Me Made May 2013: Week 3

Week three of Me Made May is complete--we are in the home stretch now! Jaime and Amber saved up their newest, hot-off-the-sewing-machine items for this past week, since they were in Portland for Quilt Market. Remember, you can check out our Flickr page to see large size pictures of all our outfits. (Stay tuned, Quilt Market Report coming next week!)

Row 1: Emily-Guillemet Hat in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, Gullfoss Vest in Imperial Stock Ranch Tracie + Colette Juniper Pants in Pickering tweed  |  Miranda-Dirndl dress in Ladybots print  |  Erikia-Wiksten Tank in Art Gallery Fabric  |  Allison-Colette Ginger Skirt in Summerville Fabric  |  Jaime-Amber's Sailor Top in Lecien Lawn  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress in Heather Ross fabric

Row 2: Amber-Colette Laurel in Cats in Baskets print  |  Allison-Marley's Ghost Knitted Scarf  |  Tina-Jumper of her own design  |  Emily-Colette Sorbetto Tank in Lecien Lawn  |  Miranda-Dirndl Dress in Sarah Watson fabric

Row 3: Caitlin-Tank drafted from a favorite shirt  |  Amber-Sew Liberated Esme in Lecien Lawn (new!)  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Emily-Guillemet Hat, knitted tank of her own design in Sleep Season hand-dyed yarn, leather tote of her own design + Cal Patch Leggings  |  Allison-Colette Sorbetto Tank  |  Melissa-Wiksten Tank Dress

Row 4: Allison-Mobius Scarf in Liberty Tana Lawn  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Blouse  |  Jaime-Sew Liberated Esme in AMH Voile  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Amber-Deer and Doe Datura Blouse in Nani Iro, Yuwa Lawn and Shot Cotton (new!)

Row 5: Jaime-Deer and Doe in Sara Watts fabric and Shot Cotton (new!)  |  Caitlin-Tilly and the Button's Miette Skirt  |  Amber-Wiksten Tova  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Allison-Aline Skirt in Kokka Woodland Print

Row 6:  Allison-Colette Sorbetto Dress in Lizzy House fabric  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Emily-modified Amy Butler Cabo Halter top  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Blouse  | Jaime-Dress made from pattern self-drafted in Cal Patch's Makerie Workshop (new!)

Hooray for May!

Latifah Saafir, we ♥ you!

Last week we hosted modern quilter, Latifah Saafir for the Front Range Modern Quilt Guild. Latifah is a founding member of the Modern Quilt Guild, and an inspiring and accomplished quilter. She lectured on "Being True to your Inner Artist" and brought a suitcase full of her quilts to show us. It was amazing.

We are blown away by her unique quilting style and love her bold, graphic designs. Latifah is fond of using bias tape to create curved patterns. Her attention to detail is impeccable and these quilts were all impressive both in technique and style. Latifah gave us a lot to think about in terms of finding inspiration, process and her own journey to becoming a quilter. We left feeling so excited about quilting and the modern quilt movement. We hope these photos of Latifah's quilts are as inspiring to you as they were to us!

"Gossip Girls"

"The Big Log"

"Convergence"

"The Big O"

A new cross stitch design quilt top

"Stairway to Heaven"

Detail of back of "Stairway to Heaven"

"Up in the Air"

a quilt top of a baby quilt with Sarah Jane fabric

Jaime, Latifah and Amber

Thanks Latifah and the Front Range Modern Quilt Guild! We are so inspired to make some quilts and hope you are too!

New Brussels Washer Yarn Dyed Fabric

We are already sewing up a storm with these hot new fabrics. Beautiful, drapey, flowy Brussels Washer Yarn Dyed fabrics from Robert Kaufman are here. These fabrics are a 55% Linen, 45% Rayon blend which makes for extra dreamy summery goodness. The muted colors are made from using an un-dyed yarn for the weft and a dyed yarn for the warp. We stock all 8 colors of this 52" wide lusciousness for your sewing pleasure. The best part of this fabric? It is so affordable at only $10 a yard!

These fabrics would be great for dresses, skirts, napkins, or pillows. I am excited to make a Staple Dress out of this fabric in the olive-y green color.

We couldn't resist making up some fat quarter bundles so don't be shy about incorporating these beauties into your quilt projects or use it as a ready-to-go napkin set!

Happy Sewing!

A Tale of Two Summery Xia Sweaters

 -jaime

Athena is one of those customers who is always inspiring us with her projects. She picks out amazing patterns and then comes in a few weeks later to show us her new sweater, shawl or leggings that she just finished. When she picked out some Breeze yarn in Butter I immediately asked her what she was going to knit with it. As soon as she showed me the pattern Xia by Kessa Tay Anlin, I knew I had to make one too. I am really into our summery yarns and I love knitting sweaters so much, there is no reason I can't knit and wear sweaters all summer long.

Xia is Chinese for "summer" so it really is the perfect summer top. The simple lace pattern creates a chevron pattern down the middle of the sweater on the front and back. The neck and arms are finished with a simple crocheted border - the scallops on the arms make for a feminine touch. This sweater knit up quick. Athena whipped this out in just a couple of weeks, but mine took a bit longer at a month. I am super happy with the fit and look of this sweater and am excited to wear it all summer long!

Athena's Xia is knit with one skein of Anzula Breeze. Breeze is a 65% Linen, 35% Silk lace weight yarn. Because of the fine weight of the yarn, Athena's sweater is a lighter, lacier weight fabric than mine. It is beautiful! She also made the crochet flower accessory--an optional part of the Xia sweater pattern--to wear in her hair.

I choose to knit my Xia in the Anzula Oasis - a dk weight yarn that is 70% silk and 30% camel. I used two skeins in Canary. The camel adds a little more memory and depth to the silk. I changed up the pattern a bit and chose to knit the bottom in 1x1 ribbing instead of garter stitch. I wanted a stretchier bottom band and this was a simple alteration to make to the pattern.

Now Athena and I have gorgeous matching summery buttery yellow sweaters to wear!

Me Made May 2013: Week 2

Week two of Me Made May is going strong with forty-three handi-crafty-tastic outfits! Yes! That's 82 handmade looks for May and counting...

Last week the people of the interwebs demanded bigger photos of us in our duds, and we heard you loud and clear. Visit Fancy Tiger's flickr to see individual photos of all our crafty peeps from this week. I'll add last weeks there, too by the end of the month, I promise.

Row 1:  Jaime-Aline Skirt  |  Amber-Colette Jasmine Blouse  |  Caitlin-Melody Miller Bee Skirt |  Erikia-Jersey shirt of her own design  |  Allison-Aline skirt  |  Miranda-Dirndl Dress  |  Tina-Jersey Shirt of her own design with peter pan collar applique and lace embellished shorts

Row 2: Caitlin-Tank drafted from a favorite shirt  |  Amber-Wiksten Tank and Aidez Cardigan  |  Emily-Colette Jasmine Tank, Cal Patch leggings, Aestlight Shawl in handspun Angora from Victoria (her bunny) + leather bracelet and belt of her own design  |  Jaime-Colette Violet in Liberty  |  Miranda-Colette Sencha Blouse + Stephen West Blue Whale Shawl  |  Katy-Felted Wool Necklace  |  Tina-Skirt + Top of her own design

Row 3: Erikia-Wool felt flower headband  |  Allison-Colette Macaron  |  Caitlin-Grainline Studio Tiny Pocket Tank  |  Amber-Ysolda Peardrop Shawl and Anna Maria Horner Flirting the Issue Skirt  |  Katy-Necklace of her own design  |  Jaime-Colette Laurel and hand-smocked necklace  |  Miranda-Dirndl Dress

Row 4: Allison-Sarah's cowl sweatshirt  |  Jaime-Colette Beignet Skirt  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Katy-Stripe Study Shawl in Tosh Sock  |  Allison-Colette Sorbetto  |  Melissa-Jamie Christina Sunny Day Dress  |  Miranda-Peony Dress in Lizzy House Constellations  |  

Row 5: Katy-Block Printed Tee  |  Amber-Colette Violet  |  Melissa-Colette Sorbetto  |  Emily-Shirt of her own design + Cal Patch Leggings  |  Katy-Pinkerton Shawl in Malabrigo Sock  |  Amber-Deer + Doe Robe Belladone dress in Malka Dubrawski fabric  |  Caitlin-Built By Wendy Raglan Tee

Row 6: Erikia-Wiksten Tank  |  Jaime-Colette Sorbetto  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Miranda-Macalls pattern in Jay McCarroll fabric  |  Erikia-Soldered crystal pendent  |  Amber-Wiksten Tank with added sleeves  |  Caitlin-Built by Wendy 3964 in Yuwa fabric  |  Melissa-Amber's Sailor Top

Hooray for handmade!

New Books!

There have been a ton of new books released this Spring - here is the lowdown on all the new crafty goodness!

1. Handsewn by Margaret Rowan - This book is a beautiful encyclopedia of techniques for all types of handsewing, including tailoring techniques and embroidery embellishments.
2. We Love to Sew by Annabel Wrigley - This is a fantastic book for aspiring young sewists! The book is filled with fun projects, each with detailed photo tutorials that make the projects easy to follow.
3. The Essential A-Line by Jona Giammalva - a book all about A-lines! This book includes 1 paper pattern with 17 different tutorials based on the pattern including pleats, ruffles, decorative pockets and patchwork!
4. Stylish Dress Book by Yoshiko Tsukiori - We are so glad this book is now in English! This is one of our favorite Japanese sewing books featuring simple and, yes, stylish dresses and tunics.
5. Just Sew Stories by Katie Allen - This book contains awesome projects for gifts! Everyone in your life is covered--with awesome projects like a "Totes" tote, Frida Kalho throw pillow, a hipster doll or a life-sized realistic and personalized cat pillow!
6. Growing Up Modern by Allison Harris - If you are looking to make a baby quilt, look no further, this book is just what you need! Allison's book has lots of patterns for Baby, Crib and Twin sized quilts ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced
7. Patchwork Please! by Ayumi Takahashi - This book is amazing--I if I can find the time to make all the projects in this book, my house will be the craftiest and cutest place ever!
8. Knitted Letters by Catherine Hirst and Erssie Major - This book is filled with witty and charming projects that involve letters or type. There are charted knitting patterns for tons of awesome fonts as well as my favorite project - 3D knit, stuffed letters!
9. Knit With Me by Gudrun Johnston - This mother/daughter collection has been highly anticipated by us Fancy Tigers as we are huge Gudrun fans. She did not disappoint! Knit With Me includes 12 sweaters and knit accessories in Gudrun's beautiful and sophisticated designs, sized for adults and kids.

See you soon!

Laurelhurst Sock Knit Along was Socktastic!

-jaime

We recently finished our Laurelhurst Sock Knit Along! The Laurelhurst is a pattern by Star Athena and it is awesome. It includes lace and stripes so it was exciting and interesting to knit. We had 8 participants finish their socks. I have a confession. I have never knit socks before. This was my first pair. I love them. I may not be a sock addict, but I know this isn't going to be my only pair of socks. Here are all the socks you can expect to see hittin' the streets of Denver!

Alsn: Cascade Heritage Sock in Como Blue and Grey

Amber: Sweet Georgia BFL Sock in Grape Jelly and Espresso

Caitlin: Madelinetosh Sock in Kale and Antler

Jaime: Madelinetosh Sock in Grapefruit and Silver Fox

Pam: Cascade Heritage Sock in Mustard and Italian Plum

Pink: Malabrigo Lace in Carrot and Amoroso

Shannon: Cascade Heritage Sock in Como Blue and Raspberry

Sunne: Madelinetosh Sock in Edison Bulb and Antler

Nice work everyone! We love to see everyone's finished socks and awesome color combinations!