Time for another tutorial using the Out to Sea Fabric! Head over to Tea Rose Home today. Isn't this darling? I've made an anchor template for you to download. These colors are some of my favorite for boy right now. Grey and dark orange.
And scroll down on her blog a little here, to see what she did with the "scraps" left over from the projects she made for the booth. Um. Ya. She even has tutorials for that too.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ANCHOR PILLOW TUTORIAL
Happy making!
xo
sarah jane
I have THE BEST news today. The OUT TO SEA fabric has started to ship officially, and stores have started to make it available for purchase!
I've posted about the fabric before here, and the quilt market booth here, where you can see more pictures. But I'm going to sum up again, for anyone that's new here!
This fabric line was conceived almost 2 years ago, and came from the idea that I wanted a pirate/nautical line that was both fun and whimsical, but not your typical loud and bold commercial type. I wanted it to have an adventurous spirit, but stay soft enough that I could create an entire children's collection out of it for both boys and girls.
I also wanted it to flaunt really rich and sweet colors...something that would work for projects for little children, but also cross into the tweens too. Sophisticated but sweet. Color was critical for me, and made sure that it coordinated with Michael Millers new line of solids Cotton Couture.
Oh, and did I mention the softness of this fabric? I've printed my OUT TO SEA collection with Cotton Couture, which is a high density cotton...which is softer than most, but still a quilting grade fabric. I wanted dresses and kids clothes to feel soft on the skin, and not itchy! I'm so thrilled with how it turned out!
Last year, with CHILDREN AT PLAY, there were so many emails in my inbox with questions on how to find certain pieces. It sold out faster than stores could restock!
This time around, I want to help you again! But the best I can do is to direct you to my FABRIC STOCKISTS page...see that yellow button on my side bar? This is a list of stores, online and local, that have bought the fabric. Now, I need YOUR HELP to keep it current and updated. So if you are a store that has bought this fabric line, PLEASE send me a note, and I'll add you to the list! Especially if you are outsides of the USA, since I don't get a list of stores from our international distributers.
As you are looking, I'll give you a few helpful places to get started. For instance, Quilt Home has the entire line up right now, ready to go. So does Hawthorn Threads and Fat Quarter Shop who also just put up an interview with me about making the collection! Check out your local shops as well which you can look up on the Fabric Stockists page.
So, now it's your turn! You get to show me how you are using this fabric! Keep checking in on Wednesdays for the Blog Tour featuring DIY projects to make with this fabric. It will be running through September at least! If you are an interior designer, I'd love to see your room projects. I'm going to be releasing some more art and goods that coordinate with this fabric so you have more to decorate with. Stay tuned!
And here is the link to the FLICKR group! Let's get making!!
Happy sewing everyone! And thank you so much for your enthusiasm! Your excitement for this line is so fun to see...it keeps me making more for you!
All the best,
Sarah
SEE THE FULL LIST OF FABRIC STOCKISTS HERE
We've been lucky to go peach picking a couple times this summer. Nothing like fresh peaches!
I'm a sucker for just eating them straight...over ice cream, on cereal, or just cut up plain for lunch.
But I'd love to know from you....What have you been doing with your peaches this summer? Any recipes you have found that are to die for? I usually do a peach cobbler...simple oats and sugar mixture on top, baked in the oven. But I'm inclined to make some more desserts before summers over. How do you like your peaches best?
Happy (peachy!) weekend:)
xo
sarah
We're back with more blog tour goodness! And I'm even more excited to say that the fabric is going shipping out this week, so horray! You can start sewing!
For this doll, we're going back to Meta at ONE MORE MUSHROOM. I went to visit her amazing home, and found this doll as well as a viking doll in her boy's room. She made it for fun, and I told her she needed a pattern for that! Isn't he the cutest? So we made one up in my OUT TO SEA fabrics, and he's just perfect. I included lots of this basic stripe and anchor in my collection...and took careful thought into getting just the right spacing between stripes. I'm picky about my stripes...are you? These are sure to feel nautical....and really useful for any modern but classic stripe sewing:) She's got the free tutorial and pattern here!
CLICK HERE TO MAKE THE PIRATE DOLL
Happy Sewing!!
xo,
sarah
For other OUT TO SEA DIY Projects, visit here.
*All projects in the Out to Sea Blog tour are made especially for the OUT TO SEA Fabric Collection produced by MICHAEL MILLER Fabrics. Fabric will be shipping First week in August. For more information about the fabric visit this post or Michael Miller Fabrics website
NYC has always been one of my favorite cities.
I remember as a child, visiting and being so aware of the energy of possibility in this town. It's seriously so tangible! Kenneth and I got away (for an entire week!) sans kids and I'm still on a high. Getting away period is a trip enough. I adore my kids, but recharges are necessary, aren't they? And since we're still visiting with my parents, this was the perfect chance to sneak away for a bit. I needed to head up there for some jobs I'm working on anyways, so it was the prefect mix of play and work.
Coming away from this amazing town, I'm always filled with the sense that ANYTHING is possible. I've always had that sense about me, and maybe it comes from visiting places like NYC. I love the feeling of ingenuity and creativity. It's my kind of inspiring.
Highlights:
Need I say more? I stocked up on some much needed Liberty fabric. These are needs, not wants, folks.
New York Public Library.
Ken and I went in to work for a few hours, but I ended up illustrating and working in the children's section while he studied in the main (gorgeous) study area. Sitting feet away from the original Winnie the Pooh animals belonging to Christopher Robin with my sketchbook wide open, I was channeling some major vibes for sure!
And look, Eeyore even has a pinned on tail.
If you have to hit ONE fabric store in the garment district, I'd send you here. Really amazing selection! I walked into Rosen & Chadick in the Garment District, and what do I see first as I walk in? Children at Play! That made my day:) I spent a good 2 hours there, and fell in love with the owner and their really amazing selection of fabric. If you are in town, stop by for sure. I spent way too much money...but it's research, right? Happy place.
Color.
Color, Color, color. I used to travel a lot, before kids. I forgot how much it fills up my senses, and inspires me in so many ways! Soaking in so much design, color, sounds and people is just what the doctor ordered. Much needed retreat.
The Food.
Maybe I want to be a food blogger now. A NYC food blogger, and get the excuse to travel the city and blog about it all. Still can't forget the Kati Rolls I had or that amazing Shrimp Tarragon roll at Chealsea Market.
People
We had such a blast visiting with some of our favorite people here. Michael Miller, Harper Collins Childrens Books, Oliver & S, and other peeps are located here, and there were some fun times! Michael Miller's place is a blast. Karen (at the top) is my art director at MMF, and we had the chance to work in person. What a treat! She's so talented and I just love working with the team there.
I seriously love this city. But really, what I have loved most is the chance to get away and be filled. As a mom and an artist, getting away is SO important. After 7 days of working and illustrating and exploring this city withKen, I'm seriously ready to jump into the start of a whole new year (and hit the gym after so many yummy food stops!). I'm thinking that mini-trips are part of taking care of the soul. It's hard to make the sacrifice, but it's just what the doctor ordered!
Soul Trips. I like that.
Good morning!
As promised, today I'm letting you know about our 3rd project on the OUT TO SEA blog tour!
The Sail Away Panel Print was so fun to make, and I knew it going to be a lot of fun to sew with. Just like the On Parade print, this one is so versatile, and even better, it comes in 3 colors, and is great for boy AND girl projects! (This print is printed along the selvedge edge of the fabric on both sides, leaving you with up to 27 inches of fabric to work with before you would start cutting into the opposite side)
I was looking for just the right dress to feature this print, and I had to use the Zephyr dress by Figgy. I actually contacted Figgy to get permission to get the pattern before it was out for the public so I would have time to sew it for market. It's the perfect length for an end of summer play dress, and even features rope straps for that nautical feel!
Because I'm featuring a purchasable pattern today, I wanted to find a way for you get more out of it. When I asked Shelly of Figgy Patterns to show us a little more about how to use the pattern, she showed me this great video tutorial on the Zephyr dress/romper on Craftsy that we're all getting a discount to use!
Craftsy is offering a 50% off discount (just for you!) for this class on the Zephyr dress/romper which includes the full pattern as well! So, if you do the math, the class and pattern costs basically the same as the pattern itself. Steal!
In the tutorial, Shelly guides you through measuring techniques, sewing techniques and tips based on this pattern.It's really great, and broken into 5 segments so it's easy to mark your place, go back or skip ahead.The best part is that you can ask questions while you are sewing!
Happy Sewing!
Click here for the 50% Zephyr class tutorial
Click here to purchase just the Zephyr dress/romper pattern only
Have fun sewing!
**By the way...this pattern is being featured on my blog tour because I know so many people have inquired and asked where to get it...so no affiliations involved:)
And on a fabric update: the fabric is shipping to stores now! Check my FABRIC STOCKISTS page on my sidebar for local and online stores. I've been getting a lot of emails and facebook messages about how and where to get the fabric, so start checking those locations, and I'll have some updates with more details soon!
So, we're on a Narwhal kick here. I don't think this is a very bad problem to have, do you?
This week, I'm bringing you this darling pillow pattern sewn by Sachiko at TEA ROSE HOME where you can find the full tutorial and pattern instructions. Sachiko has become a dear friend, as our paths have crossed over numerous conferences and markets. She's a very talented seamstress, and you might recognize her blog from the ruffle tutorials that made her famous:)
The narwhal design is directly lifted from the fabric design FIND THE NARWHAL in the OUT TO SEA collection (shipping out next week!) He's really easy to make, and could use a home in someone's room I'm sure:)
MAKE THE NARWHAL APPLIQUE PILLOW
Happy Sewing!
For other OUT TO SEA DIY Projects, visit here.
*All projects in the Out to Sea Blog tour are made especially for the OUT TO SEA Fabric Collection produced by MICHAEL MILLER Fabrics. Fabric will be shipping First week in August. For more information about the fabric visit this post or Michael Miller Fabrics website
This summer so far has been wonderful. We had the chance of being at my old house for a few weeks, and we’re loving the time away. It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve been home for a long period of time, and it’s really wonderful for me to be reminded of all the things that have contributed to me as an artist, and influenced me as a child. Seeing my children in the space that I grew up in is so revealing to me. I haven't really had the chance to see that much. I miss it.
I planned on working and playing....keeping up with things as normal. But my parents have had major computer/internet issues and honestly, it's been a welcomed break. I've got an inbox that is piling up and projects that have been forced to wait, but they can wait. Summer with kids is precious time.
Coming back home, I'm reminded of all the details I grew up with...the colors, the green and the ever present nature all around. I grew up minutes from the city, but minutes from the country. It was the perfect, perfect place to build an imagination. So many farms, walks, places to explore.
I have lots more little mini adventures to share. Like this family that's been living near my parents house. There are actually 4 baby dear between 2 Mama's that keep poking in to say hello. I can't get enough of it.
Hope you are all having wonderful memories this summer! I'm terrified with how fast it flies by! Lazy days....please, please stay!
Happy summer days to you all!
xo
sarah