" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2013/12/hawthorne-hues-and-lone-star-quilt.html" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://betteroffthread.com/2012/08/19/scrappy-lone-star-tutorial-part-1/" target="_blank">this</a>, all modern versions of the lone star pattern. I then started to think about the idea of the star breaking off and exploding into space. The concept of combining a traditional pattern with current fabrics and improvisational piecing resonated with me. I drew up a basic star pattern, offset it towards a lower corner, and starting sketching over it with colored pencil.<br />
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I decided early on to use a cool palette of blues and greens for the star, and that I wanted those colors to pop against a darker background. I was looking for more depth and interest in the negative space than I thought I could achieve with a solid gray. I also wanted the construction of the piecing to be obvious, as I feel like that is a big part of what makes the lone star pattern so beautiful. Since I knew it would be impossible to find assorted dark gray prints that worked together, it became clear that I should overdye the background fabrics myself, something I hadn't done before. Because (ha!) why would I make the process easy??! In the end, after collecting a variety of black-on-white prints, and learning as much as I could from everyone I know who had ever dyed fabric, I set to work. It took two tries -- you can see the first (too light) version on the left and the final version on the right.<br />
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You can see my partially completed sketch for the design in the upper left corner of the photo above. That's as far as I got with planning out the design. I laid out the "shards" of the broken star as I went, until it looked right.<br />
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Here it is on the floor on my living room, almost complete! I pieced the star in somewhat random strips that I then cut at a 45-degree angle, similar to <a href="http://betteroffthread.com/2012/08/19/scrappy-lone-star-tutorial-part-1/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. The broken points of the star are pieced in the same manner, but with more carefully placed strips of the gray fabric added, so those parts became negative space and faded into the background.<br />
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The quilting was influenced by a "Recipe for Spiraling" in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pamphlet-Architecture-27-Benjamin-Aranda/dp/1568985479/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425059717&sr=1-1&keywords=tooling+pamphlet" target="_blank">Pamphlet Architecture 27: Tooling</a>, shown above. I'm not adept at free motion quilting and was looking for a dynamic quilting design that I could quilt myself with a walking foot. The authors of the book write that "Spiraling produces a shape unlike any other because it is seldom experienced as geometry, but rather as energy." Seemed perfect to me. You can see that I sketched the beginning of the spiral on the quilt top. Thankfully, once it got big enough, I was able to use the edge of the walking foot to continue the shape until it was complete.<br />
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I love how the gray fabrics have a similar tone (or is it shade?), yet are still distinct. I really pushed myself with this quilt and learned so much in the making of it. It also reinforced for me how much I enjoy the <i>process</i> of design. I finished binding and photographing the quilt the day submissions were due for the QuiltCon show, and was thrilled to find out a few weeks later that it was accepted into the show!<br />
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Then, on the first morning of QuiltCon, my quilt was awarded second place in the Modern Traditionalism category. I'm still a little in shock! Really, it was incredible just to see my quilt in the show. You can see all of the amazing winning quilts in <a href="https://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/congratulations-to-our-2015-quiltcon-winners/" target="_blank">this post</a> on The Modern Quilt Guild blog. So many other fabulous quilts were on display, too. If you're on Instagram, check out #quiltsofquiltcon or #quiltcon2015 to see many of them. [The quilt on the left, above, is Fly Away by <a href="http://www.oliveandollie.com/" target="_blank">Heather Jones</a>.]Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-91113934225764211892015-02-10T14:21:00.001-06:002015-06-29T10:15:30.052-05:00Floating Triangles BagI'm a bit late with this announcement, but you can find my pattern for this Floating Triangles bag in the Winter 2015 issue of Modern Patchwork. (You should still be able to find the issue on newsstands. But if not, you can purchase a copy from the <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/stitch-spring-2015-magazine" target="_blank">Interweave store</a>.)<br />
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I really enjoyed designing this bright and colorful cross-body bag. The angled front pocket is essentially a tiny quilt -- and a fun study in half square triangles. The bag measures about 10-inches wide by 13-inches tall, and the strap is adjustable up to 53-inches long.<br />
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Modern Patchwork is one of my favorite quilty/sewing magazines, and, as usual, there are some great quilts and smaller projects in this particular issue. I'm thrilled to be sharing the pages with some of my maker/designer idols, including <a href="http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Rashida Coleman-Hale</a> (Her Modern Hexies quilt is gorgeous!) and <a href="http://www.stitchindye.com/blog-2/" target="_blank">Malka Dubrawsky</a> (Don't you think her Mod Ovals Quilt makes a beautiful cover photo?).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{top right photo courtesy of Interweave}</span><br />
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Speaking of cover photos (and publications), I'm super excited that my Above the Curve table runner made it on the cover of the Spring issue of Stitch!! What an honor... and a surprise! I haven't received my physical copy yet. When I do, I'll be sure to post more about that design, and the inspiration behind it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{photo courtesy of Interweave}</span><br />
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And, if you sew your own version of the Floating Triangles bag, or any of my patterns, I would LOVE to see it! Tag me on Instagram (@formwork), post a comment here, or email me to let me know. Thanks so much!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-32055586012190089502014-03-26T13:01:00.000-05:002015-06-29T10:16:21.265-05:00My Aragon bagBack in the beginning of February, I took a workshop with Sara Lawson of <a href="http://www.sewsweetness.com/">Sew Sweetness</a> and made this lovely bag. The workshop was an all-day event, organized by the <a href="http://thechicagomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/">Chicago Modern Quilt Guild</a>, a group which I am so happy to have joined about a year ago. Many of us braved (yet another!) snowstorm that day, to gather and sew and eat and sew and chat and sew... as Sara expertly and patiently walked us through the making of her Aragon bag.<br />
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The Aragon bag was designed as a diaper bag, but it would also make a great carry-on tote. I'll be using mine as a "retreat" bag to carry fabric and sewing supplies. The thing has nine pockets (!) in all, which are perfect for stashing rotary cutters, rulers, thread, elastic, zippers, and more. And the interior is easily large enough to hold several yards of fabric, as well as some in-progress projects! If you're interested, you can find out more about the Aragon bag in Sara's <a href="http://www.sewsweetnesspatterns.com/products/aragon-bag">pattern shop</a>.<br />
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I enjoy making bags, but I'm not sure I would have attempted one this complex without the workshop. Despite having done a lot of prep work beforehand and sewing all day (okay, so maybe I should have been talking less...remember the part about chatting?!), I still hadn't completely finished the bag at the end of the workshop. Another hour or so of focused work at home, though, and it was done!<br />
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I used fabrics from Jeni Baker's <a href="http://www.liveartgalleryfabrics.com/nordika.html">Nordika</a> collection for the outer bag and side pockets, with a teal polka-dot print from Joann's for the interior, top, and shoulder straps.<br />
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I cut out the pattern pieces using the cute little pattern weights my mother-in-law made for me for Christmas. No more cans from the cupboard as pattern weights for me! I stuck to the pattern for the most part, with just a few (three, in fact) modifications. <br />
1) I changed the shape of the front flap pocket to be more rectangular, but still with rounded bottom corners (see top photo). The pocket in the pattern is more of a semi-circle. I liked how the shape of my revised pocket was more connected to the overall shape of the bag, but, more importantly, I just wanted to be able to fit more stuff in it!<br />
2) I made the shoulder straps a few inches longer, because I'm tall and wanted the bag to hit my hips, not my waist, when I carry it.<br />
3) I used a different interfacing than the pattern called for -- Pellon Peltex 71 (an ultra-firm fusible stabilizer) instead of the recommended Soft and Stable foam interfacing.<br />
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If you ever have a chance to take a class from Sara, I would highly recommend it. She was a great teacher, was very well prepared to walk us through each step, and was patient and personable. Plus, you'll likely end up with an amazing new bag as a result!!<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-77950874984985713202014-02-10T10:00:00.000-06:002014-02-10T10:00:56.887-06:00A Kitchen Stitches winner!!<span style="font-family: inherit;">The winner of my giveaway of the new Kitchen Stitches book is.... (drumroll, please...) Debbie!!!, who said, "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;">Looks like a very useful book! Thanks." I think you'll find that it truly is, Debbie!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">You can read more about the book, and my contribution to it, <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/kitchen-stitches-book-release-and.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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And if you didn't win, but would still like a copy of the book, you can always purchase a copy at your local bookstore, in the <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/kitchen-stitches.html">Martingale shop</a> or through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Stitches-Sewing-Projects-Spice/dp/1604684038/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392047786&sr=1-1&keywords=kitchen+stitches" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Happy stitching!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-67608576342545637932014-02-05T11:37:00.000-06:002015-06-29T10:17:07.642-05:00Double-Handed Pot Holder from Kitchen Stitches (and a giveaway!)Here's a clue to which project I chose to stitch up for this week's <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/kitchen-stitches.html">Kitchen Stitches</a> blog hop. (Hint: Look in the upper left corner of this photo.) **Also, I'm giving away a Kitchen Stitches book to one lucky winner today! Info at the very bottom of this post.**<br />
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Yes, for several reasons, I decided to make the Double-Handed Pot Holder by <a href="http://beyondthereefpatterns.blogspot.com/">Natalie Barnes</a>. First, I don't think it's possible to have too many pot holders... and I didn't yet have this double-handed type. I also liked the opportunity this project provided to mix lots of print and solid fabrics, plus the pot holder is constructed using the quilt-as-you-go method, a technique I've been wanting to try.<br />
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Working with a Valetine's Day theme, I chose pink and red fabrics to start. Then I added some oranges (My hands just naturally reach for them. I can't really help it!). I brought in a bright blue and citrus-y green, as well, to keep it from being too monochrome. The radical part is the hot pink solid that I chose for the backing. I'm not usually a pink person, but it just seemed right for this project.<br />
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The instructions were easy to follow, with clear diagrams. The quilt-as-you-go technique was painless and quick. Since I don't usually sew with hot pink and therefore didn't have any thread to match the backing, I decided to use a bright orange (I know, I know.) thread in the bobbin to provide a fun contrast with the pink. For the top thread, I used an off-white. The upper left photo shows the two thread colors. <br />
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Due to my own novice-ness at hand sewing bindings, and the many layers involved, I managed to stab myself several times with my needle during the process. Twice, in fact, I had to spot clean drops of blood off the pot holder!! Eventually, though, I got the hang of it, and the rest of the binding attachment went smoothly. The many band-aids on my fingers may have also helped protect them (and the pot holder) from further injury!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of Martingale Press.</span></i></div>
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Here's Natalie's lovely version from the book. I love the idea of the casserole cozy, too. That's on my future "to do" list. I really think this is a wonderful book full of great gift ideas or a nice way to add some color and cheer to your own home.</div>
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Don't forget to follow along this week with all of the bloggers (many of them book contributors) participating this week:</div>
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2/3 Heather at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://thesewingloftblog.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy296dL3DhEX65gbf2KrhRH1RRmR78w" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Sewing Loft</a><br />
2/4 Becky at the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://patchworkposse.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-dQ26PuC0cfZVE6K4lqq-6eAF9nA" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Patchwork Posse</a> and Kim at <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">My Go-Go life</a><br />
2/5 Amy at <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.formworkdesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">FormWork Design</a> and Deby at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://so-sew-easy.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2_RhfOj1dpO5I3CwZZ5gxp0-lpLZw" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> So Sew Easy</a><br />
2/6 Rebecca at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://rubybluequilts.blogspot.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29oRHCr76WlJrSwlQ7ZGBSZJeWQXQ" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ruby Blue Quilts</a> and Jackie at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://jabotquilt.blogspot.ca/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-XrfRr3s--ummPJgNwVD9uXvDtUw" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Jabot Quilts</a><br />
2/7 Melissa at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-ZHfGs3NYA0G4JdxPdIJlqpr71VQ" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Happy Melissa Quilting</a><br />
2/8 Kari at <a href="http://www.freshcutquilts.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fresh Cut Quilts</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsp8VpASMR4ylXqa-lrj4BNECMHVm2CBYvD7mX1PDLtwHp2RDcngocwJbjYrUx9Tm8zG-boxagvGByYpXJAY0MjkO0okdWTfqYpMfjXL7OzuF1r2pHDRVTStCwXucIPsicRt74kOv-3fo/s1600/20140205_potholder04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsp8VpASMR4ylXqa-lrj4BNECMHVm2CBYvD7mX1PDLtwHp2RDcngocwJbjYrUx9Tm8zG-boxagvGByYpXJAY0MjkO0okdWTfqYpMfjXL7OzuF1r2pHDRVTStCwXucIPsicRt74kOv-3fo/s1600/20140205_potholder04.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now, the giveaway -- thanks for being patient! <i><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win one copy of Kitchen Stitches. The giveaway is open until 5pm CST on Saturday, February 8, when I'll randomly choose a winner. Please make sure your email is included in your comment, especially if it's not connected to your Blogger profile.</b></span></i><br />
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Good luck!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com95tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-2845628120233913882014-02-03T19:09:00.000-06:002014-02-03T19:09:40.415-06:00More Kitchen Stitches stitchingGetting this out a little late in the day... but I wanted to share some info about a fun little Kitchen Stitches blog hop I'm participating in this week. Several of the book's contributing designers are stitching up projects from <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/kitchen-stitches.html">Kitchen Stitches</a> -- with a Valentine's theme -- to share. The fun twist is that we've chosen other projects in the book to sew, rather than our own. I finished mine up late this afternoon, and will show and tell on Wednesday. Can you guess from this snapshot of my work table just which project I made?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU4uHg1ukXOXzmAOHIF7MD0sn4jovWgIo0xqJtHOHckh892APJx7Iavc-8R3A0IGY3WKU09bkwUh2RPnJ7kZxonbOQFWoJUC2dD4da74ylTFZaI8b04eUaJQTKXcofKWHfvpRZ8-jmUY/s1600/20140203_strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU4uHg1ukXOXzmAOHIF7MD0sn4jovWgIo0xqJtHOHckh892APJx7Iavc-8R3A0IGY3WKU09bkwUh2RPnJ7kZxonbOQFWoJUC2dD4da74ylTFZaI8b04eUaJQTKXcofKWHfvpRZ8-jmUY/s1600/20140203_strips.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's the line up of participants this week. Be sure to take a peek each day at what these lovely ladies have been up to. I'm truly flattered to be in the company of such great designers!<br />
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2/3 Heather at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://thesewingloftblog.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy296dL3DhEX65gbf2KrhRH1RRmR78w" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Sewing Loft</a><br />
2/4 Becky at the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://patchworkposse.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-dQ26PuC0cfZVE6K4lqq-6eAF9nA" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Patchwork Posse</a> and Kim at <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">My Go-Go life</a><br />
2/5 Amy at <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.formworkdesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">FormWork Design</a> and Deby at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://so-sew-easy.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2_RhfOj1dpO5I3CwZZ5gxp0-lpLZw" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> So Sew Easy</a><br />
2/6 Rebecca at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://rubybluequilts.blogspot.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29oRHCr76WlJrSwlQ7ZGBSZJeWQXQ" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ruby Blue Quilts</a> and Jackie at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://jabotquilt.blogspot.ca/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-XrfRr3s--ummPJgNwVD9uXvDtUw" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Jabot Quilts</a><br />
2/7 Melissa at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-ZHfGs3NYA0G4JdxPdIJlqpr71VQ" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Happy Melissa Quilting</a><br />
2/8 Kari at <a href="http://www.freshcutquilts.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fresh Cut Quilts</a><br />
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And here's one more glance at some of the projects in the book. I just love all that color!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy of Martingale Press.</i></td></tr>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-34001720016395053092014-01-30T14:48:00.002-06:002014-01-30T14:48:57.716-06:00Kitchen Stitches book release... and a giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you seen <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/kitchen-stitches.html">Kitchen Stitches</a> yet? I'm thrilled to be a contributor to this great new book by Martingale Press -- and now I can finally share some of the photos I took almost a year ago of the tea cozy and placemat set I designed! But first, I'll tell you that if you are patient enough to read all the way to the end of this post, you can find out about Martingale's big giveaway to celebrate the release of Kitchen Stitches, a collection of fun and fuctional sewing projects for the kitchen and more!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUhclIn8ac5Ctvp0k2B8_oz7UDwYFv3hGo9xNKnRiFREHFi7LWmeP52giSqKzbNVACYJOkznC5PCPL3XhzA71P-9yKJtGrZs9X8zVB8s7yDXlGhLfh16lYr4GeuH_rGc10fwL0YlL2kE/s1600/Kitchen+Stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUhclIn8ac5Ctvp0k2B8_oz7UDwYFv3hGo9xNKnRiFREHFi7LWmeP52giSqKzbNVACYJOkznC5PCPL3XhzA71P-9yKJtGrZs9X8zVB8s7yDXlGhLfh16lYr4GeuH_rGc10fwL0YlL2kE/s1600/Kitchen+Stitches.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
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I love pairing linen with pretty cotton prints, and I used the Circle Blooms design as a way to do just that. Then I added a little hand embroidery for extra detail. This was my first time experimenting with reverse applique, something I had wanted to try for a while. That's one of the things I really enjoy about designing sewing projects/patterns -- it gives me a chance to try out new techniques and skills in order to achieve the look that I'm after.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5fl2uxBcrOyIj6ic6giRUD7IVYO9zWfTv8r5Eo8M22rR50uOf2g-eoO3tDOdsWuBLWqyKOfKcOUOYAIAul-hkNmIsiy84zH5UwuuDj_fD7jdkP-fA9PBfaswcz2XbwFXhh47wXwekbg/s1600/20140130_cozy01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5fl2uxBcrOyIj6ic6giRUD7IVYO9zWfTv8r5Eo8M22rR50uOf2g-eoO3tDOdsWuBLWqyKOfKcOUOYAIAul-hkNmIsiy84zH5UwuuDj_fD7jdkP-fA9PBfaswcz2XbwFXhh47wXwekbg/s1600/20140130_cozy01.jpg" /></a></div>
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I had my own little styling session in my dining room to take these photos. Ha! It could use a little work, I know. I'm fascinated at how photos in books and magazines are styled, and I'd love to get better at this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvXxw00wvOya1GZoKsC6LlcUOllGWW2q7KZtgKYVWr5qK-9oBa1kpv57RAwAnskRI2VYWZQBOztMxot8H-pnF0S-OFBC1Aoa6H3AWi8nfVlMNMHDW23rKrVismCXl-_LPlR5fcUeL0FQ/s1600/20140130_cozy02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvXxw00wvOya1GZoKsC6LlcUOllGWW2q7KZtgKYVWr5qK-9oBa1kpv57RAwAnskRI2VYWZQBOztMxot8H-pnF0S-OFBC1Aoa6H3AWi8nfVlMNMHDW23rKrVismCXl-_LPlR5fcUeL0FQ/s1600/20140130_cozy02.jpg" /></a></div>
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Also, I know I'm a nerd, but I like all the circles in this photo. Hmmm... Maybe I should've used a spoon instead of a fork for an even more "circular" look!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXp7pwTEN-JpSgLJuWumsZupDxCOhYF13OijuR8BhThgTdqefIoxu576bYs78KPoipFNjWEKiNpcge5Tm3X81DWxTgUyKUkrV1vjpNAIfSTMCD4HjO7W0O2BQlKDfjc5rY1xqrsoo1uU/s1600/20140130_placemat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXp7pwTEN-JpSgLJuWumsZupDxCOhYF13OijuR8BhThgTdqefIoxu576bYs78KPoipFNjWEKiNpcge5Tm3X81DWxTgUyKUkrV1vjpNAIfSTMCD4HjO7W0O2BQlKDfjc5rY1xqrsoo1uU/s1600/20140130_placemat.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are many wonderful (and colorful!) projects in this book that would make lovely hostess gifts, or a nice little something for your own home. The basket liner and baguette tote by <a href="http://beyondthereefpatterns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natalie Barnes</a> also pair linen with cotton prints, and are delightful. The casserole cozy, also by Natalie Barnes, and the slow-cooker cozy by <a href="http://rubybluequilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Silbaugh</a> are both colorful and fun -- besides, who doesn't love a "cozy"? And I just love all the potholders (by Natalie Barnes, <a href="http://www.42quilts.com/" target="_blank">Jenifer Dick</a> and <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kim Niedzwiecki</a>), as well as <a href="http://www.lindsaysews.com/" target="_blank">Lindsay Conner</a>'s super-simple, yet very clever, magnetic message board. Now I'll stop and just tell you that you can get a peak at ALL of the book projects <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/kitchen-stitches.html" target="_blank">here</a>, on Martingale's website.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo-OORDoClXJRbsIwzDOI7vYwoG01BKUj1j1Frge5ojnfLCxzM0zGQnBSTgpfi_UTITS2aMlvZiPNJYO3Wrj0O3AkFj5GiESmGhnD-1zJc59KP2k_hZetTv2nRIaeJV16wd5SiSht94E/s1600/January-30--Kitchen-Stitches-blog-hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo-OORDoClXJRbsIwzDOI7vYwoG01BKUj1j1Frge5ojnfLCxzM0zGQnBSTgpfi_UTITS2aMlvZiPNJYO3Wrj0O3AkFj5GiESmGhnD-1zJc59KP2k_hZetTv2nRIaeJV16wd5SiSht94E/s1600/January-30--Kitchen-Stitches-blog-hop.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a></div>
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And now, for the giveaway details! You'll have to head over to Martingale's blog, <a href="http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilting-sewing/kitchen-patterns-and-designs-kitchen-stitches/" target="_blank">Stitch This!</a> to enter. You have the chance to win one of 14 copies of the <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/kitchen-stitches.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Stitches ebook</a>, or the grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/index.php">ShopMartingale.com</a>. You have from now until February 6 to enter. </div>
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Again, here's the <a href="http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilting-sewing/kitchen-patterns-and-designs-kitchen-stitches/">link</a>... and good luck!</div>
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Finally, just for fun, I thought I'd include an early sketch of the little tea cozy that made it into this charming book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXndDmcemSumptCGO9GGwoyuD5pCPyLP-36HErYa1PmY3H3OPoMZETdD_QythkQMBdDpbLW5G2YY32nYByB905bsp0dFLHKGVxW7v3t9vmQD2HxpGnUPZ5gRFLSDywdqkxR7Qr6D3EVeE/s1600/20140130_sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXndDmcemSumptCGO9GGwoyuD5pCPyLP-36HErYa1PmY3H3OPoMZETdD_QythkQMBdDpbLW5G2YY32nYByB905bsp0dFLHKGVxW7v3t9vmQD2HxpGnUPZ5gRFLSDywdqkxR7Qr6D3EVeE/s1600/20140130_sketch.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-8991533893436510442013-10-16T16:39:00.004-05:002015-06-29T10:18:09.253-05:00Sew Gifts! is here!A box full of these arrived in the mail yesterday!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadQ9821Ee0Jxd03GzHIFOwwA7ItVacI0LvXpc20Ek35ClsuM_QGsiip2ux29qMd1S9XMrUi2BivxftxjNTLl7DDFPHaeXe3XpKHPVHKkLKfj4_rfHD8GY7tl_smh_NaX4h2grOhNWMDM/s1600/20131016_SewGifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadQ9821Ee0Jxd03GzHIFOwwA7ItVacI0LvXpc20Ek35ClsuM_QGsiip2ux29qMd1S9XMrUi2BivxftxjNTLl7DDFPHaeXe3XpKHPVHKkLKfj4_rfHD8GY7tl_smh_NaX4h2grOhNWMDM/s1600/20131016_SewGifts.jpg" /></a></div>
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It feels like forever since I received an email from Martingale Press asking if I'd like to contribute to a publication of sewing patterns. (I did, of course! Once I got over the shock of being asked.) I'm so happy with the way this book turned out. <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/sew-gifts.html" target="_blank">Sew Gifts!</a> is a charming book with clear instructions and illustrations, and a great variety of <i>really</i> lovely gifts to sew. And it's just in time for the holidays, too!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of Martingale Press.</span></i><br />
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Here's my contribution to the book, the Bird on a Branch pillow, photographed beautifully by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. (I still can't quite believe it's in a book!) And here are just a few of my favorite projects by other designers.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos courtesy of Martingale Press.</span></i><br />
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<i>Clockwise from top left: Triangular Knitting Needle Case by Josée Carrier; Travel Backgammon Set by Adrienne Smitke; Oilcloth Wallet by April Moffatt; Color-Block iPad Cover by Debbie Grifka</i><br />
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You can see photos of all the projects and read more about the book on <a href="http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilting-sewing/sew-gifts/" target="_blank">Martingale's Stitch This! blog</a>.<br />
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I know many of you are much more organized than me, but I also have to guess that I'm not the only sewer with grand plans to create handmade gifts for friends and family each holiday season... only to get started way too late to finish them all. Let's rectify that with a Sew Gifts! giveaway, so you can get started on your gift making before it's too late!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thanks to Martingale, I'm giving away one digital eBook of Sew Gifts!. To win, simply leave a comment on this post below. If you're not sure what to write, please share your own gift making plans for the holiday season or any upcoming special occasion. For another chance to win, let me know in a second comment that you follow me -- either on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/formworkdesign" target="_blank">facebook</a>, through Bloglovin', RSS feed, or some other way. The giveaway is open until 6 pm EST next Wednesday, October 23, when I will choose a winner at random. Good luck!!</span></b><br />
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Or purchase a copy of Sew Gifts! at your local bookstore, in the <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/sew-gifts.html" target="_blank">Martingale shop</a> or through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Gifts-Handmade-Ideas-Designers/dp/1604683015/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381938926&sr=1-1&keywords=sew+gifts" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-31401655066423238852013-09-23T10:10:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:28:05.267-05:00A quilt collaborationLast Spring I joined the <a href="http://thechicagomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Modern Quilt Guild</a> in order to meet like-minded creative people and to be inspired. As it turns out... it worked! I've met some great people who are doing similar, and also different, things than myself. And now I'm actually working on a quilt (in fact, I'm working on <i>two</i> at the moment)!!<br />
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Pictured here is about one quarter of a charity quilt that I'm collaborating on with three other CMQG members. It's made up of scrappy log cabin blocks cut into quarters and then randomly re-pieced -- very similar to the Scrapper's Delight pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Morning-Quilts-Projects-Treasured/dp/1607054272" target="_blank">Sunday Morning Quilts</a>.<br />
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I'm also finally putting the binding on my quilted <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-wip-and-one-finished.html" target="_blank">Mondrian table runner</a> which has been a work-in-progress for an embarrassing long time! Since I volunteered to put the binding on our charity quilt and... ahem... haven't actually bound a quilt before... you know, where I have to turn corners and stuff... I decided I should practice! I machine stitched the binding to the front of the quilt and am enjoying the somewhat meditative process of hand-stitching it to the back. I'll post photos soon of that <i>finished</i> quilt.<br />
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In the meantime, I'm plotting a bit of <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.com/2013/09/selfish-sewing-week-it-begins.html" target="_blank">selfish sewing</a> this week. This seriously could not be happening at a better time. I've been pretty overwhelmed with a new, <i>big</i> volunteer job I've taken on at my kids' school this year. I've been feeling absolutely sewing-deprived... and, now, the perfect excuse to sew (for myself, no less!) has come along. Here's a peek at some of the fabrics I recently splurged on in anticipation of sewing for myself. Yes, sewing... for me. I won't feel guilty. Nope, not at all. Okay, maybe a little. But I'll get over it when I put on my brand new sewn-by-me duds!<br />
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</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-20867241568474097522013-08-25T08:35:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:28:51.088-05:00A Summer of Being (or Rationalizing Lazy!)Last spring, when I was scheduling our summer and discussing options with the kids for camps and other things, my oldest told me that he didn't want to do too much this summer. I think he specifically said, "I just want to relax." Well, relax we did.<br />
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We also sewed, watched movies, spent time at our neighborhood pool, and hung out with friends...<br />
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Visited family, participated in a few summer camps and workshops, did more sewing, and went to a drive-in...<br />
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Made our own games, visited museums, swam, kayaked, sampled <i>many</i> kinds of ice cream, and slept in late...<br />
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Spent time with cousins, and more time with friends. We had a fun-filled, but also a lazy summer. Just the way it should be, I suppose. Or at least that's what I told myself when I was feeling guilty for not updating the blog ALL summer. These years of being able to really spend time with my kids are limited; I'm grateful for this time just being together.<br />
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I'm also ready for school to start again on Monday; for us all to be back on a schedule and to be able to accomplish my own tasks. But, man, what a lovely, lazy summer!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-44337904286795161792013-06-12T10:38:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:30:02.412-05:00A bag... and a book!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally got around to making another <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/241-tote-pattern.html" target="_blank">241 tote</a>, this time for myself... and it just makes me so very happy. Really, though, how could these fabrics not make a person cheerful?! You can see my first 241 tote <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/covert-robin-what-i-made.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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It's my new everyday bag for summer. I made the handle extra long so I can wear it across my body, and I added interfacing to the handle, so it will hold up well to everyday use. Other than that, I just followed the lovely pattern instructions.<br />
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Fabrics are Echino insect in Natural by Etsuko Furuya cotton/linen, Bella Mini Dot in Sunspray by Lotta Jansdotter, and, of course, a bit of Robert Kaufman yarn dyed linen/cotton (this time in Black).<br />
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And (here's the "book" part), I'm so excited to finally share this news! I'm a contributing author to a book called Sew Gifts! Yes, an actual book, folks! It will be released this October by <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/" target="_blank">Martingale Press</a> / This Patchwork Place. I discovered the Martingale wholesale catalog in my mailbox recently with this preview of the book, including a photo of my bird-on-a-branch pillow project. I haven't seen the actual flip-through-the pages, bound book yet, but I was able to review the proofs of my project pages and was super happy with how they turned out. Once I have an actual book in my hands (can't wait!), I can promise there will be a giveaway... or two... or more!<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-91318192913278549922013-06-05T10:44:00.001-05:002015-06-29T11:31:43.736-05:00Catching up... plus a roly-poly winner!My kids had their last day of school on Friday, and all the craziness that goes along with the end of the school year during the preceding week(s). Included in that craziness were a couple of parties to celebrate construction beginning on a brand new green schoolyard to replace the massive blacktop "parking lot" that functioned as a play area at our school for so long. We are very excited about this!! And I'm happy to now officially be on Summer Break... but I'm also waiting for that first "What can I do?" -- the equivalent in our house of "I'm bored!" I'm trying to prepare with stacks of regular books, audio books, workbooks, and lots of crafty and outdoor activities. And I still haven't even started to sort through the massive stack of school work that came home last week. Oh well. All in good time. We've left that all behind for almost a week anyway, and have traveled to Michigan to visit my parents and my sister's family, including my new baby niece, who is just the loveliest, sweetest little thing.<br />
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I managed to fit in a little bit of sewing in the last week of school, but not much. I stitched up this big tote bag for my daughter's Kindergarten teacher, then the class room parents filled it with summery and beachy-type things for an end of the year thank you gift.<br />
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Finally, in case you're wondering who the lucky winner of the <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/roly-poly-blog-tour-giveaway.html" target="_blank">roly poly pattern giveaway</a> was... it was Angie, who said. "my fav side is the grey with the tiny asterisk." Congrats to Angie!! Rachael from <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Imagine Gnats</a> will be contacting her shortly with the pattern link. And thanks so much to everyone who commented and visited during the roly-poly blog tour! It was so much fun to participate and to follow along and see all the amazing roly-poly creations. If you missed any, check out Rachael's <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.com/2013/06/roly-poly-along-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">roly-poly-along wrap-up</a> to see them all.<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-2322692799765524692013-05-23T10:27:00.001-05:002015-06-29T11:33:17.066-05:00Roly-poly blog tour + giveawayWelcome to my stop on the Roly-poly-along Blog Tour! If you're not already familiar with it, the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/129859678/the-roly-poly-a-pinafore-tunic-pattern" target="_blank">roly-poly</a> is a pinafore tunic pattern designed by the lovely, talented, and genuinely witty Rachael Gander of <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Imagine Gnats</a>. I started following Rachael's blog shortly before I met her in person last October and have to admit that I was a little intimidated to meet her. I needn't have been, though. She is warm, down-to-earth and perfectly friendly. This is her first ever sewing pattern for a garment, and I am more than happy to help her promote it. It really is a fabulous pattern.<br />
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<i><b>Don't miss the roly-poly pattern giveaway at the end of this post!</b></i><br />
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I decided on an asterisk roly-poly for my second take on the pattern (my <a href="http://www.formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/roly-poly-pinafore-pattern-test.html" target="_blank">first version</a> was done when I tested the pattern for Rachael). I'm a little obsessed with asterisks, although I really like most typographical symbols (or glyphs); and I'm always happy to be able to use a semicolon in my writing. Did you notice that, back there, how I slipped in a semicolon in the sentence about semicolons?! Yes, I know I'm a nerd.<br />
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Anyway... the roly-poly. The pattern is reversible, which is awesome for two reasons at least: a) There are no visible seams or hems to worry about. b) You can simply turn it the other way around if it gets dirty -- perfect for dealing with ice cream drips and other causalities of summer. I used Essex linen in gray for the giant wonky asterisk on the outside front of the pinafore and a cotton print (Tent in rose by Brandon Mably for Rowan) for the negative space.<br />
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On the reverse side, I used the Essex linen again with a simple tiny little asterisk applique in the print fabric. For the back of both sides, I used the same cotton print. Don't you just love the criss-cross in the back? And the cute little pleat in the front? Plus, you can make the pinafore with or without pockets -- I chose to add pockets to the front side, but not the reverse. These are the perfect little details that make this pattern unique.<br />
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And, although I could have constructed the big asterisk as a huge applique, I chose instead to piece it... partly because I was frugally trying to conserve fabric... but also, why not challenge myself with piecing curves and points when I had never done it before and it could easily end in an epic fail?! Somehow, with a little seam ripping, lots and lots and lots of pins (!), much pressing with the iron, and shear luck, I managed to make it work. Whew!<br />
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At the end of our photo shoot, my daughter took the roly-poly for a "roll" (sorry!) on her scooter. It worked well -- I think the photos speak for themselves!<br />
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If you'd like to make your own version of the roly-poly, you can purchase the pattern <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/129859678/the-roly-poly-a-pinafore-tunic-pattern" target="_blank">here</a>. Or, even better, Rachael has allowed me to give<i><b> one free pattern</b></i> away here!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">To win a copy of the roly-poly pinafore tunic pattern, simply leave a comment below before 6pm EST on Thursday, May 30. </i>Please make sure your email is included in your comment, especially if it's not connected to your blogger profile.<br />
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Here's the entire roly-poly blog tour schedule, so you can check out any posts you may have missed, as well as the ones coming up the rest of this week and next:<br />
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5.13 Jill <a href="http://thatmoxiegirl.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Made with Moxie</a> / Stephanie <a href="http://thecraftykitty.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Crafty Kitty</a></div>
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5.14 Stephanie <a href="http://neurosesgalore.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">NeurosesGalore</a> / Cherie <a href="http://youandmie.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">you & mie</a></div>
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5.15 Ari <a href="http://www.max-california.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Max California</a> / Caila <a href="http://www.cailamade.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Caila Made</a></div>
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5.16 Veronica <a href="http://sewvery.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">SewVery</a> / Tara <a href="http://girllikethesea.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Girl like the sea</a></div>
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5.17 Nancy <a href="http://owensolivia.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">owen's olivia</a> / Adrianna <a href="http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Crafterhours</a></div>
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5.20 Ajaire <a href="http://ajaire.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Call ajaire</a> / Sarah <a href="http://emmyloubeedoo.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">EmmylouBeeDoo</a></div>
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5.21 Laura <a href="http://www.craftstorming.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Craftstorming</a> / Jessica <a href="http://alittlegray.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">a little gray</a></div>
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5.22 Frances <a href="http://www.missmatatabi.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Miss Matatabi</a> / Nicke <a href="http://kisskissquilt.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">kiss kiss quilt</a></div>
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5.23 Amy <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">formwork design</a> / Kat <a href="http://www.sewchibi.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Sew Chibi</a></div>
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5.24 Joanne <a href="http://rosedahlia.blogspot.co.uk/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rose & Dahlia</a> / Amanda <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Kitschy Coo</a></div>
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5.27 Celina <a href="http://petitapetitandfamily.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Petit a Petit and family</a> / Delia <a href="http://www.deliacreates.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Delia Creates</a></div>
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5.28 Christy <a href="http://aameliahandmade.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">a.Amelia handmade</a> / Carolyn <a href="http://fakeitwhileyoumakeit.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Fake It While You Make It</a></div>
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5.29 Bonnie <a href="http://fishsticksdesigns.com/blog/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Fishsticks Designs</a> / Maria <a href="http://lainglesita.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">La Inglesita</a></div>
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5.30 Jane <a href="http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Buzzmills</a> / Kate <a href="http://thingsforcharlie.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Things for Charlie</a></div>
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5.31 Polly <a href="http://www.jakandgeegee.co.uk/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jack & GeeGee</a> / Molly <a href="http://roseandodin.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rose & Odin</a></div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-60897872959903022252013-05-16T09:50:00.001-05:002015-06-29T11:34:02.534-05:00Press, cut, sew, press, sew {repeat}I've been busy, busy, busy following the steps above, but wanted to pop in here for just a moment. I'm stitching up as much as possible for an art fair that I'm participating in this weekend. And crossing my fingers for lovely weather (the forecast says possible rain) and lots of sales (pretty please?).<br />
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This shoulder bag is one of the things I've been making. (Forgive the cluttered background and bad lighting -- I don't have time to stage a proper photo right now!!) I designed the bag around this amazing architecturally graphic fabric I found at IKEA recently. It's called <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40228987/" target="_blank">Bjornloka Figur</a>. Cool, huh?<br />
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{image from ikea.com}<br />
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It was screaming out to me, "I want to be a bag!!" Don't you see it?! The colored "Y"s on one side, and the white "Y" on the other? Plus the fabric has just enough of the black field in the middle to cut the shoulder straps from. I managed to find solids fabrics from my local Joann's to match the mustard and blue for lining the bags and straps. Here are some bags with the blue lining on my cutting table (aka dining room table).<br />
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I'm fortunate to have my sewing machine in our sunny back room and so have been enjoying the sun and warm breezes of this beautiful almost-summer while I work. Speaking of my sewing desk, I'd better get back to the process of pressing, cutting, sewing, etc. before I run out of time, but I wanted to share this last image, because I love it for so many reasons.<br />
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This was taken last weekend. My 9 year old son is in our backyard fort with the laptop, working on a research project for school. I like the view of him, concentrating, through the "window" of the missing board. It's a cool-ish, but sunny, spring day, and our Prairiefire Crabapple is in full bloom.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-65472873081158454712013-05-12T16:21:00.002-05:002015-06-29T11:34:43.690-05:00We have a winner!Thank you so much to all of you who read and commented on my <a href="http://formworkdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/sewmamasew-giveaway.html" target="_blank">giveaway post</a>, as part of <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/" target="_blank">Sew, Mama, Sew</a>'s Giveaway Day. I loved having so many new visitors to my blog, and am also flattered that many of you decided to become new followers. I hope you'll enjoy following along with me and my sewing and design adventures!<br />
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By way of a back-to-basics actual drawing out of a bag... the lucky winner of the two patterns from Such Designs and the Handmade Home book by Amanda Soule is... SIMPLESEW, comment #72. Congratulations!! I've emailed you for your address, and will be sending the book and patterns to you shortly!<br />
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And to all you moms out there, happy Mother's Day! I've had time to garden and sew today, and received some wonderful handmade gifts from my kids, so a lovely day for me so far!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-29387833526860701692013-05-08T22:47:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:37:57.723-05:00Itty bitty baby clothesMy new baby niece is scheduled to arrive in this world tomorrow!! I'm so excited to have a teeny tiny baby in the family again for many reasons, but top among them is the excuse to sew adorable little clothes. Of course I'm also completely excited for my sister's expanding family and all that other awesome stuff, including the idea of getting to know a brand new person, and smelling the sweet baby smell on the top of her little head. But, well, sewing tiny clothes is pretty fun, too, right?!<br />
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My daughter and I found this cute infant-sized embroidered and smocked top on sale, but we couldn't find any bottoms to go with it. So I made these little bitty blue jeans. Okay, they're not really technically <i>jeans</i>. I used denim-colored linen/cotton (not actual denim) and I didn't add pockets or any type of "jean" detailing. They kind of look like jeans, though, because of the color and texture, so that's what I'm calling them. I designed the appliqued knee patches to go with the embroidery motif of the top, but I also wanted it to be simple and graphic, 'cause that's kind of my sewing style. Hopefully the knee patches are where her actual knees will be -- hard to tell without her here to try them on!<br />
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Fabric: Essex yarn dyed linen/cotton in Denim <br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2010/10/free-raes-basic-newborn-pant-sewing-pattern/" target="_blank">Basic newborn pant</a> pattern and tutorial from <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/" target="_blank">Made by Rae</a>.<br />
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And I made this dress. I had been toying with different fabrics from my stash for the dress, then I found this orange print from Denyse Schmidt's DS Quilts collection at Joann's. I like the retro feel and the soft orange color of the print. It just blows me away that there will soon be this tiny, fragile and amazing person who will (hopefully) be able to fit into this dress. (I can't quite seem to remember when my kids where that small anymore!) It has an applique of an asterisk because I like that symbol... and it's part of my business name... and, well, I couldn't really think of anything else except a bird or a butterfly, and those just didn't seem quite right to me.<br />
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Fabric: an orange print from the DS Quilts collection (There's no specific print name on the selvage and I couldn't even find an image on Google in order to identify it.) <br />
Pattern: <a href="http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/01/infant-peasant-dress-free-pattern-and.html" target="_blank">Infant peasant dress</a> pattern and tutorial from <a href="http://www.sew-much-ado.com/" target="_blank">Sew Much Ado</a>.<br />
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I'll be sending these off later this week. Welcome to the world, little girl! I can't wait to meet you.<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-47010067845632569572013-05-06T09:21:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:37:12.409-05:00Sew,Mama,Sew! GiveawayIt's that day (week, really) again! Today and all week long, you'll find links to many, many amazing giveaways on the <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/" target="_blank">Sew, Mama, Sew! blog</a>. You may want to grab a cup of coffee and spend a bit of time checking out all the links. If you're lucky, you'll find a few great new blogs to follow. Plus you might win something awesome! Details on how to enter <i>this</i> giveaway are at the bottom of the post. <br />
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I'm giving away these two great patterns by <a href="http://suchitysuch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Such Designs</a>. The three little pigs finger puppets pattern includes instructions for a carrying bag to hold the puppets and keep things organized. The Good Karma quilt can be used as a yoga mat cover, wall hanging, or table runner.<br />
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I'm also including this lovely book, Handmade Home, by Amanda Blake Soule of <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" target="_blank">SouleMama</a>. It's full of sewing projects (more than 30 in all) that celebrate family. All of the projects can be made using repurposed materials, and many incorporate children's artwork.<br />
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One winner will receive all three items: both patterns and the book. Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win. For an extra chance, <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4428185/?claim=7pvxz2n4wap">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> or some other way, and let me know that you're following me with a second comment.<br />
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<i><b>Please be sure I have a way to contact you if you're a winner! If your email is not connected to your blogger profile, please include it in your comment.</b></i><br />
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The giveaway ends Friday, May 10 at 5 pm EST. I'll use a completely random (but hands on) method to chose the winner -- this time I'm planning to put every comment in a hat and one of my children will draw a name. Simple, but effective... and a bit more satisfying than using Random.org.</div>
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<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com149tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-66114684341665238052013-05-03T10:32:00.002-05:002015-06-29T11:41:04.326-05:00Upcycled summer top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For my daughter, who loves bright colors and patterns, although she recently claimed her favorite color is black. This top incorporates both!! I found a brightly colored t-shirt at Goodwill, then two solid t-shirts (the green and black) to match. The new cross-over style top is made entirely from the original three tees. At $2.99 per shirt, the total cost was about $9.00. Not bad, right?!</div>
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I had an idea in my head of what I wanted the top to look like and, using a t-shirt with a similar silhouette, I made a pattern and figured out the details as I went along. Luckily, knit fabric is pretty forgiving! I read a bit about sewing on a knit binding, including <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/07/racerback-tank-tutorial-sewing-with.html" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial, then cut strips from the black t-shirt to bind the neckline and arms. The horizontal black band is simply a folded strip of fabric sewn into the seam between the bodice and bottom part of the shirt. And I cut the original shirts carefully so as to re-use the bottom hems, since I knew my stitches wouldn't look quite as neat and tidy as the original ones.<br />
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I made this to enter in Goodwill's <a href="http://www.amazinggoodwill.com/ultimate-upcycling-contest/" target="_blank">Ultimate Upcycling Contest</a>, but then found it so difficult to navigate their contest page -- I had difficulty even finding my own project at first -- that I didn't have the heart to ask others to try to find my project and vote for me. Anyway, it inspired me to make Ellie a new summer top, and to grow my confidence in sewing knits. So, definitely worth the effort, I'd say. It looks comfy doesn't it? Wonder if I could manage to make one for myself...Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681462465360574559.post-56299724557855014732013-04-15T20:33:00.000-05:002015-06-29T11:43:39.915-05:00Covert Robin: what I madeAnna Graham (<a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/" target="_blank">Noodlehead</a>) has a lot of really great bag patterns in her shop, and I've been wanting to try out the <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/241-tote-pattern.html" target="_blank">241 tote</a> pattern for a while. So, for me, the <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.com/p/covert-robin.html" target="_blank">Covert Robin</a> mystery swap was the perfect excuse to do so.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA5cL4iRzzXmcbLLwQWq2wDLgAdaxXI2AEb8Gr2YNO2WnFsLi2l54WuiLWUCoCqHgaiXvCOHZIk_8jMavDPpqSi0gAZ2o8PhFVvaO2pgitkHlLpYtCfONwRGniLEJwfwVhpjXomhjsyM/s1600/20130415_tote02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA5cL4iRzzXmcbLLwQWq2wDLgAdaxXI2AEb8Gr2YNO2WnFsLi2l54WuiLWUCoCqHgaiXvCOHZIk_8jMavDPpqSi0gAZ2o8PhFVvaO2pgitkHlLpYtCfONwRGniLEJwfwVhpjXomhjsyM/s1600/20130415_tote02.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been seeing versions of this bag around the web, and remember seeing at least a couple (or maybe a dozen?!) at Sewing Summit last fall that I coveted. I especially like <a href="http://lrstitched.com/tag/noodlehead-241-tote/" target="_blank">this</a> version, and <a href="http://sewquine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/another-241-tote.html" target="_blank">this</a> one. Oh, and <a href="http://kateyz.blogspot.com/2012/10/241-tote.html" target="_blank">this</a>. Really, I could easily link to a handful more, but I think you get the idea. I love this tote design for the opportunity to play around with color and pattern. Plus, the pattern itself has a bunch of options included for different types of pockets, etc., so the varieties and possibilities for this bag are pretty much endless. And did I mention that it's the perfect size for an everyday bag?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlN5QOaDxdqEC6bwNVRBo2HdW_yIrfvVKzp4LR7NpHG-gqHZ-ZABwhexsZpj5SZQp0j1wietRXdSYV1ViV8K_wmDM8VE8rCh8jL-v_WDpTjlsHo5Wq_puUP2utGaQbsm5aJdsPV4ZI5g/s1600/20130415_tote01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlN5QOaDxdqEC6bwNVRBo2HdW_yIrfvVKzp4LR7NpHG-gqHZ-ZABwhexsZpj5SZQp0j1wietRXdSYV1ViV8K_wmDM8VE8rCh8jL-v_WDpTjlsHo5Wq_puUP2utGaQbsm5aJdsPV4ZI5g/s1600/20130415_tote01.jpg" /></a></div>
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I used fabric from Ellen Luckett Baker's Stamped line for Kokka, a red text print my mother-in-law brought me from QuiltCon (bless her!), and some of my favorite Robert Kaufman yard-dyed linen/cotton.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAxBk5Sji50ccuksibKjIkR3zD3P3oSEdJuMzVL92gTC6MPGpTnEMZJkFbCxYWseq5qSSVTDofobFZbGkTdRfETS8SjJyrdQAOb9tXtuE8z248pOlSIf1yMTR4hRnV0x-5eAHoSAeF2Q/s1600/20130415_tote03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAxBk5Sji50ccuksibKjIkR3zD3P3oSEdJuMzVL92gTC6MPGpTnEMZJkFbCxYWseq5qSSVTDofobFZbGkTdRfETS8SjJyrdQAOb9tXtuE8z248pOlSIf1yMTR4hRnV0x-5eAHoSAeF2Q/s1600/20130415_tote03.jpg" /></a></div>
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I snapped these quick photos then shipped the bag off across the world to my swap recipient at the end of March. I can't reveal who she is... because I'm not sure if she's received it yet! If not, I really hope she does soon. Needless to say, I have plans to make one of these for myself in the very near future.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470849569098424401noreply@blogger.com1