Archive for March, 2010

At Havel’s Sewing, we’ve been inspired by Posie Gets Cozy’s current sewing obsession: dresses for little girls.  Of these dresses, our favorites are the ones in which she smocks.  Smocking is often considered a “lost art” among those dedicated to the craft.  It’s not a popular technique, necessarily, but it is treasured by heirloom sewers. 

Inspired to learn more about smocking, we headed over the website of the Smocking Arts Guild of America.  They offer an annual conference with classes by artisan smockers, correspondence courses, DIY courses and an artisan apprenticeship program.  The website is full of resources for those of you interested in growing your cache of sewing skills.  Look for a chapter in your neighborhood, too.

Some sewists love to work with oilcloth. It’s sturdy and durable and comes in several lovely patterns. Just peruse the options from these fabric shops to get excited about the possibilities:

Denver Fabrics

Harts Fabrics

Fabricworm

Mendels Far Out Fabrics

For project ideas, take a look at the following links or check your local library for Oilcloth Inspirations.

Oilcloth Grocery Tote from The Purl Bee

Anna Maria Horner’s Changing Pad

Martha Stewart’s Oilcloth Lunch Bags

Natalie Chanin, the woman behind the line Alabama Chanin, has recently released her second book regarding hand sewing and sustainable living.  Her first book, Alabama Stitch Book, introduced readers to her company’s philosophy and lifestyle.  Now, with the second book, readers have a chance to indulge in more than just sewing projects: recipes and furniture suggestions round out real lifestyle advice.

If you’d like to get started with a sewing project, choose from one of the DIYKits available from the Alabama Chanin online store.  The kits come equipped with everything you’ll need to complete your journal cover, or reverse-applique scarf, or corset.  Try a kit or choose your own fabric and make a project from Alabama Studio Style.  And check out Natalie Chanin on her blog tour at the following blogs:

Heather Ross Journal

Anna Maria Horner

EcoSalon

Find one or start a chapter in your neighborhood!

The Modern Quilt Guild is a relatively new guild that is growing rapidly throughout the US.  Both online and in local chapters, The Modern Quilt Guild promises a fresh approach to the more traditional guilds and organizations.  According to the website, “modern quilting” simply means “…quilting in a style that seems ‘urgent and meaningful to us now’.”

The guild has asked members to write about what “modern quilting” means to them and link to the website in the comments section.  Take a look at some of the personal responses to the question, “What does “modern quilting” mean to me?”  You may discover you’re a modern quilter.  If so, find a local chapter on the right hand navigation.  If there’s not one in your community, start one today!

March is National Quilt Month!

In honor of National Quilt Month and the upcoming National Quilt Day on March 20th, Havel’s Sewing would like to share a few quick links to some of our favorite quilt designers’ pattern shops.

Thimble Blossoms

Cherry House Quilts

The City Stitcher

Lazy Girl Designs

Quilt in a Day with Eleanor Burns

Java House Quilts

Larkspur Lane Designs

So find a design and get quilting! If you choose a Quilt in a Day pattern, you can make 28 quilts before the month’s end!

One of our favorite resources here at Havel’s Sewing is the terrific blog dedicated to fabric called True Up. Filled with information on everything from types of fabrics to how to design fabrics to recognizing patterns and all the best store sales, True Up is an online treasure trove of all things fabric. If you want a base education in fabric, True Up is a great place to start.

Check it out.