sewing classes this winter and spring

I'll be teaching a few sewing workshops this winter and spring... come and learn how to make my pleated tote pattern!

February 9th and April 17th:  Suppose in Preston, Idaho.  Register online.

April 3rd:  Elaine's Quilt Block in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Register by calling 801.947.9100

I Spy.... knitted things!

Cowl by thedreamingowl, $35

Leg Warmers by olga11223, $17

Yarn Bowl by DarriellesClayArt, $34

Socks by knittyknittybangbang, $39

Bowl by idreamingreen, $26

Bangle by kellymccaleb, $12

Monster by madknits, $22

Artichoke Pattern by linnaea, $5

wordless wednesdays: seed pods

Sources from top to bottom:

http://www.chrishiggins.com/blog/archives/2006/07/

www.shortcourses.com/naturelog/2003_08_01_month

www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/030703/log.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maple_seed_pods_Fcb981.JPG

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Translucent_Lunaria_annua_seed_pods.jpg

tutorial: how to make cloth napkins with mitered corners

Cloth napkins are a great way to reduce your consumption of disposables in the kitchen.  Cloth napkins are oh-so-easy... you can have a set of napkins made in no time!

Although cloth napkins can easily be made by simply turning under the edges on each side, a mitered corner will give you a cleaner, more professional look.  This tutorial will show you how to create mitered corners on your napkins.

1.  Cut your fabric into squares of your chosen size (12" or 14" square napkins are common, bump it up to 16" if you'd like them to be oversized).  Be sure to cut along the grain of the fabric (in other words, align your squares so that 2 sides are parallel to the selvage edges of the fabric).

2.  Press each edge under 1/4"

3.  Press each edge under another 1/4".  Your fabric will look like the drawing below.  Note where I have drawn a trim line.  Cut the fabric corners along the trim line.  This will reduce the bulk of the corners and make the fabric lay nicely.

4.  Now press the cut corners under 1/4".

5.  Fold along your second set of press lines.  The corners should now be mitered.  Stitch around each napkin close to the hem line.

Welcome, 2010!

A new year, a new semester.... of course that means new goals! 

I admit, I'm a sucker for making lists.  I go as far as to make a list and include things I've already done just for the satisfaction of crossing off my completed tasks.  Dorky? Incredibly. Satisfying nonetheless? Always!

This year, I'm penning a few goals here and I hope I'll be able to feel the satisfaction that comes with crossing things off my list in the upcoming months.

• Run the Salt Lake City half marathon in April.  I did it last year, and this year I'm aiming to beat my last   year's time.  Also, find a buddy to do it with, since my last running partner moved to Fairbanks! (Any takers?)
• Sell 2,000 patterns!  This one could be a stretch...  This isn't so much a financial oriented goal, but a commitment to stay on track with my pattern business and push myself to develop interesting, creative sewing patterns that are desirable to my lovely customers.
• Land an interior design internship in a city I could see myself living in after I graduate. (Seattle? Boston? Chicago? Albuquerque? Pittsburgh?)

What are your goals for 2010?