Press wrinkles out of linen easily!
Posted on 23. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
There’s nothing like photo flood lights to show every little wrinkle in fabric—especially linen! Even with lots of steam, pressing wrinkles out of fabric can be a challenge. I discovered this incredibly simple solution last summer when I tried in vain (8 times) to press out stubborn wrinkles from a linen skirt that was being photographed for my upcoming book. All of a sudden the lightbulb when on(!) when I spied a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser (that I hardly ever used) in my laundry cabinet. It’s great for smoothing out wrinkles from casual golf shirts, etc. without using an iron, but it’s fantastic for hard to iron fabrics. Just spritz it on your garment and press as usual. Using a press cloth is always a good idea to prevent fabric shine.
When I travel for sewing events, I pack a bottle of Wrinkle Releaser to touch up garments in my trunk show. It smells good and is a huge time-saver too.
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Handweavers’ Guild of CT and a Peek at Template Set 3!
Posted on 21. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Many thanks to the Handweavers’ Guild of CT for inviting me to speak (and for a yummy lunch) at their January meeting. It was a very snowy Saturday in Connecticut and I was amazed at how many members ventured out from across the state. Sewers and weavers are brave folk!
You’ll get a preview of my newest Template Set 3. It will be ready for the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA March 1 – 4.
I got to view some of their beautiful creations during the “show and tell” portion of the meeting and wanted to share the pictures with you. Enjoy—I did.
Many thanks to my Book Club buddy Diane for taking the picture of me.
Embellishment inspiration is everywhere!
Posted on 11. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
I’ve had this styrofoam takeout container (from a restaurant) for months and just unearthed it. (I did wash it:-) Thought that the embossed design on the top was an interesting composition and something that might be incorporated into an embellishment on a skirt or jacket. It has a Frank Lloyd Wright vibe—maybe the box designer is a fan of Wright’s windows. I am. If I use it as a surface design element on a future project, will let you know and post a picture.
In the meantime, check out unusual places and objects for cool ideas—you never know where your next great idea will come from!
Downton Abbey goes Green with Recycling
Posted on 05. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Sunday night, January 8th, is the debut of Season 2 of PBS Masterpiece series Downton Abbey.
Found an interesting article about the costumes used in the Downton Abbey. It’s full of info about which costumes were recycled from other movies and who wore them originally. It also talks about the how clothing changed with the onset of WWI—ankles became visible, corsets were loosened or eliminated and styles were simpler.
Loved Season 1 so much that I’ve re-watched it on DVD too many times to count. So pour a glass of wine, loosen your Spanx(!), check your local listings for times and enjoy—I know I will!
Fashion 150 Years:Couturiers Designers Labels
Posted on 04. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Today is my birthday and my husband gave me a fantastic gift—a book, Fashion 150 Years Couturiers, Designers, Labels by Charlotte Seeling. It’s chock-a-block full of gorgeous color and black and white photographs—a feast for the eyes. So in-between working on my upcoming book, (a soon-to-be feast for the eyes:-)!) and a new Template Set, I’ll sneak in a few minutes to relax and look through it. Hope your January 4th is as beautiful and inspiring as mine—happy 4th day of 2012!
Slipper Genies—Genius!
Posted on 03. Jan, 2012 by gail in Blog
Happy New Year Everyone! My sister Judy and her husband visited us over the holidays and for a hostess gift she gave me a pair of these cool Slipper Genies. They’re slippers that have microfiber “mops” attached to the soles with Velcro. So when you walk around your house, you can actually get some cleaning done at the same time. And when they get dirty, pull them away from the slippers and toss them into the wash. How cool is that? Have already tried them and they work great for picking up dog hair and dust on hardwood floors and tile.
Santa—variations on the man
Posted on 18. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
My husband decided to gather as many of our Santa collection as would fit on the mantle together for a decorating change of pace this holiday season. Looking at each one, it struck me how many different interpretations of Santa there are, but almost all have certain characteristics. Boots, hat, a white beard and aged persona are familiar characteristics of the “jolly old man”.
Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope you have a season filled with love, friendship, fellowship and family and a healthy, fulfilling 2012. Peace on Earth to all.
Collage It! Minnesota style update
Posted on 15. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
Bonnie Bosma teaches classes in SE Minnesota and for a schedule of her classes please contact her at:
Collage It! Minnesota style
Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
Hi everyone,
Am busy decorating the house for a holiday party we’re hosting Friday evening—nothing like waiting ’til the last minute. But that keeps the challenge in the whole event! The tree looks beautiful—love lowering the lights and letting the tree glow. A few more trips to the basement to dig out the rest of the decorations…it’s always a race to the finish line.
Just chatted with Bonnie in Minnesota. She teaches quilting and sewing classes and plans to teach Collage It! in an upcoming class. She made her jacket with felted sweaters and Template Set 1. The color combo and composition are wonderful and I wanted to share pictures with you. Felted wool sweaters feel pretty cozy at this time of year in Minnesota!
Thanks for the photos of your jacket, Bonnie! It’s beautiful. As soon as Bonnie sends info on her classes, I’ll post it.
Recycling sweatshirts
Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by gail in Blog
Hi everyone.
You haven’t heard from me in a while. Sorry. Finally had a chance to visit my favorite source for recycling sweaters and sweatshirts–The Salvation Army Store. It’s just a few miles from my home, but it seems like it’s been ages since my last visit. Am working on a new Template Set (very exciting) design and have been thinking about a totally different color palette. And instead of geometric shapes, this one will be curvier. Love the water tones–seafoam, deeper greens, shades of purple and blues. Picked up a bunch of sweatshirts that were in good shape, washed and dried them. Almost threw out a couple of drawstrings, but retrieved them from the wastebasket just in case I decide to weave them into the finished jacket.
Will keep you posted on my progress and let you know when the new Template Set 3 is ready. But in the meantime, here’s the “Before” shot and you can see the drawstrings.
Off to find apron fabric for 3 nieces’ holiday presents! Will post those soon! Happy Sewing and enjoy the holiday season.
Will also post upcoming 2012 events on my homepage in a few days.
