The Lovely Sanae Ishida and her gorgeous creations using "Cherie" #cheriehop

 This Summer I was enamored by trying to sew garments. It is not something that I have been interested since I graduated college, with all the quilts and needle work and crafts that I love to do, I had very little patience for garment sewing but suddenly my fire was kindled. As I was researching new patterns and blogs, I stumbled upon a stunning blog by Sanae Ishida who's tag line is: "A crafty little atelier in a grey city" Her sewing , crafts and paintings have a mark of elegance sofistication simplicity and beauty.
VIEW HER BLOG HERE
Well needless to say I simply fell in love. And the photography had me mesmerized. I immediately wrote to Sanae and to my amazement she immediately wrote back. (Not everyone wrties back even if you offer free fabric believe it or not!)
Well, Sanea asked for 2 fabrics skews from my Cherie fabric collection:
Les Points power and  En Route Sable.  And this is the gorgeous dress she created for her daughter "K".  Please read all the details of how she made this dress on her blog.

 I love the details in the dress! Please go read about how Sanae made this dress at her blog HERE

 Such a beautiful dress and daughter.  Thank you so much Sanae for you beautiful work.

Pattern for this dress can be bought HERE

WIN A FAT QUARTER BUNDLE OF THE ENTIRE COLLECTION!

Because there are no formal dates to this bloghop, just look for the hashtag #cherie (also on my facebook design page) then come join the party and see all the lovely creations using Cherie fabrics.

 1. Keep following along my blog for the next month and look on instagram for this hashtag

#cheriehop

2. Make a coment on 2 blogs : mine, and the one I am featuring. 

AT THE END OF THE NEXT MONTH YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN the entire Art Gallery Fabrics CHERIE COLLECTION !
see HERE!

You do not have to follow all month just keep checking and look for any post with Cherie fabrics and my hashtag.

                                       Thank you so much hope you enjoy this post! 

Sewaholic Yaletown dress

I LOVE this fabric by Sara Lawson! Thank you Sara! Here is my pattern review for anyone interested in making this dress…

Pattern: Sewaholic YaletownDress
Fabric:	ART GALLERY FABRICS  voile floral asphalt from Jungle Ave by Sew sweetness
Pattern Description: pretty easy just a couple little things that confused me about the pockets. Which actually ended up being way simpler than I thought. Also it says to finish the edges before sewing together I found it easier to finish my edges on the pockets after sewing the skirt pieces together. Pattern Sizing: I chose size 14 but ended up shearing it down. It runs a bit big so next time a size 12 might fit me. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did. Were the instructions easy to follow? I think a few more diagrams might have helped for beginners. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the fact that it works for a woman who is busty. Most clothes and dresses dont fit in the bust. Fabric Used: Voile  Interface was a light WOVEN Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I cut a little less than an inch on the bottom of the top once finished and I took in the sides quite a bit about another 5/8' on each side. The I shorted the length right above my knee so I cut off about 6' off the skirt part. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes. I can't wait to make this again maybe a less flirty style more sofisticated by making it longer. Conclusion:  I love this dress and it is incredibly comfortable, I had a very tough time fitting it mainly because I am just learning to sew garments and fit myself. I have some problem areas with my body. So I am having trouble with being between sizes 12-14 . I ended up having to rip out seams a lot just trying to fit it on me. But know that I know how to make it, it will be very easy next time.

3 FABRIC COLLECTIONS ONE BOX! [ AURIFIL THREAD TREASURE CHEST ]

I am so excited to intruduce to you my Collection of Aurifil Threads called "Treasure Chest"A collection of Jewel tone threads which match all 3 of my fabric collections. The quality of the thread is amazing and it lasts a long time. I am so in love I wish I had a lifetime supply but I am so ecstatic over Treasure Chest.

 Aurifil is the hightest quality thread that comes from Italy Here is the AURIFIL website 

And AURIFIL BLOG

You can purchase your thread boxes 

 Fat Quarter Shop Large box

Fat Quarter Shop Small box

Hope you like the colors I tried to chose the most versatile color spools not only to match all

three of my fabric collections but to be great for all your sewing projects.  Love, Frances

Forest Leaves Larkspur Top!

 Are you ready to go to town? Cousin Aynsley is amazing looking in this top!
and yes I will share the pattern!

SIMPLICITY 1806 Blouse A

The fabrics are Forest Leaves Larkspur 'Safari Moon' collection and Floral Elements Lapis Lazuli FE-510 probably my favorite blender! The color is super rich in person. Funky Fun right! Ansley knows how to accessorize! xo Frances

Wild Girl Safari APRON!

I am so excited to share this apron with you! It's time to cook up a storm with Safari Moon Fabric collection apron!  You can get a pattern here 
but this is the actual pattern HERE and HERE My cousin Aynsley is my model and I just love her. I am hoping to feature her on my blog and continue to be my model isnt that great!!!!! I am so excited to have her join Belly Buttons Blog and instagram. Please come back and see the fun projects coming up. Love Frances.

DOWNLOAD MY FAVORITE SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE HERE!

A Little Birdy Told Me

Here is a very quick and sweet project to make as a gift or a door knob hanger or for a Christmas tree ornament. The bird can also be a valentines gift. It is very easy to make and I hope you enjoy this tutorial.

Supplies: 2 fat quarters, decorative beads, and ribbon.

Follow the pictures and place ribbon inside and sew, try to tuck the ribbon in as you sew around the bird body. Leave opening between dots. Make sure to clip curves after sewing around the bird.

Make sure to iron openings closed and try to smooth out with fingers so there are no bumps. Use iron to sculpt in place. Slip stitch opening closed on bird body, and both wings.

String thread through the tiny bead and back through the larger beads. Also through both wings with buttons to anchor both wings.

DOWNLOAD PDF HERE!

2 HOUR BAG TUTORIAL! (Quick and easy)

Bag made with Art Gallery Fabrics Modernology warm and oval elements.
The fabrics are amazing to sew with! I love this fabric so much. I would love to make a million things out of this and I would love every color in the Oval elements! My sister -in-law Theresa, helped me take this photo and she might take the bag!

                                      SEWING PATTERN Simplicity 1823
1. Cut out bag ---- 2 pieces MAIN print ---- 2 pieces LINING (about 1 yard of fabric for both lining and Main print)

 2.  I was a little bit short on fabric for my main print so I left the selvage. I will hide it when I sew it.

 3. Cut out Pocket 6 1/2 ' x 7 1/2 '  * (this is not in the pattern)  from left over lining pieces .

 4. Stitch pocket (right sides together) like this:  see graphic above leave hole for flipping open

 Stitching the pocket in this way will make a perfect fold in when you turn it right side out.

 5. top stitch pocket with 2 rows or use decoritve stitch.

 6. pin pocket to lining and stitch pocket see graphic above for reinforcement. (See HERE.

7. Sew Main print RIGHT Sides together then stitch Lining the same way but leave a hole on the side of lining about 6.5 inches to turn bag out through the lining hole.

8. press seams open on LINING and MAIN 

9. Turn MAIN Right side out and place inside LINING. Pin very well all the way around. Stitch them together leaving 2 inches open from handle.

 (leave open 2 inches away both LINING AND MAIN away from handle) makes sure to back stitch here.

 10. Clip curves and pull bag through opening in the side LINING to turn RIGHT side out. Use a chopstick if necessary to pull handle through.

 11. Turn handles in this way RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.

 PIN well matching seams.

 12. Handle should look like this , turn opening in and Press well.

 13. Press well all the way around.

 14. Top stitch all the way around, I opened my stitch length for this.

 15. OPTION sew in velcro for closure. I cut my velcro 2 inches and stitched it after the top stitch line in the center inside of the bag. (It is good to use a velcro color that compliments the bag. I think tan, pink white and black are the available colors.)

  
Congratulations YOU ARE DONE!!!!!!!! Hopefully it only took a couple hours. Now time to fly!
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Love, Frances

Fabrics are AMY BUTLER - "Nigela"and "Its A chick thing" Designed exclusively for Wilmington Prints by Design Trends.