Sunday, September 4, 2011

More about FABRIC!

It’s amazing how debilitating a hand injury can be. I have  had to be careful to keep my hand clean and not pull on the stitches. …. Which means… no slopping through the dishes in the sink, cooking takes a bit more precision, and sewing has been pretty much a non-starter.  Although I did do the dishes and I even made some attempts at cooking for one. Good thing most of the time I just wanted to eat…. so PB&J would have tasted just fine.

I did try to put a little time in the sewing room, but to complicate my life… I have either acquired a head cold or allergies. Since it is spring here… Allergies are a distinct possibility. The last time I had this much difficulty with my sinuses… I got an ear infection just before leaving for South Africa. Took more than 8 weeks and several visits to a ENT and prescriptions for it to clear up. I am hoping… it’s a head cold!

The DH is home. He arrived yesterday. Of course…. he went shopping in Rwanda for some additional fabrics for my collection. So I couldn't wait for him to unpack and show me what he brought home!!! (In previous travels he brought back these and these and more… here.

The prints are so enchanting, and I noticed several different things I didn’t see when they were either folded or, even when hanging on the wall for the picture. For instance, this one.

green-print

When it was folded, I didn’t notice the different sizes of the print. There do you see it now? I really like the log cabin-ish centers too. DH was sure to bring me home a ‘green’ print because I think it’s my favorite color.

This next one is great because it has circles on it and a very bright red. I would love to make a jacket or a shirt out of it… but unfortunately, I just can’t wear red. I can sleep under it though!!!! so it just might have to become a quilt… (disregard the crooked photograph…. I’m using an old point and wait and wait and wait for the sewing room camera…now. The waiting gets to me!)

red-print 

and the last one….

pink-print

Would be a great piece paired with denim…. either shirt or jacket…. but the pinwheel… also says great quilt back too. I asked DH if he knew that there was pink on the print…. it was folded in such a way that unless you unfolded it…. you wouldn’t have known there was any pink on it!!!

Each piece is 6 yards long and about 50” wide. Plenty for making a shirt, jacket and some quilt pieces too. Speaking of shirt… does anyone have a recommendation for a simple blouse shirt pattern …. for cottons? I get so frustrated looking at patterns on the Internet… maybe you have a hint or two so I can take a short cut!!!

I think I am going to have to plan some fabric cutting soon. I really like this little jacket, but it doesn’t have any pockets. I like a pocket… but I think I figured out a way to add a pocket…. and I will make it a bit longer too… for a little different look. This LITTLE JACKET goes together in a few hours, a bit more if you make your own binding. (You going to have to go to the page… and scroll about half way down. Can’t figure out how to get it from Picasa to here…. and this is just EASIER).

So I hope everyone has a great Labor DAY!

More Later- Beth

4 comments:

  1. Great husband you have there :-) I doubt very much mine would even think of buying me fabrics.
    Hope the cut heals nicely and quick.
    HUGS!

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  2. Wow! Those are amazing fabrics. Your husband has great taste! I've always loved African fabric and art, but it's pretty hard to find in Eastern Oregon LOL! Hope your hand and nose gets better soon!

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  3. What amazing fabrics -- I could see using the green one as a wide border around some kind of "artsy" center. Maybe using one of your photos....

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  4. Your new fabric is wonderful! I am sorry to hear about your hand. I have nightmares about the rotary cutter, and I'm careful, but accidents can happen so quickly. I am sorry to have not commented on your last post (or posted myself!). Life (teaching, family) creeps in and makes it hard to keep up with all of the details. But I always enjoy seeing what you are up to.

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