sneak peek!

Coming soon to etsy!

busy summer

Poor, neglected blog. Well, it's summer, so I have been spending less time sewing and more time outside lately. But I have been performing a few small acts of sewing mayhem...
First, my new swimsuit cover up. It was fabric love at first sight. And thanks to a retro two-piece pattern...

Voila!

And then I took some time for a frivolous little white skirt...just perfect for hot summer days! It was supposed to be a one-day project...

But it took longer than it was supposed to, of course. I had to figure out my own liner. Version one was a failure, but version two effectively masks even brown and orange striped underwear. Business. And I had to re-cut the waistband so it would sit right. The back half is elastic, and the front is drawstring. Less bulk, more comfort. And cute as all get out!






And finally, check this new version of my tie-skirt! Yep, it's a mini! No--not for me. Custom order.

I don't usually like minis, but I must say it is quite stellar. Super cute butt shot!

the name game

Finally, after months of talking about it, I have committed myself to... (drumroll)


Opening my own store on Etsy! (insert cheering here)

Yep, that's right. We're taking the crazy fun online. But I need YOUR help to do it. Really. I need help coming up with a name for my store. Who doesn't like to name things? C'mon, jump on in with a suggestion!

I'll be starting with a small inventory, until I can see how things go, focusing mainly on items made from repurposed fabrics. Namely, awesome purses made from vintage tablecloths and scraps of old upholstery fabric, and even more awesome necktie skirts.

Name ideas I've had so far:
Cherry and Dill: Peace, Love, and Repurposed Fabric (getting a little groovy, baby)
The Button Box (who doesn't like alliteration? but this might be too cutesy)
Spools! (if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? but I'm kinda bored with it)
[blank] Salvage Co. (this one I like...if I could find a word or two to fill the blank)
Good Morning, Glory (does this scream 'grandma'?)
The Old Bag (makes me laugh, but not sure if everyone would get it)

Please, jump on in with an idea! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

jacket!

And here's the khaki blazer I've been working on. It looks super cute with my tie skirt, and it's got a little stretch, so it's really comfy. But it's not quite right, yet. There's something funny going on with the liner that keeps it from laying right. Back to the drawing board! (Or seam ripper, Whatever.)

curtains!

Finally, I've finished the curtains for my sewing room. Here's one side (doesn't Gladys look nice?)...

Both sides (I know, the lamp is ugly...but it is loved)...

And open! Isn't this fabric just plain awesome?! I don't really like sewing drapes, but at least they turned out well.

Christmas 2009!

Finally, I can display the GREAT fun I've had over the last month or so, cranking out Christmas presents.

The first four I completed were the ones I needed to ship out my to sister Andrea and her family in Tacoma. Here are the beauties, tagged and ready to box. From the left: a zip-front vest for Doug, bamboo knit lounge pants (delicious!) for Andrea, a corduroy backpack for Avery, and a hat and mittens set for Kellen.

And here are the boys, modeling their new couture on Christmas day.

I also made a vest for my dad, out of wind resistant fleece with a water resistant overlay, for motorcycle rides. I was pretty happy with the zippered pockets.

Check the sweet brocade shirt I made for my sister Kelly. Gladys didn't want to take it off, so I let her keep it on until the last possible minute.

And I took a break from the sewing to crochet my mom a rug...out of old t-shirts. It was a ton of fun, even if I'm not the most perfect crochet-er ever. That's thirteen 100% cotton large adult Ts. Yeah.

Merry Christmas!

repurposed haberdashery

My friend Lizzie appears with a box of neckties. I smell some mischief! What to do with all these neckties? Hmm. First, we'll choose our victims. Then we'll get our ties laid out in a pleasing palette. I chose (big surprise) brown/blue coordinates. Note the SWEET paisley tie fourth from the right.
Lizzie chose oh-so-stunning black and red.

Next, we'll get them washed, rip open the back seam, and cut off the skinny, useless part.

Then, we'll hijack one of my favorite skirt patterns. The result? Fabulousness!