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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Sewing, Thrifting, and an Embroidery Pattern

Color Me Retro Washi Tunic by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Washi Tunic, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Happy Tuesday! Hope this week is off to a good start for everyone! Personally, I'm having such a hard time getting things done! Daylight savings has me all messed up.  You wouldn't think one hour would make such a big difference!  Hopefully I'll be sleeping normally by the end of the week! :)

I set aside Saturday this past weekend to work on something completely for myself.  I have been meaning to sew myself some Color Me Retro garments, but hadn't been able to find the time.  Seeing Rachel's Washi Tunic put me over the edge, I couldn't put it off any longer! I decided to go with Florette in Sapphire.  I've noticed that I wear my navy tops a TON, (for example the top I'm wearing in my head shot in the sidebar!), so I know this top will get a lot of wear.

Color Me Retro Washi Tunic
Color Me Retro Washi Tunic, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
This was my second time using Rae Hoekstra's Washi Pattern.  Last time I made the dress version, but honestly, I very rarely wear dresses.  A top is much more practical for me. Thankfully Rae thought of that and included marks for a tunic version!  I already had the pattern pieces traced and cut onto Pellon Easy Pattern 830, so I was able to cut the fabric and sew up the top from start to finish easily.  I am so happy with how it turned out, it fits like a glove! It just needs a good wash.

PS - I love Easy Pattern, I trace all of my garment patterns on to it and use those to cut out my pieces.  I admit I have an entire bolt of the stuff, it's awesome.

Florette Embroidery Pattern by Jeni Baker
Florette Embroidery Pattern, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I finally finished up my latest embroidery project. I actually had it finished a few weeks ago, but was unhappy with where I placed one of the colors.  I'm glad that I took the time to tear that part out and redo it.  This embroidery is based on my Florette print from Color Me Retro.  It's a quick and simple pattern using the backstitch.  You can find the pattern in my pattern shop.

Pom-pom making by Jeni Baker
Pom-pom making, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Been playing with a Clover Pom-Pom Maker this week! These are so fun to make!

Resisting by Jeni Baker
Resisting, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I've also been playing around with some fabric dyeing.  This time I'm trying to find ways to make fabric dyeing more accessible.  Above is an experiment with alternative resists, in this case glue.  I'm gearing up for a big blog post later this month with my findings! I love fabric dyeing, but I know that it can be expensive, intimidating, and time consuming.  I'm trying to figure out how to get around those obstacles.  It's been fun!

Thrifting by Jeni Baker
Thrifting, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I realized last week that I had not been out on a dedicated thrifting trip since I was home over the holidays.  How crazy is that?! The thrifting here in Madison leaves much to be desired and I suppose things have just been a bit busy.  Anyways, Friday I took the time to go out! I think I came back with a pretty decent haul! I already hung the thread holder and filled it up.  I want to paint it, but that will have to wait for warmer weather.

George Softies by Jeni Baker
George Softies, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Hehe, another fun project from last week.  I was poking around on Pinterest last week and came across this tutorial for pet pillows! It reminded me that Christina had made some little softies of her cats in the Fall, and it finally clicked that I had to make some of George! Of course I couldn't make just one. Michael thinks I need to make more.  He's claimed one, one is for me, and one is for a friend!

George Softies by Jeni Baker
George Softies, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
George does not care for them.  Right after I took this photo he attacked one of the pillows, haha!

George by Jeni Baker
George, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Don't worry, he's not too shaken up about it :)

I'll be back to announce the winner of the Indygo Junction giveaway tomorrow!

Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air
Sound of: Harry Potter 4 Audiobook
Taste of: Cadbury egg
Sight of: Sunshine
Feel of: Wool socks

Good Things about Today:
- Got to the sewing machine today!
- Started practicing free motion feathers!
- Chocolate!
- George bunny running around the apartment today!

21 comments :

  1. That George pillow is so cute, just like the real guy. :)

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  2. OMGosh, seriously that pillows made my day. So darn CUTE!!!!

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  3. Wonderful little smattering of goodness! Too funny that George attacked the pillow! I enjoy reading your daily list :D

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  4. Your tunic looks great! Right now, I'm making some little girl dresses with Color Me Retro using Rae's Geranium Dress pattern. I love how it all comes together so far, and the quality of the Art Gallery substrate is so beautiful and great for garment sewing! -- Those pillows, too cute for words! :-)

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  5. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one disoriented by the time change. Here I am blog-surfing at 3 am. I love your tunic. Very cute! Hope we're all back to normal soon.

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  6. that picture of George with the pillows just kills me! Too cute and funny.

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  7. Love that tunic and your stitching project looks great. It certainly looks like you found some treasures in your 'op shop' (Aussie term for thrift shops) shopping expedition. Love those pillows and George is such a little cutie...so much personality too! lol

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  8. I'm working on a preschool art quilt with the blue glue right now and from the test pieces I did in advance, it should turn out pretty cool. We are using acrylic paints but I don't know how it would work with dye. I'm guessing pretty much the same though. Just make sure it is new glue, not old...old glue doesn't flow so well.

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  9. Love your washi! I have made 3 so far, they are a lot of fun. Love the Bambi fabric u scored! I too have the same thread rack I found at a thrift store--I spray painted without sanding it first, it was quick and easy but I wish I would've sanded first--it had some weird glossy lacquer and I have paint drips now:( but alas it hangs full of thread, so surely no one else notices, haha.

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  10. I love your Washi tunic! I haven't tried sewing garments yet, but I really want to after seeing yours :) Love the Florette embroidery and George pillows, too!

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  11. The George pillows are too cute! I love them.

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  12. Please tell me the pillows are actual size!!

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  13. ah, the george pillows, they're killing me!!!!! I bought some PFD fabric in hopes of using some of my dad's childhood pics to make him a pillow. I love how you did them though!!! ahhhh!

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  14. You could sell those George pillows!!

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  15. Love that tunic. You may have just inspired me to make one for myself. I don't normally make clothes but I totally would wear that!

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  16. the george pillows are ridiculously adorable! and of course i heart your tunic :)

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  17. I took a class on batik at quiltcon with malka dubrawsky, and really, the whole process, at least as she taught it, was so dead easy! I was so surprised. she's got a book that details her process, Color Your Cloth...anyway, looking forward to seeing what you have done with your resist and dyed fabrics!

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  18. Adding hand embroidery to clothes you already own is a fantastic way to make something old look new again. Designing hand embroidery on clothes takes substantial sewing skills, so be sure you are comfortable with sewing and embroidering before taking on this project.
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