handmade by Carole Carr

Tip of the hat to the Rio Olympics

Published on September 4, 2016 by car2ole1 Comment

This gorgeous new fabric by Rifle Paper Company for Cotton and Steel caught my eye right away. This is lawn ( a superfine cotton weave) in a soft periwinkle color with gold, called City Toile Lawn.

DSCN1836 — I really can’t take a selfie to save my soul. Hello, boobies!

The most memorable landmark from Rio, the Christ the Redeemer statue, is on here, along with other landmarks like the pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, and Big Ben.

No I did not get a tattoo. I somehow managed to get the most spectacular bruise, a perfectly shaped circle on my upper arm. No idea where it came from, and you can see it is going into it’s yellow-green phase.

The designated photographer did a better job on this photo shoot, so his job is safe FOR NOW. Next time maybe we will even attempt some back views. My modeling skills are still, and always will be, stuck in my Big Fig phase.

The pattern is a Butterick Retro ’47, B5209. It has a halter style option also, but I like my shoulders covered. Life is easier when you don’t need a special bra for your dress. I had to do a FBA so the top fit correctly.

I ordered the fabric from Hawthorne Threads, one of my favorite online vendors. This lawn is a dream to sew and is the perfect choice for a good looking dress in this hot climate!

I finished a quilt “unda da sea!”

Published on August 24, 2016August 24, 2016 by car2ole3 Comments

Happy quilt day!

This quilt was inspired by the Sea Squared quilt pattern, free from Birch Fabrics.

Most of the fabrics are from the Into the Deep fabric line by Michael Miller Fabrics.

The dolphins and whales are from a random panel that was in my collection. They had lots to say, so here they are on the quilt!

An ode to Shark Week

Published on July 13, 2016July 12, 2016 by car2oleLeave a comment

Every year I remember why I’m scared of the ocean.

Jaws. I grew up in the midwest and I saw the movie before I ever saw the ocean. Poor planning.

Another Companion Carpet Bag, pattern by Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H.

I put my 9 college credits in Philosophy to good use -the red handles represent the bloodshed caused by that cranky shark.

I put tabs on this bag to pull open the top. The tabs are shark snouts! I crack myself up.

I really agonized over the lining. For about a minute. Last week I just happened to buy some sushi fabric.

I find such joy in starting a project with absolutely no plan. I just picked up my Jaws, decided it needed to be a purse, and started cutting. I almost got stumped when it came to the handles. Thank heavens for higher education.

Jolly good travel bag

Published on July 12, 2016 by car2ole2 Comments

My favorite travel bag is ready for it’s first outing!

I think this is number 6 in my quest for the perfect travel bag? I have quite a pile.

This is the Weekender Travel Bag pattern by Amy Butler. The fabric, not surprisingly, is from a manufacturer in the UK.

The best thing about sewing for decades is having bits and bobs on hand in my studio. The zipper, nylon webbing, dee rings and green straps are from my private “collection.”

The guts of the bag show the tube map for the London Underground! I love to open a bag and find something interesting on the inside.

This bag fulfills my not-so-hidden anglophile obsession. So I made wallets.

Not just one, mind you.

Some other anglophile is going to get a big surprise!

Northern Lights backpack

Published on June 27, 2016 by car2ole1 Comment

Almost makes me wish I carried a backpack.

My little Minnesotan has a thing for the Northern Lights. When I got this fabric she actually ASKED me to make her a backpack.

The fabric is by Quilted Treasures and the pattern is the Dawn to Dusk backpack by Chris W. Designs. This pattern is the most “authentic” looking backpack I could find, with padded and shaped straps and great pockets.

This is a streamlined version, with a front zipper pocket instead of a pocket with flap. I added a side water bottle pocket made from mesh, with an adjustable elastic pull. The cord stop is a kitty, but it did not cooperate with my photography.

For the lining I chose Mario. Because it’s Mario. And his gold coins.

The interior pocket is elasticized to hold some electronic device like a laptop or iPad. Or a small cat. The cat print is a fat catloaf. Just like my fat cat model Tippy. He’s actually not fat, he’s big boned.

This backpack screams my girly’s name. Northern Lights, video games from the 90s, fat black cat. She’ll be stylin.’

Run Forrest run – the Jenny dress

Published on June 27, 2016 by car2ole3 Comments

I learned everything I know about modeling growing up in the 1970’s. From a Fig Newton commercial.*

But let’s look at the dress instead of talking about my awkward runway skills. The pattern is the Jenny dress by Sis Boom Pattern Company. The fabric is a soft and gorgeous chambray.

I must tell you of my love for patterns by Sis Boom. They actually include pieces for cup size adjustments. In my experience with four of their patterns, I can measure and print and the finished garment actually fits on the first try.

This dress is so comfortable and covers everything I want to keep covered. It is also figure flattering in real life.

*Sad but true. If you remember the commercial, there was a dude in a Big Fig costume. He did a song and dance, and did a Lord of the Dance type pose. Every photo op from my youth, and into my twenties, included my Big Fig pose. Even now I can barely keep my arms down when my picture is snapped. The struggle is real, people.