Sewing Room Updates

My sewing room does double duty as my office. I am unbelievably thankful to have a job that allows me to work from home sometimes, so I really need a clutter free space to work and think when I need to. After Christmas gift making chaos, my sewing room was badly in need of some organization. So I took the opportunity to rearrange the furniture and start fresh. The room was just too full - so I swapped out my old sewing desk for a smaller vintage sewing table (with the original sewing machine removed from the inside), which created more space.

I have plans to paint the sewing table white or gray, 

but for now I am happy with the chevron fabric cover.  

I also switched out the knobs in front for two clear ones I found at Homegoods.

P.S. This is my 200th post! Can you believe it?

Chevron Napkins

I recently added these to my Etsy store and thought they were just too pretty not to share! 

If you are interested, I have a tutorial for making dinner napkins here.

Chevron Pillow... Finally!

I have been long been blogging about my love of chevron... so long it sort of feels like maybe this chevron fad is almost over. But it still makes me smile. So bring it on. About a week ago I was in NYC walking around Mood... it is hard to believe.

One of the fabrics I decided on last minute was this green and creamy white chevron. I can't believe I almost passed it up. I vowed to not let my (by my standards) expensive Mood fabric purchases sit around for months after I got home, so I made up this pillow right away.

It was such an easy change and it makes me happy every time I see it! Need to see a bunch more pictures of my chevron pillow? Ok! Here they are...

Grocery Bag Holder

 
I recently whipped up this super easy grocery bag holder. I've been wanting to make one for a really long time... not sure why I waited! If I had use for them I'd make 10 more they were so fun and easy.  Bonus: I got to use this bright summer almost-chevron fabric which is in the background of my blog header (above) and I used to make a skirt earlier this spring. The pattern came from this One Yard Wonders book. If you haven't seen these books before (I think there are two) they are pretty awesome! I have so many bits of fabric leftover from projects, these books are full of ideas on how to use them. Anyway, here's the gist of it. First, cut a rectangle of fabric 20 x 22 inches. Also cut a long skinny rectangle for the loop to hang the bag holder from - about 3 x 12 inches. You will also need 18 inches of 3/4" elastic.

Next, fold the big rectangle of fabric in half (fold on the shorter edge - hamburger style) and sew up the long side. Then make casings for the elastic on the top and the bottom by folding each (now circle) edge in 1/4 inch, press, then another 1 inch. Make sure to leave an opening when you sew around the 1 inch fold to put in the elastic. Cut the elastic to about 9 inches (need two pieces, one for the top and one for the bottom) and thread it through the casing. Sew the ends of the elastic together. Close it all up and add the loop to hang it - for an easier version you could just use ribbon for the loop. Otherwise fold each long edge of the loop fabric in to the middle, then fold over once more. Sew and fold in half to create the hanging loop. Sew it to the inside of the bag holder. That's it! Fill with grocery bags and enjoy! Mine is positively jam-packed, this baby holds a lot of bags.

I'm not really sure it will live outside my pantry door, but I love how the colors brighten up the kitchen. I will probably move it inside the panty in the fall - but I will still get a glimpse of summer when I look in the door!

Springy Chevron Skirt

In honor of this ridiculously early springy weather, my next few posts will be all about the spring time changes around the Hall's house. First, I have been looking at quite a few fashion blogs lately (like this one, this one, and this one) which I think are fun. Maybe because they focus on people (voyeuristic much?) instead of objects and design projects like all the DIY blogs I love. So today and Wednesday's posts are part DIY + part fashion blogging - or at least my attempt at it. I had to drag T.J. around our yard to take pictures of me.

Both of the skirts in the picture above I recently sewed for my spring wardrobe - I will give details on the second skirt in Wednesday's post.

Like most of the blogging world, I am obsessed with chevron. And when chevron is pink, it is beyond obsession. Check out my Christmas card photo for example - I am a festive and traditional girl when it comes to decking out for Christmas, but this year because I found a pink chevron shirt on black Friday - the chevron shirt made its way onto our Christmas cards.

Joann's has been pretty slow on the chevron trend but finally got in some nearly-chevron fabric a couple months ago. It may have been a mistake - but I found a bolt of a springy orange and pink chevron-esque fabric on the red tag shelf and decided I could wait no more, I was going to take the plunge and sew myself something chevron. I don't remember exactly what I paid for the fabric - but it had to be less than $10 all together. Half off red tag at Joann's is the best. I absolutely love how this skirt turned out, and clearly love the fabric (notice a zoomed in shot of this skirt is the background for the header of the blog).

 

I used McCall's pattern 5856 to make the skirt - and have actually used the pattern twice before to make a blue striped skirt and a brown and coral floral skirt. I find the pleating very flattering. It is great when you finally find a pattern you love - you can make it over and over again and no one knows the skirts are the same. In progress shots below.

Here are more pics from our photo shoot:

See where this indoor greenhouse started here.

More about these earrings here.

 

I am ready for Spring!