I made a couple strawberry pincushions (this one has some needle and thread in it. The felt I used had a texture and added dimension so I opted not to sew any beeds for seeds on it. I filled them with rice to give them weight. I figured I could use them also to hold pattern pieces when I am using the rotary cutter.

I think I went a little crazy on pincushions the last few days. My daughter A. came over and saw the grey mouse I made and she wanted an oriental themed one to go with the cover I made her for the sewing machine I gave her. While I was at it I went ahead and finished 3 blind mice and a lady bug.

The lady bug is made with a coke 2 liter cap inside and the mice have a flat rock, rice and stuffing. The mice are only about 4 inches high. Right now they are resting on my computer mouse pad.

Then I remembered some pieces I bought several years ago with the idea of making pincushions out of them. One was a small 2.5x2.5" picture frame that had a little shoe to match and then recently I picked up the little box with the herringbone pattern because it matched the sewing room.

I removed the glass from the purse frame and used some silk (left over from the tablecloth I made for A.'s table). I cut a small square, ran a basting stitch around the perimeter and stuffed it. Pretty quick project.

I made another square pincushion from the textured red felt to put in the box and lined the top. Quick and easy.

Last but not least the shoe was filled with black felt and stuffing and I made a pillow pincushion with the left over herringbone felt. These projects were all tiny and quick, done while relaxing or talking on the phone. It should make work easier since I can have a pincushion or two at each workstation.

A Moment in Spring's Glory.

The Clematis vine covering the front porch is ready to burst! It threatens to overtake the front porch each year as my husband chops it back like Indiana Jones cutting his way through a rain forest.

Our purple Sand Cherry bushes are looking all lady like while soaking up the sun.

And the Ohio Pear Tree is almost finished with it's bloom. This photo was taken not a moment too soon. As I look out the window now, it looks as though it is snowing dainty flower petals everywhere!

And my favorite, the most fragrant lilacs ever! This year the blossoms are gorgeous and abundent. Wistfully, I inhale the scent. The season for these is much too short.

Running back and forth in the sewing studio I've been finding I never have a pin cushion where I need it. Today I thought I would make a few so each workstation would have it's own.

The first one is applique with a bird theme made of felt. I have not appliqued in 20+ years. It shows.

Inspiration came from this book I picked up a couple of years ago. There is a bird motif included in the book, but I did mine freehand. The houndstooth felt was a find at Hobby Lobby for only 50 cents a square.

Better lighting took me to the window. Which then inspired me to take the dogs out and check out spring in the yard.

I made a pin cushion out of black felt using a fancy gold button and carpet thread.

It fits quite nicely in the neck opening finishing off Suzzi and making it a convenient place to store pins.

What a rewarding experience! I can hardly wait to sew.

I reinforced the insides of the dressform everywhere that did not feel solid. This included tummy, hips, waist and shoulders.

Then I cut cardboard covered the arm hole openings along with the bottom. I inserted these to make a tight support fit and then taped over them for stability.

Next project was making a cover. I used M pattern which had a sheath dress with princess seams going to the shoulder. This pattern was tough to find with most princess seams going to the arm hole or ending at the bust. First I made a muslin adding a center seam. I pin fitted it with some seams on the right side so I could make adjustments in ink and then recut, ripped seams and used this as the pattern for cutting out the more expensive linen fabric. I basted all seams to check for fit and ironed them open. Then with it on the dress form I ripped out the basting stitches down the center back until I could easily remove it from the form by sliding it down. This was a little more than half way down the back. I had to take the form and pole off the stand to then remove the cover for a final sewing and pressing. After sewing over the basted seams and giving the dress a good pressing, I "redressed" the form and put the pole back on the stand. I hand sewed the remainder of the open back seam closed and placed black elastic on the non existent waist. I hand basted the fabric around each armhole to gather and then the fabric at the bottom of the dress. I glued this fabric down and then used my original templates for the cardboard armhole and bottom covers to cut out black felt. I used a double sided adhesive used for applique on the back of the felt, some glue on the actual dress form and then pressed the felt in place with a hot iron. It came out pretty nice but didn't feel finished.

Me, laughing every chance I got. The best part was when my sister tried cutting me out of this get up. I'd waited two years for someone to volunteer to tape me for this project.

Ah, after several hours I could finally breathe. The article said it would only take an hour. Hmm. Maybe the next time we do this?

V. dmiring the taping work she did! Don't we look alike?

Stage 1 of making a paper tape dress form complete. Since then I have painted the bottom of the stand (which is an old youth size office chair base) to match the pole, black. I've added a neck, finished off the armholes and neck and have made a cover. My sister was a great help in the taping, but now that we have done one, I realize there are a lot of things I took for granted about myself. Like, first off, I thought I had a waist. I was fooling myself. Now I know why the rectangular fit patterns of Vogue look best on me and why it's super hard for me to find pants that fit. I buy only pants that sit on the hips. My waist does not go with my hips. There is only a 6 inch difference. Second, either I am not symetrical or I had a heavy lean to the right. I was helping tape the front for awhile, which may have thrown off the balance, but c'est la vie. I am so happy to have a dress form I can hardly wait to use it!

Fixed the Wonkie

I think I fixed the wonkiness of this project. It was about 3 inches too tall and was folded under in the previous pictures. I cut off the excess and refinished the edges with seam binding. I also delivered the machine and cover to my daughter today who promptly put it on display on her desk.

Passing Down Memory Lane

My daughter had asked years ago if she could have my old Kenmore when she moved out. This machine was one of my best friends long ago. I made baby layettes and quilts, school clothes and Easter outfits, wedding party dresses and accessories, countless curtains, pillows and crafts. Not to mention a couple of phases with antinque clothing reproduction, everyday dresses and stuffed doll and animal making. It was a true workhorse. A. was not interested in sewing growing up so her recent request for me to honor my promise of passing it down has made me happy. Whether it is only used for mending or the occasional pillow here and there, it will be useful and create memories once again. Since she has limited space in her apartment and it will have to sit out on a shelf on her desk, I decided to make a cover to match her asian inspired decor!

Looks a little wonkie, but ready to leave the closet. Ce la vie! That's how I feel most days! Uhh, when I say I feel wonkie most days when ready to leave the closet, it's cause I get dressed in there. It's a walk in. Really!