Projects in the making

I have tons of dresses to blog about, but no decent picture without a sunburned face. While I am waiting for my face to have a somewhat normal color again I will share a couple of projects I am working on right now.

This is my first paper piecing project. It is very confusing at times. But I think I got the hang of it now. It will be a pillow for one of my nephews. Four more to go, with other pictures of course.

This is what it will look like in the end, I hope.

For my birthday I got the Once Upon A Time Sampler by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery

I used to do quite a lot of cross stitching when I was like 13, and I always thought I would like to do it again. This is a really nice project for that, since it is spread out over a year it doesn't feel overwhelming to do besides all my other sewing projects.

I am using a Q-Snap frame and have to say it is so much nicer than the normal round embroidery hoops.

This one is a surprise! More on it later.

Alabama Chanin

I remember seeing the Alabama Chanin books at Barnes & Noble and looking at them briefly. Afterwards I went on their website and was enchanted by the style. But it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I finally ordered my first book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Now my mind is set on one day making one of the gorgeous dresses myself. 

But first I have to practice on some smaller projects. I bought a second book and the basic needed tools and started with a little project from Alabama Stitch Book.

I ordered the two scissors at Amazon.com (it was a bit cheaper), the thread and needles are from the Alabama Chanin website. I really like that she doesn't keep it a secret how to copy her wonderful designs. And even more, offering on her website the exact same high quality tools she is using to create these wonderful garments. 

My first project were these gloves. It was a nice way to try out the stitching technique. I used some cotton jersey from my stash. I want to practice a bit before I buy the fabric from the website.

Here a close up of the embroidery stitches on the gloves. I used to do some cross-stitch embroidery when I was younger and have quite a bit leftover embroidery thread. 

The first two panels from the next project, the Reverse-Applique Corset. The outer layer is the same cotton jersey as the gloves. The underlayer is also from my stash. I didn't think these two colors would work that well together, but I really like the effect.

Here a closeup of the Reverse Applique. I am still practicing :-)

I don't have a paintbrush gun or any fabric paint (yet?), so my stenciling technique was a Sharpie marker.