2 more down

I've been on a sewing rampage this week. After all that time off, I finished 2 projects this weekend.

First are the place mats & napkins from Amy Butler's In Stitches book that I started working on last week. I finished them on Friday, and am really happy with how they came out.



This is the biggest project I worked on. All in, I spent 10-12 hours on these - maybe more. I learned I have about a 2 hour threshold to work before I get tired and need to do something requiring less concentration. I also learned if I push it, I make mistakes.

I worked with a new type of interfacing. It is material you sew or iron onto the back of fabric to give it shape and comes in many variations of strength/thickness. I did a bit of improvising for this project, which came out fine though next time I will use thinner interfacing that doesn't require ironing.

I finally feel like I am getting an intuitive knack for interfacing use, which is nice. I'm collecting me some sewing knowledge!

So the place mats have the same fabric on the back as in the front middle (Amy Butler pattern).


The napkins are reversible.


For the first time ever, I like these so much I actually want to give them away. Usually, I am sad I am being so generous with making items for others!

Yesterday, I took the Monsters, Dolls and Plushy Toys class with the fabulous Leslie at Stitch Lab. I haven't had such a fun 3 hours in a long time.

I made this Owl!



And I am very sad I am not keeping it. The class was great because the options were endless. I basically showed up with a bag of fabric. Leslie had lots of felt and buttons for us to use, and more patterns and ideas for stuffed toys than I thought was possible. This class really was all about imagination. And I definitely will be using this inspiration for new projects.

One woman drew her design from scratch. Another woman did a very adorable 2-headed dog, and the fourth woman did a camouflage squid for her son that was just amazing.

I totally want to have a plushy doll party! Like that place in the mall where you make stuffed animals, but they will have more personality. Cause you can't get eyes like this at the mall.



As for my plushy owl, she is destined to watch over a cute little Montana baby girl... if I don't try to sneak her home with me, of course.

Next up is a clutch bag from the Amy Butler book. A bag I have every intention of keeping, and assuredly won't change my mind when it's finished.