New fabrics and the Italian trim is back!

A couple of Phat Fabric things on the agenda today.  First off, new fabric...

I'm not much of an animal print person, but this Zebra print (called Zebe) is really making my eyes feel good!  The scale is large and it's not black and white - it's black and ecru, which I like.  I've already made an apron out of it and I can't wait to share. 

Next up is another Alexander Henry print called Cameroun Jungle...

You could say I was in a black and ecru mood when I purchased these prints for the shop.  Again, a large scale with whimsical floral/jungle motifs.

A little something to change up the mood...

This fabric is called Splatter and is part of the Van Gogh collection for Free Spirit fabrics.  It's 100% rayon poplin.  Perfect for Spring.  I would love to make a light weight cape out of this fabric or a simple fabric bobble scarf.
Here's the link to the new fabrics.

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I have good news for Italian trim fans.  They are back in stock!  Last week, I introduced the new trim section and within 48 hours sold out of almost all of the trims.  Here is the link to the new trims.

This week I will be working on updating my Jamie Christina website with new features and goods.  So, if it gets a little quite here, know that all is well.

Happy creating! 

Jamie

The flower fields

On Easter, we went to the Carlsbad Flower Fields before visiting our families.  This was my first visit to the fields, which is strange considering I lived near them for a significant amount of my life.  I guess I took it for granted until I moved away.  Well, that and you have to pay to view the fields.  That also seems strange to me, but we payed and enjoyed our visit.

Notice my daughter.  Notice the dress.  Notice it is Easter.  Remember the Easter skirt I made her?  Well, she had other plans... Grrr!... sigh... 

Where were we?  Oh yes - the flowers...

A lovely day!

Jamie

How to go from cardi blah to cardi HOORAH!

This was a lot of fun to make!  All you need is some cute trim, needle, thread, cardigan and about 15 minutes (depending on your hand stitching skills).
Here is my Anthro inspiration (link).

 The before and after...

Materials list:

• Cardigan - I used a Mossimo cardigan that I purchased from Target a few years ago.  That's why I don't throw things away (ahem sweet husband of mine).
• Trim - I used a little more than a 1/2 yard of the Nylon lace (link).  Important note on the trim you choose: Make sure you can cut into the trim to allow the trim to separate along the bottom edge (see step 2)
• Needle and thread

And we're off...

Step 1.  Measure the amount of trim you need by pinning the trim to the neckline.  Do not simply rely on measuring with measuring tape.  You need to see the placement of the pattern.  If you are using the same trim I used, or one similar, make sure you have placed the motifs so that you do not end up with a full circle on one side of the neckline and a half circle on the other side.  If you find that you end up with a half circle on one side, then adjust where you begin the placement of your first motif.  Either move it back or forward to allow for more or less room (cut off excess if less room).  Once you know how much trim is needed, cut off the excess.  Re-pin the trim to the neckline if you unpinned it to cut off the excess.

Step 2.  The trim is not cut as a collar, yet we are sewing it on as a collar, so you will have to cut into the bottom of the trim to allow it to expand with the circumference of the neckline.  However, you do not want to cut all the way through the trim.  Notice below that I cut around the circles and stopped where the larger circles are joined.  I also made sure that each motif had the same amount of small circles (4 small circles).  If desired, you can add fray check to edges that are cut.

Step 3.  Thread your needle (I double threaded it for extra strength) and bring your needle up from underneath the first motif.  Pick up a couple of threads from the trim and insert it back into the trim and through the sweater.  When I brought the needle through the sweater I tried to just grab a few threads making sure I didn't go all the way through the sweater.  I didn't want the beige thread to show on the wrong side of the sweater (sometimes it did).

Step 4.  Continue to stitch the trim to the sweater. Stitch the tops of the circles and continue to stitch down to where the circles join, then back up the circle (see white line path in pic below).

Step 5.  When you get to the last motif, finish it off, tie a knot, and smile.

Enjoy =)

Jamie

Trims from Italy!

I am very excited about my new Trims section at Phat Fabric (link).  A couple of weeks ago I went to the LA textile show and came across a lovely Italian trim booth.  I had been wanting to carry trims for some time now, but I hadn't seen any that I took an affinity to.  That is until I saw these...

and these...

The last one is my favorite!  I've already made something that I can't wait to share with you all this week (tute included).  It's Anthro inspired.  And speaking of Anthro inspired, take a look at this shirt I bought from Anthro some time ago...

Recognize that trim?  It's practically the same cotton lace trim from the first set of pics (except slightly wider).   When the rep from the trims booth pulled out that specific trim, I instantly remembered my green Anthro shirt.  As we all know, anything Anthro looking is a friend of mine. It's amazing how sewing a trim on a basic shirt can... um... Anthro-ize it. 

Also, the shabby flower trim is very similar to the trim I used on my daughters Easter skirt.

I feel like a little girl in a candy store.  So dang exciting!

Jamie  

Easter Skirt

I made my daughter a skirt for Easter.  I decided to revisit my past pettiskirt experience.  Whoooh!  Sends chills up my spine just thinking about that beast.  Anyways, I wanted to make her a skirt similar to the pettiskirt, but I wanted it to be a much more pleasant experience.  And it was!  I basically gathered strips of fabric to the waistband.  However, the waistband was not sewn together when I gathered the strips of fabric; instead, I gathered the strips to a rectangle which later became the waistband.  Once all of the strips were gathered and sewn together, I then matched and sewed the raw edges of the skirt together making a circle.  Lastly, I made a waistband casing and threaded elastic through the waistband casing.  Next time I will take pics of the process and write up a proper tutorial about it.  I wasn't sure if it was going to work, so I didn't take any pics of the process.  Contrary to my first experience, this skirt was really easy and fast to make.  I think I'm going to make myself a pettiskirt using the same method.

Fabric: Little Honey (skirt) and Froth (under skirt)by Anna Maria Horner at Phat Fabric.

Trim: Shabby Chic Rose trim at Frog Feathers.

The sweater is hand knitted by my cousin Priscilla.  She made it for my daughter's 7th birthday.  I think it's simply beautiful and very thoughtful of her.  It matches my daughters Easter skirt perfectly.

Have a blessed Easter!

Jamie

Tiny Dancer

I've been working on a new little peg doll for my daughter. Little by little I paint her petite features and then set her aside. The other morning, I noticed my little prima ballerina sitting in her usual spot. However, the morning sun had drawn special attention to her. There she sat, doing her morning ballet stretches with the morning light warming her skin.
 I hope she is as special to my daughter as she is to me.

Jamie

A new etsy shop and a contest

Guess who has an etsy shop?  My pop!  His shop is called By The Sea Benches (link).  I am so excited for him!  He makes stand alone benches, hanging benches, tables, and beach themed wall decor.   It's fun to talk to him on the phone, because his head is swirling with new creations.  In the past, he always viewed his profession as a job, but now it's his art.  It's always a thrill for me when I get to see someone else thrive with the creative energy that comes when they discover that everyone has the ability to create. Creating isn't regulated to the few who create in the classic profession of artwork.  The enjoyment is available for us all.  We just may not get paid as much as they do =)

Assuming that most of you create through sewing, you may be interested in a sewing contest.  The contest is called Spring Top Week and it's hosted by Made By Rae.  Here is a link to the details.  I don't believe Rae has announced the prize package yet, but I know it's going to be good.  Phat Fabric is donating a pattern and a Phat Fabric gift certificate to the winner along with other sponsored gifts.  The contest is May 1st through the 7th, so get to sewing =)

This contest has a personal affinity for me, since I'm a judge for the contest. I believe my task at hand is to help narrow down the entrants with a yes or no vote and then the final vote will be a public vote.  Sounds easy enough; however, I was kind of hoping to be able to have a cheesy saying like, "This top made the cut," or if I had to get all Simon Cowell then I would say, "You are hanging on by a thread."  I guess I'll have to settle with a yes or no vote.  Seriously, I'm really looking forward to viewing all of the works of art.

Have a great day!

Jamie