Moving On with the One Year Challenge

Oh the internet, it can be so wonderful, and then when it doesn't work, it's beyond frustrating. I have been waiting all week for my videos to download. None have yet to appear in my inbox. So, I thought that I would do a different post, tried sending pictures, and they won't come through. I have no idea what the problem is. I have a feeling that at some point, it's all going to mysteriously just appear. So, rather than wait any longer, I thought I would at least get you a little up to date on my 1 year challenge. 

All the way back to August 23rd...

I made this dress for a Sew News sew along. It's the Summer Breeze Top pattern from Hot Patterns which seems to no longer be available. Such a shame as it's a rather fun pattern to make. I took the 2 pictures to show that as much as I like those yellow shoes, I did change into my Keds to walk Berkley :) 

One of my favorite skirts. A friend gave me the Picasso panel. I debated for some time as to what I would do with it. Finally, it was a skirt. Since it was such a special piece, I decided to give it a more couture finish by underlining it with silk organza. It even has a silk charmeuse lining. Maybe a little over board as the back is a lightweight denim. I paired the skirt with a Molly Tee from Pattern Union.

This was a fun challenge of sorts. Helena of Gray All Day posted that she had purchased a large lot of fabric and would like to share it with a few others just as a goodwill kind of a thing to do. we were given 2 yards and told that we could do anything we chose. In the photograph, the fabric looks white. It is white, but it has tiny little yellow puffs all throughout. I decided to use the Odgen Cami from True Bias  and add a skirt, making a simple summer dress. The fabric is such a lovely gauze, so it floats all over the place. Fun To wear! 

A friend of mine had told me about the Scout Tee from Grainline Studio, and how much she likes it. I think she's made maybe 10 or so! I decided to give it a try. I too like the pattern. Easy to make, and just a great wardrobe staple. The skirt is the Summer Equinox Skirt from Naughty Bobbins Patterns. I really love this skirt as it has darts that give it such a nice fit. The skirt is part of her Summer Ensemble package. 

The latter part of August was so very warm. I just needed an outfit that looked cute, but was cool. I had the batik, so I did another Ogden Cami from True Bias Patterns and paired it with a pair of basic elastic waist pants.     

We took my mother out for her birthday, and I decided to wear something fun. It just feels so Emilio Pucci to me :) The top is self drafted, a tutorial is coming soon. The skirt is a piece I did for my Fabulous Free Pattern Friday series. You can find the instructions HERE. The leggings are from Sew News, and they are the Loveland Leggings. 

We're finally up to August 30th!

The tunic I'm wearing is from Alice and Ann. I really like the pattern as it has a lovely front placket. It's the Adley Shirt.Here again, I paired it with an Ogden Cami, and a pair of pants that are really a pajama pant pattern from Martha Stewart.    

The top I'm wearing was one that I made from a free pattern. It's a lovely pattern, but I'm not sure if it's still available. You can see my post on the blouse HERE. I also posted instructions on how to down load the pattern which you can find HERE. Again, it may no longer be available, but it's worth a try. The pants are a favorite, the Barb Pant from Style Arc. 

The blouse I'm wearing is one I drafted. the sleeves are from my Sleeves on Saturdays series, the Draped Cowl Sleeve. I also did a tutorial on how to draft the cowl neckline, and you can find it HERE.

And finally, at least for now :)

The skirt is from Tessuti. It's their free Libby A-line skirt. It comes in 3 lengths. Another great wardrobe staple pattern. The top is another from my Sleeves on Saturdays series. I especially love this sleeve has it has such a 1940s vibe, and yet quite modern at the same time. It's the Cowl Sleeve and you can find it HERE. 

    

This post takes me up to September 2nd. At least I'm finally in the same month!!! Hopefully I'll soon be able to figure out why I can't send my photos from my phone to my email address. 

Until next time, keep sewing!

 Rhonda

One Small Act of Kindness

I am having the BEST winter! :) If you've followed the blog for a while, you know that I love winter, the snow, dressing in layers, wearing fabulous boots, making mulled wine, cheese fondue...and the list goes on and on :)

As much as I enjoy being out in the winter, one thing that I have never done is go cross-country skiing. My husband loves to downhill ski(as do I), but has absolutely no interest in all the work that goes into cross-country skiing. He says that he likes letting gravity do all the work. On the other hand, I like a workout, so last week, I called and arranged a lesson. I had thought that since I downhill ski, I wouldn't have an issue. Well, I looked like a bird that was trying to learn to fly, sliding all over the place. I'm accustomed to downhill skis, bindings and boots that weigh a ton. Not so with cross-country gear. Comparatively, it's as light as a feather. We came to hill that I had to traverse down. Well, I fell, and looked a little like something on a bloopers show. Didn't get hurt. Wasn't going fast enough to get hurt. All in all, regardless of the frustrations, I had a blast, and I'm going back next week. Learning to cross-country ski was on my goal list for 2020. So very proud of myself for pushing forward and realizing the goal :) 

You haven't seen me in a while. Laying in a pile of snow after downhill skiing and loving every minute of it!

Many of you may remember the campaign I did a number of years ago for a children's hospital in Washington state called Mary Bridge. With the help of so many, from all over the world, we made over 1000 pillowcases that were then distributed to children who are admitted into the hospital.

Before I packed up all the cases and sent them to Mary Bridge, I hung them all in my yard, and took a picture of the extravaganza. What a sight!!! Sew News magazine even did a featured article. So nice :)  

A friend of mine has the loveliest fabric store in Granby, Colorado, Tina's Fabric Nook. I actually did an interview with her a few years ago.

  

  

I absolutely LOVE her store! It's such a gift to the community. Like most of us, I have quite the fabric collection, so just buying fabric, while a nice thing to do, is just not a viable option on an ongoing basis. So, I've thought of what I can do to create a little revenue for her. What I came up with was pillowcases, not for me, but for anyone who happens to visit when I am in the mountains. I take my guests to Tina's, and let them pick out their fabric. Each and everyone has surprised me with their choices. They NEVER choose what I think they'll choose. She has these beautiful William Morris reproduction prints that I have been dying to use. Can't talk a soul into choosing those! I may have to make a pair for myself!  

Below are just a few of the cases that I've made.

The pair below went to Montana.  

I made 2 sets for a friend who lives in Seattle, a flannel pair for the winter, and a cotton pair for summer.

This pair went to a friend in Wisconsin. Love the starry night aspect of the batik.

I've made quite a few more, just forgot to photograph all of them. I just recently made a pair for a little 7 year child who received a bearded dragon lizard for Christmas. Tina had a gecko print that fit the bill close enough. She was thrilled with her pillowcases! Everyone seems to enjoy the cases so much, I enjoy making them, and I generate a little business for Tina. So a win all around.

You may remember the pillowcases I made using the fabric I had printed at Spoonflower from a painting that I did.  

I made a coordinating pair of cases and used the leftover fabric from the pair that went to a friend in Wisconsin for the trim. Even Berkley likes the cases ;) I have actually had friends tell me that they sleep better when they use the cases that I've made.  
 

I love this quote;

There's no such thing as a small act of kindness. 

Each act creates a ripple with no logical end.

What a lovely promise :)

Fabulous Finds

Happy Thursday!

I'm back home after an absolutely delightful time in Kalamazoo, MI. I taught a bag workshop and everyone did such an amazing job! I'll share pictures in just a few days. The color combinations were incredible and each bag was so very unique. I think you'll enjoy seeing them :)

One of the things that I enjoy the most about traveling is having the opportunity to shop for fabric. I'll never forget a trip to Innsbruck, Austria. We made the trip to attend the wedding of a former exchange student from Germany who was getting married in a small village in Austria. Three of our former students live in Italy and thought it would be fun for us to meet up in Innsbruck. One evening while walking through the city, we came upon a fabric store. Without hesitation, one of our students began to laugh and said, "I know where Rhonda will be in the morning!" I purchased 2 fabulous pieces of fabric. This was by far my favorite, a Van Gogh inspired fabric.

I have worn the dress many times, dances and opening night of the opera here in Chicago.

While I was in Fredricksburg, VA for the sewing expo, I made my way around the vendors and came upon Sew Batik who had a delightful array of, of course, batik fabrics. I have been wanting some border prints and I found 2 that I really liked.

Below is a piece called Durum Dreams. It comes in a number of colorways. I chose a navy blue and white print. Click HERE to see a beautiful Amy Butler pattern made up in the fabric. 

This piece is entitled, Hyde Park. It also comes in a number of color choices which you can see HERE. They are all on sale, so now would be a good time to purchase if you are interested. I really like the quality of the fabric. I plan on making a pair of pants and playing with the border.  

I was so, so good while I was in Fredricksburg as the 2 pieces above were all that I bought.

Our class in Kalamazoo was held at a delightful fabric store, Fabrications in Richland, MI. They have the most amazing classroom. So spacious and well appointed. 

I was so pleasantly surprised to see the fine fabrics that they carry, especially the washable Merino wools. I purchased 3 pieces. 

The first 2 pictured below are a lightweight jersey.

This is also a washable Merino wool, but a heavier weight Ponte knit. I purchased quite a bit as I would like to make up a pantsuit of sorts using the Sandra Betzina pant pattern, Vogue 1411 and combine it with a raglan sleeve turtle neck top. I think it will be quite nice for traveling.    

Today is a rest day for me. I'm off for a much needed pedicure and then home to enjoy a little time in my studio. Who knows, maybe I'll have my batik pieces made up to show you tomorrow...maybe :)

Have a wonderful day! 

The Kantha Quilt Jacket Almost Finished and Something to Think About

My Kantha Quilt jacket is just about finished. I could actually wear it at this point, but I would like to add pockets. As much as I sometimes try to convince myself that I don't need pockets, I always end up looking for them ;)  The jacket is completely reversible as you can see below. I was especially please with how the batik print blended with the pattern in the quilt.

I used the batik to finish off all of the seams. Below is the neckline seam.

 The armhole seam.

 And the underarm seam.

 Now, for something to think about if you use the Sew News pattern. The collar is quite large.

I think that what I will do is trim the collar down, following the pins that you see in the picture below. The quilt fabric has more body and so the collar sticks out more than what I would like and it seems rather overwhelming. At least in my opinion.

I rounded off the corners of the jacket because I plan to attach a round pocket and felt that the round edges would work together a little better. I also plan to make a tie belt to wear with the jacket.
I was asked about the size of my quilt Here's a link to a quilt that is the same size that I purchased, https://www.etsy.com/listing/153329073/tiwn-quilt-blue-ikat-kantha-quilt?ref=shop_home_active_3
My quilt measured out to be approximately 2 1/2 yards long by a little less than 60" wide.
I was also asked about the condition of the quilt. The materials that were used for this quilt seem to be new, so the fabric was in good shape. I did not have to worry about holes are worn areas. But remember, this is a handmade item, so there are imperfections. There are areas where the stitching has not been knotted, or the thread ends have not been cut. None of the imperfections were and issue for me as I rather like the fact that it's handmade and not perfect.  

 

I was asked about a schematic of the pattern that I used. There isn't one, but I have laid the pattern out in the picture below so you can get an idea of how it is shaped. Please take a look at this post to see the changes that I made to the sleeve.

I'm planning to wear the jacket next week, so you'll see the completely finished then.