The Shack

Just finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. What a blessing to my life! I've never read a work of fiction with a highlighter in hand, but I did with this - and now will be going through it and studying and writing down the thoughts for my further examination with the Bible and in my own quiet times.

Listen to an interview with the author, who wrote this for his children...amazing! http://www.drewmarshall.ca/listen2008.html#080120

Even that link helped me learn of the Drewmarshall.ca website that appears to have lots of worthwhile programming I intend to listen to as I work here at home.

I'm not nearly anything seminary-type trained in God's Word, but I know how this fictional book opened my mind to 'see' things (life) from - perhaps - the view of God - Jesus - and the Holy Spirit.

Whether you are searching, a believer, whatever - I truly believe that God is using this book to reach us and teach us. Read it and go to God yourself to discern in HIS wisdom.

I'm even thinking of making this available at my website!

Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine Auction

I don't know about the rest of you, but as I sit here in the dry, beautiful prairie of central Illinois with no catastrophe upon me from hurricanes, rain, flooding, trains colliding, or serious, pressing health issue for those I love, I'm feeling just very lucky and much blessed! My heart goes out to any of you affected by Ike and all the bad weather. To raise funds to donate to the American Red Cross for disaster relief, I've decided to let go of this wonderful little Singer Featherweight Machine that I found at an auction this summer. Though I've always wanted one - my soul knows I really don't NEED it, and that I should use it to the benefit of others.
Sew... Here's the deal: I will sell this machine to the highest bidder - with careful shipping arranged between us and at the expense of the bidder. The Auction will END at 10 pm Central Standard Time - Monday, September 22, 2008. I will send a check to the American Red Cross for all funds raised over $350. A machine like this sold for $625. See Below.
You place your bid this way:
1. Go to this link: http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=6315
2. To 'Bid' - just put your bid in whole dollars (starting bid is $325) in the QUANTITY BOX
3. Check out - selecting 'FAX ORDER IN' for your payment method and submit your order
4. As 'bids' come in, I will update the current bid in the Description box.
5. If you have ANY questions, about the process, or the machine - just email or call me. Remember, the auction ends at 10 PM, Monday,September 22, 2008. I will be 'out' at a dental appointment most of Monday afternoon, so just know updates cannot be made from about 1 - 4 CST.
6. Please do not bid unless you intend to follow through with payment, which can be MC, Visa, Discover,or Pay Pal. Winner and I will determine safe shipping method, and shipping expense will be added to the winning bid.
I need to get this shipped out asap after the auction ends, as I leave for the Novi Show on Wednesday morning. If details can't be worked out before I leave, I will ship it after my return Sept. 30.

Super Condition 1951 Centennial Model Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine Serial number: AK090870 which, when I looked up this serial number online, is given the January 29, 1951 manufacture date. It is in a condition that I read about at this link: http://www.patented-antiques.com/Backpages/All_Archives/SEW_ARCHIVE/fw_SM.htm
As the expert at this site says: "it is in a condition that is 'sought after but rarely found." The one I'm comparing it to sold for $625.00... it is the Centennial Model Featherweight, commemorating Singer's "Century of Sewing Service" and it is marked with Singer's oval-shaped gold with blue outline commemorative plaque bearing the dates 1851-1951. This machine has been well taken care of. The black paint is pretty shiny, the gold decals are bright, and there is no evidence of the "fabric wear path" on the bed that so many of the Featherweights exhibit. There are some minor surface "pin marks" in the clear coat finish that you see when it is held up to the light. The machine has been oiled and lubricated in the appropriate places and is ready to display or to sew with. It came with a repair tag attached to the case. I tested it out - and it stitches a beautiful stitch and the motor runs strong and quiet. The case for this Featherweight is in excellent condition both inside and out and it is evident it was stored in a nice dry environment, but I also have to say that it 'smells like I remember my Grandma's house smelling'. This machine comes with the original instruction booklet which seems to me to be in perfect condition. The little Singer oil tube is included as well as the following attachments (which I had fun identifying from the instruction booklet!): Foot hemmer, Adjustable Hemmer, Multiple Slotted Binder, Edge-Stitcher, Gatherer Foot, Ruffler, Seam Gauge that screws in, 2 screw dr ivers, and 2 keys to the case. - this is ALL of the that are mentioned in the book!

This machine is a beauty---one of those that just does not come along very often.

New Crop of Jackets 'Birthed'

I don't know why - but a couple weeks before a show- I lay awake atnight creating the design for new jackets. Sew....here's the latest 'crop'. This first one features Chenille by the Inch -around both edges of the tape measure twill tape ribbon. You can't see any of the real detail, but it really is nice. Before 'fluffing' the chenille, I couched down a black yarn on the oatmeal color. I also cut back the neckline of this sweatshirt for a larger, face-framing neckline. I really like it, and hope it will fit Cyndi, my 'helper' at the upcoming Novi American Sewing Expo where I get to teach and sell.
The grey one was inspired by the awesome one-of-a-kind Crone Art fimo clay button at the neckline. I used the collar from Lois Ericson's Classy Coat pattern for the collar. I cut it wider, and then lined it with another fabric, and folded the top edge down. I also like the flattering line in the bodice that I created by just stitching a bias folded piece to the outside of the sweatshirt, and let it flop down - then couching a yarn along the edge to hold it down.

I REALLY love this bright raspberry jacket. I used one of the awesome Direct Reactive Dye sweatshirts from USA Comfort Color that I carry. This wonderful fabric became a member of my stash LAST year from the Fabric Gallery's booth at Novi...so I thought it made sense to get it into a jacket a year later. Sheesh - I realize now that the pink and black fabric on they grey sweatshirt and the pretty coral and grey on the jacket below were all 'adopted' from my friend, Mesee's booth last year at Novi. Visit her shop - it is spectacular! I actually used the same collar pattern on this jacket that I used onthe grey jacket - just cut wider. It is a single layer collar - frayed on the edge, and about 1/2" in from the edge - I've 'stopped' the fraying with couched down black yarn. That's another great Crone Art button for the focal point. I have convinced them to continue to do awesome all black great BIG buttons, so know I would always have some of those you could email me to order... londa@londas-sewing.com

This Grey jacket - well, I just wish I'd cut that spectacular fabric on the bias for this collar! Oh well - I'm probably harder on myself than those Project Runway judges would be! The yarn couched along the custom dyed Bias Cut Silk Ribbon has a hint of silver metallic in it - thus the addition of Swarovski Crystals in the paisleys on the collar.

This black/silver jacket puts to use a spectacular piece of home dec fabric I picked up at the Puyallup American Sewing & Stitchery Expo last March. Also - note the LARGE JUMBO snaps. I like the face-framing wide collar. I'm just seeing that alot in RTW - and like how this style helps make the focus the WEARER. Also - you can't see it, but I created a facing of the little polka dot that peeks out at the hemline of this jacket.

The green jacket started out a 2XL! I keep preaching that you are buying 'fabric and matching ribbing' - but people just don't want to believe me. Applying the 'pattern' from REFINED to raise the shoulder armscye to the proper place and shape the jacket, PLUS a big dart all the way up the center back really shaped this 'fabric' into a great fit for my newest 'Christmas' jacket. There are 2 batiks played together: one a poinsettia, and the other a stylized Christmas Tree in this jacket. I trapunto stitched around these motifs onthe upper chest area and back yoke by dropping my feed dogs and using smoke YLI monofilament thread. A scrap of burgundy red wool crepe cut into 3/4" strips on the bias and layered 2 deep with a black and red yarn twisted together and couched down the center define the vertical line and 'pulls it all together'. This is all in my pattern Transformed. All I did to make the neckline stand up was to attach it in a 1:1 ratio. I ran out of ribbing at the shoulder line of the other side - so I grabbed another old ribbing and covered it with fabric. Darned if I didn't cut it too short - so I had to creatively add in a piece at the right shoulder area. Challenges - challenges. But, in sewing, I AM IN CONTROL! That's a pocket at the lower right, by the way.

Time for a walk in this beautiful Indian Summer weather...

10 Reasons Skirts are Better Than Pants

I asked and got her immediate permission to share Erin's enchanting reasons why

Skirts Are Better Than Pants

[*for UK readers, please substitute "trousers" for "pants" throughout. Or just giggle, I don't care.]
1. Drawing your pants legs back from someone in disgust as you pass them is insufficiently scornful.
2. Studies have shown that wearing skirts is 90% effective in preventing VPL (visible panty line).
3. Ditto for "plumber's butt," "whale tail," and "camel toe."
4. Ruffles on a skirt can be over-the-top glamorous. Ruffles on pants are only acceptable if your name is Mary, and a little lamb follows you everywhere you go.
5. It is impossible to smuggle someone in -- or out -- of prison, a masked ball, a hotel room, etc. by hiding them under your pants. (Plus, there is no such thing as "hooppants."
6. When you strap a gun to your thigh in pants, you lose the element of surprise.
7. You don't have to have skirts hemmed differently for flats or heels.
8. Twirling in a pair of pants results in 87% less happiness.
9. The word "skirt" has both a singular and a plural form, usable by all ("I am wearing a skirt today." "Instantly Mrs. Bagnet put some pins into her mouth, and began pinning up her skirts all round, a little higher than the level of her grey cloak.") The word "pants" has a singular than can only be used by fashion-industry people ("Designers are showing a high-waisted, wide-legged pant for fall").
10. Skirt blowing up, revealing underthings? Sexy. Pants falling down, revealing underthings? Humiliating.

Sarah Palin must be wise to all this! Yea.......

Wisdom

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did." When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." Something good will happen to you today; something that you have been waiting to hear.

Londa 'published' in magazine and new book

Exciting Days - my work has recently been published!







Sweatshirts with a Twist is a book edited by the editor of Clotilde's Sew Savvy Magazine, Julie Johnson. Published by House of White Birches, this book offers "12 Sensational Sweatshirt Redesigns - Changing the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary!" My own 'Fuchsia Fun' Jacket from my Refined pattern is included. I am sure honored to be invited to contribute to this book!




At just $14.95, this books is a great value with complete jacket directions from myself and 11 other designers. Order it from me HERE.

Creative Needle Magazine editor Ann Henderson caught up with me in Houston last year at the Quilt Festival. We go 'way' back to my heirloom sewing days in the late 80's and early 90's, when I wrote a column for about a year in that wonderful fine sewing magazine. Ann challenged me to design a sweatshirt for a child with "Londa flair". My genre doesn't include any typical appliques, so here is what I came up with - as found in my Promised Pattern. I love this full page column photo of the jacket. Kits for this little jacket are available ... click HERE to see the options and place your order. In the same magazine issue(just released October 2008 issue that features charming Christmas and holiday garments, gifts, and decor items), is my article on Sewing with Knits.

I'm sure you can order this great Creative Needle Magazine at their website: http://www.creativeneedlemag.com/

Donation Given to Help Guatemalen Women

September 5, 2008

Dear Penny,
Enclosed is my donation for your wonderful work in Guatemala. It would honor my customers and myself if you would use it to buy 2 sewing machines, and the rest put towards teacher training.
I look forward to a prosperous fall season of retail sewing shows and even a wholesale market in Houston the end of October with my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket patterns. Just last night, I was working on editing my patterns so that they cite Miracles in Action as the charity I support with a tithe of my pattern sales, so that the information about this will be accurate as they are reprinted.
Please continue to send update information. If you could both email it to me and post it as a Comment at my Blog to which I am posting this letter – http://www.londascreativesewingchatter.blogspot.com/ – that would be a wonderful way to keep my customers informed.
Your wonderful humanitarian efforts are a supreme example of how we should all live. I look forward to the day when I ‘retire’ and can follow in your footsteps. For now, please accept my contribution on behalf of my sewing customers and myself in the name of Jesus.

In Him,
Londa Rohlfing
Londa’s Creative Threads

Customers - read more and see pictures about Penny's great work at this link: http://miraclesinaction.org/pb/wp_30f3a390/wp_30f3a390.html

After learning to sew at a Miracles in Action and Mayan Families Workshop, this graduate carries home her sewing machine. She can now earn an income from the home while caring for her children.

LUV, LUV the newest THREADS Magazine!

The November 2008 (WHY oh WHY are the months on magazines SEW far in the future?) THREADS arrived yesterday - kept me awake last night! This is the BESTEST issue I've seen in awhile. I devoured most of it - but can't wait to settle down and REALLY digest "Behind the Seams at Chado Ralph Rucci" with Claire Shaeffer and "Gussets in Facings" by Kenneth King. Even though what I am sewing these days is about as far from those fashions as possible, I love vicariously enjoying the process by reading the how-to's.



The New Look 6632 jacket as reviewed on page 22 is the perfect inspiration for a chenille by the inch and tape measure twill tape embellishment placement on the current sweatshirt transformation I'm at work on. I'll post pictures soon .



AND - page 66 - note those JUMBO SNAPS on Marcy Tilton's jacket. I CARRY those ! Just figured out they are not on my site - I'll fix that pronto and come back and add the link...
I love the way the side on the back of the overlap still make a 'statement' by the way in which they are stitched on! Another idea for a jacket of mine...the next one 'up' on my design table, no doubt.



In fact, I carry LOTS of what is in this magazine - here's a listing...

Bobbin Buddies - pg. 14
Bobbin Winder - pg. 26
Vegetable Ivory (Tagua Nut) Buttons - pg. 32
Acid Free Tissue Wrap and Storage Box- pg. 42
Iron Off - pg. 57
African Buttons - pg.73
Jumbo Snaps - pg. 66 as seen on Marcy's jacket
Neopague and Lumiere Paint - Starter Kit - pg. 66
coming any day ...
Stitch Dissolve Distort - book pg. 18
Studio Kat purse patterns - pg. 88
Oliver+S children' patterns - pg. 14

YEAH! A Pro-Life, REAL Woman --- who wears a SKIRT!

Happy tears - as a woman, as a strong Christian whose pro-life stance guides all my life and political decisions, as a Mom, as one with a deep concern and love for the disabled, I am thrilled beyond measure with McCain's decision to select Sarah Palen as his VP running mate. Wow! This woman has guts - and she is a down-to-earth woman that I do surely identify with. Plus all that - she has the good sense to honor her female gender by wearing a suit with a SKIRT! I hope she keeps it up during the tough days ahead. I've been praying daily for this election, and today I surely see God's hand!

Fine Pant Finishing Details

These are my favorite Chico's pants. I bought 3 pair last December on sale - for about $15! Anyway - LOVE these fine details - and you can do it too. Note in first picture the ribbon around the bottom of the invisible side zipper. Also - that it is stitched to the seam allowance at the bottom.

Invisible zips can really scratch your body - especially at the top edge. Do an inside tab like you see here. This is all on the INSIDE of the pnt. Covers the zip coil and tab at the top and hold it altogether on the body nicely.
Note where my left forefinger is pointing...this is stitching THROUGH the end of the elastic that has been stretched a bit to INTERFACE the facing. The elastic extends to about the same distance from the side around the back of my body.
Here, I'm showing how the 1 1/2" elastic has been butted right up to the top edge of the facing seam on the INSIDE of the facing - and stretched a bit. It is serged along with the facing edge to finish, and topstitched to the facing only along the top edge. It appears to be stretched just a tad all along - just a gently tug, firm pressure as you apply it. See next picture...taken from inside the pant - showing the slight 'gather' on the facing.

This teatment makes for a wonderful firm, flat, comfy waistband - no matter WHERE on your body you place it! Mine hits just a smidge below the belly button. Young ones want it lower - us old gals KNOW where our real waist is, eh?

Democratic Convention fashions

Admission: I am not a Hillary fan - but I DO have at least some fashion sense, and I just want to go on record as saying that all along this crazy political year, I have found Hilary's fashions to be BORING! That orange she wore the other night - ALL orange - shell, jacket, pant - was such a yucky color on her - and SO boring! Couldn't she at least have found some jewelry??? I kept waiting for her to admit being a real woman and to wear a skirt or dress..... at least Chelsea (wow, she has turned into a lovely young woman!) had the good fashion sense to wear a skirt that night!

Michelle Obama - OK - the aqua dress she wore when she spoke was fine - (though still too tight over that behind for my good taste) but then can't she find a new designer or go to another rack for the dress she wore Wed night? How many attached flowers at the neckline can I take? Well - the one from last night with TWO flowers - or it appeared - was POOR design from all I've learned. AND, I'll also go on record as saying the 10 year old's spaghetti strap dress worn the night she spoke was WAY too grown-up and sexy for a 10 year old in my humble opinion!

Nany Pelosi - well she has looked great imho. Not that I like her politics, but at least she had great hair, makeup AND stylish clothing from what I saw.

As if all this made 2 hoots of difference......... sheesh, I just keep praying for our country, and that God keep his hand on this election!

Olympic Gymnastic Fashions

What fun to see what can be done on a leotard! IMHO though - I wouldn't want to try to do all that swinging and hopping and twisting and flipping with a high jewel neckline as on the leotards of the Chinese team....

USA Pride Jacket

To show my national pride (and prayers) I just finished this red-blue-white (well, silver) jacket. It pretty much follows the Yellow Jacket in my Transformed pattern. The prints on the shoulder (which extends to a similar shape on the tucked and shaped back) and the pocket are pieced from men's old ties. One tie was cut into 3/8" bias strips for the 'connecting piece, topped with red furry yarn couched down. The flattering princess lines are just that combo of tie bias and yarn. A strip of Snap Tape (limited quantities available at http://www.londas-sewing.com/) surrounds the base of the neck and the sleeves. Jumbo Snaps (1.5 sets) create the base of the focal point. The face-framing collar is created by utilizing the lower band of the sweatshirt, interfaced, and lined inside with another striped tie. I seamed it on the center back inside so that the stripes nicely chevron.

P.S. I refrained from adding an elephant somewhere - but that is my personal sentiment - based entirely on the sanctity of life issue.

Newest Fabrics to Join my Stash

Am I stuck in a black/cream, black/white mode or what???? Perhaps it is because of all the positive comments I get on the jacket you see to the left - from my Worthy pattern.

Anyway - here are the fabrics I purchased at the ASG Conference - from Barb Callahan's booth. Can't wait to design with these sophisticated pieces! I need to find a Gingko tree around here so I can play with soome discharge stenciling on the body of the sweatshirt!