AfricanKelli

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In yet another situation of me reading and rushing, I purchased a yard of fleece instead of flannel for this project. The result is okay — which I dolled up with a vintage frog clasp instead of buttons and some red trim. And yet, I’ll be making this month’s Fabric By Fabric project again.

With flannel.

That said — the entire project took less than an hour. It requires cutting squares, sewing simple lines and being able to trim. Anyone — yes, you! — can do this if they want to. Looking forward to seeing what you create!

~K

Remember when Finny and I decided to host sew-alongs? We took 2011 off, ending on a high note having covered several of our favorite books and having connected with folks globally who like to be creative.

Really.

I’m not being dramatic.

I went to send Christmas cards this year and realized a handful needed special postage. Australia. The Netherlands. Japan. There was the small stack of American friends I’ve made through sew-alongs and swaps over the years, some of whom I’ve met and others I haven’t yet. This is a sweet group of like-minded folk — those who love the idea of diving into a new book, hitting the sewing shops, digging through vintage linens at thrift stores, and more than anything: figuring out how to make it ourselves.

We’ve long since past the time when it is less expensive to craft it yourself. Never mind the expense. There is a specific, priceless joy attached to conquering a pattern. To presenting the perfect gift with your own label tucked neatly on the inside seam. Figuring out how to make something out of what you have on hand.

And so, to my friends far and wide and newbies who may have added “learn how to finally use that sewing machine” to their 2012 list of goals: I present a new challenge. The folks at Storey Publishing have come up with a lovely new sewing book– Fabric by Fabric: One-Yard Wonders. In fact, my dear friend Sue has a pattern included! So proud! She gave me a copy of this book for the holidays, sparking this entire idea.

With this book and a new challenge in mind, here are the 2012 Fabric-by-Fabric sew-along rules:

1. One pattern will be posted each month. To participate, you sew this pattern and add at least one photo to the Flickr pool.

2. I will use a randomizer to select a winner.

3. The winner will be featured on the blog, and sent a yard of fabric as a prize.

That’s it. Easy peasy. Ready for your first assignment?

Let’s tackle the “Shaggy Chic Chenille Clutch” on page 177. Extra points to those who make the pattern their own. Let your creativity shine. If you are in, leave a comment. If you want help, shoot me an email. Nothing would make me happier than seeing more friends experience the joy of domestic sewing prowess.

Ready? Let’s do this.

~K

Is it weird I made one sock monkey for Christmas — and fairly haphazardly at that, considering my “first” of any sewing project is bound to be wonky — and it made me want to make one for each of my friends, only customized?

Imagine tiny outfits and props. Embroidered details. Monograms.

Then again, who wouldn’t want a monkey custom made for them?

~K

Look, I’m only human. I make decisions sometimes that can only be explained by an overdose of Christmas spirit and a lack of common sense. And oh, my new venti espresso early morning habit isn’t doing a thing to improve either — I just do them faster. Such results can be great (see sweater knitting progress) or horrifically, hilariously bad.

Case in point. This morning I was outside spray painting at 8 am. What would I be tagging, especially so early? Wearing tennis shoes and my pajamas? In the snow? Salsa lids. Logically. 

Lessons learned: spray paint and snow don’t mix. Dogs like to drag off spray painted projects into the snow and bury them, which can be a total bitch to find without a metal detector. Lavender bath salts in a salsa jar is an absurd idea. Not even cute ribbon can make this spicy project tolerable.

Total fail.

Then again, ability to crack myself up at how bad things can end up? For certain.

Fear not Grinches! I have other ideas up my little jammie sleeve. Onward!

~K

I’m working through my yarn stash to whip up a few gifts. (Not going to lie: it is a lot more fun to work with wool when there is snow on the ground.)

Also not going to lie: it is going to be a lot more fun to knit now that I have a model who works for treats:

Doesn’t he look thrilled?

Actually, now that I look at him — he looks like he needs a haircut.

~K