Fabric shopping … one of my favorite activities. But sometimes the best finds are off the beaten path. I make a lot of bags and smaller items so I don’t needs yards and yards of material. Often, I’m looking for just that special piece that will make a project come alive. Thrift shops are great… Continue reading denim, denim, and more denim!
or, big time bargains …
Author: emw
denim, denim, and more denim!
for your warmth and comfort
A friend was recently diagnosed with cancer and facing a round of chemotherapy. What could my sewing machine and I do to help her through the process? In browsing the interwebs, I had seen a number of postings about making quilts for chemotherapy patients; a body gets cold sitting for hours during infusions of below… Continue reading for your warmth and comfort
for Betty and Joan …
… who wouldn’t entertain without a proper hostess apron. Mad Men is back and I just had to celebrate with something appropriately festive. Some red organza and taffeta seemed to fit the mood. A whiskey sour and some Chex mix and I was ready for the premiere! For pre-game entertainment, I also had a fresh… Continue reading for Betty and Joan …
babies are grand
And the first grandbabies in a family are a joy. But the first great-grandbaby? Well, that’s a special gift. And one that requires special gifts! My brother’s first grandchild was born this winter and has inspired a mountain of baby themed sewing ideas. Quilts, jammies, hats, bibs … but the one that I actually followed… Continue reading babies are grand
table aprons, aka coasters …
Aprons for your table?! Definitely. Looking at our old plastic coasters, I realized we were overdue for an upgrade. Time to add some style to the coffee table and protect it as well. I had some gorgeous jewel-tone cottons with gold accents in my stash that just called out to be quilted into a small… Continue reading table aprons, aka coasters …
happy holidays!
Last minute shopping in the Boston area? Just need a little something for the holidays? Check out the holiday gallery for holiday specific aprons, bibs, and bags. Stay tuned as the year goes by for new treats for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, 4th of July, and more! Email me for holiday… Continue reading happy holidays!
mom jeans …
Uh oh, I was informed that I’ve got “Mom jeans.” How did that ever happen?! Fortunately, we have ways of dealing with this type of fashion misstep. Armed with a rotary cutter, 6″ ruler, thread, an old towel and a flannel sheet I made quick work of those jeans (and a couple other old pairs… Continue reading mom jeans …
aprons for babies
Okay, we’re talking bibs. But really, what are bibs but tiny aprons? On infants they are just so cute. And on slightly bigger babies, they are nothing less than a laundry life-saver. There are very few rules in making baby aprons. Fabric-piecing. Applique. Ric rac (yay!). Upcycled t-shirts. Cotton. Oilcloth. Terry cloth. Just make it… Continue reading aprons for babies
bias tape:
it seemed so simple at the time …
Launching into making vintage-styled aprons brought an unanticipated sewing challenge … bias tape. Yards and yards of bias tape. It sounded so simple, so direct. “Bind raw edges with double fold bias tape.” Right … The first challenge? Buying the bias tape. Easy, just go to the fabric store. Look at all those colors! Well,… Continue reading bias tape:
it seemed so simple at the time …
aprons: frivolous and functional
Aprons are one of my first sewing memories. Every spring, my grandmother (Ethel) would send a box of handmade aprons for our elementary school fair. I remember watching my mother (Dora) unpack that box, pulling out hundreds (or so it seemed to me) of fanciful aprons. Gingham checks and calicos. Rick rack and appliques. The… Continue reading aprons: frivolous and functional