by Sherri Sylvester | Jan 8, 2018
Good 2018 to you!
This new year brings in some extra-frigid weather and a curated black and white bundle for my sponsor Fabric Spark‘s Monthly Sparks fabric subscription. Combining some favorite white and cream backgrounds with great black accents was so rewarding. I feel like it screams at you to get creative!
Why did I choose a black and white bundle when the weather outside is causing enough grayness of it’s own? (There is a reason for my madness!)
I think a good black and white bundle is (as said above) a fun base for a creative sewing experience. And I really hope that everyone subscribing to this bundle thinks so too. There are so many directions you can go with it! I wholeheartedly agree with Fabric Spark’s written note – the bundle says:
It’s a great mix that you can use as is, or add a single colour to. Wouldn’t it be fun with yellow, or lime green. You can add a number of clear bright solids too, even the whole rainbow.
I’ve recently seen white a few quilts with low volume or gray-tone backgrounds and I’d love to do the same thing with a black and white bundle. Separating out the mostly-blacks and mostly-whites and creating blocks with bits of colours in the corners. (Like this one – except with the blocks of colour turned toward each other to create a square.)
I also love this plus quilt. Found while perusing #plusquilt (so addictive!) for ideas to use on one I recently made. And this quilt by Johanna Masko is absolutely gorgeous! The dresden plates are set off perfectly in her low volume background.
I must admit I do have a bit selfish reason for the bundle as well. I’ve been saving up quite a few grays, black and whites and rainbow bundles from Fabric Spark to make some kind of rainbow quilt. I put them together this morning and *POUF* (See below!) perfect quilt. You know, for when I finish the other 5 quilts I’ve got half made… (problem? what problem?!)
You can get more bundles like this from Fabric Spark every month by signing up for one of their 4 fabric subscriptions. Check them (and a lovely set of curated fabric) out on the Fabric Spark website, or visit them in person at their shop in Toronto.
by Sherri Sylvester | Sep 1, 2017
Hi! I’m popping in to let you know that my block is out this month (September already!) in the Canadian Sampler, a block of the month from my sponsor, Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.
I went through lots of scraps creating this block, and my final test ended up being in Cotton and Steel Mustangs. It was my first time fussy cutting a block and I love how the horses gallop in a circle! (Don’t mind the strange-looking bent horses at the sides, lol!) I also made the final “proper” red and white one to send to Sew Sister’s with the pattern, and it’s great how different they look next to each other. I can’t wait to see what everyone else will do with it.
We are almost at the end of the sampler and mine is coming along, slowly but surely. I’ve got 8 out of 20 blocks finished and 3 more cut and ready to sew. This might not seem like an accomplishment – especially when I now have patterns for 18 blocks… but it’s my first sampler and I’m thrilled! I wrote about the first two blocks and you can see the other’s I’ve made so far on Instagram. Oh, and there’s more in my intro post from last year as well – including links to all of the designers.
Sew Sisters has written a bit about each designer on their blog, so you can find more about this month’s block designers there as well. I’ve enjoyed learning the history and reason for each block design, as well as sewing them up!
If you are in North America, I hope you enjoy the upcoming long weekend!
See you again soon,
Sherri
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 3, 2017
Little did I know, when I was oohing and awing over Heather Bailey’s ‘Hello Love’ collection last fall, that I’d get to put together a bundle based on it. Woohoo! Watch out folks – it’s a bright, summery one…
Fabric Spark provided me with this fat quarter bundle and sponsors this blog. My opinions are always my own. Thank you for reading!
Fabric Spark and I go waaaaaay back, lol. They were the first sponsor of this blog and the first to ask me to curate a bundle as well! #bonuspoints
This time they asked if I would choose this month’s Monthly Sparks subscription bundle. These bundles are put together by bloggers and sewists from around the web – and lots of my favorite bloggers are on the list! #fangirl
You can find five unique Monthly Subscriptions at Fabric Spark! It’s so fun to get fabric in your mailbox every month – You can choose to receive any (or all!) of the following options:
It’s always fun to peruse an entire shop’s collection and choose a few fabrics that might go together. But, how do you ever decide?! Usually, I end up finding a fun print to start with and go from there. This time around it was Heather Bailey’s ‘Octopus’s Garden’ in coral. It’s great because it has lots of pinks, reds, purples and a lovely mustard yellow. These inspired filling the bundle with blenders to match.
I tend to make a quilt from each Fabric Spark bundle I’ve curated. So far I’ve started an Hourglass Quilt, am using one for my Sewcial Bee Sampler and recently finished this Trip around the World inspired quilt.
Do you have a favorite quilt pattern that uses roughly 12 fat quarters? I can’t choose between all the one’s I’ve pinned on my (apltly named) “Quilts I Might Make” inspiration board!
Speaking of quilts – Fabric Spark will be at Quilt Canada, coming up June 14-17 in Toronto. Come meet them up close and in person – and pick up a few fabrics you need too. #buyallthethings I’m hoping to be able to get there on the 17th, cross your fingers I can bring the girls with me!
Thanks for visiting. See you again soon ~ Sherri
P.S. About halfway through photographing this bundle I realized it matched my kids’ colouring bucket and spent an inordinate amount of time trying to photograph both it and the bundle. And yes, the kids do keep them in rainbow order!
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 28, 2017
I am so thrilled today to let you know that I’m starting my first “real” workshop series in March! I have loved the other two one-time workshops I taught, it’s lovely to chat and talk with other sewers as we create things together. It seems that everyone has had a good time too!
Canadian online fabric shops Country Clothesline and Fabric Spark teamed up last year to open a brick-and-mortar shop in downtown Toronto. It’s a bright and airy space filled with (of course) gorgeous fabrics and fun notions.
I wrote last year about finding my passion where I didn’t expect it, and I’ve found that teaching is one of the things I hope to do more of. The fact that these lovely ladies asked me to teach is so good and I could not be happier!
You can join us for their Learn to Sew Series, specifically “Sewing for your Kids” class for 4 Thursday nights from March 23 to April 13, 2017. Find out more and sign up online here or here, or visit their shop for more details.
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten my farther-away friends! I will be releasing PDF patterns for each of the 4 projects here on the blog over the next few months. They are all beginner-friendly patterns, specifically designed to increase your sewing knowledge while being perfect gifts for your kids or grandkids (and yourself!)
If you want a laugh, check out this video we took of my youngest during our photo shoot. It was a little chilly!
Here are the 4 projects you’ll be making and what you’ll learn:
Pencil Case (or Sewing Pouch!)
Insert your first zipper into this fully lined and finished pouch. Plus, learn how to sew a French seam.
Fabric: Keely by Alexander Henry, Aunt Ruthie’s Dots on Blue
Child’s Apron (multi-size pattern!)
Finish this simple apron with a neck and hem facing, easy straps and a customizable pocket with tidy edge-stitching.
Fabric: Raindrop Cicada Song, Braidy in Teal
Child’s Throw Blanket
This whole-cloth blanket is flannel backed and omits any batting for the perfect spring/summer weight. Learn to create self-bound mitered corners and how to hand tie a quilt for an easy (and quick) finish.
Fabric: Sew Cherry 2 Red Daisy, Mammoth Flannel in Red
Tote Bag (for You!)
Create a tote bag with boxed corners and curved edges. Find out how to use fusible stabilizers and interfacing to make a stable bag, plus insert a lining to finish it off.
Fabric: Talking Heads, Theory of Aviation Denim Newsprint
I would love to see you there! Let me know if there is anything else you’d love to learn at a workshop.
by Sherri Sylvester | Dec 13, 2016
What do you think of my new workwear?! Great, right? *Kidding* (of course), but that’s what I feel like they should be! I’ve been wearing these lounge/pajama pants every day since I finished them. This flannel is hands-down the coziest and warmest fabric I have ever had the pleasure of sewing with.
After school today I was out shopping for stocking stuffers with my kids. It is finally acting like winter around here, we even got about 5″ of heavy snow recently! Dark had settled in when we got home and we were all feeling a bit chilled. I went upstairs to change into my new pajama pants, and (I kid you not) I was warmed up in minutes. They really are as fluffy and thick as the photos look. My oldest is asking for her own now!
Sylvia from Country Clothesline and I worked together to bring you this new tutorial today. Adding cuffs to a pair of pants is a quick and simple project. Dress up your handmade pajama pants or add cuffs to a ready-made pair!
This fabric sells out fast! But you can find links to all of these re-stocked Mammoth Flannels below, available as of today. They are 100% cotton, yarn-dyed and double napped + it’s so soft to wear and washes up beautifully. I almost think I should have made a full-body onesie complete with feet and a hood – I’d never be cold again!
Sylvia’s usual selection of fresh and pretty fabrics also provided the contrasting cuff. It was so hard to choose from the three she sent over. After a ton of consideration, the paisley won out.
Country Clothesline Shop News
- All the Christmas fabric is now 40% off while it lasts and in store.
- Just in time for Christmas gifting – Gift Cards are available! Purchase and use them at the 471 Coburn shop in Toronto.
I’m also super pleased to say that I’ll be teaching classes at the Country Clothesline and Fabric Spark’s Toronto brick & mortar location in the New Year. Can’t wait to meet more of you, lovely readers!
DIY Pant Cuff Sewing Tutorial
These cuffs are a great contrasting addition to make a simple pair of pants more special. They use about a 1/4 yard of fabric, so you can probably even make them from a fat quarter!
This tutorial will make cuffs for any size you need. I used my favorite Ladies’ Harem & Lounge Pants pattern for the pants. This is my third pair – it’s great to have a well-fitting go-to pattern!
- Pre-wash and sew your pants according to the pattern, omitting the leg hem. (Or add cuffs to a ready-made pair.) Try the pants on and mark your desired length. Add 1/2″ for cuff seam and cut off the excess.
- Calculate your cuff size. Cut 2.
- Cuff Height = Double your desired height + 1″ for seam allowances
- Cuff Width = Double the Pant Leg Width + 1″ for seam allowances
- Place each cuff RST, matching the short side seam. Stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Overedge stitch, zig-zag or use pinking shears to finish the raw edges.
- Turn and fold the cuff so the wrong sides are together and raw edges are matching, press. This will create a tube.
- With the pants inside out, place the tube over the leg opening, match the raw edges and pin. The cuff seam should line up with the inner leg seam on the pants.
- Stitch the raw edges with a 1/2″ seam. Overedge stitch, zig-zag or use pinking shears to finish the raw edges.
- Turn the pants right side out. Press the cuff seam allowance toward the pants.
- Fold the cuff up along the seam line and press.
- Tack the cuffs into place with a few stitches along each side seam to keep them in place.
- Press well. Done!
Enjoy your new pants!
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I’d love to see your project! You can share your project on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links below) using the hashtags #alongforthreadride and/or #threadridinghood. Thank you!
This is a sponsored post. All content, opinions, and ideas are my own.
by Sherri Sylvester | May 10, 2016
Be Brave and Sew – a Trunk Show
This year’s Creativ Festival was definitely a different experience. I met with some new amazing shop owners, connected with new friends, met online friends in person and talked to old ones too. (Including Among Brenda’s Quilts and Bags who is providing a giveaway & discount today!)
I realized as I’m pulling photos together, that I didn’t manage very well in all the busyness to take a variety of photos. Unfortunately, most of these are from sponsor booths – something I plan to change at the Fall show! That said, I love my sponsors and have linked the photos to their shops so you can find all the fun stuff in the pictures. This post is an amazing list of great Canadian online resources!
Starting at the beginning…. I went to the show early on Thursday to deliver lots of samples and set my things with Janome. The “Quick on the Draw” Isogram mini-quilt went to Fabric Spark and the original Pretty Floral Divided Tote to Country Clothesline. My girls were thrilled that their tulle Easter Dresses were on display. And I am still so excited that I got to have my Sewing Diariessamples hung up at Janome as well. They even made me posters! *blush*
Friday was a whirlwind for sure, and I mostly concentrated on my Trunk Show and talking to lots of amazing sewers at the Janome booth afterwards. My sponsors provided some amazing prizes for both trunk shows – flannel fat quarter bundles from Fabric Please!, a Herringbone Runner kit from Fabric Spark, a calendar from Meerkat Shweshwe, fat quarter bundles from Country Clothesline and a lovely Carkai bundle from Sew Sisters. I got to give away so much fabric! Totally made my day 🙂
Pretty things from Country Clothesline.
Leanne from Country Clothesline.
Saturday was even more eventful. After the Trunk Show I was excited to get to walk around and actually shop! (My new stash is in this post.) I was thrilled to meet some of my online friends from various Facebook groups. Rachelle from That’s Sew Venice, Michelle Tims from Barabooboo Designs and the amazing Carla from Carla’s Creations.
I got to talk to Berene from Happy Sew Lucky briefly on Friday as well. She designed the amazing Rainbow Mash-Up Quilt below. Isn’t it gorgeous! You can get kits for it here. Monica from Earth Indigo and I met to chat as well. She has a new online shop with eco-friendly and ethical fabrics – some great jerseys (stripes!) and heirloom gorgeous fabrics!
Rainbow Mash-Up Quilt by Happy Sew Lucky. Kits from Fabric Spark.
Gorgeous variety of fat quarters from Fabric Spark!
I wanted to mention two “new-to-me” online Canadian shops as well. Catherine from Distinctive Sewing Supplies has an huge apparel stock, including lots of notions. I got to see some of her presentation on Saturday with the kids, which was fun! I was also introduced to Alma from Sew Fancy – Specialty Sewing Supplies. She gave me a tour of her shop and there are so many amazing unique products there! I can’t even begin to list them here, but once things settle down I’m going to have to go find some of her one-piece Velcro.
I couldn’t resist a photo of these rainbowtized solids from Fabric Please!
Whew… I also got to run around a bit with my kids, and let them choose fabric for some new dresses. They had fun checking out the booths and talking to everyone. Plus, it didn’t hurt that we got them the obligatory giant lemonade and ice cream cone of course!
I love that they can be involved in what I’m doing and they are so cute when they get excited that Mommy is “famous” because I’m in posters. Kids are awesome! It’s fun to show them hobbies other people have as well. Hopefully inspiring them to be all kinds of creative.
Towards the end of the show, I connected with Brenda from Among Brenda’s Quilts and Bags. She provided a giveaway here a few years ago and I’m excited to have her back! Here’s a little bit about this giveaway:
Every year at CreativFestival Brenda has numerous people ask to buy bag samples. It’s taken some time, but she has begun manufacturing her own unique line of bags. Today’s giveaway bag is called the Ellipse Bag. But of course, if you love making your own bags, she carries all the patterns, hardware kits and things needed to sew your own. Brenda loves to sew and knows that you do too!
As a thank you Brenda is offering 15% off on all purchases till May 15th. Use coupon code ILOVEBAGS! when you check out.
This giveaway is open to readers from the US and Canada! From today (May 10th) until midnight May 16th, 2016. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter”, no social media login entry too! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Since the Fall Creativ Festival is moving from downtown Toronto to the International Centre, I am curious to see how it affects the show and how it will be different or the same. Either way, I will be there and hope to see you there too!
