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Tailor's Samples Quilt
Quite a while ago I bought a moth-eaten small quilt made from tailor’s suit samples. I removed the scraps that had holes and sewed the remainder together. Today it has turned into a finished quilt! Anne‘s machine-basting helped immensely.
I held a craft swap yesterday, and it was fabulous! One of the treasures that showed up was a huge box of men’s ties.
So… what to do with them? My husband found a few to wear. I picked out a few vintage gems to sell, untouched, at a resale shop. One friend is making a tie dress — she’s already begun!
My friend Lisa pointed me to http://sewingwithneckties.blogspot.com/ — very inspirational! I especially love the Easter Egg idea, which I had never heard of before! But, it makes sense — dyes that color silk can color eggs, since they are both protein. Perhaps I’ll try that out with some of the less-impressive ties.
My husband Erik gave me these slippers several years ago. They were quite plain, and I would regularly threaten to add sequins. A year or so I actually did add sequins, which were sewn on top of a felted wool base. Finally, the thread holding the sequins on just didn’t hold anymore, and they started falling off. So I decided to create a new design, this time without sequins. I am very pleased with the result.
So, the big news is that I’m going to have a baby. Pretty soon. Like, early May. In preparation for that, I’ve been furnishing the nursery. Latest addition? A cushion I sewed out of some of my favorite scraps and samples for the top of the toy box, which was once a bookcase when it stood on end. While the cushion was in the shop, I received many compliments! I am very happy with it. The colorful drawers/boxes inside each cubby are a sort of paper fabric from Target. Not a perfect fit, but close enough!
Also, a rocking chair. Started by me (we won’t mention how many years ago), finished by my co-worker Justin since it was taking me ridiculously long to complete. He did a really nice job. And Asimov (the cat) approves.
A new little crafty gift shop has opened on the East side of Madison – on Winnebago St, just north of the intersection with Atwood. It’s called “W. Cupcake” and is run by a lovely woman named Allison. She has purchased a few of the Cat head dolls — so now I have only 3 left in stock! I’d better get sewing again quickly!
Photos of the very cute shop coming soon.
I also have an order out through Etsy for some custom-color dolls… Eeps! I certainly know what’ll be on my project desk next.
Round 3 of my Confidential Cozies is now available! This group shares a general “blue” theme. Most have a 100% cotton outer layer, with 100% polyester inner layer. All have ribbon drawstrings and funky button closures.
Check them out in person at the Gateway Mall on Williamson Street in Madison, Wisconsin.
Until my serger conked out on me (grrr…) I was doing great on the 3rd set of Cozies. This set is all shades of blues (with some purples, grays, and greens) on the outside, in a variety of fabrics. Inside it’s all polyester satin (so smooth… so hard to work with sometimes) in rich solid tones of blues, purple and green.
Pics to come when they’re really done. Unfortunately it’ll take another few weeks until the serger is repaired.
