Sew & Tell - Priscilla's Linen Gifts

I always enjoy conversations about sewing with Priscilla. I especially love to listen to her sewing life in her old school years. It's fresh and vintagy at the same time. Her stories make me wish i could go back in time to see the American sewing life that I never knew. I could imagine from those vintage sewing books and patterns that I own, but it's absolutely a pleasure to hear from someone who has experienced that era. The other day, we talked about what was our first assignment in our Home Ec classes. A pair of pajamas for me, and an apron for her. Then she told me that everyone had to use gingham fabric and smock the gingham. Yes, smocking! Yes, gingham! You could guess what decade that was :-) A smocked gingham apron sounds so cute! No, I mean, can you believe they taught smocking in school? Do they even teach how to sew a button in today's school? I don't know. We also complained that women these days are not sewing enough. Especially here in San Francisco. We hold such a high reputation to be creative, artful, and unique, but we are so behind from the rest of the country when it comes to sewing. Yeah, girls, start sewing. Show the world that city girls can sew too. These tea towels and pot holders Priscilla made for her friend are great to start with. Simple and straightforward. And they are scrap busters. And the technique she used on her potholders is very interesting. I've never seen it and never known it. Her sewing machine has a "hand quilt" stitch function that makes the stitches look like they were hand quilted. Really? Really! The trick is to use invisible thread in the bobbin, and color thread for upper stitches. Well, most of us don't have a fancy machine like hers, but the point here is it's easy to start sewing. With a holiday gift season just around the corner, you better start taking a step. Thank you, Priscilla for sharing!

Sew & Tell - Lisa's Quilt

Lisa was one of a few people who discovered me right after Peapod was opened. I still remember the first thing she said when she stepped in. "WHAT are you doing here? You are in the WRONG neighborhood!" she said in her amazed voice. And I also remember what she purchased on her first visit which was a brown linen dress with embroidered roses for her little girl and a wool tote bag for herself. Both my handmade works. No fabric. Because making a quilt, or maybe touching a sewing machine, was not her thing back then. But, ever since her first visit she wanted to learn quilt making. So she whipped herself up, and voila! This quilt! I loved being able to enjoy this quilt being progressed over time. Her striped blocks were growing slowly every time she came back for more fabrics to add to. Then backing and binding. Honestly, it's been a while since I first saw this quilt in progress, but she finished it! She even rented a long arm quilt machine and quilted herself in a free circular motion. Amazing! Gorgeous colors. And I LOVE the wonky stripes. Thank you, Lisa for sharing!

Let the Sunshine in

Ah, a sunny Sunday morning...I could melt in the sun like our silly dog.

Off to the market...then to work. See you later.

working on something yellow...

taking a nap in his favorite spot on a sunny morning.

(he just fell off the chair right after this shot :-)

Happy Friday

Just wanted to share my growing clover with you...
Our lawn is lusciously green now. It's time to go buy a mower.
Happy sunny green Friday to you!

Hoot

Hoot hoot hoot...bright and fun prints have arrived...

Sew & Tell - Maria's Baby Blanket

So October has passed. It's time to sit down and get serious. I mean sitting down in front of the sewing machine. After all, it's November. It's getting cold. It's getting wet. And the days are getting shorter. The perfect time to stay home and sew. Maybe you need a new table cloth to decorate your holiday table. Or a pillow to befriend on the couch. Or a blanket to snuggle in. I have said this numerous times, but I will say this again. Nothing could be cozier than mom's handmade quilt/blanket. It is sooooo special. I have a picture to prove it. Baby Adella knows. She is just one special bundle of love for her mother, Maria, who, of course, is the creator of this adorable mushroom and daisy blanket. Such a happy blanket. Can't you tell that Adella loves it? Thank you, Maria!

French to Classic to Fall Colors

sorry for the poor picture quality...

for your old french country tables...

what could be more classic than the cat in the hat...

never get tired of fall colors...