I’m not lying when I say that I love Patty’s patterns. The styles are so fun and hip, and the clothes sew up so nicely. I’m never disappointed by the results and Miss L always loves wearing them.

About a year ago, I tried to bring home Patty’s prototype for the Sydney hooded tunic but was foiled. Lucky for me that I can now make one whenever I want — and I’m expecting there to be plenty in L’s closet before too long.

Now, this particular Sydney was made as a sample for the shop but I did let my sweetie wear it before I dropped it off. The two main fabrics are by Alexander Henry and I have to say that I love them just as much now as I did when Sarah ordered them at Market in May. Bright, fun, bold — all the things I love. The green dot is actually one of Paula’s from Summer Soiree. A few of those prints actually look really good with the AH line but the dots won out for me. Why? Because I have a polka dot fixation. (The green corduroy pants, BTW, were a Carter’s purchase and a perfect match.)

I did make one change to the construction of the tunic and that was sewing the front facing over the hood so that the front edge of the hood ends up between the facing and the tunic. I think it makes for a nice, clean line in the front of the tunic and no serged seams to show if the neckline flips open. If you want to try this yourself, follow the directions for attaching and turning the facing but skip topstitching the opening as well as basting the facing to the neckline. Then when you attach the hood, pin the facing so the hood is between it and the tunic, with the wrong side of the facing on the outside of the shirt. Clip the corner and turn the facing back to the inside of the top before topstitching around the hood and the shirt’s V.

I don’t think it took me more than two or three hours to sew it up, and part of that was because I got caught up in the TV show I had on while I was sewing. (Shhh! I have an unhealthy addiction to the SoapNet’s repeats of Beverly Hills, 90210!)

My MacBook is still at “the spa,” but I’ll add a Mr. Linky as soon as I can for those who want to participate. (blogging from my iPhone has challenges.)

ETA: My MacBook is home! I feel like I’m back in touch with the world at large again, although I’m still trying to work out the kinks that sprouted from replacing the hard drive. Thanks for your patience.

You’re welcome to sign up with the Mr. Linky widget if you’re taking part in this year’s Thankful for 30. Feel free to grab the little graphic, too.

1. Sunny Fall days and more in the forecast.
2. Finding the stash of checks after I ran out.
3. Bringing home my MacBook with its shiny new hard drive.

I’ll be blogless for a few days as my MacBook undergoes repairs again since it has (again) decided to go on strike. See y’all soon! (I hope!)

This has to be the most drawn-out process of blogging an event in the history of blogging. But I’m finally done and here are the goodies from Quilt Market that can be heading to your home in just a few days. Up for grabs are:

• A neat laser cut invisible zipper from Ghee’s;
• ModKid measuring tape;
• California Dreamin’ postcards;
• Little Folks notepad;
• Timeless Treasures fat quarter stack;
• Olivia’s Holiday by Tina Givens fat quarter stack;
• Two Lecien quilt patterns;
• Mini ruler set;
• Cool bag made from Bali Pops; and
• Awesome Japanese fabric wearable button from Bunny’s Designs!

Just comment on this post and you’re all set. You have until 9 p.m. EST on Friday, Oct. 30, to enter. I’ll close comments then and use the random number generator to select a winner. The winner must claim her (or his) prize by 9 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 2, or I’ll choose another winner.

Good luck!

Five years of love, hugs, kisses, giggles, smiles and those beautiful curls.

When my friend Tif asked if I could make a hoodie for her son, I jumped at the chance. Sure, I’ve never tried to mimic an anime character before, but I’m always up for a challenge.

To get started, I did a Google search for “mudkip” and checked out the links to some mudkip hoodies Tif and her son had found online (I can’t find the original links or I’d share them with y’all). Bulbapedia had some good information, as well as drawings to help me figure out some of the essentials for sewing the hoodie.

I decided to use Burda 7916 as the basis for the hoodie and substitute fleece for the jersey. It worked OK but the fleece does have less give to it than jersey, so it can be a little bit of a struggle to get the hoodie on and off. If I had to do it over again, I’d size up.

I made a contrasting “racing stripe” for the middle by making a new cut line 2.25″ over from the fold line on the front piece. The new “side front pieces” are cut 2″ over from the original fold line (creating a 1/4″ seam allowance). If I had to do it over again, I think I’d make more of a contrasting belly panel about 8″ wide.

The biggest modifications I made to the hoodie were adding a contrasting lining from a pink knit and the fins/gills. You can download the pattern pieces I made here. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewing program.) Note that the back fin piece is on two pages (connect at the dashed line) and that the head fin needs a 1/4″ seam allowance added around the top and sides (but not the bottom edge).

Cut two of the hood pieces from pink knit for the lining.

Cut two of the back fin pieces from light blue fleece and two from fusible fleece.

Cut two head fin pieces from royal blue fleece and two from fusible fleece.

Cut four gill star pieces from orange fleece and four from fusible fleece*.

Cut two 6″ circles from orange fleece.

Cut out two back shirt pieces but not on the fold. Instead, add 1/4″ to the center, which allows you to add the back fin to the rear of the shirt by sewing it into the seam.

I made each of the fin/gill pieces by fusing the fleece to the wrong side, then sewing the pieces right sides together with a 1/4″ seam allowance. (Note: I did most of the sewing on my serger — much faster and easier that way. If you don’t have a serger, follow the pattern instructions for using a twin needle on your sewing machine. I used a single needle and longer stitch length on the gills to preserve the points of the stars, though.)

Turn the fin and gill pieces right side out and press. I used black thread and a long stitch length on my sewing machine to add detail stitching on the fins (the stitch lines are marked on the pattern pieces).

Pin the back fin piece to one back shirt piece about 4″ up from the bottom edge of the shirt. Match the other back shirt piece so that the fin is sandwiched between them and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Attach the head fin between the two royal blue fleece hood pieces and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Position the orange circles on either side of the hood and stitch down. I used a long stitch length and sewed around the edge but you could stitch them down by hand or use a machine blanket stitch instead.

Tuck the unsewn edges of the orange gill pieces inside each opening, then hand stitch to the center of each circle. I used a double length of thread and stitched the length twice to make sure the gill was really tacked down.

Sew the pink knit hood pieces together, then match the hood and hood lining, right sides together, and sew along the front edge with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn right side out and press. I used a hand needle and thread to secure the seam of the hood lining to the seam of the hood to keep the lining from sagging.

Follow the rest of the pattern instructions to complete the hoodie, then wear and be the envy of all your friends!

* I inadvertently used fusible Peltex inside the gills instead of fusible fleece. So, while the gills are nice and stiff, turning them right side out was haaaaaateeeeefullllll.

I was fortunate enough to room with Sarah and Taffy again this trip and this time our friend Patty came along. She’s an old pro at Market but has missed the past couple because she’s been spending lots of time with her little person. It’s always fun to hang out with them and Taffy is always patient with my questions about quilting. They were particularly understanding of my need to hit Starbucks every morning, which was conveniently located right next to our hotel.

Etsuko Furaya was at the Seven Islands booth, so I had to meet her. And take a picture with her (and big thanks to Patty for being in the pic, too!).

Sheree and I talk on the phone all the time but it’s not quite the same as being in the same city for three days. She was pretty occupied with her booth but we did get a few minutes together here and there. I was especially excited to meet the rest of her family and our friend Jonah was kind enough to take a picture of us with her daughter.

More from Market:

Myrinda, Patty and Anna.

Lori and Jamie

Patty and Patty (Young) — yeah, that’s doesn’t get confusing at all. LOL!

Corie. Angela of Bunny Designs in her booth (totally love the Alice in Wonderland theme she had going on!)

Sandi Henderson’s totally wicked Fluevogs that she got on clearance (I’m so jealous).

Me with Paula Prass. (Paula, I think the heads touching is contaigious — look how mine is leaning towards yours LOL!)

Anna, Joey, Jona and (I think) the Sweet Funky VIntage girls (check out the Brassy Apple scarf!)

Sheree and Traci (and check out Traci’s totally cute top, which she made — of course)

I’d have more pictures except the focus ring in my camera lens locked up in the middle of the day on Saturday. Waaaaaahhhhh! (Seriously — the darn thing broke 18 months after I bought it and I had it fixed in May, right before Spring Market & now it’s broken again.)

Next up: last of my Market posts — and a giveaway!

It wasn’t until I attended my first Market last year that I had even an inkling of how much fabric is produced for the retail market. Sarah carries such a huge volume at her shop and that inventory is a teeny tiny fraction of what’s out there.

I know everyone follows the big name fabric designers and has already seen and heard all about their new fabrics by now, so instead I’m going to hit on a few you may not know — but I think you should.

I met Jenean Morrison in Houston last year and thought she was just one of the sweetest Southern girls I’ve ever met. And so talented! Her next line is California Dreamin’ and it is just a joy. One of my favorite things about it, though, is that the colors and prints work so well with her current line, Picnic Parade. It’s like giving a little extra boost. Also? Jenean made the dress she’s wearing, which tickles me to no end because my first sewing project certainly did not turn out so nicely. Super, super cute and she wears it so well!

Given my happiness with expanding fabric options, it’s not surprising that I was excited to see Quilt Soup’s new line (Simply Sweet) coordinates so nicely with Bubblegum Basics. I really loved the colors and prints in the first line and can’t wait to play with the new prints.

I’m completely in love with Rosie’s upcoming line for Japanese fabric company Lecien. Grandmother’s Flower Garden is so sweet and feminine and very reflective of her style. The line also includes some of the prettiest laminated cotton I’ve ever seen. *swoon*

Have you heard of Riley Blake Designs? I fell in love with this year’s Christmas line — Be Merry — as soon as I laid eyes on it and my visit to their booth was just as fun. Next year’s Christmas and Halloween make me just as happy, and the non-holiday lines between now and then are just as cute.

The Windham Fabrics booth has become a must visit for me. How could I not want to see gals as cool as Genevieve Gail, Bari J. and Jessica Levitt and their respective fabric lines? Loved the skirt Jessica made from her debut line, too. I’m so glad she was a willing model because I think she’ll like this picture better than one I would have snuck from behind. LOL!

There was one line of fabric all four of us in the IQ group loved: The Gerta Collection by Marcia Derse for Troy. Seriously. Photos do not do it justice. It was just so cool and different and I absolutely fell in love with it. It was great to have the chance to talk with Marcia about her fabric and design process, too.

Note: My apologies for the total lack of pictures. I had a major camera malfunction on Saturday. As in, the lens I just had repaired before Spring Market died again. So all the pictures I was planning to take? Didn’t happen. Grrrrrr. And whiiiiinnneeeee.

I’ve tried to do a chronological Market round-up the past two visits but I think I’m going to try a thematic approach this time. First up: Patterns!

Because I sew clothing, I’m always on the lookout for cool, new patterns to try and there were plenty to choose from at this fall’s International Quilt Market. If you follow Patty Young’s blog, you already know she’s got some new patterns on the way. I loved seeing them in person and have really enjoyed sewing her patterns, so the new ones definitely will be added to my collection.

Fellow Michael Miller fabric designers Paula Prass and Sandi Henderson also have new patterns on the way. I loved Paula’s new bag pattern but the jacket and dress patterns really caught my eye. Just a really great aesthetic, kind of an updated retro vibe. I’m pretty excited that Sandi’s adding some adult patterns to her repertoire. The wrap skirt looks so pretty and romantic and I think the ruffled pants for women will be well received, too (although I’m not sure I have what it takes to pull them off LOL). She’s also got a new pattern for boys with her own little guy modeling.

Chelsea of Pink Fig showed off her new patterns and I can already guess the Nie Nie Skirt is going to be huge. The story behind it is so touching and Chelsea’s donating a percentage of the pattern’s proceeds to the Nie Nie fund.

Her aunt Lucy debuted her new pattern line, Hot Scott, which should make those moms of boys happy. Yes — a line of patterns for boys! Lucy is such a sweetie and I’m so excited to see her Market debut. The patterns are cute and I saw a lot of traffic at her booth.

Speaking of new pattern line debuts … My beautiful friend Sheree had her first booth at Market for her new pattern line, Sheree’s Alchemy, which will be out in November. I have always loved her aesthetic and can’t wait until these patterns come out. The girls’ clothing ones are kind of “classic contemporary,” very refined and age appropriate. And her home sewing patterns are just as cool as she is. I totally understand why she had a steady stream of visitors to her booth!

Kay Whitt at Serendipity Studio never ceases to amaze me with her designs. This Market was no exception with six new patterns, including a sweet, modern tunic/dress pattern that I had to snatch up on the spot. Seriously. I’m planning to hit the shop this week to buy some fabric for it; I love it that much. The new bag and skirt patterns are also really cool and I’m sure they’ll end up in my collection before too long.

Is there anyone on the planet who is not aware of my love of all things Melly & Me? Melly and Rosie are just so incredibly sweet and talented, and it’s impossible for me not to love everything they do. Which probably explains why I walked away from their booth with a new Rosalie Quinlan Design’s quilt pattern, two new bag patterns and Melly’s first book, Kaleidoscope. I probably would have bought more except I already own most of it! LOL!

The talented Amy Butler has a couple of gorgeous new patterns coming out, including a shirt dress and a coat. I want them both but after seeing the dress on Amy, I’m not sure if it’s going to fit my curvier self. Of course, I’ll probably give it a try anyway! LOL!

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Indygo Junction patterns. The fit of the women’s clothing patterns is sometimes a little boxy but I keep buying and sewing them because I do like them. I think the new Bell Sleeve Blouse is going to change my opinion for the better. I checked out the samples and the darts and cut seem to be much more figure flattering. They didn’t have any available at Market or else I’d have grabbed one to try. However, I know Sarah ordered it so I’ll be buying it as soon as it’s in.

Market was such an amazing experience, everything I could have hoped for and more. I met so many wonderful, talented, creative and fun people (including the lovely Lady M at left). I saw such an array of gorgeous fabrics and cool, new patterns.

It was less than a year ago that someone asked me why I was at Market and, in response to my answer, asked, “What are you doing to make that happen?” Eight words that sent me on my merry way, to things that had only been a dream.

So today I pack my bags and ready for my return to Houston, my third trip to Market. A little less overwhelmed, still a bit nervous but so very excited about what I’m doing to make it happen.

* * * *

I’ll be Tweeting from Quilt Market and also trying to post to my blog, so follow along for all the Quilt Market fun! Be sure to check out the PKM blog for a bunch of folks who are also blogging from Market.