Getting closer to curtain time...

We have been in this house for almost 3 months and I have yet to made curtain one. And not only do we need curtains for all the windows, upstairs and down, we also need curtains for all the bedroom closets. This very small house with its tiny bedrooms has no closet doors... at least they are not hanging. They are stacked neatly in the basement. I asked the real estate agent, who will list this house in a couple years if we should hang the doors and he didn't think it was an issue either way. Great... this just gives me more opportunities to hang Sew To Speak fabric in the house. No fabric purchases have yet been made for curtains so I plan to blog my way through each room and share with you the transformation.

But I have been sewing... This past weekend I did finally make my step-daughter, Esther a blanket. Esther went back to Otterbein last weekend and I wanted to have it ready for her to take to her dorm. She picked the fabrics back in June and although I loved all of them I wasn't really looking forward to making a blanket from this Echino print. I like it much better in small doses and Esther wanted it as the primary fabric. I did however get super excited about her choice of Anna Maria Horner, Spotted velveteen. She had also picked a black and white polka dot which I had to edit out of the project... too much.  I used this solid Kona "curry" to pull the two fabrics that she really wanted together. This Spotted velveteen was perfect for the back. It is plush, luxurious and warm. Maybe a bit too warm for now but we will move quickly into fall. The velveteen washed beautifully and is soft on the skin. 

As I was planning this blanket I actually thought it would be a duvet cover. Esther informed me that she doesn't really get very cold so the idea of the velveteen and a down comforter seems too heavy. Jim suggested I make the same blanket I made for Sonia's baby, Zoey.... brilliant!! It went together so easily. The size is 50" by 80." The pattern works well small and large. Stop by Sew To Speak if you want the pattern (see last post). 

Today I will bring home 5 yards of white linen. On this long holiday weekend the curtain marathon is about to begin!!

Happy Sewing,

Anita

ps... we are having a big sale all week at the shoppe but we are closed Monday, Happy Labor Day.

Made Monday

I had the pleasure of working the other day when this sweet lady came in to get some material for a dress concept she had been considering.

Here is the awesome result:

Leslie took the top of one of her favorite long sleeve T's and added on this great Echino print to make a long tunic/dress. Paired with leggings, flats, scarf and jacket, it's perfect for this fall day!

P.S. Thanks for texting me the photo Leslie ;) You're lovely!

Posted with Blogsy

Made Monday

An embroidered Buck on white linen, accented with paint, fabric and pom poms. Made by me, April Rhodes. Inspired by the new line of Echino! 

Echino!

From Market to Shoppe

The brilliant Etsuko Furuya has done it again! 

As well as designing yet another gorgeous line of fabric, Etsuko also designed and built her entire, very inspiring booth, which I must add was my very favorite booth at this Fall's Quilt Market.

Now, six weeks later, the lovely line of fabrics has arrived and I figured it a perfect time to share the photos I took of her space. 

And here's what we ordered:

 The green and the grey and white stripe in this last photo are not Echino, but they certainly look cute with the 3 new extra wide cotton/linen prints. These three rolled bolts are a new blend of fibers for Echino. They are a thin 85% cotton and 15% linen, which makes for a beautiful light weight material. They're perfectly suited for more delicate apparel and other sewing projects that require more drape then her standard canvas-like cloth provides. Finally, as an added bonus they are a great 62" WIDE unlike the others that are 44".

Market Photos: Set 2

Though this post feels long past due, it's truly right on time. 

Photo Set 2 includes all the wonderful Japanese distributors and the awesome Japanese fabrics that we saw at Market. 

Now why is it "right on time?" you might ask.

Because several of these fabrics arrived just TODAY! 

Excited?

I am!

Quilt Market Spring 2010

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Seven Islands

The newest from additions to Far Far Away by Heather Ross 

Gorgeous new prints on double gauze and linen blends, by Nani Iro.

A new fairy tale inspired designer who's name I failed to remember, printed on double gauze.

Fun new excursion inspired designs by Etsuko Furuya, Echino.

Lecien

Me in the Lecien booth, carelessly modeling an adorable sample and caught mid-arm movement! 

Hokkoh LTD 

I believe Hokkoh is a design group working for Lecien, though I am not 100% sure. We got a bit lost in translation?!?

Hoodie for Blank Quilting

Now just to be clear Blank is not a Japanese company but Hoodie is a Japanese designer (not to mention absolutely adorable, super sweet and one of my personal favorites!) So the following is just from Hoodie, none of Blank's other designers.

MoMo for Moda

The same can be said for MoMo as for Hoodie. 

MoMo is an amazingly talented Japanese designer working for an American company. And we just love her. These photo's are of her new line only and none of the other Moda designers.

Want to know what has arrived? Well you'll just have to come in and see ;)

Or you could also sign up/read your upcoming newsletter in which I'll be giving a run down of all Summers First Arrivals!

Happy sunny, summer days to you all!

♥

April

Recent Arrivals

Bauhaus by Alexander Henry

Teeny Tiny Zoo to go along with the much loved 2D Zoo by Alexander Henry

Great new girly japanese prints from Kokka

New Echino!!!

I love!!!

Happy weekend,

♥ April