Fall Color is Exploding!

by Heidi Emmett

If you haven’t planted one yet, you need a Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) or two in your yard. They love full sun. And LOOK, I found a vest hanging out in my Burning Bush!

I made this vest 25+ years ago. And I am thinking that it has been timeless in its style. Which makes it very wearable today!

A great use of Kaffe Fassett striped fabrics I think. Let’s go in closer for a better look. Please note the middle of the back pouches out just a bit (a branch was in the way ).

I tried many variations on how the striped fabrics would look best.

Notice the addition of some yarn. More on that later.

Here is the Burning Bush in all its’ fiery glory. The lawn in front of it looks a little sad but that’s because here in the very north of California (well actually ALL of California) we have experienced a very long drought. BUT, drum roll and choirs singing we are expecting up to 6″ of rain this Sunday and Monday here in the Sierra Nevada foothills AND FEET of SNOW in the mountains! Hallelujah!

Yes, check out the vest but LOOK at the handsome Riley dog. He’s a gooood boy! We got the results back from his DNA test. Are you ready for this: 32% German Shepherd, about the same amount Husky, some Staffordshire Terrier, some Pit Bull, AND 1% Chihuahua.

I was trying to get Riley to hop up on the stone wall. He wanted to play instead. He has soooo much energy! That’s what we wanted, right? We have to walk him 3-4 times a day. Or is it Riley WALKS us, either way it’s great exercise as are the free weights we must keep up with (he can really pull hard when he sees a lizard or squirrel).

All rightie then, let’s learn a new technique! I’ve decided to use My “Mommy & Me and My Lace Vest and Quilt.” This is really a GREAT vest pattern. I’m beginning to think it isn’t a top seller because the word “Lace” is in the title and I made it in lace. People, people, just because you see a clothing pattern one way, you CAN change it up to suit your needs. O.K., I’m coming off my soapbox to gather my materials for my project.

Yes it’s TIME! Time to actually use some things that I have had for years and years. Again, stripes by Kaffe Fassett are timeless, but if I don’t use some of these things soon, I will RUN OUT of time! Ha, ha. The little squares I have had in “scrap” bag sitting next to my “jelly rolls.” Maybe they will work into the vest too.

A Kaffe Fassett jelly roll unfurled. DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com is my blog. DesignsbyHeidiEmmett is my shop name at Etsy.

I know everyone has a favorite batting. Mine is “Warm & Natural.” It’s everything it says and is made right here in the USA. DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com (my blog address).

I’m Loving this reprinted Kaffe Fassett print called “Turkish Delight.” I’m thinking of it as a lining, but maybe I need to make this a reversible vest to show off this cool fabric.

I turn my back for ONE MINUTE and look who claims a spot on the table.

Before I go any further I must use my FAVORITE fabric stabilizer EVER! DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com I’m name dropping here but my friend Terry M. invented this. Thank you Terry for the BEST, newest, invention in the sewing world today.

Since I used a Jelly roll, they were already cut 2 1/2″ wide. I laid each strip out on a piece of muslin and butt them up to each other. I then sprayed the strips with jTerial Magic and ironed them dry. To add more interest to my weaving, I then cut the strips into irregular lengths and stitched them back together (as shown above) to be woven.

I am showing you how unique the stripes look when some are stitched with several different stripes in one run and then blended with a single piece of stripe woven next to it. Looks sophisticated and oh so complicated.

I have to add some yarn, but which one?

A close up of a “fuzzy” yarn. Very similar to the one you saw in the beginning. It probably is the same yarn, ha, ha. You know already that I can’t seem to get rid of anything. If it is the same one, I’m glad I saved it because it is perfect. So there. More chuckles.

More explosions of Fall color. You MUST also get a Virginia Creeper for a fence cover in your yard.

I promise, I did not polish these leaves. I have never seen them this shiny before. Such intense color and then with the velvety blue berry color and some hints of green and yellow leaves. It is another example of an Explosion of Fall Color.

And here is the Virginia Creeper from further away. Hides my neighbors new house beautifully. Of course winter is a different story but I wont be worrying about it.

Oh look, more fun scrap blocks. I may work them in too. We’ll see. Sew, you must come back and see where all this Kaffe Fassett fabric and yarn land.

Have a great weekend and do something fun and different to get your creative juices going. Maybe some “Leaf Peeping.” Thank you all for stopping by. Hugs, Heidi

Saturday Fun!

by HEIDI EMMETT

I went to the Nevada County Fairgrounds two weeks ago. It was the annual Gem & Mineral show! This lovely lady, Carolyn makes something I have never seen before. Using “knitting spools” she created AMAZING silver necklaces.

You can see the general idea in the lower left (black and white). She starts with 26 gauged silver wire.

Plain silver and copper necklaces on the left. And on the right, add beads to the wire BEFORE you do any of the “spooling” work.

Lower left of this picture is the way you set up a spool with the small nails and the direction that the wire is wound on the spool. A very small crochet hook is used to move the wire off the nailheads. When the necklace first comes off the spool it is a little lumpy. Carolyn made a super “specialized” tool above (kind of upper left). It is a narrow piece of wood with different sized holes drilled in it. Just pull the silver necklace through one of the appropriate holes and pull through the other side. As you pull, the piece becomes smooth and perfectly sized. Isn’t that cool? Carolyn said practice with regular beading wire (26 guage) first, as the silver wire is very expensive.

When our son was 3 and for years and YEARS after that, we would bring him to this show. Each year they would sell “grab bags” like the one above. Cory loved these. Cory is 30 yrs. old now and lives elsewhere. In one of our chats on the phone I told him where I was going and right away he said, “Mom will you get me a grab bag? Ha, Ha. Still my little boy with lots of curiosity. So here is Cory’s grab bag. I did add a few extra cool pieces that I found at the show.

One that I added is this piece of pyrite. In the picture that has all the other stones you will see it as super shiny silver. Here is the same pyrite but it is reflecting the green leaves from above (I took the picture outside). So cool.

A piece of some kind of rock (so scientific I am) that has pure copper attached to it. This is from the state of Michigan.

Here is a chunk of Labradorite. In the right light it is so translucent and gorgeous.

Here is my necklace made from Labradorite. Oh dear, the silver needs polishing. Remember a past post (December of 2020) I showed you a super cool way to shine up your silver (thank you to my niece). Line a small saucepan with aluminum foil. Add a tablespoon of baking soda. Boil enough water to cover about 2″ in the saucepan. Lower in the piece. Using tongs, lift out the piece about 2 minutes later. VOILA’ Clean and shiny.

I bought this piece for me ( I want it as a button closure). Rubies in malachite from India.

Speaking of gorgeous agate stones as button closures, I made an OFF THE GRID VEST (different from anything I’ve ever made and used a flat stone piece from a previous Gem and Mineral show as the closure. See this pattern at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com

Taa Daa! My beautiful OFF THE GRID VEST using scuba cloth (actually it is black fabric but I could not get great lighting with this shot so it appears brown in color) and a hand painted canvas. To learn more about this vest, go to the home page of my blog: Designsbyheidi.wordpress.com and look for the “Category’s” space. Scroll down to OFF THE GRID VEST. Click on it and past posts with many great ideas for your own OFF THE GRID VEST will pop up. Have fun. I think the wired piece of agate I used is the perfect finish for this vest.

I have a few lovely pieces of agate to choose from.

Sorry, I can’t make this picture stand up straight. It will only stay on its’ side. But here is my beaded and wired piece of agate that acts as a closure.

The pictures below are too fun. I hope you think so too.

Sweet little mama kitty is getting a sonogram. A little nervous she looks.

Checking the sonogram for herself. And then the SHOCK of it all sinks in!

I feel this way when one of our 2 kitty’s sits on my lap.They want to sit FOREVER! I would sub out the beer bottles for a wine glass.

This one is just plain hilarious.

Awwww…..too cute! Have a great weekend everyone. What are you going to work on next? Have a couple of projects ready to go at one time. If you are easily bored (as I am, ha,ha), you can switch it out without missing any time. You will finish them both eventually, but who says you have to work on one at a time!

If you are interested in my OFF THE GRID VEST pattern, please visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com orrr…..contact me at hmemmett@gmail.com to get the pattern directly from me if you would rather.

October 1st, a Little Playtime!

by HEIDI EMMETT

It was such a nice day that we got out our older (1998) convertible, put the top down and the dog in the back and took off. We headed for the town of Nevada City, California (a ten minute drive from our house). It was a day to see some of the town. Once I parked the car (my turn to drive) we had a short walking tour of Nevada City.

Have you ever seen an arbor like this? It is such a fun idea.

Really!?! A Bamboo forest in town? Yes, it wasn’t large but made for a great conversation starter. I always have thought of Bamboo as being more tropical, but it grows in Asia where it really snows. And it snows here too. So there you go.

Nevada City (nowhere near the state of Nevada) and it’s next door neighbor, Grass Valley, CA were both gold mining towns in their day. Many beautiful Victorian homes line the streets of both towns.

A super old granite/quartz retaining wall. These pieces had to have come from one of the many mining claims outside of town.

A nice bright and cheerful color for a victorian. What a great porch entry overhead.

The rounded porches were very popular as well. Notice the beautiful bluegray ceiling . Notice the dead lawn in the front yard. Sadly we are in a major drought so we all have to pick what we really want to save or suffer the monthly charges as in four f igures (over $ 1,000 for the month of August) for our home. We are praying for early fall rains. 3/4″ so far this season over 3 different little storms. Just enough to ruin our windshields and spot the car. We’ll take it though.

I took this picture from the car while Robert drove this leg. That’s a real gaslight in front of this office building. The gaslights line several streets and are gorgeous at night and when it snows. Very festive at Christmas.

Don’t you just love small town living? It was fun to see women walking home from the market with baskets filled with flowers of the season. I saw three and each one could have been a postcard.

The Pine street bridge was originally built in 1862.

Walking over the bridge. Deer creek is seen below. It really rushes along in the early spring months.

Riley is ready for the trip with his special harness. He has a satisfied smile that tells us he’s having fun. We roll up the side windows when the driving is a little faster because we want to protect Riley’s eyes (he wont wear “doggles”).

The special harness has some give to it so Riley is free to give me driving tips over my shoulder.

Wearing my joy today! This is a skirt using my Easy 3-Tiered Skirt pattern. I love all these colors together. I made this at least 25 years ago (had to replace the elastic ’cause it died) but the fabric and design of the skirt are in style right now. This is an Italian cotton that I sold in my fabric store back in the day.

Check out this pattern on my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett. Buy the pdf version and upload it immediately after you buy it. You can use so many types of fabric for this skirt. I’m doing some cleaning and sorting this weekend in my attic sewing studio. But I have already found some treasured pieces of fabric that I’d forgotten about. I’m hoping that I’m NOT THE ONLY ONE who is a curator of their own fabric museum! Thanks so much for stopping by. Big hugs to all of you, Heidi

A Little of This and That!

By HEIDI EMMETT

I thought I would go for something different this Friday. So enjoy a little of this and that on this day. We’ve got some humor, cute pictures and, some wise words.

It’s the “Cat Pope.”

Love this.

From the blog: Agilejack.wordpress.com I just LOVE the pictures of her cute “puppskies.”

Another great saying.

Adorable felted pillows. It has been so hot lately, but next week with cooler weather predicted, I shall dust off “ye olde Felting Machine” I think.

Great saying don’t you agree?! So let’s all get to working on something creative. Remember what I always say, “15 minutes a day is all you need to get yourself going on a project.”

What??!! How did this Tote Bag get into this post? Well, it’s here so let’s check it out. Hmm… what are these pieces exactly? Very strange shapes.

Look closely, and YES they are shirt collars.

This Tote Bag took 13 men’s shirt collars to make. The bottom is a scrap of denim.

I have really enjoyed this Tote Bag. It’s definitely a one of a kind. O.K., O.K., I collect men’s shirts at the thrift shop for their fabric and colorways. So finding 13 shirts was uh….not a problem for me. Sigh….. I paired the tote with my J.Jill skirt that has layered appliques all around the skirt and ribbons top stitched down. The bottom of the skirt has a layer of stitched nylon netting peaking out from underneath.

The Tote Bag pattern came from THIS Book. It truly is on the Edgy side.

Here is the back cover. I have 8 copies left, all brand new. Buy it from me for $12.00 (includes tax), plus $4.00 shipping. Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com if you want one. All transactions done through Paypal.

Thank you all so much for stopping by. Big hugs to you all, Heidi

Totin’ My Totes, Part 2

by HEIDI EMMETT

What a glorious day. A high of 84 and light breezes. This post will be really short today because I’m takin’ my dog out for a long walk in the middle of the afternoon no less.

Is this wild and colorful enough for everyone?!

I’ve shown this tote before about a year ago. But it is really worth seeing it again as I want to turn this into a class. Let’s look at more pictures first and then I’ll spill.

Here is the back (nice photo Heidi, cut off some of the tote at the bottom). Whoops.

A close up of the medallion on the back plus a bit of a handle.

The front section again with bottom cut off a bit. I do need a break, my photography skills are beginning to lapse.

Close up of the front, a teeny tiny portion.

And another view of a corner of the front of the tote.

So here is my plan: This tote has at least 6 different creative techniques in it. Each technique is could be a stand alone idea for a garment, another type of tote, pillow, etc. I envision all the techniques in one class but show other things you could create once you know how to do the techniques. I want to offer it through my Etsy shop and price it reasonably. I’m hoping to imbed a video in the class as well as good instruction pictures and written instructions.

The Artistic Alchemy Retreat was cancelled, my teaching engagement coming up was cancelled. And on and on, so I am happy happy HAPPY!!! to have a freer time frame to figure out a new class to offer. Look for it soon.

Riley is begging to go for a walk in the cooler weather. He’s such a GOOD BOY! Let’s go Riley. Oh, I almost forgot. We should find out what breed/breeds our sweet boy is very shortly. I plan to make a guessing game out of it, for you, and are family and friends. It will be fun.

AND, we might get actual, MEASUREABLE rain this Sunday! We’re sure praying for it to. I’m going to get a project together to take into my attic sewing studio and listen to the rain on our new roof and skylights. We have not had ANY rain since the beginning of April. That’s 5 whole months people! So HOP TO IT everyone! We need to brew up some creativity. Hugs, Heidi

Totin’ my TOTES!

by Heidi Emmett

This week I felt Fall in the air. It is also after labor day so I quit wearing white capris (is that still a thing, to not wear white after labor day?)and it’s time to change my Tote Bag (the one I carry when a tote is needed). Oh my goodness, I have bunches of Tote Bags that I have made and NOT used yet.

This is my TOTE using a scrap of linen/cotton blend in the taupe/black stripe combo. and using a PATTY PARK stencil, added the black portions.

I filled in and around the stenciled parts with “slow stitched” aka “running stitches in the orange. I talked about Patty Park in a previous post regarding her amazing stencils. We will be working on how to get these to everyone who wants to own some of them.

Love making this TOTE using Bungee cords. I created it as a project for the now defunct Stitch magazine.

I used the “Quilt as you go” method of attaching strips of fabric to a batting and backing all at the same time.

“Slow Stitching” is my new go to type of embroidery. NO THINKING INVOLVED. Well, I guess you do have to pick out the fabrics you want to use and the background and the thread you will use. It is a simple running stitch and fill it in wherever your imagination takes you.

Some call it “Sashiko” stitching too. Raw edges are involved on the whole thing. You can do nothing wrong. Make it up as you stitch.

I had to show you the back I came up with using an old pair of jeans.

And of course, this is my “Triangle Tote.” It is a project I designed for the also now defunct magazine “Modern Patchwork.”

I enjoyed putting these fabrics together with the Diawabo Gray ombre” (color changes from light to dark gray across the fabric).

Here is the front cover for this interesting TOTE idea.

And the back portion of the pattern cover. For the month of September, through this blog post only, I will offer you this TOTE PATTERN, TRIANGLE TOTE for 1/2 price. Only $5.50 US + $1.00 US shipping anywhere in the world (truly, I mean that). Contact me, Heidi Emmett via my email: hmemmett@gmail.com. I will do all transactions via Paypal (easy, and very secure, and you don’t have to have an account, they take credit cards).

I have more TOTES to show, but that will be for next week.

I had to pop this one in BECAUSE IT IS SO TRUE!! May the air you breathe this weekend be clear and cool, giving you energy to get some creativity going. Hugs to you, Heidi

The Artistic Alchemy Retreat held at…..

by HEIDI EMMETT

the Zephyr Point Conference Center Located at Zephyr Point, Lake Tahoe, this September 6th-10th has been cancelled. Last year it was cancelled because of the Virus and this year because of Wildland Fire. The Wildland Fire, purely wind driven, started on August 14th, at Grizzly Flats some 30+ miles from South Shore, Lake Tahoe. All residents of Grizzly Flats were evacuated in the dead of the night. Not one home survived the fire as it roared through that beautiful small town. The post office, the grade school, everything gone, all the way to the foundations. It was so hot they showed aluminum wheels on burned out cars that had melted into puddles.

This past Monday, on August 30th, we were informed that the Zephyr Point Conference Center was cancelling ALL reservations and events. While they were NOT being evacuated (Zephyr is 3 miles north of the main evacuations at South Shore), much of the Conference grounds were being turned into a Fire Evacuation center for their own staff members. Much of the staff live in South Shore, Lake Tahoe. 22,000 people in that area alone had to be evacuated.

Here are the stats on the fire as of today, Sept. 3rd, 2021: 212,900 acres burned, 29% contained, 661 homes destroyed, and 857 structures (includes barns, businesses, etc.). Air quality (check out Purpleair.com) had at one point at Zephyr Point exceeded 1,000!!! It has a daily average right now of a 3-400 range. 150+ is considered unhealthy!

Please read some of the email we received on Monday, August 30th.

Dear Valued Guest,

This weekend saw rapid growth of the Caldor  fire on the eastern edge which has been moving toward the Tahoe Basin. The evacuation orders for South Lake Tahoe have been expanded significantly.

While Zephyr Point is not yet in the zone of evacuation orders it is under evacuation watch, given the current situation Zephyr is preemptively cancelling all reservations for arrivals scheduled between now and September 8th.

Please read more of the letter sent this early afternoon:

Zephyr Point is currently providing emergency housing to Zephyr Point staff and their families who have been evacuated. We are monitoring additional needs in the community and determining when and how we might utilize our facilities to meet those community needs.

If you would like to help these staff members who have to take refuge at Zephyr Point, please donate what you can to Zephyr Point during the navigation of a really tough time. Here is the  link for donations.

I was going to do a post on “Totes of All Kinds.” I wanted to include my Zephyr Point red tote because I would like to copy it in a similar way (I really like the shape) but Pieced or Quilted. My next post will pick up more “Totes of All Kinds.”

From the first year, three of us teachers to our last retreat in 2018, we have had some FABULOUS retreats at Lake Tahoe. While I’m not sure what the future of Artistic Alchemy Retreats will be, our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this horrible fire at the Lake Tahoe area. Please donate if you can. Hugs, Heidi

I Missed Last Week!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Yes, I missed last week. You might think I was on vacation. I sure wish I was. I love this blog. Writing to you each week and showing pictures of what I have created has been my pleasure as well as my “giddy up and go” to keep creating and sewing.

There is so much going on in my life right now, I haven’t had time to be creative. Besides the fire and close call with evacuations about a month ago, there was another fire 2 days ago. This one was closer to us, but because it was right next to our little airport in Grass Valley, the air attack planes and helicopters were right on it. So disconcerting as you see another huge plume of smoke. We also have a fire (2nd largest fire EVER in the state of CA), north of us (Dixie fire, burning for over a month now) and a large fire one hours drive south of us called the Caldor fire. It is getting closer to South Shore, Lake Tahoe. Very thick forested areas, so LOTS of fuel to make for the worst air quality in the entire U.S. Go to Purpleair.com the AQI (air quality index).

My biggest concern right now is for my sweet Mom. She has been in the hospital since August 10th. She’s hanging in there, but she took a fall in the early morning hours and compressed her T-6 vertebrae. Mom has NEVER had a fall (I contribute that to the every day walk we take) but she is on some new medication and that is what did it. It’s crazy, there are many other things (none of them good) going on but I wont bore you with the details. My family and I are Believers and know that ultimately GOD IS IN CHARGE ! So I am standing by one of my favorite verses, Romans 12:12 (paraphrased), Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer.

The pictures of Rex (as a kitten) are what I want in my life, I just want to “chill”…. some day soon. Check them out.

Thank you all for stopping by. Big Hugs to you all. Heidi

P.S. I am still shipping my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns. So visit my Etsy shop, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see what I carry.

ZEPHYR means Gentle Breeze!

by HEIDI EMMETT

We could all use some gentleness in life right now. The following are some pictures of a Zephyr Jacket that I made. Enjoy!

Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com for more information on purchasing one of my “Art To Wear” patterns .

Visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see all of my Art to Wear patterns.

This Zephyr Jacket is made with “Kantha” cloth. Basically it is two layers of fabric (usually made in India) that are hand stitched together. The picture below shows the wrong side.

Blog: Designsbyheidi.wordpress.com

The wrong side is showing as I flipped back the front panel. White running stitches are seen on the back side of the Kantha cloth. Visit my Etsy shop, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to order a copy of this pattern.

I purchased this Kantha piece on Etsy. Type in the words Kantha Cloth and you can shop for many, many, designs and sizes. They are actually purchased as blankets, bedspreads, or throws. My size Small Zephyr Jacket (pattern at my Etsy shop, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett) took one throw to complete.

If you didn’t have enough Kantha, but have scraps, perfect! Piece it wherever needed. Who will know? You call it a “Design Feature.”

Fun shoulder detailing (need to run the lint brush over it I see). Also, I chose NOT to line the front pieces or do a turn under hem. I added an edging using the black loopy fabric (look to a FUTURE post for this technique).

Inner tube jewelry. A great look for this jacket. This one is stamped with Lime green paint.

This set is perfect for this jacket. A plain black necklace and bracelet.

I couldn’t resist one more necklace to show you all. Fast and easy to make. Hm…look to a Future post on this type of jewelry making as well. Pretty crazy aren’t they? Have a creative weekend everyone. Hugs, Heidi

Techniques Abound. Interrupted by FIRE!!!!

by HEIDI EMMETT

3:30p.m. Wednesday August 4th from my back yard looking to the East. The beginning of the River Fire, Colfax, California. It looks sooooo close to my house.

My brother Dwight took this shot from their kitchen window on Sontag Hill (the fire is near Colfax about 14 miles away )on August 4th(notice the fire within the smoke). This was taken about 4:00p.m.. Dwight’s view looks to Rollins Reservoir and of course Colfax to the south. 
Four of our families (that includes me) were on the watch /”get ready to go” list. For over an hour the fire was headed directly for us. It was a totally wind driven fire.
Acreage burned yesterday, 2400 acres. 50+ structures burned. They really put the BIG BIG planes on this fire. I wish I had a picture of one going over our house really low. It gave me goosebumps and HOPE! 200 ground crew and helicopters with “Bambi” buckets( they scooped water out of Rollins reservoir which was also in the fires path for awhile) and other BIG helicopters and 3 planes from our air attack base (1 .25 miles away).  All evacuations still in place. Our cars and trucks are still packed just in case. Entire town of Colfax was evacuated.   God is good. We are all safe and sound (Mom too of course). A low system came in last night bringing high humidity and laid the fire down. We are not supposed to have much wind today, if any. It’s smoky but could be worse.
Highlight at 11:45 a.m. today, Thurs. August 5th. Only 2 big helicopters on the scene right now and the ground crews. Sounds very very good. 
You all should look at Yubanet.com and Flightradar24.com 

I am still pretty rattled as I finish my post. So, I think I’ll just show the pictures. I’ll explain the “technique” portion in another post. Thanks for your understanding.

This was taken a few years back when I was working on a new idea.You know it was a few years back because even in June, there is still snow on the Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe.

These last two shots are the all over piece with some wire flowers running off the edge. Raw edge, edging.

This LITERALLY happened to me JUST last week. Aargghh………

Have a good, creative weekend. We are all safe here in Cedar Ridge and on Sontag Hill. We all still have our homes and properties. They shut down that fire so fast.It started on Tuesday Aug. 2nd 2:30 p.m. And they are still mopping up things but as of about 2:30p.m. today, Friday the 6th we heard that all 4,000+ people are being allowed to go back to their homes and it is Friday the 6th of Aug. 2:00p.m. We’re so impressed by the skill and fortitude of all those working on the job to keep us all safe. Thank you and God bless you and keep you all! Hugs, Heidi

A Simple Upcycle. Check out my Latest Piece.

by HEIDI EMMETT

Yes, it’s STILL hot and smoky. It is summer (it’s supposed to be hot) so iced tea and ice water are in order today. So let’s look at a “cool” picture.

I feel cooler just looking at that Lake Tahoe backdrop. And if you make your own Rafiki skirt using my pattern, you will be cooler in general and “cool” as in looking good. Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com to purchase directly from me. I will pay the shipping. $15. US (includes tax).

On to my latest “Upcycled” project.

I bought this top years and years ago. I feel that it has become shorter and shorter each year. I think that is in direct proportion to my hips getting wider and wider. Hmm…Enough! of THAT kind of thinking. At any rate I wanted to add length. I decided to add it directly to the bottom because of the cool little border piece already at the bottom hem.

It truly took a few years and many purchases (LOVE that part of course) until I found just the right colors of quilting cotton (the top is made of quilting cotton weight too).

I picked two different fabrics, cut my desired length and pieced them together. I just cut and sewed pieces together until I had enough width to go around the bottom. I wanted it to be “weighted” down so after piecing the circle of fabric, BEFORE I machine hemmed it, I slipped another piece into the hem area (it is the blue spotty fabric on the left). I then stitched it in place.

So here is the front after I sewed the circle of fabric onto the bottom. There is too much white in the “star” piece. So I did some experimenting with getting rid of the white.

I pulled out my newest favorite thing. My fabric markers (permanent) by Arteza. I love that they have for each color, an Ultra Fine Tip on one end, and a Fine Tip on the other.

It’s just like coloring in a coloring book for this project.

Before using the pens…….

Before again. Don’t you think as I do, the stars are too white?

Taa Daa! After! I think the colors are so beautiful in this top and it was worth the wait to find just the right pieces to help it all flow together beautifully

Whoops, I forgot to show the back. It’s pretty much just the one piece. I used only two different fabrics in the circle for the bottom.

Riley, waiting VERY patiently for a little treat after “Puppy Pushups.” When he gets a treat that he LOVES his lips quiver and he drools (I need to get a video for you all to see). Riley is turning into “the BEST DOG EVER! ” We even leave the barricades pretty much open except at night. Remember, we have 2, 9 yr. old cats that are inside and outside. They all just ignore each other. Let’s hope it lasts.

This is a mini-jellyfish. I love the polka dots and colors. What does polka dot mean? Just typing it out looked weird. So I “googled” it.

The Polka Dot Craze of the 19th Century

The modern term “Polka Dot” comes from the polka dance craze that swept through Europe in the mid-19th century. The term “polka dots” to refer to a spotted fabric first appeared in print in 1857 in Godey’s Lady’s Book, a Philadelphia-based women’s magazine of the time period.

Here is another “craze,” using silk ties. I’ve seen necklaces, quilts, & vests, and even a throw using silk ties, but this is a first. A silk tie dress.

I think it is really creative. And may your creativity abound this next week.

I leave you with this verse from the Bible: Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer. Romans 12:12 Hugs, Heidi

It’s The Dog Days of Summer.

by HEIDI EMMETT

Day after day after DAY of over 90 degree weather! Acckk….. I blame my lack of gumption to get stuff done on the HEAT! Please enjoy the following pictures with ideas that I have come up with. The first few pictures feature what else but DOGS!

Love this cute doggie and the tote bag too. I found this lady’s blog called “Agilejack” via Pinterest. This is her dog Rico. You can watch Rico learning how to round up sheep and see great Tote Bags and her quilts.

This so funny. Yep, found it on Pinterest.

When I want comfort food THIS is what I reach for. It TRULY is the “World’s BEST” Mac & Cheese in the frozen food section. AND it’s Gluten Free! We should all try to be more gluten free but that’s a talk for another time. I sent them an email 3 years ago to thank them for this yumminess and guess what? They sent me a T-shirt (the little boy in the bow of the boat) with the Beecher’s name on top.

I ran out to the garden and picked a bunch of Sunsugar tomatoes as the “top note.” Super delicious and satisfying.

I’m hearing that denim jackets, timeless in my opinion, are going strong again for the summer. I like what was done here. I never saw the front of this jacket. And I went down many “bunny trails” within PInterest to try and find it.

How could I NOT KNOW THIS great tip! This works for almost all herbs. I was listening to our local radio station, a one minute gardening/cooking commercial twice a week for a health food store. Pick your herbs out of the garden and put them in water and leave them on the counter. Do NOT store them in the fridge. They look pretty until you are ready to use them and WOW it really works. No more turning limp or black thinking the fridge/crisper section is the place to store them. This little bit of Basil above has been in the glass with water for 5 days. It’s even blooming! I know, I know, pinch off the blossoms but I forget to.

Whoo Hoo! My big project for the week. I bought this at a thrift shop at least 15 years ago. It has always been a size too big but I don’t like tight fitting anything in the summer. I love the fabric (a jacquard by the way, 100% cotton, and beautiful quality fabric). I also like the design of the dress and the color. What exactly did I do to this dress since I liked it so much the way it is? Ha, ha, I shortened it! This is actually the 2nd time I have shortened it. It is now tunic length so I can wear white leggings underneath. Sadly, “ye olde” varicose veins are really showing these days. I would have put it on and shown you what I mean, but oh dear, I’m being extra lazy today. I know, I’ll wear this to church on Sunday. I’ll post it on Instagram about noontime.

Check out these pockets! I pushed the belt up a bit so you could see that they are in-seam (as in the waist, not the usual side seam) pockets.

So sleek and smooth. I MUST find a way to put these in another garment.

Gorgeous piping detailing.

Malia of Honolulu. I looked it up. This one is considered a “vintage” dress. I also went to Etsy just for kicks and typed in Malia, Honolulu. Wow, there were a bunch advertised as “Vintage” and prices all over the map. Maybe you have a dress you like to wear but the length doesn’t suit you anymore. Easy peasy for a whole new look.

There is nothing like picking veggies from the garden in either the cool of the morning or just at dusk. There are cucumbers under there too. Ha, ha, of course my Ikea colander color coordinates with my favorite hand crocheted (not by me but I could have I tell ya’) tank top. Have a great weekend everyone and make MORE time for what you love to do! All the other weekend chores can wait. Hugs, Heidi

SILK TOP and RIPPED JEANS!

by HEIDI EMMETT

I bought these jeans on the half off rack at the thrift shop. I looked EVERYWHERE among my pictures for a “before” shot. I know I took one but can’t find it. Notice where the rips are at the hip area on both sides. I put the jeans on and the rips were just too big for me. The white pocket lining stuck out of the frayed part not to mention too much skin showing. Not a good look no matter ones age!

So these jeans sat on the “What do I do with this” pile.

I added to the same pile, this 100% silk top. I bought it as a “cutter” piece. “Cutter” means cut it up and use it in something else. Pretend you don’t see the dragonfly pin (more about the pin in a minute). So there it sat, top of the heap, and I could see it from the ironing board (o.k., O.K., I categorize things in separate bins, like, silk, denim, etc., once the pile falls over, sigh… I’m hopeless). The jeans were right under the top, the legs hanging out.

And this is how my thinking went (while I was ironing, see, I can multitask!).I bought the blouse because I loved the colors and designs. Hmm.. I wonder if it fits. It did, sort of. Hey, those jeans could work with that top. What if I find floss in the colors of the top and sort of fill in those big gaps in the jeans with some simple embroidery?

Large “gaposis” in the bust area. But, otherwise, it did fit!

I mean I needed to take it in this much.

Taa Daa! Enter the hand made (living wage for a group of women in India, http://www.travelore.com) Dragonfly pin. Simple pleating on the front with the pin and it’s all fixed. NO SEWING NEEDED!

Quick commercial break. The same thing (Dragon Fly Pin gathering) is perfect for my Whisper Blouse pattern too. Check out my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see all my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns.

I’ve shown this pin before, my Mom got it for me on a river cruise up the Mississippi River. It is a hand carved and painted butterfly from Louisiana.

Whisper blouse is loose fitting in the bust area and the skirt. To give the illusion of an hour glass figure, (and I know for a FACT that this idea works on full busted women just a nicely as it does on the shall we say, less than full busted women) a pin is perfect.

This actually looks a little whimpy doesn’t it? I needed to pack more fabric onto the pin part, lots more. Sorry about that. And it would have helped to actually press all the cotton lawn pieces. My attic studio on that day was as hot as the outside. 97 degrees said the temperature guage. I do have a wonderful attic fan that pulls in the cool outside air and pushes out the hot air. Sadly for about 4 days in a row the outside air never got below 82 degrees. Enough of that, I saw a squirrel didn’t I?

Don’t laugh too much as you gaze at my perfectly NOT perfect embroidery. I kept it really simple. I sure missed some areas. But I wasn’t worried about it as you can see. I even tied off the knots on the front on purpose.

One more color of floss to fill in the torn area. I used 2 strands of DMC 100% cotton 6 strand floss.

And one last torn up area that I “stitched” closed sort of. And I added a chain stitched flower stem, and little star flowers with a few french knots. Is what I did called “slow sewing” ? Not sure but it was pretty relaxing except for the over/under part when I kept dropping white strands. Oh well. I’ll just keep moving and no one will notice. I didn’t want perfection on ripped jeans anyway.

I really like my “new” outfit. I plan to wear it this Sunday to an “Anything Goes” (dress wise) to the last planned outing of a wedding weekend. It’s a “Destination” wedding to Mammoth, CA so lots of planned get togethers and all have different attire suggestions. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Yard art! Check out my wild flowers.

Love upcycling.

The petals are wild and crazy pieces of metal. The centers of the flowers are glass bottle pieces.

I really like this outfit now. It’s off the remake, reuse pile and on me! Whoo hoo, cross one more project off the list. DONE! What are you going to work on this weekend to get your creative juices going? Remember what I say, “15 minutes a day, that’s all you need to get inspired and keep going. Your project will be done before you know it.” Hugs, Heidi

California, The “Shake and Bake” state. And an Upcycle!

by Heidi Emmett

Feast your eyes on this picture of Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point, Nevada, 3 miles from South Shore. I took this picture on June 24th, at 10:30 in the morning, temperature, 62 degrees, elevation 6300ft. Sigh…..I’m just gazing and soaking in the fact that it was lusciously cool. Ha, I was even wearing a sweatshirt.

Picture taken below Cabin # 8 (used to be the Bear Necessities Gift Shop) on the Zephyr Point Conference center grounds in Nevada. 6300ft. elevation.

On Thursday (July 8th) at 3:50p.m. I was sitting right here at my desk top, beginning today’s post. My set up is in an antique armoire. One of our two cats sleeps on top. When he jumps down the armoire shakes a tiny bit. Rubix jumps from the top to a window ledge that is right next to me. I was searching for pictures for my post when the whole armoire shook. I looked for Rubix and startled by NOT seeing him, I jumped up and away from the armoire. Simultaneously, my husband shouted from upstairs in his office, “Heidi?!” I stood in the doorway looking at the dining room and the living room (we have open plan concept). Maybe 5 seconds after the armoire incident, ALL the windows in the dining and living rooms rattled, loud enough for me to stay rooted to my spot until it passed. Robert immediately went to the EarthquakeUSGS.gov site. 6.0 earthquake in Smith Valley, Nevada (the base of the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Straight line site, 150 miles away, southeast of us.

AND another HEAT wave is settling over the western states. Possible rolling blackouts, sigh… fire danger. Check out this site (we HAVE to to know where the latest fire might be): Flightradar24.com We have an Air Attack airbase 1.5 miles away from where we live. Thank you, thank you, to the Lord above for this! We feel so much safer. So now you know WHY the title.

On with the post!

It all started with scraps. I wanted to create a dress/longer tunic with a pieced skirt area. So I started to “collect” my favorites, yellow greens and blacks. These are all quilting cotton weight. Made this a few summers back. LOVED the whole process.

Here’s the back. I wear it often. I set aside all the scraps (um…I had a bunch).

Fast forward one summer. I found this 100% linen knit top. It was too short for my taste. Hmm…what to do, what to do? Pulled out those scraps from the first dress I had made. I pieced together some of the scraps. Just so you know, I am wearing black capris. Sometimes the lighting……

And the back. I cut the shirt across through both layers and inserted the newly created fabric strip that I had first sewn into a circle. I added a few strips of black and white cotton knit. Summer ended and I put my fun top away.

O.K. I pulled out my fun top a few weeks back. This summer I chose to add some netting to fill in the neck a bit. And I still have some scraps.

With those scraps I fashioned a crazy pocket to add to the front. I think I’m done. Ahh, but I still have scraps!

I have quite a few techniques in both the dress and the top. I’m thinking. I could create a class. It would be an “Etsy” class. It would be in a pdf/digital format. It would be printable on your home printer. There would be lots and lots of pictures. It would be reasonably priced. Under $10.00. I would do it in a step by step format and give you all the ins and outs so you would NOT make the mistakes I did. Hmm….I just thought of this class idea as I finished typing up this blog post (I’m late because internet and phones went offline for 4 1/2 hours). What do you think? Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com or comment about it right here. I would love your thoughts.

It has been a crazy past 48 hours so I decided I needed a good laugh. I’ve gotta say I have never seen chicken “shaming” but I guess there is a first for almost anything. Thank you so much for stopping by. Big hugs to you all! Heidi

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America! It’s still the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE!

Use a Scarf for Your Next Sparky Top!

by HEIDI EMMETT

I don’t know what the temperature has been where you live, but I live in Northern California and WOW it has been hot lately. It is the perfect time to consider stitching up a cool, breezy top.

To capture every little breeze that might be out there and still look sharp, start with my Sparky Top sewing pattern.

Dress it up or down. Email me directly at hmemmett@gmail.com for information on ordering this pattern. This pattern is $15. US and includes all directions, AND tissue pattern pieces (all sizes included).

For the front of my Sparky Top (and the side pieces) I chose Kaffe Fassett fabrics. The cool greens and blues of the stripes and floral were “cool” feeling. I didn’t have enough fabric to make the front piece all in one fabric, so keeping with my always “long and lean” look the largest part of the front piece is an up and down stripe.

A partial view of the center back panel. This brings up the “Using a Scarf” idea in a Sparky Top.

Ahh…here we go. The back panel blowing in the breeze, is “scarf-like” in that the panel fabric is silk chiffon (used in many, scarves). I purchased a silk chiffon Maxi dress at the thrift shop. The colors are a perfect match to the Kaffe fabrics. Silk chiffon is so light weight and gives a

A quick mention. I wanted the same fabric all the way across the back. But I only had scraps so I pieced it together and to hide the seam, I “fussy cut” some flowers and hid the seam with those. I think it works.

This is the garment that gave me the idea of using a silk scarf for the front of a Sparky Top. I bought it at Anthropoligie years ago. I just love the idea of using a favorite silk scarf for some part, if not the front, of a top.

I had just taken it off the clothes line for these pictures. Silk scarves do dry quickly. But it was too hot in my studio attic (no air conditioning in there) to press it.

Here’s the back of the top .

I don’t like showing you garments that are barely in process, but this is the case this time. The streaked fabric on the left is a digital printed (all the rage these days) and purchased in a quilt shop. Going down a bunny trail for a minute. Quilt shops are a great place to shop for fabrics for garments. So many sophisticated prints that easily fit into the garment genre.

The fabric on the right is actually a scarf! by Desigual (great clothing company). I will try to put the signature in a prominent spot on my Sparky Top. It will give it even more cache’. The spotted fabric on the bottom is 100% linen, very light weight with the black stripes woven in.

I added the spots, or is it dots? using Paintsticks and….

a great stencil by Patty Park. More on all this next week.

I didn’t write last week because my husband and I left the heat of Cedar Ridge, CA for Lake Tahoe. This is the view from below our cabin looking to the right. The water is down over 3 feet right now so many of the boulders are exposed. It makes for some great shots don’t you think?

It’s Another THIS AND THAT FRIDAY!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Some weeks I just can’t settle down and finish one thing. I work on my projects bit by bit. That’s O.K., “Marinating mid project, makes for a finer finish.” First, let’s look at an Off The Grid Vest made by Annette.

I try to remember to ask my customers that when they finish a garment from one of my patterns, I would love to show off their creation. Annette W. sent me two pictures of her version of OFF THE GRID VEST. Annette, this is beautiful! What I really like is that her quilt blocks are very intricate so there was no need to embellish any other areas of the vest. Notice how perfectly they line up on either side as well as being on the inside of the front pieces too.

This vest is so beautifully done and the batik fabrics are just the right touch for the block you chose to showcase in your version of OFF THE GRID VEST.

Here is the cover of OFF THE GRID VEST. This is one of a few of my patterns that has no tissue pattern pieces in it. You make your own (4 total, all rectangles). As a PDF/digital pattern it is available via my Etsy shop for $9.95 Be sure to look for the digital logo on the pattern before you pick one (I can also send it as a hard copy instead, but $5. more) If you live out of the country digital is the perfect way to get this particular pattern. Digital at $9.95 US.

Notice the sides of OFF THE GRID are open. Open sides are the PERFECT way to disguise hips that don’t feel slim and give a long lean look at the same time. Please visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see all my “Art to Wear Patterns.”

I was reminded just this morning how happy I am to have my “Grab Pad.” Thank you Gayle O. for this AMAZING little wonder. How did you know how my “pedal foot” is always dancing around looking for the foot control pedal on my Serger. Not ANYMORE thanks to the Grab Pad. It sticks right to the bottom of the foot control and then to the floor. And it’s made right here in the U.S.A.

I was serging the edge of this piece of fabric when I had to stop and take a picture of the Grab Pad. So what is this creamy colored piece of fabric? It’s a piece of 100% silk georgette that is 22″ x 34″ and serged on the two raw edges. The selveges are left alone. This is my new press cloth. It works perfectly to stop “shine” on any fabric that you don’t want shine on. The piece above is a blue linen. I did test this idea before I told you about it. And it really works! Never put your iron up to too high or you could scorch your fabric (somewhere between silk and wool usually works for any fabric). And of course test it first on a fabric scrap. Doesn’t matter the color of the silk (it could even be a print). The size you use doesn’t matter either. Thank you Patty P. via Linda Lee for this great idea.

I met some friends, sisters from Oregon, Linda & Karenanne at a sewing shop in Sacramento, CA and they told me about the above iron. When they told me about the virtues of this iron and at least 4 other customers in the store said they had one and loved it too, well, it was 31% off (Memorial Day weekend sale), so I bought it. I haven’t had a new iron for over 20+ years. I think I’ve earned it. I wont let myself use it until I put on the new ironing board cover. Now, where did I put that cover?

This is so “kitschy.” I admired it a few weeks back at my Mom’s house. Mom said she got it as a shower gift in 1949! She didn’t use it much until she moved into her “Granny” house that she built on our property (11 years ago last month). I take my Mom on a little walk everyday. At 90 she says every day she is so thankful that she CAN walk. Whoops, got a little sidetracked. When I went down to take her on a walk she handed me this towel and said I should keep it. I love that it has a story. Thanks Mom!

This picture is from an “Art” calendar I get every year from one of my brothers at Christmas. I posted this on my Instagram page just a few days ago. It is by an unknown photographer from France in the late 18th century. I had NO idea (just looking at the face) that it is the face of the Statue of Liberty! And then I saw some comments about it (Instagram) and they ALL said it looked like Elvis Presley. What a hoot. It is amazing what seeing just a face (and a big one too) will conjure up.

I showed this Mosaic picture to my husband and I said that I knew what to do with all the pretty mugs I get that have a chip or two but I can’t bear to throw them away. Yes, sadly, I have 4. Robert handed my tablet back to me with actual groaning and eye rolling. What did I say that was wrong? Ha, ha.

This really makes me laugh. You should follow me on Pinterest (DesignsbyHeidiEmmett). Check out my board called, “Things that make me laugh.” It should make your day happy and light.

Yep, this is me.

Take a moment to chuckle and enjoy one of God’s creations. The Blue Footed Booby (the name alone is laughable). And who says that God doesn’t have a sense of humor? The Turquoise Blue feet? I really like them. Thanks for stopping by and remember, just 15 minutes a day to work on a creative project is all you might need to jumpstart something fantastic! Hugs, Heidi

Some Books I Consider TIMELESS!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Today is a great day. First, I think the bug-a-boos are gone from this site. The weather is absolutely perfect today, and in my garden I have 4 Sunsugar tomatoes almost ripe(never EVER, have they started to ripen this early). And the bluberries at my Mom’s are just a day or two away from picking perfection. And soo many more things….this IS the day the Lord has made!

I have been going through my stash of books on fiber. I was reminded again how timeless a few of them are. I’m going to show you two today. To me, timeless means that now matter when they were published the ideas remain fresh and innovative through the pictures and color combinations that are used.

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Susan Wasinger has over the years, written quite a few books related to fiber. This one, FABRICATE is my favorite. It was printed in 2009. Design, Illustrations, AND the photography were all done by Susan. Lostangelstudios.com ( Lost Angel Studios) is where you read about this very talented woman. It is out of print but I found my copy on Ebay . Let’s take a look at a few of her projects.

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Boro stitching, Sashiko stitching, “Slow stitching, are some of the names given to this simple hand stitching on top of pieced fabric. This stitching is really “hot” right now. 12 years ago this was being done. Timeless.

Tote Bags are always popular. Fused plastic, I still haven’t tried it but it looks interesting.

This method of stitchless Embroidery keeps cropping up in other publications but Susan’s design makes me REALLY want to try it. Timeless.

My book, Fashion Quilted Accessories was printed in 2015. Six years ago already! Even though I didn’t get to choose the title, the photography, or all the myriad other things that goes into a book, they are MY designs in fabrics of MY choosing, and the projects are all MY words. And of course, 6 years later, I still consider it a timeless project book.

I was just asked to teach a class for this fun necklace and earrings, a live class via FB and You Tube. It’s not until late August or October (I’ll take October. I have so much to learn regarding “well done” classes over the internet, sigh…..)

Here is all the information you need to purchase your own copy of my book. Or, visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

I think this happens to all of us in our lives at some point. I sure HOPE I’m not the only one!

Now, doesn’t this say SUMMER! I showed it to my husband and said, “Now I know what to do with all my chipped or cracked mugs that I can’t bear to throw away.” He just groaned and rolled his eyes.

Oh dear! This pin is so me. Ha, ha. Thanks so much for stopping by and may you have a fabulous, creative weekend. And find something or lots of things to be grateful for. Hugs, Heidi

What a Week I’ve Had!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Several of us have had some issues with the platforms we use for sending blog posts out. WordPress (the one I use )said it was on their end. So I’m sending out some “comic strips” for “Comic relief. I am not able to write anything below my pictures. Acckk…So enjoy this jacket made by my friend Mary B. She is SUPER creative. I get compliments galore whenever I wear it. I tried Etsy and Ebay for this exact fabric and I’m not seeing it yet. There are others though. May you have creativity galore this weekend. Hugs, Heidi

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Could It Be Your Hair?

by HEIDI EMMETT

I’m beyond late getting this post out. Things have just piled up this week. I woke up at my usual time 6:00a.m. and began the “too much going on” feeling before I even had my 1st cuppa. Even after a shower I was still not with it (and I LOVE my hot showers). Fixing breakfast I was constantly brushing my hair out of my eyes. THAT’S IT! My bangs. A quick trip to a mirror with scissors in hand and just an 1/16″ trim and Voila. Ahhhh….I’m in a good place once again. On with the post!

Two years ago I purchased this Kimono as a “cutter.” It is upper knee length.

Isn’t this “window pane” ikat woven silk FABULOUS! It is such an involved process.

The 100% silk printed piece that is the shoulder and chest lining of the Kimono. Such great fabrics to use in a project.

I purchased the Kimono at this fabulous warehouse sale and show. If you are in the area, it is WELL WORTH the trip. I go mainly for the fabric (sometimes they have pieces or shawls. My Kimono cost $25.

A few days later and a trip to one of my favorite thrift shops in Truckee, CA yielded these capri jeans. I thought $7. was pretty high but then I thought that all that applique work made them worth it.

I tried the kimono and capris on together with a red tank and said “YES.” I like this look. The capris were too short (gotta hide the varicose veins) and the kimono was too long(it looked too formal in its’ long state and it hid the applique on the back of the capris).

I looked in my stash for some linen canvas scraps. And that cursive writing on the quilting cotton is the perfect green. Since the machine applique work (the flowers on the capris) was “roughly ” sewn I did the same on the addition to the bottom of each leg. I gotta say, this type of sewing is a very “FREEING.” Just go for it and nothing you do is wrong. Figure it out as you go.

I tried the capris on again and opted (no choice I didn’t have any lap over where the denim met the addition of length, ha, ha) to have overlap at the bottom area only. A few stitches into the green and they were secured. I like the opening. Showing off a little leg….

Taa daa! Oh one more thing, the capris were too tight in the waist (no surprise there), so I took my scissors and cut into the back waistband, from the top, 2 1/2 inches down on either side of the center belt loop. I forgot about those cuts and threw the pants in the washer and the dryer. I love how the capris frayed.

See those cuts? They opened up after washing. I thought I would add little bits of fabric behind the cut (triangle shaped) and call it good. Oh my, I do love this easy going upcycling.

I had to have this cute appIique show a bit on the backside. I ended up cutting off the Kimono jacket at the bottom 4 1/2″ and hemmed it up 1 1/2″.

I rushed outside to have my hubs take some shots before the sun came out. Notice anything weird? Ha, ha, HA! I forgot to decide on which shoes to wear. Tell me, which pair?

It is sort of interesting that a real Kimono is put together beautifully and ALL by hand. Why didn’t theymatch the back center seam?

I really like how this outfit turned out. Now if I could just figure out which shoes to wear.

My Zephyr Jacket pattern is a great substitute for not having a kimono. Check out my patterns at my Etsy shop/ DesignsbyHeidiEmmett THEN email me at hmemmett@gmail.com and get FREE shipping with a pattern order via my email through May 31st, 2021.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a creative weekend. Hugs, Heidi P.S. Don’t forget to visit the Artisticalchemyblog.wordpress.com blog today.

Sparky Top- A Spring/Summer Must Have!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Need a different look that will have you floating through the warm/hot days coming up? Sparky Top should do the trick. Come and see what I’ve done.

Here is the pattern. It is my only design that goes from a Misses size 8 -to a Woman’s size 6x. All sizes are in one pattern.

The front is made up of a single piece of fabric. I purchased this piece several years ago. I think it is a
FABULOUS 100% cotton. They are Ikat prints 5 different designs were stitched in strips to form a single fabric. Rows and rows of machine stitching on top including small solid cotton circles in the stitching. I just LOVE this fabric. I splurged on three colorways, the navy above, black, and a cream. This came from MARCY TILTON FABRICS.com I haven’t seen them yet this year, but you could write to her and ask.

The center back features a great piece by Marcia Derse.

The side pieces are an old stand by that I have owned for 20+ years. It is the KaffeFassett stripe with double needle stitching on it.

A nice close up of the front fabric. These three pieces (remember black, navy, and cream) will be in my “GO BAG” along with my two most favorite Kaffe Fassett sweaters. As well as photos, papers, etc. What’s a Go Bag you ask? If you live in “SHAKE AND BAKE” California you KNOW that a GO BAG is packed with all your absolute essentials in case of a wild fire and you have very limited time to GET OUT! I actually have go bags. Plural. Enough of this scary stuff, onward to my “happy place,” sewing in my upstairs attic/studio. Now where were we…..In the picture below I’m using my Chalkoner (have owned it since 1983) to mark the bias piece I need to cut out for finishing the neckline. It is a fantastic tool for marking whether quilting or stitching.

See the white line starting below the Chalkoner

Adding circles for a fun look from the pieces of fabric below.

I decided to continue the circle theme by cutting out circles and adding them to the back shoulder piece.

I can’t get enough of this gorgeous Ikat fabric.

Stitching in all directions, a great way to hold them in place.

I wanted pockets on thisSparky Top and chose to make them in seam where the front piece meets the side piece.

Super selling “SPARKY TOP” pattern. It went into its’ second printing in less than 7 months. Purchase one from me DIRECTLY, at hmemmett@gmail.com and I will give you free shipping anywhere (yes, out of country too)for the month of May 2021. Sparky Top pattern is $15.00 Sizes 8-6X are included.

Back of Sparky Top pattern. Contact Heidi Emmett at the email above to purchase one.

I had to show you my TIP for the week. My husbands 100% cotton shirt taken right from the dryer. Those spots were NOT there before it went into the wash. They literally soaked through to the inside. They look like bleach spots. Not sure what produced them. Anyway….

I love, LOVE, these fabric markers by Arteza. And whoo hoo, 30 colors to choose from. I practiced on the wrong side, to find just the right colors for the plaid.

Taa Daa!! I took this “after” photo in the bright sun so you can still faintly see the bleach spots. But I’m telling you, in regular lighting you cannot tell that they are there. I’m very pleased with the results.

I know, I show my Mom’s PRIZED Iris every year. But, hey, it’s been a year. Isn’t she a beauty?

The Georgia O’Keefe version. We’ve never seen any other Iris in this colorway. They are slowly multiplying after 9 years of growing in her garden.
I’m taking a break from dusting and vacuuming this weekend. The pollen has been so bad this season, so sadly (ha, ha, ha) I must wait until it’s ALL DONE! Yippee! More creative time coming up! Hugs, Heidi

Out of THIS WORLD!!

by HEIDI EMMETT

This past Tuesday, I turned on our local radio station and heard the announcer say, “We need to find out what Dwight W. saw in the sky early this morning.” WHAT?? That’s my brother he’s talking about. I turned around and called my brother at “the growing grounds,” where nursery stock is grown for their retail Nursery in town. Here’s his story: “I arrived at 4:30a.m. and looked out to the southwest to enjoy the view of the early morning sky. A string of 22 very bright lights appeared suddenly and moved across the horizon fairly slowly. I got a really weird feeling and felt all the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. They disappeared from view in about a minute. Less than 30 seconds later I saw ANOTHER string of bright lights moving along as if they were following the others. I counted 88 this time. It was so quiet and creepy. What is going on?”

It turns out that those lights are satellites put into orbit by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. They are created by a company called Starlink. Find out more by going to Starlink.com These satellites are 200 miles up, each one is 5 miles apart and are traveling 17,000 miles per hour. All this is crazy interesting. But, YIKES to see it in front of ones eyes and be the only one to see it is incredibly nerve wracking. In honor of all this, may I present my “Out of This World” wall hanging.

I started with a panel that had the night sky behind and a giant planet in the foreground. This panel became a study in techniques and composition for me. I put the panel on my design wall for days as I formulated my plan.

This spirally “whiz bang!” thing is made up of all pieces cut on the bias. I was looking for motion and movement through space as if it was moving fast. Start the spiraling in the center with a tight circle and work your way around and around. Add another piece as needed.

Of course there are moths floating in space. I had the colors be similar to the surroundings so at first glance you wouldn’t know what exactly you were looking at.

The stitch that surrounds each moth is a zig-zag stitch that I explain in a project from my book, “FASHIONED QUILTED ACCESSORIES.’

The project is featured on the cover in the upper right corner. Butterflies on the head scarf and the regular scarf. The project uses Terial Magic (FANTASTIC stiffening product) and a creative zig-zag stitch. Buy my book at my Etsy Shop: Designs by Heidi Emmett

Another closeup of that zig-zag stitch and some circle stitching as a quilting detail.

After machine stitching an element I added beads and flashy “stuff” by hand to create the “twinkling” that goes on in the heavens.

Silent, Shimmering, Journey

Can you tell that this planet/star is Swooshing through space with the rice stitching and beads trailing out behind it? Please note the white fluff all over the black universe. It’s “Space Dust.” ha, ha. Acck… we just can’t get rid of it ANYWHERE!

And we have our Satellite aka “lampwork beads.”

More shimmer. Can never have enough.

“SWWOOOSSSHHH” as this futuristic space station slowly moves around this otherworldly planet.

I use whatever fabric has the colors I want. This is a 30 year old Batik. Did I ever say that I have a problem with getting rid of fabric? I love it all or I wouldn’t have purchased it in the first place, right?

When I couldn’t find the fabric I wanted, I went to my yarn stash, found the appropriate yarn and machine felted it down.

Machine felt the yarn, add machine stitching, machine quilting and THEN add the “bling.”

One more story to end this post of the “unusual.” Last evening at 9:34p.m. I was getting ready to read in bed when suddenly, the entire large bay window in our bedroom did a sudden rattling. Maybe 5 seconds worth. Earthquake!!! We live in Northern CA in the Sierra Nevada Mountain foothills, 50+ miles from Truckee, CA. There was a 4.7 earthquake 11 miles north of Truckee. 5 minutes later, an earthquake hit the center of Lake Tahoe (as the crow flies Lake Tahoe is approx.10 miles from Truckee). This earthquake was smaller. Two more hit 5 min. apart and again 11+ miles north of Truckee and also smaller than the first one. While earthquakes are not unusual around here, clusters are. Less than 20 minutes after the last of the four earthquakes, “Ping” the electricity went off (covering a large area within our county of which Truckee is a part of). Whaaat??? is going on? 20 minutes later it came back on. Listened to the local news this morning and they have no clue why the electricity went off. Hmm…time to que the “otherworldly” music. Have a fabulous, creative weekend everyone. Thank you so much for stopping by. Hugs, Heidi

A Throwback to The 1970’s

by HEIDI EMMETT

Welcome! Before I get nostalgic, I need to let you all know I don’t do much on the social media front so I’m sorry in advance if I don’t message you, Facetime with you (I have a Google Pixel), respond quickly to “Friend” requests, etc. I have only sew much time and I need to be creating. If you need to get in touch with me (I know so old-fashioned) here is my email: hmemmett@gmail.com

All right, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Embroidery was REALLY hot in the 70’s. I loved that. And it’s popular again, right now! Happy, happy about that!

Wow WOW! What a blast from the past. I made this shirt for my “little” brother (he just turned 60!!) in 1973. Phillip was 13 and I was 17. Back in high school my friends were getting cars for graduation. Not me. I wanted a sewing machine. And not just any sewing machine. I wanted a top of the line Bernina. My Dad bought my Mom one at the same time. They came in by Greyhound bus. Oh what a great time that was!

Embroidered “workshirts ” were all the rage. I had to make this shirt too because Phillip didn’t want a blue workshirt. Remember “Kettle Cloth? ” That’s what I used to make this shirt.

The book I used for the Embroidery designs was by Dover publishing. Forever (or so it seems), they have been copyright free so you can use any design. I picked my colors and stitches. I just went to Ebay and looked up Dover books. There are thousands (many aren’t being printed anymore)available for purchase.

This was a book on Southwest designs. And oh boy, I certainly wanted to try out those decorative stitches on my new Bernina 830.

A Thunderbird perhaps. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Embroidery back in the day. Back then it was Erica Wilson (she was into Crewel work and lived on Nantucket island). Today, it is Sue Spargo. She specialized in embroidery on felted wool. Gorgeous!

A Thunderbird perhaps. Look, ombre floss was available even back then.

Lightening, clouds, & rain. I still can’t believe that Phillip kept this shirt all these years. I just loved taking a trip down memory lane. Keep watching, as I might cut it up (gulp) and repurpose the embroidered pieces. I have some ideas.
Spring came upon us here in Grass Valley, CA so fast this year. My vegetable garden has been planted already. I NEVER, I mean NEVER plant before Mother’s Day. I actually planted it on April 16th this year. They are talking drought for all of California for the first time in four years. Sigh…Let’s just enjoy today, the few pictures I have of Spring.

I think this fringed edge Tulip is so cute. One of my nephews called them “Tooplips,” when he was little. Ha,ha and that very same nephew owns (along with 2 others) a Landscaping business.

My Mom lives on our property in the cutest granny house. She moved in 11 years ago next month. And the nephew, Adam, who called Tulips, Tooplips, was the garden designer and his new business and the crew did the installation. And see the beautiful rock wall? Adam’s brother Grant was the stone mason for that. This is called a “Dry stack wall” meaning there is no morter. Starting at the rock wall and coming up and around clockwise, there are the following plants: Genesta (masses of golden yellow blooms coming in a few weeks). Above that is a member of the Viburnum family. Each branch is filled with white blossoms (I’ll show a close up or two). Pale lavender phlox and then Azaleas in all the shades of pink with Rhododendrons behind.

A single blossom on the Viburnum branch. I call them “dancing angels” or maybe they are butterflies.

Isn’t this amazing!!! And it’s only 2 branches. My brother Phillip(the brother who saved his shirt) suggested this bush(there are two actually) to Mom for her garden. Can you tell, I grew up in a gardening family? I earned money for FABRIC (no surprise) by planting seed beds of trees and then transplanting them to a field (they were for Christmas trees). We planted many conifers in the day.

One of the smaller Dogwoods and the Viburnum under the most intense blue sky.

We love our Dogwoods in Grass Valley. They are everywhere. I took my 90 year old Mom on a drive to see them. 3 colors they come in, the brighter pink above, pale pink, and white. The native ones are mostly white and while they are all tough, the natives are tougher still. I have one that survived not one but two cut offs from the weed eater (yes we have some very tough weed in these parts, ha, ha).

Well, all this Spring color has made me want to WEAR color. My Terrific Tabard pattern in the “Tree of Life” option (appropriate for Spring I think) is perfect.

Yep, Terrific Tabard Vest, “Tree of Life” would be perfect for Spring. This one has no batting in it You can just barely see the random stitching for the “quilted look.”

Look at all my sewing patterns in my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/ sewing patterns See one you want to sew up? Email me at: hmemmett@gmail.com and I’ll give you FREE shipping through the month of May, 2021. You must email me to get the Free Shipping (Etsy is set up to CHARGE you for shipping). Mention the words “SPRING SEWING’ and I’ll get back to you asap!

I couldn’t resist the road signs above. Just for fun.
It’s Friday people and I can see the weekend from here. Set aside some creative time JUST FOR YOU! Hugs, Heidi

This Little Doggie Sparky!

by HEIDI EMMETT

It’s time to finish a few projects. Yes, I have some, O.K.,O.K., I have a BUNCH! And YES, I do have a short attention span.

I took a WHOLE ENTIRE DAY & EVENING to finish some projects and continue working on others. For the tote bag below, we need to go waaaay back to September 24, 2010.  Sandy Poteet, a fiber artist (she works on Art Quilts), taught a class on a “bleaching” technique. So much information and good instruction. I do remember that. I came home with a finished 18″ x 18″ piece, bleached with Sparky’s image on it.

Whirrr…whirr…cut…stitch…press….whirr, whirr….and Voila! Here is my  “grocery bag” styled tote bag.
Ikea canvas (drapery weight, buy it by the yard at Ikea) scraps from a “free table.” This is the back of the tote and the lining too. I also added a few pockets inside and out. The first cut I made was wrong. I stared at what I had just done and laughed. I have matured I think. A few years back I would have been very upset with my  “bad cut” but now, no worries, I’ll make it work.  It must be all the upcycling I have been doing of late.

I remember we had to bring a picture.

Our sweet, sweet, rescue dog, “Sparky.” He was such a faithful friend. We miss him so. He put up with quite a few rescued cats and kittens too. The last two cats came as kittens and Sparky was very patient with them as they grew up.

Not sure if Rubix (one of the last two kittens in Sparky’s long and happy, life)by sitting on the Sparky tote is being contemplative, irratating, or…..

Awww….I’m going with contemplative over missing the ONE dog in his 9 years of living that Rubix got along with (they even slept in the dog’s bed together). You were a “good boy Sparky! I miss you Sparky-dog,” says Rubix.

Yep, I named one of my patterns for “Sparky” It’s spring, so it’s time to lighten up on what we wear. Sparky Top is sort of like potato chips. You can not STOP at just making one. Visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns to see my whole line of Art to Wear sewing patterns. All available as “hard” copies and Pdf/digital.

This Sparky Top was created for an outdoor wedding on a very warm day. It was perfect in Kaffe Fassett cottons and the “floaty” back piece was cut from a Maxi dress made of silk chiffon. Don’t be afraid to mix fabric types. As long as they have similar weights they will work.

A beautiful knit “panel” piece was used for the front and the same panel was used on the back as well. Knits are perfect for traveling (and little to no wrinkling right from the suitcase).

Voile scraps (leftovers from another project)make up the front. I cut up a 100% linen skirt (from the super sale table at Stein Mart). It was a short skirt so how to make it work, I added more voile scraps to the bottom of the side panel. Sparky Top an “Art To Wear” sewing pattern from my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns.

And what? is the back of this Sparky Top all about. This beautiful white re-embroidered voile was once a skirt that had a flounce at the bottom. Upcycling, one of my favorite things to let my creative side go crazy! If you like what you see, go to the home page of my post at DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com and look for the “Category” box and scroll down until you see Sparky Top. Many past posts will pop up for MORE ideas on this versatile top pattern.

I’m not sure what this actually means but it makes me laugh. Shouldn’t it be Stiletto’s? As in a pair? Hmm….

love this one. Ha, ha.

You MUST look up this amazing 90+ woman. Talk about an accesorizing Queen!
Have a great weekend and get yourself into stitches! Hugs, Heidi

Kaffe Fassett & A Kaliedoscope quilt!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Go to this link to sign up.

I started with a pile of fabrics. Well actually, I own a TON of Kaffe so I made another pile of fabrics that I liked too.

My inspiration for color came from my Chinese Checkers tin. And there are triangles in this game too. What is that otherworldly creature crawling across my tin?

My son gave me this “Grasshopper” as a “yard art” gift. No way is he going out into the yard! He will be gaurdian of the house. Hmm…I could also use it to clobber a nefarious intruder.

He is a hefty piece of art. I believe it had a past life as a Crescent wrench.

Very inventive legs for sure.

Meanwhile, I took all my piles of Kaffe fabrics (and a few others too) to a Kaleidoscope quilt making class. WHAT FUN!!!

Everyone is zipping along with their sewing! Small amounts of fabrics yield one block. Sew all of my blocks were different.

I finally finished my Kaleidoscope quilt. It is filled with many Kaffe prints. I took this picture a little to the side so you could see the Genesta (yellow flowers spilling over the rock wall). Thanks for stopping by and if you want to see a little more about Kaffe Fassett, pop over to my post on our Artistic Alchemy blog. The address is Artisticalchemyblog.wordpress.com Just tap on any of the red words. Hugs, Heidi

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2021

by HEIDI EMMETT

Oh my goodness! When this fashion show came across my path, I was MEZMORIZED! Patchwork and quilting ARE HOT in the fashion world right now! I think they have been for the past few seasons but Dolce & Gabbana have taken it to the edge! I had to watch it a second time to catch the nuances and fabulous coming together of pattern, color, and design. A friend told me she saw my Rafiki Skirt (Art to Wear Pattern) in the mix. Thank you Mary B. That’s when I watched the show a second time and spotted other patterns (from my Art to Wear pattern line, available at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns). What fun! Enjoy the show.

Here is the link:

Nailheads add just the right amount of bling on this woven/patched outfit with purse. Have an old pair of boots that you just can’t give up? Recreate this look by gluing patchworked fabrics right to the leather.

I would totally wear these pants. Well maybe not, as the stripe direction would be a sorry sight with my hips.

My Raki Skirt sewing pattern would be sooooo PERFECT with this look. My skirt pattern has a total of 7 different fabrics in it. See it in my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns .Or contact me at hmemmett@gmail.com for direct delivery by me.

Terrific Tabard is a “Blank Canvas” for the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2021 look. Hey, I think I have it going on already on the cover photo. Designs by Heidi – Contact info. hmemmett@gmail.com

WOW OH WOW! All that’s missing is the kitchen sink! On closer inspection there are things here I would try. The skirt is made of woven pieces. That could be very interesting in a “Whisper Blouse” bodice.

Interested in any of my Art to Wear sewing patterns? Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com and buy directly from me, or visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns to see all that I have. They come as hard copies and/or digital/PDF formating.

Zephyr Jacket, always a winner when you want something easy to wear and wear it all seasons depending what you put under it.

This started as a sweat shirt. WOW! Just an FYI . I am working on an online class for upcyling a sweatshirt. I just might include this picture. The class will be on Course Craft. Check out the classes that Jane Haworth and Sandra Bruce have on that site. Go to Craftcourse.net and type in their names. Jane and Sandra and myself are part of Artistic Alchemy. It is a sewing/quilting retreat held on the shores of Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side. Please visit our site: Artisticalchemyblog.wordpress.com for more information.

These two Bolero styled vests are a great starting point to use my Calypso Vest pattern as you will see below.

I think these two Calypso Bolero vests (on the cover)with the colors and prints I used to make them (mostly Kaffe Fassestt) could have been on the runway too. Check out this pattern and all my “Art to Wear” patterns at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns.

This nailhead woven coat, I would TOTALLY wear this.

Wow, that was fun. I almost feel as if I had been there. Maybe this post will give you a jumping off point for a creative sewing project of your own. I hope it will include one of my Art to Wear patterns. Have a wonderfully creative weekend. Hugs, Heidi

My Top 3 Pins on Pinterest!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Join me today for a look at my top three pins on Pinterest! Did you know they keep track of that sort of thing? But first, a tiny little bit about Pinterest. It started in 2010, by a former Google employee. He wanted a way to share pictures and projects with friends. And now, they are a 12 Billion dollar company(many advertisements) and recently had an IPO on the NYSE. My friends Lindsay Ostrom and Christine Barnes introduced me to Pinterest in late 2012. I am up to 3 mil views per month and over 14K followers. AND, this is important, I’m only on it 15 min. per day. Yes, yes, like any other social media it can be a time waster. But the IDEAS you can find and maybe use (riiiighht if I stop using it today and live to be 200 yrs. old), ha, ha, ha. So just a few pictures that I have found on Pinterest or put there myself. And THEN my TOP 3 pins that people re-pin over and over and over….Enjoy!

Rex, our 10 year old kitty, staying warm on a cold day. The scarf, hand knit by Ginger Leuters (look up her book on Module knitting). I was so excited to purchase this scarf at a fund raiser.

just saw this on Pinterest. It may be a project done by kids (batik on muslin using white toothpaste as the resist), but I love their bold designs and use of color. Kids are so free with their artwork. We all need to be that way too. Pablo Picasso said it well, I want

These are fabulous flower pins made with denim, beads, and wool .

I would LOVE to own this sweater. Each leaf, flower, and buds were first hand crocheted and then sewn together in this TRULY ART TO WEAR piece.

What a great way to save a sweater and then add a piece at the bottom. And of course, don’t forget the pockets.

A lovely jacket. I can’t really see how it was put together. I could not make the picture any larger.

Rectangles and squares my favorite shape for clothing.

And look, it has a nice large pocket on the front.

Sometimes dimensions come with the pictures. That’s fun and helpful.

My friend Mary Boalt and her beautifully painted/stamped/stenciled Art to Wear Jacket. I want one of these.

Re-embroidered jeans, these are pretty WOW. Just saw some for sale via Pinterest for $314. I’m sure you figured out that when a price comes up like the $314. instead of say, $295. or $300. it means that this piece is sold in another country. Sure, you can purchase it but watch out for the shipping costs! I know this from experience. Sigh……

Possible painting/stencil idea for fabric of my own.

I love this idea of jean scraps embroidered.

A sheer vest with fabric scraps stitched on the front and back. Very nice.
All rightie then, ON TO MY TOP THREE ‘RE-PINS’ ON PINTEREST!

Number 3 most repinned. I’m still trying to figure out what she is holding. I’m thinking maybe a Rotary Cutter? Sew, the old (pinchsion didn’t we ALL have one of these growing up) and the new(rotary cutter). I have no idea what precipitated this very original outfit, there was no commentary on it.

Number 2 most repinned! Truer words were never spoken, well maybe in the world outside of Laundry ha, ha.

TAA DAA!! My number 1 PIN! When I saw this on Pinterest I found a pair of pants that no longer fit (too tight) and did a more refined version of these capris. Look for my February 15th, 2019 post in the archives of my home page. It’s Titled, “You have to Try This.” That is when it really went out into Pinterest land.

Easter…What a miracle, what a moment, what a Savior. FOR LOVE LIKE THIS, WE CELEBRATE.

What To Do With Marcia Derse Fabrics!

By HEIDI EMMETT

I met Marcia Derse at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, Utah 2011.(Side note: I was there because I was Christine Barnes’ assistant while she was signing her latest greatest book. Check out her book at Christinebarnes.com) Marcia was new on the scene of quilting fabrics. I started collecting her fabrics then and there. Fast forward to 2017. I met her again in Portland, Oregon at an E.E. Schenck quilt market (this time I was signing my book, Fashion Quilted Accessories) So just a few years later she is an absolute STAR among the Modern Quilting world and I have even noticed her fabrics in ready-to-wear. After my book signing gig, I changed into my Off The Grid Vest (ha, ha, I was wearing the vest that was on the cover of “Fashion Quilted Accessories” first) and then went to find the Marcia Derse booth. I waited until the crowd thinned (she had just given a short talk about her work). She saw my vest before she saw me. (I wore the Off The Grid Vest that’s on the cover of the pattern). It was fun to see her again and she was exactly the same as the first time I saw her before she was a STAR. What a lovely person.

The cover of my book, FASHION QUILTED ACCESSORIES! See it at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett or contact me via my email: hmemmett@gmail.com

Marcia’s first panel “The Gerta Collection” from MDD studios.

I did some quilting inside each square or on top of extra fabrics that I added (all within the “Gerta” line of fabric). Remember, this is her very first “Panel” piece. Below, you will see one of her newer panels.

I couln’t be happier with the way this Off The Grid Vest turned out using a Marcia Derse panel for the extra “WOW” factor in this Art to Wear piece by Designsbyheidi.wordpress.com

The pattern front for Off The Grid vest. Read the description and see it in my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

That very first Marcia Derse “panel” I turned into a TERRIFIC TABARD VEST. Love this one too. I added other Marcia D. prints and cut up some of the panel too for added interest.

Oh my, a Kaffe Fassett stripe wandered right into the middle of all that Marcia Derse fabric.

In case you forgot, this is the pattern I used for the vest above out of the Marcia Derse panel. My email for buying information on this pattern is: hmemmett@gmail.com

Marcia Derse fabrics are perfect for my pattern, Rafiki Skirt.

Of course, I couldn’t stop at just ONE rafiki skirt in Marcia Derse fabrics. Learn more about this skirt pattern at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns

Once you create the pattern piece (that’s right it is only one piece that you have to make) you can have great fun using lots of Marcia’s fabrics.

Here is a top I purchased (black and white portion) and ADDED Marcia Derse fabrics for interest AND I wanted a pocket.

This top is the cutest pattern on. Hmm…it would make a GREAT pattern.

The back of Terrific Tabard, because yep, there is another panel below that I HAD to turn into a Terrific Tabard. Keep scrolling…..

Love, LOVE this panel. Go to Etsy or Ebay and type in Marcia Derse fabric. Tons of them will pop up! I bet you can’t stop at just one panel either.

A nice blending of linen/cotton/and more cotton fabrics to create one fabulous Terrific Tabard. AND THE PERFECT button by my friend Sandra Bruce. It is one of her polymer clay buttons. Go to SandraBruce.com

And two more black and whites on the back of this Terrific Tabard vest. See, it doesn’t take much of Marcia Derse fabric to create a statement piece. hmemmett@gmail.com (Heidi’s email for more info. on her patterns).

Oh my goodness, gorgeous fabrics (one of the newest groups) by Marcia Derse in “Blues.” My friends, Linda and Karenanne gave these to me. YOWZAA! What to make, what to make…

A thank you to Carolyn W. from my Sierra Wearable Art Group, SWAG, for sending out this mighty fine picture. I am so happy, HAPPY! looking at it. And lots of laughing too. Have a super weekend and find just 15 minutes to work on something creative (I hope an hour goes by before you realize it!) Creativity is a great stress reliever as well as an endorphin maker! Hugs, Heidi

Oh Fiddle Faddle!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Whaat? This all started last Friday when I signed off on my post by saying I was going to pull out my 35 pound SASHIKO machine by Baby Lock. Well, I DID IT!!! and have had so much fun. I worked on two projects, and finished today’s showing about 15 minutes ago. I just love working to a deadline. Not! But I got it finished.

Here is the pattern I used for the following project. Love this tunic! As with most of my patterns, this one is as intricate as you want to make it (front and back panels that is).The panels are truly a “blank canvas” to use for your own unique ideas. Putting it together is a snap. Read on.

Here it is, all set up. I was so excited.

O.K. I was fast losing my excitement. I CAREFULLY read the accompanying booklet on how it worked. Remember, it had been almost 4 years (cannot believe this but it’s true) since using it. I watched a You Tube video. They show you how to do everything right? I STILL could not get the LED lights to turn on.IT WILL NOT SEW AT ALL IF THE LED LIGHTS ARE NOT ON! I poured wine and CAREFULLY read again. HOW HARD CAN THIS BE? In the most obscure place in my reading PAGE 37,yes PAGE 37 (it has since been HIGHLIGHTED! ) I read this little sentence: “NOTE: If none of the LED lights are lit, check to make sure the bobbin winder shaft has not been accidentally engaged.” It was. TAA DAA!! I poured more wine to celebrate.
I tell this story because at the exact time I was working on the Sashiko machine, my husband was in his office working on our taxes. The same exact thing was happening to him, way off on some page in tax land, they mention something pertaining to my business (sorry honey)that wiggs out all the work he had done previously. Sadly, he has just left it to marinate for awhile (6 days so far). He should have had wine.
There is a life lesson here. It’s still just people who put together manuals, rules, and regulations. Mistakes can be made. Sadly, at our expense sometimes. But we soldier on. We’re always moving forward, and WE’RE NEVER GIVING UP!

On to the FUN STUFF! Here is a piece of Linen (orange and yellow) that I scored at a Vintage store. The store is so cute and BIG and right here in Grass Valley, CA. I could not believe it. There was a large section of “Vintage Pieces.” I bought two that day, this “Fiddle Faddle” 100% linen piece was one of them.

I went crazy stitching using the Sashiko machine. If I had done all this by hand, YOWZAA. It would have taken many, many, movies to complete it. I’m using a size 50 regular sewing thread (close ups are coming) which is a great weight. The extra cotton fabric squares I added give this panel extra interest and room for lots of stitching. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG to get back to my Sashiko machine.

I ended up lining my Fiddle Faddle (remember, they used to sell it in grocery stores, something along the lines of a glazed popcorn, yummy) because I could see through to the Tunic piece underneath. I love the gray and white tunic fabric. This is a 2016 Ikea collection piece. It is a canvas. A light weight canvas is the perfect feeling for the tunic portion.

Working on the facing piece for the front. I’m telling you, this pattern fits many different body types and you will create pattern pieces (rectangles, my favorite) that fit your body from the measurements I give you. Go look at all my patterns in my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett just to see what I have and then contact me at hmemmett@gmail.com to see the best way to get this or other patterns.

A super close up of the neck edge. I like to “Bar Tack” where the facing ends and the shoulder seam begins. You will NEVER pop a seam if you do add Bar Tacks wherever there is some stress.

Another great tip, I had no room around the edges of the “Fiddle Faddle” logo. I used a zig zag stitch(close together) dropping off one edge for the zig portion and into the fabric on the zag. To get around the corner, raise the presser foot (to release the tension) and pull out the threads so you have enough to grasp. Place the little fabric piece back under that presser foot. I did this on all four corners and had no trouble. Just trim off the excess threads. No need to back stitch either.

I think I will put Francis Bailey’s Fiddle Faddle label that I created right up here on the back of the tunic.

Yes, the checked pieces are raw edged on. I like the look. I just love looking at the stitching this machine does. There are two threads used throughout. That is why it looks so well defined.

Check out my secret pocket on the front (kleenex is the giveaway). Because the panel is lined I just topstitched the pocket outline. Pretty nifty I think.

Another tip: I just found my stylus’s. They had been hiding for a few years, sigh….I used the larger ball of the two and pressed into the fabric so I knew where to stitch. No I did not veer off my stitching path, I added the little bit of indentation after the fact so you could see. Ha, ha.

And her is the back of my newest “Tahoe To a “T.” An Art to Wear pattern available at my Etsy Shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett or through me directly: hmemmett@gmail.com The pdf/digital version is $9.95 U.S. and available to send anywhere in the World.

The side. This will be so perfect for Spring into Summer. I have white leggings and I have to find the perfect white T-shirt for underneath.

This would be ME! May you have a gentler Cardio workout, perhaps while lifting bolts of fabric from their shelves to the cutting table. Thanks so much for stopping by. I consider you ALL my “Sewing Sisters.” Let the creativity be there when we need it! Hugs, Heidi

Off The Grid Vest #1 Seller!

by HEIDI EMMETT

For months and months now, OFF THE GRID VEST pattern has been my #1 seller, and I’m so happy. It is sold as a hard copy or a pdf, it’s up to you! If you live in another country besides the USA, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, order my patterns as a pdf! Simple as that. If you are new to my blog, first, thank you for stopping by. And second, check out my Art to Wear sewing patterns via past posts or see all the patterns on my Etsy shop. The address for that is Etsy.com and type in (the search bar), DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns.

Off the Grid vest pattern, my best selling “Art to Wear” pattern for the past 3 months. It is so great to be able to say that I have sold this pattern to other countries outside of the U.S.A. Places like South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, and more. Please read all about this pattern in the above picture. And for more information about the following pictures, please visit my post, dated December 11th, 2020. Hint: Go to the home page of my Blog and to the right there is a box that says “months” or “Categories.” Either one should take you to the December 11, 2020 post.

Wear OFF THE GRID VEST so many different ways.

This vest was so fun to bring together. I think all the elements work synergistically (that’s my big word for the day ha, ha). It isn’t always easy. I have an Off The Grid that I cut out 4 years ago, yes, FOUR! and there it sits. I have almost reached the limit for marinating. It may not work at all. I guess what I’m saying is not every project works out. So don’t EVER get discouraged. Recycle the fabric pieces and move on. Life is too short to worry about whether or not you complete every single project. We are supposed to be having FUN people!

I usually tell you to include the button closure into the trim on the side panels. Notice this time it’s a separate decorative piece. Change it up on your closures (yes, there is a book by Lois Ericson that is all about Closures (out of print now but look on Ebay).

I just love using bright colored threads to quilt areas of the fashion fabrics that I’m using.

The coral and black spiral pocket, at first glance, doesn’t really look like a pocket. I like that surprise feature.

My favorite deer (these don’t eat anything!) I think they make a great foreground with the snow.

Here are the deer in all their glass glory. I’m not sure, but I think they are are European, old, and hand blown. They sit in the window behind my kitchen sink. I like how the sun shines through their antlers.

Awww….that’s a good boy. Riley loves the snow. I truly think he is part Husky. Yes, we’re still working on getting that stupid little brush into his mouth (the gum area) for 15 seconds (an eternity for both human and dog!)so we can grab some DNA cells and send off the sample. Sigh….

6:30a.m. of Day 1 of the snow. You can see Riley’s prints as he had to check out the snow.

This sign is so perfect in this picture.

When the storm was finally over(2 days worth) we measured 12″ of snow. We stayed home and were cozy by the fireplace. It is so hard to believe that last week I was talking about getting our new roof on the house and just a few days later, snow!
Thank you for stopping by. Grab some free time for yourself this weekend and get to stitching! Pick a machine any machine. Don’t fall off your chair, but I really have an urge to get out my 35 pound Sashiko machine (has sat since June, 2017) and see if it still runs. Ha, ha. Hugs, Heidi