Sewing Therapy Results

Well, my Saturday sewing didn't work out as I would have liked. I had to clean my sewing room some before I could sew. My girls had gotten there to work on their art projects and made some messes. Then I got a million interuptions.I decided just to make a simple sundress for my youngest daughter, so that I didn't really have to think, just sew. I even had expectations that she might be able to wear it to church the next day. I had a multi-sized pattern that I traced first because I have other girls to make the same dress for. That took a long time. Then, more interuptions and time for dinner. I didnt turn on my sewing machine until 8pm. From then on it was smooth sailing. The only problem....by the time I was ready to put the dress together, she was asleep, so I couldnt try it on her for sizing. Anyway, this is Sunday night...actually early Monday morning and I just sewed on the buttons. I think it is adorable. I am going to make her many of these to wear this summer with cute little sandals. I am also going to make her a matching wristlet, to take her offering to church. I finally remember to use on of my "made by Mommy" tags too. I did enjoy my "fun sewing" time. Now, it is time to get back to "work sewing."

Sewing Therapy Day

I have had an awful week. Nothing major, just a lot of "yuk" building up...then yesterday I had a Dr's appointment where I learned I have high blood pressure again and I have to go get a mammogram to check some things out. So, I have declared this beautiful Saturday, "Fun Sewing Day". What do I mean by "fun sewing"? It means I will work on whatever I feel like. Not the quilts that I need for my pattern covers or samples for future classes.....just something that looks fun to me. I am going to pray I can keep the girls outside today and turn on my favorite music and sew to my heart's content. I reallly need this!!

Fun at the Sewing Expo

My girls and I attended the first day of the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo. We go every year and, as always, it was great. There were fewer "make it and take its" this year. But we all got to do some fabric dying with water color crayons. We all loved it, especially the girls. Guess what is on our "To Buy" list?? That's right....water color crayons. I saw lots of fabric and goodies. I did very good in the "not buying fabric department". My Stashbusters group would be proud. I did buy 4 fat quarters of 1930 reproductions...because I need them for a current quilt. However, the Expo is not over and the girls wont be with me for the next two days, so I will most likey "hear" the fabric calling my name. We got lots of great ideas and inspiration. I highly recommend it.

Original Sewing and Quilting Expo

The Original Sewing and Quilting Expo is in Tampa this weekend, March 19, 20 and 21. They offer classes and have many free demos and shows at the stage. The neatest part for me is that it is like going to 50 sewing stores in one day...but all in one large room. I have attended the last five years. It is one of my girl's favorite "field trips" of the year. I plan to attend all three days and see lots of eye candy and get lots of ideas for future projects.

http://www.sewingexpo.com/

Some of My Sewing Students

I am so blessed to teach sewing and quilting for a living. Here are some of my latests students and their work from last week. The girls and tote bags are from my Sewing Academy Classes in Winter Haven and Heart to Heart Fabrics and More and from Brandon, Florida at the Bernina Pfaff Sewing Center. The ladies with their Quilt As You Go Baby Quilts were in Lakeland, Florida at Fabric Warehouse. Go to http://www.abbysuedesigns.com/ to see my schedule of Classes.

Shoulder Pad Mice

My girls are so creative!! Becky from Fabric Warehouse gave us a bag of shoulder pads. She thought we could come up with a use for them. Today while helping me clean the school room, the girls got into them and made the mice. I think they are adorable! I love when they use their imaginations and creativity.

Finding Treasure!

Susie Orman, the financial advice guru has always said the first step to getting your finances in order is to de-clutter. One may think that one has nothing to do with the other. However, when people try it, they find uncashed checks, cards with money in them and all kinds of hidden treasure. Well, I have been on a quest to get my sewing stuff in order and to finish my UFOs. I was looking through some unfinished projects from past years of Martha Pullen's School of Art Fashion. I found a dress I had forgotten about. It is a 1930's Madeira Dress by Wendy Scheon. It is almost finished. The bad part is I cant find the instructions. I am going to call Petite Poche Patterns and see if they can walk me through. The pattern is now out of print, but they may be able to help me.

The best part about this find is that the dress is a size 6...the size my youngest daughter wears. Sadly, I havent made many heirloom dresses for my girls. Quilts...yes. Dresses...not many. I am posting a picture of this pattern. Mine is in pink...and I will post a picture of the finished dress.