The Merry Church Mouse

Quick Clean Challenge #1

2015-11-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hello, and welcome back! Are you ready for the first Quick Clean Challenge? I hope you are!

The first challenge sounds very easy and, in theory, it really is. The challenge comes, at least for me in just remembering to DO it. So, here it is:

Challenge #1: When moving from one room or area of your home to another, stop and take a quick visual inventory before you leave that area. Is there something that belongs in another room? Are you going to that room? Is it something that can be put in it's proper place quickly? Then DO it. Is there something else that needs to be done before you leave that room that can be done quickly? Then DO it.

Its as simple as that.

Let me know how it goes for you and I'll check back with you all in a week to relate my own progress.

Quick Clean Challenges... Who's With Me?

2015-10-26T00:30:00.000-05:00

If you read my most recent post, you know that I struggle with finding the right balance between rest, play and work. I firmly believe that if we free our minds from the little stresses, the bigger ones may not seem as big. One of my ambitions in writing this blog is to inspire creativity, but to be our best creative selves, we need to have the freedom to create without being distracted by all the little issues that perpetually surround us. Things like clutter, dirty dishes, things out of place, those spots on the bathroom mirror... all the little things that clutter our minds with "I should be doing" guilt.

I know I'm not alone in this struggle, so I thought I'd propose a challenge. One challenge a month. It will involve finding simple tasks, things that can be done simply and quickly. Hopefully they will be things that will establish better habits for all of us.

If you read the last blog post, you also know that I started imposing the "one minute rule" on myself. If it can be done in a minute or less and you have that minute right now then just DO it. Slowly I have seen this start to become a habit for me. I still have to be conscious about it, but I'm telling you folks... it works.

The idea behind the Quick Clean Challenge is that, most likely, if you have one minute, you probably have two, maybe even five. I'm interested to see how much of a difference that just tidying up for a few minutes at a time can make.

From my last post you also know that I'm very much an "obliger". When someone else is counting on me to complete a task, I'm much more likely to accomplish it than I am if the only one counting on it is me. This is where you all come in. I'm hoping you will join me in these challenges. I'll post one on the first Monday of each month. Some will be Two Minute Challenges, some may be Five Minute Challenges. We will see as time goes on and I get more ideas. I'll ask you to join and post your successes and progress in the comments. Feel free to link to your blog if you have a post about it. We will check back every Monday and see how things are going.

So, who's with me? I hope you will post in the comments if you plan to join along. The first challenge will be posted on Monday, November 2. In the meantime, I'd love to hear about what challenges YOU face in finding balance in your life between work, play and rest and what strategies you employ to try and overcome those challenges.

Let's Get Real, Shall We?

2015-10-09T06:02:00.001-05:00

Hey all,
Can we get real for a bit in here today? Most of my posts are about sewing or creative projects or what's going on with my pattern designs. This post is not going to be one of those.

It's been a while since I posted anything in here and it's because I simply just haven't had the energy to write posts and edit them and take pictures and all of the things that go along with documenting a creative project. Life has just been too exhausting. I have completed a few projects and I hope to eventually get to writing posts about them as well as some other post ideas, but the past few weeks I have just felt too overwhelmed.

I think too often in blog land, we project our "ideal selves" in our posts. It makes it seem like life is perfect and every project is beautiful and all the world is rosey. Sometimes reality just isn't that way. Sometimes reality is messy. Sometimes reality is exhausting. Stresses from our full time jobs, or our spouse's job and other outside commitments sometimes get the better of us and it's all we can do to just get through the day keeping our head above water. That's kind of where I have been lately. I try and escape to some creative activity when I get the chance, but sometimes I'm even too mentally or emotionally drained for that. Then the thought of taking the extra effort to blog about it, well, it just doesn't happen.

Days when I get up early to try and accomplish something and my cats are fighting all morning or they are being otherwise naughty, or even both, and I spend half the morning shushing them. Days when I have something planned for dinner and I get home from work at 4:30 and have no energy or desire to cook it because I've had a crazy busy day at work and have been on my feet since 6:30 or 7AM and going non-stop all day. I'm sure we all have those days that are taxing and we all can relate to that. I just seem to have had a lot of them lately.

The past few years have brought a lot of changes to my daily routine and I have fallen into some really bad habits. Habits like ordering out for dinner... 3-4 days a week, sometimes more. Not getting the right exercise, or any exercise, really. Spending way too much time vegging on Facebook or Pinterest or in front of the TV. Completely ignoring housework, some of it for weeks at a time. I'm hoping I'm not the only one who has been there.

I've recently been listening to some podcasts and I have found them to be very encouraging and uplifting. The "Happier" podcasts at gretchenrubin.com feature practical ideas about how to incorporate better habits into your daily life. Most of the episodes last approximately 30 minutes. Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft just converse about different ideas for establishing healthier, happier daily habits. There is often a segment on getting to know yourself better which ultimately helps you learn what works best for you in changing your habits. I love that most of the ideas that they have are really simple, and very actionable. Some have really struck a chord with me.

One that I am beginning to incorporate is the "one minute rule". Instead of kicking my shoes off when I come in the door and just leaving them in the floor in the entryway, I pick them up and put them in the shoe cubby that is literally 2 feet away. Mail is sorted right at the recycling bin before it even enters the house. Anything that can be done in less than a minute, I am no longer allowing myself to be lazy and put off until later. If I see it needs to be done and it can be done in less than a minute and I have that minute to spare, it gets done. Right now I still have to be very conscious about it, but hopefully it will become second nature at some point.

Another thing that I read on someone else's blog, was to do something immediately when you get up in the morning before you allow yourself to even eat breakfast or start your morning routine. This person recommended keeping just a simple notebook and thinking ahead the day before or the night before and writing down things that can be done in that few minutes. It can be something super simple, but just do something. So I'm getting up and taking my medications immediately, but before I allow myself my one cup of coffee for the day, I make myself find one simple task that takes no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. I have the added challenge that it needs to be something silent since my husband is still sleeping. It might be to wipe down the outside of my cabinets or appliances in the kitchen, or dust, or swiffer the floor in my kitchen and dining room. Something simple, easy and quick.

Guess what? Just these two things, as simple as they may seem, are helping. I'm beginning to see the clutter disappearing and order beginning to return. I know it will take a while, but it is encouraging to see progress and to feel like I'm beginning to get back to having a better handle on things. I'm curious to see what other gems await me in the podcasts that I haven't listened to yet as well as in future episodes.

I've also realized that I'm what Gretchen calls an "Obliger". I find it much easier to meet goals and to do tasks when I'm doing it to meet other's expectations, but when the goals are inner expectations that I have for myself, I'm much more likely to not meet those expectations. Basically, "no one cares about this but me, so why bother?" Yet, I have goals and expectations of myself that I truly want to fulfill. It sounds crazy doesn't it? Yet it is SO true of me. So, I need others to hold me accountable for those expectations as well. I hope that those of you who read will reply occasionally and ask me how a project is going and where I am with such and such and so and so. Or "did you finish...? "

And so I'm curious. What motivates you when you fall into those days that are stressful and hard and seem like they just come one after the other, after the other?

How to Create a Faux Madeira Applique Collar- Guest Post at the Swhetty Betties Blog

2015-08-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

Today I'm honored to have written a tutorial post for the Swhetty Betties blog. I hope that you will come and join us as I show you how to create a faux madeira appliqué collar for your Trumpet Flower dress. This is a great technique that really can be applied to a multitude of different patterns with just a little ingenuity. It was a fun and simple project and I am totally in love with the results.

Finished Scrap Attack Quilt

2015-08-13T00:30:00.009-05:00

Update: I have had so many questions as to where to find this pattern that I thought I'd just share the link here. The pattern is from "From Blank Pages" and can be found on their website. Here is the pattern.

Hello everyone!
I wanted to share with you my latest quilt finish. Here is the Scrap Attack quilt that I made for a friend's baby shower. I can finally share it because the shower was yesterday. I didn't want to spoil the surprise, you know?

It finished at only 36 x 36 inches, but it's a nice size for a baby. Each block took about a hour to complete and there are at least 10 years worth of scraps in the mix. The great thing is that I am finally beginning to see a dent in my scrap pile. Woo hoo! It has only taken me all summer to do.

I toyed around with several ideas for the quilting, but in the end settled on simple stippling. I love how it softened the lines. I even didn't cross any of my lines... well, almost. There's at least one tiny one, but I'm not telling where it is, if I could even find it. It's probably my best stippling job yet.

I bound it in red polka dot fabric and backed it with a print I have had in my stash for a long time. It's a bright colored print with happy little mushrooms.

The happy bright colors just make me smile every time I look at it. I hope it makes baby smile too.

In other news, I have been slowly working on the next pattern which I hope to have ready sometime in the fall. I have been taking my time really thinking through the design. Just a little hint as to the idea... think princess seams and 1940's inspiration.

I hope you are having a great week creating pretty things. I'd love to hear about any projects you are working on.

Until next time,
Happy Sewing!

Love Bird Dress Pattern Review

2015-07-06T07:05:00.000-05:00

This morning I'm glad to announce that Amanda Kaufman of Mandy K Designs has sewn up one of my patterns and written a review. It's posted on the Betties Blog today. I hope that you will stop over and check it out. I don't want to spill the beans too much, but Amanda put her own unique twist on her finished dress and I love the results!

$4.00 for the 4th Sale!

2015-07-03T06:40:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th!

Scrap Attack Quilt Progress And A Bit Of Randomness

2015-06-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

I finished up the last of the 36 blocks needed for this little quilt last weekend. Now it's paper peeling time. Picking the paper off of the back of paper pieced blocks is not my favorite activity. Hopefully it will be tempered by some TV watching at the same time.

I feel as though I hardly even made a dent in my scraps, though. How is it even possible that I still have this many strings left over? Just for reference, the drawer that they are in is approximately 18 inches by 22 inches by about 6 inches deep. I told you all that I have a huge task in front of me to tame these scraps by the end of summer. Here's the proof.

I'm considering joining my friend Amanda over at Crazy Mom Quilts for her Scrap Vortex quilt along. Her use of scraps is really phenomenal and always inspires me to try something new. I have used her slab piecing method before with tiny scraps and it really turns out awesome.

I used that method on a pillow I made for my niece's birthday a couple of years ago. I took an "anything goes" approach to it and I was really pleased with the results.

"The Summer of Scraps"- Using it All Up

2015-06-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Above is a new - old scrap project that I have been working on. I made just three of these blocks about a year ago and then got busy with other projects and kind of just set it aside. Last weekend I was feeling inspired to sew, but didn't know what to work on so I started going through the UFO's in my sewing room, of which there are no lack, and remembered this little gem. I have a friend expecting a baby in the fall and the gender is unknown, so I thought maybe this might be a good project for a gift for her new little one. Each block is taking me about an hour to sew up, so this is not going to be a big quilt because I just don't have that kind of patience. Thirty six blocks for a 36X36 baby quilt is probably all I'm going to be able to deal with. I am LOVING it so far, so it has made the fact that it is so time consuming more bearable. That, and the fact that I don't have any other really pressing projects at the moment begging for my sewing time. I still have 12 more blocks to go which will probably take another weekend or two for me to complete. I don't have a lot of sewing time during the week, I might catch an evening here or there, but my sewing happens primarily on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

As I have been working on this project I have come to realize that my scrap situation is really out of control and I REALLY need to do something about it. What you see above is only a small fraction of what lurks in my sewing room. In response, I have declared this "The Summer of Scraps". I'm going to really try, this summer, to make a dent in these scraps and I thought maybe my readers might like to join along. I know I'm not the only one out there with lots of scraps.

If you'd be interested in joining a link party once a week, comment below and I will get it set up. I'd love to see what you are all working on! Maybe we can encourage each other to get creative and use up what we have hiding in drawers and boxes and bins.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

Aspiring Desginer's Challenge

2015-05-20T05:32:00.001-05:00

Hello all!
I'm excited to be participating in the Swhetty Betties' Aspiring Designer Challenge this week.
Please check out the posts at Pattern Revolution and the Betties' Blog.

I'm also excited to not only be launching the Trumpet Flower Dress today, but also my new website! Stop by and check both out as well as my other patterns.

The Trumpet Flower dress pattern for girls 2-6 will be on sale for $4.00 US through Memorial Day, Monday May 25.

I'll leave you with lots of pictures.

Photos by Pawinee Dodson

Photos by Jen Balliff

Photo by Laura Manning

Photos by Linda Lehn and Phoebe Garrett

Photos by Alyssa Carrion

Busy, Busy, Busy...

2015-05-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

I'll bet you were wondering where I have been. I apologize for the lack of posts as of late. I have been working on a new pattern that is due to be released soon. I've been ironing out fit issues and redrafting and redrafting... but... here's a little sneak peek. We are still working on a fit issue in the neck... but I'm loving this skirt!

I give you "The Trumpet Flower Dress".

The dress is inspired by one of my childhood memories. I remember playing with trumpet flowers in my cousin's back yard in Alabama one summer. Turning them upside down and pretending that they were ballerinas. I wanted to create a skirt that was reminiscent of that. This pattern is due to be released before the end of the month. More on that later.

I've also been working on a new website. I have a bit more work to do there before it is ready to go, but it is inching along. Once it is up and running I will be closing my Big Cartel shop. I just won't need both and the new site will be more full featured.

I'd love to know what has been keeping you busy!
Until next time, Happy Sewing!

How To Tie the Perfect Sash Bow

2015-05-04T07:01:00.000-05:00

Have you ever worked hard on a dress for your little princess only to struggle with the sash bow in the back? Does it ALWAYS turn sideways no matter what you do? Well struggle no more.... Here's how to do it.

While working at the department store that I worked in 20+ years ago in Illinois, I often had to re-tie sashes on dresses that came untied for whatever reason. I learned that tying a sash bow is a little different than tying your shoes. At first it felt all backward and upside down, but I soon got the hang of it.

1. Place the right hand side of the tie over the left.

2. Take it under the left hand side and back over the top again.

3. With the left hand side, make a loop with the end of the sash toward you and the loop bent back toward the left side.

4. Place the right hand side over the loop.

5. Pull a loop of the right hand side up behind the left hand loop.

6. Tighten it up and there you have it.

Pretty simple really.

Guest Post on the Swhetty Betties Blog

2015-04-20T08:02:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! I'm honored to be posting over at the Swhetty Betties blog today!

If you are unfamiliar with the Betties, the Betties are a group of designers who are working together to help each other become a success. I joined the Betties last fall and all of the ladies there have really been a blessing to me. I am truly honored to be a part and to call these talented designers my friends.

My post today is an introduction to who I am and how I got into pattern design. I hope that you will stop by and read my post, and then make the Betties Blog a regular stop on your blog reading list.

Until Next Time, Happy Sewing!

P.S. If you are looking for the pattern winners for the blog tour, all of the winners have been emailed and I am waiting to hear back from them before I post them here.

MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour: Day 5

2015-04-17T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day 5 of the MCM Studio Designs first ever blog tour! I'm a little sad that today is the last day. We have seen some amazing work by some talented artists this week.

Don't forget, tomorrow I will be giving away to 5 different winners, a pattern of their choice from my collection. All I ask is that you comment both on my blog and on one of the blogs that you visit on the tour. Please make sure to leave a way to contact you in your comment on my blog. Winners will be announced ASAP.

Today's featured bloggers are:

Call Ajaire
Sew Shelly Sew
Hearts & Home

Enjoy, and until next time! Happy Sewing!

MCM Studio Desgins Blog Tour: Day 4

2015-04-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the MCM Studio Designs first ever blog tour! I have just been in awe of the fantastic talent that these ladies have shared this week. All of the time and effort that they have put in has really shown in the beauty of the things that they have made.

At the end of the week, I will be giving away to 5 different winners, a pattern of their choice from my collection. All I ask is that you comment both on my blog and on one of the blogs that you visit on the tour. Please make sure to leave a way to contact you in your comment on my blog. Winners will be announced ASAP after the end of the week.

I'm also offering a 25% off sale. Prices are reduced at Craftsy, and you can use the coupon code SPRINGSALE25 at Etsy, and my Big Cartel Shop. The sale will run through April 25th.

Today's featured bloggers are:

Pienkel
Rebel and Malice
Once Upon a Sewing Machine

Enjoy, and until next time! Happy Sewing!

MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour: Day 3

2015-04-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day 3 the MCM Studio Designs first ever blog tour! There are so many beautiful things that we have seen so far this week and today is no different!

At the end of the week, I will be giving away to 5 different winners, a pattern of their choice from my collection. All I ask is that you comment both on my blog and on one of the blogs that you visit on the tour. Please make sure to leave a way to contact you in your comment on my blog. Winners will be announced ASAP after the end of the week.

I'm also offering a 25% off sale. Prices are reduced at Craftsy, and you can use the coupon code SPRINGSALE25 at Etsy, and my Big Cartel Shop. The sale will run through April 25th.

Today's featured bloggers are:

Keep Calm and Carrion
Lulu & Celeste
Mae & K

Enjoy, and until next time! Happy Sewing!

MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour: Day 2

2015-04-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day 2 of the MCM Studio Designs first ever blog tour! Today's bloggers have chosen some beautiful ways to embellish their dresses.

At the end of the week, I will be giving away to 5 different winners, a pattern of their choice from my collection. All I ask is that you comment both on my blog and on one of the blogs that you visit on the tour. Please make sure to leave a way to contact you in your comment on my blog. Winners will be announced ASAP after the end of the week.

I'm also offering a 25% off sale. Prices are reduced at Craftsy, and you can use the coupon code SPRINGSALE25 at Etsy, and my Big Cartel Shop. The sale will run through April 25th.

Today's featured bloggers are:

From A Box
Gloria June

Enjoy, and until next time! Happy Sewing!

MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour : Day 1

2015-04-13T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the MCM Studio Designs first ever blog tour! I'm so excited to be able to share with you what all of these wonderful ladies have made. They are a group of very talented ladies!

At the end of the week, I will be giving away to 5 different winners, a pattern of their choice from my collection. All I ask is that you comment both on my blog and on one of the blogs that you visit on the tour. Please make sure to leave a way to contact you in your comment on my blog. Winners will be announced ASAP after the end of the week.

I'm also offering a 25% off sale. Prices are reduced at Craftsy, and you can use the coupon code SPRINGSALE25 at Etsy, and my Big Cartel Shop. The sale will run through April 25th.

Today's featured bloggers are:

Not Sew Fast
Serger Pepper
Rebekah Sews

Enjoy, and until next time! Happy Sewing!

Upcoming MCM Studio Designs Blog Tour

2015-04-10T06:34:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited to announce that my FIRST EVER blog tour is coming up next week! A great bunch of bloggers have generously given their time and effort to sew up some of my patterns. The tour will start on Monday and run through Friday. I will be choosing 5 lucky winners to receive their choice of one of my patterns. But if you can't wait to see if you won, I will also be running a sale all next week. If you purchase a pattern and then win at the end of the week, I will refund your purchase. Watch for the coupon code on Monday. I hope you will join us!

What to make for Easter?

2015-03-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again... Easter sewing is in full swing and I thought I'd share some great Easter dress patterns with you in case you haven't decided what to make for your little ones this year.

The Iridis Wrap Dress from Sofilantjes Patterns

The Holiday Cutout Dress and Top from Bella Sunshine

The Ruffled Whimsy Dress and Tunic from Dandelions and Dungarees

The Carol Dress from Muffin Head Patterns

Firecracker Dress and Tunic from GYCT (Get Your Crap Together) Designs

The Holly and Ivy Party Dress from GYCT Designs

The Tally Skirt from GYCT

The English Rose Dress from Mandy K Designs

The Seashore Dress, Top and Tunic from Gracious Threads

The Button Up Jumper from Once Upon a Sewing Machine

The Scalloped Princess Dress by Little Kiwi's Closet

The Briar Dress, Top and Tunic from Little Kiwi's Closet

The Audriella Dress from Rose and Lee Designs

And of course my own Estherlyn's Jumper or Lovebird Dress are great choices, too!

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

MCM Studio Designs Love Bird Dress

2015-02-11T07:01:00.002-05:00

It's finally here!
The Love Bird Dress is available at Craftsy, Etsy and my Big Cartel shop. Use coupon code RELEASE25 for a 25% discount at Etsy or my Big Cartel shop. The price is reduced for a limited time at Craftsy. Both sales go through Monday, February 16.

The Love Bird Dress is a beautiful choice. It can be made sleeveless or with petal or cap sleeves. Three skirt options in two different lengths, along with the addition of a separate apron that can be worn over the skirt, give this dress many possibilities. The features include an adorable heart shaped cut out in the back and a button closure. The luxurious cascade of either three or four ruffles down the back require no gathering. Applique templates are
also included to help get your creativity rolling.

Your girl would be stunning in this dress as a flowergirl in a wedding, or perhaps she would like to be the "Queen of Hearts" for Halloween. It would also be lovely for that special portrait you have planned or to attend a long
awaited event.

This pattern is listed at an intermediate level. Skills included are as follows:
Pivoting corners
Button holes
Continuous bound placket
Sewing curves
Lined bodice

Terms Of Use: This pattern is intended for personal use only. The contents of this pattern (including instructions, photos and illustrations) belong to MCM Studio Designs. No part of this pattern should be reproduced, resold or shared for free. If you intend to make this dress to sell, credit would be appreciated.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

Popping in to say Hello!

2015-02-09T07:54:00.001-05:00

Hello all!
I apologize for the lack of posting recently. I have been up to my eyeballs in testing and revising my new pattern which I intend to release later this week. I have devoted so very many hours to writing and testing and revising this pattern that it has pretty much consumed ALL of my free time during the last 2-3 weeks. So much so that I didn't even realize that I had not even written the final post in the mixing and matching series until today. It was supposed to go up a week ago today. OOOPS! I promise I will get that written and posted as soon as this pattern gets finished.

For now I will leave you with a few glimpses of the new pattern from some of the tester's photos.

Alyssa Carrion

Karen Burke

Kimberly McQueen

Pawinee Dodson

Patsy Butterworth

Pawinee Dodson

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

The Best Place to Learn Digital Pattern Drafting: Pattern Workshop

2015-01-28T05:53:00.000-06:00

Often times I will hear the question, "How did you learn to make patterns?". While having over 30 years of sewing experience played a big part into it, I still didn't have a way of doing it easily without paper. Honestly, I hated drafting with paper that kept rolling up on me and two cats who think that they need to be my paperweights.

Welcome Pattern Workshop by Lauren Dahl! (affiliate link) I discovered this class not quite a year ago and it has changed everything! I signed up for the class unsure if it was going to be worth the price, which for my budget was a little steep. It has been worth every. single. penny. And then some.

Not only does the course take you through learning the basics of using a vector drawing program and how it is applied to pattern making, there are also lessons about the testing process and how and where to market your patterns. In addition to that, there is a wonderful Facbook group for class members and alumni. The Facebook group is a fantastic place to connect with others, ask questions and find encouragement and motivation. I know that Facebook groups can sometimes be filled with all sorts of "drama" and nonsense, but I promise you, Pattern Workshop is NOT like that.

In the past year I have released two patterns, and I have the third in testing right now. (Stay tuned for that, the big release is coming soon!) I have connected with several other designers and sewists alike and have begun to build a network of friends who have been vital to the success of my patterns.

If you are someone who is interested in pattern design, or maybe you have been on the fence about taking a class, then you are in luck! Kids Clothes Week blog did a feature on Lauren and the course and for a limited time you can enter to win a spot in the class. There is also a coupon code listed there if you can't wait and want to jump right in.

So what are you waiting for?

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

How to Mix and Match Print Fabrics for Sewing: Part 4

2015-01-26T00:30:00.000-06:00

Welcome back! If you missed the first three parts of this series, you can go back and check them out
at the links below.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Today we are going to look at fabric matches that don't work, and why they are not great choices.

First we will start with this brown fabric.

You can see that it has the right colors and it is a different scale from our base fabric. So why doesn't it work?

As you can see the scale is VASTLY different. In my opinion, it is too much of a difference. But, that is only the first thing that I find wrong with it. The print in this fabric has these flourishes which are almost kind of a baroque thing. It's much more of a classical feel to me and so that doesn't really fit with the vibe that our modern base fabric has to offer.

Then there is this pink houndstooth check. Just wrong...

The check is, again, the right colors and the scale is better than the first example, but the feel is wrong, again. When I think of houndstooth check, I am immediately thrown to the glamor gals of the 1960's era. I specifically think of Jackie Kennedy for some reason. So the retro essence of this fabric really doesn't match the modernness of the base fabric.

And our third example. Once again the vibes of the fabric just don't go together. I love this little aqua print, this fabric is totally me, but it doesn't go with our base fabric. This print, while still modern, has a much more whimsical, childish feel to it than our base fabric.

So there you have it. We have looked at choosing a base fabric, toning it down, livening it up, and what not to do.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

Swhetty Betties Pattern Swap

2015-01-22T00:30:00.000-06:00

A while back I joined a Facebook group called the Swhetty Betties. It is a fun group of working designers who are really great at encouraging each other and supporting each other in our designing efforts. About a month or so ago, one of the "Betties" proposed that some of us do a pattern swap and post to our blogs about it. I got paired with the very creative Lisa of Stubbornly Crafty She made my Estherlyn's Jumper, and I made her Little Lamb Zippy Critters pattern.

Just look at how cute this little lamb zip pouch turned out!

I had a hard time deciding which fabrics to use as this would be very sweet in a multitude of fabrics. It was simple to make so don't be afraid to try making one yourself. I think this would be super adorable with a shoulder strap added for a little girl's purse for Easter.

Lisa has more patterns at her Etsy shop which are every bit as fantastic as this one so I encourage you to stop by and check them out.

Until next time,
Happy sewing!