Hello, my name is Pearl...

Bonnie Hunter is coming to our quilt guild retreat in March with a scrap rehab theme. Until then,

I am cutting scraps like a mad woman to prepare!  My name is Pearl and I am a scrapaholic. True dat!  Jessica  Pearl

Cutting fabric and calories!

Our quilt guild had a day sewing retreat at Stephen Foster State Park on the Suwannee River.  Fun!  However,  I did more cutting than sewing and some sitting on the river bank as well.  The weekend has included some thrift.  I patched this thrifted denim skirt with old embroidery and some scraps.  It is a tad snug as are more and more things in my closet!  I have hooked up with My Fitness Pal.  Lovely app!  Good thing, my fat quarters need trimming!!!

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

Back to School

We completed our first week of school in Suwannee County.  I really needed some stitch time to unwind this weekend. I made a baby quilt out of ginghams with a little chicken scratch kite embroidery. Very simple yet satisfying!   Embroidery sampler is close at hand for small moments of stolen stitches.  Hand Sewing is my sanity!  How about you?!  Keeping it together one stitch at a time!  Jessica Pearl

Mending

 Summer has flown by.  Adult children are returning one by one from internships, classes and summer jobs.  Our little family is reuniting for a trip to the mountains.  We will reconnect and restore ourselves for the start of a new school year. 

I quilted a mini this week.  I found the pattern in Quilty.  I love the representation of the polka dots that form letters of the Braille alphabet to say, "I love you".  I was inspired by our visit to Helen Keller's home earlier this summer.

Also, doing some mending and thinking how good it is to restore wholeness.  Looking forward to wholeness as a family.

 Mending!  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

Out of the Hoop!

This wonky cross quilt is complete!  Hand quilted and finally out of the hoop!  The bracelet I made from thrift, vintage buttons with shanks that are threaded on 1/8 inch elastic and tied. I scored the dress patterns from the share table at our quilt guild meeting.  I love the new and the old and the new from the old!  Having fun!  Jessica Pearl