j. a. craghead & company

2012-05-24T16:57:00.001-07:00

The garden is back for another colorful Spring!

No. 710

I've been busy this Spring with some more custom sewing. Finished needlepoint bags for Rita's Needlepoint.

No. 711

Also made a "Grannys Sewing Room" sewing machine cover. This is a larger version of my "Sewing Room" featherweight cover.

No. 712

Another Featherweight cover featuring "sew much fun!" fabric.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

On Pins and Needles

2012-02-21T15:32:00.000-08:00

These are a few of the pincushions I've collected over the years.
The newest is the cute little Sister sewing machine from lifepieces.
The Yo Yo flower pincushion from PiccalilliPatchwork is filled with sewing notion pin toppers from SewandSoMuchMore.
The cross stitch running rabbit is hand stitched by CherieWheeler from her shop CherieWheeler.
I keep them on a Bauer two level tid bit server.

Because you can never have too many pincushions, I enjoy sewing new ones like these.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

days with sweaters and nights with quilts....

2012-01-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Finished my Esme cardigan. I substituted Noro Furisode for the Noro Kogarashi used in the pattern book. This pattern is in the Noro LOVE book. A nice texture stitch for this unusual blended color yarn. Because it is a mainly silk & cotton with only 15% wool, I think it will make an almost year round sweater.

I also got around to taking pictures of my Kaffe Fassett Westminster Fabrics. quilt, finished way back in 2008. The Goes Around Comes Around pattern is in his "quilts in the sun" book. I backed it with his Samarkand print, hand quilted in black (almost the longest part) and bound it with strips of the shot cotton left over from the top.

With the start of a new year, the winter weather is on it's way bringing days with sweaters and nights with quilts!

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

2011-12-06T14:56:00.000-08:00

Satsuma oranges are a Christmas favorite here. They will be joined by holiday cookie baking as the season gets into full swing.

I've also added some Christmas sewing....

No. 683

and aprons for all that hoilday baking too!

No. 487

No. 498

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

2011-11-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

Went through my yet to be used yarn and found enough to play with a blanket and join the Attic24 & Little Tin Bird Ripple-along.

I am using both Jo Sharp Soho Summer 100% cotton and Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine 100% cotton. Aiming towards a soft washable Spring blanket. I have mostly turned to knitting, but am now having fun with crocheting.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

frost is on the pumpkin

2011-11-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

The frost is on the pumpkin and it's time for warm & cozy knits.

No. 688

No. 692

The hat is knit with Farmhouse Yarns Lumpy Bumpy in Calico. The scarf is in Kaffe Fassett Rowan Colourscape Chunky in Candy Pink.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

Patchwork and Needlepoint

2011-10-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

No. 682

My latest custom work for Rita's Needlepoint. It started as this canvas

After sorting through my Kaffe Fassett fabrics, I copied the "quilt squares" in the corners of the needlepoint with fabric squares. Added piecework in more colorful Rowan fabrics and finished with a striped back.

This project bag is larger than usual and has a double interior pocket.

While preparing the yard for winter, I picked some of the Roses, Dahlias & Cosmos. The last memories of the summer garden.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop

Pumpkins & Quilts

2011-09-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

No. 680

Time for more Halloween sewing. I've added some aprons and "trick or treat" bags to my Etsy shop.

Took some pictures of my quilts. This one features Sew it Book fabric from Amy Barickman’s reproduction 1929 classic collection.
I added Robert Kaufman "Little Darlings Scissors" in Pink and some Japanese cotton "Sewing Notions" in Green.

No.679

Also did some more custom work for Rita's Needlepoint.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy shop or my eBay store.

Yamhill Farmer's Market Bags

2011-07-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

No. 674

The Farmer's markets are full of fruits and vegetables, so I made some fresh Yamhill Market Bags to bring them home in style.
Colorful combinations of Kaffe Fassett and Martha Negley Westminster Fabric prints are paired with Annies Seed Catalogue and Olive Oil Scattered Labels.

No. 675

A new Streetcar Bag inspired by Leciein Whitewash Peppermint Stitched Lettering. I added French General Rouenneries Silky Wovens in Turkey Red with Moda Bliss Polka Dot & Fresh in Scarlet. All on a base of French General Rouenneries Woven French Red Cotton/Linen Stripe.

No. 676

Another Streetcar Bag with a nod towards Autumn. This bag features Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow "Majestic Oak" in Grass, more of Annie's Seed Catalogue, lots of black & white polka dots all sitting on a base of Alexander Henry Fashion For The Home Collection "Tutty Fruity" in Natural Cotton Canvas.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy store or my eBay store.

The Garden is Open

2011-05-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

Finally enough warm weather to wake up the garden.

The columbine

The Spirea

The Rhododendrons

and of course the Roses.

Now for another nice day to sit and enjoy it.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy store or my eBay store.

Never enough Pincushions

2011-04-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

There's always room for another pincushion. A cute & colorful little something to keep you and your sewing machine company.
I fussy cut the center of this log cabin pattern from a cute Japanese linen cotton blend. Then I surrounded it with Bonnie & Camille Bliss prints. A strip of Amy Butler's solid fabric in olive mimics the color of the center pincushion print.

No. 661

Next another log cabin, but featuring a fussy cut from Sharon Yenter Housework Whenever print. I surrounded her with polka dots, plaid, Kona cotton and Feedsack florals.

No. 662

And last a bigger cut from that same cute Japanese linen cotton blend.

No. 663

Pincushion are a fun way to play with my collection of sewing themed prints.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy store or my eBay store.

The Sewing Room

2011-04-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

No. 660

This sewing machine cover is made to keep your machine clean and attractive. The smaller size is tailored to fit over my Singer Featherweight 221.

An imaginary sewing room is the inspiration for this Featherweight cover. I have hand appliqued and hand embroidered the front.
I started with Aunt Grace "Circle of Friends" in Blue for the wallpaper. A table in Brown Kona Cotton is topped with natural cotton lace.
Sitting on the table is a basket of Feedsack fabric waiting for that next project. A length of measuring tape trim trails out onto the table. Beside the basket is a plump Red wool felt pincushion with bead topped embroidered pins. Three buttons add to the notions.
On the wall is a hand embroidered Sewing Room sampler in "Chimney Sweep" thread from The Gentle Art and framed with brown seam binding.

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A close up look at the hand applique and hand embroiderey on this cover. This Sewing Room Feathereweight cover is listed at my Etsy store .

Out in the garden Mom's Saxifraga & my daffodils are blooming with a dusting of petals from the flowering plum tree.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy store or my eBay store.

Signs of Spring

2011-03-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

I have a garden of yellow and pink. Daffodils & forsythia and cherries & plums. The birds are also busy getting ready for Spring.

Just finished a nine patch quilt with Civil War & shirting reproduction fabric. I used all red & blue prints, except for one square in yellow. Natural muslin for the neutral and for the border I found a a blue feather stitch print. Bound the quilt with red Kona cotton to frame it in color.

Another new cover for the Featherweight 221's. This one with yo yo flowers on velvety flannel and lots of polka dots, even on the rick rack grosgrain ribbon. I added little embroidered stems and a measuring tape top. Signs of Spring for your sewing too!

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

BE MY VALENTINE

2011-02-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is almost here, so Spring must not be too far away.
The Crocus & Daphne are starting to bloom. My Mother always had Daphne growing in our yard and a few sprigs would fill the room with it's sweet smell. As I walk around the garden, there is the promise of Spring in all the buds I find. Forsythia, Daffodils, Primroses, and Flowering Cherry trees are ready to add some welcome color & fragrance.

I have adde a new Sewing Machine Cover in a larger size to fit the Featherweight "Big Sis" Singer 301. A retro floral print called Betty Dear in aqua surrounded with dots and scissors.

No. 650

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

New Year, New covers for an old favorite

2011-01-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

My Singer Featherweight is still my favorite sewing machine. Sews through anything and looks great too. I have a second one I use in my Teahouse.

Cosmo Cricket's new Tailor Made prints showed up in this Featherweight sewing machine cover.

No. 641

Here I surrounded an embroidered Featherweight patch with a take on a log cabin block using Urban Chicks retro style Happy Daisy. Lots of polka dots and a bit of rick rack for a colorful finish.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

It's Begining to Look Alot Like Christmas.....

2010-11-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

It's time to start planning the Holiday baking and entertaining. Here are some of my colorful aprons in sizes for adults and the little helpers too. I've also made up some unique Christmas pincushion to keep you & your sewing machine company during the holidays!

No. 503

No. 380

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

THANKSGIVING TURKEY & PUMPKIN PIE!

2010-11-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

The last of the summer roses like this Crimson Glory climber are still in bloom,

While the signs of Autumn are all around.

Some of my new sewing for Fall include a table cover with pieced Kaffe Fassett Westminster Fabrics. They surround a needlepoint canvas from Rita's Needlepoint.

No. 622

and another new apron for the big dinner or holiday baking.

No. 621

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

TRICK OR TREAT!

2010-09-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the air, school has started and Halloween is just around the corner. So I have listed some new aprons to wear when you hand out those treats and bags for the little trick or treaters too.

No. 484

No. 605

No. 606

No. 344

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

Full Bloom

2010-08-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing and the garden is in full bloom. Here are some of my full blooms in colorful Kaffe Fassett Westminster Fabrics.

No. 110

No. 592

No. 566

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

Mail, Scissors, Fabric!

2010-06-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Rock, scissors, paper is a game often used as a selection method in a way similar to coin flipping, drawing straws, or throwing dice. The mail brought me new scissors and a great selection of fabrics to use them on.

The Japanese scissors are Misuzugawa Hasami Tailor Shears from Hida Tool & Hardware Company. They are a wonderful source for woodworking, gardening and kitchen tools made in Japan.

The Japanese fabrics include new designs by Keiko Goke. I found the red "Bubbles in the Sky" at Glorious Color. The red "Old Roses" and black "Three Squares" at superbuzzy.
Now which one to cut first?

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

Travel Trailers and Farmers Markets!

2010-06-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is just around the corner and I have put together some Yamhill Market Bags in fun prints to take with you. The first was inspired by Michael Miller road trip designs. The fabrics include travel trailers, Route 66 road signs, diners and tourist spots.

No. 579

The second Yamhill Market Bag features all those lovely vegetable designs from Martha Negley that say it's Farmer's Market time and the early bird gets the fresh produce!

No. 584

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

Irises are in bloom!

2010-05-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

The iris are in full bloom and the roses are now getting started. Now I just need the rain to stop, so I can go into the garden and pick a fragrant bouquet.

My collection of vases and pottery are ready and waiting.

Mine is a garden of memories. I have transplants from my mother's gardens that have moved from yard to yard. They have mixed in with new ones we have added over the years. I collect my old roses from Heirloom Roses.

Between the showers I can pick a bunch like this.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed.

Custom Needlepoint Bags

2010-05-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have been making custom bags for Rita's Needlepoint and wanted to share these recent ones with you. Her customer's colorful needlepoint canvases pair up perfectly with Kaffe Fassett Westminster Fabrics.

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No. 570

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No.573

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

My Mother's Featherweight

2010-05-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

I learned to sew on my Mother's little Singer Featherweight. It was was just the right size for a young sewer. She later gave me this Featherweight and I still use it for my sewing today. I have been making sewing machine covers and here is my latest scaled to fit my 221.

No. 562

Number 562 is made with fabrics designed by Amy Barickman from her reproduction of a 1929 classic The Sew-It Book. These fabrics, by Red Rooster, feature sewing implements and button people.

No. 563

Number 563 is a Remnant Pincushion I made to match the Featherweight Sewing Machine Cover.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.

Spring Flowers

2010-04-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well Spring is now in full bloom and the yard is covered in pinks and pale blues. This has inspired me to create some Spring - themed aprons.

No. 572

Number 572 is one of My Mother's Apron designs featuring a light & breezy Cath Kidston floral print. I added a wide border of crisp white eyelet and a pocket in Belle "Seeds" from Amy Butler. The pocket is trimmed with sunny yellow cotton rick rack to match the ties in Michael Miller Flora & Fauna "Blossom" in Yellow.

To see more of these, visit my Flickr page or RSS subscribe to my Flickr photo feed. Or, visit my Etsy page or my eBay store.