Infinite Liberty

My mom sent me a set of pictures recently. Each of them advertisements from the 30's and 40's. She commented on the prices.  I, however, was more interested in the clothing itself.  Each rich with color and suited to the feminine silhouette. A girl can dream.

Dreaming I did...about this amazing fabric line.  I held off buying as long as I could. Temptation got the best of me. 

I went back and forth...to patchwork or not. In the end I decided I like this fabric so much it wasn't worth mixing it up with others.

Seams joined just like in this tutorial.

Turned and pressed you can hardly see where it was joined.

In under an hour Betsy was sporting this beauty.

You can adjust the width of your fabric if you want yours to be more full.

Proof...I slipped it on with a denim shirt. Worthy of a self-photo and you know how much I  hate photos of myself.

A chill in the air!

Do you think sugarplums have to be edible? The ones I dream about are just as sweet in their own way. Glittered in stitches and painted with the seasons colors. The Christmas itch is heavy this year for me. Another tree already purchased.  I can already see it decked out in blown glass memories. But for now I am busy filling up my work table with Christmas projects.

Holly leaves in shades of felt.

Over stripes of "peppermint" and points of trees.

Yes, all artistic liberties have been taken.  

The remaining blanket stitch and pillow form placement are mere days away.

I cannot stitch fast enough.

Inspiration from the talented Elizabeth are perched upon my shelves.

She too has is dreaming of sugarplums.

I bet her Bigsby department store carries just the kind I need? 

The list is long this year in the sewing department.

 Kids pajama bottoms

Matching pillow cases

Lap quilts

Dish towels

The excitement is building...

For a "Pretty" girl....

Finishes...I think I am better at them than starts. The long comforting sigh of completion. A final nod to what I saw in my mind's eye. Better by far than the middle when things have to be taken out and reworked or tossed all together. 

The finish on this "Pretty" girl is suited for many years of use.

Pockets that are deep enough for a favorite book or even a doll.

While it might fall at her knees now I am sure she will be able to wear it for quite a time.

Now...I am off to finish a few more projects that are piled on my desk.  

Candy?

I love to have candy out in small batches for the kids before and after Halloween. As much as I would like to think they would rather have an apple I know better. The prepackaged candies are handy and easy to grab and go. Never one to miss an opportunity to make things cuter I knew I could do better than a plastic bowl.

Smaller than the paper pieced hexagon bins now listed in the shop.

Yet still big enough to handle a bag or two of candy treats at 7 inches square.

Sweet silhouette witches to spook a creeping hand.

This lined and handled cutie is one of four available in the shop.

Is it time for Christmas yet?

Ruffles and Requests

A recent request for a child size apron had me stumped. The obvious ruffle and sash seemed a logical place to start. But the overall design had me completely stumped...as usual. Off to research on Etsy I went.

A vintage bonnet apron  with a few very unique features became my pattern.

That ruffle at the waist is darling.

Pattern pieces cut and amended. I use freezer paper to make it easier to cut out my fabric.

I chose this sweet Japanese nursery print purchased here and carefully cut the pocket to match the under skirt. 

Detailed pink crochet trim and machine stitched flower down the center of the pocket to mirror the fabric.

Just when I thought I was going to get it done...it was time to run to the grocery and get the kids from school.  Bummer.  I look forward to finishing this up in the morning.  

Spooky

A few more Halloween crafts have been rattling around in my head. This time a bit more geometric and  involving fabric. 

While I was pulling out all my Halloween goodies from last year I began contemplating ways to create with fabric for the season.

Something that didn't scream obtrusively but more discretely nodded to the season.

Paper pieces, tiny pompom trim and trusty canvas. Candy basket bins just in time for Halloween.

Attention to detail...

When I was a little girl I would color things to the "nth" degree. It was an art form in its self. First you outline with a heavy hand around the image. Followed by straight even strokes to fill in. Very geometric always clean and never outside the lines.

Attention to detail.

Finding the right line to sew on.

Putting your name on things.

Making something from bits of nothing.

Layering trim on trim.

Matching fabrics that never met before marry forever.

Enhancing beauty already within.

Attention to detail and a passion for perfection. 

This sweet hankie pillow is headed over to Miss Heather of Vintage Grey for a belated Happy Birthday.

I could color all day long...