welcome craft sanity visitors; this blog has moved

A big welcome to all of you who followed the link from CraftSanity! This blog moved a couple months ago to its new home at www.sewliberated.typepad.com. You can see all the archives over there.

I also want to remind subscribers to this RSS feed to update your bookmarks to www.sewliberated.typepad.com. There's lots of stuff to read about over there since the blog moved - house floods, our big move back to the States, and lots of pictures of my students (who I am going to miss very much) being their natural, creative and inquisitive selves.

But, perhaps most exciting of all, is that today I am announcing the release of the Lola Apron pattern, which includes a child's size verson! Here is today's post about it. Hope to see you over there!

xo,

Meg
________________

It’s about time for some big news, isn’t it? As much as I wish that I could be announcing this kind of wonderful news, that will have to wait until the chaos of moving subsides and the stars of serendipity and grad school schedules align. Instead, I have another “baby” that’s ready to make its way out into the world – the Lola Apron pattern!

I’ve already mentioned how smitten I am with this apron. So smitten that I went ahead and made a mini-version, which comes as part of the deal. And a BIG thanks to my wonderful testers, Monique, Lucy, Shawnee, Beth and Melissa - these ladies are extremely talented, and they've made the pattern very user-friendly and typo-free.

Oh – and yes, that’s me, my former student, and, perhaps surprisingly, my Mexican kitchen featured on the pattern front. The dark interior made it a challenge.

But Miss Lola was insistent. She refused to be photographed in front of a run-down fence. She was pure kitcheny kitsch, and her place is the kitchen. How in the world could I possibly have a photo shoot in my rather hobbit-like kitchen? Answer: white bedsheets, this flash, a particularly patient husband, and lots and lots of fun with photoshop. My saving grace? These plates. They make the whole photo, in my opinion.

One more thing, which is a big announcement in of itself – have you listened to the most recent Craftsanity podcast? I haven’t yet, out of fear of hearing my own voice bumbling about and making embarrassing statements. I was so honored to be invited on the show and to spend an hour or so chatting with Jennifer, who is a delightful person and a fellow apron aficionada.

Craft on!

Meg

ode to the lola apron

Another apron, Meg?

Really now.

Don't you think it's time you joined A.A. (Aprons Anonymous) to talk about your little problem?

How could I stop myself? When I found this vintage apron for sale over at Joyful Abode's Etsy shop, I didn't think twice.

Isn't it lovely? The fabric has the feel of a soft bed sheet, and the circle pockets are just to die for. The voices in my head wouldn't cease until I had made myself another.

And I have a confession to make. As much as I love my two Emmeline Aprons, the Lola is, hands down, MY FAVORITE APRON EVER. I don't know what it is. The fit is super. I love the retro flair of the bias binding and rick rack accents. I love it SO MUCH that I am looking for excuses to wear it. That frying pan? Yep. It needs to be washed again. (And you don't know how much I used to detest doing the dishes. Okay - maybe it's the Flylady that has had me on the right track as of late, but the Lola apron certainly deserves a hefty percentage of the credit.)

So. Pardon my effusive babbling. Of course, this means that Lola, along with Miss Elsie Mae, are both in the process of becoming printed patterns. The good news? Starting this Friday I have fifteen days off, during which I hope to plow ahead in this somewhat arduous pattern-writing process. Maybe if I tell myself that I can wear the Lola apron only when I sit down to write instructions? Now that is an efficient working plan!

never in a million years ... part one

Check out this bring-on-Spring Emmeline by Melissa! Freshcut fabrics make for such a sweet rendition of any apron. Make sure to head over to the Flickr group and see how others have (brilliantly) interpreted the Emmeline Apron pattern!

... would I have guessed that I would have sold out of my first printing of Emmeline Apron patterns in three week's time! Thanks to your overwhelmingly positive reception of Miss Em, she'll have to be on backorder for a little less than a week while we wait for the second printing to ship out. I know you'll understand if you order a pattern and it takes a little longer to arrive, but we are aiming to get out any orders for Emmelines around March 4th. Thank you so much for your patience and support!

In the meantime, if you're just itchin' to get a-stitchin', please consider supporting my wholesale retailers by purchasing the patterns from them. I know that Yuki at LA Chakra has about 25 Emmelines in stock. Also, be sure to check out some of the pattern/fabric kits available at Monkey Foot Designs! I'm so excited to see that Kris has unearthed some of that hard-to-find Gnome fabric for her Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag kit! She's also put together the Chocolate Lollipop fabric and some beautiful out of print Urban Chicks fabric that would make a stunning duo for the Emmeline Apron.

Stay tuned for "Never in a Million Years ... Part Deux" to find out the name of Little Miss Apron #2 - and boy do I have a lot of choices!

xo,
Meg

name that apron

Number Two apron pattern is no longer just a drawing on paper! Here she is, in her first workup. Number Two features all the fifties' flair imaginable, with a ruffled hem, two pockets with cloth-covered button details, a gathered waistband, and some optional bodice bows. For a perfect fit, Number Two offers a curved seam bodice and skirt, which lend it its retro vibe. Fully lined, Number Two has no exposed seams and will last long enough for your great-granddaughter to put it to good use. The only thing Number Two doesn't have is a name!

That's where you come in! Help me give Number Two a name she can be proud of! Leave a comment, and in a week's time I will pick the name that most tickles my fancy. Keep in mind that I like the idea of old-fashioned women's names for my aprons (i.e. Emmeline) but I'm open to other possibilities as well. The winner will receive a copy of The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel!

After the naming, all that's left is writing the instructions, drafting the pattern pieces in Illustrator, laying out everything in InDesign, sending the draft out to testers, revising, re-sending, and printing. Nothing at all, really! But this naming contest should be so much fun. Maybe I'll even get some ideas for naming my future children, as well. :)

Happy naming!

Meg

special announcement intermission

I do hope you don't mind a little intermission in your puppet show, but I have a special announcement to make ....

The new patterns are officially up for sale! Maybe you've already heard through the grapevine, or received special notice through my mailing list, but it's time to shout out, loud and clear ...

Here ye! Here ye!

Get your Emmeline Apron and Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag patterns

hot off the press!

I would like to give a big shout out to my wonderful/marvelous/incredible pattern testers. Karla, Amy, Patti, Ellen, Maren and Jill from the Secret Stitch Club, Kate, Susan & Tod, Monique, and Heather ... you've really made these patterns top-notch. I couldn't have done it without you! Monique has posted a great review of the Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag - head back to her blog in a few days to read her upcoming review of the Emmeline Apron pattern. (And did you notice that her bag is also featured on the pattern front? Aren't her fabric choices to die for?!)

You can buy your patterns at my website, http://www.montessoribyhand.net/, or my esty store, http://www.montessoribyhand.etsy.com/. I'm also giddy to announce that Quilter's Resource Inc. and Eagle Pattern Depot have picked up my line for distribution to independent sewing stores nationwide! Eeek! Can you tell I'm excited? So hopefully you'll be able to support your local sewing stores and purchase the patterns there, too! If your local store doesn't know about the patterns, it would be wonderful if you could ask for them. For an ever- growing list of stores that carry the patterns, click here.

Thanks SO much for all of your support and kind words - this has been a wild adventure, and I never would have started off on this trek had it not been from your warm words of encouragement. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

xo,

Meg

would anyone care for some pears and chocolate corduroy?

Yum! A new version of the Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag (available for pre-order tomorrow afternoon if you're on the mailing list!)

Wishing all of you friendly folks across the border a happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day - may we all pause to reflect upon the triumphs over injustices in the past, and not neglect the urgency of eliminating the injustices currently plaguing our society.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

emmeline in dots

EDIT: Pattern is now available at my store!

I couldn't resist making a polka-dot Emmeline apron for this month's Tie One On. For those of you wondering about the release date for the Emmeline Apron and the Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag patterns, your wait is almost over. The patterns should be shipped from the printer's at the beginning of next week. They just might arrive in time to do a first shipment of orders before my parents (a.k.a. warehouse and shipping managers) head off once again (poor souls) to Hawaii, where they will be until the first week of February.

So here's what I'm planning on doing: sign up for my mailing list in the side bar, and you will receive a special discount and the ability to pre-order. In about a week I'll be sending the pre-ordering instructions to the list, along with a firm shipping date for the patterns - either January 26th or February 7th, depending on the speed of the printers and UPS.

Excitement! I can't wait to get these patterns out and see what your brilliant minds and agile sewing machines come up with!

xo,
Meg

the emmeline apron

EDIT: Pattern is now available here!

I've been bursting at the seams to show you this new pattern design, which will be available in January! After weeks of muslin mayhem in my crafting corner, I've finally come up with this little lovely: completely reversible, ties in the front or back, and flattering for all body types. I hope you all love Miss Emmeline as much as I do!

I'm so glad I have to wear aprons every day to work. I'm gathering quite a little collection, and I'm sure I'll be making many more 2-in-1 Emmelines to spruce up my schoolmarm-ishness. If you can't wait to have your own cute apron or if you are looking to purchase one for a gift, I highly suggest that you be-bop over to Jamie Christina's Etsy shop and take a look at her gorgeous aprons!

This post was my one valiant effort for the day - I'm home sick with a really crummy cough. Really, now. How many times can one person be sick in the span of three months? I'm going to submit myself for the Guinness Book of World Records. I'm off to rest with a cup of hot something rather. As soon as I'm feeling better, I will be doing the pattern layouts for both the Gnome Messenger Bag and the Emmeline Apron (the instructions are already written!) Then I'll be looking for some pattern testers. ***Thank you for your interest - I've found my pattern testers for the Emmeline Apron!***

xo,
Meg

i've embroidered something you might like ...

35% off over at my etsy store until Monday, November 19th!

My lovely parents (who are in charge of packaging and sending out my patterns) are going on vacation, and won't be back until the second week of December. This means that if you are considering making reading pillows or baby carriers for holiday gifts you should order now so that the patterns arrive with enough sewing-time to spare! I have listed 40 of each pattern at 35 percent off - first come, first serve. My parents will ship your pattern(s) by Tuesday or Wednesday of Thanksgiving week. Then they will go lounge about with nothing to do on a beautiful beach in Hawaii. Poor parents. Let's inundate them with pattern packaging before they leave! ;)

Patrick and I will also be guilty of a totally indulgent, relaxing mini-holiday this weekend. We are headed off to Urique, a tiny town at the bottom of the Copper Canyon. While we live in an alpine climate up here in Creel, Urique is tropical. That means mangoes, cherries, and avocados dripping off the trees. That means shorts. That means ice cream cones, old men playing cards on their front stoops, women fanning themselves as they watch their children play ball in the street. Yes. We'll be back Monday night, completely refreshed. Oh. And ready to prepare shipping labels for 80 patterns!

Thanks for all your support - every pattern purchase is so appreciated, and it brings us one step closer to our goal of being able to have me stay home with our (future) children when they are young. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

xo,
Meg

printed patterns unveiled!

After countless evenings and weekends spent working exclusively on this big project, I can finally announce that my Reading Pillow and Mei Tai Baby Carrier sewing patterns are available for purchase as full-sized, professionally printed patterns!

2000 pretty little patterns arrived at my parents' doorstep this last Friday, ready to by shipped off to all corners of the earth. The patterns can be purchased directly from my website, www.montessoribyhand.net (which has a spiffy new look, btw!) I'm also offering the patterns for wholesale purchase, so if you have a sewing store - contact me for more information.

For those of you lucky souls that are heading to Quilt Market in Houston this coming week, be sure to stop by Brewer Sewing Supply's booth, as they will have the patterns on display. (Yay! My first QM "appearance!") They will be seeing what kind of response they get from their customers, and based on that they might be able to take on my patterns for distribution before the first of the year - just in time to feed that holiday-making frenzy that goes on in sewing stores around the nation at around this time! Cross your fingers and toes for a good response!

One more bit of excitement - I just opened up my own Etsy store! My main storefront will still be my website, but it is nice to finally become a part of the Etsy community and tap into the wonderful, built-in crafty audience over there.

Thank you for all of your patience with the less-frequent and shorter posts during this busy time in my life. Things should be back to normal for the visible future, now that the patterns are ready to ship. Just in case you were wondering - my wonderful parents, who live in California, have agreed to do all of the shipping until I move back to the US. Three cheers for cool parents!

FYI - the Child's Apron pattern is temporarily unavailable for purchase - but not to worry - it will be coming out soon in a printed version, along with the Child's Painting Smock, Art Apron, and others!

Thanks for your support - it means so much to me!
xo,
Meg

something's up my sleeve

I've been working on a child's art smock pattern for the last week or so. Wonder what this teacher does with little bits and pieces of her spare moments? Here's a peek:

I'll be working on writing up the pattern this weekend. Lately I've been able to get a good deal of pattern design on the time card because my husband is spending all of his "leisure time" applying to grad school. Maybe, just maybe, the child's art smock will be available in a fortnight or so ... a blink of an eye and a few twirls of the hourglass!

pocket/stuff sack tutorial

Once again, fat cat was cajoled into this whole baby carrier photo shoot thing ... this time with a heavenly chin scratch. Little cat would have nothing to do with it.

The Heather Ross fabric was looking at me while batting its Russian doll eyelashes, so I made another mei tai for this tutorial. However, you can add this kind of a pocket/stuff sack onto just about anything, from your already-made mei tai carriers to picnic blankets and outerwear - anything that you want to make portable and easily stowed away in a purse. Thanks to Katharine for the inspiration - check out the link to see her version of the mei tai pocket/stuff sack.

While Katharine used a zippered pocket, the one in this tutorial is zipper-free and really easy to add on to your mei tai. It shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes max.

1.) Cut out two rectangles of fabric 11 in. x 15 in. Place them with their right sides facing together (if you have a directional print like my fabric, place one "upside down.")

2.) Sew around all edges, leaving an opening on one of the 11 inch sides for turning. Turn right side out and press. Now fold the top 5 inches and pin. Flip over the entire pocket and pin in place on the carrier. (The folded part will be sandwiched between the pocket and the carrier, and not visible until it turns into the stuff sack.)

3.) Topstitch around the three edges of the pocket. In doing so, you will close the opening at the bottom that you left for turning. Be sure to reinforce these seams, especially towards the top edges of the pocket.

*Notice here that I made another variation to the original pattern with this Russian doll mei tai ... I removed the nursing shield in favor of a more rectangular look, while still maintaining a slight curve and headrest at the top. That's the great thing about this pattern - once you get the general idea, you can modify it to fit your needs! (My need this time being making the mei tai body out of a measly half-yard of this precious fabric!)

Here's how to covert the pocket into a stuff sack:

Turn the pocket inside out.

Stuff.

Flip over the top.

Place in your purse or use as a mini pillow!

giveaway winners and a 3-day sale!

Comments closed at 11:50 a.m. mountain time, and here's what the random number generator conjured up:

46 82 114

Congratulations fiberfairy, sharon, and lynn in tucson! Please email me your choice of pattern and I will send you the file lickety-split. (montessorirevolution(at)gmail.com)

Truth be told, I just couldn't restrict myself to three giveaways. Your comments were so lovely and uplifting that I've decided to give everyone a little post-giveaway gift! Visit the pattern store and enter the following discount code (at checkout) to receive 30% off of your purchase!

2U126827

The sale will close on Tuesday evening, September 4th.

And really, don't you think the world would be a better place if everyone had their own reading pillow? :)

If you are one of the awesome people who have already purchased all three of my patterns, not to worry! You will be able to receive my upcoming pattern designs at a discounted price. Expect more patterns within the month, such as a child's painting smock and the Montessori classroom pattern kit.

Add your email to my mailing list (in the sidebar) to be notified of future sales, giveaways, and new patterns.

I'm off to do some pattern designing, as Mr. Montessori By Hand is gone fishin'.

Thanks for your kindness and support,
Meg

100th post giveaway

Montessori By Hand is 100 posts old! To celebrate this milestone, and to thank you for reading, I thought I'd give away some patterns. Leave a comment and your name will be added to the drawing. Three winners, each of whom will get to pick one of my sewing patterns, their choice!

The random number generator will pick the lucky numbers on Saturday morning - good luck!

xo, Meg

a sunday of sewing

An owl toiletry bag with iron-on vinyl lining, from Bend-the-Rules Sewing.

A mei tai baby carrier made with fabric from the West Hill collection by Heather Ross. (A gift for this little cutie, who helped me out in the photo shoot for my pattern website.

my patterns, your creations - show them off!

Sarah wrote a lovely post about her experience making the reading pillow. Here's her take on it:

Do any of you have reading pillows, mei tai baby carriers, or child's aprons that you have made? If so, please join and add your photos to the Montessori By Hand Sewing Pattern Creations flickr group! You can also click on the photo badge in the sidebar - it's the one just above the labels.

xo,
Meg

montessori child's apron pattern

Patterns will (hopefully) be up for sale tomorrow! Here's the last of the little collection. Isn't my model such a ham? She's one of my five year-old students.

the third pattern

Here's a snippet for you to ponder ... the third pattern in "Brown Apples and Pears" by Alexander Henry.

Tonight we're making chocolate chip cookies. A sweet date with my sweet husband.

Love,Meg

the lucky number and a heidi headband hiatus

Thanks for all of your comments! I used a this random number generator to pick the lucky lady, and the winner this time is ...

COMMENT #3! So Theresa, could you send me your mailing address when you get a chance? Felicidades, as we say down here south of the border. You can expect a package of handmade goodness by the end of August!

I took a few minutes today to make some of Amy's "Heidi Headbands" from Bend the Rules Sewing.

This one is for a six-year-old, so I added elastic instead of a twill tape tie so she can manage it without help from an adult.

Both the dog and the mushroom ribbon are from Reprodepot.

These are so quick and fun to make! Just sing Zippidy-doo-dah a few times and you'll be finished. (Okay, so I guess you'd have to sing it about 30 times.) May I suggest some other music instead? We just discovered Annet Louisan, a German singer whose music is relaxing in an "I'm-hanging-out-in-a-French-cafe" sort of way. Perfect for crafting, and perfect for adding to your world music curriculum!

My reading pillow has been getting some action, as well. Thinking about making your own? Be sure to sign up for my mailing list in the side bar! You'll be the first to know when the pattern becomes available!

Ta ta for now,
Meg

pay it forward giveaway

Still crankin' out those patterns! (Excuse me as I wipe the sweat from my brow ... phew!) In the meantime, sign up for my new mailing list in the side bar to get notified when the patterns go on sale. Isn't that chipmunk a dapper little guy?

Here's some fun news - it's my turn to pay it forward! A few days ago, I was notified by kwoozy that I had been picked in her pay it forward drawing. Here are the details if you care to play along:

"I will send a handmade gift to a random person who leaves a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange.

I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!

The only thing you haveif you like to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."

Are you in? I'm stoked about sending a special something to the lucky reader! Comment fingers ready? 3,2,1 ... Go! Comments will close the next time I post.

xo,
Meg