my quilt market story

May 30, 2013May 30, 201333 Comments

i’m gonna start at the beginning. and yeeees i should probably split this into two posts but it’s been quite a while since market already, so i just want to get it out there NOW ya know?

about a year ago, Rae let me know that Quilt Market was going to be in Portland in the spring of 2013. i got super excited – and i didn’t even really know what it was! i just knew people on instagram went and all met each other and you go to see fabric. basically this is all i knew until i was actually AT quilt market. it’s actually “just a trade show,” but none like i’d ever been to before – the purpose of the show is for shop owners to preview new fabric lines and place orders to stock in their stores, but almost all of the fabric designers actually go to it, and lots of meetings are being held, and it’s a very social weekend, too.

valori wells wish floral voile // monaluna summertime colors and elephant print! // heather ross strawberry knits

then, one day in March, i got an email from Liesl Gibson asking me if i could help set up the Oliver + S / Straight Stitch Society booth, and if they could ship things for the booth to me ahead of time, etc etc. now I’ve said before that i learned to sew from my mom when i was little, but Liesl through her Oliver + S patterns as an adult, and that her comment on my first sewing project really made me realize that the whole posting-photos-on-the-internet thing was fun. meeting her was going to be a huge thing for me. HUGE. like couldn’t believe it was really happening. and look, she’s real!

in person, Liesl could not be nicer, or more creative, or more insightful. when i met her, she came right up to me and gave me a huge hug. it made me so happy that the gal behind one of my favorite companies is just as wonderful in person. and then Heather Ross, designer of some of my very favorite fabrics, came up to Liesl and gave HER a huge hug, and my brain exploded…just like these flowers here.

Liesl’s husband/business partner Todd (seen below opening one of millions of paper flowers) is a perfect balance to her, also very passionate but in a more business-y way. i felt like i sort of got into market with the ideal duo – well-respected and liked, and the people to learn from and meet people through.

the whole weekend actually kind of blew my mind. i know we’re in this geeky little subculture, sewing bloggers – and the reason blogging is so great is there are really not that many of us that live near each other but we all inspire each other and some people get to be friends even though we’ve never met. an event like quilt market brings us together in real life, and it’s awesome.

there’s also a certain “celebrity” that some of our community has (Denyse Schmidt, Amy Butler, Heather Ross, Liesl herself) and seeing all of those gals in one place was a bit surreal.

i also got to meet many blog friends (or just gals i was a fan of), and pretty much everyone I met was just like their “online persona,” which made it fun. for instance, i didn’t get a photo of Jeni Baker but i was so thrilled to meet her and i thought she was just the cutest. i’m way excited about her new line, Nordika.

Look at that border print on the tote bag!

meeting people was so much more important to me than seeing the fabric, as pretty as the fabric was. i became obsessed with people’s height, since you don’t get a good sense of height on blogs!

there were quite a few people i actually didn’t feel like i knew very well from their blogs (fabric designers don’t tend to be very regular bloggers, it seems, and some blogs were just new to me) so it was neat to meet those gals in person. i’d only recently discovered April Rhodes, currently taking blogland by storm with her staple dress and she was a delight (and shorter than me)!

and here’s a photo of taller-than-me Rae and Rashida Coleman-Hale (Rashida’s booth promoting Tsuru and Koi was one of my favorites – i could’ve lived there).

isn’t it so pretty?

Rae was promoting her line of flannels for Cloud 9 – it’s called Fanfare and it’s ADORABLE – go see it here. she had a bunch of strike-offs in her purse and as an experiment we gave them to Em and asked her what her favorite was. she stopped dead in her tracks at the pink elephants and was ready for me to make something from it right then and there (except the sample was “too small!”). hehe.

gratuitous photo of “buff stuff” Rae, who was a total kick to hang out with and a force of nature in that amazing Tsuru Washi dress – she got SO MUCH ATTENTION! i want to hang out more with Rae, she’s fun.

some more pretty booths, just because…

Tule by Leah Duncan – so serene and gorgeous – love the colors.

Charley Harper for Birch Fabrics!

Friday morning, my pal Cherie from You & Mie (who i had met a couple times before) flew in to stay with me for the weekend, and I’m so glad she did, because we could experience the whole thing together. after i picked her up from the airport and dropped O off with my sister, Cherie and I went to Market and met up with Rae (spotting Melody Miller and her cute pink hair on the way in), then met up with fellow local Gail and perused the market.

where was our first stop? Oliver + S, duh!

after we were done at Market for the day, Gail had to take off – but Rae and Cherie and I went to Bolt and Pine State Biscuits (they both ate it all, don’t worry about them).

they came over to my house afterwards, and i sort of proved what a small town Portland is by having them randomly meet a good portion of my family throughout the day (even ran into my inlaws while out for drinks after a party at Modern Domestic). on Saturday, we joined up with Robin for a little more fabric shopping at Cool Cottons and lunch – check out this four-girl selfie!

i have never been so surrounded by handmade clothes, or looked up and down (in a good way) as often, as at Quilt Market. Rae said that when she wore her original washi dress to market it sort of launched the dress/pattern, and i totally believe it.

case in point – i wore washi two on sunday and got a whole bunch of compliments – i think the dress was recognized more than i was – and when Cherie and i went over to the dear stella booth (the fabric is dear stella) they got so excited! i almost didn’t wear it because the fabric is faded from so many washings, but i’m glad i did.

it was also cool to see Cherie’s sunburst picnic blanket rolled up (see it by my left elbow?)…of course i made her pose with it! she didn’t actually sew this one, but still…she designed it, so that’s very cool.

this nest quilt by Carrie Bloomston of Such Designs was incredible…

and there was real grass in heather bailey’s booth! loved that.

on Sunday, after helping break down the Oliver + S booth, Cherie and I got to tag along to an amazing gourmet dinner at Racion with Liesl & Todd. We had amazing conversations with Kelli from drygoods (a shop I must visit the next time I’m in Seattle), and Margaret from Form and Fabric.

i ate things i had only known about from watching Top Chef, and it was wonderful!

sometimes i felt like i didn’t really belong at Market. i’m not a shop owner, i don’t sell patterns or fabrics, i don’t feel “influential.” this isn’t my real job, it’s a hobby for me – but the people that were there are all making a real go of it as a business, and i think that’s so great. i mean, i just make stuff that makes me happy and i blog about it, but now i feel even more responsibility to remain true to myself, honest with my readers, and open in crediting inspiration and fabric and all that. it’s so important to support each other in this, to lift each other up!

it was cool to be included in conversations about authenticity, creativity, business, fabric design, pattern making, originality, book deals, fabric lines, collaborations, future plans…it was motivating and exciting and made me want to do even more to be involved. not sure how…but somehow.

pure elements by art gallery

and there ya have it. my small novel on Quilt Market. i’ve had so many thoughts and feelings it’s been hard to get them down. thank you so much to Liesl for letting me help out and for being such a cool gal! what a neat experience that was.

P.S. check out Cherie’s post for more of the “how it made me feel” stuff – she really hit the nail on the head with it, and said a lot of things i meant to say here…

P.P.S. OH! and i have another washi dress to show you – i made it just for Market! it’s my favorite yet and somehow i don’t have any even teaser photos of me wearing it! i’ll try to get that posted soon. 🙂

kcw spring 2013 :: pleated plaid skirt

April 23, 2013April 23, 201323 Comments

alright so not the most exciting sewing ever, but something i’ve been wanting to make for months now and something she actually NEEDS, so it’s pretty satisfying. and that’s what kid’s clothes week is all about, amirite?

Em grew out of her uniform pants (and hates wearing them anyway). so even though there’s not much school left, she still needed more options as the weather warms up. i figured this Oliver + S 2+2 Skirt should get her through the rest of the year (and start her off for next too, probably). it’s a 3T with 1″ in added length.

i didn’t do the button loop and instead added a buttonhole on the waistband – i THINK that’s how the “real” uniform skirts close, and i’m supposed to copy them the best i can as you’ll recall. the fabric is from the uniform company; it’s weird polyester that frays like crazy and doesn’t wrinkle but when you DO iron it into pleats, it stays like that through washing. so bizarre.

matching plaids is something i just sort of guess at, but i’m pretty sure my mediocre skills still trump the store-bought ones, so any plaid-match imperfections actually make it look LESS homemade if you can believe that.

i just love it with knee highs and a peter pan blouse.

but it was too chilly this morning for coat-less photos. sorry, Em!

quickest photoshoot ever. seriously, like less than a minute.

i’m feeling a bit sickish, so i think i need to hit the hay early and hopefully make up for my slacking tomorrow (i finished this skirt at 1am last night, probably not the best idea). anyway…happy sewing, everyone!

polynesian pinwheel tunic

March 4, 2013March 6, 201320 Comments

next up on the Oliver + S spring pattern preview parade is the pinwheel tunic and slip. i chose view A, the tunic. Em chose this pose:

of the three new spring Oliver + S patterns i’ve sewn (the forest path cape, roller skate dress, and this) the pinwheel is the one that differed most from my own style at first glance. my initial reaction was that the roller skate pattern was the one i’d run out and buy, but the pinwheel is probably the one that Em would run out and buy! it was a fun creative challenge to make a version we both would love and that would show off the versatility of the pattern, too!

as you can see, she is quite pleased with this tunic despite the non-girly colors. she was genuinely surprised that it twirled!

i sewed a 3T and the fabric is Les Flores from Camp Modern by Birch Organics (i got it at Bolt, but it’s available online at FQS and Fabricworm). it’s not the cheapest fabric in the world, but the print was totally irresistible to me. i originally got only 1/2 yard and had to go back for another 1/2 once i realized how perfect it would be on the pinwheel!

i knew the flounce and the print would play nicely together, but as the garment took shape and i paired it with leggings, it actually took on an almost polynesian vibe. so i just went with that, styling wise. plumeria hair clip for the win!

i decided to omit the sleeves after seeing Liesl’s link to this Narcisco Rodriquez tunic, and instead bound the armholes with bias tape (same method as binding the neckline, just fold one end under before topstitching).

the skirt is bound with kona olive (duh). not gonna lie, there is a LOT of bias tape on this pattern. the tunic itself comes together really quickly, but you’ll need get comfy with sewing bias binding if you aren’t already. Liesl has been sharing tips on bias tape making in advance of this pattern’s release, which you can check out on the Oliver + S blog (continuous and traditional methods – i always do traditional).

such a fun and pretty result though, right? Em’s closet is full of dresses but has far fewer shirts/tunics so i loved adding this to her wardrobe. the fact that i made it sleeveless makes it layer nicely under a cardigan but will be really great with shorts as summer approaches. it was over 50 degrees out, but this speedy photoshoot was still followed up with warm cocoa.

and here’s my little mama and her baby elephant. Em is getting a lot of say in the photos these days – shoe choice was hers again, as was the bracelet and elephant buddy “Trunky.” she has also started drawing “patterns” for dresses she’d like me to sew. i love her to pieces, but she can be a real taskmaster sometimes!

Cherie, Jess, and I are doing another “rolling tour” for the pinwheel pattern! here is Jessica’s adorable Easter egg solid version of both the tunic and dress together, and here is Cherie’s lovely and serene linen version of the dress! you’ve got to go check them out – their lovely fabric choices lend to totally different-looking and beautiful pinwheels.

UPDATE: the pinwheel tunic + slip dress pattern is now available for purchase on the Oliver + S website! you can order either paper or digital versions of the pattern, or keep an eye on your local fabric store if they usually carry Oliver + S. yay!

*i was provided with the pinwheel tunic + slip dress pattern at no cost for this pattern review. my opinions, as always, are my own.*

floral roller skate dress

February 28, 2013March 7, 201331 Comments

i mentioned back when i posted my forest path cape that there would be a couple more Oliver + S pattern previews coming, and here is the first! Oliver + S just released the roller skate dress + tunic, one of two new spring patterns now available. today a couple friends (Jess and Cherie) and i are very excited to show you a few examples of it all sewn up.

we’ll each post our version of the roller skate dress or tunic throughout the day today, so we’re calling it a rolling tour!

i’m up first.

since Em is a major dress gal, i’m always looking for new casual dress designs i can sew for her to keep her comfy while still fulfilling her need for fancy. i really love the roller skate dress for that. i think i actually said “oooooo!” out loud when Liesl sent me a preview of it. it’s cute, simple, stylish, and comfy. the version i picked (view A) is only two pattern pieces! it’s fully lined, a fast sew, and so versatile i can see myself sewing it multiple times, each resulting in a totally different look. perfect for my little gal.

i sewed a 3T with a 4T length. the chest has a generous fit brought in with an elastic casing for some shape, and it seems like the kind of fit that will last for quite a while as a dress and later as a tunic (she tends to grow up, not out).

the back closes with a button loop, and the construction of the whole dress is really clean and well-explained (as are all Oliver + S patterns!). it has a bubble dress-esque faux cap sleeve which is what makes the sewing especially quick, and the optional ribbon on the front adds a fun bit of contrast.

Em was super excited to wear her new springy dress. weather around here is iffy in february – flowers are starting to bud, but temps are still hovering around the 40s. not exactly summer dress weather, but that didn’t stop her from picking her saltwater sandals and pink flower hair clip for these photos! she layered it with tights and a sweater for school the next day.

she’s also really into having her hair braided after her evening bath so it’s “curly” the next day. then she doesn’t let me brush it.

do you like my polka dot wall?? i have ruffles & stuff to thank for that fun idea. thanks, disney!

oh yeah – the fabric is a thrifted vintage sheet (first used as a quilt) and i lined it with a soft cream gauze. my inspiration was this crewcuts dress though i’m excited to try this pattern out in more modern fabrics too – it seems super flexible that way.

and check out the other stops on our little rolling tour…it’ll pop up over at A Little Gray today around noon eastern time (up now!), and at You & Mie around 3pm eastern (up now!)! they each made different tunic versions for their little gals, so between the three of us you can see nearly all of the options this cute little pattern has to offer! fun fun.

UPDATE: the roller skate dress + tunic pattern is now available for purchase on the Oliver + S website! you can order either paper or digital versions of the pattern, or keep an eye on your local fabric store if they usually carry Oliver + S. yay!

the pinwheel pattern is up next!

*i was provided with the roller skate dress + tunic pattern at no cost for this pattern review. my opinions, as always, are my own.*

film petit: the big lebowski

February 27, 2013February 27, 201361 Comments

film petit february! as i re-watched our chosen film this month, i realized something – apparently my husband and i quote it constantly, maybe sometimes without even realizing it. it’s everyone’s favorite highly quotable quirky bowling movie – it’s….The Big Lebowski!

if my husband remembers to get something at the store that i forgot to put on the list? i tell him “he’s a good man, and thorough.” someone’s carrying a drink and a kid bumps into them? “there’s a beverage here, man!” something gets spilled on/damaged? it “really tied the room together.” and just at random times… “8 year olds, dude.”

am i wrong?

anyway, before i fall down the rabbit hole of movie quotes (in the parlance of our times – GAH), i suppose i should talk about the movie plot.

ummmmm wellllll it’s kind of hard to explain. let me give it my best shot. 1998’s The Big Lebowski was directed by the Coen Brothers. it tells the story of the mellow and lazy Jeffrey Lebowski (aka “The Dude,” or “Duder,” or “El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing”) perfectly played by Jeff Bridges. The Dude is mistaken for a rich man also named Jeffrey Lebowski, and is suddenly drawn into a crazy kidnapping caper, when all he really wants to do is drink white russians and bowl with his buddies. it’s a pretty weird but beloved movie, and one i’ve seen about a million times.

typically we all pick different movie characters for film petit, but we felt that we should each make tiny Dudes this month to sort of swamp the internet with them – a mini Lebowskifest! mine is “pre-opening credit Dude,” the two scene intro that sets the stage for the rest of the movie. the Dude goes to the grocery store to grab some half and half for his white russian…

but comes home only to find himself getting dunked in his own toilet and his rug micturated upon by a couple hooligans attempting to shake him down for money he clearly doesn’t have.

film petit: the big lebowski

i sewed for O again, figuring the smaller the Dude was, the funnier it would be. and actually it was pretty hilarious – this is the MOST recognized character during one of my film petit photoshoots. people at the more-crowded-than-i-expected-it-to-be-at-that-hour grocery store were giggling and saying “haha, is that The Dude?” left and right. i started out a little self-conscious about it, but then ran with it. i think O liked the attention.

his bathrobe is made of wide wale corduroy from JoAnn, and the pattern is the Just Like Dad Flannel Robe from Sewing for Boys. i made it in a 2-3T for the length but chopped 3″ off the sleeves (and they’re still roll up-worthy!) so he’ll definitely wear it a while. the shorts are the Oliver + S Sketchbook Shorts made out of daddy’s old ones.

the undershirt, which i didn’t get a great photo of, is Made by Rae’s Flashback Skinny Tee, made out of daddy’s old t-shirt, short sleeved, with a v-neck!

i’m actually pretty excited about the non-overlapping v-neck and might share a mini tutorial for it a little later; i’ve always wanted to know how to do that and it wasn’t hard once i figured it out.

my little Dude got the munchies at the store and picked out a couple snacks. figured that was probably pretty true to character (the Dude likes to “smoke Js”).

while my little dude is snacking on chili cheese fritos and abiding, you can head over to see the other little lebowski urban achievers that my partners sewed up!

our guest this month, Sabra from sew a straight line, sewed both “bowling alley Dude” AND a mini walter sobchak! both are absolute perfection. she even gets us a toe – you don’t want to know how, but there are ways. thanks so much for joining us, Sabra!

and my partner Jessica, not to be outdone, sewed “playoff/funeral Dude” with some awesome details, AND took photos at a very special locale! go check it out!

proud we are of all of them!

***

here are the guidelines for film petit:

every month or so, Jessica and i (plus a guest blogger) sew an outfit (or outfits) for our kid (or kids) inspired by a movie we love. our next guest will be Dana from MADE!
please add any of your movie-inspired kid sewing to the film petit flickr group. if you sew along with our film petit choices, we’d love to see that too!
this is a pretty relaxed series, really the only rule is to make outfits for kids based on films you love. if you have any questions, please let either of us know.
film petit archives: the life aquatic with steve zissou, amélie, fantastic mr. fox, psycho, moonrise kingdom, ferris bueller’s day off