Every few years a sewing tip or trick comes my way that greatly improves my creative experience. I used to knot my thread by wrapping it around my finger, rolling it with my thumb, then tugging the length to form an unpredictable mass at the end of my thread. The result was often waddish and loopy — a small, but frequent frustration.
Then, a few years back, I learned a knot that has never failed me. I love this knot, all perfect and tidy. In the spirit of sharing, I’ve put together a tutorial of My Favorite Knot to spread the joy.
Don’t bother with a magnifying glass, the photo collage is just a fun preview. To read step-by-step instructions, with larger photos, visit the My Favorite Knot link under Freebies at HeatherBailey.com. Practice until you’ve got it down, it’s worth it. Have fun!
Hey everyone — thanks for all of the excitement over the Sweet Summertime shirt for my daughter. Yes, I made the pattern, so I don’t have a pattern number for you — so sorry 🙁 However, I am planning to publish some patterns this fall. I have lots of ideas in the works, but I’m totally open to suggestions. If you’re just dying to have a pattern for any of my personal projects (like the shirt), certainly give a holler. A little positive pressure just might do the trick!
Getting there — today I drafted the pieces for what will likely be my first published pattern — a ruffly apron for girly-girls. I’m planning to draft a second design to go with it and grade the two designs into 2-3 sizes to cover all ages. It’ll likely be a couple of months before I take any patterns to the printer — I’m hoping to have a number of designs ready to go at once — but when I do, you’ll be the first to know.
Again, thank you for your encouragement, a steady drip of affirmation — LOVE this blog thing!
I keep a lot of my sewing supplies in old-fashioned glass jars. Not only can I see where everything is, but my supplies look delicious this way. They call to me, “Heather, Heather, come play with us!” Several of these fun jars line the high shelves of my studio – with pink walls and distressed white furniture, my studio is a virtual candy store, hence the nickname above!
There are many systems for organizing embroidery floss, involving cases, binders, hinged rings, zippered baggies, plastic cards or any combination of these. I prefer the hinged rings. I can clearly see my colors, without a lot of extra ‘packaging.’
I record the color #s on the end of the plastic cards with a permanent marker. In the off-chance I need to replenish a specific color mid-project, I’ll know what to get. When I’m traveling with a project, I detach all of the necessary cards and group them onto a new ring. The best part? The rings easily stack in their jar, where I can drool over the colors at will.
For me, creatively, it’s important to see my supplies. A random arrangement of spools in a jar might inspire a new approach to color or a unique patchwork design. The same goes with buttons or stacks of fabric. When your supplies are in a snarl and tucked away in a shoebox (as were my threads a few years back), you’re limiting your creative resources. Attack one category at a time: fabric, thread, trims, buttons, etc. Rent a good movie and enjoy the monotony of it all.
Personally, I still need to sort out my trims. I’d like to wrap them around these chipboard cards and line them all up on a shelf, keeping extra cards on hand for future trim binges. But, I haven’t discover a resource for these gems. If anyone knows where to get ahold of a stack of these, PLEASE let me know! I have a back-up plan involving corrugated plastic, but I’m holding out for Plan A.
Yes, I have far more supplies than my space allows for and not everything is neat and tidy. But, every effort I’ve made at organization has proven well worth my while. In fact, I’m sure there are some fantastic forehead-smacking ideas out there in blogland. Tell me your favorite tricks — I’d love to hear how you keep your supplies in check!
Success! Now my baby has a happy little shirt for summertime. And, lucky baby, the need for photos provided a jaunt at the park with her favorite ball. Happy baby, happy mama!
Thank you everyone for your cheerful comments — I came home to a mailbox plump with kindness! I’m glad to see that the Bitty Booties™ pattern is such a hit and that successes are being flaunted. If you haven’t taken a peek at the Bitty Booties™ Gallery yet, you should. Frogs on toes, hearts on soles, leather flowers – lots of fun ideas! Loving them! And be sure to add your goodies into the mix.
I have a number of ‘business’ projects in the works. In the next little while, I need to design my website, master my new Bernina Artista 640, write an article for Sew News and design some irresistable patterns. (I just love how the line between work and play can be so blurry these days.) I’m waiting for some return phonecalls on most of these to-dos, which has left me tapping my toes most of the day.
Enough of that now, I’m going to sew something fun! I pulled these funkies from my stash and I’ve resolved to make a summery shirt for Charlotte. I take it if I announce a project on my blog, then I must get it done. That’s how it works, right? The middle fabric is a vintage piece from who-knows-when and the top piece is from Japan, I believe. I threw in the avocado jacquard for good measure (my favorite color), though I don’t know if it’ll get used. I’m going for a sleeveless, tanky-type top. I’ll have the bodice gather into a yoke, and add some straps at the shoulders. I might even gather up the waist with elastic thread in the bobbin. Hmmm…I’ll work out the details as I go.
Guess where I’ve been this week! Times Square, Rockafellar Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Greenwich Village, Soho, Washington Square, Union Square, The Empire State Building and Free Spirit – a virtual travel guide to New York City. The strike-offs for my new line of fabric with Free Spirit are in from the mill. I flew in to review the colors in depth, hang out with the ladies and enjoy a weekend traipsing around with my mother. Flagrant fun!
To hear more about my trip and a sneak preview of my fabric, click here.
Bitty Bootmakers, it’s your day! The free baby shoe pattern is yours…all yours. You won’t believe how easily these go together too. Never one to stick to the directions myself, I’ve included lots of ideas for how to customize the design. So, be sure to read through the entire pattern before gathering your materials. I’m expecting big little things! Download your copy by clicking the “Bitty Booties” link here. (Or navigate to “Freebies” at HeatherBailey.com).
Inspired by the fabulous headbands being created by the likes of Sally (Shim and Sons blog, 2006) and Sarah (Hearts and Needles), I’ve started a Flickr photo group. Now we can all share our fabulous Hooray for Headbands creations! (free pattern in my sidebar) If you have been busy making headbands or are planning to soon, snap some photos and add them to the group. In flickr, search for the group by its name, “Hooray for Headbands.” Or, follow the link below:
What a hoot! You guys left the funniest comments on Turkey for a Straw. Thanks for the laughs! We’re going camping tonight. This is the third effort to go this month and we’re not letting anything stand in our way. It’s not the best timing for me though — I have a lot on my plate this week. But, I’m not up for being the wrench this go round. So, off I go with a smile. (First time taking baby Charlotte too – yikes!)
On a different note, Sally (Shim and Sons blog, 2006) made the most fabulous headbands this week! And they’re for her adorable little boys. Finally, a “boy band” worthy of accolades! (Has anyone ever seen Conan O’Brien’s spoof on boy bands? – I swear, it’s the most hilarious bit ever!) Anyway, you should go take a peek at her beautiful photographs and use of color. She always does such a classy job!
Lastly, the baby shoe pattern is done. I still have to make a couple of sample pair to photograph. After that, I’ve got to learn more about bandwidth and how to avoid going way over my allotment, so my site’s ready for a flood of downloads. Once that’s all sorted out, I’ll get the pattern uploaded. Any suggestions?
Ingredients:
1 heaping bag of vintage micro-scraps
1 good friend or loved one
A pinch of beads
A dash of ribbon
A sprinkle of buttons
1-2 hours of silliness
The result? Two funky portraits of me 🙂
My mother in law, Elinor, envisioned me with pink hair and a purple plaid baby in my belly. The fabulous coat shows my vavoom, don’t you think? In my version I have pigtails, a duck knee and a tricky puff-sleeve. Good times.
Insider information for all of you Portland Oregonians, Elinor’s teaching a class on flat dolls with 5 other wacky ladies (all bigtime professional doll designers) over at Fabric Depot in August. Full day, SIX patterns and only $40.
