Accomplishments

Feeling rather accomplished lately. Why does this make me nervous? What am I forgetting? As you can guess, I am not used to feeling like I am ahead of the game. Especially as a new mother, especially as a seamstress. However, it has been four weeks of regular gym work outs (thank you Fitocracy!) and almost a month of marking things off my sewing goals list!

I am not bragging, so don’t be fooled by my joyous over-confidence. I whipped up some overdue holiday gifts for some sewing pals of mine, using the fabulous pinch frame purse tutorial on Petite Purls by Rashida Coleman-Hale. To be honest, I had the tutorial saved on my phone for ages, and had purchased the frames on Etsy in 2010 – eep! It feels so good to use these frames.

Sewing for gifts is something I do and somehow also complain about often. It’s hard for me (maybe everyone?!) to know what people might enjoy. However, when I remembered that my stash had these fun frames I knew I would have to give the tutorial a try.

And because I have four frames, I whipped up one for myself first, to make sure I had the process down right.

And, maybe not surprisingly, it didn’t go well. I thought I would be fancy and use linen for the frame casing. Apparently, it had completely escaped me that linen has thick fibers and is actually not very thin compared to quilting cottons. So the frame doesn’t actually close well. It won’t drop my phone, but coins it probably would lose. I do really love this scrap of Echino fabric I had, so it isn’t a complete toss.

The tutorial is fast and easy to follow. The process is more simple than it seems. I suggest making a few for yourself in all sizes! The one above holds sunglasses easily!

I made one for Sew Your Own Way in Tula Pink:

One in a kelly green for Nerdy Sewist:

And one in Echino for Mermaid Sews:

I do hope they enjoy their new homes! The frames are such a delight to use and make a professional product. I bought mine here.

I managed to sneak in something not on the list (oh no!) a handmade clutch for my niece turning 13! Happy Birthday lady! I used Anna Maria Horner’s voile and velveteen. It came out just lovely if I do say so myself.

She seems quite pleased, but honestly, turning 13 is probably one of the best birthdays ever.

I have other things in the works, and a couple of things completed but not yet documented. I can tell you now, though, is that I am getting even more excited about making myself clothes!

Hope you are all having wonderful experiences too!

Love,

MaLora

PS: My real big accomplishment is that my almost 18 month old son gave me a real kiss today. It never occurred to me to teach him to kiss, and he just did it all on his own. I am blown away by the joy of love. Below are the boys of Team Erickson.

Aprons and Anchors

I am happy to report that I am getting things done on my Must Do sewing list! Not a lot, but progress is progress! I finished an adorable apron for my sewing buddy Jessie; we bartered! She posted an adorable picture of a cowl she knit in purples and greens (which I have worn every day for three days and receive countless compliments on it! I will have to post a picture soon.) on instragram and I snatched it right up with the offer of a handmade apron.

I put a lot of thought in the details of my aprons. I love the concept of an apron, of taking a practical item with function and making it flattering and fun.

Her kitchen is gorgeous, with tons of light, mostly white walls and cabinets. Jessie has a bit of classic vintage flair. I am excited to give her a huge splash of red to adorn her lovely walls when not in use.

I used giant ric-rac along the bottom edge for a bit of flirt, and some subtle white long stitches running up each thigh to the pocket. These stitches are practical, holding together the lining and focus fabrics, but also highlight the legs and drag the eye upwards. (This is the same concept as garter belts, ahem.)

The vintage pocket with pearl button is my favorite on this piece, and one I plan on adding to many projects in the future. Patch pockets are common and easy, and in vintage patterns I have seen much larger versions of these pockets everywhere. The construction is simple: make a square, leave a 2″ opening on one side, sew RST, turn inside out and iron flat, fold top down, and stitch to project. I am so happy with these pockets! It’s hard to tell, but an iPhone fits perfectly against the shorter side of the pocket, so it won’t fall out when in use.

I also finished up some purses, and am quite pleased with how they turned out!

The navy blue and white anchors came out brilliant. I love the intense cherry red strap and lining as well. The pattern has become second nature to me (after having made quite a few.)

The pattern calls for one magnetic snap, but two is better. I found my keys fell out when I had just one. I love the look of hardware on handmade purses, or any purse. Or maybe all purses are really handmade, when you think about it, someone is making them, somewhere. Back to my point, hardware. Where do you get quality bag hardware? I am always looking for metal the color of hematite instead of silver, or antique brass instead of gold.

What is quality to you? To me, it’s in the details. Perfection isn’t really attainable, by definition, but quality is achieved through hard work and attention. Quality, like the alignment of this anchor – adorable! (oops, bad quality: should have snipped my threads a bit closer on the strap!)

Working with grid repeat patterns in fabric is challenging for me, especially when you are working with a three-dimensional object. I don’t usually buy them, because of things like this dart alignment. While the seam’s alignments look great, the anchors look funky. So it is right, but it looks wrong.

I really hope these get loved! It is always challenging to sew for gifts. What have you made for others lately?

I also finished more things on my list, but it’s a Secret! I will post once those items have arrived in the hands of their lovely new owners!

Hope you are all having a lovely Winter! We are have record low temperatures in Seattle, and yet, no snow. Seems like I am being cheated! All this ice and coldness with nothing fun to play in!

Love,

MaLora

PS: A sneak peek of an upcoming project!

Off to sewing summit!

The past couple of weeks has been super crazy! My first sewing conference ever is coming up, Sewing Summit 2012 in Sl,UT! I am very excited to meet my friends and sewing mates, and make new friends as well. Not to mention come back with crazy new mad skills!

I am going to miss this little biking buddy like crazy too, though. It will be my first time away from him ever, and 4 days feels like forever already!

Pardon the super red cheeks, I had just biked 10 miles pulling this little (heavy) chap along behind me in our Burley trailer. My best estimate is that together they weigh about 40lbs, and while I am lucky to live near the Interurban Trail, you can feel every slight incline when you are pulling a heavy, wobbly trailer behind you. My hubs uses the Yepp Mini, an awesome bike seat that sits the child in front of you on your stem. I am not too keen on that yet, as it takes a certain level of skill and grace to hold up a bike while putting a squiggly toddler in his buckles. Why don’t more bikes comes with kickstands?! (I am looking at you, Giant, and you, Surly)

So I have been riding a lot more with the kid now that we have my trailer all set up. I have hopes of pulling him to his preschool but that is a solid 7 miles each way, and so early in the morning… I would need coffee first, which means waking up early enough to make coffee… Mind you, it’s not the weather. I love Seattle rain. However I have yet to pull the trailer in the rain, thanks to our Seattle draught/Indian Summer. I wonder how awful it is? How much mud and puddles and water splashes up? We will be finding out and reporting back, once we get a good rain going on here.

My prep for Sewing Summit is complete! Except the packing, anyway. I whipped up the final bits for my sewing swap. Here is an adult apron and a baby apron for some special people. Who doesn’t want bikes in their kitchen?!

Here are a couple of photos of the set I whipped up for my roomie in some fantastic silky cotton. Her favorite colors are purple and orange (Pantone suggests these are pretty hot right now, so she is on to something for sure.)

I made a cloth book cover for our Children’s Clothing pattern class (see mine below) as well as a clutch lined in hot pink to keep the vitals with us when we hit Sl,UT this weekend! I also made a very thick, cushy drawstring bag to carry embroidery in, for Imagine Gnats impromptu class. I made sure it was big enough to hold a 10″ hoop and other supplies, along with a small matching needle case with wool felt (keep those needles sharp!) Since my roomie is new to embroidery, I including some large eye needles and tapestry needles too, just in case. Threading those tiny ones are so challenging!

I am very happy with how it all came together! The natural linen is an actual pleasure to stitch up. I had some fun Japanese cotton lace that I used on the bag, too.

My notebook for the class is less cool, because it is only one layer of fabric so not super soft feeling, but it’s still nice. I used one of my gigantic Spoonflower labels on the cover, the design unexpectedly integrated so perfectly!

My helper has learned to walk, which makes taking pictures nearly impossible without his sweet little fingers getting involved. How can I possible leave him for four whole days?!

I can’t believe this is my 60th post. That I have been writing this blog for a little over 2 years. So much has happened! I do hope that you are enjoying reading my blog, and sharing in my adventures.

Love,

MaLora

PS: Don’t forget to enter my giveaway! The matching clutches might just come with a special surprise inside!

PPS: Follow me on Instragram to see my sewing summit adventures!

A Blog Giveaway!

To celebrate the end of Sewing in September, I whipped up a matching set of  clutches in grey, teal and bright yellow. Just answer my question (leave a comment) to win, and I will announce the winner next Monday, October 15th!

Question:  What is your favorite online free pattern or tutorial to make? Link to it!

These would be awesome for traveling or even day trips to a park or picnic. I do hope you like them!

Rules:
Comment with your answer and link to your favorite online free tutorial or pattern. International comments are fine too! Be sure to leave your email address or some way for me to find you, or check back to see if you won October 15th, next Monday!

Love,

MaLora Ann

UPDATE October 15th:

Congrats to Mary Jo who wins! YAY! I am exhausted from Sewing Summit but will happily mail your package out once you email me your physical address. Thank you to everyone who entered!

- M