Skorts!

School starts in a week and I thought it was time to make J some new outfits. She is hard to fit and am working on the "perfect" tee for her. Today I traced off a great pattern from the Children's Corner Sara's Skort. I hope to start carrying some of their patterns soon but for now I just order from them.

I made the skort from Lucky Girl Stretch Twill by Robert Kaufman. I loved the colors -- so much so that when J tried it on, her first comment was "Mom, these are your colors, not mine." After I sewed through my finger doing the elastic, she told me she really liked the skort. I am excited, it went together like a breeze. I need to alter the shorts to accommodate her below the belly wearing of pants. I made her pull them up to her actual belly for the picture.

Confessions of a Seamstress

I have a confession...I purchased a simple t-shirt at Ann Taylor Loft for way too much money. In my defense it was so cute and I have gotten a lot of wear out of it. I also justified the purchase by saying that I could copy the design very easily. I have had the shirt for several years and had yet to copy it!

Enter several yards of yummy knit and a new Ottobre Woman that had the t-shirt pattern ON THE COVER!!! I was so excited when I saw it because I said THAT'S the t-shirt. Yeah, now I don't have to make a pattern! I washed up the knits, a lovely rayon blend. It was pretty when it went into the wash, it was even better when it came out of the dryer! So soft my daughter's wanted pj's and bedding out of it! I told them I knew where I could get more but that these few yards were all mine.

I traced a size 36 based on my minimal bust measurement and set to work. The knit sewed up beautifully. I wasn't real sure because it's thin and sort of stretchy but my serger sewed through it just fine. I even used some of it for the neck binding and it turned out great too. Within an hour, I had the perfect t-shirt. Dressy enough to wear with skirts, soft enough to wear everyday with jeans. Ok, so there are 3 prints, black, red and polka dot...if I make 7, do you think anyone would notice if I wore them every day? I apologize for the picture...I am ready for bed and was so excited with my new tee, I put on a bra and had hubby snap a picture!

Knits Have Arrived!!

I am having sew much fun sewing knits that we decided to start carrying them. Our first 3 rolls arrived yesterday. I should have something sewn up soon. They are a Poly Rayon Spandex and they are very classy.

J's First Doll

My daughter is so very proud of her first sock doll. FYI She is wearing a modified tee shirt pattern from Ottobre. I made the shirt a bit A line so it would not be so tight around her budda belly.

Next Stop - Birmingham Quilt Show

I had a helper for Birmingham. My mother-in-law and my youngest came along for the ride. Yee Ha!

Travels with Charley ( the big white trailer)

We spent the month of June hopping from vending event to vending event. It was hot work but I meet some great people and got to talk about sewing, quilting and fabric.
Charley is the large white hauler we use to move all that fabric around. I actually backed in myself! (It is not as easy as it sounds).

Quilt Symposium of Alabama - Cullman, Alabama

First Stop

Cullman, Alabama

I foolishly did this event by my self but it taught me a lot about patience and a good hand truck. The Alabama Quilt Symposium is held at the Saint Bernard Monastery. It is a great location and the high point was visiting the Ava Maria Grotto. Here is a bit of info from their web page

Benedictine Monk Joseph Zoettel spent 50 years crafting cement, stones and junk into a miniature city of the world's most important religious structures. Born in 1878 in Bavaria, he was maimed in an accident that gave him a hunchback, but luckily didn't hurt his ability to bend over and build tiny things. Brother Joe died in 1961, and all 125 of his buildings still stand, protectively nestled on the campus of St. Bernard Abbey.

I was able to get some great photos in the grotto, especially of my Our Lady of Guadalupe Bag.