Summercrafter

It has always been said that parents do not have favorites. Somehow the love just multiplies and there is enough to go around.  Sure, sometimes the growing up years can be a little rough and your parents don't understand you. So you go and talk to a neighbor who doesn't judge and asks if you are talking about the cute guy in P.E. (Never mind that the neighbor just happens to be your mom's best friend.) All this to say... Most of you have heard me talk about  Audrey  but rarely about my first sewing machine.  Today, I want to introduce you to Jenny. My daughter just named her, she's my vintage Kenmore sewing machine. I'd call her a work horse but I don't want to hurt her feelings.    She has been around for many years but she is practically brand new! My dad bought this sewing machine in the late 1960's for my mom when she got here from Cuba. She is an embroidery machine,    these belong to her.   Here...

Ever been so determined to finish something that you wear yourself out and almost hate the thing by the time you're done? Guilty! (raised hand)   Good golly! First, I am waiting for this oh so cute Michael Miller fabric (Fishies and Swim with Us, respectively available at Fabric.com ) to arrive to finally piece the back: ANTICIPATION     Second, I had already decided to quilt it in "waves" since it has an ocean theme: EAGERNESS     Third, I try a new thread, the tension is bad, the nightmare begins: FRUSTRATION     It was just a few months ago that I was agonizing in the same exact spot over the same exact thing: Déjà vu         By mid afternoon, my daughter says "If you like quilting so much, why are you cursing?!" : Numerous mutterings of exasperation (I am not a sailor)     The job is almost complete, only binding left to do by hand, but...

Summer is just around the corner and I have been planning several mid and large scale quilts to do in the next three months, YAY!!  First, I have two pending table toppers/runners that are themed for Hanukkah and Christmas respectively, from these fabrics and a charm pack.          I also am going to start my first twin quilt for my daughter who's ten years old. She preferred these Holly Holderman Dolly Dresses 2 and 3 (?) over a more "big girl" feel I thought the Vintage Modern 2012 BOM  would offer.   I better finish this one fast then, before she no longer likes these dresses!     Check out Debbie's Dolly Dresses Quilt here . I can't wait to design my own! I'm going to use some 1930s prints and who knows what else I may throw in the mix, stay tuned!     I am also trying to figure out how many  HashTag blocks  ...

Meet Audrey , she is my Babylock (For the Love of Sewing) sewing machine.  She just turned three years old!  So to celebrate, I thought I would make her something to wear. Every girl needs a new outfit.     This black one does not become her, wouldn't  you agree?       So Camille has this great pattern called Just Swell  for a cover that would fit her nicely you can get it over at   Thimble Blossoms .  And since I just happened to have lots of her fabulous fabric...  I am using a Charm pack of each Ruby   and some yardage from her Vintage Modern collection (Hurry up, I think this one is running out!) and Bella Charms pack in white.   For some reason I always make my own patterns when I make something. But following patterns are a great way to have some discipline and try new techniques. I challenged myself to complete this in one day and follow the pattern exactly. So here goes...