Oh man, I kill me…that play on words. I got a million more people. I am blaming my husband for watering down my wit to puns and double an tantras (how do you spell that?). Bring back New York Kelly quick!!!
So I am here to show you what I have been up to. Remember my post where I was bumming about not taping into my creative side. Well I finally stopped flapping my jaws and started doing. Now there is nothing I am about to show you that will blow your mind. Just some simple home projects to learn about my sewing machine. No need to comment that I did such a great job (although encouragement is always appreciated). I just wanted to say I have stopped “wishing and wanting” away my life and started DOING!!!
Here are my sewing 101 projects. The first one is a modest rectangle curtain for Ryan’s office. I had to make it plain for Ryan and this was my first time cutting and sewing by myself…so here is my fabulous rectangle in all it’s glory. Hold your applause until the end.
My next project was to take a former shower curtain and turn it into a curtain for my kitchen. This shower curtain was from my days when I would spend an insane amount of money on things for my house. It is 400 thread count from Garnett Hill. I heart Garnett Hill…but people….400 thread count on a shower curtain. Oh to get back some of the money I peed away when I was single and making money….sigh….
The key to this little project was lining up the holes so they were even on both sides. I kicked it up a notch from my previous curtain by adding a box pleat and finished it off with some ribbon to hang it by. I plan on making some basket liners to match with the rest of the material.
Finally on our mesmerizing tour of crafting feats….I made a table runner. This was a little more on the frosted side of Kelly, mixing two unlikely fabrics. I love mixing patterns together. I realize this is not everyone’s cup of tea…but I rather like the non-traditional pairing. I call it “city meets country”. Hounds tooth and modern flower pattern unite. I will say, the hounds tooth material was knit and an absolute BEAR to cut and measure. My friend, Jen, gave me the square you see in the middle of the runner…so I cannot claim that. Anyway…I like it and I did it all by my lonesome.
Well that is it. That is all I can muster up to this point. The good news is…I LOVE sewing and this has only ignited a desire to learn more and get to a point where I can make things for other people. Right now I will just experiment on my house.
I do need to take another poll. I am a “namer”. I name my cars, give nicknames to people and animals, etc… I need a name for my sewing machine. I can’t call her Kenmore…I have already determined my machine is a she…but I need to find a name that fits her. Suggestions?
Great Job Kelly! All three things look great! I’m telling ya, the more I sew the more I love it too:) Plus it’s a great feeling knowing you made something for your home that makes it pretty.
Sorry but can’t help you with a name for your sewing machine. I’m the same way though, I name EVERYTHING from our cars to our pillows It’s kind of a inside joke with Brian and I. Anywho~ I don’t have a name for my Kenmore either, better think of something with ya.
p.s. Just thought of one, how bout Kendra the Kenmore? Yeah…. maybe not,that’s kinda cheesy, and sounds 80-ish;)
i will help you out in the spelling arena - even though it’s a nerdy side of me that I love to hate. entendre. and you can hack and spit on the last part and feel really french.
I love mixing the patterns!!! LOVE IT. all this is brill.
kel - great job with the sewing. good for you starting off with the simple shapes - and the key is a good fabric, which you’re brilliant at picking out, so you’re good to go. The great fabric can cover up any kind of sewing job any day - although i will say those lines looked saweet.
oh - and i hate naming things. the only time anything i owned had a name was my Passatt, Pheobe, which YOU named.
Nancy. You will be Sewing with Nancy . . .
yeah kelly!!! those are GREAT project! that is exactly how i learned to sew…just jumped right in there and made some stuff! oh, and the city meets country…i love it…just my style. (and i just used BOTH of the fabrics this weekend!)
a name….that Kendra thing is cute. but, don’t rush it…SHE will speak to you…
loves!!!
did bree just bring sewing with nancy into this?
that is BRILLIANT!!!
(crazy side smile)
http://z.about.com/d/sewing/1/0/C/o/tips10o.jpg
look at you, ms. crafty!!!!!! i’m impressed. so will donna marie be, when i tell her!
i think your machine needs to be LOUISE for dawn louise! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! if i get a sewing machine, mine will be donnamarie.
perfect. it’s perfect.
Oh FAB fabric. I’ve seen that shower curtain and i Love what you did with it. Also, brilliant on the houndstooth combo. *sigh* BTW I just left a post on someone else’s blog telling them they’re “sew crazy” so yeah HA! Anyhow, you need a machine name. If it’s white, call her Blanca.
Ok I had a name chosen before I even read the comments but that’s my weird sense of humour coming out in me…
Call her….. Sew (pronounced Sue!)
*shrug*
Sounded better in my head than written here …..
Great projects. Love the pattern of your old shower curtain.
As for a name for your sewing machine. How about ‘Stitch’ kind of like Lelo and Stitch. Or Bobbi - for bobbin. Or I like Stella!
I’m sure you will come up with the perfect name for your sewing buddy!
kelly–no name ideas…but i definitely have that little “bistro” thats in your kitchen, only i painted mine black.
good taste, good taste.
p.s. i love how i’m not the only loser who loves to sew. i’m going to venture into making some cute little cotton pants (kind of like scrubs) for noah soon. we’ll see how that goes.
kelly, love the shower-curtain-turned-kitchen-curtain
the funny thing is, when you emailed me to tell me you were going to be turning yours into a window covering i meant to email you back (oops) to tell you that my aunt lorrie is currently turning mine into a roman shade for my dining room!!!!! we are two peas in a pod, or something 
you are one crafty mama….i am dying to find someone to teach me to sew…
lauren
Great job Kelly! I love your fabric choices
Good luck coming up with the name - I like Kendra myself LOL
I confirm the “reasonableness” of your desire to name everything..I am a namer,too…my laptop, for instance is Brigida and my coffee expressor is Oriente…What would i suggest for your sewing machine?hmmm, SINGER - comig from the world most expensive sewing machine!
loving the fabrics and colors! oh, how i miss being able to easily find the things i need for projects. austrian ikea just isn’t doin’ it for me anymore!
love the sewing Kelly! Great fabrics! It makes me want to break mine out again. I have unfinished projects up the wa-zoo…my vote goes with Nancy!
I’ve been thinking about that cute little table runner all day (saw it yesterday and had to stew over it) so I went out looking for some fabric, and found NA DA THING! so dissapointed. Any good websites that I can look at and order some stuff, have it shipped to your place and pick it up when I’m there? We are seriously lacking in the fabric department around here, unless you’re 80 or still living in the 80’s. Good work, Kel. A rectangular curtain would be my Starry Night, so I applaud you!
suuuuuuper cute Kel!! I love that you are sewing! Why don’t you name your machine Nacho? and when you call for her you can say “Nachooooo”
Your curtains look amazing and the runner is adorable. I am just so proud of you. I knew once you got started you wouldn’t be able to stop! love you.