tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85989347307967532512024-02-18T19:33:36.271-08:00When Natasha SewsI sew. I quilt. I knit. I occasionally craft. I love chocolate.Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-53700720776809424752014-04-06T13:46:00.003-07:002014-04-06T13:46:57.141-07:00movingThis is my last post on this blog on Blogger. I've moved over to Wordpress: <a href="http://whennatashasews.wordpress.com/">http://whennatashasews.wordpress.com/</a>. <br />
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I've had another blog on Blogger since 2006 and have never had any trouble with it. But after Blogger was purchased by Google, something happened to the way all of my pictures have been stored on this blog. I think there's some weird disconnect between Picassa Albums, Google, and Blogger, but the result is that nearly all of the pictures that I added to posts on this blog have disappeared. Gone. They show up as broken links. You can imagine how frustrating it might be to have a sewing blog that doesn't allow for any images to stay linked to the posts. So I moved to Wordpress and am now trying to re-add the original images to my older posts. Fun. <br />
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I hope you'll join me over at Wordpress (and update your favorites and bookmarks if you've got them) - I like the flexibility that the design will allow, even if I haven't fully explored what I can do with it yet. <br />
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(And for those of you who've been reading my other/personal blog, I'm not changing it's location, I'm just on a hiatus :-) )Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-56832517594893181032014-02-08T10:26:00.001-08:002014-02-08T10:26:44.204-08:00string quiltI bought two cheap-o <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=string+quilts&client=firefox-a&hs=HEE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Xnb2Uv7wA8rj0QGdgoHIBg&ved=0CCcQsAQ#q=jelly+roll+fabric&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch">jelly rolls</a> over the summer thinking they'd be fun to play with. The thing about jelly rolls is that you can't always see all of the fabric they include. Usually you just see the outer fabric wrap and maybe less than a half inch of some of the other fabrics. Boy was I surprised to open up the first jelly role and find this color scheme! An ugly leopard print AND a bright blue - oh boy! I could not think of a way to use all the fabrics together in a way that I liked and they certainly don't go with any fabric that I have. I found a pattern for a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=string+quilts&client=firefox-a&hs=HEE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Xnb2Uv7wA8rj0QGdgoHIBg&ved=0CCcQsAQ">string quilt</a> in a book that I have and I actually think it works with the fabric. Ok, sort of works :-) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskrDF0eoHXO7L1IWYd9mrQhlAs2ZYwAMf6WR60CgvpUiFqOgSKBQIm_ztGtftkAJyrOpaiG_Yp6xxT4XUfW87A50jS6Thh_9S-9p7sY-8TciidThsgLjdaNYEnhCKgdlVG6NatSPlTKem/s1600/IMG_2653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="string quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskrDF0eoHXO7L1IWYd9mrQhlAs2ZYwAMf6WR60CgvpUiFqOgSKBQIm_ztGtftkAJyrOpaiG_Yp6xxT4XUfW87A50jS6Thh_9S-9p7sY-8TciidThsgLjdaNYEnhCKgdlVG6NatSPlTKem/s1600/IMG_2653.jpg" height="320" title="string quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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The pattern is pretty easy - you set sets of the strips together and then cut them on an angle. The pattern called for a specific tool that I don't have so I had to dust off some really rusty geometry skills to get the angles right. Then you sews the blocks together. <br />
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I used a scrappy black border and cream color backing because, what else could I have possibly used??<br />
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It's definitely not my most favorite quilt that I've ever made but in a way, I think it works. And I am super happy about how near all my corner joins are! <br />
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This is Project Linus quilt #3. Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-10616667566960559372014-01-12T12:52:00.000-08:002014-01-12T12:52:09.532-08:00scrappy log cabin quiltsWe're less than two weeks into the new year and I've already finished two quilts. I started them back in October in an attempt to gain some control - ie use up - some of my scraps. The <a href="http://sewingschool.org/2011/07/26/tutoria-log-cabin-quilt-block/">Log Cabin</a> pattern is a great stash buster and the blocks were really fun to make. I kept cutting and sewing until I was out of the right size fabric for each block and miraculously ended up with enough blocks for two quilt tops. These are small-scale quilts - measuring just 26" x 34". Perfect crib size for Project Linus donations. <br />
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I have to confess that I like working with scraps. I like to challenge myself and my creativity to see what I can come up with using a very narrow selection of fabric. It's also really fun to take a trip down memory lane and remember every project that the scraps came from. <br />
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The purples really pop in this one. I used some leftover black, purple and orange binding and a purple paisley for the back. <br />
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I didn't quite have enough blue fabric to make an even dozen so I threw in a yellow square (I don't use all that much yellow so the scraps were slim pickings). The binding is mostly leftover from previous projects. <br />
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Why, yes, those are the most adorable chickens on the back! I love this chicken fabric. I still have a couple more yards left so I can't wait to use it in future quilts. <br />
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I made another quilt top last weekend but it was too windy to take pictures today. My goal of ten quilts for Project Linus is off to a great start! :-)Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-20024700950716723012014-01-06T05:05:00.000-08:002014-01-06T05:05:11.528-08:00a new yearHappy New Year! Looks like I haven't posted since October. Oops. I've been sewing but sometimes I just forget to take pictures and don't want to take the time to post something. In general, 2013 was a tough year for me. Things are definitely on an upswing, and with that I hope to get back in to sewing more. You'd think that when things are hard my sewing machine would have offered some solace; that didn't really happen this time. I guess I needed a break? <br />
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At the beginning of the year, I set some goals for 2013:<br />
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1. Use up some of the fabric I have! <i>Success! I've made a number of things with my scraps. And I've purchased some new fabric to diversify the scrap bin :-)</i><br />
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2. Sell something I make: a quilt, a bag, a potholder, <i>something</i>. Success! I <a href="http://whennatashasews.blogspot.com/2013/06/half-square-triangle-chevron-quilt.html">custom made a quilt</a> for a friend. <br />
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3. Continue to work on garment fit issues. <i>Oi. This continues to be a big challenge. I'm slowly getting to know my body and what works and I'm learning that what works for most women on the planet doesn't work for me. </i><br />
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4. I'd like to learn to knit lace. <i>I took a couple of classes in lace knitting (did I finish the projects or take pictures? no. sigh.) so I've got a rudimentary understanding of the stitches. <br />
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5. Learn to take better pictures. <i>Ha! I don't think this one really happened for my sewing projects. I have been practicing taking better pictures in my other (ie non sewing) life, so maybe this year I can transfer some skills?</i><br />
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6. Make some quilts for Project Linus. <i>I think I made five Project Linus quilts last year (the Project Linus "season" starts in September). Yay!</i><br />
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A mixed bag for 2013. That's ok, I've got some things to work on in 2014:<br />
1. I'd like to make 10 quilts for Project Linus. Seeings as I have three in progress, I feel like this is do-able. They're really fun to make and I love experimenting (and learning) with color and patterns.<br />
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2. Finish my <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=%23scrappytripalong&client=firefox-a&hs=Zjq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qKjKUq7EOIy_sQSQsICQDQ&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=635">#scrappytripalong</a> quilt! I need to make 10 more blocks before I can put it together.<br />
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3. Challenge myself with a certain dress pattern that has been sitting on my sewing table for a year. I have the pattern and fabric but it's a lot more sophisticated that the Collete Patterns so I've been hesitant about getting started. I may need a professional consultation (ie my mom) on this one.<br />
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4. Experiment with knits. Thus far, all of the clothes I've made have been cotton or corduroy. I'd like to branch out. I know knits aren't all that exciting but you've got to start somewhere, right?<br />
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5. Participate in a sewing challenge through my quilt guild. I've been intimidated by showing the other members my work since I like to do my own thing and never use designer fabrics, but how am I going to learn and grow if I don't try? <br />
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6. Finish a certain shawl that I started knitting in June. According to the pattern, it's actually done but I want to add another repeat section to make it a little bigger.<br />
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7. Start going to knitting groups again. I stopped last spring when life got hairy and I miss the camaraderie and seeing what everyone else is working on. <br />
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8 Work on a "challenging" knitting pattern. This is pretty open to interpretation since all knitting is challenging to me :-) <br />
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Looks like it's going to be a busy and fun year!<br />
Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-46144047570825328492013-10-04T15:54:00.000-07:002013-10-04T15:54:38.256-07:00a broken curse and back to sewingAfter this summer's sewing extravaganza, I took a little break from making anything. Only it wasn't planned and I didn't know I was taking a break while I was doing it. I think I got a little burned out. I didn't even feel like fabric shopping when I had the opportunities! I decided to give myself a goal - once I finished knitting a pair of socks I've been working on for almost two years, I would start sewing. <br />
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This is not the pattern I originally wanted to knit with this yarn. Unfortunately, I ended up ripping out the first five patterns I started. That's no typo - *five* patterns. A couple of the patterns weren't well written, another was far too complex for the self-striping pattern, and another pattern had too much, um, user error for me to finish. So I went back to my trusty toe-up magic loop socks and finally finished them! I'm going to wear them around the house and to bed so they're cute, but not complicated. <br />
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I finished the socks last night and immediately took out all my fabric scraps and sorted them by color. I had a LOT of scraps crammed into a very small space! This picture doesn't do the mess justice - there are a lot more piles of fabric on my living room floor than it looks like. <br />
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I've been feeling like I need to stretch myself with my sewing and learn something new so today I decided to tackle some scrappy log cabin blocks. I thought they'd be really challenging, but they were really fun to make. The most challenging part was measuring correctly - go figure. My plan is to make a bunch with all of the scraps and then figure out a way to put them all together. <br />
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I am so happy to be sewing again!! Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-57220202903190447982013-08-24T13:48:00.005-07:002013-08-24T13:48:54.976-07:00scrappy quiltsI finished my last two quilts for Project Linus this week. I think I made five or six this year? In keeping with my theme of "use all the scraps," I made these quilts entirely out of stuff I already had. There are even some scraps from my old doll dresses (!) that my mom gave me. My scrap sizes kept them small, and they were perfect for continuing to home my quilting technique. The orange one came out great, but the blue one's quilting got a little out of hand. They washed beautifully and I'm learning that in quilting, a run through the washing machine can hide a multitude of sins :-)<br />
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I'm not sure if you can tell from these pictures, but I tried to do a loop-de-loop quilting pattern on the blue quilt. It was a little challenging wrestling the quilt back and forth through my sewing machine, but nothing worse than I've already had to do before. Normally if there's any shifting or puckering that happens, it's on the front of the quilt. This time, all the shifting happened on the back. I'm not sure if I pinned enough while basting so ended up doing a lot of extra wrestling to shift the quilt "sandwich" to be where it was supposed to be. To be honest, it was kind of a nightmare to work with but fortunately, running the finished quilt through the wash made the whole thing kind of crinkly which balanced out the problems. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngbONHie8RlDIxh9vXMyWYwQ77doeM07yp4EAXHmbUjhzV7ZAlPB7l6NX4aEWAnp70CSXg9RR4XYSO5dTohNc41Jt3vdCZpql6vPW7d7PB9P2XwYrFn9QUEwWnLTqH08_NuxlyhEXXJ_i/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngbONHie8RlDIxh9vXMyWYwQ77doeM07yp4EAXHmbUjhzV7ZAlPB7l6NX4aEWAnp70CSXg9RR4XYSO5dTohNc41Jt3vdCZpql6vPW7d7PB9P2XwYrFn9QUEwWnLTqH08_NuxlyhEXXJ_i/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" height="240" title="scrappy quilt" width="320" /> </a></div>
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I used a scrappy binding too. I've heard of quilters who save the unused ends of their bindings and then combine them into a mega-scrappy binding. I should try this; I just cut strips from leftover fabric. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUI3QXpbIz2r60gOwMYoVxJSW89JRmHczyhzp1fw0Q15DOYyjsXkZkK0gu_rFKZIaM8RVRYaZs9h8ConSxxeZilwPZ2gppJHBP-yRZBwRWq_nZFOXT1-3UJhEVtHDml4XjGKJpWQhH1GW/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUI3QXpbIz2r60gOwMYoVxJSW89JRmHczyhzp1fw0Q15DOYyjsXkZkK0gu_rFKZIaM8RVRYaZs9h8ConSxxeZilwPZ2gppJHBP-yRZBwRWq_nZFOXT1-3UJhEVtHDml4XjGKJpWQhH1GW/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" height="240" title="scrappy quilt" width="320" /> </a></div>
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I really fell in in with the orange quilt! It so bright and cherry - these pictures don't do it justice. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m7s7kDbCCLR10xUGn2o7rk34aBkWyJv_DL1iUajv0UFsSVbmmpl2khDsfewEiSeDExEXQkuMzEtOIWKMZxb-mqSatTMBlgmhlkAO71BfUWy0u6FUSY6J5f_k5hp6RzOSFPCAKrjIdUbM/s1600/IMG_2498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m7s7kDbCCLR10xUGn2o7rk34aBkWyJv_DL1iUajv0UFsSVbmmpl2khDsfewEiSeDExEXQkuMzEtOIWKMZxb-mqSatTMBlgmhlkAO71BfUWy0u6FUSY6J5f_k5hp6RzOSFPCAKrjIdUbM/s1600/IMG_2498.jpg" height="320" title="scrappy quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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I went back to straight line quilting for this one but I did a chevron-ish pattern vertically and then sewed straight lines on the horizontal. I am happy to report there was very little puckering! I am very pleased with how the quilting came out. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tJGVhQWsM4Heom-Vw_jj1OUJFy7QQKf1QWZm0lvGO6O_w_k-pLlAIRSCf9DyAYfRGDyZdZ4HLKDVVaIRvycgfJ7Q9t1ilE0v96Kvqa0Dk32PsXF6YHVGc6MR_9B4ieRW9U9syM350oin/s1600/IMG_2499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tJGVhQWsM4Heom-Vw_jj1OUJFy7QQKf1QWZm0lvGO6O_w_k-pLlAIRSCf9DyAYfRGDyZdZ4HLKDVVaIRvycgfJ7Q9t1ilE0v96Kvqa0Dk32PsXF6YHVGc6MR_9B4ieRW9U9syM350oin/s1600/IMG_2499.jpg" height="320" title="scrappy quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used a black polka dot binding that came from leftover fabric from a skirt I made last year. Still not sure if using black in a child's quilt is ok, but I really like the look. I couldn't think of any other color binding that would have matched the cacophony of colors I used. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpxWUUtz_K0A3k0Y9K0ef5pEPc8u9butMY5c6RBubLPcshW0_O7JMcnRLZns2Z0NzWZavu7lZcBfcvFW84bmiDE9g70PaDOyz6ndis-Q5_6hGj1c3HFLRUV4hVzupT3MXIEJroNEZKx8D/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpxWUUtz_K0A3k0Y9K0ef5pEPc8u9butMY5c6RBubLPcshW0_O7JMcnRLZns2Z0NzWZavu7lZcBfcvFW84bmiDE9g70PaDOyz6ndis-Q5_6hGj1c3HFLRUV4hVzupT3MXIEJroNEZKx8D/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG" height="240" title="scrappy quilt" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm so happy to drop these off next weekend! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwta_Dk87g2e9rkKAdOag1CaB3WcScy__gmn0htgg5vlUism-t4ZhPlkh3ugELiIwyzLiMLKPP0wgtBIpGqjFeiX9RxHLm-2F2y5O4bhl1KILC43K4Ck0MxJxBu3OsDHKhjXzS9qbm8vnq/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwta_Dk87g2e9rkKAdOag1CaB3WcScy__gmn0htgg5vlUism-t4ZhPlkh3ugELiIwyzLiMLKPP0wgtBIpGqjFeiX9RxHLm-2F2y5O4bhl1KILC43K4Ck0MxJxBu3OsDHKhjXzS9qbm8vnq/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" height="320" title="scrappy quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-73063335145633597332013-07-26T15:09:00.002-07:002013-07-26T15:09:48.528-07:00sew Sew SEW!I got my sewing machine back from the repair shop a couple of weeks ago and I have been sewing like a maniac since. Coincidentally, we've also had a mega-humid, mega-hot, super miserable heat wave. What did I do during this sweatfest? Well, sew and sweat some more, of course! You haven't lived until you've sat in the warmest room in the house, with the afternoon sun and heat pouring in, while you race your machine. <br />
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To be fair, I wanted to make a quilt for my friend's baby shower this weekend. It's a boy and they love Belize, so I was going for something traditional yet tropical. If some of these fabrics look familiar, I used them on another quilt this year and thought they were so perfect that I ran out and bought more yardage. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eh6Vtw_64EWwWrpRmJ2Es-ndGQmqwF7oYFM-RqNxshq7qbgReT_1aAlJEK42OhtrP4yzBXyQKEuJ5W93rELiKUkgFqAN-wt2LYxZx4JdiQzoDiAhruVvj-RaINuu4KkTcJD7xlMXnnzH/s1600/IMG_2474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="charm quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eh6Vtw_64EWwWrpRmJ2Es-ndGQmqwF7oYFM-RqNxshq7qbgReT_1aAlJEK42OhtrP4yzBXyQKEuJ5W93rELiKUkgFqAN-wt2LYxZx4JdiQzoDiAhruVvj-RaINuu4KkTcJD7xlMXnnzH/s1600/IMG_2474.JPG" height="240" title="charm quilt" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wasn't sure about the binding fabric as I was cutting it, but I kind of like the blues. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwl__73lch44Jx6dybCxLmCaCnV1LlXEmxx9VYvmA2T3shRwjQDZ2sM6_lbZuUrxcK5ff8mOn7luzCc_GS5OLtiulckXGhyw8GMo4GLG0MJkiK13aGl7zZqHYQ2QVO8Sg06yaBUg38H2G4/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="charm quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwl__73lch44Jx6dybCxLmCaCnV1LlXEmxx9VYvmA2T3shRwjQDZ2sM6_lbZuUrxcK5ff8mOn7luzCc_GS5OLtiulckXGhyw8GMo4GLG0MJkiK13aGl7zZqHYQ2QVO8Sg06yaBUg38H2G4/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG" height="240" title="charm quilt" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The back is the last of my beloved IKEA fabric. This really is the perfect fabric for a quilt backing; I should check to see if they still sell it and buy a zillion yards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4WTl86fvYg3t5iTiJA9kcHDoK6POdUWlwYZ880XnYDgAeXmFOR_ky_dGtkIjj6sTfCcVES8Bh31hkissTJ6S37VX0gG3ZliPsuRWkE5v6XujCjtKxbLcAg0_fiQqLWS0WXTNSjc4baUF/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="charm quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4WTl86fvYg3t5iTiJA9kcHDoK6POdUWlwYZ880XnYDgAeXmFOR_ky_dGtkIjj6sTfCcVES8Bh31hkissTJ6S37VX0gG3ZliPsuRWkE5v6XujCjtKxbLcAg0_fiQqLWS0WXTNSjc4baUF/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" height="240" title="charm quilt" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the middle of my sweat and heat induced haze, I got the idea that I would make two more quilts for Project Linus this year, using - of course - only scraps. My plan is to do some self-teaching on free motion quilting. I'm ready to move on from straight lines.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgD478SHdHfiZSxPkQQ3BhpkO23-gP6VpuLmBNYH1pVl22iuERBw89Mx8ndAD3DrldrXnt7g9rOR3qABTD7bzvXZn5YO0E5aV-aJ92qobPoR0PSzeCVxL1uvzdBl5h28r7E3elgXPk3tdN/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgD478SHdHfiZSxPkQQ3BhpkO23-gP6VpuLmBNYH1pVl22iuERBw89Mx8ndAD3DrldrXnt7g9rOR3qABTD7bzvXZn5YO0E5aV-aJ92qobPoR0PSzeCVxL1uvzdBl5h28r7E3elgXPk3tdN/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" height="320" title="scrappy quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm also working on a new method for putting the quilt "sandwich" together to reduce the amount of wrinkles. I tried it with the baby quilt, but there's room for improvement, for sure. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNii2lI7cpVe3UXrZ93vVnwdUV9NDJskmNxxPfDSQs2qHO-NbpNoKYYDlutjYnYIXrK1t6k3mwTMtAMmnLdjToDTtCp9lNxoIsIDTqn1Id0rr3jWhdyi2kuVeF2x3pt0A_J337eHbJXbW/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scrappy quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNii2lI7cpVe3UXrZ93vVnwdUV9NDJskmNxxPfDSQs2qHO-NbpNoKYYDlutjYnYIXrK1t6k3mwTMtAMmnLdjToDTtCp9lNxoIsIDTqn1Id0rr3jWhdyi2kuVeF2x3pt0A_J337eHbJXbW/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" height="240" title="scrappy quilt" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lastly, I finished my second <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/laurel">Colette Laurel</a> dress this afternoon, just in time to wear to tomorrow's baby shower :-) I'll try to take some better pictures soon, but I am super happy with this sleeveless version (although I note that there's something weird with the arm holes - oi)! It's super comfortable and perfect for the next heat wave :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IzBdNI6Y78Sr-RvXyVfR4CQpyrnBW_j3sh7SOm6dIfJRd0bQSXaenpkGApN60okXNh9RN6PPnArtyUEXyt9nh4_iB0PrCqaMkhLdrGIM0E4gHFkoJ-GUA1QfD-rzwAJHsNwesqmV15YG/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Patterns Laurel" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IzBdNI6Y78Sr-RvXyVfR4CQpyrnBW_j3sh7SOm6dIfJRd0bQSXaenpkGApN60okXNh9RN6PPnArtyUEXyt9nh4_iB0PrCqaMkhLdrGIM0E4gHFkoJ-GUA1QfD-rzwAJHsNwesqmV15YG/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" height="320" title="Colette Patterns Laurel" width="320" /> </a></div>
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What have you been sewing lately?</div>
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Have a great weekend! </div>
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Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-38710787262488992652013-06-23T07:48:00.001-07:002013-06-23T07:48:21.699-07:00Colette Laurel dressI took my sewing machine in for service yesterday. It was long over due - maybe 5 years? I won't have it back for 7-10 days. Very sad. Fortunately, I finished this dress before I took it in. This is <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/laurel">Colette Pattern Laurel dress</a>. I think it's supposed to be a shift-ish dress but on me, it's like a loose shift dress. Despite my continued sizing issues, I love this dress!!! It's super comfortable and perfect for summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG39ygjKZbFekT-Obs9iCPMkTcjFK4wd4SSLpMdkhyxs6VjKMnxp61YQxiIxJclN6Yo_eJFrTjLWv3iowUjcrWt4zBY-7emtqA7DzbD32Dh9-S6Gz0og74_oNMIfMk4_zdQXmaQI6V8CuA/s1600/IMG_2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Laurel dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG39ygjKZbFekT-Obs9iCPMkTcjFK4wd4SSLpMdkhyxs6VjKMnxp61YQxiIxJclN6Yo_eJFrTjLWv3iowUjcrWt4zBY-7emtqA7DzbD32Dh9-S6Gz0og74_oNMIfMk4_zdQXmaQI6V8CuA/s1600/IMG_2400.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Laurel dress" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm about ready to give up on Colette patterns (after I make another 100 of this dress). The patterns are cut for women who are far more voluptuous and short-waisted than me and I end up having to make a lot of adjustments to the pattern and then the dress once I have it sewed together. I was really careful when taking my measurements and picking the correct size pattern but it's still kind of loose in the top and I ended up taking 1-2" off the side seams. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dvCviZemglt-JBkyDGsuhWVq-7T-n4absfKnBskY9HPaqMPKw_1XXOzkdtHge7vBQ2cblZabHs-OSHmLHqc30v-upWApfvBaYeHyqw5HQesvz3bdVbsnfmknrF8DiauhyphenhypheniUNG9fQfRwr/s1600/IMG_2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Laurel dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dvCviZemglt-JBkyDGsuhWVq-7T-n4absfKnBskY9HPaqMPKw_1XXOzkdtHge7vBQ2cblZabHs-OSHmLHqc30v-upWApfvBaYeHyqw5HQesvz3bdVbsnfmknrF8DiauhyphenhypheniUNG9fQfRwr/s1600/IMG_2401.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Laurel dress" width="137" /></a></div>
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The fabric is a Japanese print that I got on sale. How can you not love a dress that was made for $10?! I really love how it came out, even if it's not the way it was supposed to come out. I have fabric for a sleeveless version that I'll whip together when I get my machine back. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CV4iO9Ah1DkS2-r1HJqNuNp1Mp5HnKWpbJQHMvq51zj_ciGpQ98joGTHVNBNHuUjl2UE1Le38JhAoIsUqw9upujABS9V96rN6AYC0SYUzjUMhLKat3XCERhOXVaf5WDXNqRcLwIwX5Ap/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Laurel dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CV4iO9Ah1DkS2-r1HJqNuNp1Mp5HnKWpbJQHMvq51zj_ciGpQ98joGTHVNBNHuUjl2UE1Le38JhAoIsUqw9upujABS9V96rN6AYC0SYUzjUMhLKat3XCERhOXVaf5WDXNqRcLwIwX5Ap/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG" height="320" title="Colette Laurel dress" width="182" /></a></div>
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My mom taught me how to make a nice seam finish on the neckline by making my own bias tape. It's a lot more comfortable than a interfaced yoke - I'll have to keep this in mind on other projects. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3orHe1_-7zbV3L-DUJzQzumklukqWBw0SE0tQnECFBzNuRphN9SrgGfxiRTxPEqE2aHJFSAGRz0SzyDEcu-Dw7NHDSQKeVPTz3mEitWK1D4KkoOeNWlfRnVa1UykEw9ao84_rS4feYMUs/s1600/IMG_2412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Laurel dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3orHe1_-7zbV3L-DUJzQzumklukqWBw0SE0tQnECFBzNuRphN9SrgGfxiRTxPEqE2aHJFSAGRz0SzyDEcu-Dw7NHDSQKeVPTz3mEitWK1D4KkoOeNWlfRnVa1UykEw9ao84_rS4feYMUs/s1600/IMG_2412.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Laurel dress" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy Summer!Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-48082309987300650122013-06-01T06:39:00.000-07:002013-06-01T06:39:00.561-07:00half-square triangle chevron quiltHappy June! <br />
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Last month I made a half-square triangle chevron quilt for a friend of a friend. The recipients are University of Illinois alums and so my friend wanted something in the University colors, which are <a href="http://identitystandards.illinois.edu/graphicstandardsmanual/generalguidelines/colors.html">bright orange and bright blue</a>. Eep. I was really really nervous about this color scheme but once I got over it, I was glad that the quilt wasn't for a University of Iowa alum (my alma mater - go Hawkeyes!) since those colors are black and yellow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48CBdd7-rI0Wnl7tx2W1GjBYP2Qf4i1M6MWARgFoGAb062zRFAr3ES8LuwPiWBTua6JyY0n_5Lifb3ysTt9QwhFLiuLWQrIPJ8CVNOmaYwffqaKZIg_yQq5zbw0OONvmeIYpVP_KviWKz/s1600/IMG_2301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="half-square triangle chevron quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48CBdd7-rI0Wnl7tx2W1GjBYP2Qf4i1M6MWARgFoGAb062zRFAr3ES8LuwPiWBTua6JyY0n_5Lifb3ysTt9QwhFLiuLWQrIPJ8CVNOmaYwffqaKZIg_yQq5zbw0OONvmeIYpVP_KviWKz/s1600/IMG_2301.jpg" height="320" title="half-square triangle chevron quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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The back is a subtle pattern of little orange birds. I used a blue and white polka dot for the binding to pull the colors all together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK06q9Z1X_SpkiEyYIuBLSV2EQ0lderx7IWXSb7m6GPXwHiuex0evo0Y2KkBpZjEE-kPL2kVn5wXlDl1d1aTSZKuJBDeqq4x2f2iewJDx7TGyWxxwf_C9MQJKdc-f0CBzjiAkfRLH05BfH/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="half-square triangle chevron quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK06q9Z1X_SpkiEyYIuBLSV2EQ0lderx7IWXSb7m6GPXwHiuex0evo0Y2KkBpZjEE-kPL2kVn5wXlDl1d1aTSZKuJBDeqq4x2f2iewJDx7TGyWxxwf_C9MQJKdc-f0CBzjiAkfRLH05BfH/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" height="320" title="half-square triangle chevron quilt" width="240" /></a></div>
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This was a fun quilt to work on, even though half-square triangles need lots and lots of trimming. I couldn't think of any other pattern that would have allowed the colors to work together so nicely. I love how bright and cheery the quilt is. Go Illini! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp6_rsMaLT9CFcM2fCkJdDqk3J-52rvlzmUesj2bZfODPMANg_NGCUL0m6nz9wVjNuSZ1V1XKcYU2pOjIKkPRGLTBdOQTP1jNBr-Ob_-pqQ44GqdDd-w3-E5pIPML4HTdCyYlTrXwqJHb/s1600/IMG_2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp6_rsMaLT9CFcM2fCkJdDqk3J-52rvlzmUesj2bZfODPMANg_NGCUL0m6nz9wVjNuSZ1V1XKcYU2pOjIKkPRGLTBdOQTP1jNBr-Ob_-pqQ44GqdDd-w3-E5pIPML4HTdCyYlTrXwqJHb/s1600/IMG_2303.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-64594965273775727132013-05-27T06:35:00.000-07:002013-05-27T06:35:52.094-07:00Colette Peony dressBack in December, I made my first attempt at <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/peony">Colette Pattern's Peony dress</a>. It's a cute pattern and I thought it was a good "beginner dress" to make.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b8knvlMUoSgop1gbwbnLBKXipyYJCvgIYIrQN4ugy5FU_pj3K43MBEYM1HbzjFs4IHoolBZe_Irm5NBE9aagvIPGPOl2ijM7-XdTFYorTCEd0eF0iwRfkWF5WYYoqSYcFQOU4SkNo5du/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Peony dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b8knvlMUoSgop1gbwbnLBKXipyYJCvgIYIrQN4ugy5FU_pj3K43MBEYM1HbzjFs4IHoolBZe_Irm5NBE9aagvIPGPOl2ijM7-XdTFYorTCEd0eF0iwRfkWF5WYYoqSYcFQOU4SkNo5du/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Peony dress" width="115" /></a></div>
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In general, it came out ok. I like the pattern and it's a really great work dress. However . . . notice anything weird about the bust?? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1twW-O7Rb7X2hFkZQzA2UBObZudCudBDPTM3r_b7KfXNEunX8iKufhubwxJJ8Bqm8TboBl4VXbU2H_FpCUg5xL5svWBN5Ecm-TqG-6vHa50oEpvTeZcaS7hVE9CHxgdToz57wtIPSuqK/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Peony dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1twW-O7Rb7X2hFkZQzA2UBObZudCudBDPTM3r_b7KfXNEunX8iKufhubwxJJ8Bqm8TboBl4VXbU2H_FpCUg5xL5svWBN5Ecm-TqG-6vHa50oEpvTeZcaS7hVE9CHxgdToz57wtIPSuqK/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Peony dress" width="240" /></a></div>
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I don't think there's supposed to be this much extra fabric in the top! Colette Patterns tend to be made for women with more voluptuous figures than mine (and those who have much shorter torsos than me). I have curves but they're compact and subtle curves, not va-va-voom curves. I am still struggling with believing the measurements I take are actually my measurements so I add in a tiny bit of extra room in my seam allowances. Add these together and you get what I've been calling "wonky chest":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnoBZa3cXpBoujzKOiWFzEejGvmwnHG9sFtdeTr4KivQG1fzfeLxWhQLf0UvgJj9fWHOIUbNHsuVRMKzl4rEdYqZboZqK3KHBa-zqUhA2-fWmWGQpcPCenFZrM6Mdul5GJYXeK4YzGPoL/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Peony dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnoBZa3cXpBoujzKOiWFzEejGvmwnHG9sFtdeTr4KivQG1fzfeLxWhQLf0UvgJj9fWHOIUbNHsuVRMKzl4rEdYqZboZqK3KHBa-zqUhA2-fWmWGQpcPCenFZrM6Mdul5GJYXeK4YzGPoL/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Peony dress" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last month I worked on Peony Version 2.0. After cutting out what I thought was the correct size pattern, my mom helped me positions all of the darts and I ended up with a dress that fits a LOT better! I also made the skirt a little smaller and shorter and took in the waist. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7_kjmfdvg-fTzq0o1Cd9eFjSGx1zQ0-7SyquanLXNCYFoOi41RM5k3-KXayF5jajbdxriqCa6aEDYw_jAF5AZm1wEekRoTBTQ-0Q1zKiWX4-SPIdP7aDlfMrpexpsoggu3DTdnnvyoO6/s1600/IMG_2318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Peony dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7_kjmfdvg-fTzq0o1Cd9eFjSGx1zQ0-7SyquanLXNCYFoOi41RM5k3-KXayF5jajbdxriqCa6aEDYw_jAF5AZm1wEekRoTBTQ-0Q1zKiWX4-SPIdP7aDlfMrpexpsoggu3DTdnnvyoO6/s1600/IMG_2318.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Peony dress" width="215" /></a></div>
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There's still some extra room, but there's no "wonky chest" that needs covering up. I'd like to make this dress again, with continued adjustments to the size of the dress. Now that the bust fits better, I can see that the sleeves are too big . . . and so it goes . . . The craziest thing about Version 2.0 is that when I wore it to work, two of my co-workers complimented me on my dress! And my co-workers have never complimented me on any thing I've worn before :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdyiPl3wNOdkQepedSQhQTenr8_xRcAYOmUIOwRvsx1H6W1mo1qqznKKSKAP4vqWOj-3Mhm2QzCSL7jy16lG9V0456uwq-vOdq-lgYDPnFoJQqk0ZlgYqPD2SRUtSScqf0FIBB48NzEji/s1600/IMG_2319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Peony dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdyiPl3wNOdkQepedSQhQTenr8_xRcAYOmUIOwRvsx1H6W1mo1qqznKKSKAP4vqWOj-3Mhm2QzCSL7jy16lG9V0456uwq-vOdq-lgYDPnFoJQqk0ZlgYqPD2SRUtSScqf0FIBB48NzEji/s1600/IMG_2319.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Peony dress" width="240" /></a></div>
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Next up: a quilt for a friend's baby, a bag, and a couple of dresses. And hopefully some warmer weather!! :-) Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-9119792505810888122013-04-21T15:03:00.000-07:002013-08-24T13:49:27.941-07:00catching upThings have been a little hectic around here lately, thus the lack of posts. I've been knitting and sewing but I just haven't been in the mood to post. Spring is coming so I'm emerging from my winter funk, so I hope to get back on track soon. <br />
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I'm happy to report that since January I've finished <b>two</b> (yes, two!) knitting projects. My knitting goals for the year included actually finish a project or two and to learn how to knit lace. I took a into to lace class in February and learned out to make this scarf/shawl:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_-ArL7wxUgvhN8co7_SseNITQT4IFlBKJ5V9sqINsvSmKVxGOEmzVUO-VetAuIOUL1Qd8eY-sUJVVNHhhRN7lIsZ8FXYpyrnkc4Ic9v6LjhjlIiWj5sXCFXoYp2kpAKEfmMMGPKM9Vm9/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jill Draper A Little Something" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_-ArL7wxUgvhN8co7_SseNITQT4IFlBKJ5V9sqINsvSmKVxGOEmzVUO-VetAuIOUL1Qd8eY-sUJVVNHhhRN7lIsZ8FXYpyrnkc4Ic9v6LjhjlIiWj5sXCFXoYp2kpAKEfmMMGPKM9Vm9/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" height="240" title="Jill Draper A Little Something" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used less yarn than the pattern called for so it's not quite shall-sized. I kind of like how it looks all bunched up around my neck (unlike in this photo which reminds me of an Egyptian headress). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGoYcF11-FFaRdGPqoP2RS0pAnaxF8SWuTIxZuwwpfHeZmPA7j9IKpWH4WVL3DJ799y8fjCy7GJsGB2iLtv5N0zb0kG3eDJI-PUCIGxgLYruQpxPrTP_rhabf34HFvOaH0zrzQ_sOF-xZ/s1600/IMG_2185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madelinetosh Honey Cowl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGoYcF11-FFaRdGPqoP2RS0pAnaxF8SWuTIxZuwwpfHeZmPA7j9IKpWH4WVL3DJ799y8fjCy7GJsGB2iLtv5N0zb0kG3eDJI-PUCIGxgLYruQpxPrTP_rhabf34HFvOaH0zrzQ_sOF-xZ/s1600/IMG_2185.JPG" height="240" title="Madelinetosh Honey Cowl" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also finished <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/honey-cowl/">Madelinetosh's Honey Cowl</a>. I loved this pattern - so easy and fun to make. It came out super soft and squishy and cozy. I've been wearing a lot at work as kind of a shoulder shrug. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGvER4473HTLQf-MNJ-xWi_kldYOZdl9VM0wilSJIwgX9_uZMRc2Idl9uJY9LWi03WP26L0Tozg-4rl23WbkjID4aYzY-NBwA8Al4UYsrX-wnJ6JMKw1_Cux9Azf0Tn_6lm_dKYxujJ_l/s1600/IMG_2180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madelinetosh Honey Cowl" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGvER4473HTLQf-MNJ-xWi_kldYOZdl9VM0wilSJIwgX9_uZMRc2Idl9uJY9LWi03WP26L0Tozg-4rl23WbkjID4aYzY-NBwA8Al4UYsrX-wnJ6JMKw1_Cux9Azf0Tn_6lm_dKYxujJ_l/s1600/IMG_2180.jpg" height="320" title="Madelinetosh Honey Cowl" width="240" /></a></div>
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My knitting streak ended here. I got about a quarter of the way through a new project and dramatically frogged it over the weekend. I might try to figure out the gague and adjust the pattern and give it another go. It's a cowl with great potential.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDkUwmVTB2w1H-o0-2D8f-d3fo2RSB0IoamsXbNPu6H-FF-jZGyk82Xpq2c3unXliBcPE-_Iyo-XQ0AiH-ROU0h874jBW87n6aq3VHqMsgD391iK1TslbxENOZ3k4hN5t__QHxbpcAxYK/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Sorbetto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDkUwmVTB2w1H-o0-2D8f-d3fo2RSB0IoamsXbNPu6H-FF-jZGyk82Xpq2c3unXliBcPE-_Iyo-XQ0AiH-ROU0h874jBW87n6aq3VHqMsgD391iK1TslbxENOZ3k4hN5t__QHxbpcAxYK/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Sorbetto" width="240" /></a></div>
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During Friday's <a href="http://boston.com/metrodesk/2013/04/21/new-details-wild-shootout-with-bomb-suspects-watertown-chief-believes-older-brother-was-killed-younger-brother-desperate-getaway/jaIyrXr8fSnf5Pu4xnRbvM/story.html">lockdown</a>, I had a lot of nervous energy so I whipped up another <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top">Colette Sorbetto</a> tank top. If only it were warm enough to wear it! Spring has been very slow to come to Boston and I am itching to break out my summer skirts.<br />
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I think that's about it . . . next up on my sewing agenda is to finish my second attempt at <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/peony">Colette's Peony</a> dress. I just need to put in the zipper and hem the dress. My mom helped me re-fit the top of the dress to avoid the "wonky boob chest area" of my first attempt :-)<br />
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And lastly, but certainly not least, I'll put together this quilt that I made for a friend of a friend. She wanted <a href="http://identitystandards.illinois.edu/graphicstandardsmanual/generalguidelines/colors.html">University of Illinois colors</a>. I was a little unsure about combining orange and blue but I think it works. It's super bright and cheery!<br />
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Until next time . . . xoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-57192643278194674422013-03-16T09:18:00.000-07:002013-08-24T13:49:57.386-07:00scrappy trip around the world quiltEarlier this year, my instagram feed exploded with pictures of scrappy trip around the world quilts. It was insane. It seemed like every single quilter out there was digging into his/her stash and creating these wonderfully random blocks. (If you want to see more, take a look at some of these <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=%23scrappytripalong&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=lIa&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=m5dEUe_uI8Ph4AOoxYDQCw&ved=0CFYQsAQ&biw=1253&bih=617">#scrappytripalong</a> examples) I'm a huge fan of scrappy quilts that put different color fabrics together in unexpected ways. Not wanting to be left out, I pulled out a huge piles of scraps and began cutting. The blocks are <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/scrappy-trips-around-world.html">deceptively easy</a> to put together so I whipped a few together over the course of a couple of weekends. The challenge with this quilt is that in order to make a quilt large enough for a queen size bed, you need 32 of these squares. This will be a work in progress for a long, long time.<br />
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<span id="goog_631022234"></span><span id="goog_631022235"></span><br />Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-87123525302411310932013-02-24T14:40:00.000-08:002013-02-24T14:40:42.001-08:00half-square triangle star quilt - voila!I feel like I should title this post "Stop me before I quilt again!" :-) I finished my half-square triangle star quilt this morning. I am extraordinarily proud of how this one came out and cannot wait to give it to <a href="http://www.projectlinus.org/">Project Linus</a> next month. Though this quilt had a lot of cutting and even more trimming, it actually came together really quickly. The stars are all made from scraps I had in my stash and the back is some yardage that I bought for a skirt but ended up not really liking all that much for clothing. I went out on a limb and used a black binding. I hope it's not too weird? I couldn't think of another color that would have tied the whole thing together and nothing that I had in my stash seemed to work. I think the black binding works better with the back than it does the front, but really, the effect is growing on me. <br />
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This quilt, like the others, isn't perfect, but I feel like I'm on a real learning trajectory. Every time I cut into some fabric, sit at my machine or start quilting the pieces together, everything that I've learned falls a little bit more into place and I crack the code of all that I still need to learn. I'm going to take a bit of a quilt hiatus to work on some other things. I've got two "in progress" quilts so I'm sure the break won't last long, but it will be nice to make some progress on some knitting projects and get started on a couple of garments. xoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-49735636621935721972013-02-17T09:29:00.002-08:002013-02-17T09:29:35.443-08:00blizzard sewing - half-square triangle starsWe got a blizzard last weekend, nearly two feet of snow. What do you do when the Governor has banned all driving on roads and and you're totally snowed in anyway? Shovel out the car, knit, read, shovel out the car, bake brownies, shovel out the car and drink tea. See a familiar theme? I also did some spontaneous sewing and made a bunch of half-square triangle stars for a new Project Linus quilt. If some of the fabric looks familiar, it's because I've used it for 3 (and counting) quilts thus far. Note to self: if the fabric store says "three yard minimum", make sure it's fabric you LOVE. I'm still working on how many of these to make. I think it's going to depend on how much of the white fabric I have. If I run out, I'll have to get a little creative . . . We're supposed to get another 6-10" of snow today so I'm hoping to make another few squares today. Honestly, there's only one good thing about getting so much snow: no feeling guilty for staying inside all day sewing! xo<br />
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<br />Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-6231093722504735562013-02-09T07:58:00.001-08:002013-02-09T07:58:07.509-08:00charm quilts for Project Linus - done!The title of this post nearly says it all - I finished my first two Project Linus quilts of the year! These were really easy to put together. All together I think it took two weekends; one to cut the fabric and sew the quilt tops and another to make the quilt sandwich and bind. I used all scraps (except for one new fat quarter) for the quilt tops and used fabric I had in my stash for the backs. The blue and white back fabric is from IKEA. The more I use from my stash, the more new fabric I can add, right? They're a little funky, a little wonky and there are a lot of mistakes, but they will keep a couple of kids warm :-)<br />
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I'm in the Boston area, snowed in by a massive blizzard. I've got another idea for a Project Linus quilt. Hmmm . . . snowed in + sewing = happiness! xoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-84306201535768131372013-01-26T05:56:00.001-08:002013-01-26T05:56:26.944-08:00srappy charm quiltsI whipped together two scrappy charm quilts for Project Linus last weekend.They are not the most beautiful of quilts, but I think they kind of work. And bonus: I used up LOTS of scraps! Some of these scraps have been hanging around my mom's fabric collection since I was in 8th grade (!). I hope to have them quilted in bound in the next couple of weeks; I've got an idea for something a little less basic for my next Project Linus quilt. <br />
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xoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-55591419184273116812013-01-13T10:36:00.003-08:002013-01-13T10:36:56.176-08:00embroidery loveI took an embroidery class at the end of December. I've always avoided hand sewing like the plague, mainly because I had no idea what I was doing. I took the class to learn the easy stuff, how to tie a proper knot, how to finish a stitch and how to make pretty designs in future quilts. We just made a sampler where we covered the basics:<br />
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I loved learning the lazy daisy, twinkle and french knot stitches. The running stitch will be the most practical for hemming, basting or quilting and I think the backstitch will be a good one for sewing secret messages (!) into projects. <br />
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Here's the back of my loom. A hot mess, right? I'm not so sure. I saw an exhibit at a museum a long time ago that showed both the front and the back of a series of paintings. I found it fascinating to see the artist's marks, the museum marks, and the secret codes that explain the paintings' lineage. Not that anyone in the future is going to look at the back of my embroidery and immediately recognize it as mine. I'll be happy if its seen for what it is: a crafty work in progress :-)<br />
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<br />Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-56293913418135743452013-01-05T07:51:00.000-08:002013-01-05T07:51:00.708-08:002012/2013Happy New Year!! I don't know about you, but I feel like 2012 flew by. In so many ways, 2012 was a great year - I got my MBA! I got a new job! - that I feel a little sad to see it go. I've been looking over my posts and pictures from the past year, I can't believe how much I've learned, creatively. I'm happy to report that I've mostly aced the creative goals that I set for myself in 2012:<br />
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1. <i>Sew a dress</i>. In December I made <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/peony">Colette's Peony</a> dress. This was a huge learning curve for me - I figured out how to insert sleeves and connect a skirt to a dress top. I haven't shared any pics yet because sizing is still an issue for me and I need to adjust the top so the bust isn't so weird. <br /><br />2. <i>Learn how to properly bind a quilt</i>. I am not sure there's a "right" way. Sure, I could learn to sewing bindings on better, but I don't think what I'm doing is all that bad. I had thought that machine sewing bindings was a sure sign of a novice, but it turns out that lots of quilters machine bind. I'm generally happy with how they come out; I think I'd just like to feel more confident in my skills and make them a little neater.<br />
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<i>Knit and sew (at least) one (each) quilt for Project Linus this year</i>.
I gave four quilts to Project Linus this year. Four! I absolutely loved working on these quilts and am so happy they are keeping kids in Maine warm this winter. I didn't end up knitting a quilt this year - hopefully next year!<br /><br />4. <i>Knit something</i>. I've really grown in my knitting confidence this year. Though I haven't actually finished many project, I've started lots (and subsequently frogged them all) and have really learned how to read my knitting, unknit, and take chances with new patterns. I finished two pair of socks this year (and started about three others) and learned how to color block. Sometimes I think I like the process of knitting more than I like the actual making of things so I'm not all that worried about all my half-finished projects. <br /><br />5. <i>Investigate the feasibility of a sewing-related entrepreneurial idea that I've been thinking about . . . </i> I'm still working on this one :-) <br />
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As for 2013, my goals are fairly simple:<br />
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1. Use up some of the fabric I have! I have a lot of left over fabric from finished projects; I need to use this up before I think about bringing another piece of fabric into my house!<br />
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2. Sell something I make: a quilt, a bag, a potholder, <i>something</i>. My friend T told me all through grad school "I want to bring something to market." Well, I do too. <br />
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3. Continue to work on garment fit issues. One of the reasons I like making clothes is because store garments are not necessarily meant for my body. I struggled for years with store bought clothing, always buying the wrong size because I didn't know how anything was supposed to fit. I'm finding that that same paranoia has transferred over into sewing clothing. I need to learn that the body measurements I take are correct and that if I use them, I can avoid the wonky bust issues on my new dress. <br />
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4. I'd like to learn to knit lace. I am intimidated by lace! I know it's just knitting, but the cast on seems so alien that I haven't been able to wrap my head around it. <br />
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5. Learn to take better pictures. My apartment has very little (good) natural light. I am also an impatient picture taker. I can do better. <br />
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6. Make some quilts for Project Linus. I don't know how many I'll make this year, but I know I'll be sewing at least a couple and I'd really like to stretch myself and knit a blanket too. <br />
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I love the new year. I love having the entire year ahead of me, full of possibility. May 2013 be amazing! xoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-81993774026297696302012-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002013-08-24T13:51:36.634-07:00knitting love from SantaMy various Santas were very generous in their gifting this year. It's almost as though my entire family got together and thought, "Knitting supplies for Natasha!" I couldn't be happier :-) I've been a very frustrated knitter lately and have frogged nearly everything I've tried to make due to yarn frustration, pattern frustration or simply that I just don't know what to make. I am so excited to improve my knitting skills this year and get started on some new projects!<br />
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A set of knitting needles. <br />
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My mom made me this super cool needles storage/carrying case! I might modify it slightly so I can put some circular needles or dpn's in the smaller pockets. I'm a huge stripe fan, so I love the fabric!<br />
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My brother gave me some yarn. <br />
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Hand-painted silk - gorgeous, right? I am dieing to learn how to knit lace this year and this is going to make one beautiful shawl!<br />
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A hilarious (and practical) book! I love cats but I'm very allergic so a knit cat is perfect. Besides, what knitter doesn't want to knit an entire fleet of cats!?<br />
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I love this little guy - so cute!!!! The patterns seem relatively straight-forward so I suspect I'm going to have a bunch of new "pets" by the end of the year :-)<br />
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I am so grateful to my family's generosity and I can't wait to start some projects!<br />
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xoxoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-39506221256601543992012-12-29T06:15:00.000-08:002013-08-24T13:52:26.768-07:00#handmadeholiday - apronMy uncle retired yesterday, after 30+ years at the same hospital. When I asked him over Thanksgiving what he was going to do post-retirement, he said that he would love to have a second career as a line chef. You could have knocked me over with a feather! I love my uncle, and I know he's in love with Rachel Ray and has gotten in to cooking in the past few years, but I don't necessarily see him as a chef. I think it's because my uncle has always sort of reminded me of John Belushi's character from Animal House: goofy and good at making silly faces.<br />
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So I made my uncle an apron for Christmas this year. I modeled it after a standard chef's apron, though I made it about an inch larger all the way around and used a heavy cotton canvas from Jo-Ann Fabric.<br />
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The khaki fabric looked a lot more utilitarian once I got it home, so I used white stitching for contrast to brighten it up. <br />
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I got three yards for the tie and I thought that was a little excessive, but it was just right for twice wrapping the tie around the waist. The men in my life are not small people! <br />
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I think the apron was a hit! My uncle unwrapped it and immediately put it on and wore it all afternoon, through dinner and until he went home. This made me unreasonably happy and I hope it serves him well in his new career :-) <br />
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xoNatashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-23623127651503140402012-12-16T14:04:00.005-08:002013-08-24T13:52:59.613-07:00#handmadeholiday - napkinsGifting was challenging for me this year. I had lots of not-quite-formed ideas that didn't pan out. I also wanted to make some of my gifts this year, rather than settle for the same ole'-same ole' choices that I always have. The easiest of my What to make? decision was to make some napkins K. K has a great eye for color, texture and pattern so I got to choose a more zippy fabric that I'd usually pick (fun!!). The most time consuming part of making the napkins was cutting out 6 20" squares. Measuring and straight cutting aren't necessarily my strong suits but I really liked how they came out and I hope K will enjoy them too.<br />
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<br />Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-85233550338643471562012-11-24T11:01:00.001-08:002013-02-09T07:59:13.942-08:00project updatesIt's been a while since I've posted. Rest assured, I've been sewing and cutting, but either my projects have been a secret or I'm not far along enough to share anything more than a giant pile of scraps. I also started a new job at the end of October so I am still trying to balance work-time with commute-time with sewing-time.<br />
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The one project I have finished is (yet another?) Colette Ginger skirt. Now that I've made three of these skirts, I'm really into the pattern. It's a great cut for my body and I've adjusted the pattern enough so I just have to cut out the fabric and sew it together without a lot of brain power. This one is in corduroy, my first non-boring-cotton clothing project. <br />
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Pardon the lousy shot - I took this in the mirror at work. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0hMsKa17avxyDk5F0Ar-2Rjwm_IgBzDOeA4m_-O6V-r2WPGnH-9qvc2VGsr0Tm-NvRiI5Il8dxF1-1oJrSLb7_XMDV6jf7LyMNdU4vGxYc9XVv97T209SBQT9s-YBisUr5V1BBslsX03/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Ginger skirt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0hMsKa17avxyDk5F0Ar-2Rjwm_IgBzDOeA4m_-O6V-r2WPGnH-9qvc2VGsr0Tm-NvRiI5Il8dxF1-1oJrSLb7_XMDV6jf7LyMNdU4vGxYc9XVv97T209SBQT9s-YBisUr5V1BBslsX03/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Ginger skirt" width="240" /></a></div>
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I didn't try to match up the seams. The print is busy enough that there's a bit of trompe l'oeil to make you think that I was clever enough to have planned any matching that may have occurred. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN98pM5XhuA6SiwVpKNf1mYmWa_wPMNRT1p0YKvvIt9pcDglyxkZpt9zFHBuQcwzYWPR3uYHIFiKM1h1QHIDUx0v-dGbZNG8tIPuI9KrAJ7aR3xXHRNNW4jYucKCdqtL_0-LX9FvUQU8aE/s1600/IMG_2071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colette Ginger skirt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN98pM5XhuA6SiwVpKNf1mYmWa_wPMNRT1p0YKvvIt9pcDglyxkZpt9zFHBuQcwzYWPR3uYHIFiKM1h1QHIDUx0v-dGbZNG8tIPuI9KrAJ7aR3xXHRNNW4jYucKCdqtL_0-LX9FvUQU8aE/s1600/IMG_2071.jpg" height="320" title="Colette Ginger skirt" width="240" /></a></div>
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At this point I definitely feel like a whiz at inserting an invisible zipper. Since this skirt is so fitted around the waist I'm sewing the zipper in far further than the pattern suggests (10"). Any less and it's a struggle to get the skirt over my hips. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmBOczb7BGUSF8tuZ0xvcLAatlNLIs05QNf1hWHFaTF69evr8EfpxnBPjukiT2M0W9W9jnL9r0farOG4qijh1w3TBKVavqDqCJXTunQAhXQocdB61udWLMlaOfE9JNzyB3D3y1DK78XgP/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmBOczb7BGUSF8tuZ0xvcLAatlNLIs05QNf1hWHFaTF69evr8EfpxnBPjukiT2M0W9W9jnL9r0farOG4qijh1w3TBKVavqDqCJXTunQAhXQocdB61udWLMlaOfE9JNzyB3D3y1DK78XgP/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've also been on a bag tear. I found a <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-diy-tutorial.html">great pattern online for a wide mouth pouch</a> and earlier this month I used some scraps to play with the sizes. I now have bags to match Amy Butler's Weekender bag, a pair of pajamas and the back of a quilt I made earlier this year. One must always accessorize! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-PCGOMz7VFU6SLhgLpihGYvfqtbt_60sMQGrGg1yFiJ7-M9lHPGxNXd72sPoXmBE1Xo_A_M9jL74pgRAVD-DNuijnF9iDcOZJKrjPY2yglQ_LHWHEh_4dPGkh_voBZAokwp7et0gdRxO/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Noodlehead zipper pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-PCGOMz7VFU6SLhgLpihGYvfqtbt_60sMQGrGg1yFiJ7-M9lHPGxNXd72sPoXmBE1Xo_A_M9jL74pgRAVD-DNuijnF9iDcOZJKrjPY2yglQ_LHWHEh_4dPGkh_voBZAokwp7et0gdRxO/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" height="240" title="Noodlehead zipper pouch" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may be wondering why I left such a long piece of the zipper hanging off the end of the left side of these bags? It's an open mouth bag so the extra zipper allows you to open the bag to a full circle, rather than keeping it tightly closed at each end. I really love the practicality of this design! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3qCAZqCLLMAbyPcwQDL2tC6Sg30c5_DmLGx8Ez7FtdWDPdY9wCGUPt9TeQLBfqChiiA1PRk8FWwNz7aPvT0iR-MPaXkZmzgMTrQx8IQbTxmvFo8tcc1A5XZGlQPptsobMtlU7YDvw2N7/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Noodlehead zipper pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3qCAZqCLLMAbyPcwQDL2tC6Sg30c5_DmLGx8Ez7FtdWDPdY9wCGUPt9TeQLBfqChiiA1PRk8FWwNz7aPvT0iR-MPaXkZmzgMTrQx8IQbTxmvFo8tcc1A5XZGlQPptsobMtlU7YDvw2N7/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" height="320" title="Noodlehead zipper pouch" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lastly, there's a project that I've only started preparing for. I've always wanted to make a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=postage+stamp+quilt&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=IV1&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nxexUKuWNOja0QHwhYHQAQ&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1253&bih=617">postage stamp quilt </a>(also known as a "vomit quilt"). This quilt is great for using up scraps as it calls for an unlimited amount of 2.5" squares. Over the past few weeks I've been slowly going through my scarps and cutting squares. I don't have nearly enough but it's nice to have something in the works that I can plod away at over time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFNDfjIYdkz5wacurssKDjd2tRz2V6dJPT_I03S7q74dfguobzCwtZBfK2lKdnjtfQ3t47N_oO2irpvhmsF5Wu2lEdNTgyQjB6Gi-4BrKXUehbbdvOE1EdEmyj-jqeaa89Ojnhrz1bUAU/s1600/IMG_2075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFNDfjIYdkz5wacurssKDjd2tRz2V6dJPT_I03S7q74dfguobzCwtZBfK2lKdnjtfQ3t47N_oO2irpvhmsF5Wu2lEdNTgyQjB6Gi-4BrKXUehbbdvOE1EdEmyj-jqeaa89Ojnhrz1bUAU/s1600/IMG_2075.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's been fun traveling down the memory lane of my previous projects. And I love that I can still use tiny pieces of fabric that I love but don't have enough to use on something larger. I probably should figure out how big I want this quilt to be and do some quilting math to get a sense of the project's timeline but I kind of like not knowing the end result (this is crazy for me - I generally hate surprises!). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Prvhb3V2MzGxnfXu4wV3rJMsnFocf_y-NODW37ZnUZ61K4HwipY3npypKl4aCW_e21V8J7TmJ69aryYRv_rnLlCyShQ1ww_tyg2AKVhcHyi58oyzB_epXqRXNnAMd-_efNoE0rX8PZ1T/s1600/IMG_2076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Prvhb3V2MzGxnfXu4wV3rJMsnFocf_y-NODW37ZnUZ61K4HwipY3npypKl4aCW_e21V8J7TmJ69aryYRv_rnLlCyShQ1ww_tyg2AKVhcHyi58oyzB_epXqRXNnAMd-_efNoE0rX8PZ1T/s1600/IMG_2076.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up on my sewing agenda: I just cut out the fabric for a <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/peony">Colette Peony dress</a> and yesterday I snagged some fabric and the patterns for two other dresses. I may never shop again! :-)Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-52640362410765273902012-10-29T13:29:00.001-07:002012-10-29T13:29:47.581-07:00a quilt of trianglesI'm working on a new quilt, one that uses half triangles. Thus far all of my quilts have used squares, rectangles or some other straight line variation. I've still got a long way to go as I am "collecting" fabric scraps in the right color scheme as I find them, but so far I love the flexibility!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7ZO1CGQChwMG6vVgvOIeHjutDLYsahGyBxka_pOMdItbBECn-2gyTrxYRJHYixE-tpIOObgdx0vpU2oK8wYTlB25Tmc97c0AsnO4eNAqvGrZQqhgdkKbS65O6qdny1XSysYPdi1ROKra/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7ZO1CGQChwMG6vVgvOIeHjutDLYsahGyBxka_pOMdItbBECn-2gyTrxYRJHYixE-tpIOObgdx0vpU2oK8wYTlB25Tmc97c0AsnO4eNAqvGrZQqhgdkKbS65O6qdny1XSysYPdi1ROKra/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabrics I'm using (so far)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrKAx5gUH1yY2RLjkWdaS9aJIKWh5efgAvR-MwcDn57N2CcV-mds99yhmZH56vOb1QfRzHlY4IzryjBF5K0vHNHZHxAzFQNhQtI_fot9T9zvOwPsOzXezaIxb1g9ERHqBLKUXd2RJq-dK/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pinwheel quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrKAx5gUH1yY2RLjkWdaS9aJIKWh5efgAvR-MwcDn57N2CcV-mds99yhmZH56vOb1QfRzHlY4IzryjBF5K0vHNHZHxAzFQNhQtI_fot9T9zvOwPsOzXezaIxb1g9ERHqBLKUXd2RJq-dK/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" height="240" title="pinwheel quilt" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pinwheels</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTRASaaLDSzNaoMRixV3kEu7fhy-Nmy1_Dzj1-whCLMwK_iDod9OtQmGXwivmPudcj_vkPIFo2q2yQlA9H2Q0l8tLRdfRXBdQNkWUQcwe7wSG-b_f348US9UiYSiTXXjOcP0S7y80gqks/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="half triangle quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTRASaaLDSzNaoMRixV3kEu7fhy-Nmy1_Dzj1-whCLMwK_iDod9OtQmGXwivmPudcj_vkPIFo2q2yQlA9H2Q0l8tLRdfRXBdQNkWUQcwe7wSG-b_f348US9UiYSiTXXjOcP0S7y80gqks/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" height="240" title="half triangle quilt" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">half triangles</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7HlSVtsSPFO8fDy0FJbSjW9is0XWJGJ3rCGU7Ml7arCSWDP_yeaJzbqsczyAUu0s4pZZZHFAbVxFo237GgIUjBFyC7PH-319Q49sgnz0TjpD1wCR-lehfMqXl00jOdRcK__U96kn_8jJ/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="triangle stripes quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7HlSVtsSPFO8fDy0FJbSjW9is0XWJGJ3rCGU7Ml7arCSWDP_yeaJzbqsczyAUu0s4pZZZHFAbVxFo237GgIUjBFyC7PH-319Q49sgnz0TjpD1wCR-lehfMqXl00jOdRcK__U96kn_8jJ/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" height="240" title="triangle stripes quilt" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">triangle stripes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVEhbDugb3NN7xaP529M48-ETvzzFzs4AzZ_YF9rpWDUMQ5kqM1JCSOupbE1ur8S7XltdyAOlyZpBlQLMip4Vn_iPQIMy-k8kmP6t6bRFI-GvEjvLU9_-g_ITeqNHg5mfSo4OCwr0f9Mq/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="triangle square quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVEhbDugb3NN7xaP529M48-ETvzzFzs4AzZ_YF9rpWDUMQ5kqM1JCSOupbE1ur8S7XltdyAOlyZpBlQLMip4Vn_iPQIMy-k8kmP6t6bRFI-GvEjvLU9_-g_ITeqNHg5mfSo4OCwr0f9Mq/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" height="240" title="triangle square quilt" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">triangle squares</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D1PlYo5yyRdn5H65FOTVrAJwNWSqskCBALG4PwSWXlWsQzQRV5lTXLxHiqkrKKDvOv-TgP66Bxrxs5Vt698QqptbbDWe9u_8VcDqnOtzCSUCLIXYGqbUGTlHBXo9PQF3nC6SlJ2DdR-D/s1600/IMG_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="triangle square quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D1PlYo5yyRdn5H65FOTVrAJwNWSqskCBALG4PwSWXlWsQzQRV5lTXLxHiqkrKKDvOv-TgP66Bxrxs5Vt698QqptbbDWe9u_8VcDqnOtzCSUCLIXYGqbUGTlHBXo9PQF3nC6SlJ2DdR-D/s1600/IMG_2064.JPG" height="240" title="triangle square quilt" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modern triangles</td></tr>
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Thank goodness for digital cameras! :-) Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-8234212521337138022012-10-24T14:34:00.001-07:002012-10-24T14:34:13.123-07:00Gee's Bend - quilting pioneersI have quilts on the brain. After sewing clothing all summer now that it's fall I want to make quilt after quilt after quilt. I have one "in progress" quilt - for me! - that may be a work in progress for a long time coming since I'm allowing it to grow somewhat organically. And I have my first idea for this year's Project Linus donations already. As I result, I have spent far too much time visiting fabric stores and staring at quilts on the Internet. <br />
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Earlier this week I had to drop off some paperwork at my new place of employment (I start on Monday! So excited!). As I was sitting in the lobby staring into space I noticed two Gee's Bend quilts on the wall:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M5NItJBxtok57RvnfqUMTifRzh3RhtF0Oqv7kitjKEmlr1vd9oVI5PWmH9aBVXVRsvWHxgoVUvt-K74rSjZNc5gwwuJsdqFS9YnMqevYdUKAsTKo1BqmRic-c7nlawxVGa7kY6674PUZ/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M5NItJBxtok57RvnfqUMTifRzh3RhtF0Oqv7kitjKEmlr1vd9oVI5PWmH9aBVXVRsvWHxgoVUvt-K74rSjZNc5gwwuJsdqFS9YnMqevYdUKAsTKo1BqmRic-c7nlawxVGa7kY6674PUZ/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" height="240" title="Gee's Bend quilt" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Housetop Blocks, 2007, by Allie Pettway, Gee's Bend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjBZqorBj43XWRnkMZjnWcRQcrx058jwirf2TUgZjeSkbNn9X2oCYSiYs5Xu2G41Fff2k-w3WLOSylFAdpFjzC6XVTdx0QcrUIhOOQAXIVJw338YQjJQ8zmEmT6HARVpFc3pl9hsXmVwu/s1600/IMG_0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gee's Bend quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjBZqorBj43XWRnkMZjnWcRQcrx058jwirf2TUgZjeSkbNn9X2oCYSiYs5Xu2G41Fff2k-w3WLOSylFAdpFjzC6XVTdx0QcrUIhOOQAXIVJw338YQjJQ8zmEmT6HARVpFc3pl9hsXmVwu/s1600/IMG_0561.jpg" height="320" title="Gee's Bend quilt" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Housetops w/ 19 patch, 2007, by Allie Pettway, Gee's Bend</td></tr>
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Quilting, in it's modern form, has roots in the late 18th century/early 19th century, when woman used clothing and fabric scraps to keep their families warm. Though the "sandwich" structure - fabric/batting/fabric - is still used today, we now choose our fabrics in part for beauty while our quilting ancestors used what they had out of necessity.<br />
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In Gee's Bend, an African-American hamlet of Alabama, women have been creating modernist quilts with a nod to quilting's history since the 60s. Gee's Bend is located in an isolated area that was further shut off from
neighboring communities in 1962 when the ferry service was shut down in
an attempt to block residents from registering to vote. (The ferry
re-opened in 2006). Originally formed as a off-shoot of the Civil Rights Movement, The Freedom Quilting Bee was formed to give women viable source of income in an area and time where there weren't many options. Isolation coupled with poverty meant that the Gee's Bend quilters had to use re-purposed materials to create modernist quilts. If you look closely at the quilts, you can identify shirting fabric, re-purposed flannel and men's trouser fabric, yet browse any quilting blogs for longer than a few minutes and you will find these very same designs in bold, modern quilting fabrics. I adore this juxtaposition and love the history of these quilts. And I feel very lucky to be employed by a company that owns a couple (or more?) of these historical quilts. They are incredibly inspiring and may just make a quilt using re-purposed fabrics of my own this fall . . .<br />
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Sources:<br />
<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=970364">The Quilts of Gee's Bend, NPR</a><br />
<a href="http://deepsouthmag.com/2012/04/the-future-of-gees-bend/">The Future of Gee's Bend, Deep South Magazine</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ruraldevelopment.org/FQBhistory.html">Freedom Quilting Bee</a>Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598934730796753251.post-20852405452862958352012-10-02T11:35:00.001-07:002012-10-02T11:35:40.772-07:00Swedish Fish socksI (finally!) finished my <a href="http://spillyjane.blogspot.com/2008/09/swedfish-fish-are-here.html">Swedish Fish socks</a> (by spillyjane knits)! After a summer of sewing and the arrival of fall, I'm back knitting, starting with some unfinished projects. <br />
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This pattern is so adorable! This project was a big learning curve for me. In addition to learning color blocking and getting more used to picking up stitches and turning the heel, it was also my first time using 100% cotton yarn. I wish I had known how little stretch cotton yarn has (or doesn't have) and how little stretch color blocking has. I got half-way through my first sock and realized I couldn't get the sock on my foot. I frogged the whole thing and started again with size 3 needles instead of the size 2 the pattern recommends (and with which I had gauge!). I tried the socks on obsessively and ended up not needing to have to decrease until the toe (I have a very high arch). On the plus side I can get the socks on my feet; on the down side they're a little baggy everywhere except when I get them on over my heel. They'll be great for wearing around the house, wearing to bed and wearing in winter boots. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YCzMsnyQjx8UlBmxXpjBERlPEYiHZl4mx6vRqQhTqZULTM3s_aiz3Pi_AyPPRx5KNQHSC_mdd7BONhv08mWIKwdEEmj2viqJ96Sc7IceMBaIg3sp6cUqXrDU_X6b4IjDH2Aqe2NrHp_p/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spillyjane Swedish Fish socks" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YCzMsnyQjx8UlBmxXpjBERlPEYiHZl4mx6vRqQhTqZULTM3s_aiz3Pi_AyPPRx5KNQHSC_mdd7BONhv08mWIKwdEEmj2viqJ96Sc7IceMBaIg3sp6cUqXrDU_X6b4IjDH2Aqe2NrHp_p/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" title="spillyjane Swedish Fish socks" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefPsw2yj0P1ZpFcuI8V21tQ6-gXcHkBoAd5-vQ0dgDaIP9ZaOUs0mQcgGKiU67Oa-zb4K0aHbFcdwUZSk-c0OyOF-UcHISl_wJ-i0Oo26OPGvE38BzUv2bUWbaofUhl-NzU4HRANq8qwN/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spillyjane Swedish Fish socks" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefPsw2yj0P1ZpFcuI8V21tQ6-gXcHkBoAd5-vQ0dgDaIP9ZaOUs0mQcgGKiU67Oa-zb4K0aHbFcdwUZSk-c0OyOF-UcHISl_wJ-i0Oo26OPGvE38BzUv2bUWbaofUhl-NzU4HRANq8qwN/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" title="spillyjane Swedish Fish socks" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not to steal the thunder from these awesome socks but I've already got another pair of socks on the needles . . . And I am determined to finish a pair of two-at-a-time leg warmers I started last year before the first snowfall! Fall is such a great time for knitting :-)Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13444504454013674799noreply@blogger.com0