Sewing Tip: Saving Your Patterns

This is one of my favorite tips for sewers.  I have some favorite patterns, especially from the OUTSTANDING book Sewing Clothes Kids Love!  I use the patterns all the time.  I wasn't sure how to not rip them.  I then discovered this great technique that saves your patterns and makes them easier to use.  I iron lightweight fusible interfacing to the backside of the patterns.  I am then able to trace the different sizes onto Pellon Tru-Grid material.

Ikea Manga Inspired Fabric

I finished the first set of bedding for the kids. This one is for the boys. The pillows are made from the super cool Manga inspired fabric from Ikea by Åsa Ekströ. When I first saw this fabric I had to do something with it. I free motion quilted (with a flannel backing) around the lines to give the print more texture. I have other prints from the line that I want to turn into bags. The simple duvet cover is from a gray sheet set Ikea sells. I put buttons holes in the comforter and top of the cover to keep everything in its place.

Trims, Ribbons, Elastic.....OH MY!

I have been so busy with my design business, side job and finishing this semester of school that sewing and blogging has been neglected. I am gearing up to do some sewing and to do so I have been cleaning my workspace up a bit. As I was doing this I was putting away some of the newer trims and ribbons. I had a bright blog idea! Share my trim stash. So here it is:

A few of my favorites.

My fabric wall with trims in place. Organized and ready!

Fig Tree Pouch Patterns

Today Joanna, who I admire and adore, introduced some of Fig Tree's newest patterns. She recently introduced them at Market.

The zippered pouches and bags caught my eye. Though I do have to say that when Joanna puts her touch on things they are always eye catching and yummy.

The greatest part about these zippered goodies is that you can choose a variety of sizes. Every woman would love one of these in her little bag collection for all those special items that need a place.

You can find Fig Tree's Patterns here: PATTERNS

You can find Fig Tree's Fabrics here: FABRICS

You can find Joanna's Blog here: FRESH FIGS

Hooded Sweatshirt Fun!

Emma has been begging me to make something special for her out of the fabulous Minky Fabric. I decided upon the Imke pattern in the best book ever, Sewing Clothes Kids Love.


She went to the store to pick out exactly what she wanted and this is the result. We are in love with it for so many reasons the first being the comfort of the pattern and then of course the softness of the Minky. Oh so comfy!



Look for a post of the two Imke sweatshirts I'm currently working on for my sons, Tristan and Ethan.