Mumm Pouch for Haute Handbags Magazine

I love sewing with vintage silk Kimono. The weave is so inviting for free motion stitching. This pouch was created with a portion of a Kimono. The knotted silken cording and the dangling beads add to the charm of this pouch.

These metal frames were used to create the bag.

 

I made these pouches for Haute Handbags and there is a pattern and instructions in this issue.       Click here.

Embellished Corset created for Belle Armoire magazine

I really enjoyed making this corset with my favorite leftover quilt fabrics from one of my many stashes. If you sew....you understand. I just wanted to make it quick and easy but it never winds up that way. So, I pieced the fabrics and added texture with 30 wt. rayon threads. Didn't like one of the colors so I over painted it with a light wash. Still not happy....I added bugle beads. Created the corset and it looked plain so I added some tulle at the bottom. It looked too "pokey" so I cut it into fringes.....whoaaa.....that tulle took on a life of its own.....it frizzed. Everyone loved the texture so I named it the "frizzy technique".....it'll probably never happen again. Then covered the top of the tulle with vintage lace. The piece de resistance is the feather corsage. I just don't understand why everyone is so shocked....doesn't everyone go over the top?

This is the photo from Belle Armoire magazine. I'll look for the "back" view where it laces up. It was 2 a.m. and back then we didn't have a 24 hour Walmart. I looked in my (one of many) junk drawers and found some nice shiny metal washers. I had enough so I used them with cording to lace up the back. Once again everyone thought that was ingenious....heh, heh.

Celebrate Olivia the Pig

Based on a children's book, Olivia is a bossy, headstrong yet charming pig with a passion for fashion, the opera, art, and bedtime stories. Celebrate Olivia with this 100% cotton fabric, 44" width. Use this wonderful fabric for garments, accessories, or a pillow case (perfect for bedtime stories).


with black background.....

Koi Luck Club with Fan and Bamboo

This small wall hanging is a part of the "Koi Luck Club" series. They all include Koi fish fabric. The Michael Miller Koi fabric in the black color way is used here. The pieced fabrics surround a machine embroidered jumbo applique of fan and bamboo. The same Koi fabric is used for the fan applique.

My favorite Michael Miller Koi fabric in two colorways:

    I just can't seem to cut up these fabrics. They're just beautiful as they are. I love the two different colorways. They look so different while having the same fish and vegetation.



Koi Luck Club

I made a series of small wall hangings that had fabric with Koi images. This one was fun to make. It was easy and offered immediate gratification. The whole cloth with the Koi images had groups and single Koi. I singled out one for the center. I used whole cloth for the lower part. The top was pieced with random shapes for contrast. I love that blue fabric...it really conveys motion.

Made this quilt with Lilly Pulitzer fabric....

Made this Modern Quilt with squares of Lilly Pulitzer fabric as a tribute to her. She made her mark on Palm Beach while making pink and green her trademark.

The rain inspired me to.....

.

Pull out all of my green fabrics....thought about doing some crazy quilted blocks, some log cabin blocks, some original applique.....then took a nap.

Peony Pink....Upcycled Wearable Art Bag

Peony Pink

Highly embellished, large denim cross body bag. Raw edged and pieced with my favorite fabrics, jewels, and thread.

I used a pair of denim jeans I found at the Humane Society Thrift Store in Stuart, Florida. I kept all the pockets and it is a large bag.

 I lined the bag with a soft poly and added some pockets. The largest pocket fits an ipad and the smaller pockets are for all the rest of the stuff we carry around.

The strap is pieced and quilted, then sewn to a layer of denim for strength. The strap is very long at 47 inches to wear it across your body. The length is easily altered. You could also cut it in half and make two straps.

 

This is the bottom of the bag. The fabrics are pieced and quilted while allowing frayed edges. I added more color with random circles and flowers.

 

 

I added some of my favorite jewels and dangling beads. I really have evolved since my sewing sabbatical because I am enjoying hand sewing. It adds an organic, personal touch that adds contrast to the stitches from the sewing machine. BUT, the sewing machine is essential to get my ideas down fast.

 

 

 

 

Free motion stitching is my favorite mode of thread art. For me it equals the "pencil" tool in Illustrator....well, somewhat. At least it's fun. 



 

 

Here is a close up of the dimensional free motion stitching. That 30 weight rayon thread really does a good job. It fills in fast and has a luster that I love. When I'm doing this it really takes me to a calm, soothing place. What makes this all possible is the fact that I bought a new sewing machine that I LOVE. This machine just knows what I want to do. It allows me to sew at any speed with any thread.

 

 

Life is very good.

 

 

 

 

Magnolia Cakes in Stuart, Florida...awesome!

 

Magnolia Cakes

Charlotte designs signature custom cakes, baked from scratch, to celebrate your weddings, birthdays, special events and occasions. Located in Stuart, Florida, they serve the Treasure Coast area, from Vero Beach to Palm Beach. Their cakes taste just like southern cakes should; moist, full of flavor and texture, with so many options to select from, the only problem you will have is choosing just one flavor! Everything is baked in their kitchen with fresh ingredients including whole eggs, real butter and pure extract! They strive to make every cake the best tasting and most breathtakingly beautiful, delicious centerpiece you have ever seen or tasted. Contact Charlotte at www.MagnoliaCakes.com to get the cake you have always dreamed of!

Call (772) 260-4760 or email me at charlotte@magnoliacakes.com

The Search for a Bridal Gown

This is a project in my book, "Altered Style", made with a circle of fabric. Just about the easiest and fastest bridal gown you could make. I used poly jersey which creates a fantastic drape. The serger was used to make a curly, lettuce edge hem. It's strapless and held up with elastic across the chest. A ribbon belt cinches under the bust to enhance the shape of the bust and waist.

This style would also be great for bridesmaid dresses....either long or above the knee with boots!