Jumper

I've been in a sewing mood these days.This jumper is one of the samples that I've made. It's super easy. The pattern package looks okay in my opinion. Actually it's pretty cute compared to the majority of their patterns (sorry to say this, but it's true). But, it might still be hard for some beginner sewers to look beyond the package. Girls, you don't have to make exactly what the patterns say. Just look for the basic styles. The basic ones are usually very easy to make requiring fewer steps. I'm sure this jumper is something everyone of us had worn when we were kids. Even as a little tomboy, I remember I had the same style jumper in corduroy when I was little. For a jumper 2011 version, I used heavy weight cotton in a large modern Scandinavian print. It's timeless, and it's time for you to sew for your little girl.


a modern gray pattern for the lining...

little girl, i have nothing against you and you look lovely, but you would look freaky styley in my jumper :-)
the pattern available at peapod fabrics...

Sew & Tell - Marcy's Three Tiered Skirt

Everyone, please meet America's next model, Olivia. Here she is wearing an adorable three tiered skirt that her mom, Marcy made. Phew, she made it just in time for the Easter branch. And all in pink, of course. Olivia loves it so much that she can't stop modeling :-) Here are a few shots from our photo shoot. She is just adorable. You will be charmed. Thanks, Marcy and Olivia, and dad (for playing with Dash)! And Happy Easter!
whenever olivia visits peapod with her mom and dad, dash is the first one to greet them. he can smell their dog on her.
take one...okay, olivia look at the camera. okay, dash move out of the way. well, it didn't work...


take two...on the chair. very elegant...

take three...yes, this is it! fun and charming. that's olivia!

Sew & Tell - Lena's Shower Curtain

I'm honored finally to post the first Sew & Tell after moving to the new location. Well, I was way over due actually. It's Peapod's neighbor, Lena's shower curtain. This cheerful flower print is just so perfect for this purpose. As most medium weight cotton comes in 44 inches wide, we always have to seam two panels of fabrics for a big project like this. But, she managed to match the print from the two panels, so it looks seamless. Especially In an all white bathroom (what can I say, she is from Ikea country), the blooms look so happy. So so happy. Great work, Lena! Your bathroom looks fantastic! But your work makes me feel bad because I am so over due for my own shower curtain. Anyways, thank you always.

Lisette

I just received these new patterns and I am so excited about them. Have you seen them? I didn't know these were designed by Liesl Gibson of Sew Lisette, the designer of the adorable children's patterns, Oliver + S. I thought Simplicity finally listened to what people (Peapod's customers at least) wanted. The package covers show better choices of fabric and styling. Hence more inspirational! I haven't tried any of them yet, but they look simple enough for beginner sewers (well, that's why I purchased them). The jacket or shirt dress might be a bit intimidating for the beginners, but I think they are still beginner-friendly after making rather easier tops. So let's start sewing girls. I've already heard feedback that the Portfolio tunic (#2245) is so cute and easy to make. Can't wait to try them myself!




photos courtesy of simplicity

Birdie Sling

Well, I've been making things while I was working on the new space. The new store needed some fresh samples to display. This Birdie Sling bag is the newest one I've made and my second one to make from the same pattern. The first one didn't even make it here before it was sent to Japan last year. For this one, I used heavy weight canvas for both the exterior and lining so I had a choice of fusing them with interfacing or leaving them without it. I still fuse heavy weight cotton depending on the style of the bag. But, for this bag, I thought it would be okay without it if I used heavy weight cotton. And I was feeling lazy too. Cutting and fusing the pieces for a bag this size, it would easily take more than an hour. But, the band and the handle are made of a regular medium cotton and fused. I cut some of the pieces at the shop, and I sewed six and a half hours straight that night to finish. I love the way it turned out. This pattern is very well written and easy to follow. I've been always a square bag girl, but this is really cute. My son even looked away from his computer monitor and looked at the bag, and gave me a compliment. If you have a teenage boy, you know how they are. No attention to anything but video games. So this is really good and he meant it :-)

Traditional Japanese Prints

One new feature at the new location is a little nook with traditional Japanese prints in traditional Japanese colors. Indigo, purple, mustard, pink, and red are commonly used in the old kimonos. They are traditional. They are modern. They are cute. They are beautiful. They are wabi-sabi. Come and see them yourself.