Inspiration Day in Hood River

Yesterday, my quilting buddies, Sue and Gail, and I drove out to Hood River to go to the Columbia Center for the Arts. It is hosting a wonderful show featuring some local Fiber Artists. Fiber Arts Now is the show and is up till May 2. Wonderful show. As we looked over the show Hilde Morin, one of the artists was there taking a class from Trisha Hassler, another fabulous fiber artist in the show. I was so glad to meet Tirsha and hope to take one of her classes myself. Her juxtaposition of fabric and metal are incredible. The felt work in the show was wonderful as well, Laura Berman and Pat Sparks.
it was a fun day walking around Hood River. Yarn shopping, Bead shopping and quilt shopping all in town as well as other fun home stores. We were all inspired. I came home, popped in Julie/Julia and worked on my purse panels. I like the way it is coming out.
Today I am cleaning the studio and getting ready to long arm an old quilt I just want to get done. I don't want to give up on it. I have a class and fabric invested into it and think it will look good on our bed after we paint our bedroom light creamy yellow. I will work on the border this week. One down three to go on the long arm quilting.

New tops for Spring

Well I have been busy with my new job but still finding a little time to work in the studio. I have made two new tops from an old pattern I re-fit. It is from almost 15 years ago when I was working in San Francisco. As I was cleaning out a few boxes of old clothes I found a great black with white polka dot top I made from the pattern when my daughter was born. This little black top looks great( I think) with my cuff jeans and Keen Mary Jane’s. It was just a little tight in the sleeve hem…easy fix with a small gusset. It was such a great piece of fabric it still holds up today. I realized with this project of “sewing my way through the studio” is that I still like the look of some of my old patterns, I just need to update the fit. I need to be fashionable for work but still comfortable. So I dug out some old rayon yardage I had from 8 years ago. The pieces again both hold up to the today’s fashions and my desire to look like an artist without looking like a short fat middle aged woman trying to look hip!. One in a taupe brown with black writing. Words like Create, Inspire, Play, Learn…..I still really liked it so I put together a top with black velvet piping around the neck and black velvet covered buttons. All stuff from my stash. I also added a small gusset in the under arm and that fixed the tight sleeve…Well I am loving it. So I made another one. This one in a purplish/blue batik. I had two fabric pieces that match in colorway. I put a collar on this one…I decided I like the collar better than collar- less version. I found some vintage buttons in my stash that go pretty well. I just bought thread so the topstitching looked good. I love the cool feeling of the soft rayon and the comfortable fit. I think I will call the pattern “Lovin’ it top”. I kind of like the look of a doll, with the mary jane straps, short cuff pants and big gathered top. Just need a flower in my hair! I think I can pull it off. My look is the same but more creative then 30 years ago. I think it can still work for me.
Next I am going to make some Linen Stripe pants and tops to match. I need to work on my vest patterns to dress up some of my outfits. Belted at the waist, palazzo pants out of rayon or linen….stay tuned.