Kids Corner

Has anybody tried the Gum Drop Pillow pattern? I finally have. It is very cute and easy to make. But, I know there is a catch. It requires tons of poly fill. Seven bags of 12 ounce poly fill for a smaller size pillow, and 10 bags for a larger one. I stuffed mine with 3 bags so far, hoping two more bags would be enough for my little customers to sit and read while their moms shop. I will make a couple more to complete the kids corner. I also made my two wee chairs more comfortable. I just love scrap patchworking.

Kids Sewing Camp

Many of you asked, so I am offering kids sewing classes. It's summer. No school. So hence, sewing camp. The projects will be decided soon. I usually think too much to decide on the right projects because they are a big part of the total coordination. I work very hard especially on this part. I have some ideas, but I might have to change the plan depending on the kids' age, experiences, and a number of students in a class. It's a boot camp, so I am squeezing as many projects as possible with homework. I will offer more sessions later in July and August.

Happy Tuesday

Boy, it was a beautiful warm Monday. I hope you guys had a nice start to the week while I enjoyed laying back in my backyard :-) And it looks like it is going to be even warmer today. Enjoy the sun while it lasts...

Sew & Tell - Annie's Blankets

Today I share Annie's two different blankets with you. She wanted something light for her grand children. Simple blankets backed with flannel were quick and perfect gifts. I am used to seeing elaborate quilts that people make for gifts, but these simple blankets are so fresh to me. She was impressed how soft these flannels were, and that they didn't pill even after she washed them. One panel of Dr. Seuss print is just a perfect size and it makes such a fun crib blanket. This blanket paired with any Dr. Seuss book (Green Eggs and Ham, my favorite) would be a very thoughtful baby shower gift. And the other blanket is for a bit older girl. I loooove this pink against grey swing print from Sherbet Pips. I know grey is not the first color that little girls choose, but this is an exception. Girls on the swing? The pink trees? And the ever hot grey? She will love it. Sometimes it is better to be simple even for a little girl. Thanks, Annie!

Ginger & Violet

Attention Peapod customers! Colette Patterns now has easy patterns for the beginners. I've always loved their aesthetics, but it is true that their patterns were somewhat for the advanced sewers (in my opinion). I know what you ladies want. Easy peesy patterns, right? So the time has come for Peapod to carry their lovely patterns. Ginger is an A-line skirt with a high waist band, and Violet is the Peter pan collar blouse. Don't they look pretty? Ginger provides a variation to bias cut stripes which gives it a whole new look. Genius! The actual packages only show illustrations, not these colored images. So trip over to their site to get more inspired with more images. At the Quilt Market, I met a girl from Colorado. The moment I saw her I noticed she was wearing her own Ginger skirt. It was very cute. So we started talking. About her customers. My customers. Sewing life in her town and my town. I knew when it comes to sewing we San Franciscans were far behind from the Portlanders, but we are also so far behind from those in Colorado. What do you think about that? I know we can do better. Yes We Can!


photos by courtesy of Colette Patterns

The Dog Stuff, The Kitchen Stuff

dash's new play mat. this one goes under the desk at the shop...

his place mat that he uses at the shop...

a log cabin pot holder with a retro mug looking at me...

a sashiko towel (a kit available). love this rustic texture...
sashiko is simple running stitches commonly used in traditional japanese sewing.

Happy Friday

My Lisette blouse still buttonless...

Sew & Tell - Ume's Mama's Reversible Shirt

Little Ume's mom (sorry I didn't ask her name) grew up watching her mom (Ume's grandma) sew, but didn't pick up a needle until Ume was born. It's okay, it's not too late to learn and Ume has brought her a perfect opportunity to start sewing life. Maybe she didn't care that much about sewing because her mom sewed. She could ask her to make anything she wanted. But, now she follows her foot steps. She made her first dress! I'm sure her mom is very proud of her. I recommend this pattern for all the beginners. This is probably the easiest pattern that Peapod carries at the moment. It's like making a place mat in a dress shape. And it's reversible and adjustable at the shoulders. I think Little Ume is happy too. She said yay (maybe) with her thumbs up. Well, index finger up exactly, but she tried :-) Good job and thank you, Ume's mom!

She used the following pattern...

Class Picnic Blouse & Shorts

Well, the picture didn't come out as I wished it would have, but it's up there as the June cover. It is hard to show a pair of shorts/pants in a way I want without actually on a model. I know I could have done better, but redoing it? Nah, I got lazy. As I said a few posts back, this is the cutest combo I've ever sewn. It took me a while to decide on the fabrics for both the items, but I am so happy with the choice I've made. I've loved this turquoise with delicate twig print ever since it came out from Oliver + S. All their collection of fabrics are very very soft. I hope you have felt it. The style is simple and classic, and the little details make me want to squeeze this blouse and shorts. And as always, the instructions are very well-explained. So I hope someone gets inspired to try this pattern. Sooner or later when this winter-like weather is over, it will be a picnic season. Don't you want to see your little girl in these? Yeah, let's go on a picnic!

Bodega Bay

How was your three-day weekend? I only had Monday off, and my last day of the work week was kinda hard. I just wish the world is full of good people with good intentions and common courtesy. Anyway, I had a million things to do around the house and I just wanted to relax at home, but if I stayed at home, I knew I would still be thinking about work, so I had to get away from the city. We've been to Bodega Bay before and loved its coast and cute little town, so we decided to drive up there. It's a good driving distance even after a slow day start. We made a stop here and there and enjoyed meals at the local eateries (we are big touristic restaurant haters). Unlike last time, the road was busy and the town was crowded due to the long weekend, but it was still good. So good. Slow and relaxing.

the beautiful Sonoma coast...

hello cows...

a dog on the beach...

an interesting setting caught our eyes. a bbq and a liquor store together inside...
order at the deli and pay at the liquor store...

big "joe" barbecuing more ribs...

the smell was so irresistible when we passed by. we had to make a u-turn and we were not even that hungry.
and this place became a must stop whenever we are in the area...

mmm...pork ribs...

a bubba burger...sooooo good.

a house filmed as the school in "The Birds." i've seen this movie a few times as a classic movie fan. it's cool to see old Union Square in a classic film...

on the way home we saw a sign saying smoked clam chowder. we were still so full from lunch, but as a heavy clam chowder fan, we had to stop by...

stop by for their hearty clam chowder and the Hitchcock souvenir...
a cute picnic setting across the road...

the chowder was pretty good...

a hippie surf shop adds a character to the cute little town...
why does a post office in a small town always look cute?
back to the city...and another work week...