fall/winter 2013 bow tie collection

Friends, we have some seriously awesome bow ties in the shop for fall and winter.  Awesome like I can't even pick a favorite.  Or three favorites.  So I'm just going to show you all of them.  

The world map tie is back and as popular as ever.  I bought enough of this map fabric back in July to last through the holidays.  At least I thought I did.  Once I ran out of that yardage (in September), I found another bit that will hopefully last me another month or so.  It's kind of like a scavenger hunt, buying fabric.  (Exciting side note: this fabric will soon be available in two sizes of leather bottom pouches as well!)

This orange and navy I chose because I love the bold colors, and then later realized that it would be perfect for an Auburn or UVA fan.  Not that I'm endorsing UVA fans, but business is business.  

The typeface tie was a wildcard and I've been a bit surprised by how popular it is.  I've had to go hunting for more of this once or twice too, but now we are stocked up for the season.  I love how the graphic black and white can work with any color shirt or jacket.  

Mint green continues to be a popular color this year, especially for weddings.  I didn't know if I'd find a winter counterpart to my mint seersucker tie, but this cotton wale pique works really well for the cooler months.  I also have some in red, for the Christmas tie crowd.  

I'm on a big mustard yellow kick this fall and would wear this tie myself, if I could.  In fact, I wish it were a shirt.  In fact, maybe I need to get serious about learning to make my own shirts.  But until then, I can just enjoy having this cheerful checked tie around, brightening up the office.  

So that's the starting lineup!  I have other ties in the shop too, but these are the newest batch.  We're working on some lovely packaging as well, so any gift ties will arrive ready to give!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is November.  We're looking forward to a quiet weekend, hopefully involving time on the patio and pumpkin frozen yogurt.  I'll meet you back here next week!

how to get more life out of your linens

I am the kind of person who likes to get the most out of things.  If Steve and I go out for coffee, I like to sit for a long time at a cozy table while we sip our drink and have a great conversation.  If we go on a trip, I like to use the time to do the things that we can only do in that specific place.  And when I buy something, I plan to keep it for a long time. 

 

But I also like to have nice things.  Which is why, when the edges of our pillowcases started looking ragged and kind of shredded, I almost got rid of them.  Who wants to lay down every night on a ragged pillowcase if they don't have to? 

 

After giving it some thought though, I realized that I could just make a new edge for the case.  I cut some strips of fabric and sewed them together until they were long enough.  Then I folded the long edges in towards the middle until they met and ironed them in place.  Then I folded the whole thing in half (I was basically making bias tape, for those of you who are a bit more sewing-savvy) and ironed again.  I pinned the binding onto the edge of the pillowcase and sewed it into place.  Voila!  Even fancier than before! 

 Now that my eyes have been opened to how easy it is to repurpose bedding, I feel like I can give new life to all of our sheets!  These pink polka dot sheets no longer match the room they go in, so I made a new edge for them.  I basically used the same method as for the pillow cases, but I cut the fabric wide enough to fold around the old edge. 

I didn't even cut the old edge off- just left it underneath- but you certainly could if you wanted to change the width.  I think that adding or updating the edge of your sheets or pillowcases is such an easy and inexpensive way to update your bedding.  And all you have to do is know how to sew a straight line! 

ps- Happy April!  I don't know about you, but I think this month is going to be amazing!

on monogramming

My big sewing project for the week is a set of four monogrammed pillows. 

 

I have a love-hate relationship with monogramming. 

 

Sort of like my relationship with pear trees. 

I always forget how long it takes to get the design right on the computer before I can transmit it to my machine.  Do you picture me typing in a few letters and pressing "Go"?  Yeah, that's what I pictured too, before I owned an embroidery machine. 

 

Really, I do lots of adjusting size and spacing and stitch type.  Who knew there were so many stitch types?  The key is to make the letters look smooth and nice, while keeping each stitch at the optimal length for not getting easily snagged.  I wish there was a button for that. 

This particular design has over 18,000 individual stitches.  It takes about an hour to stitch out the whole design.  And, unlike the dishwasher, my sewing machine needs frequent babysitting while it's working, so I can't just get it going and move on to the next thing.  I can leave it for small intervals, but basically find myself chained to my office for about four hours today.  Good thing it's pretty in here. 

I think I'll sneak into the kitchen soon to grab some lunch, which is quinoa salad, which I am super excited about.  In fact, why don't I share the recipe on Friday, because I bet you'd be excited about it too!

sneak peak: bow ties

This week, I made my very first bow tie.  It is reversible.  I had never ever thought of reversible bow ties until this week, when I saw one and my world bow tie views were rocked. 

The coolest thing about a reversible bow tie is that if you want- and only if you want- the middle of the knot can show up as the contrasting color.  Or you could just tie it regular and have the whole bow be one color.  With reversible, you've got options. 

Steve and I have both been practicing how to make a great bow.  We found an awesome, illustrated tutorial here, plus some helpful YouTube videos.  It is not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. 

 

I've got a mile-long list of new products to try out over the next few weeks and you'd better believe that a big stack of bow ties in a rainbow of colors is at the top of the list.  Along with matching pocket squares, of course. 

 

Hope your weekend is bow tie-fancy!

learning

This winter is the third time I've taught sewing classes.  With each session, I find myself in greater disbelief: people want to come over to my house during the day and use my ironing board and chat about fabric with me?!?  Okay!  Where do I sign up?!?

So, needless to say, sewing class is delightful.  We saw the sun for a bit yesterday, which was also delightful.  And a nice reprive from the grayness, which is back this morning and guaranteed to stick around all day. 

My plans for the day include some phone calls, making a quiche for dinner (I think I'm going to try this recipe), and cutting a million little triangles for party banners.  I've been cutting them all week, with no real end in sight.  But it's a cozy task that I can move around the house with me and it's easy to work on if I have a spare 15 minutes here and there. 

Today I'm also listening to some lectures for an online class that I'm taking.  Have you heard of Coursera?  My brother introduced me to it during his last visit and told me about a class on small business growth that he had signed up for.  So I signed up too!  It just started this week, but I can already tell that I'm going to learn a lot.  I can't get over how awesome the whole concept is- tons of interesting classes, taught by professors from major universities, all online, all free- what could be better?  If you like to learn new things, you should totally check it out. 

this year: be awesome

I love how each new year encourages me to be better.  When I look over my lists of goals for this year, and years past, the theme always involves more- more kindness, more practice, more living. 

 

 

This year, we're setting some lofty business goals, as well as trying to learn a new language.  And because I think that learning something new is one of the best things you can do with your time in the winter (isn't it too cold to do much else?), I am teaching another beginner's sewing class.   

 

 I've said it before, but learning to sew was one of the best things I ever did.  So obviously, I want to share the joy by teaching lots of other people to sew too! 

To find out more details, click here, or on the "classes" tab at the top of the page.  Classes begin on January 22nd and I only have a limited number of spots, so make sure to sign up early! 

I'm especially excited about the projects we'll be making together- either a set of cloth napkins (so handy!) or a fun tote bag (you can see Maddie rocking hers above).  Either way, you're guaranteed to come away with something useful!

Today, I'm busy trying to keep warm and cook up some tasty things for Steve and I to eat over the weekend.  I'm also working on a large fabric order that includes some canvas to make more lunch bags for the shop.  Hope your weekend is happy!

new office: the details

The only art hanging in my new office is this large color grid from Spoonflower.  I love it.  It came in the mail a few months ago when we were heavy into fabric design and I thought it was so lovely that I immediately knew I would hang it.  It's easier to reference that way too. 

 

I cut the grid into two big pieces and then machine appliqued them onto some white canvas.  Then I stretched the whole thing around two 24" x 30" canvases from Michael's.  They are super light, so they each just need one little nail to hang. 

 

 

Since I have such lovely, colorful "office supplies", I wanted to use them to my advantage when decorating.  I've long displayed my regular machine thread in a shadow box and wanted to display my serger thread as well.  We found this shelf at (where else?) TJMaxx and added some picture hangers to the back so we could mount it on the wall. 

I needed a large bulletin board for my office as well, but was running out of wall space.  I ended up making a long bulletin board underneath the shelves above my desk.  I bought three 14" x 14" cork tiles from Joann Fabrics and covered them with this lovely print by Anna Maria Horner.  It's great to be able to have tracking labels, notes, and inspiration pictures right in front of me when I need them. 

For my desk drawers, I splurged on these linen drawer organizers at Target.  They were like $12 each and I wavered, but they really are great. 

These scrap fabric boxes were another project I've been working on.  Previously, my scraps were all crammed into one small drawer.  I wanted to be able to divide them up by color, so I bought four gift boxes with removable lids from Michael's and Joann Fabrics.  Then I picked some wrapping paper from Paper Source and wrapped each box and lid individually.  I ended up spending about $4 on each box, which was a much better deal than buying one of the already cute storage boxes out there. 

I think I mentioned earlier that the office is almost done.  There are still lighting issues to be worked out.  I still don't know what time it is unless I'm at the computer (not necessarily a bad thing).  And I'd like a sewing stool with a padded seat and adjustable height- could be a total pipe dream.  But, overall, it's done and I'm thrilled.  A big thanks to Steve for his assistance with furniture assembly, hanging stuff, surviving Ikea, and just generally being really helpful. 

Is anyone else surprised that Daylight Savings Time is here already?  I always love getting the extra hour on Saturday night, but is sure is a shock when it gets dark at 4pm on Sunday! 

new office: the big picture

It was only after we were more than halfway done that I realized I never took any "before" pictures.  So to help you with a quick visual- "before" looked like a living room, with all my sewing machines on an old dining table and some plastic storage drawers underneath.  All of my fabric was upstairs.  My shipping supplies were divided between three different rooms.  We were totally making it work, but it was not super efficient. 

 

When I started dreaming up the perfect office, my first desire was a long desk where I could have both of my machines, and the computer, and not have to constantly be sliding them around to get to what I needed.  We bought the two black desks at Ikea and placed them end to end and they are the perfect size.  Plus they each have a pretty large drawer where I can keep scissors, needles, and other necessary items.  The tall gray and white storage bins under the desk are from TJMaxx and hold pillow forms and stuffing. 

 

Aside from a place to sew, I need a lot of storage space.  Since my office is actually our living room and the first room you see when you enter our house, it was really important to me that things be stored attractively.  We bought two floating wall shelves, also from Ikea, to house my sewing books, patterns, ribbon, and scrap fabric.  I used baskets and glass containers from around the house, plus some new paper covered boxes.  The chair is from World Market and gets moved around from one desk to the other right now.  Eventually, I plan to get a stool as well, but I'm still looking for the perfect one. 

 

 My old sewing table has become the cutting table and to say that I love not having to crawl around on the floor to cut anymore would be a huge understatement.  You can see my trusty thread organizer above the cutting table, and a nice big basket underneath.  The basket houses all my shipping boxes and envelopes and is from TJMaxx. 

 

Also from TJMaxx- the cool storage ottoman.  We traded our coffee table for a storage ottoman to get more hidden storage, plus another seat if we need one.  The top is made up of two pieces that can flip over to either be plush upholstery or a hard surface. 

 

To the left of the sewing table is the new bookcase where I store most of my fabric and finished projects.  It too is from Ikea.  I promise we only made two trips.  I wanted my fabric to be out of sight, so I made curtains for the glass doors.  The drawers house my shipping supplies, embroidery supplies, and lots of other odds and ends.  We kept the sofa because I didn't want to part with it.  Also, it's nice to have a sofa in my office. 

 

On Friday, I'll share some more pictures and tell you about some of the ways I added color to the space. 

leather and wool

I've been dying to show you this bag.  Actually, I've been dying to show anyone this bag, but I don't get out a lot.  The whole car-sharing thing, you know? 

 

I might be in love with leather.  I mean, I'm in love with Steve, but good grief I had no idea how amazing leather would be to work with. 

 

It makes everything better.  Much like Steve, actually. 

 

I digress.

 

I've been dreaming up this bag in my head for quite some time now.  It's what  I like to think about while I fall asleep.  Something I've found is that, if I've been thinking on a project for a while, when I actually sit down with it the sewing part goes very fast. 

 

Now that I've broken in my leather needle (yes, there really are leather needles), I can't stop thinking of what I might do next.  Discovering a new material is one of my favorite parts of making things. 

 

If you're wondering, that sexy looking chair that the bag is hanging on is my new desk chair.  I'll share more pictures of it when I do the big sewing space reveal, sometime very soon.  Soon-ish.  I've got a few more tweaks to make, but the end is in sight. 

 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, friends!  If you see me around town, I'll be the one with the hot new bag. 

paparazzi

 

There are so many great things about Steve working from home, one of which is that there are always plenty of pictures for my blog.  It's like I have my own, personal papparazzi during the day as I sew and iron, sew and iron. 

It was actually a little shocking to see how many different times he caught me doing those two things, with different fabrics, in different rooms. 

But now- the sewing is complete!  At least until next week when we're back home and I have a whole new list of projects to tackle.  But for the next few days, there will be no sewing, only visiting and merry-making and showing off our hard work.  It will be the reward for aching shoulders and ironing after 9pm and eating barbeque chicken for a whole week because there's no time to cook. 

Next week, I'll be excited to share more about the local fabrics we've been designing and I'm totally open to suggestions for more locations.  Think about where you live.  Think about where you're from.  Think about the look on your relative's faces when they open their very own "Shelbyville, Illinois" tote bag on Christmas morning.  I'm just saying- we're leaving no small town behind. 

Choosing color palettes is one of the most fun things about designing fabric and we have pinned our huge color guide right up in the living room for inspiration.  I kind of want to upholster something with it, it's so cool. 

I can't wait to tell you all about our visitors, our weekend, and, most importantly, if it was cool enough to wear a scarf.  Have a fabulous Labor Day weekend- I'll meet you back here on Tuesday!

overrun

Today got away from me in a major way.  It seems like just an hour ago that Steve left for work and I started attaching handles. 

I still have a pile left to complete, but am definitely more done than not.  There are bags hanging from every doorknob and chair, and some stacked up on the ironing board. 

This weekend?  We're making tags, figuring out display furniture, and probably sewing on more handles.  Hope your weekend is a bit more relaxing!

real salads include steak

For dinner last night, we had a steak salad, loosely based on this recipe I found on the Pioneer Woman's blog.  Do you know the Pioneer Woman?  I am just getting acquainted, but feel we could be true friends.  She talks about food in a way that makes you want to get up and run to the kitchen immediately. 

I'd never eaten crispy fried onion straws on a salad before and now I am forever changed.  Dinner left me asking myself the big questions in life: Why don't I fry more things?  Why aren't more fried foods served on salad?  How soon is too soon to eat this again? 

After dinner, I taught my last session of summer sewing classes.  It was so much fun.  Everyone finished their projects and then, in a last minute whirlwind of "I just can't let you leave without this knowledge", I taught them how to make gathers, hem a skirt, use seam sealant, and cut bias tape. 

Then I made everyone hold up their projects while I snapped pictures.  And yes, that is a part of the class, if you're thinking about taking one in the future. 

I'm glad to have my dining room back, but I know I'll be a little sad when nobody shows up next Tuesday. 

Both my sofa and my sewing table are covered with fabric right now.  When I get new fabric, I like to lay it around and look at it for a bit.  Usually, I already know what I'm going to make with it, but sometimes I get inspired with a new idea.  Come on back Friday and I'll show you what I'm working with.