Boxy Tee

the pattern:  Stylish Dress Book 2 – dress D cropped and sleeveless

the fabric:  a linen tablecloth in my new favorite color, facings for neck and sleeves in voile

I had originally planned to sew the sleeved version, even had them cut and attached, when I realized this super drapey linen and the pattern as sewn were not compatible.  I cut the sleeves off and finished the openings with bias trim.  It was a good solution.  I used the length of a shirt version of the pattern (A) and shortened it another 4 inches (2 cut, 2 folded under for a wide hem) after I had tried it on.  It layers nicely and works just as well alone.

Have you been following along with the Wardrobe Architect series at the Coletterie?  This and the striped top are the first two pieces from my summer capsule wardrobe list.  I have a few skirts to finish next.

Painted (and Stitched) Portrait Dress

I always try to have a bit of handwork ready to take out of the house to keep myself busy.  This is my most recent finish from that pile.

the pattern:  Anna Maria Horner’s Painted Portrait blouse

the fabric:  Alabama Chanin’s organic jersey in turquoise and denim

the threads:  Button Thread in Navy, Embroidery Floss in colors 930 and 503

the paint:  a mix of Martha’s Wild Blueberry and Beach Glass Satin Craft Paints

the inspiration:  HERE

the stencil:  my own repeating design

 

Happy Stitching!

Spring Top Sewalong – Stripe Matching

A new top for summer.  Wardrobe color intervention thanks to Sarai’s Wardrobe Architect Series over at the Coletterie.  Originally planned as a top for my daughter, but I couldn’t resist it for myself.  Sewed up those perfectly askew bias stripes the first try.  Pinning and patience, oh yeah!

the pattern:  self-drafted from this sketch

the fabric:  woven stripe in linen

the results:  Love!  I need more including a dress version.

 

Instagram

As my attention here is sparse, you can check me out on instagram for little peeks into my crafty corner of the world.  My username is “ebbandsew”.  It is easier to snap a picture and post it there than edit a post and this new year has me focusing more on the here and now than the vast abyss of the internet.

 

A Work in Progress

Aren’t we all a work in progress?  I think that is just one more thing that draws me Alabama Chanin style garments.  Slowly, slowly, stitch after stitch a simple skirt becomes a work of art.  It is never really finished.

I have been slowly stitching this skirt since May and am quite happy with its progress.  I thought I should re-share this stage of its transformation.

 

Once Around the Sun

Sewing for a sweet niece who recently celebrated her first birthday:

Another skinny tee.  This one looked so tiny after sewing a tee for my seven year old.  First time I have added cuffs and I love the result.  “Doli Incapax” is a latin law term (her parents are both lawyers) that translates to “incapable of guilt”.  She is definitely too cute to be held accountable for any of her actions.

AMH’s quick change trousers.  Another go-to pattern.  Purple corduroy (leftover from THIS) and a bit of Ruby Star.  I always cut the accent panel as one piece and sew it on after sewing the two back legs together.  It looks cleaner this way, without a seam running up your fancy fabric.  These are also not reversible.   I added bias trim at the waist to enclose the elastic.

Retreat Sewing Projects (and a giveaway)

I finished a few projects from my list at the #OHCraft Sew-in.  First, I finished a name tag but it wasn’t very exciting and I neglected to photograph it.  Second up, a new bag:

the pattern:  Anna from Noodlehead’s Go Anywhere Bag, modified for leather handles

the fabric:  Martha Negley’s Feathers, Moda Crossweave, lined in Carolyn Friedlander’s Architextures, japanese handles from Sew To Speak

I finished sewing the handles on Saturday morning and spent the majority of the day finicky-sewing pockets on a gift for my son.

the pattern:  Liesl Gibson‘s Explorer Vest from her book Little Things to Sew

the fabric:  Robert Kaufman Essex and Heather Ross’s Briar Strawberries

This is his second vest.  He outgrew the first and wore it often enough he needs another.  The finicky pocket sewing made this project linger into the evening.  The directions are very straight forward, but the ironing and stitching and placing evenly are just very time consuming.  It is definitely worth the effort for the major cuteness factor.  I attached a little stuffed strawberry into the pocket with embroidery floss.  I am excited to see him discover it.

Late into the night I started a final project that I knew I could complete Sunday between breakfast and check-out.

This is the perfect size to be a placemat but is a little rug for my sewing machine.  The rubbery bits on the bottom of my machine stick to the painted top of my table and frustrate me as they tear up paint when I slide my machine around.  (I also read somewhere that a little bit of cushion reduces the vibrations on the machine.)  I had grabbed a few fun fabrics before leaving home and quickly pieced and quilted them late Saturday night.  Sunday after breakfast I bound it and left for home with three projects knocked off my list.

I also left with a slew of gifts from the great sponsors for the #OHCraft sew-in.  I wish I could attend all the adventures found in blogland (Quilt Market,Quilt Con, and all the sew-ins/retreats I see publicized), but as unrealistic as that is I still feel like I am missing something.  I thought I would share a few gifts in a giveaway of my own for all my readers who didn’t attend the sew-in.  I came home with bunches of fabric and patterns that I won’t get to so here are a few for you:

Leave a comment by midnight on December 1st (my birthday!!!!) and I will randomly select three winners and mail you a gift for yourself.  Three chances for three gifts:  a FreeSpirit Jellyroll from Tina Givens’s Fortiny Collection, Amy Butler’s Oval Patchy Pillow pattern, and Trish Preston’s Two Peas in a Pod Fit to be Tied Tote.

Last Weekend

Oh, what fun sewing retreats are!!!  I had been needing a getaway from the everyday and this was the perfect little vacation.  I traveled down with three (1,2,3) friends and met many more.  I sewed all weekend, enjoyed old and new friends alike, and even completed a few projects.  Last week I hurriedly finished a new dress to wear because aren’t all crazy sewers like that?  Don’t tell me you never decided last minute that you had to have a new garment right now for that thing you are going to tomorrow!!

the pattern:  the very recognizable Washi, size XS with a full bodice lining

the fabric:  Jay McCarroll’s Drop Cloth from his Habitat line

the inspiration:  When I saw this dress and remembered I had 2 yards of the fabric stashed I knew what my first Washi was going to be.  I wish it hadn’t taken me so long, but I am not going to dwell on that because I love it.  I have been wearing it with a wool cardigan and scarf to keep warm.  Yeah for last minute sewing!

***I will be back nest week with my retreat sewing finishes and a giveaway to spread the fun.

….updating this post to add a smooth bust dart tutorial.  It’s called a one thread dart and you should check it out before you sew any more darts:  http://www.coutureschmiede.com/2011/04/couture-technique-one-thread-dart.html

#OHCraft

I am attending my very first sew-in this weekend.  Today I am organizing and packing a handful of projects to work on and trying to finish a new dress to wear once there.  I am rooming with two friends and excited to meet other creative and talented sewers.  I intend to have a great weekend.  I hope yours is crafty as well.

Happy Halloween!!!

The kids took over Halloween this year and I didn’t miss the planning and sewing one bit.  Genius struck at the thrift store when I spotted this $5 costume.  A little convincing was all it took to make a very happy astronaut.  That and a box on his head for a helmet!  I did help with a few stitches on the Wood Fairy’s wreath/crown but spent most of costume construction time selfishly knitting and sewing.  Go me!