Author: Leasa

Vamping Up after Vacation

Hello readers! I’m back from vacation! Well… actually I was back about 5 weeks ago… either way, here I am!! And I’m ready to get my nose back to the grind!

But first… vacation was amaze-balls! Me, hubby, and my sister had an excellent time in The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Greece! We had not been on vacation in 5 years almost! More importantly, Levi did so great with his grand parents during those 2 weeks! How about some photos, you ask?? Well, sure! You can find the gallery at the end of the post. 😉

I’m pretty excited to tell you about these 2 AWESOME fabric shops I visited (read: left a small fortune at) while in Amsterdam! The shop “Den Haan & Wagonmakers” (love that name!) sold dutch heritage fabric and the shop next door, “Birdsnest”, sold more modern fabrics.

And here is what I brought home!

Right away I started dreaming up what to make with my dutch fabric. After some deliberation and opinions, I decided on a Swoon Quilt by Thimble Blossoms. I’m so glad I did! I also decided to pair them with fresh modern solids so that it didn’t feel too much like a heritage quilt. I wanted a modern-vintage feel. I think I am succeeding! Here are a few blocks I have done so far!

They look so good!

When I got back, I was happy to hear the The Simpsons (where I work) got picked up for 2 seasons! Yay! They were late signing us a new contract and I really didn’t want to look for freelance work. Because of this, I was able to start working on my pattern for the Disney mini quilt I made back in January. Remember?…. wait.. no you don’t because I totally forgot to write about it!! It was for the Disney swap and I created a mini based on the Mary Blair style of It’s A Small World. Well, I got a lot of praise and tons of people asking for a pattern! So, I wrote it! Its called The Small World Mini! I completed this 25 page pattern in 4 weeks and its now with 6 very talented pattern testers! I hope to release it in about 2 weeks! I’m so excited! Below are some pattern-writing photos to give you an idea.

I hope you guys are as excited as I am! And I want to thank you all for your encouragement! I will definitely post when the pattern is released!

As far as #SewMyStash2015 goes, I sort of dropped the ball a little after vacation and attempted to pick it back up with a Harvest June incentive. Alas, the pattern took my entire June, pretty much, so Harvest June didn’t get much attention. However, there will definitely be a “Holiday in July” challenge! And I might extend it into August to give people lots of time for holiday handmade sewing! Keep your eye out for that in a week or 2.

That’s all I’ve got for now! Registration for QuiltConWest is coming up on Thursday and our quilt guild chapter here in LA will be hosting Carolyn Friedlander (squeeeeee!!) at our July meeting and she will be teaching a class at Sew Modern (my local quilt shop) too. Meanwhile, I started back at work this week so its back to balancing my time. I don’t mind, though. I did quite a bit on my hiatus.

Leasa

SewMyStash

Sew My Stash 2015: Bag Challenge!

Post author By Leasa
Post date April 14, 2015
5 Comments on Sew My Stash 2015: Bag Challenge!

I felt it was time for the next challenge, and I wanted to center it around bags! Why? ….Why not?! I have been seeing so many great bag patterns popping up on social media and on blogs. Also, I thought its a great bridge-gapper for quilters and apparel sewers. Also, I need a cross body shoulder bag for my upcoming trip to Europe in May… so its a little bit selfish too… but I did say at the beginning of SewMyStash2015 that I personally wanted to focus on selfish sewing.

Rules:

1. Must be a bag! That means bigger than a zippy. I would say, if it has a strap of any sort, then it counts. So the smallest could be like a wristlet wallet or clutch and biggest all the way up to weekenders and whatnot.

2. Must be 75% stash! That means the main fabrics. Buying zippers, hardware, etc are all ok.

3. Must be completed by ~~April 27th!~~ Lets make it to the end of the month! the 30th! I will accept bags started this month too. I know I said it starts the 13th, but there are some sew-alongs happening out there so if you are doing one of those and using stash, it counts!

***Bonus submission for coordinating zippy!

I am also happy to announce that the very awesome Jennie from Clover and Violet is offering a single use coupon code for 50% bag patterns! You may use it for up to 2 pattern purchases! Use coupon code “sewmystash50” at checkout!

Need more bag inspiration? I have listed some below!

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Have fun making bags!

Leasa

**Submit on THIS linky if you want to be in the drawing! There will be a giveaway, to be announced soon.

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———–Giveaway Items!!!!———

Los Angeles “you are here” mug, a copy of my “Marching On” quilt block pattern in PDF form, chocolate, mini charm pack, and a mini grid booklet for sewing project designing on the go!

Marching On Quilt Block Pattern

Post author By Leasa
Post date March 18, 2015

Friends! Last week I published my first sewing pattern! OMG!

I am part of the Los Angeles Modern Quilt Guild and we have a series this year of “Block of the Month”. 12 members will create a block using predetermined fabrics and share it with the guild members and the monthly meeting! I created the block for March and I was so excited! March is a great month for me. Not only does it house my birthday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day), but other family and friends birthdays too!

Since March is so celebratory for me, I wanted to create a block that felt like a party… and maybe a hint of a clover. Voila! The Marching On block! The center is comprised of 4 different color banners against a dotted background (Cotton + Steel Dottie in Cloud). This felt like a parade to me! All the colored banners or buntings out for celebration against a confetti sky! I couldn’t love it more! AND when you make more blocks, the corners create a clover!! THE BEST, RIGHT!!?? Well, I think so.

The great thing about this block is that its easy to change the vibe of it by using different fabrics. I think the clover shape is subtle enough that if you use different fabrics, the clover wont be so obvious. Its also a great scrap buster for #SewMyStashers! Below are some photos of test blocks that other great quilters made to test the pattern!

(Stacey Peterson)

(Jennifer Barclay)

(Becki Kelley)

(TL ->BR: Katie Winkelman, Jane Hauprich, Heather Church, Cindy Suddert)

About the pattern: The block finishes at 12.5″ square, and is suitable for beginners, but does not have instructions for finishing a quilt. It includes detailed instructions and graphics to help you complete the block. Yes, you are allowed to sell finished products made from this pattern, but please don’t distribute this pattern without permission. And please give credit to me for the pattern where possible. 🙂

I included a portion of the materials page in the pattern to give you an idea of how user friendly it is! Materials are all listed AND I show you the best way to utilize your fabric for the cut pieces!

You can get the pattern on my Etsy shop now for $3! This week I am running a “Happy Birthday to ME” promo where you can get the pattern for HALF OFF if you use the coupon code “Birthday” at checkout.

Thanks for all the support! Next pattern up: It’s A Small World Quilt!

Special thank you to the pattern testers!

Leasa

SewMyStash

SewMyStash2015 Precuts Party Winner!

Post author By Leasa
Post date March 9, 2015

I am happy to announce that the random number generator chose submission #6 as the winner! The lucky sewist is Kris Jarchow from SewSunshine.blogspot.com! Great job Kris! She won the Liberty of London bundle from Westwood Acres and the pattern of her choice from Clover and Violet!

Thanks for playing, everyone! Great job!

Leasa

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SewMyStash

Selfish Sewing Week

I am so bad at selfish sewing. So many times I make things for others either as gifts or for swaps… and then vow that I WILL make it for myself when I am done! But I don’t… lol. Selfish sewing was one of my main reasons for starting SewMyStash2015, so that means I will be taking full advantage of Selfish Sewing week!

What is selfish sewing week? Well, just what it sounds like! Make something FOR YOURSELF! There are no other requirements! It can be anything, though typically it refers to apparel sewing. Indie Sew is heading this up and they have a great contest/challenge to go along with it! Head over to their site and see what its about!

What am I planning to make? Well, lately I have really been wanting to make ALL THE CLOTHES! I have seen so many cute dress and shirt patterns on Instagram and Flickr… but one thing stops me… my body. I’m not happy with my size. I have never been thin. I see so many cute sewn dresses on great straight, thin bodies and I find myself wanting to look the same. And it’s the reason I don’t sew clothes. I keep holding onto the idea that I will as soon as I get down 20 lbs or more! Then I will be so happy and feel so beautiful… RIGHT?? Recently, there has been a really important body positivity movement happening, thanks to many influential women like my friend Joni Edelman. I wont hijack this sewing post with women’s body image issues…. but I do suggest you check out her articles on Ravishly… but after hearing her message a few times, I decided I am worth sewing a cute shirt or dress in my favorite fabric NOW! Not when I am thinner! Why shouldn’t I feel good and cute now? I’ve already been taking steps to focus on being HEALTHY (ie: exercise and balanced eating that includes both carrots and some cake) and that’s great! But its time to go the next step and make something cute for me to wear!

So, I will be making a few Scout Tees by Grainline studio and a few Sailor Tops by Fancy Tiger hopefully all this week! I am planning to use some Art Gallery Fabrics voile in the Triangle Tokens from the April Rhodes Arizona collection, Cotton + Steel Mystery Food (LOVE those octopi), as well as a few other cotton prints, mostly from Art Gallery which is my favorite manufacturer, though Cotton + Steel can do no wrong in my book lately!And I already practiced the Scout Tee using muslin!

If I have time, I would LOVE to make the Noodlehead Caravan Tote (I already made the little zippy) or this new cross body bag called Field Study Tote by Betz White that I just discovered for our trip to Europe in May! SEW ALL THE THINGS! We will see what I can get to. Of course, these are all mostly from my stash, but there are a few fabrics I bought recently because I don’t keep fabric cuts bigger than 1 yard typically.

What are YOU planning to make!? Tell me in the comments below!

Leasa

Featured SewMyStash

Make Modern Magazine

I’ve been holding in a little secret that I can finally share! Well, maybe I was allowed to share before, but I doubt it and I didn’t ask… and secrets are fun! Anyway…. I was interviewed for a magazine!

Make Modern Magazine is an Australian based digital magazine, made by quilters for quilters. They produce bi-monthly issues and are on their 4th one! Even though they are somewhat new, their issues are packed full of great articles, tips, tricks and projects! The issues are easily over 100 pages! I feel totally honored to share the digital pages with other great quilting enthusiasts!

Make modern contacted me to be included in a section they were dedicating to sewing your stash. I got to answer a series of great questions and send some pictures of my not-too-giant stash to be included. I ended up with 2 whole pages discussing the #SewMyStash2015 challenge that I started on Instagram! If you have read my previous posts for SewMyStash, you know the story… but I still highly recommend you head over to Make Modern’s website and get the latest issue! If not only to check out yours truly, then to pour over the entire issue in all its quilty goodness!

Thanks for all the support and participation in #SewMyStash2015! Its been so fun so far and there are many more exciting and interesting things to come!

Leasa

SewMyStash

SewMyStash2015: Precuts Party!

Post author By Leasa
Post date February 5, 2015
32 Comments on SewMyStash2015: Precuts Party!

Are you guys ready for the next challenge??!! It’s PRECUTS!!!!

That’s right! Use up those mini charms, charms, jelly rolls, honey buns, layer cakes, Fat quarters, Fat eighths, dessert rolls, honeycombs and turnovers! We all have them… looking so yummy stacked pretty in our fabric cabinets and on our shelves… looking like our very own fabric store……… AHEM…. let’s use them! We will be using the hashtag #SewMyStash2015PrecutsParty to share our work together! There will be another giveaway at the end. Details for everything below!

Rules!

1) Your fabric must come from a precut bundle. I will accept your own precuts as long as it’s from all the same collection, or manufacturer, or designer. I believe most manufacturers make precuts, but the most popular are Moda and Robert Kaufman. But in case you didn’t know, Windham Fabrics and Cotton + Steel make them too! (I only just discovered this while researching for this post!). Anyway, the point is to use up coordinating precuts!

2) Again, sew anything you want!! This will be a common rule! It does NOT have to be a quilt! Precuts are super great for pillows, fabric baskets, backpacks, and bags too! This challenge may not lend itself well to apparel sewing, so if you make a lot of clothes, break out of your comfort zone and try something else!

3) Yes, you may purchase fabric you need for background/sashing, backing, binding, bag hardware, etc. Just use precuts that are in your stash!

4) This must be complete in 4 weeks! That’s Sunday March 8th! For quilts, we will accept quilt tops completed. I gave a lot of time for this challenge so that sewers can make an actual full size quilt!

5) To be entered in the giveaway, you must link up HERE! Since this will be such a long challenge, I cannot reasonably cycle through the hashtag and write down each of your names. Instead, you will link up here by submitting 1 picture of your project. The link up widget will number the submissions, and then I will use the random number generator to get a winner. This also makes it easy for non-Instagram users to participate and for everyone to see each others submissions!

Bonus!!! You may submit a SECOND entry if you complete another project that coordinates!! Example: quilt top and pillow, 2 pillows, purse and little zippy, etc. I hope you get the idea.

I will reveal the giveaway items soon, and the link up will be active in the next few days.

Happy Sewing, and thanks for playing along!

Leasa

PS. I super love all the use the hashtag is getting and the buzz about SewMyStash! You guys rock my socks off!

****UPDATE***

We have a giveaway package!! Amanda of Westwood Acres and Jennie of Clover And Violet have graciously donated to the giveaway package for the Precuts Party! Westwood Acres will be sending the winner a 25 piece fat sixteenth bundle from the Liberty London Club! The winner will need to provide me with their address and Amanda will send the bundle direct. Clover and Violet has offered up $9 shop credit so that the winner may chose a PDF bag pattern of his/her choice! Winner will be provided with a coupon code to use in the shop. I will also send a small care package to the winner! Keep up the great work!

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Kids Clothes Week: SewMyStash2015

Post author By Leasa
Post date February 4, 2015
2 Comments on Kids Clothes Week: SewMyStash2015

In case you didn’t know, Kids Clothes Week is halfway in and I’m only just now giving you all a heads up! Sorry about that! But I didn’t want you to miss an opportunity to sew some stash for any wee ones in your life!

My favorite thing to sew for my kiddo right now is pants and shorts! I wrote about the pattern I used a few months ago (read it here) but a refresher and links to some truly great patterns and free tutorials is always a good idea!

I mostly have used the patterns and free tutorials from Dana at Dana Made It.

Made by Rae has great stuff too!

You can browse the hashtag on Instagram or the Flickr Pool to see what others are making and discover some new patterns!

And of course there is always Pinterest.

I, personally, will be taking out the hem on the pants I made for Levi back in October. He has grown some and they are becoming capris! Lol. That is probably all I will have time for this round, but its fun to participate either way! And I get a ridiculous amount of compliments on all the pants I make for him! There is not a lot of cute variety when it comes to little boys fashion, that’s for sure.

Are you participating in Kids Clothes Week?? What are you making!?

Leasa

PS. A precuts challenge is coming!!! Details in a few days 😉