--Meredith
I found out at the beginning of October that dear friends of ours from NYC had adopted a darling baby girl. My joy on this kind of news is two fold--happy for them because of this sweet new addition and happy for me because it's time to start quilting! It's kind of meant to be because I started piecing a quilt top back in...March. For no reason other than I was totally inspired. Susan Beal had just released Modern Log Cabin Quilting and we were offering her hand-selected limited edition fat quarter packs that I totally loved because it included cross-hatch prints, Tammis Keefe crocodiles, and Lizzy House. AND Elizabeth Hartman had just made available her Mod Sampler Quilt as a pdf. I looked at the two, knew it was love at first sight, and started immediately.
Fast forward, uh-hum, 7 months later. The top has been done for quite awhile and in reality it was sitting pin-basted in my work room waiting for the day I would be inspired enough to quilt. That day FINALLY arrived. Olivia needed an awesome quilt and I was already ahead of the game. I busted out my walking foot, decided to go simple and angular and marked my top in an diamond pattern with echo lines 2" apart.
My preferred binding is a totally scrappy one. So after that is pieced, pressed, and sewn to the quilt comes my (secrectly) favorite part--hand sewing the binding to the back. This means my journey is almost done and a savor the task with a good, bad, or cheesy movie and Thread Heaven. Thread Heaven is a thread conditioner, similar to wax but different and better! You only have to have your thread tangle oh, say for YEARS, before you realize what a revelation this stuff is. Any amount of hand sewing--buttons, hems, quilt bindings--can benefit from a pass through this magical stuffs.
And I was taught to always label a quilt, for posterity and for just the last lovely little stamp before it goes off to be enjoyed. I go really simple--Micron pen on muslin. Hand-sewn on of course, with a little magic Thread Heaven.
If you're interested in exploring the art of piecing and quilting, Elizabeth Hartman has several classes on the schedule down at Modern Domestic. She is supremely talented and a wonderful teacher. I always enjoy being there on days she teaches, to chat and be inspired. And she's got big news!
--Meredith
Erica, my friend and fellow co-worker and teacher at MD, has been whipping up versions of Colette's new pattern, Peony. With the flattering boatneck and classic line (plus--gotta love pockets!), it's not hard to see why. Erica was kind enough to answer some questions so we could get to know the pattern a little better.
What kind of fabric did you use?
For the three-quarter sleeve version, I used some lovely striped cotton shirting I found at Bolt. The belt is made with cotton that has a little bit of stretch. For the short-sleeved version, I chose a cute cotton print I found for next-to-nothing in the sale section. This cotton is closer to quilting-weight, which I normally wouldn't use in garment construction, but it had enough drape and a nice enough hand that I thought I might be able to get away with it. I think it worked out ok!
Why were you inspired by the pattern?
I love the vintage-inspired designs Sarai creates for Colette Patterns, and I always adore a good boat neck! I thought this pattern would be really versatile, because with the three-quarter sleeves it makes a great Fall/Winter dress, and with the shorter sleeves it's perfect for Spring/Summer. Plus, I am a sucker for dresses with pockets.
What can someone learn from making this pattern?
There are so many great skill-building opportunities in this pattern for a beginning sewist. You can learn how to put in an invisible zipper, how to sew side-seam pockets, how to do fancy-sounding things like understitching, and if you're feeling brave, you could embellish the neckline with some piping!
Thanks Erica! For those who would like a little help with the pattern, zipper installation, or fit, Erica is offering Peony as a class at MD Wednesdays in November. The expansion will be done so be one of the first to take a class in the new space! And now until Monday October 14th is the time to take advantage of the Expansion Sale! 10% off all BERNINA and bernette machines, plus special pricing on models like the classroom 440s and a sewing and embroidery machine--the 640!
--gina
I'm so excited! When I walked in the store yesterday to snap my pics for this post I was overjoyed (really, I do get quite giddy over fabric) to see all these big, beautiful rolls from the Outside Oslo line by Jessica Jones. Even though the line was available a while back, I thought it best to wait until we had a little more room. The line is printed on a canvas, making it the perfect fabric for upholstery and other home dec projects as well as bags, like that awesome Carpet Bag that Meredith is teaching!
We've also received in quite a few different patterns in the past week, including the brand-spankin'-new Colette and Oliver + S designs. Two new pattern lines to the store are apparel patterns, Sewaholic by Tasia up in BC and Sarah Jane embroidery patterns. We'll be expanding our "embroidery center" soon with more thread choices. Stay tuned!
