first time for everything

I have never attempted paper piecing. Before now.

I'd always admired the look of paper pieced blocks, but the process seemed too much trouble, all that folding and holding things up to the light and dulling your needles on paper, ripping the paper off the fabric, etc., etc., etc. Essentially, I am a very lazy busy gal. So I'm thinking, there has to be a lazier quicker way to do this. Or at least a method that is a little less mind-straining.

Then, my husband asked me if there was anything more I could do with my fabric house pattern, and of course I couldn't resist the challenge.

I couldn't even be bothered to buy freezer paper.

But I think it turned out pretty well.

My favorite part might be the rick rack on the roof. Or perhaps the chimney? No, it has to be the peek-a-boo number on the door. That's it.

I'm already planning changes for the next house. I'm sure (famous last words) I could squeeze in some smaller details (rounded door? window shade? doorknob??) without having too many meltdowns. Or make the house a little smaller (it's 9" x 9", I'm thinking something more potholder sized?).

How about you? Have you learned any new techniques lately?

housekeeping

Things are going to look a little different around here...please excuse any funny goings-on or broken link-thingies for the next few days!

To help distract you from the dust, I'll leave you with a few photos of samples I made for spring Market for Blend Fabrics

Spring Promise by Ana Davis

Molokai by Jessica Swift

Magic Garden by Sabine Reinhart

Tinsel by Maude Asbury

And, in case you missed last week's Zakka Style Sew Along...Lindsay of LRstitched blogged my patchwork potholder pattern from the book. If you want to sew along, make sure you take a look at my circular binding tutorial!

Happy Stitching!

Kim

So many little ones, so little time

I frequently receive requests for finished items, and even though I reallyreallyreally want to make elephants and owls for all those sweet baby nurseries and dolls for all the adorable kiddos, I just no longer have the time. Sigh. But. I know there are lots of talented stitchers out there who are making beautiful creations with my patterns, and I would LOVE to direct the requests your way.

So. If you are a Retro Mama Stitcher, please give me a shout in the comments or send me an e-mail. I’ll be posting a directory for where to buy finished RM goodies and I want you to be included!

Please read the following for my simple requirements and other info:

1. Make sure that you are following all my policies (particularly that you put the credit line, "This item was handmade with a Retro Mama pattern" in the description for every product made with one of my patterns).

2. A link to my pattern product listings in your descriptions is very much appreciated, though not required.

3. I specifically get many requests for elephants and pincushions, just so you know.

4. Be sure to post your photos on my Facebook page!

Here are a few finished RM items that I found on Etsy

pear pincushions by sewfaithful

elephant softie by eamylove

Greta dolls by whimsyvintage

dachshund softie by bouclenoire

Keep up the gorgeousness!

Happy Stitching!

Kim

felt like it

I added some smaller cuts of felt to the shop...

You'll get 42 6" squares, one in each color, including two brand new grays, pebble (left) and slate (right).

It's a great way to get a sampling of all the colors, or just a nice collection of felt for little applique projects.

If you do want to make your own swatch card, you can download the PDF for free right here (the file has been updated with the new colors).

Happy stitching!

Kim

beach-tiquing

Just returned from a lovely visit with my mom...I brought my good camera with me to Florida, but ended up leaving it behind because I was terrified that I would drop it in the sand after a recent, and very unfortunate, incident involving my laptop and a glass of water, so these photos were taken with my phone...

we went to the beach every morning

saw Crab Island, a submerged island where the water is waist-deep and you can park your boat and swim or fish or play (this photo was snapped before it got busy)

visited my grandpa's boat, the Sweetheart, built in the 1940s, and newly refurbished by her new owner

dined at Dewey Destin seafood restaurant, a local favorite. Delicious seafood (don't be fooled by the trailer-kitchen) and a fun place to eat...

...even if you happen to be a "saucy wench"

and later while shopping, discovered "redneck" goblets, for the sophisticated moonshiner

I also had the good fortune to be introduced to the wonderful Michelle of Flutterby Antiques, who very generously invited us to peruse her immense button collection. Here are just a few of the goodies that I brought home

And with that I must bid you adieu. I have two rowdy boys who are insisting that we take a dip in the kiddie pool. It's not the gulf beach, but it'll have to do for now!

Happy Summer!

Kim

Milo & Moxie

I am so excited to share my new pattern with you! Say Hi to Milo and Moxie, Doxie Softies (Phew. Say that 5 times fast). Dachshunds are some of the cutest pups on the planet, and these two will look adorable on your little one's bed or shelf. They have 2 legs, so they do need help to stand, and join the ranks of my easier sewing patterns, perfect for beginners. The cute felt bone pattern is included.

You will love how quickly these guys sews up, so grab some felt, a pattern, your favorite prints, and get stitching!

Milo & Moxie are made with Spring Promise from Blend Fabrics.

Happy Stitching!

Kim

long time no see

It's been awfully quiet around these here parts, and I'm sorry about that. I'm working on several projects right now and they are mostly Top Secret so I haven't been able to share them just yet. But I can give you a sneak peak of my next pattern, which will be ready soon!

This is my sleepy doxie softie, and you can also expect to see a boy version. Both the softie and the bunting are made with the brand spanking new Spring Promise by Ana Davis. This collection is beautiful, it has a very Fairy Tale feeling and I only wish I had a little girl's room to decorate with these fabrics! Spring Promise is supposed to ship in May, so keep an eye out for it!

I will have more things to show you soon, but in the meantime, put this sweet pup on your To Do list, because I'll have this pattern ready for you within a few weeks, hooray!

Happy Stitching,

Kim

corrections and a tutorial

So you may have heard about this gorgeous book, Zakka Style. And I may have already mentioned that one of my projects is included. It was so much fun to be part of this book!

Well, you know how I am about making sure that my instructions are crystal clear so that anybody can follow them…I had already planned on doing a tutorial for the binding around the edge of my Patchwork Potholders, because this step can be a little tricky, but when I looked over the instructions in the book I realized that that those binding instructions do not work for this project. I’m very sorry for time anyone may have spent ripping seams or frustration that may have arisen from attempting the binding as directed. So, below you will find my instructions as originally intended, corrected and expanded, along with a photo tutorial.

Patchwork Potholder Binding Tutorial and Corrections

The short and sweet instructions for those of you who are experienced with binding quilts:
1. The binding for the pockets should be 2 1/2” wide before folding, sewn with a 3/8” seam allowance.
2. The binding for the potholder should be 3” wide and 30” long (cut on the bias), sewn with a 3/8” seam allowance.

The expanded instructions:
1. The binding for the pockets should be 2 1/2” wide, or 1 1/4” wide when folded once for single fold binding. (You can follow the instructions below for how to attach the binding on each set of pocket pieces, the seam allowances are the same. Put the pockets on the potholder before you sew the outside binding.)

2. For the outside edge of the potholder, cut a strip of linen that is 3” wide and 30” long, on the bias. I used a wider strip than you would for a quilt because all the layers that are inside the potholder, plus the pockets, require the binding to be a bit wider so that it will fit around the thickness.

3. Fold the binding in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press with a hot iron.

4. Using binding clips (or barrettes), clip the binding around the edge of the potholder, raw edges together. Mark where the strips overlap with a fabric pen.

5. Open the bottom strip so it is right side up. Open the top strip so that the right sides of the strips are together, placing the two strips perpendicular to each other as pictured, right next to the mark you made in Step 4. Make sure the binding is not twisted.

6. Carefully move your binding strip to your sewing machine and sew a diagonal seam from where you marked the edge of the binding, to the opposite corner.

7. Refold the binding and re-clip it around the potholder to make sure that you got the length right and that the strip isn’t twisted.

8. Open the binding strip, trim the seam allowance and press it open, then refold and press the binding.

9. Repin the binding to the potholder, raw edges together. Sew the binding to the potholder with a 3/8” seam allowance.

10. Fold the binding over the edge of the potholder and finish by hand with ladder stitches on the back (see the end of my Easter Egg tutorial for how to do this, it's a little tough to demonstrate this stitch with linen on linen!). My favorite tool for handstitching is my leather thimble (first photo), it really does make the job much more pleasant!

Also, I just found out that there will be a Zakka Style sew-along starting April 2, with different bloggers sewing each project from the book. So grab your copy today, and remember to sew along with Penny (aka sewtakeahike) starting June 25th when she makes my Patchwork Potholders!

Happy stitching!
Kim

P.S. The fabrics above are from Maude Asbury's Kitchy Kitchen collection for Blend. I am so smitten with these prints--keep an eye out for more projects with them!

P.P.S. Please let me know if you have any other questions that I could answer about this project!

Today's Specials

For all you felt (and dessert) lovers out there, I've added a few new items to the Retro Mama "menu", expanding my wool blend color palette to 40 colors!

Try the Lemon Chiffon (as seen in my new Spring Pastel collection, 4th color down, a soft buttery yellow)

Or maybe feast your tastebuds on Peachy Keen, Butternut, Hazelnut, Café Latté, Caramel, and Brown Sugar.

You can see all 40 colors on my new color card below (click for a larger image)

Several doll makers have requested skin colors, so I've also added a new doll sampler to the shop

I will be adding a handful of color cards to my shop for purchase, or you can make your own by downloading the PDF swatch card for free and assembling it as you purchase felts.

Bon appétit!
Kim

the big three oh oh oh

I always throw myself a little imaginary party when I hit a fun milestone, although I'd be lying if I didn't admit that actual Thin Mints were involved in my latest party. Apparently Indiana is a big Girl Scout state--you can't leave the house without running into a cookie stand outside of stores. Not that I'm complaining.

This week's celebration is because I have had over 3000 sales at Etsy! In addition to treating myself to a few cookies, I've allowed myself some much desired time to sew.

I'm frequently asked about fabrics for softies, so I'm always keeping a lookout for the "perfect" prints for my soft toys. It's not an easy task. I love bold, bright prints, but they are often so busy that the embroidered eyes get lost in the pattern. And finding cute fabrics for boys is a whole 'nother thing. But lo and behold, my friends at the brand-new Blend Fabrics sent over some gorgeous prints from this talented gal's Magic Garden collection, and they are indeed perfect.

See? {love}

Things are busy busy busy, and with about 15 projects in various stages of completion, I'm getting so anxious to show them to you guys! So I'd best get back to work sewing/drafting/writing, which is also an excellent excuse to catch up on some old-new favorite shows.

In the meantime, keep yourself busy by stocking up on patterns and felt during the last days of my spring sale! Use the code LEAP15 at checkout from my Etsy shop for 15% off your order through Thursday, 3/8. The patterns in my sidebar are pre-discounted.

Happy stitching!
Kim