The Tiered Skirt

I love the tiered skirt. So simple. So cute.
I found these wonderful blender fabrics at the fabric store the other day. (Yes, I went out only to get bread, but found myself at the fabric store. Worse, they were having a sale.) What a perfect opportunity to play with the ruffler and make a tiered skirt! I tried a different fancy stitch on each tier, giving a rather simple skirt some really nice details.While trying to take these pictures, I dropped my camera. Thank goodness there was no lasting damage.
I would be lost without it. How would I share pictures of my crazy projects?

Mission accomplished! Now, I think I'll make a quilt with the rest of my snow day.

Embellishments

What does one do with a spiffy new sewing machine? Well, I thought it would be good to try out some new things with a pattern I already knew well. Embellishment was the word of the day.I found some coordinating fabrics and cut out a couple more clutches and one knitting project bag. Then I set to making them so much better.
Look at those nice little stitches, so pretty and neat. I fused some fleece to the back side of the fabric and cut out a little heart. An applique heart is relatively simple and just so cute. This new sewing machine is wonderful. Nearly perfect my first try. Then, I had to play with the ruffler. What a wonderful contraption! I don't think the ruffler has changed in 100 years. It is a scary looking thing that makes wonderful ruffles with just a little practice. I love the simple pink ruffle on this clutch. I can't wait to try the ruffler to make a skirt! I used several different fancy stitches to add great little details. See the little line of hearts that runs down the wrist strap? Wonderful!

I want to play some more with applique. I think this machine will make it much easier and the results so much better.

The Quilting Hen

Warning! This post includes images of fabric, sewing machines, finished quilts and much, much more.

After lunch, we headed down the road to find the Quilting Hen. Like many things in Montana, you must travel down a gravel road to find the Quilting Hen. After about a mile of gravel road, we found a clear trail marker, leading us towards our destination.The wide open plains can seem lonely in the spring, before the planting has been done.
Off in the distance, you can see the haven that holds this off-the-beaten-path fabric shop.
The ladies took a moment to catch their breath before entering the shop. Two small dogs, one large dog and one kitty greeted us upon our arrival.This shop is positively bursting with wonderful fabrics, friendly and helpful ladies and other wonderful things.Inside, we found thousands of bolts of fabric, notions, sewing machines, finished quilts, patterns, kits and enthusiastic staff and costumers.While we were there, the block-of-the-month club had their meeting complete with much oohing and ahhing over finished quilts and quilts in progress. There was also a mini-shopping spree with running about, laughter and cheering.
Each of the ladies said the same thing "we should have come here a year ago." As it is, the trip was bittersweet, a wonderful jewel found on the great plains that we will be able to share for a short time.

Ladies Field Trip

Today, instead of staying home to sew, we went on a field trip. To the Quilting Hen a fabric store that boasts many things. First we had to stop for lunch. We stopped at Fort Benton to see the sights and grab the most amazing chocolate shake and a burger.
I wandered across the street to take a picture of this statue of Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea.
They all look out over the Missouri river.
I'm sure it is all much prettier once spring has officially sprung.
After we'd eaten entirely too much and been horribly chilled by a cold Montana wind, we ventured on to the Quilting Hen. (See next post for the wonder of a prairie fabric shop.)