Simple Apron

This Christmas season I've made some bib style aprons from Lotta's book (which would also make a great gift for the sewer on your list!). They are reversible and have a nice modern cut to them. There's something about the neckline that I really like. And I just have to say that that fabric above is my all time favourite. It has the most beautiful flower shapes and the colours are unbelievable. It's Anna Maria Horner's design and if you haven't seen her fabric, needlework, blog, etc. you really should hop over there to be amazed and inspired! I'm getting a slow start to my Christmas making and am trying not to think of the to do list or I'll start to hyperventilate. I'm just trying to "do" the work and worry about the calendar later, like the night before the Lingonberry! November 25th I will be joining some talented arts and crafts folks at the Chocolate Claim for my first Lingonberry craft fair. Please come by and get first picks of aprons, bags, belts and new clutches! Previews coming soon I hope - GULP!

Quilty Pants go Brick and Mortar!

Quilty Pants 2012, a set on Flickr.

The lovely and talented owner of Angellina's Toy and Children's Boutique in downtown Whitehorse asked if I would consider selling Quilty Pants from her shop. Ms. B does such a lovely job of sourcing her products and styling her shop that it was hard to say no to be included with such a fine selection of children's and baby's things. This marks my first foray into the world of wholesale pricing and making and there was a bit of a learning curve, but a happy one. While cranking out 30 pairs (60 legs, oh wait, they're also flannel lined, make that 120 legs!!) seemed a bit off putting, and I really wondered if it would spell the end of my love for these little pants, they are just too cute, soft, warm and durable for me to quit just yet! I've been making these pants for at least 6 years, I think, and they are one of my first made-and-designed-by-me items of which I'm pretty proud. The feedback from Moms over the years has been so important too - one Mom said her little guy won't wear anything but his overalls and quilty pants! I've made 3 sizes for Angellina's, 6 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months. I have made them in sizes 2, 3 and 4 in the past but I've decided this year that folks can special order those sizes if they would like them. Angellina's is expanding their locally made products and there are some really sweet handmade hats, play masks and baby accessories down there right now - stop by and take a look!

First Time Ever - Market Bags at the Chocolate Claim!

You may have heard the news, Good Karma Eco Shop has closed it's doors (to be able to spend more QT with their lovely daughter). You can still get in touch with them on facebook and their website and at the Thursday Fireweed Community Market til September. Meanwhile, I've put my Market Bags and Flat Totes in at the Chocolate Claim and they're going fast! I just have a little shelf there so I haven't tried bags before.They do require some fancy folding to fit so hopefully everyone will be kind and keep it neat while browsing! Hint hint!

More Market Elephants

I had a request for a Market Elephant, I made 2 so B would have a choice of colours. He ended up taking both! I was a bit surprised and sad as I was really looking forward to hanging out with one of them for a while... they turned out so cute and Spring-like! They are now off to entertain 2 new babies, in 2 different towns, each baby named Ella! How perfect. So I will survive and I wish them well in their new situations, I'm sure they will do well!

2 New A-line Skirts, made to order.

A very patient friend put in an order for 3 A-line skirts for work. She picked the fabric and I made them up. Unfortunately the Christmas Craft Rush interfered and the skirts were delayed terribly. I'm hoping (!) to turn over a new leaf and try to do orders right away instead of allowing them to get derailed by other projects. Wish me luck! The first one I did manage to get out to J before Christmas, a stunning teal corduroy, thin wale, by Robert Kaufman I think, with a bit of stretch. Lovely for a skirt and so vibrant. These 2 are a quilting cotton, Modern Martini by Amy Butler and Rashida Coleman-Hale's linen/cotton blend of a lovely graphic pattern called I Heart Wavy Lines. All terrific picks for the versatile a-line. If you are wondering whether I take orders I do but for now it's A-line skirts only and we're off on holiday soon so I can take orders but they can't be filled until the end of March/early April. I'm really not that reliable ;o)

43 Pairs and Counting!

Click on the photo to see the rest of this year's Quilty Pants on Flickr. Frantically getting ready for tomorrow's swap and must go for a run - bye!

Matchy-Matchy

Another a-line skirt! These are a very quick skirt to make and a nice staple to the wardrobe. 2 twirly girl skirts accompanied mama's a-line and all 3 girls were very excited to dress matchy-matchy! I've recently made some twirly girls with a corduroy top layer, cotton under-layer that look like so much fun to wear - while being a bit warmer too! Twirly Girl skirts will be available this Saturday at the KidzSwap Meet. Stay tuned for photos!

My nephew's quilty pants - how cute?!

My sister in law has been an avid supporter and purchaser of my quilty pants and it was with great guilt that I FINALLY managed to give her lovely son a pair - he was almost one for goodness sakes! He really should have had a pair for everyday of the week starting at 6 months! But, now he is wearing them with great style, which I think he gets from both his mom and dad! My excuse for being late was that I wanted to make them with that super cute mini zoo fabric, even though I could have given a pair out of my supply, I really wanted to make a pair just for him - to match his zoo room! Thanks for the photo N - she is also a talented photographer!

7 Pairs of Room Shoes

These little room shoes or house shoes are based on a Japanese pattern and tradition. For indoor wear, they are really fun and kind of like dress-up shoes for around the house! Finishing them all almost lead me to cancel the Trunk Show but I made it, they're done and ready to go! And I probably won't be making them again...!

Can you tell what these are?

Another big batch of somethings for the Trunk Show - stylish Bike Cuffs, for saving your stylish flare jeans while riding around town! Fastened with velcro they've been working great for me for the past year. Come get them on Sunday at the Chocolate Claim - 10am til 4pm!

Polka Dots

This is a new Ticker Tape quilt for this weekend's Kidz Swapmeet at Whitehorse Elementary School! All polka dots. Intended for a child's room, but this one could go just about anywhere!

Hope for Japan Fundraiser at Yukon College.

Hello we are back. This was a last minute idea but I sometimes buy lovely cottons and linen fabric and pattern books from Japan (here and here and here if you would like to help them out) and managed to make a few items with these fabrics for the Hope for Japan fundraiser at Yukon College Friday April 8th. 2 lovely belts, two Zippy coin purses and one Flat Tote will be available for you to bid on if you attend the silent auction. I don't have to say what a good cause this is do I?

Market Bag Fun

I’ve officially overdone the sewing as my wrist is inflamed from cranking the wheel on my machine to raise and lower the needle so much and lifting my iron! Last night I did 11 belts in one sitting, I think that’s a record! I’m really looking forward to tomorrow – even though there are about 8 things I still want to make and 2 batches of cookies!

The Cafe Apron - in lovely organic cotton canvas!

At long last, I will have more than 3 aprons for sale at the Littlest! No one else may have noticed but I've never managed to make more than a few of these lovely Cafe-style aprons as they tend to be last on the list and/or IKEA discontinued the fabric I used to use for them. This year, since I found a lovely organic cotton canvas, I have a stack - 12 to be precise - in grey, taupe and 2 in natural. I'm really pleased with this apron, it's my own design, and some folks even wear it around the house, over their ski pants, so I'm told! You will feel very stylish and like you can pull off an amazing meal in minutes without messing your hair-do when you wear this, or maybe you can already do that in the kitchen! Also a great style for the gourmet men in our lives. I hope you like yours as much as I love mine!

Women's Long Sleeve Hoodies for the Littlest

I've made a small stack of one-of-a-kind embroidered birds on fabric paint-stamped birdcages. They're all black, women's (sorry guys!), American Apparel (because they're made in USA), long sleeve hoodies. I've been test driving mine since the spring and I'd wear it every day if I could, it's that comfy and washes well to boot. If you'd like one or like to see them just let me know or come next Saturday to 17 Arnheim for the 12th Annual Littlest Arts and Craft Fair - the best one in town in my opinion! There's my sales pitch for the day - stay tuned for more. The next big news is that, after a dry spell of not finding just the right kind of apron fabric since IKEA discontinued my favourite linen/cotton blend, I will finally have Cafe Aprons again! Hooray!

Sneak Peek No. 10 - Batch of Quilty Bags

Sneak Peek No. 9 - Littlest Onesie

Sneak Peek No. 8 - Quilty Pants 12-18 months

The famous flannel lined baby pants, available in sizes 6 months to 24 months. Please note that waistband adjustments are free since those baby bellies come in so many sizes!

Sneak Peek No. 6 - Littlest Hats

Baby toques by American Apparel and me.

Sneak Peek No. 5 - Ticker Tape Wall Quilt in Pinks