studio happenings

Some little happenings in my studio this week:

Making plans for the first of the spring sewing. A dress for me. Spring coat for the babe. After subscribing for two years, this will be my first attempt at braving an OTTOBRE pattern - any tips for me?

Looking often and being quite thankful for this new-to-me fabric. Thanks to readers Melissa and Christie, who heard my grief over not finding any more of this last fall. Now, plans for Adelaide's Red Riding Hood quilt have begun!

After deciding that no, in fact, I do not need the super duper expensive bias binding foot for my Bernina, I've really been enjoying (yes, quite 'enjoying') making bias with the $10 solution. Perfect.

With much embarrassment, finally getting our mini-swap package out the door (one month late! Ack!). Now it just has to travel across the world. Apologies to our new New Zealand friends! It's coming!

It appears that we're getting covered in snow right now, and through the weekend. I like March snow. We can fully enjoy and savor it as the 'last' of the season, and at the same time, know that Mrs. Thaw and her robins will be here soon.

Have a lovely weekend!

Comments

[kristin]

that vintage pattern looks like so much fun.
are you thinking the dress on the right? :)
can't wait to see which fabric you choose.
enjoy the snow - happy weekend.

[heather]

you are the 4th person that has mentioned robins this week! my daughter and two friends in my area have seen their first robins of the season, each year my father reports to Emily when he has seen his first. and it never fails that on the first day of spring each year my sister, who lives many states away, has fresh flowers delivered to Emily. spring is brewing, enjoy your studio excitement this weekend, the coat couldn't be sweeter!

[Jill A.]

Have fun sewing for spring. Ottobre patterns are my favorite --- tracing them is a bit tricky (use highlighter to outline size you want....than trace it)and don't forget to add seam allowances --- other than that, no tips for ya'. Snowbound and sewing.....sounds devine....

[katie]

Fun to see what you're planning to sew. It's like getting ready to cook Thanksgiving dinner for me -- all the prep and anticipation and hesitation and then when I begin, I relax and go.

Thanks for the bias tape tool link! I just paid money for 4 pkgs of tape for a cobbler apron and I don't want to do that again. And what way cool bias tape you are making! Drool.

[Eren]

I just got my mini swap out as well. Whew! I get myself into too many at once. Love the new fabric!

Bring on the robins, please.

[Eren]

I just got my mini swap out as well. Whew! I get myself into too many at once. Love the new fabric!

Bring on the robins, please.

[Nina]

Ahhh, Ottobre-Pattern are one of my favourite. They are very easy. This coat is on my list too.

And my most favourite pattern are from Farbenmix. (http://www.farbenmix.de/linkliste.htm) They have the best fit ever. You sew the clothes and they fit without any changing.
Here is the gallery of happy customers: http://www.farbenmix.com/4images/search.php?search_new_images=1
It's in German, but the pictures don't need a language.

Happy coat-sewing!

Nina

[Deborah]

That fabric is totally cute. My kids would spend hours tracing those maplines with thier fingers.

[Jeni]

I love Ottobre patterns. I've subscribed for the last year and have managed to get most of the English-language back issues. I just second what the others have said (don't forget to add seam allowance). I find fine-tip sharpies the best for tracing. I don't highlight the pattern, but that' because I generally use several different sizes.

I can't wait to see your finished outfits!

And that Red Ridinghood fabric is absolutely wonderful!!

[donab]

The fabric is wonderful, but I see some Bonny Doon Farms soap in that picture, too, and that stuff is the bomb! I have a bottle of their Lemon Verbena lotion here on my desk and it is the best lotion ever.

[Natasha]

That fabric will be perfect for a quilt, I can't wait to see it all done.

P.s. Happy belated 2nd Blog-aversery

[Tasha-Rose]

Mrs. Thaw....did you see the felted Mrs. Thaw on Etsy? Oh I hearted her she was so beautiful!!!

Don't you LOVE making bias tape? I adore it. People tend to think I am a bit crazy for liking to make bias tape.

[Max Daniels]

I see you also got some Bonny Doon Farms lavender soap. That stuff sends me straight to heaven! If you havent' tried the rosemary, it too is wonderful :)

[kort]

it's so good when you find cheap solutions that really work! small IS beautiful.

[Alisa]

Ottobre patterns are the best. I always know they are going to look just RIGHT on my kids. I have been subscribing for three years. I don't always get to sew out of them, but they sure are good for inspiration. Like others said, seam allowance! And be sure to only add it where needed. Some areas (like hems) don't require you to add anything. Good luck!

[Beth]

Ooohhh... I've been wondering about those tools to create bias tape and was dubious. I keep going back and forth on it, not wanting to spend the $8 for not. Do they really work? I guess I can assume if you're enjoying it that they do?! Exciting!

[sarah]

My Ottobre patterns scare the heck out of me too, but I sure love looking at them!

What a great idea to make your own bias tape! I'm gonna have to try that~

[Lori]

What a beautiful post. All of those pictures were just wonderful. I have a weekend full of sewing and I just can't wait. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Siew Cheng]

I love Ottobre magazines. I made all my daughter's clothes (ok, most of them) using the patterns. My least favourite part is tracing the patterns, so I try to do as little tracing as possible. I generally trace the pattern without adding seams allowance and then when I cut the fabric I'll add the seam allowance depending on the materials I use by "eyeballing" it! :-P When the pattern pieces are getting too small, I'll add bigger seam and/or hem allowance and stretch it for as long as I can. hehe..
Have fun, I think you'll really like it.

[Amber A.]

I can relate to the bian binding predicament! I had to make a lot, A LOT, to make my recent aprons. I have one of those $10 thingies but I wound up just doing it the old fashioned way... Ho hum...

[katharine]

I will echo everything that's been said about the ottobre patterns. I also don't trace them because of the multiple sizes thing but really they've been super easy and always fit really well.

[Amy]

Ack! I cannot WAIT to see that Red Riding Hood quilt!! And I'm loving that spring coat.

[Lori]

oooooooooo Amanda...I think you just opened up my world past Wal*Mart patterns.
I love that little girls coat.
I need to go see where I can sign up for patterns from Ottobre.
thank you! :o)

[alexis]

i am just beginning sewing and am thinking of purchasing a bernina sewing machine- i was wondering what model you have? thanks! have a wonderful weekend!

[Grace]

I am so excited to see your bias! It's really beautiful. I love the stuff! Also, I know that you really don't have time to reply to all your comments (I wouldn't either with so many!), but would you mind terribly sharing yesterday's muffin recipe? Thanks!

[tracy]

i just picked up the clover tool - your bias tape is gorgeous - must make me some! can't wait to see miss a's new quilt...

[molly]

that bias tool is new to me! I love that idea. I'm definitely checking it out right after this.
You know, I missed your 'two year' post, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. It brings such peace and calm to my life as a mother. There is just a mood to your writing and your pictures that I love and that brings me back here over and over.
(oh, and I just sent my miniswap pkg a few days ago. join the procrastinators club!!)

[bz]

I Love yelow with brown(or black?) in any fabric...I´m making a crochet hat in those colors right now, yellow with brown spots, to Alberta.
Minibit 2: Diego(my husband), some friends and I have a band. I´m having a "kit kat" at the moment.
www.myspace.com/keikoshake

[bellablue]

I love the coat... is that what you're making?

[kayla_d]

I bought that bias tape maker on recommendation from the 'Modern Quilt Workshop' book, and it has been the best little tool. I can sit with a little ironing board in my lap and pull yards and yards through the tool while I watch TV. It's great for making drawstrings, too. Love your fabrics!

[Helle]

Ottobre pattern are the best! however, they are quite small-ish...atleast for my 2 apple-cheecked daughters, so normally I use the pattern one size too big.

Thank your for a lovely blog...really really do enjoy it:-)

[Amber Lee]

Love your plans. I have the same simplicity pattern from my great grandma's stash. Have yet to tackle it though, I'll see how it goes with you!

[Mama Urchin]

Such eye candy. Thank you.

[beki]

Ack! I was just going to post about those bias tape makers! After using store bought bias binging on the hem of my most recent skirt, it occurred to me that I should make my own. I bought those bias tape makers two years ago and they're still in the package.

[Dacia Ray]

yeah, some of those feet are super expensive!

[Veronica]

Ottobre is great...I have noticed, though, that the fit is either great or not. Be sure to get good measurements and measure the pattern too! They, I have found, are really easy. Again, don't forget to add seam allowance :)

[Sarah]

Adding myself to the I love Ottobre group!! I have been using them for a few years now and love them. I am impatiently waiting for the new Ottobre Woman to hit Australia's shores and make its way here to Adelaide.

Anyway my tip for tracing - get two pens and use two elastic bands to strap them together and then trace - you will get about a 1cm 3/8 inch seam allowance traced on.

Have fun!

[Amy Lu]

I am buying a sewing machine for the only reason that I hope to be good enough someday to sew Ottobre patterns.

I'll be reading thru the tips myself, and hoping I remember them when my time comes....

[Sue]

I cant wait to see how Adelaide's quilt turns out, and all the fabrics look so lovely. I am sure that the clothing will turn out great too, and since you make lots of clothes I am sure you will find the patterns easy to follow. I always get confused with the patterns that seem to have 100 different ones overlapped over each other. Are they trying to make our job harder than it already is. Good luck with all the sewing.

[Alison Latimer]

Amanda,
I love the Simplicity patten you're working on! I've been looking for a coat pattern like that forever. I tried searching for it online, but I can't see the whole number in the photo. If you have a chance, would you send a reply with the number? I love your blog SO much - it is such a treat to read! Alison

[Rebecca]

Ottobre tip - There is a super useful Ottobre yahoo english group that discusses technical pattern and sewing stuff. The people on that group are a wealth of info. There is an also associated, private Flickr gallery where you can see everyones creation. Good luck! Hope to see your finished raincoat soon.

[Emma]

I too missed your 2nd 'blogaversary' post. Congrats! I really enjoy 'reading you', and being inspired by your creativity. Will send you some of our beautiful weather to thaw the snow.
Don't sweat the parcel, we look forward to it landing in our mail box!
Take care.

[mammaria]

Hi Amanda,
I love the patterns in Ottobre. They're less detailed than most of the Dutch patterns over here, so a bit easier to sew. And in the Dutch issue of Ottobre there's a lady you can call when you have any questions.(Didn't need that so far, instructions are brief but accurate).
Started sewing for my boy out of frustration; here in Holland boys clothes are grey-ish or black, even for toddlers. Or unaffordable, if you want something different.
Made two trousers out of the issue in the picture, they look adorable on him.
Greeting from the country of the stroopwaffles,

Ria

[Meredith]

Ooh it looks like you've got lots of fun projects in the works. Your studio always looks so sunny and inviting, and the fabrics are great!!

In good news here, my friend finallyl taught me how to THREAD A BOBBIN!! I am a desperate case! But now I feel like I can start trying my new machine. I am going to sew sachets first, after I finish knitting my first knit doll. I wouldn't have tried any of this if not for you inspiration, Amanda. You always make it look so rewarding. Non-crafty me has become crafty, which I always wanted to be!!

Have a great weekend!

[Iona]

Love the Ottobre designs and I find the instructions clear and to the point. I made trousers for my 4yo girl and they just turned out beautifully with no fuss. The design details are fabulous but don't make the patterns too complicated. The size-by-height thing really works for my two tall beanpoles of kids.

[kathy]

i remember that outfit, my mother made one just like it late sixties, early seventies. she probably still has the pattern. she never throws anything away. she has a dresser full of old patterns.

[Paisley]

That little Clover tool, together with this tutorial here http://pir8.freeservers.com/quilting/CBT/#yardage%20requirements make bias binding a real breeze. And the stuff that you make yourself - it's so much nicer than any commercially available binding that I've ever found.

[Denelle]

Amanda, where do you find the energy to do all that you do? You're amazing.

Anyway, I love love love Ottobre. I am a total lazy cheat, though, and just size up one size and sew without an allowance since my kids are skinny. (I do feed them, honest).

One idea -- since I seem to remember an Olfa cutting board and rotary knife in one of your blog photos (?) -- you can get a kind of protractor attachment thingy for the rotary that cuts with a seam allowance. I haven't tried this myself, (am not so good with the rotary cutter, especially on curves) but am intrigued by the idea.

Have you seen the fabric on FabricHound.com? Fun, fun, fun.

Thanks for giving us a window on your creativity!

[Aunt Patty]

Amy, let the kids know that I saw four robins out by the lake the other day. They were enjoying a bare sunny spot of ground. Pecking away as if worms were abundant. Of course, we have had some beautiful new snow since then and I wonder where these harbingers of spring go when there is no open lawn.
I look in on you, often.

[teri]

there is a yahoo group devoted to sewing with Ottobre patterns. it is filled with lots of talent, generous women who are willing to help with tips, ideas, and encouragement. the patterns look way more scary than they really are. :) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ottobre-english/