Sunday, January 16, 2011

Stash Resolution Episode 21: Simple Sewing

What I've Been Working On
Cabled Baby Blanket from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby book

Product Review: binding clips, flower pins, and The Gypsy Gripper

Upcoming Events:
Miamisburg (Ohio) Quilt Show April 29&30

Book Review: Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Flying Geese Inspiration

I haven't had much time at the sewing machine over the last few weeks for a variety of reasons, which I will discuss on this weekend's podcast. Therefore - I am sewing vicariously through my Flickr and Twitter friends. :-)

The poor Quilt-in-a-Day Flying Geese ruler remains pristine in it's original packaging, untouched. I'm itching to break it open and try it out. Instead, I'm drooling over these incredible projects, dreaming about the time I will have a solid hour - no 10 minutes! - to make one myself.


1. Flying Geese Quilt, 2. July Flying Geese, 3. Flying Geese Love for Tacha, 4. geese pillow, 5. October block for Sew & Bee-Happy, 6. block Lucinda made for me, 7. Scrapbeelooza block #2, 8. Fat Geese - baby quilt, 9. flying geese strip pieces, 10. hey geese!, 11. DQS9, 12. Busy Bees - June

What amazes me about this collection of talent is all the variations of Flying Geese. This truly is a versatile block with seemingly never ending options.

One of my favorite ways to play with Flying Geese is by using different scales in the same piece, as I did for the last Swap 'Til You Drop (STUD) on Flickr.


So, I will continue to dream and try to find stolen moments in my sewing room. I'm hoping things will settle soon, and my crafty life can get back to it's normal productive ways.

What are you working on? Please share photos on the Stash Resolution Podcast Flickr group!

Have a great rest of the week! Happy sewing!
♥Sarah

Monday, January 10, 2011

Tutorial Roundup: Fabric Scrap Organization

Are you still trying to get organized in the new year? We are. Tackling my scrap bins is certainly on the long list of things to do. Here are some ideas and inspiration for how to sort your scraps.







Once you've sorted and decided what to keep and what can go, consider donating unwanted scraps to Project Linus, as described on the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog




Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Boy Quilt

Yesterday, my mom came over for a bit to sew. We had a wonderful time together.

She worked on an adorable baby quilt for a soon-to-be-born baby in our family. We started from scratch deciding on a pattern, and by the end of the afternoon she had most of the cutting finished and on block pieced.


The fabric is a mix of several different lines of boy-focused themes none of which I can remember (I know, mom - should have written it down). If you know what they are, please leave a comment!


We ended up modifying a pattern my mom found online that was a tad more complex. This more simple version will have 9 blocks, sashing, and borders. The pieced blocks finish at 12" square and the large blocks alternating are also cut at 12". Then, the sashing is 3". Finally, the border will be a nice green color - size TBD.


Just love all the fussy cutting she did for the block centers. The quilt is going to be adorable. She's even considering a pieced back with extra fabric. Will definitely share the finished quilt with you when it's ready.

What was I working on during our little sewing afternoon? Well, I was mostly working on her quilt too. :-) More on my projects later.

Have a great rest of your weekend. See you tomorrow with another tutorial roundup!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Magpie Yarn

Thanksgiving weekend in Lexington, KY, I was lucky enough to spend a few minutes in Magpie Yarn, a charming shop in the city's historic district.





The inside is just as charming and cozy as the outside appears to be. I could have spent hours - days - months there!


The front of the store had a whole section of soft, cuddly baby yarns organized by yarn weights.


The back of the store was filled with lovely yarn brands sorted by color. Love that!


This couch was just so inviting with beautifully knit pillows and sweater art hung above. (That's my mother in-law admiring the handmade blankets!)


How thoughtful and clever are the mantle decorations? (Wonder if I can pull that off in my house?)


So many wonderful shop samples too - full of inspiration!


Sorry for the blurry photo, but I just had to show you the yummy horizontal chunky cables and that to-die-for broach!


Hello, comfy! 


Last but not least - seriously. Is this not the best home dec idea ever? Yarn stash odds-and-ends proudly on display. Must do this ASAP... if only I could keep my toddler out of it. 

If you're ever in the Lexington area, do yourself a favor and take the time to visit Magpie Yarns. I, for one, cannot wait to return!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Tutorial Roundup: Folding Fabric

Many of us enjoy playing with out fabric nearly as much as sewing it. Needing to re-fold our stash is a classic excuse to spend quality time with it. Here are a few tutorials on different folding techniques.












Sunday, January 2, 2011

Stash Resolution Episode 21: The Year of the Selfish Crafter

Show notes for Stash Resolution Episode 21.

What I'm Working On
Helena Baby Sweater
O-Wool
Debbie Bliss Simply Baby
Rowan Pure Wool Aran
Schnibbles Domino in MoMo It's a Hoot
Heather Bailey Daily Spice Apron
Flying Geese Quilt-in-a-Day Ruler
Entwined fingerless mits


Bad Stitches Happy to Good People: How I learned right from left (or was it left from right?)


The Year of the Selfish Crafter: Cheers to a new resolution (or is it a rebellion?)


Review of crafty Christmas gifts received


Review of CraftSanity magazine


Announcement of discount on Tula Pink fabric for Stash Resolution listeners only. (hint: discount code given at end of episode)

Download episodes of Stash Resolution free on iTunes