April 08, 2016

Photography for Testers: Part 1

April 08, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

So I am going to spend the next couple weeks talking to you a bout photography for testers. I'm specifically going to be giving you tips for kids clothing, but you can check out my posts HERE and HERE for women's photography tips. In the last couple of months I have noticed a ton of posts where people are asking how to get involved in testing - and this is GREAT!!! As a designer, I am constantly on the look for new talent in my testing pools to keep a fresh perspective.

March 16, 2016

Born Wild with Blend Fabrics

March 16, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

In general I don't consider myself a fabric hoarder - I sew my fabric and I really try not to buy without a project in mind. However, I can't ever say no to new fabric lines when they fall in my lap - no matter how tight the deadline or if I have no clue what I am going to sew with it, I always say YES! When Merav asked me if I might want to participate in sewing up Ana Davis' new line, Born Wild, for Blend Fabrics; not only did I say YES, but I knew exactly what I wanted to make. And what I wanted to make was a new design that was just hours old on my sketch pad.

February 13, 2016

Mabel Madison Valentines Blog Tour

February 13, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

Sew ALL the Poplin!!! Hahah, that is essentially what Emily and Denita of Mabel Madison started with when they contacted a group of bloggers for a fun Valentines Blog Tour. And why not, Poplin is one of the easiest fabrics to fall in love with!

February 05, 2016

Color Me Fabric Fun

February 05, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

When Hayley of Mouse House Creations sent out word that she was looking for some people to sew up samples of her new line of Color Me fabric for Micheal Miller, we jumped at the chance!

January 29, 2016

NYNU: Getting Stuck on Notions

January 29, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

Taking our notions to the next level with outside of the box thinking and some Heat Transfer Vinyl. Rachel may not have been vinyl-ing long, but she sure known how to make things awesome for her kids!

January 18, 2016

New Year, New Uses: Mash Up

January 18, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

As we look at this year with fresh eyes for creativity, it would be remiss not to talk about the Mash Up. What is a Mash Up you ask??? Well, it is simply combining two patterns together to get a whole new look. If you are new to altering and adapting patterns, mash ups are a great place to start becasue they show you that there are options and that a pattern DOESN'T have to be sewn as written!

January 06, 2016

New Year, New Uses: Upcycling Everything

January 06, 2016/ Suzanne Winter

I love to upcycle. When I started blogging almost four years ago, pretty much everything I made was an upcycle. I didn't have much money or fabric, but I had plenty of people willing to give me their bags bound for Goodwill. Over time, I've had the opportunity to work with fabric companies and earn money from my pattern designs to purchase new fabric, but I still have upcycling roots.

December 18, 2015

Let Your Imagination Take Flight with the Gift of Wings

December 18, 2015/ Suzanne Winter

What child at some point in their life doesn't wish that they could FLY!!! I know it was always a dream of mine. My kiddos love wings (yep, all three of them, boys included), but I have found that the ones at the store last about a day in our house - or more like an hour. The flimsy frames and mesh fabric simply can't hold up to the wearing of my active children. So I have to say I was super excited to see these Butterfly Wings from Wife Made show up in my news feed. And even more excited when Marnie said that she would sew them up for the blog.

According to Marnie - these are a pretty quick sew......hmmmm, think I can fit in one more sew to my to do list before Christmas Day????

December 17, 2015

Wild About Winter in the Wild Things Hooded Scarf

December 17, 2015/ Suzanne Winter

Holiday fun can mean so many different things to different people. So far we've shown you the joys of relaxing in PJ's all day, the sweet scrumptious-ness of baking, and today we have a personal favorite of mine; playing in the SNOW!!!! Now if only the weather would get it's act together and send me my white stuff - I mean, I live in the North East for a reason.... a projected 65 on Christmas day does not scream 'Winter Wonderland'.

But even without snow, Chris still enjoyed some snow time fun with her littles. And these adorable Wild Things Hooded Scarves from Big Little just amp up the festive spirit.

December 15, 2015

Kiss the Cook: Or at least give them a nice gift!

December 15, 2015/ Suzanne Winter

I tend to think of adult gifts as being hard to fit in the 'handmade' category....but really they don't have to be at all!!!! We've already shown you adult Socks and Pajamas that will make great gifts, and don't forget those teacher totes and notebook covers that are also great for girlfriends and the in-laws!!!! Today, Lisa is here to share the perfect gift for any cools in your life. While she has whipped up a gorgeous floral version, I can completely see my BBQ loving little brother wearing this as he teaches his kids the art of the grill.

The simple lines are perfect for showing off a great fabric or adding a fun embroidery or applique. These kitchen sayings from Urban Threads always make me smile (My in-laws are getting a set of towels with these embroidered, but I'm thinking they need a matching apron now too!!!) Check Lisa's take on the Make and Create Apron from Pattern Emporium.