Spring Flowers

I'm not sure if non-sewers know who Karri Mecca is but she is one of my favorite children's clothes designers. Her designs are always gorgeous and beautifully embellished. She recently came out with a book called Sewing with Whimsy. There was a beautiful dress that I really wanted to make. However, I would have to make approximately 16 flowers from rick rack trim and attach them to a floating trellis hem detail. I could hear my friend Maria asking me what the heck I was thinking but what the heck...I like a sewing challenge. It took many hours to complete but was so worth it. Of course I'll never make another but it was a fun process. Here is the finished dress with a couple of close ups of the flowers. The pictures were taken by my friend Helen. Thanks Helen!

A Finished Machine Applique Project

I made a bag for my daughter with my first finished applique block.
Front:

Back:

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, this is very addicting. I wanted to do more so I made a block for a friend at work. She has 2 very cute Boxers. I made the block and sent it along with some leftover fabric that she really liked. I'll have to post a picture of whatever it is she comes up with.

The block is still wet...I couldn't wait to take the picture. Very fun.

A little embroidery and practicing my applique

I bought a book a while ago that had applique patterns of large breed dogs. I've been wanting to try machine applique for so long. I'm not sure why I always hesitate but I think that it's partly because it looked difficult to go around corners and get into small spaces. Anyway, I finally yanked out the book and traced a pattern for a simple embroidered dish towel.


Very nice and my daughter loved it. Now on to the machine applique. I prepared a piece for practice. I cut a crazy shape that would let me try different angles and curves. Once I figured out which presser foot I felt comfortable with and worked out all the other little issues I found that I really like doing and that it was pretty simple. Just takes a little practice. You really need to slow down on your sewing speed too. I have two completed projects to show next time I post...maybe more. I can't seem to stop. :)

Baby N models her new outfit

She looks ready for a day out on the town!

New Fleece Coat

I was browsing through Joann's a few weeks ago and stumbled across this pattern.

It's a diystyle pattern by McCall's...MP259. You can basically interchange any of the elements you want. If like the neckline of one and the sleeve of another, no problem. It's all just mix and match. I liked it and decided to make one for myself. It's nearly done. I need to chop about 3 inches from the bottom, hem it and add a couple of snaps. I'm not sure what possessed me to pick the sleeves I did but I'll have to live with them now.


My goal is to finish it in time for spring.
Here's Miss L with her favorite piece of Patriot's football fleece.

What knitting and crafting is all about

It doesn't get much better than seeing something you've made being worn so beautifully.

It doesn't get much cuter than that either!

BOM VIII

BOM VIII arrived and was promptly pieced together. It was designed by Bonnie Olaveson.

I couldn't be happier with my 1/4 inch presser foot! Time to redo BOM II.