I’m happy to report that we are making good on the scheduled sewing nights. Recently Jennifer and I rummaged through the scrap bin and each made a Polly from the book Softies Only a Mother Could Love.

Adorbs, if I do say so myself.  But I’d like a lil rabbit boy to keep my lil rabbit girl company. (Mine is on the left, Jennifer’s on the right, in case you were wondering.)

The mastermind behind children’s clothing patterns Oliver+S, Liesl, is genius.  I would probably take advice from her on anything, anytime.  Luckily, she’s given some over on the Oliver + S blog over the last several months with her principles for fabric selection.  She explains how to use color, prints, solids, and a little restraint to get the most sophisticated look for the children’s clothes you sew.  Most of these principles can be applied to patchwork and other sewing as well. A summary:

• See the child before the outfit
• Think sophisticated and understated
• Look at the supporting fabrics in a collection, not necessarily the central prints
• Solid colors and neutrals can ground a bright, busy print
• Be eclectic; don’t be afraid to mix collections
• Look for updated versions of traditional prints
• Tonal and two-color prints look very fresh
• Approach juvenile prints with caution

Read about them in detail here (and start from the bottom).  I’d like to add a “hear hear” to Liesl’s tips.  They mirror the way we approach fabric choices for projects in the shop, perhaps we’ll talk about some of our own principles for picking fabric for quilts one of these days.

I think Suppose’ own Oliver+S outfit passes the test.  Meet my aunt Marianne, a clever lady and an adept seamstress.  She made this Birthday Party Dress in Westrade’s classic Tiny Posies print with the button tab in Kaffe Fassett’s Shot Cotton in Watermelon.  Don’t you just want to make a whole bunch! What would you choose to make it in?

As requested, here is a look at some more of the things we’ve been working on.

I made this easy tote bag with the pattern Jay McCarroll gave out at last Fall’s Quilt Market for his debut fabric line.  You can find the pattern here on the Free Spirit blog.  I used giant button holes instead of giant grommets, and I added a birdie applique with button eyes.  I will have to write about my experience meeting Jay another day. But really, I am obsessed with his fabric.

I’ve also been sewing lots of pincushions lately.  I love that I can whip one up in less than an hour and have the satisfaction of finishing a project.   These are just a few we’ve been using in the shop.  (Links to the patterns to come.)

At least someone’s finishing quilts around here.  Our associate Jennifer made Paisley Party, from the free pattern Red Rooster provided for the Paisley Party line of fabric.

And another staff member Deonna made this little quilt, the pattern for which has left my memory for the moment.  These two are the only quilts hanging in the shop right now, as we are getting ready to hang our permanent quilt hanging system.  And oh are we anxious for that.  We have so many pretty things we want to show off!

So much more to come, very soon.

I can’t believe this is the blog of a fabric shop and I haven’t yet blogged about any of our fabric creations.  I will have to add links to these fabrics in our web shop later, but I wanted to show a little bit of what we’ve been working on.  Our entire staff has been sewing for months to have samples for the shop ready when we open next weekend. I’d been a little too busy to sew but I just couldn’t stand it any longer and last week I finished this quilt top using Anna Griffin’s Darcey Collection from Windham Fabrics. I am so in love with the collection and just had to make something with it.

I’m also in love with all of our fabrics from Alexander Henry.  I needed a project out of these owlies, so I made a potholder.

Mom won’t let me post any more of our creations so they’ll be a surprise for the grand opening.  9 days and counting!