{Michelle Patterns}

What I learned about sewing this week.

Check out my first zippered sewing project. I'm quite proud of this little dumpling. It is not perfect by any means, I'm new at this sewing business, but I love that I was able to follow Michelle's Dumpling Tutorial with ease.

While I was sewing this dumpling, I had an a-ha moment. 

Slow down!

I realized that I needed to go slow. More than just reading the directions carefully and more than easing up on the machine's pedal.

I've been so hurried to see my finished projects that I'm pressuring myself to go faster, faster, faster. But I really don't need to. Is it better that I've finished a project in one hour when two hours is just fine, too? 

I'm not sewing for profit. I'm not on a deadline. I can take my time.

I was always that kid that had to turn in her test first. That employee that needed to finish the work the fastest and ask for more. 

Since my dumpling induced moment of zen, I've noticed a definite change in my sewing. I won't say that it has gotten easier, I'm still learning, but I've found that I am more forgiving of the errors I make.

Now I find it easier to get up from the sewing table and leave a project to wait, rather than sewing until midnight just to finish. I want to sew for pleasure and I want to make things for the people (and pets) I love, so what's my hurry?

--Bryanne--

Dumplings - Make one today!

I have a very silly sense of humor. A few weeks ago, I really wanted to sign off on a blog post by saying "May the stitches be ever in your favor." Today I wanted to title this post "Dumplings, It's What's for Dinner."

I apologize in advance if something like this ever sneaks through. I will try to control myself.

As my experiments in sewing continue, I've decided I'm ready to sew something with a zipper. Michelle's Dumpling Zip Pouch tutorial is my weekend project. I'm a little nervous, but I've really taken to heart some advice Michelle recently gave me regarding sewing.

You just have to go for it.

In preparation for my dumpling making, I've been scouring the Flickr feed for inspiration. I'm the type of person who likes to read about things, look at examples, read some more (is there a library book I can check out?) and then finally, just go for it.

What is the best piece of sewing advice you've received? Or something you learned on your own that you wished you knew when you first started sewing?

 

1. Gwenny Penny, 2. taschenmaedchen, 3. Gwenny Penny, 4. sayonion, 5. craftyozgirl, 6. judihurst

 

I challenge you to make your own dumpling this weekend.

--Bryanne--

Flickr Friday

The Flickr feed is full of really adorable and creative projects. Thank you for continuing to post your completed items.

 

1. bouclenoire, 2. andrea creates, 3. ganz and garn, 4. Sónia Ryder da Costa

 

Michelle is giving away a gift certificate to michellepatterns.com. Click over to that blog post to enter the giveaway.

The hardware is going up on the website very soon. Make sure you are subscribed to Michelle's emails for your chance to get a special deals on new products, including the hardware.

 --Bryanne--

 

Sewing for Pets

A week ago, I shared my bow tie sewing project on Flickr and after some questions, we decided to post more details here.

My dog Mondo was quite adorable when he was a little dude. He had a patch of white fur on his chest and it looked like he was wearing a rusty tuxedo. My family joked that he needed a bow tie. Plus, Mondo is named after a bow tie wearing designer from Project Runway. It only seemed natural that dog Mondo get his own bow tie.

Mondo

Last week I took Michelle's free Recycled Dog Collar Tutorial and added a bow made from her Bows Pattern. It was super easy to make, something I needed as I'm a beginner at sewing. The Bows Pattern has three sizes (small, medium and large). Because Mondo has a tiny neck, the strap is only 1/2" wide. I used the medium bow from the pattern. I first made the small bow, and though it was too small for his neck, it was the perfect size to attach to a bobby-pin and wear in my own hair!

Fabric - Michael Miller Ta Dot in Moss

I made the dog collar using Michelle's tutorial with no modifications. Then I made the bow from her pattern but instead of wrapping the center piece around the bow, I first pinned the bow to the collar and then wrapped the center piece around the bow and the collar. I pinned the center piece onto the bow to secure it while I hand stitched the center piece, making sure to stitch into the collar, and then pulled both pins out after the bow and collar were securely joined. Make sure to center the bow on the collar, opposite of the buckle.

The Bows Pattern is now available as part of the Semi-Retired Patterns and is only $3.00 USD.

 

Mondo is only sitting calmly because I have a treat in my hand. Immediately after this photo was taken, he ran over to the fence and barked at the neighbor's chickens. Still a scrapper, no matter how fancy he looks. 

Does your dog have a wedding to attend this summer? Perhaps you like to celebrate your pet's birthday. I highly recommend making a flashy bow-tie!

Bow Pattern  |  Recycled Dog Collar Tutorial

 

--Bryanne--

Sewing Projects and Flickr Fun

Thank you for continuing to post your Michelle Patterns creations and other sewing projects to the Michelle Patterns Flickr Group.

I just posted my sewing project from last week. Head to Flickr and take a look at the cute bow-tie collar I made using Michelle's Recycled Dog Collar tutorial.

Here are four more finished sewing projects. When you comment on the giveaway post, include a link to Flickr so we can see your projects.

1. Bienvenu chez quilterbell, 2. Tee for Two size 8, 3. MyLittleCeePod, 4. Eco-friendly pencil or cosmetic case

--Bryanne--

Three More Patterns Semi-Retired - Now $3

Michelle is in the process of updating the current patterns to reflect the Michelle Patterns name. These three patterns cannot be updated to the new name. They are now available on the Older Patterns page and are available for $3.

Camera Case Wristlet

Just A Pinch Potholder

Belted Tote Bag

There are some really great examples of the finished patterns in the  Michelle Patterns Flickr Group.

1. Camera Case Wristlet, 2. Business Card Wallet, 3. Belted Tote Tag, 4. Camera Case Wristlet, 5. Just a Pinch Potholders

 

The Business Card Wallet is a semi-retired pattern, too. Click here to see the complete list of older patterns available at $3.

 

--Bryanne--