In November, I went to Denyse Schmidt's workshop and it was an a amazing experience.  Denyse just wrote about the class on the Purl Bee the other day.  You can read about my experience here and see a quilt I made using the technique I learned here.  For Christmas, Fatty gave me a gift certificate for Denyse's Advanced Improv class so the two of us took a trip to New York last weekend so I could cash it in.

The whole idea behind the advanced improv class is to take an idea and to develop it into a plan for a quilt.  I struggled for many weeks about what to actually work on in this class. What it came down to in the end was what I had on hand.  And what I have is a HUGE stack of Heather Bailey fabrics to use for Jane.  I was planning to make her a zig zag quilt, but never started it.  So, I chose the one large-scale floral that her room colors are based on and started buying solids to go with it.  I want something suit a 9 year old and a 19 year old, something she won't outgrow before it's even finished.

The night I made the homework blocks, they didn't seem thatbad.  It was late, I was (over)tired and put them in pile, happy tohave that bit of business finished.  The next day, after I took thisphoto, I knew it was bad.  Really bad.  And the one block that I didn'tlike while I was piecing them, was the one I liked the best of all. When I say best, that is an exaggeration - it was like the least offending of all four.  I didn't have any spare time to do them over or even makeanother two.

At the studio on Saturday, I showed my blocks and inspiration fabric to Denyse, Richard (her teaching partner) and my two fellow classmates.  I explained why I chose these colors and who the quilt would be for.  I went through the laundry list of things I didn't like:  the proportion was off; the dark pink really, really bothered me (and everyone else!); the rest of the pink wasn't much better; I felt I needed more neutrals (maybe a brown?).  What I did like about these blocks was that there were "L" shapes made by strips of continuous colors in all of them.  The repetition of that pattern was really appealing to me.  The somewhat monochromatic blue/green/yellow block was the one I liked best and I wonder aloud if maybe I should take the pink out all together or separate it somehow. 

After some consultation, I started sketching a bit and playing with fabric.  Denyse and Richard pulled bolts of different solids and we compared them to the ones I had.  We picked a few more yellows to add in - a pale butter, a bright lemon and a mustard - along with a second lime green and a second ivory.  We talked about cutting up the floral fabric to use it as a solid.  Then I started sewing.

I liked my first block and used it as a starting point to make other blocks.  I made some blue blocks, some pink blocks, and per Denyse's suggestion, an ivory one.  I took Richard's suggestion and used the Heather Bailey fabric as a print in some places and as a solid in others.  I strategically cut it to get pieces that were mostly pink or green or yellow or just the background alone.  I repeated the "L" shape in all the blocks and used the ivory for continuity.  Five blocks into this project, I like where it is going.  I like the log cabin-ish centers and the small (well, small for me) scale of the blocks.  The muted yellows, especially the mustard, help ground all those easter egg pastels and tone down that dark pink.

I haven't worked on it any more since I have been home.  I have been letting the process and the ideas percolate a bit.  I am going to keep at it, though.  I think I will have to make at least four more blocks to see if I can make this quilt come together the way I want.  I will be pulling some other prints from my stash to see if I can add a few more bits of interest and texture. If it doesn't come together, that is ok, too.  I am learning so much about myself as an artist just through the process.  That alone is enough.

A big thank you to Denyse and Richard.  You guys are great inspiration and a lot of fun!  I appreciate your feedback and encouragement.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you come up with another class.  I'd love to come back!

Good morning.  Care for a cup of coffee?

Are you familiar with Polka Dot Cottage?  Lisa makes incredible buttons and jewelry out of polymer clay.  When I say incredible, I mean incredible.  I am amazed at what she does.   Awhile back, Lisa asked me if I would take part in her big button challenge.  Sure, why not?  So she sent me a button and I was to make something using the button.  The result:  french press cozy.

Honestly, I was planning on making a tufted pillow, but Sarah beat me to the punch.  Have you seen hers?  It's stunning!  I thought about making a coffee cup cozy.  When I was telling Emily my reservations about making yet another coffee cozy (not much of a challenge in my mind), she suggested a french press cozy.  Perfect!  I whipped it up the next day.

I followed my own coffee cozy directions except that the french press cozy is just a long rectangle.  I measured the circumference of the pot with a string  - high tech, I know - and cut a linen rectangle and a piece of insulated batting 1.25 inches longer and 1 inch higher than the measurements.  For the outside fabric, I used a Japanese cheater print that I bought from Leslie and a small piece of linen so the button would pop.  I really like how it turned out.

I'm just about ready to pour my third cup this morning.  I am completely exhausted from our weekend in New York.  I feel like I am suffering from some kind of sensory overload.  My mind is overflowing with inspiration and ideas and I am seeing quilt squares when I close my eyes.  I'm going to take a day or two to settle back in to our routine and to get some rest.  See you in a couple of days.

Wow.

Really, that is about all I can say.  Well, that and thank you to all of those who supported my shop.  I am completely flabbergasted, humbled and just plain excited all at the same time.  For those of you who have emailed asking if there will be more camera straps for sale, the answer is YES!  I am not sure exactly when - at least a month, maybe two.  I will keep you all posted via the blog.  Again, thanks.  You guys made my day!

I should be in bed seeing that I need to be up in about 5 hours to catch a flight.  I'm still packing, too.  Ahem.

I threw together some quilt blocks last night.  I'm feeling so-so about at least 1/2, maybe 3/4 of them.  If all things go as planned, I'll come back Monday with a better plan.

That's right.  I'm going back.  Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking to Betz White, author of Sewing Green, 25 Projects Made with Repurposed and Organic Materials.  If you don't already have a copy of this book, I think you are missing out.  Betz has filled it with fantastic projects, aimed at the advanced beginner to intermediate sewer.  There is everything from a reversible skirt and produce bags to a car sunshade and log shaped draft buster.  We talked about two of the baby projects.

. . . . .

Erin:       Hi, Betz. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me about your new book,Sewing Green.  I received my copy a fewweeks ago and really have enjoyed looking through it.  It’s so inspiring!  There are many projects that I want tomake.  I chose to start with the babyquilt because a dear friend of mine just had her first baby and I wanted tomake her something special. 

 

Puttingthis quilt together was fun and easy! You did a great job on the project design and instructions.  I love that you call for organic materialsfor this quilt.  Why do you think usingorganics for babies is so important?

Betz:Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed making it. It’s very sweet! Organiccotton fabrics are such a natural choice for babies. Everything from the cultivationof the fiber to the production of the fabric is done without the use of toxicchemicals. (Inversely, the production of conventional cotton uses 25% of theworld’s pesticides!) We do so much to protect our babies and their sensitivesystems from the time we are pregnant to their earliest days and on throughtheir youth. We feed them healthy and organic foods, wash their clothing inmild detergent, etc. Wrapping them in organic cotton is just one more way to begentle to their bodies.

Erin:       When my girls were born seven and nineyears ago, there weren’t many organic fabrics on the market.  The few options that were available were allvery similar, as well – mostly unbleached and undyed cottons.  There are so many more choices now!  Both the darling aqua print on the front ofthe quilt and the snuggly sherpa on the back are organic cottons.  Have you also noticed that organic fabricsare easier to find?  Why do you thinkthat is?

Betz:I agree! My boys are the same ages as your girls and the market has definitelystarted to change since they were babies. However, there is still a long way togo. I encourage everyone to consider organics when buying new fabrics. You’llbe doing right by the environment and yourself. Money talks and we can increasedemand for these sustainable practices by choosing organics. (Shown here: Aquaprint by Harmony Art Organics. Organic sherpa backing from NearSea Naturals)Look for more organic fabric options hitting the market soon, including(fingers crossed) a line from yours truly!

Erin:   Really?  That's exciting!  Thebatting you sent me for the quilt is made out of corn!  So cool! It was wonderful to use and it’s better for the planet than atraditional cotton batting.  Why is usingeco-friendly materials a better choice?

Betz:Crazy that your quilt is made with corn, huh? The fiber is referred to as PLA,a polymer made from lactic acid found in corn. It’s manmade but 100% naturebased, breathable, washable and biodegradable. Other batting made frompoylester is not biodegradable, but there are some made with recycledpolyester. Sometimes the most “eco-friendly” option isn’t clear, so it’s up tous to educates ourselves and be aware of false “eco” claims, otherwise known as“green-washing”.

E:       The stuffed dog is such a sweet toy!  I really enjoyed making it.  It’s made with a felted cashmeresweater.  I love taking something thatwas meant for one use and giving it a second life as something else.  I know you do a lot of that, too.  Can you recommend other items that can berepurposed for children and babies?

Betz:A washed cashmere sweater has got to be my number one favorite repurposedmaterial for babies. Dad’s soft sweats or flannel shirt are also nice materialsfor baby pants or tops.

Erin:       I think you did a fabulous job with thisbook.  After reading it, I find myselfthinking twice before running out to the fabric store.  Instead I’m looking around me and seeing howI can use what I have.  Thanks for theinspiration and for taking time to chat with me.

Betz:Thanks for hosting me on the tour!

. . . . .

There's more!  Betz and STC Craft are generously giving away a copy of her book, Sewing Green.  To be eligible for the drawing, leave a comment on this post before Thursday, April 30th at 1:00 p.m. EST.  I'll announce the winner tomorrow.

As a side note:  I followed Betz's directions exactly on the quilt and the dog.  Everything in these two patterns - amounts of materials needed, directions, etc. - was completely accurate.

I'll be back tomorrow.

Some Sewing Green,

stitching up camera straps,

and a small, on-the-go knitting project have been keeping me busy this week.  It's been fun to sew by hand, with the machine and knit all in the same week.  I haven't done that much multi-crafting in a long while!

I hoe you have a fantastic weekend.  I am off to Chicago to reconnect with my high school friends at our 20th reunion.  I'll be back next week with some shop news and to welcome Betz White when she stops by on Wednesday.  See you then!

I know some of you are waiting for the shop announcement which I promised would be mid-April.  It's about that time, isn't it?  Yes, it is.  I've been silently working on camera straps, getting them ready to sell.  But I hate to tell you, I can't give you a date, yet.  Production is right on schedule and all the other little bits are falling into place.  That's not the problem.  No, my problem is much bigger and beyond my control:  Federal Jury Duty.

I've been on call for jury duty since the beginning of March and thought I was going to escape an actual summons.  Until this past Friday when the letter came in the mail, that is.  So it looks like next week, I'll be at the courthouse instead of here, at home, opening my little shop.  I am not comfortable throwing the proverbial doors wide open and not being around my computer to handle any unforeseen problems.  Additionally, the time I do have at home will be limited and I know my attention will be needed elsewhere.  Something has got to give and this time it's the shop.  Sorry.

I will let you know an actual date just as soon as I can.  There is a slight chance I won't have to go in at all next week, but I am not counting on it.  Regardless, I will give you two or three days notice before I put anything up for sale.  Sound good?

The most frequently asked question:  Where do I buy my labels?  The answer:  Namemaker.

Camera straps will be available some time in the middle of April.  I will let you know the exact date when it gets closer.

OK - back to my vacation.

I forgot how much fun sewing with elastic thread can be until I made the All-Weekend Sundress from Weekend Sewing.  And once I started, I couldn't stop.

I started with the skirts and then moved on to dresses.  The skirts took 1/2 yard of fabric each, and the dress, slightly under a yard each.  I didn't follow my own tutorial, but instead went with the directions Heather gives in Weekend Sewing.  Her way is easier and better which made these pretty fast projects....about 1/2 hour per skirt, maybe an hour for the dress.  The girls are saying that they will wear them.  I hope so.  I increased the odds by making sure that their respective garments matched their new saltwaters.  Fingers crossed.

Our spring break starts today at 3:00.  I'm looking forward to some down time and just hanging out.  I'm not sure if I will be in this space or not.  Have a great weekend and see you soon-ish.