The fabric on my sewing table has changed dramatically.
Instead of working with a dizzying view of camouflage, my “to-do” pile is a very serene, zen white.

Instead of working with industrial zippers, quilted nylon and heavy-duty elastic, I’ve switched to soft, fluffy fabrics and lots of different kinds of cotton.
That change got me thinking – how does your attitude change when your project changes?
Even little things like my music preference will change depending on what I’m sewing.  During my last project, I liked upbeat music with a good beat and lots of energy.  At the moment however, I’m enjoying a more …read more

Everyone has their own favorite tools – the ones you just couldn’t live without.  And the ones that make you extremely cranky if your family “borrows” them
I’ve been thinking lately about what sewing tools I use the most… and which ones seem to stay in their drawers and never get used.

So in no particular order, here are my top 10 sewing room essentials:

My good fabric shears – I love my Gingher scissors, they make cutting out fabric so much easier… just remember that good scissors and paper, faux leather or fleece should never meet.
My sewing machine – it’s …read more

I’m still working away on my hubby’s new winter jacket – my work table is a sea of camouflage prints and polar fleece at the moment
Because I want to make this jacket warm enough to be useful for the entire winter, I’m actually layering an extra piece of fabric into the middle.

For this particular jacket, I’m using a layer of fleece in between the top layer of cotton twill and the quilted nylon lining.  I simply treat the twill and fleece as one layer of fabric as I stitch the jacket together.
Adding an extra layer of fabric for …read more

It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, which has inspired me to think about everything that I’m grateful for.
Of course, fiber is such a big part of my life that I’m thankful for it too.  Which lead me to thinking about all the things I’m thankful for in my studio…

I’m thankful for sharp scissors and reliable sewing machines…
I’m thankful for fabric stores and pattern designers…
For paint, dye and every little embellishment under the sun…
I’m thankful for pattern designers and book publishers…
For bright lights, hot irons and lots of sturdy shelves…
And I’m thankful that I’ve got such lovely readers!
So what are you thankful …read more

There is something so satisfying about a pile of neatly stacked pattern pieces, all cut out and ready to sew.
Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something exciting about the first couple of stages of any sewing project.  That little pile of fabric has so much potential…

Of course – as fabric sometimes has a mind of it’s own – it can also turn into something a lot more frustrating too!
But for now, let’s keep on the positive side of things.  Okay, so it’s not quite ready to sew yet.  It needs to be interfaced, marked and pinned.
And let’s not forget reading …read more

Okay, I admit it – it may be pushing it a little to try and dry fabric outside at this time of the year…
At least in my chilly neck of the woods!
The sun is shining and there’s a light breeze today, so hopefully that’s enough to at least get this heap of fabric started drying:

There’s just something about the smell and feel of fabric that’s had a chance to dry outside in the sunlight and air.
Don’t get me wrong – if it’s fabric that will be made into a garment that will ever go through the dryer, it gets thoroughly …read more

I came across a great deal on fabric while browsing through my favorite local shop the other day.
$1 per yard for a stretch cotton waffle weave!
At that price, how could I resist picking up a couple of yards?  No, I didn’t buy the whole bolt – I restrained myself to two yards, thank you for asking

There was a reason why it was marked down so cheap… there are some odd stains running through the fabric.  They don’t smell and didn’t really change with washing.  It almost looks like someone dropped some dye solution on the fabric.
While I don’t …read more

Noreen recently wrote a lovely post on how we commemorate special occasions in our lives by creating special items for them.
How many big events are marked by giving family and friends quilts, blankets – even new clothes?  Kids get new clothes for the first day of school, we give house warming gifts of blankets, sheets and towels.  When I got married, I was given everything from a hand crocheted blanket, a queen size quilt to tea towels.  When someone has a baby they’re usually given basic receiving blankets and decorative baby quilts.

I’m certainly in the thick of those preparations myself…  …read more

Today’s photo for Wordy Wednesday is a stack of receiving blankets that I just finished sewing.
There is something so satisfying in seeing a project all sewn and completed – especially when they’re as cute as these are!

One of my habits in the sewing room is to end up with quite a few UFOs (UnFinished Objects) in various states of done-ness.  I’m not sure why, but that just seems to be how to work.  Maybe I just get bored too easily?
I’m trying to get my sewing slate cleaned off before I tackle anything else… and that included getting these blankets hemmed.  …read more

Today is Labor Day for both Canada and the USA.  There are lots of different kinds of labor, but I’m thinking about “labors of love” today.
For me, sewing can be a real labor of love.  I can go to the big discount chain and buy a shirt for a friend for very little money.  Odds are good that it was made in a third-world nation by someone who makes pennies a day.  But it’s inexpensive to buy, and saves me a lot of time…

Or I could take the time and sew something that’s going to mean something – if only …read more