Sew Little Time

School started and all my sewing plans have been put on hold.  I'm teaching high school science classes and I'm a little overwhelmed right now.  But every time I pass by my sewing machine--which is all set up and ready to go--I want to drop everything and sew something! 

I'm almost finished with that chicken quilt.  I am hand stitching the binding when we're all gathered around watching a movie.  I finished another small clutch bag so we'll have a few things to sell at the craft show in November.  A friend of mine reserved a table at a local church.  That should be fun.

 

I also made a baby quilt for my newest granddaughter.  The quilt was very cute, but the photo was poor, so I'm not posting a picture.  Liana made this sweet little flannel jacket for baby Eva.  She also knitted her a hat.  It reminds me of layettes that mothers used to put together for their babies before they were born.  I think my own mother made these jackets for my brothers.

 

Liana has also been busy sewing birthday gifts for another grandchild.  Liana made a cut-out decorative pillow and a hair bow for 9-year old Mattie.  Mattie was quite pleased with her gifts!

 

My oldest son is getting married in January and I promised him a quilt.  I have the fabric, but getting started is the difficult part!  I know, it sounds impossible to make a queen-sized quilt by January.  But I really think I can do it!  Okay, now  I'm wondering if I can...

Summer Sewing

Arielle told me I need to keep up the blog!  She's been doing such a good job on our Dearli Designs Facebook page that I forgot about this.  But not all our friends are on Facebook. 

The girls worked hard to complete their outfits for the Regional Fashion Revue.  They each won first place in their divisions!  Arielle will go on to compete at the state level.  But before then, Arielle wants to add to her look with a quilted clutch purse.  Liana created this bag and Arielle and I are copying it.  I've made several!  They are fun and easy.

 

We made some fabric donations to our local 4-H club and in the process of sorting fabric I came across some unfinished projects.  One is a Fenced-in Chicken quilt I started long ago.  I am not too enthusiastic about it, so I decided to make it "throw" size and use it for movie night on the sofa.  Picture to follow when I finish it.

We sold a bag, so I made another bag to replace it on our Etsy store.  I really like the colors. 

I'm already excited about my new project--a queen-size quilt for my son's wedding in January.  A friend of mine told me about a great website:  http://www.missouriquiltco.com/  I am happy to recommend this site.  They have a wonderful selection of quality fabrics and very informative tutorials.  I came across an easy method for making a quick baby quilt and used it to make a shower gift in one day!  Picture to follow after I bind it.  I guess I have a lot of projects to complete but so little time!

One more month and then we are on to more serious activities--like school!  The girls have a heavy schedule this year and I will be teaching four classes.  Better finish my sewing in August! 

Day 21 - 30 June Photo Challenge

Day 21.

Here is the inside of Liana's camera bag (more about it in Day 20 post). As you can see, it is very roomy. There is a special spot just for her camera to sit where the sides of the bag hug the camera protectively. Her bag can also fit her charger, wallet, sunglasses, and a hoodie! And all of this was made without a pattern

Day 22.

Liana sewed this quilted patch work clutch purse just today! It only took her about a day to make, and it turned out really cute! This clutch purse includes a 9" zipper and a D ring to put a hook on so that you can put the purse on... your wrist. She made this purse to go with her dress (day 4) and plans to model it with her dress in the upcoming fashion show. This particular purse is not for sale, but if you would like to buy one, we plan on making more this summer and they will be posted either on our Facebook page or on Etsy.

 

Day 23.

Last summer, we had a sewing day and made these school bags. I made the one on the top left with the owls on it. My mom made the one on the top right---the one that looks like a Vera Bradley. Liana and my friend Julia made the one ...on the bottom left with the green pocket. And Liana made the one on the bottom left with the tan pocket. All of these bags are made out of cotton, have a top zipper, and a zipper on the outside pocket. Each bag is different on the inside. In my bag, I have 3 separate pockets. One small one for pens and pencils and two bigger ones for random stuff. Liana, Julia, and I used our bags all year to carry our school books, and my mom still uses hers as her regular purse.

 

Day 24.

This purse is one that Liana has been working on. She has no pattern to go by because she designed the pattern herself! The flower on the front is from the same pattern used to make the flower hair accessory in Day 11. On the insid...e, it is fully lined and has heavy interfacing between the fabrics to give the purse some structure. It is almost finished. All Liana has to do is make up her mind on how to finish the purse off---with a zipper, a magnetic snap, or no closure.

Day 25.

New purses on Etsy!!! Go check them out and share with your friends!

Day 26.

This is what my mom has been working on today. She is making a clutch purse like Liana made shown in Day 22. As you can see, the patched piece of fabric will be the front of the clutch. The flower fabric will the back of the bag and the swirly fabric will be the lining. These purses are SO cute and they are the perfect project to make with those pretty calico cottons that are too small to make anything else out of.

Day 27.

MY DRESS IS FINISHED! You can see in Day 1 that I was still working on it.
Style taken from the Party Dress Book by Mary Adams

Day 28.

This is Liana's outfit! The main picture of her was taken from Day 4, but since then she has completely finished her dress. Liana worked on her hair clip yesterday. It is from the same design as the flowers shown in Day 11 and Day 24 only made with fabric to match her dress.

Day 29.

For today, here is a sneak peak on the newest tote bag that I have been working on. I will post pictures when it is done!

Day 30.

For the last day, this is a picture of Liana and me from last night's fashion revue Both of us placed in our groups and I will be moving on to the State competition. So excited! Liana is still a junior, and they do not move on. Both of our looks were taken from the Party Dress Book by Mary Adams

Day 14 to 20 June Photo Challenge

Here are the next 6 pictures that were posted on the Facebook page for the 30 day pictures.

Day 14.

This is a quilt that Liana sewed a couple years ago. She pieced the pre-cut fabric and then hand sewed the binding on.

Day 15.

Liana made this blue dress two years ago for our brother's wedding. It has princess seams all around. It was very hard for her to make it a perfect fit (how princess seams are supposed to be). But in the end, it turned out really nice and a great dancing dress!

Day 16.

Happy Father's Day to all of those great dads out there!

Day 17.

This is the ring bearer pillow that my mom made for a wedding. It is just a simple yet elegant pillow made with burlap and stuffed with polyfill. She added ribbon and a decorative flower (chosen by the bride-to-be). This was for the same wedding I mentioned in Day 15.

Day 18.

When I saw this Cynthia Rowley pattern 2250 from Simplicity, and the purple hand-dyed cotton at a local fabric store, I knew that was the dress that I wanted to make for my brother's wedding rehearsal (2011). This was for a differe...nt brother's wedding than mentioned below. But this dress was a challenge and I would never make it again... ever. The front bodice alone is made from eleven pieces and has numerous darts and pleats which was very confusing. But it turned out ok and I'm glad that I finished it.

Day 19.

Here is another picture of my brother's wedding rehearsal in Chicago (2011). Liana and I were both the junior bridesmaids in the wedding. The dress that Liana is wearing now was taken from the same pattern that she used to make the blue dress shown in Day 15 for another brother's wedding. In the wedding, we carried umbrellas instead of flowers so that is why her hand is in a weird position.

Day 20.

Here is a bag that Liana just recently made specifically to hold her new camera that she just bought. The bag was made without a pattern---completely from Liana's imagination. The fabric on the outside and the lining is quilted and heavily interfaced to give the purse some body and to give the camera extra protection. Tomorrow's picture will be of the inside of the bag.

Liana's Christmas Gifts

Liana has been quite busy the past couple of months.  She made a bag for her Aunt Evelyn and she also made little purses for her nieces.  She filled these with gifts that delighted the little girls in our family.  Her aunt's bag was sewn from a pattern purchased in Amish country.  It was a kit with fabric included.  Liana did a great job sewing it.  For the others, Liana created her own pattern and used scrap fabric we had at home.  She is only 12 years old.  I think her talent is quite remarkable.

Back to Sewing

Christmas is over and we are getting back into our routine.  I cleaned the sewing room and put away all the scraps from our latest projects.  I'm anxious to start something new!  The Joann's flyers keep coming in the mail and I can't wait to choose some new fabric. But what shall we make next?  Soon 4-H will be starting and I won't have much time for personal sewing--just helping out with the girls.

The last month I was busy making a Christmas stocking for my newest granddaughter and gifts for my mother and my sister.  I recently bought a new tote bag pattern that I love.  It is easy to make and the results are impressive.  The bag is sturdy and will hold a lot and the combinations of colors are endless.  I'd like one for myself.  It would be very useful, especially for carrying school books and supplies on the days I teach.  Right now I'm using a tote bag I made awhile back when I was testing out a pattern.  I hated the pattern and I don't like the old fabric I used either. It is quite ugly.  I'd rather have one like these below!   

 

 



New Name

The girls and I have been trying for months to come up with a good name for our shop, if we ever have enough stock to open one.  To our great surprise, my husband is the one who suggested a name.  Here it is:  Dearli Designs.  Can anyone guess the significance of that name?  Here it is:

DEborah ARielle LIana.  So we are now Dearli Designs.  We even ordered business cards.

 

My student Lynn finished another bag.  She is very motivated to sew!  She has even cut out the pieces for three more bags.  As you can see, she knows how to combine fabrics to make a unique creation.  Saturday she asked if I wanted to go with her to a local quilt store.  That's where you head for inspiration, but I try to limit my visits to real quilt stores (as opposed to the retail chain where we usually shop).  I am just too tempted by the beautiful (and expensive) fabrics.  I couldn't resist these two from the Grand Finale Collection from Moda.  They are called Leaves on Goldenrod and Leaves on Walnut.  I'm not sure what I will make, but I love the colors! 

Project Complete!

I have a new sewing student who wanted to learn to make bags.  She is not a beginner but someone my age who learned to sew as a young woman and now has a renewed interest in developing her skills.  

She has an eye for color and chose a beautiful combination of fabrics--black, gray, and white.  I wish I had made a bag like this!  It goes with everything.  She did a great job putting it together and I have enjoyed getting to know her.  I know the joy that comes from finishing a creative project and congratulations were in order here when the last stitch was made on this bag.  --Deb

New Purse Pattern: Atkinson Designs

When I was in Lancaster, I found this really cute purse pattern in one of the fabric shops.  I am So excited and can't wait to start sewing, and it doesn't look too hard to make.  Wish me luck!  :)

Arielle

More Pictures

 Here are more pictures of the things Liana and I made this year in 4-H

McCalls 6511 top.   

All the different cottons used for the patchwork

The lining of my jacket.  The fabric had different shades of purple  going from dark to light

McCalls 5838
Liana's dress

Liana added black stone
beads and embroidered a leafy design on the sleeves of her shrug

Liana custom designed this purse and also added the leafy design to match her shrug

The inside

Matching hair accessory to complete the look

♥ Arielle ♥

New Pattern

I would like to find a bag pattern that just works.  One that could be used over and over again to produce quality bags to sell or make as gifts.  Using old fabric from our stash, I created this bag from McCalls 5822.  I had high hopes for it, and it turned out very nice.  But in using it on a day-to-day basis, I really don't like it.  I just can't seem to find anything in it!  It doesn't open wide enough to look inside very well, and I made the mistake of using black fabric for the lining.  So the interior of my bag is dark and unfriendly. 

I do love the pansies though.  They remind me of my grandmother.  In the spring she would pick them from her yard and float them in a blue glass bowl on her dining room table.  Pansies always make me smile.

Surprises!

We have all been busy sewing for Christmas.  We also have a new student who just completed a beautiful bag.  She is our youngest, only 7, but she has a lot of potential and is excited about all the projects she can make.  And she can sew a very straight seam for a little girl!  

I published a post awhile back but it was only here briefly because Liana did not want to spoil any surprises and asked me to please remove it.  She made some very special gifts for the little ones in our family.  I have a couple of projects too, but we can't divulge our secrets yet! 

We even have projects awaiting us after Christmas.  I have my friend's quilt to finish and then I plan to start my long-awaited project, a quilt only I would like.  It is called Fenced-In Chickens.  My mother gave me some whimsical fabrics a few years back.  They are all coordinated with a chicken theme and probably wouldn't appeal to many.  But I've been wanting to make this quilt for some time.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!  We hope you finish all your projects, right on time.

Sewing Bag

Using the same pattern for the owl purse, I made a larger size.  It went together quickly, even with adding a magnetic closure.  The fabric has sewing notions on it, so this would be the perfect bag for carrying hand work or knitting projects.  It is very big inside and the bottom is flat, so it would hold a lot.  I used a heavier fusible fleece, so this bag is very durable.--Deb