Project #5

This project was easy for me to complete as I make stockings all the time!  There were some wonderful techniques shared in the construction of this stocking however, that I found very helpful and am sure I will use  over and over again when constructing more stockings on my own.  As you can see, I used fabric that I had on hand that was used on a stocking that I had previously posted before.  I am so enjoying this class that I am considering taking another one at some point in time. Many thanks to the wonderful instructors at Martha Pullen.

My stocking:

The In-between........

Sometime ago my cousin, who does NOT quilt, visited a quilt shop in her area and saw a quilt hanging on the wall that she thought was absolutely gorgeous!  She proceeded to purchase the kit that was packaged together to make that same quilt...with hopes of one day putting it together......did I mention that she does NOT quilt...let alone sew anything together for that matter!  Well, she held onto the kit for some time, then eventually gave it to me and my mom to sew together for her.  That kit was instantly thrown into the deep recesses of   my closet to never be seen again, as far as I was concerned,  I had way too many projects of my own to complete let alone taking on someone else's.  My mom decided one day, that my cousin's quilt kit needed to be rescued from the prison of my closet and  that we needed  to put it together for my cousin.  'Go for it', I told her.  (Now I am no dummy and I knew that I would be the one who would end up having to finish that quilt.  Seriously mom?)

The kit did not have enough fabric in it to complete the quilt that my cousin had fallen in love with.  If the backing had not been included in the kit, we would have been up a creek as I have never seen that fabric available anywhere.  Because the kit had been purchased so long  ago, I knew that the fabric shop where the kit had been purchased would no longer have the fabric available either.  So...I had to improvise.   I used the purple fabric, meant  for the backing, to make a narrow border along with the binding.  The small scraps of fabric that were left over, were sewn together to form the outer border.  Here is the result...... 

The front:

 The label I made, sewn onto the new backing fabric that my mom picked out.

And to my dearest cousin.....you are not allowed to purchase anymore kits!  😍 Love you...

Project #4

I just finished project number four...a toddler jacket.  I made the huge mistake of purchasing some inexpensive fabric from a well known retailer in my area.  I know better than to do this and constantly tell my students and/or friends NOT to make this costly error. I was thinking 'sample' and not longevity.  Because I did not make a wise decision with my fabric choice, I wonder just how long the pulling of the snaps will last before the snaps simply pull through the fabric itself.  Lesson learned. 

Here's the jacket:

I love the color and I especially like the flannel that I picked out for the hoodie lining.  It is so very soft!  The writing on the flannel is pretty cute too.  Prayerfully this jacket  will last longer than a month!😊  (Maybe it's a good thing I am doing this class on-line...my instructors will never have to experience the horror of feeling just how flimsy my fabric really is.) Honestly..it looks much prettier in person..honest.

Serging On.......

I am close to completing my third project for my licensing...a summer dress for one of my granddaughters.  Since we are a rather patriotic bunch, I decided on a red, white, and blue fabric so that she will be ready for Flag Day as well as July 4th.  I have not added the buttons nor buttonholes as yet because I haven't decided what I am going to use, but I knew you would be able to view it as 'completed' without them.  

The dress:

Continuing on....😍

Another Project Done!

As I shared with you a couple of posts ago, I am taking yet another class in serger licensing through the Martha Pullen Company.  Martha's classes are beyond description and you are able to learn far more than you can imagine from the gifted teachers that are at your beckon call at any given moment.  The techniques, videos, and written instructions are the best I have ever seen....and over the years I have seen and experienced a lot.  It is no wonder that I continue to return to the place where I know I will be taught the latest and the greatest in the sewing skills I long to possess.

Below is a picture of the USB bag that I just completed. I not only had to sew this bag together, but then I had to photograph it,  then send the photograph to my instructors, and finally wait to see if it passed their approval or not.  It may not seem like it, but there are many various techniques that are required to complete  this tiny, little bag.  Changing from overlock, to flatlock, to 2-thread chain stitch was time consuming.  Also, incorporating the use of three different feet to accomplish the look I was going for was also quite challenging at times.  Adding the zipper was merely the icing on the cake. So to my instructors there at the Martha Pullen Company,  I applaud you all for your stick-to-itiveness, your support and constant encouragement to drive us to do our best.

Proud Grandma as well!

My grandson LOVES to fish and he is very good at it...so good in fact that he and his partner won the Kansas Youth State Championship yesterday and they're now going to the National Championship that is being held in Tennessee....WOW!  Congratulations are due to my sweet guy.....way to go Ryde-Ryde!

Proud Mama

Today's post has NOTHING to do with sewing but  rather sharing an art that I find rather fascinating.  My son is an incredible photographer.  He's well known for his craft in the industry and is often asked to teach in various locations whether it be inside or outside.  This past week he was in the deserts of New Mexico. Rarely have I seen anyone capture my son doing what he does best as I did this past week. I LOVE this photograph of him and I wanted to share it with you....

Here is what he was photographing...

Beautiful isn't it?