Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I am not a Farmer's Wife . . .

But I am making a Farmer's Wife quilt.

I know, I know . . .  You thought I taught smocking and sewing. I do . But I also work at a quilt store and teach quilting there. And for the past 12 months we've had a Farmer's Wife club going.

That's what kept me going on this project and I want to complete enough blocks for a throw. I need at least 50 something blocks.

I have 30+ blocks done and here is a preview of some of my favorites.


Maybe you will recognize some of them.














That's enough for now. 
Anybody else done a Farmer's Wife?
I'd love to see.
I'll keep you posted on my progress.









Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Give Away! Get a FREE PATTERN

My good friend and co-worker Amber is hosting a give-away of my patterns. Did you see the Apron she made? So cute from the Lime Rickey pattern.



Amber has a quilt pattern line called Gigi's Thimble that is AWESOME.

If you haven't seen her blog now is the time to CHECK IT OUT . . . A Little Bit Biased.

If you want to enter the drawing for a free pattern click on the PATTERNS tab at the top of this page.

Then decide which of the first five patterns (four Aprons and a Skirt) is your very favorite or if you HAD to choose which would you like to WIN.

Click on over to A Little Bit Biased and follow Amber's instructions for entering the give away drawing.

Good luck!

Oh . . . While you're here poke around and have a look at the tutorials and the smocking pictures. Just click on the slide show in the top right corner to see all the pictures at your leisure.

Happy SEWING!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Learn to Smock!!

Ever want to learn to smock but feel intimidated by the look of all those row and rows?
Take a look at this little smocked top with ruffled shorts.
It's fun, it's colorful and it's done with SHORT rows of repeating stitches.



You can totally do this!!!
If you live near by this is the project I'm using to teach a beginning class at the store where I work
Just Sew in Highland, Utah

The class will be two sessions - One for teaching the stitches and one to help with sewing it all up.
Wednesday mornings - March 27 & April 10.
Maybe I will see YOU there. :)

Sunday, February 10, 2013

The Silence is Broken . . .

This blog has been quiet for several months.
Lots of reasons but none worth going into detail about.
Just two 'foot notes.'

Alaskan Cruise


And Foot Surgery


A quiet blog DOES NOT mean no sewing, quilting or smocking.
On the contrary! There has been plenty of that.

Here are some pictures of recent projects.
The first is the smallest and took the longest!


This is grandson #11 - Mathew Barry modeling his Christening outfit.

That was ALL about LOVE!

This sweet dress is for one of my cousin's granddaughters. It was an auction item at the family reunion. The ruffles were lots of fun and the sash just makes me smile.
Watch for my ruffle tutorial in the next few weeks. I have a great new TRICK!



The last one speaks for itself. This was for Lucy Elizabeth. Her mother is a dear friend and after 3 boys, something special was in order for this darling baby girl.

First the dress - Washed silk Dupioni -- So soft, so classic.










The camera makes it look like shiny satin but real life was vintage silk!
Washing the Duponi was a new experience. It washed just fine. But ironing it was a project. 
It had to been ironed from damp to dry.


All good dresses need a slip.



Slip detail:

AND NOW . . . . 

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE . . . . .

Here's the darling mom and daughter. :)


Oh, Lucy! You are a princess!


See we may have been quiet but we have been busy!