Thursday, April 11, 2013

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. VoilĂ ! 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 14 – Ramona Burke

April 15 – Sally Keller

April 16 – Angela Walters
April 19 – Jenny Kelly
April 20 – Sam Hunter


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!! :)  + + +

43 comments:

DeborahGun said...

I love love this fabric, and I love the dress too - will have to try to make one one day!

Gill said...

Great fabric - and I love the red dress! Fabulous!

Elisabeth said...

I love her and this fabric is so amazing!!! I have a bookmArk of her wonky little houses pattern that I keep at work for inspiration!

Elisabeth.woo @ gmail

Katie said...

This might be my favorite version of the Staple dress Can only imagine how fabulous the other fabrics are.

Anonymous said...

I like this red newsprint, especially with the Staple.

Naomi Joy said...

I love the fabric! And I'm loving my Staple pattern.

Kara {me and elna} said...

She seems like such a nice person! No wonder you two gravitated towards each other. :)

Unknown said...

Wow! They are all so pretty!

allison said...

Love the dress in this!
allisonbegue@gmail.com

Cindy Molnar said...

I just love this fabric! I am tracing my staple dress today and sewing tomorrow. Thanks for the giveaway!

stufenzumgericht said...

The Stapel Dress fits very well to this beautiful fabric line! By the way, I'm sewing the dress at the moment and have to say, that it's pure fun! Martina

LucindaM said...

Just ordered your pattern this morning and will pick up my fabric on Friday at Sew to Speak. Can't wait to make this dress!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I think I need to visit my brother who lives in Columbus, just so I can visit your store. Love your dress pattern and the new fabric!

Unknown said...

Love this fabric!!!!

Http://thebirdandthebicycle.blogspot.com

Jenny said...

this dress is certainly a 'staple' for everyones wardrobe. come on spring!!thanks for a chance.

Hannah said...

I love this fabric and would love to win!

Tamie said...

Love the fabric and your dress. I'm now off to take a look at your blog. Thanks for participating in the tour.

Deb said...

Very pretty! And I love the collage layer cake!

B Greene said...

What a fantastic dress - perfect combo of print, color amd design. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win!

Doris said...

I am LOVING your Staple Dress pattern (I'm adding it to my list of "treats" for myself for one of my weight loss goal rewards!) and Collage is some gorgeous fabrics I hope I get to sew with very soon... (wink, wink!)

Dresden Lane said...

Gorgeous fabric and adorable pattern - a great combination.

Cecilia said...

Cute dress and fabric! I love the little strips of newsprint on the red background. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

What a cute dress. I think I need to make one for this summer! ~Meghan. eschbaugh@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

So beautiful! I'm so happy for Carrie and can't wait to get my hands on some of her new fabric! And the dress looks amazing... that most likely is joining my "must-make" list!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely dress! I love this fabric and can't wait for it to be released.

Betty said...

My neighbor is a collage artist, she would love this fabric!

DeeAnn said...

There is nothing not to love here! But, my favorite, is your clever use of the selvedge!

Christine S said...

I'm fairly new to sewing/quilting and Windham is getting on my list of favorites with all the great new lines!
chrissherman1669@yahoo.com

FlourishingPalms said...

Love that fabric! It's perfect for summer. And the pattern suits the fabric too. What a great outfit! Thanks for the chance to win!

lcfogel said...

This fabric line can be applied in so many ways, if you ask me! I cannot wait to get my hands on this. Your dress is adorable!

mary mahoo said...

I love this fabric,,and it looks like it was made for your Staple dress! Thanks for the "tag" tip.

Linda R said...

Enjoyed looking at your patterns. I have not sewn clothing for years but think I will try it agin when I finish a few other projects that are currently in progress.

Jana Machado said...

Wow! Exactly what I was looking for! A very interesting fabric collection and a dress so simple and cute! Loved it!

Cabbage said...

Oh cool, those fabrics look lovely!

amye said...

Oh my goodness! I am stalking this fabric...love!

Emily said...

Loving all the sneak peeks!!

Rosemaree & Finn said...

Great dress in beautiful fabric.

andrea creates said...

love the fabric you used for the dress.
i always save my selvedges too-great idea :)

geoann said...

This line enchants in ways that I cannot express! I have so many ideas for its use! Your little dress is perfection!

Amy said...

Your Staple dress is amazing in the fabric. I LOVE what I've seen so far of the collage fabric line.

Maryellen said...

This is just too cute! The fabric is wonderful and this pattern is perfect for the dress!

Goldilocks said...

what a lovely dress, and the fabric is scrumptious!

Sandra Cooper said...

The dress is a great use of this fantastic fabric. Gorgeous