making an old project into something new

The great thing about digging out the mess you've made over several years is that you find untold treasure.

That's what happened recently when I was trying to get rid of the excess that has accumulated. I pulled out a bag of crumpled fabric pieces. The fabric looked old, so I had a feeling it was good. And it was.

The bag was filled with pieces cut for making dresden plates. Some were even started, all stitched by hand. The pieces still have some visible markings from where a pencil traced the shapes.




My attention went immediately to the fabrics. In my opinion they are far superior to any reproduction fabrics meant to reflect the style of this era of fabric. At least, the prints are. The fabric itself is a lighter weight than modern quilting cotton, but still much better than cheap fabric. At any rate, I'm smitten.

I showed my mom and she's fairly sure that the project was started by my great grandmother, Mollie. Of course. I never knew her, but I'm named for her. And even though I'm adopted, I seem to have the family crafting genes.

Usually I look at something like this and feel obligated to keep the integrity of the original project. Like, because this work-in-progress came to me, I need to finish it as it was intended. Because not doing that would dishonor the maker.

This time, I decided that was silly. The women who came before me would have repurposed things to make what they wanted or needed to make. Who knows? These dresden pieces may have been other items before they were so lovingly cut.



Since I'm an English paper piecing and hexagon gal, I hoped that I could cut some pieces from the fabric bits. And I was delighted to find that 1/2" hexies will fit...and if I'm careful I get two from each piece!



Cutting these fabric hexagons was both challenging and refreshing. As I went to take the first cut I kept thinking, "What am I doing? You're crazy Mollie!" But with each cut I was more and more pleased with my decision.

And as I basted them, it got better and better.

Suddenly I felt like I was honoring my great grandmother in a whole new way. I'm sure she'd be pleased.

At this point I don't know what these hexagons will become. I'll probably wait to see how many I end up with, but I know that whatever it is, it will be treasured. And I'll enjoy this connection to my past in a crafty sort of way.

project // fall leaf applique pincushion

I really didn't need another pincushion. In fact, I made another one earlier this year, so I REALLY didn't need another. But I had this idea to make one that would fit in my travel case. It would look like what you see in the photos, but smaller.

In case you haven't guessed, mid-project I forgot about why I was going to make it smaller, and ended up with a pincushion that won't fit in my travel case. Oops! I guess I'll have to make another.

But I do love this one. Even with the hand-stitched details, it's quick to make and perfect for the season. Want to make your own? Here's how!



You will need:

Fabric
- Nine scraps for leaves
- Linen (at least 5 1/2" square)
- Quilting cotton (at least 5 1/2 x 11")
Fusible web like Wonder Under
Batting (at least 5 1/2" square)
Embroidery floss
Pincushion filler of your choice (I used fiberfil and walnut shells)
Scissors
Iron
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
Pins
Needle
Sewing machine

Leaf Template



Iron pieces of the fusible web on to the back of the fabric scraps, then cut them out using the leaf template. You will need nine leaves.



Remove the paper backing from the leaves and arrange them on the linen however you like. I pulled out my ruler and tried to get the layout as straight as possible, without actually marking the fabric. I failed. But close enough is, well, close enough.

When you are satisfied with how they look, iron them down.



Layer the leaf piece, batting, and a square of the quilting cotton to make a mini quilt sandwich. Pin the layers together.



With three strands of embroidery floss, stitch around each leaf with running stitch. This will quilt the top a little, while securing those leaves and adding a pretty detail (three functions for one bit of stitching? nice!).



Trim down the top and a second piece of quilting cotton for the backing. They should both be a 5-inch square.



Place the backing on the quilted piece, right sides together. Pin around the sides. My sideways pin is where the opening will be.



Sew around the sides, and back stitching on each side of a 2-inch opening. Trim the corners as shown.



Turn the pincushion right side out and poke the corners so they look pretty. Lately I've been using the handle of a little paintbrush for this!



Fill the pincushion with your favorite filler. There are lots of options for this! Since this is a good sized cushion, I did a combination so it was solid, but not overly heavy. My friend Ellen suggested alternating walnut shells and fiberfil and that worked great! (We have no nut allergies around here, so I'm good with the walnuts.)

Stitch the opening closed with ladder stitch.



You're finished, so get your pins ready to jump in these leaves!




This cushion would be a wonderful fall gift for a sewing friend...or a gift for yourself! And you don't need to limit it to fall colors. Make it in springy greens and yellows, or all in one color, or a whole rainbow!

Do you need a new pincushion? I bet you do now!

cute tips // laura from bugs and fishes

I just have to say that I feel pretty lucky to have encountered so many cute folks online. By that, I mean people who make cute things. But also, I think that people who make cute things can't help but be pretty cute themselves.

Take today's contributor for Cute Tips. Laura is the author of several super-cute books, and her site Bugs and Fishes documents her very cute life in England, while offering plenty of extra cute felt tutorials.

Here's her fantastic cute tip!



One easy way to make something cute is to make it tiny! Something so small you can hold it in the palm of your hand? Instantly adorable.

You can draw your own mini patterns, or use a photocopier to shrink an existing pattern to make a mini version of it. If you're shrinking a pattern, remember you might need to simplify some shapes or details to make them easier to cut or sew at the smaller size. You can do a lot with just a few stitches when you're making something small: add two seed beads and a row of tiny stitches and you've got a happy little face!



Felt is a great material to use for making small things. There's no need to worry about seam allowances or fabric fraying, you just cut and go. You can use any kind of felt but I use high quality synthetic felt or 100% wool felt for really teeny pieces.

Cutting out small felt pieces can be a bit fiddly, so take your time. My main tip for cutting small shapes is to buy a good quality pair of embroidery scissors. The small, narrow blades make it soooooo much easier to cut small pieces than using ordinary sewing scissors. I shared some more tips on my blog a while ago - make sure to read the comments as my readers shared some great tips of their own!



Thank you Laura! Tiny is always so very cute. I want to shrink everything!

A note to all my bloggy friends: Cute Tips contributors are generously sharing their cutest secrets with us. Be inspired by them, but please, please, please don't try to steal their style! Be your own cute self!

in print // dome-estic bliss cupcake apron in homespun

Nearly a year ago I started talking with Australian Homespun magazine about an apron project that would go in their special food issue. You know I love making food with faces, so I was excited about this. Then earlier this year I mailed off my completed apron and it made its way around the world.

And you know, it's just so satisfying when an envelope arrives and inside is your project that is home again, and the magazine with pages displaying the thing you made.



It's really lovely that my apron is in the same issue as Twinkie Chan and a host of other talented designers. Plus, I'm always so impressed with this magazine. It has a different feeling that other craft magazines that I also like, and I like that!

One of the really cool things is this:



At the back is a giant pull-out page with full size patterns. Yeah, that's right. And I don't have to tell you that with the dome design on this apron, that pattern is super helpful. (If you get a digital copy, I'm told that you have a way to print the pieces and join them.)



Now the question remains...should I actually use this or keep it as pretty as can be?

stitch-love-along // the end

Today is officially the last day of the Stitch-Love-Along, and I'm sad to see it end. Watching folks make projects from my book and add my little creatures and critters to their own projects? Well, it's pretty much the best.

Here are a few things that I've spied on Instagram these last two weeks...

A photo posted by Kappa (@kappalovescucumbers) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:42pm PDT

A photo posted by handflapper (@handflapper) on Sep 10, 2015 at 9:36am PDT

A photo posted by @kristyg5 on Sep 7, 2015 at 10:08am PDT

A photo posted by @ceciliainthestable on Sep 2, 2015 at 12:10am PDT

A photo posted by lv2create4u (@lv2create4u) on Sep 2, 2015 at 5:56am PDT

A photo posted by Faith Essenburg (@faithessenburg) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:18am PDT

Phew! So many stitches! And everyone who participated in round three gets a free pattern.



This round's pattern is a big one...to stitch a peacock! This pattern was far too large to go in the book, so I'm happy to share it this way. If you stitched along, just send me an email (molliejohanson at gmail dot com).

And if you missed any of the rounds, or are just finding out about this now, I don't want you to feel left out! Take a look at the past posts about each round, do the challenges (they aren't too challenging...I promise!), then email me when you're done. You'll still get the free patterns.

For those who joined us for the Stitch-Love-Along, THANK YOU! It's been lovely. I hope I get to see many more Stitch Love projects along the way!

Once again, many thanks to Faith and Becca for helping me with the Stitch-Love-Along! They are such supportive and encouraging gals!

thread bits // my dumbest sewing practice

As a blogger and pattern creator, I've learned a little trick that has lead to a really dumb sewing habit/practice.

The trick is this: Get the project done enough to get a photo, hiding the part that is unfinished.

Why would I do this? Usually it has to do with trying to get a post up before the end of the day, or sometimes it's a rush to get the photos taken before I lose my light. It's never because I don't want to properly finish a project.



Unfortunately, the result is that I have projects that are this close to being done. I mean, seriously. Look at that binding on the top one. We're talking LESS THAN TWO INCHES! The bottom project is a little blanket from an online class I taught a few years ago. All that's left is about 8 inches of ladder stitch where those pins are.

I'm sure I have many more that I've temporarily forgotten about too.

Friends, don't do as I do.

But do tell me about your dumbest sewing or stitching practice. What crazy habit do you need to kick?

project // 5-minute mix 'n' match earrings

For a time I found myself making lots of small and fast projects, while lately I've been making many more big, long, slow, complicated projects. Big embroidery and English paper piecing, and even some regular sewing can be like that. And although I do love the big, long, slow, complicated things, sometimes it's nice to work on an instant-gratification sort of craft.

So, in just five minutes you can make, a whole bunch of earring options. And even though I'm showing this with a leaf/feather shape, you could easily change this up.



My inspiration was this pair of leather earrings that I made years ago. They were also very quick and easy, and I still love them!



You will need:

Felt
Earring Hooks
Scissors
1/16-inch Hole Punch or a Large Needle

5-Minute Earring Template



In the template there are two sizes of the leaf shape. From felt, cut two from each size in a few colors of felt that will mix and match well. Fall colors work great for this, but it's fun to add in some unexpected shades too!

This is the part that takes the longest. If you can cut felt shapes quickly, this project will take less than five minutes!



Use the hole punch or needle to make a hole at the top of each felt shape. You can usually go through two at one time.



Layer up two leaf shapes and slide them onto the earring hooks.

Done!



And since you've already prepared some more leaf shapes, you are ready to mix and match the colors! Only one set of hooks is needed, because it's just a matter of switching the felt pieces.

I'm really liking this combo.



You could also add some stitching to the felt, although that will take a little longer. This one reminds me of a peacock, so some extra details might be nice here. I can add that when I have more time on my hands.

In the meantime, you've got easy earrings that you can customize on the fly!

cute tips // becky from the pink samurai

It's time for another installment of Cute Tips! Previously we heard a sweetly stitched tip from Amy who makes all things cute. Now we're changing it up with a simply purrrrrrfect tip!

If you like kawaii, pink, and/or kitties, The Pink Samurai is perfect for you (and me!). Becky draws adorable cat characters, and is in the middle of a year-long project sharing a kitty version of a famous person each day (on their birthday!). It's entirely awesome. She is also the creator of D.I.Kawaii, which you really need to check out. But now, here's Becky!



My cute tip is to make it a cat! Adding ears and a little muzzle pouch makes everything cuter! Plants, food, any inanimate object can be made cuter if it's turned into a cat.





Thanks, Becky! I'm giving your Cute Tip four paws...way up! (But not in an inappropriate kitty sort of way.)

A note to all my bloggy friends: Cute Tips contributors are generously sharing their cutest secrets with us. Be inspired by them, but please, please, please don't try to steal their style! Be your own cute self!

getting ready for epic stitching behind the scenes

It makes me nervous when I don't post anything here for a few days. Silly, but true. So this is sort of a check in to let you know that I'm still here. I just don't have much to show you.

I've been working on an embroidery commission, and I'm about to head into an epic stitching session. But I can't show you yet. I will tell you that what you see above is for said embroidery.

I bought a bundle of linen, chose some colors, and pulled out a fresh needle.

And now, I stitch!

calendar // print & post leaves for september

I really did not make all that I hoped I would have in August. With the tumbler shape, I wanted to make some coasters...you know...for setting a tumbler on. Oh well. Sometimes You can't do everything. Like, I can't even post the monthly calendars on the right day! (It seems that September is already a little crazy...)

I did, however, make a few things elsewhere that I don't want you to miss!

No-Cook Rainbow Play Dough



Perler Bead Monogram Pins

Now it's time to move ahead. This month I chose a shape that is called by several names: petals, clamshell petals, orange peels, or as I'm calling them...leaves! It's a nice shape for heading into a time of year when leaves are changing.

I went with yellow and orange for my fall friends, but I think the leaf shape will be fun for those who are heading into spring too. Watch for some leafy projects coming soon! But first, grab some wallpaper!

Download the 2560x1440 Wallpaper.
Download the 1920x1280 Wallpaper.
Download the 1280x800 Wallpaper.
Download the iPhone Wallpaper.
Download the iPad Wallpaper.

For your home screen, these have leaves, but no calendar:
Download the iPhone Tumblers Wallpaper.
Download the iPad Tumblers Wallpaper.

For iPhone 6+, choose the iPad version. To use the iPhone and iPad versions, click the link for the wallpaper you want. When it opens, touch and hold the image until it pops up with the option to save. After you've saved the image, go to your settings, choose wallpaper, then find the image you've just saved.

To PRINT a calendar page (with a place for notes), download the September 2015 calendar page PDF. The dates are lighter print so you can write over them if you want, or let your little ones trace over the numbers for practice!

Oh, and for the record, I've had my first PSL of the season!

UPDATE: KDCorgi spotted an error on the calendars, and they have now been updated. If you downloaded any of these and noticed incorrect dates, please download again for the correct version.

stitch-love-along // round three

I'm not entirely sure where the last 2 weeks went to. But I know that some of you have kept busy by making things for round two of the Stitch-Love-Along! Take a look at what's been posted on Instagram and then see a few that I just had to share...

Stitched the Frozen Yeti Ice Pack for round two of #stitchlovealong I didn't use the templates, but just winged it! Also decided to make him blue instead of white!

A photo posted by Cathy Steger (@etownknitter) on Aug 22, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

#stitchlovealong Koala screen cleaner Mods: did not enlarge pattern, added embroidery to belly, glued belly to front, used fleece for back

A photo posted by @theshybot on Aug 26, 2015 at 1:33pm PDT

Finished round two of the #stitchlove #stitchlovealong

A photo posted by @backinbloom on Aug 26, 2015 at 9:34am PDT

Blog time! My huge stretch of customizing one of @molliejohanson's projects for the #stitchlovealong Post up at thecraftinggeek.com #legendofzelda

A photo posted by Jess (@craftinggeek) on Aug 26, 2015 at 12:48pm PDT

That last one is the firefly jar, customized to be a Legend of Zelda version. So fun!

If you participated in round two, you get a free pattern! If you aren't quite finished, don't worry about it. So long as you got it started and have plans to finish, you're good. To claim your free pattern, send me an email (molliejohanson at gmail.com) and I'll send it over to you. The pattern is a set of templates to create a special pair of mini plush (in the same style as the Awesome Outback Trio), created just for this round of the Stitch-Love-Along.

And now, here we go for round three!



This round you get to stitch a critter! Choose any embroidery motif from Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small, and embroider it on any handmade item. You can choose something you've already made, or make something new just for this.

Ideas for things that you might make with a critter or two: mug rug, zip pouch, mini quilt, napkins, placemats (like the ones from the book!) or more. This handy link will take you to some projects here on Wild Olive that might work for this too!

Round 1 // August 4-18
Stitch a Pocket Pal (any Stitch Love embroidery motif with the Pocket Pal project on page 53)

Round 2 // August 18-September 1
Make an Animal (choose a project that creates an animal)

Round 3 // September 1-15
Stitch a Critter (embroider any Stitch Love motif on a handmade item)

Share your progress on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, or your own blog. This is all about stitching along together and sharing with each other, so be sure to tag your posts #StitchLoveAlong. We all want to see your materials, your process, and of course...the finished project!

At the end of each round everyone who participates will receive a free Stitch Love pattern designed just for that round of the Stitch-Love-Along!

Many thanks to Faith and Becca for helping me with the Stitch-Love-Along! They are such supportive gals!