Happy Mother’s Day!

To all the women who have meant so much in my life, thank you and I love you!

Here’s a quiz to help celebrate Mother’s Day:

You Are Somewhat Like Your Mom

Believe it or not, you and your mom are pretty darn similar. It may not seem like it at times, but you and your mom have a lot of common ground. Over time, you’ll probably get closer … especially if you emphasize the things you like about each other.

Today, I’m doing my first Wondermommy feature.  This has really got my heart racing.  It is so much fun making new friends.  I’m going to introduce or re-introduce Georgia Grace Designs.  I first met, or whatever the web term for that is, Jordan Manis when she commented on one of my Bell Bottoms posts.  I believe things happen for a reason.  I went to Jordan’s etsy shop and discovered the cutest kids’ clothes.  She uses trendy fabrics in inspiring ways.  They are lovely and wearable.  I found myself wanting to learn more about the designer behind this etsy shop.  Jordan has been gracious enough to do a mini-interview and allow me to do a feature post on her.  Thanks so much Jordan. 

I highly recommend visiting her etsy shop.  She has some beautiful items listed.  There are some cute Bell Bottoms outfits listed.  I knew I had to get to know her better when she listed these.  We both share a love of Jennifer Paganelli’s gorgeous fabrics.  She also has some really beautiful Ginger Blossom items listed.  Jordan has used the fabrics in very inspiring ways.

Now, to get to know the owner of Georgia Grace Designs:

1. Name

   I’m Jordon Manis of Georgia Grace Designs. 

2. How long have you been sewing? 

   I’ve been sewing and crafting for as long as I can remember! My mom always had “projects” to keep my brothers and I entertained when we were younger, so I learned the value of handmade very early. I grew up watching my mom sew anything and everything so sewing seems second nature to me. I do remember a real turning point in the designing side of my sewing was in 7th grade Home Ec. We had to make a pillow for Christmas and my mom took me to one of the chain fabric stores in the area to pick out my fabric. I searched and searched the shelves for something and I was not happy withthe stores entire selection. I wanted some special and unique that no one else would have along with embellishments that would knock my classmates sock’s off! After so long my mom made me choose a fabric that was not cool (I forgive you mom) and I remember not being happy with that pillow to this day! LOL. That’s probably the start of when I wanted to take my sewing to the next level of designing sewing projects.as well as, my extreme love of designer fabric. 

3. What other crafts do you enjoy?

   I’ve just started to teach myself to crochet. It’s going slowly. So far, I have completed a scarf that will only fit a Barbie doll. I also love to bake (is that a craft?) and seldom need a reason to make something sweet. Lately, I have been obsessed with “couture” cupcakes and am planing a cupcake extravaganza for my girls 3rd b-day party. Anyone want to come? 

4.  Besides children’s clothing, what other items do you enjoy sewing? 

   

   I do a lot of Home Dec sewing. It’s actually the majority of what I did before my girls came along. My husband is in sales and often gets transferred so I have had many windows and bedrooms to decorate. We are probably within a few months of another move and I have nightly dreams of a house filled with AnnaMaria’s new Drawing Room Home Dec line.  

5. What is your favorite sewing tool?

    Oh, gosh! I don’t think I have just one. How about two? First, my “vintage” sewing machine. It’s an old Singer that was a hand me down from my mom … actually, I think I took it to college without asking and she bought herself a new one. She made my baby blanket (that I still have) on that machine and I used it to make all of my girls baby bedding. It’s priceless. Second, would have to be my ruffler. It has changed my life since I finally bought one a few months ago (really, about three months ago). I actually measured and pinned every little pleat I ever made until 3 months ago. Now I realize how ridiculous that seems and why I’ve always preferred box pleated bed skirt.

    

6. Do you have any advice for beginners?

   Just go for it!!! I have made so many ugly things that have taught me invaluable sewing skills and after a couple tries turned into one of my most popular creations. Also, take lessons… I still do! Lot’s of local sewing/quilting stores have classes for new to advanced sewers, some even have “private” lessons. They are affordable considering the lifelong skills that you will walk away with.   

    

7. What is the favorite thing you have ever made?

    Okay… I’m going to have to say that ugly, horrible pillow I made in 7th grade Home Ec. I *wish* I still had it or even a picture to share.  
     

8. What is your all-time favorite fabric line? 

    I have to say Jennifer P’s Sis Boom line, hands down. The apple green Karen Scroll from that line is worth it’s weight in gold to me. I love all her prints, but the Karen scroll is special to me. I’d like to start a blog petition to bring it back! I also have to mention Urban Chick’s Summer in the City Chicks print as a favorite fabric.  
     

9. Where do you find your inspiration?

   I think I get a lot of my inspiration from color combo’s rather than styles or themes. I love to use unexpected color combo’s and make them very girly and sweet. For example, I was so excited for Jennifer P’s Orange Mary Trellis print to come out because I found the orange unexpected. Strangely, I do very little sketching and use very few patterns (they confuse me). I usually think about different designs as I am falling asleep or in the shower and they always seem to revolve around colors and fabrics rather than styles.  

    Wondermommy, Thank you so much for featuring Georgia Grace Designs on your blog! I have enjoyed following the many projects you have blogged and am really excited to be introduced to your readers. I’d also like to mention that my fabulous design team on Etys, Trendy Textiles, is having a month long launch featuring Jennfer Paganelli’s new fabric, Bell Bottoms. Just search “ttbellbottoms” to see all of the amazing designs!

 Thank you so much, Jordan, for sharing so much about yourself with the Wondermommy audience.  You had some really great advice and it was wonderful to learn where you get your inspiration.  We’ll be looking for more of your beautiful designs in the future.

Make sure you stop by Georgia Grace Designs on Etsy.  Jordan is graciously offering 15% off for Wondermommy readers.  All you have to do is convo her using the Etsy system.  Thank you for this generous offer, Jordan!

I, also, have to say that the outfit to the left is one of my favorites listed in the shop.  I love the orange fabric and the design of the outfit.  Hop on over to her shop to see the back of it!  The back really make the outfit.

Day 3

Just a warning…day 3 is a long day.  Today is the day that we sew our pattern pieces together.  I’m going to be using a serger.  If you are using a regular sewing machine, you can still follow along.  Just make sure that you zig zag over the edges or use some type of overcast stitch.  You don’t want to have a lot of threads hanging off of your finished project.  Your sewing machine manual can help you decide what stitch to use.

Now, you should have all of your fabric cut, but still attached to the pattern piece.  We are going to now separate them.  I want you to lay all of the fronts in a pile and place all of the backs in a separate pile. 

Next, making sure you transfer all markings to the fabric using a chalk pencil, remove _only_ the bottom pieces of fabric from the fronts pile. Then, you will need to lay them side by side in the correct order (1,2,3,&4).  This will give you a better sense of what we are sewing.  It will also help you to keep straight which side to sew to what piece.  Here is a photo of the pieces of fabric laying next to each other.

I would start with piece 1.  Pin it to piece two.  You will pin the side that are next to each other on the table.  Start from the bottom and work your way up with the pins.  It is more important that the bottoms are level.  You will pin the corners together first.  Pinning these pieces is important.  You may be tempted to skip pinning, but I highly recommend doing it.  These pieces are irregularly shaped and may shift as you sew.  Pinning will help keep them lined up correctly.

Now, that the first two pieces are pinned…sew them together.  Just follow the shape of the piece.  Remember, we added a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  It is important to remember this so that you don’t end up with pants of the wrong size.

This is what you should have after sewing piece one to piece two.

Now, just follow the order that you have laid out.  And, then repeat with the other top pieces.  You will have two pieces that are mirror images of each other.  One for each leg.

Once you have both fronts completed.  You may sew the back pieces together.  Remember to lay them out just as you did the front pieces.  Keep the layers together…those on the bottom of the pattern sandwich together and those in the middle together.  You will have two mirror image back pieces after you are finished sewing.

You will now have four sew pieces, 2 fronts and 2 backs.

Now we need to put a front and a back piece together.  We want a back piece that has an 8 that is curved the opposite way that the 4 is on our front piece.  Place them side by side.  Then, sew the middle pieces together.  The 4 & 8 pieces should be on the outside edges.  Here is a photo:

 You will now have two pieces.  Each will have a front and back piece sewn together to form a leg piece.  The next step will be top-stitching.  That will be covered on Day 4.  Day 4 will not be posted until I come back from vacation.  This will give many of you a chance to get up or join us.  If you have any questions, just leave them as a comment.  I will answer them when I return from vacation.  Have fun sewing!

I’m on my way to a surprise vacation that my husband has planned for me.  I’m really excited about it, and it is much needed.  Being a single mom for six months was very stressful. 

It won’t be as nice as the vacation we had last year in St.  Thomas (that is where the picture was taken), but it will be amazing just to get away for some alone time with my love.

We are dropping the kids off with my parents so that they get a little grandparent love for a week.  They’ll be in chocolate heaven.  Isn’t that the grandparent way?

I will still have regular posts while I am away.  I worked extra hard to get ahead and schedule you guys some great posts.  Our Sew-A-Long will still be going on.  The only thing that it does mean is that if you leave a comment or try to join the photo pool…it won’t be approved until I return.  So, don’t worry, your comments and questions will be saved and addressed as soon as I return.

Have a great week and keep reading the blog.  Posts will still be coming each and every day.  I’m honoring my A Post A Day in May commitment.  Wish me a good relaxing break!

It will be Mother’s Day on Sunday, so I’m going to have two Thankful lists this week.  One will be a thankful list to all of the wonderful women in my life…the other one will be a thankful list to the Lord.

Lord, thank you for

• My Mother
• My Grandmother
• My Stepmother
• My mother-in-law
• My deceased mother-in-law
• My Aunt
• My Sister
• My friends Kristi, Kristy, and Corrine
• My children
• Thank you, Lord, for giving me so many wonderful women to look to and lean on.  Thank you for making me a mother.

Women in my life:

• Thank you mom for all that you have done for me.
• Thank you for working so hard for so many years to provide for me.
• Thank you for being there at times when I have needed you.
• Granny, thank you, for so many years of watching me, teaching me, and loving me.
• Pam, thank you, for being a wonderful Step-mom and treating me like a friend.  You are wonderful with my children.
• Nana Jo, thank you, for being a wonderful mother-in-law.  We are praying for you.  You will win this battle with cancer.
• Anna, when you were alive, you shared your love of crochet with me and I truly love you and remember you for that.  You were an outstanding mother to my husband.
• Aunt Kathy, thank you, for loving me so much throughout my life.  You are an inspiration.  You raised an amazing boy.
• Lara, thank you, for being such a wonderful sister.
• Kristi, Kristy, and Corrine…you are been wonderful friends and a tremendous support network.  I know I can count on you for anything.
• Babies, I love you and thank you for letting me be your mother.

Announcing the Wondermommy photo pool.  If you want to show off creations that Wondermommy has helped you make, now is your chance.  Join this group now!  Go to: http://www.flickr.com/groups/wondermommy

Join now and have the opportunity to share your creations.  It will also give us a place to discuss crafting.  Whether you have made something with one of my original patterns, or have sewn something such as the Paula pattern with Wondermommy’s help…upload your photos.  I think it will be a lot of fun and a great deal of help.  So, what are you waiting for…start uploading those pictures now!

I forgot to mention in the Day 2 - Paula Pattern post that you should cut two of each pattern piece except the waistband (you’ll cut 1) & the pockets(you’ll cut 4).  With all of the pants leg pieces, you’ll cut two at the same time.  The pattern will lay on top of the folded fabric…like I showed. You’ll pin it and cut through both layers.  This will give you two mirror image pieces.  For the pockets, you’ll cut two at a time, also. The right sides of the fabric will be sandwiched in the center.  I hope this helps!