The Mint Needle

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. " ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth    

 A beautiful fabric, an adorable pattern, one disappointing project. How could it be? What went wrong? Should I try it again? I was soo excited to post this project until I deemed closer to finishing it and realized..."this is not going right." There are a few things that were wrong from the go, now that I look back. My fabric choice, although a beautiful pattern and cut on a bias draped beautifully, just didn't suit this project which should've been a light weight cotton instead of a blend. Next, I used an ultra lightweight cotton, see-thru for the lining. This was bad choice #2. For number 3 and so on, I'm blaming the pattern. When it came to attaching my lining to the floral fabric, the pattern didn't mention reversing the stitching side, where a zipper was 'supposed' to go. (Hence, if it's on the inside, your going to reverse it so that only face sides show.) A little confusing, I know, but the theory here is having no sewn edges showin...

  Amidst the blooming flowers and awakening trees, family life, a 'real' paying job, and preparing for our upcoming Orthodox Easter has kept me busy as a bee. Yes, the baskets are ready and so am I.  I was terribly excited to share an awesome pattern until the completed piece did not come out as desired. Do I dare show you a disappointing project? I probably should as I've been told and could pass along.... vintage patterns are a pain in the butt! I am also making note of posting some old time recipes from a couple cookbooks our lovely neighbor gave me from the 50's and 60's. (Of course on Clementine & Clove.) There are tons of recipes I can't wait to share. And... an unplanned trip to Joann's had me leaving with more fabric and more patterns. What was a girl to do at only ninety-nine cents a piece! I love those sales!       Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine & blooms! Happy Trails:) ...

    A retro inspired top!   What can be better than making the uncoordinated ~ coordinated? Putting unpredictable fabrics together is something I love to do with sewing. I found myself drawn toward a multi-colored polka dot fabric that could only be enhanced by a bright, lime green & yellow lining. There was no need to break this project up into sections. It was a simple pattern to work with. Take a look!     Cutting the pattern and fabric is always the most tedious part. It has to be precise or your finished product won't look so finished.   Transfer every marking! For transferring darts, I marked the central and end points. Connect them with a straight edge. Line the darts downwards and stitch together towards the center point. Connect your front to back, only at the sides. Next the 'mini' lining ~ Stitch them together, at the sides, face fabric inw...

          Sewing, gardening, books, & patterns ...there's so much I want to talk about. The grass is getting greeeeeeen as are the buds on the trees. I'm looking forward to so many posts and often wish I had five sets of hands to take on all the ideas in bloom. Salad seeds have been sewn outdoors and plants have already been moved. Snow boots are slowly making there way to the back of the closet, but I'm still hesitant about the winter coats. I don't want to jinx the weather we've been having;)   I want to share a couple great vintage patterns on the blog but am debating on how to do so. Should we start a project together and work post to post? Or do I bundle it all up in one toss? Hmmm... decisions, decisions.     And scrappy is still in the works:)   Happy Trails!