BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!

Hello All....

Hard to believe, but it will be one year since I started this blog on June 5th! So, to celebrate, I have decided to do my first giveaway! I know that these are quite popular in BlogLand, as I wish I had found out in time about the Sew Mama Sew event that ends today. I know lots of you follow various blogs and love getting to participate in the different giveaways.

I am giving away 3 sets of my new patterns just released for Spring Market....they are the Catherine Coat, Olivia Dress, and Sylvia Sling. Here is a photo of the pack you could possibly win....



I will be doing the drawing on Friday, June 5th and announcing the winners next weekend. Please leave a comment on the blog and you will be successfully entered!

Thanks to those of you have left such nice comments over the past year as I started out on this journey in blogging. It has been nice meeting you, and I look forward to meeting even more of you!

Happy Sewing.....

Market Report!!

Hey Everyone!

We are back from Pittsburgh where the Spring Quilt Market was held. We have never been to Pittsburgh before and weren't sure what to expect, but it was great! It only rained a little bit one evening and the weather was otherwise fantastic. We visited with a lot of shops and designers and I have to say that our industry is doing well, despite the gloom and doom you will hear these days. We are all grateful for our wonderful customers and will continue to work hard to bring you the best designs as the year progresses.

I met some great new people....probably not new to you in the blog world...Paula Prass and I finally met face to face after emailing each other since last market. She and her daughter are delightful, and of course, Paula is one of the great new fabric designers for Michael Miller. You will see some of her fabric in my booth if you look closely. She was premiering her new line Summer Soiree at market and everyone just loves it! Here is my Carmen Convertible Bag that I made with it. I am not sure when the line will be out, but it should be soon.

Our next door neighbors were the Quilted Fish. Amanda Herring is the talented designer, and we had such a fun time getting to know one another! She is new to the industry, so please go check out her great designs. She and all of the gals who worked in her booth were just fabulous people! We look forward to getting together at fall market in October (which isn't that far away...). Here's me and Amanda....


We also met Trish Preston of Two Peas in a Pod. She was shopping ideas for a fabric line, so let's all keep our fingers crossed that good things will happen for her. She is so fun to talk to and has a great energy about her. Be sure to visit her blog and etsy store as well!

Of course, we saw good friends from previous markets as well. We visited with Jona and Joey from Fabritopia (GREAT PEOPLE!!), and Jona is just the best blogger ever....I aspire to be as dedicated as she is! Check out the link to her blog on the right....Stop Staring and Start Sewing!. We also talked with Chelsea from Pink Fig and Lila Tueller, who designs fabric for Moda as well as having her own line of patterns. We also saw our friends Heidi and Roland from Quilt Home. They are just the best people....they have one of the best fabric websites out there, so be sure to check them out. They always have the latest and greatest in fabrics, including all of those wonderful home decorating fabrics that make for wonderful jackets, I might add....keep them in mind when you get ready to shop!

I am including some photos from market from each day...so you can see what I wore and how the booth looked.

This is my outfit from Day #1. I am wearing a version of the Catherine Coat. This one is featured in a new line of fabric from Moda, French General. It is a beautifully textured piece of fabric with a subtle red stripe. Everyone loved it! The tunic dress I am wearing is the Sabrina, also made from a print from the same line. I added some fabulous silk for its luxurious shine and texure. Notice the drawstring at the back waistline of the coat in the next photo. I am planning on offering the instructions for that on our Catherine Coat page as a downloadable pdf for anyone interested.

This is my outfit for Day #2. It is the Olivia Dress and it is made from a great border print offered by Michael Miller called Pod Posey. I love how you can play around with border prints and get this nice effect! Notice my shoes in the second photo.....someone actually took a photo of my feet with me standing on my floor quilt, so don't be surprised if you see them somewhere!!

And here is my outfit for Day #3. It is another version of the Catherine Coat. The fabric is from Dena Designs for Free Spirit. It is the home decorating twill weight....bought it at QuiltHome.com!! (see, I told you that you are going to have to get some fabric there!)

We had a great time in Pittsburgh....good food, and terrific markets in the Strip District. Be sure to check it out if you are ever there. I wish I could shop at those markets on a regular basis, but the commute from there to Texas is a bit much!

Enjoy the photos and we'll be talking again really soon.....

All Spiffed Up for Market!

Well, I have been busy sewing for myself (for a CHANGE) and it has been so fun! I made two new bags to take on our trip to market. One is a purse and the other a travel bag for reading, snacks, and probably a small knitting project for the plane, plus whatever else last minute stuff I decide I think I can't live without.

The first one I am going to show is from the Sara Satchel pattern. I decided to use the one-sided Peltex fusible in it instead of the buckram/fusible fleece combo and it worked great. I highly recommend this substitution if you are thinking about making this bag. Notice also that I decided not to crease the sides for a different look.

The next bag is from my new pattern, the Sylvia Sling. I used a mish-mash of fabrics on it this time in the three piece variation for the side. I am really liking the different fabrics together and how each side has its own personality. Note that this bag is loaded with my junk and still manages to look great!

I plan on getting another Olivia tunic length dress made to wear at market plus some skirts.....so nice to carve out some fun sewing time! Let me know what you think about these sewing adventures!!

Hope you have time to get some sewing in this weekend, and Happy Mother's Day to all of you hard working moms out there!!

New Designs for Spring

Hello All! It has been a while, and yes, I think I have a good excuse for that! I have been busy at work over the past six weeks preparing for Spring Market in Pittsburgh and continuting the work on the book. I can't believe that we will be on a plane this time next week! The booth stuff shipped yesterday, so I am pretty much finished here with the exception of a few illustrations to finish and get off to the publisher and a bit of sewing for myself. I almost feel guilty for taking the time to sew for myself, but not quite!

Anyway, I thought I would share some photos of the new designs that will make their premiere next week at market as well as on our website for you to purchase if you so desire. I designed a new coat, dress and bag. Believe it or not, my brain is already thinking about what will be released for the fall....lots more cool stuff to come!

The Catherine Coat is offered in three lengths: hip, fingertip, and knee. It has 3/4 or full length slightly gathered sleeves with several options for cuffs. Other design elements include a large optional collar, button or tab closure, an Empire waistline, and A-line lower jacket. I had fun with many different fabrics for this coat, ranging from home decorating fabrics, veleveteen, and even some Minky plush for a robe version! Wow, does that stuff ever shed! The results are wonderful, but what a mess!!


The Olivia Dress is also offered in three lengths: hip (for wearing like a tunic), above knee, and mid-calf. It features a large yoke at the neckline with gathered raglan sleeves and has options for contrast fabric at the waist or a tie belt. The dress buttons down the front, so it is fun to play with different looks such as vintage or covered buttons. I played a lot with different fabrics for this design as the brown floral dress is a great border print by Michael Miller. I love the way the border plays along the hem and bodice of the dress!


The Sylvia Sling is the new bag. I based it on the popular hobo style with my own twists here and there. It came out to be a nice roomy bag without being too large and I love the way it hugs your body when carrying it! It is a great way to showcase a group of coordinating fabrics. It has a zippered closure and features many interior pockets. You also have options for the handle details such as a decorative buckle, large buttons, or a fabric flower.


All of the new patterns feature tissue pieces, even the bag! These will go on sale sometime next week. Hope you enjoy your preview!!