Also in the next few weeks I should have some great charm packs deals and a few other goodies to add!
And check the Blog later this week to see what I am making from this fabric:
Chris
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Update
Just a quick note that I have added some new fabrics to the "Limited Specials" on The Cotton Loft site. If you haven't checked this section out yet hurry over and take a look. I've got some awesome buys on fabric yardage that is perfect for backings and all sorts of other projects.
Also in the next few weeks I should have some great charm packs deals and a few other goodies to add!
And check the Blog later this week to see what I am making from this fabric:
Enjoy,
Chris
Also in the next few weeks I should have some great charm packs deals and a few other goodies to add!
And check the Blog later this week to see what I am making from this fabric:
Chris
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Farmer's Market Bathrobe
As I mentioned in the earlier post I have been doing more garment sewing than quilting. I think this happens to a lot of quilters, you just make one too many quilts and BAM! You just can't make another one.
But what do you do with all that fabric you have? And you certainly can't give up buying fabric, but how can you justify buying new fabric if you're not making quilts? Well, you make other things! Purses, placemats, and yes......clothing!
I learned to sew in high school and I remember now why I took to quilting.......it's easier! Now I'm not saying quilting is not a challenge but I can piece a simple quilt a lot faster than I can make a simple article of clothing. Garment sewing has given me a challenge and new interest that I had lost with my quilting. It provides me with another creative outlet.
Garment sewing is hard, it is even harder to sew a well fitting garment. I am still learning to make more fitted items like pants and jackets, but that process can be long. While I work on those projects I like to throw in a simple project so I feel like I am accomplishing something. Like this:
Yes, it is blindingly bright, but I love it! If that fabric looks familiar it's because it is Michael Miller's Farmer Market (which you buy at The Cotton Loft). I used this pattern (which you can buy here):
If you've done a little sewing this is a pretty straightforward pattern, nothing to difficult. I did underline my fabric with white cotton batiste to give it a little more body and finished the seams with bias binding. This is the perfect bathrobe for our warm Florida mornings!
This pattern has a lot of options to it and I plan to make a few more of them. I can see some cute pajamas made up in some wild retro fabric! If you have a teenage daughter or niece this is the perfect pattern to use to make her something she'll love. A cute little cami top and matching shorts, extend the look by making a pair of long bottoms in a solid color.....the possibilities are endless. Some pieces require as little as 1 to 1 2/2yds of fabric, surely you have that in your stash! And this pattern is simple enough for the novice sewer.
So if you've been thinking about trying something different.....get to it......get sewing!
Enjoy,
Chris
But what do you do with all that fabric you have? And you certainly can't give up buying fabric, but how can you justify buying new fabric if you're not making quilts? Well, you make other things! Purses, placemats, and yes......clothing!
I learned to sew in high school and I remember now why I took to quilting.......it's easier! Now I'm not saying quilting is not a challenge but I can piece a simple quilt a lot faster than I can make a simple article of clothing. Garment sewing has given me a challenge and new interest that I had lost with my quilting. It provides me with another creative outlet.
Garment sewing is hard, it is even harder to sew a well fitting garment. I am still learning to make more fitted items like pants and jackets, but that process can be long. While I work on those projects I like to throw in a simple project so I feel like I am accomplishing something. Like this:
Yes, it is blindingly bright, but I love it! If that fabric looks familiar it's because it is Michael Miller's Farmer Market (which you buy at The Cotton Loft). I used this pattern (which you can buy here):
If you've done a little sewing this is a pretty straightforward pattern, nothing to difficult. I did underline my fabric with white cotton batiste to give it a little more body and finished the seams with bias binding. This is the perfect bathrobe for our warm Florida mornings!This pattern has a lot of options to it and I plan to make a few more of them. I can see some cute pajamas made up in some wild retro fabric! If you have a teenage daughter or niece this is the perfect pattern to use to make her something she'll love. A cute little cami top and matching shorts, extend the look by making a pair of long bottoms in a solid color.....the possibilities are endless. Some pieces require as little as 1 to 1 2/2yds of fabric, surely you have that in your stash! And this pattern is simple enough for the novice sewer.
So if you've been thinking about trying something different.....get to it......get sewing!
Enjoy,
Chris
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
9 Months!
Yes, its been 9 MONTHS! And no there isn't a baby in sight....I'm way too old for that!
Things have just been a little up in the air around here. My quilting mojo was gone, adios, bye...bye, no where to be found. I've been doing other things and thinking hard about where The Cotton Loft was going to go.
Well, my quilting mojo is still in hiding but I still love fabric! I don't think I am ready to give it up yet. But my sewing has been leaning toward garments more than quilts lately, but hey you can make lots of things out of cotton fabric.
So I am going to try and showcase a little bit of everything...clothing, crafts, quilts. Maybe you'll get inspired to try something else.
We also are doing a visual overhaul of The Cotton Loft site. It will still be simple and easy to use, just a little cleaner look! But best of all, our prices are still some of the most reasonable around.
So check back often, both here and the site.
Enjoy!
Chris
Things have just been a little up in the air around here. My quilting mojo was gone, adios, bye...bye, no where to be found. I've been doing other things and thinking hard about where The Cotton Loft was going to go.
Well, my quilting mojo is still in hiding but I still love fabric! I don't think I am ready to give it up yet. But my sewing has been leaning toward garments more than quilts lately, but hey you can make lots of things out of cotton fabric.
So I am going to try and showcase a little bit of everything...clothing, crafts, quilts. Maybe you'll get inspired to try something else.
We also are doing a visual overhaul of The Cotton Loft site. It will still be simple and easy to use, just a little cleaner look! But best of all, our prices are still some of the most reasonable around.
So check back often, both here and the site.
Enjoy!
Chris
Monday, August 10, 2009
Blog of the Week
I know, I know, it's been awhile since I've posted an interesting blog. I guess I just haven't come across any that stood out until I found Because I Said Sew. Brooke is quite the seamstress, quilter and embroiderer! She really does it all.
I just the love the squirrel dog collar she made for her sister's dog. Check out her blog.
I just the love the squirrel dog collar she made for her sister's dog. Check out her blog.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Quilt Kits
Everyone loves a quilt kit! What's not to like, all the fabric is there for you perfectly coordinated. No fretting over which pattern or colors or what fabric to use, all the work is done for you.
Well, not all the work, YOU still have to make it. But most quilters say picking out fabric is one of the hardest things about making a quilt. I have known people to agonize and waffle back and forth over choosing fabric to the point that they give up and walk away.
So quilt kits are easy, low stress and fun to make. They are also a good way for a beginner to get started, especially if you're not sure about this whole quilting thing. It's a good way to test the waters to see if you really like it while not being a big commitment of time or money.
We only offer a few kits at a time. Some we base on patterns provided by the fabric manufacturer for a particular fabric line and some we make up ourselves which gives you a more unique quilt that you may not find anywhere else.
We currently offer 3 quilt kits with one being offered in two colorways.
Stacked Deck
This pattern from P&B is made with their Sketched fabric line. I really like the bright and bold graphics of this line and I think this pattern does well in showcasing them. I love the pop of red and yellow to the traditional black and white combination.
Gradation
This pattern is also provided by P&B and made with a combination of their Apple Cider and Ramblings fabrics. This quilt is a total opposite of the Stacked Deck. The neutral fabrics make it serene and calming. I, personally, am not a fan of the checkerboard inner border because it gives it a country look. But if you eliminate this border and replace it with just a smaller 2inch border of one fabric it would give it a more contemporary feel. Or you may like the country look and love the look of this border. Hey, it's all good!
Remember, there is no law (at least not yet!!!) that says you can't change a pattern to your taste even if it is a kit. You just might need to get a little extra fabric.
Windmill Pinwheel
We featured this pattern and kit earlier on the blog but I think it is cute and warrants another mention. If you are looking for a quick baby quilt this is it. It has the look of being set on-point and is easier than it looks. We offer it in the blue/green colorway above and in a pink/green colorway shown below.
I have a few other kit ideas I'm mulling over so hopefully one will make its way onto the site soon!
Well, not all the work, YOU still have to make it. But most quilters say picking out fabric is one of the hardest things about making a quilt. I have known people to agonize and waffle back and forth over choosing fabric to the point that they give up and walk away.
So quilt kits are easy, low stress and fun to make. They are also a good way for a beginner to get started, especially if you're not sure about this whole quilting thing. It's a good way to test the waters to see if you really like it while not being a big commitment of time or money.
We only offer a few kits at a time. Some we base on patterns provided by the fabric manufacturer for a particular fabric line and some we make up ourselves which gives you a more unique quilt that you may not find anywhere else.
We currently offer 3 quilt kits with one being offered in two colorways.
Stacked Deck
This pattern from P&B is made with their Sketched fabric line. I really like the bright and bold graphics of this line and I think this pattern does well in showcasing them. I love the pop of red and yellow to the traditional black and white combination.Gradation
This pattern is also provided by P&B and made with a combination of their Apple Cider and Ramblings fabrics. This quilt is a total opposite of the Stacked Deck. The neutral fabrics make it serene and calming. I, personally, am not a fan of the checkerboard inner border because it gives it a country look. But if you eliminate this border and replace it with just a smaller 2inch border of one fabric it would give it a more contemporary feel. Or you may like the country look and love the look of this border. Hey, it's all good!Remember, there is no law (at least not yet!!!) that says you can't change a pattern to your taste even if it is a kit. You just might need to get a little extra fabric.
Windmill Pinwheel
We featured this pattern and kit earlier on the blog but I think it is cute and warrants another mention. If you are looking for a quick baby quilt this is it. It has the look of being set on-point and is easier than it looks. We offer it in the blue/green colorway above and in a pink/green colorway shown below.
I have a few other kit ideas I'm mulling over so hopefully one will make its way onto the site soon!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
New Robert Kaufman Fabrics
We received in some great new fabrics from Robert Kaufman last week.
Forest Fun
Sometimes it is very hard to find nice fabric for young boys that isn't too babyish or girly. I think that this line, Forest Fun, by Kaufman fills the void nicely. The critters are cute without being overly cartoonish and the color scheme of deep blue, green, orange and brown is perfect for boys.
Although a small line, the two main fabrics are of a nice scale to be featured in larger squares of some of the more simple quilt patterns. The stripe has enough movement and interest to be used as frames, borders or binding. Add one or two blenders to these fabrics and you can make a fantastic quilt for your favorite little guy.
Night and Day
Sometimes one piece of a fabric line really grabs you, and these large florals from Kaufman' s Night and Day collection just about knocked me off my feet! I had to have them. I just love the large scale black and white flowers with the pop of taxicab yellow here and there.
I am actually thinking of making a skirt out of the white and a dress out of the black.
Quilting cotton.......it's not just for quilting anymore!
Check out these and other new fabrics under Recent Additions on the site!
Forest Fun
Sometimes it is very hard to find nice fabric for young boys that isn't too babyish or girly. I think that this line, Forest Fun, by Kaufman fills the void nicely. The critters are cute without being overly cartoonish and the color scheme of deep blue, green, orange and brown is perfect for boys.
Although a small line, the two main fabrics are of a nice scale to be featured in larger squares of some of the more simple quilt patterns. The stripe has enough movement and interest to be used as frames, borders or binding. Add one or two blenders to these fabrics and you can make a fantastic quilt for your favorite little guy.
Night and Day
Sometimes one piece of a fabric line really grabs you, and these large florals from Kaufman' s Night and Day collection just about knocked me off my feet! I had to have them. I just love the large scale black and white flowers with the pop of taxicab yellow here and there.
I am actually thinking of making a skirt out of the white and a dress out of the black.
Quilting cotton.......it's not just for quilting anymore!
Check out these and other new fabrics under Recent Additions on the site!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Blog of the Week
Sorry I missed last week's Blog of the Week, we were pretty busy with the Memorial Day sale. Everybody loves a bargin especially these days.
This week's blog belongs to a very accomplished seamstress who makes some beautiful and award-winning art garments. Summerset's blog is very informative in that she goes over every aspect of a garment she is making on her blog, from initial art work design to extraordinary finishing techniques. And if the art garments aren't enough she finds time to sew full wardrobes for herself and her family!
So check out her blog, Pins and Needles. You're sure to get hooked, I've been hooked for almost a year now!
This week's blog belongs to a very accomplished seamstress who makes some beautiful and award-winning art garments. Summerset's blog is very informative in that she goes over every aspect of a garment she is making on her blog, from initial art work design to extraordinary finishing techniques. And if the art garments aren't enough she finds time to sew full wardrobes for herself and her family!
So check out her blog, Pins and Needles. You're sure to get hooked, I've been hooked for almost a year now!
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