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Summer Fun Sewing

After tree removal, stump grinding, shrub trimming and garden mulching I can finally concentrate on SEWING again!  Summer is in full swing and the retail stores are gathering their pumpkins and I'm in the midst of summer sewing.  I know school will start next month but I just can't seem to get in sync with their seasons.   Come on!  When it is pushing 90 degrees I am not thinking about turkey and stuffing!!   I'm thinking about flowers, beaches and pools, watermelon and lemonade.

I had a great time and became inspired on my trip over to Birmingham, Alabama the end of May to join 1500 other similarly obsessed women who enjoy appliqué and embroidery at the Everything Applique Conference.  I especially enjoyed visiting the vendors and getting great deals on fun fabric.
Fat Quarters from TJ Fabrics in Alabama

Really, how adorable are all of these?  Of course I had to own the polka dot fabric to live up to my name and the chevron, well you just can't seem to get your hands on that because it sells out immediately.  I have to confess I am seriously addicted to fabric.  I'd seek help but I don't want to.

So, immediately inspired by the beautiful colors I created some gifts for Mother's Day, birthdays, thank you's and a couple of "just because" for grandchildren.  Mom got a monogram towel along with a violet pashmina.  The grandchildren I made some crayon rolls and some fun practice shirts for soccer.

Crayon Roll

A dark fabric inside is prudent to keep color off the fabric


The crayon roll is made completely in "In The Hoop" and is quick and easy with a free download from Digistitches.  Grosgrain ribbon helps reinforce the edge and the butterfly bow is sewn on as suggested by the digitizer so that a little one, not yet able to tie a bow, can close the roll all by themselves with the attached velcro.  I also added iron on fleece as a liner to offer a bit more padding for the crayons.  Nothing worse than having a broken one -  it just ruins the whole set!  I think these will be handy to take along in the car or for mom to tuck in her bag.  Fun and fast.  My kind of project.



The chevron is just perfect on a sweet summer lemonade appliqué.  I purchased this design on Etsy.  Light and fun these towels I found at Jo Ann Fabrics.  Not visible in the picture both towels have a bit of sparkle in them.  So darn cute I must keep one for myself.


Adding a bit of dimension to designs

Also with some sparkle is this merry little mermaid with a corker ribbon pony tail sewn in.  I'm told washing will not cause the ribbon to go flat although I have not tested it myself. 

Framed embroidery for Mom


With dozens more summer designs I'll do my best to get things posted before it really is Autumn as I have this stack of fab fabric I bought last weekend!



I really could not help myself, it was $2 for each remnant all a yard or over.  Zipper case or monogrammed pillow cover anyone?




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