Winter Sewing

Is it cold where you are? Here in Ohio it is cold. (Can you tell from my picture that I am cold?) Cold, cold, cold. There’s snow. And cold. Did I mention the cold? Going anywhere is a chore. Will it ever be warm again?

I got so excited after our Jane Sassaman giveway that I decided to get creative Jane-style about protecting myself against the cold. A quick dig in my stash turned up some of her fabulous fabrics and some cozy polar fleece. I set to work on her Cozy Cowl Scarf pattern.

Not only does this scarf look great and keep my poor neck warm, but it took maybe only 2 hours to make. I have a beloved special Bernina foot that sews on buttons. Not only does this save time and sew on the button more securely, but it saves my cold fingers from having to touch a cold hand-sewing needle. Here are a few pictures of my work:

How about making a few of these for Christmas gifts next year? The possible fabric combinations are endless. I think I could come up with several hundred from my stash alone!

How about you? What about some ideas for gift sewing? Send me your ideas! I’ll post them in time to get started on your holiday sewing next year. Put ideas in the comment box below or email me at linda@dragonthreads.com.

Dragon Threads Gift Workshop

For the second year in a row, my friend Vicki and I made Christmas presents for our dear friends. It feels GREAT! Of course, I couldn't post what I was doing before or our friends would know what they were getting.

Our projects didn’t take much time. We started organizing what we needed this fall, completing out our lovely gifts little by little. We didn’t feel pressured at all. In fact, these projects are a great way to use up some of that fabric you have in your stash. Believe me, that feels good, too.

We used a terrific (and free!) pattern from Beth Wheeler, changing just a little.  I made about 20 of these "padfolios". They honestly they don't take more than an hour or so to make. I had so much fun coordinating fabrics from my huge stash. It was surprising how many things went together perfectly. Here is the link to the project:

Padfolio by Beth Wheeler from the C&T Publishing Blog (a great source of neat project ideas). Here’s hers:

 

Here’s mine:

I made the following changes:

1. I cut a 4" sq of fabric,pressed it on the diagonal and tucked it in the corner for a business card holder.  That is also where I attached my label.
2. To cover the top of the pad of paper, I pressed a piece of steam-a-seam 2 about the size of 2.5" x 5.5" to the back of fabric, then cut it down to 2" x 5" and peeled off the paper backing and pressed it over the paper top of the notepad and folded it over to the back. I didn't like seeing the store brand name when I opened up the book.
3. Also the zigzag were length of  0.4 and width of 3.0 for the first pass and then 3.7 for the second pass.

Here is the inside of mine (Sorry! The label is blurry):

Vicki and I had such a good time these past two years that we’ve already started planning next year’s gifts, made and delivered of course with love. I

Last year’s project was a bag from an Indygo Junction pattern.

If you can’t recall from yesterday, here’s how they turned out:

Later this month I’m going to post a couple of good ideas to use as inspiration for next year.

Famous Quilting Friends

In the newest issue of the magazine International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene I picked up this week, I found two friends were featured. 

Barbara Olson wrote a very informative article called, "The Threads Creates the Design". She demonstrates her use of threadwork with many illustrations. We published her best-selling wonderful book a few years ago, Journey of an Art Quilter: Creative Strategies and Techniques. It's still selling! Barbara has a busy teaching schedule around the world.  Take a look at this article. It will help you with your art quilts. 

Also featured is my friend and up-and-coming art quilter, Beth Schillig.  You've read about her in previous blog posts. She has been sewing garments all her life, but in the last few years has found her passion for art quilting and has won many ribbons.  Her amazing quilt, Jeepers It's Jane, is shown right next to the likes of Ricky Tims and other famous award-winning quilters. She is thrilled to be in this national magazine!

Next week I leave for Quilt Market in Houston and will find more interesting trends and ideas to blog about in the next few weeks.  Keep watching!

Koos in ORNAMENTS Magazine and SNEAK PEAK!

The latest issue of ORNAMENTS magazine has a gorgeous 6 page article on Koos.  All the photos of his studio and fantastic garments are wonderful!  Our book, Koos Couture Collage, is referenced and I was surprised to be quoted in the article!

I've been to Koos' workroom many times. It is such an inspirational place full of interesting photos, objects, and fabrics. Read the article and you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like to be there yourself.

Koos doesn’t teach very often, but this September in Michigan you can ake one of his rare workshops. He’ll be teaching at the American Sewing Expo. Check out:  www.americansewingexpo.com.  It's a fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get some honest critique on making art to wear from a world-famous fashion designer.

Last, I have a special sneak peek from Vogue Patterns for my blog followers of Koos' next pattern.  This scalloped coat is available in October and is Vogue #1213.  I can't wait to get this pattern. I'm already collecting coordinating wools!

PS. If you're looking for any out of print Koos Vogue patterns, email me and I may have it.

To see more of Koos and his work go to his website @ www.koosnyc.com.