Baby steps...

I have started working through my big pile o' projects, and have made a little progress! First, we're working on "updating" this vintage high chair for Kate. Tom is helping me refinish the tray so that it is safe for her, and I made a cushion and added safety straps. The tray is still in process, so I'll get a good picture when the whole thing is all finished.



Next, I finished this Envelope Flap Shoulder Bag - an original design of mine - made from 100% Italian vintage wool. Nice, eh? Yeah, I thought so to, and decided this would better serve as a birthday present to myself, and I'll make another one to post to the Etsy shop later.



And, I've started working on a quilt for Kate. This is a Benartex fabric, Baby Genuises Grow Up. It's left over from my days as a Bernina National Educator, and has been floating around here for about two years! I'm using some of my own hand dyed fabrics to go along with the prints.



I'm in the process of cutting out all the squares (phew, my least favorite part!) and hope to start sewing it together this week. This is just one of those simple seams-out quilts, nothing fancy, and I hope it sews up fast.

I've also deviated from my list a little bit to fit in some holiday gifts, and am excited to start some of those when the quilt is finished!

So what's on your sewing table this week?

Birthday girl

Yesterday was baby Kate's 1st birthday!



Daddy helped her blow out the candle...





and then came cake eatin' time! But wait, what's this?



Kate hates cake!

These are a few of my favorite books!

Since I spent a whole day sorting and organizing the books in my sewing room, I thought I would share my most favorites - these are the books I reach for the most when I am sewing:


The Vogue Sewing Book
I picked this book up in a thrift store years ago, it was one of my favorite finds! Anytime I need information on a specific clothing construction technique, or more information for a sewing pattern, this is where I look. I think it's probably still one of the most complete sewing books out there, and you can get an updated, revised edition on bookshelves today.

Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing
I also thrifted this book, another great find! A really great, all purpose sewing book with wonderfull illustrations. Instructions on everything from pattern fitting problems to how to use a sewing machine. And, there's even a chapter full of projects in the back of the book! Yeah, they're totally 70's (this book was published in 1976), but most of the projects can be made modern with better fabric choices. This is the book I grab most often when teaching beginners because the instructions are so clear, and I still recommend it to students. You can still find used copies online!

Feetures: A Guide to Presser Feet, Accessories, and Attachments
This series of books is like the sewing machine foot bible. Every foot or accessory you can think of is here: with instructions on how and when to use it, AND information on what other applications it can be used for. I keep these books right next to my sewing table in case I need to look something up (because seriously, I can't remember all those feet....) Although this book references Bernina's accessory numbering system, you can really use the information for any foot on any machine, because most accessory feet work the same (a zipper foot is a zipper foot, know what I mean?). These are published by Bernina and sold exclusively through Bernina stores.

So - do you have any favorite books that you use when working on sewing projects? Or, do you have some newer sewing reference books that you use? I'd love to know!

Sewing Mojo

First of all, a little introduction. I'm Erika, and I sew. I started sewing at the age of 10 when my mom let me use her Singer sewing machine, immediately making myself a full-sized fabric-stuffed tv set, including knobs, antenna, and electrical cord. In between then and now, I've done a lot of sewing, in fact, all kinds of sewing...with the exception of the past year.

Well, I did have a great reason for taking a break! But, now that baby Kate has reached her first birthday (hooray!), I am looking forward to having a little bit of time back for myself. And, know what? I want to start sewing again!

Okay, yeah, I know I have been *sewing* the past year. But...it hasn't been that kind of, well, that kind of sewing when you know you've got your mojo.

Here's the deal; my sewing room is completely discombobulated, way too much stuff in one space. It makes my head spin. And, I've been pulling myself in all sorts of directions; a huge pile of projects on my "to sew" list, all unrelated, and a ton of new project ideas I have in my sketchbook to bring into being. Oh, and I decided to start an Etsy shop with things of my own design. Yeah, then there's that....and I am teaching a little bit as well! Okay - then I also took on a freelance project a few hours a week, too. See? I feel like I've got way too many irons in the fire.

So, what's the point, Erika?

Point is, I need to get my sewing mojo back, post-haste! And, that's why I am here. I need a place to connect with others who may feel my pain (Anyone? Anyone?) and who can give me some encouragement. So, please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know I'm not alone!

I hope to post weekly and keep y'all up to date with my progress (or lack there of). My first task is cleaning out my sewing room - I'm starting tonight, and hope to have it finished up by the end of next week (yeah, it's THAT BAD). Stay tuned...