skburton designs

{sewing} Bag mode & off to Quilt Market!

2011-10-26T13:36:00.000-05:00

I've been in a 'bag mode' lately for some reason...thats all I want to sew. It started with me teaching a class on my Drop Top Messenger Bag featured on the cover of STITCH this fall. After the magazine launched I was invited to Olive Juice Quilts in Onalaska, WI to hold an all day saturday class on it. It was such a blast and the shop was AMAZING!

The shop was fabulous, I encourage anyone who is in the Lacrosse area to stop in and check it out, my pictures do not do it justice!

My ladies did a great job throughout the day and they learned a lot not only about making the bag but also about their machines, the edge stitching foot, freehand systems, top stitching and so much more. The ladies at the shop were so kind and all in all it was a great day.

After watching my ladies sew all day Saturday, I was so excited to get home and make a bag of my own. Anna Maria Horners new pattern, Art Student Tote, arrived at the shop earlier that week and I could not wait to make one. Since I traveled through the cities to WI...I had to stop at fabric shops on my way down. I ended up at Crafty Planet and Treadle Yard Goods in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area, where I spent WAY to much $ for my own good. I picked up voiles, Amy Butler Rayon, Melody Miller Ruby Star Rising Prints, LouLouthi Needle works fabric and so much more.

As soon as I got home I went to work on my bags and they turned out awesome...really awesome. I liked the pattern so much I made 3 of them.

The first was out of fabulous Ruby Star Rising prints by Melody Miller...I just LOVE the face print. I got the pocket print by fussy cutting it out of a coordinating print in the line. I used a coordinating enchino eggplant dot for the handles and side straps.

Inside I used a home dec weight lining, nice and light so you can see all your stuff. I then used the view master print for the pockets to add a fun touch. I interfaced all the pockets, exterior and lining with Bosal fusible woven interfacing. It adds just enough body for the bag to hold its shape, especially when all my junk gets put in there.

This bag now hangs in the shop for a sample until the fabric is gone, then I get to use it! The second bag made was another sample for the shop. I wanted to make it look just like the cover of the pattern, with extender flap in all.

The only change I made was to the extender flap. I cut off about half of the flap, down to about 4". I liked it better when it wasn't so tall, it really got in the way a little bit. I used the orange hugs & kisses print that I used for the extension for the inside as well, along with Bosal interfacing on everything.

I wanted to add a little extra to the front zippers, so I found some charms in my stuff at home that were the perfect color. They add just a touch of glam to it! I also stitched through ALL my layers, sewing the exterior to the lining where the top of my handles are. It gave the bag a little more stability when large amounts of stuff get put into it.

The final version I made is for me. It doesn't hang in the shop...I actually get to use it everyday! I made a few more changes to this one, knowing it was mine to use.

•shortened extension flap

• lengthened handles by about 14"

• sewed my handles at the top through all the layers

• sewed down both side seams through all my layers to help hold my lining in place.

I really love the shortened extension flap...there isn't so much bulk in the top of the bag when its not in use. I also added some jewels to my zipper tabs for a little something extra.

All the pockets on the inside of this one are customized to what I carry on a daily basis. My planner, wallet, sketchbook, pens, work tablet, laptop and my trusty camera (Nikon D40). I used Drawing room home dec for my pockets, again everything in this purse is interfaced with Bosal. Its my go-to interfacing for just about everything.

I have a few more things to post as soon as I get back from Quilt Market in Houston. I am SO excited to go and see all that is new....including new AMH ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons!

Check them out....

AND

Something that I am REALLY excited about...the re-print of Flea Market Fancy!

Yup it's finally being re-printed after all the begging for a re-print - they finally got it together and decided to make it happen. I'll know which prints they are producing in the next few days as soon as I know I am going to be placing them on our site for pre-order.

Whew! A ton will be happening in the next few days...I can't wait to post pictures of all that we see. Check back...I'l post everything as soon as I can.

Off to market! xx Steffani

{quilts} Voile Picnic Quilt

2011-10-17T13:31:00.000-05:00

Simple squares picnic quilt made with 504 3-1/2" squares. I used all voile for the top in a soothing cool color palette, with a touch of marine and toffee for a little kick.

I just LOVE how this quilt feels...I wish you could have some magical 'touch' computer screen to feel how the voile and flannel feel together...its incredible!

I quilted straight lines, and I used my domestic machine at home to quilt it. With enough pins, glue baste spray and a walking foot I didn't have any problems quilting it at home.

I finished the quilt with a solid blue voile binding which I just love. The quilt hangs in the shop where my previous voile moonlight quilt used to hang. It looks so good, stop in the see it and to feel it. You'll want to make a voile/flannel quilt of your own!

{sewing} HR Quick Change Trousers

2011-10-11T13:05:00.000-05:00

I have so much fun making these cute little pants! I love that they go together quickly and each time I love the end result. This time I wanted to make them in Heather Ross Far Far Away III fabric partially because of the prints and partially because of the cotton linen blend.

The pattern is from the book Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner, the pattern called Quick Change Trousers. The size I made here was 3-6 months. I think this is my 10th or so pair of these pants, you can see more of these little cuties here.

I wanted to make sure 'sleeping beauty' made the pants, so I fussy cut her sleeping among the animals and placed her on the cute butt patch.

I went ahead and top stitched every seam, down both sides, for a more polished, finished look. I just can't stand how cute these are...little pants with little pants on them. It doesn't get much cuter than that! On the reverse I put HR print of little girls playing with horses and the coordinating orange flower print as the butt patch. I can't decide which side I like more - now only if I had a little one to fill these :)

xx steffani

{for Lacey} Cosmo Diaper Bag

2011-10-06T16:42:00.000-05:00

Cosmo Bag from Amy Butlers Style Stitches book

I made this fun Cosmo (diaper) bag for my cousin, so she can use it for little Jacob born this spring. She wanted a bag that stood up, so I put Decor Bond on all the parts, inside and out. I only used two prints, the main is from Amy Butlers new line Soul Blossoms and its a home dec weight, cotton sateen. I paired it with a soft blue dot print from Moda, quilting weight.

I kept the same pockets inside as on the pattern, she decided larger pockets would work for her rather than multiple smaller pockets. She has two pockets on one side, three on the other. I also put a key clip near the top, so she can always find her keys.

The only modification I made was sewing the outer side pockets so they weren't so deep. Before I basted the outer side pocket panel to the lining pocket panel, I sewed a horizontal line across the lining of each outer pocket so they are about 5" deep.

I even did my best to pattern match the outer side pockets and topstitched all outer seams.

(Never mind the dog hair..it seems to travel with me wherever I go.)

I've made other versions of this bag and every time they turn out so cute plus they are so practical.

Lacey will pick it up this weekend while grandmas Vintage & Antique sale is going on, it even has a little surprise in it for her!

xx Steffani

{Stitchery} Voile pillow & simple strip quilt

2011-10-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

When I get home from work in the evening I like to take my glass of wine, my needle roll and pearl cottons and I head down to the dock to do some stitching. Its relaxing and its a great way to unwind. These are projects I work on from time to time and I never really put a deadline on when they need to be done. It's not about the projects getting finished, they are tools for me. Tools to help set my mind at ease after long days at the shop.

This is a simple pillow, just 20" square, stitched with AMH Pearl Cottons from Anchor, using both her color palettes. My lines might not be too straight and my stitches too even but I still enjoy the simplicity of this pillow and how the big stitches add so much. Patchwork Chair blogged here.

I used AMH Pastry Voile for the front, with Dream Cotton batting underneath to add some dimension to my quilting. I happened to finish this the night before Anna Maria Horners LouLouThi flannels arrived at the shop, the prefect soft backing for a perfect soft (voile) front.

I really enjoy the zigzag print on the back, its so fun. I went with a zipper on the back of this one, they just seem to hold up better then the envelope back. When the shop is done with the sample, it will come home because it fits perfectly in my favorite chair in the living room.

Now I'm onto my next stitchery project that might take me a little longer. While at the 17th annual Girlfriend Getaway a few weekend ago I put together this easy Little Folks voile strip quilt with the intention of making this my next stitching project. I picked out all my pink/yellow/green voiles and cut strips at varying widths, sewed them together and I was done. So simple and quick...unless you've stayed up WAY too late sewing at retreat and it turns into a 5 hr quilt - ridiculous.

I put this quilt on the HQ Avante' first for some straight line quilting, now I am going back and adding some interest with big stitches.

This one will be a work in progress. I'll post pictures as soon as I'm done, not promising any deadlines although I cant wait to see it finished.

xx steffani

{Quilts} HST zig zag for baby Dolen

2011-09-27T16:38:00.001-05:00

I'm going to start out by saying how much I love this quilt, the prints in it and the color palette- it was a hard one to give up but I know its at a loving home, waiting for baby to arrive. This quilt is for Brit, who is due in November and not finding out the sex...which always presents a little bit of a challenge when picking out fabrics.

I chose a variety of prints from Amy Butler, Sandi Henderson, Michael Miller, Basic Grey, Jessica Levitt, Sweetwater, Kaffe Fasset, and Anna Maria Horner - keeping all of them in a soft palette. Since they're not finding out the sex baby Dolen, the nursery is sage and cream - neutrals.

I did just simple half square triangles and formed them into a zigzag pattern, but I left one little square whole, down in the right corner. I fussy cut an element from AMH Drawing Room Sketchbook print that is just the right touch of color.

I put a soft vintage blue minkee on the back and quilted it with a medium meander. I also put "November 2011" and "baby dolen" down in the right hand corner under the square I left whole. Its hard to see but here you can see the writing backwards.

I finished with Aboriginal dots from Kaffe Fasset in taupe for the binding. Bias binding and hand sewn- as always. Labor of love!

I just love it so much and I know the Dolen's do too! Now it waits in the nursery until the November arrival of baby, enjoy guys. Much Love!

*Update - Brit was kind enough to send me a picture of the quilt in the nursery, it looks so cute.

xx steffani

{fabric} LouLouThi Flannel!!

2011-09-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

I've been waiting and waiting for this line to arrive at the shop...today was my lucky day. Lucky because these prints arrived and lucky because I don't normally work at the shop on Mondays but today I am. What a great monday so far!

Not sure what quilt I'll do yet, but I'll do some searching today and see what I come up with. The pattern I choose has to lend itself well to large scale prints, but I don't want boring 10" squares either, so I'll see what I come up with.

We'll have the second colorway coming into the shop soon, so I might wait until they all are here until I start creating, or I might get anxious tonight when I get home and cut into them...we'll see.

(second colorway coming soon!)

You can purchase all the LouLouThi flannels in the shop, were I encourage you to stop in to feel them, they are amazing. OR you can shop online here.

LouLouThi Flannel by Anna Maria Horner

{Quilts} AMH Spinning Stars finished

2011-09-22T16:29:00.002-05:00

I'm playing catch up again and posting another project that has been in the shop for a bit. I first wrote about this quilt here, back in July(!), when I was getting ready to do some hand quilting while in Canada.

I was able to finish the whole quilt while I was up there! I spent many hours in the boat while Mitch fished and Seuss did a lot of this:

He did a little of this in between naps..

and he even managed to fit in some fishing time while I managed to fit in some light reading

We were up on Crow (Kakagi) Lake in Nestor Falls, Ontario where my parents have a cabin on an island. It's not far off mainland, a short 3 mile jaunt through many islands and crystal clear waters. It's a little cabin in the trees with running 'lake' water and no electricity. It's the perfect place to relax and get some sewing done too!

On mainland is where my grandparents have their summer home and second cabin, so we're never really alone up there. It's a time where we can relax, fish and still spend precious time with them. Mitch actually does all the fishing with grandpa...grandma Lou and I cook and sew. Its fabulous! I came home with my spinning stars quilt finished, which wouldn't have happened in one week here at home.

I really enjoy this quilt and love that I took the time to hand quilt it. It actually went faster than I thought it would and AMH pearl cottons were fabulous to work with. Very little twisting and spinning of the thread which = knots = me frustrated.

I would have used a solid for the entire backing but this is all I had left in the shop at the time so I made it work. I love how you can really see the stitching from the back, including the color of thread I chose.

I finished off my quilt with AMH Pastry voile in both coral and marine. I love hand binding the voile, I swear it takes half the time - so silky and smooth to quilt through. I only wish I had my needle roll at the time!

More projects to post soon...I'm not even half way through my list.

I'll end this with some of my favorite pictures from Canada 2011-

Seuss, grandpa Earl and a stunning loon. All my favorites.

xx steffani

{quilts} LouLouThi Ohio Star

2011-09-21T19:11:00.001-05:00

I'm playing catch-up again showing you a quilt I finished about 2 months ago and it's been hanging in the shop ever since. I saw this quilt pattern at market and could not wait to make one of my own. The pattern is from Emily Cier's book Quilt Remix.

Soon as LouLouThi came into the shop, I knew this would be the perfect quilt to complement the fabrics. It was such an easy quilt to make but I really enjoy it because it looks a lot harder than it is.

I love the look of the Ohio star block just zoomed in...so clever! I chose to put the totem pole print on the back just because its fabulous! I didn't have much left on the bolt and didn't want to pattern match so I added one of the hugs & kisses prints next to it.

I loaded the quilt on our HQ Avante' and quilted flowers, leaves, loops and swirls into it. Every time I quilt I try to push myself and do something harder than the last time I quilted. It takes longer to do this but overall I am happier with the end result.

I finished the quilt with a pasty line voile..one of my favorite colors. Plus the voile is like nothing to hand bind. I swear it's twice as fast because of the nature and feel of the voile.

I have more to post in the upcoming days...I can't wait to show you all what I've been up to!

xx steffani

{sewing} Catching up - Stitch bag - Quilt Sampler - Retreat and more!

2011-09-21T16:42:00.001-05:00

Again. It happened again. I try not to go this long between posts, the problem I have is really that I sew too darn much and it's hard to keep up with everything! Since my last post about my hand quilting I've finished my spinning stars quilt plus many others and lots of small projects in between. At the shop we've celebrated not only having my bag I designed on the cover of Stitch this fall but the shop also being in the quilt sampler. Yay! After 41 years in business and through 3 generations of 'women who sew' we're thrilled to get this honor.

The fact that I had a design on the cover of Stitch didn't really sink in until I had the issue in my hands, so excited! I've been signing copies at the shop and feel like a rock star! Thank you so everyone who has supported no only me but the shop and thank you to everyone who went out and purchased the fall issue.

When the fall issue of Quilt Sampler arrived we were just as excited! The shop looks amazing and we couldn't be more happy with the article, the photos and of course our quilt!

Right after the magazine launch we threw a huge party at the shop to thank all of our loyal customers for supporting us for the last 4 decades. Everyone was on hand to help us celebrate!

Read more about the party, see more pictures and see our grand prize winners here.

Grandma Lou, myself and mom Deb Burton

I even managed to whip up AMH 'Flirting the issue' skirt a the day before so I could wear it with my cute new top I picked up. What a simple skirt to make! Among getting ready for our party and making a fabulous new skirt, mom and I also managed to whip up a second quilt for our Parisville room display along with many other Parisville accents. My favorite? The fabulous ottoman I made a slipcover for featuring a free motion quilted top. I love how this turned out!

Our bedroom turned out fabulous! I used to give my family grief about having so many antiques and display pieces at home in the pole shed, until now. Whenever we need something, its there. Trust me, anything we need someone in my family has. I love it, and I love our display!

Kits are available for our Parisville quilt you can find them here, plus the watermelon minkee on the back is to die for! Mom and I also made some quick pillowcases, selvedge pillows and a minkee body pillow that is so soft!

Not one week after our huge party at the shop we hosted our 17th annual Girlfriend Getaway sewing retreat. Mom and I do all the planning and projects for this event so I had to get done my Toyko Subway Map quilt I started making months ago. It didn't start out as a retreat project, just something fun for mom and I to do. It turned into a lesson in color and tones, which is why we decided our ladies at retreat might like it as well. It really go us looking at out stash to see where we were missing colors and tones.

I decided to make my quilt one row larger in both directions, so I got out my graph paper and colored pencils and went to town. It was fun to see when I could take the quilt, with the end result turning out awesome! My finished quilt measures 96" x 96". I used an Amy Butler voile for the back and straight line quilted it on our HQ Avante'. I do encourage you to take a look at the quilt along where I got this pattern and try one for yourself. You'll be surprised how much fun it is!

I was able to get a few projects done during retreat that have been on my cutting table for far too long. One being a needle roll for all my hand stitching. I previously made one for my mother and she loved it so much, I'll have to post pictures of that as well because both of them are so different.

Inspired by the recent craze over the Missoni line at Target, I decided a fun zig zag would make a nice over. I finally got around to using my Lana threads I purchased from Sue Spargo at market for the applique and I love how they look. I also used them for my free-motion quilting. On the front cover is

'Amor Fati' - it means " Love your life, Love what is. Nothing is without purpose."

It's my motto and a way of life for me. Everything happens for a reason. Which leads me to what I put inside the front cover...stitch stich rip repeat. We've all done this before many times over, plus I think its cute.

On the inside of my roll I have a pin cushion in the center filled with crushed walnut shells, a left pocket for my mini ruler and friXion pen, a right pocket for my scissors and another other small notions plus a place to put my needles. I did some more free motion quilting and applique to add a special touch.

The fabrics I used for the pockets was from an AMH scrap bag. I love that its already cross-stitched for me and it fits the look for my needle roll.

I happened to get a scrap of her new velveteen that will be out this fall and if you've seen her new Ruthie Clutch pattern cover, its the same print. I was so excited to dig this little scrap up, so I made good use of it putting it on the back and also using it for the closure.

I took my sweet time creating this during the weekend but also managed to get done 2 purses, 3 quilts and the Craft Apple car organizer I'll blog about soon. I mean that...not like soon in 2 months but soon in a few days. I'd say tomorrow but well...ya know how that goes.

I cant wait to show everything, so many great new things!

xx steffani

{Quilts} AMH Spinning Stars

2011-07-27T10:54:00.000-05:00

I just finished up Anna's new pattern for her spinning stars quilt made with LouLouThi prints, Kona solids and AMH voiles. Its such a different color palette than I am used to but I adore the way it turned out.

I even managed to keep my voile scallop lined up...love that Best Press!

I spent the rest of the evening with my mother, down by the lake hand basting my quilt, drinking wine, hanging with my dogs and enjoying the lake air.

Buca never gets too far away from either mom or I. Most of the time he's under my cutting table, behind my sewing chair so I cant move or actually right under my machine with his head on my foot petal. He's such a baby, but he loves to sew with the girls.

I'm all marked, hand basted and ready to start hand quilting with AMH new pearl cottons...I can't wait! I'm headed to Nestor Falls, Ontario for the week for some much needed time away. Life's taken a toll on my emotions in the past week, making me think about the time we do have left with our loved ones. I am spending time with my Grandma Lou; sewing, cooking, laughing and drinking wine. I'll be fishing lake trout with Grandpa Earl, cooking 'shore lunch' and manning the nightly bon fires. I couldn't be more excited. Hopefully when I get back I'll be done or at least close with my hand quilting.

{family} Remembering Mike 'Fly Now...Work Later'

2011-07-19T23:21:00.003-05:00

Every two years my family gets together for a long weekend to relax, catch up and enjoy each others company. We love our time together and feel it's too short when the weekend comes to an end. It's unbelievable sometimes how much we take for granted the time with our loved ones and when that time is cut short, you want so many more moments. While all together this past weekend our family went through a earth-shattering tragedy, losing a loved one right before our eyes. While doing something he loved, flying his Ultralight PowerParaGlider, Mike lost his life in a terrible accident around 5pm. The family was there to do what we could to revive him, until he took his last breath. In those last moments as he laid covered on the ground, the sun broke through the clouds for the first time that dreary day just around Mike, as his grieving mother sat next to him. For that moment as the last paramedic left the site and the sobs were muffled by hugs, there was a peaceful calm, a moment of reflection. Reflection on the events of the day, the moments leading up to it and the 'what if's'. What if any of us would have done, just one thing differently, just one moment. You want so much to go back.... Its so hard to come to terms with something of this magnitude. When the reality of the situation set in, the feeling of grief was overwhelming and we were thankful for each other and that we could all be together. With the help of family, lots of hugs, shoulders to cry on and laughter about the good times we made it through the weekend together. Late saturday night, as the light was shining out of the pole shed and sounds of laughter were echoing from inside, we knew it was all going to get better and eventually be okay. Mike would have wanted us to share what time we had together, taking in every moment and realizing the loved ones surrounding us, about 88 in all. The next morning, after singing 'Amazing Grace' in church, we prayed for our loved ones lost over the years, and that they may find peace and happiness. May Mike be peaceful and doing what he always loved to do, Fly.

xx steffani

{sewing} The Weekender: A stitch in time | BrainerdDispatch.com

2011-06-28T10:34:00.001-05:00

I am so thrilled to have the chance to share the story of our shop and how it all began. Being 3rd generation, having a creative outlet and sharing time with my mother all mean the world to me. Thank you Brainerd Dispatch!

Country Fabrics & Quilting on South Sixth Street in Brainerd has been in business

41 years and now incorporates three family generations.

The Weekender: A stitch in time

Threading connections through the generations

By Renee Richardson

Senior Reporter

When Steffani Burton left Brainerd for big city life, she didn’t expect to return home in her 20s.

“I grew up wanting to get as far from this town as possible,” Steffani said.

The energetic even chaotic life around Phoenix provided a 24-hour clock of events and activities. The city fit Steffani’s high energy personality. She was a member of the wake board team and an avid equestrian. She enjoyed high fashion and the night life. Commuter traffic on six lanes of highway was the norm.

After three years of college studying to be a civil engineer, things changed. The 25-year-old said she decided not to do what was expected and took a chance on a career shift to something she really wanted to do. Something that would tap into her creativity. She added a year of college and studied design at Arizona State.

After graduation in 2009, missing family and in the midst of a tough job market, she returned home.

“It’s been a lifestyle change,” Steffani said.

But the slower pace also meant time to sew. As a child she never thought she’d be the third generation involved in the family business. It’s not that she didn’t appreciate the garment store her grandmother Lou Rademacher started in 1970 and the quilt and fabric business her mother Deb Burton grew on South Sixth Street.

Like others in her family, she learned how to use a sewing machine at a young age. But the earth-toned quilt fabrics didn’t inspire her. She loved bold prints and bright colors. Not one to sit still or let her hands be idle, she was home for about a month when she showed her mother a bag she created.

“She was blown away,” Steffani said. “She said ‘you can sew?’”

Steffani said she had actually been listening all those years at home.

She told her mom if she wanted to get young women in their 20s and 30s into sewing they needed to make a change. The antiques that once filled the second floor of the Country Fabrics and Quilting store were replaced by bolts of colorful fabrics, patterns and samples from sun dresses to aprons, bags to children’s clothes, shirts to lap quilts.

“This is what we want to sew,” Steffani said. “This is what we want to create. The happy colors. The bags. The stuff for our kids.”

Steffani was able to make the second floor her own space. Bright bolts of fabric line nearly every nook and Amy Butler designs are prominently displayed. Steffani said the upstairs renovation at the store has done just what they hoped it would, show people sewing could be cool.

“It’s been a whole movement in the industry,” Steffani said of the modern fabrics. “If we are going to do another 41 years in business we better get those girls hooked now. It’s been fun. It’s brought Mom and I closer together, sewing together. It’s just been a great two years.”

Mother and daughter sew together nearly every day. They begin the day and often end it sewing. They enjoy the creative aspect. Deb Burton said they eat, breathe and sleep it.

“It’s what we do,” Steffani said. “It’s what we love. It consumes our lives — but in a good way, a happy part of it.”

Then came the icing on the cake. Steffani designed a shoulder bag purse and submitted a sketch along with color palette to a magazine. Her design was chosen for the cover of Stitch magazine’s design issue coming out this late summer/early fall. The magazine touts the issue as “38 innovative projects for fall.”

And Country Fabrics and Quilting was chosen as one of 11 featured shops across the United States for the fall of 2011 issue of Quilt Sampler magazine, published by Better Homes and Gardens.

The magazine is published twice a year. Top quilt shops across North America are selected with a panel of experts narrowing applications. Nearly 3,000 quilt shops are eligible to apply.

Better Homes and Gardens came to the Brainerd store for the photo shoot and interviews, but the staff was sworn to secrecy. Store employees design an original quilt for the magazine. The magazine reports quilters are known to travel to visit all shops in each issue. American Patchwork & Quilting magazine reported the American quilting market is made of 11 million households and the industry has an annual expenditure of $2.7 billion.

Social media is also changing the scene. Steffani blogs, uses Flickr to share photos and updates the website. The Internet provides access to designers and the breadth of fabric and ideas out there with shoppers buying fabric online.

Deb Burton said the new generation of modern quilting is bending the rules. The simple style incorporates clean lines and big pieces of fabric. If a mistake is made, it becomes part of the piece. It’s opening the age-old tradition of sewing to a new generation.

“I’m just very proud to say we are in our third generation,” Burton said.

“Women need a creative outlet,” Steffani said. “If you can thread a needle there is something you can do. I want to get those young girls sewing. That homemaking craft should never be lost. You should always know how to fix something. It’s that connection to the past and the pride in making things.”

You can read the article here:

The Weekender: A stitch in time | BrainerdDispatch.com | Brainerd, Minnesota

{crochet} rain rain go away - lots of time to crochet

2011-06-22T19:20:00.000-05:00

It's been like this for what seems like most of our 'summer' here in MN so I've been making the most of my time indoors. I decided to teach myself how to crochet to keep my hands busy.

I picked up a Amigurumi book and have really enjoyed my new craft. It's not much different than knitting, which is nice since I know how to do that. My book is filled with the cutest little creatures, all begging to be made. I have a few finishing touches to put on my giraffe then I'm on to a cute little fish.

I think I'll start on this tonight since there isn't an end to this weather we have going on.

I also had the chance last weekend to attend the MN quilt show down in St.Paul. We sent coach bus from the shop so I spent my time down working on my new skill. It was a small show, but I still came away with some great finds.

I found these great AMH and Lizzie House prints that are nowhere to be found online...score!

I was thrilled to come across some older Amy Butler prints and Heather Bailey Fresh Cut half yards.

Meadowsweet, Momo, Farmdale and others....more half yards to add to my stash. Not sure what I'll do with them, I just really liked them.

Yards of Lizzie House plus an older Alexander Henry print.

Vintage velvet trims all the way from CA and another of my favorite finds:

Beaded shirt accents I'll put on some t-shirts when I find the perfect ones.

Thats all for today...now I'm off to crochet my little fish and finish my giraffe.

Rain rain please go away...summer where are you?

{stitchery} Pillows & such

2011-06-21T19:12:00.002-05:00

I've been doing a lot of handwork lately, its something I enjoy doing after a long day. Theres nothing better to me than going home and using my hands to create beautiful things.

I started this on the way home from spring market (in SLC) where the lovely Anna Maria Horner gave me packets of her pearl cottons and embroidery floss. She is incredible! I couldn't resist opening them up in the airport terminal and doing some hand work. If you haven't seen her threads, they are stunning.

They are so neatly packed, I still don't have the courage to take them out of their packages, so I use what thread I need and neatly put them back when finished. I've done some little stitchery, things I think I'll hang in my studio.

This girl is for sass, sent to Quebec just for her. Since she's moved we've decided to send little stitchery back and forth between us, always keeping it a surprise.

Then after being so inspired at market with Anna's booth I had to start on a pillow I saw there. It's using the main print in her line, loulouthi and simply stitching around the design, using coordinating pearl cottons from her needleworks collection.

I closed up the back of the pillow with a zipper and one of my favorite prints from her new line.

This great pillow will go in the shop until loulouthi is sold out, then it will find its home somewhere in my house.

Another project inspired my quilt market: Hoot pillow by Sue Spargo. I absolutely love her stuff and what she does. We'll have her ribbons coming into the shop soon, exclusive to renaissance ribbons. So excited about that!

This is another sample for the shop and like most everything I sew I'll get to bring it home someday.

Pattern by Sue Spargo.

Slack-ola... So much to tell and show!

2011-06-21T16:35:00.001-05:00

4 months since my last post...incredible how time gets away from you. I've even had a few emails asking is I was ok because I haven't posted anything in way too long...so sorry! I am ok and doing great...mostly sewing and sewing my little heart away with mom in our summer studio. It's been a busy spring not only with me but the shop as well. We've been names as one of the top ten shops in the country by Better Homes and Gardens and we'll be featured in the fall issue of the Quilt Sampler. At market this spring we were finally able to reveal our quilt and pick up our certificate. What an honor! After 41 years in business, its about time!

Our fabulous quilt is made with Tula Pink Parisville fabrics....we love it!

In other great...exciting...can't believe it news...(drumm roll please!) My purse is on the cover of stitch this fall! I found this out at market as well...it was almost too much to handle! I have seen the cover, but I am not allowed to show any of you yet....as soon as I can trust me I will because its stunning. What I can show you are the fabrics (wool) I used, check it out:

It's versatile, and made with fabulous wool...perfect for fall. I am anxiously waiting for the day I can share it with everyone!

Until then....

I have a ton to show you, I've been doing so much its hard to keep up with how much mom and I sew...but I am going to be better! So here it goes...some of what I've been sewing for 3 months...

Zenspirations pillow... I love working with the embroidery machine, especially with the BERNINA Mega hoop. I was able to make this monogram 10" square, using Osnaburg for the center. I framed it with a shot cotton, quilted some straight lines and did a simple envelope back. Quick and easy!

As soon as Hullabaloo came into the shop I took a charm pack home, made some half square triangles and had some fun. I first laid it out with all the triangles going the same direction...I changed that when I sewed it together to create zig zags and I love it that way.

I put Moda cuddle on the back in a great slime/yellow green and quilted it with uneven, irregular zig zag lines. I like that its not perfect. And as always Bias 2-1/2" binding, hand done to finish it off.

I couldn't stop there with Hullabaloo, since the line it just too cute, so I went ahead did the free quilt pattern offered on Moda's website.

It was a quick quilt, the only thing I did different from the pattern was I cut all my strips for the grey and red length of grain. I hate cutting cross grain, it allows for too much distortion.

I put grey Shannon Cuddle on the back and quilted it with an all over meander. This grey minkee is the softest minkee I have ever felt...I wish you could touch it through the computer.

Kits available!

And onto more boy quilts (mostly for the store). I made use of this great rat dragster print I've loved since the day it came in, paired it with minkee and solids to create this:

I love the Kaufman argyle around the border! Plus, the solid checker corners are great with the race-theme. Minkee inner border and minkee back. I love minkee!

Kits available!

I've been making smaller projects as well for some of my close friends. The One Yard Wonders book has a great pattern for a cat bed, so I altered the pattern to use more than just one print and I appliqued letters in the center of the quilt. These two are for my cousins cat, Oscar and another friends cat, Grover. (They don't know each other it just so happens they form part of the Sesame Street cast together)

I used minkee in the center of the bed, so soft and cuddly! Grover loves his so much!

I've had my eye on this purse pattern for so long, I finally made the thing! It's from Amy Butler's new book, Style Stitches and it's called Miss Maven.

I used one of Amy's Love prints and her coordinating solids for the handle and the ruffle. This is a great bag and I use it all the time, especially to run quick to the store. It was relatively simple to construct, the only thing I did different was her handles. I did them like I did the handles on my Marlo Bloom bag. Way easier!

I have done a few of these in the past and every single one of them are so darn cute! Melly and Me has great patterns for little critters. I fianlly got around to Rudy, the cute little reindeer.

He looks way bigger on the pattern than he is in real life...he only stand about 8" tall but he still makes an impact! I used Basic Grey's new line Jovial and wool for his hooves, eyes and nose.

I also worked on my Christmas quilt for this year, Mod Pod by Carolina Patchworks. This one is yet to be quilted, but I did have my Christmas quilt done in May....MAY! That never happens with me!

I love this quilt so much more than the quilt on the cover of the pattern. This one is to be quilted soon, when it's done I'll have more pictures to post.

Looking at all these pictures, I am realizing how much I work with minkee. This next quilt is all minkee, top to bottom and it's fabulous!

It's a free pattern on shannonfabrics.com called Cuddle Strip quilt. SO simple and quick...it's quilt as you go! I used all shannon cuddle and bound it with cuddle. Dream Cotton select batting in the middle. Another one of those I wish you could feel through the computer...so so very soft.

Kits available!

This next quilt is made with Sherbet Pips by Annela Hoey, it's the free pattern from Moda. Sometimes I like that I don't have to be super creative and I can just do what the designer already had planned. It makes my chaotic life a little less chaotic, which is nice.

The best part of this quilt is the backing...shannon cuddle in grey. Simply incredible!

I tried to step out of my 'meander box' with this one, so I quilted this with an all over swirl.

Kits available!

This is only a portion of what I have been doing over the last few months! I have a quilt to show that I bought in a kit...the first kit I have EVER purchased in my life...it was just that fabulous. Plus I've been recovering chairs, hand stitching and teaching myself how to crochet...now I'm obsessed with Amigurumi. More to come soon!

{Quilts} Baby Hunky Dory

2011-03-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

Just a little charm project I've been working on...a Hunky Dory baby quilt. When I need a break from thinking...and just want to sew I'll take pre-cut charm pack squares and mindlessly sew them together. I love working with charm packs because of the variety of prints, I really don't have to layout any quilt pattern.

This line was a favorite of mine, with the soft palette and fun prints. I really love the taupe in the line with a hint of yellow, so I used some of those prints for the backing.

I used a soft pink Moda Grunge for the binding.

The best part about this quilt is the pebble quilting. I did this on my Boxed Blessings quilt as well and couldn't get enough of it...I'm a little obsessed.

This one is currently in my pile of quilts to be used some day, or maybe a lucky little girl will get it :)

xx steffani

{Quilts} Good Folks Kitchen Window

2011-03-07T21:26:00.000-06:00

I am finally done with my Good Folks Kitchen Window quilt and I totally, absolutely love it. It's made with all my favorite fabrics from Good Folks, Garden Party, and Drawing Room (Home Dec).

I used a jade corduroy that I previously used on my fabulous hooded scarf for the window panes. I chose to use osnaburg for the sashing because of the soft feel and texture. (and because I'm a little obsessed with it)

I made my outer border a little wider (2") so I could hand stitch a few times around the outer edge. I have 3 so far, but I think I might spend some time and add two more, for a total of 5. I used Valdani Perle cottons, size 8..I really like the heavier threads for my big stitch hand quilting.

I put my favorite shot cotton on the back and quilted straight lines throughout the quilt. It was a bit tricky to keep the osnabug straight while quilting, but I pinned often and the HQ Avante' did a great job tackling it. I wanted a bright binding so I put a Kaufman pink circle on for the binding. It's pink...and it makes me happy!

This one will stay with me at home, which almost never happens so I'm thrilled. In fact I'm using it right now and its fabulous.

xx steffani

{Quilts} Innocent Crush Small Plates

2011-03-01T23:46:00.000-06:00

I've been working on my Small Plates quilt made with Anna Maria Horner Inncent Crush fabrics. I've been waiting for these to come into the store ever since we ordered them at market. I really enjoy the color combination of the cool blues and warm reds & purples.

The perfect quilt for this time of year and I love how big it is....about 72" x 90".

I used an Innocent Crush print for the backing, no fancy piecing this time. I just wanted to enjoy this print, slow dance in vintage. It's one of my favorites in the line.

I used the print Bubble Burst in Turquoise for the binding...although I'm not sure if its called that because on the bolt ends we have in the store is says "Burble Burst"...jury's out. Oh, and that great small teal dot print is one of Freespirits' Designer Bead fabrics.

I think my favorite blocks are those with the backing print (slow dance in vintage) as sashing..it cuts up so cool. I quilted this one with simple loops. I had to get over my straight line quilting obsession for a bit.

This quilt will hang in the store after one good night of cuddling with it on the couch...I cant wait until I get this one back after all the kits & fabric have sold. I rarely say that but this one I'll miss.

Up next for me? Maybe this:

or maybe I'll keep plugging away on a little personal project...yup I did it- I finally cut into my Flea Market Fancy stash. It was exhilarating! I've looked at my pile of FMF and watched it grow with every swap...for almost 5 years it's been taunting me.

So I sketched...then I cut...and made 9 blocks.

They might be all this block, or I might have variations. This one will take me some time, since I'll work on it when there is a lull at the store and we don't need any new samples asap. That will be a while. I'll keep you updated as I go.

xx steffani

{Quilts} City Park

2011-02-24T11:02:00.000-06:00

City Park Quilt by Cherry House Designs made with Kona Solids - Since I have a screaming headache and cant seem to form a proper sentence or spell for that matter, here it is in pictures. I love it, especially the straight line quilting.

I used a shot cotton as the backing, its the perfect fabric to complement the straight line quilting and variegated thread. Currently this quilt hangs in the store for a sample, although I really enjoy this quilt more than I thought I would when just the top was done. Maybe I just love the quilting since I've also done it here on my Kitchen Window Quilt.

xx steffani

{Quilts} My Modern Patchwork Obsession

2011-02-23T16:31:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned before I've been loving all the projects in Elizabeth Hartman's The Practical Guide to Patchwork book and have made 3 quilts from the book thus far. I've posted some progress on my Innocent Crush Quilt and have done her Kitchen window quilt twice so far, in two different sizes.

This quilt was actually started by Sass, until she ran off to Canada for the last month. So I finished it for her. We used a Tula Pink Plume Charm Pack and a solid Kona (Candy Green) for the sashing. Since we used a charm pack for the blocks, we had to alter the size a bit. That left the finished quilt a tad small so I added a pink polka dot border to make it larger.

I have a second Kitchen Window quilt in the works as well. I made this one larger, adding more blocks.

I'm doing some hand stitching around the outer edge, as soon as I'm done I'll bind it and take some better pictures. This one I quilted with straight lines and put a great shot cotton on the back. More pictures to come soon!

Finally-My day today started off with this:

I am so excited to get this Small Plates quilt done!

Binding tonight, then more pictures of this one as well.

xx steffani

{Purses} Cosmo Bags

2011-02-21T15:31:00.000-06:00

I've been drooling over Amy Butlers new book and all the projects in it, waiting until Parisville came into the store to make my first bag.

The bag on the cover, the Cosmo Bag, really caught my attention and I new it would be the perfect work bag to haul all my stuff back and forth each day. Previously I made her Sweet Harmony Tote for work, which worked out perfectly for the last few months. I just need to switch up my bags every once in a while, so a new Cosmo Bag was in order.

For this one I used a home dec from her new line, Soul Blossoms, for the main (Night Tree in Cilantro) and a designer houndstooth from Freespirit for the handles.

I used a great print from Liz Scotts Sugar Pop line for Moda for the lining and added a cell pocket on the inside side panel for easy access. It's so bright, fun and spring-y...just what we need this time of year in MN. I made this for a store sample and since I'm teaching this class I wanted a sample in the store to show customers. So, I made another for personal use, altering the size of the interior pockets to fit my needs (planner, wallet, etc) Mine I made with Parisville prints, which are to die for!

Oh, I just LOVE the main print, Cameo in sprout, paired with the handle print, Fans in sprout.

I am diligent about top stitching, so most every seam has it on both sides of the seam. I use my wonderful edge stitching foot for this. (this is one of the feet I use most, along with my walking foot)

Depending on the project, I'll either move my needle two or four positions from the center, in either direction. Here, the stitching on the left I had my needle position all the way to the left. The stitching on the right, I moved my needle position just 2 positions over from center.

With the center guide, it's simple and quick to get precise topstitching. Plus, you can really put the petal to the metal, knowing the center guide will keep you where you should be. One last thing, I ALWAYS lengthen my stitch when top stitching to at least a length of 3. Top stitching is meant to be a finishing stitch, so when you don't lengthen your stitch length, your stitches bunch up. A longer stitch length provides a flatter, nicer seam.

I also fussy cut the side panel pockets, so I had those great ship heads centered on each side. Notice my top stitching on the side seams as well. It makes for a more polished, professional looking bag. I also top stitched my side seams on the interior of my bag as well.

I made sure to quilt some lines in my pockets before I attached them to my lining, making for a more stable pocket. I used a piece of fusible batting for my lining base, quilting 1/2" lines for a nice stable bottom too. For the main lining fabric, it's the Spencer stripe in mint and my pockets are the eye drop print in mint.

I just love it, I really do and it's so functional for work. It hauls everything I need on a daily basis.

{Quilts} Voile Moonlight Quilt

2011-02-18T17:25:00.001-06:00

This was another quilt I started WAY too long ago and sadly just finished this month. I'm not sure what took me so long to get to this quilt, now that it's done it was so quick and easy...it should have been done when I originally cut it out in July. Yes, July.

I wanted to try something different with this quilt so I used wool batting. Surprisingly, it's the lightest- warmest quilt I have. It's quilted with simple straight lines - 1/2" on each side of my seams. Normally I'll go to the store and throw a quilt on the HQ Avante for quick, precise quilting. This one I wanted to do at home to show our younger customers that they can quilt on their own. Most of the time a machine quilter is very expensive and has a long wait list. This can be discouraging to a new sewer, so I took a BERNINA 820 home and went to work. With the 12" throat, dual feed system and industrial sized bobbins it was a dream to quilt. It just took a little more time than usual.

For the backing I wanted to do a little bit more, so I striped together some large leftover pieces for a fun backing. I love it that you can use either side of this quilt, in fact I might love the back of this quilt more than I love the front.

I bound it with a solid Kona and yes I machined on my binding. Every so often I'll do this but generally I prefer to hand stitch my bindings on. (Don't tell my mom!) Currently this quilt hangs in the store until it's not needed for a sample anymore. Then it will find it's place somewhere special in our home.

xx steffani

{Quilts} Central Park Candy Box

2011-02-18T13:52:00.003-06:00

I've had my eye on this pattern for quite a while, waiting until the perfect line of fabric came along...

When Central Park by Kate Spain arrived in the store I jumped on it, went home that weekend and quickly put together the quilt top. I mixed in wool, flannel, minkee and corduroy for the centers of my texture blocks, called 'Bon Bon' blocks in the pattern and framed them with solids.

I wanted to add a little something to the 'Bon Bon' blocks so I decided some simple embroidery would add a little special touch. I took the Giraffe from one of the prints in the fabric line, brought it into Photoshop and gave it a strong outline. I then took that outline and uploaded the image into our embroidery software, Explorations. We bought the special add-on called 'Make it Stitches' which is a small digitizing portion of the pattern.

I put the giraffe embroidery in 5 of the 'Bon Bon' blocks, alternating which direction the giraffe went. I also had to add some borders, to get the quilt to a good size. I had some leftover solid blue binding from my voile/wool quilt, so I used that for most of the binding plus some of the purple vine from the line.

Currently this quilt hangs in the store as a sample until the fabric sells. Then, like all the others, it will come home and find it's place in my baby box until it's needed. I did have some help from our 2 yr old yellow lab, Lug, while outside taking photographs. He's so curious.

xx steffani

{Life} A note to Sass

2011-02-16T19:39:00.000-06:00

Since you've been gone I've been immersing myself in work. Sewing pretty much consumes my life, which really isn't all that bad I guess. I have some things to tell you (and a card to send you so send me your addy, dammit) but I thought better to tell you in pictures.

So far I've made

Which means lots of this. Most every morning before work.

I am so excited to tell you these came in!

and now this is what I'm up to

And the BEST part of it all...drumroll please (can I get a boom mic?)

almost done with the binding.

I miss you. Come home.

xx S

{Quilts} Boxed Blessings, Uptown Girl & Coming Soon

2011-02-16T10:33:00.001-06:00

I normally have anywhere from 10-15 projects going at once, although I'm not sure how that number gets so high. Every once in a while I'll really take a look at what I have in the works and vow to finish at least a few of them. Although, then I guess I come home from work with another project the next day...so for now I am destined to have way too many irons in the fire. January was a month for me to finish up old projects, kind of a new years resolution I guess.

I started with the oldest project, a quilt called Boxed Blessings. This was our mystery quilt for our annual sewing retreat Girlfriend Getaway.

Boxed Blessings

pattern by Ingrid Barlow

This quilt really is a breeze to make, I actually made this one during a purse class I was teaching one day at the shop. I used Hoffman 'A is for Alligator' flannels mixed with some Kaufman Cozy Cottons. I was so upset when Hoffman didn't run this line again! They pulled the same stunt with another great flannel line the had called, 'In the Wild' a few years ago! (I did save some of that for a baby boy quilt one day) I also used some soft butter yellow fine wale corduroy for my accent boxes, which I adore.

I decided to use a solid periwinkle flannel for the backing with accents of yellow corduroy and a piece of the main animal print. I like the look of my wonky star, off-center in the upper right corner. It's the perfect amount of whimsy.

I am in love with pebble quilting...and I really adore it on this quilt. Then add the fun circle binding and the look is complete. This is one of those quilts that makes me wonder what took me so long to get it done. Currently it hangs in the store for a sample until the kits sell then I guess it will go home and into my baby box. :)

Another baby quilt finished happens to be one of my modern favorites. (I feel like I say that all the time, can I really love all my quilts? I stand by my word.) The first time I saw this quilt at market I had to make one! It was so fresh and modern with the grey background. As soon as the fabrics came into the store, I went home that night and went to work. It was really quick, but there are some changes to the pattern I would do if I ever made another. Overall, I really enjoy this quilt.

Coming Soon

pattern by Thimble Blossoms

I think I am still having a love affair with any shade of turquoise/blue...I love the aqua minkee centers! I went with a flannel from Moda's Bliss line for the backing...and another shade of teal/blue for the binding. Go figure.

Another favorite. Currently is hangs in the store, for a sample until we no longer have the fabrics. Then like all the rest...will find it's place in my tupperware until its needed. Or maybe until someone super special to me needs it.

I have an intense love/hate relationship with this next quilt. We go WAY back...I mean probably the oldest project I've ever had. I've vowed so many times, "I'm just going to make a block a day!" Or I'd sit down at my machine...just to set the teeny tiny pieces aside and work on something a bit larger. I took it to a sewing weekend with all the ladies in my family. We do it every year and I cherish those times with everyone I love. Most of the time we drink too much wine and stay up way too late. (4:10am fri night & 5:30am sat night) When I was packing I made sure to put this on the top of my pile. First on the list of things to do.

Uptown Girl

pattern by Carolina Patchworks

I used 3 charm packs from Fig Tree's Whimsy line for Moda fabrics and some yardage of the milky white sashing, also in the line. This line has such a soft blend between vintage and modern, the colors seem to flow so well together. I used the main print in the line for a backing and finished with a fun brown dot binding.

Now that this quilt is finished I tell myself I would make this one again...but the fabrics would have to be super special and I would really have to love them...a lot.

more to come soon! xx steffani

{Quilts} WIP Innocent Crush Quilt

2011-02-12T16:42:00.000-06:00

My day started off early getting to do this..

Now onto the next sample for the store...Hopefully I'll have something great to show by the end of the weekend out of these:

The pattern is from this great new book I really am enjoying..

More to come soon!

xxSteffani

{Quilts} For Carrie & Katrina

2011-02-11T20:20:00.000-06:00

I hate it when I am working on a project and I can't tell you anything about it, its so tough for me to keep a secret but I managed to keep two of them this past month! The first was a quilt a good friend commissioned me to make for his girlfriend, Carrie. He really gave me the freedom to create whatever I wanted to keeping in mind a soft color palette.

I went with Nicey Jane fabrics from both color ways paired with some blocks made out of two Kona solids, grey and white.

The overall design was really simple, but the way the solid blocks altered with the prints made for a pleasing design. The grey and the white blocks made a very soothing base to complement the color in the fabrics.

I quilted an all over looping meander throughout the quilt and chose cream minkee for the backing.

I also quilted her name into the quilt and the date to add a little something special.

I finished the quilt with a print from the line, Hop Dot in blue, the perfect finish to a very amazing quilt. I had such a hard time giving this one up, but I know she loves it. Enjoy Carrrie, this quilt was made just for you!

The second secret I had to keep was a t shirt quilt I was commissioned to make for a Christmas gift. My cousin had saved all her college and sorority t shirts, sweatshirts and pants with the idea of making a quilt with all of them. All the way back in May I was given her box of shirts and spent the next few months finding the perfect fabrics to complement them. I wanted to try to use her sorority colors best I could, blue and yellow.

After I fused woven interfacing on the back of all the garments and cut them out, I went to work on my design wall. I started by laying out the blocks where I thought they complemented each other. Since I didn't have a ton of t shirts I also embroidered some blocks with her sorority letters, significant symbols and her chapter's name. I also took off some of the letters from the butts of her sweatpants and re-appliqued them back onto mirror ball dot blocks for a little extra shimmer.

I built the quilt block by block as I laid the blocks out, cutting sashing to fit.

When all said and done the quilt measured about 60" x 65"

She received the quilt top this Christmas as a gift and absolutely loved it! We wanted her to be able to choose what she wanted for the backing, so she received the unfinished top and went with ivory minkee. The last weekend in January we had a mini sewing retreat at my cousins house where I was able to reveal the finished quilt.

We washed it right away for that extra cuddly feel and she went home a happy girl. I really enjoyed making this, keeping her in mind the entire process. Love you Bean!

Whew! It feels good to have both of these secrets off my chest. I have much more to post this weekend, so much in fact its hard to keep up. I've been super busy with a few more quilts, some new quick change trousers and a secret I cant quite tell yet :) Oh secrets...so hard to keep but so worth it in the end!

xx steffani

{fabric} Stash Thurs-Day

2010-12-30T09:00:00.001-06:00

Since I'm not able to keep a good enough schedule to post stash pictures on a certain day of the week every week...it will be more random than that. So today, this random Thursday is stash day. Mainly because I just found some great FQ's from one of Tula Pinks older fabric lines, Nest.

Photo from TulaPink.com

If you think you might want to get your hands on these prints, they are available here:

Old Country Store Fabrics

Now go get yourself some Tula Pink greatness!

{sewing} Piece in the Hoop...my new obsession!

2010-12-29T10:00:00.003-06:00

I hate it when I see something sitting around for months and never stop to take a look at it...then when I do I absolutely love it and can't get enough of it. Just think of all that time I wasted not doing this! I have been loving embroidery lately and doing more than I every have. It has a lot to do with the new designs that are coming out, this new book and my new found obsession with Explorations 'Make it Stitches' feature. I finally got around to opening Piece in the Hoop by Larisa Bland and Nancy Zieman to see what its all about. It's a simple way to make precision quilt blocks using your embroidery machine.

I have all these scraps that are perfect for this...so I brought them into the store and went to work. After you load the design you choose and hoop up some stabilizer its a breeze from there. First, it stitches a square for you to use as a guide. You lay your first triangle within your square and let the machine stitch it down. It then stitches a guide for you to lay your second strip down along. Lay down your strip and let the machine do the work!

After a few passes, you have a precision quilt block sewn in the hoop for you...it can't get any easier.

I used fusible poly mesh for a stabilizer, it enabled me to flip each strip and give it a good press with my mini crafting iron. I also tried to get the most out of my stabilizer so when I re hooped, I put them as close together as possible.

After you finish, trim your blocks square and pick a layout...its as simple as that. I love it!

other layout options:

Zig Zag

Large X block

Center block with hourglasses

There are so many more great blocks than just this one included in the book. I also went ahead and had to try the Pineapple pincushion to see how that turned out.

All I have to do now is make a crushed walnut shell insert, slip it in through the opening in the back and in a matter of no time I have a funky new pincushion...this is only two of the great patterns in this book. I think I'm starting to really love embroidery!

Happy Stitching xx

Nothing like waiting to the last minute....

2010-12-28T08:34:00.003-06:00

I'm usually not one to wait until the absolute last minute to get things done but with the house, Brooks wedding, our photo shoot and sewing retreat weekend...every single weekend in December was hectic. I had just two little gifts to finish up before Christmas...and I got them done about 3pm on Christmas Eve.

I found this fabric the weekend of our sewing retreat and instantly thought of my nieces. They love Barbie (what little girl doesn't?!) so I thought I'd whip up one of these snap bags and buy them some new outfits to put in their new bags. I also embroidered their names, in silver metallic, on the outside of each bag...add them with the pillow pets I bought them and it was a great Christmas...they loved them!

If you haven't seen the snap bag pattern by Stitchin' Sisters...it's so clever. You use a metal measuring tape for the top band so the bag snaps shut, its great!

{sewing} Retreat Projects revealed!

2010-12-27T13:25:00.000-06:00

While sewing at Camp Lebanon 2 weeks ago I was able to power sew through most of my Christmas gift and as always UFO's that have been sitting around for way too long! We were at retreat for 3 full days...so I was able to accomplish a lot! Here's the lineup from the weekend:

I made these robes for the little girls I nannied while I was in school. They are so much like family to me, they even took me on a Caribbean cruise this October..so this was the least I could do for them. These robes are so soft and comfy! I used Shannon minkee in zebra and pink paisley for the exterior and flannel for the lining. The green dot (called leaf) is from Monaluna's Urban Bloom line for Robert Kaufman and the pink is a Valori Wells print from her Della Flannel line. I pre-washed the flannel to prevent shrinking after the first wash. I didn't have a hard time sewing these two fibers together. I know some of our customers don't care for minkee, its too skitsy and it stretches. I generally pin often (every 2-3"), I always use my walking foot and I extend my stitch length to about 3. These are the little things I do to make my life easier when working with minkee. These will be a Christmas gift for them along with two flannel/satin receiving blankets.

The story behind the blankets...I made them each one with their name embroidered on them for Christmas last year. They went everywhere with them during the year, traveling all over the US, in the car on the way to school....literally everywhere. Well, while in Miami on our way to the Caribbean this Oct. We think we left Reese's in the hotel room...it was devastating to say the least! So this year they are getting bigger blankets and they each get their own with their names on them.

For the names I took a piece of flannel and embroidered their names using Bright Alphabet design pack from OESD. I cut them in a fun shape and appliqued them on before constructing the rest of the blanket.

This Puzzle Ball was a weekend favorite! It was one of my UFO's that was long overdue. I saw this pattern while at market last fall and could not wait to get home to make it...well it's taken some time but it was worth it! I used a Anna Maria Horner Garden Party print for the blue and the yellow is from Mendocino, one Heather Ross' older lines.

This is the largest size from the pattern, measuring about 12". There are two smaller sizes on the pattern used for baby toys, gifts, and even as a pincushion. Not all pincushions are flat! Amish and Mennonite quilters made 3 dimensional puzzle balls as gifts or tokens of friendship. You can use fabric scraps as Mennonite women did, or wool and velvet as the Amish - either way it's hard to make just one. Prepare to be smitten!

This clutch is to die for! I've made this once before but it wasn't nearly as cool as this one...I love the color combination of the teal with the fuchsia and tangerine. I used one of Anna's Garden Party prints (centerpiece in teal) for the main paired with one of her home dec prints from her older line, Drawing Room for the top band. I love the addition of the trim on the tab as well. The polka dot is from her Garden Party line (polka line print) then I added teal ruffle trim and a grey velvet ribbon. The final touch is a vintage glass button I picked up this year at market. It's perfect...and I love this bag!

This bag I've wanted to make for such a long time (since spring market) when I first saw the pattern... partially because I love everything Anna Maria Horner does and because I love working with her Little Folks Voiles... now I'm normally a little more creative than this and I don't make a bag look exactly like the pattern cover but on this one I couldn't resist. I am such a blue girl at heart that I dove in and made it look just like the one Anna had done. I still love it so much and I really am fond of the look of the bag. I added another vintage button I picked up at market for a little zing on the tab. Great bag and great pattern.

Since I had such a blast making the girls robes at retreat I wanted to make one for me and a store sample. One of them was actually my christmas present from last year my mom promised to make me soon after...well I took things into my own hands and made my own (11 months later!) its ok, my mom is way busy :)

My robe is the one on the left made with cream minkee and a Little Folks voile (baby bouquet in dusk). I love the feel of the two different fabrics together...they are amazing (especially hopping out of a hot shower into a cold winter home here in MN)! The second robe is made with minkee again but I paired it with flannel from Anna's Folksy Flannels line (little honey in sea). These robes can be made with any number of different fabric combinations and they are amazing each time, although the minkee helps with making the robe really soft.

I made a great bag over the weekend called the Sleepover Bag by Melly & Me. This was such a cute pattern when it came into the store I had to make it. It's been sitting on my project table for some time and I finally got to it when MoMo's new line It's a Hoot came in. I wanted to use a heavier twill for the outside of the bag so this line was perfect.

This bag is so large, it really will hold everything you need for an overnight trip. I love how you leave your corners out when you square them and use them as a design element. Clever I tell you! I used the main print from MoMo's new line its a Hoot for the exterior paired with an Alexander Henry stripe, a Moda dot for the pockets and a print from Heather Bailey's Bijoux line for the pocket flaps. I also put 6 purse feet on the bottom of this bag just because I've been wanting to put them on a bag for a while. They are functional too, I guess. :)

The final thing I made over the weekend was a cute wallet by Indygo Junction. It's called the Grommet Wallet. I used some fun prints from Art Gallery Fabrics for the exterior and the lining and used a Mirror Ball Dot for the binding.

This pattern was fun and quick to do. I love how you use a grommet and elastic for the closure. This would be a great gift idea as well. Quick and easy!

Ok whew! That in a nutshell is what I accomplished the weekend of our retreat. I always have a blast sewing with the girls..usually way too late into the we hours of the am! I've been working with the new Piece in the Hoop book and designing my own little project the last week, so more to come soon!

Happy Stitching xx

{Quilts} I dance in (Fruit Cake) circles

2010-12-17T13:36:00.000-06:00

As promised I am going to post my projects from last weekends quilting retreat, just not quite right today...BUT I did want to show you own new Christmas quilt I made during retreat weekend. I had a Fruit Cake by BasicGrey layer cake sitting around since about July with a stack of patterns next to it that I had in mind. Then one evening I was on the Moda Bake Shop site and all my planning went out the window. I found a great pattern called "I Dance in Circles" and was inspired to use this for my layer cake.

I love the ability to make this quilt your own by just stacking and cutting your own curves. Theres not a certain pattern to follow and your stitching doesn't have to be precise, since after you sew your curves you trim the blocks square. This was the perfect quilt for me to work on after the loss of sleep over the weekend. We sew way too late into the wee hours of the morning, sleep for a few hours and get right back at it in the am...lets just say there are mistakes here and there that can be chalked up to needing to get a little more shut eye! I wouldn't have it any other way and I love the way this quilt turned out.

I chose to put ivory minkee on the back for that Christmas feel and quilted large loops throughout the quilt with a soft grey blue thread. I also put Christmas 2010 in the quilting. I like to know when I made my quilts since its so hard to keep all of them straight.

This quilt will go perfect with my Snowflake Applique Quilt I made for last Christmas...it's the vintage blue I love so much. I did have some help taking these pictures...my faithful boy Seuss.

Im starting to think he feels the same way Mitch does when I make them do all this picture stuff with me...his face tells it all...."Are we done yet?"

Not but 10 min. later..still not amused with all the photos...Oh how I love you my puppers. You put up with so much! xx

{slack-ola} It's been WAY too long...so much to tell!

2010-12-10T14:12:00.001-06:00

First let me preface this post by saying life has been crazy busy since mid october...between trips, fall market, work and remodeling our new home, I've barely had a moment to stop to smell the roses. Suddenly it's winter here in MN and I feel like I missed our entire fall. I have managed to be quite productive, finishing projects that I had laying around for way too long! I've taken some pictures along the way...so in a nutshell here is whats been going on the last month...

In May I made a string quilt top for my bestie Sass for her graduation present with the stipulation she was going to quilt it and bind it herself...well she got around to it in October right before I left for the Caribbean. I snapped some shots of this beautiful fall quilt while the leaves were falling outside.

I then headed off to the Caribbean with the most wonderful girls. The family I used to nanny for while in college took me on a Caribbean cruise where we had stops in Labadee, Haiti; Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel before returning back to Miami. It had been some time since I'd seen them and I missed them so much! Of course I came baring gifts for the girls...for each of them a quilt of their very own.

We had a blast while we were cruising, but like always the trip goes way too fast! After my 10 day hiatus it was time to return home so I could pack for market. Less than 2 days later I hopped on a plane and headed down to Houston for Fall market with my mother. I always enjoy this time we spend together, planning what we want next in the store, seeing all the new designs and of course fall shopping! While I was away Mitch did a little work on our new home fixing up the kitchen with our new Kohler cast iron double basin sink (Habitat re-store for only $25!) and new faucet. We also had to take down that terrible metal back splash and we tore out the hideous silver caulking around the countertop.

We've been working on our house for about 2 months now, knocking down walls, installing new windows making me a shiny new walk through closet, drywalling, painting, electrical work and laying wood floors in one half of the house. As soon as the floor gets laid down the hallway I'll post some before and after pics....you'll be amazed! I also LOVE the paint colors we've done in new half...its amazing what a little color on the walls does to add warmth and make it feel like our home.

Market was an absolute blast! I love getting to see the designers I adore and being able to talk with them about new fabrics, patterns and whats going on with our industry. Here are my most favorite ladies, who are so talented in their own way.

Each year we spend the last hour of market picking out vintage buttons from a lady who comes every year with more great buttons...now I do have a bit of a button obsession...I can't help it I just love them! This year I picked up some singular buttons and also some sets for coats, bags, whatever comes to mind.

Once home from market we had a few days to pack for Camp Lebanon in Upsala, MN where each year we are a guest shop, filling an entire room with a mini store, and guest instructors. My mom teaches mini sessions all week long on fun little projects and holds a few classes on other things. This year we did aprons in two different styles, snap bags, sewing cup cozies...and others.

Next year we've been asked to come for a full 2 weeks to be the guest shop for multiple sessions. The ladies just love when we come, they don't even shop hop on the way to camp! Each year they sign up for our session, which always fills first, looking forward to what we'll bring. For the first time in the camps history our mid-week session (Sun-Thurs) was more full than the weekend session. So exciting!

With all these events going on with the store I had little time to do my own sewing..so I made a few samples for the store while camp was going on. Not to mention I had 11 Christmas stockings to make for a client, a special quilt to make I cant talk about yet and a silk bridesmaid gown looming over my head.

I also wanted to put one of our flannel with one of Anna Marias Little Folks voiles because the two paired together make such a soft feel. I quickly quilted the layers together and added a satin binding. Nothing too fancy but I wanted to show our customers what the possibilities are...endless!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I had to start working on my bridesmaids gown, so that was next on my list of things to do. This dress I am wearing in Mitch's sisters wedding (this weekend...actually tomorrow). We had to pick dresses that were navy. I being who I am I couldn't simply go and buy one off the rack, so while in Rochester this fall I picked up a Badgley Mischka Vouge pattern and headed to Ginny's fine fabrics for some silk.

Now I've never sewn on silk chiffon or silk georgette before but I love learning new things. Let me tell you...I did. My grandmother Lou and I tackled this gown together in the basement of the store. I also wanted to order an adjustable mannequin not only to build this dress on be also to be able to design my own clothing.

"If the Red fits- Make it!" As I looked on the outside of the box I felt better about the gown, the task seemed less daunting than before. With time starting to be an issue Gram and I went to work. I must say the model was a LIFESAVER...I cant stress how much of a pain this would have been without it. Not only to have a 'life-sized me' on hand, it helped every step of the way, down to pinning and hemming.

My grandmother was an absolute saint while making this dress with me..she worked on the lining while I went to work on the outer sheer. I think she planned to give me the sheer because it was a nightmare while sewing it, but looking back now I am so glad I did it. We worked during the week for a few days to get the fit right and get to a good point before we were scheduled to head to Camp Lebanon for our own quilting weekend.

While at Camp Lebanon I finished so many projects that had a time crunch to them...mostly Christmas gifts and old samples that needed to be finished. I'll post just about those in my next post...which I promise will not be a month from now. As soon as I got home from camp this past weekend Gram and I finished my dress (except for the last bit of hemming I have to do this evening) I also made a garment bag to keep the sucker in.

Whew! Thats just about everything in a nutshell from the last month of my life. I'll post retreat projects and some pictures of me in my gown after the wedding is over this weekend.

{Antiques} Grandma Lou's 2nd Sale!

2010-10-20T17:00:00.001-05:00

Grandma Lou's first sale was such a success that she has decided to have another! After 60 years of collecting, she has a plenty of pieces left to sell. We've cleaned out more spaces, filled with great treasures...and we're holding another sale this MEA weekend.

We have cleaned out all of the storage spaces and restocked with so many new things, just take a look:

Please stop by and see what is new, you never know what you might find!

Friday, October 22 8am - 4pm

Saturday, October 23 8am - 4pm

Sunday, October 24 11am - 4pm

Directions - Highway 18 East (6 miles from Brainerd Regional Center) to CR 23, take a right (South Long Lake Road) - take this 4 miles and you can't miss us.

{life} New home. New Start. I couldn't be more excited!

2010-10-20T16:46:00.004-05:00

I've been meaning for some time to write about a big change in my life...this big change comes in the form of a house. A new home, hopefully the last one I'll know. It seems almost surreal that it's finally ours after months of ups and downs, months of paperwork, dealing with the senile elderly, unethical opponents, trying to get transcripts from the government, the list goes on. We got to a point where we sat back and stopped hoping, because we had so many ups and downs along the way. Now, it's finally ours. It's official and we couldn't be happier. I am so excited for a new step in my life, a chance to make something my own, and for our lives to begin together.

This house means more to me than any old house. It happens to sit on the property that as a young boy my father would come visit. The porch/kitchen you see in the picture is actually the original cabin he had as a boy. My grandfather Bud owned about 500 ft of lakeshore on Wise Lake, which he divided up into three lots. The lot to the left of us is my parents house, the house I grew up in. To the right of our new home is the plot given to my uncle, who then sold it. The middle lot (the one we bought) was sold to the crabbiest old man, Mr. Brown. We rarely saw him growing up unless it was to yell at us for boating too close to his dock. Those memories are forever in my mind and this property holds a large amount of sentimental value to my father as well. To have this back in the family again is wonderful!

We have a ton of work to do in the house, in the form of decorating, painting, wood floors, tile, windows, etc. It really is a blank slate, one we can make totally our own, which is actually really great. It will take quite some time to get to where I would like it to be, but its all about the process and getting there. From here on out I am afraid my sewing is going to have to take a back burner to decorating/designing this house. I will still have time to sew my projects I have to get done by Christmas (like my 100% silk floor length bridesmaid gown for Mitch's sisters wedding..eeek!) but you might be seeing more decorating info and pictures on my blog than normal. I am just SO excited to be able to take this next step and to have a home all our own.

We did have some time to take some stunning pictures a few weekends ago, one of which will hang in our bedroom. Photos were taken by my uncle, Gregory Rademacher, who specializes in classical portraiture and who does AMAZING work. I am so thrilled with the colors and the way just this one turned out. I have yet to see the others, but I am positive it will be hard to choose which photo we want hanging in our bedroom.

Mitch and I - September 2010

We are so excited about our new home and all the changes we'll be doing. I am going to be sewing most all my curtains, duvet covers, pillows, all the things that add a personal touch to the room. So no worries, I'll still be posting fun, exciting, inspiring projects with a little bit of a twist. This move also means I need to clean my sewing studio and get more organized. I've been doing really well with this and have some fun pictures of my newly-organized sewing studio as well I'll post later this week. Also I spent all of last week on a Caribbean Cruise...fun pictures I'll post from that as well!

Happy Stitching xx

{Sewing} Hooded Scarf

2010-10-05T14:02:00.000-05:00

The perfect fall accessory for me, it combines my two fall loves..hats and scarves. On a beautiful day like today I couldn't resist to take some photos of my favorite fall fashion, The Hooded Scarf.

Jamie Christina has this great pattern I was drawn to right away. Well, all of her things are great but her dresses will have to wait until spring. I decided to use a fine wale corduroy paired with wool that I found at SR Harris, my fabric paradise. (They always have great things...if you are willing to dig!)

Back

I am thinking I still want to put some vintage button on the pleat, maybe a button stack...maybe a wool flower. I'm not sure yet, part of me wants to keep it plain. Either way I love the pattern and the way it turned out. We have her patterns in our store, there are many great ones to choose from: Aprons, Dresses, Caplets, and this great Hooded Scarf. At some point I'll get to the others, until then I'll be wearing (and loving) my new fall accessory...The Hooded Scarf.

xx happy stitching

{Sewing} Retreat projects, UFO's & more

2010-10-05T10:27:00.001-05:00

Life has been such a whirlwind for some time now that I've found it hard to balance all the sewing I want to do with stuff from my everyday life. I've managed to squeeze in hours here and there to finish up projects that have deadlines, UFO's that have been lingering for WAY too long and store samples made from recent new lines of fabric. I generally think of something to post everyday but do I get to it...no. I've wanted to post process pictures from all of these projects...tips & tricks to make them go easier..but finding a balance is something I am working on. Until I get on that level ground and I am able to spill every little bit of information I find useful and educational (like quilting & universal needles have a slightly rounded tip, whereas a microtex needle has the most accurate, sharpest tip which results in the most accurate seam) I just will have to post pictures of what I've been up to in that spare time. I am going to pledge to myself to get better with posting not only the finished product, but how I got there. The fabrics I chose and why, color schemes that work, pattern tips, tricks for faster methods and all the sewing knowledge passed down through the generations of tailors I come from. After today it's a fresh start..until then here are some of my latest projects for me, for others and samples for the store.

'A is for Alligator' Crazy Curves baby quilt
I could not resist these flannels when they came into the store..reminiscent of Hoffmans' In the Wild collection from a few years back, both of the colorways jumped out at me. They have a slightly softer look to them compared to the strong browns in the previous line. I've had these FQ's set aside for some time now until I decided which quilt pattern was the right look to showcase the fabrics.

I went completely out of my comfort zone by doing curved quilt blocks, I've never tackled something like this until now. I guess I always thought they were more difficult than they actually are. It was a breeze to whip them together. Of course I had some help and by help I mean a 1/4" foot that curves one of the fabrics for you. No pins needed. It was a blessing!

I decided to put corduroy on the back of this to try something new...but I love the way it feels and the soft pink is just perfect for this little quilt. This quilt hangs in the store for the time being to show you can take any pattern and make it work for the fabrics you choose.

Sewing Cup Cozy...the ULTIMATE sewing buddy.
This was one of the projects we did this year at our annual Girlfriend Getaway quilting retreat. My mother made one up a while ago at a retreat she was a guest teacher at and we've had SO MANY inquiries about the pattern ever since then. This year we decided to share the wealth and teach it as a mini session. It sits next to my machine and holds all the little gizmos and gadgets I need in a hurry. Sewline pencil, Awl, Seam ripper, point turner, small scissors, chapstick, fine tip sharpie and anything else I may need.

It really is nice to have and easy to carry. I bring it everywhere with me. Plus, I love the fabrics..Oh Anna Maria you sure are great! I had to put the MoMo scissors for the outer pocket as well. I am really fond of the combination.

Capture the Moment Camera Bag from Sew Liberated Book
I've had this cut out, sitting on my project table for WAY too long. I needed to get this done, plus I really wanted to have something to keep my camera safe and protected. I picked up some blue corduroy when Mitch and I took a Sunday trip to SR Harris to get dog bed corduroy. That was in the middle of May! (My UFO's are sitting around for WAY too long)

I love the combination of the cord with AMH Good Folks fabrics. I wish I could get more of this great cathedral print I put on the inside, it looks great with the outside and the fabulous mirror ball dot I put on as the accent. Each of the sides, the bottom and the interior pockets are all lined with 1/2" foam. It really makes for a protective bag.

Instead of sewing on the top flat and leaving the stitch lines, I decided to clean it up with a little strip of Mirror Ball Dots, which looks nice with my accent on the bottom. One of the things the pattern doesn't tell you is to sew all the way through the outer/inner layers when putting on the side D-rings.

When you construct the exterior you attach the D-rings, but only to the outer layer. This presented a problem when I put my camera in the bag. The exterior 'stretched' when it had weight in it until I stuck the whole thing under my Bernina and sewed the D-ring tab on through all the layers. The bag supports the weight of the camera much better now. I've been using this since retreat and its fabulous, it makes me feel much better lugging my camera around now that its protected.

Amy Butler Field Tote - One for me, One for Lacey

I am completely in love with Tina Givens' new line Opal Owl. Ever since market I've been dreaming of things to sew, one of them being a new Amy Butler Field Tote. We have a sample of the Field Bag (same bag but with a zipper closure) hanging in the store, so this time I made the tote version. I must say..much quicker to make without the zipper!

Of course I had to fussy cut the exterior, so the owls were placed just perfectly and I wanted to add corduroy to this bag as well. I really am growing more fond of corduroy handles. They are really soft and gentle on your shoulder if you haul a ton of stuff around like I do and the cord doesn't slip off your shoulder. I also put the cord on the bottom, just because I like the way it looks!

I made another one of these at the same time, because its always easier to make 2 at the same time. The second one was for my cousin, Lacey. She is so generous to me, its the least I could do for her. She's the one who keeps me beautiful and keeps my roots away. Hair for a bag...the best decision! I made hers out of MoMo Oz twill wt. fabrics in black. I sent it home with her at the end of retreat without even getting a picture, so the next time I see her I'll snap a few because it really was a great bag!

Jamie Christina: Hooded Scarf. The perfect fall accessory.

Perfect for me that is! I just love fall and all the fall fashions that I get to wear. Boots! Skinny Jeans, Hats, Scarves, mittens, the list goes on. Not to mention I get to whip out my vintage coat collection and start pairing them with scarves and hats for the season. When I came across Jamie Christina and her Hooded Scarf pattern I fell head over heels! I then got to her website and found she has other great patterns as well. I have almost every one of hers at home, waiting to be made up. The dresses will have to wait until spring, but the hooded scarf...well that is for this time of year!

I Picked up this great dark jewel tone corduroy at SR Harris as well and yes it was back in MAY! I feel ok about waiting this long on this project because it really is made for this time of year. I paired the cord with a fun plaid wool I found there as well, it goes so well together and fits perfectly with most of my wardrobe colors.

Whew! Thats only part of what's been happening and what I've been doing! I'll post more pictures soon of some quilts that finally got finished, a few quilts that are going to two special girls and odds and ends I need to catch up on.

Happy Sewing xx

{Antiques} Memories of Grandma Lou

2010-09-13T12:48:00.003-05:00

**UPDATE: Grandma Lou's first sale was such a success that she has decided to have another! After 60 years of collecting, she has a plenty of pieces left to sell. We have cleaned out all of the storage spaces and restocked with so many new things, just take a look:

Please stop by and see what is new, you never know what you might find!

Friday, October 22 8am - 4pm

Saturday, October 23 8am - 4pm

Sunday, October 24 11am - 4pm

.....................................................................................................................................................................

I didn't get much sewing done this weekend, it seemed to fly by between helping Grandma set up for her fall sale, organizing my sewing room mess and a Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop meeting on Sunday evening. I was, however, thrilled to be helping my grandma with her Antique & Estate sale. She's been collecting amazing pieces ever since I could remember. When we were children we would spend weekends with grandma going to sales, where she would give us a couple bucks to spend as we please. Most of the time we picked up toys, which she would wash in Murphy's Soap as soon as we arrived home. As we played outside with our treasures, gram would wash up her finds as well. She used to swear to us her car just turned in automatically to these sales...it had some special tracking device. We of course believed her and were more than thrilled to be "treasure hunting" with her and her special car. We would find so many great items that most of the time the grandchildren squeezed and sat on each others laps until we got home. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything, as grandma taught us all the value of finding beauty in everything, "Just Imagine!" she'd say, "with a little cleaning and a coat of paint it will be like new." As a little girl she planted this creative seed in my mind and in all the cousins as well. She's been an inspiration ever since then.
While preparing for her sale this weekend I got a chance to look over what she has been collecting all these years as her pole barn is chalk full of great things. For today I'm doing a bit of a pictorial post to show only a fraction of what she has in her 'hidden treasures' that will be available for purchase during her Antique & Estate Sale October 8-10th, 2010.

My faithful companion, Seuss, was with my the entire time while "treasure hunting" in grandmas pole barn. I couldn't believe all the things I wanted to keep for myself!

Ready?!

Some of these pieces bring back a flood of memories from my childhood, like this Hoosier. I used to dream of having this in my bedroom when I was younger to use as a dresser. I wanted to ball up my socks and put them in the flower bin so each day I could twist out a new pair of socks...oh to be young!

She still has the original paperwork and a newspaper ad cutout in the drawer.

Look at her go in her kitchen with her multi-functioning Hoosier..I really enjoy this drawing!

Love this Ice Chest!

Trunks, Doors, Rocking Chairs and Crates

This classic desk/spool drawer is AMAZING! What sewer wouldn't love this?!

Taper Pro children's water skis in great condition!

Chairs...you name it she has it.

I really am fond of this banister...it would look great at my front door!

Crates, Bins, Baskets & more

Old Baseball Gloves & Bats

Windows of all shapes & sizes

More windows, ironing boards, and a great bed frame!

These are so cute! Matching end tables.

Antique Drying Racks...a nice way to display your quilts.

Oh this chair...I've never seen anything like it.

Mens tools, antique coolers, yard games & lanterns

I love the old suitcases...they are filled with even MORE goodies to look through.

One of the many great items: Antique Carriage

Antique Baby Highchair with removable metal tray...I've never seen anything like this before!

Vintage Taylor Tot stroller from grandmas childhood. Great condition!

One of my favorites, a vintage 1950's trike.

This is only a hand full of what is stored in her building, as you can see there are many treasures to be discovered. During the sale we'll have tables full of all the great items, all laid out nice and pretty. I CAN'T wait to see everything she has!

I did manage to pick up one of my all time favorite tables...it already has a beautiful home in my sewing room. Thank you gram!

All of this and more will be available during her sale October 8-10, 2010.

{Quilts} Kickin' it old school..simple patchwork quilt.

2010-09-08T20:54:00.000-05:00

I've been collecting for some time now all the fabrics from Anna Maria Horners' Good Folks line, since it has gone out of print. As you can probably tell I do a lot with her fabrics...A LOT. I am drawn to her color choices because of the jewel tones and the vibrant color. I've had this amazing stack of fabric sitting around my sewing room taunting me to figure something out, to create something beautiful, to just cut into them already! I couldn't resist any longer, so this weekend I gave in. Since I had an array of Good Folks cottons and some Little Folks voiles I wanted to put them into one quilt and make it random. A simple patchwork quilt was a must. Then I happened to stumble upon a patchwork quilt here which really isn't a new concept but I love the simplicity of the squares and how many fabrics (43 in my top!) make for a wonderfully random quilt.

43 Good Folks and Little Folks fabrics cut into 498 - 3-1/2" squares

I then put all the squares in a box and pulled pairs out at random and went to work! I had the help of a good friend as I enlisted her to sew blocks together when she came over. She was a big help! :) I also decided to put a couple panels in the quilt at random to add subtle interest.

The BEST part of this quilt for me was getting to quilt it on the amazing BERNINA 820. I have to chalk it up for the 12" throat, industrial sized bobbins, and the incredible dual feed system. This is an incredible machine. It sews so beautifully, quiet and smooth...the Lexus of sewing machines!

I wanted to use a voile for the backing and added a little patchwork row for interest.

I also decided to put the binding on my machine...sorry mom!

I really am thrilled with the way this one turned out!

I had some help this morning taking these pictures...thanks boys xx

Happy Stitching xx

{Quilts} Featured: Uncle Albert

2010-09-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

Just a little {very exciting} note:

I sent the wonderful ladies of Abbey Lane Quilts pictures of my very favorite Uncle Albert Quilt to show them how well it turned out and to tell them how much I love the design. They were kind enough to post some pictures of it on their blog! So exciting!

Sharing Time by Abbey Lane Quilts. I'm glad they love it as much as I do!

xx skburton

{Sewing} Scrap buster! Little zip bags.

2010-09-01T16:30:00.000-05:00

I've been trying for some time to think of what I am going to do with the piles or scraps I have laying around my studio. I started messing with them last night and decided to make a pair of little zip bags to have around for special occasions, gifts, etc. They are little so they don't take much time and Terry Atkinson's zipper technique from her new Cash and Carry pattern makes the result the best I've had!

I made them about 4" x 10" then boxed the corners so they stand on their own. I used laminate for the lining bottom and put fabric on the upper part of the lining.

I think my favorite part has to be the jeweled zipper tabs...so glamorous!

I like to keep things like this around for special occasions or when I forget a friends birthday (such a bad friend!) or to give to someone special in my life just because. One of these has a special home with someone who does so much for me..I really think she'll like it!

Happy Stitching xx

{Sewing} Oh So Boy! A bag for Baby Bentley.

2010-08-31T15:36:00.000-05:00

I am so thrilled I was able to make one of my good friends a wonderful baby boy diaper bag. Jessica came into the store and picked out the fabrics and the bag pattern herself. She chose Anna Maria Horner's Multi-Tasker Tote because of the 4 outer pockets and the function of the bag. She wanted the entire inside laminate, so I chose Heather Bailey's Lindy Leaf pattern in blue. Oh so boy!

The home dec fabrics I used are from Alexander Henry. They had a great modern tree print with coordinating dots that really set it off. I used one of Denyse Schmidt's fabrics for the handle from her new Hope Valley line, in the NewDay color way. I also did a modification to the handle, adding a buckle so she can adjust the length and attaching it to these great clear rings. I really like how the clear plastic rings make it easy to have a single handle on the bag instead of two handles.

I've made about 6 of these bags for friends and samples and have yet to actually do the two fabric handles! I really love the function of having one handle on a ring and the look it brings to the bag. They don't have to be clear rings either! I've done a diaper bag for another friend and used hot pink bangles and I used a pair of great striped square purse handles on a store sample.

I'll have to make a store sample to show how the pattern really is done, with the fabric handles, but I just can't get over how the rings look on the bag. Where did the clear rings come from? Well when you buy a scarf at Target, it usually comes on a plastic ring, I saved those for the longest time. I didn't have an idea in mind until this bag came along...now I love them! (Just goes to show save all those little buckles and rings...one never knows when they come in handy!)

I put pockets galore in the inner part of this Oh So Boy diaper bag, all made with laminate. I also added a clip for keys, since the idea of your own purse goes out the window when you carry a diaper bag!

Jessica also wanted a little clutch inside the bag to keep her personal items in such as cell phone, credit cards, cash, sunglasses, etc. So I made her a little zip clutch with a clip so she can keep her items safe inside Bentley's diaper bag. I used a print from Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley line for the little clutch and one of Terry Atkinson's new zippers. (She has AMAZING zipper color options!)

I've packed up this stunning diaper bag and sent it on its way to it's new owner, Jessica and little baby boy Bentley. Enjoy Jess! xx

{Fabric} The suspense is killing me!

2010-08-18T23:55:00.000-05:00

I spent a day last week working with our Free Spirit Fabric rep, trying to stock up on funky fabrics for our contemporary floor in the store. I was discouraged when nothing suited what I had in mind, nothing had spark, no flair, and there was a lack of intense, jewel toned colors. I anxiously asked what designers were coming out with new lines at market, knowing both Anna Maria and Heather Bailey didn't preview lines this spring in Minneapolis. I was thrilled to hear AMH had a great new line coming and others as well. I immediately logged onto our dealers site to see what is new for fall, only to find nothing called 'Innocent Crush'. I was thrilled today when I saw this on Anna's Blog...

Fall Quilt Market just got a lot more interesting...not that it needs the help, but I simply cannot wait to see Innocent Crush and the booth Anna Maria will have. She always seems to out-do herself in a true, fabulous fashion.

Now, I'm off to...

Gold Rush Days in Oronoco, MN in the am for a 'Girls Weekend' with my family. We have so much fun at the annual Antique Show & Flea Market...maybe I'll pick up a piece or two for our new house. When I get back I'll have pictures of my Evening Empire Dress, a couple baby quilts I love and a needle roll I made for my mothers birthday. Maybe I'll have some great pictures from this weekend as well!

Happy Stitching xx

{Quilts} Introducing the amazing Uncle Albert

2010-08-09T23:54:00.000-05:00

I am so pleased to be finished with one of my all time favorite quilts, Uncle Albert. I saw this quilt at spring market made with the same fabric line but with different fabrics and it inspired me to make one of my own. The unique rouching was something I had to try. I decided to use a strip piecing method for the rouched piano keys, which really helped speed up the process. I also have to thank my mom for gathering most of the piano keys as fast as I sewed them. I love the way it turned out. Love. Love.

I couldn't have picked a better main flower print, its called Guest of Honor and its perfect. It was almost too big to fussy cut, but I like how the flowers are offset. I also added borders to make it larger than the original 80"x 80". It just so happens the border print, Centerpiece in Navy ran length of grain, which is perfect for me because I never piece my outer borders. The design was also about 8.5" wide, making it the ideal border fabric. I used a Michael Miller Quarter dot in Sunny for the inner border. It's the perfect yellow/green to complement the border.

Finished quilt measures about 100"x100".

I used one of my favorite Kona Cottons on the back in color caribbean with some leftover scraps in the center. I didn't quilt where the rouched paino keys are, but I outlined every rectangle. I also followed the large flowers in the center squares. On the border I quilted around the flowers and some leaves and did a tight meander as a filler. It was quite a feat to load a quilt like this on the HQ Avante'. Not only is the rouching bulky but the quilt was also mostly bias. Although I used Best Press every step of the way, it was still tough to keep everything lined up. This was one of the most technically difficult quilts I have ever quilted. I wanted to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and try something a little more difficult than all over meandering.

I love the pieced binding left over from some of my scraps. A big THANK YOU again to my mother who loves to hand bind quilts, so she did this one as well.

He'll hang in the store until our new home is ready to move into, right in the back entrance, 12' high in all his glory. This without a doubt is my very favorite.

Happy Stitching xx

{Sewing} Slack-ola!

2010-08-09T20:42:00.002-05:00

Just call me a big blog slacker right now! We have been so busy at the shop with the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop going on that I have not had time for much of anything else. I did have some time this weekend for sewing, which felt really good for a change. The rest of my weekends in August are filled with a wedding picnic, girls weekend in Oronoco, MN for Gold Rush Days (only the BEST antiquing of the year) and a much needed vacation to our cabin in Canada with Mitchell and our close friends. Since the rest of my August is going to fly by I sewed most of the weekend, accomplishing some old projects and lots of little pants. For some reason I have been in love with Anna Maria's Quick Change Trousers pattern in her new book, Handmade Beginnings. Small people are no where on the horizon for me anytime soon, but I figured when I do get there I will be too busy to sew a whole wardrobe, so I'd better start now. Plus, I really am in love with some fabrics right now, so I'd better start sewing while they are still available. I picked some of those favorites for my collection of small pants, Quick Change Trousers if I may.

I've made a range of sizes in both genders, because it's always good to be prepared and I had to use up some scraps before the big move. The less fabric I have to move, the better. (Plus, then I can buy more when we get settled!)

I love how the pants are reversible. It's the best concept for small people, since they always manage to get dirty. A quick flip and you have another set of pants! Plus, it doubles the number of pants one gets to choose from when getting dressed. They are just all too cute!

I really love the smallest size of the pattern, 0-3 months. I wanted them to stay really boy and primary and I was inspired by the pair little Mario had on in the book. The voiles are perfect paired with a quilting cotton, so soft and comfortable. I also paired flannel with cotton and did an all cotton pair, which was equally as nice. Oh to be a baby! I have more of these sweet little pants planned, in a range of sizes and in both genders for when my busy August is over.

I've also been busy with finishing old projects. It feels so good to get those out of the way. I forget sometimes how many I actually do have going. I think right now I'm at about 12...well 11 since I finished this Pop Garden/Bijoux table runner this weekend:

I've been meaning for some time to try Anka's Treasures Little Charmers 6 pattern using Heather Bailey's Pop Garden/Bijoux fabrics and a charm pack I had. I couldn't decide which one I wanted to make on the pattern until I found some brown fabric from Jessica Levitts' Timber line. It was perfect for the sashing on the Stepping Stones runner. The center squares are raw edge applique and it's quilted in all squares using a variety of colors. Finished size 20" x 41". I really am fond of this, it reminds me of a citrus Christmas, which gets me thinking that might not be such a bad idea.

While hopping this last weekend I was thrilled to find the book panel fabric from Tina Givens new line Opal Owl. I saw this at spring market and could not get it out of my mind! Plus, the colors are great.

It's a magical place, a forest, filled with trees reaching to the sky. It's ground covered in soft mossy playgrounds and is spattered with frilly ferns and lush wild flowers.

Each page tells you about Opal's friends and their best qualities.

Not the end and so you see, this is a story of friendship and family, of home and love! May your life be filled with friends like Opal has, and may you grow to be nurtured by that truth and beauty. Oh how I love how this turned out. As soon as Opal Owl comes into the store, I can't wait to create with it. How inspiring?!

Happy Stitching xx