tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-575201806376823812024-03-05T22:40:47.837-05:00little girl Pearllittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-78951225827393271182010-05-13T15:53:00.001-04:002010-05-13T15:54:54.202-04:00Thank you!Thanks to everyone who commented, the vertical banner it is. Now to grommet and figure out where to hang it. I'll be sure to take pictures of my tent for you all to see.littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-9856338948650799832010-05-12T15:59:00.005-04:002010-05-12T16:06:23.772-04:00A New Banner!I decided to invest in a new banner for my craft markets this season. I decided to use <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/">Vistaprint</a> even though I've heard not the best things about their business cards. (Should you care to know about that, I swear by <a href="http://www.overnightprints.com/">overnightprints.com</a> for those.) So, I was pleasantly surprised when I unrolled the banners and both looked pretty good. Better yet I won't have to worry about my sign getting wet anymore. My previous sign was a thick white cardboard and was looking a little ratty. <br /><br />But now, I need your help. I decided to do one vertical and one horizontal design to make sure that I had the look I wanted for the upcoming season. I'm not going to tell you which one I favor, and let you pick. Problem is, I can't decide which looks better. You know that feeling you get when you're too close to a design to properly assess it?? That's the way I feel. <br /><br />Vertical Banner<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGwrAsP9D5V8z6o_aP6QkyMMYq623CMbP2MgGmcipGP5MJgtZwLVwAuwABxxP7P4dPtR2CdaFdr0U_JzRXepOQidjUSrdfhIsFWVCtfrQkViYz5ZzLVWVedZrF8sKZMjXcMJ-xS6Yf2s/s1600/vinylbanner3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGwrAsP9D5V8z6o_aP6QkyMMYq623CMbP2MgGmcipGP5MJgtZwLVwAuwABxxP7P4dPtR2CdaFdr0U_JzRXepOQidjUSrdfhIsFWVCtfrQkViYz5ZzLVWVedZrF8sKZMjXcMJ-xS6Yf2s/s400/vinylbanner3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470476025222100546" /></a> <br /><br />Horizontal Banner<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6gDs6j51TgIrb2HeUGLR5PUQ89sp5brvuyNQ4Ddp8vpfniJs5yLWsSBhCUgPZA02UGbcQLO11Ks5UO0UoQkywtcyAgD7SpXFA5YfvtxKTEmQlEhZMomITig52Vh3nn1I1398YO_CTtw/s1600/vinylbanner4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6gDs6j51TgIrb2HeUGLR5PUQ89sp5brvuyNQ4Ddp8vpfniJs5yLWsSBhCUgPZA02UGbcQLO11Ks5UO0UoQkywtcyAgD7SpXFA5YfvtxKTEmQlEhZMomITig52Vh3nn1I1398YO_CTtw/s400/vinylbanner4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470476569912801474" /></a><br /><br />So, give me a hand by commenting, and I'll be forever grateful!! <br /><br />From black-fly infested NH, <br />Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-73765234488913359302010-04-26T18:37:00.008-04:002010-04-27T08:31:15.849-04:00Trip to KyotoWell, it's a long story. My husband and I were planning a trip to Rome for our 10th Anniversary, but the volcano in Iceland had a little something to say about that! So, without any kind of plan, we decided to head to Japan on a whim. Being a flight attendant has its advantages! <br /><br />I speak some Japanese and lived there for awhile 20 odd years ago, so Japan is a pretty easy country for me to navigate. We decided on Kyoto because it is lovely this time of year, and there are a lot of historical sites to visit. As my husband aptly put it, "in Rome there are churches and ruins, in Kyoto, temples and gardens." He is quite right. We had a great trip, and it was wonderful for me to be able to practice my language skills. But the reason for this post is actually to show you my new Japanese pattern book!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTRWJP3lqGXWHNREPPz7kN0qVQvYrkXtPbepx3KKTBefg7Xt6juK3oWFrEDy0oxc4N5leRONx3GPxSt_0qno8Xi6U_pILuOx8z5h4mCPlRFLa1yzYswZy8Z801IZa2Yf7XfD8FgiBj5o/s1600/DSC_0139_2900.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTRWJP3lqGXWHNREPPz7kN0qVQvYrkXtPbepx3KKTBefg7Xt6juK3oWFrEDy0oxc4N5leRONx3GPxSt_0qno8Xi6U_pILuOx8z5h4mCPlRFLa1yzYswZy8Z801IZa2Yf7XfD8FgiBj5o/s400/DSC_0139_2900.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464634514539117058" /></a><br /><br />I don't know why, but I've been hesitant to venture into the Japanese pattern books that are all over etsy. For one, they are a tad expensive, and even though I can read some Japanese, they still look a bit intimidating. Nevertheless, we found a bookstore on the main shopping street of Kyoto, Sanjo-dori. After asking one of the salespeople where to find the handmade sewing books, I found this little gem. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cQOuNlHOi8C3GEhfkyXg4IYrqpmzL7fMyQmJ29ENQMa6oX5wYcwLaywfZ0bEiMPpS-I-Rj9Rb4NppbXUS-UfxplqYeka8VD5avbT-TsoLbzRGn-gEBDozxtq_Y-_TOVU16lBHejrGUo/s1600/DSC_0140_2901.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cQOuNlHOi8C3GEhfkyXg4IYrqpmzL7fMyQmJ29ENQMa6oX5wYcwLaywfZ0bEiMPpS-I-Rj9Rb4NppbXUS-UfxplqYeka8VD5avbT-TsoLbzRGn-gEBDozxtq_Y-_TOVU16lBHejrGUo/s400/DSC_0140_2901.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464634522641606786" /></a><br /><br />There are a number of adorable looking patterns, and to give you a sampling, here are a few of the patterns I am looking forward to trying. I think my favorite is this one with the ruffled top. I actually made a sundress that has this idea of the ruffling in the front, but I love it with the sleeves. I am thinking to use one of my new Amy Butler bolts with a coordinating solid top and ribbon. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlhXSeWvrcxDDci5nxZI5X_nGNLKqKqEV__zeyC497bk_8K_1jLJzPNEmEAMr7BGYChJaXU2E5YCN43enr7sneAxIghjijTyx9pC81FY9UKHEMzXUpptNGR_o95S9yhj7f3yDdF8HA0Q/s1600/DSC_0141_2902.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlhXSeWvrcxDDci5nxZI5X_nGNLKqKqEV__zeyC497bk_8K_1jLJzPNEmEAMr7BGYChJaXU2E5YCN43enr7sneAxIghjijTyx9pC81FY9UKHEMzXUpptNGR_o95S9yhj7f3yDdF8HA0Q/s400/DSC_0141_2902.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464634537299651874" /></a><br /><br />I am grooving on these shorts too. Most kids love pockets, and these look like they would fit just about anything a little girl may want to put in them. Plus, they look ultra comfy! I have some french terry in all sorts of colors, and while it looks like they used a woven linen, I think I'll try them in knit. We'll see. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pkC2iiX_CCZq0YnQ4dCdVFDOkpnpj-RyfrDxddDILOWS4GWRm-84DtpiAJkEylyooGnmMmwvzTGiamlhPOBwTI1k6AcbWQhBMHLXhasHUNqL5w6EDrMD34rFEZchcJXZENsjggcJqZ4/s1600/DSC_0142_2903.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pkC2iiX_CCZq0YnQ4dCdVFDOkpnpj-RyfrDxddDILOWS4GWRm-84DtpiAJkEylyooGnmMmwvzTGiamlhPOBwTI1k6AcbWQhBMHLXhasHUNqL5w6EDrMD34rFEZchcJXZENsjggcJqZ4/s400/DSC_0142_2903.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464634545986138018" /></a><br /><br />My big concern is with the sizing. I'm not intimidated with the centimeters, just worry that my all too American child (read: topping the growth charts) will be too large for the dimensions of the pattern. But...nothing to do but try. I can always adjust if necessary. <br /><br />I'm hoping to have at least one of these dresses for my upcoming show at SOWA. Opening weekend is May 15th and 16th, and I'll be there with some old favorites and hopefully some new styles as well! And I'll let you know how my first foray into sewing Japan-style goes.<br /><br />Back from a very short trip with very long flights, and glad to be home in New Hampshire,<br />Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-85101063947061037772010-01-19T06:26:00.003-05:002010-01-19T07:20:17.357-05:00Finally...Oh, I've been such a bad blogger. In my defense, I've been completely swamped, and other circumstances have prevented me from writing much in the last few weeks. BUT, I did want to give you all a peek at my brand new dress using Etsuko Furuya's to-die-for new fabric.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cpwW2ed_FxwCOAXK-5mK8wcDOtKnFKwt1HJwWTh6d6HMf753tNtqmhx6doH_OBzt7iKRzv6JF9nd6bESven2_YQJxlFoFsnkXn_Mz3SVohDwzgCZNrXplI3n3tlpjhzT37ufJ56pr4Y/s1600-h/DSC_0050_1928.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cpwW2ed_FxwCOAXK-5mK8wcDOtKnFKwt1HJwWTh6d6HMf753tNtqmhx6doH_OBzt7iKRzv6JF9nd6bESven2_YQJxlFoFsnkXn_Mz3SVohDwzgCZNrXplI3n3tlpjhzT37ufJ56pr4Y/s400/DSC_0050_1928.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428414448021826194" /></a><br /><br />I combined it with a lavender linen and Kaffe's cocoa polka dots, and I love how it turned out. I had planned to do something else, but the other bolt from Kokka hasn't arrived yet. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNcQR12L5iReurS-7wd1k2uy7JJ4-n5ulhiZ03GjZmveYsB8_WRGd8BEBfzk6cy4zo1pIsJMWT0ibn6EloBMgyWk-0gHrAoK8Wu8rntpSZfbiSPX4DgC18YdWD1aUQmA297sK4x_A2Xg/s1600-h/DSC_0135_2013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNcQR12L5iReurS-7wd1k2uy7JJ4-n5ulhiZ03GjZmveYsB8_WRGd8BEBfzk6cy4zo1pIsJMWT0ibn6EloBMgyWk-0gHrAoK8Wu8rntpSZfbiSPX4DgC18YdWD1aUQmA297sK4x_A2Xg/s400/DSC_0135_2013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428414464805600658" /></a><br /><br />And the other side has Amy Butler's love in navy, with mint and purple. Kinda different for me to have so many different colors playing a prominent role, but I think it works! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0q9YMx28PYCQ1uo4LZ0giYyz8YhYJzI2mfqtds4jjy3zGIkBd_LhTHJMAqK02ZV8vsAqACTeGdE_CkV8PbgpuLAzh2VIvHBhPxi8qdo3UOwnABLi7GjhlBDralkoo07KiUWzQPM6I2w/s1600-h/DSC_0022_1900.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0q9YMx28PYCQ1uo4LZ0giYyz8YhYJzI2mfqtds4jjy3zGIkBd_LhTHJMAqK02ZV8vsAqACTeGdE_CkV8PbgpuLAzh2VIvHBhPxi8qdo3UOwnABLi7GjhlBDralkoo07KiUWzQPM6I2w/s400/DSC_0022_1900.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428414438024256466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6uofnkbQIzMm_0tObyFUhD0C9fzYdkByIhmEPsbFp2CXWLyIsaGWstbmT5I6zixxoMzm-CGDZX5ShQCHCCk7pZUrYAeJcWM1lC-Fs3ohPCVUcAsGlJ8XvFdLpCYiivZUGpC-0PVETqM/s1600-h/DSC_0107_1985.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6uofnkbQIzMm_0tObyFUhD0C9fzYdkByIhmEPsbFp2CXWLyIsaGWstbmT5I6zixxoMzm-CGDZX5ShQCHCCk7pZUrYAeJcWM1lC-Fs3ohPCVUcAsGlJ8XvFdLpCYiivZUGpC-0PVETqM/s400/DSC_0107_1985.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428414456507184066" /></a><br /><br />And it's so great to have two completely different dresses in one. I really like doing reversible styles because they are just so practical. The only thing I worry about when I combine fabrics that are so different are the trim colors. That is of course, the only thing you see from both sides, so they have to coordinate. But beyond that, I love combining totally color combinations in the same dress. <br /><br />I'm trying to prepare for <a href="http://www.cabinfevershow.com">the cabin fever show</a> in Boston, but not having too much success in the time department. Well, back to the sewing machine!<br /><br />Happy Day from my home in NH<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-81565112515344071082009-12-31T15:35:00.004-05:002009-12-31T23:23:36.024-05:00While the Cat is Away...Well, you know the rest. Yesterday I was down in Concord NH, visiting my favorite quilt shop while my husband is out West, skiing and visiting friends. <a href="http://www.peggyannes.com/">Peggy Anne's</a> has a wonderful selection of the fabrics I love, and she was running an end of the bolt sale! You just had to purchase at least 5 yards, and it was 40% off! A total steal. So anyway, I got me some <a href="http://amybutlerdesign.com/products/fabrics_love_top.php">LOVE</a>! Oh, it wasn't part of the sale of course, but I couldn't help myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxJxxfqdmM7B7mMMkOwuxXy1ybpB5XCH5rEhpw6FDsoWw8rtR5BOEBRsr0os2i_SltLIyCRuJ6upWyYQrwqRLdcxA_OvFPVQ8OlmCpDRuy-W4AJeci4_HT3K_hfpyGOPq3dZPFsiAR5c/s1600-h/DSC_0002_1743.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxJxxfqdmM7B7mMMkOwuxXy1ybpB5XCH5rEhpw6FDsoWw8rtR5BOEBRsr0os2i_SltLIyCRuJ6upWyYQrwqRLdcxA_OvFPVQ8OlmCpDRuy-W4AJeci4_HT3K_hfpyGOPq3dZPFsiAR5c/s400/DSC_0002_1743.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421504059205913762" /></a><br /><br />Are you jealous? You should be...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEbA2Pzq32cObyhlh878oH2aEITjf-aoOJsqSLpl79ShylXGnWGMtL01OdVQgMzQ-d0DRGAul9IMr1djpddohVRiIJEvYXf5sDucq86dVCIWXuB_DzfdhlB6w96SnxztQdWlFw00dE6w/s1600-h/DSC_0007_1748.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEbA2Pzq32cObyhlh878oH2aEITjf-aoOJsqSLpl79ShylXGnWGMtL01OdVQgMzQ-d0DRGAul9IMr1djpddohVRiIJEvYXf5sDucq86dVCIWXuB_DzfdhlB6w96SnxztQdWlFw00dE6w/s400/DSC_0007_1748.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421504051912177762" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Thanks for reading, commenting, and inspiring my creativity!<br /><br />~Melissa<br />At home in New Hampshirelittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-64134999180080875882009-12-20T14:40:00.015-05:002009-12-20T17:03:55.576-05:00little girl Pearl purse tutorialOh goodness, time has gotten away from me I fear. The busyness of the holidays tends to do that. But I finally have the time to sit down and write this tutorial for you! And maybe it's even in time for the more industrious among you to get one done for Christmas. Seriously, it's going to take me longer to write this than it is for you to make one!<br /><br />What you'll need:<br /><br />Scissors/rotary cutter<br />self heal mat (optional)<br />straight edge ruler (optional)<br />tape measure<br />small pieces of fabric, 8"x 9" and 3"x 11"<br />new or vintage buttons, or trims of your choice<br />sewing machine<br />disappearing marker/tailor's chalk<br /><br />Let's get started!<br /><br />I think it's easier to use a rotary cutter and straight edge quilting ruler to make sure all the edges are straight, but if you don't have one, you can use scissors. Find two coordinating pieces of fabric that you can cut out two 8"x 9" pieces out of each one. I have chosen a Japanese print and an old piece of Amy Butler Charm that I won't be able to do much else with. You can cut them out at the same time with a rotary cutter, and that way they are sure to be the same size.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcBOaucEgHTB2qayKXEhTNr3w0_SVQqUYEK6FISxAcpOLpLj4wh_IXvk4fLfeDKvpVkjqv4Oq7qK4HY2hM8xa8pqLi_XwEuxOLd2Ro-mXTKwiCNIE7qelhy-_yZZ-w4AGPtnyntKbm-0/s1600-h/DSC_0001_1399.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcBOaucEgHTB2qayKXEhTNr3w0_SVQqUYEK6FISxAcpOLpLj4wh_IXvk4fLfeDKvpVkjqv4Oq7qK4HY2hM8xa8pqLi_XwEuxOLd2Ro-mXTKwiCNIE7qelhy-_yZZ-w4AGPtnyntKbm-0/s400/DSC_0001_1399.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417430591615159490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKH_ENtp-1ytetOaIkSssvSPs5yeUeEpoBIEGqLaBK_6u8PKR3iTMrIPcWfZh2pHHvuY5J3dbZW2X8sefBhdRV3Kea2zg98OOSzAmn-fVM9F6C957X1sHG5QtS7WlD5uLHzB5KsNLVRM/s1600-h/DSC_0002_1400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKH_ENtp-1ytetOaIkSssvSPs5yeUeEpoBIEGqLaBK_6u8PKR3iTMrIPcWfZh2pHHvuY5J3dbZW2X8sefBhdRV3Kea2zg98OOSzAmn-fVM9F6C957X1sHG5QtS7WlD5uLHzB5KsNLVRM/s400/DSC_0002_1400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417430581923644898" /></a><br /><br />Now you need to find one more coordinate, and cut out two pieces each 3" x 11". These will become your handles.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PnbVCqKTmYDPc5WS-tyrFPXRna8_NBq0GzpmDAkpW7W1QW1tM5s-uUD0GqOl-immS8kD8Pr4nMYx8xQWEORJ2PPW56Lz0uxXMhk5Vcoa8Mz9nCg4jh2FWFEXRH3T2KAlvrgAX-rgk58/s1600-h/DSC_0003_1401.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PnbVCqKTmYDPc5WS-tyrFPXRna8_NBq0GzpmDAkpW7W1QW1tM5s-uUD0GqOl-immS8kD8Pr4nMYx8xQWEORJ2PPW56Lz0uxXMhk5Vcoa8Mz9nCg4jh2FWFEXRH3T2KAlvrgAX-rgk58/s400/DSC_0003_1401.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417430572130430562" /></a><br /><br />I'll start with the handles first. Fold each in half lengthwise and press. Then open up, and fold the raw edges to the center and press again. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmflams5C13PcvfGoY0T_yHs4HhQPaztn1ZTyYSf9WX_mTGuYdwjkeZ5rbFCppQdCgCjlRRs8C0NR9leSVDbC-VhSnZtW0I-7w3fkwRcNNSTkJNhtSodr6n8044apEGb5r1ijnfei6kRU/s1600-h/DSC_0004_1402.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmflams5C13PcvfGoY0T_yHs4HhQPaztn1ZTyYSf9WX_mTGuYdwjkeZ5rbFCppQdCgCjlRRs8C0NR9leSVDbC-VhSnZtW0I-7w3fkwRcNNSTkJNhtSodr6n8044apEGb5r1ijnfei6kRU/s400/DSC_0004_1402.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417430564471287506" /></a> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSkWPN_7DFoOXwnpYETzb970lcO_uZDiwnFOi8GW-R_pPUFAEprDzp1ao9_AJGAGoH8W4nfpK1D5O3oq1dQJXou3pOsYzR_Pvj-81vY4z9gNzWIt5hkkIlqaDu4FGtkNWOFf0SaMAit0/s1600-h/DSC_0005_1403.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSkWPN_7DFoOXwnpYETzb970lcO_uZDiwnFOi8GW-R_pPUFAEprDzp1ao9_AJGAGoH8W4nfpK1D5O3oq1dQJXou3pOsYzR_Pvj-81vY4z9gNzWIt5hkkIlqaDu4FGtkNWOFf0SaMAit0/s400/DSC_0005_1403.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417418346428922034" /></a><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYGhEFDR5WDlB8woWIUKUwSqYQgDfS7dEa8DqUloA9dmxqCXKruKFkPkjBxJh6sdthcuDXsd73cXDlmrILgXeDOVVxwIaFYe-59GkHkEgjY4c-yWLJOEnELd4Ro0pjOr6X7UeHeVBON0/s1600-h/DSC_0006_1404.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYGhEFDR5WDlB8woWIUKUwSqYQgDfS7dEa8DqUloA9dmxqCXKruKFkPkjBxJh6sdthcuDXsd73cXDlmrILgXeDOVVxwIaFYe-59GkHkEgjY4c-yWLJOEnELd4Ro0pjOr6X7UeHeVBON0/s400/DSC_0006_1404.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417418336547251506" /></a><br /><br />Then refold the center with the raw edges pressed under, press again. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BJ7_1DzY8FkbC2FTplEHam4RgEPuTKpM4ERqYxpYxZAWJLuMvXCARKZiy7RcDIpQpxbyr6DV8WNkKYLYesfVS8VC8O_40ykgA8JMFjrqkw2ESKRvge9xpmu1wQ55KCpDjDnMapdeXh8/s1600-h/DSC_0007_1405.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BJ7_1DzY8FkbC2FTplEHam4RgEPuTKpM4ERqYxpYxZAWJLuMvXCARKZiy7RcDIpQpxbyr6DV8WNkKYLYesfVS8VC8O_40ykgA8JMFjrqkw2ESKRvge9xpmu1wQ55KCpDjDnMapdeXh8/s400/DSC_0007_1405.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417418327431047618" /></a><br /><br />Topstitch the edge together. One note on topstitching; you want to make this as neat as possible no matter what you are topstitching. Choose a foot that has some kind of guide so that your stitches don't look wonky or uneven. This is going to give you a more professional finish, and add to the overall look of the piece. You can topstitch both sides of the handle, but you don't have to. Also, if you wanted to add some kind of decorative stitch, or trim detail, now would be the time to do it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe5e4J-QYqxQm5NZpLNy0ylFpgBCSUNodZpjbJDUAolE-4oybySNkWPdHJ2CHm2r9ecF9mQsc9Fcymvgh_54X20kIzXB6DZJeyLUh95gX8euwRzROCBFfwwqtKCST-6qP8Ek-P4diysE/s1600-h/DSC_0010_1408.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe5e4J-QYqxQm5NZpLNy0ylFpgBCSUNodZpjbJDUAolE-4oybySNkWPdHJ2CHm2r9ecF9mQsc9Fcymvgh_54X20kIzXB6DZJeyLUh95gX8euwRzROCBFfwwqtKCST-6qP8Ek-P4diysE/s400/DSC_0010_1408.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417418321211385826" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSuFOo3G4o0OBLTBFUdIw5b7hNMXsAQZA3fRHHAtM5bTuNtJ973pHZ6YZZn6Px6gaL5nRiexPNzVs5wB3hd-xwwgNv0C0Lj5KRTb6C0CZvNaOJz56-E1_9BI611Sgi6nRzuyayf581E0/s1600-h/DSC_0011_1409.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 376px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSuFOo3G4o0OBLTBFUdIw5b7hNMXsAQZA3fRHHAtM5bTuNtJ973pHZ6YZZn6Px6gaL5nRiexPNzVs5wB3hd-xwwgNv0C0Lj5KRTb6C0CZvNaOJz56-E1_9BI611Sgi6nRzuyayf581E0/s400/DSC_0011_1409.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417418313283737426" /></a><br /><br />Then place your handles about 2" from the long edge of would will become the top of your purse. Pin on each side, taking care not to twist the strap. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMiUnayA8LSuWhdXSxVfbBjdHevqZqMUD_ZdzZFGFiFMzDjGuNSddt_aImZFbsVXD1jWs2yZeBzTNVbDL7RIuEb-iOHDDbdN-6jsrc_H-3cHkfSTe9eLUh139AAlcr4k-xTlLTjAucdI/s1600-h/DSC_0013_1411.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMiUnayA8LSuWhdXSxVfbBjdHevqZqMUD_ZdzZFGFiFMzDjGuNSddt_aImZFbsVXD1jWs2yZeBzTNVbDL7RIuEb-iOHDDbdN-6jsrc_H-3cHkfSTe9eLUh139AAlcr4k-xTlLTjAucdI/s400/DSC_0013_1411.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417969334853922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOFYYiGKWOYuFiPB66ZD7JduH3gVVO-9Mv6UM5E7Zipqbopj6J8LcYa2usakIJSEKWZxRdJbXixZXaluDTeStX2ujI-sq8XHLVsYC2womkp3qk02buVAFjWPX6KUCQrtqk4QleShHCtw/s1600-h/DSC_0015_1413.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOFYYiGKWOYuFiPB66ZD7JduH3gVVO-9Mv6UM5E7Zipqbopj6J8LcYa2usakIJSEKWZxRdJbXixZXaluDTeStX2ujI-sq8XHLVsYC2womkp3qk02buVAFjWPX6KUCQrtqk4QleShHCtw/s400/DSC_0015_1413.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417958791476002" /></a><br /><br />Repeat for the second handle. You can baste them on at this point, or just leave them pinned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ4scOorw_AGavKzCMFb3_zHOois5GKkqLclnV1eJMuNFNXAGo-J3-mAM2fqNaZAH3RYJFM3Bz-bQUQHxVfrQJKucCQuLOIseCUpXHWUfwZFvdt4VzfGbPdTj68vKlmVZvwIgy5S29EM/s1600-h/DSC_0016_1414.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ4scOorw_AGavKzCMFb3_zHOois5GKkqLclnV1eJMuNFNXAGo-J3-mAM2fqNaZAH3RYJFM3Bz-bQUQHxVfrQJKucCQuLOIseCUpXHWUfwZFvdt4VzfGbPdTj68vKlmVZvwIgy5S29EM/s400/DSC_0016_1414.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417950720337330" /></a><br /><br />Take your second purse fabric piece, and pin it directly over the handle piece, making sure your edges line up. If you were using a fabric with a nap (direction), you'd want to make sure that where the handle is is the top or opening of the purse. Repeat for the other side. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi899m1PYTsFHMve5VByQ6UMJZx1amg92oWoQvC-OqDyjp0ESGWTiNltOosOykXox46XNcWKVf-36IyZl9Cu0borcA81dF20WEwXNKjDRe1mI2oGohDVbs-TT2REr_Em5IpyQdDph9PA/s1600-h/DSC_0017_1415.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi899m1PYTsFHMve5VByQ6UMJZx1amg92oWoQvC-OqDyjp0ESGWTiNltOosOykXox46XNcWKVf-36IyZl9Cu0borcA81dF20WEwXNKjDRe1mI2oGohDVbs-TT2REr_Em5IpyQdDph9PA/s400/DSC_0017_1415.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417942853719746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORkq0o0sqfOzyzj2zP0riUB0Sh8YFG-v8pagnQwIC-6HtkkdVJawF52uoFUrhsbnwB1CvD5uHb3QEDQ_JCQ5JmW2MWMoZj55hO3yJj3XbtTTsbvDgpExYVk0ZVdUTskY-xzxtqy1IaaM/s1600-h/DSC_0018_1416.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORkq0o0sqfOzyzj2zP0riUB0Sh8YFG-v8pagnQwIC-6HtkkdVJawF52uoFUrhsbnwB1CvD5uHb3QEDQ_JCQ5JmW2MWMoZj55hO3yJj3XbtTTsbvDgpExYVk0ZVdUTskY-xzxtqy1IaaM/s400/DSC_0018_1416.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417936759843954" /></a><br /><br />You are now going to stitch the tops of the purses. This is important. On ONE of the tops, leave a small opening where you will turn the purse later. I have found it is easiest to leave this opening between the purse handles. So stitch one side completely through, and on the other side, leave about a 2-3" gap in the stitching smack dab in the middle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_Tnl098_wJfWpDwBIlZShAmsAojrATQVGAc3Ahsfraj00d6j1g3C7u9b-Sssknjd6kUORnm1H6hxnW6H_ZhfDz5hFnkyFoza70ZBjlJRHNpDWt-4ZPyFYyDmbYvnA8kKPvj7-V0aI6I/s1600-h/DSC_0019_1417.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_Tnl098_wJfWpDwBIlZShAmsAojrATQVGAc3Ahsfraj00d6j1g3C7u9b-Sssknjd6kUORnm1H6hxnW6H_ZhfDz5hFnkyFoza70ZBjlJRHNpDWt-4ZPyFYyDmbYvnA8kKPvj7-V0aI6I/s400/DSC_0019_1417.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417438576120290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSu9zW__6WvuuU64CqPCn-57ayK5DnkBDvASpDYlN133mN8gGJ7UyycV0B8vJPvmTNSDLPEDu-_N7xS4YN878Q4XclDL5a3HGGflv9Zdw-GSXrC4Fd60wzQqk7bzTgNXhvcoNXVmRUb0/s1600-h/DSC_0021_1419.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSu9zW__6WvuuU64CqPCn-57ayK5DnkBDvASpDYlN133mN8gGJ7UyycV0B8vJPvmTNSDLPEDu-_N7xS4YN878Q4XclDL5a3HGGflv9Zdw-GSXrC4Fd60wzQqk7bzTgNXhvcoNXVmRUb0/s400/DSC_0021_1419.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417433268062338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIUIuxnraHex9_TKRSN2sR6sSc9jKnAIFHFKN7B7-jox8XupQKC45N-OCRu4V1Xm2X_ybo_BgZA72od1psHHssX8tPF8ZNv1iePKfffAQeYJtDxuGEZEf6rt9VNJ013c4aE-HbXjCjyQ/s1600-h/DSC_0022_1420.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIUIuxnraHex9_TKRSN2sR6sSc9jKnAIFHFKN7B7-jox8XupQKC45N-OCRu4V1Xm2X_ybo_BgZA72od1psHHssX8tPF8ZNv1iePKfffAQeYJtDxuGEZEf6rt9VNJ013c4aE-HbXjCjyQ/s400/DSC_0022_1420.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417424112106946" /></a><br /><br />Press the seam out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqpQkr_ZuLcJxWAPW9KXqTQsaALgHENpXRpUOPnh4KcnwR8-B2hyphenhyphenEgTvRpw8ydEyIIgUOdVFJnR9DX0yKBWQzRhO1-aDfxwZz_qPjlHaC45T74KZ-P2Pbqn3w-A5XgSf0aYFOtc9HUCo/s1600-h/DSC_0023_1421.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqpQkr_ZuLcJxWAPW9KXqTQsaALgHENpXRpUOPnh4KcnwR8-B2hyphenhyphenEgTvRpw8ydEyIIgUOdVFJnR9DX0yKBWQzRhO1-aDfxwZz_qPjlHaC45T74KZ-P2Pbqn3w-A5XgSf0aYFOtc9HUCo/s400/DSC_0023_1421.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417419038828338" /></a><br /><br />Now here comes the fun part. You can embellish these in so many different ways. I chose cloth yo-yos and vintage and new buttons from my stash. There are tons of tutes on yoyos, so I'm not going to get into that too much. You can also use small bits of trim, lace, buttons, ribbon, etc. The sky is the limit, so have fun with it!<br /><br />If you want to do the yoyo, I just stitched them down with a button over the top, and used my machine to do the heavy lifting. If your machine doesn't have a button program, just stitch by hand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpLCZVTYMuPh_k2ZNfjCcB7QWVpyk83jFv3sgBIV8BPVjVQ4i5Fy3lNDw0fvHV9cFSiGkIfnmnAeXwJY07fxzpgTTbcwSI1GqPHzUwjnW2PkHE9BaConvjkHFrmGo_OghP90Le2kvDmA/s1600-h/DSC_0379_1592.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpLCZVTYMuPh_k2ZNfjCcB7QWVpyk83jFv3sgBIV8BPVjVQ4i5Fy3lNDw0fvHV9cFSiGkIfnmnAeXwJY07fxzpgTTbcwSI1GqPHzUwjnW2PkHE9BaConvjkHFrmGo_OghP90Le2kvDmA/s400/DSC_0379_1592.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417417409516409602" /></a><br /><br />You want to do all your embellishing before you move on to the next stage, which is putting it all together. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlqMUKDAfjG4P0_BJFbfqlZ8_iAmjXYEE_tEl3AAWURmX4YUiPyyQotIXQFOjBu-YIcbkF_13Na1NrkRK5PmMVp8jVNasrvtRJ35vVzw977Ekqx6ycFPspqpxZghpXocULPVvKACJ06A/s1600-h/DSC_0380_1593.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlqMUKDAfjG4P0_BJFbfqlZ8_iAmjXYEE_tEl3AAWURmX4YUiPyyQotIXQFOjBu-YIcbkF_13Na1NrkRK5PmMVp8jVNasrvtRJ35vVzw977Ekqx6ycFPspqpxZghpXocULPVvKACJ06A/s400/DSC_0380_1593.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417416714020814162" /></a><br /><br />Place right sides together, aligning the top seam exactly. Stitch a rectangle all the way around. I used 1/4" seams so there's very little waste. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyemZAHvQeKMCAyo5tINjxCwODzcgeXthZ2g5nJLbbDbbs7Z0vmWGd_IIxbzH8oKwq8h4wIiwP_iDRTRBCb10dYaYs-vl3878TdPWvt4jGvX-vxnb23UoTffXKC-19GUdeRwmdU5OLFF8/s1600-h/DSC_0383_1596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyemZAHvQeKMCAyo5tINjxCwODzcgeXthZ2g5nJLbbDbbs7Z0vmWGd_IIxbzH8oKwq8h4wIiwP_iDRTRBCb10dYaYs-vl3878TdPWvt4jGvX-vxnb23UoTffXKC-19GUdeRwmdU5OLFF8/s400/DSC_0383_1596.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417416705775232770" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48R4-G4kmS5M6kCqTrd8XJ3Q_RACxlj_KJ20BAX2lHqEZn43yaz77KrpqtubAFLw35vbpQGbS3_2-90fabNMOprfOLLGiI9T2BrOy0RhDlnIiScO7uMLHKjXy78yWRUwxpmahEC6FO5M/s1600-h/DSC_0384_1597.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48R4-G4kmS5M6kCqTrd8XJ3Q_RACxlj_KJ20BAX2lHqEZn43yaz77KrpqtubAFLw35vbpQGbS3_2-90fabNMOprfOLLGiI9T2BrOy0RhDlnIiScO7uMLHKjXy78yWRUwxpmahEC6FO5M/s400/DSC_0384_1597.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417416693094024018" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VedJjVFFDsU8c28WZ4RZ4JItFtoRZNIbkxpjSFXUPuV_ZOPf-FZrbaX7arz47NN4yd7Z1Zy3If0WXHSi0T3kvKng9-Ac3tVazyTYLcFAWpbcYrbUz1FYIbecKfp4S_Ijr1UnAU2HvzI/s1600-h/DSC_0385_1598.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VedJjVFFDsU8c28WZ4RZ4JItFtoRZNIbkxpjSFXUPuV_ZOPf-FZrbaX7arz47NN4yd7Z1Zy3If0WXHSi0T3kvKng9-Ac3tVazyTYLcFAWpbcYrbUz1FYIbecKfp4S_Ijr1UnAU2HvzI/s400/DSC_0385_1598.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417416680853976146" /></a><br /><br />Remember, the opening is at the top of your purse, so you can make a complete rectangle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4-yi0HodvNvRmZjCLiNo7d0N1s5hkudmXtUojes-KefIYTD9BopJ9SbI0ps1gwl1s9ODu6M1Xq4OMC6i4JF547VoBj258gCTrCjCrsoWWCYYKOfvdtCwvBLPd0l3lzLrDeuV18x0CzI/s1600-h/DSC_0386_1599.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4-yi0HodvNvRmZjCLiNo7d0N1s5hkudmXtUojes-KefIYTD9BopJ9SbI0ps1gwl1s9ODu6M1Xq4OMC6i4JF547VoBj258gCTrCjCrsoWWCYYKOfvdtCwvBLPd0l3lzLrDeuV18x0CzI/s400/DSC_0386_1599.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417416671167192674" /></a><br /><br />This part will be the hardest to explain, but not at all hard to do. Take one corner of the rectangle, and pinch so that the seams of the sides are pushed together. You are forming a gusset to give the purse a little depth. Match the seams as best you can, and pin. Repeat for all four corners.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy3oh8Rn3ehI1gnLIEb5aEfl0GTTMGHQ-xnVyAnzktI26iw8YNZMtHaEOY0sWk4m4j_NayllUB_WaS_OJ8nZh2fWloZnjYeIKwGb4ckV-XX6FY6OUJxdvcwXZicZBMvhMk34YK1a3-NI/s1600-h/DSC_0393_1606.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy3oh8Rn3ehI1gnLIEb5aEfl0GTTMGHQ-xnVyAnzktI26iw8YNZMtHaEOY0sWk4m4j_NayllUB_WaS_OJ8nZh2fWloZnjYeIKwGb4ckV-XX6FY6OUJxdvcwXZicZBMvhMk34YK1a3-NI/s400/DSC_0393_1606.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417415134580435122" /></a><br /><br />You'll have something that looks like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qWFAy9RSTMZibgoAdzn2pmIGv6M4z_NP18xqxtddyyCFpApsx8-SsDH5m4hstLPOYoAQ-iLqkUJ-StNt6Xoa0hz6L4CNaGSBjchvtafRrLHnsxhFyXFq_kCpPfhBszA4V55VPmEMDDc/s1600-h/DSC_0395_1608.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qWFAy9RSTMZibgoAdzn2pmIGv6M4z_NP18xqxtddyyCFpApsx8-SsDH5m4hstLPOYoAQ-iLqkUJ-StNt6Xoa0hz6L4CNaGSBjchvtafRrLHnsxhFyXFq_kCpPfhBszA4V55VPmEMDDc/s400/DSC_0395_1608.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417415127895826514" /></a><br /><br />I usually eyeball this part, but for the sake of accuracy, take your straight edge again and measure 1 1/2" in from the point of the corner, and draw a straight line with disappearing marker or tailor's chalk. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmg8-rlFonSU6iJmJC-HytT9CFD1ZCKpw6uuCMWDcTBx6IcInIrRw7dT8gssEiPESdyG_64v2-YfQcnb_pWB52DIl6fPlyQFcL_gPVZ6B_MWcsZu0xvK4pLnVGX_xFrn-0-zD67pH9Gd8/s1600-h/DSC_0397_1610.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmg8-rlFonSU6iJmJC-HytT9CFD1ZCKpw6uuCMWDcTBx6IcInIrRw7dT8gssEiPESdyG_64v2-YfQcnb_pWB52DIl6fPlyQFcL_gPVZ6B_MWcsZu0xvK4pLnVGX_xFrn-0-zD67pH9Gd8/s400/DSC_0397_1610.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417415120362959858" /></a><br /><br />Stitch directly over that line, and repeat for all four corners.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcyAkpLH0hkVjn_SSQYuW_c6IBczvYd2t3itbZP7qqCeqNCIQTGQ96f7TzS6kYRnFqTLwlbynNkFyndG4LRxEsiK9cfPnEVpls7rCJ_hzcxDNtfNcJJJ-6KUCk5_apOrhHM7nYrJ7nng/s1600-h/DSC_0399_1612.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcyAkpLH0hkVjn_SSQYuW_c6IBczvYd2t3itbZP7qqCeqNCIQTGQ96f7TzS6kYRnFqTLwlbynNkFyndG4LRxEsiK9cfPnEVpls7rCJ_hzcxDNtfNcJJJ-6KUCk5_apOrhHM7nYrJ7nng/s400/DSC_0399_1612.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417415112822261010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIqyguirREA-_sYDW-QJeo32Z0cUfmwYpbbAuxTHgvecFy4aPQYYPYBKr2ogldU107PXFDXek_AgWvqK_JFE-m-DjC1s7tR1SB0bjdDPg3dduN5oUDOBhmdPH1Kqu2l-gad9_LuijqWM/s1600-h/DSC_0400_1613.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIqyguirREA-_sYDW-QJeo32Z0cUfmwYpbbAuxTHgvecFy4aPQYYPYBKr2ogldU107PXFDXek_AgWvqK_JFE-m-DjC1s7tR1SB0bjdDPg3dduN5oUDOBhmdPH1Kqu2l-gad9_LuijqWM/s400/DSC_0400_1613.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417415106973908562" /></a><br /><br />Cut away the excess fabric on all four corners. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9YJGJogPe175IfGr8MbpT5bVam3tNdCwAAHvtKTbyzfPy9TfHg6biHmaZV7wtLP7-dYgJp624xUeKjPiol1ICKHYCilBQCwWa04iuYNbbWvqn2u0eae-_mojQM72qDxRsjYkH1Wyzuc/s1600-h/DSC_0403_1616.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9YJGJogPe175IfGr8MbpT5bVam3tNdCwAAHvtKTbyzfPy9TfHg6biHmaZV7wtLP7-dYgJp624xUeKjPiol1ICKHYCilBQCwWa04iuYNbbWvqn2u0eae-_mojQM72qDxRsjYkH1Wyzuc/s400/DSC_0403_1616.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417414327007135074" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DdbKTINjrOP0_aCbdbQA0ZTiaN5ZaqJaMBMwGp8BG67EbUQTCqytziJEzlSRTczhwLYCLw-BOttdd8nBY1FOl5w01_tbNqdFXYGwwJbAN6yyQd7TcZDIzvP4b5VwD3LTzPKZE9CEdL8/s1600-h/DSC_0404_1617.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DdbKTINjrOP0_aCbdbQA0ZTiaN5ZaqJaMBMwGp8BG67EbUQTCqytziJEzlSRTczhwLYCLw-BOttdd8nBY1FOl5w01_tbNqdFXYGwwJbAN6yyQd7TcZDIzvP4b5VwD3LTzPKZE9CEdL8/s400/DSC_0404_1617.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417414322201128354" /></a><br /><br />Turn your purse so that the right sides are facing out. Push one side into the other to form your purse, taking special care on the bottom seam, pushing the gussets into place. Press the top edge where the handles are, and line up the seam allowances on the small opening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyON6dOqzZoN5tId8mafNRMrRJ1THI2rpzLXu8_YfUVDaOkNDRD9aFkKpfF3WQAhm9hs2PeaAoRkEHjfHsQQB3HFPNBjFzPfrU50qMS6tSKyqEwtC2zqJKvSbr7oa9L3ik23naM_qv-E/s1600-h/DSC_0405_1618.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyON6dOqzZoN5tId8mafNRMrRJ1THI2rpzLXu8_YfUVDaOkNDRD9aFkKpfF3WQAhm9hs2PeaAoRkEHjfHsQQB3HFPNBjFzPfrU50qMS6tSKyqEwtC2zqJKvSbr7oa9L3ik23naM_qv-E/s400/DSC_0405_1618.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417414314769275490" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29c2ImKfR7o_MsugdKmjETNmbCiUDbNvkA_5k2U3CRxLRsm3xZiog6QH4rHqKHXdpzRgnRZVmtjzjV_FySzdjP60Y17SiOPz3qhSL1xLuy1QGWGZNMRohlivW1uYt6Xkxe03d5tsAClE/s1600-h/DSC_0406_1619.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 369px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29c2ImKfR7o_MsugdKmjETNmbCiUDbNvkA_5k2U3CRxLRsm3xZiog6QH4rHqKHXdpzRgnRZVmtjzjV_FySzdjP60Y17SiOPz3qhSL1xLuy1QGWGZNMRohlivW1uYt6Xkxe03d5tsAClE/s400/DSC_0406_1619.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417414303920504626" /></a><br /><br />Topstitch the top edge, so that you don't have any messy hand sewing to do. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidtOFedvV4lTOA86K36RiL_hGbnkRLKSRFxOygPBpfsB-xWRpOBk52BNFtzGoTivaPuiga3JPqldXtJLxFaDBqogMhB47NrSzM4aV5GIX_-3zv-URSLH6ZGSvDzkrBOYh4HhAx3xYwpc/s1600-h/DSC_0407_1620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidtOFedvV4lTOA86K36RiL_hGbnkRLKSRFxOygPBpfsB-xWRpOBk52BNFtzGoTivaPuiga3JPqldXtJLxFaDBqogMhB47NrSzM4aV5GIX_-3zv-URSLH6ZGSvDzkrBOYh4HhAx3xYwpc/s400/DSC_0407_1620.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417414297073854498" /></a><br /><br />Believe it or not, YOU ARE DONE! I not only love these as little girl purses, but by just changing the size, you could make some really fun little book bags, gift bags, or wine bags too. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX-dhrEL-mF7tmTnYj2RjLG_J6hd_XLchk6q5TjlU3NSaSXgX7QJJN-whjPOqx14kf_4bhYMDDEHl6NQpZtSaTEMOMv0E4ruUQyi010KqDJ0_AcPZ9DQmCjL1e6W3pJX3IfxVO5eCVrQ/s1600-h/DSC_0412_1625.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX-dhrEL-mF7tmTnYj2RjLG_J6hd_XLchk6q5TjlU3NSaSXgX7QJJN-whjPOqx14kf_4bhYMDDEHl6NQpZtSaTEMOMv0E4ruUQyi010KqDJ0_AcPZ9DQmCjL1e6W3pJX3IfxVO5eCVrQ/s400/DSC_0412_1625.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417413722992324690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy_2iJbakioj5HV44i8HyRjFOjccWenTZeHgyaJmQc9bArD9W9GZ5xx11pUxZJvZ8xDQkFugOvGT8M5iWVX2LOQ8VUnQvxjuzZ3e_-K20Lgyb5AwfipEwl9hBHGavMPXxipzNR0e4ezg/s1600-h/DSC_0413_1626.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy_2iJbakioj5HV44i8HyRjFOjccWenTZeHgyaJmQc9bArD9W9GZ5xx11pUxZJvZ8xDQkFugOvGT8M5iWVX2LOQ8VUnQvxjuzZ3e_-K20Lgyb5AwfipEwl9hBHGavMPXxipzNR0e4ezg/s400/DSC_0413_1626.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417413721725181378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VCheZCTGoKjTy5efZ6YlYhzI4cYd9dM6FX5mGpI83wZhzLa6-60fSfpKXrXe7OIEPY5_Bv7TcAs3el9kaaPIZsqJ2aQ3DUCrttXvreHr7UTTzpiSUhBFfqojTx89sIZh-VZX6i4iqEE/s1600-h/DSC_0408_1621.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VCheZCTGoKjTy5efZ6YlYhzI4cYd9dM6FX5mGpI83wZhzLa6-60fSfpKXrXe7OIEPY5_Bv7TcAs3el9kaaPIZsqJ2aQ3DUCrttXvreHr7UTTzpiSUhBFfqojTx89sIZh-VZX6i4iqEE/s400/DSC_0408_1621.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417413711149926130" /></a><br /><br />Let me know if something isn't clear, have fun, and happy sewing!<br /><br />~Melissa<br />Salt Lake City, UTlittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-15899851667985554292009-12-05T13:15:00.006-05:002009-12-05T17:01:28.623-05:00Invasion of the PursesWell, it had to happen sometime. The mound of fabric pieces too small to make a dress with, but too big to just give up on, was growing larger by the day. If you sew clothing, you have some idea of the proportions of which I speak. We are talking a good shelf full of smaller pieces that weren't going away, but were cluttering up the view so to speak.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-ryRh31Fzziv50DbXtNHVHaOZ0p-bhjVHdY9iF-TDwYHfm62-etZfTA5K4H0TWJ9FjcOh1sznP3F252Hn6ZVeJSm0mcgkiIrEiY_sNyGRknfNUIThf7X3h1JBuNTVm-AIP65IX45poQ/s1600-h/DSC_0663_1200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-ryRh31Fzziv50DbXtNHVHaOZ0p-bhjVHdY9iF-TDwYHfm62-etZfTA5K4H0TWJ9FjcOh1sznP3F252Hn6ZVeJSm0mcgkiIrEiY_sNyGRknfNUIThf7X3h1JBuNTVm-AIP65IX45poQ/s400/DSC_0663_1200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411820807338225074" /></a><br /><br />For my show a few weeks ago in Concord, NH, I decided that something had to be done. And it's always a good idea to offer a variety of price points so that people can commit to a little something instead of a big something. My solution to both challenges is the little purse, new to my <a href="http://www.littlegirlpearl.etsy.com">shop</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJnAn2OSIFQGFgF8trz_Mo9r5KHQJ7lbXVxbRDCfnCLyB_U0wUw8PHGEWtWvfmVTgHUHW4m3xLdo4EJFX8WZXnwHMRMvQUIFGxSefpBSg4gvEN59P602Y1q4dJiaLsQ5zo_yl64A4zTg/s1600-h/DSC_0633_1170.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJnAn2OSIFQGFgF8trz_Mo9r5KHQJ7lbXVxbRDCfnCLyB_U0wUw8PHGEWtWvfmVTgHUHW4m3xLdo4EJFX8WZXnwHMRMvQUIFGxSefpBSg4gvEN59P602Y1q4dJiaLsQ5zo_yl64A4zTg/s400/DSC_0633_1170.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411820799537520546" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSLBRYO19RNfiel9X7iAVtwO1bQSYaBGg9c_x6zkXXXuI133z0Cv4i8bnFLx7jFxvCUM501Q9sa-qGRmkPkubn9cOCJjksxQsOuwGRK4Nj2D3-rVIW7dyLFfwRGOsHcv7G5IiWgVrWrs/s1600-h/DSC_0605_1142.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSLBRYO19RNfiel9X7iAVtwO1bQSYaBGg9c_x6zkXXXuI133z0Cv4i8bnFLx7jFxvCUM501Q9sa-qGRmkPkubn9cOCJjksxQsOuwGRK4Nj2D3-rVIW7dyLFfwRGOsHcv7G5IiWgVrWrs/s400/DSC_0605_1142.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411820797406912066" /></a><br /><br />These are so fun to put together and very easy to embellish. I try to pick out three coordinates; two for the purse itself and one for the handles. The trick is finding pieces of fabric that will all work together in the sizes I need. And of course I can't leave it just plain, so I decided to go through my vintage button collection and add to the fun little yo-yo's on one side. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T2pbLTg-EuKN4n32dRd-bHBecOg0eH5zWYXHw1mQRYkztTGyAIm9C-sJJ6DwQd3ECRvcf_7ufsbleo9AdUDEA9Ng-kBrewezT6C__0_KZ86pvt5CYfTSWLLnzMrlJ3WhptM-NRaxgYs/s1600-h/DSC_0601_1138.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T2pbLTg-EuKN4n32dRd-bHBecOg0eH5zWYXHw1mQRYkztTGyAIm9C-sJJ6DwQd3ECRvcf_7ufsbleo9AdUDEA9Ng-kBrewezT6C__0_KZ86pvt5CYfTSWLLnzMrlJ3WhptM-NRaxgYs/s400/DSC_0601_1138.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411820793128501538" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XEiG4KUsgWd4z5d9X1go4B3vvkMK9D9BoyoHpFvs8rv7FEGf368FXgxNCZnZLJc7BNfsR4RUeUIRrsRoHa1R9Fdkd1O7wJlrZ_iHjjUxOLt4X2Y2eqwzgExFqQZCInh-yoZr_DzCE-k/s1600-h/DSC_0585_1122.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XEiG4KUsgWd4z5d9X1go4B3vvkMK9D9BoyoHpFvs8rv7FEGf368FXgxNCZnZLJc7BNfsR4RUeUIRrsRoHa1R9Fdkd1O7wJlrZ_iHjjUxOLt4X2Y2eqwzgExFqQZCInh-yoZr_DzCE-k/s400/DSC_0585_1122.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411820788969826946" /></a><br /><br />Oh, I know I'm certainly not the first one to make a little girl purse, but watching my daughter pick one out for herself was tons of fun. So the only trick now is keeping them out of her sight just in case she decides to help herself to all the other lovely colors. <br /><br />I may do a tutorial on this if anyone is interested, just comment and let me know. No advanced sewing skills required, I promise. And no piping this time...<br /><br />~Kansas City, MO<br />Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-69210965488164385362009-11-27T12:10:00.002-05:002009-11-27T12:14:13.357-05:00Free Shipping at little girl Pearl!That's right, I just can't let this madness go without jumping in. I'll be offering free worldwide shipping on every in stock size in my shop through Monday. <br /><br />In stock only, but there are plenty of styles from which to choose. Whew, re-editing all those listings was a bit of work I tell you! Here's the <a href="http://www.littlegirlpearl.com">link</a>. <br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone, and happy shopping. I know for sure I will not be among you as this shopping weekend makes me a bit of a lunatic. Way too many people for me...<br /><br />Still in Connecticut,<br />Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-84095597498849959912009-11-24T19:25:00.005-05:002009-11-24T21:01:45.232-05:00Hatchet JobSo, in my defense, I wasn't at home. My wonderful husband was in charge, and happened to be outside while P. was watching a video, and didn't even notice her hair until I came home that evening. That's how observant he is...<br /><br />Actually, this works to my favor when I go shopping and overdo it, but again I digress. And he really is wonderful, I wasn't being facetious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX1lOz28Lbp4LpGuv59fZ6U39DLiBobBRX881Ce9kA3xwQTCLRXzaz1zgBgOx-3wyAR2yFhoBKG2PLlal_r-8qfW1Ebm3fCT0ndJysas7G4L7nOR8AOWZ_KEYrOFmdRfNX_ewBzdIkWY/s1600/DSC_0384_0570.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX1lOz28Lbp4LpGuv59fZ6U39DLiBobBRX881Ce9kA3xwQTCLRXzaz1zgBgOx-3wyAR2yFhoBKG2PLlal_r-8qfW1Ebm3fCT0ndJysas7G4L7nOR8AOWZ_KEYrOFmdRfNX_ewBzdIkWY/s400/DSC_0384_0570.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407832278991962466" /></a><br /><br />Here she is in all her glory. We'll be going to an actual hair stylist sometime next week to see what can be done. She told her pre-K teacher today that I almost cried, which is mostly true, but also faked to impress upon her that she did something of which I disapproved. Hopefully I made some kind of impression on her brain so that we don't go through this again next year. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3OiRAlwDP_5QTL__XkcTMWB2ClkRHJPofPjMwpcP4keSU4TNtrEs5yRm5MZvp8W7nbNMFWPMnV_D4nNgrx4e2vNm9_w0tJuPEOeJdX9NuqLKYraORgRwIrZrRFUmLiRkfIojYsxY8PQ/s1600/DSC_0382_0568.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3OiRAlwDP_5QTL__XkcTMWB2ClkRHJPofPjMwpcP4keSU4TNtrEs5yRm5MZvp8W7nbNMFWPMnV_D4nNgrx4e2vNm9_w0tJuPEOeJdX9NuqLKYraORgRwIrZrRFUmLiRkfIojYsxY8PQ/s400/DSC_0382_0568.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407854362816840802" /></a> <br /><br />I'm thinking if we maybe just keep the bangs, she won't feel the need to snip some more. Argh.<br /><br />~Traveling to Connecticut for the next couple days,<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!<br /><br />Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-19048945752726891002009-11-23T17:24:00.002-05:002009-11-23T17:26:12.379-05:00Hair and ScissorsYou know where I'm going with that title, right? <br /><br />The P. chopped off her hair yesterday during an unsupervised moment. Again. <br /><br />We went through the same thing last year, and her hair was finally all one length. But not for long. Pics tomorrow. Ugh.<br /><br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-54201981637851874492009-11-20T12:15:00.002-05:002009-11-20T12:17:48.908-05:00Crafts at the CapitolI'll be in Concord, NH for Crafts at the Capitol, tomorrow and Sunday, 10-5. Hope to see you there at the Capitol Center for the Arts!littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-42973280785364030732009-11-15T12:34:00.005-05:002009-11-15T13:01:18.113-05:00Pockets, pockets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDaa5vNUB2hGCDt7mIQmG72q0sywNRU7l6e0ZOzJKf4_A7DerdN2IGHFUf39ZULDFmFAGUsW-D83lhLJCo9r0tPndxc7d_V_dw7gTG8_KsvjDtN-Bj0xckeT6Gxq99iAj6VS5zzXmu-E/s1600-h/DSC_0042_9213copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDaa5vNUB2hGCDt7mIQmG72q0sywNRU7l6e0ZOzJKf4_A7DerdN2IGHFUf39ZULDFmFAGUsW-D83lhLJCo9r0tPndxc7d_V_dw7gTG8_KsvjDtN-Bj0xckeT6Gxq99iAj6VS5zzXmu-E/s400/DSC_0042_9213copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404391326972426690" /></a><br /><br />I've been on a pocket kick lately. If you've checked out my <a href="http://www.littlegirlpearl.etsy.com">etsy shop</a> recently, you've surely noticed. Pants pockets, elephant pockets, squirrel and dog pockets, and some strawberry pockets too. The P. is constantly picking up various treasures in the woods (her latest thing is acorn tops), and I don't always want them in MY pockets!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ9zdStz7rsKABwfhqQjNXcLMNs9mXf7Oy5_6DKwi3dk8tlwIVnRyr8eZsDjohvPZa7q6f5wb3kN1BUfbmvH-fk80esURO1MnF9Icl5g3cqF4uZLkJDPdzvgbGBlmLoDtUoYeuuF6AWk/s1600-h/DSC_0146_0338.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ9zdStz7rsKABwfhqQjNXcLMNs9mXf7Oy5_6DKwi3dk8tlwIVnRyr8eZsDjohvPZa7q6f5wb3kN1BUfbmvH-fk80esURO1MnF9Icl5g3cqF4uZLkJDPdzvgbGBlmLoDtUoYeuuF6AWk/s400/DSC_0146_0338.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404391320790461730" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwx82Q749bidrzSOd8us20qg-JEV5msurSuFXuogvsqwv9bZGdeD8BAj4SXbK_V8jhNjzrqnR7JudrU8iOiEIDn9Qvxg9N3HpgMUCfGXXv1xzS7bcfAqKbBLBQRQ2vSL799v2_qeMQIQ/s1600-h/DSC_0214_0405.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwx82Q749bidrzSOd8us20qg-JEV5msurSuFXuogvsqwv9bZGdeD8BAj4SXbK_V8jhNjzrqnR7JudrU8iOiEIDn9Qvxg9N3HpgMUCfGXXv1xzS7bcfAqKbBLBQRQ2vSL799v2_qeMQIQ/s400/DSC_0214_0405.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404388141187302770" /></a><br /><br />My latest is the pocket pants. I want to do these in different colors, but for now they are available in the softest pink corduroy, with a bit of bijoux on the pocket flap. And they fit! My child is not exactly petite, so finding pants for her can be challenging. I can just forget about Old Navy. Actually it makes me kind of sad that they are starting them down the skinny mini route at age 3, but I digress.<br /><br />Short and sweet today, but just wanted to mention that I'll be at the Capitol Center for the Arts in downtown Concord, NH on Nov. 21 and 22. If you're a New Hampshirite, see you there!littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-29928063742483068922009-10-31T15:40:00.007-04:002009-11-01T07:02:19.494-05:00Bursting to tell you...OK, I'm done. I can't wait one more day to let you in on my secret. I just didn't want to jinx anything, you know? Drum roll please...<br /><br />little girl Pearl is going to be in <a href="https://www.kable.com/pub/wmnw/menu.asp">Woman's World Magazine</a>!!!<br /><br />Here's how it happened. I wandered into the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_main.php">Etsy forums</a> one day this past summer, and noticed a post from Adam in admin. The title was press opportunity, and as it turned out two national magazines were looking for businesses geared to different demographics. "Magazine B" was a better fit for me, so I submitted a one paragraph essay on how I started my business. <br /><br />You know, I had my daughter, wanted to dress her in cute things, couldn't find any I couldn't do better myself, started making them, people asked where I found them, etc., etc.<br /><br />So, I promptly forgot about it until I received a call from a writer at Woman's World who loved my story, and voila, after a phone interview and a photographer came to my house (more on that in a minute), it should be in the November 16th issue! Which means that it will be on check out stands on November 9th. <br /><br />Oh man. So, remember back to me having to clean my house for three days straight? Yep. A photographer who was contracted by the magazine came to my freshly neatened home to take photos of my workspace. Ah, there's the rub. My workspace is also pleasingly cluttered, and in an unfinished basement. It's true. This would not do. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWuMcn91U8hX-5XFsw-3PesiAJ4pNtIjw_LRE49o_pO0i6jR8jS6byKjd37DiKtufTtYVYSqmxXyEwlH1mgLAI2zANaSohmdBmea9OBsPbwB0vbNEhfNTFIZEXWLibIQAG0wMFWOGbkA/s1600-h/DSC_0196_8343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWuMcn91U8hX-5XFsw-3PesiAJ4pNtIjw_LRE49o_pO0i6jR8jS6byKjd37DiKtufTtYVYSqmxXyEwlH1mgLAI2zANaSohmdBmea9OBsPbwB0vbNEhfNTFIZEXWLibIQAG0wMFWOGbkA/s400/DSC_0196_8343.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398854541764780946" /></a><br /><br />So I staged a nice little corner of the living room with a few bolts, my sewing machine, and who else but the P. and her best friend B. Mine was of course the one trying to hide, and her best friend stealing the show all the while. I wish I could share those pictures, but alas they don't belong to me. I was able to take a pic of "my workspace" though, just to share. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45VUZNXMVGEkh5ZQVzh5Q78l1-gsprnW0LUsaD81u89UQC1pxdS0l8COPWPS2F-0IJIA4dRbgi1edFPkFdFfZVlYODIC08Ra7JA-c-RrrXqO7vpTj-zJXkL3rRvkMI3WxavXxt64JiFs/s1600-h/DSC_0194_8341.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45VUZNXMVGEkh5ZQVzh5Q78l1-gsprnW0LUsaD81u89UQC1pxdS0l8COPWPS2F-0IJIA4dRbgi1edFPkFdFfZVlYODIC08Ra7JA-c-RrrXqO7vpTj-zJXkL3rRvkMI3WxavXxt64JiFs/s400/DSC_0194_8341.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398854534590965314" /></a><br /><br />I am thrilled beyond belief, a little nervous (certainly about the picture, hoping I don't look too cheesy), and so excited about the whole thing. <br /><br />So check out Woman's World on the 9th, and know that my house NEVER looks that good. Take heart. <br /><br />From Minneapolis,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-75477780089755790042009-10-28T20:00:00.004-04:002009-10-28T20:33:59.548-04:00Halloween '09My child, my child. <br /><br />She is truly something.<br /><br />Why you ask?? Last year, a scary bat. This year a blue coyote. <br /><br />Coyote? A blue coyote?? Honestly, I don't know where she gets this stuff from. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFx4ncIxIclQ47v4_SdEANGW4fvxhtxAqnO3ZO7RguBk5lJfod4GtaJa31m2HN4XZb65uHkmBK8DC_sJ0Yel7D6POJUeymK2eqYwgRxl4uUrJqJ9LRMrbbgwbdLmnz-n4x_98HaHjdzw/s1600-h/DSC_0195_9364.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFx4ncIxIclQ47v4_SdEANGW4fvxhtxAqnO3ZO7RguBk5lJfod4GtaJa31m2HN4XZb65uHkmBK8DC_sJ0Yel7D6POJUeymK2eqYwgRxl4uUrJqJ9LRMrbbgwbdLmnz-n4x_98HaHjdzw/s400/DSC_0195_9364.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397809347681538626" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk6mVmDL1ERchJ4jzOUJA_LSX14EWjgK9oLTp84Myh7U-wWv62vLABrmBThdnRT4TkJUACyjUavXsQXsFGxIfHLUSlxhEIaO-AP1tEML-Gl6LFS9HPQmd7sGjbH_xl-UQDteiXBsyTg8/s1600-h/DSC_0189_9358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk6mVmDL1ERchJ4jzOUJA_LSX14EWjgK9oLTp84Myh7U-wWv62vLABrmBThdnRT4TkJUACyjUavXsQXsFGxIfHLUSlxhEIaO-AP1tEML-Gl6LFS9HPQmd7sGjbH_xl-UQDteiXBsyTg8/s400/DSC_0189_9358.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397809339801913474" /></a><br /><br />I was a pretty normal trick or treater. I got hand me down costumes for the most part. One I distinctly remember was an ice skater where I actually wore my skates and guards. Walking around in ice skates was challenging after awhile. I was a squaw, a princess, a witch. <br /><br />My daughter?? A blue coyote. <br /><br />Actually, I love her originality. No one else is gonna be a blue coyote for sure. There will be 50 Cinderella's walking around but only one blue coyote.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SblxoZKvxhaBS91o_LBJed2mHNwFH7j2sP8s9qiXi0Y-RSS9o1_CtUM54xa8jyIm_CwdymgQFsbDGsqyOj0HzZ6VRUsojprJfK17_SVQAOSdKQ_yFYDDWlfykNxpbrDkJvSK70KxC6o/s1600-h/DSC_0187_9356.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SblxoZKvxhaBS91o_LBJed2mHNwFH7j2sP8s9qiXi0Y-RSS9o1_CtUM54xa8jyIm_CwdymgQFsbDGsqyOj0HzZ6VRUsojprJfK17_SVQAOSdKQ_yFYDDWlfykNxpbrDkJvSK70KxC6o/s400/DSC_0187_9356.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397809332163401730" /></a><br /><br />For all other kids out there that want to be a blue coyote, I used McCall's 5956. It's pretty generous as you can tell. Blue fleece from JoAnn's, Kaffe Fassett Sludge paperweight for the ears. <br /><br />Maybe next year we can use it again, and just change out the hood. She's already talking about being a blue hippopotamus. Hmmm.<br /><br />From New Hampshire,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-76346587186606971082009-10-18T10:23:00.002-04:002009-10-18T10:25:24.405-04:00I won't be at SOWA...Sorry for the false alarm everyone. I had every intention of going, even if it was a little soggy. But when I saw that it was going to be torrential rain with highs in the 40's, even I'm not that diehard. I really did want to go, but the hassle of getting everything wet, again, just didn't make sense. <br /><br />I will definitely be going ahead with more dates next summer though, so stay tuned for that.littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-47022481552495424412009-10-17T08:29:00.002-04:002009-10-17T08:31:06.605-04:00I'll be at SOWA...Tomorrow!! Come join me if you're in the Boston area. <a href="http://www.southendopenmarket.com/">Click here</a> for more information and directions. See you there!littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-79684691460705383142009-10-15T10:32:00.008-04:002009-10-15T20:58:30.502-04:00Quilt Market, Houston '09, Part 2Without further ado...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRbRGeTRan5ySqqTQGWDcRxxXqKF0rQ8P3dkZBe75FM-9B9vM7OaLEr3Z1qvN5KkWg7U-v5WwQS5FXormUH_q_DQv30tNcUi-LB-pU8PpdYhGsU3QH0fv8RwbWgPZb-NE6UHevRY5F4c/s1600-h/DSC_0324_8942.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRbRGeTRan5ySqqTQGWDcRxxXqKF0rQ8P3dkZBe75FM-9B9vM7OaLEr3Z1qvN5KkWg7U-v5WwQS5FXormUH_q_DQv30tNcUi-LB-pU8PpdYhGsU3QH0fv8RwbWgPZb-NE6UHevRY5F4c/s400/DSC_0324_8942.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392988845169671186" /></a><br /><br />Next up was Amy Butler herself, who is even more beautiful in person. And so nice too. I felt a bit conspicuous, because I happened to be wearing one of my gored skirts made from her nigella line. I think at least 20 people stopped me to ask what pattern I’d used. Too funny. Anyway, it was great to see her new line in person, because the photos don’t do it justice. I’m loving the navy blue and (you guessed it) lilac color palette. I am anxious to get some home dec weight too. Her booth was very inspiring and gorgeous as is inevitable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JsDGugtz8NKIxITlgDJe59UvH6M1NfeCyNTBd50WIOSMNA344nWc3Gs6LeXPT1doV7LXZRtvUvA-3nTVzdoQ06rXq0LzXNEFRiQNzWkTbS7ibZaXPEcMmd1w6EWvpOZ-_-STA3N3wEU/s1600-h/DSC_0326_8944.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JsDGugtz8NKIxITlgDJe59UvH6M1NfeCyNTBd50WIOSMNA344nWc3Gs6LeXPT1doV7LXZRtvUvA-3nTVzdoQ06rXq0LzXNEFRiQNzWkTbS7ibZaXPEcMmd1w6EWvpOZ-_-STA3N3wEU/s400/DSC_0326_8944.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392989442151826914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6lrzBCMGCBRh5YGGJypM-w0SlQLm-7F_S-2xoSieBppC-dRCSzWKgD9Jicbe1w86wK1N-wY6-KsRHK0rlCuscZkc1na8gtudzkPK1m52EAc6yKF2JT_E_DWp7q3PkFveY21Kd3feqqA/s1600-h/DSC_0325_8943.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6lrzBCMGCBRh5YGGJypM-w0SlQLm-7F_S-2xoSieBppC-dRCSzWKgD9Jicbe1w86wK1N-wY6-KsRHK0rlCuscZkc1na8gtudzkPK1m52EAc6yKF2JT_E_DWp7q3PkFveY21Kd3feqqA/s400/DSC_0325_8943.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392989439343429522" /></a><br /><br />I also stumbled on Michelle from <a href="http://cloud9fabrics.com/">Cloud9 Fabrics</a>. I had seen this fabric on several coops, but didn’t end up purchasing any at the time. The only reason being I already have gobs of fabric, and I have to cut myself off at a certain point. But I gotta tell you that I am regretting that decision. It’s SO soft and lovely. It’s certified organic, and is manufactured to GOTS standards, so no nasty chemicals or heavy metals. The yellow polka dot was my very favorite, so I may have to splurge on this in the future.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNFCvcL9d4lIf-WzNZzh0U5WnB_ewhSoMLSRbPiw-KLkPSMy1arlqCkxbBypQ_LbGKC5XiCQtacwGeeGDsL13l1Yhi8QCNFXwhLMT32bf4nBBoN_V-RwX3NgK3j2VGIP-htytlu8UcHo/s1600-h/DSC_0331_8949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNFCvcL9d4lIf-WzNZzh0U5WnB_ewhSoMLSRbPiw-KLkPSMy1arlqCkxbBypQ_LbGKC5XiCQtacwGeeGDsL13l1Yhi8QCNFXwhLMT32bf4nBBoN_V-RwX3NgK3j2VGIP-htytlu8UcHo/s400/DSC_0331_8949.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392992449953764130" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCMVheSxlkzZ-ClznaBKJIyegLBeL1Y_Di2Bo7nlyXY0luyp7TMBEQj3xp4qv1R_UvkkhW1QI_TIPPYpLIohe7hBZTm5TFc-lQfkxZx49db8mbBsegnL-ty4E0GzSx3MlXmlsMBK4QTY/s1600-h/DSC_0329_8947.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCMVheSxlkzZ-ClznaBKJIyegLBeL1Y_Di2Bo7nlyXY0luyp7TMBEQj3xp4qv1R_UvkkhW1QI_TIPPYpLIohe7hBZTm5TFc-lQfkxZx49db8mbBsegnL-ty4E0GzSx3MlXmlsMBK4QTY/s400/DSC_0329_8947.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392993684960753794" /></a><br /><br />Finally, Sandi Henderson’s Meadowsweet, and Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane. I was really glad to have the chance to see these up close. I am really psyched that Sandi decided to carry the henna garden print through to this collection, because it has so much potential as a great coordinate. My favorite was the melon colorway, but I love the others as well. Heather’s new line is so soft and sweet, and has her signature large scale florals, along with some great retro prints. It should be a lot of fun to work with. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpIpk7oasbtS45r179kyVrVdKl6Zg0_avRdYhqbprjRIQvyUv05ySnXLVH2pq0UiSiTmZvDUoDKzce1HKjMR0z1uoieve1l2If2BA83JG2neVfpBj1sky5EirTRpXN93p5iorPCUlc00/s1600-h/DSC_0335_8953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpIpk7oasbtS45r179kyVrVdKl6Zg0_avRdYhqbprjRIQvyUv05ySnXLVH2pq0UiSiTmZvDUoDKzce1HKjMR0z1uoieve1l2If2BA83JG2neVfpBj1sky5EirTRpXN93p5iorPCUlc00/s400/DSC_0335_8953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392993692661646850" /></a><br /><br />The Market was also a great chance for me to touch base with the button distributors. I have had quite a bit of angst regarding the CPSIA, and am totally relieved that both Dill Buttons and JHB have decided to test, and have all the necessary paperwork on hand. I realize the law is not written with component testing in mind, but I at least feel that I will be covered and that cooler heads will eventually prevail in Congress. This has been a major worry for me, and I feel that it is finally resolved (somewhat).<br /><br />So, I apologize for the length of this post, but if you’ve ever been to the Quilt Market, you will realize immediately that I really have only described the highlights, and there was so much more there to see. I haven’t even mentioned trims and ribbons, which really deserves a post unto itself. So, if you ever get the chance to go, don’t hesitate. Go be inspired, and do not miss the special exhibitions at the far end of the hall where they show museum quality quilts and fiber arts. <br /><br />From Atlanta,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-5037687207310344392009-10-12T14:44:00.011-04:002009-10-15T20:57:44.243-04:00Quilt Market '09, Houston, Part 1I hesitated to say anything because there was a bit of uncertainty about me actually making it down to Quilt Market in Houston this past weekend, but indeed I went. Wow. My head is still spinning. Honestly, even though I was dead tired I didn’t really sleep all that well with all the ideas flashing through my mind. So, for all of you here is the low down on what I saw. I’m going to break this up into two posts, because there is way too much information for just one!<br /><br />First off, I just have to say that this was my first Market, so I didn’t really know what to expect at all. I knew a lot of the designers would be there, which was my main reason for going. Most fabric people are tactile, and I am no exception. I know in my head that it’s quilting cotton, but somehow just feeling the fabric gives you another level of inspiration that is irreplaceable. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcWxr0m6iJJV8jO0GaTFsBqbinlEUMA0SClzhN1VvfZxuCe4yqlx-rqaVAD4nJVlvv2wKBr3xA6ZTB6hTd4ry2TqW6NqdFaQ0gyaIXsjacTzjSAWxJgV3iTzf0q-HriR4vSVR0LW0HnU/s1600-h/DSC_0320_8938.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcWxr0m6iJJV8jO0GaTFsBqbinlEUMA0SClzhN1VvfZxuCe4yqlx-rqaVAD4nJVlvv2wKBr3xA6ZTB6hTd4ry2TqW6NqdFaQ0gyaIXsjacTzjSAWxJgV3iTzf0q-HriR4vSVR0LW0HnU/s400/DSC_0320_8938.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391787268537326978" /></a><br /><br />That being said I have to start off with <a href="http://www.annamariahorner.com">Anna Maria Horner</a>. My hero. Not only is she a delight, but she is so utterly talented. And busy! She happened to have <a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/">baby Roman</a> there when I stopped in, and what a little cutie. Her new line is printed on cotton voile (rhymes with toile), and to be honest before feeling it in person, I was a little worried. How would it be to work with thinner fabric? Would it be a challenge to sew? Body? Drape? I’m here to tell you that this stuff is gorgeous. Gorgeous. And soft, too. The prints are darling, and she is incorporating the most fabulous shade of sophisticated lilac. Did I mention soft? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MNTGtz0ZNbrkW2mLaNLmocqQPh3hxq-9ze8j_dLAUbS2W7BiQiM3W2ItjVnqwt-i2QdBKaJAU3a5BcDGrL0IGxOhJL5pFwS8XnDlhqYlS0oouyFTmGc1w3OUqMT3Rd6VDFlABKcb8Kg/s1600-h/DSC_0321_8939.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MNTGtz0ZNbrkW2mLaNLmocqQPh3hxq-9ze8j_dLAUbS2W7BiQiM3W2ItjVnqwt-i2QdBKaJAU3a5BcDGrL0IGxOhJL5pFwS8XnDlhqYlS0oouyFTmGc1w3OUqMT3Rd6VDFlABKcb8Kg/s400/DSC_0321_8939.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391787260866691410" /></a><br /><br />They are producing solid colors as well to coordinate with all the prints, and also a bit of texture with dobby. The absolute must have on my list is the dobby stripe in lilac. It’s amazing, and I am imagining all sorts of ways to use it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQ4375LwABfmgAJ5H9q5j6KeLL6w0pPvYBOLgsdHqEU04qUXsHFIG2bbo4f3ZWOgH0SeS_IL26EfyyzTTlox5tl9_7AXvdA6h31QDpARKFV3f-W7fZgaXIHnaLkhaQzUCEKJ-N3mv-I/s1600-h/DSC_0333_8951.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQ4375LwABfmgAJ5H9q5j6KeLL6w0pPvYBOLgsdHqEU04qUXsHFIG2bbo4f3ZWOgH0SeS_IL26EfyyzTTlox5tl9_7AXvdA6h31QDpARKFV3f-W7fZgaXIHnaLkhaQzUCEKJ-N3mv-I/s400/DSC_0333_8951.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391787288080017906" /></a><br /><br />Talk about soft, the flannel collection is to die for. I’m glad the P. is as old as she is, but while looking at this fabric, I yearned for her to be a baby again. It would be absolutely perfect for a baby blanket, and pajamas, etc. Come to think of it, I’ll be ordering a little bit for P.J.’s for her. I think some lounge pants out of this would be fabulous too. Hmmm, maybe I might need more than I thought!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uCtehwbzCEKAjlAnyHJmZGIpm5qPqBrG3TSbJgsHCFUzTtSq-k4vZLDMR5BqjRH_1BrPFC6U9nJpR_QF3bCPjT1X9syeMa89py5LrckLCWa2VkYGyAIIrpI-9Kcqakjqq0Hz2AYSI0w/s1600-h/DSC_0323_8940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uCtehwbzCEKAjlAnyHJmZGIpm5qPqBrG3TSbJgsHCFUzTtSq-k4vZLDMR5BqjRH_1BrPFC6U9nJpR_QF3bCPjT1X9syeMa89py5LrckLCWa2VkYGyAIIrpI-9Kcqakjqq0Hz2AYSI0w/s400/DSC_0323_8940.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391788416680041458" /></a><br /><br />So, here is what totally blew me away. When I introduced myself to Anna Maria, she described my daughter to a tee! I love to post my creations on her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlegirlpearl/">flickr</a> groups for each fabric collection, and as it turns out she remembered me! What a thrill. Honestly, I felt a bit dorky, being star struck and all, but who cares, right? I’m allowed to be a bit dorky at quilt market. And her assistant Ally is just a gem and was so helpful. I am so envious that she gets to work in that studio all day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh_fEN2zUGLR9SfQmMxwHHZBzHPO06G2vlh9xv1kS-IO5eyZHGLi3HTRmcBvoftMgz0oVck9mhsbHE5a4BVyukF5A1qRUbalxPQa_4sRiZX7u4W8-AblNmkUs7So78AT0tnztC6MCIdg/s1600-h/DSC_0314_8932.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh_fEN2zUGLR9SfQmMxwHHZBzHPO06G2vlh9xv1kS-IO5eyZHGLi3HTRmcBvoftMgz0oVck9mhsbHE5a4BVyukF5A1qRUbalxPQa_4sRiZX7u4W8-AblNmkUs7So78AT0tnztC6MCIdg/s400/DSC_0314_8932.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391789688782442978" /></a><br /><br />My next stop was to Kokka fabrics from Japan. Etsuko Furuya’s new fabrics for the echino line are just utterly fabulous. I was going to wait to order, but just couldn’t. And guess what? There is purple in my future!! I have had so many of my customers request lilacs and purples, and there just has not been that much out there. So I am completely thrilled that the designers have finally delved into this wonderful color palette. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSFhQE91SVVpjSbtqi53xPQpDiw9td786a-xHTXb7g_J5qQYyNppvfhEBOb1PBL2NGK_iFq4n1vleJHdweeVRMEYMnCDlnSztdNMisydB2Uv4NC9t27d7qT9hudlzOJkNLvoYNlLLMYE/s1600-h/DSC_0318_8936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSFhQE91SVVpjSbtqi53xPQpDiw9td786a-xHTXb7g_J5qQYyNppvfhEBOb1PBL2NGK_iFq4n1vleJHdweeVRMEYMnCDlnSztdNMisydB2Uv4NC9t27d7qT9hudlzOJkNLvoYNlLLMYE/s400/DSC_0318_8936.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391789698482063186" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqBsqRgjVTIR0bTJCV80hyphenhyphenA0Sn9S0kxO2eoz3tKGdr9BlZgGafszf0TPDYJJftOqQXhx4XKKHqPJmontPEDdqh7cJeDZz17tKFJj5c3fFBT4KR5_SEvNhdH2Q80vnrfDqrxHDrd9D5lw/s1600-h/DSC_0328_8946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqBsqRgjVTIR0bTJCV80hyphenhyphenA0Sn9S0kxO2eoz3tKGdr9BlZgGafszf0TPDYJJftOqQXhx4XKKHqPJmontPEDdqh7cJeDZz17tKFJj5c3fFBT4KR5_SEvNhdH2Q80vnrfDqrxHDrd9D5lw/s400/DSC_0328_8946.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391789704185201826" /></a><br /><br />And I even got to meet and chat with Ms. Furuya herself. Decked out in a fabulous bright purple tunic, she was very, very sweet. I tried out my rusty Japanese, and felt even more dorky than when meeting with Anna Maria. I should have postponed my meeting with her because as the day went on, I was able to chat more and more in Japanese with the Lecien and Kokka reps, and would have been a lot less intimidated if I had had some practice first. At any rate she was incredibly gracious, and I can’t wait to get my hot little hands on those bolts. <br /><br />So, I'm going to tantalize you and hang on to Amy Butler and all the rest in part 2, but I promise not to keep you all waiting for too long.<br /><br />From Minneapolis/St. Paul, where it is snowing. For real. <br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-37811576775611048742009-09-25T15:58:00.014-04:002009-09-25T21:26:17.585-04:00The Traditionalist (and a tutorial!)So, last week I was walking in the woods, and was thinking about flannel and tartan. And here is the result!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7akGuZ3Kj_YZd-e0jP-hDP-wge7_Vx5t0lYpdLzc_wDWZPwg5qZpqjbKRLSKMXVZq_Dix0HFPJyRjtwZyhAJxYnnRvQRRpKZbzq_-AzUi33w-7_gT_9VmNhSjF-BIUx83pQQQsQ0L6g/s1600-h/DSC_0262_8543.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7akGuZ3Kj_YZd-e0jP-hDP-wge7_Vx5t0lYpdLzc_wDWZPwg5qZpqjbKRLSKMXVZq_Dix0HFPJyRjtwZyhAJxYnnRvQRRpKZbzq_-AzUi33w-7_gT_9VmNhSjF-BIUx83pQQQsQ0L6g/s400/DSC_0262_8543.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385512142057877186" /></a><br /><br />I love the traditional look of this jumper. It has a simple design that I enhanced with a little piping and some well placed buttons. I chose black watch plaid on the cream flannel so that it would pop. This dress has growth pleats to which I added tartan ribbon. Growth pleats are just horizontal pleats that are usually about an 1" to 1 1/2" inches in width. It will be in <a href="http://www.littlegirlpearl.etsy.com">my etsy shop</a> soon. <br /><br />Anyway, I liked it so much that I decided to make it in red as well, using some European brushed twill that I've had for awhile. Not only that, but I thought it would be nice to share my technique of piping insertion in the yoke, so here goes.<br /><br />A disclaimer: I am not a sewing expert, so if anyone can offer some more advice, it is much appreciated. These are simply my techniques for working with piping. <br /><br />So, the first thing you want to do is to choose a simple jumper pattern with a separate yoke. I chose to make the design 'Louise' from <a href="http://www.childrenscornerinc.com/menu.html">Children's Corner</a>. This jumper features buttons down the back, a full skirt, and growth pleats.<br /><br />Decide which size you will be using. For the red dress I used a size 2. Roughly cut out your pattern piece for the front yoke and then cut a piece of the yoke fabric that is slightly wider than double the yoke width. You want to leave enough extra fabric to compensate for the seam allowances when you stitch down the piping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGfKbwwoW7u6jsTzbYi6YFeNsYGCL7vL4MbKI6DDKGwFX8jg_k1-UI0-MQ0s4pbEMUHJeISRq4l0_vrQs-VwMpHMKEh_Ayds1fUZAxPTChHE6FZbcJCnruFxjPwemv6RbWdRgVRT_6TA/s1600-h/DSC_0305_8582.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGfKbwwoW7u6jsTzbYi6YFeNsYGCL7vL4MbKI6DDKGwFX8jg_k1-UI0-MQ0s4pbEMUHJeISRq4l0_vrQs-VwMpHMKEh_Ayds1fUZAxPTChHE6FZbcJCnruFxjPwemv6RbWdRgVRT_6TA/s400/DSC_0305_8582.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385504083998986098" /></a><br /><br />The next step is to prepare your piping. I use the Darr ruler and cut off the excess piping allowance. My seams are 1/4", so if yours are wider, you would want to plan accordingly. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghldCqOOXv-HcER3w6r5M5QIKIHzOJm_99utW7wkp7TcpAkamDWSLU-sqkf1FHr7JYIJr6_Een6K4SJcbOeiVmrOSW_Qj9tEYV8u1M539oZxYR7n2hYgr_jK4MM1CS-o0ybGihZ4Z-LzE/s1600-h/DSC_0306_8583.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghldCqOOXv-HcER3w6r5M5QIKIHzOJm_99utW7wkp7TcpAkamDWSLU-sqkf1FHr7JYIJr6_Een6K4SJcbOeiVmrOSW_Qj9tEYV8u1M539oZxYR7n2hYgr_jK4MM1CS-o0ybGihZ4Z-LzE/s400/DSC_0306_8583.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385504079628550626" /></a><br /><br />Put wondertape on one side. This allows you to place the piping exactly where you want it, without the hassle of using pins. It will wash away when you wash the garment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzhvy98R2G689XolLPnF6hIH4_ufpsF1bPg5FKsuQKqSVz7LsFTpi-SaLdGpIFwKhoOsBfa4thWro13ZmeoQu1XGyr6BHE_cAqxNa8CEMFgs8Yeq2mNZCyxeciJTA4zxqY8vJBT9HMUc/s1600-h/DSC_0308_8585.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzhvy98R2G689XolLPnF6hIH4_ufpsF1bPg5FKsuQKqSVz7LsFTpi-SaLdGpIFwKhoOsBfa4thWro13ZmeoQu1XGyr6BHE_cAqxNa8CEMFgs8Yeq2mNZCyxeciJTA4zxqY8vJBT9HMUc/s400/DSC_0308_8585.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385504072902065234" /></a><br /><br />Try to place the piping to the slight left or right of center. This doesn't matter all that much because you will select the center front line after the piping is inserted. Stitch straight down the piping directly over the thread used to make the piping itself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-HxOP6HVblMOc1RpjcvWTVA9_iBNIocaIrovk7cgAt38jXeY9IOaQDtUFszUAHufOCn3xZK6WwWOpNirdHQdv_3VyJ__xwzAOnfNA2rzjSeY5tQheUE9unFNrt_btxXTN1881Uj22kY/s1600-h/DSC_0309_8586.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-HxOP6HVblMOc1RpjcvWTVA9_iBNIocaIrovk7cgAt38jXeY9IOaQDtUFszUAHufOCn3xZK6WwWOpNirdHQdv_3VyJ__xwzAOnfNA2rzjSeY5tQheUE9unFNrt_btxXTN1881Uj22kY/s400/DSC_0309_8586.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385503015512200914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMH6JpvDH_eVfP7JJe99PMi4JmRdT1ybr3yM97v8M6ET57fJ4Gvnhs2WKqOgsifYk8dKi0XU2Ksz64Nr1nxUy0UevDBLgvtFZhVawFUvtL1Pn8dd-TDyi7kfoHwFvH7sAaPOR2sA67kbk/s1600-h/DSC_0310_8587.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMH6JpvDH_eVfP7JJe99PMi4JmRdT1ybr3yM97v8M6ET57fJ4Gvnhs2WKqOgsifYk8dKi0XU2Ksz64Nr1nxUy0UevDBLgvtFZhVawFUvtL1Pn8dd-TDyi7kfoHwFvH7sAaPOR2sA67kbk/s400/DSC_0310_8587.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385503013105496050" /></a><br /><br />When you have completed that, you simply fold the fabric over the seam allowance of the piping, right sides together. Make sure there is no gap between the piping seam allowance and the fabric itself. In order to keep the grain correct, you have to make sure it's pretty tight. Then stitch just barely to the left of your original stitch line, "squeezing" the piping, and making sure that none of the other threads are showing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMHA455r3SwY105SB-KMjPpamTQjvhLfReIy-VI9IIuDXbtCrH0P_2dFKoUaiSHLSy1DwQ8MP10KwliKLVlum6nvnNzY3caroGyy0eDSaaBmfd-EBD81qgy5ysxn6ZPZDpmBlfxk4DBw/s1600-h/DSC_0313_8590.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMHA455r3SwY105SB-KMjPpamTQjvhLfReIy-VI9IIuDXbtCrH0P_2dFKoUaiSHLSy1DwQ8MP10KwliKLVlum6nvnNzY3caroGyy0eDSaaBmfd-EBD81qgy5ysxn6ZPZDpmBlfxk4DBw/s400/DSC_0313_8590.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385503003016647330" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTHW6CcioXFOi7nA5ENABdo4_PmwxDCA5cE4uOUfovEeBFOHCa2C9hjpImYZ2o3j2Q8xJ9DRfR0dle9P6R_F-zHRh5X0ZDodj5ipat-r5Qet02hQC5wli_rYim9uoopNhpnpVihryNHY/s1600-h/DSC_0314_8591.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTHW6CcioXFOi7nA5ENABdo4_PmwxDCA5cE4uOUfovEeBFOHCa2C9hjpImYZ2o3j2Q8xJ9DRfR0dle9P6R_F-zHRh5X0ZDodj5ipat-r5Qet02hQC5wli_rYim9uoopNhpnpVihryNHY/s400/DSC_0314_8591.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385502993410659970" /></a><br /><br />Open the fabric piece up again and press lightly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx6j1wQqDxFWdPGm_OwGJH_GlHLyLYa4nDXlCqfHYscd6rweEU3fczBKdqU_3Htfj1VKy9hel3pmATK3tSe92EpX4sWTPnBJSyqcbBJ2KcS4brwehxRc3QmAuHkpUZdNysQK1zm7wadU/s1600-h/DSC_0315_8592.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx6j1wQqDxFWdPGm_OwGJH_GlHLyLYa4nDXlCqfHYscd6rweEU3fczBKdqU_3Htfj1VKy9hel3pmATK3tSe92EpX4sWTPnBJSyqcbBJ2KcS4brwehxRc3QmAuHkpUZdNysQK1zm7wadU/s400/DSC_0315_8592.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385502987731407346" /></a><br /><br />Now for the second line of piping. You want the seam allowances to face the other direction. So if your piping seam allowance lay to the right previously, this time you want it to lay to the left, and vice versa. I want my piping to be about two inches apart, so I carefully measure all the way down as I put it into place. Stitch as before.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CW-AdOHNchN53LyFixPpNvNEVAtyagGlYRgIME3bmKXIoT5rbBOhsxcS5GUgitJkBzRVQ2YxMcdQPcrC3Kf8sox3gAMh9DIpeoxwVu5ynBg8cJAcS5TDRUF6FjPuDonpHR3a-1zX55c/s1600-h/DSC_0317_8594.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CW-AdOHNchN53LyFixPpNvNEVAtyagGlYRgIME3bmKXIoT5rbBOhsxcS5GUgitJkBzRVQ2YxMcdQPcrC3Kf8sox3gAMh9DIpeoxwVu5ynBg8cJAcS5TDRUF6FjPuDonpHR3a-1zX55c/s400/DSC_0317_8594.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385501287577102114" /></a><br /><br />It will look like this as you stitch the second side.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT3FEofuZSgj3UZCwQTXxI6vK5o-5nl0Dbq_LTIKoDWKOjE6J08GOPQhlb2FoNqhbf50KWSppFr3mNjKtApbfJ0wfZsL4w6vhKsC5Ma1pYkFnpBqYlxU4siNkO08vPHIj7XhOlRqBSZ8/s1600-h/DSC_0318_8595.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT3FEofuZSgj3UZCwQTXxI6vK5o-5nl0Dbq_LTIKoDWKOjE6J08GOPQhlb2FoNqhbf50KWSppFr3mNjKtApbfJ0wfZsL4w6vhKsC5Ma1pYkFnpBqYlxU4siNkO08vPHIj7XhOlRqBSZ8/s400/DSC_0318_8595.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385501279855199730" /></a><br /><br />Press again, making sure the seam allowances lay out from the center. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrgsosMCi1iLIWROCO0UFgtdw7DCLo9jxpR75TJ9VbY6ZzMU59POsK53BHa8oFAO4ueDv-j2BPnJbP-HNMEmgSW_aaL0qZQk0Ju6uTwcbZr0q6M56rB4xepjZ8NxQssFc9hmgbWWbjD0/s1600-h/DSC_0319_8596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrgsosMCi1iLIWROCO0UFgtdw7DCLo9jxpR75TJ9VbY6ZzMU59POsK53BHa8oFAO4ueDv-j2BPnJbP-HNMEmgSW_aaL0qZQk0Ju6uTwcbZr0q6M56rB4xepjZ8NxQssFc9hmgbWWbjD0/s400/DSC_0319_8596.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385501270420952610" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UqnskHk0ZylBbIB0Kv50xqt3OXe5qKgRrAxVoUXkcGddjBqENnf2JOauAKVwJIL2N_BDU51gGrYWDsX8y1XswLrotKJM1bvOXjluUH8QT2l1ekhkFqO3PFQrsT9f7Hi1j0Xa-VKsZ-c/s1600-h/DSC_0320_8597.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UqnskHk0ZylBbIB0Kv50xqt3OXe5qKgRrAxVoUXkcGddjBqENnf2JOauAKVwJIL2N_BDU51gGrYWDsX8y1XswLrotKJM1bvOXjluUH8QT2l1ekhkFqO3PFQrsT9f7Hi1j0Xa-VKsZ-c/s400/DSC_0320_8597.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385501262037399154" /></a><br /><br />Now you want to fold your fabric piece so that the two lines of piping match up, so I put right sides together. You want to make sure that the two lines are directly over each other. If it's easier to pin them together, then do so. The fold of the fabric becomes the center front, and then lay your pattern piece as indicated on the fold line. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiqGAyqzRMCJieQyegPiuCwjgGi0Ks3G9fxLOis5Renv7Oy2XehyphenhyphenKiZfwXxf6DevAhVJK3p5NX5iW98ELCXultZA_oXcIvVT5YrBbuY8WkbvImpGkE92eS7oascxUMdlSURHattkfTzk/s1600-h/DSC_0322_8599.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiqGAyqzRMCJieQyegPiuCwjgGi0Ks3G9fxLOis5Renv7Oy2XehyphenhyphenKiZfwXxf6DevAhVJK3p5NX5iW98ELCXultZA_oXcIvVT5YrBbuY8WkbvImpGkE92eS7oascxUMdlSURHattkfTzk/s400/DSC_0322_8599.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385501255540998546" /></a><br /><br />This pattern requires a lining, so I cut them out at the same time. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdArODv0ij7JIJzDP0_DabbMlr1ni9urF62jsg_He7HQ5TgIgSjs5u-Vgjl5QJdoWnI8Em5woh1jmAtLTMBiQ-Z9dBCqp38hWarjohUgGe5CRqxVw-JzAtKSsCejINv0Kjhp7PZqQlU4/s1600-h/DSC_0323_8600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdArODv0ij7JIJzDP0_DabbMlr1ni9urF62jsg_He7HQ5TgIgSjs5u-Vgjl5QJdoWnI8Em5woh1jmAtLTMBiQ-Z9dBCqp38hWarjohUgGe5CRqxVw-JzAtKSsCejINv0Kjhp7PZqQlU4/s400/DSC_0323_8600.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497795115845106" /></a><br /><br />When you are done, your piece should look like this. Two lines of piping centered on the center of the yoke. Now just use this piece like you would have used a normal piece of fabric. Just be sure to keep the seam allowances flattened the way they were pressed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFDvN0FbAEMILc4b0qceihih69Gx3-6evlw5Qa5brHOZBMZVvbnu73HWfQDDKTfgn25W9rmGJ784fnBE-ob1VPhRvWzvj_YGDYBCJYQqJcjqQqIcr8Qw3sZqTzsTDXfXTABn34fMH2r8/s1600-h/DSC_0324_8601.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFDvN0FbAEMILc4b0qceihih69Gx3-6evlw5Qa5brHOZBMZVvbnu73HWfQDDKTfgn25W9rmGJ784fnBE-ob1VPhRvWzvj_YGDYBCJYQqJcjqQqIcr8Qw3sZqTzsTDXfXTABn34fMH2r8/s400/DSC_0324_8601.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385497803765122514" /></a><br /><br />I'm quite pleased with the cute, traditional look, and this is the finished project. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRgh6QpDGMR1Pm9_AtP9HJuA9jYNY-3hsMk10DlkIHRY4nKPzOHX_Kv4MUWFAegbONf8j8-M9dtdw06V0ZUxgyjHig4KX6g-YcL4sbzoQgi1VzTJMUkmsO38QT6CnRFMAC8tZNSuU_64/s1600-h/DSC_0330_8607.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRgh6QpDGMR1Pm9_AtP9HJuA9jYNY-3hsMk10DlkIHRY4nKPzOHX_Kv4MUWFAegbONf8j8-M9dtdw06V0ZUxgyjHig4KX6g-YcL4sbzoQgi1VzTJMUkmsO38QT6CnRFMAC8tZNSuU_64/s400/DSC_0330_8607.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385560819036719154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVHsg-bjLdZNSUMCWNHphnFdv3kQVmzwkXmJvxvdu9i_kKiGEaVXNhJgw64SjjK-F4cnAq_zWMXcZP3Q9ZZMeqTRpq8hgkXPQ0szao2V85CPbddqhRbFdSnBLcgQG9ndjwP7wGjcDrlY/s1600-h/DSC_0328_8605.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVHsg-bjLdZNSUMCWNHphnFdv3kQVmzwkXmJvxvdu9i_kKiGEaVXNhJgw64SjjK-F4cnAq_zWMXcZP3Q9ZZMeqTRpq8hgkXPQ0szao2V85CPbddqhRbFdSnBLcgQG9ndjwP7wGjcDrlY/s400/DSC_0328_8605.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385560810750597586" /></a><br /><br />Happy sewing!<br /><br />From New Hampshire,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-58720077096133268732009-09-16T18:57:00.006-04:002009-09-16T21:05:33.863-04:00The WoodsToday I just needed a break. I finished up an order this morning, and instead of sewing until pick-up time, I just had to get the dog out for a hike on a glorious late summer day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuTpd1EZNHax0Bw0wHs4XniHOsVtB5PODQ4BfiXzfNK50d3ulgqa7pNaoNNlOX8qlAdxhMBODBDJjr88TcQ27edgSWQWxEU-enLfSs1sBhyboCGNcSmzogCCiSrd6R3yUEAccjZIoXow/s1600-h/blueberrymtn_092108_0336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuTpd1EZNHax0Bw0wHs4XniHOsVtB5PODQ4BfiXzfNK50d3ulgqa7pNaoNNlOX8qlAdxhMBODBDJjr88TcQ27edgSWQWxEU-enLfSs1sBhyboCGNcSmzogCCiSrd6R3yUEAccjZIoXow/s400/blueberrymtn_092108_0336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382205819160650802" /></a><br /><br />I'm inspired by lots of different things. The covers of vintage children's patterns, other seamstresses, and the actual fabrics themselves. But nothing quite gets my juices flowing like a walk in the woods. <br /><br />There must be something about repetitive motion that frees the brain for creativity. It happens to me when I am knitting too. Your hands or feet get so involved in the activity that your mind gets to rove. Today I was looking at the rocks on the ground and thinking about how a customer of mine was wondering about using the color gray. I don't happen to have anything in gray, but I started thinking about gray flannel and how an interesting combination might be to add a little tartan plaid. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRQn7r-_gUkrj3m61bVzCBEKjk9PepmOaROG1KDTFO4HB6nAow3G5sUV-6LB584mLCMB1dg-ZzZ-faFiz16KolfEgrSs2DHLZqUnTIrv_x3J6lEId0MbxWdnRUxSKBxJZAlH87UcIzsE/s1600-h/blueberrymtn_092108_0331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRQn7r-_gUkrj3m61bVzCBEKjk9PepmOaROG1KDTFO4HB6nAow3G5sUV-6LB584mLCMB1dg-ZzZ-faFiz16KolfEgrSs2DHLZqUnTIrv_x3J6lEId0MbxWdnRUxSKBxJZAlH87UcIzsE/s400/blueberrymtn_092108_0331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382205809407478930" /></a><br /><br />But then I decided that rather than use gray which I don't have, I should use what I already have, which happens to be a cream flannel. I designed the entire thing in my head as I looked at the leaves just starting to turn.<br /><br />So, my question to you is this: in what unexpected ways are you inspired? Tell me about them and maybe I'll try them out myself. <br /><br />Now, where is that cream flannel?littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-55200593975051604452009-09-14T09:45:00.016-04:002009-09-14T13:26:30.712-04:00Brain Implosion and Other Assorted Goings-OnBrain implosion?? Yes, yes, it's true. I have so much going on in my head these last few weeks that I thought this might actually happen to me. My daughter's first day of pre-K, a craft show, a camping trip, orders at <a href="http://www.littlegirlpearl.etsy.com">little girl Pearl</a>, extra training for the Delta merger, and more.<br /><br />Can someone please, please sell me some extra hours of the day? Because the insomnia is great, but it's not quite cutting it. I will pay big bucks, I swear.<br /><br />All right, let me back up a bit. There is a little something going on for "little girl Pearl", but I cannot jinx it, so suffice it to say that my house needed a major cleaning this week. And I mean MAJOR! If you follow my blog you know that I travel every week, I sew when my daughter is at school, and cook when dinner rolls around in the evening. This does not leave much time for the day-to-day upkeep, let alone the top to bottom sweep that houses require when you have a kid, a black dog, and two adults who have other priorities that don't require picking up a mop. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHAw78sy_OEBTt1Md0XVKyfmjNpZikvrSHo2o5TsbtVYt4tUa9RjCmYhNITJ24z1mveTW6ZTg2d3XZj94uSvGZmEkMJlIVvHEWZmUY0rbgez_tqGHAIVIEuru7l5_Ih81NAhYn7Ug7qA/s1600-h/DSC_0055_8306.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHAw78sy_OEBTt1Md0XVKyfmjNpZikvrSHo2o5TsbtVYt4tUa9RjCmYhNITJ24z1mveTW6ZTg2d3XZj94uSvGZmEkMJlIVvHEWZmUY0rbgez_tqGHAIVIEuru7l5_Ih81NAhYn7Ug7qA/s400/DSC_0055_8306.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381320312214563106" /></a><br /><br />Luckily for us Augie is not a lab. But he still sheds, I assure you, and those little black hairs along with the dust do create a bit of a mess. So my wonderful "whirlwind cleaner" Mom came over last week to help me focus on the task without being overwhelmed by the monstrosity of our job. I'm seriously not joking. The clutter was everywhere, and it took us the entire day to just finish the upstairs bedrooms and get a start on the living area downstairs. But it gleams, so I thank you Mom because I wouldn't have even known where to start. <br /><br />My husband finally finished the cubbies in our mudroom storage area so that we could get all the shoes and gear off the floor. This project has been 3 years in the making, and I am so, so relieved it's finished. A place for the mail, car keys, and the detritus of daily life finally have a designated space so they don't wind up on the island in the kitchen. You know what I'm talking about don't you?? The junk mail, bills, etc. always seem to wind up in the kitchen, and I am so hoping this doesn't happen anymore.<br /><br />And we went camping. Yep, perfect timing. Actually weather-wise it was phenomenal. We went Down East Maine, past <a href="http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm">Acadia National Park</a> through Machias, Lubec, and Cutler. We saw seals, porpoises, eagles, sea birds, beautiful scenery, and lots of Maine coast. What a great time, and we are looking forward to going again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW0KvgugXWM7P0aN4edxWNYIvofLvSkm0jBtwvkYaU_Ry21VyfBMPwFgLjd-nLM9er3lm0sgkHijOdMUQyWugnsS7oZQupteVSeB08M5RhFcjZlx86Hc9k4HNMG5Yhg0DI-w3bt9Jygc/s1600-h/DSC_0010_8338.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW0KvgugXWM7P0aN4edxWNYIvofLvSkm0jBtwvkYaU_Ry21VyfBMPwFgLjd-nLM9er3lm0sgkHijOdMUQyWugnsS7oZQupteVSeB08M5RhFcjZlx86Hc9k4HNMG5Yhg0DI-w3bt9Jygc/s400/DSC_0010_8338.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381323460026329618" /></a><br />This was taken as the moon was rising over our campground spot, right on the headland in Milbridge. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2LsqNE51npI9Vkz4EdCHTlJeC4ycBV9VIRDLGM4ieiQsr4Dh8TjG5AGBMJSQ94CWjhgdyzac0HkwGu3Imx71Q7AG6AhRLT6CGRZIP0QOfRHmJ4v9b0Pm0Y_HI7pfwIesqPEoMMAo1iY/s1600-h/DSC_0155_8169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2LsqNE51npI9Vkz4EdCHTlJeC4ycBV9VIRDLGM4ieiQsr4Dh8TjG5AGBMJSQ94CWjhgdyzac0HkwGu3Imx71Q7AG6AhRLT6CGRZIP0QOfRHmJ4v9b0Pm0Y_HI7pfwIesqPEoMMAo1iY/s400/DSC_0155_8169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381330950659844802" /></a><br />Seal in Reversing Falls in Cobscook Bay<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuW1YBlnv3C1bWyPakStYXoTdaxPnUnxV5D8Y0qyic7jiq4HW4beED5FYQ4Iicp4xKNO26yZPwGLbT4ccRJtJzeMd5x-gc11IOA_ozLYenKq-Ya-XPPV0akmUxQ_taJWJ84lfmGR54IU/s1600-h/DSC_0184_8198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuW1YBlnv3C1bWyPakStYXoTdaxPnUnxV5D8Y0qyic7jiq4HW4beED5FYQ4Iicp4xKNO26yZPwGLbT4ccRJtJzeMd5x-gc11IOA_ozLYenKq-Ya-XPPV0akmUxQ_taJWJ84lfmGR54IU/s400/DSC_0184_8198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381330938785738466" /></a><br />View from Boot Cove trail<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYtejJ7zyIauQ253PlwN3SmPvcfTqJjwHE1LNP8pPkxA4uH_MzpuTqyC1tfJoi3Bckpj5HQFXozk_mcmLb5lUoi76YyMw-WD_jzYNlW7FMp4iGK083oqr_TLh8cO2okohLtdRFe9rKXg/s1600-h/DSC_0130_8244.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYtejJ7zyIauQ253PlwN3SmPvcfTqJjwHE1LNP8pPkxA4uH_MzpuTqyC1tfJoi3Bckpj5HQFXozk_mcmLb5lUoi76YyMw-WD_jzYNlW7FMp4iGK083oqr_TLh8cO2okohLtdRFe9rKXg/s400/DSC_0130_8244.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381329710206954098" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JGT68Tsd8sQnNaDlgJx-IrTgBNle0Hm9JaT4SDRiu04jDriVw7s9AXpvaL_hfXVy96Axly75foPtxtbR0aeUI-7FaZIp27jFaICoUJQFM5OZOGaIxSz4GNJGVqyXE-B7CcW9Sj-oBMo/s1600-h/DSC_0138_8252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JGT68Tsd8sQnNaDlgJx-IrTgBNle0Hm9JaT4SDRiu04jDriVw7s9AXpvaL_hfXVy96Axly75foPtxtbR0aeUI-7FaZIp27jFaICoUJQFM5OZOGaIxSz4GNJGVqyXE-B7CcW9Sj-oBMo/s400/DSC_0138_8252.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381329704440874882" /></a><br />A black dog on a black beach<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiqLSxogUgDp5l8h3KWzwGVILVPHbJu3VTuT4KZqaLBdjgAUrGQIk-hQc4hi8g7FECW5P4EcQcwan7_quor3DsGjZQ8FyjWdjAd-gCxZNzo12UO70ikB7JL7rrQ-E3uCOmRFMQypzedo/s1600-h/DSC_0122_8236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiqLSxogUgDp5l8h3KWzwGVILVPHbJu3VTuT4KZqaLBdjgAUrGQIk-hQc4hi8g7FECW5P4EcQcwan7_quor3DsGjZQ8FyjWdjAd-gCxZNzo12UO70ikB7JL7rrQ-E3uCOmRFMQypzedo/s400/DSC_0122_8236.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381329694459022418" /></a><br />View from Hamilton Cove<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7Y3srr8NrrwWCMNtcqqS6QkxqiTNb9E74IFG_9l4H2oO1uI4NwU0vwmSZim4h_xOGGpZxxmtiE0pIFNg4P-IFC1STDnwq86ByYfq3t1TtraVSLrjJt2QozA87sDmtsINnRlnatcc1is/s1600-h/DSC_0093_8207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7Y3srr8NrrwWCMNtcqqS6QkxqiTNb9E74IFG_9l4H2oO1uI4NwU0vwmSZim4h_xOGGpZxxmtiE0pIFNg4P-IFC1STDnwq86ByYfq3t1TtraVSLrjJt2QozA87sDmtsINnRlnatcc1is/s400/DSC_0093_8207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381329685544574802" /></a><br />West Quoddy Lighthouse in Lubec, Maine<br />The Easternmost point in the U.S.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJvI9TqhyQbGOClhBGPHGzncRNeXPPDu6ifGbsP-q1N-NhjN4Uh6yTLx2ROZPnaplUtI3xTJPMda6U1_d5dZeh9wWhyJlsyKYu6ZHQPHntVa1vZyeojYL7UxXP3WXYgoHm8xVaKHCzV4/s1600-h/DSC_0087_8201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJvI9TqhyQbGOClhBGPHGzncRNeXPPDu6ifGbsP-q1N-NhjN4Uh6yTLx2ROZPnaplUtI3xTJPMda6U1_d5dZeh9wWhyJlsyKYu6ZHQPHntVa1vZyeojYL7UxXP3WXYgoHm8xVaKHCzV4/s400/DSC_0087_8201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381329676277230098" /></a><br />Lobster traps in Jonesport, Maine<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJTt6uQCKr-AeVhitgjXMnWcCMQFBMyzy1QsiGosVUaSOxlhp6s6nMeGebPzyQ2TWmLgSJoI5g0_FB9XSaCXgY2fA60aFBhZAuaeWZV7rrrywlgk5aNhC0Ike3OeEkdkuwtBr1Em4xJs/s1600-h/DSC_0192_8164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJTt6uQCKr-AeVhitgjXMnWcCMQFBMyzy1QsiGosVUaSOxlhp6s6nMeGebPzyQ2TWmLgSJoI5g0_FB9XSaCXgY2fA60aFBhZAuaeWZV7rrrywlgk5aNhC0Ike3OeEkdkuwtBr1Em4xJs/s400/DSC_0192_8164.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381330936313652226" /></a><br />A gear laden girl<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpvJD7H5AnQfVPG7b8QxQV1jIwxeoE-DRL48UY-sRfEDDyDU1fnrDKoYHnH6TrWfYdHqjd213ycq7acH2_e5_jLeC-AZQa_a2DBilbdsBqvFhtmrPxlleqh3V5fSICR5hfWpAhLzyfUE/s1600-h/DSC_0077_8328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpvJD7H5AnQfVPG7b8QxQV1jIwxeoE-DRL48UY-sRfEDDyDU1fnrDKoYHnH6TrWfYdHqjd213ycq7acH2_e5_jLeC-AZQa_a2DBilbdsBqvFhtmrPxlleqh3V5fSICR5hfWpAhLzyfUE/s400/DSC_0077_8328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381323448560364738" /></a><br />All tuckered out<br /><br />So yes, we had a great trip, but I had 300 emails waiting for me upon my return to the world of high speed. And all the camping gear added to our clutter-filled mudroom. But as everything was out it was a great chance for us to get organized, and now our house is clean. For at least 5 minutes. <br /><br />Sorry to be so cryptic in this post, but just keep your fingers crossed for me, and as soon as I can I'll let you know what's happening.<br /><br />From Detroit,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-73874195803670665862009-08-29T15:33:00.009-04:002009-08-29T20:43:25.122-04:00Etsuko Furuya, will you design exclusively for me??<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlegirlpearl/3867763697/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3867763697_ee2840ef99.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlegirlpearl/3867763697/">birds and berries outfit</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlegirlpearl/">littlegirlPearl</a>.</span></div><p>Only half joking there with my title. If I could afford to hire this woman, I would do it. And she doesn't even have to learn English because I speak some Japanese. <br /><br />I'm in awe, I'm in love, I'm in lust with her designs. This is only the most recent fabric I've acquired of hers. There have been others that I wish I could get my hands on again. Most specifically this one. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFTtxuSaiXBQNZTdtGnxYtBU39DInGR9qFYkH2kd3VgKHSxNwQca5g2jM3ZabJDbYDaOPWhYsQvPu_xFaES86C3iXq66EdOhZnjRuwUx4MqgLvPyl6dceXhNaoTgV754UXL3WvVYXwGE/s1600-h/annabird14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFTtxuSaiXBQNZTdtGnxYtBU39DInGR9qFYkH2kd3VgKHSxNwQca5g2jM3ZabJDbYDaOPWhYsQvPu_xFaES86C3iXq66EdOhZnjRuwUx4MqgLvPyl6dceXhNaoTgV754UXL3WvVYXwGE/s400/annabird14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375476892679147458" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's the first fabric I encountered of hers and I was smitten from the start. There's just something about its funky vibe, retro feel, and color choices that I find irresistible. And judging by how many of these dresses I made, you all felt the same way. <br /><br />The stripe that went along with that collection was amazing too. My daughter still uses the jumper as a top with a pair of jeans. The colors were so beautiful.<br /><br />I loved the whole ladybug series, and all the colorways of the bird fabric. Unbelieveable. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG5RoU6uV34PubWurOmwE3TBFvpBx4V2RDxDOWd6QGA7uoNc48JVqDZufp883kzQV6YLXnAq23wn8Hx_W5axURhq1d8swkVVruZKlzrtbi3VaM7AZTPB04L9mlpB4ZiZrqgYagX_CvCw/s1600-h/rustbird25.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG5RoU6uV34PubWurOmwE3TBFvpBx4V2RDxDOWd6QGA7uoNc48JVqDZufp883kzQV6YLXnAq23wn8Hx_W5axURhq1d8swkVVruZKlzrtbi3VaM7AZTPB04L9mlpB4ZiZrqgYagX_CvCw/s400/rustbird25.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375477961458081154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0IZ2Uv5rsjETVQegjfybr0jWF1uWhVIq7F4HDmbOC7gENWCqrYSXDQWRQOSCc9yuOMEUDW1rMOoTge77Wo_Lf6EoIBy-AtUPtRx6RpRF1r_WtdivZHiKe8DFicHFUDWNlhDRuxQkkjM/s1600-h/bug5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0IZ2Uv5rsjETVQegjfybr0jWF1uWhVIq7F4HDmbOC7gENWCqrYSXDQWRQOSCc9yuOMEUDW1rMOoTge77Wo_Lf6EoIBy-AtUPtRx6RpRF1r_WtdivZHiKe8DFicHFUDWNlhDRuxQkkjM/s400/bug5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375476896070837874" /></a><br /><br />Next to come was the vespa overalls which I think are great for boys. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9aiowYFfmCb1X_2KcBbq4sH5yyQm_08kDVyPfYTlyqA80OiWl6EM1r_ZGep62mv2z0GcXRQBp4gk5WtfBrKR4NI_ybm1szWxqzocGLe7ufsIPxwMmUCnaKvLJmDrMNj0QlFedhZaJIQ/s1600-h/il_430xN.68112694.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9aiowYFfmCb1X_2KcBbq4sH5yyQm_08kDVyPfYTlyqA80OiWl6EM1r_ZGep62mv2z0GcXRQBp4gk5WtfBrKR4NI_ybm1szWxqzocGLe7ufsIPxwMmUCnaKvLJmDrMNj0QlFedhZaJIQ/s400/il_430xN.68112694.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375545683315487106" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxvJXjbX2oEpJdDyUMSl_tyZW7RW2FEmivv1EGXWkb61rSzkG39xejT16rzQjEiOIOY5S2okkqGtoppChXTpsSgGbBTQkwthPu0h3H-r3ZiWd6k0u1bQFTTZLn8isp_NISPx6OCOA6u0/s1600-h/il_430xN.68112692.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxvJXjbX2oEpJdDyUMSl_tyZW7RW2FEmivv1EGXWkb61rSzkG39xejT16rzQjEiOIOY5S2okkqGtoppChXTpsSgGbBTQkwthPu0h3H-r3ZiWd6k0u1bQFTTZLn8isp_NISPx6OCOA6u0/s400/il_430xN.68112692.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375547389498017874" /></a><br /><br /><br />My most recent obsession is this gorgeous double gauze fabric that has the most amazing hand. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtDCdy7SYZhOD8aTrNH2_tSWMIefvcJwqIeBpHkrSZVtt88U1dmUqcTlZKy8jRxPhvgF3cW6FwY-3Wd-k9-eXuCQ596WrGbPLlaVK8wpPpYCQLuQ-MFSoespT_EvkR-Nfm3_OZCJZqUc/s1600-h/DSC_0257_8090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtDCdy7SYZhOD8aTrNH2_tSWMIefvcJwqIeBpHkrSZVtt88U1dmUqcTlZKy8jRxPhvgF3cW6FwY-3Wd-k9-eXuCQ596WrGbPLlaVK8wpPpYCQLuQ-MFSoespT_EvkR-Nfm3_OZCJZqUc/s400/DSC_0257_8090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375479524323741538" /></a><br /><br />I love the softness of the fabric coupled with those gorgeous colors. I've already tried three different patterns with this fabric, but am happiest with the little tunic design from Farbenmix, and the peasant dress with empire styling. Both have just the right amount of gathering, but not too much that you can't see the pattern. Perfection. And it fits the P.'s desire for as much blue clothing as possible. Oh, and she informed me that she likes purple too!</p><br /><br />From Nashville,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-25039065706336133462009-08-24T12:00:00.007-04:002009-08-24T12:18:02.600-04:00SOWA and more...SOWA (The <a href="http://www.southendopenmarket.com">South End Open Market</a> to you) was great! Sorry, no pics at all, but you didn't really want to see me sweat buckets did you? I'm not even joking. At the end of the day I couldn't figure out what this grit-like substance on my face was until I splashed off and tasted the salt. It was that hot. And did I mention humid? But it was still great, and I met lots of people and had tons of fun. My daughter made a cameo appearance, and luckily just that because she's a bit of a whirlwind, and hates for me to sell "her" dresses. Too funny.<br /><br />The more part is that I have a new line of BIG GIRL SKIRTS! They are made from <a href= "http://amybutlerdesign.com/products/fabrics_top.php?fabric=nigella&flid=11">Amy Butler's Nigella fabric</a>, mainly in the wood fern and passion vine prints. They are fun, flirty, and oh so comfortable. Yet you still look great either going to work or going out in the evening. I have even made myself a couple, and am basically wearing them everyday in the heat. I promise to give you some sneak peeks in the next few days. In my lapsed weight watcher form, I refuse to have a pic of myself, but hopefully one of my thin friends will oblige soon. They will be listed in my <a href="http://www.littlegirlpearl.etsy.com">etsy shop</a> soon. <br /><br />I've also been working on some new fall outfits, and I can't wait to show them off. OK, that's enough writing without illustrative pictures. <br /><br />Coming to you from Minneapolis,<br />~Melissalittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-7140543964605002592009-08-14T08:53:00.002-04:002009-08-14T08:56:56.471-04:00Crazy Revisited<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlegirlpearl/2496077808/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2496077808_eb56b9a213.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlegirlpearl/2496077808/">sneak peek</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/littlegirlpearl/">littlegirlPearl</a>.</span></div><p>Not really crazy, but you know, "what are you thinking?" crazy. You'll see what I mean in a sec.<br /><br />I have been toying with this design for over a year now. I actually attempted it some time last Spring, but set it aside as needing to be reworked. I never did get back to it. Let me explain.<br /><br />I am inspired in lots of different ways. Like most people who have a fabric addiction, it starts there. But what to do with all of those colors and textures?? In my flight attendant job, I see lots of fashion, good, bad, and ugly. And really, let's face it, most of it is ugly. Occasionally you see the gorgeously put together woman, but most of the time it's pajama bottoms and crocs. Seriously. In public.<br /><br />But one day this gal had on a white top that was made up of lots of bias tubes (I think) set on the diagonal. It was a simple shirt really, but the detail made it interesting. So this sets off the percolating in my brain, and I think to myself, what if I did that on a smaller scale?? Vertical bias tubes of different coordinating fabrics? The easiest way to accomplish that, or so I thought, would be to make single fold bias tape.<br /><br />The problem, of course is that when I stitched them down to the bodice, I didn't catch all of the fabric, and when washed, it would've basically come apart. I was pretty distressed because I had spent virtually the entire day creating three of these dresses in different sizes for a show in New York. They still sit on my pile of half-finished enterprises. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PP57oP5KvhJI-KUkWWhn6S2XWzT4BTGeMgMQhJknVdLj-TmUPI8yvXfVTwY69sEBOdsYGwAdn-10qDbKTOWtyNXpQZGQBaCwoZ6g-9u5zg6K5BJ6QDjShy74m2xG-TNQIfTxJWdpnpo/s1600-h/DSC_0092_7707.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PP57oP5KvhJI-KUkWWhn6S2XWzT4BTGeMgMQhJknVdLj-TmUPI8yvXfVTwY69sEBOdsYGwAdn-10qDbKTOWtyNXpQZGQBaCwoZ6g-9u5zg6K5BJ6QDjShy74m2xG-TNQIfTxJWdpnpo/s400/DSC_0092_7707.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369800064720015218" /></a><br /><br />Fast forward about a year, and this idea had not gone away. The truth is that I really liked the way it looked. It was totally different from anything else I'd seen, and I knew it could be done. So...for fall I decided to do a pink and brown combination with a soft pink corduroy for the skirt. I chose 5 different fabrics, and gave my rotary cutter a workout cutting bias strips. I sewed the right sides together, turned and pressed. Then, starting in the center of one side of the bodice, I stitched them in the center, so that there is sort of a "flap" look to them. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFRcKZr-LI41RqSurWsUYtVmGH69dAu0VPGOWPqtH8OnzOxMdSVUdelGnwm6PuEiGIeSmZi7GViYGg6jneBMFTqyLYbYqp3mVOMnLmNfUiPEIahtOyVbEaDgGS0JUTqJ2gsza3o6jZ-M/s1600-h/DSC_0105_7720.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFRcKZr-LI41RqSurWsUYtVmGH69dAu0VPGOWPqtH8OnzOxMdSVUdelGnwm6PuEiGIeSmZi7GViYGg6jneBMFTqyLYbYqp3mVOMnLmNfUiPEIahtOyVbEaDgGS0JUTqJ2gsza3o6jZ-M/s400/DSC_0105_7720.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369800054694722626" /></a><br /><br />I'm pretty darn pleased with the result, and I'd love to make more in different colors. I quite like the all pink version from before, and it would be cool to do one in red. Any other color suggestions?? Because, you know, I have all sorts of time on my hands...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8Oq-NqcIPR8gehP8bNFNb_e87B3WGIa4QIh0MMfhTfqL8ViUWZ3fNaNnr2lDGgDpY8GuMDNjCOohueKJkFp8vFPtZrFMOAeFjb-A521WYGXgRWSqkUeSmqng-yLSJYMNnDhcGm2SOpQ/s1600-h/DSC_0034_7648.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8Oq-NqcIPR8gehP8bNFNb_e87B3WGIa4QIh0MMfhTfqL8ViUWZ3fNaNnr2lDGgDpY8GuMDNjCOohueKJkFp8vFPtZrFMOAeFjb-A521WYGXgRWSqkUeSmqng-yLSJYMNnDhcGm2SOpQ/s400/DSC_0034_7648.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369800046245490402" /></a></p>littlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520180637682381.post-51924545523714415282009-07-31T12:51:00.003-04:002009-07-31T12:54:51.559-04:00Danger: Cute Kid StoryAnd a brief one at that, but it just made me giggle. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t3beJ8ompGHi_eTCwYQjTv7FukmMGtigv_MVBIPD7Kltcej2IF_Mh8HXIiyZk-k9Odq1TE2ovuPoxEtPJ8KzWJKpLISt-CJUje0B3Z21IjmbrnyItTmiRO26sReldTEHnokAWHBmNUs/s1600-h/DSC_0051_6170copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t3beJ8ompGHi_eTCwYQjTv7FukmMGtigv_MVBIPD7Kltcej2IF_Mh8HXIiyZk-k9Odq1TE2ovuPoxEtPJ8KzWJKpLISt-CJUje0B3Z21IjmbrnyItTmiRO26sReldTEHnokAWHBmNUs/s400/DSC_0051_6170copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364668082634107026" /></a><br /><br />The other day my child was dressed up in her Cinderella outfit, a perennial favorite. She comes over to me and says, "Mommy, I don't have a magic wand. Do you think we could get one at the magic wand store?" Oh man, she can crack me up some days. What's your favorite cute kid story of the day? <br /><br />~Melissa, in Portland, ORlittlegirlpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11576818617620644896noreply@blogger.com2