Hip Stitchers

Here's what you all have been stitching up lately!

Janet picked up some of our home decorator fabric on clearance and sewed 3 Gum Drop Pillows:

 Julie made this fabulous bag.  She brought in a pattern that she had purchased in a shop in Florida, and together we struggled through a maze of confusion as we tried to figure out how much fabric she'd need to make the bag.  She went home, then came back with the finished bag:

One side:

Other side:

and label chosen to go on it, to be given to her friend who has a great sense of humor:

Cousins Bemsha and Ashley each made a jelly roll race quilt this summer.  Bemsha surprised her mom with the 

finished quilt: 

 (I love her mom's expression of pure pride & love as she looks at Bemsha)

Here's a close-up of it:

And Ashley's, finished just before her birthday:

Tessa whipped up a doll outfit - all by hand:

Catherine brought in 2 quilts she made:

Rug hooking teacher Cathy Kelly shared a challenge she did.  Take a fabric and design and make a rughooked project.  She chose one of designer Laura Gunn's fabrics to make this knitting needle holder:

Customer Abigail finished a quilt top using a 

Moda fabric as her sashing:

(it's now off to be quilted with Kathryn Fuller)

Yvette made this beautiful hand embroidered linen, using Heather Bailey's pattern:

Susan came in with her finished T-shirt, which she made this summer in the lounge:

Gayle made this great Charm Clutch with 

Amy Butler's pattern:

And finally, a young Hip Stitcher left this smiling pincushion for me in the lounge.  It made my day:

Meet Ron & Elisa.  I met them today, when they stopped in to Hip Stitch.  They're visiting from San Diego, for a square dancing event at the Albuquerque Square Dance Center (which I learned today, is just down the street from the store).

We chatted a bit, and they left, and I though what nice folks they were.

Flash forward a few hours.....I was home w/family, eating dinner, telling them about my day, and after telling them about Ron & Elisa, and what they were doing tonight, and that it's just down the street.  My 16 yr. old said, "That sounds like fun - let's go watch!"

It was a no-brainer....and what a fun evening we had.....a great atmosphere, lots of laughing, dancing, and such nice people.

And the skirts - oh, the skirts!  Here's a close up of Elisa's:

and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of them dancing:

What a surprising end to an already good day, and new friends were made.

See you when you're next in Albuquerque, you two!

A Girl and a Dress

Meet Anna.  She's been a part of Hip Stitch for about 3 years now.  She began with quilting (has made many), and has moved beyond into trying clothing; specifically, a dress; specifically, The Brynna Dress by Sew Liberated.

What I love about this girl:  her perseverance.  She's ripped out a number of seams, had to take time away from sewing for herself as an assistant at Summer Sewing Academy (which she was really good), and sewed at times when I've been busy in the store and haven't always had the time to help her.  She's patient, and quiet (and I love that....when she and I are the only ones in the store, we just enjoy the silence as we work).

She's learned to read directions on a sewing pattern, troubleshoot when things didn't go exactly as the picture illustrated, and here she is, in her beautiful dress:

and working on cutting it out:

Summer Sewing Wrap up

Summer Sewing Academy at Hip Stitch was a roaring success.  All 4 sessions filled and had to be closed with a wait list.  Girls (and one boy) learned to sew, quilt, create and friendships were made that hopefully will be long-lasting!

Here's a photo recap of summer 2014 at Hip Stitch: