Have you ever agreed to sew with or for someone else a project that you just couldn't get done for one reason or another and therefore it ultimately became the cliched 800 pound gorilla in your sewing room? Did it taunt you, nag you, relentlessly give you guilt trips because it just never got done?… Continue reading My 800 Pound Project Gorilla Goes Home!
Finn’s Fabrics in Barrington now Closed, thanks for 40 years!
About two months ago I'd heard the news that Finn's Fabrics was going to close. Here is a link to the Chicago Tribune story; http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-dyllis-retire-both-16may16,0,4135965.story For nearly 40 years, Dyllis Braithwaite has been offering more than fine silks and linens from her store in downtown Barrington. To Braithwaite, the bolts of fabric were wearable art… Continue reading Finn’s Fabrics in Barrington now Closed, thanks for 40 years!
Really, don’t you all sew here? A German and Austrian trip report.
Entschuldigen Sie (excuse me), wo ist das Stoff-Lager? (where can I find the fabric store? stoffe shoppe?) I asked this question a few times while I was on a vacation trip to Germany and Austria earlier this month. I was curious to see how our German and Austrian counterparts went about purchasing their fabrics, sewing… Continue reading Really, don’t you all sew here? A German and Austrian trip report.
International Quilt Festival Chicago Entry #3 – Quilters
Quilters are an interesting breed. I consider myself a casual quilter. I enjoy the playing of colors with patterns and quilting designs, developing a pattern, looking at the thousands of fabrics that are available and sometimes just enjoy the solitude and monotony of piecing and/or quilting. It certainly is a form of meditation. I do… Continue reading International Quilt Festival Chicago Entry #3 – Quilters
International Quilt Festival Chicago Entry #2 – Traditions
A fun thing to do while I was there was to look for traditional quilts, or traditional patterns with interesting interpretations. My favorites of these were a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, a 9-Patch wonder, and a Lone Star combo that was out of this world. Here is the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. This was also… Continue reading International Quilt Festival Chicago Entry #2 – Traditions
International Quilt Festival Chicago – Entry #1 The Animals
It's been a few years since I've been to the International Quilt Festival but since I needed a good up lift and a heavy dose of inspiration I decided to go today and see what's new. Boy was I not expecting the crowds and the number of displays and vendors. This festival was HUGE! Holy… Continue reading International Quilt Festival Chicago – Entry #1 The Animals
Another One Bites The Dust
Oh no. Is it true? My brain wasn't sure the eyes were processing the information correctly. Oh boy, next thought: "where am I going to get that 108" white muslin now? darn, darn, darn." Closer...I think it's true. Yup. Hardly anything left. I think this store has been at this location for over 20 years.
Pantone Spring 2008 Fashion Color Trends
Here is the link for the Spring 2008 Color trends from Pantone. Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2008 And the palette for you to print and/or add to a fashion notebook. Print these out as tools to help mix and match your fabrics or purchase fabrics for your Spring/Summer wardrobe. Pantone-s08-colors.pdf
Operation Lap Wrap – Bear Paw Block Construction
This is how the Bear Paw Block comes together for the Lap Throw I am designing for Operation Lap Wrap. Sew the dark side on top. Make sure your seam allowances are 1/4". I am using a quilting foot which is 1/4" from center to edge of foot. I just line up the edge of… Continue reading Operation Lap Wrap – Bear Paw Block Construction
Why a Singer 201 will always be a favorite.
Ah, the Singer 201 sewing machine. Simple, heavy, nearly flawless straight stitching and can be had for less than an elegant dinner for two. I did not have to look hard to find the ones I now own. Two of them came to me by way of other people and my third was by pure… Continue reading Why a Singer 201 will always be a favorite.
Sewing.for.Life! 
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