great tutorials

pet pouch

revoluzzza monster

revoluzzza tree

before tote trick...

and after tote trick

Here are some great tutorials that I have found recently online:

Betz White has a wonderful tutorial on turning a cheapo cotton tote bag into something much prettier...super idea, go here to see one of Betz's tote tricks.

The second and third tutorials I found on the revoluzzza blog, a very sweet and scary softie....go here to see this very well made tutorial....and how to sew your own tree can be found here.

And last but definitely not least...the fourth tutorial is something for pet owners...a handy little pet pouch seen via whipup....go here to see the tutorial.

flea market find

I found this little book last Wednesday at my fave flea mrket here in Berlin. It is a sewing book for children and it's German title is "Nähst du mit?" "Will you Sew Along?"
The book was printed in the former GDR in 1988, the author is Margerete Frost. I love the photo collages and some of the projects are so sweet. Do I need this book, no, did I have to have it, yes. Will I make a doll's dress to justify the purchase, probably.

patchwork bias tape

How cute is this...patchwork bias tape from iheartlinen....

dots raspberry

This is the project "Easy Empire Top" from Amy Butler's book "Little Stitches for Little Ones", using Organic Dots Raspberry and Westfalenstoffe Roses Grey, both organic cotton fabrics. I thought this would be a cute alternative to the kimono pajamas, this for a little girl, and will make a pair of pajama pants to go with the top. The project itself I found a little fussy, (I must admit I don't have alot of patience for fussiness)and although the word "easy" is in the title, I think it is definitely too complicated if you are just starting to sew. Another one of those "I'll just whip this up and three hours later still in the process of "whipping it up"......

alexander henry fabrics in

Well, to be quite honest I had just about given up on this order of AH fabrics, (some of these fabrics were ordered in October 2008!) but some old faves and some new prints are in the shop and I will be putting more new AH fabrics online over the next few days.Stop by the shop and take a peek if you have a minute!

organic cotton dots

Last week I received the first shipment of organic cotton poplin fabrics that Aura Herbal Wear is printing for Volksfaden, polka dots in two colorways white and mustard and white and raspberry. Promoting the use of organic cotton is a cause I am completely dedicated to and over the next few months , more organic cotton prints will be arriving.
I chose Aura Herbal Wear because the whole production and dyeing process is the most ecologically sound I have found. The dyes are all herbal dyes, the white fabric is sun bleached and the cotton is organically farmed. The fabric itself is soft to the touch and a pleasure to work with.
These kimono pajamas are the first project I made with the organic dots. The main fabric is Organic Dots Mustard and for the ties and trim I used the Grey Dots from Westfalenstoffe's organic cotton collection. The pattern is from Amy Butler's book "Little Stitches for Little Ones".

On Holiday

**Volksfaden is taking a summer break from Monday, July 6th, 2009 until Monday, July 27th, 2009. You may if you wish place an order during our break but your order won’t be sent out until after July 27th.**
Wish you lots of long, lazy and sunny summer days!

**Volksfaden macht Betriebsferien von Montag, dem 6.07.09, bis Montag 27.07.09. Sie können in dieser Zeit eine Bestellung aufgeben, die Bestellung wird aber erst nach dem 27. Juli verschickt.**
Ich wünsche euch allen viele endlos faule sonnige Sommertage!