Monkey Quilt

Oh how I covet this Monkey Quilt!

It is made by Laurraine Yuyama. Look how his little ears stick out! So cute I can't stand it.

My youngest son's room is monkeys and I've been searching for bedding to transition him to a big boy bed. I came across this adorable quilt and am contemplating making it. However, the thought of cutting all those little fabric pieces is daunting to me. I love to sew...the physical act of creating / stitching. I do not like the prep work of cutting pattern pieces. I have to mull it over a bit more before I commit. I'm so slow he will probably be in college before I could complete it and I don't think his fraternity brothers would appreciate my labor of love.

She made this One Little Monkey quilt too and I might be better able to manage just one monkey. If anyone out there is feeling especially handy with scissors please feel free to cut away and send me the pieces ready to quilt!

To see more photos of her monkey quilts and other creations click here to visit her blogspot Patchwork Pottery. The pattern to make her 9 Monkey Quilt can be found in Lark Books "Quilts, BABY!".

Happy October!

Happy October! This is my favorite month..... pumpkins, mums, cooler weather and dressing up in costumes!

October ushers in Fall colors and Halloween fun! Click here for Halloween tutorials to make fun decorations, cute costumes and fancy treat bags. Even Halloween quilts!

September is National Sewing Month

The observance of National Sewing Month began in 1982 with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan declaring September as National Sewing Month "In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation".National Sewing Month is a time to indulge your passion for sewing or introduce yourself to the craft if you've never tried it before. Sewing enthusiasts can find free sewing projects and guidelines for sewing, embroidery, craft and applique articles available on the Sewing and Craft Alliance website at www.sewing.org.

Click here to take the National Sewing Month Survey and Enter to Win prizes from the Sewing and Craft Alliance.

Quilting Class

I just saw the list of Life Enrichment Classes the W is offering this semester and one of the founders of Possum Town Quilters of Columbus is teaching a beginners quilting class. The description reads, "Learn about modern day quilting tools and how to use them, simple blocks, and how to finish your quilted item". SOUNDS FUN! Click here for more information on the class.

Click here to connect to the Possum Town Quilters site.

Favorite Fabric Spots

We had such a nice get together at our last meeting. I finished my casserole carrier (just have to find some handles to add before I post a photo), Lorena completed a grilling apron for her husband and Cindy started a bag using her recently acquired Japanese fabric. And best of all Susie brought fabric from her Grandmother to share with everyone.....it was a nice little addition to my stash!

We were discussing our favorite places to buy fabric and supplies during the meeting. Since we don't have many options locally I buy most of my "ingredients" online so I thought I'd share my favorite sites with everyone. If you have a favorite fabric or notions supplier that isn't listed here please share it with us!

Fabric.com

The Needle Shop on Etsy

J & O Fabrics

PurlSoho.com

Tonic Living

Pink Chalk Fabrics

QuiltHome.com

I hope you enjoy browsing my favorite fabric sites!

March Sewing Project PAJAMAS!

I came across this photo of super cute (and seemingly simple) pajamas and had to make them. I love the idea of attaching a piece of coordinating fabric to a pre-made t-shirt and the matching bag.....well, you know my love for bags! The pattern is by the Australian company Make It Perfect. I bought mine from Cedar House Fabrics on Etsy. If you're not into buying a pattern there are lots of fun tutorials to make similar PJs. I listed some below for you.

One Crafty Place Pajama Pants

The Mother Huddle Lounge Pants

Pick Some Creativity Design Your Own Pajama Pants

Creative Kismet Pillowcase Pajama Shorts

Hope you join me in making PJs.

February Meeting Coming Up

Sewing Club Meeting on Saturday, February 19th 1:00-3:00. Please email me for directions.

Bring your machine to work on a project or just come by and visit with everyone. I'll be working on the February Project.....a casserole carrier. If you'd like to make one too click here for patterns and tutorials.

My favorite part of getting together is the inspiration I'm left with after seeing what everyone has made or is working on so please feel free to bring a sewing project that you've recently completed, want to start, or fabric, books, patterns, etc. to share with us.

Hope to see everyone soon.

The Sewing Summit

A Sewing Summit?! Have you heard about it? It is a sewing conference for the "modern sewist" planned for October in Salt Lake City. They are planning classes, panels, speakers, vendor demonstrations.... OH MY I'm overcome! Click here to find out more information on The Sewing Summit.

February Sewing Project - Casserole Carrier

At my "Mommy Meeting" recently I saw the cutest casserole carrier and thought it would be a fun sewing project. I'm going to make one with a pocket in the bottom to insert something to keep your dish warm or cold.

Wouldn't this make a great Mother's Day gift? Click here for CASSEROLE CARRIER patterns and tutorials.

How to Make a Piggyback Pocket

Look at these cute little pockets! I love them. This would be a nice little something different and special to add to your projects.

Click here to learn how to make a Piggyback Pocket.

Holiday Sewing

I just finished sewing my first round of Christmas presents. Making things for people on my holiday list is so much more fun than shopping! I call these Sorority Sister Shoe Sacs...... I followed the tutorial and didn't put a lining in but I don't like the raw edges that you see when you open up the bag. Next time I think I'll have to line them or sew it somehow so there are no raw edges. One gift down! Hope you are enjoying your holiday sewing.

Click here for the shoe bag tutorial.

Click here for more holiday sewing gift ideas.

I'm BACK....

I'm Back....After several hospital stays and the birth of my newest addition I've been holed up in my home venturing out to complete only the most necessary of tasks. However, of late, I've gotten out a bit more and realized how much I missed getting together with friends and sharing ideas and inspirations.

I actually finished a few little sewing projects lately and it fueled my motivation to work on more! I'll start posting on my blog site again and hopefully plan some get togethers for the local sewing club soon.

If you have any new projects that you've completed I'd love to see pictures and if you have an idea or pattern / tutorial to share with us please forward them to them to me at harrison1832@gmail.com.

Pictured is one of the sewing projects I've finished lately. The Monkey Sac; a laundry bag for my littlest one.

Check back soon for more idea posts, projects, tutorials and information on local meetings.

February Meeting Update

Hope this recent SUNNY weather is putting a spring in your step!

Just a reminder that our February Sew Southern Sewing Club meeting is this Saturday, February 20th from 1:30-3:30 at my house. If you would like to join us and need directions please email me. You can bring your machine to work on projects or just come and hang out with us. Please always feel free to bring patterns, tutorials, fabrics, books or ideas to share with the group.

I'd like to start a fabric swap box so if you have any fabric scraps or pieces that you are not going to use yourself and would like to donate please bring them for our swap box.

If you completed or are working on our February group sew along project please bring your creation....I'd love to see your aprons!

Here is a picture of the nursing apron I completed since I already mailed it off to its intended recipient. I made it reversible with coordination fabrics and a terry cloth corner on each side for easy wipe-ups.

Hope to see everyone this Saturday, Tonya

Add Color to Your Winter Sewing with 40% off

Add some color to your winter sewing with 40% off Hushabye by Tula Pink.

Click here to shop at Pink Chalk Fabrics and enjoy the 40% discount on Hushabye!

February Sewing Project - Aprons

February Sewing Project..... APRONS!

I know all of us probably have an apron or two but these fun variations inspired me.

I especially like the idea of the men's grilling apron. I'm always trying to think up gifts for the guys and I think this would be a fun thing to make them!

Click the links below to follow the tutorials! Hope to see some fun aprons at our February meeting!

Quick Apron

Full Apron Nursing Apron

Children's Art Apron

Kid's Chef Apron

Men's Grilling Apron

January Meeting Update #2

OK, it has been a hard month to get it together! I just found out that my husband has to work this Saturday and therefore cannot watch my son so lets meet at my home. Same day and times as planned; this Saturday, January 23rd 1:30-4:00. If you plan to come and haven't been to my new home yet please email me for directions. Hope to see you this Saturday.

January Meeting Update

Hi all.....hope your holidays were peaceful and pleasant! Speaking of holidays; for Christmas we received tickets to an event in Memphis this coming weekend so I need to reschedule our meeting for January 23rd 1:30-4:00 Beans and Cream. This meeting will be low key; just bring any projects that you'd like to work on or would like help with and if you've completed something fantastic please bring it to share with us. If you have any ideas for club sewing projects please forward on to me! Hope to see everyone soon.

Sewing Club Update

Hi all. I apologize once again for my absence.... the pregnancy, move, and family events have had me snowed under! With the holidays coming up I'm thinking we'll take a break from meeting until the new year. Lets get together again on Saturday, January 16th 2010. Mark your calendars now! We will also take a break from our monthly club sew along project until January. I don't know about you guys but I need to focus on completing Christmas presents! I'll be looking for January club project suggestions so if you come across something you'd like us to make together please send me the info! If you need holiday gift ideas click here for member suggestions and tutorials.

Amy Butler's New Fabric LOVE

Amy Butler is my favorite fabric designer. Her prints are the whole reason I even started sewing! She has just come out with a new fabric line and of course I love it. Ironically it is called LOVE. Click here to see her new fabric collection.

She even has a few laminates in the LOVE line.... whoo hooo I see lots of beach bags in my future!

Hope you "love" it too.

October Sewing Project - Purse Organizer

You've probably noticed that my posts have been a little scarce lately. The pregnancy and move have left me little time (and motivation) to do much else but eat, sleep, and pack so I was thrilled to get this suggestion for our club sewing project (thanks Lorena). A Purse Organizer for organizing your necessities so that it makes the transition to another purse in your collection easier as you're running out the door. What a great idea! Click here for the purse organizer tutorial.

15% coupon for fabric.com

Use code 5thx9 for 15% your order at fabric.com. The code is good for 30 days and can be used as often as you like. Hope you get some great fabric deals!