See and Sew

I hesitate calling this garment an apron because I will be wearing this one, out and about with leggings!  Hence, I am calling it a tunic wrap!  This tunic wrap was made with Denyse Scmidt and Michael Miller fabrics, using See and Sew pattern B5274, view A.  It's a wrap!  Jessica Pearl

Nights at Improv

Current obsession, improvisational quilts! I love that I can sew scraps as they are, random and happy!  Perfect activity after a long day at work. 

I stole away for some thrift therapy yesterday.  I found this floor lamp to brighten the area over Great Grandmother's treadle.  $5 for this 'chandelier on a stick' as I call it.  Whatever it's called I love it.   Rick rack, 70's embroidery transfers for denim and 40's paper dolls rounded out the haul!  

Scrappy, thrifty, happy!  Jessica Pearl

Lessons

One of my goals for the summer was to draft a pattern.  I have always sewn from store bought patterns and I have never made a muslin.  Well, I drafted a simple tunic pattern using my own measurements (agh!) and I set out to make a muslin.  The muslin is such a great learning experience!  My muslin taught me several things: 

1- I can transfer and sew darts!

2- I do not currently wear darts well!  My first clue should have come from my measurements.  Dimemsions that equal that of a beach ball require no accentuating!  'Nough said! 

3- There is much joy in the process!

4- Even when the product is far less than perfect, a good pressing covers a multitude of sins from fiddley dee seams.

5- Add a big ole homespun pocket to an imperfect muslin dress.  And voila!  Happy house dress!

Always learning!  Jessica Pearl

Apronology

Saturday afternoon, Mother and I visited royalty in her kitchen. By invitation of The Cupcake Queen, also known as Rita Mae and her court of critters.  Before us on her kitchen counter was a box of aprons stitched by Rita's Mother and Grandmother.  One by one, my Mother and I lifted each apron from the box to exhalt its unique handmade qualities.  Sixteen works in all of hand and heart.   Hard working art pieces.  Rita graciously gifted them all to me!  I am in awe of the beauty wrought and worn and worked some more by Rita's ancestors.   I am tying one on this morn in hopes my work today maybe influenced by their gracious labors.  Cheers to all labors of love!  Jessica Pearl

Care Packages

Yesterday I assembled care packages for all 3 of our children turned adults.  I saw a quilting friend at the post office and she asked if I was mailing quilts.  Unfortunately, not!  But if love can travel in random pieces of 'things that make me think of you' than at least our 3 will know they are missed and cherished beyond measure!  On the sewing front this week, a quilt block and a thrifted linen dress turned crop top trimmed in yo-yo's.   It occurs to me that life is a care package to open and celebrate everyday!  Cheers!  Jessica Pearl

The Bug

I don't believe that I have mentioned here yet but I won a 3 month subscription to Creativebug a few weeks back from Rebecca of Dropcloth.  So many video craft classes, so little time!  With all of the sensory stimulation, I have been bouncing from one creative endeavor to the next.  Although, I did manage a couple of Friday Finishes
1) a pair of thrifted jeans that I hemmed to shorts and added vintage hankies to the worn back pockets.
2) a starburst dropcloth sampler that I won with the classes.  I stitched in a color wheel and documented in my project journal with washi tape.
3) a cotton dress that I hemmed to a mini and added orphan blocks for pockets.

Mostly I have been fixated on a summer wardrobe.  I have lots of quilt plans but I am also stricken with that wonderful Creativebug!  Who knows where the critter will lead me next!  Buggy!  Jessica Pearl

A Creative Mess

One of my earliest memories of school is being clad in one of Daddy's work shirts, buttoned in the back for art time.  In Daddy's shirt, I was unleashed to paint and glitter with wild abandon!  Such creative freedom afforded by our fathers' cast offs!  Yearning to recapture some of that spirit, I married 2 thrifted linen shirts to make a new art smock with a pocket fashioned from a sleeve.  I thought that I had 2 men's shirts but in the final analysis, the brown shirt is a woman's.  When I recognized that the buttons were on opposite sides, I started to get bent out of shape about it and then I recalled my 5 year old spirit.  How many times do my adult sensibilities take the fun out of what should be creative play?!  So if you should see me with a paint brush and half open art smock, please excuse my creative mess! Jessica Pearl

On the Cutting Table

I made good use of the Joann's giftcard that I received for Mother's Day during the Memorial Day Weekend Sale.  Beloved DS fabric for 2.70/ yard?! Yes, please! And a couple of Simplicity patterns should keep me in summer dresses.  Also picked up batting for quilt tops in waiting.  Currently, I am on a mission to use scraps in 3 different quilts in progress.  Cutting up!  Jessica Pearl

Summer Wardrobe Rehab

I finished the Simplicity Built by Wendy pattern dress.  I have made it before and I will make it again, soon!  I love this dress pattern, so flexible and fun!
There was a breath in my work schedule yesterday so I enjoyed a little sit n sew with quilty friends who directed me to a new thrift shop.  The new shop did not disappoint!  I found a Vera Bradley bag and matching key chain, $4 ;shoes, $4 and a retro gold belt, .50!  Also 3 summer tops, $1 each!  So in love with my sewn and thrifted summer clothes!  Cheap Thrills!  Jessica Pearl

Building

Mother's Day was wonderful time as a family before our 3 chicks leave the nest for great adventures.  I loved the handmade cards, drawings and gifts.  Em stitched a phrase from a Fleetwood Mac song that I have been identifying with as we grow and they fly away, "I've been afraid of changing 'cause I built my life around you...". And what I am coming to appreciate through this process is that the building never ends.  Building is a lifelong endeavor and I am so thankful for the foundation of love afforded me throughout my life.  Also building Simplicity #3835, no hammer required!  Jessica Pearl

Friday Finish after Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday yielded this linen dress and jacket from the dollar rack.  I added vintage buttons to the sleeves for a Friday finish!  Packing this new outfit in my bag for Houston.  Tomorrow we fly away!  Jessica Pearl

Escape

Our Guild's annual quilt retreat with guest teacher Marti Michell at Camp Weed.  We have a tropical isles theme despite the cold rain.  Lots of friends making exploding pineapple blocks but geese are flying off of my Singer featherweight!  Sewing in paradise!  Jessica Pearl

Coming and Going

This apron is made from Simplicity 5201 and coveted Denyse Schmidt fabric.  And I have to say, I do love this apron, coming and going!  I am already dreaming of sewing a second one in linen!  Speaking of coming and going, it is time to go to work!  Thought I would 'bee social' on my way out the door! Going!  Jessica Pearl

Produce Bag

Whilst I was 'bee'ing social yesterday, I met Letty who is oh so styling the green with her Jane Market bag and coordinating produce bags!  I was inspired to make a bag for my own fruits and veggies!  Letty shares the free produce bag link here http://happydancequilting.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/very-green/
Don't let my homespun dancing radishes embroidered muslin bag turn you off if your market style is so sophisticated.  Visit Letty and you will be amazed how stylish green can be!  Thanks, Letty!  Jessica Pearl

Bangle Bag

Found this pattern for a bangle bag from a back issue of Stitch while I was cleaning the sewing studio.  I used some favored Michael Miller fabric from the stash and 2 different bangles for the handles.  I think this finished bag is the perfect size for my journal and a few supplies.  Ready to journal on the go!  Jessica Pearl

Wooly Bully

I have collected wool garments off of the 50 cent rack at thrift stores for years and I do not encounter much competition for these items here in Florida, go figure?!  I have felted the pieces as I acquire them.  Today, I can't believe the accumulation!  Enter Butterick B5959.  A patchwork cape in progress. View A or bust!  Jessica Pearl

Selfish Sewing Week

I have been looking forward to this week of selfish sewing!  The concept is to take a little time each day to sew something.  Selfish?  Maybe, but just maybe our homes are happier places when we take time to indulge our sewing bliss!  Today's project is Pinterest inspired.  A thrifted shirt that I purchased last week because I was on a garnet mission.  But guess what?  Otherwise, I really do not like this shirt.  I decided to embellish with a bandana.  This sewing project was quick, done after the school/ work day and before time for dinner preparations.  Now, I LOVE this shirt!  Selfish Sewing, take me away!  Jessica Pearl

Thrifty Thursday, Lounging Edition

It's Thursday and in my world, a day to celebrate Thrift! This pj top was thrifted for 50 cents.  The catch? No pants!  I contemplated sewing pj bottoms.  Honestly, its just too hot for pants.  I decided to lengthen the top into a nightshirt with a couple of gifted (even cheaper than thrifted!) trims.  Voila!  I am lounging sweet and thrifty!  Jessica Pearl

Sew, Slow and Green

I was inspired by a project in Green Craft magazine, a t-shirt turned apron.  The sample was finished with a serger.  Instead, I decided to take a page out of the Alabama Stitch Book.  I stitched my apron by hand and added a pocket with reverse applique, very Natalie Chanin!  I really love this old t-shirt makeover.  Sewing, slow and green!  Jessica Pearl

Monday Blues

I lingered at the breakfast table a little longer than I should have yesterday morn.  I was on track- Bible devotion, coffee with the Mister, egg white spinach omelet, checked e-mails, time to get dressed for work.  Only there was one e-mail that was tripping me from getting ready for work.  It was from our good friends @ Pinterest.  Do you get those?  Yeah!  They had sent me all of this yummy stuff in an e-mail 'cause those folks just know what I like/pin. And as you know, you can't just glance, you gotta pin!  And pin, I did.  One Japanese blogger/sewer had added lace to her jeans.  Thanks to a friend from church who gifted me some of her Mother's sewing notions and lace, I am now wearing this pin.  The jeans, Bill Blass 50 cents from thrift  store needed a hem anyway.  Monday was blue, denim blue!  Jessica Pearl