tags and SUCH ;)

I am super thrilled to be a part of this great blog/social media tour today.... we're spreading the news about my beautiful friend, Carrie Bloomston's first ever fabric line, COLLAGE for Windham Fabrics!

^Photo by Jill

I first met Carrie at Houston Quilt Market in 2011, where she was debuting her first booth of sewing patterns. My husband was with me on that trip and he spotted SUCH. Knowing that I'd love it, he called me over. Carrie and I have become fast friends and since meeting. I've look forward to seeing her at every QM.

This fabric line perfectly captures the essence of Carrie and I couldn't be more happy for her!
She is a truly genuine, caring and spirited woman with amazing talents. Every piece from her line, like her, stands perfectly strong and beautiful on it's own, but when in the group as a whole, each one plays so nicely with all the others in a supportive, collaborative and collage sort of way!

For my part in her COLLAGE party, I'm sharing The Staple Dress I made from her brilliant Bauhaus Red new's strip print.

^Photo by me (April Rhodes) 

When Carrie showed me the line and mentioned the prints she thought would work well for this dress I was thrilled that she included this one! The news strips were a stand out for me and I am so pleased with it now. It is a little "edgy" while still being whimsical.  I think the styling could go in any number of directions.

To celebrate Carrie's line, I included a little tag made from her selvage. Doing this made me think of how fun it'd be to do add tags to any handmade garment.. not just with the selvage this was made from, but searching for all the words and special little details that a selvage can contain. I've always saved them thinking I'd find a fun use.. and this, I believe is my favorite idea yet!!! 

^Photo by me (April Rhodes)

^Photo by me (April Rhodes)

If you want to try it,  simply cut of the selvage off the fabric and stay-stitch (machine sew with a short stitch length, 1mm or so) the cut edge. Fold it in half and cut to desired tag length adding about 3/8". Pin tag under neck facing just before you topstitch it. Voilà! A special little handmade tag for your garment!

Here are some photos of the dress in action taken by Carrie's photographer, Jill.

Also, for my stop on the COLLAGE tour/party, I get to give away a little something..

^Photo from Carrie ;)

a layer cake of the entire line! 

Leave a comment here for the chance to win!! I'll randomly choose the ONE lucky winner.

Carrie and Windham have given all the tour guides a layer cake to giveaway, so if you don't win from me, don't despair, keep following along with the list of awesome crafters, and stay tuned for COLLAGE to arrive in stores, early July!! We'll definitely be stocking it here, at Sew To Speak!

still to come...

 April 12 – Tia Curtis

April 13 – Shelly Figueroa (Figgy's)

April 14 – Ramona Burke

April 15 – Sally Keller

April 16 – Angela Walters

April 17 – Shea Henderson (Empty Bobbin)

April 18 – Anna Graham (Noodlehead)

April 19 – Jenny Kelly

April 20 – Sam Hunter

April 21 – Rachael Gander (Imagine Gnats)
April 22 –Karen Le Page (One Girl Circus) 

I hope you love it as much as I do!

>>---♥---->
           April


+ + +  PLEASE BE SURE YOU'RE NOT A NON-REPLY BLOGGER.. so that I can contact you if you WIN!! :)  + + +