Monday, August 26, 2013

A fabric folding tutorial

I've received a few questions on how I fold my fabric on my shelves, so I've put together a quick little tutorial for you. I started with a one yard cut, but I also fold my half yards with this method.


1. fold fabric in half length wise


2.Bring top of fabric down to the middle


3. Bring bottom half up & fold it over the part you just folded down, making a nice clean edge on both sides


4. bring the left side over & fold it in half, matching up the ends again. Now you have a perfect rectangle ready to stack on your shelf!  


5. Stack & enjoy your nice neat pile of beauties!=)


I've always folded my yardage this way & really love the way it showcases the print & how neatly you're able to stack them. Now go & have fun folding some of your own!!!



Happy folding & fabric stashing!!    xxKaren

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

My Sewing Room

This post has been a long time in coming & I'm so excited to share my favorite room with you all today! This room has been a "catchall" for far too long & I've been making do by sewing in the permanent disaster that it had become, but enough is enough & I'm so glad I finally gave the junk & misc. stuff the boot! lol I know I absolutely love drooling over others people sewing areas & fabrics stash's so I've got a treat for you. I'm warning you, photo overload ahead!

This is my main fabric storage hutch. My husband built this for me back when I was into scrapbooking & I must say I think it looks much better with fabric instead of paper on it! lol My machine is here & I have plenty of counter space to lay projects out on.


This is the first thing you see when you walk into my sewing room. My temporary design wall,(must get a bigger one asap!) cutting counter & most of my scraps & tools are right here.
 
On my wall are my current projects. Blocks I am collecting from my weekender friends to be made into a weekender bag & the beginnings of a scrappy pouch for a swap.

I made this valance last year with some momo layer cake squares I was given. Sew perfect don't you think?;-)

Another shot of my cutting counter. This is one of favorite views & makes me so happy. I'm also happy to report that I've been able to keep it clean & am more motivated after a project to put everything away so it doesn't stay messed up. Yay for me!

My husband also made this cabinet for me & I am so blessed to have such a talented & supportive hubby! The slot under the top is perfect for storing my poster boards.

This shelf is filled with a few fabric bundles I won & my charm pack collection.

Perle thread, vintage ric.rac & buttons hang out on this shelf. I use the clipboard with very sophisticated sticky notes to keep track of currant swaps & deadlines.

This lovely hanging hoop was made for me by the lovely Krista of Spotted Stone Studio. She was my partner in the swap & I simply adore it & use it all the time!

Scraps & leftover binding get tossed in this basket.

I received this beauty in a swap from the lovely Jackie of chloeandme. Its the perfect place to keep my more currant WIP.

Hoop wall art. Both swapped & thrifted for.;-)

My main scrap storage is this awesome metal organizer I picked up for a few $ at a garage sale once. It's already overflowing though!

Fat Quarters are kept in these baskets & in color order of course! This is the most recent piece of furniture my hubby built for me & I love being able to shelve these & have them looking pretty.

Just a peek into the baskets for all you fabric lovers!!













A few bigger WIP are hung on hangers & looking pretty hanging from the closet door. I can never hide this stuff away you know! It makes me too happy seeing it out!

To the right of my sewing counter, thread, a Christmas mini & vintage hoops. I find these for .50-.75 all the time & like to keep them around for quick projects.



My "collection" "stash" or whatever else you might want to call it!=) I can never pass up a good deal & I've been able to find a good bit of my collection for good deals around here where people are not very tuned into to "modern fabrics". That & I've also done a good bit of swapping, helped others "destash" & of course shopped for the most recent "must haves" online.












 I like to display all the adorable pouches & goodies I've received in swaps that aren't currently in use. I'm sure some of you will recognize the ones you've so lovingly made for me! I adore every single of them!!

My prized Heather Ross scraps & Fq's & my basket of echino scraps.


The view from my sewing machine! It's so happy!

My vintage button collection.
More vintage jars on top of my shelves. These hold anything from buttons, to vintage trims, to zippers, to key fob hardware.
I hope you enjoyed the tour of my sewing room & if you made it to the end, yay!!! ;-) I promise I actually spared you about half the photos & if you beg ask nicely, I might even show you the more detailed fabric shots. lol






I'm linking up with Ellison Lanes & the Studio spotlight!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Pillow Talk Swap

I took the plunge at some encouragement from friends & joined in the newest round of the Pillow Talk swap! I was nervous at first, but when I got my partner information I realized she liked very much the same things I did so it would be easier to make her something. ;-)


This was my first fabric pull & idea. Low volumes with color plus's. After a bit of feedback I pulled the mustard & green & replaced them with brighter shades.
 
 
Here is it is all pieced & getting quilted. I really enjoyed the process of the hand quilting, even taking it along on our drive north one day.
 




My blocks ended up being a bit bigger than I had anticipated & so therefore I only got four on the pillow & that ended up being a large 22"! Good thing my partner liked big! lol

 
 
 
 I seriously love this pillow & am very happy to report that my partner loved it as well!! It looks great on her sofa & plays well with her other beauties.





I added this pretty AMH print for backing & sewed in an invisible zipper. I love the neatness they add.
 

Now the waiting! I am anxiously stalking my mailbox for the beauty that is coming to me! I really have no idea which one it could be so I'm thinking I'm in for a surprise!! ;-)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Modernista swap received!!!

I am so, so excited with my first time in the modernista swap!!!!! (you'll remember my last post with the mini quilt that I sent to my partner Marika .) I am happy to report that it was a huge hit & looks gorgeous in her sewing room!

I couldnt be happier with the GORGEOUS pillow I received from my partner Tiffany !!!!! I had a few ways you could go from my mosaic & she made a perfect representation of one! I love the x&+ blocks, as you know I had asked the girls in the Bee Modern group to make me x&+ blocks in aqua, grey & mustard yellow. I specifically want to incorporate prints from Lotta's Echo & Bella lines in my living room. Anyway, she made me an absolutely perfect pillow along those lines! I think I'll just stop talking now & show it to you.

















Can you see how I am so blown away?!! So Fantastic. I feel so very lucky & sent a huge, huge thank you to Tiffany. It is just so perfect & seriously gigantic!! It measures in at 24" I think!! lol thanks again Tiffany for a awesome first time in the Modernista & I'm already looking forward to the next round! :)

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Modernista swap sewing

I finally got brave (or crazy:) enough to join the "big" girls in the Modernista Swap on Flickr!! I have long admired all the gorgeous pillows these ladies create & decided it was the right time to join in on the fun! Do you think this will be the start of more bigger swaps? ;) I do love a good swap, so fingers crossed I get a good response in this one!

My partner requested a mini quilt for her living room so that is what I've been sewing in my spare time the last few weeks. I finally got the binding stitched on this weekend & can fully reveal it!!!!

I started with a low volume patchwork background & then ironed on & machine stitched & embroidered leaves in purple & yellow prints. The stem is this fabulous yellow twill measuring tape! I am so very happy with how it turned out & am hoping my partner loves it as much as I do!!! :)
 

















Happy sewing!!!! xKaren