Laura's Lucy Skirt

Well you know our Laura Casey - she can't resist a bright colored print and a cute project. She tackled this girl's skirt and headband pattern by Bananafana in a day and gave us some pointers. We just had to show you her finished piece! Does it get much stinkin' cuter?

Fabric = Sandi Henderson Dahlia:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SandiHenderson-11814&Category_Code=FINE-COT

Trim = Pink Rick Rack:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Trims-9046-RickRack&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

and Wired Satin Stripe Berry Ribbon:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HEIRLOOM-TRIM-12227&Category_Code=Trims

Laura says:

"I made it in no time - it only has 3 pieces!"

"I used my favorite notion: Steam-a-Seam - this thing is just great! I used to think it was just one more thing to buy, but it really makes my life easier. The hem just flies when I use this notion. "

"If you have an edge foot -use it. It makes hemming anything close easy -making you look oh so good!"

"I had just a great time - got to use all my fun trim ideas, and I made 2 in an afternoon!"

Everything is Coming up Poppies

Do you ever need a little design inspiration? Well I do - and sometimes playing in my fabric stash will do the trick, or taking a walk and looking at all the designs of nature fit the bill. Last week I saw a gorgeous lone poppy, and I started thinking...

Here are some dynamic color combinations that one lone flower had me dream up:

The fabric shown under the ribbon is a hand painted Silk Chiffon with Chiffon petals:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=SIL-12563&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

The ribbon is actually called Poppies:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Ribbon-12188&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

This red purple cross dyed silk dupioni is just beautiful:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=DUP-5121&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

and ribbon:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Ribbon-12193&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

And who doesn't need a deep red and black cross dyed dupioni in their stash?

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=DUP-7120&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

Yarn:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Yarn-12184&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

Oh my, of course - the most poppy-inspired ribbons I have ever seen. The top five are hand dyed gorgeous hues. The bottom ribbon is a sweet woven field of pink poppies.

Ribbons from top to bottom:

1.Hand dyed silk velvet in color Hot Flash:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Trim-10067-RibbonSilkVelvet&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

2. Hand dyed silk ribbon in Hot Flash

3. Hand dyed silk ribbon in American Beauty:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Trims-5221-Ribbon&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

4.Hand dyed silk ribbon in China Doll:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=Trims-0978-Ribbon&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

5. Woven Ribbon with Pink Poppies:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=TRIM-10445&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

Last but not least - you need buttons to go with your vision of poppies - so here are a few that I just love that fit the bill:

Top to bottom:

1 & 2. Plastic Button with Brown Squiggles:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=PLA-6922-10798&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

3. Art Deco Resin Flower in Brown and Grey:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=PLA-12216&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

and 4. Art Deco Resin Flower in Ecru:

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=PLA-12215

I hope you found plenty of inspiration to keep you going during these dog days of summer.

Happy Dreaming and Sewing!

Paper Doll Wonderland Part 1

It doesn't get much cuter than this fabric. When I saw this vintage paper doll and coordinating outfit fabric - I couldn't wait to get out my scissors and go to town!

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=FINE-COT-12005&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

Can't you just see an outfit made out of this fabric - with a doll size pocket and dollie in it. Well - we did and we're sewing it up as we speak. But I'm getting ahead of myself, first, let me share our first fabric doll project. What's better for little gals than a bunch of fabric paper dolls that don't rip. Better yet, you can wash them off when they have tea party crumpet stains.

I cut around 4 dollies - using different poses:

Adhere transweb onto the back of each doll:

Cut out the dollie from the transweb. You can cut closely as the dollies will now be put onto a heavy interfacing that will stabilize them. Take the paper backing off transwebed back of dollie and adhere timtex or a heavy interfacing.

We're now going to cover the back of each of our dolls with a pretty backing fabric (we used black polka dot). Iron transweb onto the back of each backing fabric. Now adhere the backing to the back of the timtex - the back of your dolls.

After all that ironing comes the fun part - cut them out! You can cut as close to the line as you like.

Small scissors are great for this.

Our dollies are coming to life!

Now stitch around the gals as close to the cut edge as you dare. We used smoke invisible thread on top (and of course a regular bobbin of white thread).

Meet sisters Emma Grace, twins: Alma and Lucy and their good friend Caroline:

and just so they know who they are - we've labeled them:

Is there anything more stinkin' cute than these little gals! Well stay tuned - you haven't seen their dresses and shoes yet... that's part 2 of our Paper Doll Wonderland!

http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WSS&Product_Code=FINE-COT-12003&Product_Count=&Category_Code

Happy sewing, dreaming, creating! From all of us here at Waechter's Fine Fabrics -