Cherry Fabric Pillowcase

Here is nice sampling of fabric by Moda from the series called "Oh Cherry Oh!" which I used to whip up this pillowcase.  And yes, it is very cute. Let's face it, red & white is a great combination.

 I bought my Mom a new pillow, one of those memory-foam ones with a heavy-duty hygienic cover. But of course it needed a bright new pillowcase to go with it. So I quickly pulled out these samples from my sewing stash ( it is thrilling to be able to casually write about my fabric stash!) ,these are very pretty & were fun to sew up.

I am dedicating this short post to my friend Eileen; she was the 'queen' of the quick, fun sewing projects. there was always something that she had on-the-go, and she always had something to show me whenever I popped by for a visit. I am referring to the days when hers & mine children were school-aged. She talked me into buying then taught me how to use my serger sewing machine. She did this by first teaching me how to use hers! I admit, I was hooked.After that, there was no end to the amount of 'jogging' pants & hoodies my children wore.

Her sewing room was crammed into the family laundry-room downstairs in their house when she lived down the street from me. It was fun to walk by her place as I came home from the local elementary school. If she saw me, she would call out an invitation to see what was going on 'in her lab', as she called it. Sigh! She made sewing exciting. Actually sewing was exciting then as it seemed any little thing I did mattered.

So Eileen, my friend, if you are reading this - this post is dedicated to you.

Aprons & Sewing Pursuits

This apron began a renewed interest in small sewing projects, namely aprons. I have begun to accumulate what is known in sewing circles as a 'stash' of fabrics! Since this new year began, I have discovered (happily) that a wide variety of beautiful cottons fabrics can be purchased online. This is very exciting news. There seems to no longer be any limitation on the design, color or themes of fabric lines available. In fact sewing, quilting and home crafts have undergone a rich renaissance as fabrics of every style or 'era' are now available. Reproduction patterns from the 1930's; 'Dick & Jane' fabrics; cherry pattern cottons  reminiscent of the 1950's and on and on can easily be found.
I have been a home sewer since the 1970's. Back in those days when I wanted to begin a sewing project, it was necessary to find an appropriate pattern and fabric. Choice was very limited. In fact, what inspired a sewing project back in those days was always a lovely pattern!  Be it a nice Simplicity skirt pattern, or a blouse pattern by Butterick,  the pattern was what I worked from and what inspired me. I was happy to buy very inexpensive muslim fabric and dye it the 'right' color. Or, embroider my own patterns on my fabric.

Now  fabric lines are available to a sewing enthusiast like collectibles. Just check out Moda Fabrics if you doubt what I say.  They have every type of pattern or inspiration imaginable, or yet to be imagined! When presented with a new line of 'Jane Austen' inspired fabrics or Mary Englebreit line, I ask myself "Would I be happy with only one or two samples from this line?" and the answer...."Of course not!".

Now I can order Fat Quarter Packs of the entire collection. These lovely Fat Quarters or FQs stack up very nicely on a book shelf or inside a basket.  I now look to the fabric collections, both in my sewing room and online for my inspiration. This is very different from how I used to sew thirty years ago!  Geesh I have sewn for a long time!