Here’s one from Uncommon Threads, on DIY:
Some other fun, sewing related videos.
A tour of a Fabric Store, great for newbies to sewing
Mastering Silk with Sandra Betzina
A tour of the Stitch Lounge in San Francisco. What a GREAT concept!
Here’s one from Uncommon Threads, on DIY:
Some other fun, sewing related videos.
A tour of a Fabric Store, great for newbies to sewing
Mastering Silk with Sandra Betzina
A tour of the Stitch Lounge in San Francisco. What a GREAT concept!
Welcome friends!
There are many ways to listen
Click here to listen to the podcast directly:
Or you can use the direct link to all podcasts or right click this link to save to your computer to listen to later, or to put on your mp3 player.
Direct Subscribe Link for Mac’s, click here Material Mama Podcast
If you go to iTunes, and you can’t find my podcast, do this. In iTunes on your computer, click on Advanced menu. Select “Subscribe to Podcast”, and paste this into the dialog box: sewingmama.libsyn.com/rss
Leave me a voicemail question or comment by telephone: 1-775-593-5136
Got a Mic? Record A Two-Minute Question or comment. Click here to leave a message
Show 23 notes
This just in! Make fabric labels, and don’t forget your 40% off coupon
Fabric Cards
These are just about the most fun thing I’ve ever sewn! So easy and they turn out so pretty!
I got my wovens together, mostly scraps. I ironed them on to heat and bond. I sewed them in patchwork style, cut them up, resewed them until they looked like a crazy quilt.
I then ironed it on to some thick interfacing. I popped on my darning/embroidery foot, lowered the feed dogs and using a variegated embroidery thread I quilted the heck out of the sheet of fabric in a random pattern.
Then I cut them out to fit the card, so that there was a bit of a margin all the way around. I used a straight stitch around the card to secure it to the paper. I didn’t have any spray on glue, or I would have used that too.
I either sewed on the tag or a button to the front by hand. Then I cut a piece of cardstock to fit the inside of the card, again with a small margin, to hide the stitches.
I can’t decide if I should put some in the summer swap or the card swap or sell them LOL. I scanned them to the color is a little stark, they are softer IRL


Fabric at Ikea
Dying tutorial on Uncommon Threads — YouTube Link
dying pillowcases, fabric and dresses for the girls I used Dharma dyes, salt, hot water and dark green, rasberry and ice blue to make some lwi dyed clothing and pillowcases.
Other finds:
Home dec sewing – bathroom valances, pillowcases, etc.
I like using shower curtains (not plastic) for drapes and grocery bags. tough and generally pretty water resistant.
I visited JapanTown, and picked up some (more) fabulous Japanese craft books. Bags, home decoration, patchworks, and some girl’s wardrobe 110-150. I’ll have the ISBN numbers on my podcast notes
I didn’t do any fabric shopping, but my husband’s company gave him a fun little digital camera. It’s truly just point and shoot! I’ll have to do a few little projects for an upcoming podcast.
block printing –
I found some linoleum squares for a dollar and a wood block for a few more, and some cutting tools at the Japanese shop in SF as well. I have been practicing printing/stenciling with styrofoam from meat trays, like I did back in my childhood.
For dying: Look at H and M, if you have one close. I don’t think you can order online but I could be wrong. They have really cute tops for around 4.00 each for kids. Much better price than Dharma or anywhere else, IMO.
Purses and bags!
I made the purse I chatted about earlier, as well as one out of the fabric I bought from that eBay seller in China. I used one of the patterns from my Japanese Bag book I got in San Francisco.
New purchases from JapanTown:
There is a bag contest going on over at Sew Mama Sew
and another contest at Sewing Mamas
A day in my life: I took a 2 hour nap in the middle of the day, but I didn’t document that LOL. Here we are on a very typical day You can use the slide show feature to watch it easier, IMO.
Neat blogs: CraftApple
Lotus bag free bag pattern
neat seamstress apron
Pink Chalk Studio
Note Taker Pattern
A fabric folio designed to hold an 8 1/2″ x 11 3/4″ paper notepad. Built in pockets provide roomy storage for important papers, writing utensils and business cards. Wherever you go, take notes in style. Great for gifts too. Pattern includes instructions and full sized pattern sheet. Make everyday art today!
Jointed Waldorf Doll Sew Along
DIY:
I want to thank everyone for their wonderful support! If you’d like to participate you can:
email me materialmama at gmail dot com
Got a phone? Leave me a voicemail question or comment 1-775-593-5136
Got a Mic? Record A Two-Minute Question or comment.
How can I help support this podcast?
Would you like to see more shows? I’d love to be able to afford the webspace. You can help support this show by taking a look at my sewing advocacy items. I also have a PayPal donation link here. Or you can shop my recommended books. Thank you so much!
I also have a list of online shops you can click through and I’ll get a small percentage:
- Clotilde.com for all your sewing needs. Click here!
- AllBrands.com Singer Quantum Sewing Machines and Sergers
- Fabric.com Coupon Corner
- Free Shipping at Joann.com! ($25 order minimum) code JANFSA725
Do you have links I can put on my blog or website?
Please use these, by putting them on your favorite picture storing site and link to: http://www.materialmama.com
![]()
![]()
Many ways to listen
Click here to listen to the podcast:
Or you can use the direct link and — or right click that link to save to your computer to listen to later, or to put on your mp3 player.
Direct Subscribe Link for Mac’s, click here Material Mama Podcast
If you go to iTunes, and you can’t find my podcast, do this. In iTunes on your computer, click on Advanced menu. Select “Subscribe to Podcast”, and paste this into the dialog box: sewingmama.libsyn.com/rss
Show #22 Notes
“my” baby ducks are growing up so fast!
Noun tees with Audrey– she was inspired by the MiniBoden catalog. Now that I’ve looked there too, I have some great ideas as well!
A noun t-shirt is a big-ol’-noun on a solid color boy’s t-shirt. Sam has: paper airplane, humpty dumpty, stop sign, safety cone, gorilla, tiger, waffle, see saw, and one of his own 2D self. I’ve used fabric paint & applique, and if I’m feeling super crafty, both together. Here are her samples, quite inspiring!
Podcast paper with Anne
Great fabric ebay seller if you like Japanese inspired wovens
Free Ottobre Tank pattern inspiration
New books from Amazon Japan and Yes Asia — Biggest difference is shipping time!

New book from Amazon
Neat new fabric color matching website
Appliqué ideas and hints from Carol
Fabric cards, and ATC’s using fabrics. Denise Schmidt has a sample of her book, that features fabric cards here. I found a great tutorial here for fabric postcards. I use thi method, and I adore that she uses wine as part of her process LOL!
New shipping information on MaterialMama
Great information for coverstitching people
Awesome free bikini pattern from Blueprint Magazine Tie One On: DIY Swimsuits :
Lots of links to free patterns at this blog: My Half of the Brain
I created a public Ottobre Design group on Flickr. Please join in! I’d love to see your creations.
Top Ten Patterns for Beginners, from Pattern Review
You can do so many things with a pattern. This time I’m highlighting the ‘Jayme Bodice Pattern’ that was created by Jayme DeHart, of Dehart Designs. She shared this with the Sewing Mama board and I’m uber thankful.
If you have finished Jayme bodice items, you can post a link here in the show notes. Thank you so much!
This is a free pattern she offers the sewing world, you can download it here:
You can download the directions here or view them here
These are dresses made by Jayme, followed by other mamas who took up the idea!
Here is some inspiration for you, when looking at one small pattern.
From Amanda, her daughter’s favorite tank tops are the jayme bodice just lengthened:
From Shannon Undershirt/boxers sets and an A-line summer dress:
From Cheryl These are wovens! she puts elastic inside the straps at top, for an easy fit, that doesn’t have the straps falling down on her “skinny minnie”. She also just did this one for St Pattys day, with a tie shoulder strap.
From Heather
From Mich
Bobbi Jo has done a lot with one pattern as well:
I use snap closure on the top instead of ties and I have also always used wovens for these:
This one is made into a lined bodice with regular straps instead of bias and with button closure:
Here is a shortened version as a shirt and capri’s:
As an a-line summer dress
Some things I’ve made for my girls:
Click here to listen to the podcast:
Or you can take a look here to find other ways to listen.
Show #19 notes:
The Quilt Show is a new online program by Alex Anderson of Simply Quilts fame. Check it out! You have to be a member to read the blog, and a paying member to watch the show, just FYI.
I got a great set of patterns for under 18.00 from this seller on eBay. I thought it was a great deal!
While in Hawaii, I discovered that there is a Hawaiian Fabric Outlet. Be still my beating heart LOL. Great fabric, really nice people and a huge warehouse of fabric. What could be better?
I did great on thrifting last week, take a look at my take!!! I went to Sac’s, which is a real hit or miss. Do you have a great thrift store in your town? I also like Legacy in Sebastapol CA and Scrap in San Francisco. You can find lists of shops in your area by looking at this site or Yelp.
I’ll use these for cookie jars, I just love them!!

twill tape:

Embroidery machine parts and hoops:

bias tape and hand needle punched poodle:

vintage patterns:

Vintage craft and cook books

Old Mad and Crack’d magazines, all from the early 1980′s

Huge button collection. The girls have been playing with them, but they are really old and some are cool:

There was a sewing machine as well, but I don’t really need another. I wonder where the embroidery machine got to though…
Speaking of tons of crafty stuff, I found this great Organization site. I love her challenges and will do the declutter one in May
Speaking of organizing, have you tried folding your fabrics like this? I hear it’s very therapeutic. You can check out website or purchase her book:
Please consider a donation to CCI. They are a very worthwhile organization.