Mother’s Day weekend – QfQ sewing fun!

Published on May 6, 2011 in quilts for quake survivors. 0 Comments

Mother's Day

It’s Mother’s day weekend! And Quilts for Quake Survivors isn’t stopping. Come to Modern Domestic and help me finish quilts that will go into the ‘shop’ and will be sold with 100% of the proceeds going to the Mercy Corps Japan Relief Fund. Susan will be at Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale earlier tomorrow but will drop by in the afternoon! Bring in your Modern Log Cabin quilting book, she’ll surely sign it too!

So here the times for this weekend!

Saturday, 5/7/11 from 2-6pm
Sunday, 5/8/11 from 10am – 2pm

Just drop by no matter if you are on your own, want to sew with your mother or daughter, learn something new help the people of Japan! Maybe you fall in love with one of the beautiful quilts you will be working on and want to purchase it later for someone in your life?

We will also kick off a raffle for this beautiful quilt that has been created for QfQ by Rachel and Cherri. Maybe you just want to come in and buy a ticket for $5? For those who are not in Portland or can’t make it to Modern Domestic, we are working with Lupine of MD on an online ticket purchasing option.

QfQ quilts

and here a work-in-progress pic by Susan.

beautiful quilt by Rachel + Cherri + Kaci

Toddler Harem Pant Pattern

Published on April 28, 2011 in Handmade and Sew beautiful. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Pattern: my free harem pant pattern I increased pattern by 3″ and went a size up
Fabric: Andy’s Studio 54 Tee Shirt in front, black soy, cotton blend in the back.

I finally managed to figure out the page tiling for my harem pant pattern.
I had promised many times to post several sizes and here it is! Including instruction booklet in english and german. So here we go:

Just click here or on any picture and the tiled .pdf pattern should download immediately.

For instructions in english, click here.
For instructions in german, click here.

 

 

QfQ – nearly 30 quilts to be shipped!

Published on April 25, 2011 in Handmade, quilts for quake survivors and Sew beautiful. 1 Comment

Quilts for Quake Survivors - Japan Shipment all quilts!

Oh whow! After Patty and Amy dropped their finished QfQ quilts off at our house, Susan and I counted all of them and there are 29 quilts! Nearly 30 quilts are going to be shipped out tomorrow in three big boxes.

It’s absolutely amazing that we were able to get that many together in about one month!

Thank you everybody!

Quilts for Quake Survivors – Shipment for Japan

Published on April 24, 2011 in Handmade and Sew beautiful. 0 Comments

Quilts for Quake Survivors - Japan Shipment

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Created with fd’s Flickr Toys

Whow, what a whirl wind April was so far. Lots of piecing, sewing, binding, finishing, sewing classes, book launches for Susan, signing events, QfQ sewing events besides starting a business, our families and kids, work deadlines, and Easter – Happy Easter everyone! – you get the picture. I somehow even managed to sew two easter dresses for L which she didn’t end up wearing. I’ll post some pics later this week.

But here we are. Tomorrow, about a month after we launched QfQ, we’ll ship off the first batch of quilts to Japan. Above a couple of pictures I took of all the finished quilts I have in my house right now. There are 16 finished ones with one being close to finished. It only needs binding and at least 3 more finished quilts to come tomorrow. It would not have been possible without everybody who donated fabric strips, pieced them together at home, work and at our sewing events, the lovely Ladies at Sew On Studio who did so many of the quilts on their long arm quilting machine… and then – the members of Portland Modern Quilt Guild who dug in and hand stitched bindings during the meeting and finished 5 last Thursday.

We still have many, many quilt tops, fabric strips and yardage that will be turned into new quilts benefiting Japan. On Tuesday, I’ll be hosting a sewing event at Modern Domestic at Alberta, from 7-9pm. If you are in the area, just come on by, chat and sew with us – there is plenty to learn and do. No need to bring anything but yourself – or maybe some batting, if you feel like donating some, that is the only thing that we don’t have A LOT of. All of the quilts we are making from now on will be listed for sale in our etsy shop with all proceeds going to Mercy Corps/Peace Winds in Japan.

Please check back again especially on our QfQ website.

 

Home

Published on April 7, 2011 in Green. 0 Comments

If you are a reader of my blog, you might know that during my two year sabbatical from the apparel industry, I resorted to made by hand and especially made by myself. And while I started blogging to market my wish to continue my eco-friendly, ethically made yoga line seek, and a means to keep track of the projects I did while I was waiting for my work permit, it soon also became (hopefully) an inspiration for others to start creating themselves. What you might not know was my personal ethical struggle at the end of my corporate career: the seasonal output of a lot of not so ethical products. But throughout the wait for that coveted work permit, I also craved to work for ‘for a greater cause’. And the wish to create change with what I love to do. I think, as a designer, it is our responsibility to utilize all means we have to create ethical products. Unfortunately the ‘green trend’ seams to have lost steam over the last couple of years. And this is what I wrote on my thegestalter blog:

All the latest polls and information lead us to assume that the ‘trend’ of sustainability has passed. And most certainly we have seen a fatigue in the market regarding cotton replacement fibers like bamboo and soy and the higher cost associated. However, isn’t it our responsibility as designers to continue to search for new and better solutions. Or even just pushing to utilize those that are already available?

Maybe this trailer for HOME might sounds a bit dramatic at first, but the visuals are certainly stunning. It’s not about protecting the environment, it’s about protecting mankind. Natural forces are beyond us, and will certainly sustain, the question is, will we?

The movie can be seen for free here.

Twinkle – sewing project

Published on April 4, 2011 in Handmade and Sew beautiful. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

IMG_1103 IMG_1090

Pattern: Twinkle Sews – Take Manhattan
Fabric: Italian double weave linen blend from Mill End

I made this tunic maybe two months ago as a classroom sample for Modern Domestic. But then, life kicked in and with teaching another Sewing Japanese class and my QfQ (Quilts for Quake Survivors) schedule plus working on some super interesting design projects for TheGestalter, I felt like I couldn’t squeeze a class in on how to make this cute and easy to assemble style. It’s the third style I sewed up from the Twinkle Sews book, but the first one I actually blogged about.

The guy on the left is the Tunic in a darker color. I’ll definitely will try to whip another one up in a darker color once fall kicks in again. And that will then actually be the time, we’ll offer the class at MD for those who are interested in making the style.

Generally – you will need to have quite some sewing experience to assemble the piece (and follow the directions) There is no cutting layout and I definitely had to do a lot of nesting in order to get all pieces cut. However, I ended up not lining the collar or the body at all. Thanfully the double weave had such an interesting texture that it wasn’t really necessary to line the collar. But if you are planning on lining the collar, you’ll need at least 1/4 yard more fabric then quoted.

 

 

And the winner of a signed copy of Susan Beal’s book is….

Published on April 2, 2011 in quilts for quake survivors. 1 Comment

Quilts for Quake Survivor strips and quilt submissions.

 

Thank you, Studio Bibelots, Markmikasen, 2ndavenuestudio, katarat, Me1issa, banquopack and Hilary for your generous support of the Quilts for Quake Survivor project. I picked up the first couple of boxes and envelops up from the UPS store yesterday and am just so thrilled to show them to Susan later today.

But I guess, you all are excited to hear who the lucky winner of a signed book by Susan and fabric selected by me is! I used random.org to determin the winner.

And the winner is: MarkMikaSen!

Congratulations!

I will contact you through flickr to get a shipping address for your signed goodies!

If you haven’t won today, make sure to check Susan’s blog as throughout the blog tour, there are many more copies of the book up for winning. Also, please continue to check the Quilts for Quake Survivors blog and flickr group to see the progress. If you are in Portland, I would love to see you at one of our piecing or quilting events. Time and details here.

Modern Log Cabin Quilting – behind the scenes + signed! giveaway

Published on March 23, 2011 in Book review and Handmade. 10 Comments

Oh my, I am so excited about my post today – trust me, it’s been a long time coming. Yesterday, Susan Beals new book ‘Modern Log Cabin Quilting‘ has officially been published! And I have the honor to be the 2nd stop of this blog tour!

But let me back up a little:

I was very new to blogging and the whole craft community and browsing flickr one day – oh my gosh! – I know her! From daycare! That’s Pearl’s mom! Susan!!!!

O.k. I admit it, I stalked her a bit online to find out that she is a Portland craft celebrity! Whow.

When I got a chance next time around I ran into her at drop-off, I asked her if she would mind to have a coffee with me one day. Those of you who know Susan in person – she’s like the most friendly person you know. Always there to lend a helping hand. And shortly after, I had a drink with her before we picked up the girls. Long story short, I wasn’t working at that time and I was so interested in what she was doing for a living that I offered her to help if she needed any. She’s working on a Log Cabin Block book she said, and she’d love if I came over to help out!

Over the course of a couple of weeks, as above picture attests, we burried ourselves under fabric in her house. We ironed, cut and quilted, illustrated quilt assembly diagrams. And after a while, I asked her if she’d mind if I come up with a design myself. And she said YES! Hurray – so I sat down, dove into the science of quilting math (whow that’s quite complex) and sketched out ideas.

I came up with this bag design:

And this bed-size quilt:

And I am really proud of my first ever quilt design. And my, was it a journey: I thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of pics that I took throughout the process.

It literally took over the whole house! And nearly swallowed me whole!

What can I tell you. It’s a beautiful, inspirational book, written by a very, very lovely Lady who has an eye for color, color coordination, beautiful aesthetics and a burning passion for her work. She has helped and inspired me tremendously and I am glad to call her my friend.

If you are an experienced quilter, you might get lots of lovely little ideas you want to whip up with some left overs in you stash. If you are a beginner – she’ll teach you in no time. Just like she taught me.

And now the fun part: The giveaway!

The give away is a copy of Modern Log Cabin Quilting, signed by Susan with a personal message and some lovely fabric assortment! What do you need to do? Many of you might know, that Susan and I are working on our fundraiser Quilts for Quake Survivor to raise money for the victims of the terrible quake and tsunami in Japan. It’s very simple to participate – we ask participants to send us 2″ wide strips of any fabric scraps you have lying around. At numerous quilting bees here in Portland but also around the country, those strips will be pieced into baby, children and lap sized quilts. On May 11th, we’ll organize a life auction to raise money for Mercy Corps and their partner organization Peace Winds in Japan. Quilts that don’t find a buyer will be sent to an organization that has the means to distribute quilts to those in the affected areas. If that’s not a possibility, we’ll sell all quilts and donate the proceeds. 100%. So a real community craft project! I am sure most of you have a stash somewhere that’s been unused or you just didn’t find the right application for it, and you just wondered what to do with it? Now is the time!

Here is what we’d ask you to do: Cut some 2″ wide fabric strips. Take a picture. Post it on our flickr group and note in the comment section ‘give-away’. Then send it to

Quilts for Quake Survivors
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd #811
Portland, OR 97214-5246


All entries on the flickr group until Friday April 1st will be entered in a raffle and the winner will be contacted through email and announced here on the blog!

 

 

Quilts for Quake Survivors

Published on March 16, 2011 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

QfQ-banner
We have all seen the pictures of the devastating conditions in Japan after the Quake and the terrible aftermath. A lot of the survivors have lost their homes, their livelihood and loved ones.

The Japanese have given us so much inspiration with their wonderful aesthetics and incredible talent for creating beautiful handmade items. We for sure have been tremendously inspired by Japanese culture in our private and professional lives and Susan and I were both lucky enough to have traveled to Japan several times and it was always the most refreshing experience.

This is why we are launching big craft events her in Portland, OR to bring crafters together and create Quilts for those in Japan who have lost everything.

Why Quilts you ask? Because quilts stand for love, warmth, and comfort. Log Cabin quilting is probably the easiest quilting method, extremely economical and yields beautiful results. It also symbolizes the heart of the home – the center square represents the lamplight or fire in the hearth, surrounded by the “logs” or walls of the log cabin. We’d like to share this feeling of friendship, home and warmth with those who need it most.

So the idea is to get all of you involved by donating some time and some of your scraps. We’d ask you to cut from your stash 2″ wide fabric strips. You can either send those in or – even better – assemble some of those strips in simple log cabin quilt squares. More on how to easily piece and assemble quilt squares later this week in simple tutorials.

Once we get some inventory, we will organize quilting bees, where volunteers come together to sew quilt squares, create beautiful color combinations with existing squares, sash them and then quilt them together with simple methods, like hand tying or machine quilting. Whatever is best suitable for the designs. We could even machine embroider a personal message….

We have created a separate site for this event for information, updates, tutorials and what we need. As we go, we’ll also upload photos to the flickr pool to see the process, progress and maybe even spot the fabrics that you have sent in.

But there are also other ways you can help!

We will need yardage of solids or sheeting for sashing and backing, batting, threads and needles. If you have old sheets or unused fabrics – that is something we will need a lot off!

If you are a shop owner and would like to host a QfQ Event in your area, we’d love to help you!

Besides that, we will need ample of sewing help! It doesn’t matter weather you are an experienced quilter, sewer or just a beginner. There will be lots of simple and more complex tasks to do – and the best is, you’ll get free sewing lessons!

There are two possible end results: We make baby, children and lap sized quilts (and hopefully many of them) or we can possibly create one big one that can be auctioned off at the end. Or maybe both, we’ll see where this thing could go. Thoughts?

Please spread the word!!!

This is not intended for immediate help but we would think a 1-2 month timeline. So when all the media frenzy is calming down, this is when we would be able to give those gifts. We know it doesn’t change the world but it’s a symbol of hope and knowing that we care…

Piratetude

Published on March 10, 2011 in Handmade and Sew beautiful. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .


Pants: Harem Pant Pattern
Hat: Felt with Skull and X-bone application

L. rocking her Pirate Costume at the Faschingsparty at the German Saturday School. I saw a pirate hat like this at a friends house who inherited the hat from a relative for her son. It’s such a simple construction that I pushed it out till the very last minute to make one. It’s basically two half circles and three seams. To be worn, the hat folds inside out.

Well, actually, I pushed making the whole costume out till the very end. The pants are another version of the harem pant pattern, which you can download here. It’s still the 2T version, just lengthen the legs about 2″ or 5cm longer to make a long pant version as shown in the picture. The belt is just a single 2″ wide strip of black felt.

Pardon the wonky scan – but I was excited to share this guy:
1. Cut two identical half circles of felt (the inner radius is the head)
2. cut the scull and x-bone and apply to one of the circles. I used my sewing machine and the blanket stitch but you can easily glue it on too!
3. with the applique on the inside, sew the two sides of the half circles and the top of the half circles as indicated below. Backstitch at beginning and end to secure the seam.
4. turn inside out and voila – you have your pirate hat!

 

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