Animal Dress

Just finished this dress yesterday and I’m very pleased with the outcome. The Imported Japanese fabric I used is from Etsuko Furuya’s latest collection for Kokka. I absolutely love this fabric, it’s so adorable with all the random animals and I also love the texture because it’s double gauze.

The pattern of the dress was designed by me. Its special features are the braided straps and invisible side pockets. I also used boning for stability in the top and made my own label with the free-motion sewing technique.

Check out my friend’s cool Screen Printed T’s at BanditBrand.com

Strawberry Fabric Tank

I made this shirt by copying the design of another tank I bought. The tank on the left is the tank I bought and the tank of the right is the one I made. It's got a few pleats running diangle down the front with a little bit of lace. The tank buttons opens half way down, I used clear red round buttons. The fabric is a Japanese Imported cotton/linen blend fabric.

Just the other day while I was out I saw a girl with a wallet made out of this same fabric and I asked her if she made it. She said no but that the fabric was scratch and sniff. I knew the fabric didn't smell like strawberries but before I could say anything she scratched her wallet, held it up to my nose and for me to smell and then smacked me up the nose with the wallet... it was delightful.

Another Dress made with Japanese Imported Fabric Designed by Naomi Eto

This pale yellow floral fabric is the other color way of the double-gauze Imported Japanese fabric designed by Naomi Eto. I love this fabric! Unlike the black floral fabric this one has metallic gold in it...eek!

The dress pattern I used to make this dress was much more simple in comparison to the black dress I wrote about earlier. This dress has several small pleated running down the top front and back. There's no zipper, but I did sew a thin band of elastic into the waistline. The elastic is covered by salmon colored waist band that ties around the waist twice and into a bow. For an added touch I embroidered my first name into the back. I like to wear this dress with the sweater I made with the Forties Pinup Buttons.

A couple of days ago I went saw an art show, 'Ma Fleur de Femme', at Cafe Pergolesi. It was a collection of art by 24 Northern California Female Artist. There was and still is some beautiful paintings, photography and other expressions of femininity on display . It even inspired me to bring out my paints and make a mess.

Dress made with Japanese Imported Fabric Designed by Naomi Eto

Here is a dress I made with one of my favorite fabrics of all time. This fabric is a Japanese imported fabric designed by Naomi Eto. I have saved every last inch of this fabric for appliques, earrings, patches, whatever. I also made a different dress with the yellow color way of this fabric which also had metallic gold in it. I adore this fabric; the vibrant colors, the whimsical flowers and the fact that it's double-gauze. I love the texture of double-gauze fabric.

There are three details I want to point out that make this dress extra special to me. First, I incorporated the selvage of the fabric into the design of the dress so the name of the designer and the her collection are running vertical along the back zipper. Second, I used photo transfer paper to iron an old photo of my grandfather fishing onto the inside front panel of the skirt. And lastly, I made myself a label using free motion sewing and appliqued it into the lining of the back bolice. I'm proud to say this dress is extremely well made with quality fabric. It fits me perfect and all raw edges are out of site. For more pics, check out my flickr photostream.

Quilt in Progress

Here's a quilt I started over a year ago and have been too distracted to finish. It was tucked away in my half finished project box until just a few days ago when I brought it out and hung it up in my sewing room as decoration. It functions similar to a cork board, I've been pining all kinds of stuff to it.

Most of the fabrics I used for this project were scraps or left over fabric from other projects. A majority of the fabrics are imported Japanese fabrics. The yellow fabric is a lightweight organic canvas. Not sure how I'm going to finish it, but I guarantee someday it will be part of my bed.

Inspiration: My new sewing space I've created for myself.

New Look Outfit with Heather Ross Fabric

Here's an outfit I made using New Look pattern 6813.

My shirt is made from an earth-friendly blend of 53% Soy, 43% Certified Organic Cotton, and 4% Spandex. Unbelievably soft to the touch. I decorated the neck line with appliques using scrap pieces of Japanese imported fabric layered with free motion sewing and buttons.

My skirt is made from a lightweight canvas fabric designed by Heather Ross. On the inside waist band I embroidered my name with hot pink embroidery floss.

Also made some fabric earring to match.

Inspiration: William Debilzan, construction worker turned artist, I stumbled across his work in Laguna Beach. I was extremely moved by his art work, rich texture and colors which unfortunately the Internet gives no justice.

Fabric Pockets

Here's an easy way to make an old pair of jeans feel like new. This project only uses a small amount of fabric, I chose to use some imported Japanese fabric. First, I cut the fabric about the same size as my pockets and then I hand stitched the fabric over the original pockets, folding in the raw edges.

Inspiration: Miss Ruby Sue on Etsy, beautiful handmade necklaces, bracelets, hairpieces.

Japanese Fabric Wallet :)

I finished a wallet I sewed, using the Imported Japanese fabric from Designer Etsuko Furuya. I'm very pleased with the way it came out. I created the pattern as I went along. I plan on making this wallet a first of many and possibly printing a pattern for a make-it-yourself kit. This could be difficult for me since making the same thing over and over again eventually starts to feel like daunting work rather than a creative challenge.

Overall, this is a hearty wallet. I seriously doubt that it will ever fall apart. I used a heavy fusible interfacing for the back piece. The interior contains layers of hidden fabric, fused with stitch witchery. The majority of the seams are stitched twice. I have a change purse with a zipper on the outside. There are several card slots on the inside, including a clear plastic one for displaying an ID and two pouches for bills or checks. The owl on the front is an applique that I attached with stitch witchery and free motion sewing.

Handmade Fabric Earrings

I'm really tired, but wanted to get a quick blog in before bed... heehee. Just finished putting some of my fabric & button earrings on www.etsy.com. I made them from a couple of my favorite fabrics. The Robots are a light-weight Imported Japanese fabric, and the bright green flower fabric is from Designer Heather Ross. The ones with black and white flowers have denim fabric on the back side, and the ones with the knitted fabric are Missoni. While they appear simple, they take me forever to make. So... I'm excited about getting them out there and having a place to showcase them. Check it out! - terralynn.esty.com

Found some great fabric to make a wallet

Today was beautiful and I am so thankful for many things. And no better a time for me to start my blog. Here I'll be able to articulate my lust for new and old fabrics which inspire me to sew and make new things. Today I picked this Imported Japanese fabric from Echino by Etsuko Furuya. The picture I've posted gives it no justice. The colors are so bright and vibrant unlike anything else out there. And the texture is also amazing, made of 85% cotton and 15% linen this blend is similar to a lightweight canvas. I plan on making a wallet out of it but be assured I will use every last scrap as it is so precious.