Spinning Blooms Mini

I've just finished putting together some tips and techniques for this FREE Spinning Blooms Mini Quilt pattern now available over on my MAKE page!  It uses many of the exact shapes from the Folk Flower Quilt in a new compact arrangement.  And we are all stocked on Mod Corsage in the shop if you fancy a look at this color way or another.

A little something for your weekend, in case you can steal some patching time! :)

I'm rooting for you xoxo, AM

MY KNITS!

 






Well they are floating around out there in all their stretchy, playful glory so it is high time I share some words and thoughts on my first interlock knit collection!

THE INSPIRATION
Here's the official statement: "As the name might imply, Anna Maria Knits is an essential grouping of color and form that perfectly suits the style and function afforded by the versatile jersey cloth.  Each of the designs was derived from various collections, but all re-imagined as a group to offer a little something for everyone, ranging from sweet to sophisticated.  Some of the simplest and most stylish fashion forms are created from jersey knit, and Anna Maria Knits provides a diverse group of designs well suited for casual tees, charming dresses, inventive skirts, and more.  Each of the three colorways inspires multiple mix and match opportunities and gives the modern sewist confident choices to easily translate her favorite looks into home sewn projects. "

THE ARTWORK
Because the collection of imagery is pulled from at least three artwork sources (Dowry, True Colors & Pretty Potent) we named this group Anna Maria Knits. Keep it simple, you know.  I have seen it pop up in various locations and referred to as Pretty Potent Knits.... not really sure why, but perhaps because that is my most recent quilting cotton collection... either way, same awesome fabric!! There are 5 prints, in 3 colorways for a total of 15 pieces.  The three colorways (listed from the above photos in order) are Carnival, Campground, and Boardwalk.

THE FABRIC
When choosing the specific knit that I wanted to print my artwork on, I had several to choose from.  My goal in selecting one was that it retain color well, be soft, have ample body, be opaque, that it be easy to sew with, and that the weight make it just as suitable for tees as it is for dresses and skirts.  This meant that I picked over some others that were more sheer and more stretchy.... both of these things make knits more challenging to sew with and to wear.  I love all sorts of knits, but I felt strongly about letting my first group being something that someone who is approaching knit sewing for the first time can feel confident about.  In other words if you have sewn with nothing but woven, this is the perfect type of knit for you to make that first step.  This particular knit is 100% cotton.  It is 58/60" wide.

THE STRETCH
Just like a woven, this knit stretches more on the width of fabric (selvage to selvage) than it does on the length.  So in general you would want to pay close attention to aligning your grainline arrows on patterns with the grain of the fabric if you want it to perform correctly as it stretches around your body.  You may hear the word "percentage" thrown around when talking about how much a knit stretches.... and that means what is the percentage further you can stretch the fabric beyond flat and unstretched.  This stretch amount is tested and determined to be based on the most you would actually want the material to stretch on your body, and obviously in the case of printed knit it should not be so much stretch that you are warping the designs a great deal.  My analysis of this fabric is that it has about a 25% stretch.  In other words 10" of width can easily stretch to about 12.5" before warping or over stretching.  The retention (bouncing back into shape) is also very good with this fabric.

THE SEWING
I want you to close your eyes (well not really since you need to read) and tell yourself that you can sew with knit on your regular ole sewing machine.  Because it is true.  Especially with this knit fabric.  I recommend cutting just as you always would, with either a rotary or sheers or some combination.  I recommend using a ballpoint needle or a "stretch" needle in a size suitable for medium weight materials.  Regular ole seams can be sewn with regular ole straight stitches.   I have hemmed and top-stitched using a simple straight stitch, a zig-zag, and a straight stitch using a twin needle.  Of the three methods I like the twin needle the best, the straight stitch second, and the zigzag comes in last place.  There are loads of helpful tutorials out there on using  a twin needle on your machine.  I think you will feel smart and liberated once you try it!  Another amazing perk of sewing with knits is no need to finish any edges!  Believe me, I love a good serger (especially this one) but (stop reading Janome friends) you really do not need one to sew these knits.  For the super stretchy, slinky type knits?  I would probably say a good serger is worth the investment if you are serious about your sewing.  Like me. I am not smiling at all because I am so serious about my sewing.

THE WASHING
I think more than any other fabric that I have designed I highly recommend pre-washing these goods before cutting and sewing as well as considering shrinkage when you are determining yardage requirements.  After washing on a cold, normal cycle with normal detergent then drying on a low temperature drying cycle one yard of fabric shrinks a bit more than two inches on the length and right around two exact inches on the width.  I did the same wash test with another piece but let it drip dry instead and there was really no difference at all.  Now I feel pretty certain (though I didn't test it) that if you were to throw the knit in a high temp dry cycle that it might shrink even more.  However that shrinkage might sort of "wear out" as the garment gets through a day in the life.  All naturally based fabric, woven and knit, kinda does that anyway.  One more thought about the washing:  some of the prints that take a bit more ink to achieve the coloration might feel slightly less soft to the touch right off of the bolt.  However I found that everything feels equally soft and comfy after a pre-washing.  Knowledge people.  I am giving you soft and comfy knowledge.

Okay.  Who's excited?  A run down of your inspiration images up there:  The first 3 photos are showing off me and two of my sweeties in the 3 size options of the Lemon Drop Dress & Tunic pattern that I design specifically for these very knits (or any others that you fancy).  This pattern has loads of options and includes dress or tunic sizes for 18mos-4toddler, 5/6-11/12girls, and ladies XS-XL.  So far I have made myself precisely 3 shirts and two dresses, 3 dress for Mary Anna, a dress for Eleni, and a dress and top for Bela.  It is a simple fun sew, and I will be back next to tell you all about that + a very fun knitty/sewy giveaway that we are doing once we get the patterns listed in the shop.

The very last photo is a super simple version of the sleeveless Lemon Drop Tunic where I skipped the neckband but free-motion appliqued favorite raw edge fabric elements.  It was worth quickly throwing together in my smoldering attic yesterday to then put on my sweaty self before heading to lunch and has given me about a zillion more ideas of how to play with all this pretty, pretty stuff.

Enjoy! xoxoAM

A pretty piece of cake

After sewing for my own little girls for more than 22 years it somehow has not gotten any less fun. I take so much pleasure in it. Somewhere around 8 years ago it got an extra jolt of fun added when I launched my first line of fabrics. With the myriad of projects I keep in mind for my collections, I still look at the arrival of new bolts to the studio with the wonder of which will be the first to get made into a dress for one of my girls. It is still the project filter through which I view all my fabric. Now plans are one thing, and actually sewing through those plans another. We know this. Even my girls tease me with "hey remember that dress you were going to make me".  So much so that one of them had to go get a fashion degree to make her own.  Ahem.  But having a very simple and quick pattern at the ready is one thing that really helps me follow through. My new free pattern created for and with my friends at Janome is the simple pattern that has run though my machines and onto baby Mary Anna's chubby little figure at least 6 or 7 times now. Yes, it is that simple. The Piece-a-Cake baby dress is now ready for you to watch, download, print, cut, sew, and enjoy.  It is a perfect little layer peeking out from underneath handknits or fluffing about over leggings or bloomers.  Visit my collaboration page at Janome for all of the links, and a little more from me about the pattern.
And yes that red & white colorway of my Banner Days print from Pretty Potent was snipped off the bolt and made into that dress practically before we had everything else out of boxes and onto the bolt shelves.  There is the whole quilting cotton collection for Pretty Potent which is now in our shop as well as delivered to all points around the globe!  I love these fabrics so much and will be back next to share my inspirations for the collection and some up close looks!
xo, Anna

Building Blocks

Howdydoo.

I have so enjoyed your encouragement on my last post.  Seriously.  It is an immense joy for me to be able to have this knitting thing that is entirely creative and fun but where there are no expectations to perform in anyway and so far is not attached to what I do for work.  It will most likely (snort) stay that way, though one never knows of course.  Sometimes really beautiful things can happen when you aren't trying, I suppose.  Anyway, I love when you play along.  Thank you for the fun.

I wanted to let you know a couple other things. 

*I have a post over at Janome today that walks through my feelings and inspirations when using solid fabrics in my quilts.  I hope you find it inspiring and informative.  I'll be posting there every month this year, and will be sure to let you know when I do!  Here's the link directly to the article: Quilting Decibels

*We have solidified the Monthly Gathering Stacks as a subscription option in addition to just offering them for sale.  Here is a link to a downloadable PDF that explains the process if you're interested.  We will be posting the February stack next Wednesday (2/5), so I wanted to let you know how it will work in plenty of time.

*It's weird how much I have been using FB lately.  Are you liking me over there?  If nothing else, it is really the perfect place to share images of what other folks are using my fabrics for.  I am really so inspired by that.  Lucky me.  But for reals, the simplicity of FB makes quickly sharing this or that from all over the place pretty ideal for a certain category of notes and happenings.  You know this already don't you? I am slow.  Oh for instance, did you see this amazing quilt by Kathy Doughty?  Gahh.

*We have had 3 birthdays here over the last week.  Juliana is now 22 (gasp).  Nicolas is now 16 (what?).  Eleni is now 10 (wahhhh).  I am now old (true). 

*We are also freezing.

*Pierrette and I have been working on a summer long series of one-day workshops, kids workshops, weekend workshops, and a pop-up shop (and other things that rhyme with op).  Four months in a row!  It's crazy.  We are nuts.  It's gonna be awesome.  I seriously am losing sleep over the excitement and I can't wait to share the schedule with you.  Right now it looks like beginning of March is when we'll begin taking signups.  I will keep you posted.

Okay.  The baby is squawking.  Bye! xoxoAM

(above is an improv block that I call Mod Corsage.... I am teaching this block/process at SewDown Nashville (which is full) but hope to also teach this little beauty at one of my summer workshops too!)

True Dat

Over the past few months anything that I sew or quilt that includes my True Colors fabrics jumps right up to the top of my personal favorites list. Like of all time personal favorites. True Colors has proven to be my little dream come true fabric haul. I can barely plan anything that doesn't include a bit or a lot of it. Which is just exactly what I hoped for when designing it. Anyhoo. Here is the quilt that I have been asked about a whole lot. Color Dive. The Color Dive Quilt was inspired by my True Colors collection and is my newest video class on CreativeBug. I am also working on a PDF version of the pattern that we should have listed in the shop for sale soon, and I'll be sure to letchya know about that.  When it's published, we'll have some kits ready for you too.  We're like that.

Here's the preview for the Color Dive class:



The quilt uses every print in my Dowry collection + every print in my True Colors collection + a handful of solids. In case you'd like a chance to land an extra little pile of fabrics on your sewing table, you should follow along with the True Colors blog tour that is starting Monday at Sew4Home. There will be plenty of chances to win fabric + thread prizes and get loads of sewing inspiration along the way. Here's a scheduled list of the talented folks that are sharing their True Colors projects using my group (highlighted in pink) as well as Heather's, Joel's and Jenean's. Enjoy! xoxoAnnaMaria

1/20 Sew4Home
1/21 Stitchery Dickory Dock
1/22 I'm A Ginger Monkey
1/23 The Sewing Loft
1/24 Ellison Lane
1/27 Diary of a Quilter
1/28 Material Obsession
1/29 Craftsanity
1/30 Stitched in Color
1/31 Craft Buds
2/1 Jay Bird Quilts

And here's a little video of us color people talking about such:

Heirloom Stockings

Between dashing and dancing I've eeeked out family stockings.  Oh has this been a long time coming! And settling on machine embroidery meant that they all happened pretty snappy like!

This is also my newest free project with my pals at Janome! Free embroidery too! We have all of the links loaded onto my Janome + Me page for you.  I talk a lot more about the process over here on the Janome projects page.  Here is a link to watch our video tutorial too!








I love them so, so much! I'd love to see your versions (even if it's not til next year of course!)
xoxo, Anna

Dowry

Dowry.  (ps. putting the finishing touches on the above pattern today! Quilt pattern is now here!) I first learned what the word dowry meant from my mom when exploring my grandparents house in Greece as a little girl.  I came across a small closed up room filled with linens all stacked from the floor to taller than me and a cabinet of dishes, etc. too as I recall.  I asked my mom what it was and she said it was my cousin Eleni's dowry.  Cousin Eleni was only a wee girl at the time, but busy family hands had been making for her since before she was born.  Needless to say it made quite an impression and I wasted no time in asking where we kept my dowry.  (I am sure that was good for laughs, as we didn't practice quite the same tradition here in the States.)
Dowry is my newest feature collection of 24 quilting cottons.  (And only quilting cottons actually for this line.)  Here is my collection description: So often beauty comes to us in the form of tangible gifts, passed on by loved ones who have come before us. Even more lovely is when these goods were actually intended for and handmade with us in mind. This to me is the very heart of the handmade world, and I wanted to honor it with a collection that is very personal and built from the handiwork from my own family. Dowry is a compilation of literal translations of some of my own family heirlooms, some imagery is only from memory, and some prints are simply imagined companions that reference the handmade, hand stitched, and the well-loved. Dowry is at once nostalgic and energetic… a new love with a past life.
Each of the colorways is named for a piece of jewelry I've been given.

Rubies & Pearls (a ring from my great, great aunt)

Charm Bracelet (from my parents for my high school graduation)

Brass Locket (from my grandmother Anna Ruth, holding pictures of my grandfather, mom, and aunt)


Being very literal about the translations of artwork from heirloom to fabric was incredibly satisfying. The process inspired me beyond the actual recreated artworks, but also completely reinvigorated my "mark" making. How I stroked the surface for each print. They are all a little different, and in the end sort of reference and pay tribute to several styles of print processes over centuries of making textiles. For instance, the Twill Bouquet was born out of my first needlepoint project as a child, but the texture inspired a twill motif rather than a needlepoint one. Those twill lines running through the bouquet saw fit to take a few turns in the negative space for some contemporary interest (not unlike my juvenile stitches that went in all directions).  (Mom and I made that pillow together several years ago with my Bohemian fabrics after recovering the needlepoint from missing.)

And the Lineage print. This dear deer of Yiayia's. Dear deer of mine (the story is here). It was important to me to invoke the print with the horizontal runnings of a loom, so all the art is created in line and purposefully a little imperfect in it's printing, slightly thinner here, overprinted there. It feels so special to me that way. Already belonging wherever it is. I love it. I cannot tire of it.

Every print and title in this collection is special to me. Close to me and very personal. I could not have anticipated just how personal when I designed it, barely and secretly pregnant exactly a year ago, and still the daughter of a visible mother. I could not have. Yes, it's only fabric. Only things. But so are all of pieces and gifts that inspired the work. When Pierrette and I were shooting the above photo, the mannequin needed just a little something. I was able to pull out one of my mom's crocheted shawls still tucked in a box full of things I had just retrieved from her closet a few days earlier. Perfect. Only a shawl.
But so very good to hold it, and see it. Like everything we give and receive out of love.
While we do sell it, and it is my living, I also offer this with love.  I hope you enjoy it!
yours, Anna Maria

True Colors

Hulllloo. Happy November. November is great. Particularly this one. It's wonderful enough watching the weather change, the colors intensify through your window, the house feeling like a cozier place to be, and going outdoors feeling more like an adventure than a chore....but this November, two lovely happenings in the form of fabric are happening. The first is TRUE COLORS. People. This was so fun for me. Setting these parameters on my designing was a rewarding challenge and I love the results. I hope you do too!

Here's the schpeil from the website regarding the collection (all true, wrote it myself, so I know): I am thrilled to introduce you to my first collection of not-so-basic basics! True Colors is the latest collection program from Free Spirit designed by a select group that I am so proud to be part of. These prints and colorways are specifically designed to work beautifully along side all of my fabric collections. My twenty True Colors fabrics fill in any color gaps one might have in their stash to complete a full palette of inspiration. A gorgeous spectrum that is always good to have around no matter the style or the project!

And if you haven't noticed yet that you are floating amongst the most heavenly, chubby, sweet little cherub along with a divine assortment of colorful mini pants, I would like to point out the fabulous little knickers that are my latest free pattern for you. Cause I wanted knickers and so did the baby. She said so.

Visit my MAKE page to download the knick-knack Knickers sewing pattern by me. Knick-knack Paddywhack was my mom's favorite song to rock little ones too. So I sing it, and sew these (just twenty of 'em) in her honor of her silly, fun "Nani" self.

True Colors is loaded into our shop, as well as favorite shops all over the globe, so have fun!  I'll get a Flickr group for it going soon and I can't wait to see all the sewing going down!

I'll be back tomorrow to scoop on Dowry after I can figure out a way to talk about it without crying sentimental tears. ;-P (fabric is happy, fabiric is happy, fabric is happy.)
xo, hugs, AM

Mother Goose Quilt

Anna's newest free quilt pattern is an oversized flying geese motif called the Mother Goose Quilt.  It uses all of the Field Study Linens along with the new Linen Solids that coordinate beautifully with the collection.  This is a simple to sew quilt that uses a no-waste method and has endless possibilities. Be sure to visit the MAKE page to download the PDF! 

Have fun! - Pierrette

New Janome + Anna Maria Projects and a Summer Sale in the Shop!

Anna is excited to have two new projects from the Janome + Anna Maria collaboration to share with you. The Right Turn Bag Project and Pleasant Pathways Shorts are up on the Janome site with free pattern pdfs and highlight videos. Please check them out and be sure to share your finished projects in the Flickr group.

To help get you started on these projects we have tons of fabric on sale in the store! Get your favorite Loulouthi prints at 25%-40% off and a buy one get one free Scrap Bag while you're at it. We are making space in the studio for upcoming releases (of the fabric and baby!!! varieties) so look out for a studio rummage sale with all sorts of one of a kind samples, scratch and dent patterns and lots of other goodies in the coming weeks.

That's all for now :)
-Pierrette

Linen Lesson No. 2

  Study Hall Skirt in Ghost Wing & Domestic Cat

Me &  Linen again.  Ready for more?

Texture:
I have always thought of linen in terms of it's texture- that lovely, woven, toothy quality that makes any color printed on it carry a different depth.  These linens are no different. And part of what makes that texture so pretty is the somewhat inconsistent weave thicknesses that are visible in the light. While they more textured than my quilting cottons, I would not describe them as rough.  The weave is not quite as tight as the quilting cotton, because the threads themselves are a bit thicker and more textured.

If I were going to make a really fitted garment, I might line it with something softer.  I would say that the sheerness of the linen is about the same as the quilting cotton.  Looser fitting garments (including those shown here) should be fine without lining (unless you're really tactile-specific anyway).

Socialite Dress in Flower Circuit & Linen Solid

Weight:
If we're speaking literally on the scale, a yard of linen falls between the quilting cotton and the cotton sateen (home decor).  But in actually thickness between your fingers, it is more similar to the quilting cotton.  For that reason, I've noticed that all of the sewing settings: stitch length, needle size, tension etc. are pretty much identical to what I do when I sew with quilting cotton.

  Multi Tasker Tote in Ghost Wing & Domestic Cat

Durability:
Linen is well known for it's durability, so it makes a lovely choice for lighter upholstery, slipcovers, bags, pillows, curtains, and more.  I imagine this, in addition the the fabric's width and style, is why some of the retailers are listing it with the home decor goods.  Further, linen does not stretch (like, at all) so it hold's it's shape and is resistant to damage from abrasion. The lack of stretchiness to this fabric makes it SO unbelievably simple to sew with- as in you can barely tell you're on the bias when you're on the bias.  Beyond home decor, the addition of cotton in this blend is what keeps it even more versatile in your sewing projects. Which brings me to drape.... 

  Art Student Tote (sans outer pockets) in Parenthetical Flight & Pressed Fields

Drape:
It's important to keep in mind that drape, in my opinion, is a bit relative, depending on who is doing the describing, so take my words here as an impression and not law.  I feel that the drape of the linen is somewhat similar to quilting cotton, however after washing where quilting cotton can get a little starchier in my opinion, I think the linen gets slightly more soft and drapey.  It is never going to act like rayon or voile, but it maintains quite a bit of fluidity for a fabric that has as much texture, weight and body as this one does.


  All Set Kids Blouse (modified to dress length) in Ghost Wing & Pressed Fields

  All Set Kids Jacket in Parenthetical Flight & Voile Solids

All Set Kids Skirt in Flower Circuit & Pressed Fields

I can barely think of a limit for the performance of this fabric in my sewing. Except I would probably hesitate to make something densely gathered that would need to drop nicely like from a skirt or an elastic band... but a little gathered poof sleeve?  Yes, just fine. 

We've made quilts, clothes, home decor, embroideries, bags, and pretty much everything- and I have some upholstery and home decor plans of the nursery variety swirling around in the brain too.  There are also some new colors of Linen Solids on the way soon that look gorgeous with this collection.  I'll share some patchwork and embroidery projects soon too!

xoxoAnna

Linen Lesson No.1

Parenthetical Flight in Deep

Hiya.  Let's do linen.  First up, I wanted to share a full width view of each of the 5 prints in my Field Study Linen collection (which each come in 3 colorways).  This is especially important when the prints are rather large scale. The images show roughly one full yard, with selvages oriented at left and right side edges.  These linens are 55" wide.


Pressed Fields in Poppy


Ghost Wing in Luscious


Domestic Cat in Coral


Flower Circuit in Sunny

Thank you so much for all of your questions about the fabric!  I found that they generally fell into one of four categories:  (1) design layout (2) content, care, basics (3) use as far as drape, feel, texture (4) use as far as durability, weight, weave.   I am hoping that the photos above give you plenty of insight into the scale and direction of the prints to help in planning your sewing projects and answer your design layout quesitons.  In many ways, I designed this collection with decor in mind- speaking mainly about scale and color choices, but not because the fabric is exclusively decor in weight or any other aspect.  It is really so very versatile.



Let's move on to the next category of content, washing, and caring for these lovelies.

Content:
My linen is 55% linen / 45% cotton.  So take whatever you are familiar with in 100% linen with a grain of cotton.  In other words, the focal features of traditional linen (coolness, sheen, wrinkling (no elasticity), coarseness, lint-free) are tempered, and I would say softened with the addition of some cotton.  Which I think is awesome.

Washing + Drying:
As I like to do, I did a wash test this morning.  3 separate exact yards were cut.  One was left unwashed.  The second was machine washed on a cold delicate cycle with basic detergent and left to air dry for a bit before completing the drying with an iron pressing.  The third was machine washed the same as the second, but then tossed in the dryer on a delicate setting, with low heat until completely dry.

The above photo shows you the length shrinkage results of these processes after all 3 were pressed.  You can see the washed/air+iron dried fabric only lost about 1/4" to 3/8" in length.  But the piece that was washed/dried (even on a low dryer setting) lost about an inch in length.  What the photo does not indicate is the width.... they are just layered staggered to see the different pieces.  But reporting on width shrinkage, none was lost on the piece that was washed/air+iron dried, and only about 1/4" of width was lost on the washed/dried piece.

So prewash or not depending on your uses, whether or not you'll be combining these with other fabrics, and how you intend to continue caring for them.  I think my method will end up being a combo....I will likely pull out of dryer before completely dry and finish it with pressing.  Not because I am worried about the shrinkage as much as the pressing will be a lot easier if the fabric is still damp.  My sense is that almost all of the shrinkage will happen in that first washing, but I don't of course have hard core evidence of that.  I also want to mention that both washed pieces, while they retained the lovely texture of linen, they felt softer and even a little drapey-er after washing and I think the machine dried one just a little more so. 

Next, I'll go over categories 3 & 4, covering drape, feel, texture, uses, durability and so on.  And I'll be doing so with lots of pretty pictures of our linen sewing projects so far (!!!!) Can't wait!

xoxoxAnna

And for my next number....

I thought I would share a preview of all of the projects that I have been designing, sewing, stitching, writing, illustrating, and shooting video of over the past several weeks.  This place has been hustle after bustle and now settling into a calm flow where I can reflect on all the work that's been done and look forward to sharing it with you.  All of the above photos are a glimpse at the next round of classes that I will have launching with my friends at CreativeBug.  The the end of this month will see them offering lots of new, beautiful quilting and patchwork classes and I am so happy that I will be a part of that. 

*The first quilt is called the Flying Gosling Baby Quilt- (get it, gosling, bc it's a baby quilt).  It's fun to say Flying Gosling fast 'cause it sounds like Ryan Gosling, though really they don't have anything to do with one another, and it feels really weird that I just typed that guy's name in this sacred space of mine.  No matter.  The fun parts of that little quilt are evident in the photo. 
*The next is a whole cloth crib quilt where I get a chance to teach my method of hand quilting.  You likely know by now that I so enjoy that sorta thing and I do think it's such a good process to watch a person do if you've never tried it.
*The 3rd photo is the Melting Snowball Tote, which I lurve a whole, whole lot, and I am about to get up from my chair and dump all my purse hoopla into this one and officially make it a part of my life.  You might be able to see that the majority of this version was made with wools, which would not be imperative, but I do enjoy experimenting with textures.  Maybe you do too.  Who knows.
*Finally this sweet Needlepoint Rose project that you can stitch onto any existing garment, bag, linen, quilt block, etc.  So nice and simple and just an enjoyable modern take on the craft.

Oh!  I also wanted to mention a new (and cool) feature on CreativeBug.  The are now offering "a la carte" classes for individual purchase.  So if you'd prefer to bypass the monthly subscription business and just take one class, for about the price of one pattern (or less) you can do just that with several of the classes.  I have a couple as a la carte here. Also they are building up their free features section all the time, so there is now the option to sign up for a free membership to have access to those.  The lovely thing about this group of people is that they are listening to feedback and responding, so pipe up if you care too.

And next are the two new free projects I have designed for Janome.  The above is the Right Turn Bag, which is all strip-piece-y and fun and comes in two size options.  The pattern and video for this number will be launching at the end of this month.

And these are the Pleasant Pathways Shorts which I was chatting about over here.  I made both projects on the Horizon Memory Craft 12000 which is their tippity top of the line machine, and it seriously encourages me to try out some things that I've never really thought of doing.  Which when you sew very often is a lovely bonus.  The pattern for the shorts is for adult women, though obviously some of the smaller sizes will fit some of my middle-aged girls too.  Regardless of your machine, the pattern for the shorts is a simple shape, with straight forward construction, and just as cute whether you embroider the fabric or use a favorite print.  So win and win and win.  This pattern will launch towards the end of March.

So much to look forward to.  I love my job.  For the next few weeks I will be busy working on some new quilt tops to teach from during my workshops at QuiltCon.  I am so excited for the event and for the excuse to now get sewing on some very unscripted projects.

lots of love, xoxoAM