One Love Wallet

Finished another one of my wallets today. This one is made from fabric by Designer Ellen Tracy. Last year I made a jacket with this fabric so I was able to use the scraps for this project. I decorated the outside with some applique flowers, they definitely blend in so I added some silk dupioni petals and a button at the center of each. For another added touch I free-motion sewed the words 'ONE LOVE' on a pink piece of fabric and sewed it into the inside. Overall I'm happy with the out come of this one, still trying to cut down on time but it's difficult cause I want each one to be special. Check it out on etsy, I added a few other items.

Inspiration: First Friday of The Month, all types of art will be on display around the town I live. I'm excited to see what's out there, it'll be fun.

Custom Wallet

This wallet was custom made for a friend. She picked the fabrics from my fabric stash and I sewed it together. As a surprise I added the 'Lips like Sugar' applique on the inside, it's an inside joke between us and she loves it! For more details and pics check out etsy.com.

Inspiration: Whipstitch blog, check out their vintage pattern give away co-hosted by MOMSPatterns.

Scraps to Fabric

I'm in the process of making 6 wallets out of various summer colored fabrics and in the process I decided to try this idea I've had on my mind for awhile, to make fabric out of my scraps using steam-a-seam.

As I was cutting the many pieces for each of the wallets I saved the little scraps in a plastic baggy. I cut a piece of steam-a-seam the size I needed the outside of the wallet to be and laid the scraps down on one side. I ironed the pieces to the seam-a-seam and then ironed another piece of white fabric to the back. The white fabric I used happened to be Out Black cause I had an extra piece from some curtains I made and the weight happens to be just right. After both sides consisted of fabric I used brightly colored thread to run over the entire surface with my machine. I covered all cracks between the different fabrics cause I want it to hold up.

Of the 6 wallets I'm making everyone seems to like this one the best, I do too!

Inspiration: Steam-a-seam, one of my favorite tools, the possibilities are endless.

Birds on a Wire

Birds on a wire is an applique I applied to the back of a gray thermal long sleeve tee. First, I applied steam a seam to one side of black cotton fabric. Then, I drew out a stencil of the birds on a wire to a piece paper and traced it onto the black fabric. I cut the shape out and ironed the fabric onto my thermal shirt. Lastly, I used the free motion sewing technique to make the decorative swirly stitches. I used several different colors of thread for the different birds which took a lot patience and time but I really love the outcome and I've received lots of compliments.

Inspiration: Modern Steamster's second issue, FREE online.

Recycled Fabric Skirt

I found this little girls dress at a thrift store and transformed it into an adorable skirt. The fabric is soft velveteen with flowers, fairies and unicorns! I cut the top portion of the dress off, hemmed the waistband and added the top button. I finished it in less than a hour.

Inspiration: The Bargain Barn, a local thrift store that's now my new favorite place to buy fabric and get inspired to sew.

Bamboo/Cotton Dress

This is a dress I made using 40% bamboo and 60% cotton poplin fabric. This fabric is so light and soft, perfect for a summer dress. I also love the design of the print, a simple leaf pattern in bright orange and white. I lined the top with a white cotton voile and embroidered my name on the inside.

Inspiration: Fleetwood Mac, I saw them in concert last night and it was awesome! It's hard to believe they're still performing and so good at it.

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.

Oscar Baby Earrings

If you know me, then you know I love fabric, buttons, black & white houndstooth, and my 14 year old cat, Oscar. The cat buttons on these earrings look exactly like Oscar! So, these are a real treat for me. If you’re a cat lover, I have a couple of more kitty buttons for sale at terralynn.etsy.com.

Inspiration: Since we're on the topic of furry loved ones, check out Pinups for Pups! Pinups for Pups is a nonprofit organization. They're a great cause and who ever came up with this idea is brilliant. I can't wait to get my Pinup for Pups calendar!

Robot Button Fabric Earrings

Posted new earrings on etsy.com. The front sides are made with a designer woven fabric and a robot resin button. The back sides are a dark denim fabric. All edges are frayed but sewn closed. In between the fabric is a heavyweight interfacing for stability. Earrings measure 1.5"x1".

Seattle Purse

Here's a project I finished last year for my trip to Seattle. Ever since sewing became a part of my life I make it a point to sew something special for every trip I go on. I usually finish the project minutes before I have to leave so I don't have time to pack properly but I do have one special item I either carry around or wear the entire trip. And from then on that item reminds me of the place I went.
It's a really simple pattern I made by drawing a half circle on the fabric with a compass. The Japanese Fabric I used is so beautiful I didn't need to make it complicated. The handles are made of wood and I attached them by sewing a loop around the bottom of each one. The inside is lined with green organic cotton canvas fabric and I ironed in some lightweight fusible interfacing.

Retro True Love Tattoo Earrings

After a tiresome weekend down South I'm extremely happy to be back home. And in honor of my friends engagement I decided to sew together some earrings with these true love tattoo resin buttons. The front sides are red canvas fabric and the back sides are a dark denim fabric. All edges are frayed but sewn closed. In between the fabric is a heavyweight interfacing. Earrings measure 1.5"x1". I posted them on etsy.com, check them out! I also have the retro true love tattoo buttons for sale individually on terralynn.etsy.com

Recycled Fabric for Curtains

Here's a project I made from recycled fabric. I often shop at thrift stores in search of fabric. Not necessarily fabric by the yard, but clothing items that I can see making something else out of. My mother thinks this is gross and I need to be careful of the energy I take in from others peoples stuff but I don't feel the same way. It's rewarding to transform something that's been discarded into something useful. Not to mention I save money and make a small contribution to saving the environment.
Months ago I found this hideous dress at the salvation army. At the time I was thinking about making a purse or appliquéing the flowers onto something but I wasn't sure. The bright colors in the pattern caught my eye, I liked that it was retro and the dress was huge so it would supply me with a substantial amount of fabric.
Then I moved into my new apartment and saw I needed kitchen windows I pulled this out of my collection. It was a really simple project. The bottom hem of the curtains is the original hem from the dress. I just finished the sides and made the loop at the top. I love my curtains and they go perfect with the funky 70's linoleum on the kitchen floor!

Fabric on the Wall

Recently, I moved into an apartment of my own. Having my own private space again feels like what I would expect heaven to feel like. Don't get me wrong, company can be just as rewarding, but right now for me this space I've created is... words cannot express. I sew, I design, I make a mess, I google, I make tea, all while playing the same two CD’s over and over again. I'm a hermit crab.

While there's not much in my new apartment, I'm at no loss for art work. These are pieces that I've either made or acquired. Each one signifies some place or someone special in my life. Memories are glued so tightly to these objects that I can easily drift off into the past with a single glance.

To mix it up a little, I created something new with some old stuff and some fabric. In the center is a painting I did years ago. Surrounding it are wood box frames a friend put together months ago. At the time when I painted them, I wasn't planning on matching them to this painting but it turns out the colors are almost exact. I guess I like hot pink and lavender? And the other night, I stapled fabric to the back sides of the frames and hammered in something for them to hang from.

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.

Heather Ross Duvet Cover

Today, I want to share a project I completed months ago after Designer Heather Ross released her Mendocino collection. I absolutely love this collection for many reasons. The main reason I love it is the ocean theme, with mermaids and sea creatures. I've lived my entire life by the ocean, so I have a soft spot for ocean fabric. Unfortunately, most of the prints I see coming through the fabric shop give me the feeling of a tacky tourist shop. Her collection has a more modern feel. I love the colors she chose and the soft fine touch of the material. With that said it comes as no surprise that I chose to make a duvet cover for myself. I thought this project would be easier than it turned out to be. I didn't realize until I started making it that I would need to match up the tiny pattern and that the top would consist of three pieces instead of just two. I also was not aware of the space I would need to lay it out. My tiny bedroom at the time was not set up for that, but it all worked out and I love it. I used a solid kona cotton for the bottom piece and a zipper for entry at the bottom. To make it even more grand, I added tie downs in each corner of the interior so my comforter wouldn't shift or bunch up.

Forties Pinup Resin Buttons!

I set a new project into motion. Since I work at a fabric store, I'm constantly getting inspired by new items we receive. For example, these adorable resin buttons arrived today. They're a set of 7 Forties Pinup Buttons - each button is a different image. I'm using these buttons as an opportunity I to make a cute little midnight blue knit sweater. The fabric I picked for the sweater is shown in the picture, under the buttons. I can't wait! Lots of work to do :)

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