Crafty Kickoff

Time to kick start your holiday sewing with 20% off all Retro Mama patterns and sewing kits! Use coupon code KICKSTART20 at checkout to receive 20% off your order (excludes shipping). Sale runs through Friday, December 3. Patterns purchased through my blog do not require a promo code (the original price is listed next to the item; sale price will appear at checkout).

Happy shopping and sewing!
Kim

Sketchy Sketch

It's a curious thing. I am not very good at drawing, and yet the moment an idea pops into my head for something I want to make, I run straight for paper and a pencil or pen, whichever is closer. I doodle out what I like to call "sketchy sketches," (not to be confused with Etch-A-Sketches, which I think I don't need to tell you always confuddled me, and yes, that is a made-up word), and often it's one of those very first drawings that makes it to the pattern drafting stage (or, as in this case, an amalgamate of several early sketches). Sometimes, I don't even bother attempting to draw the thing I want to make and I skip right to the pattern drafting because I already know how to construct it. Maybe it's because I got a degree in psychology instead of art. Although, that doesn't explain why I know how to make patterns. Hmm. Also curious.

A little doll popped into my head recently, and I knew I had to make her right away. The picture I envisioned: retro hairdo--check, mary janes--check, peter pan collar--check, little bow, freckles, and a vintage button--check, check, and check! I used a sweet new print from American Jane's Punctuation line for the dress, and yellow hand-drawn grid print by Cosmo Cricket for her tights.

*swoon*

*flutter*

I think I must still be a little girl at heart, I love this doll so.

I'll continue playing with the pattern, and will hopefully be able to share her with you soon....

Bye for now!
Kim

Patchwork Pumpkins

I have been so busy in my little basement atelier cooking up new patterns that I nearly forgot to mention my latest PDF sewing pattern here on the blog! So without further ado, I introduce Patchwork Pumpkins:

The pattern includes all three sizes of pumpkins pictured, with tutorial-style instructions and color photos for each step. The smallest sized pumpkin is perfect for a pincushion. The fabrics I've used here are all by Joel Dewberry (Aviary) except for the big polka dots, which are by Amy Butler. I found those adorable acorns here.

My workspace is a flurry of sketches, bits and pieces of prototypes, felt, thread and buttons, plus stacks and stacks of fabric. Much like the one this little guy is perched upon. I've got some really fun things in the works, I can't wait to show you!

The sidebar is getting a bit crowded with patterns, so for now I'll send you to my shop for the pattern, until I work out something else to give you more shopping options.

Edited to add: I did go ahead and put the pumpkin pattern in my sidebar because some international customers are having difficulty checking out through Etsy. Thanks for letting me know!

Happy Sewing!
Kim

Scrappy Apples

Are you ready? For autumn, I mean. The leaves are turning colors, the kids are in school, and there's a hint of crispness to the air. And one of my favorite things about autumn has arrived: Apples. Apple pies, apple cider, apple...pincushions...

So here you go!

My latest PDF Sewing Pattern, Scrappy Apple Pincushions & Ornaments, is hot out of the oven. The PDF contains full-size pattern pieces for both pincushions and ornaments, along with color photographs, lots of hints and tips, and complete text descriptions for each step. I've aimed to write my patterns so that even beginner sewists should be able to follow along, and as always, you are welcome to post questions (and photos!) in my flickr group, or just shoot me an e-mail.

I'm in love with these mini apple ornaments, they are so cute hanging on their "new" vintage mug tree (found on Etsy).

Don't you think apple ornaments would make excellent holiday teacher gifts this year *hint hint*? And for those of you non-sewists, I will try to list some apples in my shop, soon. As for the pattern, you know where to find it!

So let's get cracking...or peeling, as the case may be, and sew up some apples today!

Kim

Psst!

How would you like to win a copy of my Posy Cozies Patchwork Tea Cozy pattern? Head over to Shannon's lovely blog, luvinthemommyhood, where she is hosting Tea Cup Month, and enter to win! Two lucky winners will receive my Posy Cozies PDF sewing pattern.

Mmm...hot tea... Ahhh, now I'm daydreaming about cooler, cozier, tea drinking days to come....

Kim

Just thought I'd pop in to say...

School is on my brain lately. We still have a few weeks before school begins here but I'm definitely thinking about school supplies and school clothes, the onset of autumn and, of course, the busy-ness of the holidays (gulp). Picking out new school supplies was is always my favorite thing about the end of summer...fresh pencils, clean paper, brand new erasers...Ahhhh.

I didn't mind those standard yellow pencils as a schoolgirl, but how much would I have loved polka dot pencils?

My sophomore year in high school I visited France with a school group. I think it must have been between terms because all the kids were buying school supplies. I loved that the French school supplies were not only completely different from our own, but so much cooler. All the rage were these delightful, and magical, erasable pens and fancy French ruled notebook paper. The local kids didn't seem terribly impressed with their exotic writing goodies, but I was infatuated. I may possibly have to indulge in some super-cool international school supplies for myself this fall.

And store them in a cute pencil pouch.

Happy back-to-school shopping,
Kim

pillows with a purpose

I have limited storage space for fabric, which, obviously, once it’s full, can be problematic. Well, I'm there. My fabric cabinet is stuffed to the gills. No space for new prints, no space for stocking up on old favorites. Something has to be done. Such excess. It's a little embarrassing.

I set aside a few prints to list in my shop, but it's still hard to get over the fact that when I bought all these fabrics, I had planned to actually make things with them. And then, in my web meanderings, I happened upon a great way to create something useful with those gorgeous fabrics and then donate them to a wonderful cause. I expect that I'm nearly the last person to hear about the One Million Pillowcase Challenge, but local shops are still collecting pillowcases so I hope to inspire a few more of you to lend a hand.

So far I've made two pillowcases with Amy Butler's Belle prints in the aqua and clay colorway. Oh how I adore her coriander prints. I used this tutorial, except that I cut the trim 1-1/2" wide instead of 3" (the finished trim is 1/2"W). All you need is 1 yard of fabric and one narrow piece of trim. It's an easy pattern, and no serger is required. Simple, and fun. Please try it!

I showed these to my husband and he told me that I am not allowed to buy pillowcases ever again. Sounds good to me.

(Molly says "Hi!")

I hope you will consider joining me in some charitable craftiness. If you know of other organizations to donate fabric, yarn, sewing supplies, or finished handmade goods, please let me know in the comments and I will add it to the list.

One Million Pillowcase Challenge
Rainbow Around the Block
Project Linus
Knitting & Crochet Charities - lots of links

Thanks!
Kim

And the winners are...

As selected by the random number generator:

#4 Lynne

Lynne said...
I love that Retro Ruler print. So cute! Thanks for the great giveaway!


#81 Alette
Alette said...
I love the retro ruler print. And I would so love to win the give away of the pear ( ofcourse who wouldn't LOL) it is my birthday the 20th :)

Alette


Congratulations Lynne and Alette! I’ll be in touch shortly to send your pear patterns and sewing kits. Thanks to everyone who entered!

And just so you know...Aqua and red kits are now available (sorry, the finished pears are already gone!)

Have a great week!
Kim

Patchwork project for your unpaper products

Say that 5 times fast.

You don't still get plastic bags from the grocery store do you? Yeah, me neither. Well usually not. Occasionally the pups make a mess in the house and it's handy to have a bag for clean up that I can take straight to the garbage can. Why do they eat grass, anyway? It always ends up on the rug.

I came across this great tutorial for making a plastic bag holder (I'm actually thinking it will be awesome for dispensing washcloths or unpaper towels, a few at a time so I'm not always digging in the linen closet for them) and had to try it out.

My version:

The 50s kitcheny fabrics are from Anna Griffin's long discontinued Elsie's Kitchen line, American Jane polka dots and florals, and Alexander Henry's birdseed in yellow. Also some Michael Miller dumb dots in black mixed in. It didn't come out as photogenic as I'd hoped, but I still like it.

I did make some alterations to the pattern measurements which I'll share here in case you want to make one too, especially those of you in the US.

The changes:

1. First I had to convert and round the measurements up from the pesky metric system that nearly the entire planet uses but we Americans still view as incomprehensible. Silly logical rest of the world. Then I made it slightly longer: The measurements of the pieced fabric/muslin are 20"H x 18"W. My patchwork strips started out 6" long, and were trimmed down to the proper size while squaring.

2. Instead of using a long piece of fabric for the hanger, I just used a wide piece of grosgrain ribbon (3/4"W), about 10" in length. And instead of attaching it to the bag after the elastic was sewn in, I sewed the ribbon ends to the inside of the bag, right along the casing seam before inserting the elastic. One end I sewed to the center of the pieced fabric, the other end near the edge, next to where the edges of the bag are sewn together, but with enough room for about a 1/2" seam allowance.

3. I changed the elastic measurements to 6-1/2" for the bottom elastic, and 7-1/2" for the top.

4. Apparently I like to sew lots and lots of narrow little strips together. If you want to save some time, make sure your narrower strips are at least 2" to 2-1/2" wide, but use plenty of wider strips, in the 3-4" range.

That sounds more confusing than it is when I see it all written out. Would you prefer photos to illustrate?

I also wanted to mention that there are still a few days left to enter my sewing kit and pear pattern giveaway. So please enter. Right now!

Have a happy weekend!
Kim

Pick a pear

I was spending some quality time with my fabric stash the other day and lamenting how there just isn't enough time in the day (or week or year) for me to sew through it all. The time had come for me to share some of those favorite prints that I've been storing, so that others (you) can enjoy them too.

So, today I am announcing the arrival of Retro Mama pattern kits! Available now:

Hope Valley in Orange and Orchid (thank you, Denyse, for making me love this color combination)

Retro Ruler (this was my number one best selling pincushion, and I love these fabrics as much today as I did when I first discovered them)

I am also selling the sample pincushions from these photos. I don't have immediate plans to make more pears, so if you want a pincushion, now is the time to grab it!

Included in each kit is

*6 designer 100% cotton fabrics to make one pear
*Wool blend felt for leaf and stem
*3 colors of embroidery floss

Remember, the pattern is sold separately!

All the fabrics and materials are hand cut by me, and to minimize waste they are not shipped with extra packaging materials. The kits will arrive in the cute bundle pictured above, with some baker's twine wrapped around it that you can use for crafting or packages. I also ship these kits internationally. More kit prints will be available soon.

I'd love to hear from you--if you have a request for specific fabrics please leave a comment!

AND to make things interesting, as well as reward those of you who made it to the end of this post...If you leave a comment or vote for a new fabric kit, you will be entered to win your choice of one of the pincushion kits above. I'll randomly choose TWO winners on Monday, July 19 to receive a kit so please make sure there is a way to contact you by entering an e-mail address with your name when you leave a comment. One entry per person please.

P.S. The winners will also receive a copy of my Plush Pear Trio PDF sewing pattern :)

Good luck!
Kim