Michelina's Workroom

Patent Pending!!

2012-01-31T18:27:00.000-05:00

It is official, I have my provisional patent pending for what are now called "Toni's Comfort Tees" , Necessity being the mother of invention, I constructed three of these using large mens tee shirts for fabric and made some post surgical undergarments for my Mom ~the original mother of invention!! Production will be starting soon and then hopefully some distribution to local cancer support groups. So much to do for such a little shirt!

Just Faux Fun

2012-01-25T13:45:00.002-05:00

My first faux painting was probably done at some point in junior high working on stage sets. But now, as an adult, (and an unemployed adult) I have tapped into my childhood resources and embraced my creativity as a source of income. After being laid off from a corporate position, I worked at Gerardo's Italian Bakery for a bit. Taking over an unused corner of a local farm stand and turning it into an Italian haven of cookies and rum cakes we wanted to warm up the area. I volunteered my services and painted the back wall. One mildly distressed wall and one edge of cracked plaster. Not too bad. I was happy that my experiment worked out ok. The bakery expanded and soon my feature wall was stuck behind some shelves and a bread rack, but if you look closely you could see it peeking out.......

A year later, the owners of the farmstand asked if I would be interested in replicating the feature in the luncheon area. Why not?? So I started and before I was even half way done, the project was expanded to a second panel and then a third. Jamie jumped in to help. Another excellent day with him by my side!! We painted the back wall with crumbling plaster, exposed brick and a tiny vine breaking through to the warmth of the inside.

What a great way to spend the day, painting with someone you love, creating a fantasy for others to enjoy and being compensated for your time. Really? Can I just do this every day?

Before we started the wall looked like this: water stained plywood, a few rusty nails.....

Mid process Jamie is painting bricks......
When it was completed we achieved what we set out to do, made a fun wall that not so much copies exactly, but gives you an alternative to reality.

This left side wall and corner will be covered with shelves so we kept the detail here to a minimum. Rumor has it that the walls look better in person. If you would like to visit them, you may! Just go to Bolton Orchards at 125 Still River Road in Bolton MA. http://boltonorchards.com/

Order up some lunch, sit and enjoy the view!

The gifts of Christmas

2011-12-30T10:39:00.001-05:00

Standing, sitting, working together into the wee hours of the morning, my partner and I completed:

eight watercolor quilted placemats
seven matching bucket hats
four flannel pj pants
four Christmas stockings
four quilted placemats
three cotton Hawaiian shirts
one bow tie
one corduroy shirt
a lap quilt
and a three foot bolster for my bed

Understand also that there were no buttonholes on any of the shirts on Christmas morning, that the quilt was wrapped without binding and the cover for the bolster (a surprise!!!) was missing it's closure. Be assured that before the New Year the buttonholes will be in place and the bolster will be snuggled up against my pillows. The quilt was completed and has travelled into Boston to live happily on the futon.

New Years Resolution? Organize my sewing room and keep it organized and, try not to fall down any stairs.....and be patient.

Time

2011-12-07T10:26:00.000-05:00

I just take for granted that I will have the time. The time and the ability to accomplish what I need to before any event. Life always intervenes and yet I still seem to muddle through. So this Christmas with my job in flux and family needing extra care and support what do I do? I proclaim that all my gifts should be made. An easy feat under normal circumstances and thinking that the four day work week would work to my advantage, I plan and begin execution of six (O.K. seven) projects. Then the flying squirrels enter the picture. Nine in total, but I believe it was numbers seven and eight that caused me to rise in the middle of the night and track their movements. Unfortunately tracking their movements involved a flight of hardwood stairs and my back side.
Six hours in the ER, four x-rays and two CT scans later I was released. No work for a week. No sitting, little standing and definitely no right foot sewing machine pedal operation. My sewing schedule is off!!!!!
It's been six days since the fall. Six days of drug induced sleep, bizarre dreams and too many made for TV Christmas movies. Today I am going to experiment with my machine configuration. Standing like the factory workers from the 40's and sewing. If they could do it, I can do it!! More later........

My Mom turns 80 this month!

2011-06-20T17:16:00.002-04:00

My mom turns eighty this month. My brothers and sisters and I threw a party for her to celebrate.
It was a personal choice to speak or not at the party and I chose to remain silent. Not for lack of love or respect, but a personal choice ~ I'm a cryer and figured that the party would be better without tears!! There is so much to be thankful for when it comes to my mother. Everything I love started with her influence.
When someone asks me if I am a 'self-taught' seamstress, I say "No, my mother taught me!" My earliest memories are of sitting on her lap at the sewing machine with my hands resting on hers as she guided fabric under the needle. Listening to the sound of the heavy shears as they cut through the fabric on the dining room table, a sound that to this day fills me with anticipation of wonderful surprises. Those scissors did so much in her hands: made clothing, sliced pizza, trimmed bangs, made paper dolls, feather flowers, slip covers, Fourth of July floats and May Party dresses out of crepe paper. Sewing became the 'thing' that identified me.
As a young woman when it was time for introductions it would sound something like this: this is Lawrence he's an engineer, Lenny's a carpenter, Liz is the artist, Stephen is the musician, Michelle....likes to cook and Celeste is the baby. It is funny because for years I felt cheated as being the person who just liked to cook, but poor Celeste, really, just the baby? So it seemed appropriate that for the birthday party I would make the cake. I do like to cook all sorts of things. So number two on my list of things my mother taught me to love is cooking.

When I moved to North Carolina a little magnet that read "Bloom where you are planted" was given to me by my mom and I hate to admit that I spent alot of time in front of that magnet praying to see the blossoms.....Another thing ~ patience.

But back to the party.....
Not to be outdone by the Royal family we all wore hats: big hats, little hats, serious and silly hats, headbands, crowns, flowers and fruit. Here is mine. A pincushion seemed appropriate and it was made like a slipcover to go over an existing straw hat.

So to my parents I owe everything; my love and appreciation of music and gardening, of art and diversity, my inner strength, my faith and my love of family. Thank You Mom, Happy Birthday!!

Has it really been a year?

2011-03-08T11:14:00.000-05:00

Since last January I have sewn and worked; thought about coming and posting here many times. Never feeling that what I have to say is relevent and so letting it slip away. But today realizing that I haven't shared any projects for a year, I thought it was about time.

I designed and constructed 85 aprons for the bakery. Not exactly the most creative project, nor the easiest on my hands, but when you wear an apron for 10 hours a day, it's nice if it covers your entire chest and not just one side......I hope that the 'girls' are happy with them and appreciate the bias cut and full coverage.

Alterations kept me busy in the sewing room and reorganizing every so often keeps me on my toes.

Christmas projects started early and they included a vintage pattern flannel bed jacket, a set of John Deere satin PJ's, a number of fabric pieced ornaments, a fleece pullover, an asymetrical knit top, and sewing lessons for my love.

Next week end with the weather warming up, a trip to Marden's to see all the fabric I've been missing (and my big sister, who I've also been missing!!) It always gives my imagination a kick start to see new fabric and think about the possibilities. Maybe my sisters garden will be free of snow and we'll get to think of those planting possibilities as well! The smell of damp earth, of clean air and a good cup of coffee mixed in with a new bag of quilting fabric and great company. How could a weekend get any better?

Purge and Organize

2010-01-12T12:33:00.000-05:00

In the post holiday hopes of organizing (yet again) and purging (ditto) my workroom, I found a crumpled sheet of notebook paper. It is two years old and I imagine that I tucked it away for safe keeping. Sometimes when reading my old scratchings I try to remember who I was that day; but this one was vivid and I remember so clearly...

"I awoke amid the morning chaos. School cancellations, phones ringing, alarm clocks, all rudely interrupting my last precious moments of sleep.

I rose to wet snow. Beautiful, spring snow. The sky monotone; no separation of cloud and sky, a grey blanket covering the white.

It's Holy Thursday. I drive to work. I note the trees heavy with snow, heavy yet accepting of the gift they have been given. One last burden before Easter, one last reminder of how we need to wait for spring, for the right time to begin again.

I drive cautiously, feeling as I do every time I take the wheel, my father's presence. "Buckle up, Slow down, Is that a rolling stop?" I ask him aloud to look. Isn't it beautiful?

In the short time I take to get to the plant, the coulds have begun to break. Pale blue peeking through, the sun straining against the grey to warm us below.

Easter and Spring will be here soon."

Friends of Conant Public Library Craft Fair, Nov 14, 2009

2009-11-13T22:59:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of the items that will be at the show tomorrow. A circular clothes-pin bag made with Sunbrella fabric.

There are three "slouch" bags, each made with a different home dec fabric (thank you Wheezy!) Two of them still need some hand work, but what else will I have to do tomorrow?

A new set of Michelini Travel Bags, all cotton batik with vintage buttons.

And ofcourse, the aprons. This set is made with a vintage 1928 bias cut pattern.. camera was a bit goofy this evening (or it could have been me), but the drape on these is lovely.

I hope I see some of you on Saturday!

The Last of the Cover-ups....

2009-09-25T09:53:00.000-04:00

Final selection of aprons for this fair. Many items are left cut and sitting on the worktable, maybe the next show will see them completed! Enjoy!!

All aprons listed to the Fall Fair are for sale. All 100% cotton, all one of a kind! I hope I see you on the common tomrrow!

Three More .... 1946 Aprons

2009-09-24T09:21:00.000-04:00

SO, I think I have the 40's covered. Looking for a great pattern representation of the 30's and the 20's if any of you out there can help me! Here are the last three full bib aprons for the Fall Fair on Saturday. I shot these yesterday late so the colors aren't true, but if you come to the fair you can see them for yourself!

aprons!

2009-09-19T15:55:00.002-04:00

Here are a few examples of the aprons that will be available at the Fall Fair in Burlington on Saturday the 26th.
Functional denim - don't be afraid to get this one dirty!

Hand screened autumnal floral with batik orange flip side, scalloped edge.

Happy paisley print with pink rick rack trim and a purple feather print flip side.

Moms birthday

2009-06-27T22:00:00.004-04:00

I can't believe that it has been almost five months since I last posted here!! Busy with the bakery, job searching and life in general. Here is one of my latest ~ a tunic blouse for my Mom for her birthday (shhh !! she hasn't seen it yet.)

White embroidered linen, 3/4 length sleeve (thanks Liz!) and red shell buttons. I adapted the pattern from a BurdaStyle pattern 'Ellinor' from their download collection. Originally styled as a pull over top I added a neck and front facing so it would be open down the front and then added loops and shank buttons. The sleeves of the original pattern we also quite belled and long, so I shortened them and straightened the line. It really does look better than the photo and maybe if I can get my mom to model, I will post a photo!

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes

2009-02-05T21:54:00.002-05:00

OK, So maybe the IDEA of sewing lessons was a good one.....in any case they are not happening. I am working on a few projects and should have photos up soon. A new English/Italian counting book, a quilt and a new handbag.....

Lessons, instruction, guidance

2008-12-28T09:53:00.003-05:00

I've placed an ad in the local paper for Adult Sewing Lessons. I trust that those who tried their hand at sewing many years ago will realize the value of the craft and will contact me to reintroduce them. For those who never had the experience, I look forward to teaching them a new skill.

I have this logo in the ad (yes, another by my wonderful sister) and hopefully the word will spread. Wish me luck in yet another new venture.....

It's Christmas, It's Christmas, that wonderful season....

2008-12-06T12:32:00.002-05:00

No photos today! Christmas gifts are secret ofcourse and so there will be no photos posted until after the holiday. Sewing is slow going as my wrist heals and maybe those Christmas gifts will end up being I.O.U.'s.

We've had an interesting couple of months here. Our dishwasher flooded the kitchen and warped the new hardwood floors and all the water went into the basement and we ended up with a "water mitigation" crew doing cleanup just after Halloween. Those blasted mice ate through the drain hose....After many days of dehumidifiers running noisily and constantly (!) the floor is almost back to normal. Resurfacing is in the future....

At last the new dishwasher arrived and was installed, it is a thing of beauty. That night as we sat enjoying the hum of the dishes being washed we noticed a problem with the woodstove.....

A chimney fire was blazing and the Fire Department was called. My woodstove is temporarily residing on the back porch until the reinstallment can be done. First year I think I ever had so much wood cut and split (thank you Derek and Sam) and I can't even burn it.....

So, I am forced to decorate for the holidays and warm myself by the radiators but we are all well; healthy, happy, lucky to have family and home and love in our lives. I will be back soon.

Merry Christmas!
Michelle

Mason! My socks don't match!

2008-11-12T18:40:00.004-05:00

Last year I made a set of Christmas stockings for a family that is close to my heart. Each couple had different prints from the next, but all the fabrics were coordinating. One of the couples was expecting and so after the birth of their son, I took the fabrics that made up each of the families stockings and combined them into a stocking for the newest member....I have yet to deliver this stocking, but I know it will get there before Santa arrives!!!

I have had this stocking hanging in my sewing room; I've been looking at it for months and wondering how the boy will spend each of his childhood Christmas Eves and hope that this piece will be a part of them. It prompted me to make a few more for this years craft fair. I did add to the fabric choices and combinations as the scraps would only go so far!!

cozy treats

2008-11-12T15:41:00.004-05:00

Three flannel stockings ready for Santa to fill. These 100% cotton flannel stockings are lined, batted, quilted and ready to hang by the chimney with care....

if you squint your eyes it looks pretty....

2008-11-10T20:21:00.012-05:00

This fabric reminded me of being a child and laying on the sofa at Christmas time and squinting my eyes while looking at the tree.....all the lights and reflections of the ornaments blurring into round balls of light.....the flip side is a subdued green and white stripe with a small red print.

Is it see scallops or eye candy?

2008-11-10T15:48:00.004-05:00

Either way, these aprons are retro just like the last batch. This set is scalloped edge and reversible. This first apron is appropriate for the upcoming holidays with one side covered in red and white peppermint candies and the other in an equally festive stripe. Half round pocket is self lined.

I particulary like how the contrasting fabric just peeks out from underneath as the scallop edges move....

Ruffles in the breeze

2008-11-10T11:52:00.002-05:00

These half aprons are so ingrained as a memory. Never quite these fabrics, but the feeling is still there! Trying to get out of the house while the massive dehumidifiers are running, I stepped outside yesterday and today to photograph. Today was a bit more breezy than yesterday and that only made my ruffles happier! Scallops are next! Stayed tuned.....

roll that crust baby

2008-11-09T16:03:00.002-05:00

"Pie, pie, me oh my,Nothing tastes better, wet, salty and dry. Apple and pumpkin and mince and black bottom,I’ll come to your place every day if you’ve got ‘em.Pie, me oh my, I love pie."

I think of Grandma making pies

2008-11-03T22:10:00.004-05:00

These aprons are so cool! Some time ago I purchased a large lot of vintage patterns off of ebay. This pattern from 1946 was in the box. I love the style, probably because it reminds me so much of my Grandma Faria! I purchased the 'retro' 30's fabric too many years ago to admit, but it was specifically for this pattern.....good things come to those that wait.

Back yoke button and tied at back waist; single layer fabric with bias cut bound edges.

Tospy Turvy Upside Down

2008-11-03T20:52:00.005-05:00

These Ladies seemed to be a bit surprised at having their photos taken!! Always wanting to add something different to each show I opted for these upside-down dolls. Searching online I discovered that most parts of the country call them topsy-turvy dolls. These are modeled after a doll that my Nana Grace had for many years.

Each doll has a 'working' side and 'party' side. Their clothes are 100% cotton, hair is acrylic yarn ~ except for the red head who is adorned with thin strips of polar fleece that are curled! They are filled with polyester fiber fill. Each lady has one of a kind couture!

Always afraid to make a mistake, I drew one face, scanned and printed it onto transfer paper. Next batch I think will be hand done!!

Remains of the day....

2008-10-19T13:53:00.004-04:00

A little photo esssay of the items remaining from the fair yesterday.

New items will be listed by November 15th for the next Fair (sponsored by Friends of the Conant Public Library at the First Church in Sterling)!!
Look for Fire and Police Dept themed bibs, autumn print bibs, snazzy aprons, new winter weight handbags, holiday bow ties and a few art to wear pieces of clothing!

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by!

Sterling Craft Fair

2008-10-18T18:26:00.002-04:00

We had a wonderful fall day today, mid 50's and sunny. OK, so mid 50's by noon anyway; setting up at 7:30 we could see our breath....I sold most my inventory so there are only a few stragglers left behind and now there will be a new batch for the Nov 15 show.....I will keep you posted! Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

two new Michelini Bags

2008-10-13T16:51:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite fabrics is used to make up these two bags. The round button is from a stash I purchased at a closeout and the red rectangle bakelite one was found in an antiques shop. I love them! How can you argue with an old button??

whether it's latkes or sugar plums...

2008-10-13T16:42:00.005-04:00

...the little ones will inevitably dribble something onto thier special outfits. I constructed these toddler and baby bibs for the winter holidays. I just like playing with the fabrics and wanted them to be cheery!!

These are 100% cotton outside with poly batting inside and are relatively indestructible. The velcro closures are extra soft for babies!! The more you wash them, the softer and more user friendly they become.

The holidays are fast approaching......

Button button

2008-10-01T16:17:00.004-04:00

My latest Michelini bags. The brown one is adorned with a vintage leather button and some cording made with embroidery floss that was twisted back onto itself using the bobbin winder. The blue and green bag is just so happy isn't it? I textured the panels with pin-tucking. The loop for the closure is knotted and stiched to tie in with the binding design. The button is hand painted ceramic....one of my finds during a two day respite on Cape Cod.

Sometimes you feel like a nut.....

2008-09-11T00:05:00.003-04:00

My bibs are sturdy. Before the first washing they tend to be a bit stiff with the batting and stitching. They do soften up quite nicely and I would think that the mom's I gave them to will be sick of them before they wear out....My great-nephew liked his bibs (or are they his baby brothers?) In any case, they were too much fun to waste on dribbled pureed peas....

ARRG!

2008-09-10T19:32:00.004-04:00

Who says pirates aren't fashion conscious?

Etsy website now up and running...

2008-09-06T12:01:00.002-04:00

http://michelina29.etsy.com/ is the website where my items for sale are listed!

History: Dally and Ralph Wedding Gift, May 1999

2008-09-01T23:24:00.005-04:00

This was my first real attempt at a pieced quilt. 1999. Previously I had made some appliqued quilts, and I had the nerve to give them as gifts; but really I should have hidden them...... I believe this pattern is called Garden Trellis

I try to sign the quilt with something I have written that is meaningful and personal; this one is no exception, it reads:

May the warmth of love,
The piecing of life pleasures,
The weave of souls intertwined,
Comfort you, keep you and bring you joy.

9/2/08 I was reminded today that the wedding was actually in 98....it just took me a year to get this quilt done and present it at their open house; the inscription is dated for 99....thank you Dally!

History Oscar's Quilt 2005

2008-08-30T18:28:00.003-04:00

My great nephew Oscar baby shower quilt. All bugs amphibians and creepy crawlers....

History 1995 ... Trash to treasure YKK

2008-08-30T17:51:00.007-04:00

Back in the early 90's we were living in Matthews, North Carolina. I was working at the local "Piece Goods Shop" fabric store and volunteering at Crown Point Elementary School. At some point the fabric shop was revamping it's inventory and had decided to toss out this zipper rack. Never feeling right about tossing such useful items into the dumpster I took it home and with the help of my (now ex) husband removed the metal hanging rods and replaced them with dowels and washers. I made slings out of flag bunting to hold the books and turned the door around to disguise the YKK logo. My two daughters kindergarten teachers were happy with it and I like to think it is still in service. My daughters, one is pictured in the first photo, just graduated from high school so I am sure that it has since made friends with the land fill, but it was a fun experiment!

TTFN

2008-08-23T00:25:00.004-04:00

OOh Wee, I'm done for this show!! I opted out of the bow ties (though I still think it's a good idea) and made small handbags for little ladies and a sampling of bibs. No big story here. I used what I had for materials hoped they turned out OK.

Every project seems to have a life of its own and I had a lot of fun today (with more stress thrown in.....)

Let's hope we have good weather tomorrow!!

"Do you like my hat?"

2008-08-21T20:13:00.003-04:00

Here is a sampling of the fleece hats. It is tough making them 'your own'. The orange one is for an adult (what else would I do with this colored fleece than make a hunters cap?) The berets are toddler size, but I only have an adult head to model on (live or otherwise) so the bottom edge isn't looking the way it should. This last little plaid one has ears, and I am still working on getting my proportions right. Do you like it?

More to come....

cul de sac

2008-08-20T21:06:00.004-04:00

This is the last set of bags completed today.

Two of the travel bags and one last "To Go" handbag.

Tomorrow should be an interesting change of pace as I start and finish the baby items and (gasp) some bow ties....maybe a jacket too....you never know how the spirits will move me.

michellini bags

2008-08-19T20:31:00.006-04:00

Understanding that there is a need for travel/passport bags out there I made up these little beauties. ..a couple more will follow tomorrow. The funny thing is that phrases come into my head while I am working and when I was trying to think of a title for this entry I wanted to write something about passports or travel or adventure and all I could think of was The Owl and The Pussycat. Because these two bags came out so differently using the same pattern one is the owl and the other well, you get it....

I wanted to print the poem along side these photos, but really it is just too long. so here is the link instead if you are driven to read the entire piece.

http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/pussy.html

beige vs coffee

2008-08-19T16:09:00.003-04:00

This is the only bag so far this season that has NO RED on it anywhere....I am not sure why that is...that this one has no red and all the others do; but here it is in all it's beige glory. I really like the swirls, they remind me of my younger sister...and cream going into a cup of coffee......

Clutch or standard?

2008-08-18T21:30:00.009-04:00

The piles of fabric surrounding me today were more than I could stand. I had to photograph some of my favorites before they were cut and sent off to a life of their own.

The purple silk embroidered in a modern sort of geometric pattern has been keeping me company for years (literally) and I decided to finally let some of it go. It is now an evening bag with black piping. The rust color with leaf pattern is a new aquisition, purchased specifically for the Arts on the Common.
The mustard colored bags were made from some yardage I picked up at Winmill Fabrics in Chinatown with Addie. There will be another full size hand bag made of this as well. The fabric is quite beautiful and I would have been happy just keeping it in my stash for a while but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.........so it will be at the show and hopefully sell!

More to come...

....but keep the old

2008-08-14T17:45:00.002-04:00

These are left overs from last year, but thought they should be in the mix.....they are each appx 9" across.

Black bird fly......

2008-08-14T17:36:00.003-04:00

This bag was really difficult to photograph. The colors just aren't coming through the way I wanted. I think the closest to the actual color is the shot of the close up of the handle. It is a bit quirky, but I like it!

and the bags continue.....

2008-08-14T17:12:00.002-04:00

These two bags are made using the same set of fabrics. The panels were created using the 'pagoda quilt' technique of curve piecing, then each was embellished separately.

The small purse was the first experimental design using beads and surface yarn. The second bag, uses the basic pattern of the previous black and white bag. The decorative stitching is all flat machine stitching and I used different piecing techniques for this bag as there is more structure to work with. This bag also has a zip closure.

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag!

2008-08-11T18:57:00.003-04:00

Preparing for the Arts on the Common in Burlington later this month, I thought that a new bag should be added to the repertoire. This one is adapted from (yet another) Threads article. Remnants, remnants, remnants....not a bad outcome from the reject table at Fabric Place!

More to come.

Senior Prom contrast

2008-06-12T23:14:00.004-04:00

OK folks, here are the prom gowns. This year, each of my daughters chose thier own pattern and fabrics. We made muslins first to ensure that there would be no raging hormonal breakdowns when the garment was tried on for the first time. I am happy to say that both gowns needed very little adjustments to the finished stage. My girls were happy with their dresses and I was happy that THEY were happy.
No long story here, these dresses were made as if for a customer so there was very little emotional attachment as they went together. I wanted to get these photos up before I take some time to regroup.....

Alaska should be the perfect inspiration for (yet another) new beginning. Talk to you soon!

Variation on a Kimono Bag

2008-06-12T21:08:00.006-04:00

For some unknown reason, my dearest friend receives the prototypes. For Dal, this red kimono bag was no exception.

I saw an article in Threads about handbags made from old kimono sleeves. Not having any old kimono sleeves laying around (which is surprising if you've ever seen my sewing room) I opted for using yardage. The first bag I made for my friend is the red one. I stitched it up with a piece of batik yardage from my stash. I followed the directions given in the article, but I found that the opening was too small to be practical. On the second bag, I knew the opening had to be bigger but didn't want to change the line of the bage. I added large snaps to the upper corners to keep the top closed.

Both bags had the embellishments chosen for their soon-to-be owners. The first red bag needed a bold statement, but I didn't want to overpower the fabric (I loved this fabric and held off using it for at least two years....) I chose some vintage beads and chenile yarn.

Mother's Day was an opportunity for me to try again and the blue bag was born. My mother was happy with her gift and I was careful not to embellish this one. I thought the sea shell flower was enough to highlight the fabric and wanted my mom to be comfortable.

So far, both women are happy with their kimono bags. Maybe I'll get around to making one for myself!!

Five Pounds of 501 Love

2008-03-08T17:44:00.005-05:00

Jeans. Dungarees. Denim. Next to our favorite jeans what else is there? A new friend at work came to me one day and asked if I had any ideas as to what she could do with her late husbands jeans. "He had tons of them!" she told me. Something for her daughter who was becoming a teenager this year and it would be her first birthday without her Dad. We looked together at a couple of different examples and my friend decided that the circle jeans quilt was the way to go. She picked her secondary fabric and brought it along with the overflowing tall kitchen bag of jeans one afternoon and put it in the trunk of my car.

I started cutting circles. 7 1/2 inch circles. Many, many, many circles.

I felt a connection to my friends late husband as each pair had a history, some were newer than others, some had minute bleach specs or tiny (very tiny) mustard looking spots. All of them were freshly laundered and obviously cared for through out their existence. All of them were 501, most of them had the little red pocket tab ~ these were pinned together with the hopes of incorporating them into the design, but they looked rather distracting. I am sure they will show up on another project soon.....

My plan was to make a full size quilt, but we didn't have enough jeans...."no problem" she said and delivered another half bag full......now I had enough for a twin size quilt. Each circle was marked with a 5 inch square on the wrong side and I started sewing. Four pieces in a strip, then the four circle strips into 20 strips lengths.

The pink squares were next ~ easier to handle as I could rip these with greater accuracy and then stack and rotary cut them. each square went into the center of a circle and the 'flaps' were folded over the square, pressed, pinned and basted. When the three strips were done I started sewing. The edges of the flaps were zig-zagged with my favorite 'denim flavored' thread in an S pattern from top to bottom and then repeated to close each strip. Short sides first then long. When the three panels were completed, they were connected to make the 5 foot square quilt. It wasn't as big as I had orignally planned but it was getting so heavy that I feared the poor girl would be under the blanket and unable to roll over!! This baby was heavy!! I was compelled to weigh it before I delivered it.......5.2 pounds!!

When I brought the quilt to my friend last week, I was feeling a bit sad as I had been working on it for a while and got accustomed to each panel and the variations in each circle-square. It is by no means a precision quilt, in fact the more it is used, the more it will soften and the edges of the circles will fray and become soft and comforting.

I hope my new friends daughter feels a closeness to her Dad through this quilt. It represents the days her father had here with her; her mother's love for her and the love she wants her daughter to remember. This is without a doubt the most special piece I have made.

Fruit and vegetables

2008-03-03T09:37:00.012-05:00

When friends of mine told me they were expecting their first child, my brain began the process of designing their baby quilt. I thought about the gift that would express my enthusiasm for motherhood, tie in family history, be a teaching tool for their new son and be beautiful. I knew I didn't want a typical 'baby' quilt and my thoughts kept coming back to the new mother's grandparents who spent their lives as farmers in Calabria, Italy.

I looked in my quilt books and online and would always come back to the "Escaping Bugs Bottle" quilt pattern. I purchased the RJR Farmers Market fabric for all but the blueberry print and used what I had in my stash for everything else. The standard quilt design just wouldn't satisfy me as I was eliminating the actual escaping bugs.....

I decided to add a counting theme to the produce and after playing with the fruit and vegetables for a couple of days came up with this arrangement. I included some bugs, the two mice and one snail. My kids would come in and make suggestions and move things around and when it was done and ready to stitch we were all happy with the arrangement.

The pieces added for counting were appliqued after the main body of the quilt was pieced and a variety of stitches were used depending on the texture of the specific item. I added a seed packet on the bottom row with their surname and thought I was done......

Then, there was a request for each person invited to the baby shower to bring a book. I had my son photo-shop out single pieces of fruit and vegetables from the fabric and used them in the layout of the book, adding the English and Italian counting theme. Iron on tee shirt transfers were used to keep the pages fairly waterproof and the batted pages were bound with bias tape.

My quilts aren't the precisely pieced works that some people expect; I don't follow any one specific pattern and use more of a organic process than most.

In the beginning

2008-02-29T12:05:00.000-05:00

Realizing that creativity has taken on many forms throughout my life and that no two days ever seem to produce those expressions using the same combination of mediums; I am here to share my work; written, sewn, quilted and photographed. My hope is that any feedback or encouragement I recieve will broaden my perspective on all aspects of my life and work.