Fruity Marimekko Coasters

Visit Whimseybox today to see my how-to for making Marimekko coated-cotton coasters.

Coated cotton isn't nearly as painful to work with as oil cloth, but it delivers almost the same result! And for all you non-sewers out there, there's also a version using glue and pinking shears so you won't feel left out.

A Vintage Singer Sewing Cabinet

Since upgrading from a shoebox NYC apartment to this NC palace, I've brought in a lot of furniture that I could never fit (or even transport) to NY. This sewing cabinet that belonged to my grandmother is one such piece.



I remember this sewing cabinet well from my grandparents' house. I was never allowed to use the sewing machine that was inside of it, but I was allowed to sit beside my grandmother and hand stitch while she used it. She sewed a lot of things for me using this cabinet, from a pretty green jewel-toned cape to doll clothes.

Twirly Circle Skirts

Every time I see a circle skirt, I want to squeal, "Weeeee!"

I found this circle skirt in a closet at my parents' house, half sewn and wadded up in a plastic Joanns bag. The pattern came from one of those panels you can buy, where you cut on the dotted line, then follow the too-simple instructions printed right on the panel.

I bought the panel when I lived outside Pittsburgh as an AmeriCorps volunteer and spent what little money I made at Joanns. (I know. Sad.) I cut out the skirt and sewed the side seams, but never bothered to do anything else. So I pulled that sucka out of the bag and finished it.

Silkscreen Doily Tote on Whimseybox

Click over to Whimseybox today to see my how-to for a silkscreened doily tote.

Vintage Pattern Giveaway

The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to winner Meg!

I love Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day because it helps me meet so many new crafters. Hello, there!

What I'm Giving Away
Three vintage sewing patterns:
Simplicity 6934
McCall's 7759
Simplicity 9610

These patterns represent two very lovely decades: the 70s and the 80s.

What You Have To Do
Just follow my blog, then leave a comment telling me about an outfit from childhood/teen years that you thought was really awesome, but now makes you cringe.

Knitted "Pearl" Necklaces

 

I've never been a fan of pearl necklaces [insert sex joke here]. They remind me of Barbara Bush and the girls who worked in Hillary Clinton's Senate office. (Side story: When I worked for United Way of America, we'd drop off public policy literature in the Senate offices. Hill-C's office was chock-full of the exact kind of girl you'd think would work for her: sweater sets, pearl necklaces, hair pulled back in sensible updo -- stereotypical Wellesley.)

 

Anyway, a knitted pearl necklace is another story. I made Knitted I-Cord Necklaces a few weeks ago, and I was riding the I-cord train when I saw this pattern in Knitting from the Center Out. I didn't like it at first because the pearls went all the way around the necklace. I'm way too impatient for that, so I just made five pearls in the middle and called it a day. It's prettier that way, don't you think?

 

 

 

And you know what makes these pearls so pearly? Cotton balls! Yep, just regular old drugstore cotton balls are stuffed in there.

I gifted this necklace to my friend Jessica for her birthday, but I want one for myself, too!

Knitted jewelry is awesome. If you have a favorite knitted jewelry pattern, tell me about it so I can add it to my to-do list.

Great British Sewing Bee: Addicted

That does it. I'm hooked on the Great British Sewing Bee.

Before you say it, this isn't Project Runway. Project Runway is about design; this is about actual, in-real-life sewing. There are little how-tos in each episode, like how to sew curtains and pillows. There are neat diagrams and illustrations to teach you about French seams and other techniques as the sewers work their way through challenges. There's even history lessons about fashion!

And my goodness, everyone is so nice. It's almost unreal. You won't find any of the cattiness of Project Runway, and in between challenges, they all go to the local café and drink tea. Tea! I even spotted some of them drinking tea right by their sewing machines. Oh, how I love the British.

I was also thrilled to see Tilly from sewing blog Tilly and the Buttons as a contestant. It's funny how well some bloggers can translate their actual personalities onto their blog. That's certainly the case with Tilly. She's just as sweet and cute on the show as she is on her blog.

Watching the show really inspired me to get in my craft room and pick up a dress I've neglected for a few weeks. Watch Episode 1 on YouTube and just try to stop yourself from watching the other three. Do it!

And if you have watched the show, who was your favorite?