This week I had time to bond with my new Baby Lock Ovation! Effortless serging. I love it! One evening I ran to JoAnn’s to check out their knits. I wanted to make a beach cover up and maybe a knit dress for our upcoming vacation. It has been so long since I made any clothes that I didn’t know what the fabric selection would be like. I just know it is hard to find fashion fabric anymore! I did find a pattern for a beach cover up and one for a knit dress as well as four knits.
Both are really soft knits; the white one is reversible. Can’t decide which side I’ll use. It’ll be the short version. The coral stripe will be 3/4 length.
Beach cover ups cut on bias. Stipe will be really cool that way. Both fabrics are very light and airy. Love them!
So this week I got to get back to my sewing roots and made some clothing.
Swim cover upknit summer dress
Really love how both of these turned out, which is kind of amazing. Both are super soft and comfy.
This dress will probably become loungewear it’s so soft. Perfect for after workout/shower. Not quite getting dressed again, but not quite pjs.
Guess you can tell this is one of my favorite colors.
Also made this cool ruffled skirt I spotted a gal wearing in Utah. She was the store manager of a sewing center and she showed me how simple it is to make. This ruffled knit fabric comes in several colors and the ruffles can be all the same size or different sizes like mine. It’s only two pieces cut on the bias so the ruffles fall at different angles. Two side seams and no need to hem! Several colors available for the elastic waistband as well. If you are able to find the fabric locally, ask them for the pattern for the Boho skirt. It’s free.
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to travel to beautiful St. George, Utah. “Jaw dropping gorgeous” is how I described it to my husband on the phone. Perfect weather, mid to upper 70s, sunny, no humidity, and breathtaking scenery! A local park with paved bike paths nearby provided convenient daily walking opportunities.
Stellar bike paths near my hotel provided good opportunity for daily walking.
Green grass and trees as well.
Loved the rocky scenery.
Palm trees (in front of hotel) are always a good sight!
Superior Thread’s Sue Green-Baker Serger Workshop is what attracted me and it was so worth it! Sue is a knowledgeable and entertaining instructor and the Superior staff was exceptionally helpful and courteous. I have a serger that lives in my closet and really wanted to learn how to use it to its fullest potential.
Sue Green-Baker
I attended both the 3 day Beginning and 3 day Advanced Classes back to back, with a day off in between. Each three day class had its own huge binder full of colored pages with detailed instructions and page protectors for safekeeping of the samples you made during class. The fabric for your samples was precut, bagged, and ready to go. Superior Threads included a generous thread package to play with, as well.
Everything was so well organized. I learned how many amazing features a serger has, for sure. So cool! I sewed on Baby Lock’s Ovation, its top of the line model. Of course, I fell in love (OOoooahhhh, that jet air threading!) and it followed me home. My daughter inherits the one still in my closet!
A two hour lunch each day allowed us time to shop at Superior Threads and Fab Fabrics upstairs.
How to decide?
On Sunday, my day off between classes, I rented a car and drove about 30 minutes to Snow Canyon State Park and then on to Kayenta. Others chose to drive to Zion or Bryce Canyon, but I had already been to both a couple of times. I was mesmerized by the scenery, once again. Being a camper, I detoured through the campground within the park. Check out these amazing campsites!!
One of several walking trails –
Then a very short drive to Kayenta and Coyote Gulch, an art village. I loved the area so much, I visited a model home.
I could wake up to this every morning!
During the Advanced Class we met Bob and Heather Purcell, owners of Superior Threads.
Bob Purcell visited during class
Heather presented a trunk show of some of her garments and quilts one evening after dinner. She pieces a quilt about every two weeks and has someone else do the quilting.
Heather Purcell
Someone else does her quilting and then she makes the garment.
Love the lining and the zipper!
Back of a jacket
Texture Magic
Made entirely of threads! No fabric!!
Close up of one side.
This side she couched Razzle Dazzle over the top.
Close up of quilting
Close up of quilting – makes it look like papyrus
Back of quilt
Close up
This visit was an exceptional one. I just love spending time with like minded peeps!
