Lace Takes The Edge This Season

Click on the link above for a story in the LATimes about the importance of lace in fashion this season. The header states:

The delicate fabric is showing up everywhere, thanks to its strong showing in Miuccia Prada's fall runway collection.

Or go to http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-1026-diy-pg,0,3489605.photogallery for instructions on how to make a lace collar t-shirt. It actually seems more like a lace inset yoke, but you get the idea from the photo to the left. Photo credit: Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

I'm Finally Getting Down to It!!!!!!!

The past week or so has been quite busy at the sewing machine. The first photo is of a crazy patch quilt top for my d-i-law for Christmas. It is 25 11 inche squares, with a 2.5 inch border. I've decided to put one more border on it, but you can see the combination of fabrics I used - hot pink, peach, paler pink with small touches of yellow, purple and green. (Modeled by DH!) I have still to quilt it.

In fact, I liked the combination so well, I took all the little scraps and pieces, and made a number of 4.5 inch squares, shown in the second photo draped on the ironing board. I want to use this for a summer bag. I am still looking at it, trying to decide if I want to cut it up one more time to mix the fabrics even more.

On November 1, Courtney turns 13! All girls (of any age) need a new dress for their birthday. In fact, I was surprised she wanted one, as she is such a tomboy. She picked out the dress pattern - Simplicity 3629, a Project Runway pattern. I used a cheaper red satin, with a sequin fabric for the yoke. I did this as I know she will be very tough on this dress. I ended up having to use Fray Check all around the dress pieces. In the photo above, you can see the dress in progress-I plan to add some of the sequined fabric to the sleeve as well. Because her birthday is so close to Christmas she wanted a red one.

Today, I was at Joanne's, looking at the McCalls patterns that were on sale. I picked up this coat pattern - Hillary Duff M5765. I think I will get some red fleece fabric and make a coat for her for Christmas to match the dress.

On Monday night I had a sleepless night, so I got some of this sewing done then. I also cut out a muslin for a man's shirt to fit for my DH. I haven't basted together as yet, but that is coming quickly. I also sewed a two layer fleece blanket for Christmas for Courtney's brother Skyler, so that is one present down.

Progress on the Beginning of Christmas

I finally got a bit of sewing done Monday and Tuesday!!

I cut my 5.75 yards of fabric strips for the pink/apricot/purple crazy patch quilt. Sewed them together. And have cut them into 37 twelve inch squares, and taken the pieces left over and sewn them into six medium to large pieces of crazy patch.

I grouped the squares into 5 - 6 stacks, and cross cut for the first crazy patch match. I must sew these together, then cross cut again to keep the crazy patch theme going. Once that is done, they will be cut into same size squares, and sewn into the top of the quilt.

I am thinking now that I might actually have enough for two projects out of this group.

I'll post photos as I make more progress. The combination sounds like a mess, but it is actually bright and lively.

Thinking About Christmas

I have continued my lack of sewing for the past week - again. I just can't get motivated.

But I have been thinking about Christmas. I know these things are on my list:

- Carpenter's Wheel Quilt for brother;
- Pink/Peach crazy square quilt for d-i-law;
- four total flannel p.j.'s for the boys;
- four total satin kimono style housecoats for the nieces and s-i-law(I got the fabric in later spring from http://www.fabric.com when it was on sale for $1.99 a yard);
- four shirts for dh;
- what to make for son, mother, aunt and friends?

Help Me Decide

CLICK TO INCREASE SIZE

I want to make my brother a quilt for Christmas (2008 or 2009??) using the Carpenter's Wheel design. (see a sample pattern at http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CarpentersWheelBlock.html). I've collected eight different wood print fabrics to make this.

In trying to plan the design, I photocopied the fabrics, cut them up into 2 inch squares, and taped together three different blocks (above). The only color that really did not translate in the photos is the cream/yellow wood grain that looks plain white in the photos.

I am undecided about which looks best. I tend to like the first on the left. I like the second as well, but the third looks too busy. What do you think? Leave your comment and help me decice.