Houndstooth & Friends :: Rouge et Noir

This post is all about scottie dogs, cheesecake and HOUNDSTOOTH!

I'll start with cheesecake because it's delicious and I'm starving ... even though we all know that I should start with the scotties and finish up after lunch with the cheesecake when I'm not as hungry. You know, the rule that you should never go to the grocery store before eating a meal. But, who follows that rule?!

   *The dress above was made using Everyday Houndstooth in Black/ photograph and styling by Trenna Travis Design

Ok, hands down, the best cheesecake in NYC is from Eileen's. Seriously, you'll thank me later ;)

AND, here's the best thing- Eileen's will overnight express their cakes anywhere in the U.S.!!

If you're planning to visit NYC you might want to hit up these bakeries as well--

Two Little Red Hens

F. Monteleone Bakery & Cafe

And from left field, the best Key Lime Pie EVER!

 Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie

(They have one location in Brooklyn and the hours are not very consistent but if you're in town, try to make the trek. It's totally worth it!) 

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 Ok, moving on to what Michael Miller is famous for- fabric!

How cute is this argyle and Scottish Terrier inspired quilt designed by Susan Emory?!

 You can find a link to the free pattern by clicking here.

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Houndstooth and Friends in the Rouge et Noir color story is fun but it can be sophisticated as well! Check out the table setting and the gorgeous redheaded model below...

 

*Pictured above- Everyday Houndstooth in Rouge, Tiny Houndstooth in Red/ photographs and styling by Trenna Travis Design

 Just in case you're wondering, those beautiful blooms on the table are Ranunculus and they are A-mazing and available in so many beautiful colors! Perfect for a table, a bridal bouquet or any ol' day of the week :)

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*Everyday Houndstooth in Black/ Photographs and styling by Trenna Travis Design

 Houndstooth & Friends is shipping to stores now!

xo,

kait

Quick and Easy Throw Blanket!

Do you need a quick and easy gift for someone or do you need something to keep your hands busy while you're watching TV? I have the perfect project!

It's an Organic Sherpa and Cotton Couture lap blanket (which, I think, would make an amazing baby gift).

What you'll need:

• 1 1/4 yards of Organic Sherpa (Organic Fleece would also work)
• 1 1/4 Yards of Cotton Couture- I used Bright White and Starfruit but I wouldn't be opposed to a print!
• Embroidery Floss- Get a bunch of colors because you can never have too much embroidery floss hanging around :)
• Embroidery sewing needles  
• A sewing machine and thread

And now, the great debate...

 ...to pre-wash or not to pre-wash??

I didn't pre-wash. (Actually, here's my little secret- I never pre-wash.) This time, I wanted to find out what would happen if i sewed up the blankets and then washed them. I was hoping to get a really "organic" look and that the Cotton Couture would bunch up a little around my embroidery floss stitches. My other reason for never pre-washing is just convenience. Laundry in my building is in the basement and I'm always waaaay too excited to get started!

Craftsy weighs in on this debate as well...if you'd like a second opinion :) 

Sewing Instructions: 

1. Cut a Cotton Couture square: 42" x 42"

2. Lay the Cotton Couture square on your Organic Sherpa, right sides facing.

3. Refer to Diagram A: Pin around the perimeter and then sew around the perimeter using a 1/2" Seam Allowance leaving a 6" opening. Clip the corners. 

4. Turn your throw right sides out through your 6" opening.

5. Slip stitch your opening. Slip Stitch video tutorial here.

6. Spread the throw on a flat surface and smooth out the wrinkles so both layers are flat.

7. Now, it's time to mark out your embroidery lines- they can be straight parallel lines or lines that cross over in a plaid pattern, it's up to you! I used parallel lines that were spaced about 5 1/4" apart- they definitely weren't perfect! See diagram B for my pinning pattern.

8. Measure out a piece of embroidery floss that is at least 18" longer than your throw. I split the floss and used three threads. Click here for a tutorial on separating floss.  

9. Tie a knot in the floss and start hand sewing a Running Stitch along one of your pinned lines. You'll want your knot to be hidden so check out Anna Maria Horner's blog post about doing just that! 

10. Repeat step 9 for all of your pinned lines and don't be afraid to use several different colors of floss! Anna Maria's post covers tying off your sewing line as well.

11. And, you're finished! Unless, of course, you need to post-wash.

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 I didn't want to leave out the Organic Fleece so I did a quick photoshoot with Little Miss E as a bear and Little Miss O as a bunny!

 The bear hat pattern is by Living DIY Style. I altered the pattern just a bit for the bunny ears.

Have a great weekend and happy Easter!

xo,

kait

Make It Work!

It's finally beautiful outside-- and, boy, have we earned it! It's so nice that I spent some time on our fire escape taking pictures...

I know... It's not a beautiful garden, or the beach... or a park... but it's OUTSIDE!! and I'll take what I can get :)

*Pictured above (on our lovely fire escape) is a Make It Work tote bag. The main fabric is Make It Work in tan, the base is Solid Cotton Sateen in coral, and the straps are Painter's Canvas in slate

Inside the tote is a bag for jewelry or makeup...

 

*The main fabric is Couture in seafoam and the tie is Cotton Couture in Coral

I imagine a dancer or a little aspiring ballerina carrying her ballet slippers and her tutu in a carry-all made out of this collection. Stef, of Girl Inspired, created the perfect dance bag! Wouldn't it be lovely in Couture or Make It Work?!

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I'm thinking about dragging my sewing machine outside this weekend for some fun in the sun (and some serious vitamin D and Quilt Market sewing). I'm using this awesome quilt as my garment sewing inspiration...

*the Fashionista Quilt was designed by Marinda Stewart

Click here for the free Fashionista quilt pattern.

I'd love to make a 50's inspired dress like the one in the quilt using Frou Frou in Aqua (pictured above) or gray!

Marinda designed a sister quilt to the Fashionista as well... Stay tuned for the free quilt pattern!

Love that scalloped edge made with Zelda in gray! Bet it would make a cute dress :)

Have a great weekend!

xo,

kait

 

Oh Baby! Cynthia Rowley & Michael Miller Fabrics

How could I not start our Cynthia Rowley post with this baby pic?! She's the CUTEST!

*The baby blanket pictured above is ABC Scroll in Girl

And how about this one?! Totally adorable.

*The bloomers pictured above are made with Bows in Citron

The quilt that Little Baby C is sitting on was designed by Susan Emory. I love how the circles showcase the patterns- It would be so simple to switch out the fabric to showcase your favorite ones!

Susan used her Creative Grids Circle Savvy Ruler to make her perfect circles.

The "Oh Baby" quilt pattern will be available on our website soon!

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Pink, Coral and Citron make a vibrant color story for a modern nursery! Trenna Travis styled this adorable room using Animal Silhouettes in Coral & Citron, ABC Scroll in Girl and Rabbit Repeat in Coral.

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Not only is this collection perfect for baby, but it's great for toddlers and big kids too! 

*Bunny Scallop in Pink, Astra Dress Pattern

This is such a whimsical, fanciful photoshoot... and oh so dreamy!

*Rabbit Repeat in Pink, Pin Dot in Petal, Gatsby Dress Pattern

And, we didn't forget the men (or cowboys) in your life ;)

*Animal Silhouettes in Mint, Rabbit Repeat in Blue

Isn't he a total charmer?!

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 To view the entire "Oh Baby" collection and the rest of Trenna's lovely photoshoot, just click on the link below and scroll through--

Cynthia Rowley, "Oh Baby" ISSUU

We are so excited about this collection and we want to share it with you! 
Tell us about your favorite color combo for spring. I'm really loving mint and citron... but lavender and coral are closing in!

Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram too!

Don't forget to post your projects on Flickr~ we love to see what you make!

Comments are now closed. Thank you for participating! Congratulations to our two lucky winners!!

Melissa who said...

"I can't catch my breath....I want it all! Love, love the mint with a little navy thrown in...."

and 

WandaFish who said...

"I was looking for a little inspiration and you've given me bucketfuls!! Wow, what a super cute collection :)

I'm loving pink/coral and navy/coral combos for Spring. Thanks for the chance to win!"

xo,
kait

Cloth Baby Booties...

We've updated our popular Cloth Baby Booties tutorial using...

~Oh Baby~

designed by Cynthia Rowley for Michael Miller Fabrics!

I went on bow overload! Bows in Mint for the main fabric, Bows in Citron for the decorative bows. (I added these because I thought they'd be cute... and, I have to admit, because I made the elastic slits in the main fabric instead of the lining. (I had to cover up the holes- whoops!!)And, finally, I used Pin Dot in Coral to add a bright pop of contrasting color to the lining.

I love how the decorative bows look but you could also add buttons, fabric flowers, rhinestones, or you can just leave them plain!

 (*check out this link for some great fabric flower tutorials)

*tutorial prepared by Joanna Armour

For the Cloth Baby Bootie tutorial, click here!

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I'm planning to do a Cynthia Rowley "Oh Baby" post on Friday so stay tuned... The photos are so very fun and the kids are adorable! Here's a little sneak peek...

See you on Friday!

xo,
kait