my view lately

Samples, writing, samples, revising. Getting very close to finishing up the Gold Ring pattern. Yay!

pompeja pillow cover(s)

One for me and one for my birthday girl sister, Lori. Pillow covers make great handmade gifts! No fastener required if you do an envelope opening in the back. You can showcase gorgeous fabric without using a lot of yardage, just 19 inches square for an 18 inch pillow. Easy to mail, too. These colors seemed right up my sister's alley. They sure ping my meter. Brights on dulls! My favorite. I'll get yours in the mail to you, Lori!

I used my own tutorial to make them. Even though pillow covers are pretty simple to sew I was a little vague on how I did my piping last time. My blog comes in pretty handy to me. Har. I'm my most loyal reader.

The fabric is that vintage Swedish curtain piece I recently purchased. I have some scraps leftover that I can use another way. It's just too pretty to throw away.

In situ. How I hate this old brown couch in our dining-area-turned-sitting-room. I think the color is called "Slough of Despond". But the new pillow certainly makes it easier on the eyes. I'd so love to replace the couch with a light and bright Ektorp. Someday!

wiksten tova for me

Finally the follow through. I actually bought this pattern two years ago. I was fizzing with excitement to make myself heaps of cute tunic tops at the time. Then the muslin I made was too small and I was stymied by the adjustments needed for my shoulders, yada yada yada...couple years go by and I attempted it again.

I used a chambray linen blend by Robert Kaufman that I had in the stash. I'd say it was a success overall. I think it's a cute top and this is the first time I've ever sewn set-in sleeves without wanting to cry. They eased in like a dream. The photos in the pattern are a bit hard to decipher (because of the fabric she used) so I read this great Tova sew-along by VeryKerryBerry and she has some really useful tips.

I made it in a larger size overall this time to fit my shoulders and ended up having to take it in quite a bit on the sides. I think if I did it over I might just try to widen the shoulders instead of sizing up. I think the neck looks too gapey on me in this size and I'm not thrilled with the way the collar lays open. I think I might try to make the neck opening smaller next time.

The trickiest part by far was sewing in the yoke. It's makes for some pretty weird contortions as you sew!

Two minor mods I made: I cut 1/2 inch off the collar piece. I made it as is on the first try and it stood out in a strange way, probably because the neck opening is too roomy. I redid it with a thinner collar as shown. I also added three tucks to the hem just to jazz it up a bit.

what I'm up to

Busy, busy, busy. I always envision lazy summers but somehow that never happens. Doing lots but blogging little. Sewing, traveling to see family, teaching Bible classes (I just finished a quarter with my truly awesome 4-6th graders), VBS madness.

And of course I'm working on two patterns right now, the Gold Ring ornament (5th in the Twelve Days series) and the EarlyBird NightOwl Pillow. Busy digitizing pattern pieces and making test samples for both.

I've sewn a couple of shirts for myself but I can't seem to find a good time to photograph them. Or the motivation to get shots of me wearing them. Or the courage to show you. I'll do that soon. Ish.

And my head was completely turned recently by this vintage curtain remnant on Etsy. I love the combination of the brights with the dull brown. It's a 60s print called Pompeja by Swedish designer Marta-Lena Bjerhagen. It needs to become a pillow for my couch. I'll squeeze that in between samples.

I hope your summer is going well! Or your winter, for my friends in the southern hemisphere.