Friday, March 13, 2009

Finishing and Starting

It is Friday...the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend! I can't believe how the days fly by when I'm busy. This week was especially productive. I wrapped up some projects that have been in the works for a while, and started in on some fun new ones.

eBook Updates: Finished! The transition from SewBoutique4Dolly to CarlaC patterns is complete! The three remaining Dolly & Me eBooks (Embellished Patchwork Twirl Skirt, Twirl Scallopini Skirt, and Simply Sweet Tops and Dresses) have been updated and are available on YCMT. The changes were strictly cosmetic - new cover, more labeling on the patterns, etc. I've decided to leave Volumes 1-5 as SewBoutique4Dolly patterns. The title and theme still works for those eBooks, which are boutique-inspired designs for dolls. Everthing else is now in CarlaC "Scientific Seamstress" format - yay!

YCMT Sew-Along Quilt: Finished! - The last few steps went so much smoother than I expected! I've mentioned before that I've made some wonky little quilts that were very hard to finish. Having a nice, flat, square quilt top makes all the difference in the world! The excellent finishing instructions no doubt helped too :) . To sum up, I added the batting and backing, basted with pins, and machine quilted (step 11). I used a walking foot for the first time ever, and it was amazingly easy. I had the whole thing quilted in about an hour, and it looked so much better than my not-so-consistent hand stitching. I then made and added the binding (step 12, part 1 and part 2). Now all I have to do is hang it!

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More Seeds: Started! - I transplanted most of the month-old seedlings out of the flats and into to pots, making room for more seeds. It has been pretty sunny, so everything is coming up nicely.

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A new eBook: Started! - I promised myself that I wouldn't start a new eBook until the updates were finished. That meant no sketching, drafting, or sewing new designs. It didn't keep me from thinking about those things, however. I've been mentally working on a dress for about 3 months now. I've been dying to get going on it, and when I finally put pen to paper (or mouse to pad), it all just came right together. I have the pattern pieces drafted, and have made a few prototypes. Louie has developed broad boy shoulders, and an aversion to wearing anything "gworly," so I sent a dress off to a seamstress friend who has a daughter. After I get her feedback, I will tweak the patterns and start writing the instructions. It will take me a while to complete this eBook as the construction is a bit involved (but easy), but I am so happy to have something new in the works!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay Carla, i cant wait to see the new dress!!! I LOVE your stuff!
Cheryl

Teresa Pomerantz said...

I am looking forward to seeing your new dress ebook- need a tester :) lol. Your garden looks to be going growingly and I love your finished quilt!

The Zoo said...

A new dress? WOOHOO!

PatchworKids said...

I wanna sneak peek, pretty please???

Tom said...

Can't wait to see your new pattern!

Your quilt looks great! I have one planned. I hope mine turns out as good as yours!

Wow! Look at all those sprouts! It just seems so cold and dreary here yet to think about planting!

Anonymous said...

I am SOOOO excited!!!! Sneak peeks?? My husband will be less excited. But I'll tell him it's a way to use up my stash he's on me about all the time. I'm supposed to be sewing from the stash only right now. RIGHT!

Mom of 2 princesses said...

A new pattern! YEAH! I need new dress patterns!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see the new dress! I am so appreciative that you make your patterns up to size 8 for those of us with taller girls. Your quilt looks beautiful and it's really making me want to try one.

Cathy said...

I am stopping for a moment to catch up....I am in the middle of a patchwork twirl as a matter of fact...but I did hear news of this new dress pattern....yippy! I loves me some new Carla patterns! I am so glad that Louie has put his boy-foot down and stopped modeling for you...hahaha! OK back to work! Just wanted to check in! Oh yeah...and I love your quilt...it came out so great! Mine is in the stage where I am too busy to finish it but its on my list of things to do (insert rolling eyeball smiley!).

Leslie said...

Can't wait to see the new ebook!! I agree - we need a sneak peek!! I'm sure Louie is thankful that you sent the sample to someone else. He's pretty darn cute, but a dress might have been a bit much.

Need any testers? ;)

Courtney said...

Yeah for finishing the updates!

I LOVE the way your quilt turned out!!!

Can not wait to see this new dress you have in the works! I would love to test it for you if you need testers! :)

Jolene said...

Hi Carla! I just tried 2 of your lovely patterns (pants and skort) and you're such a great teacher. :)

Can I find out how I can contact you via email regarding co-purchasing your e-books with a friend? We'd like to buy your patterns, and share the price, but that would mean sharing the e-books with each other. I wonder if that's allowed?

Carla Hegeman Crim said...

Thanks for all the sweet compliments!!! I'm so excited about the new pattern, and I will probably be sharing some sneakie peeks soon!

Stephanie - this one is actually going up to size 10 :) !

Jolene - thanks so much for the question about sharing. The eBooks are much like software or a music download - they are for one person to have on one computer. Your friend could come over to your house, and you could sew together from the file, but you can't email it back and forth. I totally understand wanting to save money, however, so I would recommend the bundle packs :) .

Anonymous said...

I'm just adding my excitement over the new pattern to the mix!!! I've been waiting for this one!! I'm so glad you're making it go up to a size 10, too!

I'm jealous of your organizational skills in planting seedlings inside this year. I wish I had enough ambition and forethought to do that!

Anonymous said...

Carla is so smart :)

SNubile said...

Can't wait for the new pattern... Will it be ready before May? We are going to WDW in May so I was thinking I could make the new pattern for that.

Jolene said...

Thanks so much for your swift reply, Carla!

I'm so grateful for your special gift of teaching dummies like me to sew. :) Your e-books are AMAZING!

Anonymous said...

I was just catching up on your blog, and was toooo excited to see that you have a new pattern coming out!!! I have been searching for something new for quite awhile, but I think I will wait to see what you have in store for us!!! Your quilt came together so nicely! I have been wanting to make one for my girls, but I haven't been able to muster up the courage!LOL Well, back to my easy fit pants!!!:)

teresajoy said...

I agree with Cathy! I'm glad Louie has put his foot down about modeling dresses!

Your seedlings are making me really look forward to summer!!!

Kris said...

You have been so busy! Your quilt turned out gorgeous Carla. And I can't wait to see your new pattern!

Shannon said...

WOW! Just saw a sneak peek - and I have to say I'm IN LOVE! Can't wait for the release! Exactly what I've been wanting!