July 02, 2008
Summer is a Work in Progress
During these warm summer months, I find myself attracted to fresh flowers, singing birds, the sound of the ocean (if only for vacation), and bright, eye-catching colors in the landscape. This attraction always follows in my wardrobe with easy pieces like summer dresses, white linen pants, simple tanks and bold accessories.
Luckily, I'm not the only one with summer fever. During a recent trip to the Portland Quilt Market, Linda met Anna Maria Horner, a new and super-talented young fabric designer. She was so excited about her fresh new designs from her debut home décor Drawing Room fabric collection. Now that we have them in our studio I understand why. Take a look at what we are experimenting with right now.
These fabrics are perfect for all three of our Bag Patterns: L2 Bag, Daily News Bag and Village Bag. My Village Bag is a work in progress, but check back for more updated pictures.
Anna Maria Horner's Drawing Room Collection ON SALE NOW in our Fabric Section!
~Erin
June 26, 2008
Introducing SHAPES!
SHAPES is a new pattern line from Linda Lee (The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection)
and Louise Cutting (Cutting Line Design Patterns)
The collection includes five styles that have been distilled to their simplest forms while making an amazingly fresh statement!
Based on an array of rectangles and other geometric shapes, the pieces have many contexts and look completely different in many fabrics. They are super simple for the novice to the experienced sewer to make quickly.
Louise and I had grand time developing and sewing the garments, and I hope you will, too.
SHAPES designs give your wardrobe pop!
High Five Jacket
Plus One Tunic
Six Sense Skirt
Three Fold Vest
Two's Company Tunic
Discover the look that says it all.....SHAPES!
SHAPES pictures in the gallery coming soon!
April 24, 2008
Spring Forward!
Spring has finally arrrived in Kansas! I love the feeling of spring; flowers blooming, birds singing, sunshine and of course, a new spring wardrobe. If you feel the same way, then we have the fabrics for you to create a whole new spring look.
Our latest fabric additions to the website are light-weight, bright, cheerful and daring. Create stunning dresses and tees using Cherry Red Knit or a classic skirt in Black Knit.
We have a great variety of jacket-weight fabrics from silk tweeds to metallic linens. Metallic clothing and accessories are ready-to-wear staples, so now's the time to design your own. Try our Zona Jacket or the Whistles Shirt patterns in Platinum, Gold or Natural Metallic Linen.
Enjoy the warm weather and happy sewing!
~Erin
March 11, 2008
Sewing & Stitchery Expo 2008!
Thank you to everyone we met recently during the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, Washington! We always have such a great time meeting and conversing with all the customers face-to-face.
New pictures have been added to the gallery, displaying customers in their Sewing Workshop creations! We love seeing your interpretations of all the patterns.
An extra thank you to Marilynn, who was kind enough to help us out in our booth this year. You were a wonderful asset! Thanks Marilynn!
~Erin
October 25, 2007
Old Turns New Again!
One of the many things that I love about sewing is how versatile patterns can be. When you are creating, don't just stick to the pattern envelope. Get creative, use the lines and shapes of the pattern to create a one-of-a-kind look that's all your own!
The Plaza Jacket & Pant is one of those patterns where you can do just that! Recently, Linda has come up with a great new garment for fall. Linda has recreated the Plaza Jacket pattern into a wonderful Vest! Make it in a warm Sweater Knit, medium-weight Raw Silk or Novelty Weave Wool. We are offering a FREE DOWNLOAD to create your very own Plaza Vest. Download the measurements & instructions here. The Plaza Jacket & Pant pattern is needed to create the Plaza Vest.
We hope you enjoy this free download. Happy Sewing!
~Erin
October 12, 2007
Metallic RiRi Zippers!
We just received our latest RiRi Zipper design to compliment the Daily News Bag. We chose two colors that are eye-catching, unique & bold, but they go with everything! It will give your zippered pocket an extra kick! Choose from Brushed Silver and Antique Gold.
Don't forget to coordinate with the matching Flat Rectangular Ring in Brushed Silver and Antique Gold!
~Erin
October 05, 2007
Plaza Pants - to line or not to line
Even though I have made many pairs of Plaza Pants, I took some extra time last night to really think about the right treatment for the specific fabric that I was using. The fabric was a very light summer-weight fine wool - the kind of wool that my husband would have in a summer suit. I thought they needed to be lined, just to give them a nicer look and to obscure my lumps and bumps. I thought I wanted to use something like chiffon, but ended up with Bemberg rayon because it was all I had on hand. I also reinforced the front of the waistband, the part that is flat, with a fusible interfacing to give it a firmer look. I can usually make a pair of Plaza Pants in about four hours, but by taking extra care in sewing, and adding the lining, it took me an extra hour, but I am really happy with the results. I have an exquisite pair of pants that are worthy of the cost of the fabric.
