Notes from the Patch

Ahoy Matey!

Avast ye.

Here's what's new.

 

Blimey.

Encourage one another, aargh

Tutorial Tuesday #19 - Repurposing denim

Repurposing and upcycling.

They're the hot new buzzwords.

What used to be recycled is now repurposed.

Recycling is so 1990's!

I developed this pattern back in the 90's when for me, recycling was more of a necessity than a political statement. Here in Bakersfield it seems everyone  practically lives in denim. So if you don't have a stack of out grown or worn out jeans in your closet they certainly are easily found in the nearest thrift shop.

With a fat quarter of fabric and a pair of old jeans

you can create an adorable bib for your little buckaroo faster than a cowpoke can saddle up his horse.

Since each bib will be slightly different depending on the jeans you use these instructions are pretty general. You will need to get creative in order to get the most from your jeans.

When selecting jeans for this project pay close attention to the seams and the number of usable pockets.

Did you know that most men's jeans have a tiny, perfectly formed pocket inside the right front pocket?

Here. Take a look.

It's right down there. Let me pull it out so you can see.

This is what I look for when I'm shopping for used jeans. That perfect little pocket tucked unto the front pocket. Pure bliss. I just wish there was one on each side!

Things like rivets and tags are also fun things to incorporate.

The first thing you will need to do is print a pattern using legal sized paper. (This is really exciting for me as this is my first post using a printable PDF file. Can you imagine the possibilities here people?)

Download Bib side 1 & 2

Using a seam ripper open up the outside seam of each leg. You will want the double, top stitched seam (normally the inseam) left in tact so you can center it on your bib front.

Using pattern piece A, cut one piece from your cotton print by laying the long edge on the fold.

Then open that piece up and use it as a pattern to cut out your denim by laying it right side up to the wrong side of the denim (wrong sides together).

Pay special attention to utilize the double seam of the jeans by carefully centering it down the front of the bib.

Cut your denim the same shape as the bib back A.

 

Now snip and tear two sides of your fabric for piece B (the front bib overlay) so you are left with two nice ravely edges .

Using pattern piece B, cut one bib front overlay. This piece should be cut on the bias since the edges are left unfinished to ravel.

Place the the bib front (jeans) to the bib back (print) matching the neckline circle - wrong sides together. Lay the bib front overlay on top of the denim front and pin, matching up sides and neck opening. (Don't stress out over a few spots where one layer might be a bit bigger than the other layers, you will snip and fray your seams allowances later and these won't show).

Cut the tiny pocket from the inside of the pants pocket

 

Trim the pocket close being careful not to disrupt the stitches.

 

Pin pocket in position.

Sew around the edge of the bib and around the neck opening about 1/2" from the edges.(Pretend there is a pinned pocket in the photo below).

Helpful Hint: I like to use Jeans Thread for this as it mimics the look of the original thread used in the jeans. When using Jeans Stitch thread you will use it on the top of your machine only. Use regular sewing thread in the bobbin. A denim needle is also helpful.

 

 

Top stitch the pocket on using clear, invisible thread and sewing right on top of the original top stitching. You will need to use a zipper foot and sew very carefully around the rivets.

Cut two pieces of velcro 1 1/2" long.

Next you will position the velcro on each side of the placement line (refer to pattern). Simply position the soft side of the velcro strip 1/4" to the right of the placement line on the top of the bib and sew with clear thread top and bottom.

Turn the bib over and using the placement guide, sew the second prickly side to the right of the placement line.

The front of your bib will now look like this (except you haven't cut the notches yet). (Sorry I continue to struggle with getting the correct photos).

Here's a shot of the back side of the bib with the prickly side of the velcro.

 

I've "drawn" a line so you can see where to cut.

 

With scissors or rotary cutter cut between the two strips of velcro stitches.

Clip the raw edges of the bib, both at the neckline and around the outside edge, about 1/4" apart. Be careful not to snip your stitches. These edges will bloom as they are washed and worn or you can speed up the process by spraying with a little water and brushing the edges with a stiff bristled brush.

Here's one that's been brushed.

 

Here's one using the leather patch instead of a pocket

and one with a cute little PS I Love You tag

 

And after it's brushed

After it's brushed

When you run out of pockets and labels, make your own pockets using the hem as the top of the pocket.

And here's what you get when you brush them (wonder if there is a repurposing project for the mess).

That's it. So quick and totally simple.

Cute too dontchathink?

Oh. Wondering what to do with all the leftover big pockets and scraps of denim?

Repurpose them of course.

Encourage one another,

Just for fun

I wanted to show you one of my finds from my weekend shopping spree.

It's a Betsy Johnson necklace and when I saw the camera and the cruise boat I knew it had to be mine.

 

Actually it's all Diane R's fault. She was wearing an adorable necklace while shopping at Strawberry Patches the other day and when I complemented her on it she said it was a Betsy Johnson. Didn't even Betsy Johnson made jewelry (I'm so out of it). But I couldn't stop thinking about it and added a new necklace to my shopping list.

I think I'll wear it with a string of pearls.

Tre chic!

Encourage one another,

 

PS: The paper is from Paper Source, just in case you wondered.

Shopping - part deux

Today I'm off for day two of shopping. If you haven't read the comments from Saturday's post, it seems while I was away shopping, many of you were discussing my underwear. To wear, or not to wear. That was the question. Quite amusing.

Anyway...

Observations from shopping day one:

1. Why does the lighting in dressing rooms have to be so unflattering? I could barely look. Don't they know we'd buy more if we looked better in those little rooms? I mean. If they can put a man on the moon...

2. Everything from the 70's & 80's is back. Peace signs, headbands, gladiator sandals.. Even found a designer washed denim jacket with jewels at the yoke - just like I taught in the 80's - for (sit down for this people) $1,959! Unbelievable!

3. The mall was crowded so the economy must be improving. After all, if they can charge nearly $2,000 for a jeans jacket....I'm just saying.

Encourage one another,

Bonjour

We're leaving for Paris in a week and I have nothing to wear. (I know. Poor baby).

      

So, this weekend is devoted to picking up a few new things at the mall, organizing my clothes and packing my suitcase.

After many years of traveling with a man that takes everything but the kitchen sink, I've finally gotten Bill to travel light. (Traveling is so much easier without huge suitcases in tow). But traveling light means a close attention to detail, lots of mix and match and no throwing in something "just in case" at the last minute like I usually do.

We will be celebrating out 42 anniversary by dining right up there on the Eiffel Tower overlooking the City of Lights. *sigh* Then will be cruising the Seine for my birthday (somebody pinch me).

Any travel or packing tips? I can use all the help I can get!

Encourage one another,

Celebrity Visit

This morning was just like all my other mornings.

Triple non fat latte in bed with my laptop checking my favorite blogs.

Just as I was finishing my coffee and the blog list I clicked on PamKittyMorning.

OMGosh. Miss Kitty visited Strawberry Patches and I didn't even know it!

Not only did she visit, but she liked what she saw.

You see, I'm like a chef that wants more than anything for my diners to enjoy my food. But in my case, for my customers to love my fabric. When people walk in, walk around and walk out I feel like I haven't done my job. (Kind'a like you sent your dinner back to the kitchen). So when the Julia Childs of fabric says she liked my store and actually bought fabric for her personal stash...OMGosh!

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to float to the shower.

Bon Appetit,

Heart of the Valley

The first annual valley shop hop is almost here.

I'm so excited!

I. can. not. wait!

This is something I have wanted to be involved with for years so to be included with twelve other fabulous quilt shops in the valley is such an honor.

Part of our hop responsibilities is to provide a free quilt block pattern to each participant that visits our store during the hop. Hoppers may choose to purchase a fabric kit from each store for $3 and setting kits will also be available. As hoppers visit each shop they will have the opportunity to view the thirteen blocks set in each of the thirteen unique quilts.

Here's our's.

What's that? You're wondering where the thirteenth block is? Well right here. On the back.

 

Since we are donating our finished quilt to Operation Blocks for the Brave, we've used the thirteenth block as a "Thank You" label.

And that quilting...

Oh my stars.

I wish I had better pictures of the stars that were quilted into each block. When we asked our favorite longarm quilter, Lynn Douglass to quilt it for us she insisted on donating her time and incredible talent. Thank you Lynn. You're THE BEST!

I love our quilt and the way our setting pulled all the shades of red, white and blue together. Sadly we have a very limited number of setting kits available so if you love it too and would like us to hold one for you, just let us know. (You can go here to reserve your setting kit).

I hope you'll mark your calendar and join us May 14, 15 & 16th for the first annual Heart of the Valley Shop Hop*. There will be thousands of dollars in gifts and prizes and a ton of fun.

Encourage one another,

* Visit Heart of the Valley Shop Hop .com to see all of the thirteen quilts as they are added to the website.

Tutorial Tuesday #18 Scalloped Borders

What do you do for Tutorial Tuesday when you've been playing with your grand kids all week and haven't even thought of getting out the sewing machine?

You go to your right hand girl, Annette and use her fabulous Bernina Club idea and samples!

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Scalloped borders add such a nice finishing touch to these preprinted towels and this basic technique can be used for everything from tablecloths to aprons to kids clothes to pillowcases.

If you're using our preprinted towels you will start by cutting out each panel and hemming it along the two long sides and across the top. You will leave the bottom unhemmed.

If you are adding a scalloped edge to an finished towel go to the next step.

Decide how deep you want your finished scalloped border and cut a piece of fabric twice that depth plus 1/2". (Ours measures 7 1/2" wide by 14" deep).

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, center the right side of the band on the wrong side of the towel and sew.

You will have 1/4" of fabric extending beyond each side of the towel.

 

Press seam allowance toward the band.

Fold and press the other long edge under 1/4".

Fold band right sides together, matching the folded edge with the sewn seam. Pin.

 

Now it's time to mark the scallops.

You can use one of these way cool tools

 

or make your own scallops by folding paper.

 

Here's what I did.

First I decided how many scallops I wanted across my towel. Then I cut a piece of heavy paper the width of my towel plus the two 1/4" seam allowances at each end.

Then I folded the paper in half and then in quarters making sure each section was equal. You will need a folded section for each scallop.

Next I marked a line down the center of each section and drew a line where I wanted the bottom of the scallops to be.

 

Then, using a glass, lid, or plate I marked an arc at each section, intersecting them at the section folds.

I cut out the paper scallop pattern and traced the scallops onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Stitched the side seam allowances, and along drawn line.

Trimmed seam allowances and clipped inside points.

 

Using my point turner, I turned the border right side out and pressed the seams.

Then I matched the top folded edge to the seam line and pinned.

Annette inserted this adorable Swiss trim into the seam.

Top stitch seam through all layers.

Threaten to kill anyone who wipes their grubby hands on your cute little towels!

Encourage one another,

While the cats away

I've been away from the shop for a week and this morning I was greeted with this...

Exciting new fabric collections!

See what you miss when you don't come in at least once a week?

Encourage one another,

Comfort one another

Seven year old Nathan with his arm around his daddy during the "scary part" of the Nemo ride at Disneyland.

Live a good life

And in the end,

It's not the years in a life,

It's the life in the years.

              Abraham Lincoln

Encourage one another,