This year I thought I would share a little glimpse inside what is going on in my studio with, what I like to call, ‘On the Cutting Table’. By that I mean, rather than always showing your my finished projects, I thought you might like to see what I’m currently working on. I will still show you the finished pieces, but this way you will know a little bit more about what I am up to on a day to day basis.
This new piece is almost finished. I need to finish the bottom hem, but other than that, she is ready to go. My favorite part of this one…….I’m sure you guessed it…….the piping. I love piping and try to use it whenever possible. I think it adds such a fun detail and can really make a piece going from nice to fabulous.
Fabrics: Amy Butler “Soul Blossoms”
These are two patterns (both dresses) that I designed that are waiting for me to test. I’ve tested them once, but I re-drafted a few things and now have them cut out ready to sew. If they turn out the way I’ve planned, the next step will be to work on ‘grading’ (meaning adjusting the pattern into multiple sizes).
When I want to accomplish a lot of sewing, I typically spend an evening doing all of my cutting of several different garments or projects. I put all the pieces together (including notions and trims) and put them in a pile on top of on another. Then I work my way through the pile. Cutting is my least favorite part of sewing, so if I can get that out of the way all at once, I enjoy my sewing so much more.
Fabrics:
Top Piece: Kate Spain “Terrain”
Bottom Piece: Bonnie and Camille “Ruby”
I’m working on a quilt for my little guy, Caspian Finn. This is going to be a larger version of a baby doll quilt that I made for the girls for Christmas (which I will show you soon). The center area is made up of tumblers and has sashing around the edge. I’m going to be using the rest of those tumblers pictured above as well as some additional sashing to complete the top of this quilt. If it turns out, perhaps I can share my design with you.
Fabrics: Sarah Jane Studios “Children at Play”
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
It’s fun to see works in progress! I like all your current projects, love the piping!
I know you probably have plenty of seamstresses anxious to be pattern testers, but if you ever need another one I’d be happy to do so! 🙂
So fun to see what you are working on…..you are busy!
Your projects look gorgeous and all those fabrics are so beautiful! I’m about to start a new quilt so I’ll be cutting tonight! Some Kona bone solid and charms from a swap!
Love the “cutting table” concept! We must think alike, because I’ve been planning on doing the same thing on my blog, but using the term “tasting” table instead of “cutting” table, since I’ve designed my Cotton Cellar blog with a wine cellar theme – just haven’t gotten around to doing it yet.
Would you be offended if I did that? Don’t want you to think I’m copying you…
Love to see the “work in progress” portion of your sewing…amazingly you always seem to be completing so much! I too think cutting is my most dreaded sewing task!
So lovely, you are so very talented! Have you considered doing your prototypes in muslin? Here at Izzy & Ivy we have bolts of it so as to not waste the gorgeous stuff :0). Knowing you though, even your prototypes are lovely!
I am learning to sew, trying to clear the kitchen table for a space to work. Purging the house for the new year.
Can I please come shopping in your studio? I gasped when I saw the amount of gorgeous fabric you have at your disposal. Needless to say, I am extremely jealous. If my stash were nearly as plentiful, or so wonderfully organized, I might be able to stop my fabric store addiction.
HERE IS MY QUESTION! How do you manage your time…you have 2 girls and I know there are lots of activities for them, and then there is the baby and you husband, the cooking, cleaning, etc. A million things. So I just wonder how you manage to accomplish so much. Here I am a grandmother with only a very understanding hubby at home and still, I have problems managing my time! Perhaps a blog with hints for thoses of us who need it….
Ooh, interesting selection of work there! Love all the fabrics you’ve chosen, especially for Caspian’s quilt :o)
I just love the fabrics!! I do have a question about the quilt. How do you stich it first? I want to make a small quilt pillow but I am stuck on sewing the fabrics together so it looks like quilt ( beginner hihi).
Sandra
Lindsay, I enjoyed viewing your “what’s on the table” projects. Cutting is also my least favorite part of sewing….of course, you have to cut before you can sew, though! So I’m going to try your method of cutting more than one thing when I’m cutting projects. I like the tips you give and plan to incorporate some piping into some of my up-coming things I’m making for my great niece and nephew. Happy sewing!
Thank you for sharing your current projects! It’s fun to see what you’re up to – your work is so beautiful!
I have been wanting to try a tumbler quilt – very nice. Love the fabrics and colors. BTW – Jackie says hello and so do I!
Love that quilt!
I currently have 3 dresses, 2 pairs of boys shorts and 1 Mae doll on my cutting table.
I too like to cut out my fabric and get everything ready for sewing ahead of time. I find that if I break my projects up in this way I enjoy the process more. I would love to have your tumbler quilt pattern. I made my first lap quilt pieced top last weekend and would like to make maybe 4 or 5 more before I start the quilting process. I want to give these a gifts for Christmas next year. I’m thinking ahead. Good for me!!!
Finally figured this out how to post to enter the give away from Canton Village Quilt Works. I love the entire website. I have been getting the newsletter that I love especially because it tells what the weekly sales are.And they are good. The quality of her fabrics are the best. My favorite fabrics on the site are the Australian ones right now although the ones in the giveway are gorgeous and I really could use them as I need to make a baby quilt soon. Wouldn’t those colors be a good choice for baby to focus on and try to reach for! Happy Quilting and Jackie says “HI”.
Donna
Gorgeous, gorgeious colors and love the tumbling blocks pattern. I love contemporary fabrics and looks like you do too. I’m new to your website and like the recipes I have seen on your site. jackie says Hi!
Donna
I love the idea of your ‘on the cutting table’ posts! How fun to share a sneak peak of what you are currently working on. That piping is FABULOUS, and i might need to get some of that Kate Spain fabric…love!
I like the cutting when I can pair the fabrics and first put side by side the cut pieces and have a clue if I found out good or missed the idea. BTW, I used to cut more projects too.
I love the vibrant colors you use, this time my favourites are the Rubys, sooo eye-catching color-scheme. :o)
Just became a follower! 🙂
I like to have a lot of cutting done at once too. makes it more fun to be able to sit at the sewing machine and create without having to cut out first!
Oh.My.Adorable. Absolutely LOVE the piping on that project. Wow, I just found your blog and so glad I did!