I Know The Designer

My friend K pointed me to the coolest web site. www.spoonflower.com allows you to design your own fabric and have it printed on cotton or canvas or a decent variety of other bases. Two to three weeks later the fabric parcel that arrives in the mail is one you invented yourself. My son R had the first idea for what to put on fabric, so his design is our test case. He expressed his current interest in Ancient Egypt with a pattern he reports says "colors of the rainbow" in hieroglyphics. I'm very impressed, and I trust R and I will come up with the perfect project for his one-of-a-kind fabric.

Seat with a View

My friend J showed me the idea of framing fabric in embroidery hoops. After combing through my stash of fabric for suitable patterns to group in round frames, I took the route of obvious success and bought fresh designs. All part of the same collection, these purple chairs decorate the wall behind the desk in my sewing room. Now I can sit, browse future fabric purchases, and enjoy the chairs.

Summer Dress

K is frequently with me when I duck into the fabric store for supplies. She is not a fan of linen or fresh needles or stabilizer. She likes bright prints, Disney characters or anything with sequins on it. From time to time she convinces me the dress modeled on the tempting project mannequins is perfect for her, and I should make it. This is one such dress.
Unfortunately, though she was with me to approve the pattern, K was not around when I picked out the fabric for the project. She was dismayed, therefore, to see that my finished dress is neither the same color nor the same splashy fabric pattern as the one shown on the front of the pattern envelope. The result is K consented to wear her new dress so I might take a picture of her in it if I gave her a piece of gum. She then immediately changed herself into a corduroy jumper, pink sandals and a Rocky Mountain baseball cap. I might as well go back to making fabric pouches.

Patch Basket

My entire side of the family is vacationing together this year. Four families and fourteen people are meeting at a cabin in Colorado. Since I've visited there before, I have a collection of patches from the Rockies. It turns out I really did need them. They fit just so as the center decoration on a series of vacation baskets. My thought is to pass the baskets out to folks to contain their keys, cameras and sunscreen during the visit, and maybe to serve a mail basket when they return home.

It's a Possibility

Someone visiting my booth at the Urbana Market at the Square last Saturday suggested an eyeglass case as a possible future project. This is a first attempt. It's a simple construction, slightly padded, lined in soft cotton, and top-stitched for a utilitarian look. K's new purple sunglasses fit inside the case well; I'll use it for awhile to see if any additions to the design occur to me.

Summer Sampler

The Market at the Square in Urbana went well on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who browsed in the hot sun, and to new and returning customers. Waiting for me when I got home from the morning was a package from my favorite fabric seller. These four fabrics are the next ones to play with this summer. From rainbow giraffes to black flowers, I continue to be highly entertained making projects out of nearly every pattern that strikes my fancy.

This Saturday - 7am to Noon

I'm anticipating a hot, but sunny Saturday for my first showing this year at Urbana's Market at the Square. I have been sewing all winter and spring to build up a supply of pouches and bags to tempt folks browsing through the crafts after loading up on produce. Last year I watched a guy with an entire pick-up truck full of sweet corn sell his load 8 or 10 ears at a time until the bed was nearly empty. It's too early for corn, but maybe a spot near the sweet aromas of a baker or by a fabulous flower vendor would bring me extra customers.

iPad Cozy

M has acquired an iPad to use while testing programs for work. Of course, it needs a pouch. This padded sleeve has a strip of elastic anchored across one corner so the sleeved iPad won't slip out accidentally. It is a shame that elastic only comes in black and white. Actually, it seems unlikely that it only comes in those basic colors. I'm off to investigate, and maybe I'll use M's iPad to do so.

Empties

I like to save odds and ends that may some day be useful in a project. For instance, I hold onto empty spools of thread. They are stringable, stackable and rollable. They can be glued or painted, used alone or in groups.
Today my empty spool collection is housed in the fabric baskets I made for a Shared Space fundraiser. On June 26th, the arts and crafts cooperative on Main Street in Urbana is having sale to benefit the operation. Each person currently selling in the store has been asked to make a $10 item for that day. These fabric key, whatnot (and thread spool) baskets are mine.

Check It Out

In the continuing quest to cover every item in my purse with fabric, I made a navy linen checkbook cover. The accent fabric on the outside is repeated inside. The same construction concepts could apply to notebook covers or photo album covers. I'll play with the possibilities when the mood strikes.
Right now I'm anticipating the arrival of the mail. I expect a shipment of zippers in a variety of blues, turquoise and yellows, so I'm sure I'll revert to project that employ a zipper for awhile.

Aaaa-choo!

In the continuing quest to organize my purse with as many hand-made fabric items as possible, I sought out a cute tissue holder pattern. This one uses three different fabrics, so allows for some playing with color and pattern on the way to a cover for tissues. Squared corners give the packet a tailored look and feel. I'll take this basket of completed tissue cozies to my upcoming dates at Urbana's Market at the Square to see if anyone else finds them of interest. Meanwhile, anyone in my family with a birthday coming up now knows what hand-made do-dad will supplement their present.

Get Organized--Start Small

I have been playing with making various sizes and types of baskets out of fabric. I'm puzzling over dimensions, potential handle construction, and types of stabilizers along with the most appealing combinations of fabric. This pint-sized basket is good for stashing keys, a wallet, pocket electronics, and the like. I think making several of them in complimentary sizes and snuggling them in a drawer would make a delightful way to organize. But, could you really enjoy the fabric if the bins were partially hidden in a drawer?
Workable dimensions for a file basket or mail tray are next on my mind.