The Pillowcase Count Continues To Grow!

Last week's pillowcase post was so exciting! Even the liaison from Mary Bridge Children's Hospital was excited about the 101 pillowcase post.  

We've come a long way, but we have quite a journey still in front of us.

This week proved to be a banner pillowcase week as I received quite a few.

I received a message from Maggie asking about what types of prints to use. She said she had some religious prints as well as some patriotic prints and I told her to go for it. Within a few hours I received another message asking for my address so she could send the cases to me and I was amazed and replied, "that was quick!". She laughed and said that she already had them made but just wanted to check before sending them.

Then I received 9 cases from Cynthia who lives in central Illinois.

Check out this wild little print.

 Just so cute!!

 I received another 9 from Nancy.

She had a little "help" with her pillowcases. Actually, her little niece had come for a visit and was intrigued with the project so Nancy gave her a little lesson.   

 And look at what she did!!!! Look at the pride in that little face. Beautiful!

So to date we are now at 125 and counting. We'll be at the 450 mark before you know it! Thanks to everyone for your generous donations. I know I say this every week, but it deserves to be repeated.
Nancy is a friend of mine and we talked about the pattern that I have included each week. I am not going to continue to include that pattern as there is a much easier way to make the cases so I will be posting a tutorial on how I do the cases. If you remember, I've pledged 200, so I had to make the process easy. You are welcome to use whatever method you prefer. If you would like to contribute to the project, just email me and let me know, sewbussted@yahoo.com.
You can see all the past posts about this project here, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Bridge
Remember, the deadline has been extended so there is plenty of time to make a few pillowcases if you can.

Sunday Night Reflections

Lord, you purposely allow us to be brought into contact with the bad and evil things that you want changed. Perhaps, that is the very reason why we are here in this world, where sin and sorrow and suffering and evil abound, so that we may let you teach us to react to them. That out of them we can create lovely qualities that will live forever. That is the only truly satisfactory way of dealing with evil, not simply binding it so that it cannot work harm, but whenever possible, overcoming it with good.

                                                                     From "Hinds' Feet In High Places"
                                                                                  Hannah Hurnard

Who Says It Has To Be Itsy Bitsy?

For those of you who follow my Fabulous Free Pattern Friday series, I'm sure you've noticed that I have not posted a new piece for the last couple of weeks. Don't worry(not that you would!!), I have a piece all set to go, in fact I wore it yesterday, so I will be back next Friday with a new FFPF post. 

As for today, I am also taking a week off from the sleeve post. I have been dealing with some health issues. This past week, I've seen 3 doctors. Don't worry(again, not that you would!!!), I'm not dying, so nothing major, but I do need to just take care of myself and be a little quiet for a few days.

So on to something a little more interesting.

I'm sure that many of you have seen the flutter over this new swimsuit pattern. 

Very Retro and very covered up compared to what we usually see at the beach or pool. If you are interested, here is a link to the pattern,  http://www.etsy.com/listing/153333289/bombshell-swimsuit-pdf-pattern-vintage?ref=shop_home_active&nc=1 It's a great buy at only $10.00.

As I read Heather Lous's blog I found her comment about the pattern rather interesting,
"Last night I posted the Bombshell Swimsuit on Etsy and the avalanche of orders and goodwill and blogger love this morning made me fill up with joy."
So, in other words, the pattern went viral. I am so very happy for her! 
This morning, this video was in my inbox and I found it especially interesting in light of the excitement that has transpired over the Bombshell Swimsuit pattern.  

The Godly Truth About Bikini's - FINALLY Someone Gets It! from sharethemessage on GodTube.

By no means am I trying to make a political statement, or say that wearing a bikini is wrong. I've worn them and even have a couple in my drawer that from time to time still see the light of day. Don't be alarmed, they are not itsy bitsy, really very modest compared to most. I'm well aware of the saying, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should!!!"

As I watched the video, I thought about my swimsuits and what I feel the most comfortable in. Both are vintage suits. 

Both are very modest. They are great for pool parties or for going from the beach to a casual restaurant with a simple cover up tied around the waist. When I wear these swimsuits, I feel pretty, and there is no sense of feeling self conscious. 

How do you feel? Have we lost our natural sense of modesty? Do we need to bring it back?   

The Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Pillowcase Project, Celebrating The First 100

There was quite the celebration at my house yesterday. I celebrated the first milestone for the pillowcase project, the first 100, the first 101 to be exact by hanging all of the cases across my garden. It was really quite a sight.
For those of you who may not know what this is all about, a quick explanation. When I went out to The Sewing And Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, Washington to compete in the Sew It All contest, I found out that the charity project was collecting pillowcases for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The children have the opportunity to choose a pillowcase. The cases brighten an all too white environment and also brighten the spirits of not only the children but the parents as well. The hospital goes through 900 pillowcases each month. I asked the representative from the hospital if I could just mail in a few of my own. She said that they are always happy to receive donations. Once I had a chance to think about this, I realized that if I would only ask, I think that between me and those of you who follow the blog, we could donate a months worth of pillowcases. I put the word out and so many of you have been busy making pillowcases.
If you look closely at the picture below, you will see a few pillowcases that are hung upside down. There is a precious lady who lives in Belgium who sent 14 pillowcases. I felt that they needed to somehow be recognized, so for lack of a better idea, I hung them upside down.   
To document the day, I made a little video. Please forgive me as you may notice that there are pauses in my speech. I just became so overwhelmed which resulted in me being very emotional. Am I crazy or what?!!!! Crying over pillowcases :-)

A pilot friend of mine is also very excited about this project. He told a friend of his and the two coordinated a flyover. Once again, I was very emotional.

I can only imagine what 900 pillowcases is going to look like. There will be lines going in every possible direction.

The photos were taken late in the day so the light wasn't what they wanted, but I think the pictures are wonderful.

The end of the day, all folded and put away until the next big celebration,,,,,450 pillowcases!! That will mark half way.

If you would like to participate, there's plenty of time as I have extended the deadline until the end of summer. Here is a link to the instructions,   http://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.com/00569201012271239106026.pdf. You do not have to use this pattern, you are welcome to use whatever pattern that you like best. If you would like to participate, please email me and let me know, sewbussted@yahoo.com.
I just can't wait until we make the 450 mark. If I'm emotional over 100, just think what I'll be like over 450.
One last note, the hospital also gives pillowcases to those who are in hospice care, so if you would like to make non-children type pillowcases, that is also welcomed.
Thanks again to everyone who is making this a reality!

The Many Faces Of Butterick 5678

On May 8th, I posted the first collar tutorial on the Sew News blog using Butterick 5678.

The first collar was the Peter Pan collar. A very classic and yet easy collar to draft.

Next we did the Revere Collar. Another basic collar, but I showed you how to add the bias trim and make it look all the more special.

The third collar is not an actual collar, but it's a neckline treatment that looks good on almost everyone, The Raised Neckline.

Then we did the shawl collar. This was the narrow variation. Rather than making another shirt, I chopped the pattern off at the waist and added a 1/2 circle skirt.

That brings us to the new collar which is another shawl collar, but the wide variation. Once again I opted for a dress rather than a shirt. By extending the pattern, the shirt becomes a great little shirt dress.

So with that said, the new post is up on the Sew News blog!!!! I'm so excited!!! Thanks so much for your comments and for checking out the posts. I will be doing three more collars in this series. You can find the new post here,  http://www.sewnews.com/blogs/sewing/2013/06/19/rhonda-buss-wide-shawl-collar-tutorial/
If you would like to see all the posts that I have done for Sew News, here is the link, http://www.sewnews.com/blogs/sewing/tag/rhonda-buss/
Thanks again for being so supportive!
Rhonda

Just Have to Brag!

Not on myself, but on Renee!

You've seen this top more than enough times I'm sure.

Take a look at this fabric print. Renee created it using a Spoonflower cotton knit. Believe it or not, the inspiration came from a view of vodka as seen through a microscope. Isn't this incredible?!!! If you look closely, you'll see lines of crystal sequins. She added these to reinforce the crystalline nature of the print. Absolutely incredible. 

Here is the finished version of her top. I had a picture of Renee in the top, but for the life of me, I can't find it. Too bad as she looks incredible in the top.   

I think her top is so amazing and I am so very honored that she would use such a special piece of fabric to make up the top. Now this is over the top inspiration!!! I thought everyone would enjoy seeing this. I know I did :)

Sunday Night Reflections

There are two ways of spreading light:
               to be the candle,
                              or the mirror that reflects it.  
                                                                                        Edith Wharton