 I'm happy to announce I'm teaching sewing classes at Fabric Land in Orange! Classes are for kids and adults and for sewers of all skill levels. So if you've been sewing for a while or you don't know how to turn on a sewing machine, come by and take a class....I'd love to see you. You can visit the store website or contact me for more info.
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 I'm excited to announce the Creative Sewing Challenge with Blue Dot Patterns. Melissa, of Mahlicadesigns, is hosting the challenge and we've asked some amazing sewists to let their creativity flow with any Blue Dot Pattern of their choosing. Melissa will be featuring these creative projects on her blog over the next few weeks.
Please visit our creative sewists to learn more about them and maybe get a sneak peek of their projects. I've taken a look at a few of the projects and they are brilliant! Check them out:
Have a happy day!  I would imagine there are many of you out there that feel the same way I do about taking blog photos, it's tough. There are plenty of blog articles out there about how to make your photos better but the truth for me is it's still the toughest part of blogging. There's nothing worse than trying to pose for photos (I have exactly two "go to" poses) except maybe looking at photos of myself. But all that self consciousness aside, it has to be done because sewers need to see how garments look on a real person whether or not it's a good hair day, right? Typically, I pick on whoever is near and has time to get a picture of the newest thing I've made. The usual victim, I'm sorry for him, is my husband. Patiently he'll follow me around while I look for the "best light" and then on cue he'll snap away. In between shots I'll ask him if my shirt is wrinkled or if he "can see the detail" and usually I get a glazed over look that reads "I don't know what she's saying and I hope we'll be done before the hockey game starts." Truthfully though, no matter what the photographer does and no matter how good the pictures are, I'm not happy with any pictures of myself. And when you're the photographer, you can take it personally (sorry honey).  iPhone mount on my tripod. But I'm hear to share with you some sewing blogger marital advice that's taken me quite a while to figure out. Forget expensive counseling or self help books, the key to a better and more loving marriage is a iPhone tripod adapter, shutter release and a tripod.  Chopped off head photo (I'm learning) Last week I ordered this iPhone tripod adapter with a bluetooth shutter release (about $20 on Amazon) and started using it. I attached the iPhone to my husband's tripod, synced the shutter to my phone (it took all of 30 seconds, no app needed), headed out to my favorite spot and took my own pictures. It felt like freedom. Honestly, the photos weren't great (chopped off head and low light) and I've got a lot to learn but I feel like it could be the start of something good. I can take my time and not feel bad for taking someone's time or being picky.  I like this one. Little bit better light and head in tact. Anyone else out there take their own photos? Any good pointers?
 If I had a dime for every time I went in my closet, pulled out something cute and said to myself "I love this but I have nothing to wear it with" I'd be a wealthy woman. Okay, well maybe not wealthy but I sure would have more money to buy more fabric. So I've decided to pair up one of these "lonely" items with a handmade one and bring it out of the closet.  Typically I go for the same practical handbag in a neutral color (and yes, usually it desperately needs to be cleaned out) but a colorful bag that's a little impractical can sure make me feel like a girl. This modified "hobo" bag made from super soft mauve leather and silver hardware is one such bag. As lovely as it is, it's been sitting on my closet shelf for quite some time.  When I found this beautiful Liberty of London silk at Fabricland, my local fabric store, I heard angels sing. I decided to splurge and as it turns out, this fabric is perfect for my bag. That's a win, win.  I used View B of the Margo Blouse pattern in a size medium. I made the pattern with no changes (shocking, I know) and finished it with 3 vintage buttons that I had in my stash. This blouse has turned out to be really versatile for me. It looks casual with jeans but I also wear it tucked into a navy skirt and it looks very "business-y" for work. Throw on my mauve bag and I look like I know what I'm doing  I have a few other "nothing to wear it with" pieces in my closet. Which one should I tackle next?   A couple of months back, my husband and I went with our dear friends to Healdsburg to cheer our friend on as he competed in the annual "Vineman", an Ironman race set in the beauty of the California wine country. Now I realize this trip wasn't about me since we went to offer race support to our friend during his long day of swimming, cycling and running but, I was able to eat some amazing food, enjoy the sun in the wine country and...hit a fabric store. Oh yeah!  Healdsburg winery with a croquet field. I visited Fabrications in darling downtown Healdsburg and picked up a couple of woven stripes including this blue one. I want to say it's a Kaffe Fassett (but I could be lying) uneven stripe that's dreamy soft. They only had 1 1/4 yards but I picked it up anyway. I decided to sew it up this week in a skirt for my daughter. Shhhh....it's a surprise.  I couldn't find a pattern so I decided to make a skirt similar to one she had on the last time she came home from college. It's a slight aline skirt with pockets and wide waistband with elastic, belt loops and a self tie.  The skirt looked a little boxy when I finished it so I added a shirttail hem using my Sewaholic Granville shirt pattern as a loose guide. The pattern was still sitting on my cutting table from using it last week. It worked out great!  I hope she likes it! A couple of pics from an early morning breakfast in Healdsburg with my favorite guy! Healdsburg is a beautiful place and I didn't even know it was there. Have any of you been there? Try not to miss it!   |
About MeHi! I'm Diane, a wife, mom, sewing teacher and pattern designer from sunny Southern California. I share my sewing adventures here on the Blue Dot Blog formerly Gatorbunnysews. For more info click here. 
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