Contrasting Fabric Bag

Here is a bag I sewed using a very simple pattern I created. This bag is special to me because it’s composed of cotton fabrics I found from a variety of different places. One of the fabrics is from a garage sale, another from the Salvation Army, another from a shirt I got at the Bargain Bin, the green Heather Ross fabric is from a local fabric store and lastly, the lining is a soft navy paisley fabric from a bed skirt that a friend gave to me. I incorporated some of my selvage scraps into the strap and free motion sewed the words 'Fabric Lust' into the side denim panel. The bag is perfect for throwing over my shoulder and taking on a bike ride.

Jacket made with Fabric by Designer Ellen Tracy

This is a Jacket I made using Designer fabric by Ellen Tracy. This fabric was terrible to work with, it unraveled, stretched and shifted. When I use a fabric like this again I would fuse interfacing to the entire piece of fabric. I used a McCall pattern but altered the length of the arms. I lined the inside with a chartreuse colored silk and cotton blend. For an added touch I quilted the body of the jacket with cotton batting and made a label using the free motion sewing technique.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sweater with Forties Pinup Buttons

Finished my sweater with the forties pinup girl buttons just in time for my trip down to Southern California, for my best friends bachelorette party.

I used Kwik Sew Pattern 3339. The fabric I used is a midnight blue lightweight sweater knit made from 67% polyester, 31% viscose, 2% spandex. The pattern was easy and didn’t take long to finish. I spent a majority of the time making the button holes. My coworker made the same sweater and used snaps instead of button holes. I think that snaps are the better way to go if you want to save time.

Forties Pinup Buttons are on sale individually or as a set of 7 on etsy.com

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.