A kind friend recently gave me a variety of quilting fabric, and the other night I decided to use a few bits to make the mousepad project from Amanda Soule's Handmade Home, which I currently have out from the library.
Although my fabric store didn't have heavy interfacing as the instructions required, leaving the pad rather floppy, I think it worked well. It gave me a chance to practice using the zig zag stitch on my machine, as well as an opportunity to try using fusible interfacing for the first time (and hey, it's much easier than I thought it would be). I like the colourful fabric too--it brightens up our old, tired looking computer desk.
Yesterday I went shopping, intending to find some more fabric for the baby quilt I'm going to make. I couldn't find any (at least, not any on sale) but I did make some nice finds at the thrift store.
The two bedsheets are in great condition--I'm not sure what I'll make with them yet but I couldn't leave that much cute fabric there for the price. The vintage apron (for a mere 99 cents) is a necessity for me now, since I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and my pregnant belly tends to pick up a lot of splatters! And the nightgown pattern is from 1952. Isn't it lovely? In a few years when my as yet unborn babe is a little girl, and my sewing skills have improved, I plan on giving it a try.
It's enjoyable to think about doing crafty things indoors while the weather is so cold outside...in a few months I know I'll be yearing to get into the garden (newborn strapped on) but for now, I'm having a great time thinking about things I'm going to sew.
I love Amanda Soule's books. I think I might just get out my copy and make myself a mouse pad. Our current one is gray and ucky...
Stephanie :)
www.simplicitymom.blogspot.com
Posted by: Stephanie | January 3, 2011 at 06:54 PM
It's going to be a girl!!! nothing is more fun than little girly clothes.
Posted by: Citysister | January 3, 2011 at 07:57 PM
The mouse pad idea is great, I don't like mine at all.
those nightgown are so cute! I have some vintage pattern here, but never tried to use them
Posted by: Andréann | January 3, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Yes, I suppose I forgot to mention that...it is going to be a girl, and I admit I'm pretty excited about that. I'll get to reuse all the pretty little baby clothes I saved from my first daughter so many years ago. :)
Posted by: Laura Jeanne | January 4, 2011 at 08:38 AM
Congratulations!
Isn't value village great?! I always look in the bed sheets section, not for our beds, but for fabric :)
Posted by: alex | January 4, 2011 at 09:18 PM
What wonderful finds! I so enjoy thrifting as well.
(Laura, could you email me at [email protected] - with your address so I can get the newsletter off to you - my fault for not writing it down when you mailed your article.)
Thanks so much Laura,
Warm wishes,
Tonya
Posted by: PlainandJoyfulLiving | January 6, 2011 at 11:59 AM