Tag Archives: weekend projects

recent weekend makings.

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It’s been fun slipping in a few non-market related items over the last few weekends.

The first was a camera strap for my sister and her brand new camera.

 

lauries camera strap

made from the camera strap pattern in this booklet.

(fabric credits : stamped, dear stella, and some architextures)

 

lauries camera strap_2

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Then there was a Super Tote.

supertote outside_noodlehead

Except I added cording to the entire front. (Would have added to the back too but ran out…)

supertote outside fabric

Pleated gusset is a sweet lil detail.

supertote pleat

Loving the elast-i-fied inside pockets. They will hold a TON.

supertote insides

Great pattern.

(fabric credits : stamped, Yoshiko Jinzinji, Robert Kaufman linen, and some architextures)

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And finally some wiksten tanks that I’d been dying to make. These suckers go together nice and fast–I whipped out 2 in one day.

First with tsuru.

wiksten tank_tsuru

wiksten tank_tsuru

Then with some architextures.

wiksten tank_architextures_carolyn friedlander

wiksten tank_architextures_carolyn friedlander

I’m going to be living in these this summer.

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saturday sewing binge.

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I LOVE getting totally lost in a project, and that is exactly what happened over the weekend.

 

It all started with these guys that I’d picked up the day before at a quilt show.

 

ed emberley fabrics

 

Ed Emberley from Cloud9. I’d already been obsessed, and then finding some and actually having them in my possession made it impossible to resist.

 

For a hot minute, I thought about using them in a future pattern, but no. That idea was quickly turned down when I realized that I kind of wanted to make a quilt for no real reason.

 

After the fabric, my next muse was a project in this beautiful book by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison. Such a lovely, lovely book, and it’s been calling my name for a while. Candy Coated, aka the cover quilt, is exactly what I was looking for.

 

Sunday Morning Quilts

 

The fabric pull was fun. Especially because this pattern buys me all sorts of scrap liberties. I happily helped myself to a load of stuff and will continue to do so as the project grows. Sweet, merciful fabric.

 

fabric pull

 

The warm ochres in the lion print are majorly enticing, and I’m coupling them with some grays, lush blues, and plenty of neutrals. I’ve got the first few rows together, and hope to find time to plug away on it again soon.

 

candy coated lions in progress

envelope making.

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architextures fabric envelopes_carolyn friedlanderI’ve been making some envelopes.

envelope maker

With some card stock, fabric, stamps, and my trusty templates (above), I’ve been working to build back up my stash. I can’t seem to find the exact templates that I bought on etsy before, but these look like a great option.

architextures fabric envelopes_flat_carolyn friedlander

 

architextures fabric envelopes_carolyn friedlander

 

architextures fabric envelopes_carolyn friedlander

 

architextures fabric envelopes_carolyn friedlander

 

stamped envelopes_carolyn friedlander

 

stamped envelopes_carolyn friedlander

 

Scraps of fabric work great for the liners, and I made cardboard templates once I got the sizes down. I’m thinking you could make some fully fabric versions with a little interfacing–will have to try that next time. Then I used some spray adhesive to attach the lining, and double stick tape to keep everything else in place.

 

 

 

hello new year!

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I’m feeling quite refreshed after taking a break. I had my computer turned off for at least a solid week, which is nothing short of a miracle. I did sneak a moment here and there on my ipad, but overall my effort to disconnect was successful, and my chi feels good.

 

While unplugged, my biggest goal was probably not to obsess over my schedule, making lists, or filling every moment with something productive. Aside from a couple of personal projects in mind, I just wanted to let go and enjoy. Some highlights were getting lost in good reading, knitting on a project that had gone totally dormant, spending time with family and friends, baking, sewing, and even getting lost in a 24 marathon. It’s been good.

 

Cue the visuals.

 

Shrug update: She’s being blocked, which means I’m closing in on the finish line. It’s always amazing to me how much lace opens up when blocked–a good reminder since I’m always tempted to skip this step. (Try to ignore the heinous pink towel and shoddy blocking system.)

 

blocked shrug

 

Single girl‘s got some new additions. It’s fun being able to work in some architextures.

 

 

single girl rings

I’ve been page-turning to Kaffe Fassett, vegan ultramarathoning, and industrialized fashion (not pictured). All very enjoyable.

 

reading book pile

 

Craft-wise, I’ve got a stack of flagged pages and projects from some recent acquisitions. (Apparently I’ve got a Japanese obsession going on. What can I say?)

 

craft book pile

 

And I’ve even gotten a start on a tunic from the Stylish Dress book (on top). I need to work out a few alterations, so it’s gonna hang for a bit while I ponder on that. The tea calendar was something I picked up at Quilt Market from Spoonflower. All it needed was some architextures binding to finish it off, which miraculously felt like the thing to do one afternoon.

 

tunic in the making

 

So, lesson learned that breaks are good. I’m feeling pumped to start a new year off with some energy and excitement for whatever it may bring. I’ve taken time to review the good stuff of 2012 and will continue to map out goals for 2013. I do love my goals.

 

Hope you are able to do some of the same. Happy New Year!

 

 

recently made: clutch.

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Finally a new purse.

 

architextures clutch front_carolyn friedlander

 

 

I used this noodlehead pattern and really enjoyed it. The fabrics are from architextures with the exception of the strap and flap detail. Those are a Philip Jacob feather print.

 

Using my gray ledger print on the bias has been really fun–especially for some thick cording.

 

architextures bias cording_carolyn friedlander

 

architextures bias ledger cording_carolyn friedlander

 

Peach pockets on the inside.

 

architextures clutch inside_carolyn friedlander

 

My new go-to label system.

 

architextures clutch label_carolyn friedlander

 

Hardware (from the buckle guy) that I just happened to have on hand. Love it when that happens.

 

architextures clutch hardware_carolyn friedlander

 

architextures clutch backside_carolyn friedlander

 

Instead of using a magnet or velcro, I decided to go binder-style and use 2 vintage buttons from my stash with some braided embroidery floss.

 

architextures clutch closure_carolyn friedlander

 

 

late summer showers.

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before the storm

 

The early evening showers have been quite regular this week, and I love the drama right before it all goes down. The colors and light get kind of intense. I snapped this yesterday while taking a look at our first pineapple in bloom. Fresh pineapple is one of my favorites, and I honestly had no idea that the bloom was so pretty. The purple and peach are quite unexpected.

 

fresh pineapple

 

The week has been great. I got four new quilt tops ready and almost all basted that I’ll be taking with me to Houston for Quilt Market. Quilting them will be next.

And I’m not quite sure what’s on the agenda for the weekend, but I do feel deserving of a little down time.

 

One thing might be to take a look through the latest GenQ. That came in the mail this week.

 

gen q second issue

 

 

And it’d also be great to make use of this fun fabric that I scored at the quilt shop yesterday while stocking up on backings.

 

purple and gold fabric

 

 

Warm cerise with flecks of gold…so lovely. Single girl maybe? Very likely.

happy weekend!

 

more summer sewing.

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carolyn friedlander feather shirt detail

 

I’ve been obsessed with this fabric. So much so that I think I’ve accumulated a little from each of the different color ways. I thought this ochre version would make a perfect summer shirt, and recently I took some time to knock it out.

 

carolyn friedlander feather shirt

The pattern is copied from one of my favorite ready-to-wear button-ups, so it fits perfectly. The original had sleeves, but I didn’t think I needed those. It’s summer. The shirt came together fairly quickly and with one pleasant surprise – the front repeat nearly lines up. I was shocked. Wish I could say that was because of my mad skills.

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And then I’ve also had a recent failure. Remember this knitting project I was eager to start? Well I was finally getting to the end when I realized I had been working from the wrong chart for the body. Instead of maintaining the right shape, I was working from the chart that handled the decrease. Doh! So now, I have this misshapen thing that is far from being rescued. I guess I’ll have to suck it up, take it all out, and start over. In the meantime I picked up the first issue of Noro magazine. Boy does it have some good stuff in there! Maybe I’ll switch over to something in it before picking back up with the shrug.

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Happy summer sewing!

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herringbone card tutorial.

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In honor of the holiday and the fact that I’m planning to do lots of sewing today, I thought I’d share a fun, little project with you.

herringbone sewn stationery set_carolyn friedlander

Being a card person, I like to keep several tricks up my sleeve for making my own. Most of my tricks are derived from available options and needs. This particular approach is inspired by a large pile of extra quilt blocks I have sitting in a drawer.

drawer of extra blocks

Oh my. Does anyone else end up with lots of extras??

Sewn cards are one way to use them, and here’s how to do it.

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Ok, supplies: Nothing crazy here, just some card stock and a leftover from my herringbone runner. This would make a fitting accompaniment if you are giving the runner as a gift OR you can use it for any other purpose. It’ll be pretty and your friends will like it. As far as card stock goes, Paper Source is my fave – all colors and sizes, flat, plain, and simple.

I maintain a stash.

supplies_carolyn friedlander

First things first: I need to do something about my fabric block. It’s larger than my card, and that won’t work. Oddly enough it is exactly twice the length of the card, so I’ll just cut it in half. You could get crazy and cut it up more to use in a different way or on more cards. Your call.

just the right size_carolyn friedlander

It’s now freshly cut in half, and I need to decide which piece goes with which back.

Maybe this way…

cut in half_carolyn friedlander

…or this way?

or should they go this way_carolyn friedlander

Looks good to me.

Now you can pick out your thread. Keep in mind that you will be seeing it from both sides.

This red-orange looks pretty good here.

match thread_carolyn friedlander

And then how does it look with the other?

thread works here too_carolyn friedlander

Contrast is good, and I’m sticking with it. Otherwise you could switch thread.

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Before you start sewing, adjust your stitch length to roughly 3.0. I’m using a straight stitch, but you could get crazy and try a zigzag or something. Just don’t choose a stitch that punctures the paper too much. That would weaken your card, and it could fall apart.

That would be bad.

stitch length_carolyn friedlander

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Here’s a tip: Don’t worry about pinning the fabric to your paper. That would give you unnecessary holes. I like to hold it in place with my fingers.

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Now you are ready to go. Backstitch a little at the beginning and start sewing…

start stitchin_carolyn friedlander

…needle down and pivot at your corners. Keep sewing…

keep stitchin_carolyn friedlander

…until you get to the end. Backstitch to finish. Trim your threads. Repeat with second card, and…

Voila!

stitched cards_carolyn friedlander

And you can also check out the back.

stitched card backs_carolyn friedlander

I like that you can see the stitching. Usually, I’ll use the box or lines as a guide for my message. In this example, I would probably fit the main portion of my note in the box and then use the top portion to create a fun header.

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Then you can pick out an envelope for your first card…

envelope and first card_carolyn friedlander

…and one for the second.

envelope and second card_carolyn friedlander

Finally, think about someone special. Write them a note. Drop it in the mail. Repeat over and over.

Real mail is special, especially when you’ve made it yourself.

Have lots of fun and enjoy the people in your life.

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Happy Fourth!

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weekend sewing success.

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I love it when a sewing project works out, and lately I feel like I’ve been mostly striking out. So finally, a success. How sweet it is.

 

floral blouse

Here’s the pattern, which I adapted into a blouse.

jamie christina miz mozelle dress pattern

The translation wasn’t difficult. I started with a muslin version to test the fit and for placing the darts that I added to the front and back. I also lengthened the bodice and curved the hemline. When I got all of that to work, I updated the pattern pieces, said a prayer, and cut it out. The prayer was because I only had 1 yard of fabric. And guess what, it worked!* And that even included making the bias tape to match! I was stoked.     (*I am kinda short. 1 yard may not work for all sizes.)

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I’ll be making this one again.

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