Category Archives: Stuff to make

Red and white quilt extravaganza!

Posted in Sewing, Stuff to make, Things to see by

As promised, here is more about the upcoming Folk Art Museum exhibit–Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts. Some amazing facts to ponder:

  • All 650 quilts come from one person’s collection! OK, that is just staggering. I struggle to find a place to stash our duvets in the summer, but perhaps Joanna S. Rose is not a New Yorker… I can’t wait to find out about more about this fascinating lady.
  • The exhibit is free.
  • It will be the largest gathering of quilts in New York City, ever.

So, people get ready. This is an exhibit not to be missed. (March 25 to 30 at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, NYC.)

Gather Here

Posted in Boston, Knitting, Sewing by

I’m excited about this find: a new fabric & fibers store that invites you in to make something on the spot! Gather Here–located in Cambridge at 370 Broadway–is more than a store: it’s an urban stitch lounge, which if you’ve never heard of one (and I had not) is a community space with machines, supplies, and tables for hanging out, sharing interests, and creating stuff. The store also offers a Saturday morning knitter’s brunch and Thursday evening crafty cocktails, as well as classes in quilting, sewing, and embroidery basics.

After I shlep over today to check out Gather Here’s fabric selection–I’m headed for the Cambridge Public Library (the addition was designed by William Rawn Associates–and my husband!). Go sit in that hunk of a wood chair by the big window in the Children’s Room and read a stack of picture books–with, or without kids.

 

DIY Cookbook

Posted in Free Tutorials, Paper, Recycled materials, Stuff to make by

I’m an ambivalent cook, and not a very intuitive one. So when I come across a good recipe, I hold onto it for dear life. Over the years, I’ve collected a hodgepodge of scribbled sticky notes and magazine tear sheets with favorite recipes.

The mess needed a home. So, I ordered a Rebinder (which is a binder made from recycled corrugated cardboard) and a box of sheet protectors for my recipes. The Rebinder was terrific, but not so great at repelling cooking drips & spills.

I bought a yard of green gingham oil cloth, and relying on my ancient memories of covering books in high school, I winged it. Here are my step-by-step instructions for making an oilcloth cover, written after the fact. I’m pleased with the results. I sewed the last steps while the cover was actually on the binder–it’s sewed on forever–which might be why it doesn’t buckle & lies nice and flat.

Sewing patterns for spring

Posted in Sewing, Stuff to make by

How excited was I when I saw that Liesl Gibson, the incredibly talented designer behind Oliver and S, teamed up with Simplicity to make patterns for women? Well, over the moon. I’ve made one dress for my daughter using an Oliver and S pattern and just bought the fabric to make another. Liesl’s instructions are wonderfully clear and the patterns have details that make the end product look professional, not like something made in home-ec class. The woman’s line, Lisette, is supported by a blog, which promises to offer tips and additional instruction. I’m already planning to make the traveler dress (pictured here from the Lisette site) and the market skirt. I will post the results!

 

Update: I just purchased three yards of lecien yarn-dyed gingham in large blue and ordered the pattern from Sew Lisette. I can’t wait to get started, but before I do must finish: quilted placemats and napkins, dress for miss b., quilted play mat for expectant friend. Best get cracking!

Sock Dog

Posted in Recycled materials, Sewing, Stuff to make by

We’re just back from a long weekend in the Deep North at my brother’s house–skiing, ice skating, and, in my case, suffering from a stomach bug. What is more pleasant than a puking houseguest? you might ask. I’m pretty sure Ben Franklin coined a pithy adage about it.

Not only was my beautiful sister-in-law, Toni, gracious about my digestive turmoil, but she also let me photograph her latest sewing projects.  

She made this polka dot pooch from a couple of old socks. Such a cute pup! The pattern comes from Martha Stewart Crafts (step-by-step instructions here). You can also find it in Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts.

Toni also made this pretty drawstring  bag from a pattern in Heather Ross’s Weekend Sewing.

    

And this canvas bag (perfect size for an IPad or say, those paper things formerly known as books) from Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter.

Thank you ever so much, T. I promise not to return for a while. Love, m.