The Rainbow Connection Update

After finishing five crazy deadline quilts, I finally have a little time in the evenings to add to my current hexagon project, The Rainbow Connection.  I took the above photo this morning.

I was recently able to prepare a nice little baggie of hexagons on a short trip to the beach.  They are so fun and easy to sew on the go.  The funny thing was I finished the last hexagon with the last bit of thread only one mile before arriving back home.  Strange how things work out sometimes, eh?  This photo is my two youngest boys, playing in the sand.  They had a blast and are begging for a return trip to the ocean.

Do you sew on the go?  Leave a comment below.

Have a super day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

New in the Curlicue Creations Shop - June 29, 2016

Simplicity Design Your Own Dress Pattern

Simplicity 8726 Design Your Own Dress pattern, sizes 8, 10, 12, and 14. This pretty pattern makes a classic style dress in many variations. Dress features include slim or flared skirt, many different neckline and skirt variations, back zipper, elastic waist, long or short sleeves, different skirt lengths, back vent side seam pockets, cuffs or sleeve ruffles. This pattern is designed to mix and match to create your own unique dress. 

Picture yourself wearing this lovely dress to a special event, at the office, or even just out shopping. This dress will inspire you to be confident, plus, you can say you made it yourself!

Vogue's Basic Design Shirt Pattern

Vogue's Basic Design 1813 Shirt pattern, sizes 8, 10, and 12. This pretty pattern makes a classic style shirt in five variations. All shirts feature dropped shoulders, shoulder pads, back pleated yoke. Options include collar variations, pockets with mock band and button trim, different sleeve lengths, and button cuffs.

Picture yourself wearing this lovely blouse to a special event, at the office, or even just out shopping. This blouse will inspire you to be confident, plus, you can say you made it yourself!

New Look for Kids Sewing Pattern

New Look 6458 for Kids Easy Jacket, Vest, Jumper, Pants, and Headband pattern, sizes Newborn, Small, Medium, and Large. This pretty pattern makes a classic style outfit for baby. Pattern includes pieces and instructions to sew a jacket, vest (waistcoat), jumper, pants, and headband. 

Picture your baby wearing this adorable outfit to a special event, play date, or even as everyday play wear. This outfit will inspire your child to be confident, plus, you can say you made it yourself!

See and Sew Jacket and Pants Pattern

See and Sew 5820 Jacket and Pants pattern, sizes 8, 10, and 12. This pretty pattern makes a classic style jacket and pants outfit. Loose fitting jacket features mock bands, extended shoulders, shoulder pads, pockets, and long sleeves. Pants are tapered with waistband, front pleats, side pockets and pocket opening. 

Picture yourself wearing this classy outfit to a special social event, out to dinner, or even as everyday office wear. This outfit will inspire you to be confident, plus, you can say you made it yourself!

For all these and more fabulous vintage sewing supplies, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.  Get Creative!

Have a super day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Home by the Sea - Quilt Pattern Rewrite

 Home by the Sea

I'm reworking this pattern.  Many quilters have contacted me and requested the pattern for the original quilt, "South Shore Road" which appeared as a series quilt in Quiltmaker magazine in 2004.  

I've changed it a bit, lightening up the background sky color, simplifying the border, and using quick piecing directions.  The quilt will be a small wall hanging size, 32" x 39".  

 This is a really fun project to use your scraps.  There is a variety of colors and small pieces.  I had a lot of fun going through my stash to choose fabulous fabrics, like this bright orange.

*Ruler tip! - Use a ruler size just large enough to accommodate your pieces.  This will help you to control ruler slipping while cutting.

I keep my pieces organized by separating them into individual sandwich zipper bags and labelling each piece with a small paper.  On the paper, I put the color, patch size, and patch identification number.

As I cut and sort, all my pieces go into a plastic box.  The box is labelled with the project name.  I also keep any extra fabric in the box with the project, just in case I need to cut another piece.  It's so much easier to pull the fabric out of my project box, than to go through my whole stash frantically looking for it again.  I was able to choose all the fabrics for this quilt and cut most of them out all in one day.

Have a super day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Get Creative! - Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

Bernina Bernette 705 Sewing Machine

 The Bernina Bernette 705 is the most recent addition to my sewing machine collection.  This metal body machine was manufactured sometime in the mid 1990's.  It's Bernina's low end machine, without all the fancy bells and whistles, but still feels like a quality machine with all the basic stitches you need.  It does a straight stitch, zigzag, buttonhole, blind hem, stretch, and 3 step zigzag.  

 It came with a soft cover, the original manual, and a box of accessories.

 Oreo investigated the accessories box.  All the original feet, screwdrivers, seam guide, seam ripper, and lint brush were in the box.  The feet included are a general purpose foot, an embroidery foot, an overlock foot, a zipper foot, a darning/quilting foot, a buttonhole foot, and a blind hem foot.

  

 The only thing missing was the bobbin.  I found my box of Kenmore bobbins fit and worked perfectly - Yay!

After cleaning and oiling, this machine sewed wonderfully.  This isn't the most beautiful sample, but this is me, playing with the different stitch functions.  I'm going to try this machine for my next project.

Get creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

New in the Curlicue Creations Shop - June 20, 2016

Water Birds Cross Stitch Booklet

Water Birds Cross Stitch Booklet #159, by Stephanie Seabrook Hedgepath, for A Pegasus Publication. This cross stitch booklet features 7 different cross stitch patterns. All designs are shown in full color. The color charts are written for DMC embroidery floss. A general instructions section is also included. 

16 pages. Copyright 1988. Softcover booklet. Good condition.

Counted Cross Stitch Angel Doll Kit

This counted cross stitch kit sews up one adorable Christmas Angel wreath doll. Quick and easy to sew. Doll is approximately 3-3/4" high. Unopened kit includes 18 ct. red Aida cloth, DMC floss, #24 tapestry needle, metallic floss, chenille trim, clothespin, doll stand, embossed wings, ribbon, and instructions.

Get a head start on this year's holiday gifts and decor for your home with the Counted Cross Stitch Angel Doll kit. Vintage unopened kit.

From Your Buddy With Love XOXO Cross Stitch Leaflet

From Your Buddy With Love, XOXO Cross Stitch Leaflet 780, by Sisters Two, Inc., for Leisure Arts. This cross stitch leaflet features six different cross stitch patterns. All designs and charts are in full color. The color charts are written for either DMC or Anchor embroidery floss. A general instruction section is also included. 

4 pages. Copyright 1989. Softcover leaflet. Very good condition.

For these and more fabulous finds for your stitching pleasure, please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Scrappin' at the Scrap Pile

Yes, another kitten post.  I can't help it.  They're just so cute!  The little Calico is Queen of the Scrap Pile.  She's been napping on top of the pile for the last few days.  The tiny Ginger kitten is up there with her, watching the two boys "scrapping" on the carpet.  

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

How the Dinosaurs Went Extinct

Yes, this is how it happened...really!

Have a wonderful day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Something Good!

 Look at this gorgeous spool of King Tut quilting thread in the breathtaking De Nile color.  I love Superior Threads!

I'll be quilting with this new batting by The Warm Company.  I'm really excited to try it.  100 percent cotton with 100 percent cotton scrim.  All natural - no glues, no dyes, all cotton, grown in the U.S.A.  Let me tell you, when I opened the package, the most wonderful, natural smell floated through my studio.  So comforting ~ I can't wait to start quilting.

I'll leave you with this picture of Beetle, the runt of the litter, but also the most independent.  What a sweet baby!  Four weeks old.

Have a wonderful day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

New in the Curlicue Creations Shop - June 4, 2016

Bungee Bells Holiday Dolls Pattern

This pattern produces four adorable Bungee Bell Holiday Dolls. Patterns include Snowman, Reindeer, Scarecrow, and Pumpkin. All dolls are 16" high.

Decorate your home for Christmas and Halloween this year! Great for hanging on doors, walls, and gift giving.

This pattern is in like new, factory folded, uncut condition. The envelope is a little worn. Vintage 1993.

For this and more fun and fabulous patterns, please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

Have a wonderful day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Kittens and Quilts - Oh My!

 Look at these sweet babies!  A stray Mama cat has been visiting our back porch for a while.  She had her litter on May 13th, and moved them right into our home!  

 They stayed in this Warm Company batting box for a few days.

 Here is Mama cat with her kittens, enjoying the Farmer's Market quilt.

This photo was taken today, on an old Sunflower quilt.  I love the way they pile up and sleep together.  So sweet.  The little orange one at the top of the photo has a future home, but the others all need loving homes, including the Mama.  If you are in the area, and have room in your home, please let me know.

Have a "Soft Kitty" day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas