Patchwork Underground

Just got done planning and hosting my little sewing workshop for Transition PDX. We made these beauties:

Patchwork was popular in the Great Depression as a way to save money and turn old clothing and scraps into something new.  I expect it will become more and more popular as our resources continue to dwindle, hence the patchwork + Transition Movement connection!  (If you don’t know about the Transition Movement, check it out!  It’s a community-building network aimed at preparing ourselves and our communities for the myriad consequences of peak oil and climate chaos.  A large part of their approach is based in DIY self sufficiency, so it’s a crafter’s paradise…)

I thought that these little 9-patch pin cushions would be a great way to teach basic sewing skills and get folks acquainted with the principals of patchwork construction.  It really got people’s creative juices flowing and some beautiful creations that got made that day.  Thank you to Henry for ring leading this workshop - I had tons of fun doing it!

In other news, Julia and I finished our coffee table top mandala!  We bought this messed up table at the Bins a few months ago for $3.  I stared at it for a long time until I figured out what to do….

…and now, OOOOO!  I love it.

I did the top in a combination of cheap acrylics, sharpie squiggles and dollar store glitter glue.  I varnished the whole thing with this awesome water-based (read: non-stinky) varnish I bought for weather-proofing an educational display I made for the Fruit Booth at Oregon Country Fair 2 years ago.  Still good!  Love this stuff.

Who is cuter: The girl, the guitar or the sweater?

Don’t even want to know what chemicals are in these doozies….

Never, ever too many log cabins…

Seriously though - I made a skirt for my friend Lara with a log cabin border that is identical to this set.  She would blend in perfectly.  Kinda creepy.

Hello Plastic Canvas 5th Wheel Tissue Paper Cozy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best .99 cents I’ve spent at Goodwill in a while.  If you or anyone you know has any information about the origin of this artwork, please contact me.  I love you!

So, I had just finished watching Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance music video (for the I-don’t-know-how-many-eth time) and I was thinking about how hard I could rock it in those 15″ heels she wears in the video.  I closed my laptop and stood up.  And then I fell down.  OW!  My leg was asleep and before I realized what was happening, I rolled over in my measly 3″ heels.  I was in denial for a day or so but eventually I went to the doctor - BROKEN FOOT!

Here’s what a broken foot looks like in a sewing room:

I went thrift shopping to dull the pain - got this awesome vintage Idea Book of Trims….

It made me realize that I heart freaky Kubrick-style ballerinas:

…and glassy-eyed girls in big hats:

I also learned what happens when you give a girl a Buttoneer.

The Idea Book of Trims made me realize that my trims are a freakin’ mess.  I have them in a bunch of disparate bags stashed all over my sewing room.  So, in the interests of organization (and further dulling the pain of my broken foot), I hobbled to the dollar store and bought storage bins.  Voila:

Coming up next: a tutorial for my scrap earrings!  Here’s a sneak peek:

My oh my have I found something awesome for this giveaway!!!!!! Clicky-clicky:

So you *could* make these projects but the crazy crafter in me wants to make them and then decoupage the pictures all over my craft room. Maybe as a wallpaper-esque border going all the way around the room?

What would you do with them?

Leave a comment explaining what you would do with these magazines and/or which of the projects/pictures is your favorite. One entry per comment, one comment per person. Extra entries for folks who link back to this post on their blog, message board, etc! Just let me know in your comment where you posted the link.

Comments will be closed on the night of Tuesday, September 22nd and the winner will be announced the following day.

Please note that this giveaway is only open to folks in the USA. (No offense to my international friends - international shipping is just sooo expensive right now!)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!